New York Opens Home Stand With Seattle

New York will begin a  ten game home stand starting with a three game series with Seattle to open up Players Weekend.

The Mariners continue to battle in the American League Wild Card race, as they open a three-game set against the Yankees on Friday at Yankee Stadium for the start of MLB Players Weekend. Things may look a little peculiar inside Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees will not be wearing pinstripes at home. All 30 teams across baseball will be sporting colorful, non-traditional alternate uniforms this weekend with individual nicknames on their backs and tribute patches on their sleeves. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170823250178186/wild-card-contenders-mariners-yanks-open-set/?game_pk=492020

Both teams are in the mix for the two AL Wild Card spots. The Yankees hold the top Wild Card spot, while the Mariners are a half-game behind the Twins for the second spot. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170823250178186/wild-card-contenders-mariners-yanks-open-set/?game_pk=492020

The Mariners will send Ariel Miranda (6.19 ERA in 13 road starts) to the mound. On July 22, the left-hander allowed two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Yankees. Miranda looks to improve his command, as he has a 7.52 ERA over his last four starts.

The Yankees counter with CC Sabathia, who will wear "Dub," on his jersey for Players Weekend. The veteran is 10-5 with a 3.99 ERA in a bounce-back season with the Yankees. Sabathia beat the Mariners on July 21, allowing one run over five innings. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170823250178186/wild-card-contenders-mariners-yanks-open-set/?game_pk=492020

Sabathia has struggled at home this season, going 3-2 with a 5.68 ERA in eight starts. Opponents are hitting .254 against him at home, as opposed to .233 against him on the road.

Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz (aka "Boomstick") hasn't fared well against Sabathia in his career. He is 3-for-26 with 11 strikeouts against the left-hander.

Away from Safeco Field, Miranda has had 9.6 percent of balls put in play against him turn into home runs, the highest rate among the 100 pitchers who have generated at least 150 batted balls on the road. However, a MLB-high 13 of Miranda's 19 road homers have had a projected distance of less than 400 feet, according to Statcast. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170823250178186/wild-card-contenders-mariners-yanks-open-set/?game_pk=492020

As for New York's last game tempers flared up in the finale in Detroit.

New York won the series taking two out of three but Detroit won the finale Thursday at Comerica Park and the two offenses weren't the only thing that was hot their tempers were too!

 Jose Iglesias' bases-clearing double in the seventh inning put the Tigers ahead for good in a wild getaway matinee, thwarting a Yankees attempt a series sweep with a 10-6 Detroit win Thursday at Comerica Park. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250343382/tigers-defeat-yankees-as-tempers-flare/

The game was interrupted by three bench-clearing incidents -- one that led to blows between Miguel Cabrera and Austin Romine following a Tommy Kahnle pitch behind Cabrera, another the next inning following a Dellin Betances pitch that hit James McCann in the helmet and put the go-ahead run on base. By game's end, both managers had been ejected, along with a coach and five players. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250343382/tigers-defeat-yankees-as-tempers-flare/

The Betances pitch led to Betances' ejection, as well as Yankees bench coach Rob Thomson, and put the eventual go-ahead run on base. After David Robertson hit John Hicks with a pitch on the hands and walked Jacoby Jones on four pitches, Iglesias lined a double deep into the gap in left-center field. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250343382/tigers-defeat-yankees-as-tempers-flare/

Michael Fulmer, whose fastball inside to Gary Sanchez following his fourth home run of the series began the tensions in the fifth inning, gave up five runs (four earned) over six-plus innings but took a no-decision. Alex Wilson (2-4) retired two batters in the seventh to get the win, but he was ejected in the eighth after hitting Todd Frazier on his left thigh and sparking a third bench-clearing fracas. Former Yankee Shane Greene recorded the final five outs for his fourth save. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250343382/tigers-defeat-yankees-as-tempers-flare/

Betances (3-5) took the loss after throwing just two pitches. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250343382/tigers-defeat-yankees-as-tempers-flare/

Kahnle was ejected in the sixth inning after he threw a pitch behind Cabrera with two outs and nobody on, as was Yankees manager Joe Girardi for arguing the ejection with plate umpire Carlos Torres. Once the arguments quieted and Aroldis Chapman replaced Kahnle, Cabrera and Romine began arguing and exchanged punches, clearing the benches. The benches cleared two more times over the next two innings, and teammates Justin Verlander and Victor Martinez had to be separated by Nicholas Castellanos during an argument in the Tigers dugout. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250343382/tigers-defeat-yankees-as-tempers-flare/

 After a two-homer game in Tuesday's series opener and another home run Wednesday night, the Tigers were expected to be extra careful with Sanchez. Once Sanchez worked a full count from Fulmer to lead off the fourth inning, however, he turned on a hanging slider and drove it out to left, giving the Yankees a 2-1 lead. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250343382/tigers-defeat-yankees-as-tempers-flare/

Jones tried to take an extra base on his bloop single into short left field in the eighth, and he initially was called out at second. The Tigers challenged, but after a review, the call stood. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250343382/tigers-defeat-yankees-as-tempers-flare/

With the loss, New York drops to 68-58 and is five games back of their division rival Boston in the American League East while Detroit improves to 55-71 and is now 14.5 games back of American League Central leader Cleveland. 

As for Seattle, they won their last game defeating Atlanta 9-6. 

Kyle Seager (aka "Corey's Brother" for Players Weekend) capped a five-run eighth inning with a three-run homer, sealing the Mariners' 9-6 win over the Braves on Wednesday night at SunTrust Park. "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

"Seager had a huge home run," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "That was the game that wasn't going to be decided by one run. We needed to get the add-on runs, and he put a really nice swing on the ball and got it out of here." "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

The Mariners, who collected 15 hits, are one game behind the Twins for the second American League Wild Card spot, after Minnesota lost to the White Sox, 4-3, on Wednesday. "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

Seager (3-for-5, four RBIs) extended the Mariners' lead shortly after Taylor Motter -- who replaced Robinson Cano after the star second baseman exited with left hamstring tightness-- hit a go-ahead, two-run single off Braves reliever Jim Johnson. Johnson (6-3) allowed four runs without recording an out. "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

"It is never easy when you've got to step into a big league game, as it is the best of the best out there," Motter said. "I learned how to slowly adapt myself to the game moving forward." "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

Johnson lost the closer's role near the end of July and has allowed 11 earned runs over his past 2 1/3 innings (four appearances). But because setup men Jose Ramirez and Sam Freeman had pitched the previous two nights, Braves manager Brian Snitker went with Johnson, who has not retired any of the first four batters he's faced in each of his past two appearances. "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

"I just felt like they had had a lot. I was trying to get around those guys," Snitker said. "With the day off, you've got two days and then we've got a long stretch. You hate to do it, but then probably in retrospect, you pitch them. But the guys have been pitching a lot." "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

Mariners starter Erasmo Ramirez allowed three runs over six innings, retiring 14 of the last 17 batters he faced. He also had his first two career hits, the first being an RBI single in the second. "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

It was a big start by Erasmo tonight, and it is going to be a key with our starting pitchers to get us into the fifth- or sixth-inning range and see what happens from there," Servais said. "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 12 games with an RBI double and Nick Markakis added two RBIs to lead the Braves' offense. Starter R.A. Dickey struggled with knuckleball command, allowing four runs on 11 hits over six innings. "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

"Guys were getting dinky hits, but they covered a couple, too. So, I need to own that," Dickey said. "But I felt I should have given up a couple of runs tonight at the most. I was happy I bent tonight, but didn't break and gave us a chance. Some nights, that's all you can do." "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

The Braves took a one-run lead in the seventh on Markakis' RBI fielder's choice against returning reliever David Phelps. However, Phelps kept the deficit at one by getting Ozzie Albies to ground out, stranding runners at first and second and setting the stage for the Mariners' five-run rally in the eighth. "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

After Johnson exited with runners on first and third, Seager welcomed reliever Dan Winkler by crushing a 94-mph fastball over the center-field wall to push the Mariners' lead to 9-5. According to Statcast™, Seager's homer went 385 feet and had a 30-degree launch angle. "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

"It is just a situation that you have the guy on third and it's a pretty big run," Seager said. "I was trying to stay in the middle of the field, get a ball and put it in the air. I wasn't planning on it going out, as I just wanted to get the runner in. I am very thankful it went out, though." "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

"They told me that I had to start getting my pitches down. They said 'I don't know how you are going to do it, but you know you can do it. Just go with more confidence, and stop thinking too much. Just execute.' They called the pitches, and after that, I was better in that situation." --Ramirez, on mound visit with catcher Mike Zunino and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre after second inning "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

"Confidence. Location. Sink. The ball isn't sinking like it did. They've been working hard in the bullpen. I was hoping some of that would have paid off today, and it didn't." -- Snitker, on what has been lacking for Johnson, who has a 7.50 ERA in 33 games since May 23 "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

Cano passed Babe Ruth to move into 57th on the all-time doubles list with a pair of two-baggers -- Nos. 506 and 507 in his career. He left after doubling in the third. "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

Reliever A.J. Minter, the Braves' No. 24 prospect per MLBPipeline.com, recorded two strikeouts during a perfect ninth in his Major League debut. Minter was promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett before the game, and now may find himself pitching meaningful innings through the rest of the season. "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

Mariners outfielder Guillermo Heredia remained in the game after getting hit on the right forearm by a Jason Motte pitch in the seventh. The Mariners successfully challenged the initial ruling that the pitch had hit Heredia's bat and resulted in a groundout. After the review reversed the call, Heredia took first base. However, he was replaced to start the bottom of the inning and is day to day. "according to http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/250226626/kyle-seager-caps-mariners-win-over-braves/?topicId=27118402

With the win, Seattle improved to 65-63 in the American League West and is now 12.5 games back of division leader Houston who has a record of 77-50. 

Veteran left-hander 37-year-old CC Sabathia will start the opener against Seattle. He has a record of 10-5 with a 3.99 earn run average. Sabathia turned in his first quality start in more than a month in his most recent outing after allowing five home runs in three games. He allowed one earned run in five innings against Seattle on July 21st. He will go up against Seattle left-hander Ariel Miranda who has a record of 8-6 with a 4.78 earn run average. Miranda has had command issues recently, allowing 13 earned runs over his last 14 2/3 innings. Walks have also been an issue, as he has issued nine during that span, which is contributing to his inability to go deep into games.   "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/mariners-vs-yankees/2017/08/25/492020#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492020

Will CC Sabathia have another quality start? Will the New York offense be able to get runs off Seattle's Ariel Miranda who has struggled as of late and be able to  backup CC Sabathia? Will New York bounce back from their loss in the finale in Detroit? Will Seattle be able to get their offense going against the veteran left hander? 

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and ROOtTNW "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/mariners-vs-yankees/2017/08/25/492020#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492020