CC Sabathia To Start Make Up Matinee As New York Takes On Kansas City

In this game, mother nature can't be avoided so CC Sabathia will take the mound this afternoon in a makeup game from May 25th as New York will host Kansas City.

Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia always has been a handful for the Royals. And he'll get another crack at them on Monday in a makeup game at Yankee Stadium . "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170524232237668/sabathia-yanks-still-aiming-for-al-east-crown/?game_pk=490806

Sabathia has been so-so in the month of September. In three starts he has a 4.60 ERA and opponents are hitting .308 off him with a .871 OPS. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170524232237668/sabathia-yanks-still-aiming-for-al-east-crown/?game_pk=490806

Royals outfielder Melky Cabrera is 6-for-16 (.375) with two homers off Sabathia. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170524232237668/sabathia-yanks-still-aiming-for-al-east-crown/?game_pk=490806

Alex Gordon of the Royals always has struggled against Sabathia (6-for-33, .182). "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170524232237668/sabathia-yanks-still-aiming-for-al-east-crown/?game_pk=490806

Over his career, Sabathia has a 20-11 record with a 3.11 ERA against the Royals. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170524232237668/sabathia-yanks-still-aiming-for-al-east-crown/?game_pk=490806

The Yankees clinched an American League Wild Card berth on Saturday, and their magic number to clinch home-field advantage in the AL Wild Card Game sits at just two. They currently sit five games behind the Red Sox for first place in the AL East. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170524232237668/sabathia-yanks-still-aiming-for-al-east-crown/?game_pk=490806

The Royals will counter with rookie right-hander Jakob Junis (8-2, 4.05 ERA), who has gone from a fringe part of the Royals rotation to one its most reliable pieces. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170524232237668/sabathia-yanks-still-aiming-for-al-east-crown/?game_pk=490806

"I've just been impressed with his consistency," Royals manager Ned Yost said of Junis. "He doesn't get rattled. He just goes out there every start and hits his spots and performs like a veteran." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170524232237668/sabathia-yanks-still-aiming-for-al-east-crown/?game_pk=490806

Junis especially has been in sync since the All-Star break, posting a walk rate of 1.05 per nine innings. That is second best in the Majors behind Corey Kluber (0.92). "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170524232237668/sabathia-yanks-still-aiming-for-al-east-crown/?game_pk=490806

"He comes out and throws strikes," Yost said. "That's what you like to see." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170524232237668/sabathia-yanks-still-aiming-for-al-east-crown/?game_pk=490806

Alex Gordon of the Royals always has struggled against Sabathia (6-for-33, .182). "according to tohttp://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170524232237668/sabathia-yanks-still-aiming-for-al-east-crown/?game_pk=490806

As for New York's last game, they were beaten in the finale against Toronto,

Although rookie right fielder Aaron Judge rose to the occasion Sunday in the finale against Toronto after New York clinched a postseason spot Saturday it wasn't enough for them to overcome as they were beaten by Toronto.

what was likely the final home game of Jose Bautista's career with the Blue Jays, the franchise icon helped lead a 9-5 win over the Yankees in the series finale at Rogers Centre on Sunday afternoon. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

In the top of the first inning, Bautista's teammates stayed in the dugout as he took the field alone to a standing ovation. He received the same welcome from the 47,394 fans in all five of his plate appearances, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a walk. With one out in the ninth inning, manager John Gibbons removed Bautista from the game for one final ovation and a curtain call in front of the Blue Jays' dugout. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

"A lot of feelings," Bautista said after the game. "It's probably hard to narrow down just one or the one that stuck out the most. There were a lot of things that go through your head quickly at that moment. I don't quite remember exactly all of the things that I was thinking about. It was kind of a blur to me, but I enjoyed it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

Aaron Judge did everything in his power to steal the spotlight, with home run Nos. 47 and 48marking the sixth multihomer game of his career. That puts the Yanks slugger within one of the rookie home run record of 49, set by Mark McGwire in 1987, with seven games remaining on the Yankees' schedule. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

"The biggest thing is winning ballgames," Judge said. "This is the right time to get hot. It's coming down to the wire, and I'm going to try to do whatever I can to help the team be in a good position going into October." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

The Yankees clinched a postseason spot on Saturday with their 5-1 win, but with Boston's win over Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon, New York has fallen to five games back in the American League East race. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

"It's getting fairly large with seven games to go," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Obviously, we're going to keep playing, but I think you start to think ahead a little bit, too, as you move forward and try to set up what possibly could be us playing [in the AL Wild Card Game]." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

Marcus Stroman ran onto the field prior to the first pitch wearing a black No. 19 Bautista jersey from his 2010 and '11 seasons, when Bautista hit a combined 97 home runs with 227 RBIs. Stroman has been a teammate of Bautista's since entering the big leagues in '14. The right-hander lasted 5 2/3 innings on Sunday with three runs allowed on five hits and four walks to bring his ERA to 3.06. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

New York starter Jaime Garcia struggled with his control, throwing 33 balls and 27 strikes before being pulled after 2 1/3 innings. A midseason acquisition from the Twins, Garcia's spot on the postseason roster could be in jeopardy. He allowed five runs on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts before the bullpen took over. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

"I just couldn't get a good rhythm going," Garcia said. "I couldn't execute the strike zone like I usually do and want to. It was just one of those days. I haven't had one of those in a while. You've just got to turn the page." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

Teoscar Hernandez went deep for the third consecutive game, making him the first rookie in Blue Jays history to do so. Hernandez turned on the second pitch from Garcia and sent it 420 feet to left field with an exit velocity of 102.5 mph, according to Statcast™. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

Russell Martin delivered the big blow in the bottom of the third, extending Toronto's lead to 5-0 at the time with a three-run double into the right-center-field gap.Justin Smoak and Bautista were followed home by Kendrys Morales, who rounded the bases from first and slid in just ahead of the throw. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

"The focus was Jose today -- what he's done in this town, for this organization and really the country. He helped rebuild the team. He was the face of the franchise for a number of years, and he did it the right way." -- Gibbons, on Bautista "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

The Blue Jays' pitchers set a new franchise record with 1,320 strikeouts on the season, surpassing their old record of 1,314 set in 2016.

The Yankees were threatening in the top of the fourth after a RBI single from Didi Gregorius. With none out and runners on first and second, Starlin Castro grounded to Ryan Goins, who stepped on the bag at second and fired to first to complete the double play. The Yankees challenged the call at first, which was overturned. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

After hitting his bases-loaded single in the fourth, Bautista tried to score all the way from first on a Morales single. He slid headfirst and tried to reach around to tap home plate with his left hand, but he was called out on the play as it appeared he couldn't get his hand around Austin Romine's foot. The call was confirmed after a challenge from the Blue Jays. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/

With the loss, New York drops to 86-69 while Toronto to 73-83 on the season. New York is now 5.0 games back of Boston who is leading the American League East with a record of 91-64 after edging Cincinnati Sunday.

As for Kansas City's last game, they got beat by the Chicago White Sox,

Rookie right-hander Lucas Giolito threw seven innings of one-run ball. and Avasiail Garcia homered and drove in three runs as the White Sox beat the Royals, 8-1, on Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255905098/lucas-giolito-leads-white-sox-over-royals/?game_pk=492423

The Royals' playoff chances diminished further as they fell 5 1/2 games behind the Twins for the second American League Wild Card spot with seven games to play. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255905098/lucas-giolito-leads-white-sox-over-royals/?game_pk=492423

Giolito gave up five hits, walked none and struck out five. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255905098/lucas-giolito-leads-white-sox-over-royals/?game_pk=492423

"We just couldn't generate any offense off him," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He was good. We've been swinging the bats good but couldn't get anything going. He shut us down." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255905098/lucas-giolito-leads-white-sox-over-royals/?game_pk=492423

"I felt pretty good. I felt like I commanded my fastball pretty well," Giolito said. "I'd say that it was just on the mental side, feeling very comfortable pounding the strike zone because the defense from the get-go was just spectacular behind me today." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255905098/lucas-giolito-leads-white-sox-over-royals/?game_pk=492423

Outfielder Lorenzo Cain's fourth-inning home run was the Royals' lone run behind starter Ian Kennedy's who gave up seven hits and five runs over 5 1/3 innings. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255905098/lucas-giolito-leads-white-sox-over-royals/?game_pk=492423

"The [performance] didn't reflect what the statline shows Kennedy said. "I felt like my fastball was good. I made that one mistake with the slider, to [White Sox catcher Kevan] Smith. But just frustrating, because I felt better than the results." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255905098/lucas-giolito-leads-white-sox-over-royals/?game_pk=492423

Garcia got the White Sox going quickly in the first inning. After Yoan Moncada doubled with one out, Garcia hit a Kennedy fastball hard the other way, a two-run shot. The homer had a 107-mph exit velocity, according to Statcast with an estimated distance of 404 feet. It was Garcia's 18th home run this season and his three RBIs moved him to 80 overall for the first time in his career. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255905098/lucas-giolito-leads-white-sox-over-royals/?game_pk=492423

"We always set goals. We set goals and I'm grateful that God give me the opportunity to be who I am now," Garcia said. "I'm just thankful and I got to keep the same, the same routine, the same everything, and work hard every day, every year, every month so I can bring the best for my team." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255905098/lucas-giolito-leads-white-sox-over-royals/?game_pk=492423

White Sox catcher Kevan Smith ended a streak of nine consecutive batters retired by Kennedy when he took a breaking ball and drilled it into the left-field seats in the fourth inning. Statcast™ estimated that the ball traveled 411 feet. It was Smith's fourth home run this season and it gave the White Sox a 3-1 lead. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255905098/lucas-giolito-leads-white-sox-over-royals/?game_pk=492423

"I'd say that just the confidence and everything is right where it needs to be so I'm going to continue to try and pitch like I am."-- Giolito "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/255905098/lucas-giolito-leads-white-sox-over-royals/?game_pk=492423

With the loss, Kansas City drops to 76-79 and is now 21.5 games back of Cleveland who is leading the American League Central.

Right-hander Jacob Junis who has a record of 8-2 with a 4.05 earn run average will get the start for Kansas City. Junis takes the mound for the Royals in a makeup game at Yankee Stadium. Junis has never faced the Yankees but over his last six starts, he has posted a 2.62 earn run average. He will oppose New York left-hander CC Sabathia who has a record of 12-5 with a 3.81 earn run average. Sabathia picked up the victory his last start, hurling six innings of two-run, six-hit ball to defeat the Twins at Yankee Stadium. He faced Kansas City on May 16, holding the Royals scoreless on five hits over 6 2/3 frames. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/royals-vs-yankees/2017/09/25/490806#game_state=preview,lock_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490806

Will CC Sabathia pitch another shutout like he did his last time out against Kansas City? Will Kansas City be able to get their offense going against the 37 -year-old veteran left-hander? Will New York be able to get their offense going against Jacob Junis who has never gone up against them?

First pitch is set for 1:05 pm. The game will be televised Major League Baseball Network and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/royals-vs-yankees/2017/09/25/490806#game_state=preview,lock_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490806

MLBAbigail BaggettSeptember 25, 2017Kansas City Royals, New York YankeesComment

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CC Sabathia To Start Make Up Matinee As New York Takes On Kansas City