New York And Boston Meet For The First Time This Season As The Defending World Series Champions Visit The Bronx
The last time we saw Boston they were hoisting the World Series trophy after taking the series over the Los Angeles Dodgers in October.
On Tuesday night through two of the powerhouses on the diamond renew their rivalry as New York host Boston for game one of a two game set but that is not all they will be doing as both teams will wear the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson who was known for breaking the color barrier . In doing so, we honored the man who stood defiantly against those who would work against racial equality and acknowledged the profound influence of one man’s life on the American culture. On the date of Robinson’s historic debut, all Major League teams across the nation celebrated this milestone. Also that year, The United States Post Office honored Robinson by making him the subject of a commemorative postage stamp. “according to https://www.jackierobinson.com/biography/
Both teams who are members of the American League East are struggling so far this season as New York comes into opening game of the quick two game set with a record of 6-9 and is in second place in the division while Boston comes into the game with a record of 6-10 and are in fourth place in the division. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings
James Paxton who was acquired from Seattle this off-season for Justus Sheffield will start for New York. The left-hander comes into the game with a record of 1-2 with a 6.00 earn run average. Paxton is coming off a loss to the Astros, in which he allowed five runs and eight hits over four-plus innings. He later learned that he was tipping his pitches. Paxton was 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in four starts vs. Boston as a member of the Mariners. He will oppose Chris Sale who like him is a left-hander. Chris Sale comes into the game with a record of 0-3 with a 9.00 earn run average. Sale kicks off a two-game rivalry series at Yankee Stadium, where he has thrived (1.86 ERA) throughout his career. However, Sale has not thrived this season, going four innings or fewer in two of his first three starts. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers
As for New York’s previous game, they not only lost to the Chicago White Sox but lost the series as well.
Tanaka had continued a strong opening act to his campaign by cruising through three innings, but two hits and two walks in the fourth dented the hurler's confidence. He tried the splitter once more and Tim Anderson belted it over the right-field wall for the infielder's first career grand slam, a blow the Yankees were unable to recover from in Sunday's 5-2 loss. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"Obviously, it wasn't coming out of the hand right," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "It's not just today; it's been like that for a little bit. I think it comes down to the mechanics, but I definitely need to make some adjustments so it is an effective pitch. It makes life harder when you don't have the splitter, and on top of that, you don't have your other pitches." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
Tanaka had owned a razor-sharp 1.47 ERA through his first three starts, and the Yankees appeared on track for a series victory when he struck out five of the first seven White Sox, combined with early run-scoring hits from Luke Voit and Aaron Judge. Instead, the Yankees lost their third straight home series to open the season, the first time they have done so since 1982. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
Following an off-day on Monday, the Red Sox will be next on the docket, marking the first time that the rivals will have seen each other since the American League Division Series. The Red Sox (6-10) have had early struggles as well, and both teams are chasing the Rays (12-4) in the standings. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"We walk in that room with high expectations, and that hasn’t wavered," manager Aaron Boone said. "We've got to keep grinding away right now, when it's a little bit difficult for us and we are dealing with adversity. But from a mindset standpoint, the guys are in a good place and the expectation is we’re going to come and beat you up every day. That's what we will continue to have."
The Yankees have held leads in eight of their losses, including twice this weekend. Facing Carlos Rodon in the first inning on Sunday, Judge worked a one-out walk and scored on Voit's run-scoring double toward the wall in right-center field, a knock that extended Voit's on-base streak to a career-high 26 games.
Two innings later, Judge laced an RBI single down the right-field line, with third-base coach Phil Nevin aggressively waving home Mike Tauchman. Gleyber Torres followed Judge's hit with another single, but Rodon clamped the bats there, retiring the final 11 Yankees he faced. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"It's not what any of us thought in this locker room, especially in April," Voit said. "We've got to pick our heads up, tie our shoes a little tighter and get ready to go, because these games do count. Even though it's April, we should have a lot better record than what we [have]." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
The schedule-makers granted the Yankees what many saw as a soft opening, with the Orioles, Tigers and White Sox arriving as the first visitors to stash their belongings on the third-base side of Yankee Stadium. Injuries and underperformance have prevented the Bombers from fattening their record, with just six wins to show through 15 contests. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"You can't take any team lightly, even based on what the team did last year, where they finished or where they're at," Judge said. "Anytime a team comes into Yankee Stadium, they're going to give you their 'A' game. We've noticed that. People are coming after us. We've got to keep the intensity up and play our game." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"Rodon’s stuff was pretty good today," Voit said. "Still, I feel like he had too many 1-2-3 innings. We really didn’t have too many guys on base. He was attacking the zone; we really couldn’t draw any walks or anything." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
Meanwhile, Tanaka was unable to shake Anderson's slam. He opened the fifth inning by permitting a double, single and walk, leaving a bases-loaded mess for reliever Luis Cessa. Boone said that he recognized Tanaka did not have his good splitter, but viewed it more as a one-off. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"I thought they did a really good job, even in two-strike counts, of laying off where you normally see chases, where Masa will chase you out of the zone with the splitter and the slider," Boone said. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
Jose Abreu lifted a sacrifice fly, with Judge taking away a potential extra-base hit -- one of two deft defensive plays by Judge, who also threw out Yoan Moncada stretching a single in the fourth. Cessa was able to limit the damage there, but the Yankees but the Yankees managed only one hit against a quartet of Chicago relievers.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"We weren't able to capitalize like we should -- like this team knows we can," Judge said. "We came up short this series." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss.
anaka had continued a strong opening act to his campaign by cruising through three innings, but two hits and two walks in the fourth dented the hurler's confidence. He tried the splitter once more and Tim Anderson belted it over the right-field wall for the infielder's first career grand slam, a blow the Yankees were unable to recover from in Sunday's 5-2 loss. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"Obviously, it wasn't coming out of the hand right," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "It's not just today; it's been like that for a little bit. I think it comes down to the mechanics, but I definitely need to make some adjustments so it is an effective pitch. It makes life harder when you don't have the splitter, and on top of that, you don't have your other pitches." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
Tanaka had owned a razor-sharp 1.47 ERA through his first three starts, and the Yankees appeared on track for a series victory when he struck out five of the first seven White Sox, combined with early run-scoring hits from Luke Voit and Aaron Judge. Instead, the Yankees lost their third straight home series to open the season, the first time they have done so since 1982. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
Following an off-day on Monday, the Red Sox will be next on the docket, marking the first time that the rivals will have seen each other since the American League Division Series. The Red Sox (6-10) have had early struggles as well, and both teams are chasing the Rays (12-4) in the standings. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"We walk in that room with high expectations, and that hasn’t wavered," manager Aaron Boone said. "We've got to keep grinding away right now, when it's a little bit difficult for us and we are dealing with adversity. But from a mindset standpoint, the guys are in a good place and the expectation is we’re going to come and beat you up every day. That's what we will continue to have."
The Yankees have held leads in eight of their losses, including twice this weekend. Facing Carlos Rodon in the first inning on Sunday, Judge worked a one-out walk and scored on Voit's run-scoring double toward the wall in right-center field, a knock that extended Voit's on-base streak to a career-high 26 games.
Two innings later, Judge laced an RBI single down the right-field line, with third-base coach Phil Nevin aggressively waving home Mike Tauchman. Gleyber Torres followed Judge's hit with another single, but Rodon clamped the bats there, retiring the final 11 Yankees he faced. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"It's not what any of us thought in this locker room, especially in April," Voit said. "We've got to pick our heads up, tie our shoes a little tighter and get ready to go, because these games do count. Even though it's April, we should have a lot better record than what we [have]." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
The schedule-makers granted the Yankees what many saw as a soft opening, with the Orioles, Tigers and White Sox arriving as the first visitors to stash their belongings on the third-base side of Yankee Stadium. Injuries and underperformance have prevented the Bombers from fattening their record, with just six wins to show through 15 contests. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"You can't take any team lightly, even based on what the team did last year, where they finished or where they're at," Judge said. "Anytime a team comes into Yankee Stadium, they're going to give you their 'A' game. We've noticed that. People are coming after us. We've got to keep the intensity up and play our game." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"Rodon’s stuff was pretty good today," Voit said. "Still, I feel like he had too many 1-2-3 innings. We really didn’t have too many guys on base. He was attacking the zone; we really couldn’t draw any walks or anything." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
Meanwhile, Tanaka was unable to shake Anderson's slam. He opened the fifth inning by permitting a double, single and walk, leaving a bases-loaded mess for reliever Luis Cessa. Boone said that he recognized Tanaka did not have his good splitter, but viewed it more as a one-off. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"I thought they did a really good job, even in two-strike counts, of laying off where you normally see chases, where Masa will chase you out of the zone with the splitter and the slider," Boone said. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
Jose Abreu lifted a sacrifice fly, with Judge taking away a potential extra-base hit -- one of two deft defensive plays by Judge, who also threw out Yoan Moncada stretching a single in the fourth. Cessa was able to limit the damage there, but the Yankees but the Yankees managed only one hit against a quartet of Chicago relievers.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
"We weren't able to capitalize like we should -- like this team knows we can," Judge said. "We came up short this series." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-gives-up-slam-in-yankees-loss
Like New York, Boston lost their previous game but they earned a series split with Baltimore in their four game series unlike New York who lost their series to the Chicago Whitesox.
Turns out, a four-game road series against the defending World Series champions is just what Chris Davis and the Orioles needed. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
After snapping his historic 62-plate-appearance hitless streak on Saturday, Davis belted his first home run of the season on Monday in the Orioles’ 8-1 win over the Red Sox. The eighth-inning shot to right field off right-hander Heath Hembree soared out of Fenway Park with an exit velocity of 108 mph, according tohttps://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
Davis had not homered since Aug. 24 of last season, a 35-game drought. He had been getting into a rhythm this series with his timing and the way he was seeing his pitches. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
“It felt really good, especially since it was the first ball I’ve barreled up in a game,” Davis said, adding, “Any time I can contribute to a win, and not just with defense, it feels [like] a sense of accomplishment.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
Just as the Orioles celebrated the end of Davis’ skid, they praised the home run, too. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
“He crushed it,” Dwight Smith Jr., who also homered, said. “That’s his name, ‘Crush,’ for a reason.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
The blast exemplified the fight and resilience the Orioles showed against the Red Sox. Last season they lost the series, 16-3, and they are 244-293 all-time in Boston. A series split wasn’t exactly a given for a team that finished 47-115 in 2018. They also came into Fenway Park having won just one of their past seven games at home. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
“We just had that mentality [to succeed] because at our homestand, we didn’t really take it to teams and teams were beating us with the homer,” Smith said. “I feel like we were more aggressive. We played it more our game and made the other team adjust to us more.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
The Orioles have been tested early, already playing six games against the Yankees and four against the A’s before traveling to Boston. They’re showing they’re up for the challenge. Even the losses are lessons, especially this early in the season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
“This game is long. It’s hard and It’ll test you mentally, physically, emotionally,” Davis said. “But you’ve got to be able to turn the page. You’ve got to be able to look forward and kind of put what happened behind you and move on. I think this team has done a great job of that so far, and it’s going to be a test for us moving forward.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
The Orioles improved to 6-2 when scoring first. The were up 4-0 after five innings, and manager Brandon Hyde credited the players for continuing to extend their lead to help give the bullpen rest. He also praised their at-bats (8 runs off 10 hits) and defense in the field. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
“I like the way we played the game,” Hyde said. “We’re 7-10, and it could easily be flipped around.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
Hyde was ejected in the bottom of the fifth inning after he challenged slide interference by Rafael Devers at second base. The call was upheld following a review. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
“I just didn’t agree with the decision in New York at all,” Hyde said. “If I’m going to disagree with something, I’m going to stand up for what I believe in. And I don’t believe that call was right.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
The attitude around the Orioles after the game was that success can be had if they approach the season one game at a time. They travel to Tampa Bay with an early resume of improvements, and a to-do list for the months that lie ahead. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
“We just take it day by day,” Smith said. “Can’t look too far in the future. We just handle tomorrow against the Rays and then just go from there.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-davis-first-homer-of-2019
First pitch is set for 6:35pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network, NESN and Yes.