The Top Two Teams In The American League East Battle In The Bronx As New York Host Tampa Bay

On Monday night New York and Tampa Bay who are first and second in the American League East are supposed to open up a three game series in the Bronx. However, mother nature might play a role in deciding if they get the game in or not.

New York comes into the game with a record of 43-27 while Tampa Bay comes into the game with a record of 43-28. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings

Masahiro Tanaka will start for New York. The Japanese right -hander comes into the game with a record of 4-5 with a 3.58 earn run average. Tanaka snapped a four-start winless stretch last time out, allowing four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings against the Mets. The righty has completed six innings in each of his last seven starts. He will oppose Tampa Bay right -hander Yonny Chirinos who comes into the opener with a record of 7-2 with a 2.88 earn run average. Chirinos will be making his third appearance against the Yankees this season. In the first two, he has a 1-0 record with a 2.08 ERA. In eight total starts this season, he is 4-2 with a 2.36 ERA. In eight total starts this season, he is 4-2 with a 2.36 ERA. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers

As for New York’s previous game, they earned a split with Chicago.

The offense, which is built on power, manufactured 10 runs on 12 hits with just one run coming via the long ball. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

The Yanks’ five-run third inning ignited the team’s second straight offensive onslaught. RBI singles by Brett Gardner, Gio Urshela and Austin Romine gave New York a 5-0 lead on its way to its second big offensive output in as many games.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Nos. 4-5-6 hitters Clint Frazier, Gardner and Urshela combined for five hits with four runs scored and five RBIs in the game. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Frazier became the first roster casualty, as the team optioned him to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre after the game to create a spot for Encarnacion on the 25-man roster. More moves are likely coming soon. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

“It’s a tough pill to swallow. It’s never fun, especially with the way I thought I contributed to the team this year,” Frazier said after the game. “Guess I’m facing reality right now.”

Frazier has played well this season with 11 homers and an .843 OPS in 53 games for the Yankees and has been one of the team’s most consistent bats while Stanton and Judge have been on the shelf.

Gardner, who also figures to lose at-bats in the coming days, understands the situation he and the team find themselves in and has a message for his young teammate. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

“That kind of thing can be tough,” Gardner said of Frazier’s demotion. “Sometimes when decisions are made, you don’t always agree with them. You just gotta keep your head down and keep moving forward. He’s a guy that has a ton of talent. He’s gonna play this game for a long time. He’s been a big part of why we’re in first place [in the division] and he’s going to continue to do that. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

“We have a lot of talented guys in the room which will do nothing but make our team stronger so you never know what can happen. Nobody probably expected me to play center field 40 out of the first 45 days of the season. You gotta stay ready. Anytime you can add somebody as good as Edwin, he’s a guy who’s going to make us better. We’re looking forward to having him on board. How that affects me isn’t something I’m concerned about right now.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has already begun to make moves ahead of the Trade Deadline, which is July 31. Frazier’s demotion could make him a prime candidate to be moved for starting pitching help, especially after free agent Dallas Keuchel signed with the Braves. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

When asked about the potential of being dealt, the young Frazier gave a veteran response. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

“I’ve been traded once, who knows? I can’t control that. I just gotta play as good as I can to put myself in a good position.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Pitching delivers after rough beginning

The Yankees four-man rotation needed some deep starts after an underwhelming seven days -- especially after back-to-back disappointing starts from J.A. Happ and CC Sabathia on the front end of the set against the White Sox -- then stepped up in a big way on the back end. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Following an excellent tandem start by Chad Green and Nestor Cortes in Saturday’s win, James Paxton returned to form after a speed bump against the Mets in his previous start, keeping hitters off balance with his fastball and mix of breaking stuff. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

The curveball made the difference in the game and while Paxton only threw 12 curveballs he made them count, getting strikes on seven of them with only one being put in play. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

“It was a good two-strike pitch for me today. Even before two strikes, I was able to get some swings and misses on it,” Paxton said of his curves. “I was just working on some mechanical stuff this week and executing that and finding my comfortable spot on the mound.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

While it will officially count as one quality start, unofficially the Yankees have had two quality starts in a row as Paxton followed the performance by Green and Cortes Jr. during Saturday’s victory. New York had been without a quality start since June 6. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

“Thought he got stronger as the game unfolded, but a big effort by him for us” Yankees manager Boone said. “Today, I thought [there were] a lot of innings where there were a couple of soft contacts extending innings that increased his pitch count to go up, otherwise I think gets really deep in that game.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Homers for everyone

There’s been a huge spike in homers around the game in 2019 and the Yankees have seen the effects of it firsthand. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Cameron Maybin homered for the second consecutive day during Sunday’s win. The solo home run in the seventh inning pushed the Yankees’ home run streak to 19 games in a row, tying the Astros for the second-longest streak this season (Seattle; 20 games). “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

New York is now six games shy of breaking the club record of 25 straight games with a home run, set in 1941. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

On the flip side of things, the Yankees’ pitching staff has given up its fair share of homers lately as well. With Paxton surrendering a solo shot to José Abreu in the first inning, New York starters have now allowed a home run in 15 consecutive games. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-rout-white-sox-for-series-split-in-chicago

Like New York, Tampa Bay won their previous game but unlike New York they didn’t win in blowout fashion.

- Performing better at Tropicana Field is something the Rays know they have to do moving forward, but Tampa Bay ended the current seven-game homestand on a positive note, beating the Angels, 6-5, on Sunday. The club finished the homestand with a 3-4 record.

“It’s always good to get a win before you’re getting on a plane,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. “It was really encouraging to see the offense get some runs and then tack on, we needed every bit of it.”

The Rays are now scheduled to hit the road for a 10-game road trip starting on Monday against the Yankees. Tampa Bay also travels to Oakland and Minnesota during one of the team’s longest road trips of the season. The club is a Majors-best 23-10 on the road this season.

Let’s take a look at three positives and three negatives from the club’s seven-game homestand:

3 UP

1) Poche continues to impress

With Jose Alvarado still on the restricted list after attending to a family issue in his home country of Venezuela, Colin Poche has stepped up as a quality left-handed option out of the bullpen for the Rays. Since being called up on June 8, Poche has done a good job of controlling the strike zone. On Sunday, Poche needed just 15 pitches to get through two scoreless innings. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

“From the pitching side, he was probably the highlight of the day,” Cash said. “He came in and he was him. He throws the fastball and he has a lot of life, a lot of carry to it. He can do some good things at the top of the zone with it and with the two innings he provided [Sunday], he was huge.””according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

2) Pham leads the way

While the Rays offense has been struggling over the last week, Tommy Pham certainly does not fall into that group. After going 1-for-17 after returning from a left calf sprain that forced him to miss five games, Pham has returned to form and has now reached base in 13 of his 23 plate appearances over the last five games.”according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

His go-ahead home run in the fifth inning was his 10th of the season and the second one of the homestand. Since acquiring Pham from the Cardinals on July 31, 2018, the Rays are 68-35 with him in the starting lineup. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

“Me getting hurt, man, that killed me,” Pham said. “That really killed me, because before that I was smoking the ball. … I need to find my power stroke.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

3) Lowe making strong All-Star Game case

Brandon Lowe’s solo shot in the first inning on Sunday was his 15th home run of the season, which leads the team. Lowe has been one of the most consistent players in the Rays lineup this season and is hitting .345/.406/.638 with four home runs and 14 RBIs over his last 16 games. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

His first-inning home run gave the Rays a much-needed early run after the team fell behind at least 3-0 in the previous three games against the Angels. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

“Any time someone hits a home run it’s pretty nice,” Lowe said. “It sparks the offense a little bit. It gets everyone’s energy going. That’s the way I look at it.””according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

3 DOWN

1) Slow starts

The Rays were able to erase a four-run deficit on Friday, but the team struggled to get going early on in games, which was a strength for the team earlier this season. Coming into Sunday’s game, the Rays trailed at the end of 24 of their previous 29 innings, and were tied or trailing at the end of 36 of the last 40 innings. On Sunday, the Rays took an early 3-1 lead and were able to hold off the Angels. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

“We gotta get on this road trip and get off to a good start because the way we played on this homestand was not ideal,” Cash said. “But we’ll certainly take this win today.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

2) Secure the Trop

Tampa Bay went 51-23 at home last season en route to a 90-win season. But in 2019, the Rays have struggled at Tropicana Field, going just 20-18. By salvaging a series split against the Angels, the Rays are now 6-4-2 in series play, as opposed to 8-1-2 in the team’s 11 road series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

“We haven’t won at the pace we did at home last year. That’s baseball,” said Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier. “It’s always nice playing at home. We know we have to play better all-around at home or on the road.””according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

3) Meadows’ struggles

Austin Meadows has been the best hitter on the Rays this season, but the left-hander had a tough homestand, going 2-for-25 at the plate in the last seven games. It’s the first time Meadows has struggled this season, and he saw his batting average dip from .341 to .314. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-split-home-series-with-angels

First pitch is set for 7:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and Yes.