Leaders Of Their Divisions Take On Each Other In The Bronx As New York Host Houston

Two teams, two different divisions in the same situation.

New York who is a member of the American League East comes into the game with a record of 46-27 while Houston who is a member of the American League West comes into the game with a record of 48-27 and like New York Houston is leading their division. New York leads their division by 3.5 games over Tampa Bay while Houston meanwhile leads their division by 8.5 over Texas. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings

Chad Green will start for New York. The right -hander comes into the game with a record of 1-2 with a 7.54 earn run average. The Yankees have won each of the four games in which Green has been used as their opener. Green last pitched on Saturday, tossing two scoreless innings as the opener against the White Sox. He will oppose Houston left-hander Framber Valdez who comes into the game with a record of 3-2 with a 2.77 earn run average. Valdez is making his third start of the season since being moved from the bullpen. He struck out a career-high eight batters in six innings in Saturday's win over the Blue Jays. In his career, he's 3-1 with a 2.41 ERA as a starter (seven starts). “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers

As for New York’s previous game, they not only beat Tampa Bay but swept them in the process while CC Sabathia recorded his 250th win.

As the 14th pitcher in history to record at least 250 victories and 3,000 strikeouts, Sabathia has all but guaranteed a second opportunity to tour those hallowed grounds. The left-hander succeeded in his fourth attempt at the milestone on Wednesday, hurling six strong innings to help the Yankees complete a series sweep of the Rays with a 12-1 victory at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

“It’s crazy to put my name up there with some of those guys that I idolized, some of those names that are enshrined in baseball history," Sabathia said. "To be a part of that, it’s a big deal. It’s fun to have those numbers.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

Gary Sanchez hit a three-run homer as part of a six-run first inning and Gleyber Torres later added his first career grand slam as the Yankees won their fifth consecutive game, swelling their advantage in the American League East to a season-high 3 1/2 games.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

The Yankees have homered in 22 consecutive games, three shy of a franchise record and the longest streak in the Majors this season. Tampa Bay's Blake Snell, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, threw 39 pitches and generated just one out before being sent to the showers. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

"We have a really good offense," DJ LeMahieu said. "It really doesn't matter who's out there; we have a chance to score a lot of runs. Snell didn't look like he had his best stuff. We had really good at-bats and it was good to get on him early."“according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

Sabathia had been winless in three starts since returning from the injured list June 2, and said he fiddled with the grip on his cutter between starts. Sanchez said the pitch made a difference on Wednesday as Sabathia limited Tampa Bay to a run on three hits, striking out seven with three walks. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

That cutter is what Sabathia credits for his late-career success, having borrowed the pitch from former teammate Andy Pettitte -- coincidentally, the most recent pitcher to reach 250 wins, who did it with the Yankees in 2013. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

"I’ve been able to play with some great players like Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera," Sabathia said. "Just thinking about the second half of my career, learning the cutter and where that’s taken me -- if I hadn’t learned that pitch in 2014, I’d probably be out of the game." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

No longer the fireballer of his youth, Sabathia has had to rely on deception and guile, pushing his body toward the finish line despite a degenerative right knee condition and -– more recently –- an offseason heart procedure that delayed his season debut for a couple of weeks.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

"He's a great leader here in the clubhouse," shortstop Didi Gregorius said. "Guys love him. That's who you want to be around all the time. It's unbelievable with everything he went through, and he's still out there fighting for the team. That shows how big his heart is for the game." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

Each of the previous 13 pitchers to reach 250 wins and 3,000 strikeouts are enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, with the exception of Roger Clemens.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

“I think he’s a lock," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of Sabathia. "This is it for him. I think in five years, they come calling.””according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

"His career is a Hall of Fame career," Sanchez added. "The 250 wins represent that, the 3,000 strikeouts that he has. A great career overall." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

Speaking in the Yankee Stadium press conference room with his wife, Amber, and their four children seated in the front row, the former Indians' and Brewers' ace reflected upon what many view as an inevitable date with history. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

"Just to have somebody mention your career as being a Hall of Fame career means a lot," Sabathia said. "I’ve been blessed to have played with some great teams, been around some great organizations and great players. A lot of it just rubbed off.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

Sabathia said it is particularly meaningful to be listed alongside fellow African-American hurlers Bob Gibson and Fergie Jenkins in the select group.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

“That means a lot, being an African-American pitcher, being from the inner city and wanting this game to grow back again in the inner city," Sabathia said. "Having the chance to put up these numbers and have some of these kids know that I’m from where they’re from. I love this game of baseball. Hopefully it opens doors to some kids to open their eyes to start playing.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

LeMahieu laced a two-run single that capped scoring in the big first inning –- LeMahieu's second hit of the frame -- and Torres’ slam came as the Yankees put six more runs on the board in the seventh. The Yanks have won seven of nine meetings with the second-place Rays this season, and 22 of 29 games against American League East opponents.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

“I think that’s the biggest thing, coming out today and getting that sweep," Sabathia said. "Getting that win, making a statement that we’re a pretty good team. We're going to keep going.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-earns-career-win-250

Unlike New York, Houston was on the other end of the spectrum against Cincinnati as they lost the finale but the series as well.

A leadoff double by the Reds set a foreboding tone in the ninth inning for the Astros and closer Roberto Osuna, who was called upon to get three outs on Wednesday to finish out a game his club needed to avoid a road sweep.

Osuna responded with a pair of strikeouts before things unraveled quickly. A single by Nick Senzel tied the score -- and a wild throw and misplay at the plate allowed him to get into scoring position -- and Jesse Winker won it with a walk-off single. The Reds beat the Astros by one run for the third game in a row, 3-2, sweeping the series at Great American Ball Park.

The Astros, losers of a season-high four games in a row, squandered a strong start from Gerrit Cole and lost for the first time when they were leading after eight innings (45-1). It’s the first time they were swept since Seattle won four in a row from them in Houston last August. “according to https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/roberto-osuna-blows-save-astros-swept-by-reds

“If you do enough things wrong or don’t do enough, you’re going to lose at this level, and we did a lot of both,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said. “Today’s game was very winnable. I’ve said that a couple of times in a row now, so very disappointing, yeah.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/roberto-osuna-blows-save-astros-swept-by-reds

Senzel’s game-tying single scored Jose Peraza ahead of an errant throw by Houston left fielder Michael Brantley. The throw took catcher Garrett Stubbs up the line and nearly onto the grass, and a desperation attempt to tag Peraza sent Stubbs’ mitt and the ball flying. The ball landed in foul territory on the other side of the plate, allowing Senzel to take second and setting up Winker to play hero. “according to https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/roberto-osuna-blows-save-astros-swept-by-reds

The biggest issue was giving up 90 [feet] when we didn’t need to on the play at the plate,” Hinch said. “It lines up Winker to hit a rolling ground ball through the infield. We lose. One of the many things we need to gather ourselves about and figure out before the next series.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/roberto-osuna-blows-save-astros-swept-by-reds

Stubbs didn’t appear to have much of a chance to tag out Peraza considering how far Brantley’s throw was from the plate and how close Peraza was to crossing home. “according to https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/roberto-osuna-blows-save-astros-swept-by-reds

“It’s frustrating that we were even in that situation, and him to get into scoring position,” Stubbs said. “It’s not what you want.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/roberto-osuna-blows-save-astros-swept-by-reds

Osuna, pitching for the first time in a week, was behind home plate when Stubbs caught the ball, and he didn’t see the ball flying out of his mitt until it was on the ground and Senzel was heading to second. Senzel initially stopped at first before taking off when he saw the ball on the grass.”according to https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/roberto-osuna-blows-save-astros-swept-by-reds

“Thank God their pitcher had no clue what was going on when the throw was made,” Senzel said. “think he thought the game was over or something. I don’t know what was going on. A lot of stuff was going on there. It was a bad throw, the catcher’s glove came off, Osuna – I don’t know what he was doing. I don’t think he knew where the ball was at. I was able to take second, but I have to be there on that throw. I know it’s a do-or-die play, tie game, and I have to take the extra base because the game is not over.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/roberto-osuna-blows-save-astros-swept-by-reds

Cole struck out eight batters and allowed one run and six hits in six innings, extending his Major League lead in strikeouts to 148. He blew away Yasiel Puig -- who homered to lead off the second -- on a 100.6-mph fastball in the fifth, his fourth pitch of that inning that was clocked at triple digits and the fastest strikeout pitch thrown this season by a starter. “according to https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/roberto-osuna-blows-save-astros-swept-by-reds

We’re trying not to get swept here,” Cole said. “It’s a pretty important game from that standpoint. I was just doing everything I could to hold it where it was at and just try to give us the best chance. We made a lot of good pitches today for the most part. They were able to put the ball in play a few times, and it went their way.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/roberto-osuna-blows-save-astros-swept-by-reds

First pitch is set 7:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Yes, ATT Sports Net -SW.