CC Sabathia Tabbed For The Opener As New York Aims To Bounce Back As They Host Toronto

After their eight game winning streak was snapped by Houston on Sunday New York will look to bounce back in the opening game of their three game series in the Bronx against Toronto who like New York is a member of the American League East

New York comes into the opening game with a record of 49-28 and is leading the division while Toronto comes into the game with a record of 29-49 and is fourth in the division. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings

CC Sabathia who is playing his last season in the Major Leagues will start for New York. The veteran left-hander comes into the game with a record of 4-4 with a 4.14 earn run average. Sabathia registered his 250th career victory in his most recent start, holding the Rays to one run and three hits over six innings on Wednesday in New York. He will be facing Toronto for the first time this season. He will oppose Toronto right -hander Aaron Sanchez who comes into the game with a record of 3-9 with a 5.49 earn run average. Sanchez looks to snap his skid of eight consecutive losing decisions when he opens the series in New York. The 26-year-old right-hander is 2-4 with a 3.24 ERA in 15 career games and five starts against the Yankees. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers

As for New York’s previous game, As stated above they lost to Houston in finale.

DJ LeMahieu slugged a three-run homer in the fifth inning of Sunday's 9-4 loss to the Astros, marking the Yankees' 26th straight game with at least one home run. LeMahieu's shot, his 10th of the season, was the first three-run homer that Justin Verlander has surrendered in a Houston uniform. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-extend-club-record-hr-streak

"Everybody says it's the short porch, but guys are putting together good at-bats, and that's what is great about this team, that we can hit a home run at any point," Luke Voit said. "It doesn't matter who's pitching, if it's first inning or last inning. It's pretty cool. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-extend-club-record-hr-streak

"DJ has been hot right now, so a slider low and away he can punch out there for a three-run homer, it's pretty impressive." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-extend-club-record-hr-streak

Having eclipsed the 1941 club's franchise record of 25 straight games with a homer (June 1-29, 1941), the Yankees can equal the Major League record of 27 with a home run on Monday against the Blue Jays. That record is held by the Rangers, who accomplished the feat from Aug. 11-Sept. 9, 2002. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-extend-club-record-hr-streak

"We've got a great lineup and a lot of guys that can hurt you," manager Aaron Boone said. "It's one of the ways we're built.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-extend-club-record-hr-streak

Additionally, the Yankees have not been shut out in 159 consecutive games, which surpasses the Tigers' 158-game streak (July 17, 2011-July 16, 2012) for the Majors' longest in the last 18 seasons. It is the seventh-longest stretch since 1900 and the longest since Texas had a streak of 160 games to open 2002. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-extend-club-record-hr-streak

The Yankees have assembled their current streak despite having Edwin Encarnacion, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton combine for two homers – both hit by Encarnacion this past week. Since May 26, when the streak began, Gary Sanchez leads the club with eight homers. Gleyber Torres and LeMahieu have hit six each. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-extend-club-record-hr-streak

"I think we do a really good job, especially in this ballpark and especially with our right-handed hitters, of being able to use the entire field," Boone said. “When you play here, it's important if you're going to hit for consistent power. Our guys do that really well." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-extend-club-record-hr-streak

As for Toronto’s previous game,

Unlike New York they won their previous game but like New York they won the series against New York’s rival and the defending world series champion Boston.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had extra luggage to take with him as the Blue Jays continue their road trip. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

He proudly donned a replica championship wrestling belt, presented to him for being the best position player of the game in the Blue Jays’ 6-1 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

“I’m going to carry that all the way to New York,” Gurriel said with a smile. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

Gurriel had another noteworthy outing in his continued improvement since transitioning from the infield to left field, making an impact on both sides of the ball. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

The 25-year-old has settled into the outfield since he was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on May 24. Manager Charlie Montoyo praised his defense in left throughout this series, including reading the Green Monster wall. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

“Pretty soon people are going to stop running on Gurriel,” Montoyo said. “He’s been good out there. For a guy who hasn’t played the whole year in left field, he’s accurate and he’s got a good arm.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

In the second inning, Gurriel fielded a ground ball from Jackie Bradley Jr. and fired an on-point throw to catcher Danny Jansen, who tagged out Brock Holt at home. (Holt was injured on the attempt to score.) The play helped preserve starter Marcus Stroman’s impressive scoreless outing (six innings, five hits, six strikeouts) in a series in which both teams had proven capable of erupting for game-changing bursts of offense. “according https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

“Lourdes is unreal out there. I can’t put it into words,” Stroman said. “He looks like he’s been playing left field for years. It’s pretty shocking and it’s exciting. It’s awesome to see how quickly he’s able to adjust from infield to outfield. It’s been almost seamless. When I see something like that from my defense, that only gives me much more confidence and motivation to do my job when they’re able to save runs for me, and that play was huge.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

Jansen was confident the throw was going to be on target. After putting in the practice, Gurriel has shown that’s what his teammates can expect from him in a short period of time. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

“Honestly, since he’s been in the outfield in left field, he’s played it like he’s done it for the last 20 years,” Jansen said. “He looks so natural out there, so comfortable. He’s got an arm, he’s got a cannon, lets it go. I really like him out there.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

Gurriel said he considers throwing out Holt “the best part of the day,” but he made his mark on the offensive end, too. He smacked a line drive into center field off Red Sox starter Rick Porcello in the third inning. When Cavan Biggio doubled to center, Gurriel took off from first and slid into home to beat out the Red Sox's relay throw. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

In the seventh inning, Gurriel connected for his 11th double of the season off reliever Josh A. Smith. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

He bolstered his batting to .344/.377/.656 over his last 16 games, including 12 RBIs and five home runs. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

“He’s becoming one of the best left fielders in baseball,” Montoyo said. “Slowly, but he’s getting there.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/lourdes-gurriel-jr-three-hits-outfield-assist

First pitch is set for 7:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Yes, SNET and TVA Sports.