Domingo German Opens The Second Half Of The Season For New York In The Bronx As They Host Toronto
The all-star break is now in the rear view mirror as New York who is in first place in the American League East opens up a three game series in the Bronx against Toronto who is fourth in the division on Friday night.
Domingo German will start the opening game for New York.
New York comes into the opener of the three game series against Toronto with a record of 57-31 while Toronto who is fourth in the division comes into the opening game of the four game series with a record of 34-57. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings As New York opens the second half of the season they will aim to get back in the win column while Toronto will aim to win yet another game against an American League East opponent.
As stated above, Domingo German will start for New York. The right -hander comes into the game with a record of 10-2 with a 3.67 earn run average. German was sharp in his return to action July 3, holding the crosstown Mets to a solo homer while striking out six without a walk over six innings. His 15% swinging-strike rate ranks among the top 15 starters in MLB. He will oppose Toronto right -hander Aaron Sanchez who comes into the opening game with a record of 3-12 with a 6.16 earn run average. Sanchez will head to the hill to start the second half for the Blue Jays against the AL East division leaders at Yankee Stadium. The 27-year-old right-hander is coming off an encouraging start against the Orioles after putting a career-worst month of June behind him. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers
As for New York’s previous game, They closed out the first half of the season on the short end against Tampa Bay who like Toronto is a member of the American League East.
It doesn’t get much better than what James Paxton brought to the table on Sunday afternoon. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
The Yankees left-hander struck out 11 Rays during the first-half finale at Tropicana Field, his most since back-to-back 12-K outings in mid-April. He scattered seven hits, didn’t walk a batter and held Tampa Bay scoreless after the first inning. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
He also deserved a much better fate during the Yankees’ 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay, but New York was only able to muster a Brett Gardner homer in the final game of the four-game set, which the two clubs split. The Yankees continue to control the American League East despite the loss, with a 6 1/2-game lead over the Rays. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
“We’re in a good spot,” Aaron Judge said. “We’re in first place, and it’s our goal to win our division, first off, so to be in first place at the break is a start. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
“We’ve just got to have guys rest up, let guys enjoy the All-Star Game and then get ready to make something happen.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
Paxton took a moment to gain his footing in the first inning, and that ended up being the difference in the game. Tampa Bay opened the contest with consecutive doubles -- the second of which would have been a single had there been someone covering second base for center fielder Aaron Hicks to throw the ball to -- and then added a third consecutive hit with a single. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
With runners at the corners, Avisail Garcia’s groundout scored the runner from third -- who should’ve been at second -- before Paxton locked in to fan the next two Rays. Once he got a taste of the day, Paxton slashed through the Rays’ lineup with relative ease, completing his fourth game of the season with 20 or more swings-and-misses.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
Paxton peaked in his final inning by striking out three consecutive batters after a double and a single to open the frame put runners on the corners. He punctuated his rise with his last two pitches, which hit 98.2 and 96.9 mph on the radar gun, and pounded his glove emphatically after the final strikeout, issuing a triumphant roar on the way to the dugout. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
“The first few batters there, I gave up some hits, unfortunately some runs that we couldn’t overcome today,” Paxton said. “I think after that, I settled in and threw the ball pretty well. Probably the best stuff I’ve had in the last little bit, so that was encouraging going into the second half.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
Unfortunately, the first-inning defensive gaffe was a small mistake magnified by the fact that Rays starter Charlie Morton doled out much of the same treatment to the Yankees as Paxton did to the Rays. The Tampa Bay right-hander fanned 10, gave up five hits, walked one and allowed just Gardner’s homer in the second during his 5 2/3 innings. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
The Yankees’ Nos. 1-5 hitters finished 1-for-19 with 11 strikeouts. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
“Obviously, [Morton] is about as tough as you’re going to come up against,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “We had a good opportunity in one inning … and we’re not able to score, and not able to really mount much the rest of the way. That’s going to happen sometimes against these guys. Frustrating, but also it’s a part of it.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
Gardner’s shot marked his third home run in as many games and his 15th of the season, already just six shy of his career high set in 2017. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
He added a two-out double in the fourth inning and finished with a .467 batting average (7-for-15) for the series that included three homers, five RBIs and a pair of stolen bases. At 106.7 and 106.5 mph, per Statcast, Gardner’s two extra-base hits on Sunday were the hardest-hit balls of the afternoon, and also traveled the farthest. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
“Some days, some weeks, I’m pretty good, and other times, I feel kind of lost out there,” Gardner said. “Recently, I’ve obviously been doing better. I’ll just sit down over the break and take things in, evaluate a little bit, look at some video and keep it going.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
Gardner has 10 home runs against Tampa Bay since 2016, his most against any team during that stretch. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
Morton was pulled just prior to Gardner’s third at-bat and for good reason: The Yankees outfielder is 8-for-18 with three homers in his career against the righty, including the postseason. The strategy worked, as Gardner grounded out harmlessly facing lefty Adam Kolarek to end the sixth inning.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
New York didn’t threaten again, but Paxton said that doesn’t mean the Yankees are no longer a threat. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
“It was a solid first half,” said Paxton. “We overcame some injuries and played really good baseball. We have a good lead on the AL East right now, and we’re going to come back on a mission to go to the postseason and win the World Series.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-strong-in-yanks-loss-to-rays
Unlike New York, Toronto was on the other end of the spectrum before the all-star break as they beat Baltimore who like Toronto and New York is a member of the American League East.
Toronto’s young players were once again front and center in a display that saw the home team come out on top of the Orioles, 6-1, at Rogers Centre. In a season focused on providing opportunities, several Blue Jays seized theirs in the series finale, providing a glimpse of what the club hopes the future will hold. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
“Obviously the organization’s going young and they’re giving opportunities to all the young guys and it’s very satisfying that we’re showing, we’re proving that we can do something this year,” catcher Danny Jansen said. “It’s very exciting, for the fans, for us, for us being teammates and knowing how hard everybody’s worked to get here. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
“It’s a bit of a bummer for some of us, getting really hot going into the All-Star break, but it’s going to be a good second half.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
On the offensive, the lineup got started with a two-run home run from the ever-impressive Lourdes Gurriel Jr., continued with doubles from the red-hot Jansen, 20-year-old slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and fellow rookie Rowdy Tellez, and saw infielder Cavan Biggio do what he’s been doing best, using his first-class plate discipline to get on base. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
“The recent performance of Lourdes Gurriel has been exceptional,” Toronto’s general manager Ross Atkins said on Saturday. “He’s been one of the better players in the game; his outfield play has been awesome. Cavan Biggio, his transition was as seamless as you could possibly ask. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
“He’s almost identical to the player he was in the Minor Leagues and the power’s there, the plate discipline is elite. He, along with Danny Jansen and his progress recently, their plate discipline helps other hitters in our lineup. … It’s coming for a lot of players. And we’re really encouraged by how well Vladdy has handled his transition.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
Gurriel finished his day at the plate with two hits, taking the team lead with 16 homers and continuing his run since being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on May 24, batting .335 (52-for-155) with 26 extra-base hits over that span. Guerrero and Jansen also head into the break off of multi-hit games, each with a double and single in the affair. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
“Everybody’s having really good at-bats, even Biggio, who didn’t get any hits today, he finds a way to have good at-bats and hit a couple of deep fly balls [and walked],” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. “Of course, Danny Jansen, I’m really happy for the kid because he’s been working so hard and now he’s swinging it. He’s having good at-bats every day now. … He’s locked in at the plate.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
On the mound, Trent Thornton got the last start of the first half of the season for the Blue Jays and was coming off of two tough outings that followed a pair of impressive appearances in what has been and up-and-down season. In his most recent start against the Red Sox on Tuesday, the 25-year-old right-hander learned he was giving his opponents the upper hand and quickly found a way to deal with it. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
“I was definitely tipping my pitches,” Thornton said on Thursday. “There was a little mechanical adjustment I had to make as well, but I watched video with Pete [Walker, Toronto’s pitching coach] for a while and we nipped that in the bud.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
Thornton didn’t show any signs of falling back into that habit on Sunday, shutting the Orioles out for six innings, allowing just three hits, walking none and striking out five in one of his best and most efficient outings of the year. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
“I just want to learn from each outing,” Thornton said. “I’ve obviously had some good ones and some bad ones, and it’s about how you can continue to improve and go out there each time and give your team a chance to win.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
The young righty also brought his career total to 97 strikeouts, the third-most in franchise history by a hurler in their first 19 games and the most by a Blue Jays rookie prior to the All-Star break. He’s been encouraged by what the young core has been able to do and looks forward to more when the season continues. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
“Within the last month, we’ve been coming ready to play every day,” Thornton said. “Our bats are hot, pitching’s been good. If we can continue to just build off that, we’re going to win a lot of games in the second half.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rookies-show-promise-for-future
First pitch is set for 7:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and Yes.