The Mariners will return from a day-off and a 9-6 road win over the Atlanta Braves. They are now winners in six of their last eight games.
Tomorrow’s game, however, is everything but a sure victory, as projected starter, Ariel Miranda, isn’t likely to scare anyone who steps in the plate. It’s good that the Yankees’ current roster is just 5-for-22 against him all-time, but Miranda is just 8-6 with a 4.78 ERA on the season, and he has given up a home run in 18 of his 25 starts.
With that, the offense will simply have to provide a lot of damage.
There’s good reason to think they can, with the team’s top five batters in the past week all hitting above .318, as led by Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager. The two are a combined 14-for-42 (.333) in that span, with three homers and nine RBIs. Robinson Cano is day-to-day due to a tightness in his leg, and will be evaluated on Thursday. Should he be able to suit up, though, he can be expected to do well too. He has at least one hit in 13 of his last 14 games.
It was a rough Thursday for the Yankees, as they lost to the Detroit Tigers, 10-6, and had eight players ejected due to a bench-clearing brawl. Suspensions could also be on the way.
Still, things should be looking fine. It was just their third defeat in 10 games, with a wildcard spot in the American League also in their control.
CC Sabathia will be the Yanks’ starter this Friday. The veteran is 10-5 with a 3.99 ERA in 20 starts this season, and the Mariners’ current roster is just batting a .226 against him all-time (30-for-133). In those matchups, Sabathia has struck out 38 batters and has only been hit with a homer once. He started against the Ms on July 21st, where he threw for five innings and gave up one run on four hits and one walk, while also tallying five Ks.
On offense, meanwhile, we should see Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius, and Brett Gardner do their thing. The three have been smooth in the last seven days, especially Sanchez, who has recorded five homers, 13 RBIs and six runs in that span.
Writer’s Prediction
Sabathia should be able to lead the Yankees (-150) to a win. I see them taking it, 6-4.
