Yankees Look To Use As A’s A Stepping Stone
The New York Yankees are 3.5 games behind in the AL East. Defeating the No.1 team in the AL West will not only be a huge notch in their belts but will get them one step closer to being No. 1 again.
The other big story is that of Oakland Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray. Â He will be starting against the Yanks tonight in the opener of a series of three games. He also may be hitting the first rough patch of his young career.
The right-hander gave up five runs against the Baltimore Orioles in his last outing on Saturday. It was only the second time his 25 games that he has allowed five or more runs.
Gray is normally a a reliable starter. Of his last 13 outings, eleven were quality starts. He also has a 2.83 ERA.
David Phelps will take the mound for the Yankees. Phelps was moved out of the bullpen and into the starting rotation last month.
Phelps, though, has also hit a bit of a rut. He has allowed 13 runs in his last two starts and has lost four straight games.
The As and Yankees met just last week for a series. Oakland came out on top in that series 2-1. Gray nor Phelps saw action in that series.
It was Oakland’s offense offense that won them the series going on late inning runs in their two victories. Their only loss came against Yankees pitching prodigy Masohiro Tanaka, who held Oakland to one run.
Oakland has won seven of nine games against New York dating back to 2013.
The Yankees are coming into this game hot after sweeping the Seattle Mariners in their last series.
First pitch will be thrown at 10:05 p.m. ET. The As are the favorite to win this game according to the spread. They have a -190 moneyline.
