New York was inactive on Thursday as they traveled down from Anaheim to San Diego, and they were rewarded with a half-game gained in the standings after Tampa Bay got shutout by Texas. There’s now just a three-game gap between the Yankees and Rays for first place in the AL East and that coveted first-round bye, and though the four-game set between those two teams near the end of the month looms large cutting into that lead bit by bit every day remains the goal. This weekend’s matchup is perhaps the toughest
opponent they’ll face until that head-to-head meeting, so winning this series would bode well for making that charge happen.
We’ve got a busy day as we await the West Coast action to get underway, beginning with Matt providing a series preview of the pitching matchups to expect. Sam has the Rivalry Roundup’s latest results, headlined by that crucial shutout Tampa took to the chin last night, and then Jonathan looks at one of the most famous and successful journeymen to play as Doyle Alexander celebrates his 76th birthday. Peter breaks down a pivotal lock-in moment from Cam Schlittler’s latest gem in the Sequence of the Week, Michael examines the debate over whether Trent Grisham or Spencer Jones should start in center come October, and I’ll be back to provide your latest mailbag answers.
Today’s Matchup:
New York Yankees at San Diego Padres
Time: 9:40 p.m. EST
TV: YES Network, Padres.TV
Venue: Petco Park, San Diego, CA
Questions/Prompts:
1. Who will go deeper into the game in their starts this weekend, Max Fried or Carlos Rodón?
2. How will George Lombard Jr. fare in his expected return to the lineup tonight?
