GAME #57, BOSTON RED SOX V NEW YORK YANKEES

[Bear]

RED SOX V YANKEES

TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2017, 7 PM YANKEE STADIUM

TV:  NESN, MLBN (OUT-OF-MARKET ONLY)

BOSTON, (31-25).............................................................................NEW YORK (32-22)

BOSTON:

DREW POMERANZ, LHP, 5-3, 4.24 ERA, 64K

The lefty is coming off one of is best starts of the season.  In seven
innings vs the White Sox.  Pomeranz allowed one run and struck out eight.
He had no-decisions in all three of his starts against the Yankees last
season, registering a 3.38 ERA.

NEW YORK

MASAHIRO TANAKA, RHP, 5-5 6.34 ERA, 56K

Tanaka took a step backward in his last outing, permitting seven
runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings to the Orioles.  He has lost the last
four starts, posting an 11.31 ERA over that span, but did pitch a
complete game shutout vs. Boston on April 27.

Red Sox travel to Bronx for first time in '17

Ian Browne

Though the Yankees didn't get much hype in Spring Training when it came to American League East prognostications, Red Sox manager John Farrell was impressed by what he saw.

As the clubs get set to open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night -- marking Boston's first visit to the Bronx this season -- Farrell is less surprised than most by the strong start of the first-place Yankees.

"When we saw them in Spring Training you knew it was going to be a good team," said Farrell. "With their pitching, and what CC [Sabathia] has been able to do and how he's evolved over time and made up for Father Time, he continues to still be a very good pitcher.

"No one was looking past them on nights when you saw their lineup together and what they're capable of doing. Then when they added [Aroldis] Chapman back in the offseason, that was going to be a shutdown bullpen. Chapman and [Dellin] Betances, that arguably is one of the top one-two combinations in the game. So I don't think anyone sees this as a fluke."

This is just the second matchup between the rivals this season, and the second-place Red Sox will use it as a chance to draw even closer in the AL East.

"They swung the bats really well in May," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi of Boston. "Obviously they've got David Price back, [Pablo] Sandoval is back, [Dustin] Pedroia is out. They've swung the bats again, and they've pitched well too. Obviously it's a big series. Right now, it's one big series after another."

For the Red Sox, it's the final leg of a 10-game road trip that started with three games in Chicago and continued with a four-game set in Baltimore over the weekend. The Yankees are opening a six-game homestand against the Red Sox and Orioles.
The Red Sox will send Drew Pomeranz to the mound in Tuesday's opener, and he will be opposed by righty Masahiro Tanaka, who has been inconsistent this season.

In a battle of former American League Cy Young Award winners, Rick Porcello faces Sabathia in Game 2. Price, who has pitched well in his return to action, gets the ball in the finale against Michael Pineda.

Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge, who figures to be a central part of the rivalry in the coming years, is having a monster rookie season.

"They're playing well," said Farrell. "It's a good team. They've got a very good blend of young players and veteran guys. What Aaron Judge is doing is impressive to say the least, both defensively and offensively."

THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS GAME

• Tanaka appeared to be rounding into form when he threw a three-hit shutout against the Red Sox on April 27. But he is 2-4 with an 8.42 ERA in his last six starts since then.

The Yankees are adamant that Tanaka is healthy.

"I know we've talked about that a lot, but how do you explain the shutout in Boston? How do you explain his last game?" Girardi said. "If a guy is injured, he's injured and there's not going to be good starts. To me, it's just the inconsistency. He hasn't been consistent this year."

• Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi, who came into the year as a top Rookie of the Year candidate, snapped a drought of 80 at-bats without a homer when he put a towering shot over the wall in right against the Orioles on Sunday.

• Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius has had good success against Pomeranz, going 4-for-9 with a homer. Every Red Sox player who has had at least five career at-bats against Tanaka is hitting .259 or less against him. Jackie Bradley Jr. has had the most trouble, going 2-for-20.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170604234241042/red-sox-travel-to-bronx-for-first-time-in-17/?game_pk=490964[/center]

[longgame]

Sox need to jump on Tanaka early as the Yankees have too much firepower to rely on a close game.

[ipot]

Sox need to jump on Tanaka early as the Yankees have too much firepower to rely on a close game.

Yup.  Key to game.  Hope Tanaka is still on the downward trend...

[markj]

Shot I took of Yankee Stadium on the flight into NYC last week. Note that the field is set up for soccer, it seems.

Camera Canon PowerShot G7 X

Focal Length

8.8mm

Aperture

f/4

Exposure

1/800s

ISO

1600

Camera Canon PowerShot G7 X

[Bill-806]

  Big series for our Red Sox, pressure on   G M  & Manager !!! rofl

[ipot]

Cool pic, mark!

[markj]

Cool pic, mark!

Thanks

[Bear]

Here is the Red Sox’ lineup with Drew Pomeranz on the mound for the visitors:

Mookie Betts RF
Andrew Benintendi LF
Xander Bogaerts SS
Mitch Moreland 1B
Hanley Ramirez DH
Jackie Bradley Jr. CF
Christian Vazquez C
Pablo Sandoval 3B
Deven Marrero 2B

[elktonnick]

Sox being very aggressive at the plate tonight.  Virtually everyone swung early in the count resulting in one run.  It appears that this is a deliberate strategic approach.  Must say I like it since it is what I've been advocating for some time.

[Schloicka]

Terrible throw by Betts. Should of just thrown the ball into 2nd. Not throw a 5 bouncer to 3rd.

[Rob from Mass]

At 45 pitches after 2 thepen will get a work out.

[markj]

Nice 2-run dinger by Moreland. Sox up 3-1.

[markj]

And Hanley goes back-to-back. Sox up 4-1.

[Leesam01]

I like Moreland more and more.

Back to back HR's, 4 - 1 good guys.

[Schloicka]

Beni with the solo hr. 5-1 Sox.