The Yankees have yet to make a single move leading up to the trade deadline, but their primary competitors for a wildcard spot sure have. The Orioles have added both Scott Feldman and Francisco Rodriguez, and earlier this week the Rangers acquired Matt Garza from the Cubs. The same Matt Garza who will start against the Bombers tonight, his first appearance with Texas.
New York is certainly familiar with Garza given all his time with the Rays. He’s made eleven starts (and one relief appearance) against the Yankees in his career, and they generally hit him hard — 4.48 ERA (~4.85 FIP) in 66.1 innings with eleven homers allowed. All of that damage was done by a much different offense, however. The Yankees have not faced Garza since 2010, and during his time with the Cubs he transformed himself from a four-seamer/slider pitcher to a four-seamer/two-seamer/slider guy. Adding those little running fastballs can make a big difference. Here’s the lineup Garza will face tonight:
- CF Brett Gardner
- RF Ichiro Suzuki
- 2B Robinson Cano
- 1B Lyle Overbay
- DH Vernon Wells
- SS Eduardo Nunez
- 3B Brent Lillibridge
- LF Melky Mesa
- C Chris Stewart
And on the mound for the Yankees is left-hander Andy Pettitte. He’s allowed at least four runs in seven straight starts and has a 5.04 ERA (3.63 FIP) in nine starts since coming off the DL. Opponents have hit .295/.329/.436 against him during that time.
It’s another Texas-hot day in Dallas, but the sky is relatively clear and no rain is expected tonight. The Yankees are missing the rain by a day or two — it’s supposed to pour in Arlington at the end of the week — which is good because having to come back to town for a makeup game would have been a nightmare in the second half. The schedule is rather tight. Anyway, first pitch is scheduled for 8:05pm ET and can be seen on YES. Enjoy.
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