RHP Luis Severino (14-4, 2.94) vs RHP Rick Porcello (13-4, 4.03)
Severino has been falling down the Sonny Gray sinkhole recently, while Big Dick Rick continues to ball. Game 2? All ours. Feeling those good vibes. Win. Dance. Repeat. x2
Despite last night's RedSox fireworks show , today's game is more likely to be a 2-1 pitcher's duel. Which is fine as long as we have the 2 and the Yankees have the one. If Swihart is out for a day or few massaging his hamstring, I would not want to see Sandy Leon dodging 98mph deep inside pitches.
Last night's game exposed a lot of issues on both sides but the dominant, pie-in-your-CC-face was the highlight of the year so far.
For what it's worth ( approx $18-$19million) , Pablo Sandoval, one of our paid administrative leave two timers, tore his hammie yesterday and will need surgery so misses another 55 games for SF while still being paid. Maybe he and Cc could open a fat clinic somewhere.
Depends which Porcello shows up. He has been very solid this year but still a bit too inconsistent for my likings. Pitched well against Washington, Kansas City and Baltimore but shit the bed horribly against the Jays and Twins. We need good Rick tonight as I doubt our offense will have the same day as they did yesterday.
If we get to Severino and knock him out of the game, it will really be a morale blow to the Yankees.
Hey, guys. Good comments at the start of a game thread.
What I like about tonight's matchup is it's unpredictability. Normally, I would simply advise Cora to forfeit the game when he meets with the umps. Severino is that much better than Porcello. Not lately.
Who the heck is the backup catcher tonight?
Betts RF
Beni LF
Pearce 1B
JDM DH
Kinsler 2B
Nunez 3B
Holt SS
Leon C
JBJ CF
Swihart on DL. Moreland still hurt. Ditto Bogaerts.
Cora said that Moreland is healthy, but after last night's performance, he is going with Pearce. In other words, he is riding the hot hand.
The odd thing is, even though I am not a believer in the hot hand, and the overall numbers favor Moreland, I tend to agree with Cora's decision.
I guess it's a 'don't mess with what worked so well' feeling.