The New York Yankees continue a West coast road trip with the first of three games versus the Oakland Athletics at Overstock.com Coliseum
New York Yankees at Oakland Athletics
New York salvaged the series finale against Seattle Sunday with a 7-1 victory at Safeco Field after dropping the first two games of the series. “We needed it badly because we had a chance to win all three here,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi commented. “To not win the first two was disappointing for us, but we talk about turning the page. Our guys did that.” Outfielder Nick Swisher is finally coming along after an 0-for-13 stretch, hitting safely in all three games versus the Mariners. “One of the great things that we have the ability to do is to put runs up very fast,” said Swisher. The club went 9-1 against Oakland last season and has won 20 of the last 23 meetings overall. New York is 12-3 in day games this season and 86-50 the last three years.
Yankees starting pitcher Bartolo Colon will be making his eighth start of the season and brings in a 2-3 record and 3.77 ERA. The veteran right-hander enters with a two-game losing streak, including a 7-3 home defeat to the Blue Jays last time out, surrendering a season-high six runs on seven hits over six innings of work. Colon will make his sixth road appearance (fifth start) in today’s contest, coming in with a 1-1 mark and 3.26 ERA. In 16 lifetime appearances (15 starts) against the Athletics, he has garnered a 6-5 record and 3.68 ERA, including a 4-1 mark and 2.73 ERA in Oakland.
Oakland seeks a season-high fifth straight victory in the series opener versus New York and comes off a three-game home sweep of Baltimore. “The clubhouse is completely different when you’re winning,” said outfielder Josh Willingham. “We’re playing more consistent baseball and as a team that’s all you can ask for.” The Athletics success could be even better due to leading the majors with a 2.82 ERA, which is nearly one-half run better than the next American League team. Trouble all year has been found on the offensive side, hitting .241 for the season, which is the third lowest in the league. Oakland has turned that around a bit over the last eight games with the lineup producing a .282 mark. The squad is 13-8 in day games this season.
Athletics starting pitcher Trevor Cahill is 6-2 with a 2.02 ERA in 11 starts this season and is tied for second in the American League in wins and ranks third in ERA. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 2.84 ERA and .304 opponents batting average over his last three starts. Cahill has posted a dominating 24-9 mark and 2.57 ERA in 40 starts since May 1, 2010, which happens to be the second most wins in the majors over that span. He brings a 3-1 record and 1.34 ERA in five home starts into this contest, giving him the third lowest home ERA in the league. In two career starts versus the Yankees, he is 0-2 with a 12.60 ERA, giving up four home runs in 10 frames.
Bettors will likely back the Yankees due to their 40-18 mark in the last 58 meetings, while the Athletics are 17-23 versus right-handed starters
