The Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees open up a three-game American League series Friday night at Yankee Stadium

Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees

Oakland has not enjoyed any success at the new Yankee Stadium, entering the weekend series with a 1-9 record, with the only victory coming on July 25, 2009.  “I think it comes with the stadium a little bit,” said Athletics manager Bob Melvin.  “I remember as a young player going into Yankee Stadium, you have to get over the awe factor.”  The losing hasn’t just been at the new building in the Bronx, as the club has actually dropped 24 of the last 28 meetings overall against the Yankees, including 12 of 13 in the Big Apple.  Oakland is 17-33 on the road this year and 28-41 when facing right-handed starters.

Athletics starting pitcher Trevor Cahill is 8-8 with a 3.16 ERA in 21 starts this season and will be looking to capture his first win since June 25.  The right-hander has received just eight runs of support over his last four outings, giving up 12 runs (10 earned) and 24 hits in 26 1/3 innings.  He will be making his 11th start of the year on the road, bringing in a winning 4-3 mark and 3.59 ERA.  In three career starts versus the Yankees, Cahill is 0-3 with a 9.72 ERA, including a 5-0 home loss on May 30, giving up four runs and four hits on 6 2/3 frames.

New York was unable to muster up any offense in its series finale against Tampa Bay, dropping a 2-1 contest and not being able to help starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia win his eighth game in a row.  “You like to see him get a win,” said Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.  “He definitely pitched good enough to win.”  The Yankees made a move in the lineup before the game, dropping Jeter from the leadoff spot to No. 2 in the order.  It didn’t jumpstart the offense that didn’t have a single runner in scoring position from the second to seventh innings.  After recording a 4-4 mark on an eight-game road trip following the All-Star break, the Yankees return home for a 10-game homestand against losing opposition.  New York is just 18-19 when playing teams with a losing record this year.

Yankees starting pitcher Phil Hughes is 1-2 with an 8.44 ERA in five starts and is coming off his first victory of the season.  He allowed two runs and four hits in six frames, leading New York to a resounding 7-2 road victory over the Blue Jays.  The right-hander is 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in two home outings, serving up three home runs in 8 1/3 frames.  In five lifetime appearances versus the Athletics, Hughes has tallied a perfect 2-0 record and 1.62 ERA, holding hitters to a .130 batting average.

Bettors will be interested in backing the Yankees due to their 23-7 mark in Hughes last 30 starts at Yankee Stadium, while the Athletics are 1-5 in Cahill’s last six efforts on the road