New York @ Oakland preview
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2010 ) NY Yankees 3, Oakland 1
A couple of All-Star pitchers will oppose each other Tuesday night when the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics square off in the second of a three-game series in Oakland.
CC Sabathia starts for the Yankees and it’s no surprise to see the New York star left-hander on the American League All-Star team. Oakland’s All-Star hurler, Trevor Cahill, is on the other end of the household name spectrum.
The 22-year-old Cahill has been spectacular for the Athletics in making his first-ever All-Star team. Sabathia is headed to his fourth.
Cahill began the season on the disabled list and had a short stint in the minors before putting together a stellar two-plus months. He has an 8-2 record and 2.74 ERA entering the duel with Sabathia.
Cahill has won seven consecutive decisions since losing to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 16. He’s allowed one earned run or fewer in six of his last nine starts.
In his last two outings, Cahill has permitted just one run and six hits over 14 2/3 innings. He struck out 10 in 7 2/3 innings while holding the Pittsburgh Pirates scoreless on two hits on June 26 and followed that up by limiting the Baltimore Orioles to one run and four hits over seven innings.
Cahill is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA in five home starts this season. Tuesday’s start will mark his first-ever outing against the Yankees.
Sabathia has also been on a roll, having won six straight decisions to improve his record to 10-3 and lower his ERA to 3.33.
He has allowed three runs or fewer in all six starts and his last three outings have been dominating. Sabathia went eight innings in each and has given up just two earned runs and 13 hits over 24 innings during the stretch.
He defeated the Seattle Mariners in his last start when he gave up two runs – one earned – and five hits.
Sabathia is just 5-8 lifetime with a 5.63 ERA in 19 career starts against the Athletics. He lost to Oakland on April 22 when he gave up four runs – three earned – in eight innings.
New York catcher Jorge Posada sat out the Yankees’ 3-1 win on Monday after taking a foul tip off his left ring finger on Sunday. He’s unlikely to play Tuesday.
The Yankees are reportedly pondering calling up a third catcher with Posada ailing. Francisco Cervelli, who had a run-scoring single Monday, is the only other catcher currently on the roster.
The break could help the rest of Posada’s body get a breather. Posada hasn’t homered since June 16 and has gone just 6-for-35 (.171) since June 20.
Oakland placed outfielder Conor Jackson (hamstring) on the disabled list Monday but received a break when center fielder Coco Crisp was in the lineup. Crisp tweaked his hamstring Sunday.
Athletics third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff singled in the fourth inning on Monday night to break an 0-for-30 drought. Oakland had just three hits during the 3-1 loss.