Seattle @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2012 ) Seattle 2, NY Yankees 6
Strong pitching has been instrumental in the New York Yankees’ ability to win six of their last seven games. It figures to take center stage Tuesday when CC Sabathia and the Yankees host the first of a three-game set against Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners in a battle of Cy Young Award winners. New York, which has allowed two runs or fewer in six of its last seven games, split a doubleheader with the Cleveland Indians on Monday to wrap up a 6-2 road trip.
Seattle has won nine of its last 13 games after taking two of three at home from the Oakland Athletics over the weekend. Because of a day off before and after their last series, the Mariners opted to skip fifth starter Aaron Harang and go with Hernandez, who is 4-1 with a 1.13 ERA and two complete games in five career starts at the new Yankee Stadium. Seattle is 7-4 against left-handed starters and own the fourth-best winning percentage (.636) against southpaws in the American League.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (5-2, 1.53 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.23)
Hernandez has allowed a total of three earned runs over his last five turns, collecting the win in each of his last four outings. The 2010 American League Cy Young Award winner lasted eight innings for the third straight time in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh, allowing a run on six hits to improve to 4-1 with a 1.25 ERA in five road starts this season. The three-time All-Star is 8-5 with a 3.08 ERA with four complete games - two shutouts - in 14 career outings against the Yankees.
Sabathia was sharp over four frames in Thursday’s 3-1 victory over Colorado, but a long rain delay prevented him from returning for the fifth inning in order to qualify for the win. The 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner yielded a run and a hit before his exit. It marked the first time since Opening Day the six-time All-Star failed to pitch at least six innings. Sabathia has dominated Seattle throughout his career, going 12-4 with a 2.46 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 20 starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York has held its opponent to four earned runs or fewer in 18 of its last 20 games.
2. Seattle, which has played five of its last eight games away from home, will play its next nine on the road.
3. The Yankees are 15-0 when scoring first, the only team that has yet to lose under that condition.
PREDICTION: Mariners 2, Yankees 1