Los Angeles @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jun 19, 2013 ) LA Dodgers 4, NY Yankees 6
Two of the most storied franchises in baseball lock horns as the New York Yankees host a day-night doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, one day after the opener of their brief two-game interleague series was washed away by rain. Los Angeles is visiting the Yankees for the first time since clinching the 1981 World Series. The set also marks the return to New York of Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, who spent his entire 14-year playing career with the Yankees and spent time on the team's coaching staff before joining the Los Angeles staff in 2008.
New York, which placed Mark Teixeira on the disabled list with a right wrist injury, is glad to be starting a nine-game homestand after a disappointing West Coast road trip during which it posted a 4-6 record. The Yankees halted a five-game losing streak with a 6-5 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, nearly squandering a six-run lead in the ninth inning before Mariano Rivera struck out Albert Pujols with the bases loaded. The Dodgers lost for the third time in four games Sunday, falling to 1-2 on their nine-game road trip with a 6-3 loss to the Pirates in Pittsburgh as Zack Greinke yielded five runs in five frames.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Chris Capuano (1-4, 5.45 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Phil Hughes (3-5, 4.89)
Capuano is expected to be activated from the disabled list, where he has been since May 30 due to a strained left shoulder. The 34-year-old suffered his second straight loss a day earlier, when he allowed three runs over 5 2/3 innings against the Angels. Capuano lost both of his career starts against the Yankees, surrendering 13 runs (11 earned) in 9 1/3 frames while giving up five homers.
Hughes is coming off a loss at Oakland on June 12 in which he gave up three runs and four hits while walking five in 4 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old has won just one of his last six starts, going 1-3 with a 5.52 ERA in that span. Hughes, who is 1-3 with a 6.52 ERA in six home outings, is making his first start against the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Yankees and Dodgers have played six games in the regular season - all in Los Angeles.
2. The clubs have met 11 times in the World Series, with New York capturing eight championships.
3. Los Angeles rookie OF Yasiel Puig is hitting .479 (23-for-48) with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 13 major-league games.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 8, Yankees 5