Los Angeles @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 12, 2013 ) LA Angels 1, NY Yankees 2
The New York Yankees rested Mariano Rivera in their last win, but would like nothing more than to turn to him again on Tuesday when they continue a three-game home series against the Los Angeles Angels. New York sat Rivera Monday after he threw 81 pitches while blowing three straight save chances over a five-day stretch for the first time in his career. New York nearly squandered another late lead Monday, but David Robertson struck out a pair with the bases loaded to preserve the win.
The Yankees’ first back-to-back victories since winning three in a row from July 10-12 came at the expense of the Angels, who have dropped eight of their last 10 on the road and 12 of 17 overall. Mike Trout extended his on-base streak to 34 games Monday, but Los Angeles managed only four other hits and was unable to back Garrett Richards’ first career complete game. Recent history is also working against the Angels, who are 6-18 in their last 24 games in New York (including postseason).
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Jason Vargas (6-4, 3.65 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (9-10, 4.73)
Sidelined since June 17 due a blood clot in his left arm, Vargas returns to the mound after making a 4 2/3-inning rehab start for Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday. The left-hander went 6-1 with a 3.07 ERA in nine major-league starts prior to his departure, but will look to change his 9.42 ERA in three career turns at Yankee Stadium. Vargas has yet to defeat New York in seven all-time appearances and is 18-30 with a 5.16 ERA in 83 career road outings (including 72 starts).
Sabathia recorded his first quality start in four tries, but remained winless since July 3 after giving up three runs over 7 1/3 innings and settled for a no-decision in Wednesday’s 6-5 road loss to the Chicago White Sox. During his six-start dry spell, the 2007 American League Cy Young Award winner is 0-4 with a 7.00 ERA. Sabathia posted a victory in his last turn against Los Angeles on June 16, but is only 7-8 with a 4.08 ERA in 17 career outings against the Angels.
WALK-OFFS
1. Sabathia struck out one in his last start, the first time in 100 outings he failed to record at least two strikeouts.
2. The Angels’ 53-64 record is their worst mark after 117 games since they were 48-69 in 1999 – the year before manager Mike Scioscia took over.
3. Robertson has retired the last 25 batters he has faced with the bases loaded, the longest streak of its kind since the San Francisco Giants' Jeff Brantley set down 30 straight batters with the bases full.
PREDICTION: Yankees 4, Angels 3