New York @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 17, 2018 ) Miami 9, NY Yankees 1

While the rest of his teammates are set to begin a six-game road trip, Giancarlo Stanton will enjoy a homecoming of sorts Tuesday when the New York Yankees (78-46) play the opener of a two-game interleague series against the Miami Marlins. Stanton, a four-time All-Star, was the National League MVP in 2017 during his eighth and final year with the Marlins (50-76).

"It's going to be weird for sure, walking up and going to the visitor's side. But I'm looking forward to it. It's a big part of my life, my time down there," said Stanton, whose availability for Tuesday is in question as he nurses a tight left hamstring. New York's offense hasn't been limited, however, as it erupted for 28 runs on 31 hits in a three-game sweep against Toronto over the weekend. While the Yankees have won 10 of 14 to strengthen their hold on the American League's top wild-card spot, Miami enjoyed a rare offensive outburst of its own to win back-to-back contests versus Washington. J.T. Riddle has answered a 3-for-31 stretch in his previous 14 games by going 7-for-12 with two homers, seven RBIs and three runs scored in his last three contests.


TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (9-4, 4.03 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Pablo Lopez (2-3, 4.79)

Tanaka answered an unbeaten 14-start stretch by dropping back-to-back outings as he followed up a three-homer, six-run performance versus Texas with six strong innings in a 3-1 setback against Tampa Bay on Thursday. The 29-year-old Japanese star overcame a pair of RBI doubles in the first inning before keeping the Rays at bay for the rest of the start. Tanaka is looking to avenge a disastrous start versus Miami on April 17, when he surrendered seven runs on as many hits in a 9-1 setback.

Lopez saw his scheduled start Sunday pushed back in favor the soon-to-be suspended Jose Urena, who tossed a complete-game gem versus the Nationals. The 22-year-old Lopez fell to 0-2 in his last four starts after getting pierced for six runs on as many hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 9-1 setback at Atlanta on Aug. 13. Lopez, who will make his first career start against the Yankees on Tuesday, has been taken deep in each of his last five outings and eight times in 47 innings this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami 2B Starlin Castro, who was acquired in the Stanton deal, extended his hitting streak to eight games following a two-double, three-single performance Sunday.

2. Yankees 1B Greg Bird has homered in back-to-back outings after going 5-for-45 in his previous 14 contests.

3. Marlins C J.T. Realmuto, who has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games, belted a three-run homer against the Yankees on April 17 in his first game of the season.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Marlins 2