Chicago @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 28, 2018 ) Chi. White Sox 4, NY Yankees 5
The New York Yankees used the long ball to even the series and now look to claim the three-game set when they host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Pinch-hitter Neil Walker's walk-off homer in the ninth inning was New York's third blast in four frames as the team rallied from a four-run deficit to post a 5-4 win on Tuesday.
Miguel Andujar hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning and Aaron Hicks belted a game-tying, two-run shot in the eighth before Walker provided the heroics in New York's ninth victory in 11 games. The Yankees have scored five or more runs eight times in those 11 contests as they have climbed within 6 1/2 games of American League East-leading Boston. The White Sox fell for just the fourth time in 14 contests and have dropped 14 of their last 18 visits to Yankee Stadium. Nicky Delmonico, who went 2-for-5 with a two-run single in the sixth inning that gave Chicago a 4-0 lead, has recorded four homers and 11 RBIs over his last 10 games.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago, YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (4-9, 4.66 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (7-4, 3.30)
Lopez is 0-4 with a 6.70 ERA and 12 homers allowed in his last nine outings, with his last victory occurring on July 1 against Texas. The 24-year-old has given up five or more runs on four occasions during the stretch but showed progress by allowing two runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against Detroit in his last turn. Lopez produced a solid effort against the Yankees on Aug. 7, when he permitted one run and four hits over seven frames of a no-decision in his first career start versus the club.
Sabathia gave up two runs and five hits over six innings in a no-decision against Baltimore in his last turn after a brief stint on the disabled list due to right knee soreness. The 38-year-old experienced issues with the knee while blanking the Rangers on one hit over six innings on Aug. 12. Sabathia struck out a season-best 12 while allowing one run and four hits over 5 2/3 frames in a no-decision while opposing Lopez on Aug. 7 and is 19-6 with a 3.73 ERA in 36 career starts against Chicago.
WALK-OFFS
1. Hicks has gone 7-for-19 with two homers and five RBIs over his last five contests.
2. Chicago SS Tim Anderson (ankle) departed in the ninth inning and will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.
3. New York RF Aaron Judge (wrist) told reporters on Tuesday that progress is slow - he was injured on July 26 and expected to miss three weeks - and he remains hopeful of returning prior to mid-September.
PREDICTION: Yankees 7, White Sox 4