Will the huge pitching advantage the New York Yankees have in the rubber game, the third game against the Cleveland Guardians, pay off for them? That is what Yankee fans are wondering. They are also wondering: Can Max Fried overcome his rough start in Los Angeles against the Dodgers?
With him going against somebody named Slade Cecconi, the ball for this rubber game is back in the Yankees court. Fans should probably always be wondering: Will the weather be good enough in The Bronx for baseball? What do you think the answers to these questions will be?
Streaks
After winning seven series in a row, the Yankees lost the series to the Dodgers by dropping two out of three. It is time they start a new streak. They will if they win this rubber game against the Cleveland Guardians. The Yankees start another big series with the rival Boston Red Sox on Friday.
The Yankees were shut out for only the second time all season last night. They were last shut out on April 8 against Tarik Skubal and the Tigers in the cold. The Yankees are averaging 5.5 runs scored per game. That made Wednesday’s performance more surprising. Will they score more runs tonight?
The Yankees had only five hits last night. Cody Bellinger had a ninth-inning double. Ben Rice had two hits. His batting average climbed to .250. What will he bat this year? Aaron Judge had two hits, which raised his batting average to .389. He may not hit .400, but he is fighting for that.
Another somewhat annoying streak is that the Yankees are playing only night games until June 15. Some people like night games, but they are somewhat difficult to write about. That said the Yankees should be on at night, so people can see them. Sunday is New York’s second game in a row on ESPN.
Warm Weather On Tap
Today is supposed to be hot and dry in New York City. The weather for this game should be dry and about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures should fall through the 70s during the game. It is like summertime weather in The Bronx.
Who Will Be the Yankees Closer?
With the injury to Luke Weaver, Yankees fans are wondering who will be the Yankees closer. Devin Williams was supposed to fill that role, but he has been terrible so far this season. Williams was shaky, though he earned the save in the 3-2 win on Monday night. He did allow a ninth-inning run en route to his save.
“That’s the job that they need me to do now, so I just try to do my best to help the team,” Williams said. “The runs count the same in the seventh or eighth, so I don’t view it as any different.” Williams did not pitch in last night’s game, so we could see him today. Expect a close and low-scoring game, with another save opportunity for Williams.
Conclusion
Will the Yankees win this game? They certainly have the pitching advantage, but the Cleveland Guardians are tough. Fried, who has only one loss, going against Cecconi is a big advantage for the Yankees. Yet, as the Yankees struggle with pitchers whom they have not seen, Cecconi could spellbind the Yankees. Watch out for that. Watch out also for the Yankees looking past this game to the series with the Red Sox on Friday.
