Despite a home series loss to the Tampa Bay Rays the New York Yankees (75-46) continue to own the second-best record in the majors and now look ahead to a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays (55-66) at Yankee Stadium.
The bullpen has been an overwhelming strength for this team from the start of the season, and the most dominant member of that group is none other than the resurgent Dellin Betances.
Over its last 29.1 innings pitched the homegrown Yankee has surrendered just two runs in 30 games since May 27. He has 50 strikeouts over that span and opponents are hitting .096 against the righty.
In tonight’s Game 1, Lance Lynn (8-8, 4.46 ERA) will make his third start for the Bronx Bombers against New York native Marcus Stroman (4-8, 5.03 ERA). Lynn’s had an outstanding start for the Yankees since being acquired from the Minnesota Twins in late July.
Lynn has a 0.54 ERA and 22 strikeouts over 16.2 innings of work for the Yankees. He allowed just one run in five innings in a no-decision Saturday against the Rangers, giving up five hits and three walks while striking out eight. In his last two appearances, the 27-year-old Stroman has been sharp as he’s given up one earned run over his previous 12 innings.
In tomorrow’s Game 2, ace Luis Severino (15-6, 3.27 ERA) will start opposite Toronto youngster Sean Reid-Foley (0-1, 5.40 ERA). It’s been a tough stretch for Severino lately as he’s lost four of his last five starts since July 23 and has seen his ERA balloon from 2.63 to 3.27 over that span.
The good news for Severino is that he’s 3-0 against the Blue Jays this season, with a 2.04 ERA and has held Toronto batters to a .150 hitting average so maybe he can finally straighten his ship and retake his first-half form.
In the series finale on Sunday J.A. Happ (13-6, 3.86 ERA) taking the mound against Toronto’s Ryan Borucki (2-2, 3.29 ERA) who’s won two of his last three starts.
Happ will be facing his former team for the first time since being traded in late July. He’s been stellar over his first three weeks with the Yankees as he’s gone 3-0 in as many starts while posting a 1.89 ERA and striking out 15 batters over 19 innings of work.
The Yankees continue their longest homestand of the season against a Jays team that’s won three of its last five games and just split a four-game series against the Royals in Kansas.
