New York Yankees (4-2) at Pittsburgh Pirates (2-5)
Game 1:
Date: Friday, April 4th
Time: 4:12 p.m. EDT
Broadcast: SportsNet Pittsburgh/YES Network
Game 2:
Date: Saturday, April 5th
Time: 4:05 p.m. EDT
Broadcast: SportsNet Pittsburgh/YES Network
Game 3:
Date: Sunday, April 6th
Time: 1:35 p.m. EDT
Broadcast: SportsNet Pittsburgh/YES Network
Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster
Probable Starting Pitchers
Game 1: Max Fried (0-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. Mitch Keller (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
Max Fried had a disappointing debut in the Bronx last weekend. Specifically, he surrendered seven hits and six runs, two earned; he struck out four and walked two in 4.2 innings. Meanwhile, Mitch Keller will get the start for the Pirates in their home opener. Notably, his retooled changeup proved formidable last week in Miami, as he went 6.0 innings, allowing just five hits, one earned run, and striking out four.
Game 2: Marcus Stroman (0-0, 5.79 ERA) vs. Bailey Falter (0-0, 3.00 ERA)
Stroman will likely take the hill for the New York Yankees. Given recent trends, his pitch-to-contact approach appears more sustainable this year, thanks to a revamped Yankee defense. Stroman turned in a solid outing last weekend, pitching 4.2 quality innings in the Yankees’ win over the Brewers. During that outing, he allowed three runs on five hits, with three strikeouts and a walk. Bailey Falter will get the ball for Pittsburgh. He aims to build on his quality start against Miami last Saturday. In that outing, he tossed four scoreless innings. He was pulled after he allowed a run in both the fifth and sixth frames.
Game 3: Will Warren (0-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Andrew Heaney (0-0, 1.80 ERA)
Amid a season riddled with injuries, Warren has stepped into the role of the Yankees’ number five starter. In his season debut, Warren looked much more mature than he did last year. He did surrender a two-run shot off the bat of Corbin Carroll. However, he rebounded by escaping a jam with a key double play. Warren ended his day after the fifth inning, but the outing offered fans plenty to be optimistic about. Meanwhile, on the bump for Pittsburgh will be veteran lefty Andrew Heaney. In his first start, Heaney went over five innings. Allowing just one run on a Nick Fortes double. Despite a late February signing and a brief, underwhelming spring, Heaney looked sharp and in strong form.
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Players To Watch
New York Yankees
Look for Paul Goldschmidt to do damage in this weekend series. Armed with the controversial “torpedo-bat”, Goldschmidt’s numbers could look even better than his already impressive career totals versus Pittsburgh. Since 2011, Goldschmidt has slashed .307/.407/.522 against the Bucs, including 23 home runs. With two of the three pitchers he’ll face also being a lefty, the odds of the Yankees scoring early runs gets increasingly likely.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Switch-hitting outfielder Bryan Reynolds has had a slow start, but don’t let that confuse the quality of his bat. He has had incredible success against Fried and Stroman. He is powerful from both sides of the plate. This could make him a real problem for Will Warren as well. This series may be a turning point for Reynolds. He must get a good launch angle against two pitchers. Historically, these pitchers pitch to contact.
Next Up:
New York: April 7th-April 9th @ Detroit Tigers
Pittsburgh: April 7th-April 10th vs. St. Louis Cardinals
