American League Preview from The Sports Network
Monday, August 27th
(All times eastern)
Toronto Blue Jays (56-70) at New York Yankees (74-53), 7:05 p.m.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Toronto - Henderson Alvarez (7-11, 4.84)
New York - David Phelps (3-4, 2.69)
(Sports Network) - The New York Yankees begin a stretch of 22 straight games
against the American League East on Monday with the opener of a three-game set
with the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees come into the matchup with the Jays holding a four-game lead on
the Tampa Bay Rays in the division and stand a great chance of extending that
advantage on Monday, as they have beaten Toronto eight straight times in the
Bronx.
Not to mention Toronto has lost seven straight overall and eight in a row on
the road. The Jays caught a break on Sunday when the finale of their set with
the Baltimore Orioles was postponed due to rain.
Meanwhile, New York earned a series win in Cleveland on Sunday, as Nick
Swisher clubbed three hits, including an RBI single, to help the Yanks to a
4-2 win.
Curtis Granderson added a solo home run and Ichiro Suzuki registered two hits,
an RBI and a run scored for New York, which ended a six-game road trip at 2-4.
"To lose two series on a road trip is never good so it's good to go back home
having won this one," said Granderson. "This helps get your mind and body
ready for the division games we have ahead of us."
Boone Logan (5-2) earned the victory after tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings in
relief of starter Freddy Garcia, who gave up two runs on four hits and two
walks with six strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings. Rafael Soriano recorded the
final out of the eighth and worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to
nail down his 33rd save of the season.
David Phelps gets the ball for the Yankees on Monday, taking the spot of
righty Ivan Nova. Phelps hasn't started since Aug.18 when he lost to the Red
Sox. He is 3-4 with a 2.69 ERA this season.
Phelps has made 24 total appearances for the Yankees, but this will be his
seventh start.
"Really, really good, just because of all the roles that he's been able to
perform in for us," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I kind of liken it to a
little bit of Ramiro Mendoza when I was here. He was able to do everything.
Start, long relief, short relief. He's been really good."
A loser in four straight starts, Henderson Alvarez tries to get back on track
yet again on Monday as he heads to the mound for the Blue Jays. Less than a
month ago the right-hander was an even 7-7, but during his current slide
Toronto has scored no more than two runs in any one outing.
Last Sunday Alvarez didn't do himself any favors when he gave up eight earned
runs on 12 hits and three walks in just 4 1/3 innings against Texas in an 11-2
setback at home. The hurler struck out only three which means he has recorded
only eight total strikeouts during the slide.
Alvarez has faced the Yanks twice without getting a decision, but has pitched
to a 5.25 ERA in those outings.
The Yanks have won five of eight from the Jays this season.
08/27 10:31:02 ET

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