YANKEES VS. MARINERS SERIES PREVIEW

The Yankees won their series against the first place Rays last night and triumphed over some tough pitching. After being swept in the first series against the Rays at the Trop the Yankees now have some momentum as they prepare for the Mariners this weekend. Everyone is looking forward to the matchups this weekend, but many are wondering how Jesus Montero will handle the pressure of being back in the Bronx...and how will the fans treat him?

This season so far, Jesus Montero is batting .268 with 4 home runs, 16 RBIs and 24 strikeouts.  Could the difference in ballparks be a factor this weekend? We'll need to see.

Robinson Cano is starting to hit, and what a relief.  Cano's up to .270 this season with only 2 homers and 9 RBIs. Something tells me that's about to change for the better.

Derek Jeter, our Captain just keeps on rolling.  Jeet's average is up to .388. He has 5 home runs and 15 RBI's.  I wouldn't be surprised if Jeter was able to get back up to .400 before the weekend is out and knowing him, he'll do something special on Mother's Day! And now... the matchups:

FRIDAY: Hiroki Kuroda vs. Felix Hernandez

Kuroda makes his 7th start tonight. So far he is 2-4 with a 3.75 ERA. Kuroda is looking for a bounce back start after a disappointing game against Kansas City. He only gave up two earned runs in 4.1 innings but he threw 91 pitches. Kuroda has admitted to struggling with his command lately and given his matchup for this series….he is going to need to be on his game and limit the runs he gives up. Even though the Mariners do not have a powerful offense, their tough pitching will be a challenge for the Yankee offense.

The Mariners will start their ace, King Felix Hernandez who is off to an impressive 3-1 start with a 1.89 ERA. King Felix pitched eight shutout innings against the Twins last week, allowing just one hit and two walks with nine strikeouts. The Yankees will have their hands full with King Felix who has decreased his ERA every start he has made this season. The key to being successful against King Felix is waiting for the right pitch and staying out of those ground ball double plays, which he seems to have mastered.

SATURDAY: Phil Hughes vs. Hector Noesi

Hughes’ last start against the Royals was definitely what the Yankees needed to see, and it may have kept his job as a starter. Hughes is now 2-4 in the season with a 6.67 ERA, which is an improvement from his previous 7.48 ERA. Hughes pitched a strong 6.2 innings only allowing three runs, one walk with seven strikeouts. The Yankee offense also gave him the run support that he has been missing so far this season scoring ten runs. Hughes was finally challenging hitters and had more confidence in his fastball. One successful start is not enough to take him off of the Yankees radar, especially not with Andy making his return to the team so he will need to continue to build upon this.

The Yankees will reunite with Hector Noesi on the mound, but this time they will have to take hits off of him instead of defend him. Noesi is 2-3 with a 6.30 ERA and has had a rough start to the season but his last start against the Twins showed signs of improvement. He had a shutout into the seventh inning until giving up a homerun. Despite the run, he only allowed four hits and struck out five.

SUNDAY: Andy Pettitte vs Blake Beavan

After intense training and four minor league starts, Andy is finally ready to rejoin the Yankees and makes his first start on Mother’s Day. Although his last AAA start was rough, Cashman and Andy both agree that he is ready to be called up and contribute to the team. Given the challenges the Yankees pitching rotation are having, if Andy can stay healthy he could be a huge stabilizing factor. At long last, we will be able to see that powerful stare peek through the top of his glove and that crippling pick-off move to first.

Blake Beavan will take the mound the mound for the Mariners, and although his 1-3 record isn’t pretty his abilities are better than his 4.32 ERA suggest. Beaven got a no decision on his last outing against the Tigers and he was pulled from the game at the top of the third inning with a right elbow contusion. The Mariners say it is unlikely that he will make his next start, but no one has been named an alternate starter yet.

This series will finally have the excitement that Yankee fans have been waiting so long for. When Andy takes the mound on Sunday I can’t wait to hear the roar of the crowd. Stay tuned, there will be some some great pitching matchups this series!

--Jeana Bellezza --BYB Writer and Editor

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