Top Play (WPA): Eduardo Rodriguez had been cruising for Boston, pitching six innings of one-run ball. The young righty just punched out Brendan Ryan, leading him to face the struggling Jacoby Ellsbury. The speedster launched the ball into the second deck beyond the right field wall, giving the Yankees a 2-1 lead to increase their chances of winning by 24.2%.
Bottom Play (LPA): Into the ninth New York’s lead went. However, such lead was jeopardized by a leadoff single and a walk with one out. Brock Holt stood on second, Jackie Bradley Jr. on first, but Andrew Miller locked down and enforced a fly out from Pablo Sandoval. The Yankee Stadium crowd rose to their feet, and Miller punched out Rusney Castillo to end the game, decreasing Boston’s chances of winning by 13.3%.
Key Moment: David Ortiz stepped to the plate with the bases loaded, game tied at one, and two outs in the top of the fifth. C.C. Sabathia was nearing the end of his line, but worked up the energy to fire a 94-mph fastball past the bat of Big Papi to end the inning. The highlight of this play was C.C.’s celebration, which included a shimmy and a couple of pumps.
Coming Next: The Toronto Blue Jays come to town for perhaps the biggest series of the year (up to this point). Toronto’s red hot offense was improved at the trade deadline by Troy Tulowitzki — not to mention the firepower of new acquisition David Price, who’s scheduled to start on Saturday.
Friday: R.A. Dickey (6-10, 4.06 ERA) vs. Nate Eovaldi (11-2, 4.30 ERA) — 7:05 ET
Saturday: David Price (10-4, 2.45 ERA) vs. Ivan Nova (4-3, 3.10 ERA) — 1:05 ET
Sunday: Marco Estrada (9-6, 3.40 ERA) vs. Masahiro Tanaka (8-4, 3.84 ERA) — 1:05 ET
For two of the top hitting teams in baseball, Saturday and Sunday’s pitching matchups seem impressive. Currently, the Yankees look to be among baseball’s elite. We’ll see if they stand atop after this weekend.
(Photo: Anthony Gruppuso-USA Today Sports)