Gerrit Cole, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, is set to take the mound for the New York Yankees (39-33) as they match up against the Seattle Mariners (35-35) at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday to open a three-game series.
The Mariners are playing their first of six games on the road after wrapping up a productive six-game homestand (4-2). They won two out of three in their last series against the White Sox, taking the finale 5-1 on Sunday at T-Mobile Park. Cal Raleigh was 2 for 3 with one run.
The Yankees are returning home for a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Red Sox, ending the series by dropping both games of a doubleheader at Fenway Park on Sunday.
They followed up a 6-2 loss in the opener with a 4-1 defeat in the finale for their fourth straight loss. Jake Bauers went 1 for 3 with one run in the second leg.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Yankees have won two of three in the season series between the teams, although they dropped a close one 1-0 in 10 innings in their last meeting on May 31 at T-Mobile Park. Reliever Justin Topa was credited with the win after throwing one scoreless inning.
ON THE MOUND
George Kirby (6-5, 3.24 ERA) is slated to start for Seattle. The righty allowed one run (zero earned) over six innings in his last start, a 9-3 road win over the Marlins on June 13. He was credited with the win, giving up three hits while striking out 10.
Kirby has made one previous start against the Yankees this season, a 1-0 home victory on May 31. He allowed three hits over eight scoreless innings, striking out seven. RHP Cole (7-1, 2.75 ERA) will toe the rubber for New York. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Mariners.
Cole made two appearances against the Mariners in 2022, both as the starter, striking out 16 and walking one over 13 innings (0-1, 4.15).In his last start on Wednesday, Cole took a no-decision on the road against the Mets. He threw six innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out eight, in the 4-3 defeat. The righty is tied for fourth in the AL in strikeouts (98).
AT THE PLATE
The Seattle offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .229/.310/.382. Jarred Kelenic leads the team in OPS at .806. The center fielder is slashing .258/.327/.479 with 11 home runs, 32 RBIs, and 30 runs over 66 games.
Against righties like Cole this season, the M’s have a .691 OPS. J.P. Crawford is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .774 OPS in 156 at-bats. New York is slashing .230/.298/.412 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game.
Gleyber Torres leads the team with a .770 OPS. The shortstop has 12 home runs, 30 RBIs, and 41 runs scored with a slash line of .256/.331/.439. The Yanks have a .708 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.186 OPS over 144 at-bats, Aaron Judge has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Seattle is 14-18 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.9 runs. New York has gone 21-17 at Yankee Stadium this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. New York is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Yankee Stadium between the teams despite an average scoreline favoring Seattle (4.3-3.8).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, eight games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Yankees are third in the AL East, 10 games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Yankees (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
