The Yankees travel to Kansas City for a four game series against the Royals. Game one has Chase Whitley (0-0, 2.37 ERA) going up against Jeremy Guthrie (2-5, 4.00 ERA). Whitley threw five innings against the Twins on Sunday, which matched his season high. He was very effective throwing 83 pitches while striking out six and walking zero on five hits with just one earned run. The longer Whitley can go in the game, the better off the whole team will be. During the last home stand, the bullpen blew three separate leads and the team finished 2-5. “We were just having a little slump, too,” David Robertson said. “We had a lead a few times, couldn’t hold it. It happens in baseball.”
Guthrie is getting the same treatment from his offense as Whitley is. In his last three starts, he has given up just one run in seven innings, one run in six innings and two runs in seven with nothing to show for it. In his last 10 starts he is 0-5 but has a 1.80 ERA in his last three. “I’ve just been trying to mix it up,” Guthrie said. “I think we’ve done a pretty good job of keeping the pitches down. Mixing in and away better I think it’s helped us get away with a few more mistakes that I’ve made so hopefully I can continue to do that.”
We all know how this works, another park and another farewell for Derek Jeter. Guthrie is very familiar with Jeter having been a member of the Orioles for five years. In 50 plate appearances, Jeter is hitting .261 with two doubles off Guthrie. “He’s someone I’ve always enjoyed facing, I watched him as a kid growing up and I think he’s had a tremendous career,” Guthrie said. “Obviously, he’s done everything right on and off the field for the most part, and someone kids look up to as a role model.”
Carlos Beltran returned to the lineup Thursday for the first time since May 12th, going 0-3. “Swinging wise I feel good,” said Beltran. “I swung from both sides of the plate. I swung hard, the same swing I would take in a game. I feel something there, but it’s not pain. It’s just I would say a hard stretch there. But other than that, I feel fine.” He has yet to throw a ball so he will serve as DH until he gets on a throwing program.
Notes on the game
The Yankees have won three of Whitley’s four starts but he has come away empty handed.
The Yankees averaged just 2.3 runs per game during their home stand.
First pitch at 8:10 PM on Yes
