David Phelps (5-5, 4.95 ERA) goes for the sweep against the Twins and Kyle Gibson (1-0, 3.00 ERA) on Independence Day afternoon. In his last start against the Orioles on June 29th, Phelps was hammered for a career high nine runs in 2 1/3 innings giving up two homers on hanging curveballs. It was an ugly hiccup on an otherwise solid June in which he went 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA in his four other starts. “Regardless of what point in the game you come out, if you give up nine runs, it’s going to be agonizing,” Phelps said of his performance vs. Baltimore. “Knowing you went out and didn’t really give the team a chance to win is probably the worst part of it.”
Gibson threw a solid six innings in his Major League debut at Target Field on Saturday against the Royals. He gave up two runs on eight hits while striking out five and not walking a single batter.
Ivan Nova will get another shot to work his way back into the rotation on Friday, when he goes up against the Orioles after Hiroki Kuroda was scratched with a nagging hip injury. “Of course, you don’t want anyone to get hurt, but what can I do?” Nova said. “I’ve just got to take advantage of the opportunity that God gave me right now. It’s not the way that you want to be pitching, but there’s nothing I can do.” Nova has struggled as a starter, with a 5.79 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in five starts. He struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings while allowing three runs on seven hits in a spot start against the Rays on June 23. “It’s not good. I don’t feel good the way I am right now,” he said. “I don’t know when I’m pitching until somebody gets hurt. It’s not the spot I want to be in, but it’s something that I can’t control.”
Notes on the game.
CC Sabathia recorded his 200th career win with last nights victory.
Alex Rodriguez made his second rehab appearance at Class A Charleston on Wednesday, with two groundouts to the right side of the infield.
Phelps is 1-2 with a 1.62 ERA in three starts against American League Central opponents.
The Yankees have won 13 of their last 14 games against the AL Central.
Game kicks off at 2:10 PM (EST)
