The Yankees start the second half of the season against the Reds. David Phelps (3-4, 3.94 ERA) will kick things off against Mike Leake (7-7, 3.54 ERA). Phelps last time out, he allowed two earned runs in six innings to bring his ERA down to 3.94. He will be fresh when he goes, having last pitched eight days ago. In his last six starts, he has allowed 13 earned runs in 37 1/3 innings and is 2-0 with a 3.13 ERA. “He’s been really, really good,” Joe Girardi said. “He’s been on a little bit of a roll for us, which is important.”
In his last time out, Leake pitched six innings and gave up four runs on nine hits with two strikeouts in a no decision. Of his 103 pitches, 64 were strikes.
Girardi has not officially announced who will replace Masahiro Tanaka in the rotation. Phelps will be followed by Brandon McCarthy and Hiroki Kuroda. Rookie Shane Greene won his first two starts and will most likely get another start, but the final spot is up for grabs. Girardi did say “obviously, Chase Whitley is the most built up,” but Whitley struggled on Sunday. He allowed three earned runs on five hits while lasting just 3 2/3 innings.
Notes on the game
The Reds expect to have Skip Schumaker back, who missed the last 3 days before the break after colliding with the outfield wall.
The Yankees are 1 game behind Toronto for second in the division and 5 games out of first.
First pitch at 7:05 pm on Yes.
