It’s up to CC Sabathia (9-10, 4.78 ERA) to get a win for the Yanks in Chicago against Hector Santiago (3-7, 3.28 ERA). Sabathia and his confidence has taken a hit as he has now allowed five or more runs in four straight starts for the first time in his career. He’s 0-3 with a 10.07 ERA in that span, with opponents batting .398 against him. Sabathia’s best chance to get back to ace form could come tonight in Chicago. The left hander, formerly of the Indians, has had success pitching against the White Sox in his career, posting an 18-4 record and a 3.63 ERA over 31 starts against them. He’s been even better in his 16 starts at U.S. Cellular Field, going 10-1 with a 3.25 ERA. “I mean, it’s crunch time,” Sabathia said. “I think every start is important, and it’s up to me to go out and pitch better.”
In his last outing against Detroit, Santiago gave up two runs on six hits over seven innings. He walked one and fanned seven, giving him 111 strikeouts in just 107 innings this season.
Tonight’s game marks the end of an eight game road trip, one that has not been kind to the Yankees. They have averaged fewer than three runs per game so far on the trip, and Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the White Sox dropped the club to 2-5 with one game remaining before their return to the Bronx. The Yankees have lost three of their past four series, and on Monday, they lost Derek Jeter, again, to the disabled list for a third time this season. “We’re digging ourselves a hole, no doubt about it,” Brian Cashman said. “It’s not something that we want. We have to win games, simple as that. We have to play better baseball and win with what we have. This has been a terrible road trip.”
Notes on the game
In his second game of the season, Alex Rodriguez went 1-2 with a single and a walk, and he was hit by a pitch.
The White Sox have won five consecutive games against the Yankees dating back to last season, having outscored them 29-12.
First pitch at 8:10 PM (EST) on Yes.
