Michael Pineda will be on the bump against Collin McHugh looking for the Yanks first win of the year. Pineda is coming off an AL best 7.43 strikeout to walk ratio in 2015, the highest ever by a Yankee who pitched at least 150 innings. He fanned 8.7 batters per nine innings but allowed 176 hits in 160 2/3 innings. He finished the year 12-10 with a 4.37 ERA and just 21 walks, going 0-2 with a 5.11 ERA against the Astros.
McHugh finished second behind teammate Dallas Keuchel for the most wins in the American League with 19 last season. He set a career high in starts (32) and innings (203 2/3) going 19-7 with a 3.89 ERA. In two career starts against the Yanks, he is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA and 16 strikeouts, allowing just 11 baserunners.
Tidbits:
April is Pineda’s best month. His 82 1/3 innings pitched, 2.62 ERA and 77 strikeouts is the best of every month hes pitched.
Look for Brett Gardner to make his season debut. He is 1-6 with 1 RBI, 1 walk and 3 Ks lifetime against McHugh.
The Yanks dropped their fifth consecutive home opener, the first time they’ve done so since 1934-1938.
7:05 pm on Yes.
