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Series Preview: Mariners @ Yankees

It’s going to be a big weekend in the Bronx as the Yankees welcome the Seattle Mariners to their home venue for a three-game series. Between the return of former Yanks prospect, Jesus Montero, who was traded to the Mariners in the offseason, as well as the homecoming of former pinstripe, Andy Pettitte, who will make his first start since 2010 on Sunday, there’s going to be plenty to talk about.

Sabathia pitched long and strong to get the bombers a much-needed win over the Rays in last nights game, and the club will need those solid outings on the mound to continue through the weekend.

Everyone has been waiting to see this stare down since Andy Pettitte and the Yankees announced his comeback in March. The chance finally come this Sunday afternoon as Pettitte will return to the mound in pinstripes.
Everyone has been waiting to see this stare down since Andy Pettitte and the Yankees announced his comeback in March. The chance finally comes this Sunday afternoon when Pettitte will return to the mound in pinstripes.

Hiroki Kuroda will take to the rubber tonight, looking to duplicate the recent success of the rest of the starters and bounce back from a loss in his last start. Kuroda has been inconsistent thus far, but so has the run support behind him. It seems as though when he’s on, the bats are silent and don’t provide him with much help in close games. This has resulted in a 2-4 record for Kuroda, which he needs to improve upon, beginning tonight. He will be matched up with Felix Hernandez, who will get the start for the Mariners. The strength of the Yankee lineup will have to be locked in again, as they were on David Price last night, because Hernandez has been tormenting opponents so far. He’s provided his team with three wins and only one loss in seven starts. That record is complimented by 1.89 ERA and 52 strikeouts to just 14 walks. Hernandez’s 5-1 career record against the Yanks, proves tonight’s opener will be another challenge for the bombers.

Game two will feature less than spectacular starters for their clubs this year, as Phil Hughes will go for New York and Hector Noesi for Seattle. Hughes has shown improvement in his last two starts, but durability remains an issue as he’s still having trouble lasting into the deeper innings of the game. He’ll need a complete turnaround in this start in order to hang onto any hope of staying in the starting rotation. Joe Girardi shook up the lineup last night, as well as the bullpen when he gave Rafael Soriano the save opportunity, which he secured. But that may be a sign of more shakeups to come, especially with the return of game three’s starter.

Ever since the announcement of his one-year deal back in March, Andy Pettitte’s arrival in pinstripes has been highly anticipated. After a few minor league starts, management, coaches, and especially Pettitte, are ready to get back on the mound for the Yanks. The organization and fans alike are hoping he can try to revive the sometimes lifeless pitching staff, which has failed to live up to the hype in the early goings. Everyone will finally get to see that infamous stare-down again this Sunday afternoon, as Pettitte will square off with Blake Beavan for the Mariners. Hopefully Pettitte will show signs that he’s never missed a beat and return to the Bronx in winning fashion.