Recap: Yankees 1, Astros 0

Nathan Eovaldi tossed eight shutout innings and the Yankees edged the Astros, 1-0, on Monday night at Yankee Stadium.

Just What They Needed: With the team's bullpen gassed following Sunday's loss to the Indians, Eovaldi gave the Yankees eight frames of four-hit ball -- holding the Astros to 0-for-7 with RISP while walking three and striking out seven. Eovaldi stayed out of trouble for the most part on the evening, but when the visitors put men on base in the fifth and sixth, the righty saw to it they never passed third.

Walk-Off: The Yankees' bats were virtually nonexistent in eight innings against Scott Feldman, but their luck began to turn when Oliver Perez took the hill for the ninth. Perez -- a lefty with a 3.06 ERA -- walked three consecutive (one intentionally) to load the bases, and after he was removed for Chad Qualls, the Yankees won it on a sac fly by Carlos Beltran. 

Probably Should Have Scored There: The Yankees put runners on the corners with none out in the seventh, but failed to score when Greg Bird struck out and Chase Headley lined into an 8-2 double play. Headley, hitless in three at-bats on the evening, actually made good contact on the inning-ender, but his efforts ultimately went for naught after Carlos Gomez gunned down Brian McCann at the plate.

Probably Should Have Scored There, Too: Didi Gregorius and Stephen Drew -- of all people -- led-off the third with a pair of singles, but again, the Yankees couldn't capitalize on the threat. Jacoby Ellsbury hit into a fielder's choice, Brett Gardner fanned and Alex Rodriguez flied to shallow right, wasting an opportunity they usually won't get from the bottom of the lineup.

He's Baaack: Mark Teixeira was seen in the on-deck circle prior to Beltran's sac fly, apparently pinch-hitting for the 0-for-3 Bird. Teixeira obviously never got a chance in the batter's box, but this could be a sign that his health is improving.

Next Up: The Yankees and Astros continue this three-game series with another meeting on Tuesday, the Yanks starting Ivan Nova (5-5, 3.72 ERA) versus Houston's Dallas Keuchel (14-6, 2.37 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET, with YES and WFAN calling the action.

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros 8/24

The New York Yankees and the Houston Astros are ready to get their three game series going tonight in the Bronx with three great pitching match-ups. Tonight the Yankees will send Nathan Eovaldi to the mound searching for his 14th victory of the season while the Astros will counter with Scott Feldman. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11, MLB Network and MLB TV.

The Yankees have two more games with these Astros before heading back out on the road so you have two more opportunities to click the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog and two more opportunities to see the team live inside Yankee Stadium. If you can't make it to the Bronx or you have to root from afar like I do simply jump on Twitter and give @GreedyStripes a follow to root for the Yankees during each and every Yankees game this season.

Eovaldi is ready to keep Eovolving and win that 14th game this season and I'm ready to watch it all go down. Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros 8/24

The New York Yankees are off an emotional weekend and a big series with the Cleveland Indians that didn't see enough victories for the Bronx Bombers. The team had all the breathing room they had in the American League East basically disappear so victories in this series with the Houston Astros are as important as they've ever been. The Yankees will send Nathan Eovaldi to the mound tonight to face off with Scott Feldman for the Astros. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11, MLB Network and MLB TV.

Eovaldi has only faced the Astros twice in his career and owns a 1-0 record against the team that calls Eovaldi's birthplace home. Eovaldi had a perfect game into the 6th inning last start before earning his 13th win of the season behind Greg Bird's two home run game. 

Feldman has been one of the best Astros pitchers this season and has been good as of late allowing two earned runs or fewer in four of his past five starts. Feldman held down the Tampa Bay Rays in his last start holding them to just two runs in seven innings in a victory. 

MLB Network has picked up all three games for this series expecting a good three games head-to-head between these two teams. Eovaldi is searching for his 14th victory, Ivan Nova looks to bounce back from a terrible start and Michael Pineda returns off the disabled list for New York this series as the Yankees begin their quest with the six-man rotation. With Eovaldi on the mound tonight we should expect plenty of offense, some frustration and maybe a few more 102 MPH fastballs. Go Yankees!

Pineda Great Again, But Bullpen Can't Back Him Up in Another Tough Loss to Astros

Michael Pineda gave up just 2 earned runs in 6+ innings and Stephen Drew hit his first home run with the team, but since the unreliable bullpen duo of David Huff and Esmil Rogers forgot how to pitch in the top of the seventh the Yankees lost to the very-beatable Astros tonight, 5-2, in another unbearable game in the Bronx.

For most of this one, as is usual, the Yanks competed comfortably, holding a 2-1 lead after six frames thanks to that home run by Drew and a bunt RBI Single from Jacoby Ellsbury. 

Nonetheless, once Pineda walked the lead-off hitter in Houston's half of the seventh the sky fell for the second day in a row, with Huff coming on and allowing a hit to bring in Rogers, who'd surrender four more before getting an out to make it 5-2 and eventually give Scott Feldman (6 2/3 IP, 2 ER) the W.

In other words, for some odd reason the Yanks' bullpen remained infective this evening, a happening that, while frustrating, is still mainly the offense's fault.

No, I don't expect the bats to score five times every contest, but I do think three is a reasonable number, one that this club doesn't seem to know how to reach whenever their starter throws well.

Nick's Picks 2.0: Astros VS Yankees 8/20/14

Well last night was frustrating, simply frustrating. Picks were looking good up until the end. I mean, could anyone have predicted Mr. Golden Sombrero hitting a three-run shot to win it? That was a poor excuse of a game and pretty much sums up this season and this team. Close but no cigar. I toggled with skipping this post just because my emergence brought back another loss, so sue me. Looking at the game tonight I had no choice but to write, that is what writers are born to do, right? I only wish that the next couple games are just like the ones finishing up the Rays series, and hopefully we gain back some of the ground we lost in the playoff races.

Tonight we look to Michael Pineda to get things rolling, and lord knows we need it. I hope someone in the lineup remembers to hit tonight, and the bullpen remembers that the season is not over yet. I feel so much anger and sadness for this team. All I want is a string of victories, and a strong push to make it more enjoyable than this roller coaster ride we are forced on. The Astros will counter with shaky right-hander Scott Feldman who with out luck will probably throw a no hitter tonight. Not a pick people! (If it happens though you heard it here first, unfortunately).

Pitching performance to watch: Well the bullpen is out. I think it will be a long while before I go back to them, at least as a whole. Watch for Pineda to deal some crazy numbers out tonight. I see him pitching longer into the game, and maybe shutting down the Astros through 6 2/3 innings with oh, nine strikeouts. Pineda is going to put on a dazzling display with his pitches, let's just hope we hit.

Break-out hitter: I have one word for that. Ichiro! The old man might have lost a step or four, but tonight he is going to provide some much needed offense from the least likeliest of sources. Ichiro is going to go 2-3 tonight with a walk, a single, and a big blast. Yes, Ichiro will make some lucky contact and bring in three RBI's on the night.

Simply Clutch: Stephen Drew, oh how I would love for you to figure out how to play again. With a start at shortstop tonight, Drew is going to make some very nifty plays on the field and also help with the bat tonight. Watch and see him get on base and score a few runs if not drive in one. Drew, tonight is your night to shine.

Yankee Universe can I get an Amen? Amen! Okay, I'll do it on your behalf, but seriously we need some sort of miracle/prayer to aide us through the rest of this season. At least nothing I have tried is doing the trick. Tonight I predict a nice win of 5-0. A simple shutout after a horrendous loss. Let's go Yankees! Remember YCPB!

Quick Hit: Scott Feldman Astros Opening Day Starter

Just a quick hit to get your Tuesday started, the Houston Astros have announced that Scott Feldman will be their Opening Day starter. Why do we care? The Yankees will face the right handed starter on Opening Day on April, 1, and that is not a joke. CC Sabathia will be on the mound for the New York Yankees to face off with Feldman.

With a righty on the mound I can see a very left heavy Yankees lineup which may or may not look a lot like this:

Jacoby Ellsbury
Derek Jeter
Carlos Beltran
Brian McCann
Mark Teixeira
Alfonso Soriano
Kelly Johnson
Brian Roberts
Brett Gardner

Add Haren, Arroyo, & Feldman To The Yankees Wish List

Add a few more names to the Yankees Christmas wishlist and shopping list this evening as Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees are interested in pitchers Bronson Arroyo, Scott Feldman, and Dan Haren. Okay so I know that Brian Cashman has to work the phones, do his due diligence, leave no stone un-turned, explore every option, etc. I get that and I appreciate that and the effort but being interested in a guy like Arroyo makes absolutely no sense. Either way the Yankees seem to be ready to become very aggressive at next week's GM Meetings.

Arroyo is 36 years old and went to the National League because he could not cut in the American League anymore, specifically in the AL East, so I think a move back would be foolish. Arroyo is coming off of a 3.79 ERA and 4.49 FIP in a traditionally home run friendly ballpark in Cincinnati in 202 innings pitched. If the Yankees needed a 5th or 6th starter type and had every other position filled then sure you an make room for a big innings eater that can keep you into games but right now I still say we have to pass on Bronson.

Feldman had a pretty decent season split between the Chicago Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles and may be a sleeper pick for whoever acquires him in 2014. Feldman is only 30 years old and is coming off a combined 3.86 ERA and  4.03 FIP in 182.2 innings pitched. Feldman will likely not command a long or big money contract and could fit nicely in or around the #3 spot in our rotation so I say make a guy like Masahiro Tanaka a priority but after that is in the bag I could see us going after a guy like Feldman.

Dan Haren scares the hell out of me after he struggled in a strong National League East division last year with the Nationals. That task is only going to get harder in the American League East with the Yankees if he were to come here although he did pitch better in the second half then he did in the first. I know we were after him at the end of last season but that was only to upgrade over Phil Hughes, now he has a little bit bigger shoes to fill so right now I may have to pass.

Are We A Trade Match With The Cubs -- The Pitchers

The Yankees one bright spot this season has been the pitching. The pitching has carried us more times than not so I do not expect the Yankees to give up much pitching, if at all, nor do I expect them to trade for any but this is worth looking at anyway. The Cubs seem like they will be big time sellers this trade deadline season and will have some interesting pitching pieces presumably available.

We would not be having this conversation if Matt Garza had been healthy last July but we're back this trade deadline season and we're talking about the Cubs probably trading Matt Garza again. Garza has a $10.25 million contract for 2013 and will be a free agent after this season and the Cubs would love to move this contract. Garza is AL East tested and the right hander sports a 1-1 record with a 4.98 ERA but has a 1.22 WHIP and a .223 batting average against in 34 innings pitched this season. Someone will take a waiver on Garza but I am not convinced that he is an upgrade over even Phil Hughes at this point and I do not see the Yankees paying 5th starter prices for Garza so I think we will pass ultimately.

Scott Feldman has a $6 million contract that ends at the end of this season which will make him an interesting piece to move this June or July. Feldman has made all 14 of his starts this season garnering a 6-6 record with a 3.39 record in 85 innings pitched. Every contender or pretender needs a guy who can pitch to a low three ERA and eat innings and Feldman is your man. Feldman also has a 1.15 WHIP and a .232 batting average against and would probably be an upgrade over Phil Hughes at this point. Problem is some team will pay ace or #2 price for him in my opinion and that team will not be the Yankees.

Kevin Gregg has been marvelous in the Cubs bullpen this season with a 2-0 record and a minuscule 0.81 ERA in 22.1 innings pitched. Gregg has logged all 10 save opportunities this season with a 0.99 WHIP and a .188 batting average against which are Mariano Rivera type numbers. Gregg is on a $6 million option and will be a free agent after the season and unless the Yankees end up trading a Joba Chamberlain in a package for a bat I cannot see them acquiring Gregg but damn that would be nice, wouldn't it? Gregg, Robertson, and Rivera pitching the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings? Forget about it, game over.

Carlos Marmol has been terrible again and lost his closer job so he is probably stuck on the Cubs roster for the rest of the season, the Cubs will probably want to hang on to Carlos Villanueva since he is on the right side of 30 even with a $5 million annual contract through 2014, but will Edwin Jackson be traded YET AGAIN this trade deadline? While he is not pitching his butt off with a 3-9 record and a 5.49 ERA, a .282 batting average against, and a 1.55 WHIP would a team still take a waiver on him? I don't doubt the Cubs doubt their judgment when handing Jackson a four year deal worth $52 million. With Jackson set to make $11 million in 2014-2016 a team would have to give up a ton to get him but it is worth noting that he does not have a no trade clause so the possibility of him moving to a contender for a haul is just that, a possibility.

The Cubs pitchers may not intrigue us much, not to say anything bad about them, because we are not struggling in the pitching department. I cannot see the Yankees and the Cubs being a match to trade for a pitcher even though the Yankees will still likely at least kick the tires on a Gregg or a Edwin Jackson with the impending free agency of Phil Hughes and Andy Pettitte. The Cubs are going to get a haul for their pitchers to rebuild that farm system but I cannot see it being from the Yankees.