Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins 8/18

The New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins are set to play their second game of their three game set this week at Yankee Stadium with both teams in the midst of playoff pushes and chases. The New York Yankees have their eye on the American League East crown while the Minnesota Twins may have to settle for one of the two Wild Card slots left in the American League playoff picture. The Yankees will send CC Sabathia to the mound tonight to face off against the Twins starter Mike Pelfrey. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.

• Sabathia gets an extra day of rest before tonight’s start after Bryan Mitchell was inserted into the starting rotation as a sixth man. Sabathia faced Minnesota once already this season in the Alex Rodriguez three home run game and was ineffective against the Twins. Sabathia allowed five runs on six hits including two home runs in just 5.2 innings pitched.

• Pelfrey heads into this start tonight fresh off a good start against the Cleveland Indians last time out. Pelfrey has struggled for much of this season posting a 6-7 record with a 3.91 ERA and has also struggled against the Yankees in his career. Pelfrey owns a career 5.28 ERA against New York in five starts and 29 innings pitched.

The Yankees and Twins have one more game this series after tonight before New York stays home to play host to the Cleveland Indians. New York will also announce their latest HOPE Week participant any minute now so be on the lookout for that. New York still has Toronto breathing down their necks in the division so every win is much needed and every win is important, here’s to another win this evening in the Bronx. Go Yankees!