Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Oakland Athletics 4/20

The New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics are preparing for Round Two tonight in their three game set this week in the Bronx. Tonight is going to be a tough matchup for the Yankees much like last night was but for an entirely different set of reasons. Last night the A’s sent a lefty to the mound which always seems to give New York trouble and tonight they send a tough pitcher in Kendall Graveman to the mound. Opposing him tonight will be Nathan Eovaldi for the Yankees.

Eovaldi had a great start going last time out against the powerful Toronto Blue Jays before falling victim to the home run ball late in the start. Eovaldi held onto a shutout before a pair of home runs by Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki buried the Yankees right-hander. Eovaldi is striking out more batters than ever, 43% of his outs are now coming via the strikeout this season, but he is still allowing too many hits consistently.

 Graveman heads into this start fresh off a strong start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Graveman took a no-decision in the start despite allowing just one run on four hits in six innings of work. Graveman has allowed just seven hits all season so the Yankees will have to be selective and swing at good pitches tonight if they want a victory.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV. These are games that the Yankees must win if they want to be in contention in September and October but it always seems like these games and series where New York is considered by many to be the heavy favorites that things just fall apart. Reverse the trend, win the game and take the series too.

Go Yankees!