The Unsinkable Josh Donaldson...

 

Yasmani Grandal & Josh Donaldson / Photo Credit: Sarah Stier, Getty Images

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but…

Suffice it to say that Tim Anderson will not be inviting Josh Donaldson over for Thanksgiving dinner in November. The bad blood between the two players this season boiled over yesterday after Donaldson called Anderson “Jackie.” The White Sox took the approach it was a racist comment. Donaldson, trying to defend himself, stated it was about Anderson’s 2019 Sports Illustrated story where the White Sox shortstop described himself as “today’s Jackie Robinson.”

The Athletic, via Twitter

I am a Yankees fan, so I am biased toward Donaldson, but I honestly do not believe he is a racist. When I first heard Donaldson’s rebuttal to the allegation, I could see how Donaldson might use Jackie’s name in mocking manner to imply that Anderson was no Jackie Robinson or, the way Donaldson described it, he was just being playful with the reference in jest to Anderson’s prior proclamation. Not saying that is right. I certainly would not have used those words, but Josh Donaldson is his own man. If there were any racial overtones with Donaldson’s words or actions, I strongly believe the Yankees clubhouse would call him out on it and take the necessary disciplinary action through their own means behind closed doors.

For the White Sox, it is easy for them to try to make this worse than it was. They have not been successful against the Yankees this year, and frustrations are rising. The White Sox, beneficiaries of current elite Major League talent derived from having one of the best farm systems in baseball from 2017 to 2020, were projected by many to reach the World Series this season. They are 19-20 entering play today and sit 4.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. They are 2.5 games out in the Wild Card chase. So far this season, the teams have played five games and the White Sox have only one win to show for it. Over the last three years, the Yankees have won nine of eleven games against the White Sox. They conclude their regular season play today with a double-header, weather-permitting. If both teams make the playoffs, it is possible this feud will be reignited in October when tensions are even higher.

But setting aside my defense of Donaldson, I understand and accept those who say that how words affect the recipient is the key point which must not be lost. Regardless of what we may think, Tim Anderson took exception to Donaldson’s words. It is his right, and only he knows how deeply the words hurt. We cannot speak for Anderson. If Donaldson’s words did hurt Anderson, then MLB or more specifically the Yankees should take the appropriate action against Donaldson and sit him for a few.

One thing is for sure. Josh Donaldson will never back down from a fight. He brings an edge to the team, and whether we agree with his methods, he gives the team toughness it did not previously have. I truly hope in my heart there was no racial motivation or intent. 

More Clay Holmes, less Aroldis Chapman. Holmes, arguably one of the best relievers in baseball among non-closers is quickly becoming a much stronger ninth inning option than Chapman. Anytime Chapman enters a game, you can only hope the Yankees have put enough runs on the board to offset the runs the opponent will score off Chapman. A one-run lead? Give me Holmes over Chapman any day of the week. I know Chapman has not blown a save this year, but every outing feels like a tightrope walk with a few wobbles along the way.

Aroldis Chapman / Photo Credit: EPA

As it stands, Chapman has not pitched since last Tuesday. It is never a good thing when he does not pitch for long stretches. With two games on tap for today, it seems he will be used out of necessity. It may be the best opportunity for the White Sox to take at least one of the games. I have always liked Aroldis Chapman but my confidence in him has waned. I would have no problem if the Yankees moved Chapman at the trading deadline although I am not sure what they could get. Chapman will be a free agent at the end of the year. He is gone. There will be no further reunions.

Jonathan Loaisiga was my choice for closer-in-waiting at the start of the year, but Holmes has re-written the script. He seems likely to be the next closer, perhaps as early as this season. Move Chapman around in other innings, dependent upon the situations. It might reinvigorate Chapman to face other high leverage spots instead of exclusively the critical, tension-filled ninth inning as he transitions away from a once dominant fastball.

Chad Green placed on the Injured List. As frustrated as I was this year with Chad Green, this is not the way I wanted it to go. If the injury, right forearm discomfort, is serious and requires surgery, it is very probable that Green will not wear the Pinstripes again. He will be a free agent at the end of the year, and it was already unlikely the Yankees would extend him given his struggles for the last season and a half. It was great when Green was one of the most dominant relievers in the Yankees bullpen and rated as one of the best relievers in baseball. Sadly, he is no longer that guy. Age happens, and the life cycle of a dominant reliever, unless your name is Mariano Rivera, seems to be noticeably short. Whatever happens with Chad, I wish him the best. If he can get back out on the field this season, I hope that he is able to rediscover the magic. If not, I hope he finds success with his next team.

Chad Green / Photo Credit: Nick Wass, AP

RHP Ron Marinaccio was recalled from Triple A, taking Green’s spot on the roster.

Luis Gil meets Tommy John. Unfortunately, it is not an opportunity to meet the great former Dodgers/Yankees starting pitcher, but rather the misfortune to go under the knife. This, the Tommy John surgery, is not news that any Yankees fan wanted to hear. Gil was removed from a Triple A game on Wednesday against the Worcester Red Sox after turning to face the RailRiders dugout while pointing to his right elbow after throwing a pitch. It has been confirmed that Gil will require surgery. Gil had met with Yankees team physician Christopher Admad in New York City on Friday and presumably received other medical opinions.

Gil made only one start for the big-league club in 2022, when he pitched four innings on May 12^th against the Chicago White Sox. He started, giving up four runs over four innings, and departed with a lead, but the White Sox later tied the game ultimately won by the Yankees, 15-7. Jonathan Loiasiga picked up the win in relief.

Recovery and rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery generally takes at least one year to eighteen months. It can take some athletes up to two years to reach their previous level of ability. It is going to be a long road ahead for Gil, and hopefully he is successful in his journey back to the Major Leagues in either late 2023 or early 2024.

It is a tough break for the Yankees since they lose a starting option. Presumably, Clarke Schmidt becomes the ‘go-to’ if the rotation needs assistance. It would be enticing to consider Michael King, but he has been so hugely valuable in the pen. The dominance of King and Clay Holmes has helped cover for other bullpen flaws.

Roderick Arias will be delayed. It was reported this week that the Yankees’ latest elite international free agent signing may be delayed this season. He ceased baseball activities two weeks ago for an undisclosed injury. Yankees international scouting director Donny Rowland described it as nothing major, just a tweak that is lingering. Hopefully, it is nothing significant, and Arias will be able to make his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League this season. The DSL is scheduled to begin play on June 6^th.

The Yankees signed the 17-year-old Dominican shortstop in January for $4 million.

Minor League free agent signings. Over the last week and a half, the Yankees have signed three players to minor league contracts. On May 13^th, they signed Danny Salazar, once a promising pitcher for Cleveland, who has not pitched in the Major Leagues since 2019. The right-hander is now thirty-two. Who knows if he will be successful in the Yankees organization but I wish him the best of luck in his journey to find his way back. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake knows a thing or two about Salazar from their days in Cleveland, so perhaps the signing was based on his recommendation.

The Yankees also signed LHP Rafaelin Nivar and RHP Ryan Miller. There are no minor league stats for Nivar, and I was unable to locate any information on him. Miller, 26, is a former Arizona Diamondbacks prospect who was released in 2020. Miller was assigned to the Yankees High-A Affiliate, the Hudson Valley Renegades.

As always, Go Yankees!

Chasing Victory With Success...

Credit:  Andrew Schwartz-New York Daily News

Yankees 2, Indians 1…

Chase Headley was the unlikely hero on Saturday to help power the Yankees over the Indians.  With Jordan Montgomery and the bullpen holding the Indians in check after a top of the wall home run by Carlos Santana in the 2nd inning, Headley broke the 1-1 tie with his solo shot off former Yankee Zach McAllister in the top of the 8th.  He may have only been 1-for-4 in the game, but the placement of the single hit could not have been better.

Credit:  Phil Long-AP

For the first time in what seems like a long time, the Yankees scored the first run of the game.  Brett Gardner led off with a walk.  After Chase Headley struck out (What?  The bum!  Throw him out of the game!  Oh well, may as well keep him around to see if he can do something later on…), Aaron Judge singled to left, moving Gardy to second.  Didi Gregorius cranked a fly ball that hit the wall just below the yellow line in center, scoring Gardy.  So close (thisclose) to a three-run bomb…the Yanks had to settle for the single run as neither Gary Sanchez nor Jacoby Ellsbury could bring Judge home from third.

The Indian tied the game in the bottom of the 2nd when Carlos Santana hit a fly ball off the top of the wall in left center.  There was momentary confusion over whether it was a double or a home run (even Santana stopped at second), but the third base umpire called it a home run.  Replay showed it hit the yellow line (maybe just a couple inches higher than Didi’s double in the first)…the Yankees did not challenge.  

From there, it became a pitching duel between Jordan Montgomery and Cleveland’s Danny Salazar although the Yankees blinked first when Manager Joe Girardi pulled Monty after five innings and 65 pitches.  The luxury of a powerful, rested bullpen.  

The Yankees had a chance to get some runs in the top of the 6th inning when Didi Gregorius hit a one-out double to left.  Gary Sanchez walked on four pitches, but Jacoby Ellsbury hit into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play ($153 million doesn’t go as far as it used to).  David Robertson took over for Monty in the bottom of the inning and was able to get out of it with no runs despite a couple of hits, including a lead off single by Francisco Lindor that went over Aaron Judge’s head.  I do have to give credit to the $153 million man for a great catch that prevented another hit.  

In Salazar’s final inning, the 7th, he mowed down the Yankees, striking out the side.  His final line was Corey Kluber-worthy…four hits, a lone run, a trio of walks, and a dozen strikeouts.  

Credit:  Chuck Crow-The Plain Dealer

Fortunately, with Salazar having thrown 112 pitches, the Indians brought in Zach McAllister to start the 8th.  Brett Gardner was the first batter but he struck out.  Chase Headley strolled to the plate and gave the Yankees the 2-1 lead with his sixth homer of the year, a high fly ball to the third or fourth row of the stands in right center.  

Credit:  Chuck Crow-The Plain Dealer

After David Robertson had pitched two scoreless innings, Dellin Betances shut down the Indians in the 8th, including two by strikeout.  From there, it was up to Aroldis Chapman.  As the YES Network announcers pointed out, the last time Chapman had appeared on the mound at Progressive Field was the 7th game of the World Series when he gave up the game-tying home run to Rajai Davis but was the eventual winner for the Chicago Cubs.  Michael Brantley led off with a single to right, but that was all the Indians could do against Chapman this time as the Yankees finally took a game in the series.  Credit Brett Gardner for a great leaping catch to record the first out and preventing a walk-off homer by Jose Ramirez.  Ronald Torreyes also flashed the leather with a brilliant diving catch to rob Edwin Encarnacion.

The Boston Red Sox were winners (4-1 over the Chicago White Sox), so the Yankees (58-51) did not make any ground on the Sox.  They remain 3 games back.  The Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, 3-0, pushing them 2 1/2 games behind the Yanks.  The Baltimore Orioles are still 4 1/2 games back of the Yankees after their 5-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Despite only five innings, it was a solid effort by Jordan Montgomery who is fighting for his rotation spot.  He held the Indians to three hits, one run, and struck out seven.  He did not walk any batters as he was very effective at getting the Indians to swing at pitches outside of the strike zone.  

Credit:  Getty Images

All three relievers used by the Indians had Yankee connections.  Of course, we’ve already mentioned Zach McAllister who was the losing pitcher.  McAllister was traded to the Indians in 2010 for the long-forgotten Austin Kearns.  Tyler Olson pitched for the Yankees in 2016 after he was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the trade that originally brought Ronald Torreyes to the Yankees for third baseman Rob Segedin (both Olson and Torreyes were subsequently designated for assignment and claimed by other teams although Toe eventually worked his way back after a brief stay with the Angels organization).  The final Indians reliever was Nick Goody, who was designated for assignment last off-season and subsequently dealt to the Tribe to clear space for the free agent signing of Aroldis Chapman.  The Yankees acquired righty Yoiber Marquina, who is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, in the Goody trade.

After an ugly defensive performance on Thursday, this was an exemplary defensive effort by the Yankees.  The key to the game was the defense...with a little help from Headley's bat.  

Credit:  Phil Long-AP

Odds & Ends…

It sounds like Matt Holliday is head for the DL.  As great as he was in the first half, he has been a liability in the second half.  The latest ailment is the result of tweaking his back with a swing on  Friday night, but it provides a good excuse to get Holliday off the active roster as he was struggling mightily up to that point. 

Credit:  Mike Stobe-Getty Images

As expected, the Yankees have, in fact, placed Holliday on the DL.  1B Garrett Cooper has been recalled from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.  I thought maybe we’d see Aaron Hicks or Tyler Austin but neither one is quite ready yet (both on rehab assignments).

It’s not what Yankee fans want to hear, but with their latest win over the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers (78-32) are on pace for 115 wins.  They’ve won 43 of their last 50 games, something no other team has done since 1912. Assuming they get Clayton Kershaw back before the post-season, their starting rotation of Kershaw, Yu Darvish, Alex Wood and Rich Hill has the potential of being a very dominant group.  This probably represents the first real threat to the Yankees record of 125 total wins in 1998 since the Seattle Mariners won 116 games in  the 2001 regular season but succumbed to the Yankees in the ALCS to finish with 120 total wins.

Credit:  Julie Jacobson-AP

Have a great Sunday!  Hopefully the Yankees can finally figure out Indians starting pitching today with Luis Severino pitching for the series split.  Go Yankees!

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Cleveland Indians 8/5

What are two things that are just awesome and that just go together? Peanut butter and jelly. Pizza and beer. Saturday and Yankees baseball. There’s more but those are just the first three that came to mind. It is game time ladies and gentleman as the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians continue their four-game series with the third game of the set here in just a few minutes. In the start the Yankees will send Jordan Montgomery to the mound to face off with Danny Salazar for the Indians. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET inside Progressive Field in Cleveland and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV. You can also follow along on the radio and in your cars by tuning into WFAN with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman each and every game.

Follow us on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes and enjoy the game. Go Yankees!!

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Cleveland Indians 7/9

Ladies and gentleman it is game time between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians. Including this afternoon we just have two more times before the unofficial first half of the 2016 MLB season ends and we have just two more games before the All-Star break, the Home Run Derby and all that fun stuff that is usually associated with the All-Star Game. In today’s contest the New York Yankees will send CC Sabathia to the mound to face off with Danny Salazar for the Indians. The game will be played at 4:10 pm ET inside Progressive Field and can be seen on Fox Sports One and MLB TV.

The Yankees will play host to the Boston Red Sox inside Yankee Stadium after the break so you have a few days to choose a date, pick your seat and buy your tickets by clicking the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog. With our friends at Ticket Monster you won’t have annoying shipping costs or bulky fees associated with your purchase, what you see is what you get. That is kind of like Jacoby Ellsbury every time he’s at third base this season. He see’s home and he steals it and those two swipes of home are commemorated on our T-shirt seen by clicking the TGP T-Shirts link at the top of the blog as well! Get one now!

Join along with us while we live tweet this game and every game this season by giving us a follow @GreedyStripes. You can also like us on Facebook if you’d like, absolutely pun intended. So Sabathia is looking to turn around a recent skid and the offense is ready to put across some runs. Let’s get to it. Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Cleveland Indians 7/9

The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians continue their four-game set to close out the unofficial first half with the third game of the set. That game takes place this afternoon in Cleveland with the Yankees sending CC Sabathia to the mound looking to turn around a rough patch. Meanwhile the Indians will counter with a tough matchup in Danny Salazar.

Sabathia at one point this season was sporting a 2.20 ERA which was three starts ago. In the three starts since then Sabathia has posted an 8.31 ERA. He’s struggled and needs to turn it around, bottom line. Against his former team the lefty is a career 4-2 with a 3.12 ERA so the Cleveland Indians may be a sight for sore, cranky eyes.

Salazar was the American League’s Pitcher of the Month for the Month of June but July has not been as kind to the Indians righty. In his last start against the Detroit Tigers Salazar lasted just 5.2 innings while allowing three runs on eight hits in a no decision.

The game will be played at 4:10 pm ET inside Progressive Field and can be seen on Fox Sports One and MLB TV.  Just two more games before the All-Star break, you can hear the players quietly counting down the days if you watch the games with headphones. As long as it doesn’t show with the on the field product though who cares, right? Go Yankees!

Fantasy Baseball: Who are the Cleveland Indians?

We are about a month away from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training camp and believe it or not I have seen some Fantasy Baseball drafts on Yahoo that are less than 30 days away from drafting. This is way too early to start drafting players that may or may not get injured in spring training games in my opinion but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to begin your preparations for the draft and your league. We’ve looked at many teams specifically and I have tried to identify names that many may not be looking at, sleepers if you want to call them that. I assume if you’re reading this you know to take a Mike Trout if he’s available and you know the top names in the draft at each position so I don’t feel the need to focus there because you can win the first 10-12 rounds for yourself, I want to win the second half of the draft for you with my advice.

The biggest question surrounding the Indians is who will play the outfield in the absence of Michael Brantley and that answer seems to be Raijai Davis. Davis is a speedy outfielder with limited pop but he may get you the hits, stolen bases and RBI you need to hold you over late in the draft. He may not be worth a pick unless you’re playing in a deep league but he should get the playing time to at least make a difference. Just make sure you don’t take him too awful early.

Corey Kluber, Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco will get much of the attention in the Indians starting rotation this season and much of the love in your fantasy draft but don’t sleep on Trevor Bauer. Bauer is still somehow just 24-years old and may be finally entering his prime, we’ve seen late bloomers time and time again. See Nathan Eovaldi as a recent example for the Yankees who didn’t seem to put it all together until he was well into his Age 25 season. Bauer could do it too, especially if he works on improving his control this winter.

Finally the Indians bullpen should be quietly very good again in 2016 anchored by both Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw. Neither are big names and Top 10 round picks in your fantasy league but Allen converted 34 of 38 save opportunities last season with a 2.99 ERA while Shaw bested him in the category with a 2.94 ERA in 64 innings. If you need saves or a strikeout pitcher late either could fill the void for your team.

And that’s it, those are my picks for the Cleveland Indians. I hope they help you win your fantasy league and if I missed anyone please feel free to leave it below in the comments section. Thanks!

Brett Gardner for Carlos Carrasco or Danny Salazar? Yes Please…

The rumors and speculations surround the New York Yankees and their left fielder Brett Gardner began before the MLB postseason and World Series were already over. Some have it as an absolutely certainty that Brian Cashman will send Gardner off in a trade this winter that will either open the door for Aaron Hicks to be an everyday player or the that the trade will open the door for a free agent signing such as Yoenis Cesedes, Justin Upton or Jason Heyward. I am not against trading Gardner, personally, but it has to be in the right deal. Jon Morosi reported this week that he is hearing, for what that’s worth, that one potential deal Gardner could be included in is a deal that could fetch a controllable starting pitcher out of the Cleveland Indians organization.

Gardner in a deal for either Carlos Carrasco or Danny Salazar, both of which are reportedly being shopped by Cleveland this winter, would make a great deal of sense for both clubs. Cleveland is looking for an outfielder to not only replace Michael Brantley while he is out with a shoulder surgery but the team is also looking for an outfielder to play beside Brantley when he returns from the DL.

Salazar, 25-years old, has not even hit his arbitration years yet while Carrasco, 28-years old, looks like an absolute ace starting pitcher in the making. Carrasco cannot hit free agency before the 2019 season so trading Gardner for three seasons of Carrasco makes sense for a team that desperately needs an ace and some stability in their rotation beyond the 2017 season. After the 2017 season the Yankees could possibly see one or all of Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Pineda hit free agency.

There is no word whether this is the package that’s truly being discussed or if this is just speculation, although I lean towards the latter at the time of this writing, and there isn’t any word if the Yankees would trade Gardner straight up or have to include prospects along with his some of his $39.5 million remaining on his salary over the next three seasons. For that you will just have to stay tuned. 

Recap: Yankees 6, Indians 2

Luis Severino tossed six innings of one-run ball and the Yankees cruised past the Indians, 6-2, in a Saturday matinee at Yankee Stadium.

Welcome to the Win Column: Severino's third straight quality start earned him his first major-league win, though one could argue he should already have four. The youngster held the Indians to just three hits and a run on the afternoon, walking four and striking out six.

Deep Enough: Laugh all you want about Ervin Santana calling Yankee Stadium a joke, but on some days, the park can certainly seem like one. Just ask Brett Gardner and Brian McCann, whose first-inning homers into the short porch in right -- Gardner's was a two-run shot and McCann's a solo --likely would've been doubles anywhere else.

Oops: The Indians had a chance for a routine double play with runners on the corners and none out in the second, but blew it when pitcher Danny Salazar made a wild throw into center field. The error allowed Stephen Drew to score from third and Jacoby Ellsbury to be credited with an RBI, the official scorer having ruled the play a fielder's choice and an E-1.

Next Up: The Yankees will look to split this weekend series with a finale victory on Sunday, sending the surging CC Sabathia (4-9, 5.24 ERA) to the mound versus right-hander Trevor Bauer (9-10, 4.62 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. ET, with YES and WFAN airing the action.

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians 8/22

Wow, what a ceremony. Say what you will about the Yankees, their organization or the Steinbrenner family but no one puts on a ceremony and a show like the New York Yankees organization. In an era where the NFL is under constant attack for not taking care of one of their own the same absolutely cannot be said about the New York Yankees. A big congratulations goes out to Jorge Posada, his family and everyone affiliated with the New York Yankees from the owners down to the fans. In the immortal words of Derek Jeter on Derek Jeter Day "we've got a game to play." The Yankees will send Luis Severino to the mound this afternoon to face off with Danny Salazar for the Indians. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV.

You're running out of time to click the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog and you're running out of time to see Andy Pettitte Day live tomorrow at Yankee Stadium. If you can't make it live or don't want to pay an arm and a leg on the secondary tickets market then simply jump on Twitter and give @GreedyStripes a follow to interact during each and every Yankees game this season.

Who's ready to see Severino get his first Major League win? This guy! Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians 8/22

The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians will face off this afternoon head-to-head in the Bronx and Yankee Stadium with adrenaline running through their veins. The Yankees will honor Jorge Posada on Jorge Posada Day here in just a few minutes before sending Luis Severino out to the mound to face off with the Indians starter Danny Salazar. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV.

• Severino has made three starts for the New York Yankees in his Major League career and while he has pitched well enough to win all three of them he is still searching for his first victory. Severino has started his career 0-2 with a no-decision due in large to the fact that the Yankees offense has been non-existent in many of his starts this season. 

• Salazar comes into this start this afternoon with seven consecutive quality starts for Cleveland and will look for his 8th today. Salazar pounds the strike zone and gets a ton of strikeouts while not walking a ton of batters, neither of which are good signs for the Yankees offense this afternoon.

This is going to be busy weekend for the Yankees and their faithful after an even crazier week in the Bronx. First the Yankees had a very successful HOPE Week that only made me cry once or twice, seriously that Chris Singleton interview on Monday was a tear gusher, and they have Jorge Posada Day going down today. If that wasn't enough tomorrow is Andy Pettitte Day and the Yankees welcome the Houston Astros to the Bronx starting on Monday. Wow what a week, sleep is for the weak, let's do it. Go Yankees!

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Cleveland Indians 8/12

The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians will face off tonight in the second game of their three game set this week at Progressive Field with the Yankees looking to add another “W” in the win column. The Yankees will send CC Sabathia to the mound looking to build off a good start last time out while the Indians will counter with Danny Salazar. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.

The Yankees are just under a week from coming back home to Yankee Stadium and the Bronx so that gives you less than a week to click that Yankees Tickets link at the top of the site and less than a week to get your tickets in hand. Until the Yankees come home head over to Twitter and give @GreedyStripes a follow to interact with us and cheer on the Yankees during each and every game this season.

Jacoby Ellsbury is ready to step into the box and set the tone for the Yankees offense and CC is ready to mow his former team down so let’s get to it. Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Cleveland Indians 8/12

The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians will play the middle game of their three game series this week at Progressive Field tonight. We all knew the Yankees wouldn’t be held scoreless forever so now that this streak is over New York is looking to start another, this time of the winning variety, before they head to visit our neighbors from the north. The Yankees will send CC Sabathia to the mound tonight to face off against the Indians starter Danny Salazar. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.

• Sabathia is still searching for just his fifth victory of the 2015 season to his eight losses and he looks to gain that victory against the team that took him in the MLB First Year Players Draft 17 years ago. Sabathia has had some success against his former team in his career posting a 4-1 record with a 2.94 ERA in seven career starts and will look to improve upon that tonight in Cleveland.

• Salazar has never faced the New York Yankees in his short career but could not be pitching any better heading into the start. Over Salazar’s last five starts, which covered 35.1 innings, the right-hander has struck out 35 batters and posted a 1.53 ERA. It’s not whether Salazar pitches well tonight whether or not the Indians will win the game, it looks like it’s whether the offense supplies him with enough run support or not.

The Yankees have the fourth toughest schedule of all the contending playoff teams for the remainder of the 2015 season, with the Kansas City Royals occupying the easiest schedule, so it is imperative that the team takes advantage of teams under .500 and struggling teams like the Cleveland Indians. New York has 10 more head-to-head matchups with Toronto including three this weekend so let’s hope New York has their eye on the prize and hope that the team isn’t looking ahead of a pitching heavy Indians team. Go Yankees!