Ready or Not, Here Comes Opening Day...

 

Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas

With a detour to Mexico City, the Yankees will soon arrive in Houston…

Less than a week until the regular season opens (well, at least for the New York Yankees since the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres already got the party started in Seoul, Korea this week).

Honestly, I thought the Yankees would be more active during the closing weeks of Spring Training in shaping the final roster. Granted, there are still a few days to determine the final 26-man roster that will head to Houston, Texas, so anything is possible, yet the clock is winding down. I am glad the Blake Snell rumors have been laid to rest now that he is officially a San Francisco Giant. We received another swirl of ‘Yankees connected to Jordan Montgomery’ rumors even if the likelihood is about as strong as the chance the Dodgers rehire Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. In other words, no chance in H-E-double toothpicks. Even if the Yankees’ back-office nerds do not like Montgomery, I do and I think the team could benefit from his consistency, reliability, and now, World Series experience. Give Monty a rotation spot and worry about other positions…not that one. Realistically, there is no way that Hal Steinbrenner is going to pay premium dollars for Montgomery since the amount would double with the luxury tax penalties associated therewith.

The best way to sustain an expensive business model is to supplement it with cheap, affordable, and most importantly, controllable, young talent. As such, Will Warren, Clayton Beeter, Cody Poteet, or Luis Gil stand a better chance of being in the Yankees rotation than Montgomery. My uninformed guess is that Will Warren will be nominated as the Man of the Hour, subject to performance, in a decision that can and most likely will change as the season progresses. I like Warren, and I am excited about his upcoming Major League career, but I would be foolish to say I prefer him over Jordan Montgomery, even with the price difference (hey, it is not my money!).

Will Warren (Photo Credit: @yankees via Instagram)

So, in other words, Will Warren, it will be. I know Luis Gil is under consideration, but he seems like a better fit for the bullpen (filling the role once held by Michael King). Yet, even if Warren gets the job, he will not be the last Yankees prospect to make his Major League debut in the rotation this season.

For the first few years of DJ LeMahieu’s Yankee career, I wanted him to have a set position. He was recognized as one of the better second basemen in the game (with emphasis on defense). Using him as a roving infielder never made complete sense to me, but to his credit, he has played respectively at both corner infield spots. Now, as he ages, I was admittedly concerned when I heard that he would be the starting third baseman this season. He can play third base, yes, and if healthy, he will not be a weakness in the lineup or on the field. Yet, it is that word ‘healthy’ that has caused me grief. LeMahieu and good health are, basically, a couple who are constantly screaming at each other. They cannot live with each other; they cannot live without each other.

LeMahieu recently fouled a ball off his right foot which caused a severe bone bruise. The MRI results were clear, so the prescription is rest and, of course, the Yankees tend to take a conservative approach when it comes to injuries. On one hand, you can feel relieved that LeMahieu did not break or crack a bone, but on the other hand, it is always something with him. He may not be the frequent traveler to the Injured List like Aaron Hicks was, but his ailments tend to reduce his effectiveness when he is playing. With Oswald Peraza on the shelf, the Yankees need a backup third baseman. I thought Gio Urshela made total sense before he signed with the Detroit Tigers. Or even JD Davis before he signed with the Oakland A’s although Gio is more versatile. I like Oswaldo Cabrera, but I am not excited about him being part of the everyday lineup in a critical position like third base. I know, he is an infielder by trade, but he has not shown he is an everyday player. I guess you must start somewhere. Minor league roster invitee Kevin Smith seems like an underwhelming option. With upcoming roster cuts by all teams, maybe a good backup corner infielder, who is cheap, will become available for the Yankees. As if LeMahieu’s health concerns were not enough, first baseman Anthony Rizzo was scratched from Friday’s exhibition game with a tight latissimus dorsi. Although Rizzo is expected to be ready for Opening Day, the Yankees cannot afford to lose both LeMahieu and Rizzo for any extended period without a solid Plan B in place.

I saw the Chicago White Sox released Mike Moustakas on Friday. There was a time when I wanted him as a Yankee. That time is NOT now. Eduardo Escobar, released by the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, does not excite me either. We know how GM Brian Cashman likes dumpster dives. These are not garbage pieces worth collecting but you know that Cashman will be sniffing.

I want the perfect team. Is that too much to ask? One would think over $300 million could ensure twenty-six elite players on the roster, but sadly, it buys you a flawed roster at best.

Oh well, bring on Opening Day, Part II. Thursday, March 28, 4:10 pm EDT, with cameras ready at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, will soon be here, y’all! Beers, BBQ, and a Yankees win. I love it!

The Last Straw in Cleveland

Now that Alex Verdugo has become “likable” (how did that happen?), the list of players I do not like has become much shorter. Cleveland’s Myles Straw has been a longtime resident on my list, yet his days in Cleveland might be over. Straw, beaten out by other Guardians outfielders including Estevan Florial, was placed on waivers this week. Sadly, with his contract (3 more years totaling $19.25 million which includes a 2026 buyout), no team will claim the dislikable outfielder. He will clear waivers and will be sent outright to Cleveland’s top minor league affiliate (he has sufficient service time to reject the outright assignment, although he would be dumber than I thought if he walked away from $19.25 million).

Myles Straw (Photo Credit: AP)

The Yankees visit Cleveland for a three-game series beginning on April 12. Hopefully, Cleveland does not have an outfield need between now and then to force Straw’s call-up. I am looking forward to a Straw-less series with the Guardians. Of course, that probably means that Estevan Florial will go off on the Yankees, hitting something like three game-winning home runs to win the series for Cleveland.

If the Guardians are making moves, I know where they can send starting pitcher Shane Bieber. Bieber would look great in road gray for the three-game series in mid-April.

Service Time Manipulation

Add Baltimore’s Jackson Holliday, Matt’s son, to the list of the young prospects demoted to delay the start of the MLB service time clock. The reasons for Holliday’s demotion seem legitimate. Holliday is moving to second base from shortstop since the talented Gunnar Henderson has the latter position. Holliday needs more time to learn the nuances of playing second base, an education that started this Spring. Orioles GM Mike Elias also cited Holliday’s lack of experience against upper-level lefthanded pitching. Young Holliday has only played eighteen games at Triple-A and is only twenty.

Jackson Holliday (Photo Credit: The Baltimore Sun)

Holliday hit .311 in Spring Training (14-for-45). He collected three doubles, two triples, and two home runs while scoring six runs. Many expected him to be on the Orioles’ Opening Day Roster. Yet, he did struggle against lefties, striking out nine times against southpaws.

There is no doubt Holliday will make his Major League debut in 2024. I am sure that once he is below the potential to reach 172 days needed to qualify for a full year of service time, he will look extremely attractive to the Orioles for a Major League call-up. He could still earn a full year of service without reaching 172 days if he happened to win the Rookie of the Year award (which is within the realm of possibility). Baltimore has way too many young potential superstars. I guess we should be thankful the Orioles have chosen to delay the MLB start of the latest one. 

As always, Go Yankees! 

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros 4/10

The series finale between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros is just about ready to kick off down in Minute Maid Park, home of the Astros. In the finale tonight, the Yankees will send James Paxton to the mound to face off with Collin McHugh for Houston. The game will be played at 7:40 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park in Houston and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV. You can also follow along with the game on the radio with the WFAN broadcast of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. Enjoy the game and go Yankees!!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros 4/10

The New York Yankees and the Houston Astros will finish their three-game set this week in the heart of Texas with the finale of their series. For the finale, the Yankees will send James Paxton to the mound to face off with Collin McHugh for the Astros. The Yankees have an off-day tomorrow before traveling to Chicago to face off with the White Sox, so let’s get to it here in Houston so the team can get the hell out of here.

Paxton faced the Astros four times in 2018 as a member of the Seattle Mariners, posting a 4-0 record with a 2.05 ERA. Career against the Astros, Paxton is 7-3 with a 2.89 ERA in 12 starts, so it’s safe to say that Paxton has done well against Houston throughout his career.

McHugh has been incredible inside Minute Maid Park throughout his career, posting a 5-0 record with a 1.18 ERA over his last eight starts there. McHugh was tough in his last start as well, limiting the Oakland Athletics to just one run on three hits.

The game will be played at 7:40 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park in Houston and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV. You can also follow along with the game on the radio with the WFAN broadcast of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. Enjoy the game and go Yankees!!

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros 4/9

The New York Yankees and the Houston Astros will continue their three-game set in Houston tonight with the second of the three-game series. The Yankees will send Jonathan Loaisiga to the mound tonight to face off with Gerrit Cole of the Astros. The game will be played at 8:10 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park in Houston and can be seen on the YES Network locally and ESPN nationwide. You can also follow along with the game on WFAN with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. You can also follow along on MLB TV, where I will be watching the game tonight myself. Enjoy the game and go Yankees!!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros 4/9

The New York Yankees and the Houston Astros will continue their three-game set out west in the heart of Texas. In the middle game of this three-game set the Yankees will send their top pitching prospect Jonathan Loaisiga to the mound to face off with the one who got away, Gerrit Cole for the Astros. Tonight, we have a little bit of a later start for us on the East Coast, so let’s get to it here in Houston.

Loaisiga took a no-decision in his first start of the season, limiting the Detroit Tigers to just one hit in four innings of work. This will be the first time that Loaisiga has faced the Astros in his career and this will be the second start of the season for the Yankees top pitching prospect.

Cole has been the tough luck loser in both of his starts already this season, posting an 0-2 record with just a 3.00 ERA and 19 strikeouts. Let’s hope the third time is not the charm tonight for Cole and the Astros.

The game will be played at 8:10 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park in Houston and can be seen on the YES Network locally and ESPN nationwide. You can also follow along with the game on WFAN with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. You can also follow along on MLB TV, where I will be watching the game tonight myself. Enjoy the game and go Yankees!!

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros 5/3

And just like that it is game time here in Houston, Texas between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros. In this fourth and final game of their four-game set the Yankees will send Masahiro Tanaka to the mound looking for a win while Lance McCullers Jr. will look to keep the Astros where they finished the 2017 season, back on top of the baseball world. The game will be played at 2:10 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB Network. You can also follow along with the game on MLB TV, the MLB At-Bat app and by tuning into the Yankees radio broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Follow us on Twitter, @GreedyStripes, and “Like” us on Facebook, The Greedy Pinstripes, to keep up with us and the team all season long. Enjoy the game, head to Cleveland with a collective smile on your faces and go Yankees!!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros 5/3

Good morning Yankees family. Today the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros will play their fourth and their final game of the set this week inside of Minute Maid Park. The pitching has been great on both sides as expected and today’s contest should be no different as the Yankees send Masahiro Tanaka to the mound to face off with the Astros starter and son of a former Yankee, Lance McCullers Jr.

Tanaka cruised past the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in his last start after the Yankees offense spotted him ten runs in the first two innings of work. Tanaka allowed a solo home run the start, imagine that, along with one other hits in six innings of work. Tanaka faced the Astros twice in the ALCS last season losing a game the Yankees could have taken in Game 1 before returning with a victory in Game 5.

McCullers Jr. has allowed just two runs in his last three starts combined as the Astros young star continues to blossom into a dominating starter around the league. In his last start McCullers Jr. threw seven shutout innings against the Oakland Athletics allowing just two hits after retiring each of the first 15 batters he faced to start the contest.

The game will be played at 2:10 pm ET inside Minute Mai Park in Houston and can be seen on the YES Network locally and MLB Network if you’re out of the Yankees network. You can also follow along with the game on MLB TV, the MLB At-Bat app and by tuning into the Yankees radio broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Enjoy the game, McCullers Jr. should follow in McCullers Sr. footsteps, and go Yankees!!

World Series Game Three Thread: Los Angeles Dodgers @ Houston Astros

Good evening everyone and welcome to Houston, the site of Game Three of the 2017 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The first two games of this series were entertaining to say the least and I expect nothing less out of these two teams tonight and going forward over the next three games here inside Minute Maid Park. In Game Three the Dodgers will send Yu Darvish to the mound to face off with Lance McCullers Jr. The game will be played at 8:00 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park and can be seen on FOX.

Follow us on twitter by following @GreedyStripes and enjoy the game. I have been right on my predictions, as far as the winner and not so much the score, in the first two games so let’s make it three-for-three tonight.

Prediction: Dodgers win 6-4 

World Series Game Three Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers @ Houston Astros

Welcome to Houston, welcome to the land of the designated hitter and welcome back to the World Series as the Houston Astros and Minute Maid Park play host to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2017 World Series. The Dodgers and Astros split the two games out in Los Angeles after a couple of crazy games to kick off the World Series and much of the same is expected tonight in Houston for Game Three. In Game three of the series the Astros will send Lance McCullers Jr. to the mound to face off with Yu Darvish, the first right-handed pitcher for the Dodgers to take the mound as a starter during this Fall Classic.

Darvish has been the Dodgers second best pitcher this postseason behind only Clayton Kershaw so every time the Japanese-born right-hander takes the mound you have to think that Los Angeles is confident that they are going to win. Darvish has made two starts in this postseason allowing just two runs while striking out 14. This will be the first time that Darvish pitches in the World Series though in his Major League career.

McCullers Jr.  was a hero for the Astros in Game 7 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees where the right-hander threw four scoreless innings in the victory for Houston. McCullers pitched well in the ALCS overall throwing 10 innings and allowing just one run and three hits with nine strikeouts consistently keeping the Yankees bats down.

The game will be played at 8:00 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park in Houston and can be seen on FOX. Enjoy the game, and FYI my boycott of this year’s World Series is still going strong despite my feelings of missing baseball. I just can’t stomach to see the Astros in the World Series after the Yankees were so close to making it, it’s nothing personal to them. Oh, and I’m not the biggest fan of Yankees haters like Joe Buck but I feel like I’m not alone in that sentiment. 

ALCS Game 6 Thread: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros

Finally…. The Yankees….. are back…… in primetime. But seriously, those back-to-back 5:00 pm ET starts had to be brutal for most. I was just walking in the door by that time so it worked out for me but still, I know not everyone was so fortunate. Get it together MLB schedule makers, damn. Anyway before I get too off topic the New York Yankees enter Minute Maid Park tonight just one win away from the 2017 World Series, standing in their way are Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros. This should be an awesome, entertaining and fun matchup for all as Luis Severino takes the mound for the Yankees after an injury scare in Game 2. The game will be played at 8:00 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park in Houston and can be seen on FOX Sports One. You can also follow along in your cars and on the radio by tuning into either the WFAN broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman or by tuning into ESPN Radio.

Follow us on twitter to interact with us during the game and keep up to date with us all season long by giving @GreedyStripes a follow. Enjoy the game, need a win so let’s punch this ticket and not worry about another game tomorrow, and get a win! Go Yankees!

Prediction: Yankees win 9-1… because no one is afraid of Justin Verlander.

ALCS Game 6 Preview: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros

So will the New York Yankees head to the World Series tonight or will there be a Game 7 in Houston tomorrow night? If I had a crystal ball and if I could tell the future things would be a whole lot different in my life right now but I digress. Before the series started I had the Yankees winning the series in six games and I had them specifically beating Houston because of their lack of a bullpen (check) and because the team has been historically good against Justin Verlander throughout his career. Are the stars aligning today for the self-proclaimed Yankees Wizard to notch another one in his predictive win column? Tune in tonight to find out. In the game tonight the Yankees will send Luis Severino to the mound looking to punch the Yankees ticket into the postseason while the Astros will counter with Justin Verlander. Let’s freaking do this!!!!

Severino was removed from his start in Game Two of this series for precautionary reasons. As the Yankees fan base and organization held their collective breath Severino threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and reported no issues. Severino looked sharp before being removed from his Game 2 start and will look to pick up where he left off tonight in Houston.

Verlander pitched a complete-game shutout in Game 2 of the series against the Yankees giving his Houston Astros a 2-0 lead in the series. That feels like ages ago for Houston who is now one loss away from playing golf for the remainder of the winter. If Verlander pitches like he did in Game Two though, zero runs allowed on five hits with 13 strikeouts, we may be seeing a Game 7 tomorrow night.

The game will be played at 8:00 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park in Houston and can be seen on Fox Sports One. Need a win, just one more win for a return to the World Series, so get that win. No Game 7, only champagne and a presumed trip to face the Los Angeles Dodgers. Go Yankees!

ALCS Game One Thread: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros

And just like that ladies, gentleman and Yankees doubters/haters it is game time and time for Game One of the 2017 American League Championship Series between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros. In the opener of the series the Yankees face a familiar foe and a tough opponent in Dallas Keuchel for the Astros while New York counters with Masahiro Tanaka. The game will be played at 8:00 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park and can be seen on Fox Sports One. You can also follow along in your cars and on the radio by tuning into either WFAN with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman or by turning on ESPN Radio.

Follow us on Twitter to interact with us during the game by following @GreedyStripes and enjoy the game. Need a win, one win at a time, so get a win and Go Yankees! Also be on the lookout for my prediction below. Some may call it…. Bold. Enjoy the game.

Prediction: Yankees win 9-4

ALCS Game One Preview: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros

Tonight the American League Championship Series takes center stage as the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros prepare to battle in a best-of-seven series. The winner heads to the World Series with an American League pennant in their hands while the loser goes home to lick their wounds and wonder all winter long what they could have done differently. The Yankees path to the ALCS has been a nerve racking one as all four of the team’s postseason wins have come with their backs at the elimination wall after winning the AL Wild Card Game against the Minnesota Twins and after winning three straight in the ALDS against the Cleveland Indians after getting down 0-2 in the best-of-five series. All the Houston Astros did was beat up on the Boston Red Sox and send the American League East Division champions home crying to their mommies inside Fenway Park, no biggie. Tonight is a new series though as the slates are wiped clean once again and in Game One the pitching matchup will be Masahiro Tanaka for the Yankees and Dallas Keuchel for the Astros.

Tanaka was dominant in his one ALDS start against the Cleveland Indians with the Yankees down 0-2 in the best-of-five series. Tanaka shut out the Indians in the start keeping the Yankees season alive while stealing a 1-0 victory at home. 

Keuchel took the ball for the Astros in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox and logged 5.2 innings pitched giving up just one run on three hits along the way. The Boston offense did draw three walks off the Houston left-hander but that was easily negated by Keuchel’s seven strikeouts in the Astros 8-2 victory at home. Keuchel has made three career postseason starts and owns a career 0.96 ERA including a victory against the Yankees in the 2015 AL Wild Card Game.

The game will be played at 8:00 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park and can be seen on Fox Sports One. You can also follow along in your cars and on the radio by tuning into the WFAN broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. You could always tune into ESPN Radio as well but honestly, why would you want to? That’s almost like watching a NESN or SNY broadcast with all their anti-Yankees bias. Defy the haters, silence the doubters, need a win so get a win and GO YANKEES!!!

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros 7/1

Saturday night baseball on FOX just like the good ole days between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros, let’s get to it here inside Minute Maid Park. In the middle game of the three-game set between these two clubs the Yankees will send Jordan Montgomery to the mound to face off with Francis Martes for the Astros. The game will be played at 7:15 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park in Houston and can be seen on FOX. I am almost positive that these games on FOX are blacked out on MLB TV but it’s worth a shot to look if you don’t get FOX. If worse comes to worse though you can always hear the Yankees games in your car and on the radio by tuning into the WFAN broadcast featuring John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Follow us on Twitter by giving @GreedyStripes a follow and enjoy tonight’s game. Go Yankees!!!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros 7/1

Welcome to July baseball Yankees family and welcome back to Minute Maid Park in Houston where the Houston Astros will play host to the New York Yankees in the second of a three-game weekend set. These may very well be the top two, and most injured, teams in all of the American League which can be fun and at the same time extremely frustrating for the fans. In today’s contest the Yankees will send out Jordan Montgomery to the mound looking to get the Yankees back atop first place in the American League East Division and atop the division to stay while the Astros will counter with Francis Martes.

Montgomery has been great in his last three starts for the Yankees posting a 2-0 record with a 3.44 ERA. Montgomery has had his highs and lows this season as should be expected from any rookie pitcher but he has been consistent more times than not and has given the Yankees valuable innings at the back end of the starting rotation.

Martes will be making just his fourth start of his MLB career tonight and his first start against the New York Yankees, no pressure. In Martes’ last outing he allowed two runs on two hits and four walks only lasting a total of two innings against the Seattle Mariners. Yeah, more of that tonight against the Bronx Bombers please.

The game will be played at 7:15 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park and can be seen on FOX. You can also follow along in your cars and on the radio for this game and all season long by tuning into WFAN with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. Say what you will about the “Mr. and Ms. Baseball” broadcast but I’ve always enjoyed hearing Sterling’s commentary, gaffs and home run calls. Enjoy the game. Go Yankees!!!

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros 6/30

The New York Yankees and the Houston Astros are set to kick off their three-game weekend set here in a minute inside Minute Maid Park. How ironic. In the opener of this huge series the Yankees will send Michael Pineda to the mound looking to be "Big Mike" once again, at least for a night, while the Astros will counter with Lance McCullers Jr. The game will be played at 8:10 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium 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 tonight by tuning into the WFAN broadcast featuring John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Follow us on Twitter by giving @GreedyStripes a follow and enjoy the game. Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros 6/30

You know the world of Major League Baseball, much like your real life, has a funny way of figuring itself out sometimes. The last team the New York Yankees want to presumably see right now is the best team in the American League, the Houston Astros, but that is exactly who they will square off with this weekend inside Minute Maid Park. The Astros, like the Yankees, are injured right now across the board but Houston remains atop the power rankings among the league and atop the American League West Division so given the Yankees recent struggles this could be a tough weekend. Or the Yankees, on the flip side, could use this as motivation to bring their “A” games and sweep the Astros, because baseball. In the opener the Yankees will send Michael Pineda to the mound looking to do just that while the Astros will counter with Lance McCullers Jr.

Pineda has been rocky to say the least in his last three starts putting up a combined 0-1 record with an ERA touching 7.47. Not a typo, 7.47 ERA in his last three starts. In those three starts Pineda has a combined 15.2 innings pitched as well showing that the Yankees righty isn't missing any bats and isn't going deep into games either. He will have to do both tonight against the Houston Astros.

McCullers Jr.  was sharp in his last start against the Seattle Mariners allowing just one run in five innings of work. That start marked the first time McCullers had been on the mound since coming off the disabled list while tonight will mark the second time that McCullers has seen the Yankees in 2017. In his first start against New York on May 12 the Astros right tossed six shutout innings in a victory for the Astros.

The game will be played at 8:10 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park in Houston and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV. You can also follow along in your cars and on the radio by tuning into the WFAN broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. Enjoy the game and go Yankees!!!

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros 7/27

One more time in Houston and the Yankees head back to the East Coast. Let’s get this one over with as the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros finish off their three-game set this week inside Minute Maid Park with tonight’s finale. In the finale the Yankees will send Masahiro Tanaka to the mound to face off with Lance McCullers Jr. for the Astros. The game will be played at 8:10 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.

The Yankees head to Tampa after this game giving you plenty of time to click the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog and plenty of time to secure your seat in the Bronx for when the team returns to Yankee Stadium. Also be sure to look the part by checking out the TGP T-Shirts section as well. We’re no Bald Vinny but we’re doing okay with it I think.

Follow us on Twitter by giving @GreedyStripes a follow or like us on Facebook to interact during this and every Yankees game this season. Also stay up to date with all the latest Yankees rumors and rumblings with some witty, and sometimes (always) sarcastic commentary, on social media as well. We’re always around and always looking to strike up a conversation.

Happy Tanaka Day Yankees fans. Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros 7/27

The New York Yankees and the Houston Astros will finish off their three game set tonight in Houston with yet another great pitching matchup for the fans. Tonight in the finale the Yankees will send their ace Masahiro Tanaka to the mound looking for a series victory while the Astros will counter with Lance McCullers Jr. The Yankees have had a good week after getting the haul that they did Aroldis Chapman and after beating Dallas Keuchel on the same night and they will look to keep the good times rolling tonight inside Minute Maid Park.

Tanaka will be making his first start against these Astros since Opening Day 2016 where he allowed two runs in a loss for New York. In the start Tanaka struck out four batters in 5.2 innings and took a no-decision in the contest.

McCullers heads into this start arguably off the best performance of his young MLB career. In his last start Friday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim the Astros righty tossed eight-plus innings while striking out ten in a 2-1 Houston victory.

The game will be played at 8:10 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV. With an off day looming tomorrow and one more series with the Tampa Bay Rays before the August 1^st trading deadline you have to wonder if the Yankees will get caught looking ahead a bit tonight in Houston. This is still a veteran team with their ace and stopper on the mound though so I’m hoping for the best. Go Yankees!

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros 7/26

The New York Yankees and the Houston Astros are just about set to continue their three-game set this week in Houston with the middle game of the series. In tonight’s matchup the Yankees will send their big left-handed veteran CC Sabathia to the mound to face off against the Houston Astros starter Doug Fister. The game will be played at 8:10 pm ET inside Minute Maid Park and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.

Get your Yankees Tickets now for when the team returns back to the Bronx later next month. There may be a few new faces in different places to see firsthand and talk about so click the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog and secure your seats now. Also click the TGP T-Shirts link also located at the top of the blog to grab a Jacoby Ellsbury milk carton shirt for stealing home or any other great shirt to look the part while you root at the stadium. I think it’s a safe bet that Ellsbury isn’t going anywhere but home after he steals it a third time this season so it’s also safe to go ahead and buy now.

Following along during the game and all week as we enter crunch time for the trading deadline. You can follow us on Twitter by giving @GreedyStripes a follow or you can also like us on Facebook. We’re always around and we’re always trying to bring you fresh and interesting content. Enjoy and Go Yankees!