The New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox continue a four-game American League series Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field
New York moved within a game of Boston in the AL East standings with last night’s 3-2 victory over Chicago has has won seven of its last nine games. The Yankees will be living life on the road this month, playing 20 more games away from Yankee Stadium to close out August. It may help the squad reach the playoffs, as it brings ing a 28-20 road record, which is the second-best mark in the majors. Offensively, shortstop Derek Jeter is expected to return to the lineup tonight, after being given a day off to rest a bruised right middle finger. New York is 23-9 when facing left-handed starters this year.
Yankees starting pitcher Phil Hughes is 1-3 with a 8.24 ERA in seven starts this season and is coming off a disappointing 9-2 home loss to the Mariners last time out. The right-hander allowed just two runs on nine hits over six frames, which was an improvement over his previous start of allowing seven runs on nine hits versus the Athletics at Yankee Stadium. Hughes has an even 1-1 mark and 6.92 ERA in three road outings, as opponents are hitting .321 against him. Over his career, the former first-round selection has tallied a 16-11 record and 4.04 ERA in 51 road appearances (29 starts). In seven career games (three starts) versus the White Sox, he is 1-1 with a 1.00 ERA and has not surrendered a home run in 18 frames.
Chicago remains just 4.5 games back in the AL Central race despite posting a pedestrian 8-7 record since the All-Star break. The White Sox offense has now gone five games without scoring more than three runs and was missing star first baseman Paul Konerko last night, who is listed day-to-day with a left knee injury. “The pitching’s been really good and we’re not helping them out much,” said White Sox infielder Gordan Beckham. Don’t expect things to improve much due to the club’s 51-64 record in August since 2007. Chicago is a surprising 27-22 when playing against teams with a winning record.
White Sox starting pitcher John Danks is 4-8 with a 3.79 ERA in 17 starts this season and is coming off a brilliant month. The left-hander made just two starts in July, but tallied a 1-0 record and 0.69 ERA, which followed up a strong June that saw him finish with a 3-0 mark and 1.14 ERA. Danks will be toeing the rubber for the 10th time at home, coming in with a winning 3-2 mark and 2.84 ERA, as opponents are hitting just .235 against him. In five previous starts versus the Yankees, he is 2-2 with a 7.36 ERA, including an 0-1 mark and 9.64 ERA in two starts last year.
Bettors will likely back the White Sox due to their 5-0 mark in Danks’ last five home starts, while the Yankees are 1-6 in Hughes last seven efforts on the road