5 things to watch as Yankees face Brewers in three-game series in the Bronx
Here are five things to watch as the Yankees take on the Brewers at Yankee Stadium in a three-game series…
Old Timers’ Day
It’s an annual tradition and this season, Yankees Old Timers' Day will be special.
Yea, the former Yankees won’t play an actual game, but to see Derek Jeter participate in his first Old Timers' Day will be something to behold. A lot of those players from the late 1990s, early 2000s team will be featured.
And while there is no actual game to be played, the guests will share their Yankees memories in a question-and-answer roundtable format. It’ll be interesting to hear stories of past seasons and the guests' thoughts on the current team.
Improbable playoff push continues
Don’t look now, but the Yankees are just 7.0 games out of the final Wild Card spot. Yeah, it’s still highly unlikely that the Yanks squeeze into the postseason, but the ride has been fun and they are finally entertaining to watch.
The Yankees, winners of nine of their last 11 games, enter the weekend series not just in pursuit of a playoff berth but looking to jump the Red Sox to get out of the AL East basement.
Boston will take on the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles so there’s a good chance the Yankees can make up some ground if they can win their series. The Seattle Mariners, who New York trails by 9.0 games in the Wild Card race, will take on the Tampa Bay Rays this weekend.
New York plays a very good Milwaukee Brewers team, so it won’t be easy to win this series. The Yanks will avoid Freddy Peralta (11-8. 3.89 ERA) and Brandon Woodruff (4-1, 2.30 ERA) but they will have to face off against 2021 NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes.
Luckily for the Yankees, they’ll have their ace on the mound when they take on Burnes.
Gerrit Cole’s path to a Cy Young
It seems like every week Cole strengthens his case for his first Cy Young, and he did so against the Tigers on Tuesday when he brought his ERA down to 2.90 -- the lowest in the American League. If he can be as dominant against a playoff-bound team like the Brewers and pitching across from a former Cy Young winner, that case will go way up.
Over his last three starts, Cole has given up just four runs in 19.2 innings pitched while amassing 25 strikeouts. Milwaukee ranks 20th in strikeouts per game (8.78) so that bodes well for Cole.
In his career against Milwaukee, Cole is 4-4 with a 3.62 ERA while striking out 96 batters over 87 innings. HIs last start against the Brewers came almost a year ago, when he went five innings while giving up four runs and striking out eight batters as he picked up the win.
How far can Michael King go?
As the Yankees continue to stretch out King to potentially join the starting rotation in 2024, the 28-year-old will face a big test in the Brewers. However, the right-hander has handled himself very well in his last three starts.
Over that span, he’s given up just one run over 11.2 innings, including 12 strikeouts. HIs most impressive start of his season came last Sunday when he went five innings against the Houston Astros to pick up the win.
Will we have an encore against the Brewers on Saturday? If he’s efficient enough, maybe manager Aaron Boone pushes King into the sixth inning or beyond.
What can Jasson Dominguez do?
Dominguez has been everything and more the Yankees and their fans have wanted since the talented outfielder was called up last week. This weekend series will mark a week in the majors for The Martian, and he’s had a hit in six of his first seven games.
In total, the 20-year-old has gone 7-for-24 with three home runs and five RBI. He’s also provided a ton of energy to the team.
Can he continue this stretch this weekend? And while we're at it, how will the other kids perform?
Catcher Austin Wells has been dealing with an ailment and missed Thursday's series finale against the Tigers. Will he be available? How will Everson Pereira and Oswald Peraza play? Peraza has been especially consistent at the plate.
