Yankees (41-29) at Reds (38-35) Preview

Yankees (41-29) at Reds (38-35)

Both teams in pennant races and as both teams square up against each other at the Great American Ball Park, one can say that, well, they don’t really know each other. That’s aside from the fact that they play in separate leagues and haven’t had much time to scout one another.

Cincinnati scored an average of 4.8 runs per game which is first in the National League. On the other hand, they give up 4.4 runs per outing – 11^th in the senior circuit -- so you know it’s always an adventure.

As a team, they bat .261 with 72 home runs; good for third in their division and seventh in the NL.

The Reds are led by 1B Joey Votto (who the Yankees wanted to draft in 2002), RF Jay Bruce, and CF Dew Stubbs. Bruce was the Reds’ Player of the Month for May where he batted .342 including 6 doubles, 12 HRs, and 33 RBIs. The right fielder has a terrific OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .814 for his career. His patience in his ABs has helped tremendously.

Johnny Cueto was a last minute scratch against Ivan Nova because of a stiff neck so Travis Wood goes to the hill. Cincinnati is coming in losing a series to the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1. Wood comes in with a 5-4 record and a 5.11 ERA with 59 Ks. If the Yankees want to take the opener of the three-game series, they have to get to Wood in the early innings where he has surrender all 10 of his HRs and 91 of 98 hits.

For the second straight series, New York will meet a familiar face in utility player Miguel Cairo who now plays 3B for the Reds. Against the Chicago Cubs, the Yankees had to deal with former 2B Alfonso Soriano who hit well against them. But of course, NY took the series 2-1.

New York is second in the AL with runs scored at 5.3 while giving up 3.9. They slug at .261 (same as the Reds) yet have bashed 105 HRs tops in MLB. They are aggressive on the base paths with 62 steals. 

Incredibly, it is Brett Gardner who is leading the Yankees in batting with .294 but with Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira (both with 21 HRs) as well as Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, and Andruw Jones in the lineup, you know that this team can hit. Taking the mound for NY is 24-year old Ivan Nova who takes advantage of his 6’4” frame for a 6-4 record with a 4.46 ERA and 37 SOs. But of concern is velocity and breaking ball. If his 2-seam sinker is zipping and he can get Bruce to swing out of the strike zone (as the Red outfielder is wont to do), then it’s a short night for Cincinnati. 


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pic from sideonecincy


And coming soon... The Ball Parks. Fenway Park by Martin Lacdao. Wrigley Field by Jorenz Tañada, Dodger Stadium by Noj Baltao. AT&T Ball Park by Jonsi Sibal and John Zamora. And Yankee Stadium by me.