Yankees at Royals
Pretty much everything has gone right for the New York Yankees over the past four weeks -- with the exception of some weather issues this week. After having the first two contests of their eight-game road trip wiped out by rain in the nation's capital, the Yankees head to Kansas City to open a three-game set against the Royals on Friday night.
Red-hot New York owns the best record in the majors at 28-12, ripping off 19 wins in its last 22 games after sitting at the .500 mark (9-9) on April 20. CC Sabathia, unbeaten in his last 15 regular-season starts, gets the nod in the series opener for the Yankees, who have played the fewest road games (15) of any team in baseball but have won six of their last seven away from home. The skidding Royals, losers of five straight and seven of eight, are coming off a three-game sweep by visiting Tampa Bay, falling into a three-run hole in the first inning in each of their past two. “Just give (our offense) a chance. We put their heads under water every single day and it’s tough to battle back every single game out," veteran right-hander Jason Hammel said after Wednesday's 5-3 setback.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (2-0, 2.23 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jakob Junis (4-3, 3.53)
Sabathia is coming off his worst start of the season but managed to escape with a no-decision against Boston after getting knocked around for four runs and nine hits over four innings. He had allowed a combined four runs (one earned) in his previous four runs and has not lost since Aug. 8. Sabathia has 21 wins against the Royals -- tied for his most against any opponent -- and is 13-5 at Kauffman Stadium.
Junis has leveled off after his sensational start to the season in which he won his first two outings by permitting a combined four hits over 14 scoreless innings. The 25-year-old is struggling to keep the ball in the park, surrendering 11 homers over his last six starts -- nine of which have come at home. Junis lost his lone career start against the Yankees last season, giving up six runs over 5 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees RF Aaron Judge has 17 RBIs in his last 11 games.
2. Royals OF Jon Jay has hit safely in nine consecutive games.
3. Yankees SS Didi Gregorius is 1-for-38 over the past nine games.