Royals at Yankees (Game 1)
Just as the New York Yankees made two moves to bolster their pitching staff, they learned they won't have the services of one of their best hitters until well into August. Following Friday's rainout, the Yankees will try to string together consecutive wins for the first time in more than two weeks without Aaron Judge in the lineup Saturday when they host the Kansas City Royals in a day-night doubleheader.
Judge was hit on the right wrist by a pitch in Thursday's 7-2 victory over Kansas City, and New York placed him on the disabled list Friday after it was confirmed he suffered a chip fracture and won't be able to swing a bat in game situations for three weeks. His absence robs the Yankees of their top home run (26) producer after the club had just fortified its pitching staff with the additions of Toronto starter J.A. Happ and Baltimore closer Zach Britton. New York's uneven play of late is another concern, as the club finds itself five games out of first place in the American League East in part because it hasn't won two in a row since July 11 and 12. After beginning the second half of the season with a three-game sweep of Minnesota, Kansas City (31-71) has dropped three of four and hopes to avoid being overtaken by the Orioles (30-74), who own the worst record in the majors.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Kansas City, WPIX (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Brad Keller (3-4, 3.20 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (14-3, 2.63)
Keller notched his first victory in nearly a month Sunday against Minnesota, permitting three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out a season-high eight across seven-plus innings. The 23-year-old has been particularly good at keeping the ball in the park in his rookie campaign, giving up only one homer in nine turns and two in 30 appearances overall. Keller, who is 0-3 in his four road starts, threw a perfect inning in relief in his only career appearance against the Yankees on May 18.
Severino was rocked in Monday's loss at Tampa Bay, surrendering seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits - all career or season highs - across five innings. Since posting a 1.98 ERA and giving up only six home runs over his first 18 outings, the 24-year-old Dominican has a 7.80 ERA and allowed six homers in his last three turns. Severino yielded three runs over six frames in a win at Kansas City on May 19, improving to 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA in two career starts against the Royals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees 3B Miguel Andujar is batting .500 in six games since the All-Star break.
2. After hitting .158 with two homers and four RBIs in June, Kansas City All-Star C Salvador Perez is batting .276 with five home runs and 17 RBIs this month.
3. New York recalled INF/OF Tyler Wade to replace Judge on the roster.