Royals at Yankees (Game 2)
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: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Heath Fillmyer (0-1, 2.82 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (6-4, 3.51)
Fillmyer was sharp in his second career major-league start Monday against Detroit but settled for a no-decision despite allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out six over 6 2/3 innings. The New Jersey native has struggled with his control in the early going, issuing 10 free passes across his first six appearances and 22 1/3 frames. Fillmyer's only other start was a July 8 loss to Boston in which he permitted four runs (three earned) on eight hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings.
Sabathia received an injection in his arthritic right knee over the All-Star break and had his previously scheduled start Sunday rained out, so Saturday will be his first time back on the mound in exactly two weeks. The former Cy Young Award winner settled for a no-decision in that July 14 outing in Cleveland, allowing four runs over 5 2/3 innings. Whit Merrifield (4-for-8) is one of the few Royals to have success against Sabathia, who is 21-12 with a 3.15 ERA in 40 starts versus 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.