Peter Brody

1 week ago | pinstripealley.com | Peter Brody

Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images The Yankees have a chance to sweep their first series since the opening three-game set against the Brewers. The starting pitching has rebounded behind Carlos Carrasco and Max Fried, holding the Royals to a combined three runs across the first two games. They get reinforcements tonight with Clarke Schmidt set to make his season debut after starting the year on the IL with right rotator cuff tendinitis.

1 week ago | pinstripealley.com | Peter Brody

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images Monday night had the makings of a headache for the Yankees. Seth Lugo quietly finished second to Tarik Skubal in last year’s AL Cy Young voting. A stuttering Yankees offense wasn’t thrilled to see him after he held them to two runs in five innings in Game 3 of the ALCS (a game they’d go on to win) as well as seven scoreless innings allowing just three hits with ten strikeouts in the previous two times they met.

1 week ago | pinstripealley.com | Peter Brody

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images The Yankees had hit just three home runs in their previous seven games entering last night’s contest while Seth Lugo had only surrendered two home runs to the Bombers in his career. It had a recipe for frustration written all over it, but instead New York launched four home runs in the first five innings to open their series against the Royals on the right foot.

1 week ago | pinstripealley.com | Peter Brody

Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images MLB Trade Rumors | Mark Polishuk: The Yankees rotation was already short three starters on Opening Day and now they lose a fourth. The team announced that Marcus Stroman has been placed on the 15-day IL with left knee inflammation. He underwent X-rays after giving up five runs and recording just two outs on Friday, and though the scans revealed no structural damage, there is enough concern for him to hit the shelf.

1 week ago | pinstripealley.com | Peter Brody

Photo by Abigail Dean/Getty Images The Yankees suffered a serious case of the rainy day blues, getting put into a 5-0 hole in the first by Marcus Stroman. No matter the deficit, the Yankees offense never looked capable of doing any damage against the Giants, but at least they can take solace in their rivals suffering a similar fate at the hands of the White Sox.