Robinson Cano Returns To New York: Mariners at Yankees Preview

Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

It feels like the early days of the season again. Justin Smoak is driving in runs, Kyle Seager is expected to hit lots of home runs, but all anyone wants to talk about is Robinson Cano.

The Mariners broke that streak and took a series win this past weekend against division rival Texas Rangers, and now they’re back on the plane and back to the east coast to take on those filthy pinstripes. Lets keep that momentum going!

Matchups

Game one: Chris Young (0-0, 3.50 ERA) v. CC Sabathia (3-2, 4.78 ERA)

Chris Young is still looking for his first decision, any decision. He’s been good enough to win on a few occasions, but he’s also been pretty bad on others. He’s in for a tough time against a Yankees team that’s batting a collective .263 and has already plated 99 RBIs.

CC Sabathia was one of the premier pitchers in the league only a few years ago. He’s hot right now after giving up only three earned runs in his last 13 innings and winning his last two starts.

Game two: Roenis Elias (1-2, 3.54 ERA) v. David Phelps (0-0, 3.86 ERA)

A week ago I had hoped that this might be Hisashi Iwakuma, but it looks like we’ll have to wait a few more days. Roenis Elias has been better than his line suggests. He’s gone 5+ innings in all his starts, and was really only beat around badly once when he took a loss in a 7-0 game against the Rangers.

Run support has been an issue for him, and MLB.com is noting that he’s gotten two runs or fewer in four of his starts, and been shut out twice. David Phelps is taking Pineda’s spot after the pine tar incident. This will be his first start of the season, but he’s already racked up 11 innings of relief, where he’s been mediocre.

Hopefully the M’s bats can get a hold of him and finally get Elias the runs he needs.

Game three: Felix Hernandez (3-1, 2.40 ERA) v. Hiroki Kuroda (2-2, 5.28 ERA)

Felix is going to get another start this week, he’s been hung out to dry by his offense in his last three starts, so keeping Kyle Seager hot is going to be key to converting that elusive fourth win for the king.

The King is still our guy, and this is a good chance for him to strut his stuff against the AL-East leading Yankees. Kuroda is looking for a bounce back game after getting hammered against the Angels last week. The Yanks lost 13-1 and Kuroda was on the hook for 6 eared runs over only 4.1 innings.