Mariners vs. Yankees Series Preview

By Djack

The Yankees start a three game set against the Mariners tonight. This is their first must win series of the season, the Mariners are three games ahead of the Yankees and now is the perfect time for the Yankees to make up some ground in the wild card race. September is right around the corner so now is the time to start making your push.The Yankees have proved they can be a good team against bad teams this year but now it's time to prove we can beat the competitive teams as well.

Game 1: Michael Pineda takes the mound against Cody Martin in the first game of this series tonight. I expect for Pineda to continue to be the pitcher we have seen of late, especially when returning against his former team. Despite his 4.87 ERA, Pineda has had very good stuff as of late and has proven he can be close to an ace pitcher when his head isn't up his ass. The fact that this series is also in Seattle instead of Yankee stadium will also benefit Pineda against a powerful lineup like the Mariners. Pineda has shown he's susceptible to the long ball this season so taking away the short fence will help his cause. Yankees win tonight behind a strong outing from Pineda.

Game 2: C.C. Sabathia looks to bounce back from an awful showing his last time out, he'll be dueling against one of the Mariners best pitchers Hisahsi Iwakuma. Sabathia as much as I've pulled from him all year long expecting him to have bounce back year since he's not an alcoholic anymore, just hasn't happened. He gave us a little tease in the beginning of the year, but that has faded along with the movement on his off speed pitches. Iwakuma is going to shut down a Yankee team that feeds off of unstellar pitching and hitting the long ball. I see the Yankee's bats falling asleep while the Mariners shell C.C., the  Mariners win game two of this series.

Game 3: Mashiro Tanaka, our ace takes the mound for game three of the series. I couldn't have been happier when i saw this because obviously whenever Tanaka takes the mound it gives us our best odds to win. I don't know who  is pitching for the Mariners and frankly I don't care, unless it was King Felix than I'd just forfeit this game. But, thank god it isn't, so right off the bat were looking good for what i predict to be the rubber match of this series. Look for the Yankee bats to explode in this game as we face a mediocre pitcher.Tanaka won't have his most dominate start of the year and might even let up a couple homers. I still think he'll hand off a lead to our bullpen so theycan shut it down. Warren and Clippard sure aren't Miller and Chapman but thy have been very solid at holding leads for Betances. Yankees win the rubber match, take two of three from the Mariners, and pick up ground on a team ahead of them in the wildcard race.