Series Preview: Cleveland Indians at New York Yankees

The Tribe wrap up this short five game road trip with a visit to Yankees Stadium.

• Friday's game is at 7:05 PM (Bauer vs. Rogers)
• Saturday's game is at 1:05 PM (Kluber vs. McCarthy) [FoxSports1]
• Sunday's game is at 1:05 PM (Carrasco vs. Kuroda)

The Indians then have a day off on Monday before the Arizona Diamondbacks visit Progressive Field for two, and then another off day on Thursday. The Orioles will then visit next weekend for three.

Division/Wild Card Watch: Tigers at Blue Jays, Giants at Royals, White Sox at Mariners, Twins at A's.

Team in a Box

Since splitting the four game series in Cleveland, the Yankees have been extremely busy, both on and off the field. They are 14-11 since that pre-All Star game series, including just taking three of four from the Tigers. Off the field, they have acquired Chase Headley, Chris Capuano, Rich Hill, Stephen Drew, Esmil Rogers and Martin Prado. They have parted ways with Alfonso Soriano, Yangervis Solarte, Kelly Johnson, Brian Roberts and Matt Thornton.

How this team is that far over .500 with the injuries, roster shuffling and overall stats is a tad baffling. They don't score very many runs and just fourteenth in doubles. They are only eleventh in walks and are fourth in strikeouts. The pitching numbers look good overall, but that is mainly before the entire rotation landed on the disabled list. As it is now, they give up 0.2 more runs per game and are six games over, just weird.

Projected Roster

% Includes stats with Red Sox

# Includes stats with Padres

* Includes stats with Diamondbacks

As noted earlier, the lineup has had an influx of new faces. However, none of them have an OPS over 700, although the bandbox that is Yankee Stadium might help in that regard. Their best hitter this year is Gardner. And both he and Ellsbury can create havoc on the basepaths. Teixeira is still very dangerous and Beltran still has his moments as well. I think Cervelli might be better than McCann, but that contract will likely keep McCann playing every day. They are very lefthanded like the Indians are, and boast three switch hitters to offset if a lefty is thrown against them.

Teixeira and Ichiro had very good series against the Indians back in July, with Teixeira hitting two bombs. . The other bat that did very well, Zelous Wheeler, is back down in AAA. I will be heartbroken if Brendan Ryan hits a homer like Cozart did the last series.

Projected Staff

# Includes stats with Diamondbacks

* Includes stats with Red Sox

% Includes stats with San Francisco Giants

& Includes stats with Toronto Blue Jays

^ Includes stats with Los Angeles Angels

The opener's starter appears to be former Tribesman Rogers (thanks for Gomes and Aviles!). Whitley and LGFT Huff are the other options. Whitley did pitch well in relief in Cleveland. Rogers, was waived by the Blue Jays and claimed on July 31. He has been in a bullpen role all season and likely won't throw more than five innings. McCarthy's first start after the trade from Arizona was against the Indians and he received a no-decision, four runs, one earned on nine hits in 6.2 innings. He has pitched fairly well overall since the trade, 2.08 ERA in five starts. The Tribe missed Kuroda last series. He has a 3.24 ERA in his past five starts. He has only 3 career starts against the Tribe.

The back end of the bullpen is fantastic. Robertson, Betances, Warren and Kelley are very strong. The rest of the pen has been a hot mess. The Yankees have used 23 relievers already this year. Even removing the pitchers who have more starts than relief appearances, only drops that number by four. The only two lefthanders in the pen are very familiar to Cleveland fans, Huff and Hill. Hill had faced four batters this year, walked three of them and hit the other batter. Between those two, the Tribe offense should be favored.

On the Shelf

• SP Masahiro Tanaka [15 day DL], no timetable for return
• SP CC Sabathia [60 day DL], out for season
• SP David Phelps [15 day DL], no timetable for return
• SP Ivan Nova [60 day DL], out for season
• SP Michael Pineda [60 day DL], on AAA rehab
• 3B Alex Rodriguez [restricted list], out for season

Almanac

*Does not include 2014 stats

-

Editor's Note: SB Nation's partner FanDuel is hosting daily $18,000 Fantasy Baseball leagues. It's $2 to join and first prize is $2,000. Click here for details.