New York Yankees: Big Six Game Stretch Leading To All-Star Break

New York Yankees, DJ LeMahieu
Jun 25, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu (26) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

After a successful two game sweep of the Boston Red Sox in London, the New York Yankees are back in town for two huge series. One is against cross-town rival Mets, and the other being against AL East foe Tampa Bay.

Subway Series

Despite the fact that the Mets are playing like crap, the two game set between New York baseball teams are extremely important in terms of bragging rights. The Mets don’t have a shot at anything this year, so bragging rights are their only hope. The Yankees want to continue to win to stretch out their lead in the AL East.

They Yankees will be playing tired from the time zone switch from the UK, a big disadvantage, even with an off day on Monday. The Mets will be much fresher than the Yankees, and were also off on Monday.

But, an advantage that the Yankees do have is that they are facing the same two pitchers that they faced at Yankee Stadium, those being Zack Wheeler and Jason Vargas.

James Paxton will pitch on Tuesday for the Yankees, and Domingo German will rejoin the rotation off the IL and pitch on Wednesday.

The Trop Of Dooms

The Yankees don’t just have a four game set with the Tampa Bay Rays, they have a four game set with them at Tropicana Field, and well all know how dumpy and awful that stadium is.

With a successful series, the Yankees have the potential to be more than 10 games up from the Rays for first place. The Yankees also now have the best AL record, if you were interested.

James Paxton, JA Happ, CC Sabathia, and Masahiro Tanaka are all expected to make starts for the Yankees during that series, but we only know for certain that Paxton will pitch on Sunday.