Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees hit the road to take on the Brewers in a three-game series starting Friday…
Carlos Rodon’s season debut
It’s been a while, but the Yankees are finally ready to welcome Rodon back to the rotation.
The veteran southpaw is set to start Sunday’s series finale after offseason elbow surgery had him missing the start of the regular season. How Rodon pitches in the big leagues after so many months away is unknown, but he had his up and downs in the minors during his rehab assignment.
Across three minor starts, one in High-A, Double-A and Triple-A, Rodon allowed seven runs (six earned) across 16.0 innings pitched while striking out 20 batters. His last start was by far Rodon’s worst outing, when he allowed five earned across 6.1 innings pitched.
Should we glean anything from those starts? We’ll find out on Sunday.
Spencer Jones’ MLB debut
The Yankees placedJasson Dominguez on the IL and called up Jones, one of their top offensive prospects, to the club on Friday.
How manager Aaron Boone plans to use Jones is unknown, but the athletic outfielder can play the field very well and run the bases. The everyday outfield of Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge is pretty set, but Jones could slide in as the DH against right-handers this weekend, which the Yankees will see two of — more on that later.
The potential for Jones to receive at-bats is there and the Yankees could see what they have. In 33 Triple-A games, Jones smashed 11 home runs and drove in 41 runs to go with seven stolen bases while batting .258.
Going up against the Miz
One of those right-handers is Jacob Misiorowski. The flamethrowing starter will start opposite Max Fried in a blockbuster matchup on Friday night.
The 24-year-old has a 2-2 record with a 2.84 ERA across seven starts this season. Of course, it’s his strikeout rate that’s eye-popping. He has 59 punchouts across 38.0 innings pitched, including at least eight in five of his seven starts, including in three straight.
Misiorowski had to leave his last start (May 1) after 5.1 innings with cramps, so we’ll have to see how he bounces back and if the Yankees can hit him.
Will Ben Rice return to the lineup?
Rice has missed four games since exiting Sunday’s game after being hit in the hand with a pitch. The Yankees haven’t put the slugging first baseman on the IL, so it seems he’s close to returning. But will he finally return to the lineup?
Could the Yankees change course and just put Rice on the IL?
The Yankees are 3-1 in the games Rice has missed, and Paul Goldschmidt has filled in admirably, but New York needs Rice, who is arguably the team’s most consistent hitter this season, batting .343 with 12 home runs and 27 RBI.
Will Cody Bellinger stay hot?
While the Yankees wait for word on whether Rice can return to the lineup, the others have picked up the slack, including Bellinger. The outfielder enters the weekend series on a nine-game hitting streak. During that streak (since April 28), he’s batting .471/.525/.971 with six runs, seven doubles, two triples, two home runs and 14 RBI.
Bellinger has played 25 games in Milwaukee in his career and has hit .320 with five home runs.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Aaron Judge
Judge already has 15 homers and will continue to show off his power.
Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?
Max Fried
Fried has been great and will solidify his place at the top of the early Cy Young race with another strong start.
Which Brewers player will be a thorn in the Yankees’ side?
Jackson Chourio
The talented young outfielder has returned after missing the start of the season with a hand fracture. Entering Friday, he’s 6-for-9 with three extra-base hits in the two games since coming back.