Media by Associated Press – New York Yankees relief pitcher Lucas Luetge delivers during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, July 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
After a rare loss to open a series, the New York Yankees (58-23) took to even the series on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates (33-47). The Yankees have lost two in a row but still, have a substantial lead in the AL East as their 10-game road trip continues. The first pitch on Wednesday is set for 7:05 p.m. ET at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, airing locally in both markets.
The Yankees will start RHP Luis Severino (4-3, 3.35) against Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (2-5, 5.14). This is the final meeting of the two-game series, and the teams will meet again in New York in September. They last played in 2017, with the Pirates taking two of three while the Yankees lead the all-time regular-season series 10-6.
Yankees Turn to Severino to Get Back on Track
The Yankees have lost two in a row and are 2-3 on their 10-game trip. They won the last four home games before heading to Houston, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and next, Boston. The Yankees are 24-14 on the road and 39-15 against right-handed pitchers this season.
The Yankees had ten hits on Tuesday but were held to two runs in the 5-2 loss. Isiah Kiner-Falefa led the visitors with three hits, while Gleyber Torres and Matt Carpenter both had two hits. Carpenter had a RBI single, as did Aaron Judge, but the Yankees left nine on base in the loss.
Judge hit into an inning-ending double play and struck out to end the game on Tuesday, but he leads the Yankees with 29 home runs and 60 RBI on the season. Anthony Rizzo, who has 22 homers and 52 RBI, was scratched pregame on Tuesday and is questionable for Wednesday’s game. Giancarlo Stanton is the other big bat with 20 home runs and 53 RBI.
Severino has gone at least five innings in eight straight games. Last time out, he lost at Houston on Thursday as he allowed two runs on three hits over six innings. Severino is 1-2 on the road this season with a 4.32 ERA in six starts, and his last win came on June 4.
He has never faced the Pirates or any of the players on their roster.
Rookies Helping Pirates
The Pirates have allowed just two runs in two straight games after allowing 37 runs in the previous four games. They are 2-6 against American League teams on the season and 20-22 at home. Pittsburgh is 22-29 against right-handed pitchers and 10-20 in their last 30 games.
Pittsburgh had nine hits in Tuesday’s win with home runs from Daniel Vogelbach and Jack Suwinksi. Brian Reynolds added a double while both Ben Gamel and Oneil Cruz drive in runs.
Since being called up from Triple-A, Cruz has 13 RBI in 15 games with three home runs and four doubles. Suwinski, also a rookie, has 14 homers and 25 RBI, while Reynolds has 15 home runs and Vogelbach has 11.
Keller has five straight no-decisions, and he’s gone at least five innings in five of his last seven starts. The 26-year-old is 0-3 at home this season with a 4.46 ERA in six starts. Last time out, he allowed five runs on nine hits and four walks over four innings at Washington.
Keller has never faced the Yankees but has faced three of their hitters. Rizzo is 1-for-8 against Keller, while Josh Donaldson is 0-for-2 and Carpenter is 0-for-1.
Betting Analysis
- New York Yankees -1.5 (+100) Moneyline -240
- Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 (-125) Moneyline +195
- Total Runs 9 Over -115. Under -105.
The Pirates had their first sellout of the season on Tuesday and anticipate another one on Wednesday with a festive atmosphere against the Yankees.
Severino has been pitching deep into games all season and has held right-handed hitters to a .193 average this season. The Yankees hit better against righties and should get back on track against Keller on Wednesday.
Betting Pick: Yankees -1.5 (+100)
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