New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians Match Preview

It will be an American League battle on Thursday as the New York Yankees (6-11) take on the Cleveland Indians (8-8). Cleveland will host this contest at Progressive Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:10 pm ET.

This will be the first of a four-game series between the two teams.

For New York, they come into this one struggling. In fact, the Bronx Bombers have lost six of their last seven games, including a 4-1 loss on Wednesday to the Atlanta Braves. In the loss, the Yankees’ offense managed just five hits, and former Indian Corey Kluber allowed two runs in just under five innings.

The Indians have also sputtered a bit lately, losing three of their last four. They lost to the White Sox 8-5 on Tuesday but had their second game against Chicago postponed on Wednesday. The Indians hope the impromptu day off can help as they look to get back on track.

Pitching Matchup

It appears that the Yankees will call righty Domingo German up to make the start Thursday. This season, German is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA. His last start came just under two weeks ago when he gave up eight hits and four runs to the Rays in just four innings of work.

Cleveland will counter with Aaron Civale (3-0, 2.18 ERA). This season, Civale has probably been the Indians’ best starter not named Shane Bieber. He won in his last outing over the Chicago White Sox, 4-2, allowing one run over six innings of work.

By The Numbers

Offensively, both of these teams fall in the bottom third of the majors. Cleveland ranks 21st in scoring averaging just 3.88 runs per game. The Yankees rank 25th, averaging just 3.62 runs.

Defensively, both of these teams have been in the top third in runs allowed per game. The Indians rank 7th, allowing just 3.75 runs per game to opponents. New York ranks 9th, allowing 4.06 runs.

Yankees Hope To Get Things Turned Around In A Hurry

At 6-11, it is hard to believe that the Yankees are tied for the worst record in the American League with the Minnesota Twins. Despite the rough start, they are still the favorites to win the A.L. East at -120, but they also know they need to get things turned around in a hurry.

Part of the issue has been a dismal display from their offense. They have averaged just 3.83 runs on the road this season and have averaged just 2.67 runs over their last three games. To make matters worse, they rank 29th in batting average at just .208.

Aaron Judge has been somewhat of a bright spot. In 56 at bats, he is hitting .268/.359/.500 with four home runs and eight runs batted in.

Unfortunately for Yankees’ fans, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, Aaron Hicks, Clint Frazier, Rougned Odor, and Gleyber Torres are all hitting .200 or lower.

Cleveland Tries To Get Series Started Off On Right Foot

While they have fared a bit better than the Yankees, the Cleveland Indians haven’t exactly set the world on fire. At 8-8, they are just a game behind the first-place Royals in the division. They are hoping that they can take advantage of Progressive Field, where they are currently 4-2.

Similar to the Yankees, the Indians haven’t exactly got out to a fast start offensively. While the Yankees rank 29th in batting average, the Indians are 28th. They are currently hitting .209.

Jordan Luplow currently leads the team in home runs (five) and runs batted in (eleven). Star third baseman Jose Ramirez is currently hitting .217/.294/.433 with four home runs, eight runs batted in, and four stolen bases.

Indians Look To Civale To Lead Them

While the Yankees’ rough start to the season has turned some heads, the Indians can’t become complacent as New York has the talent to snap out of their funk.

One thing that benefits Cleveland in this matchup, though, is they have the better starting pitcher going. While Domingo German has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, it certainly hasn’t been this season.

What remains to be seen is whether the Indians can take advantage of it on offense and if Civale can keep the Yankees’ bats ice-cold Thursday night. Regardless, it should be a fun one to watch.