After one of the most improbable victories last night, the A's and Yankees meet up again in the second of their three-game series. Tonight's starters will be CC Sabathia and Vin Mazzaro.
Mazzaro did not fare well in his lone start against the Yankees a few weeks ago, giving up 6 runs in 4 1/3 innings in Yankee Stadium. However, though he did not pitch exceptionally well in either of his last two outings, he did get credit for a pair of wins. It's a good sign at least, maybe making up a bit for a few tough-luck losses back in June. It would be nice if he could go at least 6 innings. He hit that mark in his first six starts but has done it in just two of his last nine.
Sabathia has faced the A's twice this season and has a win against them but he hasn't pitched all that well, giving up 10 runs, 9 earned in 13 2/3 innings. He's also struck out only 6 over that span while giving up 15 hits and 4 walks. Both of those starts were in Yankee Stadium and over his career he's been even worse in the Coliseum where the Vallejo native is just 1-4 with a 7.12 ERA in 8 starts with a WHIP of 1.79. Will tonight be more of the same or does he turn it around? I know what we're hoping for.