Everything is falling into place for the New York Yankees, who continue a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday in Anaheim, Calif.
New York used a complete effort to win its third straight game on Monday, beating the Angels 5-1. Anthony Volpe delivered a three-run double and Ryan Yarbrough tossed six strong innings to help the Yankees win for the 14th time in 18 games.
“We’ve got a lot of reasons to believe we have a chance to be a really good team,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
While New York is a season-high 13 games over .500, the Angels have lost three straight following an eight-game winning streak. Los Angeles has scored a total of three runs during the skid.
The Angels are hoping for a spark from utility man Chris Taylor, who was signed as a free agent on Monday and went 0-for-3 in his debut. The 34-year-old veteran was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 18.
“He brings experience,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “He’s been through the wars. It’s a good piece for those young guys to talk to about how to handle the grind. He’s been over there grinding every day with L.A. and winning. And we want that.”
A pair of left-handers are scheduled to start on Tuesday evening. Carlos Rodon (6-3, 2.88 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees, while Tyler Anderson (2-1, 3.60) gets the nod for Los Angeles.
Rodon, 32, won his fifth consecutive decision by allowing two hits over six scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers on Thursday. He owns a 1.90 ERA over his past four starts and has not lost a game since April 13.
“He has four pitches that he can use at any time,” Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra said. “It’s no wonder he’s having the success he’s having.”
Angels slugger Jorge Soler is 3-for-15 (.200) against Rodon, who is 3-4 with a 5.21 ERA in seven career starts versus Los Angeles.
Anderson, 35, is looking to bounce back after giving up five runs on seven hits and six walks over 4 2/3 innings against the Athletics on Thursday. The Angels rallied for a 10-5 win.
Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger is 4-for-22 (.182) with two home runs against Anderson, who is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts versus New York.
The Angels are monitoring the status of catcher Logan O’Hoppe, who exited the Monday game after being hit in the head by a backswing in the eighth inning.
O’Hoppe is batting .267 with 14 homers and 30 RBIs. He was removed as a precaution and will undergo testing before returning to action.
“He feels good,” Washington said after the game. “He’s telling me he can play, but we’re gonna wait and see.”
New York could be without reliever Luke Weaver on Tuesday after the right-hander appeared in each of the team’s past two games.
Weaver threw 21 pitches on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies before tossing 25 pitches on Monday during a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation.
Weaver leads the Yankees with eight saves, but Devin Williams likely would serve as the team’s closer if needed on Tuesday. Williams has four saves and a 6.16 ERA, but he has not allowed a run in his past eight outings covering 7 1/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
