Braves vs. Yankees: Live Stream, Injuries, Pitching Matchups and Fantasy Preview
June 18, 2012 · Adam Wells · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
In an interleague series between two teams trending in opposite directions, the Atlanta Braves travel to the Bronx to take on the red-hot New York Yankees.
The Braves have a slim lead over the New York Mets for second place in the National League East. They have lost six of their last seven games, including a three-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees last week.
That three-game sweep pushed the Yankees’ winning streak to six, before they went into Washington and picked apart the Nationals. This team is firing on all cylinders right now, and they look dangerous in the American League East.
Where: Yankee Stadium in New York, NY
When: Monday, June 18 through Wednesday, June 20
Watch: Peachtree TV (Braves); YES Network (Yankees); Monday’s game Nationally Televised on ESPN
Live Stream: Watch ESPN; MLB.tv
Injury Report (via CBS Sports)
Atlanta Braves
Questionable: 1B Freddie Freeman (Thumb)
15-Day DL: SP Brandon Beachy (Elbow), RP Robert Fish (Elbow), RP Arodys Vizcaino (Elbow)
New York Yankees
Questionable: C Russell Martin (Foot), RF Nick Swisher (Quadriceps)
15-Day DL: LF Brett Gardner (Elbow), C Austin Romine (Back)
60-Day DL: RP Cesar Cabral (Elbow), SP Michael Pineda (Shoulder), RP Mariano Rivera (Knee), RP Joba Chamberlain (Elbow, Ankle), SP Brad Meyers (Shoulder), RP David Aardsma (Elbow), RP Pedro Feliciano (Shoulder)
Pitching Matchups
Monday: Mike Minor (3-4, 6.01 ERA) vs. CC Sabathia (8-3, 3.70 ERA)
Tuesday: Tim Hudson (4-3, 3.90 ERA) vs. Hiroki Kuroda (6-6, 3.43 ERA)
Wednesday: Tommy Hanson (7-4, 3.32 ERA) vs. Phil Hughes (7-5, 4.50 ERA)
Braves’ Fantasy Must-Starts
Michael Bourn, OF
Bourn is not the prototypical outfielder for fantasy baseball: While he is a terrific hitter and has plus speed to steal bases, he is not going to hit a lot of home runs.
He goes about his job in a way that isn’t very showy, yet he is an invaluable asset for the Braves and fantasy players because he does little things that don’t get much recognition.
Dan Uggla, 2B
Unlike the multi-talented Bourn, Uggla is as one-dimensional as any fantasy player in the sport. He does not hit for average, but when he makes contact, the ball is going to go really far. In the small Yankee Stadium, Uggla could have a big series.
Specifically, Uggla is having a terrific season hitting against left-handed pitching, to the tune of .304/.467/.507.
Watch out for that Monday matchup with CC Sabathia.
Yankees’ Fantasy Must-Starts
Curtis Granderson, OF
Granderson has found a home in New York, not that we didn’t know that before. You take his short, quick power swing and pair it with the short right-field porch in Yankee Stadium, and you are going to get 35-40 home runs every year.
Even though he doesn’t hit for a high average, especially against right-handed pitchers, Granderson is going to hit for power no matter who is on the mound.
Robinson Cano, 2B
Another season, another summer surge for Robinson Cano.
After a slow start to the 2012 season, Cano has been on fire the last two months. In fact, his month-by-month stats keep getting better. He hit .267/.323/.389 in April, .312/.364/.606 in May and .333/.438/.630 in June.
Despite those numbers, Cano is having problems hitting left-handed pitching, at a paltry .231/.278/.363.
Monday will be an interesting matchup, because Cano is on fire and Mike Minor is not very good.
Prediction
The Braves need to get out of interleague play in a hurry to get back in the National League East race. The Yankees are playing as well as any team in baseball right now, so at the very least we should expect a series win.
Yankees win series 2-1
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