With the start of a new week, the New York Yankees (68-42) look forward as they start a three-game series against the White Sox (41-70) in the south side of Chicago.
The Yankees fresh off four straight defeats at the hands of the Red Sox in Boston, now travel to the Windy City to try and not lose any more ground to their perennial rival, who now lead the A.L East by 9.5 games.
The White Sox, who return home after sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game series, have won four consecutive games and will look to keep the Yankees from turning things around.
Kicking off the series is Lance Lynn (7-8, 4.89 ERA) who will take on Chicago’s Dylan Covey (4-7, 5.50 ERA) and make his first start for the Yankees after being acquired from the Minnesota Twins.
Over his last 13 appearances, the right-handed Lynn has struck out 64 batters and pitched to a 3.50 ERA, lowering his season ERA by more than 2.5 runs since May 22.
Lynn, acquired before the trade deadline, made his Yanks debut last Wednesday and impressed his new team by pitching 4.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen against the Baltimore Orioles.
In game 2 the big lefty CC Sabathia (6-4, 3.59 ERA) will get the starting nod against Reynaldo Lopez (4-9, 4.47 ERA). Sabathia will look to keep Chicago at bay as they’ve been held to a .241 batting average against lefties this year.
Sabathia’s seeking his 20th career win against the White Sox and he’s been especially good at Guaranteed Rate Field, where he’s 10-2 with a 3.48 ERA in 18 starts.
In the series finale, Yankees ace Luis Severino (14-5, 3.08 ERA) takes the mound against Chicago’s Lucas Giolito (7-8, 5.97 ERA), who has tossed four quality starts in his last five appearances.
Severino, who has lost three straight decisions, will look to return to his first-half form, where he pitched to a 2.31 ERA and racked up 144 Ks in 20 starts prior to the All-Star break.
