07/18/19 11:13:00
Printable Page
07/18 23:11 CDT LEADING OFF: 'Savage' Yanks host Rockies, deadline watch
LEADING OFF: 'Savage' Yanks host Rockies, deadline watch
By The Associated Press
A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:
THAT'S SAVAGE
The Yankees open a three-game home series against Colorado with a new rallying
cry inspired by manager Aaron Boone's profane rant during a doubleheader sweep
of the Rays on Thursday. Boone repeatedly called his hitters "savages" in the
batter's box while chewing out rookie plate umpire Brennan Miller during the
second inning of the opener. Television microphones picked up the audio, which
went viral and was being printed on t-shirts before the first game ended. Asked
about the unusual expression, Boone said "Sometimes in the heat of the battle,
you just kind of utter some things."
STARTER SHOWCASE
Evaluators figure to be tuned into starts by Toronto's Marcus Stroman and
Texas' Mike Minor with the July 31 trade deadline approaching. The 28-year-old
Stroman (5-10, 3.25) is set to face Detroit knowing he's likely auditioning for
a number of contenders. Minor's Rangers opened the second half as wild-card
hopefuls, but they have lost four straight, including a 19-4 drubbing by
Arizona on Wednesday. Minor has said he doesn't want to be traded, but general
manager Jon Daniels said last week the team was "not going to rule anything
out."
BIG RELIEF
Nathan Eovaldi is expected to rejoin the Red Sox for a series in Baltimore and
work out of the bullpen after completing a rehab appearance Thursday with
Triple-A Pawtucket. Eovaldi began the year in Boston's rotation but had elbow
surgery in April. In need of relief help, the Red Sox plan to use the
hard-throwing right-hander out of the 'pen. He may not be activated from the
60-day injured list until Saturday, since he just pitched Thursday. Eovaldi's
performance could dictate how aggressive Boston is at the trade deadline.
ROYAL RETURN
Mike Montgomery (1-2, 5.67) will make his first big league appearance with
Kansas City a decade after he emerged as a top prospect in the Royals system.
Montgomery was traded to Tampa Bay in a package that brought back Wade Davis
and James Shields in 2012 and eventually ended up with the Cubs, who he helped
win a World Series in 2016. Chicago traded him to the Royals this week for
catcher Martin Maldonado, and the left-hander is set to start against Cleveland
All-Star MVP Shane Bieber (8-3, 3.49).
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
|
