Today at 4:05 p.m. ET the New York Yankees (21-19) will host the National League's Pittsburgh Pirates (17-23) in the first of three games at Yankee Stadium. Live stream the game by clicking this link; Yankees fans can find the game on 101.9 WFAN FM, while Pirates fans can do the same on KDKA-FM 93.7. Edinson Volquez (1-3, 4.36 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Pirates, while the Yanks counter with David Phelps (0-0, 4.09 ERA).
The Yankees have been racked by injuries, initially to the rotation which has opened the door for Phelps to get some starts. His last time out was not so great-he gave up four runs and eight hits to the Milwaukee Brewers. He is hoping to put that behind him against a Pirates lineup that should be less imposing.
"It's a frustrating game," Phelps said. "When I was getting ahead of guys, I wasn't putting them away, and when I wasn't getting ahead of guys, I was just giving up hits. I've got to do a better job than that."
The injuries plaguing their staff have crept into the dugout as well. Middle-of-the-order bat Carlos Beltran has hit the disabled list with elbow troubles that could potentially shelve him for six to eight weeks. "I'm getting better but not to the point where I'm capable of swinging the bat 100 percent," Beltran said.
"Right now we just hope to give the injection or they give me some cortisone by mouth, pills by mouth, to try to make it better. Let's say in 15 days it doesn't get better, then we have to talk about it and make another decision."
After reaching the postseason last year the Pirates have been middling in just about every category. Catcher Chris Stewart, a regular for the Yanks last season, is hoping the Bronx Bombers' homer-happy ballpark can spark some fireworks.
"I've witnessed quite a few popups turn into home runs," Stewart said. "Every stadium kind of has their pros and cons, and that's definitely one of them for left-handers, and some right-handers like to go the other way. I've seen popups over there that have sailed out [as opposite field shots]."
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