The Yankees came oh so close to completing another late comeback, only to stall out after Ben Rice’s game-tying three-run homer and eventually lose in extras. They still have a chance to split the doubleheader and win the series as they take the field less than three hours after the final out of Game 1, and they’ll do so as Max Fried makes his long-awaited return from injury.
Max Fried last pitched on May 13th against the Orioles, and had to depart after three innings with noticeably lowered velocity on all his pitches. It was later revealed that he had suffered a bone bruise in his left elbow and was shut down for over a month. He made just one rehab assignment start last Friday for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, allowing two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and no walks on 52 pitches. Rather than make a final rehab start, the doubleheader convinced the Yankees to activate Fried off the IL to start the nightcap, where he will be on a pitch count of around 60. At the time of his injury, Fried was 4-3 in ten starts, with a 3.21 ERA (132 ERA+), 2.71 FIP, and 50 strikeouts in 61.2 innings.
Fried will face off against Pirates rookie Bubba Chandler. The 23-year-old righty isn’t very subtle, mainly trying to blow you away with a four-seamer that averages 99 mph. He backs up that heater with a slider and a changeup. Expect the Yankees to have a patient approach against the pitcher with the highest walk rate (13.1-percent) of any starter in baseball. In 18 starts, Chandler is 3-8 with a 4.77 ERA (92 ERA+), 4.59 FIP, and 85 strikeouts in 94.1 innings.
The Yankees make three changes to the line from the day game. Anthony Volpe replaces José Caballero at shortstop which should ease tensions with this umpiring crew after the incident involving his pitch clock manipulation earlier today. Paul Goldschmidt gets the start at first moving Ben Rice to DH and Spencer Jones to the bench. Ali Sánchez replaces Austin Wells behind the plate.
The Pirates also make three changes to their lineup with the lefty Fried on the mound. Marcell Ozuna comes in to DH, moving Ryan O’Hearn to first and Tyler Callihan to the bench. Jared Triolo replaces Jacob Gonzalez at shortstop despite the latter homering off Gerrit Cole while Rafael Flores Jr. subs in for Henry Davis at catcher.
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
First pitch: 7:05 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, SportsNet Pittsburgh
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | YES, SportsNet Pittsburgh (PIT)
Streaming: Gotham Sports App, MLB.tv (out-of-market only)
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