New York Yankees: Nationals Series Preview/Predictions

Game Two

New York Yankees @ Washington Nationals

James Paxton vs. TBD (likely Stephen Strasburg)

Saturday, July 25th, 7:15 pm

In game two the Yankees will be throwing James Paxton on the mound due to Luis Severino being out for the season, and Masahiro Tanaka still recovering from taking a line drive to the head in summer camp.

As for Paxton, in 2019 he held a record of 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA while averaging just over five innings per game in 29 starts. This being said, the Yankees bullpen might play a bigger factor in game two with Paxton on the bump, than it did in game one with Cole on the mound.

As for the Nationals, the starter has not yet been announced but one would imagine it will be Stephen Strasburg. Last season Strasburg held an 18-6 record with a 3.32 ERA while averaging just over six innings per game in 33 starts.

With that, both the Yankees and Nationals’ bullpens will come into play in game two which favors the Yankees as they have one of the best bullpens in the MLB.

With a deep bullpen that includes the likes of Adam Ottavino, Tommy Kahnle, Chad Green, Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, and others, the Yankees give themselves a great chance to win any game that comes down to a bullpen battle.

Prediction: Yankees win 5-4

Game two will be a bit more of a high scoring affair as I don’t see either starting pitcher lasting more than six innings, which then means both bullpens will play a major factor. With that, the Yankees have a step up on the Nationals as their bullpen is better than Washington’s.

With that, the Yankees add on a couple of runs while holding off the Nationals ultimately leading to a 5-4 Yankees win and a 2-0 record to start off the 2020 MLB Season.