New York Yankees vs. Washington Nationals: Jameson Taillon vs. Patrick Corbin

Following a raucous split with the Astros*, the Yankees welcome the team that took Houston out in the 2019 World Series to the Bronx for some interleague action. While this Nationals team looks a tad different from the one that made it to the mountaintop two seasons ago, the franchise’s foundational pieces remain intact, and should be a pleasure to watch compete over this four-game series.

Fans will have to wait until tomorrow for the series’ marquee matchup, when Max Scherzer squares off against a resurgent Corey Kluber, but today’s slate still offers some intrigue, with a pair of bounce-back candidates in Patrick Corbin and Jameson Taillon.

Since his return to the rubber, Taillon has pitched increasingly well as he continues to shake off the rust of a year-and-a-half absence due to flexor tendon and UCL surgeries in addition to a bout with testicular cancer. Last week, Taillon recorded his first win in exactly two years with five innings of one-run ball, buoyed by eight strikeouts of Detroit batsman.

At the very least, it will be worth watching to see how Taillon fares against a top-heavy Nationals lineup. Unable to throw without discomfort in his right triceps, Juan Soto will be able to start for the first time since April 19th as the interleague matchup offers the Nats the opportunity to slot him at the DH.

Taillon’s counterpart, Patrick Corbin, couldn’t have had a worse start to his season, allowing 15 runs through his first 6.1 innings pitched across two starts. Since then though, he’s posted quality starts in two of his three subsequent appearances.

Prior to today’s game, the Yankees called up their forlorn breakout infielder of the 2018 campaign to start at first base, Miguel Andújar. He’s proven unplayable anywhere else, but with a Luke Voit-sized hole at first for at least a little while longer, the Yankees are right to see if Andújar can offer the offensive spark that they lacked from Jay Bruce, and more recently, Mike Ford.

Andújar will bat eighth with DJ LeMahieu shifting over to third in Gio Urshela’s knee-related absence, and Tyler Wade in the nine-hole at second. Kyle Higashioka takes his turn on the pine as Gary Sánchez gets his third start of the week despite notching just 3 hits in his last 36 at bats, dating back to April 16th.

How to watch:

Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY.

First Pitch: 7:05 pm

TV broadcast: YES Network, MASN 2, MLB Network (out-of-market)

Radio Broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280, 106.7 The Fan

Online Stream: MLB.tv

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