The New York Yankees and Colorado Rockies will kick off the second half with a three-game interleague series at Coors Field. The Bronx Bombers finished the first half in fourth place in a very competitive AL East, just a game ahead of last-place Boston at 49-42. The Rockies enter the second half in last place in the NL West with a record of 34-57. The pitching matchup on Friday night will be Yankees' left-hander Carlos Rodon (0-1, 3.38) taking on Rockies' lefty Austin Gomber (7-7, 6.40). The first pitch is scheduled for 8:40 PM EST.
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The Yankees come into the second half hoping to get back in the thick of the AL East race and playoff picture in the American League. The season may hinge on the availability of 2022 MVP Aaron Judge. Judge has been out since June 4th with a foot injury and has missed 42 games already this season after missing just five games in 2022. The Yankees are 19-23 without Judge this season and his availability going forward could decide whether or not the Yankees are heavily active at the trade deadline. Judge's absence has impacted several players in the Yankees order. Giancarlo Stanton is hitting just .203 on the season and Anthony Rizzo is hitting .168 without a home run since May 28th. New York is currently seven games over .500 and within eight games of first place Tampa Bay but is also in a logjam at the bottom of the AL East with the Blue Jays and Red Sox.
The Yankees will start the second half with lefty Carlos Rod on on the hill. Rodon signed with the Yankees this offseason but missed nearly the entire first half until making his first appearance on Friday night before the break. Rodon took the loss in a 3-0 game against the Cubs. Rodon went 5.1 innings and allowed four hits and two runs, just one of which was earned. He walked two and struck out two with a WHIP of 1.13. In his career, Rodon is 2-1 in four career starts against the Rockies with an ERA of 4.22. In his lone start at Coors field, Rodon is 0-1 with an ERA of 10.13 while allowing five hits in 5.1 innings and six runs.
Key Injuries: Outfielders Aaron Judge, Jake Bauers and Willie Calhoun are all out.
9 K day for Domingo ?? pic.twitter.com/qr4SYhTmms
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 9, 2023