Two left-handed pitchers having opposite seasons took the mound Wednesday night in the Bronx as the New York Yankees host the Oakland Athletics.
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Miller was placed on the disabled list initially due to a forearm injury early on in June.
Miller returns to a Yankees bullpen that has struck out more hitters (292) than any other in the Majors as of July 7. Getting him back at the top of the lineup as well as in center field should really help out the Yankees.
With Seattle 0-7 on Thursdays, its worst day of the week this season, look for Richards to improve to 7-2 in his last nine team starts versus N.L. West opponents here tonight. Bringing Miller back into the fold will lengthen the bullpen five talented relievers deep (add Justin Wilson, Chasen Shreve and Adam Warren) which is crucial when the starting staff gives less than six innings of work on average. He had not registered a blown save and had 43 strikeouts over 26 1/3 innings pitched. 324 with 14 steals, and had scored 29 runs in 37 games when he was injured.
Ellsbury was in the Yankees’ lineup Wednesday against Oakland, batting leadoff and playing center field. Those are numbers any team would love to have.
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Miller had converted each of his 17 save opportunities in his first season in New York. That will make Dellin Betances one of the best “holds” guys in the league again.
