The old Yankees-Giants rivalry is back on as the Bronx Bombers kicked off a three-game series with the San Francisco Giants on Friday night. New York, with a record of 7-5, is tied with Toronto (8-6) for first place in the AL East after recently facing a tough series in Detroit. Meanwhile, the Giants, boasting a record of 9-3, find themselves a half-game behind the Padres for first in the NL West, largely thanks to a strong pitching staff that currently ranks second in baseball with a 2.78 ERA.
As the Yankees look to revitalize their bats after being outscored 14-6 in Detroit, they turn to Robbie Ray, who takes the mound with a 2-0 record and a 3.18 ERA. Ray, known to Yankees fans as the 2021 AL Cy Young winner while with Toronto, was traded to San Francisco after recovering from Tommy John surgery. He has faced the Yankees three times in his Cy Young season but has struggled against them, holding an 0-3 record and a 6.60 ERA in those outings.
The Yankees will face Marcus Stroman, who has had a rocky start to the season. Stroman, still looking for his first win this season, holds a 7.27 ERA and has not completed five innings in either of his starts this year. However, he has a respectable 2.92 ERA in six career starts against the Giants.
Fans should keep an eye on Paul Goldschmidt, who is off to a scorching start with a .383 average and a 175 wRC+. Goldschmidt has a solid history against the Giants, hitting .302 lifetime against them. On the other side, Willy Adames, who signed a $172 million deal in free agency, is struggling with a .184 average but has a .307 lifetime batting average at Yankee Stadium, hoping for a breakout game.
Another key player to watch is Aaron Judge. The two-time MVP has been on a tear, batting .354 with six home runs this season. Judge has a career slugging percentage of .522 against the Giants and has hit five homers against them in the past. Despite a solid performance in the recent series against Detroit, where he went 5-for-11, Judge has not hit a home run since last Friday in Pittsburgh. His performance could be pivotal for the Yankees as they face the Giants, a team that almost signed him in 2023.
As the weather forecast predicts rain, there are doubts about whether the game will proceed as scheduled. If it does happen, betting odds favor the Yankees, especially considering Ray's previous matchups against weaker teams. Yankees fans might want to consider betting on Goldschmidt's hits or total bases, and perhaps a home run from Judge if they're feeling bold.
On April 11, 2025, the Yankees faced the Giants under challenging weather conditions, with rain impacting the game significantly. The Giants took an early lead, with Jung Hoo Lee hitting a three-run homer in the first inning, contributing to a 9-1 victory for San Francisco in a rain-shortened game that lasted only six innings. The Yankees struggled offensively, managing just two hits against the Giants’ pitchers, including Ray, who pitched four innings of one-run ball despite the adverse conditions.
Stroman's outing was particularly disastrous, as he allowed five runs before recording an out and was pulled after just two-thirds of an inning. Following the game, Stroman left Yankee Stadium for further tests on his left knee, which had been bothering him during the game. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Stroman underwent X-rays and additional testing, raising concerns about his future in the rotation.
Despite the rain, the Giants capitalized on their chances, with Mike Yastrzemski leading off with a double and Lee's homer providing a quick cushion. The Giants' offense continued to thrive, scoring five runs in the first inning alone, while the Yankees struggled to find their rhythm at the plate.
The game was called after five and a half innings, much to the dismay of the Yankees, who were unable to mount any serious offense. With a paid attendance of 35,286, the atmosphere was dampened by the weather, but the Giants celebrated their victory as they improved to 10-3 on the season.
The Yankees’ performance raises questions about their lineup and pitching depth as they face a tough stretch ahead. With injuries to key starters and inconsistent performances from others, the team needs to regroup and find a way to bounce back in the upcoming games against the Giants.
As the series continues, the Yankees will need to address their batting woes and find a way to support their pitching staff, especially with Stroman's health in question. The rivalry with the Giants adds extra motivation, but the Yankees must find their footing quickly to avoid falling further behind in the AL East standings.
