MLB on Sling TV: Tigers, Yankees, Mets, Nationals & Cardinals
It’s tempting to say that there are four teams playing this week on Sling TV who could win the World Series but there might really only be three.
There are certainly four cities that have that expectation but —- sorry, New York —- things don’t look so good in the Bronx despite what seems to be a renaissance for Alex Rodriguez.
The Yankees travel to Detroit on Monday to face a Tigers team that is managing to find its way in what is increasingly seeming like the post-Justin Verlander era–and Detroit is doing it in part thanks to an off-season trade with New York. The Yankees sent starting pitcher Shane Greene to them as part of a three-team trade that landed Didi Gregorious in pinstripes.
“We knew Shane Greene was a hell of an asset,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman told the N.Y. Post. “We needed a shortstop for a full season.”
Gregorious has the impossible job of playing shortstop following the retirement of Derek Jeter. Nobody expects him to be Jeter but they do expect him to hit above the Mendoza line, which he is not. Meanwhile, Greene has yet to allow a run.
The Yankees also have a home game Sunday against the Mets. The Subway Series always brings out the best and worst in the city’s fans and whether or not either of these teams have realistic post-season hopes won’t matter when they take the field.
Wednesday’s game features two of the favorites to win the National League. St. Louis just keeps reloading with a deep farm system and shrewd trades, such as the one that brought them outfielder Jason Heyward. The Nationals also reloaded with the biggest free-agent signing of the off-season, starter Max Scherzer.
Both teams have high expectations – higher than either of New York’s teams – and this game could very well be a preview of the National League Championship Series.
Monday, April 20
All times eastern
New York at Detroit, 7pm (ESPN)
CC Sabathia vs Alfredo Simon
Wednesday, April 22
St. Louis at Washington, 7pm (ESPN)
John Lackey vs Doug Fister
Sunday, April 26
New York Mets at New York Yankees, 8pm (ESPN)
Jonathon Niese vs Nathan Eovaldi