Rachel: Cody Bellinger just won a game with a bases-loaded double, and tonight the Yankees have a chance to take the series from Houston. If you missed it, you're about to hear all about it — and what's coming next.
Dave: That seventh inning was electric. Bellinger came through in the biggest spot, and the bats finally woke up. But the questions are already swirling about this pitching staff.
Rachel: Welcome back to Beatline, Yankees fans! I'm Rachel, and as always, Dave is here with the breakdown. Today we're previewing the series finale against the Astros, plus a huge bullpen development.
Dave: That's right. We've got three things on the docket: first, the pitching probables and how this rotation is holding up. Then we'll dig into the lineup and the bullpen mess. And finally, our keys to the series and a bold prediction.
Rachel: Let's start with the big picture. The Yankees took last night's game 9-3, but they dropped Tuesday's 9-7 slugfest. So tonight is the rubber match. Dave, what's the pitching matchup look like?
Dave: It's a bit of a mess, honestly. The rotation has been shuffled due to injuries. We've got Will Warren getting the start tonight — he's been solid but not spectacular. Houston hasn't named a starter yet, which is unusual.
Rachel: And that's part of the problem, right? The Yankees have lost Max Fried, Clarke Schmidt, and even Aaron Judge is on the 60-day IL. That's a lot of firepower missing.
Dave: Exactly. Judge is the big one — he's been out for a while, and his absence is huge in the middle of the lineup. But the rotation has held up better than expected, thanks to guys like Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon. Still, tonight it's Warren.
Rachel: Warren's been a pleasant surprise. He's got a 3.80 ERA in his last five starts, and he's been giving the team length. What does he need to do against Houston?
Dave: He's got to keep the ball down. The Astros have power throughout the lineup, especially Yordan Alvarez. If Warren leaves pitches up, Alvarez will make him pay. He needs to use his changeup to keep hitters off balance.
Rachel: And the Astros are fighting for their playoff lives. They're 66-66, but they're in first place in the AL West. That's a weird sentence to say.
Dave: It's a weak division, but they're still dangerous. They took us to extra innings on Tuesday, and Alvarez is a monster. This is a team that can score in bunches.
Rachel: So what's the key for Warren? Keep the ball in the yard and get through six innings. Anything beyond that is a bonus.
Dave: Absolutely. And the bullpen needs a break. They've been taxed lately, especially with Fernando Cruz going down.
Rachel: We'll get to that in a second. But first, let's talk about the lineup. Last night, Bellinger was the hero. What did you see from him?
Dave: He's been heating up. That double was a rocket — he turned on a fastball and drove it to right-center. It's exactly what we need from him in the middle of the order.
Rachel: And he's not alone. Spencer Jones has been on fire, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. is a sparkplug. We'll break down the hitters in segment two.
Rachel: We're back. Let's talk about the bats. Last night, the Yankees put up nine runs. Who stood out to you, Dave?
Dave: Bellinger obviously, but also Luis Garcia Jr. He had a four-hit game — that's a career night. He's been a nice addition at first base, especially with Paul Goldschmidt struggling.
Rachel: Goldschmidt's been cold, but he's still a veteran presence. And Ben Rice has been doing damage at DH. The lineup has depth, even without Judge and Stanton.
Dave: That's the key. They're not relying on one guy. Spencer Jones has been swinging a hot bat — he homered in three of four games against Toronto, and he's carried that into this series.
Rachel: He's been a revelation. A rookie coming up and producing like that? That's huge for this team.
Dave: Absolutely. He's got the power and the approach. He's not chasing, and he's hitting the ball hard. That's a great sign.
Rachel: Now, the bullpen. We've got some news there. Fernando Cruz was placed on the IL with elbow discomfort — and it might be worse than that.
Dave: Yeah, it's a partially torn UCL. That could mean Tommy John surgery. That's a huge blow to the pen.
Rachel: And in response, the Yankees signed Michael Fulmer. What do you think of that move?
Dave: Fulmer's a veteran who's had success in the past, but he's been inconsistent. He's a low-risk, high-reward signing. If he can recapture his old form, he's a solid addition.
Rachel: But the bullpen has been shaky all season. We've seen Brent Headrick give up a go-ahead triple to Alvarez on Tuesday. That's the kind of thing that loses games.
Dave: Right, and that's why teams need depth. Cruz was a key piece, and now they're scrambling. But David Bednar and Tim Hill have been solid. They need to step up.
Rachel: And with the trade deadline in the rearview, this is the group they're going to ride. That's a little scary, but we've seen them have good stretches.
Dave: It's a concern, but they're still in second place in the AL East. They have a chance to make a run. It's just going to be a grind.
Rachel: And don't forget, Max Fried is on the 15-day IL. That's another rotation arm missing. But we've got Cole, Rodon, and Warren. It's not a bad trio.
Dave: They'll need to eat innings. If the starters can go six or seven, that takes pressure off the bullpen. That's the formula.
Rachel: Alright, we're going to take a quick break. When we come back, we'll give you the keys to the series and our bold predictions. Stick with us.
Rachel: We're back. Let's get into the keys to tonight's game. Dave, what's number one?
Dave: It's simple: get to their bullpen early. Houston's starters haven't been dominant, and their pen is average. If we can build a lead and force them into high-leverage situations, we've got a chance.
Rachel: And what about the offense? We need to keep the line moving, not just rely on the long ball.
Dave: Exactly. We saw that last night — Bellinger's double came with the bases loaded. You need those situational hits. Plate discipline is key. Don't chase, get on base, and let the big boys drive you in.
Rachel: And on the defensive side, we've been solid. But we need to avoid the mental errors that cost us on Tuesday.
Dave: That's true. The Astros are aggressive on the bases. We need to be sharp, especially with Alvarez and those guys. A clean game on defense could be the difference.
Rachel: Now, bold prediction time. Dave, what have you got?
Dave: I'm going to say Will Warren pitches six innings of one-run ball, and the Yankees win 5-2. Bellinger goes yard again, and Spencer Jones adds another homer.
Rachel: I like that. I'm going to say the Yankees win 7-4, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. steals two bases and scores three runs. He's been a sparkplug all series.
Dave: That would be fun to watch. If Jazz gets on base, good things happen.
Rachel: Alright, let's wrap this up. We've got a big game tonight. The Yankees can take the series from Houston and build some momentum.
Rachel: That's all for today's show. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with your fellow Yankees fans. And as always, let's go Yankees!
Dave: See you next time. Go Yanks!