New-look Yankees set sights on slowing down Marlins
With superstar Aaron Judge on the injured list due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, the headline for the Yankees is how they upgraded their bullpen at the deadline Thursday. In addition to Bednar, they acquired Camilo Doval from the San Francisco Giants and fellow right-hander Jake Byrd from the Colorado Rockies.
Bednar, 30, has a 2.37 ERA and 17 saves this season. He has 79 saves since the start of the 2023 campaign.
Devin Williams had been New York's closer, but he has struggled this year (5.01 ERA) and may be relegated to work in the eighth inning.
Meanwhile, Miami was relatively quiet at the deadline, trading starting right fielder Jesus Sanchez to the Houston Astros for right-hander Ryan Gusto and two prospects.
It's a significant loss for the Marlins as Sanchez, 27, is in his prime and hits some tape-measure home runs. He has 10 homers, nine steals and a .740 OPS.
As for Friday's game, left-hander Carlos Rodon (11-7, 3.18 ERA) will start for the Yankees opposite right-hander Janson Junk (5-2, 3.28).
Rodon, a Miami native, is 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA in three career starts against the Marlins.
The Yankees, who are 11-11 this year when Rodon starts, also added some offense leading up to the deadline, acquiring speedy shortstop Jose Caballero, third baseman Ryan McMahon, outfielder Austin Slater and infielder Amed Rosario.
"They've been locked in," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of New York general manager Brian Cashman and his scouting staff.
Their opponent this weekend, the Marlins, are on a hot streak, going 15-10 in July after sporting a 14-12 record in June. This marks the first time since 2017 that the Marlins have had two straight winning months. They also have won five straight series for the first time since that 2017 season.
In addition, Miami is coming off two straight shutout wins over the St. Louis Cardinals, and that's a first for the Marlins since May of 2024. The Marlins are nine games behind the New York Mets for the top spot in the National League East.
Oddly, the Marlins have been better on the road (28-26) than at home (24-29) this season. Going forward, they hope their pitching remains strong. In July, they had a 2.60 ERA, which is the lowest for any month in franchise history.
Junk will make his eighth start and 13th appearance this season. He has a 12.00 ERA without a decision in two career relief appearances versus the Yankees.
Now that the trade deadline has passed, perhaps the Marlins can be even better.
"We haven't let the rumors or the media tell us what we're capable of," pitcher Cal Quantrill told MLB.com. "That result has led to good results, and I don't see any reason to change."
--Field Level Media
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