Yankees at Athletics: 5 things to watch and series predictions | May 9-11

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees head west to take on the Athletics in a three-game series starting on Friday...

Preview

Playing in West Sacramento

The Yankees are heading west for a six-game series and will make their first stop in West Sacramento to take on the Athletics in their minor league ballpark.

If you haven't seen games at Sutter Health Park, it's an experience, especially so for the players. The visitor's clubhouse is in center field and the dimensions have been very hitter-friendly. According to BaseballSavant, Sutter Health Park is the second-best hitter's park behind the Orioles' Camden Yards.

The Yankees, who have a league-leading 62 homers entering Thursday, are in town and could take advantage.

Can Carlos Rodon continue his brilliant pitching?

Rodon has been a pleasant surprise for the Yankees this season, especially considering the injuries to the rotation. The southpaw has pitched like the No. 2 arm that the Yankees needed with Gerrit Cole being out for the entire season.

In eight starts, Rodon has pitched to a 4-3 record but a 2.96 ERA. Over his last three starts, Rodon has allowed just two runs in 19.2 innings with 20 strikeouts over that span. The Athletics' lineup is young and feisty, and the longball could be a topic this weekend in Sacramento, but if Rodon continues his recent brilliance, that'll be a story as well.

Who will start series finale?

The Yankees DFA'd Carlos Carrasco earlier this week -- he's since cleared waivers and will report to Triple-A -- but the plan for the rotation this weekend is still up in the air. Rodon and Will Warren are scheduled to pitch Friday and Saturday, but Sunday's starter has not been determined. Manager Aaron Boone has said that they could use long reliever Ryan Yarbrough this time through the rotation order, but that would likely mean an opener will start that game.

Boone could also call up a starter like Allan Winans, who has major league experience, for a spot start. Either way, there's intrigue in who Sunday's starter will be.

Facing Luis Severino for first time

Severino spent the first eight seasons of his career in a Yankee uniform, but two years removed from departing via free agency, the right-hander will face his old team for the first time.

The 31-year-old is scheduled to pitch the series finale on Sunday, and it'll be interesting to see how he does against a team that should know what to expect from him. Severino revitalized his career with the Mets last season, but he's gotten off to an up-and-down start with the Athletics. With a 1-3 record and 3.62 ERA across eight starts, Severino has given this young Athletics team a reliable arm in the rotation.

However, Severino has not pitched well in West Sacramento. In five home starts, Severino is 0-3 with a 5.28 ERA, as opposed to his 1-0 record and 0.95 ERA in three road starts.

DJ LeMahieu's return?

The veteran infielder is so close to a return from rehab that Boone has said it's possible he can return after two starts at Triple-A. He picked up two hits in his first start with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday and is in the starting lineup for the RailRiders on Thursday. If he comes out of Thursday's game unscathed, the Yankees could activate him for the series in West Sacramento.

That would likely mean Pablo Reyes' time on the bench is numbered as the former batting champion looks to provide the Yankees with a formidable right-handed bat and infield versatility.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Aaron Judge

When the ball began flying out of West Sacramento in April, the baseball world salivated to see how Judge would handle the park. I have a feeling he'll have an awesome weekend.

Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?

Carlos Rodon

Don't think the hitter-friendly confines of Sutter Health Park will affect Rodon, especially against a young team like the Athletics.

Which Athletics player will be a thorn in the Yankees' side?

Jacob Wilson

The rookie shortstop is having a great start to his 2025 season. He's batting .357 and has a .383 OBP. While he doesn't walk -- only six passes in 36 games -- he'll jump on first-pitch strikes and simply be a pest all weekend.