Kuzul

New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano is off to another stellar year, one that has already achieved an All-Star birth.

Though the Yankees have struggled this year and been decimated by injuries to their line-up, with last-season’s regulars Mark Texiera, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriquez and Curtis Granderson each missing extended time this year, the greatest bright spot has been Cano.

Despite the adversity the Yankees have faced, Cano has evolved into a leader and has been without a doubt the best player on the Bronx Bombers in 2013. Though acting with a relatively weak supporting cast, Robbie Cano has powered the Yankees to an above .500 record, and while their playoff hopes may be continually dimming, his play has kept them in contention thus far.

We all know of Cano’s looming contract issues that will come into play at the conclusion of this season, but let’s take a look at the lessons we’ve learned from his great first half.

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Tonight at 7:10 EDT, the New York Mets (34-45) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (42-40) will square off at Citi Field for the second game in this four-game series. 

Following last night’s thrilling 5-4 victory that stretched into 13 innings, the Mets will hope to continue a run of recent play that’s seen them win four of the last six. 

The Diamondbacks, whose season has been a roller coaster of winning and losing streaks, suddenly find themselves the losers of four straight. Thanks to playing in the weak NL West, they still cling to a 1.5 game lead in the division, though all five teams are within four games of each other.

Tonight the Mets will trot out pitcher Jeremy Hefner (2-6, 3.72 ERA).  Hefner has pitched well of late, surrendering two or fewer earned runs in each of his last five outings. He will need the defense behind him to stand up, however: In those same five starts, he has given up 15 total runs, with only six of them being earned.

The Diamondbacks will rely on their new ace Patrick Corbin (9-0, 2.22 ERA) to get them out of their funk.  Corbin is still going for a 10-0 record, his sixth attempt at doing so.  Despite pitching well in his last five starts—holding a 2.55 ERA over that time—he has left without a decision in every start. 

This game could certainly come down to run support, and keep an eye on Mets outfielder Josh Satin.  Satin, who tied last night’s game with his RBI single in the ninth and then proceeded to score the game-tying run in the 13th, has hit .395 in 15 games since being called up on June 11.

I’ll be posting updates closer to first pitch. Leave your predictions for tonight down below!

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