While the Yankees play the Rangers to open the homestand, the Red Sox and Rays play each other in a three-game series in Tampa. Hopefully they can beat each other, and their bullpens up for the three days.After splitting four games with the Mets over the weekend, the Yankees start a nine-game homestand Monday that should help define exactly how good they are. They play three against the Rangers, four against the Boston Red Sox and two against the Tampa Bay Rays.
At the start of play Sunday, Rangers hitters were atop the American League leader boards in virtually every important category. Milton Bradley led in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage; Josh Hamilton in home runs, runs batted in and total bases; and Ian Kinsler in runs scored and hits, with Michael Young close behind.
The Rays are in first place in the A.L. East by a half-game over the Red Sox, who lead the wild-card chase. The Yankees, at 44-38, are five games behind the Red Sox, who rank second in the league to Texas in runs scored.
“I think we’re going to learn a lot about where we stand,” the Yankees’ Johnny Damon said. “We’ve had to deal with some horrible travel and a doubleheader, but hopefully we were able to rest some guys today and we’ll be ready to go. But we are facing some pretty decent teams here.”
Going 5 and 4 will not help the Yankees much over this stretch. They need to make a statement and win at least 6 of the 9 games. I know I may be asking for too much, but to gain ground this week the Yanks are going to need to do more than split series.
Here are the pitching matchups for this stretch:
Monday vs. Texas: Mike Mussina vs. Scott Feldman
Tuesday vs. Texas: Joba Chamberlain vs. Kevin Millwood
Wednesday vs. Texas: Sidney Ponson vs. Luis Mendoza
Thursday vs. Boston: Andy Pettitte vs. Jon Lester
Friday vs. Boston: Darrell Rasner vs. Josh Beckett
Saturday vs. Boston: Mike Mussina vs. Justin Masterson
Sunday vs. Boston: Joba Chamberlain vs. Tim Wakefield
Tuesday vs. Tampa: Sidney Ponson vs. Scott Kazmir
Wednesday vs. Tampa: Andy Pettitte vs. Edwin Jackson
The Yanks gotta sweep Texas, take at least two from the Sox, and take both games from the Rays. And it can be done.
ReplyDeleteGeeez gus and I thought I was asking for a lot. So you're talking about going 7-2 or even 8-1? Wow that would be great.
ReplyDeleteYou're damn right that's what I'm saying. And I'm also saying it can be done.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha, alright, from your keyboard to the baseball gods ears.
ReplyDelete