Yanks vs. Reds Series Preview

Yankees - Reds
@ Yankee Stadium
(3 games)

For the first time since the 1976 World Series the Cincinnati Reds will visit Yankee Stadium. But this Reds team is not exactly the same "Big Red Machine" that walked into The Stadium 32 years ago. The Reds currently are in last place in the NL Central with a 33 and 41 record, 12.5 games behind the first place Cubs. The enter the series losers of 5 in a row and 9 of their last 12.

The last time these two met was in 2003 in Cincinnati, with the Reds taking two of three. This will also be the first time Ken Griffey Jr. returns to the Bronx since being traded to the Reds. I don't think I'm alone, when I say I was very happy to see him leave the AL.

The Yankees continue to beat up on the National League and come into this series on a season-high 7 game winning streak. They are currently 40-33, 5 games behind first place Boston, and 3.5 games behind Tampa in the Wild Card race. The Yanks have won 12 of 15 and since they were at a season low 5 games under .500 at 20-25 the Yanks are 20 and 8.

MATCHUPS

Game 1 - Tonight @ 7:05 p.m.
TV: MY9, Radio: WCBS 880
Mike Mussina RHP (10-4, 3.87) vs. Edinson Volquez RHP (9-2, 1.64)

Game 2 - Tomorrow @ 1:05 p.m.
TV: YES, Radio: WCBS 880
Dan Giese RHP (1-1, 1.23) vs. Daryl Thompson RHP (debut)

Game 3 - Sunday @ 1:05 p.m.
TV: YES, Radio: WCBS 880
Andy Pettitte LHP (7-5, 4.29) vs. Johnny Cueto RHP (5-7, 5.19)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Yankees - Alex Rodriguez: Just like last series against the Padres, this series Yankee to watch is the reigning MVP. Since coming off the DL on May 20th Rodriguez is hitting .377 with 10 HR, 30 RBI, and an OPS of 1.214. He's also stolen 7 bases, and played great defense at 3rd base during that time.

For the season A-Rod is hitting a league leading .335 with 14 HR, 41 RBI and an OPS of 1.044.

In three games against the Reds in his career he's hitting .091 (1-for-11), and he's never faced any of the Reds' starters.

Rodriguez vs. Volquez: NR
Rodriguez vs. Thompson: NR
Rodriguez vs. Cueto: NR

Reds - Adam Dunn: Dunn leads the Reds in HR (18), RBI (43) and strikeouts (72). He doesn't hit for average, but he can obviously hit a ball a long way, and will take his walks. He's batting just .228 this season, but his OBP is an impressive .396.

Dunn has only faced the Yankees three times in his career, and he, like A-Rod, is hitting .091 going 1-for-11.

Dunn vs. Mussina: 1-for-3
Dunn vs. Giese: NR
Dunn vs. Pettitte: .286 (6-for-21), 2 RBI, 7 K, .899 OPS

INJURY REPORT

Yankees:
- Chien-Ming Wang is out till at least September with a mid-foot tearing of the Lisfranc ligament and a partial tear of the peroneal longus tendon.
- Ian Kennedy is on the 15-day DL with with a strained right lat muscle and bursitis under the right shoulder blade.
- Phil Hughes is out until at least August with a stress fracture of the rib.
- Brian Bruney is out with an injured foot, but could return after the All Star Game.
- Jonathan Albaladejo is out for the year with a stress fracture in his right elbow.
- Chris Britton is on the 15-day DL with a pulled right ribcage.
- Hideki Matsui is day-to-day with an inflamed left knee.

Reds:
- Ken Griffey Jr. is day-to-day with an illness.
- Norris Hopper is on the 15-day DL with an elbow injury.
- Jerry Hairston Jr. is on the 15-day DL with a broken thumb.
- Jeff Keppinger is out 4-6 weeks with a fractured left kneecap. (Thanks Derek)