Yankees - Angels Series Preview

Yankees - Angels
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
(3 games)

After stumbling out of the gate on this 10 game road trip by losing the first two games to the Rangers, the Yankees rebounded by taking the final two, and now head to Anaheim to take on the Angles for the second time in a week. This time for three games.

The Yanks are currently 63-52, 5.5 games behind the first place Rays, and 3 games behind the Red Sox in the Wild Card. They're 13-7 since the All Star break, but only 5-7 since their 8 game winning streak.

The Angels are 71-43, and 12 games ahead of the second place Rangers in the AL West. Since the break they're 14-5, with two of those losses coming at the hands of the Yankees last weekend in the Bronx.

I never like it when the Yanks have to play the Angels, but I like it even less when the pitching matchups look like they do for this series. Things could get ugly. But then again, it's baseball so you never know.

MATCHUPS

Game 1 - Today @ 10:05 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
Ian Kennedy RHP (0-3, 7.41) vs. Jered Weaver RHP (9-9, 4.37)

Game 2 - Tomorrow @ 3:55 p.m.
TV: FOX; Radio: WCBS 880
Dan Giese RHP (1-3, 2.51) vs. John Lackey RHP (9-2, 3.10)

Game 3 - Sunday @ 3:35 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
Andy Pettitte LHP (12-9, 4.34) vs. Joe Saunders LHP (14-5, 3.03)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Yankees - Jason Giambi: For the season the Giambino is hitting .255 with 22 HR, 65 RBI, and a .910 OPS. He struggled during the month of July but since shaving the 'stache last Sunday Giambi is 4-for-9, with 2 HR, 3 RBI, and 3 BB.

In his career against the Angels he's hitting .275 with 27 HR, 73 RBI, and an OPS of .941. And in Anaheim he's hitting .256 with 15 HR, 40 RBI, and an OPS of .928.

Giambi vs. Weaver: 3-for-6, 2 BB
Giambi vs. Lackey: .375 (12-for-32) 2 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 1.099 OPS
Giambi vs. Saunders: 1-for-3, RBI

Angels - Chone Figgins: Whether he's slapping a single through a hole or stealing a base the speedster always seems to give the Yankees fits, and so far this season it's been no different. In four games he's 8-for-17 (.471) against the Yankees.

For his career against the Yanks, he's hitting .331 with 7 2B, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 16 BB, 11 SB, and an OPS of .812.

Figgins vs. Kennedy: NR
Figgins vs Giese: 0-for-1
Figgins vs. Pettitte: .571 (4-for-7), 2 RBI

INJURY REPORT

Yankees:
- Joba Chamberlain has rotator cuff tendinitis, and is on the 15-day DL. He will be re-evaluated in a week.
- Chien-Ming Wang is out until late September- early October with a mid-foot tearing of the Lisfranc ligament and a partial tear of the peroneal longus tendon. It looks more and more likely that he is done for the year.
- Phil Hughes is off the DL and making rehab starts in the minors. He started last night for AAA Scranton and pitched will. Next time he pitches he will be on a 85 pitch count. He may be two weeks away.
- Jonathan Albaladejo is out for the year with a stress fracture in his right elbow.
- Hideki Matsui is on the 15-day DL with an inflamed left knee. He is trying to get back in two weeks, and right now he is in Tampa rehabbing his knee.
- Jorge Posada is out for the remainder of the season after having shoulder surgery.

Angels:
- Kevlim Escobar is on the 60-day DL with a torn right labrum. He's likely done for the year.
- Maicer Izturis is day-to-day with an injured thumb.
- Mike Napoli is on the 15-day DL with right shoulder inflammation.