Yankees @ Jays Series Preview

Yankees - Blue Jays

@ Rogers Centre
(3 games)

Well the Yankees finally won a series, taking two of three from the last place Royals at The Stadium this weekend. Now, all they need to do is win every series for the rest of the season starting with a three-gamer against the Jays in Toronto. So far this season the Yankees lead the season series five games to four.

It's not going to be easy for the Yanks; the Jays have two of their best pitchers going this series, have won five of their last six, and have played much better since Cito Gaston took over as manager. They're currently 64-60, 12 games behind the first place Rays, and 7.5 games behind the Wild Card leading Red Sox. They're also just 2 games behind the Yankees for third place in the AL East.

The Yankees were able to pick up some ground on the Red Sox this weekend, and are 5.5 games out of the Wild Card. They are also 10 games back of the Rays in the division, a lead that is pretty much insurmountable. There are just 38 games left and there is no margin for error, so if the Yankees go up to Toronto and lose two of three or get swept they might as well take the rest of the season off.

MATCHUPS

Game 1 - Today @ 7:07 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
Darrell Rasner RHP (5-9, 5.18) vs. A.J. Burnett RHP (15-9, 4.67)

Game 2 - Tomorrow @ 7:07 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
Andy Pettitte LHP (12-9, 4.30) vs. David Purcey LHP (2-3, 5.93)

Game 3 - Thursday @ 7:07 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
Sidney Ponson RHP (7-3, 4.20) vs. Roy Halladay RHP (14-9, 2.64)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Yankees - Derek Jeter: Jeter has not had a normal Jeter type of year, but lately he has really turned it on and has gotten his average back up near the .300 mark. In August Jeter is hitting .393/.443/.459, and over the last four games he's hitting .632 (12-for-19).

In his career against the Jays Jeter is hitting .325/.398/.456 with 14 homers and 74 RBI. This year he has not had as much success against the Jays (.278/.316/.417), but with the way he's swinging the bat that might not matter.

Jeter vs. Burnett: .286 (6-for-21) HR, 2 RBI, .804 OPS
Jeter vs. Purcey: NR
Jeter vs. Halladay: .264 (19-for-72), 4 2B, 4 RBI, .694 OPS

Jays - Alex Rios: Rios is clearly the player on the Jays' roster that has given the Yankees the most problems, especially this season. In 9 games in 2008 Rios is hitting .381 against the Yanks. And in his career he's also done well against the Yanks, hitting .304 with 4 HR, 25 RBI.

This season he is leading the Jays with a .289 batting average, and 54 RBI. Yes, apparently those numbers are good enough to lead the Jays this season. In August Rios has been on fire, hitting .348/.394/.576, and over the last seven days he's hitting .423.

Rios vs. Rasner: NR
Rios vs. Pettitte: .308 (4-for-13)
Rios vs. Ponson: .444 (4-for-9)

INJURY REPORT

Yankees:
- Dan Giese is on the 15-day DL with rotator cuff tendinitis.
- Joba Chamberlain has rotator cuff tendinitis, and is on the 15-day DL. He has begun throwing and is working his way back, although the Yanks will continue to take it very slow with Joba.
- Chien-Ming Wang is out until at least 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 will make at least one more start with AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before returning to the Bronx.
- Jonathan Albaladejo is out for the year with a stress fracture in his right elbow.
- Carl Pavano is making rehab starts in the minors and could be back as soon as Saturday.
- Jorge Posada is out for the remainder of the season after having shoulder surgery.

Jays:
- Aaron Hill is on the 60-day DL with a mild concussion.
- Casey Jensen is out for the year with a torn right labrum.
- Dustin McGowan is out for the year after having surgery on his right shoulder.
- Jeremy Accardo is on the 15-day DL with tightness in his right forearm.
- Scott Rolen is on the 15-day DL with left shoulder soreness.
- Scott Downs is day-to-day with an ankle injury, but he could return today.