Yankees - Twins Series Preview

Yankees - Twins
@ The Metrodome
(3 games)

After being swept by the Angels the stumbling Yankees head to Minnesota to take on the Twins in a three game series at the Metrodome. The last time these two teams met was two weeks ago at Yankee Stadium, with the Yanks winning all three games. It may take that kind of effort to keep the Yankees in the race.

As of now the Yankees trail the Rays by 8.5 games in the AL East, and the Red Sox by 4 games in the Wild Card. They also are 2.5 games behind the Twins for second place in the Wild Card. They have really struggled since winning the first 8 games after the break. Since the streak ended the Yankees have lost 10 of their last 15 games.

The Twins, on the other hand, have won 10 of their last 15, and are now in second place in the AL Central, .5 behind the White Sox, and 1.5 games behind the Red Sox in the Wild Card.

As I mentioned before the Yankees may need a sweep here, and two out of three is a must. It's time for the Yankees to turn this around or start looking forward to 2009.

MATCHUPS

Game 1 - Today @ 8:10 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
Sidney Ponson RHP (7-2, 4.23) vs. Glen Perkins LHP (8-3, 4.38)

Game 2 - Tomorrow @ 8:10 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
Mike Mussina RHP (15-7, 3.27) vs. Nick Blackburn RHP (9-6, 3.60)

Game 3 - Wednesday @ 1:10 p.m.
TV: YES; Radio: WCBS 880
TBA vs. Kevin Slowey RHP (8-8, 4.07)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Yankees - Alex Rodriguez: After struggling in Texas, going 0-for-the series, he started to hit in Anaheim going 4-for-9, with 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, and 3 BB in the three games against the Angels.

Rodriguez has also killed the Twins this season, and in his career. This year he's hitting .464 with 2 HR, 11 RBI and a 1.389 OPS. In his career he's a .336 hitter against the Twins, with 40 HR, 103 RBI, and a 1.077 OPS. And in The Metrodome he's even better in his career, hitting .379 with 20 HR, 51 RBI and a 1.195 OPS.

Rodriguez vs. Perkins: 3-for-6, 2 2B, 4 RBI
Rodriguez vs. Blackburn: 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
Rodriguez vs. Slowey: 2-for-3, 2B

Twins - Justin Morneau: Like the series in the Bronx, Morneau is the Twin to watching this series. After all, he is their most dangerous hitter, and leads the team in most offensive categories. So far this season he's hitting .308, 18 HR, 91 RBI and an OPS of .899. Against the Yanks he's a .278 hitter, with 5 homers, 19 RBI, and an OPS of .843.

Morneau vs. Ponson: .188 (3-for-16), 2 BB, 2 RBI, .451 OPS
Morneau vs. Mussina: .294 (5-for-17), BB, RBI, .745 OPS

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.

Twins:
- Pat Neshek is on the 60-day DL with a torn ligament in his right elbow. He was expected to miss the year, but has begun a throwing program and there is a chance he could return this year.
- Michael Cuddyer is on the 15-day DL with a broken metatarsal bone in his left foot. He could be out 4 to 6 weeks.
- Alexi Casilla is on the 15-day DL with a torn tendon in his right thumb. He could return as early as August 21st.
- Matt Tolbert is on the 15-day DL with a torn ligament in his left thumb.