Yankees vs. Blue JaysNew Yankee Stadium
(3 games)
Well I had a pretty damn good weekend, how about you?
After sweeping Boston in four games and extending their lead in the AL East to 6.5 games, the Yankees start a stretch of games that they could potentially help them drive that final nail into Boston's coffin.
That stretch begins tonight as the Yanks start a three-game set with the Blue Jays. Following the Jays series the Yanks head out west to take on the Mariners (4 games) and Athletics (3 games). If everything plays out like planned they will miss both Roy Halladay and Felix Hernandez, so if they can avoid the post-Sox let down there's no reason the Yanks should lose more than two or three games tops.
If they can do that, and build their lead up to 9 or 10 games with 41 left you can go ahead and start printing playoff tickets.
Do I sound confident? Well why the hell not? They've won seven straight game, 18 of 23 since the break, 31 of 41, and they're currently 69-42 which is the best record in baseball. Barring catastophic injuries this team looks like it could be special.
I'm still concerned about Joba's innings and the fifth starter situation, but if they add a few more games to their lead this week that won't even matter.
The Jays, well, honestly I don't have much to say about the Jays. They're 53-57, and in fourth place in the AL East. Since the all-star break they're 9-11 and the Yanks just swept a three-game series in Toronto last week. The Yankees have won 7 of the 9 games between the two teams this season.
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Tonight @ 7:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES, WCBS
RHP Sergio Mitre (1-0, 7.50) vs. LHP Marc Rzepczynski (1-3, 3.74)
Game 2: Tuesday @ 7:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: MY9, WCBS
RHP Joba Chamberlain (8-2, 3.73) vs. RHP Scott Richmond (6-6, 3.97)
Game 3: Wednesday @ 1:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES, WCBS
RHP A.J. Burnett (10-5, 3.67) vs. LHP Ricky Romero (10-5, 3.66)
RHP Sergio Mitre (1-0, 7.50) vs. LHP Marc Rzepczynski (1-3, 3.74)
Game 2: Tuesday @ 7:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: MY9, WCBS
RHP Joba Chamberlain (8-2, 3.73) vs. RHP Scott Richmond (6-6, 3.97)
Game 3: Wednesday @ 1:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES, WCBS
RHP A.J. Burnett (10-5, 3.67) vs. LHP Ricky Romero (10-5, 3.66)
Players to Watch
YANKEES: Mark Teixeira - The Yankees first baseman has had a fantastic first season in pinstripes. Hitting .286/.383/.563 with a league-leading 29 homers and 83 RBI, which is tied for second in the AL. This month he's hitting .353/.450/.706 with 3 HR and 8 RBI in 8 games.Between the big hits, huge numbers, and gold glove defense, the guy has to be one of the top candidates for AL MVP. It might be tough to beat out Minnesota's Joe Mauer and the year he's having, but Tex has my vote.
Tex has hit the Jays well in his career, hitting .305/.405/.674 with 18 HR and 52 RBI in 51 games. In 9 games this season he's hitting .270/.349/.432 against Toronto.
Teixeira vs. Rzepczynski: 0-for-3, RBI, K
Teixeira vs. Richmond: 2-for-2, 2B, RBI
Teixeira vs. Romero: 0-for-3, K
BLUE JAYS: Aaron Hill - While the season has been a disappointing one for the Blue Jays, second baseman Aaron Hill is having a breakout season. He's hitting .289/.329/.498 with a team-leading 26 homers and 77 RBI.
In 58 games against the Yankees Hill is hitting .283/.333/.401 with 3 homers and 23 RBI. His numbers in the Bronx are pretty similar; .282/.325/.409. This year he's been pretty quiet against the Yanks, as Yankee pitching has held him to a .184/.205/.342 hitting line.
Hill vs. Mitre: .167/.167/.167 (1-for-6), 3 K's
Hill vs. Chamberlain: .333/.333/.833 (2-for-6), HR, 3 RBI
Hill vs. Burnett: .286/.375/.714 (2-for-7), HR, RBI
Injury Report
YANKEES:
- Chien-Ming Wang, SP: 15-day DL is done for the year after arthriscopic surgery on his shoulder. He will likely be out for 12 months.
- Xavier Nady, RF: Done for year, season-ending Tommy John surgery. 10-12 months to recover.
- Damaso Marte, RP: 60-day DL with a sore shoulder.
- Brett Gardner, CF: 15-day DL with a broken bone in his hand. He will have his cast off this week and be re-evaluated.
BLUE JAYS:
- Scott Downs, RP: 15-day DL with a bruised toe on his left foot.
- Robert Ray, SP: 15-day DL with right shoulder soreness.
- Michael Barrett, C: 15-day DL with a muscle tear in his right shoulder.
- Jesse Litsch, SP: 15-day DL with a right forearm strain.
- Dustin McGowan, SP: 15-day DL as he recovers from right shoulder surgery.
- Shaun Marcum, SP/RP: 15-day DL as he recovers from right elbow surgery.
3 Comments:
Greg, The News actually reported yesterday that Marte was moved to the 60-day DL, but who really cares cause he sucks
Thanks Anon.
Let's keep this real. Yes, we're in a great position but let's not forget that little more than a week ago, we too were facing a four-game sweep, in Chicago. Things can change very quickly in baseball. Yes, I'm confident the Yanks are good enough to win the division. But, right now, we're on a high. I don't want to sound like a pessimist but there will be lows to come. We have two West-coast trips ahead of us; the Sox have none. We always have a much tougher run-in than they do. I think the hardest thing for the Yanks will be able to maintain this high level of play against teams like Toronto, starting tonight. It will be interesting to see how they respond with Mitre on the mound.
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