Series Preview: Yankees @ Angels

Yankees - Angels
@ Angels Stadium
(three games)

It's time for the Yankees to put their last nine games (4-5 against the Orioles, Jays, and Mariners) behind them and complete the task they've worked so hard over the last 5 1/2 months for; winning the division.

This week has the potential to be a disaster or the final nail in the Red Sox coffin. It all depends on how the Yankees play. First they head to Anaheim to take on the Angels in a three-game set at Angels Stadium, a place the Yanks have yet to win in this season. After that they head home for three games against the Red Sox, but we'll discuss that after in a few days.

Best case, obviously, is they go into Anaheim and make a statement with a sweep. However, I wouldn't bet on that happening. Winning this series, though, is very important, and that they can do. The last thing the Yankees want is to face Boston with just a three-game lead, and that's also very possible. While the Yankees play the Angels, a team we all know they struggle against, Boston will be facing KC and team they should at least take three of four from. The only game I see KC winning is the middle game when Zack Greinke faces Paul Byrd. So if the Yanks lose two of three and Boston takes their series the lead will be just 2.5.

The Yankees do have two of their top three pitchers going, with Andy Pettitte starting the opener, and A.J. Burnett in the finale. Chad Gaudin pitches the middle game, and at this point I'm not sure what to think about that. He's not considered good, but he sure has been since coming over to the Yanks - 4-1 with a 3.68 ERA. Pettitte's start is tremendously important, mainly to see how his shoulder holds up. The Angels counter with 13-game winner Joe Saunder, Ervin Santana, and Scott Kazmir.

The Yankees will make the postseason, that's been all but decided, but this week will tell the Yankees where the fit in the playoff picture. I think it's incredibly important that not only do they win the division, but also finish with the best record. This team is built for the new stadium and their record at home is all the proof you need of that being true.

And don't think for a second that the Angels aren't fired up for this series. They also want homefield and this is their chance to put a dent in the Yankees 5.5 game lead. Anaheim has won 4 of the 7 meetings between the two teams this year.

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Tonight @ 10:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES, WCBS
LHP Andy Pettitte (13-6, 4.14) vs. LHP Joe Saunders (13-7, 4.75)

Game 2: Tomorrow @ 10:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: My9, MLBN WCBS
Chad Gaudin (1-0 3.68) vs. RHP Ervin Santana (7-8, 5.43)

Game 3: Wednesday @ 3:35 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES, WCBS
RHP A.J. Burnett (11-9, 4.22) vs. LHP Scott Kazmir (9-8, 5.08)

Players to Watch

YANKEES: Alex Rodriguez - A-Rod has done very well in the four games he's played against the Angels this season hitting .333/.444/1.000 with 3 HR, a double, and 5 RBI. He's always killed the Angels, so this is nothing new. In 169 career games against the Halos, he's hitting .328/.407/.688 with 65 HR and 147 RBI. HIs numbers are even more impressive in Anaheim where he's hit .335/.404/.709 with 35 HR and 78 RBI in 86 games.

A-Rod's season has been one of the more underrated achievements in the game this year. After rushing back from hip surgery and struggling the first month back, he's been as good as ever. On the year he's hitting .282/.404/.509 with 25 HR and 85 RBI, but since June 24th he's hitting .321/.426/.542.

He's also been pretty clutch; in late & close situations he's hitting .327/.500/.782, and in high leverage situations he's at .301/.431/.656.

Rodriguez vs. Saunder: .500/.500/.750 (5-for-10) 2 doubles, a HR, and 3 RBI.
Rodriguez vs. Santana: .211/.286/.368 (4-for-19) HR, 5 RBI, 5 K's.
Rodriguez vs. Kazmir: .125/.300/.125 (3-for-24) with 6 BB and 7 K's.

ANGELS: Vladimir Guerrero - Vlad has only played in one of the games against the Yankees this year, but he sure did make his presence felt, going 3-for-4, with a homer. In 62 career games against the Yanks, Vlad is hitting .320/.374/.516 with 10 HR, 16 doubles, and 49 RBI.

Besides his successful career against Yankee pitching he's also be red-hot lately, hitting .341/.386/.512 with 2 HR and 5 RBI over his last 11 games.

Guerrero vs. Pettitte: .400/.429/.500 (8-for-20) 2 doubles, 5 K's.
Guerrero vs. Gaudin: .389/.421/.944 (7-for-18) with 3 HR, and 7 RBI.
Guerrero vs. Burnett: .214/.283/.452 (9-for-42) with 2 HR, 4 doubles, 3 RBI, and 11 K's.

Injury Report

YANKEES:
- David Robertson, RP: Is progressing in his recovery from a tight shoulder and should be back by the end of the month.
- 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.

ANGELS:
- Kelvim Escobar, SP: 60-Day DL with right shoulder tenderness.
- Dustin Moseley, SP: 60-Day DL with right elbow irritation.
- Scot Shields, RP: 60-Day DL after having left knee surgery - out for season.