Series Preview: Yankees vs. Orioles

Yankees - Orioles
@ Yankee Stadium
(three games)

The Yankees just keep on winning, now at 91-50, 41 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2004 season. They've won 12 of their last 14, 40 of 53 since the all-star break, 53 of 71 since Joe Girardi got thrown out of that game in Atlanta, and 78 of their last 113 since A-Rod returned. I know we've all seen these numbers over and over again, but I never get bored of them.

They enter this series with a commanding nine game lead over Boston in the division, and lead the Angels by six games for the best record in baseball. And their magic number to clinch the division is just 14. Besides that, they're the healthiest they've been all year, suffice it to say things are going extremely well in Yankeeland.

On the other hand it will be another last place finished for the O's who find themselves 56-83, 34 games behind the Yankees, and 6.5 games behind the fourth-place Blue Jays. Coming into this series they've lost 7 of their last 10, and since the all-star break they're 16-35 and have a team ERA of 5.27.

With the pitching matchups for the series this could be another sweep for the Bronx Bombers, who currently lead the season series over the O's 12-3. They've also won the last 10 meetings in a row between the two teams.

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Tonight @ 7:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES, WCBS
LHP Andy Pettitte (13-6, 4.10) vs. RHP Chris Tillman (1-3, 4.66)

Game 2: Tomorrow @ 1:05 p.m. | TV/Radio: YES, WCBS
RHP A.J. Burnett (11-8, 4.19) vs. LHP Brian Matusz (4-2. 5.26)

Game 3: Sunday @ 1:05 p.m. |TV/Radio: YES, WCBS
LHP CC Sabathia (16-7, 3.40) vs. RHP Jeremy Guthrie (10-13, 4.96)

Players to Watch

YANKEES: Derek Jeter - The Captain is just one hit away from standing alone as the Yankees all-time hit king. I'm guessing he'll get it in one of his first two at-bats in game one, whether it's played at its regularly scheduled time tonight, or rained out and played tomorrow. Either way, I don't think he's going to wait long to break the tie.

He hasn't done too well against the O's, hitting just .262/.375/.393 in 2009. For his career he's a .302/.378/.454 hitter against Baltimore.

Jeter is having one of his best overall seasons of his career, batting .330/.397/.470 with 17 HR, 62 RBI, and 25 stolen bases. And he's been red hot over the last month, hitting .398/.455/.576 with 5 HR and 15 RBI over the last 29 games.

Jeter vs. Tillman: NR
Jeter vs. Matusz: NR
Jeter vs. Guthrie: .250/.242/.250 (8-for-32) with an RBI

ORIOLES: Nick Markakis - The 25-year old right fielder is having another solid season for the O's. Coming into today he's hitting .305/.355/.473 with 16 HR and 91 RBI.

He's hammered Yankee pitching this year to the tune of .350/.369/.617 with 5 HR and 12 RBI over 15 games. In the Bronx this year he's hitting .308/.308/.654 with 3 HR and 5 RBI in 6 games.

His career numbers against the Yanks are also impressive, in 68 games he's hitting .318/.380/.498 with 10 HR and 38 RBI.

Markakis vs. Pettitte: .333/.333/.600 (10-for-30), 2 HR, 2 2B, 4 RBI
Markakis vs. Burnett: .344/.371/.406 (11-for-32), 2 2B, 3 RBI
Markakis vs. Sabathia: .143/.125/.143 (2-for-14), 3 RBI

Injury Report

YANKEES:
- David Robertson, RP: Will need 10-14 days rest because his shoulder has been tightening up. There is no structural damage and he should be back in time for the playoffs.
- 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.

ORIOLES:
- Adam Jones, CF: 15-Day DL with a severe left ankle sprain.
- Brad Bergesen, SP: 60-day DL with a left leg contusion.
- Rich Hill, SP: 60-day DL with left shoulder inflammation.
- Koji Uehara, SP: 15-day DL with right elbow tendinitis.
- Lou Montanez, LF: 60-day DL after having surgery on his right thumb - out 6-8 weeks.
- Alfredo Simon, RP: 60-day DL after having right elbow surgery - out for season.