Some Decisions Made, Some Not

According to Bryan Hoch, Joe Girardi confirmed today that Johnny Damon will start game three in left, so no Matsui in the field. Didn't think that would happen anyway. Though as Hoch said "Girardi made it sound a lot like he is considering telling Matsui to dust off his glove as a potential defensive replacement on a double-switch or in an emergency." Girardi also had this quote:

"I'm going to look at some things today, watch a little bit, see how he moves around and see if we think that it's physically possible for him to do it," Girardi said. "It's something that we have to look at, and if we can't do it, we'll use him in a role to pinch hit when we feel that he can be most valuable to us. It might be a situation where you might think about a double switch at high time, but you don't want to lose his bat. As productive as he's been for us this year, you don't want to lose his bat."

You also don't want to give up a double on what should be a routine out, especially late in a game. It's not an easy decision for Girardi to make.

One thing that's still up in the air is games three's right fielder. That will either be Nick Swisher, Jerry Hairston, or Eric Hinske. The favorite would seem to be Swisher.

Joe Girardi also has not yet decided who will start game four, but he did tell the large lefty to prepare as if he was going to start. The Yankees could also go with Chad Gaudin.

Also in the pitching department, A.J. Burnett apparently loves the idea of pitching on short-rest in game five. And why not? In his career Burnett is 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA in four starts on three-days rest.