Thames Shouldn't Start Tonight (Update: Gardner Gets The Start)

UPDATE 8:00 p.m.: Gardner is in the lineup tonight. Good job, Joe.

There was a report today from Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com, where he says that Marcus Thames should get a lot of playing time this road trip.

As the part of the left-field platoon that faces left-handed pitching, Marcus Thames has picked up just 10 at-bats so far this year. He's acquitted himself well in that limited time, picking up five hits. But it's been Brett Gardner who's gotten most of the time, with 30 ABs.

Things should be a little more equitable during the Yankees' six-game swing out west. Two of the three games in Oakland will feature lefty starters for the A's, Gonzalez and Dallas Braden. He'll get one more start in Los Angeles against the Angels.

Well, tonight shouldn't be one of those nights.

We know Joe Girardi loves to look at splits, so here's a couple for him:

• Marcus Thames vs. Gio Gonzalez: 1-for-6, BB, 2 K
• Brett Gardner vs. Gio Gonzalez: 1-for-2, 3B, RBI, BB

Obviously these are minuscule sample sizes, but I still don't think Thames should start tonight. Let Gardner take the success he's had in a few ABs against Gonzalez and see if that can lead to more tonight. Also, according to Marc Carig, Gardner said he's seen a lot of Gonzalez in the minors.

Besides the obvious loss in the field with Gardner out of the lineup, sitting him out against a lefty that he has done well against can't help his confidence. And for the hundredth time, the Yankees will never find out if Garnder can play everyday if they don't give him a chance.

(Now watch Thames go 3-for-4 with a homer a double and three RBI tonight.)