The Series Ahead: Yankees vs. Indians

Yankees vs. Indians

Yankee Stadium
(4 Game Series)

The Yankees recovered from a rough stretch by taking 2 out of 3 from the Minnesota Twins. Now they are looking to build on that success as they head back home to face the mediocre Cleveland Indians. However there are things this team needs to take care of before we can declare them back on track. Their offense is still struggling, they cannot hit with men on base, the middle relief continues to extend leads for opponents, and while Teixeira seems to be coming out of his slump it is now Alex Rodriguez who looks lost at the plate. However maybe the return of Curtis Granderson and the return back to the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium will give this club a much needed boost.

The Cleveland Indians have come a long way since losing in the 2007 ALCS. In fact after trading away CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, and Victor Martinez you would think they have a solid young core to build on. However this is not the case. To put it this way the Indians are just bad. They come into this series with the Yankees having won just 2 of their last 10 games. With star Grady Sizemore failing to perform and stay healthy and a pitching staff that resembles a AAA rotation it's easy to see why the Indians have struggled this season. They do have some bright spots though Shin-Soo Choo has played well and Fausto Carmona seems to be regaining his form.

The Yankees head back home to the Bronx where they play extremely well, and after playing in two large ball parks (Citi Field, Target Field) it may be a big confidence boost to head back to homer friendly Yankee Stadium. While this series may be a spring board for the Yankees, they must handle their business against the bad teams because this could easily end up being a series the Yankees regret toward the end of the season. With the bats not going well it is imperative the Yankees start hitting with men on base. As well very important that the starters go deep into the games or the middle relief needs to stabilize. The Indians provide a great opportunity to help this club get hot, but the Yankees can't let up and play easy just because they know the opposition is weak.

The return of All-Star Center Fielder Curtis Granderson should provide a much needed boost to this ball club. While inserting him back into the lineup you not only lengthen the lineup, but you shore up the outfield defense that has made some critical errors in his absence.

Matchups

Game 1: Tonight @ 7:05 p.m. | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS
RHP Phil Hughes (5-1, 2.72) vs. RHP Fausto Carmona (4-2, 3.45)

Game 2: Saturday @ 1:05 p.m. | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS
LHP CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.86) vs. LHP David Huff (2-6, 5.25)

Game 3: Sunday @ 1:05 p.m. | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS
RHP AJ Burnett (5-2, 3.55) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (0-5, 6.13)

Game 4: Monday @ 1:05 p.m. | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS
LHP Andy Pettitte (6-1, 2.62) vs. RHP Mitch Talbot (6-3, 3.73)

Three Questions

• Can the Yankees start hitting with men on base?
  
• What direction are Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez heading?
  
• How careful will Girardi be with Granderson who says he is about 90%

Injury Report

YANKEES:
- C Jorge Posada was placed on the 15-day DL with a hairline fracture in his foot. He will be out 3-4 weeks.
- CF Curtis Granderson is on the 15-day DL with a grade 2 strain of his left groin and is expected to return tonight.
- DH/1B Nick Johnson is on the 60-day DL with an inflamed tendon in the wrist. Had Surgery on Tuesday out until Late July.
- RHP Alfredo Aceves is on the 15-day DL with lower back discomfort. May be lost for the season depending on the results of some more testing.

Indians:
- SS Asdrubal Cabrera is on the 60-day DL with a fractured left forearm
-1B Andy Marte is on the 15-day DL with a non baseball medical issue
- RHP Anthony Reyes is on the 60-day DL with right elbow inflammation
- CF Grady Sizemore is on the 15-day DL with a deep bone bruise in his left knee

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