Looks Like Jeter Back Tonight

That was a huge win last night and might just be enough to get me to start posting again. I've been extremely busy, and to be honest, this team just hasn't held my interest. However, they're in this race and this last month should be a lot of fun. Also, The Captain should be back in uniform tonight in Toronto. Here's the story from Wallace Matthews:

Jeter left the ballpark in without speaking to reporters after going 1-for-3 in a game for AAA Scranton Saturday night, and Girardi said he had not spoken to his 39-year-old captain. But from the admittedly sketchy reports he has gotten, Girardi said the plan is for Jeter to be in the starting lineup tomorrow night at the Rogers Centre.

"He’s played three days in a row and from everything I understand he felt pretty good,'' Girardi said.

Asked if he would be "apprehensive'' about how to use Jeter, who has been on the DL three times and has played just 5 games for the Yankees this season, Girardi said, "I don’t know if we can afford to be apprehensive is the thing.''

If you want to see Jeter back in action when the Yankees return home to face the Orioles this weekend you can get your New York Yankees tickets directly from the official Yankees ticket exchange. Currently, tickets can be had for as low as $15 for Friday's game, $13 for Saturday's game, and $13 for Sunday's game.

Previewing Yankees vs Red Sox Tickets

The Red Sox have had their way with the Yankees this year, winning 6 of 9 games. Hopefully, that comes to and end when the Yankees go into Fenway for this weekend's three game series. The Yankees trail Boston by 8.5 games in the Division and 5.5 games out of the wild card. Safe to say, this is make or break time for this year's Yankees. That said, they have played better lately, winning 5 of 7 and 4 of their last 5 so maybe this is the start of something.

Here is a break down of ticket prices for this weekend's series, as well as an image breaking down the remaining 10 games between the two rivals.

• 8/16 - Avg Price: $178 | Get-in: $30
• 8/17 - Avg Price: $239 | Get-in: $70
• 8/18 - Avg Price: $152 | Get-in: $35

This week's series in Boston is currently averaging $176 for the three games, which is 64% above the $107 average price for Red Sox tickets at home this season. Prices are also 68% above the average for Yankees tickets for the series in the Bronx in early September.

Click to enlarge

Report: Selig Prepared To Ban A-Rod For Life Today or Tomorrow

From Bob Nightengale:

Commissioner Bud Selig is prepared to levy a lifetime suspension on New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, while suspending about eight others before the weekend, two people with knowledge of the negotiations told USA TODAY Sports.

The people were unauthorized to speak publicly because no announcement is expected until Thursday or Friday.

"I hope he does it,'' former Commissioner Fay Vincent told USA TODAY Sports. "It's right for baseball. The harder he comes down, the better it is for baseball.''

Rodriguez, according to his attorney, David Cornwell, will appeal any suspension, regardless of the severity. The other players are expected to receive 50-game bans, and most are considering accepting the discipline without appealing, according to one of the people.

As many as 20 players were originally linked to Biogenesis, a Miami clinic that allegedly provided performance-enhancing drugs, but some players could not be disciplined for lack of evidence.

Besides Rodriguez, All-Stars Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers and Jhonny Peralta of the Detroit Tigers are facing possible suspensions, along with shortstop Everth Cabrera of the San Diego Padres.

...

In banning Rodriguez for life Selig could invoke Article XII (B) of the CBA, which states:

"Players may be disciplined for just cause for conduct that is materially detrimental or materially prejudicial to the best interests of baseball, including, but not limited to, engaging in conduct in violation of federal, state or local law.''

MLB will contend that, in addition to lying about performance-enhancing drug use, Rodriguez lied to MLB officials while attempting to sabotage their investigation, according to one of the people.

When asked if MLB is planning to impose a lifetime ban on Rodriguez, union executive director Michael Weiner said in an email: "I can neither confirm nor deny.''

This could all go down as soon as today so stay tuned.

What are you hoping happens? Do you want to see A-Rod in pinstripes ever again?