Going Shopping...

Well Black Friday always marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, and it usually marks the beginning of the Baseball Offseason as well. Let's get caught up on what's going on.

Derek Jeter
Well, these negotiations have pretty much turned "messy" as Hal Steinbrenner forewarned. Word around town today is that he wants $150 million (cue Dr. Evil pose). That's much much more money than Jeter (or anyone else for that matter) is worth at this point. The Yankees have drawn the line in the sand with $45 million for 3 years. I don't understand why they don't sign a reasonable player contract and then do one of those personal services contracts for when he retires. I think, no matter what, Jeter's probably going to be laughing all the way to the bank.












Mariano Rivera
There had been talk about Rivera pulling an Andy Pettitte and going year to year, but now he apparently wants a 2-year deal. I don't see why the Yankees don't sign him to that contract right now. The second year is probably tied to the chance to pass Trevor Hoffman on the All-Time Saves list. This deal will probably get down soon, and with hopefully less drama than Jeter's deal.





Cliff Lee
And now we move on to the biggest non-Yankee target the coveted left hander Lee. There are conflicting reports on whether an official offer has actually been made, but Cash Money (Brian Cashman, not the rap label) went down to Arkansas to visit with him and his family. It's probably more a matter of years at this point, because Lee's going to want about 7, but he's 32 so he's probably going to have to settle for less.







So that's it for now. But as more news develops, we'll keep you updated.

SEE YA!

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2 up

There were some doubts about Andy Pettitte coming into tonight. Mostly concerning him coming off the recent injury and just how deep he could go into the game. He answered all those questions without a doubt with 7 innings of 2 run ball. Lance Berkman came up big with a homer and a RBI double, and Mo was Mo.

Now the Yankees have a day off tomorrow before Hughes takes the mound for Game 3 in the Bronx. We'll get to have John being torn between wanting the Yankees to win and clinch the series, or lose so he can use his Game 4 tickets. It's situations like that where your moral fiber is really tested.

SEE YA!

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It's Playoff Time

After a horrible September that showed pretty much every single weakness the Yanks have (poor starting pitching, inability to get runners in from 3rd with less than 2 out, catn't stop base stealers etc. etc. etc.). But, as they say, it's a clean slate.

Here's the pitching matchups for Series via LoHud Yankees Blog

GAME 1
Tonight, Target Field
LHP CC Sabathia (21-7, 3.18)
vs.
LHP Francisco Liriano (14-10, 3.62)
8:37 p.m., TBS

GAME 2
Thursday, Target Field
LHP Andy Pettitte (11-3, 3.28)
vs.
RHP Carl Pavano (17-11, 3.75)
6:07 p.m., TBS

GAME 3

Saturday, Yankee Stadium
RHP Phil Hughes (18-8, 4.19)
vs.
LHP Brian Duensing (10-3, 2.62)
8:37 p.m., TBS

GAME 4

Sunday, Yankee Stadium
LHP CC Sabathia (21-7, 3.18)
vs.
RHP Nick Blackburn (10-12, 5.42)
8:07 p.m., TBS

GAME 5

Tuesday, Target Field
LHP Andy Pettitte (11-3, 3.28)
vs.
LHP Francisco Liriano (14-10, 3.62)
8:07 or 8:37 p.m., TBS

We'll get up a lineup post before the game.

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State of the Yankees (It's Not Good)

Last week the Yankees went on an eight-game winning streak which saw them extend their AL East lead on the Tampa Bay Rays to 2.5 games. Then, the Orioles came to town and took two of three. Then the Yankees traveled to face the Texas Rangers. The bullpen blew the game the first night. Mariano Rivera had one of his three meltdowns he has all year and blow the second game. And Cliff Lee was Cliff Lee and the next thing you know the Yankees are dealing with their first three-game sweep of the season, lost six of their last seven, and enter a three game series with the Tampa Bay Rays who are just 1/2 a game back. The Yanks would be on a seven game losing streak if not for Nick Swisher's walk-off home run on Wednesday.

The rest of the Yankees schedule is against all AL East teams. They have just three games against the Orioles, who are the only team under .500 (and have been playing good baseball since Buck Showalter took over). Over the last seven days the Yankees as a team are batting .236/.337/.303 with one home run and 16 RBI. On the pitching side the last seven days, they have a 4.66 ERA have allowed 44 hits in 46.1 innings, while allowing 25 runs and striking out 36.

Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher are battling through injuries. A-Rod still needs to sit out about once a week. The only consistent pitcher the Yankees have in their rotation is CC Sabathia. If Andy Pettitte returns at the end of the week he is probably only good for about 80 pitches.

The Yankees are staring at a very possible scenario where they back into the playoffs in the wild card spot. The seven games they have left with the Rays are going to be playoff games because knowing the Yankees, they'd rather have the division crown than the wild card. But if they cannpt capitalize on these games against the Rays, you have to wonder, just how far can this team go into the postseason?

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7th Heaven

The Yanks won again today to extend their winning streak to 7 games. More importantly, they take a 2 game lead on the Rays, pending the outcome of their game against Baltimore.

The most amazing thing is that Yankees are playing good baseball despite all the maneuvering that's been going on with the team. A-Rod and Pettitte are still on the DL and Swisher's day-to-day. And don't forget the starting rotation is pretty much week-to-week.

Now it doesn't hurt that Mark Teixeira's been hitting .529 with 2 homers and 7 RBI's and Jorge Posada has a .412 average over the past week, but I'm still not completely sold on this team right now. I'll see how things go over the next 10 days leading up to the 4 game set in the Bronx between the Yanks and Rays before I set my confidence level.

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Offense finally wakes up as CC earns 16th win

Finally. After attending last night's game in the awful humidity and watching the Yankees offense look anemic against Max Scherzer the Yankees offense finally woke up tonight against Justin Verlander of all people.

After Sabathia led off the game surrendering a home run by Austin Jackson things looked bleak for the Bronx Bombers in the beginning. But Nick Swisher hit a two-run single in first to give the Yankees the lead and they never looked back.

Curtis Granderson hit a solo home run off his former team and has been hitting the ball much better since Kevin Long worked with him to make some changes with his swing. Granderson is going to be a key piece down the road for the Yanks so the more production out of him the better.

CC Sabathia had a solid outing going seven innings while striking out nine and allowing three runs.

Robinson Cano capitalized in the cleanup spot with his 22nd home run of the season.

So good things all around, right? Well, not so much.

First, the Rays won, so they're still tied in first and the Red Sox won too so they're not separating themselves from them.

Second, Andy Pettitte had an MRI today on his left groin and it revealed that there was still a strain so he won't be back untill September.

Finally, A-Rod had an MRI on his calf today andd it revealed a minor strain and he should remain day-to-day.

All we can do now is hope the Yankees offense is out of this funk and can keep them ahead of the Rays until Pettitte comes back.

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Hughes Hit Hard

It's been a tough few days for the Yanks starting rotation. First Burnett gets hit hard and hurts his hand on a clubhouse door. Then Andy Pettitte is out for about a month with a groin strain. And now Hughes gives up 6 runs in 5 innings in what is probably his worst outing of the season. I know the Yanks have been doing really well so far, but the Rays are only 2 games behind in the AL East. This race is going to get really tight in August and September if the Yankee pitching starts falling apart.

I'll be at the game tomorrow afternoon. And if I can get UberTwitter on my BlackBerry to work, I'll be tweeting @jgeant.

SEE YA!

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NL Gets World Series Home Field

Yeah yeah, I know this is late but I feel obligated to make a post on the All-Star Game. Yesterday the NL All Stars defeated the AL All Stars 3-1 behind Brian McCann's bases loaded double off Matt Thornton. Phil Hughes was charged with the loss while Matt Capps earned the win and Jonathan Broxton closed it out for the NL's first victory since 1996.

As for the Yankee All Stars, Robinson Cano had the AL's only RBI with a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Derek Jeter walked against Ubaldo Jimenez, struck out against Josh Johnson, and singled off Roy Halladay. Nick Swisher struck out against Adam Wainwright.

Andy Pettitte pitched a scoreless third inning, striking out two batters and inducing a groundout to Jeter who flipped to Cano for a force at second (very familiar).

Phil Hughes recorded one out and allowed two singles before being relieved by Thornton. Thornton could not get out of the jam and the runs he allowed were charged to Hughes, hence whyHughes picks up the loss.

Alex Rodriguez did not enter the game at all. Now, this seems to be the subject of debate today, and I found it a little surprising but here is what I think. First, it seemed Girardi wanted to give guys who were in their first All Star Game a chance to play, hence why Adrian Beltre, Ty Wigginton, and Nick Swisher got in the game ahead of A-Rod. Secondly, I think maybe he didn't want to use A-Rod unless necessary so he can give him full rest these four days. But with home-field advantage on the line, I think you need to find a way to get A-Rod an at bat late in the game.

Either way, the NL was due. I've been expecting them to win for the last five years. It's just the law of averages. The Yankees have won World Series titles without home field advantage before, I'm sure they can do it again if they get back there this year.

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Pettitte Named to All Star Team

Via Bryan Hoch's twitter, Joe Girardi has named Andy Pettitte to replace Clay Bucholz in the All-Star Game. I know Buchholz is injured, but it's kind of an awesome feeling to know a Yankee was named as his replacement.

Also,the first update of the final fan vote came out and Nick Swisher is in the lead for the AL while Joey Votto leads the NL. Which reminds us, Send Swish and keep voting!!!

Update: My bad, Joe Girardi did not make the selection, Andy Pettitte was next on the players ballot to get in. Girardi can still choose who to replace Sabathia since he will be pitching Sunday.

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What To Do About the All Star Game?

Ty Wigginton, Omar Infante, Jason Heyward, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Matt Capps, Fausto Carmona, Yadier Molina, Jose Reyes.

Joey Votto, Kevin Youkilis, Paul Konerko, Heath Bell, Matt Latos, Felix Hernandez, Jered Weaver, Andy Pettitte, Mike Pelfrey, Jamie Garcia, Miguel Olivo, Billy Wagner.

The difference between the two sets of names you see is that one group is on the All Star team and the others were left off. Obviously, regardless of how you select All-Stars, there will be some snubbed, but wow was it pathetic this year.

How in the world can you justify having Omar Infante on the team over first half NL MVP Joey Votto? And how can Ty Wigginton, who returned back to earth after a superb first six weeks, make the team over both Paul Konerko (who is tied for second in the AL with 20 HR) and Kevin Youkilis? (who leads the league in runs, is third in OBP, and also has 17 HR and a first half MVP candidate).

Then you have CC Sabathia and Fausto Carmona, who are both having good seasons, chosen over the likes of Andy Pettitte, Jered Weaver, and Felix Hernandez, who are all having great seasons.

The NL roster does not have a single pitcher from the San Diego Padres, who lead the majors in ERA. Meanwhile they have Matt Capps who has allowed 25 more hits this season than Billy Wagner, who was left off.

And even though this is a Yankees blog, we still recognize Alex Rodriguez has not had the greatest first half of a season and Youkilis and Konerko may be more deserving.

Due to injuries, the new rule where pitchers starting the Sunday before the All Star game cannot be eligible to pitch in the game, and the fans voting in the last roster spot, there will be some additions to each team. But in the meantime, if this game is going to "count," what can MLB do to fix it?

My first proposition is to eliminate the fan voting. I know many fans enjoy the voting even I like doing it, but it's become a joke over the last few years. The fans can't be dependable to put the best team on the field. Yadier Molina should not be the starting catcher over Brian McCann. Chase Utley has been injured and underperforming all year, and Jason Heyward's been hurt most of the season as well, and they are starting. Mark Teixeira was almost selected to the team and he's been a major disappointment this season. If it counts, then the fans shouldn't be voting, because it's just a popularity contest with the fans.

I also think they should eliminate the rule that every team needs to be represented. A lot of times this is the reason why players are snubbed. The Wigginton instead of Konerko/Youkilis is Evidence A. And maybe you can make a case Matt Latos or Heath Bell could be represented over the Pirates' Evan Meek (although he's having an excellent season as well). Basically, many players' hard work is not being recognized because they have to take someone else just to represent each team.

By fixing these two things, I think it is the right step in the direction of fixing the All Star Game. The game is meant to have the best players in the league playing against each other for home-field advantage in the World Series, and if the best players aren't out there, then it loses some of its integrity.

But hey, at least they didn't select Stephen Strasburg, who only has six starts in the majors. Imagine how much more ticked off Mike Pelfrey, Jamie Garcia, Mat Latos, Heath Bell, Billy Wagner, and Clayton Kershaw would be?

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All-Star Team Announced

MLB announced the selection of the AL and NL All Star teams this afternoon. Six Yankees were selected, including Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano as starters. The first time a Yankee double play duo have started an All Star Game since Willie Randolph and Bucky Dent in 1981.

The rest of the Yankees include:
Alex Rodriguez
Mariano Rivera
CC Sabathia
Phil Hughes

Nick Swisher can get in with the final vote in ballot. WE WILL NOT LET YOUKILIS WIN THIS!

But the real news is that Andy Pettitte is missing from this list. Pettitte is having one of the best seasons of his career and it is shocking that he was not selected, especially when his manager and former teammate is picking the roster.

However, due to the new rules, a pitcher selected to the All Star Game that pitches on the Sunday before game cannot be eligible to pitch in the game. Sabathia will be pitching on that Sunday. The theory is that Andy Pettitte will be chosen as Sabathia's replacement since he cannot pitch in the game.

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Year of the Grand Slam?

I missed the game today, but here's a quick recap of what happened:

Brett Gardner hit a grand slam in the Yankees 11-run third inning offensive outburst to lead the Bronx Bombers to an 11-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Andy Pettitte earned his tenth win as he went six innings allowing three runs on five hits while striking out four.

Alex Rodriguez had an impressive day as well knocking in four runs.

And is it me, or is this the year of the grand slam? It was the eighth (yes EIGHTH!) grand slam of the season for the Yankees. While last year was the year of the walkoff, this year may just be the year of the grand slam.

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Game 61: Yankees vs Astros

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada DH
Francisco Cervelli C
Ramiro Pena 3B
Kevin Russo LF

LHP Andy Pettitte

Astros
Bourn CF
Keppinger 2B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Pence RF
Michaels DH
Feliz 3B
Manzella SS
Cash C

RHP Brett Myers

Seven Year Anniversary: So it didn't come to my attention until I went on River Ave Blues that today is the seven year anniversary of when the Houston Astros combined six pitchers to no-hit the Yankees. It was a very unusual no-hitter and the Yankees faced Octavio Dotel, Brad Lidge, and Billy Wagner the final three innings. No easy task. Anyway it's the first time the Astros are back in town since then.
Lowly Stros: The Astros are bad. Maybe not as bad as the Orioles, then again the Orioles are playing in the toughest division in baseball. However, the Astros have won eight of ten but they are running into former 'Stro and vintage Andy Pettitte.
All-Star Starter?: Andy Pettitte has put together one helluva a start to the season. Especially coming from a guy who is known as a second-half pitcher. Pettitte is 7-1 with a 2.47 ERA and isn't exactly facing Murderer's Row today.
Cano Cleaning Up: Robinson Cano is batting cleanup for the second time this season. The first time he went 3-for-4 with a grand slam. Let's see what today brings.

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Will Yankees Go After Lee?

Today in the NY Post, Joel Sherman writes about the possibility of the Yankees making a move for Cliff Lee by the July 31 trade deadline. Sherman writes that it will be difficult because the Mariners will ask for Austin Romine or Jesus Montero. But Sherman throws in his own idea, which is trading Javier Vazquez to an NL team to get the prospects needed to make a trade work. Now, this is reminding me a little bit like the Roy Halladay situation last year because the Yankees don't need Lee...at least not this year. People will talk about the Yankees being involved but in the end, it won't happen. And here's why:

• Brian Cashman won't trade Vazquez to make room for Lee. Vazquez is someone who Cashman put a lot of trust and confidence in, and it was a risky move bringing him back. Why would he jump ship with him in just half a season? Plus he is pitching like the Vazquez Cashman expected he was getting, so I doubt he makes any moves for him.


• The Yankees have a 3.84 team ERA, which is third best in the American League. Once again, they don't need Lee right now.


• Cashman won't part with his top prospects. We've seen it before with Santana, and as recently as last year with Halladay. Cashman won't part with his top prospects. The Mariners asked for Austin Jackson last year for Jarrod Washburn and Cashman wouldn't do it, so you have to imagine the asking price for Lee will be high as well.


• Lee is a free agent after this season. The Yankees have shown they are patient and have the money to sign the pieces they need. Vazquez may be gone next year and Pettitte may retire (although he looks like he can pitch for five more years) which will mean the Yankees will look for another starter (preferably a lefty to replace Pettitte) during the offseason.

Basically, it's pointless for the Yankees to trade for Cliff Lee right now. Their pitchers are doing fine (although I'd like to see Burnett pitch a little better and CC beat someone other than the Orioles) and they are 2 games behind the Rays for first place. This wasn't the first time the Post wrote about the Yankees and Cliff Lee, and if they can't find anything else better to write, it won't be the last. Just don't expect anything to happen during the season unless a significant injury occurs.

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Pettitte Pitching Like It's 1999

NYY 3 10 1

MIN 2 8 0



WP: Pettitte (6-1)
LP: Rauch (1-1)
S: Rivera (10)


Player of the Game: None other than Andrew Eugene Pettitte. Pettitte went deep into the game, going eight innings, allowing two runs, and striking out four. Would have liked to see him get the complete game, but Joe decided to go to Mo with a one-run lead.


Play of the Game: Nick Swisher's ninth inning, go-ahead BOMB. That ball was crushed and it couldn't have come at a better time.


Turning Point of the Game: Andy Pettitte getting Joe Mauer to ground into a double play in the bottom of the eighth. With the go-ahead run on third, Pettitte got out of a major jam by getting the reigning AL MVP to ground to short. Pettitte was pumped up and the Yankees took the lead soon after.

Notes:

• Kevin Russo continues to make the most out of his time up in the majors, with an RBI double in the fourth. Have to wonder if they keep him around when Granderson returns.
• Rivera looked shaky in the earlier game, but he got an easy 1-2-3 in the nightcap. But now is he unavailable for tomorrow? Have to watch the postgame on YES for that answer.
• Even though the Red Sox have been playing well lately, it has actually helped the Yankees by beating the Rays, and now they are just only 4.5 games back of them.

Tomorrow

Yankees at Twins 7:10 p.m. ET

Vazquez vs Blackburn

See Ya!

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Post-Game/Pre-Game

An unusual day today in Yankeeland. Last night's game was suspended due to rain after five innings and was continued earlier today before this evenings game. In the suspended game, Derek Jeter hit a solo home run to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead. That's the only run scored all game and secured the Yankees victory. Only other thing worth noting is that Mariano Rivera was wild today. I think I counted eight of his 14 pitches were balls. Not a very Mo-like ratio. Anyway here's the lineups for the evening game.

Yankees
Jeter SS
Swisher RF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Thames DH
Cervelli C
Russo LF
Gardner CF

LHP Andy Pettitte

Twins
Span CF
Hudson 2B
Mauer DH
Morneau 1B
Cuddyer RF
Young LF
Hardy SS
Harris 3B
Butera C

LHP Francisco Liriano

Lefites Dueling: Andy Pettitte and Francisco Liriano are both having solid seasons and the lefties squeare off against each other today. They faced each other the last time the two teams met and Pettitte won that battle.
Gardner Sliding: Joe Girardi inserted Nick Swisher in the two-hole and moved Gardner back down into the ninth spot. It seemed as if Gardner's production had declined since moving into the two-hole.
Roster Moves: The Yankee signed Chad Gaudin and added him to the 25-man roster. To accomodate this move Boone Logan was optioned to AAA Scranton and Shane Lindsey was DFA'd.

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Home Cookin'

MIN 1 7 0
NYY 7 12 0

WP: Pettitte (5-0)
LP: Liriano (4-2)

Player of the Game: Hard to argue against Andy Pettitte for this one. After missing his last start due to elbow issues, he pitched 6.1 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits and striking out 2 against a very good lineup.

Play of the Game: The fan's catch on Jorge Posada's home run. Posada's home run was crushed to centerfield, hit the top of the wall that separates Monument Park and the Yankees bullpen, and the fan on top of the Mohegan Sun bar made a nice grab as the ball bounced up toward him. Oh, Brett Gardner's diving catch in the first was pretty good too.

Turning Point of the Game: Mark Teixeira's two-run home run that landed in the suites between the second and third deck. The monster shot gave the Yankees a 5-0 lead, and erased any hopes of a Twins comeback.

Notes:

• Nick Swisher was in the lineup but it appears he can only swing right-handed. When right-hander Jesse Crain came into the game, Swisher remained on the right side of the plate.
• Pettitte has not lost a game yet this season and has a 1.79 ERA.
• With today's win the Yankees are 12-2 at home and are once agains proving their dominance at Yankee Stadium.

Tomorrow

Yankees vs Twins 1:05 p.m. Yankee Stadium

Mitre vs Blackburn

See Ya!

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Yanks Struggling at Worst Time

The Yankees lost this afternoon, making 4 of their last 5 games losses. This isn't good, especially when the next few teams you have to face are the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, and the Twins again. There are two big concerns right now: offense and injuries.

First the injuries, there's really nothing you can do about them and it's how you overcome them. Over the last few weeks we've seen Jorge Posada get limited playing time, Andy Pettitte miss a start, Curtis Granderson and Nick Johnson go on the DL, and Alfredo Aceves sidelined. Even today it was announced Nick Swisher (who had been hitting the ball well) is day-to-day with tight biceps. These guys have been replaced by Francisco Cervelli (who's doing a good job), Sergio Mitre, Randy Winn/Marcus Thames, and Romulo Sanchez. The open DH spot has let guys like A-Rod DH and Ramiro Pena get in, thus weakening the lineup. These guys who are replacing the injured players are just not getting the job done, which means the healthy guys need to pick up the slack, which isn't happening either.

Derek Jeter is in a major slump right now. He was 0-for his last 16 at bats before he singled today. Still, he is 5-for-his last 47 or something like that (I've been listening to Francesa say that all day). Then you have A-Rod. Boy, oh boy, where did all that power go? Three home runs...really? That's it? A-Rod needs to get his power back for the offense to get going. Robinson Cano has slowed down from his hot start, and guys like Winn, Thames, Pena are just getting in more at bats than they should, and are being exposed.

So with injuries getting to the team and the healthy players and ones stepping in aren't getting the job done the offense has fallen apart.

But let's see some of the positives:

• The Yankees return home to play 7 games, in which they are 10-2 at this season.
• The Minnesota Twins are Pedro Martinez's brother. The Yankees absolutely own the Twins, and went 9-1, including the postseason, against them last year.
• They also haven't lost a series to the Red Sox since June of last year.
• Andy Pettitte should make his next start and Phil Hughes is Godly.

So if all goes well, and the Yankees go 5-2 on the homestand, and 3-3 on the road trip, they will be 30-17 heading into a softer part of the schedule...but of course that all depends on everything going right.

Tomorrow

Yankees vs Twins 7:05 p.m. Yankee Stadium

Burnett vs Liriano

See Ya!

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Game 28: Yankees at Red Sox

Lineups via Chad Jennings:

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Johnson DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Brett Gardner CF
Francisco Cervelli C
Randy Winn LF
RHP Phil Hughes

Red Sox
Marco Scutaro SS
Dustin Pedroia 2B
J.D. Drew RF
Kevin Youkilis 1B
David Ortiz DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Jeremy Hermida LF
Jason Varitek C
Darnell McDonald CF
RHP Josh Beckett

Back in Beantown: The Yankees took 2 of 3 from the Sox to open up the season and since the the teams have gone separate ways. The Red Sox have spent their time trying to keep their heads above .500 and hoping Big Pop Up heats up. Meanwhile the Yankees ahve won every series except a road trip to Anaheim and sit 1.5 games back of the first place Rays.
Phil Phenom: Phil Hughes enters the game second in the AL in ERA with a 1.44 ERA. He is coming off another strong start where he did not allow a run against the White Sox.
Minor League Call-Ups: CF Greg Golson was sent down to Scranton Wilkes Barre and pitcher Romulo Sanchez was called up to take Sergio Mitre's role in the bullpen. Mitre will be making a spot start for Andy Pettitte later in the week.
Who's Available?: Jorge Posada is still not in the lineup but he can be ready to pinch-hit. Mariano Rivera is available and expected to close tonight, if the situation calls for it.

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SI Cover Jinx Hurts Yanks

The May 3rd issue of Sports Illustrated featured the Core Four on the cover. Let's break down what's happened since.

-Mariano Rivera hasn't pitched since April 30 because of stiffness in his side.
-Jorge Posada is out until (probably) Friday with a cramp in his right calf.
-Andy Pettitte left his start today after 5 innings and 77 pitches with mild inflammation in his left elbow.

Watch out Derek!

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