The Yankees wrap up this nine-game turned eight-game thanks to a rainout homestand this afternoon with a rubber game against the Rays, a game that will determine if the Bombers go 3-5 or 4-4 on the homestand. One looks much better than the other, doesn’t it? The Yankees will fly out to the West Coast following this afternoon’s series finale with Tampa and I’m sure the long flight will be much more comfortable on the heels of two straight wins.
The key bullpen arms were able to get a rest yesterday but that doesn’t lessen the importance of this start for CC Sabathia. He is the team’s second best starter almost by default now, and with both David Phelps and Vidal Nuno scheduled to start against the high-powered Angels these next few days, giving the relievers some more rest is more of a necessity than a luxury. Obviously the offense could make life easy by scoring some runs. Hopefully yesterday’s nine-run breakout was a sign of things to come. Here is the Rays lineup and here is the Yankees lineup:
- CF Jacoby Ellsbury
- SS Derek Jeter
- RF Carlos Beltran
- 1B Mark Teixeira
- DH Alfonso Soriano
- 3B Kelly Johnson
- 2B Yangervis Solarte
- LF Brett Gardner
- C John Ryan Murphy
LHP CC Sabathia
It was overcast when I went to get breakfast this morning but the sun has crept out and the sky is blue now. There is a small chance of showers later this afternoon but it doesn’t appear to be anything that will cause a delay or postponement. Just a bit of a drizzle. First pitch is scheduled for a little after 1pm ET and you can watch on YES locally or MLB Network nationally, depending on where you live. Enjoy the game.
Brendan Ryan Update: Joe Girardi told Dan Barbarisi that Ryan (back) could join the team very soon, perhaps tomorrow. The Yankees get their 25th roster spot back when Michael Pineda’s suspension expires on Tuesday, so I’m guessing Ryan will travel with the team to Anaheim, rest Monday, and be activated Tuesday. We’ll see.
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