Because it’s Friday…
April 25, 2008Jhonny on the spot
April 25, 2008In his preview of the Red Sox series, Rick mentioned his hatred for a team that knocked us out of the playoffs. That team then went on to beat the Tribe in both games. This time, we face a team that we knocked out of the playoffs in the New York Yankees.
About this time last season, the majority of the media was counting the Yanks out of the playoffs race all together. This time around, they’re doing a bit better out of the gate, boasting a record of 12-11. Regardless, let’s hope that the karma which Mr. Rick has layed before us continues through as the four-game slate begins tonight.
Tonight’s game is being broadcast on STO. However, with the three following games being shown on Fox, TBS and ESPN, there’s one thing that you can bet you’ll be seeing a lot of: Bugs. You got it… Joe Buck-led montages about bugs. I bet you’re already on the edge of your respective seats.
MLB.com is already paving the way. In regard to the infamous game in which Yanks reliever Joba Chamberlain was infiltrated by some flying pests:
The incident, of course, has only added to Chamberlain’s budding cult-hero status, which transcends die-hard baseball fans. Walking through an airport over the winter, Chamberlain was spotted by a passerby who pointed and exclaimed that he was “the bug guy.”
…”They’ve got a great lineup, a lot of good young talent down there,” Chamberlain said. “You’ve got to execute pitches … and try to avoid the bugs.”
Well isn’t this going to be fun. Heaven forbid any tales of the past focus on the bats and bullpen that actually won the series.
Per usual, the Yankees boast a solid slew of hitters. It’s always been the pitching that has been skeptical for these guys, so what we come across is anyone’s guess. The Tribe will face a few veterans that we’ve come to known and despise, as well as the young guns that are finally gracing the pinstripes.
The Tribe will be rolling off of a fresh three-game winning streak – unfortunately, the longest of the season. We’re now sitting at 10-12 and will need to take the series if we plan on getting to .500 any time soon. Let’s hope that things start of strong, as we have one heck of a match-up coming on Sunday to go along with two games featuring young guns of our own tossing their first innings of the season.
Probable Pitching Match-ups:
Friday: Paul Byrd RHP (0-2, 4.43 ERA) v Andy Pettite LHP (3-1, 2.45 ERA)
Saturday: Jeremy Sowers LHP (first start) v Ian Kennedy RHP (0-2, 9.64 ERA)
Sunday: C.C. Sabathia LHP (1-3, 10.13 ERA) v Chien-Ming Wang (4-0, 3.94 ERA)
Monday: Aaron Laffey LHP (first start) v Mike Mussina RHP (2-3, 4.94 ERA)
Probable Line-ups:
NYY: J. Damon, D. Jeter, B. Abreu, A. Rodriguez, H. Matsui, J. Posada, R. Cano, M. Cabrera, S. Duncan
CLE: G. Sizemore, A. Cabrera, V. Martinez, T. Hafner, R. Garko, J. Peralta, F. Gutierrez, J. Michaels, C. Blake
Who’s Hot? Not?
NYY: Hot – RP Joba Chamberlain has only given up three runs in 33+ innings since joining the Yankees last season. C Jorge Posada is fresh off of a 4-of-5 game this past Wednesday that featured two RBI. Not – 3B Alex Rodriguez, who has missed the last several games with a leg injury. 1B Jason Giambi, who has been experiencing pain in his right thumb, and 2B Robinson Cano continues a terrible start to the season, batting .159 through 23 games.
CLE: Hot – C Victor Martinez is enjoying one of his best starts ever, hitting .367 through 60 at-bats. After a grand slam home run a few nights ago, Casey Blake has a team-leading 18 RBI. The beneficiary of 13 walks, Ryan Garko boasts an on-base percentage of .380. Not – DH Travis Hafner is batting .226 through 84 ABs, striking out a team-high 22 times.
Key Injuries:
NYY: 3B Alex Rodriguez is slated to return tonight, five days after he suffered a strained quadriceps. RP Kyle Farnsworth is reportedly feeling pain in his throwing arm. RHP Brian Bruney was placed on the 15-day DL today, retroactive to April 23 with a foot injury.
CLE: P Brian (Jake, fixed) Westbrook will miss his start due to a strained intercostal muscle, being replaced by Sowers. He continues to sit on the 15-day DL. Joining him on the bench is closer Joe Borowski, also on the 15-day DL (triceps).
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8 Comments
Thanks Scott for doing the preview. By the way, this is of course your only chance to see the Yankees in Cleveland this year. Who in the world are we playing the rest of the year anyway?
I think we play the Tigers about 40 more times…
Oh, goody.
Man I hate New York. Two Giambi blasts and we’re down 3-1. Matt Underwood threw this gem out at the start of the game. The Indians have won only 2 regular season series against the Yankees in the last DECADE. I thought it just seemed like the Yanks always beat us, no it turns out they really do.
So it looks like my addition of Shelley Duncan instead of the supposedly injured Giambi worked out well…
Know I know why Brian Westbrook is always injured.
I think you mean Jake Westbrook, wait…and so do you Scott!
Ha. Perhaps I had a little football on the brain…