Zell's Pinstripe Blog

Yankees (3-0) vs. Angels (3-0)

Pitching Matchup:

RHP John Lackey, (1-0, 0.00)  vs  LHP CC Sabathia, (1-0, 1.37)

Lineup

Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF

Game News & Notes (Courtesy of the LoHud blog)

• The plan – weather permitting – seems to be for CC Sabathia to pitch three times in the series if it goes the distance, and he’s shown in the past that he can handle a heavy workload. The Angels, though, have given him trouble: he was 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA in two starts against them this year, and is 5-7, 4.72 in 14 career starts.
• Alex Rodriguez broke out of his postseason slump with a monster Division Series and his performance against the Angels this season would indicate the hot run will continue. A-Rod was 8-for-24 with five home runs and nine RBI in seven games against the Angels – far better than the 2-for-15 showing he put up against LA in the 2005 ALDS.
• Johnny Damon was the only regular to take part in a simulated game on Tuesday at the Stadium, and you could understand why. Damon finished the ALDS 1-for-12 and is hitless in his last 10 at-bats.
• While closers on other playoff teams were melting down all over the first round, Mariano Rivera remained the gold standard. Rivera appeared in all three games and didn’t allow a run while striking out seven. Look for Joe Girardi to go to him often; Girardi has said he won’t hesitate to ask Rivera for more than three outs in the postseason.
• The Yankees have made a living off shaky relievers this season as they amassed 15 walkoff wins plus one more in the ALDS. While the Angels of 2002 and 2005 had lockdown bullpens, this year’s version isn’t nearly as dominant: closer Brian Fuentes led the league in saves but also blew seven opportunities, and had a 1.40 WHIP. Behind him are untested/aging pitchers like rookie Kevin Jepsen and veteran Darren Oliver, who figure to give the Yankee hitters a chance to come back late.

The game is taking place at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. The game will start at 7:57PM ET. The game is being televised on FOX. The game can also be heard on the radio on WCBS 880 & ESPN Radio. Enjoy the game. Go Yankees!

Come join us on the forum to take part in our Gameday chat

———————————————————————————————————

What’s Behind A-Rod’s Postseason Turnaround? / Previewing The ALCS

Almost a Yankee: Jack Morris / Sabathia Starting After A Long Layoff

A crazy idea to fill the 2010 outfield / Yanks Going For Three-Way?

Sabathia Starting After A Long Layoff / A Few Updates From Joe Girardi

How did October closers become as unreliable as airlines?

Previewing Weaver at Yankee Stadium / ‘This is Yankees weather’

Breaking down baseball’s LCS matchups / 7 reasons it’ll be Yankees in 7

The Yankees are good, but the Angels are better than the Twins

The Rotation and the Rain / Could We See GGBG in the Outfield?

Rivera is still the best / Beautiful day for a ballgame…