The Yankees are 6-7 right now, a whopping 1.5 games out of first place. In 2007, they started 7-6; in 2006, they started 6-7; in 2005, they started 5-8; and in 2004, they started 6-7. The sky, in other words, is not falling.
Tonight, a dubious era in a Yankee history begins. While Derek Jeter takes over at short stop and Alberto Gonzalez spells Robinson Cano at second base, behind the plate will be none other than Chad Moeller. Moeller is 33 with a career batting line of .224/.284/.346. Luckily, Jorge made a series of throws today and seems to be on the mend. Considering that Posada was under strict orders not to throw to second yesterday, who knows how serious his injury really is?
The Yankees lineup features Moeller, Gonzalez and Morgan Ensberg. It’s like Spring Training all over again. A six-run first inning would be fitting.
On the mound today as the Yankees face the Tampa Bay Rays is Ian Kennedy. Kennedy is a RAB favorite; just check out his Baseball-Reference page. But this year in 5.1 innings, he’s been rocked. Hopefully, he’ll right that ship today.
Yankees
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Ensberg 1B
Cabrera CF
Moeller C
The Unemployed Former Attorney General 2B
Kennedy P
Rays
Iwamura 2B
Crawford LF
Pena 1B
Upton CF
Longoria 3B
Hinske DH
Riggans C
Haynes RF
Bartlett SS
Sonnanstine P
Game Notes: We’ve just installed a new threaded and paged comment system. Hopefully, that’ll keep site performance at normal levels. Expect some more changes there over the next few days, and if there are any problems, our e-mail addresses are on the left…Thirteen games into the season, and we’ve raised a pledged $93.70 as part of our Big Three K Craniosynostosis fund drive. Please consider donating. Every amount helps.