With 15 games left in the regular season, each starter should get another three turns in the rotation. For A.J. Burnett, these three could tell a lot. He hasn’t been pitching well lately, and the Yanks will need him in a couple of weeks. He’d make all of us a bit less concerned if he turns in a quality performance tonight.
It won’t be easy goings for the Yanks, as they run into Felix Hernandez for the first time this season. The 23-year-old has tossed 207.1 innings this season, striking out 193 to 63 walks, an excellent ratio. Felix has also done a good job of keeping the ball in the park, allowing just 14 homers all season. All this, plus the lowest hits per mine of any qualified pitcher, has made for an excellent season, easily his best so far.
Seattle has scored the fewest runs in the American League this season and will be without their best power hitter, Russ Branyan. That’s good for A.J. He should be able to get though this lineup. Then again, when Bad A.J. shows up, it seems like a lineup full of John McDonalds could lick him.
Lineup:
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Hideki Matsui, Dh
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Melky Cabrera, CF
9. Jose Molina, C
And on the mound, number thirty-four, A.J. Burnett.