The Yankees really got their ass kicked for the first time in a while last night, but thankfully they can hand the ball off to old reliable today, Andy Pettitte. Toronto is the most aggressive team in the league, with a .313 OBP (fourth worst in the game) that’s due to the fact they swing at more pitches both in the zone (68.4%) and out of the zone (31.5%) than any other club, which matches up perfectly for the crafty Pettitte, who will push the limits of the strike zone and bring everything but the kitchen sink. Of course, if he’s not on his game or makes a few mistake pitches, the ball will wind up in orbit.
The Blue Jays counter with their own lefty ace, Ricky Romero and his 3.12 xFIP. He’s an offspeed heavy guy like Brett Cecil was last night, so the Yanks are going to have to be patient and make sure they stay back on the ball. If they go in looking for fastballs, which he throws just over 40% of the time, there’s going to be some fugly swings.
Here’s the lineup, sans Curtis Granderson who is getting a day off that Joe Girardi scheduled like, a week ago…
Jeter, SS
Swisher, RF
Teixeira, 1B
A-Rod, 3B
Cano, 2B
Posada, DH
Cervelli, C
Gardner, CF
Russo, LF
And on the mound, Andrew Pettitte.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:07pm ET, and can be seen on YES. Enjoy.
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