When this ten-game, eleven-day road trip started, the Yankees were three games back of the second wildcard in the loss column. At best, they can end the trip two games back in the loss column — despite going 4-5 in the first nine of those ten games — and at worst, they can close it right where they started: three games back.
The problem with that, of course, is that nearly two weeks have ticked off the calendar and the Bombers have not made up any ground in the playoff race. They need help from other clubs if they still want to try to sneak into the postseason, but at this point all they can do if win their games. Everything else is out of their hands. Here’s the lineup Joe Girardi is running out there against right-hander Todd Redmond:
- CF Curtis Granderson
- DH Alex Rodriguez
- 2B Robinson Cano
- LF Alfonso Soriano
- RF Vernon Wells
- 1B Lyle Overbay
- 3B Mark Reynolds
- SS Brendan Ryan
- C Chris Stewart
And on the mound is right-hander Hiroki Kuroda. He’s had some big first inning problems the last few times out, allowing nine of 18 total runs in the first inning across his last four starts (40.50 ERA). After the first inning, he’s had a 3.26 ERA in those four starts. Hopefully Kuroda avoids those early problems and can give the team some much needed length tonight.
It’s another beautiful day in Toronto, nice and cool without a cloud in the sky. I imagine the Rogers Centre roof will be open. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07pm ET and can be seen on YES. Enjoy.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.