I thought the Angels were supposed to be fundamentally sound and all that crap?
ALCS Game One: Angels @ Yankees
Four days later, the Angels and Yankees are finally ready to start the Championship Series. There’s no way of knowing how sharp either team will be until they get out there on the field, but I suspect we won’t be reduced to watching players so rusty we’d confuse it for a little league game. Just think of it as an extra All Star break.
We know all about how the Angels have handled the Yankees in recent years, and Brian Cashman even went so far as to say “I think they’re happy they’re playing us.” However, our beloved bombers are on the warpath this year, steamrolling the Twins in the ALDS and winning three of their last four against the Angels, including two in Anaheim. Both clubs have their rotations lined up nicely, so we should be in for a great series.
If you’re an ESPN Insider, you can read KLaw’s advance scouting report for the Angels right here. He notes that the Halos have a tremendous offense, but each of their starters “has a pretty serious question about his effectiveness.” Oh, and their bullpen is shaky. The Yanks made only one small tweak to their ALCS roster, swapping Eric Hinske for Fast Freddy Guzman. I guess they felt Brain Bruney wasn’t necessary.
Here are tonight’s starting lineups:
Angels
Chone Figgins, 3B
Bobby Abreu, RF
Torii Hunter, CF
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Juan Rivera, LF
Kendry Morales, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Jeff Mathis, C
Erick Aybar, SS
John Lackey, SP (11-8, 3.83 regular season)
Yankees
Derek Jeter, SS
Johnny Damon, LF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Hideki Matsui, DH
Jorge Posada, C
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Melky Cabrera, CF
CC Sabathia, SP (19-8, 3.37 regular season)
As you’re probably aware, the weather in the Bronx isn’t pretty, but it looks like they’ll get the game in. FOX, not TBS, has the game, and I believe they’re even going to air some of the pregame ceremonies. First pitch is scheduled for 7:57pm ET, but the introductions and stuff start around 7:30. Enjoy the game.
NLCS Game Two: Phillies @ Dodgers
Joe Torre may or may not have left Clayton Kershaw in too long last night, but George Sherrill did the team no favors by walking two before giving up a three-run bomb in the 8th inning. The Phillies are sending Pedro Martinez (5-1, 3.63) to the mound against his former team, looking to give themselves a 2-0 series lead before heading back east. LA will counter with Vicente Padilla (12-6, 4.46); meanwhile people complain about the Yankees fourth starter options. TBS has the call, first pitch is set for 4:07pm ET. Chat about the game here if you want.
RAB Live Chat
Damon Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium
An email dropped into my inbox yesterday, asking to promote the upcoming Damon Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium, which will help raise money for cancer research. I figured this qualifies as my good deed for the day (kidding, kinda). The event will be held on November 15th, and you can learn all about it at the foundation’s website. If you’re a runner and have the inkling to do something good, here’s a great chance to do so while hanging out in the New Stadium.
Tickets available for tonight’s game
A longtime reader has a pair of tickets to unload for tonight’s game. The seats are in section 410, which is the upper deck in right field, along the first base line. Face value is $40 each, so $80 for the pair. Because he physically has the tickets and can’t email them, you’d need to meet up with him at 55th and Madison to do the exchange.
If you’re interested, email me via the link on the far right sidebar, and I’ll put you two in touch.
Update (1:20pm): The tickets have been claimed.
Laird’s perfect day helps Surprise win again
AzFL Surprise (12-5 win over Mesa)
Brandon Laird: 5 for 5, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI – amazingly, he was only the second best Surprise hitter today … Moose tacos drove in seven
Colin Curtis: 1 for 5, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI – threw a runner out at second from RF
Still no Dominican Winter League or Puerto Rican League rosters. The DWL starts tomorrow, and I don’t know what they’re waiting for.