Game #39 - New York Yankees @ Detroit Tigers

NEW YORK YANKEES

Johnny Damon,  LF
Melky Cabrera,  CF
Bobby Abreu,  DH
Derek Jeter,  SS
Jason Giambi,  1B
Shelley Duncan,  RF
Robinson Cano,  2B
Jose Molina,  C
Alberto Gonzalez,  3B

DETROIT TIGERS

Ivan Rodriguez,  C
Placido Polanco,  2B
Carlos Guillen,  3B
Magglio Ordonez,  RF
Miguel Cabrera,  1B
Marcus Thames,  RF
Edgar Renteria,  SS
Ryan Raburn,  LF
Brandon Inge,  CF

PREGAME NOTES:

• There's a good chance today's game won't get played because rain is expected all day.  Ed Price explains why that would be a good thing for the Yanks because it allows them to skip Kei Igawa's slot in the rotation and allow Ian Kennedy to return Friday after his start today for Scranton.
• I like Joe Girardi, but what the hell is the deal with his starting lineups?  Is it really that difficult to make out a lineup card and stick with it for a few days?  I don't get why he needs to be so creative.  I understand there's a lefty on the mound this afternoon, but still.
  
• The Yankee bullpen has been outstanding of late compiling a 1.05 ERA with an 0.70 WHIP over their last 8 games (25.2 IP, 11 H, 3 ER, 7 BB, 17 K).  Keep in mind all three runs were given up by Joba Chamberlain with one swing of the bat by David Dellucci on Monday night.
• Andy Pettitte is a lifetime 10-9, 3.66 ERA, 1.38 WHIP in 23 starts against the Tigers.
• Nate Robertson is a lifetime 2-5, 5.02 ERA, 1.56 WHIP in 8 games against the Yanks but did pick up the win with a rather unimpressive performance at the Stadium (5.2 IP, 4 ER) on May 1.
  
• Yanks career numbers vs. Robertson can be viewed here.  Tigers career numbers vs. Pettitte can be viewed here.