New York Yankees
Johnny Damon, LF
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Alex Rodiriguez, 3B
Jorge Posada, C
Hideki Matsui, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Melky Cabrera, CF
Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B
Chien-Ming Wang, RHP (19-7, 3.70)
Cleveland Indians
Grady Sizemore, CF
Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B
Travis Hafner, DH
Victor Martinez, C
Ryan Garko, 1B
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Kenny Lofton, LF
Franklin Gutierrez, RF
Casey Blake, 3B
C.C. Sabathia, LHP (19-7, 3.21)
Mark Feinsand reports that Doug Mientkiewicz was involved in some kind of freak accident as he got off the bus at The Jake when a cameraman tripped and rolled over his ankle. What is it with Mientkiewicz these goofy freak accidents? As of this writing, he is apparently good to go for tonight.
In somewhat of a strange stat, dating back to 2000, the Yanks have gone on to lose every ALDS series in which they have won Game 1. On the contrary, they have gone on to win every ALDS series in which they have dropped Game 1. Go figure.
Yanks hit .348 and outscored the Tribe 49-17 to sweep the season series (6-0) and have won the last 8 contests dating back to last season. Conversely, the Tribe's offense hit just .228 against Yankee pitching this season, while their staff was pounded across the board (8.19 ERA).
As everyone knows by now, the Yanks have clobbered Sabathia throughout his career (1-7, 7.13 ERA in 8 starts), but have not faced him since 2004.
Much less mentioned is the fact that Wang has been okay against the Tribe (2-1, 3.72 3 starts), but did not face the Tribe in 2007.
Yankees career numbers against Sabathia can be viewed here. Tribe career numbers against Wang can be viewed here.
The featured graphic for today's game is the current official team logo of the Cleveland Indians.