New York Yankees
Johnny Damon, LF
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Hideki Matsui, DH
Jorge Posada, C
Jason Giambi, 1B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Melky Cabrera, CF
Phil Hughes, RHP (2-3, 5.33)
Toronto Blue Jays
Vernon Wells, CF
Russ Adams, 3B
Álex Ríos, RF
Frank Thomas, DH
Matt Stairs, LF
Aaron Hill, 2B
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Gregg Zaun, C
John McDonald, SS
Shaun Marcum, RHP (12-5, 3.74)
First off, the Rangers helped out the Yanks this afternoon with a 13-6 victory over the Tigers in Game 1 of a double-header. The Yanks' magic number for the Wild Card now stands at 15. Another win by the Rangers in the final two games of that series would be a beautiful thing.
As for our beloved Bronx Bombers, they are 6-5 against the Blue Jays this season and have won 5 of the last 7 meetings.
Hughes was unspectacular is his major league debut and lone start against the Jays on 4/26 (4.1 IP, 4 ER). He has not earned a victory in his last 5 starts.
Marcum's lifetime numbers against the Yanks are not especially great (1-2, 5.28 ERA in 8 games), but has pitched very well against them in 2007 with little to show for it (0-1, 2.25 ERA, .179 BAA in 2 starts). He's also been on a roll since 7/23 (7-1, 3.76 ERA in 9 starts).
Here's some surprising stats. Despite A-Rod's ridiculous production this season, he has some very un-A-Rod like numbers against the Jays (.243, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4 GDP) in 10 games.
The featured graphic for tonight's game was the official team logo of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003.
Finally, Pinstripe Alley's adopted son, Shelley Duncan, did an interview with the NY Daily News and discusses a variety of topics. Give it a look if you want a cheap laugh.