Baltimore Orioles
Brian Roberts, 2B
Tike Redman, CF
Nick Markakis, RF
Miguel Tejada, SS
Kevin Millar, 1B
Aubrey Huff, DH
Melvin Mora, 3B
Ramón Hernández, C
Freddie Bynum, LF
Jon Leicester, RHP (2-1, 6.32)
New York Yankees
Johnny Damon, DH
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Hideki Matsui, LF
Jorge Posada, C
Robinson Cano, 2B
Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B
Melky Cabrera, CF
Mike Mussina, RHP (9-10, 5.28)
Yanks have won 10 of 12 to improve to a season-best 22 games over .500. Their 3.5 game deficit in the AL East is the closest they've been to the Red Sox since April 21st.
The AL East title still has to be considered a long shot, but Tito is obviously feeling a little squirmy in Beantown with Clay Buchholz now getting the start on Wed (replacing the previously scheduled Julian Tavarez) and Matsuzaka getting pushed back until Sat. Long shot or not, it's fun to keep the pressure on RSN and not making it easy for them.
As for tonight's contest, Moose has won his share of games against his former team despite a bloated ERA (9-6, 4.51 ERA in 21 starts). He was shelled in his lone start against them in 2007 way back on April 6th (4 IP, 6 ER) and has been downright atrocious in his last 4 starts (0-2, 9.18 ERA).
Although I'm usually an optimist in regards to the Yanks, I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if Moose gets knocked around tonight. O's hitters have some ridiculous career numbers against him and can be viewed here. Yikes.
Jon Leicester will make his first appearance against the Yanks.
The featured graphic for tonight's game is an alternative cap logo for the Baltimore Orioles.