NEW YORK YANKEES
Johnny Damon, DH
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Hideki Matsui, LF
Morgan Ensberg, 3B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Jason Giambi, 1B
Melky Cabrera, CF
Jose Molina, C
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Nick Swisher, CF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Jim Thome, DH
Paul Konerko, 1B
Jermaine Dye, RF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Carlos Quentin, LF
Joe Crede, 3B
Alexei Ramirez, 2B
Pregame notes:
The Yanks haven’t swept the ChiSox in Chicago since May of 2002.
Who were the winning pitchers for the Yanks that series? Well, silly, everyone knows it was Mike Thurman, Ted Lilly, and Steve Karsay.
Alex Rodriguez is back with the team but out of the lineup for the third consecutive game with the strained quad. He is not expected back in the lineup until tomorrow at the earliest (as a DH). Meanwhile, his replacement, Morgan Ensberg moves up to the fifth slot in the lineup and Jorge Posada gets the night off to rest after a stellar night at the plate last night.
Brian Bruney sustained a sprained foot when he attempted to cover first base on Tuesday night. His MRI results were forwarded to NY and there’s a very good chance he’s headed to the DL. My hope right now is the potential absence of Bruney could open the door for Ohlendorf to pitch in some pressure situations as opposed to his current long man/mop up role.
Phil Hughes makes his first career start against the ChiSox.
Gavin Floyd makes his first career start against the Yanks but did get hammered in his lone previous appearance in relief on July 31, 2007 (3.0 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 HR). Yanks career numbers vs. Floyd can be viewed here.
Johnny Damon is now 7 for 14 in his last three games with 2 HR, 2 doubles, 7 RBI, and 7 runs scored. Ed Price takes Damon’s production a step further and highlights some rather astonishing numbers since his arrival to the Bronx:
How important is (streaky) Johnny Damon to the Yankees offense?
Since he joined the team for the 2006 season, the Yankees are 102-50 [.671] when he reaches base safely two or more times. Otherwise, they are 101-93 [.521].
When Damon scores a run, the Yankees are 117-42 [.736!].”