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.