NEW YORK YANKEES
Melky Cabrera, CF
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Álex Rodríguez, 3B
Jason Giambi, 1B
Jorge Posada, C
Robinson Cano, 2B
Justin Christian, LF
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Nate McLouth, CF
Freddy Sanchez, 2B
Jason Bay, LF
Ryan Doumit, C
Adam LaRoche, 1B
Doug Mientkiewicz, RF
Jose Bautista, 3B
Jack Wilson, SS
PREGAME NOTES:
Johnny Damon is out of the lineup because has a problem with the arch in his foot and is expected to miss a couple of games.
Hideki Matsui is out of the lineup because he has had issues with his left knee lately and Girardi doesn't want him playing the field.
Yanks have promoted speedy outfielder Justin Christian from Scranton. For those not familiar with him, he's generally viewed as a non-prospect at 28 yrs old, but he can really motor and always a base-stealing threat.
He is also a right-handed bat - which is likely the primary reason why he got the call over Brett Gardner. They also want Gardner to play every day instead of sitting on the bench at the big league level.
Chad Jennings has a great piece on Christian here. To make room for Christian, Billy Traber has been demoted once again to Scranton.
Don't look now, but the Yanks have won their last 4 games against lefty starters and 8 of their last 10.
Darrell Rasner has never faced the Pirates.
Tom Gorzelanny is a lifetime 0-0, 5.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP in one start against the Yanks.
Pirates' hitters vs. Rasner can be viewed here Yanks' hitters vs. Gorzelanny can be viewed here.