NEW YORK YANKEES
Johnny Damon, DH
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Álex Rodríguez, 3B
Jason Giambi, 1B
Xavier Nady, LF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Ivan Rodriguez, C
Justin Christian, CF
TEXAS RANGERS
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Gerald Laird, DH
Michael Young, SS
Josh Hamilton, CF
Marlon Byrd, RF
David Murphy, LF
Chris Davis, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Ramon Vasquez, 3B
PREGAME NOTES:
CHRISTIAN GETS A START: Melky Cabrera is out of the lineup tonight and Justin Christian is being rewarded with a start in CF. Good for him.
STRANGE STAT: Yanks have gone nine straight games without scoring first and own a 4-5 record during that span.
YANKS OWN TEXAS: Yanks have won 10 straight games against the Rangers in Texas and have downright owned them the last decade going 32 -13 dating back to 1998.
NADY NAMED CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Congrats to newly acquired Xavier Nady after being named AL co-Player of the Week along with Mike Aviles of the KC Royals. Nady hit .526 (10-for-19) with three doubles, three homers, 10 RBIs and 8 runs scored in his first full week donning the Yankee pinstripes.
GIESE TO START FRIDAY: Well, the big question of the day has been answered. Darrell Rasner has been bumped from the starting rotation and Dan Giese will make the start on Friday against the Angels.
I'm assuming this is just a spot start for Giese and Ian Kennedy will be promoted next week and make his return against the Twins or Royals. In my opinion, Giese is no more the answer to that slot in the starting rotation than Rasner but he earned a start with the stellar job he's done in long relief.
Once Kennedy is promoted, the Yanks need to DFA Rasner and leave Giese in long relief because he has done a fantastic job in that role.
TONIGHT'S PITCHING MATCHUP:
Vicente Padilla is a lifetime 1-1, 5.23 ERA, 1.65 WHIP in 2 starts against the Yanks. He is 3-3, 3.98 ERA, 1.29 WHIP in 8 starts at home this season.
Joba Chamberlain is a lifetime 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 2.25 WHIP in one start against the Rangers. He has simply been unhittable over his last 3 starts going 2-0, 0.95 ERA, 0.84 WHIP (19.0 IP, 14 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 23 K).
Rangers' hitters vs. Chamberlain can be viewed here. Yanks' hitters vs. Padilla can be viewed here.