This is a rubber match in essence. The Yanks won the first two games, and looked in prime position to take yesterday's game, but had nary a break and lost by a run.
Joba the Starter will go against 26-year-old-lefty Jeremy Sowers.
Joba pitched once against Cleveland in April and got smacked around: 4.2 ip, 5 er, 6 h, 5 bb, 4 k. The walks (which make for high pitch-counts) are really the problem. He's gone four or fewer innings in his last two starts - one due to an injury, the other due to throwing 84 pitches in four frames.
Sowers has had a tough season and career against the Yanks. He's got a 7.71 ERA on the season and a 6.60 ERA against the Bombers in three career starts (the last being 2008). Righties are killing Sowers this season - a 1.024 OPS against him.
Girardi has posted an interesting lineup. Damon and Matsui are out (against the southpaw Sowers), A-Rod's the DH, Berroa's at thirdbase, Swisher's hitting second, and Melky's back (in LF). The only lefties are Cano and Gardner.