Will Wang stand tall, or will he shrink in the spotlight? Joe Girardi told Chien Ming-Wang this was a 'big start' for him. Another game like the one at Fenway and he's either back in the bullpen or down in the minors (on another DL trip).
You might very well remember Wang's last and only start vs. D.C., when, because of an injured Mo Rivera, he was left in to try to finish a complete game but served up a two-run homer to Ryan Zimmerman in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Nats a 3-2 win.
Anyway, he's taking on Washington's best pitcher, lefty John Lannan, the owner of a 3.51 ERA (and only the fourth pitcher on the staff with an ERA under 4.00). Lannan looks to be working toward a nice career - his ERA's improved in each of his first three years. This will be his first time facing the Yankees.
Who's hot?
Robbie Cano (1.426)
Hideki Matsui (1.054)
Who's not?
Nick Swisher (.448)
Johnny Damon (.472)