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Game 66 Preview: Yankees vs. Rangers, 7:05 ET

"I'm leading off, skip? Really? This is freaking awesome! I LOVE LIFE!!!!"
"I'm leading off, skip? Really? This is freaking awesome! I LOVE LIFE!!!!"

Good news for anyone who didn't get all their Ron Washington Studio 54 material out in the game thread last night. We get two more games against the defending AL champs!

The Yankees reaffirmed their status as Alexi Ogando's daddy in the opener last night, hanging seven runs on the promising right-hander on their way to an easy 12-4 victory. The Yanks have now won four of five since the debacle against the Red Sox, and definitely look to have some swagger back.

A day after CC Sabathia notched his eighth win, Ivan Nova returns to the hill looking for his fifth victory. Nova has done admirable work thus far and is coming off a very strong outing (one run over seven innings in a 11-7 win over the Indians last Friday).

Nova has already faced the Rangers once this season in what was perhaps his best start of 2011. He allowed one unearned run over 7 1/3 innings in May 6 win in Arlington. Here's hoping for more of the same.


Current Series

Yankees lead the series 1-0

Tue 06/14 WP: CC Sabathia (8 - 4)
LP: Alexi Ogando (7 - 1)
12 - 4 win

Texas Rangers
@ New York Yankees

Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011, 7:05 PM EDT
Yankee Stadium

Derek Holland vs Ivan Nova

Mostly clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80.

Complete Coverage >

Thu 06/16 1:05 PM EDT

Read on for a look at a very different New York lineup tonight ...

Partly due to the opponent and partly due to injuries, Joe Girardi posted a unique lineup this afternoon.

Nick Swisher is leading off, something I can't remember him doing as a Yankee. With the Yankees facing lefty Derek Holland, Brett Gardner and his hot bat are out of the lineup, replaced by the underwhelming Andruw Jones. Also, 2009 World Series champion Ramiro Pena is back in the mix, starting at third for A-Rod, whose getting half a day off. The Nunez/Pena left side of the infield reminds me of the days of Espinoza/Blowers. And lastly, Russell Martin is out of the lineup once again, and you have to wonder if his back problems will end up with a 12th Yankee hitting the disabled list.

The complete lineup:

1. Nick Swisher RF
2. Curtis Granderson CF
3. Mark Teixeira 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez DH
5. Robinson Cano 2B
6. Andruw Jones LF
7. Eduardo Nunez SS
8. Francisco Cervelli C
9. Ramiro Pena 3B

I'll be back later with the game thread.