Mmmm, the New York Yankees look good. I mean really good. HEY EVERYONE, COME SEE HOW GOOD THE YANKEES LOOK. Props to you if you know the reference without searching for it.
New York has a fantastic 16-8 record this month despite being swept at home by the Boston Red Sox. They'll look to add another W to the win column tonight as Allan James Burnett takes the mound against Shaun Marcum.
A.J. Burnett has been a solid pitcher for New York this year. Despite coming off a fairly poor start against Colorado, he's quietly put together a number of winnable starts for the Yankees and has pitched in many close games this year. His average run support of 6.14 isn't shabby, but it's nothing compared to CC Sabathia's. Hopefully A.J. can keep the ball in the park tonight. He's had a hideous HR/FB rate of 13.6%, up nearly 3% on his career average of 10.7%. If Burnett can throw strikes and not make a mistake to Prince Fielder or Ryan Braun, he should have a good start to show for.
Shaun Marcum is a familiar sounding name to many Yankee fans. He pitched with the Toronto Blue Jays from 2005-2010 before becoming a Milwaukee Brewer. He's done well thus far, reducing his HR/9 rate and BB/9 rate while increasing his K/9 rate. His xFIP of 3.35 is an encouraging sign to Brewer fans that they've found a fairly reliable starter behind Greinke and Gallardo. However, his career statistics against the Yankees are enough to give Milwaukee heartburn. In nine career starts, he's 1-4 with a 6.55 ERA. He's gone 44 innings allowing 54 hits and 21 walks that ultimately led to 32 earned runs. Not pretty.
These two guys can be great, and they can be horrendous. It's anybody's guess who shows up tonight.
Lineups, match ups and notes after the jump.
Current Series
Yankees lead the series 1-0
| Tue 06/28 |
WP: Freddy Garcia (7 - 6) LP: Zack Greinke (7 - 3) |
12 - 2 win |
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Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, Jun 29, 2011, 7:05 PM EDT Shaun Marcum vs A.J. Burnett Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80.
Complete Coverage > |
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| Thu 06/30 | 1:05 PM EDT | |
Tonight's starting lineups:
Yankees - 1) Brett Gardner LF, 2) Curtis Granderson CF, 3) Mark Teixeira 1B, 4) Alex Rodriguez 3B, 5) Robinson Cano 2B, 6) Nick Swisher RF, 7) Jorge Posada DH, 8) Russell Martin C, 9) Eduardo Nunez SS
Brewers - 1) Rickie Weeks 2B, 2) Nyjer Morgan CF, 3) Ryan Braun LF, 4) Prince Fielder 1B, 5) Corey Hart RF, 6) Mat Gamel DH, 7) Casey McGehee 3B, 8) Yuniesky Betancourt SS, 9) Jonathan Lucroy C
Burnett vs. current Brewers hitters. Take these with a grain of salt, as Burnett hasn't faced some of these guys since his days in the National League.
Marcum vs. current Yankee hitters.
Notes:
1) Jorge Posada should be licking his chops right about now. His career numbers against Shaun Marcum, you ask for? Okay. Seven for 18, four home runs, one double, two walks.
2) Alex Rodriguez is on a roll. Since May 17, Rodriguez is batting .359 (51 for 142) with seven home runs, 29 runs batted in, and a .425 OBP. Since Jeter went down with an injury: .415 (17 for 41), .490 OBP, five doubles and 11 runs batted in.
3) Mark Teixeira is one home run shy of hitting #300. Yes, I realize he's only three away from #302. But we like big, round numbers.
4) Eduardo Nunez has played very well recently. Since Jeter's calf injury: .295 (13 for 44), .354 OBP, one home run and five runs batted in.