With their five-game win streak on the line, the Yankees head to the stadium of broken dreams and doom in Florida to take on the Rays for an important series for the Bombers' revitalized playoff chances.
Yankees lineup at Tampa Bay: Gardner 8, Granderson 0, Cano 4, Soriano 7, Rodriguez 5, Suzuki 9, Reynolds 3, Nunez 6, Stewart 2, Kuroda 1
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) August 23, 2013
According to Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger, Curtis Granderson is going to be the regular DH for the remainder of the season because Alfonso Soriano has stated that he prefers to play the outfield. Neither Granderson nor Soriano is going to light the world on fire with their defense, but it does seem like Granderson is the better defender. With free agency looming this offseason for Granderson, who has missed a large chunk of time with injuries, a move to DH can't really help his chances of a big contract for 2014. Lyle Overbay was originally set to play first base tonight but was scratched with flu-like symptoms.
Chris Archer has found lots of success against the Yankees, pitching a complete game shutout his last time facing them in a game that the Rays won 1-0. Brett Gardner has found the most success off Archer in this lineup's limited attempts, having gone 3-7 with two doubles off the Rays starter.
Girardi said Jeter is scheduled to play at Scranton tomorrow as well. Seems to me unlikely then he plays for NYY before Monday.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) August 23, 2013
Derek Jeter is unlikely to return to the Yankees before Monday, which would be a good idea for keeping him off the dreaded turf at the Trop if not for the fact that the Yankees' next series is in Toronto with more dreaded turf. It seems like one of the elder statesmen always comes away from a series on turf a little worse for the wear and the Yankees really can't afford to have Jeter hurt any more this season.
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