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The Yankees begin a very important stretch as they play both the Astros and the White Sox this week. Today, Chris Capuano, on his birthday, will take the ball to get things started for the Yankees.
Tonight's #Yankees lineup vs. HOU: Gardner 7 Jeter 6 Ellsbury 8 Teixeira 3 Beltran DH Prado 4 McCann 2 Headley 5 Ichiro 9. Capuano pitching.
— Lou DiPietro (@LouDiPietroYES) August 19, 2014
Tonight's lineup looks pretty standard: Brett Gardner leads off, Derek Jeter is back at shortstop again, and Jacoby Ellsbury hits third. Mark Teixeira hits cleanup and Carlos Beltran returns to DH duty after some time in the outfield. Martin Prado moves up to hit sixth as the second baseman, while Brian McCann and Chase Headley move down in the order against the lefty. Ichiro Suzuki also gets to hang around in the outfield.
The Rusney Castillo sweepstakes has taken a very confusing turn. The Yankees were considered to be one of the top contenders for the 27-year-old, but now things might have changed. Pete Caldera is reporting that the Yankees have backed out of any and all pursuit of Castillo, however, Jon Heyman is still saying that they remain in play. It's hard to say who exactly is right, so it will be just a matter of time before we see who finally ends up signing him.
In comical baseball news, the hit that tied Derek Jeter with Honus Wagner has been ruled as an error. It doesn't mean much, since he's gotten other hits since then, but it does make Bud Norris the pitcher who gave up the record-tying hit. That's baseball!
And there is good news for David Phelps fans out there:
Phelps made 50 throws/60ft yesterday. Also had MRI which will be read when he is reevaluated today. Has felt no pain in over a wk #Yankees
— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) August 19, 2014
Phelps said if all goes well probably looking at 2nd week of sept (about 3weeks from yesterday) #yankees
— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) August 19, 2014
Phelps would essentially serve as a September call up and could take over for Chris Capuano, if things go south for the lefty before then. Who would you rather go with?