Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more. The Red Sox will play their final rivalry series of the year this weekend. Will we miss it? Not at first, but eventually, we’ll miss it dearly.
NEW YORK YANKEES – 79-68, 3rd place in the AL East (9.5 GB)
These Yankees are trending into “zombie” territory. They just won’t stay dead. They keep winning series, and with the Red Sox pounding on the Rays, Boston did them more than enough favors. Now the Red Sox are going to try and make sure they won’t come back from the grave. The Yankees will try to keep limping along to a Wild Card spot.
He’s actually hitting quite well, that A-Rod guy.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
1 – Brett Gardner – CF – .273/.344/.416
2 – Alex Rodriguez – 3B – .294/.391/.504 (in 138 PA)
3 – Robinson Cano – 2B – .309/.384/.515
4 – Alfonso Soriano – LF – .253/.292/.488
5 – Curtis Granderson – RF – .250/.344/.442 (in 182 PA)
6 – Mark Reynolds – DH – .226/.315/.402
- Probably the most notorious free-swinging infielder of our time. He’d swing the bat forever, if he could.
- Walks at a 10% clip, which was surprising to me because the first thing about walks is that you DON’T TAKE A HACK.
- Not the greatest fielder, not by a long shot. Another reason why the DH is awesome!
7 – Lyle Overbay – 1B – .251/.304/.414
8 – Brendan Ryan – SS – .190/.251/.261
- All glove, no bat. He’s almost always been in the running for a Gold Glove the last several seasons, but hasn’t gotten a single one…curious.
- If there was a such thing as a designated fielder, Ryan would be it. His wRC of 40 is just so awful in any lineup, regardless of the team.
- Over his career, Ryan has 95 Defensive Runs Saves. At shortstop, that’s nothing less than fantastic.
9 – Chris Stewart – C – .212/.288/.274
Who’s hot? – Last 14 days
- Robinson Cano: 3 HR, 15 RBI, 163 wRC
- Brett Gardner: 12 runs scored, 2 stolen bases, .404 OBP
Who’s not? – Last 14 days
- Chris Stewart: .105 AVG, 1 RBI, .190 wOBA
- Derek Jeter: only 5 hits, .282 OBP, 29 wRC
Photo by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.smugmug.net
SERIES PROBABLES
You guys ready for a groundballin’ night? I sure am. Two of the more underrated pitchers in baseball going at it on Friday night. Kuroda will try and keep fly balls from ever happening ever again, while Lackey will grovel and beg for the offense to score runs like last time.
These two lefties are going to face each other for the last time this season. Sabathia will probably be glad to see this season end, with his velocity drop and its corresponding suckage, while Lester will keep trying to earn a new contract. Or at least his option being picked up. Either way, he’s getting some money.
Ivan Nova’s been something of a bright spot for the Yankees this year, as he’s taken a few steps forward in his power-pitching, high-strikeout & middling-walk ways. Buchholz looked to be 100% on Tuesday, so he’ll start on Sunday and attempt to give the Yankees a very sweet farewell kiss.
INJURY REPORT
- New York
- Derek Jeter: 15-day DL; expected to miss remainder of the season (September 8th, sore left ankle)
- Boston
- Nothing new to report.
IN CONCLUSION
FINISH THEM.