Game 89: Yanks VS. BoSox

UPDATE (8:23) – The Brewers have acquired C.C. Sabathia from the Indians. It’s pretty much a done deal.

Here are the lineups, courtesy of PA:

YANKEES (46-42)
Gardner LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Posada DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Molina C
Chamberlain RHP

RED SOX (52-38.)
Ellsbury LF
Pedroia 2B
Drew RF
Lowell 3B
Youkilis 1B
Casey DH
Crisp CF
Lugo SS
Cash C
Wakefield RHP

In 4.1 IP, Joba has a 2.08 ERA versus the Boston Red Sox, with a 1.38 WHIP and 5 K’s. Mike Lowell did most of that damage, as he is 2-for-2 against Joba with 1 HR. Also, Tim Wakefield versus the Yanks has a 5.03 ERA in 202 IP (that’s a full season for some guys). Wakefield has been a better pitcher at home then on the road (3.30 ERA VS. 4.02 ERA), however, he has rattled off 7 quality starts in a row, going 7 innings plus in each of those starts (boy, does he love interleague play or what?).

GAME NOTES: Johnny Damon has been placed on the 15-day DL and Justin Christian has been recalled. This will be the first time Damon has ever been on the disabled list.

SOX TO WATCH: Dustin Pedroia has a 13-game hitting streak going (9 of those games were multi-hit games), which has upped his BA to a lovely .313. Add in a sweet .819 OPS and this guy has earned his AS spot. However, right now Dustin Pedroia is far too comfortable at the plate. He’s leaning over the dish, he’s crowding it inside, and that’s not going to help the Yankees today. I think Joba Chamberlain knows that as well, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him throw the heat up and in to Pee-wee Pedroia. That’s something Yankee pitchers have shied away from for years, but Roger Clemens was one of Joba’s mentors, and we’ve seen Joba go in on another Sox player before, so let’s see what he does with Pedroia.

YANKS TO WATCH: Robinson Cano has been heating up lately, and he hits Wakefield at a .310/.310/.690 clip. In 29 AB’s, Cano has 9 hits including 2 HR’s, 3 doubles and 1 3B. With his bat getting hot, and with Wakefield on the mound, Cano could have a big day.