Yankees @ Orioles 9/8/12

Mark Teixeira is back but he may have to wait another day to return as the tarp is on the field in Baltimore with a 50% chance of rain for tonight's game up until about 10 pm ET where it increases to a 70% chance. 

The Yankees are back in first place after a couple guys broke out the big bats last night in Baltimore. The Yankees will look to ride this wave of momentum into their first winning streak in what feels like forever. Daunted with that task tonight is the Yankees big man, work horse, and ace CC Sabathia. He will be opposed by Orioles left hander Joe Saunders who threw an absolute gem in his last start for the Orioles. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on YES and MLB Network

Lineups

1. Jeter - SS
2. Swisher - RF
3. Teixeira - 1B
4. Rodriguez - DH
5. Cano - 2B
6. Martin - C
7. Jones - RF
8. Ichiro - CF
9. Nix - 3B

Go Yankees!!

Andy Pettitte Throws 3 Inning Simulated Game

The plan to get Andy Pettitte back in the Bronx was deemed to be an accelerated plan and we are starting to see just what the Yankees have in mind. Andy Pettitte threw 3 innings in a simulated game with Larry Rothschild, Joe Girardi, and others watching and looked absolutely ready to be back in the big leagues. Larry Rothschild said Andy Pettitte would not go down to either AA Trenton or AAA Scranton, even if they are still in the playoffs, to rehab because they will not be necessary. We are going to see how Andy feels tomorrow and then he will see the team doctor on Monday. If everything goes well, which there are no indications from anyone that it won't, Andy will really get accelerated in this rehab.

My interpretation of Andy not going down to the minors leagues means he will start for the big league club and stretch his arm out that way. Andy Pettitte for 50 or so pitches and increasing with every start until he is fully stretched out for the playoffs, if we get that far. No one will say that on the record right now but that is just what my line of thinking is. Andy threw 46 pitches in the simulated game today so his first start could be a 4-5 IP outing which would probably be much better then what Freddy Garcia could give us or, as much as I hate to say it, David Phelps right now.

This Day In Yankees History : 9/8/12

In 1916 a record low TWENTY SIX fans were in attendance to watch the Yankees and the A's go at it in the rain. The A's Wally Schang became the first player in Major League history to hit a home run from both sides of the plate which was not done again until 1940.

Babe Ruth hit his 300th home run of his career in the night cap of a double header with the Boston Red Sox, his former team. Not really a huge milestone by these days but it was back then and any excuse to use Babe Ruth will be utilized here on TGP.

In 2007 Alex Rodriguez hit his 50th and 51st home run of the season becoming the fourth Yankee in their history to hit 50 home runs in a season joining Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, and Mickey Mantle. He also passed Mike Schmidt and Adrian Beltre for the most home runs in a season by a third basemen.

MLB.com's Top 20 Prospect List

MLB.com came out with their Top 20 Prospect list this week and there are, well there should be, a few surprises here. I highly suggest you click the link and go read the write ups about each player but for the lazy here is the complete top 20 list.

1. Gary Sanchez
2. Mason Williams
3. Tyler Austin
4. Manny Banuelos
5. Slade Heathcott
6. Ty Hensley
7. Zoilo Almonte
8. Angelo Gumbs
9. Dante Bichette JR
10. Ramon Flores
11. Adam Warren
12. Nik Turley
13. Jose A. Ramirez
14. Mark Montgomery
15. Jose Pirela
16. Jose Campos
17. Dellin Betances
18. Austin Aune
19. Zach Nuding
20. Ravel Santana

I cannot say that I agree with a lot of these rankings but I will save that for the off season when I make my own list. What are your thoughts?

Can Russell Martin Keep It Up? Does It Matter?

Chances are the ball is in the catcher's glove.

Coming into tonight's game against Baltimore, Russell Martin has hit .290/.353/.452 in the last two weeks, which spans 35 plate appearances. Not a large sample size, so it's hardly something to get excited about, but I wanted to bring it up for this reason...

Even if Russell kept up that hitting, I still wouldn't want him back next year. Of course, there's a chance he's the best option the Yankees have at catcher for 2013, but I really hope that's not true.

Spin the globe, close your eyes, stop it with one finger, and I'm sure that area you point at has a better catching option than Russell Martin.

As for Martin keeping up this pace I'm not holding my breath either. Included in those 14 day splits is... and Burch is going to hate this... his BABIP, which is .320. Adding that to what we've seen out of him all year, and to remind you that's a batting line of .203/.307/.375, and I think I and other Yankee fans have every reason to hope Cashman can get somebody else to work behind the dish.

Damn You Twitter!!!

I did not even know that this was possible...

Yankees @ Orioles 9/7/12

UPDATE:

It's the third inning and Mark Reynolds does not have a home run yet #progress

Russell has muscles! 3-0 Yankees

Steve Pearce, who?, hits a two run home run to put the Yankees up 5-0

Alex Rodriguez hits his 300th home run as a Yankee to make it 7-0 Yankees!

Jeters 3rd hit of the game makes it 8-4 Yanks

#untuck!!! 8-5

The Yankees and Orioles are in a mathematical tie for first place atop the American League East and still have three more games head to head in Oriole Park at Camden Yards to play yet including tonight's game. The Orioles own the tiebreaker so the Yankees really need to win tonight and the next two games to put a little cushion in between these two teams.

Do not fret Yankees fans, as dismal as the team looks in the win/loss column the offense looked a lot better last night and may be on their way to a turn around. You also, as much as I hate to admit this, cannot blame anyone for last night's loss including Girardi. He brought in his second best reliever and set up man in the 8th inning to hold it at a 6-6 tie and he just simply got beat. When Robertson faltered he brought in his 3rd best reliever and one pitch later he got beat. Binder or no binder that was the right call and it is not always going to go the way we planned it. Now if you want to jump on the #FireGirardi bandwagon for keeping Chavez in against a left hander for three straight important at bats or for his willingness to use Andruw Jones at all and his unwillingness to use Chris Dickerson then I am 100% behind you.

The Yankees will send Phil Hughes to the mound to try and stop the bleeding tonight and will be facing off against Wei-Yin Chen, who has looked good against the Yankees all season long. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on the YES Network.

Lineups

Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Russell Martin C
Curtis Granderson CF
Andruw Jones LF
Steve Pearce 1B
Casey McGehee 3B

Go Yankees!!

Nova May Start Sunday For Freddy Garcia

The New York Post is reporting that the Yankees will use Ivan Nova in the rotation instead of Freddy Garcia on Sunday in the finale against the Orioles. This is a far cry from just yesterday when they were not guaranteeing his starting rotation spot. Six home runs and a devastating and embarrassing loss can do that to a manager I guess. If Ivan Nova feels no discomfort and has no set backs after his bullpen session today look for him to be activated off the DL.

David Aardsma Shaky Again In Latest Rehab

David Aardsma pitched again for the Trenton Thunder yesterday and allowed a run in his latest rehab game on the way back from hip and Tommy John surgery. David threw 28 pitches, 16 for strikes, and hit as high as 90 mph while allowing a walk and three hits in his inning of pitching. Any hope of Aardsma coming back this season, not that we should rush him or be disheartened or discouraged if he does not come back, is really starting to dissipate. Thankfully we have a really team friendly 2013 option so all that is important is getting David's work in and getting him healthy.

This Day In Yankees History : 9/7/12

Not really Yankees history but hey it was a slow day on September 7th. In 1998 Mark McGwire, with a line drive to left field in the first inning, hit his 62nd home run to break a tie and pass Yankees Roger Maris for the single season home run record. Roger's family was in attendance to witness the impressive feat and share an embrace with Mark in the stands.