Game 78 Lineup: Rangers vs. Yankees

It's the series finale with Phil Hughes on the mound. So after you read the lineup, please pray for Phil Hughes to perform well?

Ichiro Suzuki CF
Jayson Nix SS
Robinson Cano DH
Vernon Wells RF
Zoilo Almonte LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
David Adams 2B
Alberto Gonzalez 3B
Austin Romine C

Some Notes:

-- Brett Gardner was originally slated to be in the lineup but was scratched due to a head cold. It probably came at a good time since Gardner has played a lot lately.

Special Mariano Rivera New Era Hat For 2013

I do not know if you guys have heard or not but the greatest closer of all time Mariano Rivera is retiring after the 2013 season and in honor of him New Era is releasing a special edition Yankees hat in his honor. Above is the picture of the hat and it can be purchased anywhere Yankees hats or New Era hats are sold. Get one now because these are definitely limited edition.

Morning Bits

Good morning everyone!

The Yankees lost to the Rangers last night by a score of 8-5.

Andy Pettitte got knocked around in the fourth inning, loading the bases and then surrendering back -to-back two-run doubles to Adrian Beltre and A.J. Pierzynski.  That's three consecutive bad starts for Pettitte, who has only won two games since April 19th.

Joba Chamberlain's season of misery continues.  Chamberlain allowed a two-run home run to Nelson Cruz in the 7th inning after the Yankees had pulled to within one run of the lead.  Chamberlain's ERA is now 6.38.

After a two-run blast by Ichiro once again brought the Yankees to within one run of the lead, all hope was extinguished when Shawn Kelley gave up two runs in the top of the 9th inning.

The Yankees were also sloppy in the field with errors by Brett Gardner and Jayson Nix leading to unearned runs.

Today's game will be start at 1:05 PM ET and be broadcast by YES.

Phil Hughes(3-6, 5.09 ERA) and Derek Holland(5-4, 3.43 ERA) will be today's starting pitchers.

Now on to today's news links:

Wallace Matthews of  ESPNNY says A-Rod believes the Yankees didn't ever want him to return.

David Waldstein of the New York Times has this article about Hal Steinbrenner talking with A-Rod, Cashman's apology, and Mark Teixeira's season ending surgery.

Jason Gay of the WSJ writes about "The Jerk Store" calling the Yankees.

Have a great day everyone!

 

This Day In New York Yankees History 6/27

On this day in 1972 Wade Blasingame made his Yankees debut and what would be his last start of his major league career. The Yankees pitcher would give up three consecutive home runs in the first inning against the Tigers in a 5-2 loss in Detroit.

A Rod Doesn't Feel Wanted By The Yankees

In the latest episode of The Bronx Is Burning season two Alex Rodriguez, according to "a source" naturally, thinks the Yankees are purposely delaying his rehab assignment to recoup insurance money on the sluggers $28 million salary for 2013. Alex feels like, again from this unnamed source, the Yankees do not want him to ever come back according to a story published by Wallace Matthews so they can use the insurance they have on his contract to get back 80% of the salary. Is this the big conspiracy that the Yankees are slow walking A Rod hoping that he cannot return medically or even gets suspended by Bud Selig due to Biogenesis? Only time will tell, if it ever does, but when it does be sure to check here for the latest updates and episodes in this drama.

Game Thread: Rangers @ Yankees 6/26

The Yankees played the "too many damn home runs" card last night in a walk off victory and look to keep the momentum going tonight with Andy Pettitte on the mound. Andy has been inconsistent to say the least this season so we have no idea what to expect from Andy so it should be interesting to watch it unfold tonight on ESPN and YES.

Here is the Yankees lineup

Brett Gardner CF
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Travis Hafner DH
Lyle Overbay 1B
Zoilo Almonte LF
Jayson Nix 3B
Chris Stewart C
Alberto Gonzalez SS

Follow us on Twitter @GreedyStripes all season long to stay up to date with us and the New York Yankees!

Rafael DePaula To Play In Futures Game

Rafael DePaula has taken the states by storm since coming over, finally, and making his debut in 2013. DePaula has been rewarded with an opportunity to represent the New York Yankees in this years Futures Game on July 14th. DePaula is 14-4 this season with a 2.13 ERA while striking out 187 batters in 131 innings pitched across three levels of the Yankees farm system. Obviously DePaula will represent the World Team against Team USA. This is the 15th consecutive Sirius XM Futures Game and will be televised at 2:00 pm ET on MLB.com, ESPN2, and will broadcast live on Sirius XM.

Tyler Austin hopes to join DePaula in Citi Field for the Futures Game as he has been placed on the ballot of the final five competing for the fans vote for the final spot. Head over to HERE to cast your vote for Tyler. Voting ends at midnight this Sunday so hurry and vote now to send Tyler to the game an injury kept him out of last season.

Mark Teixeira's Season Officially Over W/ Wrist Surgery

Mark Teixeira and Yankees team doctors have officially announced that Mark Teixeira's 2013 season is over. Mark will have wrist surgery on that torn wrist sheath and will miss four to five months plus rehab before being able to resume baseball activities. Best case scenario would have Mark Teixeira back to 100% in six months but that would put him in the December time range which ends any chance of a return in 2013. Luckily for the Yankees, for lack of a better word, they have insurance on Mark Teixeira's contract and mixed with the World Baseball Classic paying for his time on the DL prior to the Yankees activating him have roughly 80% of his contract paid for this season. Just as an FYI Teixeira makes $22,500,000 this season so 80% of that would roughly be $18,000,000 covered. It is a shame that Teix lost the 2013 season but the 33 year old should be back healthy for 2014 and that is what he, and us the fans, have to hold on to right now. Get well soon Mark!

Yankees Willing To Add Payroll At Trade Dealine

The New York Yankees already have an all time high payroll of roughly $230,000,000 this season and are willing to add even more at the trade deadline in order to compete. The Yankees have roughly $100,000,000 sitting on the disabled list alone and with them basically paying Vernon Wells for this season and next season all in 2013 you can see where that number seems a little bloated. I am glad to hear that the Yankees are willing to add payroll and even made a statement about the trade deadline without bringing up the 2014 luxury tax threshold goal and austerity budget. If the Yankees could not add payroll this July then we would be stuck seeing this same punch-less lineup for basically the rest of the season and that is enough to depress a guy.

Texas Rangers @ New York Yankees 6/26

The Yankees host the Texas Rangers once again tonight at Yankees Stadium in game two of their three game set this week. The Yankees will send Dr Jeckyl and Mr. Andy Pettitte to the mound to face off with Justin Grimm for the Rangers. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on YES, ESPN, and MLB TV.