Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees

The New York Yankees begin a 3 game series with the Blue Jays at Yankee stadium tonight at 7:00PM on the YES network. Here are a few notes from the Lohud Yankees Blog and the lineup. The pitching staff has a 2.50 era during the 7 game winning streak allowing 56 runs and 20 hits over 69 innings. They have thrown 62 percent of their pitches for strikes and held opponents to a 224 batting average. The Yankees are 7-2 against Toronto this season. MO has not allowed a run since June 12th a stretch of 21 1/3 innings. His era now stands at 1.88. He has allowed 6 hits and 3 walks in his last 5 1/3 innings though. A-rod hit his 574th homerun last night putting him at 9th all time, Mark McGwire is up next at 583 homeruns. The Yankees at 27 games over 500 are at their highest point since the end of the 2006 season when they finished 97-65. Cody Ransom cleared waivers and accepted a assignment to Scranton, this is nice he is a good guy that had a horrible tragedy in college. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Swisher(RF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Posada(DH) Cano(2B) Hairston(LF) Cabrera(CF) Molina(C)

Pitching matchups for Jays/Yankees

Tonight- Sergio Mitre vs Marc Rzepczynski Tomorrow- Joba Chamberlain vs Scott Richmond Wednesday- A.J. Burnett vs Ricky Romero The good thing is the Yankees aren't going to face Roy Halladay. Tonight is a rematch from last week in Toronto, this may be Mitre's last chance to stay in the rotation. They do have Chad Gaudin to back him up so I am sure he will have a fairly short leash. Joba Chamberlain will try to get back on track tomorrow and A.J. will try and keep it going wednesday afternoon against a good young pitcher in Ricky Romero. I would expect the Yankees to win 2 out of 3 but this could be a letdown series after 4 long agonizing games against their archrivals.

Yanks sweep sox

The New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox tonight sweeping the 4 game series and putting themselves 6 1/2 ahead of the Sox. The Red Sox are now tied with Texas for the wild card lead and only 2 games ahead of Tampa Bay. Andy Pettitte started and was great going 7 shutout innings. The top 3 yankees starters went 7 2/3, 7 1/3 and 7 in the last 3 games without giving up a run. Phil Coke came on in the 8th and got Ellsbury but then he stayed in which I don't get at all since Phil Hughes only pitched to 1 hitter the last 2 days. Phil Coke gave up a 2 run homerun to Victor Martinez. The Yankees hitters didn't do much other then a A-rod homerun in the 7th but then after Josh Bard got 2 easy outs Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira went back to back for the 6th time this year to set a team record. They weren't done as A-rod walked, Posada doubled and Nick Swisher singled them both in. Mariano Rivera came on in the 9th for the save. The Yankees are in great shape but you don't want to let down now, Toronto comes in for 3 and it would be natural to let down but hopefully they wont. Sergio Mitre pitches tomorrow night against Mark Rzepczynski. The Yankees have now won 7 in a row and have won 13 of their last 14 at home. I have to say also that there is something about this team, they are looking like a special group. They were down 2-1 in the 8th with 2 outs and no one on when they went back to back and then scored 2 more runs and basically end the game with Mo coming in.

Yanks go for 4 game sweep over Bosox

The New York Yankees will try and get the 4 game sweep over their rivals the Boston Red Sox tonight at 8 on ESPN. The Yankees DFA'D Josh Towers and activated Chad Gaudin. Alfredo Aceves has a sore back and they are not sure if he will be able to pitch tonight. Here are the pregame notes and lineups from the Lohud Yankees Blog by Peter Abraham. The Yankees have won 30 of their last 40 games. They have a 5.5 game lead which is the largest lead since they finished the 2006 season 10 games ahead. Boston has lost 5 straight and 13 of their last 20. Andy Pettitte is 1-1 with a 2.36 era since the all star break. He is 16-9 with a 3.76 era in 31 career starts against Boston. The Yankees are 17-3 in their last 20 home games. Yankee starters have gone 20 1/3 innings allowing 4 runs on 9 hits while striking out 20 and walking 15. Yankee relievers have allowed 5 hits and struck out 10 in 8 2/3 scoreless innings in this series. The Red Sox have not scored in 24 innings. They have 2 runs in the last 28, 6 in the last 33 and 12 in the last 55. Boston is batting 144 with 35 strikeouts in the last 3 games. They are also 3 for 33 with runners in scoring position. Mo has not allowed a run in 20 1/3 innings. The Yankees have homered in 86 of 110 games and 51 of 55 at home. Phil Hughes as a reliever has allowed 5 earned runs in 31 innings and struck out 40. Robbie Cano is batting 360 without runners in scoring position and 205 with runners in scoring position. Cano is 11 of his last 22, maybe he will start hitting in the clutch now. The Yankees at this same p0int last season were 60-50 and 5 1/2 games out. Melky is 3 for 21 since hitting for the cycle. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(DH) Posada(C) Swisher(RF) Cano(2B) Cabrera(CF) Hairston(3B) Boston Lineup: Ellsbury(CF) Pedroia(2B) Martinez(1B) Youkilis(3B) Bay(LF) Drew(RF) Lowell(DH) Varitek(C) Green(SS)

Cape Cod Baseball

The Yankees play a 8:00PM ESPN Sunday night baseball game tonight so there wont be any game posts for a while. I forgot to post this the other day but there was a good post on the Lohud Yankees Blog about some of the Yankees draft picks that have been playing in the Cape Cod League this summer. The Cape Cod League for those who don't know is the oldest and best amateur league out there. I have been to a few games up there and it is worth going too. This is really baseball at its most pure and best, you don't pay admission but they do send around a hat in the crowd for donations and you can donate whatever you would like. My Parents own a home in Cape Cod and that is how I have been to a few games, each team in the different towns have their own uniqueness and you get to talk to the players and get autographs. IF you look at all the major leaguers that have played there it is amazing and you are probably seeing at least a couple future major leaguers so check out the post and also check out www.capecodbaseball.org