Yankees at Orioles

The New York Yankees begin a 3 game series tonight in Baltimore at 7:05 on the YES network. The Yankees are also beginning a 7 game roadtrip that will see them go to Toronto for 4 games after they are finished with Baltimore. The Yankees begin today with a 6 game lead in the AL East and a 4 1/2 game lead on the Angels for best record in the AL and homefield advantage. The Red Sox are idle and begin a 3 game series in Tampa tomorrow. The Angels are playing in Seattle tonight. Here are pregame notes and the lineup via the great Lohud Yankees blog. The Yankees are 9-3 against the Orioles this season. The Yankees are 20-7 in August so they hate to see it go, but tomorrow September begins. Derek Jeter is hitting 381 this month with 26 runs scored, 17 rbi's and 11 extra base hits. He has reached base in the first inning in 9 of the last 13 games. Johnny Damon is 9 of his last 23 with 6 runs scored, 5 rbi's and 3 xbh. Jorge Posada is 8 of his last 20 with 5 xbh and 10 rbi's. He came back yesterday from 3 days off and looked good, hopefully this contraption on his finger will hold up. Andy Pettitte is 3-1 with a 2.79 era since the all star break. He has allowed only 43 hits in 51 2/3 innings with 54 strikeouts. Pettitte is 25-6 career against the Orioles with a 3.65 era. He has 38 career appearances against them. He has more wins against the Orioles then any other team. Guthrie is 1-2 with a 5.21 era this season against the Yanks. I would expect them to hit him hard tonight. Phil Coke in his last 14 appearances has gone 11 innings, given up 15 hits, 13 earned runs, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts and 4 homeruns. He has allowed 10 homeruns this season. Jensen Lewis of Cleveland is the only reliever in the AL to give up more. He has given up 11. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) Matsui(DH) Posada(C) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Hairston(3B) Cabrera(CF)