This is last series the Yankees will ever play in Minneapolis’s Metrodome, which will be replaced next year by the brand spankin’ new Target Field. How the people of Minnesota will ever bear an early season or late October game without a roof, I’ll never know. The Yanks are 74-64 all-time in the big garbage bag, so they’re guaranteed to walk away from the place with a winning record.
CC Sabathia didn’t face the Twins when they came to the Bronx for a four game set in mid-May, but the Yanks still swept the series thanks to a trio of walk-off wins. After an ugly outing last time out, Sabathia will look to right the ship tonight. He’ll be opposed by Scott Baker, the Twins incumbent ace who didn’t face the Yanks earlier this year. Baker’s overall numbers aren’t anything special, but his last six starts have been outstanding. They’ll have to earn this win tonight.
Here’s the starting nine:
Jeter, SS
Damon, LF
Teixeira, 1B – I’m calling it, he hits one out tonight
A-Rod, 3B
Matsui, DH
Swisher, RF
Cano, 2B
Gardner, CF
Cervelli, C
And on the mound, big bad CC Sabathia.
Oh, and Angel Berroa was released today. Forgot all about him.