Teixeira Exits Early

Mark Teixeira strained his right hamstring running up the first base line in the 5th inning. He was replaced by Nick Swisher at first and Marcus Thames in the field and the third spot in the batting order.

More after the game...

Rangers at Yankees: ALCS Game 4 Preview

With the Yankees game 4 lineup changes previously documented in this publication and the discussion surrounding how long its been since Yankee pitcher A.J. Burnett and catcher Francisco Cervelli also already out of the way, the focus now is on the pitching match up itself.

The Yankees are sending Burnett to the mound to face the Texas Rangers tonight not out of luxury, but out of necessity. They can't pitch their entire rotation again on three days rest before possibly pitching in the world series. However, in not pitching their rotation again on three days rest they are stacking the deck in favor of the Rangers making their first world series appearance in franchise history.

For the 2010 season, Burnett compiled a 10-15 record with a 5.26 ERA. In 186 2/3 innings he allowed 204 hits, 25 home runs, 78 walks and hit 19 batters while striking out 145 batters. The Yankees to basically need to score 6 runs to win the game if he pitches to his season averages, considering they couldn't even put together 6 hits last night it might be a tall order.

Against the Rangers Burnett was 1-2 this season with an ERA of 7.00. For their careers, the Rangers are collectively hitting .209 with 9 home runs off of Burnett in their careers. If the Yankees want to win the game they will need the Burnett that showed up in Game 2 of the '09 world series to show up. For the record he pitched 7 innings allowing one run on four hits and striking out nine with only two walks.

The Rangers have the edge in sending Tommy Hunter and his 13-4 record sporting a 3.73 ERA to the mound at first glance. Looking deeper into the statistics only further bolsters this claim. Against the bombers this year, Hunter won his only start going 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits with 8 strike outs. Scratch the surface a little more and one will find a chink in Hunter's armor. For their careers against him, the Yankees starting line up is hitting a collective .364 with one home run (by Granderson) and 5 RBI. Curtis Granderson practically owns Hunter in their relatively limited action with 4 hits in 6 at bats.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi probably is aware of these numbers and might be more of an evil genius than Yankee fans realize. Being "on rotation," as he put it and responding "nope" when asked if he was reconsidering after last night's loss might be the best decisions he makes the whole ALCS.

"It's tough not to play, period. But it is what it is...I'm ok. Get a win, that's it." Said Jorge Posada before tonight's game in response to Cervelli starting behind the plate.

(stats from ELIAS via ESPN.com)

Cliff Lee Dominates Yankees, is Now Their Daddy

Another cool October night at Yankee Stadium began as a celebration of the life of Freddy Sez, the most devoted Yankee fan any of us has had the pleasure of meeting in either the old or new Stadium. It then continued as a celebration of the Yankees dynasty of the 90s with former first baseman Tino Martinez throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to a thunderous ovation. When it comes to bringing out the ghosts of the past to intimidate their opponents in the post season, no one does it better than the Yankees.

With his Yankee legacy already set in stone and the Hall of Fame not too far away, pitcher Andy Pettite took the mound with Hall of Fame captain Derek Jeter just over his right shoulder manning short stop. Both players, along with catcher Jorge Posada and closer Mariano Rivera, were team mates of Tino Martinez's; a sign of both their storied careers and that they will soon be joining Tino in throwing no more than ceremonial first pitches. Tonight one of them fought back the hands of time and turned in another vintage performance while the other one continued to wilt into the twilight of his career.

Derek Jeter came into this game hitting over .400 against Phillies starter Cliff Lee in 44 at bats with only a handful of strikeouts. This was the night for him to break out of his post season slump and show he isn't old yet. This is the type of night that his excellence in built the reputation earning him the nickname "Captain Clutch" that has defined his career.