Yanks – Rays III: The Awakening?

As I mentioned before I’ll be attending the New York Metropolitans – Atlanta Bravos game here in Atlanta, so no live bloggy-goodness today.  However, I can tell you a few fun facts that will hopefully increase your enjoyment of the game!

1.  CMW vs. TB?  6-4 in 11 starts with 3.82 earned runs, on average, per nine innings.  He’s also held their bats to just 260 hits per thousand ABs (I’m guessing this data is extrapolated as its hard to imagine facing 1,000 hitters in 11 starts).  Carl Crawford, however, is hitting .323 against the Wang.  Gomes, on the other hand, is hitting .160 against him in 27 ABs.  Carlos Pena and BJ Upton have both hit .333 in 11 ABs.  The rest of the Rays’ lineup hasn’t faced Wang more than maybe 10 times collectively.  Let’s hope that advantage helps put away those pesky Rays!

2.  James Shields, cousin of the Blue Jays’ injured 3B Aaron Rowand, is starting for the Tampa Ray Bays (or something like that).  He’s faced most of the Yankee line-up about a dozen times and he’s been hit hard by Jeter (.400 with 1 HR), Cano (.333 with 1 HR), Smilin’ Bobby (.500 with 1 HR), and especially Damon and Matsui (both .571 with 2 dingers).  What about A-Rod, you ask?  Not so much – he’s only hit .182 against Shields.  Giambi?  Not too good either, 0-4 with a BB in 5 plate appearances.

3.  Questions for the game:  Will Giambi play?  If he sits or DHs, that will leave Betemit or Ensburg at first with Duncan serving his suspension.  Will GI Joe manage?  The Yankees are 0-2 without him in the dugout.  Perhaps they’re sneaking in ice cream behind his back and the karma is coming around to bite them in the ass?  Will we see 7 IP from Wang, then Joba-Mo-Let’s Go?  Will Santana overpower the Braves line-up and pick up a victory over Smoltz?  Oh, wait, that’s the Metros game…

I’ll be back with my thoughts and observations later.  Let’s go Yankees!