Heading to Toronto for a three game set against the Blue Jays, the Yankees will have some history to shoot for from the beginning. Mariano Rivera has clinched his 600th career save, only the second closer to reach the mark, this past week and is going for the all-time record. CC Sabathia is also going for a historic mark, as he’ll take the mound tonight looking to become the first Yankee starter to have back-to-back 20-win seasons since Tommy John is 1979-80.
Sabathia will look secure win number 20 in the Rodger’s Centre in Toronto tonight as he leads the Yankees into their final stretch for the American League East division crown. Following up Sabathia will be Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Colon was very solid in his last start against the Angels throwing seven innings with only allowing one unearned run. Garcia on the other hand was not that good, allowing five runs in seven innings against those same Angels. I would not be surprised if Colon struggled and Garcia had a good start-it’s been that type of year for those two.
Toronto’s lineup is lead by Jose Bautista whose bat is a dangerous weapon that the Yankees will have to deal with. Bautista is hitting .304 with 42 home runs and 100 RBI on the 2011 season, despite missing some time due to injury. Bautista has hit four long balls against the Yankees already this season. Rookie Brett Lawrie has splashed onto the scene since being called up to the big leagues with a .303 average and 23 RBI on nine home runs. These two bats will be at the center point of the Blue Jays’ offensive attack. If the New York pitchers can silence these two, it will be a good series for the Pinstripes.
To counter, the Yankees line up got a bit banged up on Wednesday night when Robinson Cano hurt his foot. Cano said he is good to go, but the team might give him another day off on Friday, or slip him into the DH role if he can swing. The Yankees have usually faired well in the Rodgers Centre and is a good hitting ballpark. Alex Rodriguez needs to step up and become the big bat in the middle of the lineup, especially if Cano is out a game or two.
The Yankee bats will face the Blue Jays’ rotation of Brett Cecil (4-9, 4.37 ERA), Henderson Alvarez (1-2, 3.09 ERA) and Dustin McGowan (0-0, 9.00 ERA). Cecil has not won a decision since July 29, including a seven inning, four run outing against the Yankees (September 4). Alvarez is making his eighth start, as the team has won his last three starts beating Baltimore twice and Boston once. McGowan is making his third start this season after returning from his second shoulder surgery in the past couple of years.
I will go out on a bit of a limb for this series but I think the Yankees will sweep the three games and push their division lead further from the Sox, and the Rays who are fighting back into it.
Justin McElrath
NYYUniverse.com Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @Justin_McElrath
