David Phelps (3-4, 3.86 ERA) will look to improve upon his best outing of the year facing Mark Buehrle (10-4, 2.32 ERA) and the Jays. After a rough start to June, Phelps closed it out strong. He surrendered just two runs in his last 13 2/3 innings. He picked up his third win against the Blue Jays his last time out, striking out seven. The only damage was a two run homer by Melky Cabrera.
Buehrle allowed three runs (two earned) during his last start against the Yankees. Most of the damage came on a two run homer by Brian McCann he has 12 quality starts in 15 outings.
The Yankees have beaten the Blue Jays 15 straight games in the Bronx, the Jays are happy to be home at Rogers Centre. “Maybe we don’t like the bright lights of Broadway, that’s all I can figure,” Jays manager John Gibbons said. “Last year, we didn’t win a game here. We lost the first couple here this season, and then it goes even further back. It’s a mystery, who knows why? They definitely have our number, but there’s a lot of games left here, and we need to bounce back.”
Kelly Johnson started at third base for the eighth time in the past 10 games Monday, as Yangervis Solarte continues to struggle at the plate. He has fallen into a 2-31 slump in his last 10 games. Joe Girardi isn’t hitting the panic button just yet though, “He’s frustrated by it, but you have to keep it in perspective as a player, and understand that all good hitters go through it,” Girardi said. “It’s not the first time you’ve been through it, it’s just at a different level and you’ll come out of it if you keep putting in good at bats.”
Notes on the game
Buehrle is 1-11 with a 5.84 ERA and 1.55 WHIP against the Yanks lifetime.
The Blue Jays lead the AL East by 1 1/2 games over the Orioles and 2 1/2 games over the Yankees.
CC Sabathia is scheduled to throw 35 pitches on Tuesday in either a bullpen session or a simulated game.
First pitch at 7:05 PM on MY9
