Game 82: (Only) Halfway To Everywhere

It's a getaway day matinee as the Yanks play their first Monday game since topping the Rays on June 8th. That win put the Yanks up one game in the AL East. Today they enter down a game as they go for the sweep against the Jays. Unfortunately, the Cablevision/Optimum in market live streaming doesn't start until Wednesday; it'd be awfully nice to ease our way back into the work week while watching today's game from the office, cubicle, etc. I have tickets for today, but employment responsibilities will keep me from attending. So once again it'll be GameCast from the cubicle. Commiserate with us as we live chat it starting at one.

Andy Pettitte goes for the Yanks. The thirty-seven year-old lefty is coming off his best start yet at the new Stadium, going seven strong innings of two run ball against Seattle last Wednesday. He beat Toronto on May 13th in one of his bend-but-don't-break starts, giving up two runs - just one earned - over six innings, despite allowing nine baserunners.

Southpaw rookie Ricky Romero takes the mound for the Jays. He's been very impressive at 6-3 with a 2.85 ERA (151 ERA+). Romero's been lights out over his last two starts, a combined fifteen shutout innings, six hits and five walks against fourteen Ks. He's turned in six consecutive quality starts, going 4-1 in that stretch.

Eric Hinske will start in right field, making his Yankee debut. It's a curious choice to start him against a lefty as he's hit .221/.298/.363 against them in his career. Lefty Johnny Damon gets the day off; Teix gets a half day as the DH as Nick Swisher mans first.

The Yanks have won three in a row and seven of eight. They've won three straight series, and are playing with house money in today's game, having already taken the first three of this four game set. They have the third best record in baseball, lead the AL Wild Card by 2.5 games, and despite going 0-8 against the team ahead of them, they are just a game out of first in baseball's toughest division. They lead the league in runs per game and despite some mediocre numbers, the pitching staff is as good as it's been in years.

And while all of that is encouraging, the mathematical second half of the season starts today. There's much still to be done; we're only halfway to everywhere.



I'm thinking positivity
Positively
This is possible
They can say right or wrong
Never hear this song
Or look you in the eye
I'm getting rid of negativity
Lose the loss in me
Call it equality
Good luck is a frame of mind
Call it humankind
And say it's destiny

I'm only halfway to everywhere