Game #51: Yankees at Blue Jays pregame
New York (21-28) at Toronto (23-27)
at 7:07 p.m. ET at the Rogers Centre
Today’s lineups:
YANKEES
Johnny Damon, CF
Derek Jeter, SS
Hideki Matsui, LF
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Jorge Posada, C
Jason Giambi, DH
Bobby Abreu, RF
Doug Mientikiewicz, 1B
Robinson Cano, 2B
PITCHING: LHP Andy Pettitte
BLUE JAYS
Alex Rios, RF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Vernon Wells, CF
Frank Thomas, DH
Aaron Hill, 2B
Jason Phillips, C
Royce Clayton, SS
Adam Lind, LF
John McDonald, 3B
PITCHING: RHP Shaun Marcum
NOTES: To clear room for RHP Brian Wolfe on the 40-man roster, Toronto transferred RHP Brandon League to the 60-day disabled list. This was simply a paperwork move, considering League has been on the DL since March 31. Even with placing him on the 60, he’s eligible to come off the DL this week. League is beginning a rehab assignment with Class A Dunedin today. … 3B Troy Glaus, who has been bothered all year by a bone spur in his left heel, was a late scratch from Toronto’s lineup. … RHP Victor Zambrano (right forearm) was scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday night.
Major League Bastian 
Well its official…well at least obvious if anything. Markum is definitely a number 3 starter. Hes proved himself the best he can. Maybe that can change with McGowan pitching well lately but Markum has been so consistent and getting better. A little weird mind you how they keep pulling him around 70-80 pitches. One thing that I cant understand is why Stairs was not in the rotation today. What the heck..Lind. I know he came through late today but other then that hes silent at the plate for quite a while.
jordanjonathan,
1. Stairs is not in the rotation because the Jays are not desperate enough as to let their (surprisingly succesfull) aging 4th outfielder pitch 5-6 innings.
2. Given the fact that the Jays got hurt so badly and resorted to having a very young rotation, Giving Lind some valuable playing time is key here. While Stairs have made some crucial clutch moments happen, he is a 4th outfielder close to retirement while Lind is being groomed to be the future of the club (not alone, but they expect him to be a star)
3. Doc – AJ – Marcum – McGowan is a solid rotation … having guys like Litsch and Ohka fill in for Chacin is not such a terrible 5th spot solution.
4. Despite Ohka’s QS I believe they are opting to let Litsch stick around for the reasons I have mentioned regarding Lind… Ohka is a stop-gap solution who will give a .500 season > 4.5 ERA and will go on to make 8 million a year a la batista/ weaver… while Litsch is an exciting young arm with a competitive attitude who is expected to make at least a reliable 3-5 spot major leaguer who will be under rent control for a few years
It sure was nice to see the small ball work. It isn’t always as exciting to watch as the home runs, and the big innings but it can be. Fundamentals still do work.
Sorry I meant line up or batting order if you like for the comment on Stairs.