Yankees vs. Indians - April 25

The Yankees return to the scene of the crimemidges tonight when they start a four game series with the Cleveland Indians. Like the Yankees, the Indians have started off slowly. Their doubleheader sweep of the Royals yesterday raised their record to 10-12.

C.C. Sabathia was last year's CY Young winner and the Indians had one of the strongest bullpen. However, none of that has come to fruition this year. Sabathia finally won his last start, a 6-inning, 11-strikeout performance in which he did not allow a run. That lowered his ERA considerably...to 10.50. Jake Westbrook has just landed on the DL with an intercostal strain, and erratic closer Joe Borowski is on the shelf with strained triceps muscle.

Thankfully for the Yankees they'll miss the Indians best starter this season, Cliff Lee, unless manager Eric Wedge decides to bring him back on three days rest to pitch in the series finale on Monday.

The strength of the Indians bullpen has been their set up men, primarily Rafael Betancourt and Rafael Perez. Betancourt has temporarily moved to the closer's role and picked up his first save yesterday. But he had been struggling this season in the setup role to the tune of 4.00 ERA and a league average against of .300.

Perez was fantastic last season, a 1.78 ERA and .187 opponents batting average. He also put up a 4:1 strikeout to walk ratio. But this season Perez has been battered around. His ERA is 6.52 and he's allowed 15 hits and 5 walks in 9.2 innings pitched.

The very hittable Paul Byrd (0-2, 4.43) will get tonight's start and the Indians will recall Jeremy Sowers from the minors to go on Saturday.

The last time the Yankees faced the Indians was of course the 2007 ALDS when Fausto Carmona and the Indians pen dominated them. (With the doubleheader yesterday, Carmona would also be going on three days rest should he pitch on Monday.) Joba Chamberlain says he's over the experience, but you can bet he's hoping for no bug attacks tonight. We're sure the Indians fans won't let him forget it.

Yankees vs. Paul Byrd (1-4, 4.44 8 games)

Bobby Abreu 2-5 2 RBI
Melky Cabrera 3-5 1 HR 6 RBI
Robinson Cano 2-8 1 HR 1 RBI
Johnny Damon 3-19 2 RBI
Jason Giambi 3-14 1 HR 1 RBI
Derek Jeter 11-27 3 RBI
Hideki Matsui 1-5
Chad Moeller 1-6
Jose Molina 1-3
Jorge Posada 3-18 2 RBI
Alex Rodriguez 4-15 1 HR 2 RBI

Indians vs. Andy Pettitte (6-7, 4.50 16 games)

Asdrubel Cabrera 1-3
Jamey Carroll 0-7
Ryan Garko 1-3
Franklin Gutierrez 1-3
Victor Martinez 2-6
Jason Michaels 3-8 1 RBI
Jhonny Perhalta 2-5 2 RBI
Grady Sizemore 1-3

Quick update already- The Indians are going with Aaron Laffey on Monday.