Yankees vs. Royals - June 6

The Yankees just need to look back to April 19, 2007 to realize they better not let down this weekend. On that date, Alex Rodriguez capped a 3-run comeback with a walk-off 3-run home run off the Indians Joe Borowski for an improbable (we like that word) 8-6 win. Then the Yankees went to Boston and got swept in a 3-game series by the Red Sox. There's no comparison between the Red Sox and Royals, but you see what we are driving at. Build off the victory, don't get buried under it.

The Yankees already loss 2 of 3 to the Royals in April, scoring just 2 runs total in the 2 losses. The Royals have gone through some struggles since then. They were just swept by the White Sox in a 3-game series and have lost 15 of their last 17 games. The bullpen, once dominant, is now a mess with injuries and struggles.

The series opens tonight with Darrell Rasner (3-2, 2.67), coming off his only bad outing of the season, going against right-hander Kyle Davies (1-0, 1.80). Davies has made just one start this season, a 5 inning stint in which he helped stopped the Royals 12 game skid. He's only faced the Yankees once in his career and was tagged for 5 earned runs in 3 innings pitched.

Saturday's game pits Andy Pettitte (5-5, 4.21) against Brian Bannister (5-6, 4.60) in a battle of inconsistent starters. Bannister has faced the Yankees just twice, going 1-1, 8.10.

Joba Chamberlain (1-2, 2.42) will make his 2nd start on Sunday against Zach Grienke (5-3, 3.56), who was the winning pitcher in the Royals 4-0 victory on April. Grienke is 2-2, 6.10 in 8 career appearances, 5 of them starts, against the Yankees, who selected his brother Luke in today's amateur draft rounds.

The series wraps up on Monday with Mike Mussina (9-4, 4.01) going against youngster Luke Hochevar (3-5, 5.13), who is making his 11th big league start. He threw 3.1 scoreless innings in his one career relief appearance against the Yankees.

Yankees vs. Davies

Abreu 1-4 1 HR 2 RBI
Betemit 3-4 2 HR 5 RBI
Cabrera 0-2
Cano 1-2
Damon 2-4
Jeter 2-2
Matsui 1-1
Moeller 0-1
Posada 0-2
A-Rod 1-1 1 HR 3 RBI

Jose Guillen is the only KC Royal to face Rasner, going 0-4.

LaTroy Hawkins 3-game suspension was upheld by MLB.