There goes Joba Cottontail

Happy Easter to all those celebrating.

Mark Teixeira is out of the lineup once again today due his sore wrist.

We were listening to WFAN and Richard Neer (miss those 102.7 WNEW-FM days) on our way to the A&P. We would like to say to one caller in particular, "it's only 5 games". Said caller felt that when A-Rod comes back, Johnny Damon should move to center, Xavier Nady to left, and Nick Swisher should be in right field full time. Because, "The bottom of the order is killing us."

The caller seems to forget that the bottom of the order currently consists of Cody Ransom and Brett Gardner. When A-Rod returns, Ransom goes to the bench. If Gardner hits .250 to .270 and draws walks it will be fine. You don't need nine .300 hitters in the lineup.

Now if a caller wants to complain about today's lineup, we're with ya. No Damon or Posada. Which means an easier time for Gil Meche with the 7-8-9-1 combo in the lineup. Why not give Matsui the day off since he's off to a slow start, have Damon in left field, and Posada as your DH? Well, Damon is just 3-27 against Meche.

CF Gardner
SS Jeter
1B Swisher
DH Matsui
C Posada
RF Nady
2B Cano
LF Cabrera
3B Ransom
C Molina


KC's lineup is as follows:

CF Crisp
SS Aviles
LF DeJesus
3B Teahen
1B Jacobs
DH B. Pena
2B Callaspo
C Buck
RF Bloomquist


Joba's got pretty good numbers against the Royals with one start and two relief appearances
7.2 IP 9 H 2 ER 1 BB 8 K

Gil Meche is 3-4, 4.38 in 13 career starts against the Yankees. He pitched very well (a no decision) in his lone start against them last year (6 IP 1 ER).

Yankees vs. Meche

Cabrera 3-10 1 HR 4 RBI
Cano 4-12
Damon 3-27
Jeter 11-32 (.344) 5 RBI
Matsui 5-23 (.217) 2 HR 5 RBI
Molina 2-11
Nady 3-7 1 HR 2 RBI
Posada 6-16 2 HR 4 RBI
Swisher 4-19 4 RBI 7 BB
Teixeira 6-23 (.261)

Meche has to be ecstatic that A-Rod isn't available. The career numbers - 13-31 (.419) 5 HR 10 RBI