The Week Ahead

The Birds of Baltimore shocked us, taking 2 of 3 from the Boston Red Sox. And now we have to be on our toes for that same Orioles squad. The Yankees have squandered 6 of 9 games to the O's this season. And things get tougher at week's end when the AL Central leading (as of this writing) Detroit Tigers come to town for a huge 4 game series.

The Yankees need to get off on the right foot tonight and that means a bounce back performance from Chien-Ming Wang. The Wanger got thrashed last Wednesday night by the Blue Jays, allowing 8 runs in 2 2-3 innings. His worst big league outing ever.

The Orioles Jeremy Guthrie will be looking to do the same. Guthrie gave up 5 runs in a 4 inning stint and loss to the Mariners in his previous outing. But Guthrie is 5-0, 2.70 on the road this season.

Here are the full pitching probables:

Monday - Jeremy Guthrie (7-4, 3.22) vs. Chien-Ming Wang (13-6, 3.94)

Tuesday - Daniel Cabrera (8-12, 5.14) vs. Jeffrey Karstens (0-2, 10.13)
Spurred on by rumors in the local papers, many fans were hoping to see last year's #1 pick Ian Kennedy go on Tuesday. But that was always a plan 'B' for the Yankees, who had no intention of starting anyone other than Karstens unless he was needed in long relief.

Wednesday - Erik Bedard (12-4, 3.11) vs. Phil Hughes (2-1, 4.64)
What a great match up (at least on paper). Bedard is an emerging star in MLB and Hughes is one of the brightest prospects for the future (and now for that matter). My Pinstripes would have been at the game if not for a blown central a/c. We're still upset :(