Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2011 11:38:57 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]New York Yankees (52-45) @ Chicago White Sox (50-48)[/shadow]
NYY: Ricky Nolasco (7-8, 5.15 ERA)
CHW: Rich Harden (12-4, 3.71 ERA)
In a game with major playoff implications, the Yankees try to keep pace with the Rays and especially the Red Sox in the AL East, while the White Sox begin the day three back of Detroit and Minnesota in the AL Central.
After a fantastic start, the Yankees have cooled off the past few months and have seen the Rays and Red Sox grab hold of the division as a result. The Yankees still have over two months of baseball to play, but falling too far back in the division may present them with an impossible hill to climb.
Unfortunately, Brock Kjeldgaard has slumped at the worst time. He's hitting only .192 for the month with 10 RBI's following his start in this season's All-Star Game. With Alen Rodriguez hitting only .168 in July, and with only six home runs since May, the Yankees lineup has lost a bit of its punch.
Team-ace Ricky Nolasco has also struggled, working to an ERA over five for the season, and an ERA near 10 over his last four starts. Nolasco has one start against the White Sox this season and he allowed five runs in 4.2 innings of a Yankees loss.
Quite frankly, the Yankees need more production out of their stars to keep from falling out of the race.
Meanwhile, the White Sox have rebounded after a disastrous beginning to July. They send Rich Harden to the mound, who is turning in another strong season. Acquired from the Cubs, he combines with John Lackey to give the White Sox a formidable top of the rotation, especially if Crazy Legs Hernandez can rediscover how to complete his same throwing motion twice.
The game against the Yankees begins a seven-game week against the Yanks and Red Sox meaning the White Sox can't squander opportunities. Harden has to continue to be sharp, but the White Sox also need hitters like Gian Guzman to hit better than .255 with runners in scoring position, and Sean Rodriguez to hit better than .239 overall.
The White Sox have the talent to win the Central. But they need to put things together.
Questions for the GM's. For Sean Kemper, your offensive stars have gone south of late. How do you get them back to how they performed in April?
Ricky Nolasco hasn't performed well at all in pinstripes. What do you need to see from him tonight and in the future to make the playoffs.
Finally Joel Zumaya has been deposed as the Yankees closer. How much do you trust Angel Guzman in the closing spot?
For John Templon, your team is one of the best defensive teams in the American League. How much of a premium do you put on defense?
You've gotten very little offense out of your infield, except for Guzman. Are you trying to put defense first or are your hitters simply not hitting?
You acquired Rich Harden at the deadline, but now Detroit has added Brandon Webb, and Minnesota added Tanner Scheppers. Which of these former Rangers aces-turned AL Central stalwarts will play the biggest role in determining the division?
NYY: Ricky Nolasco (7-8, 5.15 ERA)
CHW: Rich Harden (12-4, 3.71 ERA)
In a game with major playoff implications, the Yankees try to keep pace with the Rays and especially the Red Sox in the AL East, while the White Sox begin the day three back of Detroit and Minnesota in the AL Central.
After a fantastic start, the Yankees have cooled off the past few months and have seen the Rays and Red Sox grab hold of the division as a result. The Yankees still have over two months of baseball to play, but falling too far back in the division may present them with an impossible hill to climb.
Unfortunately, Brock Kjeldgaard has slumped at the worst time. He's hitting only .192 for the month with 10 RBI's following his start in this season's All-Star Game. With Alen Rodriguez hitting only .168 in July, and with only six home runs since May, the Yankees lineup has lost a bit of its punch.
Team-ace Ricky Nolasco has also struggled, working to an ERA over five for the season, and an ERA near 10 over his last four starts. Nolasco has one start against the White Sox this season and he allowed five runs in 4.2 innings of a Yankees loss.
Quite frankly, the Yankees need more production out of their stars to keep from falling out of the race.
Meanwhile, the White Sox have rebounded after a disastrous beginning to July. They send Rich Harden to the mound, who is turning in another strong season. Acquired from the Cubs, he combines with John Lackey to give the White Sox a formidable top of the rotation, especially if Crazy Legs Hernandez can rediscover how to complete his same throwing motion twice.
The game against the Yankees begins a seven-game week against the Yanks and Red Sox meaning the White Sox can't squander opportunities. Harden has to continue to be sharp, but the White Sox also need hitters like Gian Guzman to hit better than .255 with runners in scoring position, and Sean Rodriguez to hit better than .239 overall.
The White Sox have the talent to win the Central. But they need to put things together.
Questions for the GM's. For Sean Kemper, your offensive stars have gone south of late. How do you get them back to how they performed in April?
Ricky Nolasco hasn't performed well at all in pinstripes. What do you need to see from him tonight and in the future to make the playoffs.
Finally Joel Zumaya has been deposed as the Yankees closer. How much do you trust Angel Guzman in the closing spot?
For John Templon, your team is one of the best defensive teams in the American League. How much of a premium do you put on defense?
You've gotten very little offense out of your infield, except for Guzman. Are you trying to put defense first or are your hitters simply not hitting?
You acquired Rich Harden at the deadline, but now Detroit has added Brandon Webb, and Minnesota added Tanner Scheppers. Which of these former Rangers aces-turned AL Central stalwarts will play the biggest role in determining the division?