It’s Ivan Nova vs. John Lackey tonight.

I went shopping at Fairway this morning and talked tough with the Yankee fans I encountered. Smiles all around. Then an older guy comes up to me and says, “I’ve been rooting for the Red Sox for over sixty years. They are going to blow this.”

Who was I to tell him he was wrong? But I still say the Sox make the playoffs. And I’m not just trying to reverse jinx it–I’d be as happy as the next Yankee fan if the Sox find a way to blow it–I just don’t see it happening. I’ve got a bet with a friend who is a Sox fan–he buys me dinner if the Sox make it to the playoffs, I buy him dinner if they blow it. That’s a win, win for me.

It was supposed to rain all day but the sun is peaking out now. Double-header at the Stadium.

Here’s the Game 1 fun:

Brett Gardner CF
Derek Jeter SS
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jorge Posada DH
Andruw Jones LF
Russell Martin C
Chris Dickerson RF
Brandon Laird 1B
Ramiro Pena 2B

Against…

Ellsbury CF
Crawford LF
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Gonzalez 1B
Aviles 3B
Scutaro SS
Reddick RF
Saltalamacchia C

Never mind coasting:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

[Photo Credit: Food Addict]

Yanks, Sox: Fox.

Make it count, boys.

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

Yanks have a chance to make life miserable for the Sox this weekend.

Cliff’s got the preview.

Supposed to rain for the next three days.

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Andruw Jones LF
Jesus Montero DH
Russell Martin C

Never mind the galoshes:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

[Photo Credit: Retrogasm]

Think it’s been weird for Sox fans to root for the Yankees? One of my Sox buddies was cheering with no problem cause he said the alternative was hockey season. Another Sox friend, however, refused to budge. I thought he just didn’t want to give me the satisfaction. Then he said, “What makes you think I want to watch these bastards anymore?”

Point taken.

A month ago, did anyone think the final series against Boston would be essentially meaningless for the Yanks? Dag.

Here’s the lineup:

Derek Jeter SS
Eduardo Nunez 2B
Mark Teixeira DH
Nick Swisher RF
Andruw Jones LF
Jesus Montero C
Jorge Posada 1B
Brandon Laird 3B
Greg Golson CF

Never mind hating the Sox, Russ:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

Bombers go for the sweep as C.C. guns for win number 20.

Sic ’em, champ and:

Let’s Go Yanks!

[Photo Credit: Joel Zimmer]

The Bombers’ magic number to clinch the AL East is three, to make the playoffs, it’s two.

It’ll be Hector Noesi and not Phil Hughes.

Gardner CF
Jeter SS
Cano DH
Rodriguez 3B
Swisher RF
Posada 1B
Jones LF
Nunez 2B
Romine C

Never mind the jokes about the “Headline,” Beavis:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

[Photo Credit: Muggleborn]

Yanks and Rays start a four-game serious at the Stadium tonight.

Cliff’s got the preview.

1. Jeter SS
2. Granderson CF
3. Teixeira 1B
4. Rodriguez DH
5. Cano 2B
6. Swisher RF
7. Chavez 3B
8. Martin C
9. Gardner LF

Never mind the scoreboard:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

I won’t belabor the pernt but this is a game the Yankees should–and must–win. They are playing a hapless Twins team. So no excuses from Burnett. He needs to shut them down. Score Truck should take care of the rest.

Cliff has the preview.

1. Jeter SS
2. Granderson CF
3. Teixeira 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Cano 2B
6. Swisher RF
7. Jones LF
8. Montero DH
9. Martin C

No excuses. Just win, baby:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

[Photo Credit: someonethatunderstands]

It’s the B-Squad and A Rod today in Toronto.

Brett Gardner CF
Eduardo Nunez 2B
Robinson Cano DH
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Nick Swisher RF
Eric Chavez 1B
Russell Martin C
Chris Dickerson LF
Ramiro Pena SS

Never mind the pigskin:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

Mr. Rodriguez returns…encore une fois.

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Nick Swisher RF
Jesus Montero DH
Brett Gardner LF
Austin Romine C

Never mind last night:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

[Photo Credit: Malice]

Yanks in Toronto and Cliff’s got the preview.  Score truck anyone?

Alex Rodriguez won’t play tonight though he may play tomorrow or Sunday.

Meanwhile, C.C. goes for win number 20.

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Eric Chavez 3B
Jorge Posada DH
Russell Martin C
Brett Gardner LF

Never mind the scoreboard-watching:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

[Photo Credit: The Harsh Truth of the Camera Eye]

The Yanks say goodbye to the west coast tonight.

Here’s how they’ll roll.

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Jesus Montero DH
Andruw Jones LF
Russell Martin C
Eduardo Nunez 3B

Never mind the time difference:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

Yanks in Seattle again tonight, working the late shift.

Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jesus Montero DH
Andruw Jones LF
Russell Martin C
Eduardo Nunez 3B
Brett Gardner CF

Never mind the Late Show:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

The Yanks will have nobody to blame but themselves if they don’t win the American League East. Yeah, they are facing Felix Hernandez tonight but you gotta figure they should win this series against the Mariners.

Cliff has the preview.

Up all night, we cheer:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

The Yanks have lost four games in a row. Couple of dumb ones against the O’s, couple of tough ones against the Angels. Be nice if they win one today.

Scoretruck–on the low–anyone?

Never mind the angst: Let’s Go Yanks!

[Photo Credit: Someone that Understands]

Sabathia, Haren. Another big game.

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

[Photo Credit: The Jack Plug]

Yanks are in California for three games. Must-win time for the Angels who are chasing the Rangers for first place in the AL West. Tonight gives Jered Weaver.

Cliff’s got the preview.

Never mind the beautiful setting:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

[Photo Credit: The Epiphanist]

Make-up matinee down in Baltimore.

Nova, regulars…

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Eric Chavez 3B
Francisco Cervelli C
Brett Gardner LF

Let’s Go Yank-ees!

[Photo Credit: coffeesforclosers]

The Soggy Bottom Boys are at it again this afternoon. Dig this lineup:

1. Nunez SS
2. Martin C
3. Swisher RF
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Jones LF
6. Montero DH
7. Laird 1B
8. Golson CF
9. Pena 2B

(gasp). Never mind the galoshes:

Let’s Go Yank-ees!