The Yankees-White Sox Series: Another Possible ALDS Series Matchup?
August 28, 2009 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
After losing two out of three to the Rangers, the Yankees will begin a home series starting Friday night against the White Sox.
The last time these two met at U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox took three of four, but the Yankees have had better success against Chicago at home in the past.
The Yankees come in Friday at 79-48 and first place in the A.L. East division, while the White Sox come in at 64-64 and in second place in the A.L. Central division. The White Sox are four games behind the Tigers.
The Red Sox are six games behind the Yankees and are at home against the Blue Jays this weekend, and the Blue Jays have been awful since the beginning of August, so the Red Sox are expected to cruise through that series, which means the Yankees must stay sharp at home, where they are 42-20.
Here’s a preview of the pitching matchups for the Yankees and White Sox series:
Friday, Aug. 28: CC Sabathia (15-7, 3.59) vs. Mark Buehrle (11-7, 3.92)
Friday night will be a battle of each teams’ aces. The last time the two squared off in Chicago, it was Sabathia who won the duel as the Yankees offense chased Buehrle out early. On July 23, Buehrle threw a perfect game against the Rays, which was his 11th win. Since then, Buehrle has gone winless in six games.
On the other side, Sabathia has been living up to his big-game ability for the Yankees in the month of August, going 5-0 with 39 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings. As long as Sabathia continues his dominance for the Yankees, they should get off to a good start by winning this game behind Sabathia.
Saturday, Aug. 29: Sergio Mitre (2-1, 6.82) vs. Carlos Torres (0-0, 6.75)
This game could turn into a slugfest, because both pitchers aren’t exactly very good. Mitre has not been consistent in seven games for the Yankees. In his last outing, a relief appearance in Fenway Park against the Red Sox, they scored four runs and two home runs off Mitre in the ninth inning. The last time Mitre pitched against Chicago, he only lasted three innings and gave up five runs.
Torres is a rookie for Chicago who has had a lot of control issues. In his last start, he walked six in three and 1/3 innings against the Indians. If the Yankees are patient on Torres, they could mess with his control and beat on him early. But the same can be done with Mitre, which could lead to a slugfest in the Bronx.
Sunday, Aug. 30: Joba Chamberlain (8-4, 4.34) vs. Freddy Garcia (0-1, 6.75)
This is the game I have the most personal interest in because I will be there in person for my friend’s bachelor party. Yes, his bachelor party will be in the Bronx with Joba Chamberlain pitching. It’s been apparent the “Joba Rules” inning limit and rest given to Chamberlain has not been working. He was given a nine day layoff from Aug. 16 to Aug. 25, where Joba gave up seven runs against the Rangers in four innings.
Joba needs to get back to the method that he came back with after the All Star break, which is simple: attack, attack and more attacking. Garcia is back with the White Sox, and it’s not the same Garcia in 2005 who won the World Series. Both the Royals and Red Sox figured out how to get to Garcia, so if the Yankees can be patient and let Garcia get wild, they will knock hin out early.
Overall, the Yankees look like they can win two out of three against the White Sox from the pitching matchups. If the Yankees take advantage of Chicago’s pitching with their explosive offense, the Yankees could easily sweep this weekend’s series. Both of these teams have good offenses, but the Yankees are a better team at home than the White Sox are on the road, so if the Yankees continue to play well at home while playing as the best team in baseball, this weekend should favor the Yankees.
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