Wednesday MLB: N.Y. Yankees (38-32) at Atlanta Braves (34-36)
Offense was supposed to be the least of the New York Yankees’ problems this season, but it’s the main reason the Yanks have dropped nine of 13 following Tuesday’s 4-0 loss in Atlanta.
“We’re trying,” said catcher Jorge Posada, who struck out four times for a New York lineup that left 11 men on base. “Offensively, we’re not clicking. We hit some balls hard at people, and when we seem to get a rally going, we’re not executing.”
Manager Joe Girardi has said he might have to alter the lineup, as New York has been shut out three times in the past 12 games. He might need to do something with Alex Rodriguez, who is in a 1-for-23 slump that has him batting just .207 this season.
“There’s no question [we're overanxious],” said Rodriguez.
Opposing starters are 5-1 with a 2.51 ERA in the last seven games against New York, which has also lost six of seven on the road. The Yankees have scored 13 runs over the last six games.
The Yanks will face a pitcher they have not seen before for the eighth straight game tonight in Kenshin Kawakami (4-6, 4.42). In two previous interleague starts against the Blue Jays and Red Sox, Kawakami threw a combined 14 innings and allowed just five hits and two earned runs. In his past four starts, he has held opponents to just a .220 batting average and pitched at least six innings three times. The Braves have thrown consecutive shutouts for the first time in four years.
New York counters with Joba Chamberlain (3-2, 3.89). This will be his 14th start of the season, and seven of those have been quality starts, in which the Yanks are 5-2. He is 3-0 with a 2.72 ERA in six outings.
This will be his first start against the Braves.
Meanwhile, Yankees starter CC Sabathia will throw a light bullpen session on Wednesday as a final hurdle to a start on Friday against the Mets.
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