Yankees-Red Sox: Pregame Notes

Here are some pregame notes via Peter Abraham of the Journal News and Yankees Blogs.

The Yankees are 19-17 in the last two years against the Red Sox. Only three runs separate them in those 36 games, which is amazing.

Nick Swisher has a 433 OBP, but is four for his last 25 with one RBI, two XBH, and seven strikeouts.

Derek Jeter has four home runs in his first 59 at-bats this year, which is the quickest he has done that since 1999 when it took him 36 at-bats.

Melky Cabrera's last four hits have all been home runs.

Hideki Matsui is six for his last 14, after starting four for 27.

Robinson Cano has hit safely in 24 of 25 games dating back to last year. He is batting 367 with six walks.

The Yankees have hit one home run in their last nine games.

The Yankees bullpen has allowed one run over the last 12 innings.

Here are the lineups.

Yankees
Jeter(ss)
Damon(lf)
Teixeira(1b)
Posada(c)
Swisher(rf)
Cano(2b)
Cabrera(cf)
Molina(c)
Ransom(3b)

Boston

Ellsbury(cf)
Pedroia(2b)
Ortiz(dh)
Youkilis(1b)
Drew(rf)
Bay(lf)
Lowell(3b)
Varitek(c)
Green(ss)

Chien-Ming Wang is not there and may not be coming back to the team. He is being examined by Dr. Mark Lindsay, the rehab specialist who has been working with A-Rod.

I expect that he will be placed on the DL later on tonight and that Phil Hughes will be announced as Tuesday's starter.

Joe Girardi said that today was A-Rod's best day of rehab and he is very close to playing in minor league games, which would put him in line to be back probably the first week of May if he has no setbacks, which I have been predicting for a while.

They really need A-Rod, but I hope he doesn't rush himself.

Enjoy the show tonight, everyone, and be back later with any info if it develops.