The Captain's Blog

For the fifth time this month, the Yankees will ask Andy Pettitte to help pick up the pieces after a disastrous start by AJ Burnett. Even though the Yankees have only won two of his last four starts, Pettitte has proven to be a bona fide stopper by going at least seven innings without giving up more than two earned runs in each outing.

Pettitte’s consistency has allowed the Yankees to avoid wrecking their bullpen in the wake of Burnett’s blowouts. In order to accomplish that task again, however, Pettitte will have navigate around Manny Ramirez, who has a career OPS of 1.140 in 86 plate appearances against the Yankees’ lefty. Meanwhile, the Yankees lineup will have their hands full with Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers’ young fireballer just had a string of eight consecutive quality starts (7-1 with a 1.82 ERA) snapped by the Anaheim Angels, so he’ll be anxious to get right back on the beam. His challenge will be throwing enough strikes to entice the Yankees’ patient lineup.

With ESPN covering the game, the broadcast is likely to be all about Joe Torre’s Yankee reunion. Even though both sides have tried to downplay the significance of the meeting, you can bet more than a few principals on each side have their fingers crossed for a series victory.