New York Yankees at Los Angeles Dodgers (-110, 7.5)
The Dodgers and Yankees meet in the final game of this interleague series at Chavez Ravine in Los Angeles Sunday Night. Let’s take a look at the matchup.
Awkward reunion tour concludes
The Joe Torre reunion party concludes against his former team when the Dodgers wrap-up the final game on the 2010 interleague schedule this evening.
After being dumped by the Yankees in an acrimonious parting following the 2007 season, Torre shared plenty of hugs with some of his former players Friday night.
"The odd thing for me is I'm going to be over there in that dugout pulling against people I've never pulled against before," Torre said. "That's the weird part for me."
While Torre has kept in touch with some of his players, the skipper hasn't spoken with Brian Cashman since his book, "The Yankee Years" was released at the beginning of 2009. In addition, he has not spoken with anybody else in the front office with the exception of George Steinbrenner, whom Torre called to congratulate after last year's World Series.
The most awkward meeting is with Alex Rodriguez, whose relationship with Torre was scarred by some of the contents in the manager's book – most notably the revelation that some of Rodriguez's own teammates referred to him as "A-Fraud."
"I can't entirely understand what Joe will be going through, but I think he has a switch inside that he can just flip on," insists Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Hideki Matsui.
Blue crew
The father of Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal has died from injuries he sustained after being kicked by a horse three weeks ago. Furcal described his late father as his hitting coach and No. 1 fan. Los Angeles expects Furcal back from the Dominican Republic in the middle of the week.
Adding to the Dodgers’ personnel woes is the loss of starting pitchers Chad Billingsley and Carlos Monasterios.
Billingsley went on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin strain on June 12 and is expected to be activated June 28.
Monasterios went on the DL June 19 with a blister on his right middle finger and a split nail on his right index finger. His return is unknown.
June bug
Despite their stellar play in posting the best record in the major leagues this season, the Yanks entered the weekend with a scant two-game lead over Tampa Bay and Boston in the AL East.
Entering Friday, for all intents and purposes, the Pinstripes kept pace with the Red Sox in June, going 14-7 opposed to 15-7 for Boston.
The Rays’ 9-11 mark in June paved the way for New York’s surge to the top of the division standings. The Yankees will play seven more series against the Rays and the Sox before season’s end.
Southpaw slants
Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers opposes New York’s Andy Pettitte in a southpaw setting this evening.
The Dodgers are 10-5 behind Kershaw this season, including 6-2 at home (four wins in a row). Kershaw started his MLB career with losses in six of his first seven team starts in June, but he has reversed tracks, going 6-1 his last seven during the month of June.
The Yankees are 11-3 behind Pettitte’s serves this season. The big lefty is 10-4 his last 14 starts in June, including 5-1 in his last six road games.
Pettitte is 2-2 with a 3.33 ERA in four career team starts against the Dodgers while Kershaw makes his first-ever appearance against the Bronx Bombers.
East meets West
- The Dodgers are 0-6 in their last five meetings against the AL East.
- The Yankees are 6-1 in their last six games against the NL West.
