Yanks Go Yard Series Preview Show: Athletics at Yankees (9/21-9/23)

Well, the New York Yankees have seemed to find their groove once again. Despite a rainout on Tuesday, the Bronx Bombers were able to win three games in two days against the Toronto Blue Jays. Even with the great performances from Ichiro Suzuki and Nick Swisher during the series, the Yankees only find themselves up a game in the AL East over the Orioles thanks to their marathon wins in Seattle. Now, the Bombers get set to play their final regular season series against a team with a winning record. Little do they know that this series has the potential to be a one-game playoff preview plus has a revenge factor to it.

On Friday, the Oakland Athletics will make their first visit to Yankee Stadium this year and just like New York, they have a lot riding on this series as well. Right now, they are in the driver’s seat to at least host the wild-card game that would take place two weeks from today. Currently, they have a five game lead on the Angels in the Wild Card. They pack a major punch with their bats, especially with outfielders Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes racking up home runs in the middle of the order. They are riding high after salvaging the series in Detroit and knowing that they swept the Yankees back in July. However, they have one problem that could deter their last two weeks.

Can Ichiro Suzuki carry his red hot play into the Oakland A’s series this weekend after a historic doubleheader on Wednesday? (Photo Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE)

That problem is a lack of arms in the rotation. After the suspension of Bartolo Colon and the skull fracture to Brandon McCarthy, the rotation for Bob Melvin’s team took a hit Wednesday when they lost Brett Anderson for the remainder of the season with a strained oblique. The question for Oakland will be if their young pitchers like Tommy Millone and Jarrod Parker can help to fill that void and take a notch up for the pitching staff. We will find somewhat of an answer to that question this weekend.

For this episode of the Yanks Go Yard Series Preview show brought to you by BaldVinny.com, I was joined by Sean Davis of SwinginAs.com to discuss these injuries, predict where Oakland will be on the night of October 3rd as well as discuss the differences between this year’s run and the Moneyball team from a decade ago. Sean then asks me about Andy Pettitte, the Yankees’ chances of winning the division, and much more.

Note: Show was recorded live on Wednesday night!

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