YGY Series Preview Show: Yankees-Padres (8/2-8/4)

The New York Yankees (56-51) began their West Coast swing in Los Angeles. Despite the continuing theme of a lack of runs, New York managed a split in the series due to a three run 9th inning on Wednesday night. Lyle Overbay delivered a RBI single with two outs in the 9th inning to give the Bombers the victory. Despite there being no resolution to the Alex Rodriguez saga, New York stands just three games back in the loss column for the second Wild Card. Plus, Curtis Granderson will make his return to the Yankees lineup on Friday night, bringing another potential source of home run hitting power. This should be the stretch where the Yankees’ take advantage of a favorable schedule and gain more ground in the division and the Wild Card, even with Rodriguez in Trenton on a rehab assignment.

Ian Kennedy makes his Padres’ debut against his former team, the Yankees, on Sunday afternoon. (Photo Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports)

The Yankees will end their West Coast trip in PETCO Park against the San Diego Padres (50-59). San Diego has dealt with numerous injuries to their starting rotation such as Jason Marquis and Clayton Richard. They were one of the few teams to make a move at Wednesday’s trade deadline by dealing reliever Joe Thatcher to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for former Yankees’ starter Ian Kennedy. Kennedy makes his Padres’ debut Sunday against Phil Hughes, who was also with Kennedy in the Yankees’ rotation in 2008. As for the offense, San Diego is 15th in the majors in runs scored and 20th in batting average. That could take a bigger hit with the possibility of shortstop Evereth Cabrera facing a 50-game suspension due to his involvement in the Biogenesis situation. San Diego still has Carlos Quentin (13 home runs) in the middle of their lineup and a solid back of the bullpen with Luke Gregerson setting up closer Huston Street (20 saves in 21 chances).

On this episode of the Yanks Go Yard Series Preview Show, presented by BaldVinny.com (recorded Wednesday night), I discuss the return of Granderson, my desire for the A-Rod saga to end, and my thoughts on the Yankees’ silent trade deadline. Dominic DiTolla from Chicken Friars joins me to discuss the Kennedy trade, the pitching matchups this weekend, and more topics surrounding the future of the Padres. Plus, he gives his take on who he likes in the National League West going forward.

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