Blue Jays vs. Yankees
New York, NY – The New York Yankees have had a tough time getting their bats untracked on this homestand, and it may not get any easier Saturday.
The Yankees could be in for another difficult afternoon against Ricky Romero as they continue a weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Yankees –165 money line favorites for Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 55% of more than 548 bets for this game have been placed on the Yankees -165.
New York (48-31) has faced some outstanding pitchers on this six-game stretch at Yankee Stadium, scoring a total of seven runs in losing three of four. The Yankees didn’t fare well against Seattle stars Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez, and they only managed five singles against Brett Cecil and four relievers in a 6-1, 11-inning loss Friday to Toronto (41-40).
"Everyone has a chance to step up and have good days," manager Joe Girardi said. "We’ve had a tough time scoring lately. Every offense goes through it."
Robinson Cano is 2 for 16 over his last four games, Derek Jeter is 3 for 15 and Alex Rodriguez is 2 for 14 in the same span.
Those hitters will try to break out against Romero (6-4, 2.83 ERA), who is 1-1 with a 0.86 ERA over his last three outings. Romero allowed two runs in seven innings Monday in a 2-1 loss at Cleveland.
The left-hander is 1-1 with a 4.74 ERA in four starts against the Yankees, including a solid eight-inning stint in which he gave up two runs June 5 in a 3-2, 14-inning home victory.
Rodriguez is 4 for 11 against Romero, while Cano (1 for 11) and Jeter (1 for 10) have fared poorly.
Cecil’s outing Friday lowered the ERA of Toronto’s starters against New York to 1.55 in four games. The Blue Jays improved to 3-1 against the Yankees after Alex Gonzalez’s RBI single started a five-run rally in the 11th.
Toronto won despite not homering for a season-high fifth straight game. The Blue Jays lead the majors with 115 homers, and hit six when they took two of three from the Yankees from June 4-6.
Facing the best power-hitting team in baseball may be a daunting task for Yankees starter Andy Pettitte (9-2, 2.72), who has not won a home start against the Blue Jays since Aug. 2, 1999. Pettitte is 0-5 with a 6.58 ERA in nine starts in the Bronx against Toronto since, including one last year at the new Yankee Stadium.
The 38-year-old left-hander, though, is enjoying one of his finest seasons and could be in line for his first All-Star game selection since 2001.
"I can’t say that it would be extremely important to me, but it would definitely be nice," Pettitte told MLB.com. "At this stage, not knowing how much longer I’ve got, it would be extremely cool. And then obviously to have our coaching staff there, it would be special."
Pettitte gave up five runs over five innings Sunday in an 8-6, 10-inning win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. It ended a run of six straight starts in which he lasted at least seven innings.
Blue Jays cleanup hitter Vernon Wells – hitless in his last 13 at-bats – is a career .354 hitter against Pettitte.
Posted 7/02/2010 9:52 PM ET