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Since the Yankees were heavy on left-handed hitters, there was a chance they would struggle this year against lefty hurlers.
And yet, in the first two dozen games, they saw two lefty starters. In the first 27, five lefties started.
Switch-hitter Jorge Posada hasn't swung a bat since a pinch-hitting appearance April 26, and Alex Rodriguez returns to the lineup tonight for the first time since April 28.
So what happened to the Yankees when they lost a lot of right-handed thump? They have seen lefties in eight of the last 17 games, including the past three games.
For the season they are 4-9 against lefties and batting .225.
"It's the perfect storm," GM Brian Cashman said. "Our right-handed bats are out of the lineup and we are seeing a lot of lefties. I can't remember seeing this many lefties. It seems like every day you get up we see a lefty."
It's not going to stop. After the Orioles throw right-hander Daniel Cabrera tonight at the Stadium, lefties Garrett Olson and Brian Burres are on tap.
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To make room for Rodriguez, the Yankees are expected to option right-handed reliever Chris Britton to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre. With yesterday being dark, the pen should be rested.
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A cough and congestion were severe enough to have Jose Molina undergo a chest X-ray Sunday night, but he didn't believe the problem would keep him out of the lineup.
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The Yankees-Tigers game rained out May 11 has been rescheduled for Sept. 1 at 1:05 p.m. at Comerica Park.
Copyright 2007 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
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