Series Overview- Yankees vs Mariners

[Porter]

How the teams are faring- The Yanks are coming off back to back shutout's of the hapless A's Offense. Not like the M's Offense is doing any better, take away Richie Sexson's Grand Slam late in game 2 of yesterdays double header. The M's have only scored 10 runs in their last 5 (minus the Sexson HR).

Probable Starters

Today- Gil Meche (2-2, 5.35) vs Randy Johnson (2-2, 3.74)
One of the supposed M's young studs against one of the main guys that put this franchise on the map. Meche is coming off a 8 inning, 5 earned run performance. If he can stay out of early trouble, it will help ease the pressure put on the scuffling offense. Randy Johnson has been hurt lately. His last start was on the 29 of April, a complete game 7 hitter in which he allowed 2 earned runs. The storyline is pretty intriguing considering it the 1st AL Start vs the Unit's old team since being traded that fateful day for Carlos Guillen, Freddy Garcia and John Halama.

Tomorrow- Aaron Sele (2-3, 5.18) vs Chien-Mhen Wang (0-1, 4.85)
This is a prime situation for the rookie Wang to get his 1st carrer win on Tuesday. Sele was pounded for 6 hits, 5 walks and 4 earned runs over 4 and a third innings pitched. Wang was tagged for 5 earned runs and 8 hits over 6 innings pitched in his last start. Chien-Mhen has done something Sele hasnt done this season, thats make it past the 7th inning.

Wednesday- Jamie Moyer (4-1, 4.70) vs Carl Pavano (2-2, 4.17)
The big free agent pickup vs the ageless wonder. This is by far the best pitching duel of the series. Pavano is getting heat for not performing to the Yankee standard. Jamie Moyer has been absoutely taken to school his last 2 starts. Moyer allowed, 17 hits and 4 walks, not to mention 11 earned runs over his last 6.1 innings pitched. Pavano has 7 unearned runs so far this season and hasnt won since April 26th. Not thats a long time, Moyer hasnt won since April 24th.

By the Numbers

26- # of RBIs by Richie Sexson, despite hitting .224
204 - Times struck by opposing M's Pitchers
11- Combined # of HRs allowed by the 3 M's projected starters
.190- OPS of recent Yankee callup Robinson Cano
2- # of bullpen pitchers with a sub-4 ERA for the Yanks
6- # of bullpen pitchers with a sub-4 ERA for the M's
2- # of bullpen pitchers with a sub-1 ERA for the M's
6- # of HRs allowed by Carl Pavano this season.

Who to Watch
JJ Putz and Julio Mateo- These two pitchers are becoming similar to the Rhodes/Nelson setup tandem in the early 2000's. Sub-1 ERAs, 14 hits, 2 earned runs, 17 Ks, 5 BB combined for the young pitchers. Hitters are hitting a measley .189 vs JJ and an even worse .135 vs Mateo.

Alex Rodriguez- Leads the Majors in HRs (11), hes been on a tear so far this season and could terroize Meche, Sele and Moyer this series. Its a bad omen for the M's if he continues the beatdown of opposing pitchers.

Outlook- Good luck, the Yanks have won 2 straight. but only seeing them take 2 out of 3 games. The M's have a chance in the Moyer-Pavano matchup but they need to strike early in all 3 games to realistically have a chance.

[MarinersFan87]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=230429110

Anyone else remember this game? Come on Gil.

[Porter]

Last 3 years - Gil Meche is 3-1 with a 2.86 ERA. Intresting.