Ride the wave

Minnesota has come into the Bronx and had some success recently and I don't like it.  Match-ups with the Twins used to be our tune-up games.  Most times they would just lay down and die before the bell even rang.  So I think it's only right that the guy who's been on the mound for so many of those drubbings over the years goes out there tonight and throws a gem.

I'm not sure how long this recent stint of productivity from CC Sabathia is going to last.  All we can really do is try and ride the wave.  The big guy toes the rubber tonight against a familiar opponent.  He's started 35 career games against the Twins with a nifty 17-9 record.  He got roughed up a bit at Target Field a few weeks ago but he's coming off two of his best outings of the year and he'll look to build off that on a night where the bullpen badly needs a break.

The Yanks have had a couple of fresh arms inserted into the bullpen in the last 24 hours.  Chris Capuano and Nick Rumbelow will be available tonight after Caleb Cotham was demoted and Bryan Mitchell hit the 7-day concussion DL.  You can bet Betances won't be available tonight but I'd imagine Justin Wilson and Andrew Miller should be good to go.  Not too sure about Shreve. 

Girardi will also be playing tonight with a short bench while Tex sits after fouling that ball off his leg yesterday.  Greg Bird will get the start at first and will hit behind Beltran in the six hole. 

Despite an eight run output last night I think it's fair to say that the offense still won't truly start clicking until A-Rod starts hitting.  Mike Pelfry is not an overpowering pitcher by any stretch and he should pose an ample opportunity tonight to get things going in the right direction.  A-Rod should see plenty of good pitches with the hot hitting McCann and Beltran situated behind him.