First Pitch: 12:05pm CDT
TV: FS-N
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Pinstripe Alley
Pettitte is one of those guys who continues to defy his age, and with his 38th just one month away to the day 2010 has been no exception. He's stranding nearly 84% of his base runners, of which there aren't that many of in the first place, and he's allowed just one home run in 39 innings.
His cutter and curve have been typically solid, but for the first time since coming back to the Yankees his fastball has been effective, too.
Oddly, hitters are making significantly more contact than they have in Pettitte's career, and he's getting very few swinging strikes. Considering the dip in home run rates and fly ball rates, the hike in grounders from last season and a few more pop ups without big changes in strikeout or walk rates, all it means is that while Pettitte is getting more contact...it's not good contact.
After five consecutive quality starts to kick off the season, Liriano had his first tough outing of the year last Saturday against the Orioles. He has a significantly more difficult task today in taming the Yankees, but what interests me more is seeing how he responds following a couple of extra days of rest. No doubt Bert will tell us that Liriano might come out too strong early on.
This is a very patient club, which means that while he'll have his chances to rack up strikeouts against guys like Swisher, Thames and Teixeira, he'll also need to be careful to not let the free passes get away from him. Liriano's been great this year, and this will be his toughest test of the young season.