Game 41: Yankees Look To Keep Good Times Rolling Against Baltimore

The Yankees will look to sweep their second straight series tonight and win their ninth game in a row against the Baltimore Orioles Thursday night.

Joba Chamberlin (2-1, 3.76 ERA) will get the start as the Yankees look to defeat the Orioles for the fourth time in a row this season. Earlier this season, Chamberlain went six innings and gave up three runs in a Yankees victory.

The Yankees righthander is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA as a starter against the Orioles.

Adam Eaton (2-4, 7.93 ERA) will start for the Yankees. Although Eaton has been hit hard this season, he held the Yankees at bay in his last start. The righthander went five innings and gave up four runs in a 12-5 victory over the Yankees on May 9.

Lifetime, Eaton is 2-1 with a 5.17 ERA against the Yankees.

The Yankees won last night's game, 11-4, on the strength of three straight home runs. Those home runs increased the Yankees season total to 64 - tops in the league.

Tonight's game also marks the first time Chamberlain will face Aubrey Huff, who mocked his fist pump after hitting a home run off the pitcher on May 10. Both players have downplayed the incident.

The Orioles pitching staff has struggled recently, compiling a 7.20 ERA on their road trip. The Yankees pitching staff has compiled a 2.88 ERA during their eight game win streak.

The Yankees will look to win nine games in a row for the first time since June 5 - 14, 2007.

The lineups have yet to be announced. I'll post later when they come out.

[UPDATE (6:00 PM): HERE'S A NEW LOOK YANKEES LINEUP]

Jeter SS

Cano 2B

Teixeira 1B

Rodriguez 3B

Matsui DH

Swisher RF

Cabrera LF

Cervelli C

Gardner CF

Game time is 7:05, and you can catch all the action on YES.

My Thoughts:

1. The importance of an early lead

During this winning streak, the Yankees have been able to play ahead, usually scoring early. That's helped this team dramatically. It's always easier for a pitcher to relax when they have a lead. Even with Phil Hughes getting hit a little hard yesterday, that five-run lead was a big help. Continuing to strike first will only continue to bring good results.

2. The pitching staff lives up to expectations

As stated above, during the winning streak, the Yankees pitchers have a 2.88 ERA. It seems like the pitchers have been able to figure it out, and they're limiting the damage. It helps that the offense has time and time again come up with a clutch hit or a big inning. But these guys have pitched well, from the starters to the bullpen.

3. The Joba - Huff matchup

I have a prediction for Huff's first at - bat: Huff steps up to the plate, and Joba pitches to him. Either he gets a hit or he makes an out. I don't think we're going to see Joba brushing Huff back, etc. It doesn't even seem like it's bothering him. But I'd love to see him strike him out and give him a little fist pump. We'll have to see what happens, but I don't think it's going to be a huge deal.