Game 51: Chamberlain, Yankees Look To Take Series From Indians

Joba Chamberlain will look to win the series tonight for the Yankees as he faces the Cleveland Indians in the rubber game of a four-game series.

Chamberlain (2-1, 3.97 ERA) will return to Progressive Field, where the infamous "midges" incident occurred two years ago. This will be his first start in Cleveland. He pitched two scoreless innings of relief last year, and has not allowed a hit over 5 2/3 innings in Cleveland.

Chamberlain pitched against the Indians April 17, where he gave up five runs over 4 2/3 innings. The Yankees rallied to win the game, 6-5.

The Indians will send Jeremy Sowers (1-2, 7.71 ERA) to the mound in tonight's game. The left-hander is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three career starts against the Yankees.

Sowers will face a red-hot Yankees lineup, featuring the streaking Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter. Texeira has a 13-game hit streak, in which he is batting .400 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs.

Jeter is batting .397 during a 14-game win streak, and has five straight multi-hit games.

And now, your starting lineup for the New York Yankees:

Jeter SS

Swisher RF

Teixeira 1B

Rodriguez DH

Posada C

Cano 2B

Cabrera LF

Berroa 3B

Gardner CF

And on the mound, the flamethrower, Joba Chamberlain.

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

My Thoughts:

1. Angel Berroa?

Yes, you didn't read that wrong - Angel Berroa will be starting at third base tonight. I don't know why Girardi would use him in the situation - I'd rather see Ramiro Pena. But I guess we'll get the treat (or should I say the horror) of watching Berroa in the field.

2. If You're Nick Swisher, Maybe Your Happy It's June

Swisher had an absolutely horrible May. Here was his stat line - .150 AVG., .311 OBP, .275 SLG. Clearly an abysmal month for any hitter, especially after he started out on fire in April. Maybe with the calendar turning, we'll see Swisher pick it back up.

3. Can The Yankees Keep It Rolling On The Road?

The Yankees are 4-2 on this 7-game road trip, so no matter what they'll finish with a winning record. They're also 15-12 on the road this season. Good numbers so far, especially with their early struggles at home. You know the team would love to finish this road trip with a win.

4. History Can Be Made

Jeter needs two runs to reach 1,500 for his career. He'd be the fourth active player and fourth player in Yankees history to reach that milestone.