NewsRested Chamberlain to face Rangers
New York (78-46) vs. Texas (69-54), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
08/24/09 2:18 AM ET
BOSTON -- The lasting effect of eight days off should charge through Joba Chamberlain when he takes the mound on Tuesday against the Rangers. At least, the hard-throwing right-hander expects it will. "Strong like bull," Chamberlain said, grinning. After missing a turn through the rotation in an attempt to limit his regular-season innings, Chamberlain is set to return and make the first of his six remaining starts as the Yankees open a six-game homestand at Yankee Stadium. The idea of staggering Chamberlain's starts to an innings limit around 160 is to protect his arm for the future while keeping it fresh for use in the postseason. Chamberlain has felt the itch to get on the mound, like you would expect of any enthusiastic 23-year-old, but he also understands the larger picture being presented to him. "You try to make the best of it," Chamberlain said. "I think we had a better plan this time. "It still feels like it's about a month in between each start, but that's just because you're used to going out every five days and doing it. This one felt a lot better than the last one did." That plan, for Chamberlain, had him throw three bullpen sessions in place of what would have been his most recent start, working on Friday and Sunday at Boston's Fenway Park. The longest of them, a session on Wednesday at the Oakland Coliseum, was capped at approximately 80 pitches. Pitching as Chamberlain would during a contest, working alternately out of the windup and stretch, the simulated game featured bullpen coach Mike Harkey standing in as a batter, while pitching coach Dave Eiland served as the home-plate umpire. "He was a little bit tight, but we worked with it," Chamberlain said. Chamberlain's 24th start of the season and his fourth career effort against the Rangers follows the snapping of his nine-start undefeated streak on Aug. 16 against the Mariners, when Chamberlain allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings. "I expect him to be [sharp]," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Expectations are high around here for all of our pitchers to go out and pitch at a high level. I know he's had a couple of extra days off, but he also had an extra bullpen he threw earlier in the week." Chamberlain's career ERA against the Rangers is 7.11, the highest against any club, and lowering that stat is not the only reason he believes it is crucial to pitch well on Tuesday. "At this point, they're all important, because we're getting to the stretch," Chamberlain said. "We're trying to prepare to win a world championship. That's the biggest thing, not focusing on days off and things in between." Pitching matchupNYY: RHP Joba Chamberlain (8-3, 3.98 ERA)
Chamberlain will be pitching on eight days' rest on Tuesday, when he opens the Yankees' homestand with a start against the Rangers. The 23-year-old right-hander last pitched on Aug. 16 at Seattle, taking the loss in a 10-3 decision to the Mariners. He allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings, and after a strong start to the second half, he has gone 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in his past three starts. Chamberlain will try to reverse that trend against the Rangers, a club he lost to on May 26 at Texas. In that effort, Chamberlain burned up 84 pitches in four innings, allowing three runs on four hits to take a no-decision in the Yankees' 7-3 loss. TEX: RHP Kevin Millwood (9-8, 3.48 ERA)
Millwood allowed five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Twins on Wednesday. He took the loss and hasn't won in his previous four starts and has just one victory over his past eight starts, a period dating to the beginning of July. Millwood allowed four or more runs in an outing for just the third time in 24 starts this season. He is 1-4 with a 4.50 ERA over 48 innings and eight career starts against the Yankees. In his only start against the Yankees this season, Millwood allowed three earned runs over 5 2/3 innings and did not get a decision. Tidbits
Derek Jeter belted his 21st career leadoff home run on Sunday against Boston's Josh Beckett. It tied Jeter for second on the Yankees' all-time list with Alfonso Soriano. Only Rickey Henderson (24) ranks higher on New York's list. ... Nick Swisher did not reach base in the Yankees' 8-4 win over the Red Sox on Sunday, snapping a streak of 30 consecutive games, which was the longest such streak in the Majors. ... The Yankees have won 16 of their past 20 games and lead the Majors with 191 home runs. ... The Yankees are 4-2 this season against Texas, having won 2-of-3 in each of their first two series against the Rangers. Tickets
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• Wednesday: Yankees (Andy Pettitte, 10-6, 4.25) vs. Rangers (Derek Holland, 7-7, 4.72), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Yankees (A.J. Burnett, 10-7, 4.08) vs. Rangers (Dustin Nippert, 4-2, 3.95), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Friday: Yankees (Sergio Mitre, 2-1, 6.82) vs. White Sox (Mark Buehrle, 11-7, 3.92), 7:05 p.m. ET
Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
