Time for some house cleaning. The New York Yankees have reacquired Alfonso Soriano from the Chicago Cubs and are inserting him into the lineup batting cleanup in left field. There will be no time for pomp as the Yankees face their division rival Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game series that could have implications on both teams' playoff runs, but before the game starts, let's look at the new Yankee lineup.
Brett Gardner leads off in center, followed by Ichiro in right and Robinson Cano playing second. Soriano cleans up and takes over the fourth hole in the Yankees' lineup. Soriano will bring his much needed power to the Bronx, as he's totaled 17 home runs in the 2013 season while with the Chicago Cubs. He will be protected by Lyle Overbay, who plays first and bats fifth, followed by Eduardo Nuñez at short and Travis Hafner at DH. Brent Lillibridge is at third, batting eigth and Austin Romine rounding out the order, batting ninth and catching.
It's an interesting lineup to say the least. There's respectable power and speed at the top of the batting order. The Yankees will have to bring their A-game as they face the 2011 Rookie of the Year, Jeremy Hellickson. Though his 9-3 record is decent, he's been hit hard throughout the year, posting a 4.62 ERA in 20 starts this season. The bad news for the Yankees is that Hellickson has not allowed more than three runs in a start since June 13. In his last five starts, he is 5-0 with a 2.19 ERA.
How has Soriano faired agaisnt Hellickson in his career? They have never faced each other as Hellickson has never played against the Cubs. However, he has surrendered 16 home runs in 2013.
The Rays are just half a game behind the Boston Red Sox in the A.L. East, while the Yankees enter tonight's game 6.5 games back and in fourth place.
