Toronto @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2012 ) Toronto 0, NY Yankees 0
After waiting more than two months to rejoin the New York Yankees' rotation, 40-year-old left-hander Andy Pettitte had to postpone his return from the disabled list one more day because of Tuesday's rainout. The veteran will finally make his first start since June 27 in the opener of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. New York enters the day tied with Baltimore for first place in the American League East.
Rookie right-hander David Phelps will pitch the second game for the Yankees, who have plenty riding on the doubleheader. Toronto has lost four of its last six games, but the Blue Jays have won four straight and five of six on the road, including taking two of three from the Yankees last month. The Yankees lead the season series 6-5. New York has lost the season series to Toronto only once since 2001, dropping 10 of 18 meetings in 2010.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, SN-1, YES
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Henderson Alvarez (9-12, 4.91 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Andy Pettitte (3-3, 3.22)
After a brutal August in which he went 0-4 with a 7.77 ERA in five starts, Alvarez has won two straight starts. He tossed seven innings in his last outing against Seattle, allowing three runs on five hits. Alvarez does not have a decision and has a 6.46 ERA in three starts against the Yankees.
Pettitte was pitching well before a fractured left ankle landed him on the DL for more than two months. He will be limited to about 70 pitches in his return, but that should give an indication of how much the Yankees can rely on him down the stretch. Pettitte has not faced Toronto this season, but he is 21-12 with a 4.16 ERA in 42 games (41 starts) against the Blue Jays in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York SS Derek Jeter is riding a 12-game hitting streak and needs one hit to record the eighth 200-hit season of his career. Only Ichiro Suzuki (10), Pete Rose (10) and Ty Cobb (9) have more.
2. Blue Jay SS Yunel Escobar was suspended three games by the club after wearing eye black containing an anti-gay slur in his native Spanish during Sunday's game.
3. Yankees CF Curtis Granderson needs one home run to become the first Yankees outfielder since Mickey Mantle to record consecutive 40-homer seasons.