The Bronx Bombers seem relaxed heading into their four-game set with Cleveland this weekend.
Former Indians ace CC Sabathia took in an NBA playoff game last night. Along with Sabathia, Mariano Rivera, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano were in the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena as the hometown Cavaliers, led by reigning league MVP LeBron James, hung tough in the Eastern Conference Finals, winning game 5 to force a game 6 in the best-of-seven series this weekend.
With the help of Yankees PR, Sabathia, the new Yankee ace, arranged the evening for he and his teammates. “King” James did not disappoint, posting a triple-double (37 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists) in Cleveland's 112-102 win.
The Yankees have been a different team since Rodriguez's return on May 8 – both on and off the field. Mark Teixeira has been a primary beneficiary. Since that date, Teixeira has hit .383 (28-for-73) with 10 homers and 24 RBIs.
Hideki Matsui has also stepped up as a contributor and New York's lineup may get a little bit longer on Friday as they are primed to welcome back switch-hitting catcher Jorge Posada from the DL.
The Yankees had an off day Thursday after taking two of three from Texas. New York shared first with the Red Sox going into Thursday’s action, but Boston regained the AL East lead with a victory last night.
New York is 13-11 on the road. Posada’s return will certainly help the lineup, especially with Melky Cabrera sidelined nursing a bum shoulder. Both Jose Molina and Xavier Nady are on the mend and could rejoin the team shortly. The Yankees have also elected to keep Chien-Ming in the bullpen for the time being with Phil Hughes coming off a dominant start in Texas. Hughes will take his turn in the rotation this week.
The Yankees play four in Cleveland and then return to the Bronx for another long homestand in early June starting Tuesday against the Rangers.
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