Upcoming Second Half Un-Wrap

Yankee baseball is back tonight, baby!  It's not really "back" back for me until Sunday afternoon when I get to watch them on TBS, but that still beats watching John Kruk stuff KC barbecue down his fat facehole.  The Yankees are comfortably in first place, they're rested, and they're getting healthier by the minute.  A hot start to the second half of the season can help quell any major trade deadline rumors before they even get started and start to put the Yankees in prime position to lock down the AL East quickly.

Game Notes:

- The Yanks open with a series at home against Mike Trout and the Anaheim Angels of California.  This will be the third time these 2 teams have met this year, with each team owning a 3-3 record.  The Yankees took 2 of 3 in a mid-April home series.

- They get to stay at home after this weekend with another 3-game home series against Toronto scheduled.  6 games at home after 4 days to rest; there are worse ways to start after the All Star break.

- There'll be a mini-West Coast swing this time next week, 6 games out against the AL West bottom dwellers.  The last time they had one of these was late May, when they started to turn things around, so hopefully this trip can be equally fruitful.

- After that, the Yankees could have a chance to start putting the AL East race to bed with 6 games against Baltimore and Bahhston.  They're up 7 right now, they've got a relatively friendly schedule out of the gate, and they're getting their ace back.  Time to start stepping on throats.

F*ck Yeahs:

- Mediocre Opponents: After the series against the Angels, the Yankees' next 3 series are against teams with records of .500 or worse (Toronto, Seattle, Oakland).  Great teams beat the teams they're supposed to beat.  No reason for the Yankees to go anything less than 6-3 in that stretch.

- CC Sabathia: Nothing negative to report after his bullpen session earlier this week.  If his sim game today goes well, CC will be back in the rotation and back on the mound on Tuesday.

Oh Nos:

- Mid-Week West Coast Travel: Granted the game this coming Wednesday against Toronto is an afternoon game, which lessens some of the travel burden, but going coast to coast in the middle of the week still kinda blows.

- David Phelps: He had a solid outing against Tampa, and dominated in his most recent rehab start at Double-A, but it looks like the Yankees are going to keep Phelps in Triple-A for now to keep him stretched out as a starter.  Freddy Garcia has certainly earned his spot in the rotation, it's just a bummer for Phelps.

Next Up:

Hiroki Kuroda is on the mound tonight, looking to become the 4th Yankee starter this year with 9 or more wins.  C.J. Wilson opposes him for the Angels.  First pitch should be just ater 7:05 PM EST.