The Colorado Rockies and New York Yankees begin a three-game interleague series Friday night at Yankee Stadium
Colorado Rockies at New York Yankees
Colorado is set to make its first trip to new Yankee Stadium and was swept in its previous series in the Bronx from June 8-10, 2004. The Rockies have won both of their interleague series thus far during the 2011 campaign. Overall, the team has won six of eight, entering the weekend in third place in the National League West standings. The club dropped its series finale in Cleveland, 4-3 Wednesday, seeing its record drop to .500 on the season. “You’ve got to feel good to win series,” said Rockies third baseman Ty Wigginton. “We wanted to come in here, get a ‘W’ and get a sweep, but it didn’t work out.” Colorado is 7-1 in its last eight games versus the American League East.
Rockies starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez is 2-7 with a 4.68 ERA in 13 starts this season, but comes off a solid outing last time out. He tallied a 5-4 home victory over the Tigers, giving up three runs and eight hits in five innings. The right-hander has been brilliant at times away from Coors Field despite fielding a 1-2 record, as opponents are hitting just .127 against him on the road. Jimenez will be facing the Yankees for the first time in his career.
New York has won six of seven at home and has relished playing the National League during the regular season, posting a 150-105 interleague record. The Yankees split their doubleheader with the Reds Wednesday, finishing a six-game road trip with a 4-2 record. “If you can win series, you’re going to have a good trip,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. The club was swept in its last series against this weekend’s opponent, dropping all three games at Coors Field in 2007. New York has won eight of its last 10 interleague games when favored and has tallied a 68-30 mark at home against the National League.
Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett is 7-5 with a 4.05 ERA in 15 starts this season and picked up his first win since June 1 in his previous outing. In that particular appearance, he surrendered just two runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings of work on the road against the Cubs. The hard-throwing right-hander has a solid 5-3 record and 4.03 ERA in nine home outings, but has also issued 20 walks in 58 frames. In four career starts versus the Rockies, Burnett has compiled an even 2-2 mark and 2.40 ERA.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Rockies due to their 4-0 record in Jimenez’s last four interleague starts, while the Yankees are 12-26 in Burnett’s last 38 outings
