Streaking Posada may sit versus lefties

This may be the worst time to sit Jorge Posada, but with two lefties and a six-game road trip vs. the National League on the horizon, Joe Girardi may not have a choice.

After starting the season hitting just .125 at the end of April, Posada finally is ripping the cover off the ball. He entered last night's series finale against the Indians batting .500 (14-for-28), with two doubles and four RBIs in the previous eight games. He went 1-for-4 Monday night and is hitting .226.

But the designated hitter could find himself back on the bench with the Yankees set to face a pair of Texas lefties tomorrow and Thursday before heading to Chicago and Cincinnati, where there is no DH option.

Girardi acknowledged the bad timing of this road trip, which begins Friday, and added that he is trying to figure out when to give Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez either full days off or DH days, but has yet to decide.

Posada, who said he hasn't changed his approach at the plate, said he wants the opportunity to hit against lefties.

"I feel pretty good. We'll see," the former catcher said. "I think on both sides, I feel like I've worked hard enough and things are paying off."

Before Monday night, Posada was hitting .345 (19-for-55) with a .422 on-base percentage since he pulled himself out of the lineup against Boston last month when he learned he had been dropped into the No. 9 hole.

Girardi says Posada's torrid hitting is more than just coincidence.

"I think everything came to a head for Jorgie on that day and I think he was able to release some frustration and it was probably good for him and it was probably good for all of us," Girardi said. "We believed that he was going to hit and it just took a little bit longer this year than it has for some other guys. But he's swung the bat great."