Yankees vs. Athletics: Gameday Questions

Photo: David Pokress

Will we see more “Get off my mound” t-shirts?

Much to the chagrin of Dallas Braden, the A’s organization began selling t-shirts lon Monday that said “Get off my mound” in reference to the Braden/Alex Rodriguez incident.  Braden didn't approve of the decision, calling it a “lack of tact.”  The organization will probably be forced to pull the t-shirts from the shelves in light of Braden’s reaction.  With Braden so infuriated by the t-shirt, I’m sure they will become big sellers on the streets of the Bronx once he makes his next start at Yankee Stadium.

How will the Yankees fare in their first look at Trevor Cahill?

Legend has it that the Yankees struggle when they face a pitcher they have never seen before.  Tonight, for the first time, they will face Trevor Cahill, Oakland’s young pitcher who is 8-2 with a 2.74 ERA and was named to the All-Star team.  Making life more difficult for the Yankees will be Cahill’s dominance at the Oakland Coliseum where he is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA. 

Can Sabathia win near his hometown?

CC Sabathia, who grew up near the Oakland area, has struggled pitching in the vicinity of friends and family.  Over the past three seasons, Sabathia has gone 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in the Oakland Coliseum, although in his previous start there in April he pitched eight innings, allowing three runs but earned the loss.  We will see if the Oakland area can deny Sabathia his seventh straight win.