I Found My Heart...in San Francisco

No, it's not the popular Tony Bennett tune. It's what the Yankees need to do a after a completely uninspired performance in Denver. The Yankees open a 3 game series tonight at Pac Bell AT&T Park, looking to snap their 3 game skid.

The Yankees haven't been out here since the 1962 World Series. There are images associated with that series. Helicopters being used to dry the rain soaked field of Candlestick Park, and Bobby Richardson snaring Willie McCovey's bases loaded line drive to end Game 7.

The only time the two teams have met, in games that counted, was a 3 game series at The Stadium in 2003. I was there for the Sunday game when Roger Clemens plunked Barroid right on the elbow. Aw shucks. Clemens and Steve Karsay pitched around Barroid the entire game, walking him 4 times. This prompted Giants fans to plead that he be thrown a hittable pitch. These are the same fans that think Barroid is a saint - "he's never failed a test".

Clemens won that day as did Mike Mussina in the first game on Friday. Mariano lost a tie game in the 9th on Saturday. In that same game, Barroid hit a 3-run shot off of Ted Lilly.

This is an exciting series for Chien-Ming Wang as there is a large Asian community in the bay area. (Wonder what the Wanger thinks about the Yankees signing a pair of pitchers from the People's Republic of China?)

The Giants' stud prospect Tim Lincecum was originally slated to pitch in the series, but was pushed back due to some recent shaky outings. Good move by manager Bruce Bochy. Bochy, who faced the Yankees in the 1998 series as manager of the Padres, is one of the most underrated skippers in baseball.

Here are the pitching matchups for this weekend. All eyes are on tonight's Yankees starter as Kei Igawa makes his return to the majors.


Friday (10:15) - Kei Igawa vs. Matt Cain
Saturday (3:55) - Chien-Ming Wang vs. Matt Morris
Sunday (4:05) - Mike Mussina vs. Non-Matt, Noah Lowry

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