With inter-league play concluding this weekend, the New York Yankees head into Dodger Stadium for three-games.
It's an unfamiliar place, as the Bombers last visit was in 2004. The two franchises have a torrid history. They have faced each other 11 times in the World Series in which the most recent dates back to 1981.
On the other hand, there will be no shortage of familiar faces, as Joe Torre , Don Mattingly , and Larry Bowa all traded their Yankee Pinstripes for Dodger Blue.
It is sure to be a celebrity filled affair, as it is the hottest ticket in Hollywood right now.
Internally, the Dodgers ball-club is a mess, as owners Frank and Jamie McCourt are in the middle of a nasty divorce. Add injuries to insult, which is now just frustrating for a team who wants to contend as they did in 2008 and 2009. Fan cries have been pouring out for the Dodgers to get Cliff Lee from the Mariners in order for the team to survive. However, it is unlikely to happen with owners divorce still unresolved.
The Dodgers 2010 season has been rocky to say the least. This team is in third place in the AL West, with a 38-33 record. Currently, Torre’s Dodgers have lost their last six games. Now, what could be called a slump has become a concern.
Not the best timing for the reigning 2009 World Series Champions to arrive, if you're a Dodger fan. Let’s not give too much credit, as the Yankees have been playing sloppily lately.
Yankee players are aware that they need to play better, because there is no breathing room in the AL East . Both the Red Sox and Rays won yesterday on the Yankees off-day, cutting their 2.5 game lead by a half-game.
Translation is both teams need to win for more than just personal vendetta, unless your name is Alex Rodriguez .
Arod played four seasons with Torre in New York and the two seemed to get along okay. So, understand Arod’s shock when Torre’s book ‘Yankee Years ‘ ripped him apart, stating his teammates called him A-Fraud behind his back and made Torre’s dislike pretty evident.
Yankees fans could not believe what Torre wrote. It was a complete betrayal by a man who left New York with dignity and the complete respect of a city. The Joe Torre that New Yorkers knew would never quote teammates trashing each other, who still play together.
Speaking as a Yankees' fan, I hope Arod goes for blood at the plate. It was rotten of Torre, especially knowing Arod’s struggles with insecurity personally.
PREDICTION:
Yankees will take 2 of 3 games over the Dodgers.
Alex Rodriguez will have two more home-runs when the weekend series ends.
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