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Game of the day: Rangers at Kings
Los Angeles Kings at New York Rangers (-159, 5)
Kings lead series 3-1.
The Los Angeles Kings get a chance to capture their second championship in three years at home as they host the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final on Friday. After winning the first three contests to push New York to the brink of elimination, Los Angeles was unable to complete the sweep as it dropped a 2-1 decision at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Benoit Pouliot and Martin St. Louis scored while Henrik Lundqvist made 40 saves as the Rangers improved to 11-2 in their last 13 elimination games and won their NHL-record eighth straight such contest at home.
Captain Dustin Brown netted the lone goal for the Kings, who had the opportunity to claim the Cup on the two-year anniversary of their first championship. Los Angeles outshot New York 15-1 in the third period of Game 4 and also dominated on faceoffs, winning 41 of the 65 draws. The Kings are 7-4 at home this postseason while the Rangers are 6-6 on the road.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, RDS
LINE HISTORY: The Kings opened as -163 faves, dropped to -155 immediately after and have since moved up to -159
INJURY REPORT: N/A
WHAT THE CAPPERS SAY: "The Kings were in a similar position in the Stanley Cup Final two years ago, jumping ahead in the series 3-0 before squandering a pair of opportunities to close out the series before ultimately winning it in Game 6. You can be sure they'll be focused on finishing the job on home ice on Friday after outplaying the Rangers but watching Henrik Lundqvist steal Game 4. The Rangers have expended a ton of energy in this series, first blowing two-goal leads in both Games 1 and 2 before getting shut out in Game 3 and finally getting in the win column in Game 4. It's hard to say whether they'll have enough left in the tank to get this series back to New York for Game 6." Covers Expert Sean Murphy.
WHAT THE BOOKS SAY: "A lot of people expect LA to hoist the cup on Friday, as heavy early action (88% of cash & 83% of bets) are on the Kings at -175." Mike Perry, Sportsbook.ag.
ABOUT THE KINGS: Contrary to expectation, Los Angeles has been outhit in three of the first four games of the series. The team has had the edge in faceoffs, barely outdueling New York in each of the first three contests before owning the category in Game 4. That's a hollow victory to Brown, who was disappointed that his club was unable to finish off the Rangers. "We weren't good enough to win," he said. "It's about finding a way to be better. It is an opportunity lost."
ABOUT THE RANGERS: Pouliot's goal 7:25 into Game 4 was New York's first tally since Derick Brassard scored at 14:50 of the second period in Game 2, ending a drought of 123 minutes, 1 second. The tally was Pouliot's second of the series, as he also netted the first goal of the final. St. Louis also tallied for the second time this series and has recorded a team-high eight goals in 24 playoff games after scoring only once in 19 regular-season contests after being acquired from Tampa Bay.
TRENDS:
* Over is 7-2-1 In Kings last 10 games.
* Home team is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
* Kings are 9-1 in their last 10 vs. Metropolitan.
* Over is 4-0-1 in Kings last five home games.
COVERS CONSENSUS: 64.78 percent of Covers Consensus bets are on the Kings. -
Friday's World Cup Tips
By Toby Maxtone-Smith
VegasInsider
Spain vs. Netherlands
With Brazil and Argentina so clearly leading the betting for the World Cup winner, it can be easy to forget about Spain, who have won their last three major tournaments. Spain are available at 13/2 with Sportsbook.ag, and the fourth favorite, although several Bookmakers have them ahead of Germany in the betting.
Spain have not necessarily declined, although the influence of Xavi has certainly waned, but instead teams have gradually worked out how to combat their slow, patient passing style. This game against the Netherlands is a repeat of the 2010 final, which Spain won 1-0 after an extra time goal from Andres Iniesta. The Dutch approach then was to kick the Spanish out of the game and, while it got them lots of criticism after the game, it almost worked. The Netherlands had some wonderful chances to win the match before the decisive moment.
Just as in South Africa, Spain are the favorites and are 77/100, with Louis Van Gaal's Oranje at 3/1 and the draw a 5/2 shot.
Netherlands are everyone's favorites to be the big-name flop at this World Cup. A combination of a difficult group, a dreadful performance (three defeats from three) at Euro 2012 and a feel that their great players are getting slightly over the hill are the reasons for this. As often, the defense is the weakness, and while players like Bruno Martins-Indi and Ricardo van Rhijn are improving quickly, there is a lack of top level experience along the back line. The front three of Wesley Sneijder in behind Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie is the strength. However there is a chance they could get isolated against teams that dominate possession.
The common myth about Spain is that they simply thrash sides through their devastating passing play. In fact, their strength is in not conceding goals. Although their defenders are excellent, this is more because how much of the ball they have. They regularly top 70% possession, and this hugely limits what the opposition can do. 9 of their last 10 wins in major tournaments have been to nil, and this is why I like the 11/10 on Spain keeping a clean sheet.
Opening games in the group stages are generally cagey affairs with both teams prioritizing 'not losing' over winning. Bookmakers have certainly picked up on this, with over 2.5 goals at 29/20, with under 2.5 at 57/100.
I'm predicting 1-0 to Spain. They are not the most ruthless of teams and, even though the Dutch defense is suspect, don't expect Vicente Del Bosque's side to really fill their boots. Del Bosque is a surprisingly cautious manager, and will just want to get away from Salvador with a win.
Top Bet: Spain to keep a clean sheet at 11/10
Mexico vs. Cameroon
In Group A's other opening game Mexico face Cameroon in the searing midday heat of Natal, in the north-east of Brazil, not far from the equator. The temperature and the humidity will certainly have an effect on this game, and will lead to a slow-paced, patient game. As with ever opening group games between fairly even sides, a defeat spells disaster, as the vanquished would go into their fixture with Brazil needing at least a draw.
Mexico, incredibly, have been eliminated at the last 16 at each of the last five World Cups. Their World Cup qualification went dreadfully, and they needed a play-off win against New Zealand to reach Brazil. They will attempt to dominate possession, and in Oribe Peralta they have a ruthless finisher.
Cameroon have a strong defense and a dangerous, pacey attack. Their midfield, however, has a real lack of creativity with Alex Song, who often plays at center-back for Barcelona, the most likely to make chances. They will not be easy to play through, but much will depend on how efficiently they distribute the ball to their dangerous wingers, Aboubakar and Choupo-Moting.
Mexico are the 11/10 favorites, with Cameroon quoted at 9/4, but I'm very keen on the 11/5 draw. A draw would not be a total disaster for either side, and the conditions could make for a slow game with few chances.
Top Bet: Draw at 11/5
Chile vs. Australia
Poor old Australia. They've been given an absolute stinker of a group, with 2010 finalists Spain and Holland, and Chile - one of the most exciting, attacking teams at the tournament. The Socceroos are not a bad side, but with lots of high profile retirements since 2010, there is a sense that, while the new generation have potential, they are just not quite ready yet.
Chile have their weaknesses - they don't perhaps score as many as they should, and the defense is suspect - but they have some fantastic strengths as well. Manager Jorge Sampaoli plays a fascinating formation. There are three center-backs, with two attacking wing-backs in Mauricio Isla and Jean Beausejour. Eduardo Vargas and the fantastic Alexis Sanchez play as wide-forwards, with Arturo Vidal powering forward from midfield through the middle. The emphasis from Sampaoli is enormous width - their game is all about firing quick balls out to the flanks and stretching teams all over the pitch.
Chile are the big 2/5 favorites with Australia out at 5/1 and a draw at 7/2. The bet I like here is over 2.5 goals at 21/20 - Australia's defense has a huge job dealing with Chile's vast array of attacking options, and I think they'll struggle.
Top Bet: Over 2.5 goals at 21/20Comment
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Spain vs. Netherlands Betting Preview and Pick
By: Phil Kitromilides
Spain begin this World Cup in the same way they ended the previous tournament; with a game against the Netherlands.
The final of the 2010 competition in South Africa is imprinted on the brain of every fan of La Rojas as Andres Iniesta's extra-time winner gave them the title for the first time ever, yet four years and another European Championship later, the holders are far from the favorites to retain their World Cup crown.
Indeed Brazil, Argentina and Germany are all ahead of them on Las Vegas futures boards, although that might have something to do with the tricky looking group that Vicente Del Bosque's men are in, with Netherlands and Chile set to provide stern opposition for the defending champions.
Nevertheless, Spain are the clear favorites to claim a victory in their opening game, offered at -115 at William Hill US, with the Dutch available at +360 and the draw priced at +235.
As their last meeting was, this should be an extremely tight game, and while Spain have the better starting 11, they still do not have a clear idea how they will play up front.
Cesc Fabregas is likely to start in the false nine position (a center forward playing more like a midfielder), and while on occasions this has proved fruitful, it leaves La Rojas at times devoid of a killer edge up front.
A low-scoring game is highly likely, although only the most hardened of bettors will go UNDER the 2 goal total posted in Las Vegas.
That number may come as a surprise given how many impressive attacking talents are going to be on the pitch in Salvador, but even though a tight game is predicted, we’d like to see better than +105 on the UNDER.
Instead a more attractive option could be backing the draw at half time, which is available at a better-than-even-money +105 at William Hill US.
Spain often take a while to break sides down, and particularly in the first game of a major tournament they may take a while to find their rhythm against high-caliber opposition.
Recent history is on the side of this bet too, Spain's first game of both Euro 2012 and the 2010 World Cup were both 0-0 at halftime.
The Dutch, meanwhile, have looked a little lackluster in their warm-up matches, and while they remain a threat, this is one of the weakest Dutch squads for a long while.
Backing a draw at halftime has paid out in each of Spain's last four matches, and allows bettors the chance to more than double their money.Comment
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Mexico vs. Cameroon Betting Preview and Pick
By: Al Hain-Cole
After Brazil’s high-profile opening game against Croatia, Group A underdogs Mexico and Cameroon fight it out for three points at Natal’s Arena das Dunas on Friday (12 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Despite qualifying for the competition via a continental playoff victory over New Zealand, Miguel Herrera’s men are +125 favorites at the LVH SuperBook to come out on top in their opening match.
With just seven wins in the last 21 matches to their name, the Indomitable Lions are +250 outsiders to secure only their second World Cup victory since 1990.
The North Americans have drawn twice against Nigeria within the past year, and you can get odds of +210 on them at the LVH playing out another stalemate against more African opposition here.
With Brazil and Croatia expected to dominate in a difficult group, both teams will view this match as their greatest opportunity to collect maximum points. Mexico can be backed at +125 to qualify from Group A, while Cameroon are the rank outsiders to make the knockout stages, priced at +400.
However, some underwhelming friendly performances in the build-up to the tournament suggest that neither side will come into this game in particularly confident spirits.
Having suffered consecutive friendly defeats against Portugal and Bosnia-Herzegovina prior to landing in Brazil, El Tri appear struggling to shake off the bad atmosphere that surrounded their stuttering qualification campaign as they head south.
Similarly, under some pressure, Volker Finke was forced to play down rumors of a players’ strike over bonus payments prior to landing in Brazil -- hardly ideal preparation for such a key encounter.
With this in mind, it would be a surprise if either team took to the field in particularly flowing form on Friday, when the pressure of the occasion is likely to guarantee a tense start to the match.
Considering the majority of goals have been scored after half-time in five of Cameroon’s last six matches and three of Mexico’s last four, odds of +105 seem to offer excellent value on that coming to pass once again in a nervous opening exchange. While this bet is not offered in Vegas, the first-half total is set at the LVH at a half-goal, with the UNDER priced at juicy +140.
The total for the game is 2 goals (OV -105, UN -125).Comment
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No Limit Sports
(World Cup)
Mexico -.5 (+120)
Netherlands +.5 (+110)
Chile/Australia Over 2.5 (+105)Comment
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Ben Burns
Burns' Game 5 MAIN EVENT!
Kings ML -163Comment
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Baseball Crusher
Toronto Blue Jays -106 over Baltimore O's
(System Record: 41-0, lost last game)
Overall Record: 41-32
Hockey Crusher
New York Rangers +146 over LA Kings
(Playoff Record: system 25-2: overall 25-18-1, won last game)
(Regular Season Record: 91-4)
Overall Record: 116-92-3
Basketball Crusher
Miami Heat -5 over San Antonio Spurs - pending
no play
(Playoff Record: system 20-1: overall 20-18-3, won last 4 games)
(Regular Season Record: 78-8)
Overall Record: 98-103-8
Soccer Crusher
Athlone + Drogheda United UNDER 2.5
This match is happening in Ireland
(System Record: 589-21, won last 2 games)
Overall Record: 589-491-85
Here are the rest of his baseball, hockey and basketball plays for today...
Baseball
Los Angeles Angels -107 over Atlanta Braves
Houston Astros -101 over Tampa Bay Rays
SF -121 over Colorado Rockies
Hockey
Los Angeles Kings + NY Rangers OVER 5
Basketball
no playComment
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MLB
Hot pitchers
-- Arrieta is 1-1, 2.38 in his last four starts.
-- Eovaldi is 2-0, 3.21 in his last four starts.
-- Colon is 2-0, 2.25 in his last three starts.
-- Bailey is 4-0, 3.00 in his last four starts. Garza is 2-0, 2.19 in his last two.
-- Zimmerman is 2-0, 0.00 (17 IP) in his last two starts.
-- Kershaw is 3-1, 2.08 in his last four starts. Anderson is 3-0, 3.50 in his last three starts.
-- Hutchison is 3-1, 3.34 in his last five starts.
-- Gibson is 1-1, 1.89 in his last three starts.
-- Lackey is 1-1, 1.84 in his last four starts. Masterson is 2-0, 1.42 in his last couple starts.
-- Guthrie has a 2.67 RA in his last four starts but no wins; Royals scored five runs total in those four games.
-- McHugh is 2-0, 1.65 in his last three starts.
-- Hernandez is 5-0, 1.99 in his last six starts.
Cold pitchers
-- Hernandez is 0-3, 5.48 in his last four starts.
-- Locke is 0-1, 5.11 in two starts this season.
-- Cashner is 0-3, 3.96 in four road starts.
-- Lynn is 0-2, 9.72 in his last couple starts.
-- Lincecum is 2-2, 5.27 in his last five starts. de la Rosa is 0-2, 5.68 in his last two starts.
-- Orioles are 0-6 in Jimenez home starts, outscored 46-7.
-- Smyly is 1-2, 6.30 in his last four starts.
-- Quintana is 1-3, 5.32 in his last four starts.
-- Cobb is 0-3, 9.39 in his last three starts.
-- Gray is 1-1, 6.00 in his last three starts. Phelps is 0-4, 7.30 in his last four.
-- Tepesch is 0-2, 11.05 in his last two starts.
-- Harang is 0-3, 4.20 in his last five starts. Wilson is 1-2, 4.58 in his last three.
Pitchers allowing runs in first inning:
-- Arrieta 2-7; Hernandez 5-11
-- Locke 1-2; Eovaldi 4-13
-- Cashner 3-10; Colon 3-13
-- Bailey 4-13; Garza 5-13 (0 of last 4)
-- Zimmerman 1-13; Lynn 4-13
-- Anderson 0-6; Kershaw 2-8
-- de la Rosa 4-13; Lincecum 6-13
-- Hutchison 2-13; Jimenez 4-13
-- Gibson 3-12; Smyly 4-9
-- Masterson 2-14; Lackey 4-13
-- Guthrie 3-13; Quintana 1-13
-- Cobb 2-7; McHugh 1-9
-- Phelps 0-7; Gray 4-13
-- Tepesch 2-5; Hernandez 1-14
-- Wilson 3-13; Harang 2-13
Totals
-- Five of last seven Chicago road games went over.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Miami home games.
-- Seven of last nine games at Citi Field stayed under.
-- Under is 4-0-1 in last five Cincinnati games. Over is 7-0-1 in last eight games at Miller Park.
-- Five of last six Cardinal games stayed under.
-- 10 of last 13 Arizona road games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Colorado road games went over.
-- Last four Baltimore games stayed under total.
-- Over is 6-1-1 in last seven Detroit games.
-- Last six games at Fenway Park stayed under total.
-- Seven of last nine White Sox home games stayed under.
-- Last six Tampa Bay road games stayed under total.
-- Five of last seven Bronx games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Seattle home games stayed total.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Atlanta games.
Hot teams
-- Phillies won their last three games.
-- Miami won six of its last nine games. Pirates won three of last four.
-- Milwaukee won four of its last five games. Reds won four of their last five road games.
-- Washington won four of its last five games. Cardinals won three of their last four games.
-- Orioles won three of their last four games.
-- Red Sox won their last six home games.
-- Kansas City won its last four games. White Sox won six of their last nine home games.
-- Astros won four of their last five home games.
-- Oakland won four of its last five home games. Bronx won eight of its last eleven road games.
-- Angels won five of last six games, but are 3-7 in last ten road games.
Cold teams
-- Cubs lost four of their last five games.
-- Mets lost seven of their last eight games. San Diego lost eight of last ten.
-- Arizona lost three of its last four games. Dodgers lost five of seven at home.
-- Rockies lost ten of their last twelve road games. San Francisco lost three of its last four games.
-- Toronto lost five of its last six games.
-- Detroit is 5-9 in its last fourteen home games. Minnesota is 1-6 in game after its last seven wins.
-- Indians lost their last three games.
-- Tampa Bay lost 14 of its last 16 games.
-- Texas lost four of its last five games. Mariners lost five of their last seven home games.
-- Atlanta lost its last four home games.Comment
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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
Free Play FRI Phillies -125Comment
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NHL
Friday, June 13
Kings can win second Stanley Cup in three years with win here; they outshot Rangers 15-1 in third period of Game 4, but Lundqvist kept them off board. Rangers lost last three road tilts, are 6-6 on road in playoffs. Kings are 7-4 at home in playoffs. Over is 7-2-1 in LA's last ten games, under is 3-1-1 in Rangers' last five. Rangers are 1-17 on power play in series, Kings 2-14. Overall in playoffs, over is 48-29-14 this season. Kings trailed four of last five games by two goals, then won three of the four in OT, without leading any of them in regulation.Comment
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Kings eager to raise Cup in Game 5
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Los Angeles Kings already know there's no place like home ice for a coronation.
They've got the chance to lift the Stanley Cup at Staples Center again when they host the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the finals on Friday night, giving the ultimate celebration to their long-suffering fans for the second time in three years.
Yet the Kings' memories of that night in June 2012 weren't a popular subject Thursday as they prepared for the chance to finish another draining, two-month postseason with one big party.
''It doesn't matter where you win the fourth,'' Jarret Stoll said at the Kings' training complex. ''This time of year, it's all about the result.''
With the weary poise of a team that has already been through three seven-game series this spring, the Kings insisted they're not bothered by their inability to finish a sweep in New York. Mike Richards and the Kings calmly flew home, grabbed a few hours of sleep and focused on a good start to Game 5, figuring it will lead to the big finish.
''It's not going to be easy, but confidence is there,'' Richards said. ''If we play well, we think that we can have success. You don't make it to this point of the season without having confidence in your team.''
Stoll is tired of the Kings' weak starts, however. The Rangers have taken 2-0 leads in three of the series' four games, forcing Los Angeles to play catch-up hockey - something the Kings do extraordinarily well, but would prefer to skip Friday.
''We know we can do more, especially at the start of games,'' Stoll said.
Henrik Lundqvist gave the Rangers hope with his 40-save performance in Game 4, earning another cross-country trip for the Eastern Conference champions. The goalie's unflappable poise - and one or two puck-slowing mounds of snow - helped keep the Rangers in the series with a 2-1 win in Game 4.
And now that they're off the canvas, the Rangers realize they have ample reason to be comfortable at Staples Center, where they never trailed in their two series-opening overtime losses. The Rangers still mixed it up in their return to the visitors' dressing room for practice Thursday: except for their two goalies, every player took a new locker.
''I know if we win (Game 5), they're definitely going to feel the pressure,'' Lundqvist said. ''We were in that spot playing Montreal. The closer you are to your final goal, obviously you tend to think more. That's just the way you work. It's hard not to.''
Lundqvist is the Rangers' best hope, and the Swedish star is at his best with the season on the line. He is 11-2 in the Rangers' last 13 elimination games with a 1.30 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage.
''It comes down to how much you want to battle, how much you want it,'' Lundqvist said. ''Not only for me, but for the group. ... Sometimes when everything is on the line, that's actually easier sometimes to focus in on the important thing and not so much on consequences.''
Lundqvist's dominance in the Kings' 10th loss of this postseason was frustrating but not discouraging to a team that has repeatedly surmounted all difficulties over the past three years.
Two seasons ago, the Kings had lost just two games in the entire playoffs when they had their first chance to clinch their franchise's first championship. The Devils beat Los Angeles 3-1 at Staples Center in Game 4 and then won again in New Jersey in Game 5, making the eighth-seeded Kings uncomfortable for the first time in their charmed run.
The Kings returned home and won Game 6 in a rout. Most of the Kings' current roster was on that team, and the players remember the innumerable distractions: ticket requests, media pressures and a wellspring of natural excitement.
''I think everyone is more equipped now, or more ready for it, more aware of what the distractions are and how they can present themselves, and what you need to do to push them away,'' Richards said.
Game 5 is Los Angeles' NHL-record 64th playoff game in the last three seasons, and the Kings will tie the single-season record with their 26th postseason game of this season. The game will be the 93rd of the entire postseason, making it the longest playoff in league history.
But if the Kings are exhausted at the brink of their 10th series victory in the most grueling three-year stretch in hockey history, they haven't shown it. The Kings dominated the Rangers for much of Game 4, outshooting them 15-1 in the third period, but failing to get anything past Lundqvist.
The Kings uniformly scoff at the notion of fatigue playing any role with hockey's ultimate prize just a game away.
''This is why you play the game,'' Stoll said. ''It doesn't matter how many games you play. You've got energy. You've got jump. You should, (if) you realize what you're playing for. Yeah, it's a lot of games, but it's why we play.''Comment
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StatFox Super Situations
WNBA | SEATTLE at SAN ANTONIO
Play On - Home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (SAN ANTONIO) after failing to cover 5 or 6 of their last 7 against the spread, with a losing record
67-31 since 1997. ( 68.4% | 32.9 units )
WNBA | SEATTLE at SAN ANTONIO
Play On - Favorites vs. the money line (SAN ANTONIO) after having lost 2 of their last 3 games, with a winning percentage of between 40-49% on the season
185-61 since 1997. ( 75.2% | 0.0 units )
WNBA | MINNESOTA at ATLANTA
Play Under - Road teams where the first half total is greater than 65.5 off a road win, in May, June, or July games
190-112 since 1997. ( 62.9% | 66.8 units )
3-4 this year. ( 42.9% | -1.4 units )Comment
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D-backs welcome versatile Pacheco
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE
HOUSTON -- Given their injury concerns and the specter of managing a roster short on position players, the Arizona Diamondbacks
welcomed the addition of veteran infielder/catcher Jordan Pacheco, who they claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies.
Colorado designated Pacheco for assignment on June 4 after he hit .236 with six doubles, one triple with eight RBIs this season. He
appeared in 19 games at catcher, four at first base and one at second. That positional versatility is just what the Diamondbacks are presently
seeking.
"He's a really good hitter. He's played well against us," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. "He's versatile. He can catch, he's
played third base, he's played second base, he's played first base, he's played the outfield. He's a good fit for us right now. "
Over parts of four seasons with the Rockies, Pacheco hit .281 with 54 doubles, four triples and eight home runs plus 98 RBIs in 270
games. He played every infield position excluding shortstop, served as the backstop and played one game in left field. In 2012 he played 132
games for the Rockies and posted a .309/.341/421 slash line. His hitting is on record.
"We like it, we believe in it," Gibson said of positional versatility. "He's a third catcher and that's very appealing but he's a very good
player.
"You get into situations where you have to double switch or you get into extra innings it's very important. We believe in versatility."Comment
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Yanks' Ellsbury (hip) expects to play Friday
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE
SEATTLE -- The New York Yankees' first three-game series sweep of the season came with a touch of pain Thursday night.
Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a two-run homer in the first inning, experienced a flare-up in his sore right hip before coming out of the game after 6 1/2 innings. Both Ellsbury and manager Joe Girardi said after the game that the injury was minor and that Ellsbury should be back on the field Friday at Oakland, but the aggravation of the injury is a bit concerning.
Ellsbury hurt his hip last Sunday and was not expected to be in the lineup for Monday game's at Kansas City. A rainout postponed that contest.
He played all of the first 24 innings of the Seattle series but couldn't finish Thursday's game. Ellsbury said that he aggravated the injury while making a catch against the wall in the fifth inning, and then he felt the hip tighten up while batting in the top of the sixth.
"It's tight," he said Thursday after the Yankees' 6-3 win over Seattle, "but I expect to be out there (Friday)."
Girardi said that Ellsbury didn't want to come out of the game but that the team was being cautious with him. The Yankees led 6-2 when Ichiro Suzuki replaced Ellsbury in the bottom of the seventh inning.
"We think he'll be able to play for us (Friday), but we'll see," Girardi said.Comment
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