The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad - Gm 17 - Yankees @ Jays - Gamethread

By JohnnyG Apr 19, 2011, 6:45pm EDT

The Empire is coming... Yankee Scouts infiltrate the batting cages (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

So, how is everyone doing? Everyone back from the ledge now? Good because it can only be easier from here on out right? I mean its not like we are taking on a first place juggernaut of a team dubbed the Evil Empire or anything.... Hey Tom I need that stool you were using.

The Yankees are indeed rolling into Toronto for a quick 2 game set. They currently sit 3 games ahead of the Jays in the standings as they sit alone atop the AL East standings. They started slow in their first series but since then have bounced back in a big way. The Jays as we all know seem to have taken a different approach to the start of the season.

Tonight we have a very interesting matchup, and while it isn't going to get the hype of a Burnett - Halladay matchup from a few years ago this one could be a lot of fun as well. Kyle Drabek is the main piece we recieved back in the Halladay trade and while living up the legacy that Halladay has left behind may be a tall order, it is looking more and more like Drabek is every bit the power pitching top prospect we were promised. On the bump for the pinstripes is the ever enigmatic A.J. Burnett. So far both Drabek and Burnett have started the year strong with AJ being helped by the Yankees offense.

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Kyle Drabek	1-0	3	3	0	0	0	0	18.2	13	5	4	1	11	17	1.93	1.29

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - A.J. Burnett	3-0	3	3	0	0	0	0	17.1	17	9	9	3	5	16	4.67	1.27

Lineups courtesy of the "Fan Friendly" Mike Wilner on twitter

#Bluejays line-up vs. NYY: Escobar6, Snider7, Bautista9, Lind3, Hill4, Molina2, Patterson8, Encarnacion0, Nix5 - Drabek v. Burnett

#Yankees line-up vs. #bluejays: Jeter6, Granderson8, Teixeira3, Cano4, Swisher9, Chavez5, Posada0, Martin2, Gardner7 - Burnett v. Drabek

Couple of things to note. A-Rod is out for the Yankees tonight and Chavez takes over at 3rd. Snider jumps up to second in the lineup (Hooray!) while Rivera sits again (Hooray!). I really can't wait for Davis to get healthy again, I really don't like seeing Patterson play everyday. Also Molina batting 6th? Really?

Current Series

2 game series vs Yankees @ Rogers Centre

New York Yankees Pinstripe Alley @ Toronto Blue Jays Bluebird Banter Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011, 7:07 PM EDT Rogers Centre A.J. Burnett vs Kyle Drabek Mostly cloudy,rain. Winds blowing in from right field at 10-20 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 35. Complete Coverage >
Wed 04/20		7:07 PM EDT