Chien-Ming Wang, RHP (0-0, -.--)
Koji Uehara, RHP (0-0, -.--)


Scouting Report:
Yankees: Wang made 15 starts for the Yankees last season before his year ended due to a right foot injury suffered while running the bases on June 15 at Houston. The blow was crushing to the Yankees, as they were 12-3 in games the right-handed sinkerballer had started. Despite missing much of last year, Wang's 46 victories since 2006 are tied for third-most in the American League and eighth-most in the Majors. His .754 combined winning percentage over the past three seasons is the second highest in the big leagues, behind only Boston's Jon Lester. Wang did not face the Orioles in 2008 and is 3-1 with a 5.13 ERA in nine career games (eight starts) against Baltimore.

Orioles: Uehara, a former ace of the Yomiuri Giants, will make his Major League debut in the second game of the season. Uehara is undefeated in international competition in his career and was highly decorated in his homeland, winning his league's equivalent of the Rookie of the Year Award once and the Cy Young award twice. Now, Uehara has come to the United States for a new challenge and will immediately slot in as one of Baltimore's most experienced pitchers. Uehara, who learned a circle changeup in Spring Training, is known as an extreme strike-thrower.

Mike Mussina, RHP (19-9, 3.47)
Yankees (88-72)
Tim Wakefield, RHP (10-11, 4.24)
Red Sox (94-66)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Defeating the Blue Jays in his last start, Mussina collected his 19th win of the season, matching a career high. The right-hander allowed no runs on four hits over his five innings of work. In the third frame, Mussina was hit on his right elbow by a comebacker to the mound, but managed to stay in the game for two more innings. He will pitch in New York's final game of the season on Sunday in Boston, as he attempts to reach the 20-win plateau for the first time in his 18-year career. Lifetime in Fenway Park, Mussina is 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA.

Red Sox: Wakefield pitched well in his last outing at Fenway, allowing four runs on six hits against the Indians on Tuesday. The numbers are a bit deceiving, as all four runs came in the fifth inning thanks to uncharacteristic misplays in the Red Sox outfield. The 5-4 win ensured Boston a spot in the 2008 postseason, with the team's most tenured player earning the victory. The veteran knuckleballer will make his final start of the season in the Red Sox's final tilt -- an afternoon showdown with the Yankees. Wakefield is 1-1 in three starts against the Bronx Bombers this season.

Sidney Ponson, RHP (8-5, 5.21)
Yankees (87-72)
Matsuzaka, RHP (18-2, 2.80)
Red Sox (94-66)


Scouting Report:
Yankees: Ponson draws the call as the Yankees shut down Andy Pettitte for the remainder of the regular season. For Ponson, it will be his first start since Sept. 13, when he was rapped for four runs in 3 1/3 innings and removed from the rotation. Ponson had one win in his last seven starts and a 8.18 ERA over that span when the Yankees decided to look elsewhere. He has lost twice to the Red Sox this season as a Yankee -- on July 27 and Aug. 27.

Red Sox: Matsuzaka was scratched on Friday after a long rain delay prolonged the start of the game. He'll pitch Saturday against the Yanks in a final tuneup before the postseason. Matsuzaka has pitched just once against the Yankees this season, taking a no-decision on April 13. In that one, Matsuzaka gave up five hits and four runs over five innings, walking six. In 15 Fenway starts this season, Matsuzaka is 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA.

Carl Pavano, RHP (4-1, 4.99)
Yankees (86-71)
Roy Halladay, RHP (19-11, 2.81)
Blue Jays (83-74)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Pavano is set to make his seventh start of the year for the Yankees following his late August return, taking on the Blue Jays as the Yankees complete their season series with Toronto. Pavano has won his past two outings despite not making it through the sixth inning, beating the Rays and Orioles. Pavano also faced the Blue Jays on Aug. 29 at Yankee Stadium, limiting the Jays to one run over six innings in a 2-1 Yankees victory.

Blue Jays: The ace of the Jays' staff notched his team-leading 19th victory of the season in his last start. Against Boston, Halladay allowed three runs on six hits over six innings. He was not particularly sharp, though, as he walked three batters -- the most since July 29 against Tampa Bay, a span of 10 starts. Against the Yankees, Halladay will aim for his 20th win of the season. It would mark only the second time in his career that he has reached the plateau, with the first time coming in 2003 when Halladay won 22 games en route to collecting the American League Cy Young Award. He is 14-5 with a 2.90 ERA lifetime against New York.

Phil Hughes, RHP (0-4, 7.96)
Yankees (86-71)
A.J. Burnett, RHP (18-10, 4.18)
Blue Jays (83-74)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Hughes will try again for his first victory of the season as he faces the Blue Jays in the second game of a three-game series at Rogers Centre. Hughes, who missed most of this season with a cracked rib, made his return to the big league level on Sept. 17 vs. the White Sox, allowing one run in four innings but running his pitch count to 89. He'll be facing Toronto for the first time since April 3, when he had a no-decision in a 3-2 Yankees win.

Blue Jays: Burnett received a no-decision against the Red Sox in his last start. The right-hander allowed three runs on eight hits over seven innings. He walked two, struck out six and exhausted a season-high 121 pitches. With only one start remaining this year, Burnett has already set a career high in wins (18), strikeouts (220) and innings pitched (213 1/3). In his career against the Yankees, Burnett is 6-3 with a 2.58 ERA.

Mike Mussina, RHP (18-9, 3.57)
Yankees (85-71)
Jesse Litsch, RHP (12-8, 3.72)
Blue Jays (83-73)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Mussina bounced back from a shaky start to pick up his 18th win, against the White Sox on Thursday. After he was worked for 28 pitches and one run in the first inning, the veteran shut down Chicago through the next five innings before he left to a standing ovation. He gave up just five hits and retired 10 straight batters to keep his pitch count from getting out of hand. In the first of two remaining scheduled starts, Mussina will attempt to take one more step toward what would be his first 20-win season. He is 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA in two starts against the Blue Jays this year.

Blue Jays: Litsch has struggled some with his control lately, issuing an uncharacteristic nine walks over his past two starts. Even so, Litsch has gone 4-1 with a 1.91 ERA in seven starts since being recalled from Triple-A after a three-start stint in the Minors to retool his pitch arsenal. On Thursday, the 23-year-old Litsch picked up a win in a 107-pitch effort against the Orioles after allowing two runs on four hits with six strikeouts and four walks over six innings. In his career against the Yankees, Litsch is 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA in five starts.

Chris Waters, LHP (3-3, 4.75)
Orioles (67-82)
Andy Pettitte, LHP (13-14, 4.57)
Yankees (80-71)

Scouting Report:
Orioles Against the Blue Jays in his last start, Waters spun the best outing of his young career. The 28-year-old rookie allowed just four hits in his first shutout. With the help of his strong sinker, accompanied with a side-arm delivery that he occasionally mixed in to surprise Toronto's hitters, the left-hander did not allow a runner to reach second base until the eighth inning. Waters also did not face more than four batters in any one inning. By the end of the game, his season ERA plummeted almost a full run, from 5.73 to 4.75.

Yankees: In his final tuneup before he takes the mound for the last game at Yankee Stadium, Pettitte picked up a career-high fifth straight loss Tuesday against the White Sox. One inning spoiled the outing as he gave up three runs in the fourth and four earned runs total, striking out four. He recorded three walks, one intentional, through his six innings, and one forced in a run as the bases were loaded. Pettitte will look for just his second win since July 31 on Sunday. He is 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA in two starts against Baltimore this season.


Brian Burres, LHP (7-9, 6.32)
Orioles (67-85)
Alfredo Aceves, RHP (1-0, 1.80)
Yankees (83-71)

Scouting Report:
Orioles: When Daniel Cabrera's season ended with the Orioles placing him on the disabled list Friday, Burres was given yet another chance to prove himself in the starting rotation. Burres will get this start in Cabrera's place, his 22nd opportunity to start this season, and will once again be pitching to prove to the Orioles that he belongs in their plans for 2009. Burres, like so many of the Orioles' young hurlers, has had a season of up and downs -- but mostly downs. The left-hander has worked his way to a 6.32 ERA with a 7-9 record in 28 appearances, seven of them out of the bullpen. Burres' last start came Aug. 31 against Tampa Bay, when he gave up seven earned runs over five innings off nine hits and four walks.

Yankees: Aceves gave another impressive performance in his second start with the Yankees on Monday night. He limited the White Sox to two runs on five hits, striking out three with one walk. In six innings, his one mistake came on a two-run homer that tied the game. But Aceves stayed out of trouble for the most part and kept the pressure off his defense and come away with the no-decision. He has given up just four runs in 20 innings pitched since making his debut with the Yankees on Aug. 31.

Radhames Liz, RHP (6-5, 6.90)
Orioles (67-82)
Carl Pavano, RHP (3-1, 5.26)
Yankees (80-71)


Scouting Report:
Orioles: Liz spun his best start of the year against the Twins in his last outing. The right-hander tossed eight scoreless innings, allowing just five hits. He issued only one walk, while striking out four and needing 109 pitches. In three career appearances against the Yankees, Liz has allowed four runs over a total of nine innings.

Yankees: Pavano held the Rays to four runs (three earned) through 5 1/3 innings to pick up his third win in five starts for the Yankees this season. He gave up just five hits, striking out three with two walks. Pavano exited the game with a stiff left hip after he landed awkwardly following a throw. He said later that he was frustrated he has not been able to last deeper into games. His 96 throws marked his highest pitch total since making his Major League return Aug. 23.

Mark Buehrle, LHP (13-11, 3.88)
White Sox (83-65)
Alfredo Aceves, RHP (1-0, 1.29)
Yankees (79-70)

Scouting Report:
White Sox: When the White Sox needed a victory to end a three-game losing skid on Wednesday, Buehrle stepped up and pitched like an ace against Toronto and Roy Halladay. The left-hander allowed seven hits and two walks over 7 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out six. He improved his record to 10-3 at U.S. Cellular and made his 30th start for a club-record eighth consecutive season. Buehrle has not faced the Yankees this season but has a dismal 1-5 career mark, with a 6.58 ERA, against the Bronx Bombers. Buehrle is 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA at Yankee Stadium, making his final start at the historic ballpark.

Yankees: What can Aceves do for an encore after limiting the Angels to one run on five hits over seven innings in his first Major League start on Tuesday? The 25-year-old right-hander can draw some early consideration for next year's rotation mix if he's able to keep the same level of confidence and composure as he opens New York's series with the White Sox. Aceves threw 63 of his 89 pitches for strikes, walking none and striking out two, and turned a nifty double play to help his cause. The Mexican League product is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA through his first 14 big league innings.

Edwin Jackson, RHP (11-10, 4.06)
Rays (87-57)
Carl Pavano, RHP (2-1, 5.31)
Yankees (77-69)

Scouting Report:
Rays: Jackson took his 10th loss of the season Monday night against the Red Sox when he allowed three runs on eight hits in seven innings. Personifying how strong and powerful Jackson can be was the fact his 94th pitch of the game registered at 99 mph. If Jackson is locating his 97-mph fastball, his other pitches can work well, particularly his slider. Jackson is 2-3 with a 4.84 ERA in 12 career appearances against the Yankees.

Yankees: Pavano will get another shot to figure out a few command issues on Sunday as the Yankees and Rays wrap up their three-game weekend series. Pavano won his first two starts after returning from Tommy John surgery but has had intermittent problems with both his command and velocity. He allowed two home runs and five earned runs in a 5 1/3-inning start on Monday at Anaheim, suffering his first loss.

Matt Garza, RHP (11-9, 3.55)
Rays (87-57)
Mike Mussina, RHP (17-8, 3.48)
Yankees (77-69)

Scouting Report:
Rays: Garza took a hard-luck loss against the Blue Jays in his last start, as the Rays were blanked, 1-0. The right-hander allowed just one run on six hits in seven innings. He walked one, struck out seven and needed 100 pitches in the outing. In his two starts against the Yankees this year, Garza is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA.

Yankees: Mussina will try again for his 18th victory on Saturday, when he faces the Rays in a Yankee Stadium matinee. Mussina took a loss on Sunday at Seattle, allowing four runs over six innings, and left with a souvenir -- a fresh red mark on his chest, courtesy of yet another ball hit back to the box. Mussina beat the Rays on Sept. 2 at Tropicana Field for win No. 17 and the Yankees are 20-10 in his starts. He's 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA in three starts vs. the Rays in '08.

Alfredo Aceves, RHP (0-0, 1.29)
Yankees (76-67)
Jered Weaver, RHP (10-10, 4.42)
Angels (86-56)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Aceves will make his first big league start on Tuesday, taking over for Darrell Rasner, who was moved to long relief. Aceves was a fast mover through the Yankees' system after being signed out of the Mexican League. Promoted to the big leagues on Aug. 28, Aceves was 8-6 with a 2.62 ERA in 25 games (23 starts) at Class A Tampa, Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Angels: Weaver's start was pushed back three days after he suffered metal cuts on his right ring and middle fingers in an accident in the visitors' dugout at Comerica Park on Tuesday night. Weaver pitched relatively well on Saturday against the Rangers but was hurt by high pitch counts as he exited after five-plus innings after throwing 108 pitches. He allowed three runs on five hits while striking out six and walking two. His strikeout totals are up in his past four starts, over which he has struck out 29 batters in 23 1/3 innings. Weaver is 3-1 with a 6.14 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees.

Carl Pavano, RHP (2-0, 4.20)
Yankees (76-67)
Jon Garland, RHP (12-8, 4.64)
Angels (86-56)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Making his third start since his long absence, Pavano served up a long two-run homer to Gabe Gross in the fourth inning on Wednesday and faced two batters in the fifth before exiting, taking a no-decision in his 79-pitch outing. He allowed six hits, walking two and striking out one. Pavano took a harsher tone in evaluating his performance, saying, "I think I cheated my team." He is 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA in two career starts against the Angels, in 2003 and 2005.

Angels: Garland was hard on himself after yielding five earned runs across six innings against the Tigers on Wednesday night, but he was in position to get the win if the Tigers hadn't rallied late against the Angels' bullpen. A tear in his right thumbnail created blood, disrupting Garland in the second inning, but he stayed in the game and got through six innings against a dangerous lineup. Garland is 4-5 in 10 career starts against the Yankees with a 4.29 ERA.

NYY Mike Mussina, RHP (17-7, 3.39)
Yankees (76-66)
Carlos Silva, RHP (4-14, 6.53)
Mariners (55-86)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Mussina will try to close within two wins of his long-pursued 20-win mark when he takes on the Mariners on Sunday at Safeco Field, wrapping up New York's three-game series. Mussina pitched effectively into the seventh inning on Tuesday at Tropicana Field, tying a season high with eight strikeouts as he worked two-run ball. Mussina is 2-0 with a 4.09 ERA in two starts this season against Seattle, beating them on May 3 and May 24 at Yankee Stadium. He will be starting for the first time at Safeco Field since 2005, a facility where he is 3-0 with a 3.23 ERA in six career starts -- five with the Yankees.

Mariners: Silva returned to the rotation after spending two weeks on the disabled list with an elbow ailment and had mixed results. He held the Rangers to one run over the first four innings, but came apart at the seams in the fifth inning and surrendered five runs. His go-to slider had more downward movement than it did prior to his DL stint, but he continues to leave too many pitches up in the strike zone and he gets hit hard when that happens. The right-hander is 0-2 against the Yankees in two starts this season, surrendering 22 hits and 13 earned runs in nine innings. He is 1-3 in his career against the Bronx Bombers.

Sidney Ponson, RHP (7-5, 5.13)
Yankees (74-64)
Ryan Rowland-Smith, LHP (4-2, 3.56)
Mariners (54-84)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Ponson had his fourth consecutive subpar outing in a 13-9 win over Detroit on Sept. 1 at Comerica Park. He was handed an 11-2 lead but couldn't get an out in the fourth inning, allowing seven runs (six earned) and nine hits in three-plus innings with a walk and a strikeout. He said he lost the strike zone, got behind 2-0 and got hit hard when he threw the ball down the middle. He was also hit in the pitching hand by the leadoff hitter in the fourth but said that had nothing to do with his inability to get another out.

Mariners: The Australian left-hander picked up his second consecutive win with another quality start on Sunday against the Indians. Rowland-Smith allowed two runs (one earned) in 6 1/3 innings to help the Mariners sweep the Indians. He struck out just two and walked one, primarily forcing the Indians to pound the ball into the ground. In his past two outings, Rowland-Smith has allowed four runs over 13 1/3 innings. In three relief appearances against the Yankees this season, Rowland-Smith is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA over 3 2/3 innings. Last season, he picked up a win against the Bronx Bombers after throwing four scoreless innings of relief.

Andy Pettitte, LHP (13-11, 4.52)
Yankees (74-64)
Brandon Morrow, RHP (1-2, 1.47)
Mariners (54-84)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Pettitte struggled early against the Blue Jays on Sunday and couldn't bounce back as he picked up his second straight loss. He surrendered three runs in the opening frame, and the Toronto batters worked Pettitte for 30 pitches in the first inning. The veteran was more economical as the game continued, leaving with 112 throws after 6 1/3 innings. Pettitte was tagged for six runs on 10 hits, striking out four with one walk. It marked his second straight start giving up six earned runs. In his only start against the Mariners this season, Pettitte held Seattle to two runs and eight hits over six innings.

Mariners: The highly touted right-hander makes his Major League starting debut slightly more than a month after being sent to Triple-A Tacoma to make the transition from late-inning reliever to starter. He was superb out of the bullpen, leading the team in saves with 10 and posting a 1.47 ERA in 40 relief appearances. Morrow has a plethora of pitches that he has developed, including a 94-mph fastball and 78-79-mph curveball. He also worked on a changeup during his stint in the Minors to prepare for this month ?- and beyond. His success as a starter could help determine how busy the front office is during the offseason in shoring up a rotation that has wobbled most of the season.

Darrell Rasner, RHP (5-9, 5.08)
Yankees (74-64)
Scott Kazmir, LHP (10-6, 3.13)
Rays (84-52)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Rasner held the Blue Jays to two runs through six innings and was economical with just 67 throws. But when he was sent back out for the seventh, Rasner allowed two hits and a walk. He was tagged for five runs total (four earned) to pick up the no-decision. It marked just the third time in his past 10 starts that Rasner pitched at least six innings. He gave up six hits, striking out one and recording one walk. Rasner has not faced Tampa Bay this season.

Rays: Kazmir notched his 10th win of the season against Baltimore on Friday night, tossing 5 1/3 innings of shutout baseball. He scattered three hits and three walks while striking out six. The 24-year-old left-hander has struggled with his mechanics lately and has worked all season with little luck to gain command of his slider, which has historically been his best pitch. Although he fared better on Friday night, Kazmir is still focusing on finding a way to pitch deeper into the game. He has not gone longer than six innings since tossing seven shutout frames against Oakland on July 21. He will be making his 23rd start of the season on Thursday, his third against New York.

Carl Pavano, RHP (2-0, 3.27)
Yankees (74-64)
Edwin Jackson, RHP (11-8, 3.81)
Rays (84-52)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Pavano delivered six impressive innings Friday night to pick up his second win of the season in as many attempts, and his first at Yankee Stadium since 2005. He quieted the Blue Jays' bats, holding them to one run and just three hits. He recorded one walk and one strikeout. The strikeout came against the final batter he faced before exiting after 72 pitches. Pavano said he had to work throughout the game to keep the ball low, but he retired 18 of the 22 batters he faced, including 12 straight hitters. He has not faced Tampa Bay this season.

Rays: Jackson picked up his career-high 11th win of the season Thursday night against the Blue Jays when he allowed just one run in seven innings. Jackson threw 70 of 106 pitches for strikes and scattered six hits with two strikeouts for his sixth win in seven games. The young flamethrower is at his best when he is locating his 97 mph fastball, which sets up an array of other pitches, particularly his slider.

NYY Mike Mussina, RHP (16-7, 3.41)
Yankees (72-63)
Matt Garza, RHP (11-7, 3.53)
Rays (83-51)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Mussina kept up his consistency with seven solid innings against the Red Sox on Thursday, but came away with his second straight no-decision. He held Boston to two runs to keep the Yankees in the game, scattering five hits with two walks. With six strikeouts, Mussina moved past Frank Tanana for sole possession of 20th place on the all-time list with 2,778 career strikeouts. He has thrown at least six innings in nine of his last 10 starts. Mussina is 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA in two outings against Tampa Bay this season.

Rays: The 24-year-old Fresno State product has arguably the best stuff on the Rays staff, boasting a mid-90s fastball that sinks, a curveball, a slider and a changeup. He is coming off Wednesday night's win over Toronto in which the right-hander scattered six hits over seven 2/3 shutout innings. Garza tossed 69 of 115 pitches for strikes, and two of his three walks came to his final batters. Garza is 1-1 in two starts vs. the Yankees, with a 3.29 ERA.