--1B Jason Giambi has been the poster boy for superstitious ballplayers, and his latest lucky charm seems to have worked well. Earlier this season, Giambi's slump-busting thong was revealed in reports, but his streak-inducing 'stache has been all the rave in the Yankees' clubhouse. Giambi grew the mustache earlier this month, and his average has increased along with the hairs above his upper lip. He's upped the mark to .244. For most of the season before that, Giambi had been hitting under .200, and he said he's inspired teammates Johnny Damon and Shelley Duncan to grow their own mustaches as well.
--RHP Joba Chamberlain's fate could be finalized Friday. With starter Ian Kennedy on the disabled list and Chamberlain having thrown his scheduled 55 pitches Wednesday (28 in the game, 27 in the bullpen after his appearance) the Yankees will have to decide if Chamberlain can take Kennedy's spot in the rotation Tuesday. Chamberlain told reporters Wednesday he would also like to see how his legs felt Friday. --SS Derek Jeter has watched his average plummet in the past 11 games, falling from .314 to .280. Jeter's slump has been made even more alarming by the lack of power he's shown even when he was still hitting for average. In 47 games this season, Jeter has just 12 extra-base hits and two home runs.
--LF Johnny Damon has raised his average 32 points in his last seven games, up to .288. Damon's streaks of success have usually coincided with those of the club. As Damon has gone 15-for-31 in those seven games, the Yankees have gone 5-2.
--RHP Ross Ohlendorf hasn't gained as much attention as fellow rookies Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes, but he has provided another example of how the Yankees' youth movement hasn't gone the way they envisioned. Ohlendorf has gone 0-1 with a 6.37 ERA this season and especially has struggled his last three outings, allowing nine earned runs.
BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- Run allowed by RHP Mariano Rivera in his first 19 appearances this season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The dirt clearly goes on his shoe. That was not my intent." -- Joe Girardi, after watching a replay of his Billy Martin imitation of an argument, in which he kicked dirt on the umpire.
