There are 24 games left in the Yankees’ 2006 season, all of them against AL East opponents. Tonight they play the first of seven remaining games against the Orioles. They also have seven left against the Devil Rays, six against Toronto, and a four-game home set against the second-place Red Sox.

Entering tonight’s action the Yankees have a nine game lead in the division and their magic number to clinch is 15. The Orioles, meawhile, would be eliminated from the division race with a single Yankee win this weekend and could be eliminated from the playoffs altogether before the Yankees leave Baltimore.

Hideki Matsui is 1 for 6 in his first two rehab games with the Trenton Thunder, but the Thunder’s playoff series is knotted at 1-1, so he should have plenty of opportunities to get the kinks worked out. In last night’s game he walked in his first trip, coming around to score, then grounded out to second and popped out twice to the left side of the infield.

In other news, Kevin Thompson has been activated, having recovered from the staph infection that developed after he fouled a ball off his shin. There’s a Carl Pavano dig in there somewhere.

Cory Lidle starts tonight against Erik Bedard. Lidle has pitched six shutout innings in two of his last three starts. If you ask me, the 27-year-old Bedard is quickly becoming overrated, though he did hold the Yankees to one run over six innings the last time these two teams met.

The Yanks are running out the usual suspects, with Craig Wilson getting the first base start against the lefty Bedard, and the lefty Cano hitting behind Jorge Posada.

Seven more games against the Orioles. Have they banned greenies for bloggers as well?

Baltimore Orioles

2006 Record: 61-78 (.439)
2006 Pythagorean Record: 60-79 (.429)

Manager: Sam Perlozzo
General Manager: Mike Flanagan

Home Ballpark (2005 Park Factors): Oriole Park at Camden Yards (94/95)

Who’s Replaced Whom?

• David Newhan (DL) replaced Jeff Conine
• Danny Ardoin replaced Tim Byrdak
• Jim Hoey (minors) replaced Chris Britton, who has since been recalled
• Jeff Fiorentino, Raul Chavez, Hayden Penn, Winston Abreu and Julio Manon are September call-ups

Current Roster

1B – Kevin Millar (R)
2B – Brian Roberts (S)
SS – Miguel Tejada (R)
3B – Melvin Mora (R)
C – Ramon Hernandez (R)
RF – Nick Markakis (L)
CF – David Newhan (L)
LF – Brandon Fahey (L)
DH – Jay Gibbons (L)

Bench:

L – Corey Patterson (OF)
R – Chris Gomez (IF)
R – Fernando Tatis (IF)
R – Chris Widger (C)
R – Danny Ardoin (C)
L – Jeffrey Fiorentino (OF)*
R – Raul Chavez (C)*

Rotation:

L – Erik Bedard
L – Adam Loewen
R – Hayden Penn*
R – Rodrigo Lopez
R – Kris Benson
R – Daniel Cabrera

Bullpen:

R – Chris Ray
R – LaTroy Hawkins
R – Todd Williams
L – Bruce Chen
R – Russ Ortiz
R – Jim Hoey
R – Chris Britton*
R – Julio Manon*
R – Winston Abreu*

15-day DL: L – John Parrish
60-day DL: L – Kurt Birkins, R – Aaron Rakers

*September call-ups

Typical Lineup

S – Brian Roberts (2B)
R – Melvin Mora (3B)
L – Nick Markakis (RF)
R – Miguel Tejada (SS)
L – Jay Gibbons (DH)
R – Kevin Millar (1B)
L – David Newhan (CF)
R – Ramon Hernandez (C)
L – Brandon Fahey (LF)