Yankees vs. Rays: Game 8

The Yankees lineup will again be twisted and altered in attempts to find what works.

According to reports from WFAN radio, Hideki Matsui and Cody Ransom have been removed from today's game in favor of Ramiro Pena and Jose Molina.

The moves allow manager Joe Girardi to rest the team's most severe stragglers on offense, while also improving overall team defense.

Molina is one of the premier defensive catchers in all of baseball, and Pena is already viewed as the top defensive infielder in the Yankees organization (including the 25-man Major League roster).

Jorge Posada will DH in place of Matsui, and will help to provide some extra 'pop' to a fizzling attack.

A.J. Burnett hopes to carry the momentum of a promising debut into Tropicana Field against a balanced and potent Tampa Bay Rays lineup.

The expected Yankees attack is as follows:

1. Gardner CF

2. Jeter SS

3. Teixeira 1B

4. Swisher LF

5. Posada DH

6. Cano 2B

7. Nady RF

8. Pena 3B

9. Molina C

Mark Teixeira's return to first base should help to energize the team as well, as it must have felt vulernable without both of their all-world sluggers in the lineup.

Teixeira will be welcomed back with open arms tonight, and Alex Rodriguez is hopefully just 3-4 weeks away from game shape.