Tonight at 7:05 p.m. ET the New York Yankees (81-77) will take on the American League East champion Baltimore Orioles (95-63) in their final home game of the season, as well as captain Derek Jeter's final game in Yankee Stadium. Fans can watch the game on MLB Network or live stream it free by clicking this link. Those who must listen to the radio broadcasts can find the Yankees announcers on 101.9 WFAN, and the Orioles' broadcast on 1090 WBAL. Hiroki Kuroda (11-9, 3.77 ERA) will pitch for the Yanks against Kevin Gausman (7-7, 3.57 ERA).
Tonight will mark Jeter's 1,391st home game as a New York Yankee, and the first in which he will don the Pinstripes with the Yankees out of playoff contention. Jeter has hit .253 this season with four home runs, 46 RBI and 10 stolen bases-a far cry from his prime, but respectable output for a 40-year-old shortstop.
In typical Jeter fashion, he has been quiet on the topic of his final home game, and more open about his disappointment that the Yankees have been eliminated from postseason contention. "It's tough. It's what you play for," Jeter said. "It's a rough feeling and it should be a rough feeling for everyone in here."
On Wednesday night Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that a final signature moment wouldn't surprise him. "I think that people have showed him appreciation wherever he's gone this year," Girardi said.
"For him to do it one more time at Yankee Stadium should be special. ... I think tomorrow will be a culmination of all the love he's been shown."
Last season closer Mariano Rivera received a similar outpouring of support from fans and team around the league, and his final Yankee Stadium moment involved Jeter and Andy Pettitte coming out to the mound and removing him from the game.
If similar plans are in the works for Jeter, the Yankees are keeping it under wraps. "I can't really script it," Girardi said. "What happened with Mo just came to me at that moment. Whatever happens, happens."
Jeter is expected to play out the remaining three games of the season against the Boston Red Sox, unlike Rivera, who ended his career on that tearful moment on the mound. "Mo just kind of wanted it to end that way," Girardi said.
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