The LoHud Yankees Blog

29 Responses to “A-Rod goes deep against Phillies”

1. Mike March 26th, 2007 at 1:57 pm

   How is Igawa’s control?

   I saw 2 SOs in the first inning, but that walk in the second (with no SOs) has me concerned.

2. Jeff March 26th, 2007 at 2:05 pm

   I’m watching the game here in London and I think I just saw the ball pass my window…

3. dan March 26th, 2007 at 2:08 pm

   Arod looks read for opening day found his power stroke this last week. That was crushed.

4. Phil A March 26th, 2007 at 2:14 pm

   A-Rod to have a monster year and all his fans at NoMaas and NYYFANS will be proven correct. Let’s hope he stays locked in.

5. jennifer March 26th, 2007 at 2:21 pm

   How does Kei look? I’m at work and am just relying on the box score.

6. Fernando Alejandro March 26th, 2007 at 2:27 pm

   Seems like Kei doing well.

   Matsuzaka and Livingston are in the middle of a pitcher’s duel. Through 4+ innings Livingston is pitching a one hitter, and Matsuzaka is pitching a no hitter.

7. Ty March 26th, 2007 at 2:40 pm

   Matsuzaka has 100+ pitches in 5 innings with 5 walks and no one is batting an eye on ESPN. If that was Igawa, they would be calling for him to be in the minors.

8. Todd Drew March 26th, 2007 at 2:47 pm

   Phil A,
   Everyone knows Alex is going to have a huge year and I haven’t seen anyone say otherwise.

9. Brian March 26th, 2007 at 2:58 pm

   Ty

   That’s because Matsuzaka is a master craftsman, who’s probably just working on his pitches. When Igawa “struggles” it’s because he’s an inferior pitcher.

   (Please notice the location of my tongue…it’s planted firmly in my cheek).

10. JeterMVP March 26th, 2007 at 3:02 pm

    That’s because ESPN is biased and completely not credible. No one cares because they are a joke that shouldn’t be taken seriously.

11. Ty March 26th, 2007 at 3:03 pm

    @Brian

    Didn’t want to say that, but I agree 100%. IMO, Mats has a superior FB, but they look pretty much the same to me. I don’t see a $50mill difference.

12. Whatever March 26th, 2007 at 3:03 pm

    jennifer,
    Igawa looked pretty good. 5 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 2 walks and 4 Ks. He was up in the zone with his slider, which is a little disconcerting, but actually got strikeouts on a couple of them. He’d be my pick to start opening day, given the circumstances.

13. Peter Abraham March 26th, 2007 at 3:04 pm

    Phil: I believe the proper term for some of those people would be “swooning fanboys.”

14. jennifer March 26th, 2007 at 3:11 pm

    whatever

    thanks for the info. I just hope that doesn’t come to hurt him when hitters catch up to him.

15. kasey March 26th, 2007 at 3:13 pm

    um, are you people seriously trying to tell me you don’t see the difference between matsuzaka and igawa? wow, it’s a thin line between optimistic and delusional. kei looks like he’s getting more comfortable, but don’t kid yourselves. there’s a reason matsuzaka is a bigger deal. he’s a better pitcher. he’s going to be a better big league pitcher. good lord.

    any more news on wang? looking forward to torre’s comments regarding pettitte.

16. Fernando Alejandro March 26th, 2007 at 3:22 pm

    Brian Bruney, one inning pitched, 3 strike outs. That’s efficient.

17. Stacey March 26th, 2007 at 3:22 pm

    “Phil: I believe the proper term for some of those people would be “swooning fanboys.â€?

    And girls….

18. Vicequaizer March 26th, 2007 at 3:23 pm

    No one’s saying that they don’t see ANY difference between Igawa and Matsuzaka.
    What people are saying is that they don’t see a FIFTY MILLION difference between the two pitchers.
    Including everything from bid to lux tax, Igawa’s price is equal in price of Matsuzaka’s contract alone, not including their lux tax.

19. Ty March 26th, 2007 at 3:32 pm

    @kasey

    Guess we shall see when the season ends. As far as ST goes Mats has faced BC, Marlins, Pirates, Dodgers, Reds, and Orioles (they hit him pretty hard). Igawa has faced the Phillies (x2), Braves, Tigers, Pirates. Mats faced inferior hitting teams and hasn’t shown any more dominance than did Igawa.

20. Phil A March 26th, 2007 at 3:34 pm

    Peter: I beg to differ. We are not swooning fanboys (or girls) but rather the avenging swords of taste and decency with a liking for high OPS numbers.

    That being said, tell us about the staff meeting Joe had today…

21. murphydog March 26th, 2007 at 4:12 pm

    Phil A:

    This just in:

    Bill James has created a new metric to track A-Rod’s production this year. It’s called “OBMCBS” which stands for:

    “On Base minus CHOKING IN BIG SITUATIONS.”

    162 games and counting till OPT OUT.

22. Brian March 26th, 2007 at 4:22 pm

    Kasey

    I have no doubt that Matsuzaka will end up being the better of the two pitchers. Everything I have seen/read/heard leads me to that, and that’s fine. It’s just the fact that he’s been annointed the second coming every time he throws a pitch that bothers me. Both Igawa and Matsuzaka, despite their respective pedigrees, have a lot to prove…everything in fact. And in terms of MLB results, they’re both clean slates. Before today’s outings, they’re numbers this spring, except for the BBs, have been almost identical.

23. saucy March 26th, 2007 at 4:22 pm

    lol murphdog!

24. Rajah of Rehab March 26th, 2007 at 4:23 pm

    A Rod’s homer was impressive, doubly so because the wind was coming straight in from center. Dunn lost a homer off of Dice-K in the first inning due to the wind and still A Rod’s landed somewhere in Europe.

    Kei Igawa looked better than he has, the high slider/change up isn’t pretty, but 3-4 of his Ks came off of them. He handled Ryan Howard well, but he still has those control issues to sort out. In Japan, Igawa’s numbers were pretty comprable to Matsuzaka’s, he just doesn’t look quite as comfortable or confident in America as Dice-K is yet.

25. murphydog March 26th, 2007 at 4:25 pm

    Merci, saucy. I’m here to serve ; )

26. Phil A March 26th, 2007 at 4:29 pm

    Don’t let reality get in the way of being funny, Murph

27. murphydog March 26th, 2007 at 4:37 pm

    I’m just joshing, Phil. I concede that Rod could always hit, and hit ‘em long and often. The issue is when. And that’s a big issue not captured by OPS. For that you gotta look at Winshares and Win Expectancy (Keith Woolner at BP).

    I wish Rod well this year. I sincerely hope he goes out with another MVP and a ring.

28. Joe D. March 26th, 2007 at 6:47 pm

    Maybe A-ROD read this new underground website I found – about him – and decided to think positively today… check it out (you’ll see what I mean).

    http://www.projectA13.com

29. Fan27 March 26th, 2007 at 7:48 pm

    LOL@projectA13…that was great!