American League matchups set
-
- September
- 28
It will be the Yankees vs. the Indians and the Angels vs. the Red Sox in the American League playoffs.
All that is to be determined is whether Boston (95-65) or Cleveland (95-65) gets the best record and the right to chose which series they want. Boston has the tiebreaker based on a better head-to-head record.
So Game 1 for the Yankees will be Wednesday or Thursday at Jacobs Field. Time TBA.
In terms of the Yankees tonight, not much to report. “I went in there to get some work and it wasn’t good at all,” Mariano Rivera said. “I missed a lot of pitches.”
None of the Yankees seemed remotely distressed that they didn’t win the division.
“Honestly we haven’t thought much about it any more,” Mike Mussina said. “We climbed back from obscurity. We were written off; we were firing everybody; we were releasing everybody; we were finished according to everybody and we’re in the playoffs. The wild card team makes it to the World Series a lot it seems like. Everybody’s even, everybody’s 0-0 when we start up again next week.”
Leave it to the Moose to put it so well.
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Peter Abraham
Moose has the QOTN.
I feel for Mo, though. However, one run game in the ninth, game seven, there is NO ONE I would rather have on the mound.
Good job Moose in putting it so well. Now stop pitching like a friggin idiot!
Kenny Lofton, here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jesus Christ that has to be the first positive comment I ever heard from Moose. Well said there Mike, now please take the BP job and we’re cool.
Well spoken, Moose! Mo will be fine. It all starts over in October! GO YANKEES!!!
What did he have to say about his pathetic pitching??? After the manager put him back in the rotation for no reason. He looks great going into the play offs, I sure would trust him on the mound.
None of the Yankees seemed remotely distressed that they didn’t win the division.
And if they had managed to win the division they would have been celebrating even more than they did for the wild card birth (ok, more is impossible, but as much). We’d be hearing what a great accomplishment it was and how they never gave up hope.
You’re such a homer Pete. Do you ever read between the lines? Great accomplishment by the red sox. Wire to wire baby!
Im look at it with the glass half full perspective. Mo was just shaking out the badness so he is good for a great October. Yankees in 4 games over Cleveland. Want to say 3 but youre not supposed to.
mathis- I never knew havin a 14.5 game lead axed down to 1 was known as a great accomplishment. I guess the Mets should be extremely proud in that case.
When Torre took out the regulars for the 10th inning we knew he wasn’t trying for the win and therefore wasn’t trying for the division. All’s well. We get to see a player manage on Sunday.
I still feel good about how the pitching can hold up against the Indians’ lineup. I know that the stats don’t mean anything now, but Sizemore always struggles against the Yankees. Take away their sparkplug and Cleveland is much less of a threat to beat you with their bats. I would be more worried if Pedro Cerrano was in Cleveland’s lineup! Major League is on TV right now, that is why I mentioned Pedro.
Mathis, just be glad that the Yankees spotted the Red Sox 14.5 games this year. They needed almost all of it.
Leave it to the Moose to cough up a lead.
Guys:
I’m going to start treating people who debate and answer trolls as trolls themselves. Enough. No more “Buck Foston” or whatever. That is not what this blog is going to be about.
Ignore trolls and take the high road. Alert me and I will delete stupid comments. Some of you (Don Vito) invite this nonsense in by answering them. I’m not going to have that. There are plenty of other blogs and message boards out there to engage in name-calling. I will not have that here.
well put Pete.
So, which over the hill veterans is Torre going to go with over hungry young players this postseason?
Giambi looks SO BAD!
SO Bad!
As soon as viz and Farnworth start pitching with a modicum of efficacy,Rivera has problems,Not for Nothin” will this pitching staff ever, stabalize for the post season,please!!!
I have not seen Ron Villone in a LONG time. Good sign that he wont be on the roster.
Looking good for Ole Olendorf and Veracious Veras despite Kyle’s new fangled windup.
Bullpen in ALDS should be:
Mo
Jo
Luis
Kyle
Ole
Veras
Hughes
Can anyone argue that the Edwar Ramirez experiment should continue? I’m not saying he gets cut, he definitely got skills, but can the yanks afford to have him on the roster?
Peter,
Even as a Sox fan I fully agree and support what you just wrote. I’m sorry for the times I may have got caught up in some “troll” like comments in response to some people. Even before I read your last post I posted these words a few minutes in the section before this one:
ray(sox)
September 29th, 2007 at 12:22 am
I’m not here to gloat or make stupid comments. Of course I am glad the Sox won the division, but I very well remember that the Sox entered the 2004 playoffs as the wild card entry. I will be the first to admit that the Yankees have a very potent offensive lineup and therefore can produce a lot of runs in a short amount of time. In some ways the season is just now really beginning for both the Sox and the Yankees. Congratulations to the Yankees for whittling down an almost 15 game lead from earlier this year. I am keenly aware that you guys will be a tough opponent for whoever you play.
Ray –
I think that’s the first classy, thoughtful thing I’ve heard or read from a Sox fan in 21 years of existence. Thanks for being cool and may the best team win. And by best team I mean Yankees.
Edwar, is were Farnsworth was early in the season,guaranteed to give up runs when he comes in. “bawston” has “gagme” we have Edwar (yoda).Should be intresting. I should mention Edwar only looks like yoda,
because everybody knows yoda is a bad mamm-jamma!!!!
Ray—well said, very classy. May the best team win.
MJL—there are other Sox fans out there like Ray. I’ve even seen a few other ones on this blog.
Above all else, fans of both teams should appreciate, if they don’t already, how incredibly good this rivalry is, and that this recent stretch over the last 10 years has lasted with both teams staying competitive. That even with Boston finally winning it in 04, that it’s just as intense if not more so. It’s an absolutely electric atmosphere when they meet, be it April or October. There isn’t another rivalry like this in sports.
to add: it’s a great time to be a fan of either team (and in a larger sense, a fan of this great game)
I didn’t say there aren’t other fans like Ray, I just haven’t met them, and I’m new to the comments here. I don’t doubt there are others like him, just in my experience they are few and far between.
Edwar doesn’t deserve his spot, Veras and Ohlendorf should get be over him.
I don’t want to hear about Ohlendorfs lack of experience either, it isn’t like Edwar has much either.
Ray: May the best team win, indeed! I hope you’ll be along with us for the ride! =)
I do not trust Vizcaino or Veras. Viz hasnt been good lately and had a terrible start. I dont see him as consistent or dominant. I think Joba is the most trustable/dominant reliever, tied with Mo. I don’t know why, but I just can’t put Mo above Joba right now. Mo has been allowing way too many baserunners and barely making it for saves. That isn’t including his blown saves. I just don’t trust him as much as before.
Who knows, though. October is a different story. Maybe Mo will return to form. Ohlendorf has shown some good ability, mainly because he’s new and unknown. I think Kyle will pitch well in the playoffs, too. He’s got such great stuff. Villone is a reliever I trust, as well. I think he can get the outs we need. I definitely dont trust Britton or Edwar at all.
Look let’s face one single fact: When the Yankees and Red Sox both make the playoffs in the same season, the division championship matters little. Sour grapes? No, not at all.
When the Yankees started their great surge and pulled to within 5 games or so, I was starting to envision the possibility of winning the division, and just as importantly, knock Boston out of the playoffs entirely. Once we hit September though, and it became clear that Boston was going to be in one way or the other, the division didn’t matter as much—I just wanted the Yankees to get in. Trust me, Boston fans feel similarly – yes, they’re thrilled to have won the division, but they desperately wanted the Tigers to catch the Yanks. Because the nightmare scenario for every single Sox fan this postseason is to be knocked out by New York in the ALCS.
as a Sox fan, im so happy the Sox won the division becasue home field advantage effects us going to more games. last time lackey was in town he gave up several runs his first inning of work. home is always better.
I pray to God that Ohlendorf makes it. I want to see him throw that bowling ball, mid 90s fastball and nasty slider. Kudos to Dave Eiland and Jim Brower for helping Ohlendorf with his secondary pitch or pitches. I thought he had a changeup.
Ramirez is done. He’s probably tired and that ain’t good thing, going to into the playoffs. I like Britton actually. Hopefully, he’ll get more opportunities like a full inning. Villone hasn’t pitched in awhile. Maybe Torre is saving him for the playoffs. Yikes!
Good ‘ol Mussina. I’m still not sold on him. I’m going to be nervous watching him in the playoffs.
Imagine a Yankees-Cubs World Series. Think of the stories:
Torre vs. Pinella, the guy heavily rumored to take Torre’s place after another embarrassing first-round exit by the Yankees to Detroit last year.
Pinella vs. the Yanks again/ for the first time since 2001, only on the biggest stage. You better believe Steinbrenner would flip out if Pinella beat the Yanks. He’d definitely either let go of Torre or fire Torre immediately after the Series even though Torre’s contract probably expires a few weeks after the season ends whenever it does lol. I just don’t see him accepting a loss to Pinella well and what an embarassment for Torre: he gets beat by the guy constantly mentioned as his replacement in the World Series asap. OOF.
A-Rod vs. the guy the Yanks traded to get him, Alfonso Soriano (who’d be in his third World Series & a Yankee for life had Mo not blown Game 7 of the 2001 World Series cuz “Sori” hit the tiebreaking solo homerun late in the game to put the Yanks up 2-1). A-Rod would never live it down if he didn’t win a World Series and Soriano did and beat him esp. if Soriano wins World Series M.V.P.
The 26-time World Champion Yankees vs. a team who hasn’t won a World Series in what, a century (Cubs)? Expect the billygoat to attend all games at Wrigley Field lol (The Curse Of The Billygoat -look it up on Wikipedia).
Wang vs. Lilly in this respect: Lilly became Wang like this:
The Yanks traded Lilly to Detroit for Jeff Weaver (Lilly was then sent to Oakland, it was a three-way trade, he never pitched for Detroit) then traded Weaver to L.A. for Kevin Brown who’s injury in early 2005 led to Wang’s callup and permanent residence in the rotation that year and beyond.
Steve Bartman and Jeffrey Maier sitting together…as far away from the wall as possible lol.
New York vs. Chicago, the “Second City” (their self-imposed nickname not ours) and the neverending debate over what’s better: N.Y.-style pizza or Chicago-style (I love both but my choice is N.Y.
Wait how could I forget?
Pinella vs. A-Rod.
Classic favorite (Yankees) vs. classic underdog (Cubs).
Maybe the last World Series at the current Yankee Stadium if they don’t make it to the World Series next year.
What do you all think about Moose as the fourth starter? He certainly didn’t help his case last night and with the way Hughes has been pitching an argument could be made favoring Phil as the no. 3/4(depending on Roger) starter in the playoffs.
maier and bartman- that’s great haha.
i think the cubs would have the advantage considering all the historically loser teams that have been winning in recent years.
it would be a great matchup. so’d the yanks + phillies. i would actually breathe a sigh of relief about our pitching, because this would just be the ultimate slugfest.
But let’s focus on the task at hand.
Joe Torre and Derek Jeter are the reason the Yankees are in the post season. Neither ever takes his eye off of the prize nor turns it toward his own accomplishments. The whole concept of the Yankees as a team comes from them. All those who came ‘for the ring, or for the money’ are missing the whole Yankee message – they are just front runners.
dfcash i’m sort of with you- i’d say moose with a 3 run leash—->hughes
Morning all, can anyone help me out. I would like to find pictures of the back pages of the paper from earlier this year, when the NY papers were declaring the Mets kings of NY. I am going to make up a nice book them, hoping to complete the book with a back page decaring the greatest choke of all.
Hey it is pay back for what was done to me in 2004. Revenge is served best cold.
Jennifer: wait til Dr. A comes online. I’m SURE he’s got them!
Good idea thanks Andrea.
The Marlins have been pathetic this year but seeing them mess with the Mets and Cubs has been sweet!
I agree with Moose’s comments, but was thinking back a few years ago when he seemed to be a lot less, er, affable. Wonder what changed him?
I’m not saying Edwar should make the postseason roster (personally, I’d like Ohlendorf), but it’s not fair to blame him for last night. Bloop double hit the opposite way, passed ball by Molina, pitched carefully to Markakis, intentionally walked Tejada and a perfect squeeze by Mora.
It’s not like he got hit hard or was particularly wild.
Yesterday, the Post reported that the yankees will go with 11 pitchers and that Villone was in as well as Farnsworth. That leaves only 1 more to go and a position player, presumably Gonzalez or Sardinha as late innings pinch runner.
Narrowing it down, if they go for a short man as the 11th pitcher, it looks like its between, Ramirez, Ohlendorf, and Veras
I’d assume Gonzalez of Sardinha because I’d assume a back up infielder, but Joe’s used Sardinha as a pinch runner more often than Gonzalez. So who knows.
over, not of
Joan,
I found your comments about Torre and Jeter to be interesting. As an outsider looking in occasionally I have never really understood why so many people on here blame Joe Torre for whatever problems the Yankees had this year. Did Torre make some decisions he wishes he could take back? Probably, but isn’t that true of every single manager/coach? As far as Jeter goes I have always feared him the most when he is at bat against my team the Sox. People can say what they want about Jeter but how can one debate the fact that the man is a winner and one of the most clutch players in baseball.
ray: Jeter’s tiny slumps aside this season (he had a stream of DPs early this season that made me particularly upset), he is and always will be Captain Clutch. But Joe Torre’s bullpen management has been strange this season and has left fans bewildered. Granted, he hasn’t had the best bullpen to manage, but things like leaving a pitcher in after he walks in a run angers fans. I mean, I have ZERO managing experience, but doing something like that makes me want to scream.
Some other things that people are angry at Torre over make no sense—like when he doesn’t start Giambi in favor of Mientkiewicz. That kind of thing bugs me because I’m kind of a defense person. I’ll take defense over bats (hence I want Melky in CF), and then if you need some extra runs, throw some PHs in there later.
Not sure if that answers your question, but I’m awake and can’t go back to sleep
The advantage that Gonzalez brings is he’s another infielder. Betemit would be the only back-up they would have at 2nd, SS and 3rd- not that I think that anything short of a hanging limb would take Cano, Jeter or A-Rod out of a game.
The new playoff DL rule may also play in somehow. If a player gets injured in the post season, they can now be substituted for another player where as in the past, you played dowm a man. Yanks could go with Sardina and if someone got hurt, they could bring in Gonzalez.
Both Yankees and Red Sox fans really need to appreciate the rivalry we have. Although we clearly are polarized as to whom we support, the rivalry itself bonds us in a way that most other fans of baseball can only envy. Rantings of trolls aside, we should support the rivalry with responsible discourse and disagreement… but not get so PC that all of our thoughts need to start or end with a disclaimer.
Its a fine line…. both sides need to nurture the rivalry… disagree openly but don’t let troll comments cheapen it.
Andrea,
Thank you for your articulate response. It did help me understand better the frustration some fans have had with Torre this year.
pat—I did forget about that DL rule. They said, though, that if someone goes on the DL at any point, they’re DLed for the whole postseason.
HIY’ALL,
Tough game to lose last night. Andrea great observations on Jeter, and on Torre’s (mis?)managing of bullpen.i too was wondering if indeed Captain “Clutch was beginning to decline. Glad to say he is still alive and kicking.As for Torre and the bullpen, maybe gator needs to have more input in this area as i feel this is Torre’s weakest area of management. and it is also one of the most important parts of the job he does. his pitching changes have left me cringing alot this year, but overall we can complain about the end results.
LET’S GO YANKS. GOOD LUCK IN 2007 POST SEASON
Congratulations to the Yankees for making it to their 13th straight Post Season (Without the strike in 1994, it would have been 14). Only the Atlanta Braves can boast a greater achievement (14) – and that’s in a weaker National League.
It’s interesting how opposing fans’ reaction can influence your feelings for a Team – like the Boston Red Sox.
I have been a Yankee fan since the Late 50s and although Boston vs New York was always a hotly contested rivalry for the AL Title, the bias (and in extreme cases – hatred)between their respective fans didn’t seem to be an issue until maybe the mid-70’s.
Much had to do with the Teams’ respective fortunes during the 60s and 70s. ( I actually can remember ROOTING for the Red Sox in the 1967 WS because I was an American League baseball fan)
Fans’ attitudes (at least in my opinion) seemed to change in the mid-70s. A Boston-NY showdown was like hockey back then – fights were pretty commonplace. Fisk vs Munson, Nettles vs Bill Lee, Pinella vs everybody, Ex-Red Sox relief ace Sparky Lyle and on and on…
It seems like the media focused more on this rivalry and the increased attention influenced the fans attitude to a certain extent – that and the fact that both teams were almost equally as talented. The culmination of the intense rivalry was 1978. Today’s contests actually turn ugly in the stands – fist fights, beer dumped on opposing fans, etc.
What happened to rooting for your Team and
good-natured “ribbing”?
Today, Yankees-Red Sox is the greatest rivalry in Sports. There is nothing better in baseball than an ALCS: Boston vs NY.
Its too bad that we have some ignorant fans (on both sides) that can ruin a great sports experience by carrying their allegiance too far and doing harmful things to others.
Enjoy the Post Season!
For the most part, I respect the Red Sox players and their fans. The only ones I seem to have a problem with are the ones who feel the need to tie everything they do to the Yankees. I have the same issue with some Mets fans too. Victories or defeats are sweeter or sour if it somehow involves the Yankees. To me victories are always sweet and defeats are always sour no matter who they are against.
Sox ownership and front office is another story. The constant whining about how they can’t compete with Yankee payroll gets old. The 51 Million dollar posting fee for Dice-K would tell me otherwise. The luxury tax and revenue sharing money that the Yankees pay helps all teams in MLB. Guess in a way, the Yankees would have helped pay part of that A-Rod money that Sox ownership says they couldn’t afford. “Evil Empire” is something 5th graders hurl at each other not Millionaires.
well said Latham Joe!!!!!
has Boston said what series it would take (the short or long one) if it finished with the best record?
Andrea – I agree with everything you said. I, too, remember letting doubt about Jeter creep in (not sure I ever actually voiced it though until now) when the string of DPs were occurring. It was a weird feeling. I think there was an interview during the time where he said someday he’d like to own (or was it manage?) a major league club. A+B doesn’t always equal C though, and he’s proven once again how critical a player he is and why is the CAPTAIN.
I have friends that are Red Sox fans, and they said (when we were way back), that they really hoped we made it to the post-season, because it’s just not the same without the Sox and Yankees there. It is a rival to be respected.
Thanks Jeff – ALBANY,NY – What a great Town!
Ohlendorf and Gonzalez should make the postseason roster.
pat: to an extent, I disagree a tiny bit. Victories are a tiny bit sweeter when you can beat a team you always have trouble against. The series victories against the Red Sox and then the sweep were awesome because of all the rough games in the beginning of the season. Same goes for the series win against thE Angels in July and that last sweep against the Os at the Stadium.
Personally I take a bit of joy in those kinds of wins, but it’s not really because of the teams so much as it is because the Yankees had issues beating those teams earlier in the season. Then again, who didn’t the Yankees have issues beating earlier in the season? Besides the Indians
Looking a little forward, I hope the Yankees stay on the same track they’ve been on.
I hear Dontrell Willis is going to be available, I hope the Yankees don’t go after him. #1 he is a NL pitcher and we’ve seen time and time again how that worked out. He has a 5.20 era in the NL!! He seems like all that over use of him has finally caught up with him.
I also hear that Santana may be available, another one I don’t want them to go after given the steep price. I’d much rather see a Phil Hughes, Joba, and Kennedy pitch and bloosom into great starting pitching for use than any other team.
I don’t see too many things that need to change on this team with the exception of the pen. I want Jose back as our back up catcher, he is the best one in years!!
Andrea
I was refering more to the fact that when the Yankees were playing poorly earlier this year and the Mets and Red Sox were playing well, some people were more focused on celebrating the Yankees failure than their own teams success. Their leads were somehow more sweet because the Yankees were suffering.
My “fandom” is about rooting for my team, not against somebody elses.
pat: Ah, I gotcha now. I agree with you.
I’d like to see the Yankees get one more righty hitter
(like Tory Hunter or Michael Cuddyer) and a lefty reliever (Marte).
BTW, Joe Nathan will also be a Free Agent with Santana, but he’ll be 34 during the 2009 Season. Not a good investment for a closer who relies primarily on velocity.
Does anyone remember where Nathan played college baseball?
Well, this off-season, the Yankees should sign Kerry Wood to an incentive laden deal. I think he would be an asset in the pen. He could go multiple innings, set up or possibly spot start. I would definitely do that.
I actually like Willis. I think he needs a change of scenery and have his mechanics fix.
I haven’t heard what Boston would do but it might make sense for them to take the longer series. There 1-4 are probably better than Anaheims but their 1-2 might be pretty equal. The cross country trip might also make the extra day a factor.
LathamJoe,
Joe Nathan went to the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
E-ROC, I agree with you on Willis needing a change of scenery. I imagine that he gets tired of pitching in front of 750 fans at each of his home games. For some reason though, he seems like he doesn’t have it all together mentally. In the end, I agree with Jennifer, I also hope that the Yankees pass on Willis. I’m just hopeful that Dontrelle’s change of scenery will be somewhere else. A trade with Florida would cost top prospects because of how the Marlins always LOVE to restock their farm system.
Whether the Yankees play on Wednesday or Thursday, I can’t wait for either day to get here. I’m already anxious to see some playoff baseball!!
i’m not sure if you’re serious or not, but kerry wood is well loved in chicago. i don’t think he’s going anywhere.
dontrelle is having a rough year. the marlins have tried to alter his delivery and it’s really not working out.
i agree that he’s a volatile guy and needs a change of scenery. his energy and charm are being wasted away and i do believe that is directly affecting the way he pitches. he pitches great at shea- and seeing where the mets are right now i bet they bid high.
All I have to say is lord help us if Mussina gets the opportunity to throw as much as a single pitch in the playoffs.
Oh, yes, and if Edwar makes the roster instead of Ohlendorf I think I’ll completely lose it…
P.S. – You guys can’t be serious about Kerry Wood, can you? Having privvy to Wood’s entire career here in Chicago, I can tell you that would be a horrible waste of money. Remember Jaret Wright? Well, Wood is the same story… Arm hanging by a thread and bound to need surgery yet again at the drop of a hat.
The key to this years playoffs for the Yanks is simple…..NO RONAN TYNAN!!!!! The man is a JINX.
So we’re the WC, so what? The Yankees are clearly the best team in baseball since we rebuilt our injury-decimated pitching staff, and since a few hitters (Matsui, Cano, Abreu) got over their ultra-long slumps to start the season.
If I hear one more person say that the Yankees run to the postseason was fueled by beating up on bad teams I’m gonna commit a violent crime. The Yankees played all of the AL contenders (the 3 other playoff teams plus DET and SEA) after the AS break. Their record? 14-7. That’s .666 baseball folks. Also they were 5-2 in those series. The Yankees are a force and can only beat themselves…if they kick the ball around, or good hitters decide to go 2-18 in a series, stuff like that. Otherwise, they’ve got as good a shot as anybody…I’m damn pumped!
Miguel,
Long time reader, first time poster. That was the best post I ever read.