Game 4: Rays at Yankees
-
- April
- 4
YANKEES
Damon CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Matsui LF
Betemit DH
Kennedy RHP
Notes: Thanks to Kevin Devaney for texting this in. He also reports that Melky Cabrera had his hearing today and had his suspension reduced to two games. So he will sit today and tomorrow. … Neither Betemit or Duncan have faced Andy Sonnanstine, so Betemit gets the call because he switch hits. I believe Shelley’s hearing is Monday.
I’m off to see Shine A Light so play nice and enjoy the game if they actually play it.
UPDATE, 6:46 p.m.: Boy, you go to one movie and everything goes to hell.
Joe Girardi has the flu and is too sick to manage. He was sleeping in his office for a while. Rob Thomson and Co. will take over. Try some green tea, Joe.
Meanwhile, it turns out that Duncan and Cabrera dropped the appeal of their suspensions when they were dropped to two games. Melky will be out today and tomorrow, Shelley on Sunday and Monday. Is it me or is MLB’s justice system a bit nonsensical? It took them three weeks to figure that out?
Finally, Jorge Posada’s shoulder is too sore to catch but he can DH. The new lineup:
Damon CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Posada DH
Matsui LF
Molina C
This entry was posted
on Friday, April 4th, 2008 at 3:51 pm by Peter Abraham.
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not bad, but Matsui and Damon out there oh boy Ian get ground balls
does anyone know what happened to seth mcclung?
Are you sure duncan didnt start his suspension too?? I would think and hope that he would bat before betemit.
I heard that Duncan’s is Monday as well.
hows the weather lookin?
“Are you sure duncan didnt start his suspension too?? I would think and hope that he would bat before betemit.”
why?
Did anybody catch this tidbit in today’s Star Ledger by Ed Price:
“Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Posada are the first trio of teammates to play together 14 straight seasons since Jim Gantner, Paul Molitor and Robin Yount of the 1978-92 Brewers and the first ever for the Yankees.”
Kinda cool, no? And maybe explains why we could never envision one of the them on a team without the other.
Eighth!!!
Doreen – Maybe they can’t envision that themselves either, and why Mo and Jorge ultimately decided to come back.
So Pete, I know I gave you a hard time a while ago about not posting frequent updates to your spring training liveblogs. I just wanted to say that now that I’ve had a chance to check out your content further, I see that you put out a lot of really great stuff and you have now converted me as a fan of the site. Looking forward to following this blog to the world series!
-Jensen
im so glad shelly is getting a chance to play regularly.
Hugh,
He was traded to Milwaukee.
wow what the hell did Bruce Bochy do, Mil was getting soft liners off of Jonathan Sanchez he left 2 in the middle then he’s pulled in comes Yabu and gives up a 3 run shot ERA of Sanchez goes to 15.75 ERA for Sanchez dem’ are the breaks
“im so glad shelly is getting a chance to play regularly.”
who said he would?
Doreen
kinda cool- yes.
Thanks
how is doing? I recall him throwing harder than anyone I ever saw…the first time I faced him, I almost sh my pants…he threw a legit 100+ mph(not a mlb stadium/tv juiced up radar gun), he really threw the ball 100 mph and then some. Guy was scary, I always thought he was going to be the next great pitcher back then.
So if tonight’s game gets rained out, does that count towards Melky’s suspension? Hey, it’s not his fault that it rained.
No, rain-outs don’t count toward a suspension. He’d have to sit another game.
Did you see shelly last year??
Betemit is worthless from the right side of the plate with career rates of .232/.281/.353
I think Big Ugly or Ensberg should have gotten the start.
for some reason i’m very happy that the tiger’s just lost thier 4’th straight, yeah, lets go yanks…
I meant to say this in the post game thread….what is the deal with Dustin McGowans burners? not a good look to say the very least.
Hugh,
He’s had trouble making the roster. Last year he pitched just 12 innings. He made the team out of spring training this year, he’s only thrown 1 inning. His fastball is too flat for the big leagues.
“Betemit is worthless from the right side…”
He is. But Sonnanstine is right handed so Betemit will be batting left handed.
Betemit has a career .811 OPS against right handed pitching.
Shelley wasn’t that good against right handers last year.
I have a question, I don’t know where else to ask.
Last year, my friend was working at H&M clothing store, and two salesmen sold him a coupon booklet for Yankee game tickets. The selection of games were pretty limited in terms of bigtime games, but we didn’t care.
I’m wondering where I could purchase a new booklet of coupons for the 2008 season? I don’t know what the booklet is called…
Matt B, the Yankees are facing a righty tonight, so Betemit won’t be hitting from the right side.
Shelly’s hot bat has had considerable time to cool off. I’d like to see him in the line-up.
“Betemit is worthless from the right side of the plate with career rates of .232/.281/.353”
you realize those are good numbers for someone w/ 4 HR 24 RBIs in 84 Yankee AB
My mistake folks – thought Sonnanstine was a lefty. I’ll have to double-check my facts next time.
“My mistake folks – thought Sonnanstine was a lefty. I’ll have to double-check my facts next time.”
They made that mistake on the post-game show last night as well, so you aren’t the only one….
what does the weather look like?
Alex Rios must not be smart in business neither is Aaron Hill they could have been FA targets RF Rios could have had the entire ML salivating for his services 2B Hill there is already the Mets and a bunch of other teams instead the Jays locked them up today
Rios,Hill locked
Bad night for Melky to be out. Ian is the one real flyball pitcher in the rotation. Too bad it couldn’t start tomorrow and serve it during andy and wang’s starts.
The weather looks better….It’s not raining here in Manhattan and the radar seems to indicate that the major stuff won’t hit until after midnight….I’m thinking we get a game in….maybe a sprinkle or two but that’s it…
They mentioned something on the game last night I am curious about – - – the catching Molina brothers all have WS rings. Does any other set of 3 brothers have that (Alou?)
“wow what the hell did Bruce Bochy do, Mil was getting soft liners off of Jonathan Sanchez he left 2 in the middle then he’s pulled in comes Yabu and gives up a 3 run shot ERA of Sanchez goes to 15.75 ERA for Sanchez dem’ are the breaks”
Well…he’d have given up 4 runs in 4 innings regardless, so I can’t say he was doing that amazingly. The guy’s 25…it’s kind of time to start turning that raw stuff into performance, no?
Brandon, neither is an FA for several years yet. They’re hedging their bets against injury and/or ineffectiveness.
I really have not liked the trade for Betemit from the beginning. Yeah, he’s got some pop, but he often has really bad, undisciplined at bats and doesn’t offer that much to the team. A better fielding or base-stealing utility guy, or a high-OBP but low power guy, would be much more valuable, in my opinion, and they gave up a pretty good reliever for him (pretty good, as long as he got a chance to recover from Torre’s abuse). Does anyone else see Betemit as a real plus? (Of course now that I’ve said this, he’ll probably hit a game tying 3-run homer tonight. Which you can thank me for later .)
Wow, Detroit lost again.
“Too bad it couldn’t start tomorrow and serve it during andy and wang’s starts.”
This was the only way to be sure they’d not have to spend a day with 23 guys. What if the suspension isn’t reduced?
Also, I doubt MLB offices are open on Saturday.
“Brandon, neither is an FA for several years yet. They’re hedging their bets against injury and/or ineffectiveness.”
oh thanks for clearing that up
I would much rather see Duncan over Betemit. Oh well, need to give all of those guys a chance.
“Ian is the one real flyball pitcher in the rotation.”
Kennedy had an outstanding ground ball rate last year. Over 40% of all contact against him came through ground balls.
That’s quite good. And he gave up very, very few HR.
He doesn’t have enough innings thrown in the majors to know how he’ll do but he doesn’t project to be a particularly fly ball prone pitcher.
“or a high-OBP but low power guy, would be much more valuable”
He’s a bottom of the order bat. Fast, good fielding util guys are a dime a dozen. They’re also not particularly useful on a team like the Yankees. High-OBP middle infielders start on NL teams. Wilson is an offensive asset in that he brings SLG, and actually decent K-zone judgement…his career OBP is 70 points higher than his career avg, so he does take walks.
“I would much rather see Duncan over Betemit. Oh well, need to give all of those guys a chance.”
Because you think Duncan hits righties better than Wilson, or because you like Duncan as a guy more than you like Wilson as a guy?
Betemit will obviously hit lefties better over the long run. I am of the belief that Betemit could be a successful starting 3B on most teams. His bat is easily above average for 3B.
Speaking of fly-ball pitchers, Hughes has actually showed some bad fly-ball tendencies of late. Those tendencies continued last night but none of the Jays hitters made solid enough contact for it to matter. I doubt it will be an issue but its something to keep an eye on.
I dont think the heavy stuff will come down for a while…
“Because you think Duncan hits righties better than Wilson, or because you like Duncan as a guy more than you like Wilson as a guy?”
They both look to swing and miss a lot, but I have more confidence in Shelley connecting than Betemit. I guess his spring raised my expectations of him.
“They both look to swing and miss a lot, but I have more confidence in Shelley connecting than Betemit. I guess his spring raised my expectations of him.”
Given that Wilson has a multi-year track record of hitting righties well, I have to give more weight to that—and to Shelley’s long and unimpressive minor league record—then to spring numbers.
“Speaking of fly-ball pitchers, Hughes has actually showed some bad fly-ball tendencies of late. ”
I know we’d like every pitcher to never give up a ball hit past the shallow outfield, but they all do. Many strikeout pitchers are also fly-ball pitchers. It’s ok.
“Those tendencies continued last night but none of the Jays hitters made solid enough contact for it to matter. I doubt it will be an issue but its something to keep an eye on.”
He got 8 ground ball outs and 7 flyball outs yesterday.
“Speaking of fly-ball pitchers, Hughes has actually showed some bad fly-ball tendencies of late.”
Phil’s ground ball/ fly ball tendencies have come up a lot.
Last year during his stint in the majors – with all the difficulties and injuries – Hughes had a ground ball rate of 38%.
That’s a good rate – not grate but good. Justin Verlander’s ground ball rate was 43%. Peavey’s 45%.
But again – it was a tough year for phil.
I think with Hughes part of what people are reacting to when they see him in the bigs with ground ball vs. fly balls is an implicit comparison to what his track record was in the minors.
Phil was such an extreme ground ball pitcher in the minors (none of the minor league hitters could get any lift off him) I think people have very high expectations.
Phil is not going to put up nearly the same ground ball rates in the majors as he did in the minors.
At the same time I see no concern that he’s showing “fly ball tendencies.”
You’d like a pitcher’s ground ball rate to go north of 40%. Hughes was close last year as a 20 year old fighting through injuries.
He’ll be fine.
“I know we’d like every pitcher to never give up a ball hit past the shallow outfield, but they all do. Many strikeout pitchers are also fly-ball pitchers. It’s ok.”
Obviously. I was just pointing out that Hughes’ fly ball % over the last year has been higher than expected. We’ll all have a better feeling for it after he makes several more starts. I don’t expect it to be much of an issue.
Correction,
Hughes had 7 GB, 7FB’s and 4 SO’s.
I heard on Michael Kay’s show that both Melky and Shelly were reduced to two games and Melky will sit tonightand tomorrow and Shelly Sunday and Monday. I also heard that Gomes was reduced to one game and he will sit tonight.
It is funny – people get on CM Wang for reliance on the sinker and generating ground balls, then they say he is not an ace.
Now Hughes is getting too many flyballs. If we were playing in Philly’s new park or Cincy then I’d worry, but Yankee stadium is fair and the new ballpark has the same dimensions.
Peter Rabbit,
I don’t know exactly what booklet you are referring to, but a bunch of coupons come with my season tickets, you can have them if you want. Can you post an e-mail address?
Also, I can’t make tomorrow’s game. I have 2 Tier Box MVP seats near home plate. 7 rows from the railing. You can have them for a steep discount off of the face value.
I’m impressed, Pete, with your tastes for old people’s music: Springsteen from the ‘70s and ‘80s, Rolling Stones from the ‘60s. Next up, The Del Vikings and Bennie Goodman.
Seriously, I hope the cold doesn’t mess with Matsui’s legs. If worse comes to worse, the Yanks can call Luis Sojo from Tampa, suit him up, and put him in left.
Pretty amazing that the darlings of spring training, Shelly Duncan and Morgan Ensberg are going to be the last two Yankees to get off the bench.
GIRARDI IS “GAME TIME DECISION” w/ the flu.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/
Mark Alan,
Springsteen music is not old music, Springsteen music is great music!
Don’t be a hero Joe!
Go home and get some sleep.
Drink lots of fluids Joe:
Chicken soup
OJ
Ginger Ale
Bourbon
yeah springsteens muscis ranks right up there with the beatles and bill withers
Bill Withers? I haven’t heard that name in a long time.
Let’s hope the two-game suspension doesn’t cool off Melky. He’s been one Yankee so far that fans want to see with a bat in his hands. He’s come of age.
Clay Buchholz stole my laptop, (aka Joe)—-
I can be reached at Stinger947@aol.com Sorry for the delay! I’ve never sat that close at a Yankees game…Wow. Hope to hear from you soon about that booklet too.
Imagine my friend was scammed last year by those two guys—they could have just been season ticket holders that got the same coupon booklet you have. I wonder.
The Yankee website confirms that all of the suspension appeals were dropped and the suspensions reduced by 1 game each.
How’s the weather? The radar looks good.
Anyone know if this game is actually going to be played? Not looking too good it seems like…
Mel
Dreary but dry.
Can’t wait to see Ike tonight.
Skinny Mike-
“not looking good..” – how so?
Countdown,
“Wow, Detroit lost again.”
And yet they’re ahead of us in the power rankings.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/powerranking?season=2008&week=2
If you had told me last September that on April 4th Rob Thomson would be managing the Yankees, I’d have had a Scooby Doo moment.
drizzling is expected, but it looks like the game will start on time. the bulk of the rainfall isn’t supposed to start until early tomorrow morning… it is supposed to clear up by 1PM too, so both tonight and tomorrow look good to go at this point.
Jimmy,
Thanks. Hoping for good weather for Ian. Ike? There’s only one Ike I know of, and he beat on Tina Turner.
Molina is going to catch tonight and Jorge will DH…and Giradi’s not managing.
Poor Girardi. Hope he feels better
Mel
I read on Wikipedia that IPK is known as “Ike” in the clubhouse – I have way too much time on my hands.
Anyway I wonder if it has to do with the comparisons to Mussina: “Mike n Ike”
I think it probablly predates that though.
Don’t forget the President Ike http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_David_Eisenhower
“I like Ike” campaign slogan
Steph,
And the Rays are for real. They’ve been raking.
Anyone else enjoying Detroit’s beginning? I mean, doesn’t it irk you a little that everyone jumped on that bandwagon? Dontrelle makes his AL debut tomorrow. That should be interesting.
I know the Tigers will get rolling like a locomotive pretty soon, but the more games they lose now, the less we have to make up if we’re fighting them for a WC spot later.
Man it sounds like Girardi is really sick, hope he gets better soon!
Girardi looked really washed out last night and sounded terrible. Hope he feels better and that his illness doesn’t spread around thwe clubhouse.
I definitely don’t think that the D-Train is going to do too well in the AL. He’s in the superior league now and has to deal with the DH. He’s got command issues and he won’t have an easy out like he had in the NL lineups. Then again, he might surprise me. I thought for sure Zito would do better in the NL, but we know how that has turned out for the Giants. I don’t mind the start that they’re having, because the more games that they lose, the easier it makes it for the Yankees to make it into October if they need the Wild Card again (I hope not).
Yeah, Girardi not managing means that he’s feeling awful. From what I’ve read, he has a high temperature and the flu. It is good that he won’t be in the dugout but can be reached if the Yankees need him. We don’t need any of the players getting sick.
Jimmy,
Thanks. Good to know. Actually both Ikes were before my time.
What’s with Girardi? He should just take some Sudafed Severe Cold Formula to deal with the symptoms for a few hours. Tough all Day!! j/k. Hope he gets better soon. Like by tomorrow.
Yankee rules are slowly changing. Eight years ago Bruney would never be allowed to have long hair like that.
“Anyone else enjoying Detroit’s beginning? I mean, doesn’t it irk you a little that everyone jumped on that bandwagon?”
Steve “Genius” Phillips called their lineup the best in baseball history. This is a lineup anchored by Gary Sheffield and Miguel Cabrera—both premier talents, but Miggy has maturity issues and most of us were glad to see Sheffield traded. People brought up chemistry with a lot of our lineups the past few years, it’s only fair to apply it to that lineup.
Jax,
I was thinking the same thing.
Joba’s facial hair is also stretching the limits.
nothing wrong with it of course; it’s actually nice to see them allowing a little leeway.
Posada DHing tonight. I’m guessing Wilson got bumped. Must be bummed.
Did they send Joe home?
I think he quarantined in his office.
Saw on the Daily News blog that he will be in the managers office. He should just go home and sleep!!
If Girardi has the flu he should just go home for a game or two instead of breathing the flu bug around the clubhouse and getting the players sick. Last thing the team needs is a few guys at a time missing games because they’re wiped out with this thing.
I agree. Go home and rest, Joe.
I don’t see any tarp on the field or any other indicators that there won’t be a game.
mike mineo I never got to tell you that I absolutely agree iwth agreeing to disagree!
“This is a lineup anchored by Gary Sheffield and Miguel Cabrera — both premier talents”
Sheff used to be. Isn’t really any more.
“What’s with Girardi? He should just take some Sudafed Severe Cold Formula to deal with the symptoms for a few hours.”
I suspect that, in addition to feeling horrendous, he REALLY doesn’t want to give this to any of his players.
I say we have to remember that these Rays love to run and are as fast as the dickens. On top of it they don’t have trouble getting on base. They usually end up scoring when they do get on base.
I never underestimate their ability to walk away with a win.
LOL. I knew Joe couldn’t stay away. He must’ve read the blog & taken the cold pills I suggested. They’re miraculous. You take ‘em and you don’t even feel sick.
I bet he ends up a the top of the tunnel by the end of the game.
They’re immune already. Joe’s the last to get it.
Ansky, you’re ranting guy, no longer ranting, right?
I’m impressed that it took this long for Girardi to wear down! I cannot imagine the stress he has been under just preparing to debut as the manager of the Yanks!
Get well soon Joe!
Also, we don’t have da melk tonight or tomorrow night. Hopefully they don’t hit a lot of long balls out there – which they have been known to do!
“I read on Wikipedia that IPK is known as “Ike” in the clubhouse”
That was the answer to a trivia question that Phil Hughes posted on his blog. People had to guess, and I think it took a while before someone got it. His initials are IK, so it makes sense verbally. Eye-k.
People were guessing IPK (which makes no sense verbally) and Dorothy (because of the Oz-related hazing last year).
Yep. The name didn’t fit.
“I say we have to remember that these Rays love to run and are as fast as the dickens. On top of it they don’t have trouble getting on base. They usually end up scoring when they do get on base.”
Then why do they lose so very, very often?
I understand that it’s good not to under-estimate them, especially the offense, but let’s not get ridiculous here. The Yanks should really win this series. Lots of young pitchers, should be able to run up their pitch counts and get into that weak pen. And they should REALLY be able to hit this soft-tosser. They hadn’t seen him last year, but now there should be plenty of tape on this guy.
If that Ike=Ian deal is true, I’m wearing my I like Ike campaign button to the games I’m going to. My grandma gave it to me.
Where is Rob Thomson from? Is he a buddy of Girardi’s?
“It is funny – people get on CM Wang for reliance on the sinker and generating ground balls, then they say he is not an ace.
Now Hughes is getting too many flyballs. If we were playing in Philly’s new park or Cincy then I’d worry, but Yankee stadium is fair and the new ballpark has the same dimensions.”
Way to completely discount what I said and take it the wrong way.
Someone mentioned that Kennedy is the only fly-ball pitcher on the team (which CB correctly disagreed with). I just threw out there the FACT that Hughes has a higher fly ball % over the past year then many people expected. I also qualified my statements several times saying that I doubt it will be a problem just something to keep track of.
Going from hot Florida to cold NYC, starting a career as the Yankees manager, and Joe G sits down with the sniffles? These Northwestern guys are soft!
Maybe he needs to start a regimen of green tea and take it easy. Signaling back-to-back bunts takes a lot out of you.
(just kidding)
ryan,
He’s a holdover from the Torre era. Torre credited him last year for put a lot of stuff on computer & such. Seems like he and Girardi think alike.
Patrick – relax – i don’t think i even read your post.
Anybody know the skinny on Mo Vaughn ?
Maybe CB or SJ44 can answer this better. Was Thomson a Girardi choice or did the Yankees strongly “recommend” keeping him? I kind of saw it as “not only are we going to keep this guy, we’re going to promote him” kind of deal.
Ryan
thats a great slogan – up there with “pretty girls for Nixon”
“Ike Kennedy” Very presidential
Thomson has been with the yanks forever – waiting in the wings
games postponed, delayed?
The game is going to go on as scheduled
Thanks Mel. I vaguely recall a story about that last year.
Why do these lose so very very often? It was called horrible relief pitching. But it seems that may be in the past. And I also seem to remember the Rays taking the season against the Yankees in the past. And hey, they weren’t as improved as they are.
They have some really good starting pitching. They have always had good offense and lots of base stealing. If Troy Percival has anything left, this could be a very interesting season.
I don’t remember the last time the Rays won the Grapefruit league? Do you?
About being ridiculous – I remember seasons past when the Yankees couldn’t beat Detroit, KC and Seattle, when they were the dregs of the league. So the only poster who is ridiculous is the one who takes anything for granted, especially with a lot of signposts that say caution.
Wow, that’s a pretty weak 6-9 for the Rays. Navarro, Hinske, Haynes and Bartlett.
mel –
At the time that Girardi was named it was reported that Thomson was his guy. I don’t believe he has any Yankee roots.
Patrick,
I noticed that ground/fly ratio as well. Late last season, Hughes got back to being the gb pitcher he’s statistically been.
But SJ or CB’s response to you quelled my concerns. As long as he gets outs it’s good for me. It’s just you want to see the ball stay in the park that’s why I wanted the ratio to swing the gb way.
Get better, Joe.
I got the flu from my husband back on February 29th, I am STILL recovering from it. They say you are still contagious 6 weeks from contracting it.
I got Tamiflu and I swear it helped speed it along. I never got the nasty intestinal stuff my husband did. It just made me loopy with a slight headache.
I think he was susceptible to it because he finally got the Home Opener over and got his win. It is like that with my migraines, if I have something I have to do, I can sometimes manage the stress and ward of an attack. However, once it is over, BAM! I get hit with a migraine. I think it is the same thing as when people get sick on vacation. The body lets down.
Poor Joe!
Rays bottom of the lineup is National League-esque.
Anyone watching YES just saw a piece of this season’s
Rays that ended with the following: This season’s Rays “have left many prognosticators saying that the Rays will be in the mix all season long.”
Oh I just love it when I pay close attention and take nothing for granted…
maybe we can outfit Girardi in a plastic bubble.
Christine,
It had made it’s way through the clubhouse. Damon was out a couple of games because of it.
I know most NFL teams make their players/staff get the flu shot. I wonder what the Yankees do?
Rob Thomson
From the yankees site:
Bio:
Enters his 19th season as a member of the Yankees organization, his first as Bench Coach for Joe Girardi…For one season as Major League Field Coordinator, acted as the communication bridge between the Yankees’ Advance Scouts and the coaching staff…also, in conjunction with the coaches, oversaw the Major-League developmental plan for Spring Training…spent the previous three seasons as a special assignment instructor…Was named to the Yankees Major League coaching staff on Nov. 4, 2003…Joined the Yankees organization in 1990 as a third-base coach for Class-A Fort Lauderdale…coached in the Yankees’ system for five years before taking over as Manager of Class-A Oneonta of the NY-Penn League in 1995…served as the third-base coach at Triple-A Columbus in 1996 and 1997 before moving to the Yankees’ front office as a Field Coordinator in 1998…Was promoted to Director of Player Development in 2000 and named Vice President of Minor League Development prior to the 2003 season.
Playing Career:
Attended the University of Kansas and was selected in the 32nd round of the 1985 draft by the Detroit Tigers..Was a catcher and a third baseman in the Tigers system from 1985-1988 before joining the Tigers’ minor-league coaching staff in 1988.
Resides in Tampa, FL, with his wife Michele and their daughters, Jacqueline and Christina
Many people don’t believe in flu shots. Speaking of the flu, I went on a two week cruise last month. My daughter had a touch of the flu, and they quaranteened (sp?) for 24 hours.
“Why do these lose so very very often? It was called horrible relief pitching. But it seems that may be in the past.”
Their middle relief is basically the same as always. Dan Wheeler and Trever Miller were both bad last year, and Al Reyes isn’t scaring anyone. Sure, they added Percival, but he never had the injury corrected that caused his retirement in the first place.
They’ve always had good offense, and their young pitching is starting to come to fruition, and yes…they have speed. That is all undeniably true, but the back end of their offense looks really poor today, and their pen is still pretty uninspiring.
Like I said, sure, don’t assume these games will be layups. But the Yankees really, really should beat this team.
I can’t go to tomorrow’s game. I have Tier MVP Box seats Row D behind home plate. I can e-mail the tix as long as you can print them out.
I’ll take whatever I can get for them. If anyone is interested, just make me an offer. They are really nice seats!
Thanks.
Clay,
I don’t believe in flu shots, but then again I’m not walking around half naked with a bunch of ball players.
I’ve always believed that you’re contagious when you have a fever (flu). And by the time your cold symptoms appear, you’ve been contagious for days. (Old wives’ tale?)
hey all,
just wanted to check in and say hello to pete and those regulars who may or may not remember me from the last couple of seasons.
great to see hughes look solid against a pretty good lineup. i’m sure he’ll have bumps and bruises along the way, but i’m looking forward to (potentially) being proven wrong about the santana trade. hopefully pete and others were right about hughes’ future.
great post about joba, pete. couldn’t agree more. then again, i hate the papelbon glare and fist pump, so that’s definitely some bias speaking on my end. i do agree that the yankees could use a little bit of emotion, so maybe girardi, joba and a few others will foster that this season.
i’d actually like to see them move matsui or damon this year, but if all goes well, maybe that won’t be necessary.
hope everyone’s well. i’ll check in when i can.
take care,
kasey
Is tonight’s starting time still on time? I drive by the stadium on the way home and I like to avoid the delays … if it’s starting on time then I’m outta here in a few.
PLEASE READ
I can’t go to tomorrow’s game. I have Tier MVP Box seats Row D behind home plate. I can e-mail the tix as long as you can print them out.
I’ll take whatever I can get for them. If anyone is interested, just make me an offer. They are really nice seats!
Thanks.
Yeah, the game is supposed to start on schedule.
Kasey,
Have you seen Springsteen in Seattle?
How hold is Flash? His skin is so…plastic. I wonder what kind of astringent he uses?
oops. How old is Flash? haha.
Kasey, IMO Santana will probably be very good but Hughes (and Kennedy) will prove to be worth keeping regardless.
“This season’s Rays “have left many prognosticators saying that the Rays will be in the mix all season long.””
That’s because it makes a better story to say that.
I just googled for Rays predictions and read all the ones on the first page…none predicted anything beyond 80ish wins.
Some of the stat systems predict more than that, but all the proponents of those systems know that they’re notoriously poor at projecting very young players.
Point is, season long…the pen is weak, and they really don’t have anyone they can count on for 200+ innings in that rotation. Right now, Longoria isn’t here which really weakens them as they’re also offensively weak at SS and C, and on some days RF.
Kasey: Great to see you around!
“Like I said, sure, don’t assume these games will be layups. But the Yankees really, really should beat this team.”
I agree. I hope it happens.
a lot of empty seats behind home plate
As of today, The GIDP Machine is the major league co-leader in, you guess it, GIDPs.
Not the best way to start the game: a walk.
Let’s go Kennedy!
Nice to hear from you, Kasey.
That Crawford guy is kinda fast.
Ian continues to struggle in the first inning.
Great positioning by Jeter. That would have scored a run otherwise.
Hi Kasey…evening everybody! go yanks
Nice play by Jeter on Pena’s grounder. The Captain had Pena played just right.
I had forgotten how horrible the “Rays” announcers are.
He hasn’t shown much command on his pitches. Hopefully it improves in later innings.
Ian pitches so slow…
mel,
Thompson was sort of a hybrid choice. Both Girardi and the yankee’s brass liked him a great deal. Inside the organization people have a tremendous amount of respect for him (Cashman in particular). I remember Girardi saying how impressed he’s been with Thompson’s knowledge of the game and how prepared he was.
Thompson has had a wide variety of jobs in the organization (but don’t think he’s managed anywhere) and he’s seen baseball and the organization from a lot of different angles. Torre really liked him as well.
I’d guess that his hiring was one of those thing where Cash said I think he’d be great for the bench coach spot and Girardi agreed.
The ump squeezed Kennedy with Upton up there. Those two pitches on the outside should be been strikes.
The ump won’t give Kennedy pitches if he’s not showing much control right now. If it’s borderline right now, more than likely, it’ll be called a ball.
He needs to find a way to be sharp in the first inning.
Nasty change-piece to Floyd there, real impressive pitch.
gotta like Molina’s arm!
This umps zone does not bode well for Ian. On the other hand, our offense should get going.
Crap.
This umpire’s strike zone sucks. And the rays announcers say he has a big zone… yeah not.
Floyd with a single and Crawford scores
Approaching 30 pitches…..........
Why are you listening to the Rays announcers will?
So, this is one of the great prospects, huh?
LazyRod
THE SEASON IS OVER, GODDAMN IT! FIRE JOE GIRARDI! FIRST!
Like I said, any close pitches aren’t going to go Kennedy’s way if he doesn’t show command.
If the yankees are going to win this game its going to be up to the pen.
His pitch count is already very high.
Looks like Girardi was smart to stay home tonight.
IPK behind in the ount again…
Hey John, you must be a “new” Yankee fan huh?
Santana > IPK
CB,
Thanks. That’s what I figured.
Oi, those leadoff walks. They score 75% of the time?
I hope that Ian can find the zone. He’s going to have to be more economical.
Thank goodness, there was no further damage. Navarro’s an all-star against his old club.
Be prepared for a long, boring game if Kennedy pitches. He takes as long between pitches as Colter Bean.
I live in florida. I have to … they won’t let us watch it on the ppv channel w/yankee announcers
The pitch count is discouraging, but not the end of the world. It’s definitely possible for him to bounce back and get us at least 5.
29 pitches, 17 balls in the first inning.. Not a good start for the newb.
Well, they can’t all be 1-2-3 first innings.
It’s bothering me a little that they are hard-hit balls so far, but, you know what? It’s just the first inning. Plenty of baseball to go.
“Navarro’s an all-star against his old club.”
Many people think Navarro is going to have a breakout year. He had a very good second half last year and made a lot of strides at the plate. He’s still only 24.
Is IPK on an innings limit too… i believe he is more seasoned innings wise.. right..
today is gonnab interesting, Andy’s throw day? Joe G will pull a Joe T if needed?
Well, not a good start for Ian. Let’s just see how it goes.
But right now, let’s get some runs
Kennedy wasn’t overly wild in the first, several of those pitches missed by just a touch. His first inning jitters are probably mental, something you see with most young pitchers. They just get a bit too amped up for the game. Ian will surely overcome the jitters as soon as he gets more experience.
Ahhhhh, that explains it. One of the few disadvantages to living in Florida, will.
Is IPK on an innings limit too… i believe he is more seasoned innings wise.. right..
today is gonnab interesting, CMW’s throw day? Joe G will pull a Joe T if needed?
How was shine a light
Of course, My Santana > IPK comment was made in jest. One inning does not make a season….Time to get that run back AND MORE ! Go Yankees…..oh..and death to the trolls !
Is it below 50 degrees, so the “cold” weather can be used as an excuse for the poor offense?
Kennedy usually struggles in the first, but he’ll have to be sharper and more economical to stay in the game.
Michael Kay almost made that fly out to right like it was goin out…
Just a thought, what’s Wilson Bettimit’s purpose on this team?
He does not hit for average
He cant hit left handed pitching (no power, higher % k rate than against rh pitching)
He strikes out too much overall
He cant pinch run well enough for that role
He cant play the middle infield positions on an everyday basis
He has no apptitude for the OF positions
He is an average first baseman at best (and playing out of position)
He is a third baseman by trade (I heard there is some competition at that spot, not even counting morgan ensberg)
He was a ss by trade (and there is some competition there too)
His upside?
He has some power (but not really when compared to your usual third basemen, for a SS maybe ok)
Was traded for Scott Proctor.
I guess he’s insurance if ARod goes down for the whole year?
At SS, I dont think he could play short the whole year, AGonzales would be a better option even though he is historically a hitting lightweight. WB would be a defensive liability for a prolonged period. Would rather go with a 225 hitter who can make the plays, instead of a 225 hitter who cant.
I’m lost on this one.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! THIS TEAM IS GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!
According to the Rays announcers, the Yankees look to hit curves because their older and their bats are slower than some of the younger players. After Jeter had fouled off a pitch, they used it as justification saying he was late on it.
Stay hot Bobby, stay hot!!!! Just tucked that inside the line. Now, make it hurt ARod!
Bobby gets a double and A-Rod has a chance at an RBI
the Rays announcers are smokin socks…
Wow, that’s quite the analysis. I wonder if they ever thought about a hitter’s read on a pitch being off and so they swing slower than they ought to? Nah.
A-Rod pops out.
Arod with the lamest pop-out of all time!
Yeah these guys are the same announcers who made a joke about rats and stuff in NYC a year or so ago
The Rays announcers are the worst in baseball. I heard earlier this week that Joe Magraine said that Jason Bartlett was the best shortstop in the AL East. And he was being serious.
I heard a rumor that Joe Girardi got crabs from A-Rod’s hooker. FIRST to report this rumor.
Is Dwayne Staats still doing Rays games?
The Angels’ broadcasters out here are God-awful. So are the White Sox ones…I haven’t heard many calls by the Rays’ announcers.
Great pitch, Ian. K’s him.
Nice fastball there that ran back over the plate. That’s the Ike we saw last year.
Steph,
I watched the White Sox game today and their announcers are amazing compared to the clowns the Rays have.
Wow ump not calling the outside corner.
what is up with these damn umps!!!!??
horrible.
Ken Singleton makes the Pointer Sisters reference re: Nathan Haynes of the Rays…I love that guy…anyone else makes that joke and it’s stupid…with Singleton it works.
new life! Go IPK! 3 up 3 down!!
Another K by Ian.
Much better 2nd.
Now that’s more like it, IPK.
2 straight K’s for Kennedy
Great bounceback 2nd inning by Kennedy. Found command of his fastball to get ahead of hitters and started having success. Now, let’s get him some runs.
Lol, have you heard the Angels’ announcers? They know absolutely nothing about baseball. Or the Angels, for that matter.
Much better inning. Let’s go guys…
Now we need our offense to give him some support.
What’s up with A-Rod? He was so locked in. So was Giambi for that matter. On the other hand Ortiz was 0 for 12 before finally getting a hit the other day (a HR).
Nice catch by Upton.
I’m a big fan of Singleton as well Jason O. My favorite games to watch/listen to are the ones were he’s doing play-by-play with one of the other former players (Flash, Leiter, Coney).
Okay, Giambi’s just getting robbed now.
Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler? Those were the Angels announcers for years and they were always hilarious.
Giambi gets robbed
Robbie is really struggling.
Upton’s becoming a heck of a CF. A small tragedy (although it was good for the Yanks) that they Rays didn’t make that move sooner so that he could have been up on the league a couple years sooner.
Robbie pops out
Kennedy has some trouble in the first inning (even a bit in the minors if I’m remembering right).
He probably had some butterflies given that it’s his first start of the season.
Even though he doesn’t throw hard he has struck a lot of people out at every level.
It would be nice if the offense opened up and gave Kennedy some room to work with.
cano giambi and posada need to get their swing back. I Know I know this is the 3rd game..
I just want everyone to hit everytime, is that too much to expect??? *grins
Robbie’s back in ‘swing-at-everything’ mode that he gets into sometimes. Gotta be patient and get a good pitch.
this bleeping ump is getting on my nerves. He wouldn’t call that a strike on Kennedy.
some consistency please?
I think the hitters are pressing. But it’s still too early to worry. It’s not like it’s June and they’ve been hitting like this the whole time. Once the weather gets warmer, they will be on fire.
Ths umpire hasn’t given Ian one of those pitches he just gave Sonnastine (sp)
Is there any pitch that Cano doesn’t swing at??!! Pathetic
Guys, what’s the score? Im at work on my sidekick and can’t get mlb.com or yankees.com
Iwamura with a single.
1-0, Rays
Beauty by Robbie!
What a play by Cano
1-0 Rays.
Great play by Cano there.
They should not be pressing 3 games (4) into the season.
Well, swinging or not, Robbie’s playing defense tonight!
What is IPK hitting on gun?
Better be a freaking Web Gem right there. Great play by Robbie with Crawford running and at DP depth.
Robbie has to be a bit more patient. Oh well
Weather gets warm they smoke.. .and October weather they whither… not a rant after 4 games.. just a worry based on the last 3 Octobers..
He’s hitting in the high 80s/low 90s.
Sorry, but Kennedy is nothing more than a number 5 guy, at best. He steers the ball and looks afraid, which we see way too much with Yankee pitchers.
Something is terribly wrong with NY if this guy is untouchable in trade talks.
“Is there any pitch that Cano doesn’t swing at??!! Pathetic”
Sonnanstine is one of the best control pitchers in baseball.
He walked 1.8/9 innings.
His entire game revolves around getting ahead. I’m sure that’s in the scouting report.
If a guy walks less than 2 hitters per nine innings your going to fall behind in the count every time if you keep taking pitches.
I’d be more worried about IPK throwing more strikes, rather than what he’s hitting on the gun.
Barely into his 3rd inning of his first start and we already know this? Wow, you’re amazing.
Ump’s squeezing Kennedy SO BAD!
Kennedy is a human “rain delay”
BillyJack: agreed but I would say he is more 4 or possible 3..
I do agree about untouchable in trade however.
I know it is early, obviously but Kennedy doesn’t impress me 1 bit. He was awful in spring training and today he is scared to throw strikes or can’t find the plate. I see the big 2 but Kennedy throwing 80 mph is not in that group at all and never has been.
Who is the long man? Kennedy ain’t getting too far.
Kennedy has nothing tonight.
Magic man Kei Igawa is coming to get you Kennedy!
Wow, the Yanks wouldn’t part with Kennedy for Santana? Wow…
c’mon ian, throw strikes already wtf. I Know the ump ain’t calling ‘em but geez..
what’s his strike to ball ratio?
If something wrong with Kennedy? Not watching the game but boy, 3 walks already?
BillyJack – wow !!
thanks steph.
This is not little league. I’m assuming if he can’t throw strikes he would be in double a.
Kennedy, Kennedy, Kennedy Please sit Kennedy.
like i was saying about the Rays and their proclivity to running bases…
He’s having an off-night with his command. He’s usually much sharper. New to baseball?
Kennedy kind of looks like Matt DeSalvo.
Did the Yankees pull the old switcheroo?
Sooo…why is our pitching coach not on the mound yet?
groan
Kennedy isn’t close to anything special, imo. Guys like him are a dime-a-dozen. No real fastball, nibbles constantly, can’t get the big out. Dime a dozen…
Why oh why do we have problems with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays? Yeah, that’s right. I’m using their old name because this Rays business blows.
Wow, this is what the threads become on game days? A bunch of sky-is-falling naysayers? Disheartening, to say the least. Disheartening.
IPK is not looking major league ready tonight.. no way.
First of all, Kennedy was not an untouchable. He and Melky were offered for Santana.
Second doesn’t anyone think that it could be getting to the pitchers that the offense is not doing anything? Isn’t it just as cold for the other teams as it is for the Yankees? When a pitcher thinks he has to be perfect, doesn’t that work against him?
You can see Kennedy getting discouraged. I was glad when Giambi came into talk to him. Where is the Eiland? Isn’t it his job to try and get IPK back on track? Isn’t that what is forte is?
Kennedy is really laboring.
And the Yankee offense has got to get going. Sonnenstine is not a top of the rotation guy like the Yanks faced vs. Toronto. They should be able to hit this pitcher.
Note to Kennedy, 2-0 counts bad, 0-2 counts GOOD
The command for Kennedy doesn’t seem to be much there tonight. Maybe it’s the cold, maybe not. Hopefully the Yankee offense can help him out.
Settle down Kennedy and get it together offense.
Doreen,
“First of all, Kennedy was not an untouchable. He and Melky were offered for Santana.”
Your are 100% incorrect. Even in the end, Cash told the Twins Kennedy is not available!
wow, look what you guys are saying. Giving up on 1 start. You guys are spineless. Pete already said .. don’t state the obvious.
IPK is going to run out of his pitch count in the next couple of innings. It will be interesting to see how the Yanks maneuver the bullpen. Pettitte is on about an 85 pitch count tomorrow. The ‘pen could get more work they we’d like the next couple of days.
Karstens, Rasner, DeSalvo, Kennedy…they’re all the same pitcher.
Fleas,
Excuse me, but the original deal for Santana included Kennedy. The TWINS said he wasn’t enough. Kennedy was on the table before Hughes was offered.
Some of you need to go root for the Mets.
Bases are loaded with one out.
William-it’s probably the trolls. We all know that Kennedy is usually on top of the game with his command.
eek
Get out of this Ian.
He’s just having a bad start. Can’t give this team free passes…they’ll run, run, run.
big moment for Kennedy here with bases loaded
According to one version of events Fleas. The other, more believable version was that the Twins came back asking for Kennedy AND WANG. That’s what Cashman turned down.
CB: Cano swung at 2 pitches that were no where near the strike zone. The catcher called for a very high pitch knowing that the free swinging Cano would swing at it. He swung at the same pitches against the Blue Jays in th