Enough running in place
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 08, 2008 
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The American League East is sending an engraved invitation to the Yankees to make a move.
Red Sox: Daisuke Matsuzaka and David Ortiz are injured, Ortiz perhaps quite seriously. Manny Ramirez cuffed around Kevin Youkilis in the dugout. Josh Beckett hasn’t pitched well since spring training. They don’t play well on the road and are coming up on a stretch that will see them play 16 of 22 games away from Fenway Park.
Rays: Matt Garza and Dioner Navarro came to blows today. Tampa Bay is 5-5 in its last 10 games and has three road games against the Angels coming up. Under tough guy Joe Maddon they seem as concerned about fighting as they are winning. They’ve been a surprise so far. How will that hold up?
Blue Jays: They won today to snap a four-game losing streak. Good pitching, not enough hitting.
For all of their problems, the Yankees are five games out in the loss column. That can be changed with two good weeks. The next 16 games are against the Royals, Athletics, Astros, Reds and Pirates. They need to put together a 10-6 or 11-5 run, get over .500 for good and move from there.
This team is too good to hover around .500. Now that the Yankees are whole, we’ll see what Joe Girardi can do with them.
Amen, Pete!
I have a good feeling that the Yankees are finally turning it around. We have Alex and Jorge back, we just need to get Andy and Wang turned around.
I see good times ahead for the Yankees.
Watch out world, the NY Yankees are gonna go on a little run!
Well..I hope..
In the immortal words of Big Black:
“Time TO DO WORK SON!!”
Pete, you’d better be careful. You’re starting to sound like a Yankee fan. Red Sox Nation is going to be revoking your membership card. Perhaps you didn’t know that Red Sox fans could bring up team issues/faults. Only Yankee fans would gloat about those things.
j/k
Red Sox fan couldn’t***
I agree Pete they need to step up IDK if they will but lets see.
BTW Brett Gardner went against another LHP tonight.
he went 2 for 4 w/ a 1B, 2B..he just loves hitting for power vs LHP I can’t explain it and Matt Carson is starting to hit and hit
Let’s keep Mr. Giese on the roster. Looks like a guy the team can rally around.
Yes, ‘win one for the Gieser’ will be the new cry.
It wouldn’t be a fun summer without a little rally in our bones… who’s up for another!? Yeaaahhh!!
Maybe Carson can come up and be this year’s Shelley Duncan.
The Scranton experience looked like a lot of fun. I wish I cpoul invite you all here for the Mud Hens vs. the Yankees early next month, but my wife and I only have a two BR home.
*could*
John, a real gentleman would just offer to take the sofa.
Fifth Third Field in downtown Toledo is SWEET!…seriously. A great place.
Right on, Pete.
They’ve been showing signs of waking up. Damon and Giambi are hitting like there’s no tomorrow; A-Rod has had two big hits past two days (even if he did get thrown out at third today); coming from behind to win; Joe going to Veras and Edwar, and not Kyle or LaTroy in the 7th and 8th. Yeah, there are some kinks – Derek in a bit of a slump (for him) and Robbie still too anxious at the plate. But if we’re going to make a move, now would be a good time.
Let’s win tomorrow.
this is the time to may hay, but im not paying any attention to what the other teams are doing.
there are 99 games left and if the yankees just take care of buisness, they dont have to worry about what anybody else does. things are coming together at the right time, lets just hope they keep it up tomorrow.
“Under tough guy Joe Maddon they (the rays) seem far more concerned about fighting than winning.”
- i think thats a little harsh considering thier record versus thier history.
testing
Meant to leave this link:
http://www.mudhens.com/
pete: Right on!
Well, we could all show up in Toledo and make fun of Jamie Farr’s dress if the game is boring, John.
BTW 2 more days until Humberto Sanchez’s GCL debut
GB7
Farr is a big Hens fan…not the biggest star in the world, but a really nice guy.
This is kinda like the manager giving a speech the day before the best pitcher pitches knowing a win is coming. The Yankees are going to do very well here, even though this week is no cakewalk vs. Oak and Hou. A few weeks ago I predicted the Yankees would be 43-36 by the next Mets series. To do that now would mean 11 and 5 in the next 16. We’ll see how it goes.
I’m putting on my pinstriped glasses a little here
The Royals are the Royals. Prediction, Yankees win.
The Athletics have some nice pitching, but a pretty weak offense. Hopefully can win a couple probably low-scoring affairs. Hopeful prediction, Take 2/3.
Houston’s short left porch is just silly… and the Astros can demolish bad pitching. Depending on the Yankees pitchers lined up, I wouldn’t be surprised if Berkman puts on an HR clinic. That said, Houston’s pitching is pretty weak. Hopefully, take 2/3, though I really wouldn’t be surprised any outcome out of that series.
San Diego’s got pitching, but their offense is horrid. Yankees sweep.
Cincinnati…. scares me, honestly. Harang got knocked around today, and Cueto can be wild and HR prone, but Volquez is -sick-. Some good young hitters (and Dunn). Another ‘I wouldn’t be surprised by any outcome’. Hopefully take 2/3.
Pirates have more offense than they’ve had in the past (McLouth is for real), but wow, bad pitching. Yankees sweep.
12 out of 15? Can’t we hope?
Er, 13/16? Can’t we hope?
Jamey Farr is still alive?
i HATE it when guys start counting wins against poor teams on here. the yankees dont have the pitching (either SP or RP) to ever think they are going to win any game.
expect k.c. oakland and houston to all be tough games/series, because we just cant count on our pitchers besides moose right now. and no lead is safe with our bullpen.
i think the offense finally showing a comeback ability is huge, but we just dont have the pitching to be counting any opponent out.
So, no mention that JD Drew is picking up the slack by OPSin’ .942? Manny, now designated to full time hitting is OPSin’ .938 which means there is better defense out in LF.
Jacoby Ellsbury is on pace to steal more than 50 bases..
Justin Masterson stepping up big time to the tune of 3-0, 2.59 ERA baseball.
Which of course won’t last but they haven’t missed a beat since Matsuzaka went down and not to mention that the bullpen is shaping up to be a power pen by featuring a backend of MDC, Hansen and Papelbon, oh and Okajima is pretty ok too..
And what is wrong with Beckett’s 6-4, 4.07 ERA, 73.0 IP, 14 BB, 80 SO? That seems like a pretty nice line, no?
V: Not that’s what I call optimism!
I wish Wang could be as bad as Beckett.
meant to say we cant count on any SP’s except moose. (in Mo we trust!)
I like the optimism. I might take a little side trip to NY to scout out good viewing spots for the parade!
Dave,
nobody is saying the Sox aren’t a good team. The idea is that the time to make up ground is now.
beckett hasn’t been as dominant as expected. i wouldnt say he hasnt pitched well… but he has been hittable.
I disagree that the pen will end up being a strong point, but the Sox in general will be tough to catch.
“So, no mention that JD Drew is picking up the slack by OPSin’ .942? Manny, now designated to full time hitting is OPSin’ .938 which means there is better defense out in LF.
Jacoby Ellsbury is on pace to steal more than 50 bases..
Justin Masterson stepping up big time to the tune of 3-0, 2.59 ERA baseball.
Which of course won’t last but they haven’t missed a beat since Matsuzaka went down and not to mention that the bullpen is shaping up to be a power pen by featuring a backend of MDC, Hansen and Papelbon, oh and Okajima is pretty ok too..
And what is wrong with Beckett’s 6-4, 4.07 ERA, 73.0 IP, 14 BB, 80 SO? That seems like a pretty nice line, no?”
Of course not. He probably has already blocked out the fact that his Starters are second to last in the league in ERA, sporting about a 5.00ERA.
Without Joba in the pen, they are sportin about a 4.03ERA. That is terrible.
But hey…. this team is too good.
Wait till they face a good rotation from Oakland and see what happens when you don’t play the Royals.
our man in scranton ,or is it wilkes barre (actually it’s moosic!) chad jennings is all over the horne start:
http://emedia.thetimes-tribune.....orrow.aspx
Yet, I don’t get why the time to make up ground is now. This implies that the Ortiz and Matsuzaka injuries have crippled the Red Sox which is simply not true.
I disagree with your bullpen comment and I would like to hear why.
Amazzing,
We’ll see about Oakland. I predict the Yanks take 2 of 3. Now go back to your cave.
dc (red sox fan) pointed out this morning that the yankees are going to miss harden, that helps.
Dave,
There is a flaw in your logic. I never said the injuries crippled the Sox. Not sure where you got that?? IF the Yankees are going to make up ground, wouldn’t now seem to be the time when the Sox are not 100% and leaving Fenway for a bit?
The Sox are unreal at home and below average on the road. They have injuries and are about to play a ton of road games.
The point is that now is the time for the Yanks to make up ground. Maybe they won’t. But that was the point.
What would constitute a “power pen”? I don’t think the Sox pen will implode but I don’t see it ending up as a top 5 AL bullpen. Okajima is showing some cracks. He’s still good but won’t be as effective as last season. Delcarmen is not the same. Hansen is still not there yet. It’s a matter of opinion at this point… only time will tell.
Dave, who cares about your love of the Red Sox? If you have the need to thump your chest about them, type it in invisible type. Are you Sox fans so desperate for for acceptance that you need to cry about no respect?
The Yanks also miss Smith who would quite possibly give them trouble… though Eveland could as well (both lefties they haven’t seen = trouble for Yanks).
Duchsherer is on fire. The wilcard will be the Pettite Blanton matchup. Can Andy recover from yesterday?
prediction: Yanks win the first and third games of the series.
Peter summed it up perfectly Yanks gotta start winning now for real no 3 game win streak then 2 game losing streak a serious 4 real run 10-5 12-3 11-4 anything
Boston Dave,
You can’t see the forest through the trees. Your team is a .500 team because it plays like a .500 team. You have a .500 team rotation. You now have a .500 team bullpen. I predict a sweep by the A’s.
And go back to your rat infested studio apartment.
Well said Pete. Exactly what I have been thinking.
there is only one game-
vs. k.c. tomorrow.
dont feed
Alright, sound reasoning. You are right. They do suck pretty hard away from Fenway and that will have to change if they intend on being serious contenders in postseason.
Now the bullpen comments..
When I think of a power bullpen I think of at least 3 guys that can come in and record a strikeout when needed. Hard throwers. K/9 of 8 or 9. You know, a strikeout per inning type of thing and the Red Sox have that in Hansen, MDC and Papelbon and while Okajima doesn’t throw 97 with a blistering breaking pitch he still has 24 Ks in 27.2 IP which is pretty good.
I am a big fan of Craig Hansen and I do believe he has turned it around. If you have been following his development you will have known that they changed his mechanics once he arrived in the system and pretty much has sucked but now he is using his pre proball mechancis (think St. Johns) and the results are there..
His last 6 games:
7.2, 3 BB, 7 SO, 0.00 ERA
MDC’s last 8 games:
8.0, 3 BB, 6 SO, 1.13 ERA
Relievers are pretty hard to gauge but it seems to be falling into place in Boston.
Amazzing,
The Yanks aren’t “my” team. I couldn’t care less if you want to troll around on a Yanks blog. Some Sox fans can post in a respectful way. Some make fools of themselves and give the other Sox fans a bad name.
You’re entitled to your opinion. I wonder if you’ll come back and post if you’re wrong.
” This team is too good to hover around .500. Now that the Yankees are whole, we’ll see what Joe Girardi can do with them. ”
.
100% TOTALLY AGREE with you, Pete. Now is the time to see how the entire roster of superstars responds to the leadership of Girardi. I hope it is good and will project the “positive” that we are headed for the division lead by the end of the month ! Now and Forever…GO YANKEES !
I couldn’t be bothered going to a Red Sox forum and defending what Red Sox fans say about the Yankees. Its a Red Sox forum, I’d expect there to be no love for the Yankees there.
I am astounded that all but a few decent Red Sox fans seem incapable of not expecting that here.
Dave,
Agreed on the strikeout guys… I misinterpreted power pen. I think guys will learn to lay off of Hansen’s slider. I did hear him on the radio yesterday talking about his mechanics. His slider has a ton of break but it doesn’t seem like he can keep it in the zone. IF he can, he’ll be tough. If not, hitters will scout that and wait fastball.
We’ll see. The Sox pen is good enough but I do think they are logging more innings this year and that could wear them down (wishful thinking on my part?).
When did Gammons change his name to Dave?
Dave
This isn’t the point counterpoint blog for the Yankees-Red Sox, have a beer, relax, take your poodle for walk.
Don’t take it so personal. Can’t we Yankee fans look into the future with a little optimism?
Amazzzing! …hey mister container of donkeys ( figure it out, idiot ! )….Lay off Boston Dave and YOU go back to the RedSux nation and look at YOUR team, pal ! When all is said and done and this is the YANKEES’ year to shine, you can go back to drinking your Mad Dog 20/20 on the front porch and making passes at the neighbor’s teenagers…
Red Sox Fans = Still pissed about 1918-2004
At least Dave is being respectful with his posts. I think he understands we are going to be optimistic about the Yanks. Considering Pete posted about hte Sox, at least Sox fans are sticking to topic.
Yu Darvish,
I dunno about that… unfortunately.
and it would be 1919 – 2003
I stand corrected Boston Dave and most Sox fans not all( I was referring to trolls)
Pete is only trying to insulate moral around here which is at a relative low for Yanks fans
Yu,
trolls have a lot more emotional problems than just the 86 year Sox drought.
Amazzzing!,
That sounds very convenient for you and your _ life
Yanks probably need to play .600 ball the rest of the way (90-92 wins) to have a chance at the Wildcard. This season could definitely have a sub-90 win wildcard team but Pete is right… the time to strike is now. It’s going to have to start with the rotation. The division is within reach but they’d probably need to play .650 ball.
I am sorry that you are all mad at me for posting your team GLARING blemishes, but its reality.
Yankees have:
26th ranked Started pitching Staff
14th ranked bullpen with Joba’s stats. 23rd with out.
Pitching wins championships and its the reason the Yankees haven’t won this millennium.
I have been reading Pete’s blog for about 2 years now and don’t comment, but when Pete feels he should call out Boston’s short comings, he opens a door.
I will go back to my cave and not comment, but i will be back when the A’s sweep the Yankees.
To RhapsodyInBlue,
No. Yankee fans must suffer and suffer for a really long time.
On to more important matters, which Yankee teammates do you think should just stop pretending they are cool with each other and just throw down? I think it’s Kyle Farnsworth and Jorge Posada. There is only so much “piss hands on baseball†a man can take and I wouldn’t blame Prof. Farnsworth if he body slammed Jorgie.
And then contrast that with the humming team chemistry of the Yankees and an offense that’s starting to click into place.
I have a good feeling about this summer.
Certainly the Sox have some concerns right now, but so do the Yankees.
Ortiz is hurt but amazingly enough JD Drew is actually hitting .318 right now and hitting timely home runs.
Masterton came from AA and is now 3-0 with a ERA of .259
Manny has been hitting homeruns almost on a daily basis lately.
Colon has not been stellar but has been decent, and everyone is saying how batters have figured out Okajima but the fact remains that his ERA right now is less than 2.
So while we have our concerns we have some things going right too.
I was really referring to that name Amazzzzzing.
Oh yeah…. GO CELTS!
Dave
Most likely won’t be 86 years.
Kyle and Posada? It’ll never happen, not like Youk and Manny anyway.
From Dave:
No. Yankee fans must suffer and suffer for a really long time.
On to more important matters, which Yankee teammates do you think should just stop pretending they are cool with each other and just throw down? I think it’s Kyle Farnsworth and Jorge Posada. There is only so much “piss hands on baseball†a man can take and I wouldn’t blame Prof. Farnsworth if he body slammed Jorgie.
Dave- really dude are you trying to set a new record for most obvious Sox troll ever
“I have been reading Pete’s blog for about 2 years now and don’t comment, but when Pete feels he should call out Boston’s short comings, he opens a door.”
Yet you don’t reply to you team’s shortcomings, but choose to label yankee weaknesses… on a yankee blog. do you see my point?
It is that you are a troll if you don’t see.
I think that Amazzzing! would have to be more than insignificant for anybody on this board to be mad at him/her. Seems to me that’s he/she’s not worth the energy it takes to be upset.
Wow….off the thread topic I know…but Celts are killing the lakers right now.
” I will go back to my cave and not comment, but i will be back when the A’s sweep the Yankees. ”
.
Stick to your WORD and we won’t see YOU for many years !
The Sux just played the Mariners who are the last in their division and lost badly once and barely squeaked a win in today. Granted they won 2, but I don’t think they looked good enough for these sux trolls to be on this blog thumping their chests about anything.
Kids, get a life.
How about .700 ball the rest of the way ??? Can YOU say 101-61 ???
Marc….granted Seattle has a bad team this year…but..um….your point would be more poignant if the Yankees were playing someone other than Kansas City.
Celtics/Lakers….no difference to me. I can see thugs and muggers hanging and swinging on rims down at the local dives.
“The Sux just played the Mariners who are the last in their division and lost badly once and barely squeaked a win in today
Marc, Yanks are 5 games UNDER .500 if not for six wins against Seattle, all of which were in the Bronx. Just sayin’…people in pinstripes houses…..
I Say we raid the Sox blog n start chanting 1918 just for old times sake
Ray, the Yanks have taken 6 straight this year from Seattle. Why thump your chest?
Umm,Ray. We struggled against an underdog team the same way the sox did with the same results. But we’re not on a sox forum ripping them for it.
Darvish you might catch some embarrassing disease from the toilet seat going over to Red Sox Nation.
And your point Fredo?
I have no intention of participating in Red Sox chest thumping GreenBeret. And Marc I don’t think I was ripping the Yankees. I have consistently said on this blog that I believe both the Yankees and the Sox have good teams, and that those two teams will be the two teams standing at the end of the year.
I didn’t say you were ripping the Yanks Ray. I like to see your posts here. I really do like to see good discussion between yanks and sox fans and I think you contribute to this quite a bit. My girlfriend I live with is a diehard sox fan and we have a lot of fun with it,(most of the time).
I was talking about a few others on here tonight who were doing that.
My point Marc is that we as Yankee fans aren’t really in the position of mocking the opposition of another team until we can show an ability to play winning baseball against everyone, everywhere. Yankees have sucked on the road too and are 23-28 against teams not called the Royals or Mariners.
I really hate Manny he really stirs the drink why cant he go to the DL its apparent that they can survive without Papi now losing Manny is complete devastation next time we play the Sox someone should plunk Manny on the wrist too if the nation and Gammons complain the Yank should say thats for Jeter throughout the years
But Fredo, that has nothing to do with someone throwing stones in a glass house. We did the same as the sox as I pointed out and I expect this surge we’re seeing to go on. I see the flaws in this team and I see some growing strength too. That’s what I’m depending on.
Marc,
I also live in Maine and my best buddy here in Maine grew up in New York City and so he is a huge Yankee fan.
We have a good time talking baseball and “harassing” each other in a fun way so I can relate to what you are talking about.
Ray,
Good to hear that. I think we understand each other now. It is fun to discuss and “harrass” as long as we keep it to a civilised level and most that I know keep it there.
If we are gonna make a move we need 40 and 46 to step up
I agree with everything Pete said. This is the time to step up. The Yanks have a favorable schedule in the upcoming weeks and other teams in the AL East are losing players to the DL left and right..and some have even been suspended.
Kevin
-The Sux just played the Mariners who are the last in their division and lost badly once and barely squeaked a win in today.-
Yep, the sox beat the mariner’s best pitcher with a guy from the minor leagues. Excellent point marc!
Pete, the Sox have enough minor league depth to weather an injury to their rotation. Especially short term. The Ortiz injury hurts them (he could be out all year) but that lineup is long enough that they will still score plenty of runs. The wheels aren’t going to come off, they’re just too well put together. I would agree if they lost Paps or Okijima, the bullpen is pretty shallow. But the rest of that team is going nowhere.
The Rays are another story. I expect them to fade as the season wears on and the league adjusts to some of their younger players. They have enough talent to stay in the mix, should win 88-90 games and will have to be taken seriously from now on. But I don’t see them as the WC this year.