Game 160: Yankees at Rays
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Oct 02, 2009 
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YANKEES (102-57)
Jeter SS
Hairston LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Swisher RF
Posada C
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Molina DH
Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia (19-7, 3.21)
RAYS (82-77)
Bartlett SS
Crawford LF
Longoria 3B
Zobrist 2B
Aybar 1B
Kapler RF
Upton CF
Navarro C
Perez DH
Pitching: LHP David Price (9-7, 4.60)
TIME/TV: 7:38, YES.
WEATHER: Mostly quiet with partly-scattered loudness caused by cowbells in the area. (It’s a dome).
STATE OF THE STRIPES: The Yankees are in cruise control mode, with nothing left to play for in terms of team goals: They’ve clinched the division, clinched the best record and are just waiting to see who they play in the first round. The most important thing for them to do this weekend is stay healthy.
THE BIG 2-0: Tonight’s game does have one interesting plot as CC Sabathia tries to become the first pitcher in the majors to reach 20 wins this season (oddly, Adam Wainwright is also going for it tonight with the Cardinals). Sabathia won 19 games in 2007, but never had a shot at 20 that year because his 19th came in the final start. This time, he gets one crack at it, though he hasn’t had great success against the Rays this season: 0-1, 4.35 ERA in three starts this year.
ACE OF CLUB(S): How good has Sabathia been lately? He’s 9-0 with a 2.11 ERA in his last 11 starts. Whatever happens tonight, Joe Girardi has already named Sabathia his Game 1 starter in the playoffs.
CAPTAIN QUICK START: Derek Jeter hit a leadoff home run on Wednesday, and that was the 10th time in his last 16 games that he’s led off the Yankees half of the first inning with a hit. He’s done it a major-league most 52 times in 2009.
RAYS OF LIGHT: It isn’t the World Series run they had a year ago, but the Rays will finish with only the second winning record in franchise history. Considering the injuries they had this season, it’s an impressive feat by manager Joe Maddon. Look for the Rays to be players in the AL East for a while.
WPTY UPDATE: In the Who-Plays-The-Yankees race, Detroit sends Edwin Jackson (13-8, 3.36) against Chicago’s Jake Peavy (8-6, 3.75), while the Twins pitch Jeff Manship (0-1, 5.81) against Kansas City’s Lenny DiNardo (0-2, 7.52).
IF THERE WAS WALK-TO-THE-PLATE MUSIC IN REAL LIFE, TODAY’S WOULD BE: Thriller by Michael Jackson.
FYI, tech guys added the headshots to the post so that when Chad starts posting, you’ll be able to easily tell which one of us deserves the hate mail. For tonight, Josh will be back with much, much more later on.
UPDATE, 6:02 p.m.: I’ve uploaded audio from Girardi’s session with the media. There’s a lot in there, including an explanation (in two parts) of why the mighty Jose Molina will DH tonight and what it could (or could not) mean for the postseason.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
UPDATE, 7:44 p.m.: Wow. Tex gets plunked with a sizzling heater right on top of his left shoulder. And this is why even these last few games can be scary. Both Girardi and Teixeira looked spooked.
UPDATE, 7:59 p.m.: Down here on the Rays’ TV station it just read: “A.J. Burnett: 25 pitches this inning.” Um, no.
UPDATE, 8:02 p.m.: That’s a turf triple there for Upton. The ball appeared to catch Swisher off-guard with how quickly it skipped through the gap.
UPDATE, 8:04 p.m.: During a 33-pitch first, Girardi had Edwar Ramirez up in the pen. And truthfully you have to wonder how long they stay with Sabathia after allowing four quick runs.
I bet it depends on how much life the Yankees show offensively. If No. 20 comes back into play — and relatively early in the game — CC will stay out there. Three times this afternoon Girardi said this was “an important game.”
UPDATE, 8:31 p.m.: That error in the first by Teixeira was his first since Sept. 1 at Baltimore, per Erik Boland from Newsday.
UPDATE, 8:34 p.m.: No, they are not all earned, but Sabathia hasn’t allowed five runs in a game since Aug. 2. And, yes, we’re still in the second inning.
UPDATE, 9:05 p.m.: Sheesh. Not good.
Sabathia allowed nine runs (five earned) on 82 pitches. Here’s his final line: 2.2 9 5 8 5 3. The most troubling part? Try 13 baserunners and just eight outs. Ugly.
So he doesn’t win No. 20, but are you concerned or do you just chalk it up to a bad start? I’m not sure. The nine runs tied a career worst and the Rays squared up many a line drive. That said, next Wednesday (or whenever the ALDS starts) will be a different animal entirely.
Either way it appears CC may draw Edwin Jackson rather than Justin Verlander. With Minnesota way up and Detroit way down, the AL Central race will be slashed to a one-game lead.
UPDATE, 9:23 p.m.: Here’s a link to the story about that valiant war horse, Carl Pavano.
UPDATE, 9:32 p.m.: Girardi said he wanted to pitch David Robertson tonight and Sunday. They like how he has looked so far. No health issues to speak of in his right elbow.
UPDATE, 9:45 p.m.: That’s the cycle for B.J. Upton, who makes Rays history as the first player to ever hit for the cycle. His six RBI are a career high.
All 27 Rays fans in the house cheered loudly. They should’ve asked where that was all season from a guy with superstar potential batting .241 with a meaty .685 OPS.
UPDATE, 9:53 p.m.: Ah, meaningless baseball. The Yanks just moved Hinske to 3B and Hairston to 2B. In the game now are the following: Bruney (RP), Miranda (1B), Pena (SS), Guzman (LF), Gardner (CF) and Duncan (RF).
Oddly enough, Posada remains behind the plate and Rivera is warming in the pen.
UPDATE, 10:20 p.m.: And it’s a hit for DH Jose Molina. All that guy does is hit.
UPDATE, 10:45 p.m.: Considering the stakes (none), this was a mildly unsettling loss for the Yanks. Check Twitter for updates on Teixeira, etc.
This is the Yankees first loss with CC on the hill since July 28. Wow.
What? I’m the first comment of the post? Don’t usually comment but had to in this case. You’re doing a good job Sam. Nice work.
thoughts on how to tweek the post season formula to more penalize “the best of the rest” (the wild card):
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/12295843
Thriller by Michael Jackson…. May he rest in peace…
By the way Jeter and Cano became the first SS and 2B to top 200 hits each since the 1800s. Others have reached 200 hits but not actually playing SS and 2B. Jeter passed 200 hits as a SS on Wednesday night completing the feat. He has 9 hits as DH/PH during the year.
Wonder if Damon will play the last two… I want it to be 6 Yankees with 25+ HR!
jeter and cano have been a great combination this year.
i’ve always liked cano because of the swing he has.
i never understood the dislike of him over the past winter.
before you even look at his numbers that swing tells you the guy can hit.
yeah he can get a little casual sometime, but that’s part of the deal with him.
if he wasn’t so relaxed, he wouldn’t have such a fluid swing.
Is this a Damon needs rest thing? Or a Hairston needs playing time thing???
Is Jorge still having neck/trapezoid stiffness?
Rishi
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:10 pm
can’t get it to post, but the Swisher move was also #18 on that list
————————————————————
A lot of people are making a mistake in disregarding the contributions that AJ Burnett has made to the Yanks…not just this year, but, going foreward. NYY and Boston would be swapping places without him. Next year, has every chance of being his best. His numbers this season are quite similar to last year’s. The difference in win totals are more because of lack of support than anything.
The same can be said for Pettitte’s low win totals. They both should be 4-6 wins higher. It’s true that they both threw some clinkers, but, Burnett has 10 starts of 3 runs or less for at least 6 innings that ended with a loss or no decision. Pettitte has 9 such games.
lets just kick some butt
GB – I don’t remember seeing AJ on that list at all – should be noted that the Yankees, Rockies and Mariners had the most “best moves of 2009″
Pete Who?
Go Sam!
Maybe Joe is going to play Damon and Posada for the next wo games. I’m sure he wants to get everyone some playing time so they are ready for next week.
It would be nice to see under 100 pitches for CC tonight. Cmon Offense.. Time to step up against this guy and give CC a half day/cheap-O win.
Sam – you need a new photo. Every time I check in I feel like I’m looking at a high school yearbook, it’s very confusing.
Rishi
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
GB – I don’t remember seeing AJ on that list at all – should be noted that the Yankees, Rockies and Mariners had the most “best moves of 2009?
————————————————————
Yeah, it was Burnett’s exclusion from the list that made me post that. If he had those 4-6 wins included, he would have made that list. His numbers would be equal across the board to last year’s when NYY decided to sign him to that contract. For year’s, Mussina was the pitcher with low run support. This year, it’s Burnett and Pettitte. Just one of those freak baseball things. What a difference your numbers look when you pitch on the right days.
Do whatever it takes to get CC #20
Entire BP is available
Jorge must really be having issues with his neck….he barely plays anymore (or so it seems)
I mean catches
Quite likely to be a close game tonight, so, NYY needs to get a couple of early runs and hope that the bullpen can hold it for 3 + innings.
Why should Posada catch meaningless games when he could rest and get his neck as well as God knows how many other bumps and bruises he has under control prior to Wednesday? Also, Molina has caught CC a lot this year so I’m sure there is something to that in explaining why he is catching tonight.
Rays need to fix that pen this winter
Their rotation is only going to get stronger next year. They sold Kazmir high and Davis has come in and contributed immediately. Price will be better. Niemenn, Garza, Shields are very good young pitchers.
Rays should be back again next year assuming they don’t have a fire-sale.
Real season starts next Wednesday
This is like the end of ST now… just dragging along. Make sure everyone is sharp and healthy.
Paco:
Yearbook? I’ll take that as a compliment since HS was a little while ago for me!
Didn’t Girardi say that he wanted to give all of the regulars at least one day off this series? Looks like tonight it’s Damon and Matsui’s turn to sit.
Joe Buck said that this is the best Yankee team since the 2000 Yankees. This was in the NY post. McCaver also said that he expects A-rod to have aoogd postseason since he is not the go to guy this year, and expects Sabathia to perform since he has pitched less innnings this year and the experience of pitching in the postseason the last couple of year. But Joe Buck said that if A-rod doesn’t perform this year than this is it for him.
I don’t think A-rod will fail, but you would expect Joe Buck to say something like that.
Erica,
Girardi said he would probably play most regulars 2 out of 3 games this weekend because of the turf. I’d imagine that’s why Damon is out tonight – plus it doesn’t hurt to get the bench guys some ABs and keep them fresh. Never know when they’ll be needed starting next week.
Dunn, Towers, Edwar, Melancon etc. haven’t pitched in months.
Because I’m bored.
This year’s awards in the AL.
MVP – Mauer
Cy Young – Greinke
ROY- Jeff Neimann
MOTY – Gardenhire
Executive of the year – Jon Daniels (Texas)
Organization Of The Year – Yankees
NL Awards
MVP – Pujols
Cy Young – Carpenter
ROY – Coghlin (Marlins)
MOTY – Jim Tracey
Executive Of The Year – Daniel O’Doud (Colorado)
Organization Of The year – Colorado
Erin October 2nd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Didn’t Girardi say that he wanted to give all of the regulars at least one day off this series? Looks like tonight it’s Damon and Matsui’s turn to sit.
————
Good point. I hope that’s why Jorge isn’t catching.
And here are some media examples of guys I trust, even if their opinion isn’t one I necessarily agree with:
Pretty much the entire MLB Network crew. They don’t run with any kind of ‘company line’. They often argue REALISTICALLY about subjects and you can tell where each guy comes from (the ex phillie closer, the infielder, the HOFer, the catcher, etc)
Harold Reynolds – He was one of the few BBTN guys that consistently gave props to the Yankees and never really tore them down like the hosts and everyone else does. He doesn’t really tear down anyone though, because he is unrelentingly up beat kind of guy. I love him, tho he says stupid things from time to time.
Mitch Williams – Unabashedly on the pitchers side of things, you can tell his opinions are his own and he always tries to explain his view on things as to why he is agreeing/disagreeing
Al Leiter – We all love Al, or at least we should. He always tries to explain his thought process. There is no deception there.
The BBTN crew is a disgrace and their is obvious and sickening bias against the yankees and towards the red sox. Dave Winfield and Peter Gammons are the most objective people on the set when it comes to the yankees sadly. I think Orestes and Perez can be neutral, but the hosts(ravech et al) and kruk/EY just spout the company line (“Boston has depth”,”Yankees have no depth also whiffle ball stadium”)
GB – is there an “Organization of the Year” award – or is that a GB special?
Sam Borden
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Erica,
Girardi said he would probably play most regulars 2 out of 3 games this weekend because of the turf. I’d imagine that’s why Damon is out tonight – plus it doesn’t hurt to get the bench guys some ABs and keep them fresh. Never know when they’ll be needed starting next week.
*****
I completely forgot about Tampa Bay and its artificial turf. I would doubt Johnny plays more than a game and half with his legs.
Thanks Sam!
Who knows why Jorge isn’t catching. All I know is he’s caught 1, maybe 2 games in the past week?
Hopefully all is well. After all the hooplah of making a point that Jorge is the main man, we haven’t seen him much at all.
Rishi
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
GB – is there an “Organization of the Year” award – or is that a GB special?
————————————————————
Actually, although it looks like a “GB7 Specialty”, Sporting News does give that award, along with Rookie player, Rookie Pitcher and others. They just don’t get the play that the writers awards do.
sorry-McCarver. And personally I don’t like the guys on Fox.
Probably not too many cowbells tonight.
The place should be about 80/20 NYY fans
lol @ Molina being the DH tonight
I do also think its a little interesting that Girardi is batting Swisher 5th instead of second. Usually when MPB Johnny Damon is out of the line up, Girardi likes Swisher in that spot. A little surprising.
Or maybe I am just so tired of being at work that I am looking for anything at all to distract me from what I am actually supposed to be doing
Any word on whether there will be a “special” manager for Game 162?
Jeremy
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
sorry-McCarver. And personally I don’t like the guys on Fox.
*****
You and every other Yankee fan
L to the 2nd
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Any word on whether there will be a “special” manager for Game 162?
*****
Yup. It’s me
Baseball Tonight is a joke. MLB Network is beating them hands down.
1,000 curses on you, Justin Verlander.
In 1996 I made a voodoo doll of Darren Oliver. It worked.
I may have to do the same next week.
Erica sounds like the latter
Especially past 4 p.m. on Friday.
Maybe we should do a “very special” GTLU while we’re at it?
So Erica, where will your PBF be playing?
Erica, I would think that’s because Matsui is not in the lineup either, and Swish has power.
L to the 2nd
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Erica sounds like the latter
Especially past 4 p.m. on Friday.
****
I think so too. Especially since this week has been a nightmare. Tuesday night I was here so late someone turned the lights off on me. And Wednesday night a Partner forced me to leave because she feared for my safety to be here alone
LoHudYankees: Team has confirmed that it is actually Posada catching tonight, and Molina at DH, not the other way around. More on why at 5.
2 minutes ago from TwitterBerry
Sam is no fool. He packed earplugs in anticipation of the ludicrous cowbells the Rays fans will be using.
Erica –
Why not a GTLU for Game 1?
L to the 2nd
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Maybe we should do a “very special” GTLU while we’re at it?
So Erica, where will your PBF be playing?
****
Haha. If it were up to me the line up would have Damon batting in like 3 spots (in the same game). LOL
GreenBeret7
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Rishi
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
GB – is there an “Organization of the Year” award – or is that a GB special?
————————————————————
Actually, although it looks like a “GB7 Specialty”, Sporting News does give that award, along with Rookie player, Rookie Pitcher and others. They just don’t get the play that the writers awards do.
======================================
hmmm – I’ll have to keep any eye out for it, then…interested to see what goes into being names “Organization of the Year”…Rookie player/pitcher sounds like a smart plan, too – so you don’t have to compare a rookie pitcher to a day-to-day player when it’s like comparing apples and oranges
BigSix
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Erica –
Why not a GTLU for Game 1?
*****
I am in fact planning to host a special Postseason Season of GTLU. Stay Tuned for Round one on Wednesday. Hopefully, I am not crazed at work by then
Last night, I made a statement about rather having a guy that is 0-50 with 50 Rbi on ground outs over a player that was 50-50 and no runs scored and no RBI.
Today is an example. Sam Fuld of the Cubs has 100 career at bats and a .270 average. This year in 94 at bats and hitting .287. He’s never had a major league RBI. He has scored 19 career runs (16 this year). You’d think that he’d have one RBI by accident. Even Mariano Rivera has one.
My Game 1 GTLU:
Jeter
Damon
Teixeira
Rodriguez
Matsui
Posada
Cano
Swisher
Gardner
I’m guessing the major discrepancy folks will have is with the #9 spot.
I like Gardner’s feistiness. With Guzman available to PR late in the game, why not Gardner early?
What’s wrong with Matsui??????
Why on earth would Molina DH?
I can’t wait for 5 o’clock.
Now is not the time to be cute.
BigSix-
You are making a huge assumption that Guzman makes the roster
Doreen – clinched everything, bad knees, tampa turf
Jeremy
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Baseball Tonight is a joke. MLB Network is beating them hands down.
……………………
So true and ESPN is well aware of what the ratings show. It’s part of the reason why they’re putting outlets in larger media markets.
MLB Network picked up a tremendous amount of viewership this year.
ESPN got content with mediocrity.
Barring some sort of catastrophe I think Girardi goes with the regular 9 for Game 1…esp with CC pitching
(Disclaimer: god willing – not meant as a jinx on any of the 9 and CC)
GB7: Why would you take a guy with a .000 avg and 50 RBIs over a guy batting 1.000 with no RBIs? First of all, there was no one on base for the guy that batted 1.000! That much is obvious, so his team sucks. Second of all, your point would make more sense if you were a bit less crazed and said you’d take a guy that always got the runner in from 3rd (your Mr Ofer) than a guy that was 25/50 with no RBIs. And then that would still only make sense if there was only ever a guy on third in the ABs where super dude didn’t get a hit. Then you could slander him and say he was unclutch.
Still I’d take the guy that bats 1.000.
Ridiculous! 1.000 batting average and you wouldn’t take him. Maybe you should sign some damn teammates for him!?
“FYI, tech guys added the headshots to the post so that when Chad starts posting, you’ll be able to easily tell which one of us deserves the hate mail. For tonight, Josh will be back with much, much more later on.”
And if you go back 3 pages, Pete’s pic is up too! Pretty neat!
BigSix
Yeah make a voodoo doll of Verlander, Jackson, and Porcello.
Though Jackson has not been great of late with an era over 5.00 for a while now.
I heard that Jackson is going to be the Game 1 starter for Detroit.
Rishi -
But he’s a DH!!!!! He doesn’t play on the turf. All he has to do is hit 4 HRs and he can jog all day long.
Why Molina as DH? No one else left? Hinske would be better.
I’m not usually like this. I never complain about the lineup.
Rishi
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
GreenBeret7
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Rishi
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
GB – is there an “Organization of the Year” award – or is that a GB special?
————————————————————
Actually, although it looks like a “GB7 Specialty”, Sporting News does give that award, along with Rookie player, Rookie Pitcher and others. They just don’t get the play that the writers awards do.
======================================
hmmm – I’ll have to keep any eye out for it, then…interested to see what goes into being names “Organization of the Year”…Rookie player/pitcher sounds like a smart plan, too – so you don’t have to compare a rookie pitcher to a day-to-day player when it’s like comparing apples and oranges
————————————————————
Most of the Org of the Year has to do with how well the ML team did, but, also the success of the minor league system. Without a doubt, the Yanks qualify for that. Take into consideration that the Yanks minor league teams had the most titles and winning percentage of any team in baseball last year, too. Unusual that a system would produce those types of numbers two years in a row while the major league team continues at a high rate. Next year should be more of the same.
I’ll try to find the Sporting News awards lists.
Maybe Molina is DH in an attempt to get his bat going before the playoffs start? Pure speculation-but I’m actually looking forward to seeing how he does tonight. lol
Doreen-
Are you having a bad day?? Next you are going to say that tonight is a MUST WIN GAME
(is it possible Sam got Posada and Molina backwards)
Jeremy,
That would make sense – Jackson starting game 1. If the Tigers beat CC with Jackson, then follow up with Verlander, they have an advantage and could be headed back to Detroit up 2, and then (and here is why baseball has no REAL home field advantage) home field advantage goes to them.
Erica –
Am I? Who would get that roster spot in place of Guzman?
Cervelli?
I don’t think it’s a “huge” assumption – it’s a well educated guess.
Erica – always OPPC
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Doreen-
Are you having a bad day?? Next you are going to say that tonight is a MUST WIN GAME
(is it possible Sam got Posada and Molina backwards)
——————
Erica – everyone posted the same inital line-up…could be a CC-Posada pairing thing and the only way to work it and not have issues was to switch roles and not guys…I have no idea, just guessing
Jerkface
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:29 pm
GB7: Why would you take a guy with a .000 avg and 50 RBIs over a guy batting 1.000 with no RBIs? First of all, there was no one on base for the guy that batted 1.000! That much is obvious, so his team sucks. Second of all, your point would make more sense if you were a bit less crazed and said you’d take a guy that always got the runner in from 3rd (your Mr Ofer) than a guy that was 25/50 with no RBIs. And then that would still only make sense if there was only ever a guy on third in the ABs where super dude didn’t get a hit. Then you could slander him and say he was unclutch.
Still I’d take the guy that bats 1.000.
Ridiculous! 1.000 batting average and you wouldn’t take him. Maybe you should sign some damn teammates for him!?
————————————————————
What good is a position player doing if he’s not producing runs? Runs win games….not formulas and Bill James’ fantasy thoughts (which is what started the conversation).
I think it’s a very good debate on who starts CF for NY against Detroit.
Gardner’s my man. Especially against a potentially wild Jackson.
How about everyone else?
Erica -
I just want them to keep playing well.
First, please over-rule the tech guys and remove the head shots. They’re kind of disturbing, like one of those photo-booths strips gone viral.
Second, I really wish Sabathia was NOT going for his 20th win tonight. If there was ever a start I would want him to relax, ease off, rest up — it’s today.
Joe Girardi is AL Manager of the year
CC doesn’t care about 20; everyone else does!
Doreen
Yeah that could happen. But I don’t think so. With Verlander not going the Yankees have a great chance of taking Game 1 and I think they will. Now with Verlander he has been really good but I think the Yankees will get to him and that workload is going to catch up to him.
Molina Dh has to be a posting error..
The Yankees need to sweep Detroit and not let that series linger.
Why not let Hinske or someone DH?
The big move that got a lot of attention before the season, but has largely been forgotten, is the Jeter-Damon swap. It has been, IMO, a big deal. Just taking the 1st inning ABs: Jeter ’09- .385 avg, .415 OBP
Damon ’08- .265 avg .358 OBP
Also, it looks like Jeter may be making a concerted effort to keep his hands out of the way. Only 5 HBPs this year, and none on the hands, as I can recall. Makes me think that he was very badly hurt for long stretches last year.
What good is a position player doing if he’s not producing runs? Runs win games….not formulas and Bill James’ fantasy thoughts (which is what started the conversation).
—
But your inputs are flawed because Mr. 1000 got hits in EVERY at bat that he was given. He was never given an opportunity to bat with men on base!
As a guy with a 1.000 OBP, he clearly is the best player on the diamond and his lack of runs and RBIs are PURELY a result of being saddled with a bunch of dead weight ahead and behind him in the order. That is the problem, he is a perfect player. He got a hit every time up! There is no room for you to muddle the scenarios.
By batting 1.000 and having NO rbis and NO runs then that means there was NEVER anyone on base, or only ever someone on first and he only ever hit singles (still valuable), and no one EVER got a hit behind him regardless of how many outs there were.
That is such a flawed hypothetical that I can’t believe you’d try and use that as an argument for production.
Thats why I came up with a more plausible guy for you to bash and say is not a run producer.
Also the guy that went ofer 50 always had men on base, so his team is obviously great. If you switched their places I’m sure 50/50 guy would have a thousand more RBIs than ofer.
I know you didn’t mean it, but it seems egotistical and annoyin to have your mugshot above every post
Jeremy -
Just thinking along too many angles, I am. Too many. Gotta relax. I have got to relax about this.
They will take care of business as they have all season.
They will.
I’m a wreck.
“First, please over-rule the tech guys and remove the head shots. They’re kind of disturbing, like one of those photo-booths strips gone viral”
co-signed
Haters gon’ hate , Sam. I like the profile pic, especially when we start getting 2 or 3 people updating this bad boy. I wanna know who is who.
Sigmund
He is not even going to be in the game that long so I wouldn’t worry about Sabathia. Second he needs a tune up before his start next week.
BigSix
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Erica –
Am I? Who would get that roster spot in place of Guzman?
Cervelli?
I don’t think it’s a “huge” assumption – it’s a well educated guess.
*****
Did you miss “Guess the Postseason Roster??” Over 20 people posted roster guesses and not all of them had Guzman. In fact, mine didn’t.
It depends on a few factors. 1) How many pitchers the Yankees want to take being a large one. Cashman was quoted somewhere as saying they want to take 10. I think that seems low. I would be shocked if they took less than 11. Maybe even 12.
It also depends on how much power you want off the bench. You have GGBG on the roster and probably Hairston. But would Hinske maybe be more valuable than Guzman, a pinch runner.
Exactly how much time do any of us spend at the top of the post? The “headshot” is fine. Leave Sam alone. It’s not a big deal.
And the rationale for doing it makes sense, at least to me.
Bigger fish to fry than Sam’s picture.
Headshots are a bust. Revert to nonheadshot mode, please.
Also I should say if you have a guy batting 1.000 with no RBIs then you need to fire that manager, he is not being put in a position to succeed
Or fire the GM cause his supportin cast ain’t beans
>:)
Speaking of headshots, and somebody correct me if this has already been discussed today, did anybody see the awful story that broke today about Ted Williams?
If there is a guy batting 1.000 with no RBIs, he probably plays for the Nationals!
“Headshots are a bust. Revert to nonheadshot mode, please.”
Disagree.
I’ll assume that Posada is supposed to be DH and Molina C. Otherwise that makes no sense.
With Price the young lefty going tonight that is why no Matsui/Damon. Both will be available for PH’ng I’m sure.
At least we’ll get to see what Josh looks like.
Doreen
Me too. I have to relax. I have been nervous about the playoffs. But the team should be fine.
Good for Rio. They got the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Is there any truth to the rumor about instituting “World’s Tiniest Bikini” as a new Olympic event?
I’m very confused as I’ve tried to comment twice and have seen nothing… I’ll try one more time.
Normally I don’t criticize lineups. But why oh why Molina as DH? I can see Johnny and Godzilla getting the night off. But why not Hinske as DH in that case?
They should call this place Big Sloppy’s: http://www.boston.com/ae/food/.....is_grille/
Mark in Tampa
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Speaking of headshots, and somebody correct me if this has already been discussed today, did anybody see the awful story that broke today about Ted Williams?
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Beaten to death – no pun intended
Who cares whether the photo shots are there or not. If you don’t like ‘em, for God’s sake, don’t look at them. another case of idiots whining just to be whining. are you really that bored or childish that it makes a difference?
“Is there any truth to the rumor about instituting “World’s Tiniest Bikini” as a new Olympic event?”
There was, until the Germans starting talking about entering their former track and field athletes in the event?
I’ll just settle for some “up close and personal” segments on the Rio beaches.
Also, just curious, since summer in Brazil is opposite, will the summer games be in February? Or will they be holding the summer games in Brazilian winter?
“The Yankees need to sweep Detroit and not let that series linger.”
Jeremy ~ the Yankees just need to WIN the series and move on to the next round … I dont care how it does done or how many games it takes or how pretty/ugly they look doing it … they just need to win and advance to the ALCS this year.
“Beaten to death – no pun intended”
OK, thanks
Ryan Spilborghs of the Colorado Rockies goes to the plate to “Thriller”.
I think they said the 2016 games are scheduled for August, but I could be wrong.
PETE
The toughest test in the playoffs for the Yanks will be getting through the AL.
If they make it to the WS, they’ll beat anybody they face, with STL being the toughest potential opponent.
Wouldn’t Rio still be in the tropics? You’d think the weather is nice year round.
Matt in YYZ…
Yes.. I want Damon to HR also… AND there is a bonus to that HR- it will give him 80 RBI’s, which will give the Yankees 7 players with 80 RBI’s to go along with 7 players with 20 HR’s.
I’m still hoping for that small chance Jeter can get 2 more HR’s and get to 20.. then they will have 8 players with 20+ HRs.
AND.. hoping Jeter or Cabrera get a few more RBI’s so they can have 8 players with 70+ RBI’s.
“Today is an example. Sam Fuld of the Cubs has 100 career at bats and a .270 average. This year in 94 at bats and hitting .287. He’s never had a major league RBI.”
Sam Fuld had 9 plate appearances before this year, so talking about his “career” as opposed to “2009″ is ridiculous.
Sam advanced relatively quickly through the Cubs organization. He is a center fielder who does not hit for any power (most home runs in any year in the minors – 6) and doesn’t hit for a particularly high average either (minor league career BA – .287). He seems to have a good eye – he gets his walks. I guess he’s pretty good defensively.
In 2009, Sam had 108 plate appearances, but he only had 28 plate appearances with a runner in scoring position. Of those, there was a runner on 3rd 6 times, the rest came with men at second. Of the 6 times he got up with runners on third, 4 times was with 2 outs. In the 2 times he got up with a runner on third with less than two outs, he went 0-2. In the 4 times he got up with a runner on third and two out, he walked twice and otherwise went 0-2.
Of the total 28 plate appearances with men in scoring position, he reached base 10 times (5 singles, 5 walks), so he didn’t hurt the team.
Bottom line, I don’t think you can draw any conclusions from Sam’s failure to get any RBI’s this year other than he’s not a power hitter, didn’t have many RBI opportunities and in the few he had, he didn’t knock in anybody.
Another small sample size melody.
The other thing about Matsui not DH-ing – he hits very well in Tampa.
I am going to the game tomorrow and I hope Matsui is in the lineup. We made an awesome japanese sign for him.
Matsui has been great the entirety of his contract. Great player, great Yankee.
GreenBeret7
I still remember that year, 2001 I think, when Clemens went 20-3 and Mussina was 17-11. Clemens had much higher run support than Mussina. It was almost criminal how blatant it was that year. If you look at the other stats like ERA, ERA+, BAA, WHIP, SO, CG, SHO, BB/9 etc etc.. Mussina had the better stats. I was really rooting for him to get the Cy Young over Clemens.
Yankees never get props for the homegrown component.
Verducci made a good point on Colorado – good homegrown core, but the guys they brought in were great complements.
Now, why is it so hard to say that about that Yankees???????????????
Wave Your Hat
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:14 pm
“Today is an example. Sam Fuld of the Cubs has 100 career at bats and a .270 average. This year in 94 at bats and hitting .287. He’s never had a major league RBI.”
Sam Fuld had 9 plate appearances before this year, so talking about his “career” as opposed to “2009? is ridiculous.
Sam advanced relatively quickly through the Cubs organization. He is a center fielder who does not hit for any power (most home runs in any year in the minors – 6) and doesn’t hit for a particularly high average either (minor league career BA – .287). He seems to have a good eye – he gets his walks. I guess he’s pretty good defensively.
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In 100 official at bats in his career, the guy has zero RBI. That’s a lot of at bats without an RBI. 6 at bats last year, 94 this year. That’s at bats….not plate appearances. That’s not a small sample size. The discussion isn’t about Fuld, it’s about producing runs. Runs win games…not James’ and his BS formulas.
Wouldn’t y’all think that, if Molina’s going to catch at all in the playoffs (Girardi doesn’t seem to be committing to not using him to catch AJ), we’d want to get him a few extra at-bats to see if he can get in a rhythm? This is a basically meaningless game… DHing a less-than-good hitter who may be playing in the playoffs to see if we can’t get him a few hits isn’t a disaster.
Sam or Josh-
You have to stay on top of the Yankee lineup for these game threads – its kind of important…
don’t apologize for the rays, injuries had nothing to do with it. they were well out of it when pena went down, and zobrist made up for any infield injuries they had.
the only difference is that their pitching staff didn’t pull the wool over the eyes of the world this time.
Jose Molina: designated hitter… that’s an oxymoron if I ever saw one…
That lineup has to be wrong. The only reason you would play Molina is for his defense & arm. He can’t hit his way out of a paper bag.
Doreen, the analysts looks at the big contracts. It’s not like the team brought in a bunch of Scott Brosius types. The bullpen is made up almost entirely of guys from the system, but apparently it’s not worth mentioning.
“2001 I think, when Clemens went 20-3 and Mussina was 17-11. Clemens had much higher run support than Mussina.”
He certainly did. And lack of run support was one of the reasons Mussina left the Orioles — even in their peak during the 90s the O’s never gave Moose much run cushion.
Remember the 2001 near-perfect game, when the only Boston guy to reach base on Moose was with 2 down *and 2 strikes* in the bottom of the ninth? Well, the Yanks won that game, but only 1-0, and that was on an *unearned* run… in the top of the 8th against Cone, IIRC.
GB7
My perhaps subtle point was that you didn’t analyze the 100 AB’s sufficiently, and you didn’t take into account the hitter.
The hitter in your example had 100 ABs, but few RBI opportunities, very few “gimme” RBI opportunities, is a rookie and isn’t a power hitter.
I don’t think it’s that rare an occurrence, given those factors, for the guy to have no RBI’s. It is a sample size issue, and you can’t make any large deductions from it.
Amy -
That’s a fair point about getting Molina some at-bats, while getting Posada in to catch CC.
rb -
Yeah, it always comes down to money…
Sports Geek
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
GreenBeret7
I still remember that year, 2001 I think, when Clemens went 20-3 and Mussina was 17-11. Clemens had much higher run support than Mussina. It was almost criminal how blatant it was that year. If you look at the other stats like ERA, ERA+, BAA, WHIP, SO, CG, SHO, BB/9 etc etc.. Mussina had the better stats. I was really rooting for him to get the Cy Young over Clemens.
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Low run support seemed to be the real story of Mussina’s career. One of these winter days, I’m going to run through his games year by year and see how many games he had no decisions when giving up 3 runs or less over 6 or more innings. I used 3 runs and not 3 earned runs for Burnett and Pettitte and will for Mussina. I’m just curious about Mussina. If boredom really sets in, I’m checking on Tommy John’s and Jim Kaat’s, too. All three could have easily won 300 games. Kaat and John, in particular, played for some really bad to lower than average teams.
I know this game means nothing, but Molina at DH? That makes no sense at all. Hinske is a better choice, as one of many examples.
Unless they really do plan on starting Molina at C in the postseason for Burnett’s starts, and are looking for a way to get both Molina and Posada some AB’s before next week. I hope that isn’t the plan. Molina should not be starting any games in the playoffs.
And if Molina is going to catch Burnett in the playoffs, then Burnett better be the Game 3 starter in round one. We don’t need Molina starting in multiple games in round one.
99.9% chance Molina as DH is a typo, IMO.
SAM,
To meet half way with head shots or no headshots, just make the head shot a lot smaller, it doesn’t need to be that large. Also change the month to three letters and put the date all on one line.
Would that satisfy most of us?
I don’t get the obsession with the headshot. Really.
It’s a lot more important to get Molina some at bats than getting Cervelli at bats, because he isn’t going to be on the ALDS roster anyway.
yankee record when molina is starting C this year: 23-18, which is .561 winning pct.
yankee record when molina is not starting catcher this year: 79-39, which is .669 winning pct.
Guys any prediction on how the tigers will fair against White sox, tonight?
cervelli might get on the roster for round one, especially if molina is going to start a game. let’s say molina starts game 2 or 3 (whichever burnett is), then they can dh posada and bench mastui (if his knees are barking) and have cervelli as backup c.
maybe its not likely, but it is possible
Verducci just said getting CC his 20th is so important that the Yankees are starting their “A” lineup.
Guess he didn’t see the lineup yet.
No Damon, no Masui and Molina. Not bad, but not the “A” lineup.
Its pretty clear from this line up that their trying to jump start Molina’s bat.
That indicates, to me anyway, AJ will be the number 3 starter with Molina catching.
Their not going to mess around in the post season with something that has been working which is Molina catching AJ. Just have to take Molina’s bat and hope for the best.
Green \Beret7
Question about “Run Support”- How do you calculate it? 1) Do you count only the runs scored while the pitcher was in the game, or 2) do you count all the runs scored in the game by his team?
I suspect it’s number 1. Of course if that’s the case, you have to have a database which goes event by event, or at least inning by inning… you can’t just take the total runs scored from a regular game log.
So, do you have an event by event database?
The personalities of the BBTN crew suck.
I get a different reaction when I watch MLB network, like I could sit down and drink a beer with any one of those guys, save Joe McGrane. He belongs on ESPN.
Molina has had 10 PAs in the last week, 16 in the last two weeks. In the last month he has a .418 OPS. Does he really need more AB’s? Do you really think it will help? The game is unimportant – I’m worried that this indicates Girardi intends to play Molina in the playoffs.
Hinske on the other hand has had 6 PAs in the last week, 7 in the last two weeks. He could have an important AB in the playoffs – why not get him some more ABs?
With the number of games off in the playoff format, there’s going to be no reason to rest Matsui, or anyone else for that matter.
From what Girardi is saying, there aren’t going to be any pinch hit opportunities with the regulars. They will have 10 pitchers, the regular lineup plus Molina, Gardner, Hairston, Hinske, Guzman, and Cervelli.
It sounds like they are going to be really aggressive with pinch runners and having Cervelli would allow Girardi to pinch run for Posada early in the game.
Hinske’s role would be to pinch hit for the pinch runners.
Sports Geek
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Green \Beret7
Question about “Run Support”- How do you calculate it? 1) Do you count only the runs scored while the pitcher was in the game, or 2) do you count all the runs scored in the game by his team?
I suspect it’s number 1. Of course if that’s the case, you have to have a database which goes event by event, or at least inning by inning… you can’t just take the total runs scored from a regular game log.
So, do you have an event by event database?
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All I looked at was the number of guns that the pitchers gave up when pitching 6 or more innings….whether the runs were earned or unearned and what his losses and no decisions he had in those games. The pitcher should have gotten a win in at least half of those games had he had better run support.
number of ***guns*** that the pitchers gave up
Guns or games…same thing.
Just looked at the total offensive runs figures for games Mussina & Clemens pitched in 2001 (including runs scored after Yankees relief pitchers had started pitching):
In the 34 games that Mussina started, the Yankees scored 140 runs, and they scored only 1 run 6 times, and 2 runs 7 times; and 22 times they scored 4 runs or less.
In the 33 games that Clemens started, the Yankees scored 194
runs, and they scored only 1 run 1 time, and 2 runs 4 times;
and 13 times they scored 4 runs or less.
Okay, guys. I think we need to be ready for Molina to catch AJ in the playoffs. Just read Feinsand’s blog and he said Girardi wanted to get Molina some at-bats because he would be “playing a role” in the playoffs. He did not come right out and say Molina would catch AJ, however.
I am of two schools of thought on this. The first is, why not? Why should Girardi change what has worked all season? Girardi has shown a consistency that I actually like. The second, however, is that your best lineup has Posada and Matsui in there. And AJ has suffered from diminished run support in his starts. If Molina catches, then either Posada or Matsui sits.
He must like the way the Yankees match up against every other team’s bullpen.
GreenBeret7 October 2nd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
number of ***guns*** that the pitchers gave up
Guns or games…same thing.
========
Perhaps you meant “runs”
Quick note on the lineup snafu: It was originally Molina at DH, changed to Posada at DH…then back to Molina. But it’s definitely Molina.
Sports Geek
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:14 pm
GreenBeret7 October 2nd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
number of ***guns*** that the pitchers gave up
Guns or games…same thing.
========
Perhaps you meant “runs”
————————————————————
runs, guns, games….I’m a baseball fan…not a speller or typist. “runs” works for me.
Note to the LoHud blog:
These 3 games in Tampa appropriately located because they are SPRING TRAINING GAMES being held at the end of the season. Other that possibly getting CC his 20th win they mean nothing. Save your worrying for the playoffs, I’m sure it will come in handy every time a Yankee batter doesn’t get a hit (or even swings at a first pitch) or each time a pitcher gets behind in a count.
hey, it’s bucky dent day!
Why catch Molina when you can catch Frankie?
JK…I love Molina and is a great catcher and far more experienced at the ML level and with the Yankee staff than is Frankie…with that, Frankie is a solid catcher that can actually hit.
Molina seems like a guaranteed out every time…
MG
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Note to the LoHud blog:
These 3 games in Tampa appropriately located because they are SPRING TRAINING GAMES being held at the end of the season. Other that possibly getting CC his 20th win they mean nothing. Save your worrying for the playoffs, I’m sure it will come in handy every time a Yankee batter doesn’t get a hit (or even swings at a first pitch) or each time a pitcher gets behind in a count.
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But…but…..Boston gained a half a game last night. The Yanks are in a tailspin. They’ll never recover from that devestating Wednesday night loss.
i just saw that on pti and bob ryan was mocking lou pinella’s catch in RF that saved the game!
I kind of figured Molina DHing was an attempt to get his bat going. And I’m also pretty positive he’ll be catching AJ in whatever game AJ ends up starting. If it ain’t broke…
until 2003, the bucky dent game was the difining event in the yankees socks rivalry basically for a generation. the comeback that late summer and then the comeback in that game put down the boston fans (not yet a nation) for 25 years.
Ugh, I really didn’t want to get into this. AJ/Molina is so stupid…….Joe must have a swiss cheese memory because he’s apparently forgotten June and July, when AJ and Po clicked like crazy. It’s ridiculous – AJ’s slump in August had nothing to do with Posada and, in fact, before the recent 3 starts, he’d pitched terribly to Molina…… It’s beyond stupid what Joe is considering doing.
Listening to the audio it sounds like Joe might keep 3 catchers and possibly use Molina with AJ. Interesting.
Maybe Hinske won’t make the post-season roster……..Joe rarely plays him. That would be dumb – I like this guy’s pop off the bench.
Ahem. 3 catchers, ahem. Just saying, ahem.
Betsy,
The Yankees coaching staff have run through all the permutations. We have to trust that they’ll come to what they feel is the right conclusion.
IF they decide to pair up AJ & Hosey, it’ll be in the name of run prevention.
Nothing’s written in stone anyway.
Betsy who would Hinkse be pinch hitting for if he was on the roster?
Who cares if Molina is going to catch A.J. We have enough offense in out lineup to beat any pitcher. If Molina is catching it would only be for 7 innings. After that you replace him with Posada.
If I was listening correctly, Girardi said that if they bring in a righthander later in the game, he will let Hinske get an at-bat or two. So Hinske isn’t the DH because it’s a left starting.
Also, it really still sounds like Girardi is trying to keep all his options open for as long as he can.
The Yankees always carried an extra power bat even with a great lineup. Example: Ruben Sierra
I’m only saying this to see all of the whiners screeching like wounded cougars (real cougars….not the 25 years and older cougars). The Rays have had quite a few homers off of Sabathia. Only Rodriguez has done much damage so far off of Price. They haven’t hit Sabathia for a big average, just a lot of homers….Longoria and Upton, especially.
sarcasm alert
Yes, Betsy, you are right. Joe Girardi is stupid and has no idea what he is doing. Clearly he should be listening to an emotional Lohud blog commenter. The 100 plus wins this year he managed the team to was clearly a fluke.
end sarcasm alert
The only way Hinske would play is if there was an injury to Damon or Swisher. He is a terrible defender and who exactly is he going to pinch hit for?
Molina could play if we pinch ran for Posada late in the game and he might get an AB. There is a greater chance he gets an AB than Hairston or Hinske.
Until we get to the WS, Hinske and even Hairston have no purpose for us unless there is an injury. They are not going to pinch hit for anyone, be a defensive replacement, or a pinch runner.
actually, I’ve been told by people in the know that Girardi reads the LoHud blog regularly, sometimes in the middle of innings, and that big binder he carries around includes a couple of hundred pages of the best suggestions by the blog. I’ve also been told he is deliberately keeping information being made public early just to spice up the blog for the next 5 days until the playoffs start.
John -
You don’t know how games are going to play out. If it’s a close game and you’re playing for a single run or two late in a game, you’re going to pinch run for a Posada or a Moina or a Matsui. Then you may pinch hit for said pinch runner later on. So, no, you wouldn’t pinch hit for anyone in the primary lineup, but, yes, you could find yourself pinch-hitting for a substitute.
Okay the only purpose Hinske will serve is IF Girardi does plan on having Molina catch Burnett.
Then you may want a pinch hitter off the bench for him. But then again that means you carry 3 catchers?
How do you know AJ didn’t go to Joe and say he is more comfortable with Molina?
Do you think Girardi would just make this move for no reason at all? Why would he want to take his 5th place hitter out of the lineup unless he has to?
MG
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:45 pm
actually, I’ve been told by people in the know that Girardi reads the LoHud blog regularly, sometimes in the middle of innings, and that big binder he carries around includes a couple of hundred pages of the best suggestions by the blog. I’ve also been told he is deliberately keeping information being made public early just to spice up the blog for the next 5 days until the playoffs start.
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That’s good to hear that Girardi listens. That means that you and I are getting full playoff and WS shares as assistant coaches. The rest ain’t gettin’ squat.
“Now, why is it so hard to say that about that Yankees???????????????”
Because the guys brought in weren’t complimentary. They’re the primary reason for the team’s success. This team doesn’t have Teixeira and Sabathia, they aren’t in the playoffs.
Brilliant Phil………..not. That was the best you could do? LOL. I see you brook no argument with Joe – heaven forbid I disagree with him.
M, seems to be Jorge and AJ prevented runs pretty darn well in June and July.
You only have a 25 man roster in October. This isn’t a September game where you can pinch hit and pinch run for guys multiple times. You have to be very careful about when you do it.
I want Posada’s bat in the lineup. Unless it’s an extreme, extreme situation, I wouldn’t pinch run for him……or Tex or any of our resident slow pokes.
If Burnett pitches game 3 in Comerica, then you can start Molina
Why would you want to start him twice in a series if Burnett goes in game 2?
Girardi on Molina possibly catching AJ: “We haven’t really come up with any final decisions on how we’re going to do things.” Later adding.. “Yeah, there’s a lot of things you’re going to take into account next week.” 9 mins ago
Where is CB? Where is SJ to throw down and make rational, expert arguments?
Quality posts are better than quantity.
JJ October 2nd, 2009 at 6:51 pm
If Burnett pitches game 3 in Comerica, then you can start Molina
Why would you want to start him twice in a series if Burnett goes in game 2?
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEP
Girardi might be adjusting their plans because of the Tigers/Twins AL Central race.
Molina DH … very funny Joe.
“M, seems to be Jorge and AJ prevented runs pretty darn well in June and July.”
True. Burnett’s best part of the season was 11 games from Memorial Day weekend thru the end of July. In his 11 starts, he went 8-2 (team 9-2) with a 2.08 ERA. In none of those starts did he allow more than 3 runs. Molina was the catcher in exactly zero of those 11 games. Posada caught 8.
Probably not too many cowbells tonight.
The place should be about 80/20 NYY fans
——————————————
I’ll be there helping make up that 80% tomorrow and Sunday.
MLB Gameday has Posada DHing and Molina catching. Does everybody feel better, now?
Rex, those numbers are conveniently forgotten – they seem to have disappeared into the mists of memory.
I want the Twins to hold off the Tigers a little bit longer. It would provide a big advantage for the Yankees.
Well, there are not many other explanations why tonight’s DH is Molina.
For those who didnt catch it on the audio, looks like Girardi and the Yanks have chose to start the playoffs on Wed. Listen to the following words when the reporter asked if they planning to work out Monday:
“No we will not work out on Monday.”
Waldo -
You’re correct that Tex, AJ and CC are not complementary players.
My point, really, is that it is generally ignored that the Yankees have any homegrown players, when they do. And they’re bullpen, which is a real strength of this team, is mostly homegrown.
Sometimes I think these guys forget Jeter, Mo, Pettitte and Posada are homegrown, because they’ve been around so long. And in the middle of the season, Cervelli and Peña were instrumental in keeping them winning. Then there’s Cano, Cabrera and Gardner.
The Trop will be crawling with Yankee fans all weekend.
Betsy:
Speaks to AJ and his career long bout with inconsistency being the issue rather than who the catcher is.
Kids, don’t be afraid to actually read Sam or Chad’s notes in the game post prior to throwing out posts. Don’t be afraid to listen to the audio. Your questions will be answered.
Yeah, Girardi is really eager to take one of the best bats out of the lineup in a playoff game.
If this Molina/AJ pairing comes to fruition, it is because AJ told Girardi to do it. Girardi has stayed away from pairing Molina/AJ all year despite public pressure to do so. He has defended the pairing with Francessa and everyone all year. Now in the playoffs he is going to do it? He must have sat down with AJ and determined that this was the best pairing (assuming this thing even comes to fruition. It is all guesswork now).
If they take 10 pitchers, who do they leave off?
Assuming Joba is on roster we are talking about 2 of Bruney, Robertson, Gaudin or Marte off.
Seems far fetched to me. Why not go with what got you here and leave Guzman off and take all 12 pitchers.
Jacob, that is quite a leap you make without any factual basis by saying AJ must have gone to Girardi.
Doreen:
Guys like Pena, Cervelli, Cabrera and Gardner are your complimentary guys. Certainly Jeter, Mo, Posada, etc are noted career Yankees, but you’re right, because they’e been around so long, they don’t get mentioned in that light anymore. However, in fairness to the media, those guys being homegrown was all the rage when they were winning titles.
mick – with all of the off days, you don’t need to carry 12. The studs of the bullpen will be available every game.
It obviously sounds like Girardi is almost set on Molina catching AJ. I don’t agree with it at all. When AJ gets into trouble it is 100% location because of his bad mechanics. When his mechanics aren’t right the ball leaks back over the plate. the catcher isn’t going to change things. I don’t want to see Molina get 4 at bats. Then it will be like having 2 automatic outs at the bottom of the lineup, him and Melky. Also if he does this Posada is going to throw a fit.
Leyland burns Verlander out because his bullpen sucks.
130 pitches from verlander > an innings form his pen. Same situation as CC with the Brewers last year.
Jacob, if this team had players TELLING the manager to do something, it probably wouldn’t be working on win #103 this evening.
What’s the world record on changes to a lineup?
Phil,
What other explanation would there be for Girardi taking out his 5th place hitter in a playoff game? Especially when he has stayed committed to Posada/Jorge all year despite all the media pressure that he needs to make a change?
Phil
Who of the 12 do you leave off?
I didn’t realize the game started at 7:30. I wonder why the late start.
Phil – Well unless you think Girardi is just a moron for removing one of his best bats from the lineup, is there another explanation for making this switch now?
This will be a good test/practice for the catchers. The Rays run like the wind.
Jacob – perhaps Posada’s neck is still barking and they are testing him by catching him today or prepping in case it flares up? Just one example…but Girardi is a former catcher and has a feel for this thing.
mick – various columnists and beat writers have constructed version of the playoff roster over the past few days. Check out the Daily News or Times to see those variations and discussions.
WSox 1, Detroit 0. Jackson gave up a lead off homerun. He has been terrible recently.
Girardi could have ended the speculation by saying Jorge will catch AJ, in whatever game he starts. He didn’t.
The White Sox are off to the races already.
If Molina catches AJ in ALDS twice that means he is starting games 2 and 5, if neccesary. Posada would DH and Matsui is lost. Also, Cervelli would probably be on roster as 3rd catcher.
As always, I give the former manager of the year, former Yankees bench coach, former Yankees catcher, and current best record in baseball manager the benefit of the doubt as he has access to facts we don’t. Leaping to conclusions is pointless.
I guess the under/over for this game just went down.
Who cares who catches? We are still better than Detroit………
Phil
Just asked your opinion, no need to check the scribes.
I don’t like the idea of leaving 2 of Marte, Bruney, Gaudin or Robertson off assuming Joba is on roster.
Anybody else have an opinion?
Phil – It’s sad really. And Girardi hasn’t even made any decisions. He is just leaving it open for discussion. Whatever decision he makes, we should trust him. He knows what he is doing.
Josey trying to hit Edwin Jackson’s 97 MPH fastball? Yikes!
And yes where has SJ44 gone?
Is it true he was Pete in disguise.
Let’s go CC. Get win #20
100 pitches of fun… October 2nd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
WSox 1, Detroit 0. Jackson gave up a lead off homerun. He has been terrible recently.
————-
Word on the streets of Detroit was that Jackson had been tipping his pitches, which is why he had such a rough second half.
It was supposedly fixed over a week ago and he went out the next day and pitched a gem against the Indians – a team he has owned this season.
However, he wasn’t very good the last time out against the Twins.
It will be interesting to see if Jackson’s struggles continue tonight.
And that’s what we’re doing – we’re discussing the various options. And offering our opinions. I, for one, don’t have any illusions that my opinions are of any importance to the Yankees, but it is fun to bounce these things around a bit.
Girardi and the Yankees will do what they will do and we will root for them to win, and if they do, he’ll be a genius, and if they don’t, well someone will be a goat. That’s baseball.
But if it weren’t for the discussion aspect of baseball, the back and forth over every pitch selection or lineup construction, there’d be no need for baseball blogs at all.
I imagine most of us here don’t take ourselves all that seriously, do we?
pitching and defense win hampionships
Ok, mick, my take:
CC
AP
AJ
Mo
Hughes
Robertson
Bruney
Aceves
Coke
Marte
My guess is they go with ten due to only needing 3 starters and having all of the off days. I think they might put Joba in Tampa to throw during the ALDS.
If they needed a long reliver due to a blow out, I think Aceves would give them a few innings.
Just my guess.
steve
pitching and defense win hampionships [sic]
__
Then why did the Atlanta Braves of the ’90s only win one?
Jackson was bad against the White Sox the last time he faced him as well. He gave up 6 runs.
Molina DH
what!?!?!? Loll no way..thats a waste of an out.
Phil, where’s Joba?
Phil
If Aceves has to go long he could be lost the next game. I also like his value as a middle reliever.
Gaudin or Joba might be more valuable than Guzman or even Hinske off the bench. Hairston might be hurt which would open another pitchers spot.
Don’t want to get caught short in the pen.
Joba’s psyche could be restored with one good inning in the ALDS.
One good outing could lead to another.
Gaudin could get game 4 in ALCS.
mick, just my opinion…
Between Ace pitching 2 and Bruney pitching 2, they could cover innings in a blow out…than a day of rest.
They can change the roster between the ALDS and ALCS, so no need for Gaudin or Joba in round one, just in round two’s game 4.
Lets go Yankees! Lets get CC his 20th!!!
As excited as I am about the playoffs next week-
I can’t believe we are up to Game 160 and the last weekend of the regular season.
2009 has gone way too fast
Man I hate Upton
So i see upton feels like playing today.
Are you kidding me????
Booo!
Oh. my. God. This is not cool.
OMG Longoria better get one in the ear today.
CC’s going to bean somebody. HARD.
okay, so thats how tampa wants to play today.
Looked like a pena payback pitch.
time to chin-check a batter.
What a bunch of losers. Why didn’t they hit someone the day it happened?
Tampon Bay was already out of it when Pena got hit. So it’s not like it ruined their season.
Second Longoria should get flipped. Third CC did not hit Pena on purpose.
Price can you please find the plate. I hope that wasn’t on purpose because if it was Price needs to get a life. Tex looked ready to kick his butt.
where did tex get hit?
Clearly an intentional HBP on Teixeira.
It doesn’t get more blatant than that, in my opinion. Price basically had pinpoint control for the entire inning outside of that one pitch. First pitch against our first baseman who is tied with their first baseman for HR’s who we happened to knock out of the season with a HBP? Definitely intentional
Has Michael Kay ever used the word “ironically” correctly in his life?
“Ironically Texiera and Pena are now tied for home runs”
what the bloody hel1?
What’s next?
I flushed my toilet this morning, ironically there were some left over?
I wanted my egg sunny side up, ironically the waitress had it scrambled?
He and Alanis Morissette could make a good couple, they would spend 24 hrs a day discovering irony in the mundane.
Price certainly didn’t fool Hairston or Rodriguez there. As far as the HBP, I don’t know if it was intentional, but, Tampa seems to forget that Pena did the injury to himself. He was called foe swinging at the pitch. He swung into the ball.
I have a feeling here that CC will not drill someone. While I’d love to see him drill Longoria or someone like that, it’s not worth it to risk an injury in case he charges the mound.
I can’t seriously think that was on purpose. It could have, but what would the point be apart from retaliation for Pena?
Tex is looking awfully red right now
Patrick
October 2nd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I have a feeling here that CC will not drill someone. While I’d love to see him drill Longoria or someone like that, it’s not worth it to risk an injury in case he charges the mound.
*****
I wouldn’t be surprised if he did. But MUCH later in the game. There is no way he is doing it unless he is eligible for the win
Jerkface said
For the Yankees, A-rod went 0-4 with 2 K’s, but atleast 3 other Yankees had big days. Do you just show the big days or do you put A-rod’s o-fer up there?
———————————————————-
Pete, as a journalist, also knew that throwing A-Rod’s 0-fer out there would generate more controversy/interest/discussion than Damon’s 3-4 day.
Dedicated fans want to know about any of the 25 guys’ good days. But the big man’s bad day sells newspapers.
The Yankees will take care of business later in the game. Like ninth inning.
Rough start.
“Tampon Bay”
What is with CC and this ballpark?
honestly, as much as I would like to see cc get 20, i’d rather see him get his work in and get ready for the playoffs.
Hitting a batter in mid swing like pena and youk (most of the time) is not the pitchers fault. Their hands are over the plate and they are not as quick as Jeter (most times)
Ewwwwwwwww…. triple play time
Longoria has developed the Suzuki “stare”.
Seems like they took CC and Tex out of the game with that BS
CC doesn’t look very interested in pitching tonight, it’s completely understandable given how well he’s pitched the entire 2nd half. I’m sure he’s thinking more about getting ready for the post-season than in any personal milestones like winning 20 games.
“Hitting a batter in mid swing like pena and youk (most of the time) is not the pitchers fault. Their hands are over the plate and they are not as quick as Jeter (most times).”
Doesn’t matter. Teams don’t use logic. All they know is their first baseman season ended because of a hit by pitch.
Erica it’s possible but I don’t know if he wants to risk a brawl. Getting into the postseason healthy is more important than any of this macho junk
oh good, tex is back
come on cc, work the magic.
Patrick
October 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Erica it’s possible but I don’t know if he wants to risk a brawl. Getting into the postseason healthy is more important than any of this macho junk
*****
Sabathia can take any one of thos little Tampa Bay guys… he’s no scrawny little guy you know
Okay, seriously. You are probably right there. After Jorgie’s neck debacle due to the fight, I am sure Girardi will probably tell them to squash it. Especially with the playoffs next week
2-0 White Sox
losing respect for Tampa Bay.
they choked their season away, now they want to injure/hurt our players. This perrenial bottom feeder, had better be careful what they start.
27 pitches yikes..
We cannot be mad at CC he has been lights out for the last 12 starts…
wow
Not an auspicious way to end the season…
wow fail
Swisher is without a doubt going to cost the Yanks runs on defense. Gardner or Guzman must take over for him in the late innings.
say what you want bout Swisher..He is a fun guy..great team mate…but he is just a horrendous outfielder…this is the 5th time i can remember he has done that
swisher will kill the yankees if he makes plays like that in the playoffs..
NOOOOOOOOO. CC’s ERA was beautiful.
oh well…game is over….next !
There was an error though right?
there goes any shot of the Cy Young as well
# Benny Blanco October 2nd, 2009 at 8:05 pm
swisher will kill the yankees if he makes plays like that in the playoffs..
Good thing we won’t be playing on Turf in the playoffs.
there goes the run for 20
all the runs are unearned because of Teix’ error when CC didn’t cover 1st on Crawford. It doesn’t matter, it’s only understandable that the Yankees could care less about these games in Tampa.
lol it was an error. CC’s ERA is perfectly fine. 4 runs towards him, and 0 earned.
Am I the only person thinks Rays are sort of low?
They used that to ‘retaliate’?
Upton is killing me this week. I’m playing against him this week in fantasy baseball. Guy does nothing all year and is killing it this week
none of his runs are earned bc of tex error
The runs are all unearned but Sabathia caused his own problems with the walks.
what truly stinks is that Kapler can EASILY be punched out on that last pitch he took as it really was in the zone. I can’t believe how much Yankees’ hate the damn umps still have. When we win it all this year, it will really be an acoomplishment as we will have beaten all the best teams AND the damn BLUES too !
don’t be surprised if CC only pitches a few innings tonight, he has no command of his fastball, I’ve never seen him miss so consistently up and away. I’d also place no significance on this start, it means nothing for the playoffs.
I want this win. Yankees better put some runs on the board for C.C. to get his win.
David price Fastball 91?? the rays have ruined price.
Who cares so CC gave up 4 runs. Let him get his 85 or so pitches in and then get ready for next week. As long as no one gets hurt. Only the Rays think this game is important.
this ump is a tad shaky!
zOMG!!!!!1111!!! Oh noes!!
CC has teh epic fail!
Teh Yankeezz r going nowhere in the postseason!!!11!!11eleventy!!
/end chanelling
Good thing Molina is dhin. That means we are never out of the game.
“David price Fastball 91?? the rays have ruined price”
Yeah they should have kept him in the pen.
Wally by name, Wally by umpiring ability too, apparently.
Please pinch-hit for Molina.
Nice hit by Melky. Too bad the pitcher is up now.
Good job Melk
Perfect time for CC to have a clunker. Get it out of his system.
So if Molina doesn’t hit into a DP and strikes out is that a positive? What a joke…
Angel-
Nice post at 8:12 LOL
Cervelli will be the backup next year. At least he’s not an automatic out.
And the kids are staying up late for tonight’s game…
lol @ Cano
Actually I’m pretty impressed by how much people didn’t overreact on here to that inning. I guess having clinched already helps with the perspective a bit.
Does anyone know if the Yankees are definitely playing a playoff game on the 8th?
Chip away. A quick inning from CC would be welcome
Price is pretty fired up to face the big boys. I wonder if he would have the balls to throw a pitch up and in on Posada? No chance…
Like to see a HR by Teixera next inning. cap the HR lead, and then sit out the rest of the series.
Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Thanks! – Someone had to do it, Erica.
Actually I’m pretty impressed by how much people didn’t overreact on here to that inning. I guess having clinched already helps with the perspective a bit.
****
The risk of us going on a massive losing streak and blowing our division lead is now gone. So the bridge jumpers are in check. For this week anyway
I think the playoffs could be scary
chris
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Does anyone know if the Yankees are definitely playing a playoff game on the 8th?
*****
The Yankees are much more likely to be choosing the series that starts on Wednesday the 7th and would not be playing on the 8th. But nothing is definite
Hopefully CC can get his mechanics in check before the end of his start. Just so he feels good going into the play offs.
Damn, you’re right, thats why there wasn’t major bridge jumping episode. They’re saving them up, lol.
I was hoping its because they’d seen this team come from behind often enough to recognize that 4 runs for the Yankees isn’t insurmountable.
I’m a bit shocked at how bad Sabathia looks today.
I really hope this doesn’t carry over into the playoffs. I don’t think it will, but who knows?
Twins scored 5 runs in the 1st inning against the Royals. Young hit a grand slam.
Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Damn, you’re right, thats why there wasn’t major bridge jumping episode. They’re saving them up, lol.
I was hoping its because they’d seen this team come from behind often enough to recognize that 4 runs for the Yankees isn’t insurmountable.
****
Nope. Only “cheerleaders” like me have that much faith and logic
CC has no command, especially with his breaking pitches. Almost looks like he’s bothered by the mound or just plain uncomfortable.
The Central is getting closer. Detroit is losing 3-0. Twins lead 5-0 on Young’s grand slam.
What is Detroit’s magic number?
I’d like to see either a homerun or a hard hit ball up the middle right at Price.
Maybe the Yanks should take CC out. I wonder if he is feeling some fatigue and maybe throwing less pitches will help him.
LOL AT CRAWFORD HAHAHAHAHAHA
Well the mound is garbage, as is the entire building.
What is Detroit’s magic number?
———————————-
2
I think I might pull CC too. This game isn’t going well. CC doesn’t look comfortable. The bounces aren’t going our way.
Well did you expect Sabathia to be perfect. He was bound for a bad start. I’m just glad he got this bad one out of the way before the ALDS.
NYY got lucky on an ugly throw from Hairston. He’s nothing special in the outfield, or, on defense in general.
Jeremy
Just trolls posting as regulars
I wouldn’t be surprised if someone not on the playoff roster comes in and plunks a Ray later….
Mark Melancon come on down…
I think the whole Teixeira getting hit threw CC off. Teixeira face was red and Girardi looked pissed.
Maybe I’m making too much of it but that’s my take. Tough situation to be in if you’re the Yankees, can’t really retaliate.
CC likes me not!
Trevor it wouldn’t shock me.
NYY catches another huge break, saving 2 runs. Nasty pitch, though. Sabathia’s not likely to get his 20 wins or 200 strikeouts this year even if NYY takes the lead in the next 2 innings. He’s 4 strikeouts short.
does anyone know what time the Game 2 of the ALDS on Friday will be at Yankee Stadium?
If these results hold up, that might mean Verlander would have to pitch on Sunday.
NYY isn’t going to throw at any Devil Ray hitters and take a chance on somebody getting hurt.
GreenBeret7
You mean take a chance of a Yankee getting hurt. They dont’ care about the rays.
Carl
Yeah your right. Some people are just crazy.
Well The Tigers are getting beat so that’s good.
wow Go White Sox and Twins!
If they bring in Shelley Duncan to pitch an inning, you’ll know something is afoot.
CC threw 33 in the 1st and gave up 4 hr,25 in the 2nd and another run.
If he’s going to lose tonight would be better,than in the 1st round.# 20 may be a REMOTE dream,at this point.
It’s really sad that the Yankees going up to bat look like they checked out mentally after the first inning.
rumor is Game 2 of the ALDS at NY will be a game day because the Angels are playing at home and cant play the early game because of the time difference…..
Arno October 2nd, 2009 at 8:45 pm
It’s really sad that the Yankees going up to bat look like they checked out mentally after the first inning.
Yeah, they really need to work hard to get the Division locked up.
Take CC out now this is wrong. Why risk him getting hurt? It seems ( ducks) that the pressure of big games really does get to him
woops, meant game 2 of the alds is a day game at NY next friday
jennifer
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:42 pm
GreenBeret7
You mean take a chance of a Yankee getting hurt. They dont’ care about the rays.
————————————————————
Luckily, Girardi and the Yankee players have more common sense than fans. Yankee players can get hurt in on field fights (Posada) or a retaliation shot at one of the Yankee hitters. Wouldn’t that be perfect?
If the scores holds up with the W.Sox and Tigers I guess Verlander is pitching tomorrow? He would be pitching on short rest, 4 days tomorrow and Wednesday. I guess it isn’t a big deal for him.
Twins have to beat Greinke tomorrow.
If they can do that, I really believe they’ll win the Division – one game playoff or not.
Carl
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Yeah, they really need to work hard to get the Division locked up.
———————–
They should try a little harder for their good teammate looking for his 20th win.
“It seems ( ducks) that the pressure of big games really does get to him”
This game isn’t especially big.
The rumor is game 1 maybe at 6:30(not really a game day) and game 2 at 8:00.
Would anybody else love to see Shelly take on the entire opposing team in a brawl. Shelly against the rest.
100 pitches… Verlander slotted for Sunday.
If the scores hold up between the W.Sox and Tigers I guess Verlander is pitching tomorrow? He would be pitching on short rest, 4 days tomorrow and Wednesday. I guess it isn’t a big deal for him.
I meant it is big as CC REALLY wants 20. And it seems he puts a lot of pressure on himself in the playoffs in big games, and comes up short. I really hope he can break that habit this yeat.
Verlander slotted for Sunday
——————————-
The Tigers announcers said he is scheduled to pitch tomorrow not Sunday.
GreenBeret7
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:41 pm
NYY isn’t going to throw at any Devil Ray hitters and take a chance on somebody getting hurt.
we’ll see.
a Ray gets drilled. Umps issue a warning to each team. It’s over.
Tex wasn’t just hit. The ball was up near the head. If they let that go – I’ll be surprised.
Any time Alex has a 7 or more pitch at bat and strikes out swinging.. strangely enough.. that’s a great at bat (for him)
“If the scores holds up with the W.Sox and Tigers I guess Verlander is pitching tomorrow?”
Really? Makes no sense. Why pitch him on short rest with a one game lead? He’s not going to be as strong as he could be on regular rest, especially given he’s averaged 127 pitches over his last three starts. They should hold til Sunday and use him only if they have to.
game 2 cant be at 8pm because the angels have a home game.
baseballfab
CC doesn’t care about 20 games wth? I never heard CC say I really wanted 20 games. Stop making stuff up.
This should be CC’s last batter. He is throwing way too many pitches. Maybe the big guys arm is tired.
Let cc get this out of his system now. As far as I’m concerned I will give him a mulligan.
BloggingBombers: Don’t worry about Sabathia, Yankees fans. Pettitte gave up 9 runs in his last start of 2000, then threw 7 2/3 scoreless in his ALDS start.
No matter what he throws, the few that he’s had in the strike zone, they hit bloops or bullets. Tied with no control, it makes for a bad night.
Is Tex hurt? I just came back and missed the big hullaballoo……..hmm, not an ideal way for CC to go into the post-season
NYY626 – AL EAST CHAMPS! October 2nd, 2009 at 8:54 pm
BloggingBombers: Don’t worry about Sabathia, Yankees fans. Pettitte gave up 9 runs in his last start of 2000, then threw 7 2/3 scoreless in his ALDS start.
I just read that like Pettitte was saying it
Hey guys did you thing Sabathia was going to be perfect. He hasn’t given up more than 3 runs in two months. He was due for a bad start like any pitcher would be. Just be glad he did it now so he can start another string of wins.
Later. Too much Jack-type stupidity on the board to enjoy reading.
Can’t TBS put the Angels at 10? They always put the West Coast teams on at 10.
Dodgers will probably take the same series as us and be on Wednesday right?
ALDS
Game 2 at NY 4:30 PM ET
Game 2 at LA 9:10 PM ET
Is it wrong to be a little relieved that this is happening tonight? I feel like a bad fan, but I just figure better now than on Wednesday. Add to that the fact that CC was so good for so long it’s only natural he was going to have a bad outing at some point.
I guess CC is not comfortable pitching to Posada…lol
Stick a fork in him he is toast.
Other than that, a pretty nice tuneup for CC.
OUCH!
man, get him out. silly even to have him start 3rd inning.
Geez, this is terrible………..The questions will start about CC now – not from me, but this was just ugly and I admit this makes me somewhat nervous because his post-season performances ( I don’t count last year, when the guy was exhausted by the time the Phillies game rolled around) have not been particularly good.
CC is pretty upset in the dugout….
I think I need to repost my 8.12pm post. The bridge jumpers couldn’t help themselves.
Kinda a moot question because CC didn’t have anything tonight, but I thought he was going to get all the starters in the lineup tonight because of the whole 20th win thing?
This has to be his worst start.He’s been scored on every inning
.He keeps loading the bases.Molina would’ve called a better game.
CC isn’t on tonight,he’s imploding.Molina should’ve caught him.Finally after 82 pitches.
This is ridiculous.
I know the Yankees were due for one of these “blowout” losses, and better now than next week.
(Michael, CC was not getting the Cy Young this year anyway)
But this is an ugly game.
And I don’t like that the last few games the offense hasn’t looked good, either. Since his great game, ARod hasn’t done anything.
I know you turn the page after the season is done. I know these games don’t count. I know they’ve already clinched and they’re resting and fine-tuning and all.
I just don’t like games like this one regardless.
and it officially becomes a throw-away game…
Looks like Verlander will have to pitch this weekend, good for the Yanks, he can go only once in the ALDS then.
I have reached new lows-
I have the game on TV and I am watching last night’s Fringe online at the same time (which still posting here of course)
CC’s such a good teammate, trying to deflect attention from Joba.
Doreen-
Do you need a hug?
Doreen, are you worried?
Great outing there Joba… oh wait that is CC. And great job of Girardi sitting on his butt and allowing that to keep going like that.
I think Edwar Ramirez could have done better than that. It was absolutely putrid.
While the game means nothing, this isn’t what you want to see heading into the post season.
LOL. Now that was impressive spin, m. Well done!
Angel -
Me too. Molina is not a starter. Hairston is not a starter. Matsui is on the bench. That’s not the A lineup.
Of course, to me, it’s more important that they play well, and it doesn’t look like they are. Of course, that could be a function of the score.
Doreen does sound a bit glum, but she’s right about the offense……..I refuse to pick on Alex as no one has really done anything.
I don’t think Girardi should have left CC in to throw 30+ pitches in an inning for the second time.
“Looks like Verlander will have to pitch this weekend, good for the Yanks, he can go only once in the ALDS then.”
Depends on which series they pick. If, as many expect, they take the series that starts Wednesday, Verlander would start Game 2 and a potential Game 5
CC’s in typical postseason form already. Fantastic.
Sam Borden jinxed this team. They havent won since he took over for Pete.
“Looks like Verlander will have to pitch this weekend, good for the Yanks, he can go only once in the ALDS then.”
———-
if he pitches this weekend, he will go in game 2 and game 5 on normal rest, if necessary
Will some of you stop worrying. All starters go through a stretch where they are dominant and then they eventually have a bad start. I’m glad that it happened now. I can’t believe some of the stupid things I am reading. It’s like some people have watched baseball for the first time.
“melky53 October 2nd, 2009 at 9:01 pm
CC is pretty upset in the dugout….”
He should be. That was one of the worst outing for a pitcher who is supposed to be an ace heading into the post season I’ve seen.
Perhaps the offense is a bit sluggish? These are meaningless games after all.
How did the great Edwin Jackson give up 8 runs?
Joker, The
Your an idiot ! I’m sorry but all great pitchers are due for a stinker. Did you expect he was going to not have a bad start ? He has been on a roll for 2 months.
These next two games are going to be huge for Burnett and Pettitte. Imagine if those two don’t pitch well…the media is going to hammer this team to death heading into the ALDS. After tonight’s start, I hope CC doesn’t put too much pressure on himself in Game 1. It’s hard to believe how terrible his command was today compared to the brilliancy he displayed against the Red Sox.
Abdababdaserser October 2nd, 2009 at 9:08 pm
“melky53 October 2nd, 2009 at 9:01 pm
CC is pretty upset in the dugout….”
He should be. That was one of the worst outing for a pitcher who is supposed to be an ace heading into the post season I’ve seen.
Don’t worry about CC. Pettitte gave up 9 runs in his last start of 2000, then threw 7 2/3 scoreless in his ALDS start.
I was hoping for #20.CC was due for a loss.Better tonight than in the ALCS.
“These next two games are going to be huge for Burnett and Pettitte. Imagine if those two don’t pitch well…the media is going to hammer this team to death heading into the ALDS.”
———-
hammered by the media??
oh no! the players feelings will be ruined!!
“How did the great Edwin Jackson give up 8 runs?”
Pretty much the way the great CC Sabathia did…only with fewer walks.
It’s hard to concentrate on the mound when you’re thinking about a huge Cal-U$C football game.
CC is mighty, but he’s also a human being.
Cal has a bye next weekend and CC will pitch Game One with a clear mind and a happy heart.
I don’t care so much about this game, but the offense has really struggled recently. I know these games don’t count, but I really don’t want these guys to get into bad habits at the plate……
I swear that some of the posters here lack sommon sense. You act like spoiled brats expecting everything to be perfect all the time when it doesn’t work like that.
Edwin the great Jackson has been giving up runs like they are going out of style for a while now.
Rex October 2nd, 2009 at 9:11 pm
“How did the great Edwin Jackson give up 8 runs?”
Pretty much the way the great CC Sabathia did…only with fewer walks.
And 2 more Homers
Trevor, I understand, but the Yankees approach at the plate should be the same……..if they start getting into bad habits now, they may carry into the post-season. I think they really need to be careful.
Again, though – is Tex ok?
Tex is out? Because it’s a blowout or he’s hurt? Wonderful…..
the Yankees aren’t perfect.
Josh Beckett had to have a start scratched with a bad back.
John Lackey is struggling for the Angels… and then there is Brian Fuentes. Verlander looks good but Edwin doesn’t and Porcello is a rookie with a lot of innings this season.
one bad start by CC is hardly a major concern.
would you rather have any other roster going into the playoffs than the Yanks? I wouldn’t.
Jeremy -
I’m not worried about Sabathia.
I am nervous about the playoffs. It’s not always the best team that wins, but the hottest team.
Now, part of me sees that the Yankees have played on an even keel all year. They bounce back from losses (especially of this blowout variety) and I like their chances.
But it’s been drummed into us all that the playoffs are a crapshoot. That you close the door on the regular season and start fresh. Well, that means the other teams that didn’t win 100 games get new life, too.
So, I’m a little nervous.
And now, Melky may have tweaked something, and they took out Teixeira – which may mean nothing.
And see, these games where the Yankees have nothing, they really have nothing.
The Tigers might be in some serious trouble. The longer they delay the clinch or if they fail to close it out this weekend the advantage goes to the Yankees.
I guess Girardi took Tex out to make sure he didn’t give Price a beat down.
I just read that Melky is/was limping……..was he hurt too? If so, how?
Ahahaa Kay just said the guys made fun of Andy for saying Y’all a bunch of times in that speech the other night
“Cal has a bye next weekend and CC will pitch Game One with a clear mind and a happy heart.”
Gotta say, I thought I was good when I teased Cal up to +38 last week. Who’d have thunk?
NO TEIXEIRA IS NOT HURT. CALM DOWN!
He’s out cause this game means absolutely nothing. And yes I’m mad cause some these posters. smh
When did Melky tweak something?
Once Price leaves the game I would like to see Damon get an at bat. They need to get him going. In his last couple of games he has looked terrible and he is something like 2-24.
I’m teasing them up to +49 tomorrow. It’s a lock.
The Twins announcers just said if Sunday’s game means something Pavano is pitching on 3 days rest. That he said he wants to pitch that game. LOL
A single away from the cycle in the 4th inning hahaha
I really don’t want to see Posoda on the plate.
Posoda always has the communication problems with pitchers.
Pitcher’s performance decide the result of the game,while the catcher affect pitcher’s performance.
You can’t do much about it other than laugh it off.
I’d imagine Teix is out because its a blowout..
Leaving him in there as target practice after his close call earlier, makes zero sense.
It’s too bad that Alby hasn’t been able to stabalize this game, but at least he’s been able to normalize it.
They’re just missing all night. C’est la vie.
C’mon… you really think CC didn’t want 20 wins and he just mailed in this start?
Give the guy more integrity than that. Same with the hitters. You think they are not trying and are just swinging for the fences trying to get the AB over with just because the games don’t mean anything?
Players want to feel good going into the postseason, this isin’t like the Spring
So what do we talk about instead since this game is stinky?
man i hope they have to pitch verlander on sunday
Just hope Twins/Tigers have to play Tuesday. Winner flies to NY after the game just happy to be there.
JJ, where are you from?
Upton = Cano
Lazy
I’m going to pray that the Twins pull this out for a one game playoff Tuesday. If that happens which ever team pulls it out will be in serious trouble against the Yankees.
Yep, just one of those games – Doreen. Nothing is dropping in for them.
I didn’t listen to the pre-game audio – so I admit to still being a little confused about the Molina being the DH. Especially with a few hitters on the bench. Gardner looks like he could use some at bats to get his swing back.
Grats upton
And everything is dropping in for the stupid Rays.
Just one of those games.
Cano is nothing like Upton.
Sheesh.
It’s almost good that the Yanks are getting their butts kicked tonite. Get it out of the system; wake-up call; whatever. I’m reminded of the 1999 (or was it 2000?) season where the Yanks lost like their last 7 games — blown out in almost all of them, if I remember correctly, looked like they were sleep-walking, and then — bam! — playoffs started and they romped to a Championship.
Robertson’s fastball looks really good. But his curve is not there, yet. Hopefully throwing it doesn’t put too much pressure on his arm.
Of course it could just be a slump (offensively) and they are entitled, but it’s concerning because there is a lot of pressure on this team. I realize Jorge and Jeter are still here, but the rest of this team (not Tex or Swish of course) has a pitiful record in the post-season the last few years. That is why there is concern…….at least, that is (in part) why I am concerned. This group (talking about the lineup only) does not have post-season success to fall back on……(yes, I know about Jeter and Posada, but the group as a whole as been putrid recently)
I like how Upton finally decides to play like a major league baseball player on the last series of the year.
Hitting for the cycle is kind of a dumb thing to celebrate — here’s what I’m saying. What if Upton has just hit a ball into the gap? Should he have stopped at first base, so he could be celebrated for hitting the cycle? No, he should’ve gone to second. A homer, a triple, two doubles — better than a cycle but not celebrated. Odd.
That is also why some fans are concerned with CC’s performance……..they are simply worried because of our recent post-season history. It doesn’t make them or us worse fans because we are concerned.
I wonder if this game is about to become a Tampa Bay classic game
Eh, let Upton have his cycle. He’s still going home after the last game of this series……..
There is no reason to be concerned because there is nothing any of us can do about it. It’s all in the players hands next week. We can only be fans.
On Monday, Upton can try to hit a hole-in-one.
Betsy -
Nah.
This game has become oddly comforting to me right now.
All year, it has seemed to me, they ahve these games where they have nothing. Where the starter just has nothing and everyone who comes in after him has nothing. They get it all out of their system at once. There’s no blown saves or blown leads here and there. It’s all done in one night. And then, remarkably, they’ve pretty much bounced back the next day as if it never happened.
So, this is one of those games. And tomorrow the Yankees will be back.
Darn!!!! NOTHING, I mean, NOTHING is falling in for them tonight. Shucks.
For all of you who bashed me in August because I said CC will revert to typical CC form come October .. Well I am so sorry to say I was right. I hate being right in this case. This was a Vintage October CC performance we just witnessed. You can say it’s one game, he’s pitched so great down the stretch (which he had..) You can say last year he was bad because he was on 3 days rest.. You can make any excuses you want. I don’t expect a CY Young performance each time out but this was a “big” game for CC. I don’t care what he says, 20 wins IS a GREAT accomplishment. He had to feel pressure. Can you imagine how much pressure he will feel come Wednesday?
25IP 33H 22R 22ER 22BB in 5 October starts/ Add tonight and that is his career #s in October..
I am now officially worried about the postseason. Hopefully this all means nothing. I want nothing more than CC to come out firing strikes on Wednesday. But I don’t think any of us can be surprised if he does not, despite how great of an overall year he has had..
“On Monday, Upton can try to hit a hole-in-one.”
Perspective is an amazing thing.
Maybe they should have started with this lineup.
I cant stand it when the Rays are winning at home. Their announcers become way more annoying and grating, lol.
The walks is the most horrific # in those career Postseason #s. And then look at tonight. 2.2 IP, 5 WALKS !!!!! This is a guy who since the All Star Break had Rivera like control of his fastball. Tonight, not so much. How could this NOT be a mental thing? Can he really just not pitch under any kinda of real pressure? That’s the only way this makes any logical sense. You don’t just lose it in 5 days. I wonder if he was going for win # 19 instead of 20, would this have been different?
Bruney needs to have an easy inning if he wants to make the roster. I still don’t know what to think of him pitching in a play off game.
Better that the Yankees get blown away tonight than Sunday when I’m there.
Price will go deep into the 8th,or 9th.He’s not having throw many pitches per inning.
Alex and Swisher swung at first pitches and were out.
Hinske took 3 pitches.Price is at 85 pitches after 6.
“Can he really just not pitch under any kinda of real pressure?”
These kind of questions can’t be for real.
The you gotta believe banners up at the Homedome? Tigers beaten again by the White Sox spoilers and Minn winning. One game back with two to play. What’s the chances now of a tie?
Jon Locke, when I took in the inanity of your posts tonight, I had to ask myself, “How could this NOT be a mental thing?”
But I’m also willing to believe that you were just due for a bad outing.
Nice work by Bruney
Good thing-
Bruney had a 1-2-3 inning!
# Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing October 2nd, 2009 at 9:59 pm
“Can he really just not pitch under any kinda of real pressure?”
These kind of questions can’t be for real.
___________________
And why not? Enlighten me. Maybe I’m missing something in his career that would indicate he can win a big game in October.
Let me get this straight – only Bruney has succeeded in going 1-2-3??
I see the Rays are back to their comfortable role of playing their World Series against the Yankees in late September. If they had shown half this much desire all season they wouldn’t be 20-some games back right now.
That was a good Bruney inning. Yay.
Jon locke-
You are missing something big in CC’s career to indicate that he can win a big game in October. You are overlooking his actually career stats.
But if you want to believe that a lousy start in a virtually meaningless game a week before the playoffs is a great indicator of how he will pitch in the playoffs. By all means, be my guest.
I think you can try much harder to find better things to worry about
“And why not? Enlighten me. Maybe I’m missing something in his career that would indicate he can win a big game in October.”
***************************
Just as I’m missing the huge sample size that says that he can’t do it. Seems pretty even of bad and good to me – and not a big enough disparity to making categorical statements like he can’t pitch under pressure or in big October games. I seem to remember the Yankees being knocked out by the Indians last time they were in the postseason.
Grr- I got so worked up I typoed my first sentance-
Should read “You are overlooking his actual career stats”
I wish Nick would ask if anyone is about to take a drink of anything before he posts.
Moutain Dew going down the wrong way is more unpleasant than this game.
Mountain… *sigh* I blame Erica for that, only because GB7 isn’t around to blame.
Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Mountain… *sigh* I blame Erica for that, only because GB7 isn’t around to blame.
*****
I accept blame.
Not sure what I did, but I accept it
Because you typoed just before I did, and when GB7 is around it’s catching.
How’d Robertson look? Thanks!
I have an excuse though.. my face was still resuming normal color from purple after my sputters, so my vision was impaired.
Just tuned in when the score was 11-1. Forgot to set the DVR, fortunately lol. As long as Tex is okay, I just see this as one of those games. Looks like David Price was really on. It was interesting to hear Kay and Cone’s comments about the premium value teams are putting on developing young pitching, and it’s exciting to think that the Yankees are doing just that. It’s even more exciting to think that this time next week, they’ll actually be playing in the ALDS. Oh, and GO TWINS lol (unless and until they make the postseason and then it’s business as usual, Twinkies).
Sam: Sorry I didn’t post this earlier, but a big welcome to you and to Chad. It’s great to have the two of you taking over for Pete. Thanks to both of you for stepping up to keep this awesome blog going.
Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Because you typoed just before I did, and when GB7 is around it’s catching.
*****
Gotcha. I usually only typo under the following circumstances:
1) I am at work and rushing cause I need to pretend to be working
2) I am really irritated and thinking the thoughts faster than my fingers can type them
3) I am too tired to see straight at what I am typing
So I think its safe to say Greinke is the CY Young.. Correct?
Hey fellas,
I didn’t watch tonight’s game. How would you say CC looked tonight? Is he hurt? Did he look tired? Was he testing different pitches? What the hell happened tonight?
I do it when I’m multitasking.
When I’m infuriated and I type faster than I can think the words.
And when I’m wondering if I need a life alert chain while I’m posting comments because of my poor ability to multitask which has dangerous potential when I’m drinking and laughing at something.
If I’m tired, I just stop posting.. usually because I’ve fallen asleep in my chair, lol.
“So I think its safe to say Greinke is the CY Young.. Correct?”
LOL
He didn’t have it tonight at all, Peter Rabbit.
He was as done as one of Mrs MacGregor’s rabbit pies.
Angel-
I still win. I am watching the Yankees, Cougar Town and typing here all at the same time
I’m not the least bit worried, this game is “Fall Training” for getting ready for the playoffs. I wouldn’t doubt Sabathia was trying a few wrinkles with his pitches to see how they worked.
These guys know what is coming up, these games mean very little to them.
It’s hard to play hard, or stay focused, when you have accomplished all you wanted to accomplish for the regular season.
I thinks so, Christina. I never really thought he’d get it anyway, although 20 wins might have got him a few more votes, I think Greinke pretty much has it.
Cougar Town? That’s a show?
Of course you win, you’re doing all of that AND you’ve managed to not have a life alert moment.
Hey look!!!
The rookie got a home run
Yay Juan. Maybe we should of had him as the DH.
Christina
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Cougar Town? That’s a show?
*****
Yup. With Courtney Cox. Wednesdays at 9:30.
I have to watch it online cause it conflicts on my DVR with Law and Order SVU and Glee.
Have I ever mentioned my TV habit?
A BOMB by Miranda!
Miranda has ridiculous left-handed power.
Just ridiculous. And he’s not just a long swing guy – he can really make contact and hit the ball all over the park. But man, that swing was made for Yankee Stadium.
Surely we can find a spot on the bench, and at occasional DH and seldom-use at 1B for him next season.
The bat’s the thing; I don’t want to see this guy go.
Duncan really needs to try swinging harder….
Rookie HRs that go that far are very rare, this kid is just as talented as Kendry Morales, he’ll prbly be a big reason the Yankees ponder about Matsui-san.
So do they not like Miranda because they didn’t ignore him?
Mirada would hit 25+ hr in Yankee stadium
Sam,
Do we have to see your photos everyday and everywhere in here? Just kidding!
I believe they said Miranda is a free agent after this season or maybe it is next season. He will get a long look in spring training unless he needs to be signed to a major league deal.
High-five Knicks on Miranda.
Let’s hope Cash is smart and keeps him on the 40 man. Would hate gift-wrap that bat.
JK
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Mirada would hit 25+ hr in Yankee stadium
====
Oh, if he were the regular DH – done.
Oh my god…I just realized that’s Hughes on the mound. CC sucked. Hughes is sucking. WHAT GAME ARE WE WATCHING OMG. *kills self*
Angel – A tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Yay Juan. Maybe we should of had him as the DH.
======
That bat makes me drool. He would be a terror as the DH. He’s a born hitter, and born to club the ball over that short porch. He also has power to all fields.
A devastating bat idling away.
He Cash! I don’t care if he can’t technically play a position. I have a position for him: batter’s box!
Why is Phil even in this game?
Serf- Its called a meangingless game in October.
So Bruney has had the best night on the mound so far?
“High-five Knicks on Miranda.
Let’s hope Cash is smart and keeps him on the 40 man. Would hate gift-wrap that bat.”
That’s the type of bat you don’t just give away. He’s not just all power, he works the count, hits to all fields, and that power in YS, can you imagine 4 – 4 btm of the 8th and his bat coming off the bench? Being 26 and no more than what 2 – 3 mil.
Yeah, it would have been nice to see a bit more of him. His bat is certainly very nice indeed, Bodhi.
Hmm, Phil struggled there……..but it is hard to get emotionally into a 12-3 game. Still, I’ll bet he’ll be disappointed in himself. What a dreadful game all around.
“He Cash! I don’t care if he can’t technically play a position. I have a position for him: batter’s box!”
That has to be the quote of the night concerning Juan Miranda & 2011.
To keep him fresh.
He’ll likely pitch on Sunday, and then he won’t see the mound until Wednesday.
No that Phil has given up a run, can he shave the “lucky” (re: disgusting) stache?
Meaningless, but I’m a stat freak. I want Hughes going into the playoffs and hearing the other teams broadcasters saying how awesome Hughes has been this year.
pat
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:43 pm
So Bruney has had the best night on the mound so far?
****
Yeah…..
Its been THAT kind of night
On the other hand, I am glad I put Bruney on my postseason roster
I wish Miranda could play some OF? Or can he?
He could take Hinske’s spot.
Chad J. was actually talking up some Miranda possibilities a few nights ago.
*Now ( not no)
Dave, Phil needs the work………….
NYY626 – AL EAST CHAMPS!
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
No that Phil has given up a run, can he shave the “lucky” (re: disgusting) stache?
****
Is that what that was??? I thought maybe he had lip fungus
LOL. Cheeseburger, Cola Sabathia in fine October form as usual.
Serf, they still will……one bad outing in a blowout doesn’t mean anything. Still, everyone stank tonight……not pleasant at all.
“I wish Miranda could play some OF? Or can he?”
He can play RF a bit I guess. Somewhere in Queens you can bet Omar Minaya is paying close attention.
Is that what that was??? I thought maybe he had lip fungus
________________________________________________________________
I think I might rather it be a fungus than to know that he is voluntarily ruining his face
So it looks like AJ has insisted on Molina.
Looks like Cervelli is on roster.
10 pitchers, no joba or gaudin.
15 players inc. guzman, no pena unless hairston can’t go.
Final?
That’s the type of bat you don’t just give away. He’s not just all power, he works the count, hits to all fields, and that power in YS, can you imagine 4 – 4 btm of the 8th and his bat coming off the bench? Being 26 and no more than what 2 – 3 mil.
====
One scout was asked if they bought his age…they said ‘Do you really think he’s 26? And the scout said, ‘hell, I don’t care if he’s 36….that guy has 30 HR power RIGHT NOW.”
He does all of that as a hitter, and when he overcame his nemesis – hitting LHP, which was just a matter of time – he because serious business.
I hope Cash agrees with us. IMO you can never have enough left-handed slug if you’re the Yankees, and with a bat like that….well, the imagination soars, doesn’t it?
Somebody dubbed him “Juan & Gone…” Classic.
Sam needs to get Phil to explain why he insists on that growth on his upper lip – he looks like a dirty old man, lol.
Did Robertson pitch tonight? Did he look like he should be put on the post-season roster? 2 appearances before the post-season doesn’t give me much confidence that he can get it done in a big spot – he’s not pitched basically in a long time.
Mick, you have no proof that AJ “insisted” on Molina……..
Is this a mildly unsettling loss? I hate to admit it, but yes
Bronx Jeers
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I wish Miranda could play some OF? Or can he?
He could take Hinske’s spot.
Chad J. was actually talking up some Miranda possibilities a few nights ago.
=====
LOL. Depends on your definition of “could”. Can Adam Dunn play the OF?
I guess you might say, if he can hit 30 HR, he “could” play “some” OF.
Heh heh…
There went Phil’s sub 3.0 ERA. Still amazing, though.
Miranda with major league protection would do damage in the majors. He has big lefty power and is very patient
It is clear AJ has decided on Molina.
That might limit him to game 3.
Would actually prefer Andy in a pivotal game 3.
Andy would then get games 2 & 5 instead of AJ.
Otherwise AJ in 2 & 5 and No Matsui? Best clutch hitter IMO.
Not sure I like it.
One run brought his ERA up over 3.00? Aaww, oh well. He may get into the game on Sunday – we can’t have him going into the first ALDS game with too much rest.
One run brought his ERA up over 3.00? Aaww, oh well. He may get into the game on Sunday – we can’t have him going into the first ALDS game with too much rest.
Twins tried coasting with a 10-0 lead, but, KC has scored 5 runs and have the bases loaded with 1 out in the 8th inning.
Robertson gave up 2 hits and a run
It’s not clear to me, Mick……..and AJ doesn’t get to decide anything, no player does.
Just conjecture Betsy. Thinking out loud. What do you think?
Joe, thanks……..I can’t say I’m surprised as the guy has every right to be rusty, but it’s not very encouraging.
If Girardi does decide to go with Molina and AJ in the playoffs… you have to figure he made that determination after consulting Burnett. A manager isin’t just going to take his #5 hitter out of the lineup for an inferior player in the postseason.
Nothing has been decided, and if such a decision is made, it’ll be the staff that did it.
If they didn’t make the switch when it was clear that CC & AJ weren’t on the same page then they’re not going to do it now just because.
Where is the great SJ?
Has anybody heard from him?
Did he leave with Pete for Boston?
I need to know.
Mick, I don’t know…….maybe I’m in denial. I really think it would be a bad move if Joe decided on Molina for AJ………
Get Kim Jones on the case.
Is Tex hurt?
It is unsettling that CC got lit up 1 start before the playoffs, the offense has been cold for a while, and the relievers are kind of bleh.
But get the slump out of our system now before next week….
JK
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Miranda with major league protection would do damage in the majors. He has big lefty power and is very patient
————————————————————
Miranda is a defensive disaster at the only position that he can play and strikes out a ton. Would you like to discuss his problems with left handed pitchers. Jorge Vazquez is the same thing from the right side. He can’t hit right handers, nor can he play defense. He doesn’t walk at all, but, neither does he strike out. NYY is better off keeping Matsui and moving Miranda to another team.
Things are falling apart in Minnesota. Tying run at the plate…
Looks like no one is winning 20 this year. Wainwrights pen failed him.
Sam got an email from SJ. He’s alive and well. The most interestng man in the world was serving up cervezas to the IOC. Stop worrying, he said he’ll be back for the playoffs. He said he’ll be behind home plate with the silk handkerchief in the breas pocket.
The team is on cruise control now. They will turn the switch on when the playoffs start. \
Minny score?
10-7, 2 men on, 4 outs to go.
sorry about the typos. stiff keys. 3 outs to go.
Thank you M.
Since the demise of Pete, SJ has been scarce.
REZ, that’s a dangerous game to play. This team doesn’t have the resume that other Yankee teams do. Mo and Andy do, of course, and so do Jeter and Posada, but even the latter two have struggled in recent playoffs. Heaven knows this is the best Yankee team in years, but they do have a lot to prove in the playoffs.
Just like AJ can make everyone forget about his mediocre regular season with a strong postseason and can be the toast of the town if he pitches a couple big games…. CC’s great regular season and good will with the media/fans can go up in smoke if he continues his poor postseason performances.
Was tonight a blip? Or sign of things to come?
“Minny score?”
http://tinyurl.com/yze4akt
CC was due for a bad start.. better now then in Game 1.
I’m going to guess that SJ and CB will be back for the playoffs.
GB7,
Agree he’s an orphaned bat with no real defensive pedigree, but he really has conquered the LHP issues.
He worked on it all off-season, and his numbers this year show virtually no difference batting vs. LHP and RHP:
.289/.364/.504 vs. lefties
.290/.371/.495 vs. righties
I also would find a way to get that bat into the lineup. His power is devastating. He’s a lefty. No brainer. Find him a spot – even if it’s off the bench.
Last time we lost with CC on the mound? In Tampa on July 28th.
Joba pitched a gem the next day. AJ pitched a gem the previous day
This game was over from the moment Texeria was drilled……
He said he’ll be behind home plate with the silk handkerchief in the breas pocket.
====
Lol. Another good reason to post here less and less.
Well, one thing is obvious. This Tampa Bay Devil Rays team was fired up. Looks like they were stewing ever since the last series.
But GB7 is correct, Pena was injured in the act of swinging. Hardly headhunting there.
Hopefully they got it out of their system.
But I hate that they punched us in the mouth, and we didn’t fight back.
Is it true SJ and Pete have never been seen together?
Maddon likes to stick it to us.
Makes him feel like a big league mgr.
They will get even.
If not this year then next.
“But I hate that they punched us in the mouth, and we didn’t fight back.”
Same here, m…
I was waiting for Anderson to run through the trash bag wall on that Mauer fly out.
Havent seen SJ for weeks….
Well, the team better snap out of it and find some intensity, or their playoff quest will be a short one. They probably thought they could turn it on in 06 and 07 too.
Maybe SJ has a life and doesn’t feel the need to post everyday on a Yankee blog?
People do work and have families, you know….
There is a conspiracy theory that Pete and SJ are the same person.
Dan I. Snap out of what ????
Like us?
Tex was nicked in the hand by that pitch. As crazy as it sounds. I think that threw the entire team off. No one expected it and they couldn’t do anything about it. Well revenge is best served cold.
Why should we fight back? The Rays are punks who are going home and have nothing to lose. The Yankees have bigger fish to fry and they can’t afford to brawl and get players hurt.
Pat M, why do you think the game was lost when Tex was hit?
This game had no redeeming value to it. Everyone pitched poorly (not encouraged by Robertson at all), including Phil (but no big deal), hit poorly…….Just an overall icky game. I can’t say I like how the team is hitting going into the playoffs.
Tonight was not the night for a fight.
Yanks were smart to not get sucked in.
Maddon would love to hurt us for the playoffs.
Girardi will take care of him.
SJ44 was in touch with Sam…he’ll be around for the playoffs.
Technically. this was a big game. Despite what he said outwardly, EVERY pitcher wants 20 wins. Girardi said all the “A” guys in the pen would be used, and he had a mostly A lineup. CC probably put too much pressure on himself to win 20 and came out too strong as a result. His command was all over the place.
If you look at his past playoff starts, and even other big games (opening day in BAL this yr), his always-excellent command suddenly becomes very shaky. Tonight we saw it again.
I don’t think the problem is that CC didn’t have intensity and treated this like a ST start… I think the problem was he treated this like a big game and wanted the 20 wins, as a result, he didn’t pitch well.
He wouldn;t be the first excellent pitcher to be less than average in big games…
What’s up with Joe? He seems sort of abrupt in the post-game show….
Who cares about the loser Rays. The Yanks have better things to worry about. The Rays have shown when they are not competitive they start with the Yanks and Sox(the big boys) for some excitement. They don’t know how to just lose with class. But it was totally uncalled for in what Price that nobody did.
Judging my Joe’s answer I think he thought it was intentional. Very short answer.
Betsy- He is angry that his first baseman was hit. And he knows his team can’t do anything about it.
LOL. I don’t mean literally fight back. You know, fight back. Everyone but Juan Miranda and Bruney folded like a cheap tent. Just kidding.
Joe could be abrupt because that was an embarrasing game, top to bottom.
It still wouldn’t surprise me if Burnett buzzes someone tomorrow.
What’s up with Joe?
————————–
That is how he acts when he is pissed and doesn’t want to answer the question. You could tell he was not happy about Tex getting hit, but wasn’t going to get into it.
Trevor- He pitches Sunday, and you can be sure he’ll tell AJ not to do anything. We have bigger fish to fry. Believe you me, I’d love if they were able to drill someone. But it isn’t worth someone on the Yankees getting hurt and missing any games in the post season. Let those moron rays enjoy golfing. We’ll have the last laugh.
Jen, that’s what I think, too………What a punk bunch of losers. I really worry about Tex in this series now…….the Rays actually seem like they want to hurt him
Minny wins. Now, they’re only 1 GB.
Girardi said that Tex was hit in his hand. I hope that it’s not bad and he can still play tomorrow. Girardi said that Tex wants to play in all 3 games.
Agreed, Jen…….AJ can’t worry about this. The fact is, the Rays are going home, lol. They can have their jollies now, but they are going home to a looooong off-season. AJ has to concentrate on prepping for his first post-season start, nothing else.
I just went to my first Tigers game after moving to the area…a devastating loss against the White Sox. The way I see it is, whether it’s the Tigers or Twins, we have nothing to worry about. The Tigers offense is practically non-existent outside of Miguel Cabrera…Ordonez is a ghost of his former self. They also have no pitching after Verlander, who will be totally exhausted just trying to pitch his team into the playoffs this Sunday – yes, I am throwing Edwin Jackson under the bus too.
I see nothing to fret about CC’s performance today – let him get some kinks out of his sytem – better now than next week. Our worst will still outperform the best from either AL Central teams.
Man…Zito just got smoked by a liner back through the box by Adrian Gonzales. It hit him just above the wrist and just below the elbow. He’s finished for the year. It raised a knot in about 5 seconds.
Well wow. Just tuned in to find that there was quite the lopsided score in Tampa. I had company all night and had no idea what teams were winning and which were losing. Unless any Yankee player got injured tonight I would think that people may be disappointed but are not at all worried.
Anyway, I just saw Trevor’s post since it was the last one here when I started to post. Isn’t AJ pitching Sunday?
At this point I see Minny is definitely going to make this weekend a thriller. I’m also happy to see that the Rocks are leading the Dodgers. May it last. I will now post the updates to the prediction charts.
Lots of balls hit up the middle and hitting pitchers this year. Particularly in the last week. WOW. Sad he seemed to have a really good season, tough way to end it.
Any payback will come on Sunday in the late innings by a pitcher not on the post season roster if they are thinking with their heads.
Bed time. Good night Yankee people!!
“I really worry about Tex in this series now”
Why?
“the Rays actually seem like they want to hurt him”
I’ll say, since they threw at his head. They’re 1 hit wonders anyway. Ignore them.
Really enjoying the blog. You guys are doing better then Pete.
Kay said that before the game the Rays were joking around saying that they will walk Tex in every at bat so that he doesn’t pass Pena in home runs. The fact that they are talking about it is pathetic and cause for a little concern on the Yanks part. If he did hit a homerun then Girardi better get him out of the game asap. lol
Yep it only missed his head cause he kinda shrugged his shoulders.
100 pitches of fun…
I know pathetic right.
Wow 100 pitches – that’s sad. I hope Tex hits one through the ceiling – what the heck? This is what they are reduced to? The Rays have an awful lot of talent, but they are an immature bunch of clowns with an awful lot to learn.
END OF THE SEASON WINS CHART
Uncle Ellsworth – 106
Saucy – 106
Swing Brett Gardner – 106
M – 106
L to the 2nd – 105
Rishi – 105
TJ – 105
Upstate Kate – 105
NYY626 – 105
Frank from Chatham – 105
The Cro – 105
Ed – 105
Vin – 104
Noreaster – 104
Fran – 104
Erica – 104
On the replay it showed the ball hitting him just below the crock of the arm and on the inside of the arm and not bone. X-rays coming. He was just regaining some speed, but, I doubt he ever gets back to 90 MPH again. Something went wrong in his career, somewhere. When he first came up, I thought he might be a left handed version of Maddux. Everything just fell apart.
How do the Tigers not sell out theses important games? Half of Comerica looks empty.
At least the Metrodome is full.
So the Tigers are putting their fate in the hands of someone named Alfredo Figaro with a 5 plus ERA tomorrow? Should I know who he is?
I say Go Freddy Garcia!
Sorry if this was already posted.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=mlb
hitting him just below the ***crook*** of the arm
Did I miss the interview with tex?
UPDATED 2009 YANKEE WINS PREDICTION CHART
(CURRENTLY STANDS AT 102 WINS)
Created on April 6, 2009
poster # of games
TOMPASS 124
S.O.S. 118
ROB THOMPSON 110
*RAYVT 107
#2 FOR PREZ 106
*ANGEL 105
PEL 105
BACKBENCH 105
*TOM B 104
DR. COX 104
TRISHA 103
VSPOT 103
KEVIN IN CT 102
NICK IN SF 102
YANKEESJTJ 102
GLOBAL WARMING 102
MG 102
THE PREDIKTER 101
*L-tothe2ND 101
LORI 100
MEL 100
TEX’S NEW BF 100
PATRICK 100
*ERICA 100
BARDOS 99
VIN 99
JENNIFER 99
ED 99
*NYY626 99
DT 99
*STEVE-B 99
LAURA 98
PETE ABE 98
RISHI 98
RUSSW210 98
CLAYB 98
DOREEN 98
RB15 98
TOM IN NJ 97
FRAN 97
S.A. 97
HOKIEHILL 97
UNCLE ELLSWORTH 97
GAYLE 96
PAT 96
WESTERNER99 96
PSYLUCK 96
STEVEB 96
MICHAEL KAY 96
JOHN IN OHIO 95
MARK 95
B-DAVE 94
*WAIT TIL THEY COME 94
* added 7/29 or later
Teixeira isn’t just going for the 40 homers….but, the RBI title and Bay had 1 tonight to close within 4. Alson, Bay is two homers back and Lind and Hill are about 3 back.
***Also***, Bay is two homers
So the Tigers are putting their fate in the hands of someone named Alfredo Figaro with a 5 plus ERA tomorrow? Should I know who he is?
—————————–
This is all you need to know.
“Alfredo Figaro will make his first start in three months in the thick of a pennant race on the next-to-last day of the regular season” LOL
no postgame comments or interviews?
great. miss pete already.
NEW POST