Game 1 schedule of events
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 06, 2009 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
3:00 p.m. Gates Open to the Public
3:10 p.m.-4:20 p.m. Yankees Hit
4:20 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Visitors Hit
5:42 p.m. Baseline Introductions
5:52 p.m. Giant Flag Introduction: West Point Cadets
5:53 p.m. Presentation of Colors: West Point Honor Guard
5:54 p.m. National Anthem: New York Pops Brass
5:58 p.m. Ceremonial First Pitch: Admiral Eric Olson, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command
6:02 p.m. Umpires and Managers to Home Plate
6:05 p.m. Yankees Take the Field
6:07 p.m. First Pitch
Go Chad!!!
Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Imagine if the Twins had a healthy Morneau?
The Tigers bullpen is terrible. I highly doubt they can go 3 shut out innings. Twins have a chance if they don’t give up anymore runs. I would love to see Rodney blow the game, he stinks.
6:08 p.m. First bridgejumper comment on LoHud if CC throws his first pitch for a ball.
People who regard Molina replacing Posada in the lineup as giving away “just a few ABs” have a fundamental misunderstanding of how Posada’s bat functions in the Yankees’ circular lineup, and how that relentless offense shortens opposing pitcher’s starts and helps wear out opposing BPs.
The whole basis of the Yankees’ superiority this season revolves around power pitching and a circular lineup with ridiculous OPS, lefties who can hit LHP, and switch hitters who present constant headaches for opposing managers.
That wear and tear, over the course of a series, is what the Yankees bring to trump their opponents. It’s also how they won 103 games.
The “few ABs” affect the whole lineup: Molina being an offensive cipher affects he who bats in front of him, and he who bats behind him. It also doesn’t allow the lineup to turn over, and doesn’t allow the dangerous lineup to get excess swipes. We don’t just overwhelm teams – we WEAR THEM DOWN and dealing with our lineup, over and over again, becomes too much for them.
I hope AJ is lights out – because when you remove Posada from the lineup, one can’t expect the Yankee offense to just take it in stride. The circle becomes a horseshoe – it’s not the same team.
Think of it this way: if it were such a trifle, just some gratuitous bat in an All-Mighty lineup, why would the Yankees be falling all over themselves to groom Montero as a catcher? Why wouldn’t they just let that kid work on his jacks as a DH and have Cervelli be the catcher?
OPS from the catcher is one of the things that separates the Yankees from their competition. If you don’t understand the value of that, you don’t understand what makes your own team a cut above.
Ronan Tynan?
Can’t wait! I’ll be there! I am sooo looking forward to this game and the post-season regardless of who we play!
Bronx Jeers
October 6th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
6:08 p.m. First bridgejumper comment on LoHud if CC throws his first pitch for a ball.
*****
6:30ish, if the Yankees fail to score in the first inning, offense is in a slump
Got a typo there Chad. Last one should read
6:07 p.m. Yankees begin whippin ass.
23 hours 1 minute until Game 1
71 hours 1 minute until Game 2 aka Judgement Day
What?!?!?! The national anthem by the New York Pops Brass?!?!?! I don’t like the Yankees chances, this is bad.
/resident bridge-jumpers
Bodhisatva- what is he Yankees record this year when Molina starts? How has their offense performed?
If Molina starting over Posada means the difference between good AJ and bad AJ, they need to do it. That’s the bottom line, Posada’s bat be damned.
im psyched for the game, cheering on the twinkies for the reason of starting pitching. i still think we can beat both teams in a maximum of 4 games
Posada isn’t just a good hitting catcher; he’s a good hitter-period. He has a .885 OPS. .885! That’s better than Jeter, Damon, Cano, Swisher, Matsui, and Melky. He has the third highest OPS on the team.
Ghost, The comment was that Posada doesn’t call for pitches in the dirt because he is afraid to NOT Posada doesn’t call pitches in the dirt because he is 37 years old and doesn’t move as well. Yeah, I’m sure Jorge really feels that way, lol.
Jorge is a gamer. He was rigtfully PO’d he is not catching him. But hey, so was Boggs when Hayes was starting. If they win it was the right call. If they don’t, you can be sure how much this will be second guessed.
Laird=Molina? LOL
Anyone that is going to the games at the stadium please lose your voice and make sure this stadium is LOUD. It will be very disappointing if on tv it is a library. Someone tell the suits in the legends seats they better make some noise also.
What day is this for?
bodhisattva, does it matter about wearing down a pitcher when your pitcher has already been worn down?
What happens if Burnett had Posada catching him and Burnett got rocked?
As I’ve asked before…
I wonder what it would take to pry Granderson away from the Tigers.
Thats right…blow up the bullpens.
DB, if Burnett falters in game two you can bet that Girardi will have a short hook and in will come Aceves and Molina will be pinch hit for by Posada his next time at bat,isn’t that the point of putting Cervelli on the roster. So at worst the Yankees will be losing Posada for 1 at bat in a bad game by Burnett and at best Burnett cruises and Jorge pinch hits for Molina late in the game if it’s close or if not he’s rested for game 3. With the Yankees bringing 3 catchers Girardi has the luxury of using Posada much in the same way he’s been using Gardner.
Oh, John in Ohio -
I don’t think that’s ever gonna happen. They love Granderson up there. But I hear ya!
Charlie
October 6th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Bodhisatva- what is he Yankees record this year when Molina starts? How has their offense performed?
If Molina starting over Posada means the difference between good AJ and bad AJ, they need to do it. That’s the bottom line, Posada’s bat be damned.
======
Your understanding of Posada’s role in the Yankee offense is superficial.
Molina catching one game shouldn’t be catastrophic, but it’s a compromise the Yankees shouldn’t have to make.
Molina’s biggest asset on this Yankee team during the season can essentially be summed up this way: his presence allowed Posada to rest and be refreshed for the postseason.
That’s right. Molina is an excellent defensive catcher – but Posada’s bat – not some separate entity that you see it as = is a critical component to the Yankee offense.
Without it, they are a fundamentally different – and weaker – team.
will military jets fly over the staduim. and thanks alot chad 4 this info
I see the point about Posada not being in the lineup changes the circular lineup aspect. If AJ pitches well because of comfort level, and keeps the hits and runs down, then it loses some of the importance of that 1 batter.
I know it wears them out, but its not like Posada can’t come into the lineup replacing Molina if it isn’t working early enough or if he goes 6 innings. That could end up being 2 or 3 AB’s.
Molina can hit the ball sometimes. Granted it is more likely an out, but he has hit doubles as well. If the other batters in that lineup do well enough it won’t be such a black hole.
I can’t say that I am wild about this move, but trying to put myself in Girardi’s mode of thinking, I would think that he has more concern about AJ doing well than about the offense. It is probably a close thing, but if the starter flops it is more likely that the game is lost, over the value to having one more bat that may hit or see a few more pitches.
Hey, catchers in the house.
In that situation, 1st & 3rd, 2 outs. Do you let the guy steal and avoid risking a throwing error that would let the man from 3rd score?
Sean Serritella
October 6th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
bodhisattva, does it matter about wearing down a pitcher when your pitcher has already been worn down?
What happens if Burnett had Posada catching him and Burnett got rocked?
====
Sorry, I’m not buying your premise that AJ will turn into Jaret Wright if Posada catches him, which is what your argument is based on.
The fact is, Molina’s catching Burnett, at least in Game 2.
If Girardi has any wisdom in him, he will tell AJ, after a successful start, great job, you got your postseason feet wet, Jorge will be catching you in Game 5 – he’s a starting catcher and that’s the way it’s gonna be.
bodhisattva -
Now, that’s interesting. Why did they bother to make sure Posada had rest if he’s not going to play every game in the post-season?
The only thing I can think of is they really didn’t anticipate this particular situation with AJ.
Again, I don’t like this decision. But, I do think that you do whatever you can do to strengthen your pitching in the short series.
Let’s see what happens in the longer series if they get there.
Also, this season has seen an interesting pattern. When the starter is bad, the entire game goes bad. They all decide to stink on the same day, as if they’ve decided it’s a lost cause anyway, so let’s get it out of our system. So, you do what you can to keep your most volatile starter solid.
Doreen,
I think Jorge was resting towards the end more because of the neck/trap issue than actual “rest”.
What inning will the Tigers pen blow it?
anyone know how much of this is actually going to be televised?
You know… I like the anthem sung, not played.
It’s the lyrics that represent the United States. The music is actually borrowed from an old popular British drinking song.
So to recap:
Lyrics & music together = National Anthem
Lyrics only / sung a capella = National Anthem
Music only/ sans vocals = British drinking song
Tiger’s bullpen is toast …… can the Twins bring them to NY?
Leyland is taking a big risk here. He should bring in the lefty for the lefty batters.
Shoulda bunted…
The Tigers have been lucky in this game. They should be losing right now.
They blew it !
so Yanks vs Twins tomorrow.
Wow!
Great Jeter article in New York Magazine
http://nymag.com/news/sports/59690/
Doreen
October 6th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
bodhisattva -
Now, that’s interesting. Why did they bother to make sure Posada had rest if he’s not going to play every game in the post-season?
The only thing I can think of is they really didn’t anticipate this particular situation with AJ.
Again, I don’t like this decision. But, I do think that you do whatever you can do to strengthen your pitching in the short series.
Let’s see what happens in the longer series if they get there.
=======
Can’t remember who said it, but I agree that Girardi might have pre-empted the trouble we face now by giving AJ a mono-diet of Posada earlier, after the latter’s health issues were better resolved.
Bottom of the 7th.
4-3 minnisota
AJ Burnett could be Bob Gibson with me catching or he could be Jaret Wright with Yogi Berra catching. It depends on how AJ Burnett feels on that day. He can be that frustrating and he can be that great. The catcher has little to do with that.
The baggie is vibrating.
Vader
October 6th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
What inning will the Tigers pen blow it?
***
This one
Cabrera doing a little showboat around the bases?
He was like a little kid pretending he was an airplane… lol
And apparently that’s why one should prefer the Tigers.
And the “Metrodome Mania” “Metrodome Magic” cries of the broadcaster is another reason why one should NOT prefer the Twins.
remind me why we want to play the twins?
Like I just said about the Tigers relievers…
Leyland looks like he wants to smoke a whole pack of Marlboro’s right now.
Will they be saying Orlando F’n Cabrera for the next 20 years in Detroit?
Chad
Nice picture, but where’s the ball glove?
Man do those Tigers suck !
I guess a bunt would have moved them up a base but a HR put them up a run.
m -
I was talking more about the consistent rest during the season, when he wasn’t nursing one minor injury or another, not to mention the one that put him on the DL. But, yeah, getting hurt in that stupid fight in September did not help this situation.
Twinkies are a team of destiny… we’re walking into the Lions den if we face them.
With the Yankees bringing 3 catchers Girardi has the luxury of using Posada much in the same way he’s been using Gardner.
=====
Ghost,
Is it supposed to give one comfort, that Girardi can use Jorge Posada, he of the 160 OPS+ at home, how he’s been using Gardner?
Or were you just tweaking the board?
Doreen,
Sorry. I don’t want to face Verlander or Jackson (who can be lights out and has pitched us tough). Porcello we can handle. Even if it means roughing him up on his way to the park.
Seems like whichever team wins, the Yankees have to deal with a Cabrera, huh?
GB, You still here old buddy ??? Twins are not going away
The Twins- no power pitching. Tigers- power pitching.
Power pitching can shut down any lineup. But the Tigers pe sucks.
The Yankees should beat either of these teams plan and simple
“Twinkies are a team of destiny… we’re walking into the Lions den if we face them.”
and we shall slay thy lions with sword in hand
Why would anyone want to face this red-hot Twins team with their multidimensional offense, above average bullpen, and karma rather than a beat up, burnt out Tigers team?
Twins are VERY scary
Joe Nathan will see action before this game is through.
Doreen
October 6th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
m -
I was talking more about the consistent rest during the season, when he wasn’t nursing one minor injury or another, not to mention the one that put him on the DL. But, yeah, getting hurt in that stupid fight in September did not help this situation.
====
Yes, those were isolated. I was suggesting Girardi should have made a greater attempt to get them on the same page.
This blows.
108 stitches
October 6th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Joe Nathan will see action before this game is through.
===
Dude,
I hope I am still watching this game in two hours
.
any news on the twins starter for tomorrow if they win tonight?
Kev 54 October 6th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Why would anyone want to face this red-hot Twins team with their multidimensional offense, above average bullpen, and karma rather than a beat up, burnt out Tigers team?
Twins are VERY scary
Pitching.
what is the twin rotation lining up to be?…pavano game 1 or 2?
bod…one run, anything can happen…I’m hoping for extras.
Kev 54
October 6th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Why would anyone want to face this red-hot Twins team with their multidimensional offense, above average bullpen, and karma rather than a beat up, burnt out Tigers team?
Twins are VERY scary
====
Yeah?
Think how scared their pitchers will be when they read the Yankees’ lineup card – especially for Game 1
Did not expect a Twins victory.
m -
I’m on record as saying I either want to play the Royals or the loser of this game.
I’m trying to think positive – that the Yankees can and will beat either of these teams and it won’t matter.
m, The Tigers lost 76 games with those 3 …..They are not a good team…..Twins virtually revamped their rotation in June and they have depth…..
Can we stop this “team of destiny/law of averages/karma” nonsense and face the facts?
Tigers – Verlander, Jackson, Porcello. All throw 94+. First 2 guys can throw 100 MPH. Porcello is a power sinker guy. Jackson/Verlander have pitched very well against us this yr.
Twins – Baker, Duinsing, Pavano, Blackburn. All slider-speed guys.
You’d love an extra innings game, but it seems as if the bullpen’s going to get used today anyway.
I’ve changed my mind. Short game means that the Yankees can focus on and prepare for their opponent that much sooner.
“Twinkies are a team of destiny… we’re walking into the Lions den if we face them.”
that place is a zoo.
And now the Tigers bring in a real Lyon.
Pat M.
October 6th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
GB, You still here old buddy ??? Twins are not going away
————————————————————
The Twins have a lot of LA Angels in them, as far as the things that they can do. They don’t have that kind of talent, but, they sure play like they do. Gardenhire manages a lot like Sciosca, too.
bodhisattva, you are discounting the fact that Burnett has been incredibly erratic this year and has pitched decent for the past couple of weeks with Molina as his catcher. Sorry, but Girardi is right. The dude is a head case, it’s like they just dyed Mussina’s hair blonde. It’s more important to the team to have Burnett pitch well than have Posada in the lineup. If Burnett has a bad game with Posada behind the plate, unless he can come up with 5 rbi, he’s not going to make up for Burnett. I’ll take the odds of Burnett pitching well with Molina catching over Posada having a monster game.
What a difference some innings make!
I left and the Tigers had a 3-0 lead. I hated that I had no radio in the car!
I’ll be there tomorrow baby!
And I think the guy pitching for the Twins tomorrow (if they win) is a guy named “Manship.” Sounds like a euphemism for something, but i won’t go there….
Carl-
Two words…Justin Verlander
The Twins don’t have a single starting pitcher that can dominate a lineup. Both teams have their strengths and their things they do well. If they didn’t..they wouldn’t be battling for a playoff spot right now. I’ll take my chances with the Twins. We’ve been shut down by power pitching the last 2 times we’ve been in the postseason.
ralphie,
Their rotation is up in the air for now.
They can lineup Dunsing, the rookie, tomorrow. Or go to Blackburn on 3 days rest.
If they go Blackburn, I assume they skip Dunsing and go Pavano on normal rest in game 2 and baker in game 3.
If they go Dunsing, they’ll go Pavano, then Blackburn.
Big question is what they do tomorrow.
Hey bod! You know how I feel about the karma thing. If the Twins pull this game out, I will call it Maglio Ordonez karma!
When CC gives up 1 run in 8 and Marino goes 1-2-3 and the yanks offense puts up 8 runs it will not matter who we are playing
I haven’t always been a Girardi fan but he wouldn’t do this unless he felt he had to.Burnett is obviously uncomfortable with Posada catching him.And whether you feel like it is right or wrong….it just is.
Pat,
Verlander (19)
Porcello (14)
Jackson (13)
46 wins between the 3 Detroit starters. 61% of their wins.
()*$)(@*
Go Tigers!!!!!
the Yankees went 3-15 down the stretch and still won the World Series that year without even a hiccup so you never know the Tigers could turn it around if they made the playoffs
Trish,
MAGS & MARIO LEMIEUX – SEPARATED AT BIRTH!
extra innings hahahaah
tie game!!
extra inning!!!
Woo Hoo . There’s my tie!
There ya go!
m -
That pesky Ordonez.
magglio karma?
Jeremy, I admire you for sticking to your conviction about power arms…..They lost 76 games this season, and Leyland has riden those power arms all season, especially the past 4-5 starts……Jeremy, start viewing the game in multidemensional layers, you’ll get a better understanding of the game
All tied up
Detroit’s back in it
4-4
“In that situation, 1st & 3rd, 2 outs. Do you let the guy steal and avoid risking a throwing error that would let the man from 3rd score?”
m-
i didn’t see the play or who was running or the jump he got, but once you get past little league the catcher should be able to throw to second base and have it get back in time to get the runner at home.
the ss of 2nd baseman will cut off the ball before second base and throw to home.
what did the catcher do?
the runner should not be able to score if this is done right.
Please go into extra innings
Please go into extra innings
Please go into extra innings
Please go into extra innings
Please go into extra innings
Every time one team scores, I hope the other one wins. I am really good at being indecisive
“# Bronx Jeers October 6th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
You know… I like the anthem sung, not played.
It’s the lyrics that represent the United States. The music is actually borrowed from an old popular British drinking song.
So to recap:
Lyrics & music together = National Anthem
Lyrics only / sung a capella = National Anthem
Music only/ sans vocals = British drinking song”
______________________________________
While the origin of the tune is a British drinking song, that is so far lost in the past that it has become as much a symbol for the US as the words of the Anthem.
Most people sing the Anthem wrong anyway. It seems to some that vocal antics are more favored to a point where it sounds like they are trying to find the note.
The one part that is almost always sung wrong is Banner (as in Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave). The wrong way is they “climb the ladder to the high note adding an extra note, which diminishes the effect of the high note.
If it is played by a band it is never played wrong.
It just drives me crazy that so few people seem to know how to actually sing our National Anthem. Fewer still know that there is more than one verse. Most can sort of sing it, but can’t recite the words.
There are four verses. (Two additional are sometimes added, but aren’t part of Francis Scott Key’s work.)
Gardenhire already said Duensing would get the ball for Game 1 if the Twins advance
Can you say extras!
This could be one of those “last team to score games”.
Welcome Chad!! Glad you are on board
that’s the great thing about baseball. The games that start out really boring get really exciting an hour later!
NYY626
October 6th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Every time one team scores, I hope the other one wins. I am really good at being indecisive
*****
Deciding to be indecisive is making a decision
Amazing that three years in a row we’ve gotten a one game playoff and all three games have been close scores.
“Will they be saying Orlando F’n Cabrera for the next 20 years in Detroit?”
Nah, Detroit has bigger things to worry about.
This one is going 17! Count on it.
Could the timing have been worse?????
Okay, so now to make sense of it, I will say that the Twins will pull it out and Ordonez’s homer was just to tantalize…
And wait a minute, I forgot about Kenny Rogers karma.
I just thought of a reason I want Detroit to win-
The turf in the Metrodome would be hard on MPB Johnny Damon
NYY626, I’m with you on that. I used to never worry about a divisional opponent but that was when I could remember getting out of the first round
if its the tigers lets hope there is a stocked mini bar in miguel cabrera’s hotel room
You forgot to mention:
Around 8:30PM: Ronan Tynan sings the “we’re more patriotic than you are” version of God Bless America.
Deciding to be indecisive is making a decision
________________________________________________________________
Haha I might have to make this my new motto in life!
spare a thought for poor Pete Abe
no one in Red Sox Nation has a sense of humor
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....rentPage=1
Also, apparently Brett Gardner left a comment.
“MAGS & MARIO LEMIEUX – SEPARATED AT BIRTH!”
“You know how I feel about the karma thing. If the Twins pull this game out, I will call it Maglio Ordonez karma!”
if thats right, wouldn’t the yankees be in trouble with arod and pettitte karma ?
does anyone thinks the Yanks are somewhere in NYC eating dinner while watching the game, hoping either team tear each other apart?
2 innings for Nathan? Hmmm…..verrrrry interrrrrresting.
randy, I was thinking that the arod and pettitte karma had already been paid back…
When did Magglio Ordonez cut the mop off his head??
“The turf in the Metrodome would be hard on MPB Johnny Damon”
yes, but in a dome he would stay dry and warm.
Will Gardenhire be 2nd guess for not going 2 with Nathan? If Girardi didn’t have Hughes, I think he would have gone 2 with Mo.
oh please let this twins-tigers game go extra innings
randy l,
Granderson at 1st. An error would’ve meant a difference between being down by 1 or down by 2.
NYY626
October 6th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Deciding to be indecisive is making a decision
________________________________________________________________
Haha I might have to make this my new motto in life!
*****
Go for it. I am very wise
How much does the astro turf affect the Yankees play or is it not a consideration. I know it affects Damon and Matsui because of the bad knees. But does the bounce, etc affect the visiting team. I strongly dislike the artificial turf.
The Ghost October 6th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
NYY626, I’m with you on that. I used to never worry about a divisional opponent but that was when I could remember getting out of the first round
________________________________________________________________
Ouch!
I forgot how exciting playoff baseball is- when you have to remind yourself to breathe before every pitch.
I can’t wait for tomorrow!!!!!!
lol, NYY626 being indecisive about his new motto
I don’t care how hot or good the Twins are……..they aren’t as good as the Yankees. If the Yankees lose to the Twins or Tigers in the first round, it will be an embarrassment.
The Ghost
October 6th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
lol, NYY626 being indecisive about his new motto
****
She’s a girl
This umpire has been squeezing the Twins all night.
‘Hail, Columbia’ is a better song.
Woohoo! Nathan in for 5 outs. Good news for the Yanks. Let’s hope this goes 16 innings.
The baserunner at 2nd looks a little like Bernie Williams.
Got home late and getting up to speed.
I can’t tell you how happy I am that the score’s tied in the 8th. Here’ hoping for 8 more innings.
It’s a great game, though. Jim Leyland and Ron Gardenhire are two of the best managers in the game, in my opinion. They are professional, baseball lifers, who know the game and how to manage not only a team, but a game. This is a great game for someone new to baseball to watch.
Bodhi’s post, from a lot earlier, is pretty good, about how Molina catching Burnett weakens the Yankees’ lineup. I understand the tradeoff that Girardi is making, but it really does make a big difference. Darn right, that’s why they’re going to give Jesus Montero every chance at catching.
Thanks, Chad, for posting the lineup of events for tomorrow. Now I can really tell my wife why we have to be there early. Here’s hoping she listens
.
I think this is going to be an awesome post season. No dominant teams, all the teams are scrappy and all the managers are good.
Does anyone know what happened to SJ44 and CB?
Really now, if we can’t beat either of these teams after they go through a play-off game tonight do we deserve to win? In a word, NO! We will beat either of two terrible “T”s. Both teams have good players, we have better players.
“How much does the astro turf affect the Yankees play or is it not a consideration. I know it affects Damon and Matsui because of the bad knees. But does the bounce, etc affect the visiting team. I strongly dislike the artificial turf.”
To me, the biggest aspect of the turf is the way the ball plays off it. On turf, fielders with more range will be a necessity. Which also means defensive positioning becomes important. Think Jeter has improved his range up the middle? He’s less likely to get to those balls on turf. Gardner may even get a start or two in Minnesota.
bad managing, why bring in Nathan for 5 outs with the game tied when he could have brought him for 6 with the lead?
:-/ sorry NYY626
This umpire has been squeezing the strike zone on both sides all night.
I never liked that Nathan…………such a hotdog!!
Todd
October 6th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I never liked that Nathan…………such a hotdog!!
****
This is why I’d rather the Yankees face Gardenhire. If he was prepared to bring Nathan in for the 8th if his relievers got in trouble, why the hell not bring him in for the 8th to begin with. He’s a good manager but when it comes to crunch time he doesn’t have that killer instinct.
so excited!
Nathan has gotten 6 outs once this season. And 4 outs twice. All other appearances were for 3 outs or less.
If the Yankees sweep the ALDS they really don’t need to worry about playing too long in the visitors ballpark, whichever one it ends up being.
Nasty pitch
The Ghost October 6th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
:-/ sorry NYY626
________________________________________________________________
LOL I forgive you
tear…each…other…apart!!!
For GB’s sake – I hope the Tigers advance.
GB would be watching the ALDS muttering “@%&#!# bleepin Twins! – I hate you Twins!”
Those poor little great-grandkid would be scarred for life.
Once again conventional wisdom is doing a hatchet job on a manager and his teams chances to win.
In a very tight game with everything on the line the Twins finally take the lead.
And it’s very clear that the game is likely going to hinge on what happens in the top of the next inning. There’s just very little doubt. The tigers are a extremely poor hitting team and the only area that the opposition has to worry about is the middle of their line up – especially Cabrera.
The idea that Gardenhire didn’t bring Nathan to pitch the to the only dangerous part of the tigers order in the top of the 8th of a one game playoff is just hard to imagine. Just very difficult to believe how wedded someone can be to straight jacket thinking.
And it’s once again remarkably ironic that a manager brings his closer into a game not when his team had a lead to protect – but only after that lead has been blown.
It’s so short sighted and cliche it’s just really hard to believe.
Managers don’t have much impact on a game other than deciding which players should be on the field.
It’s remarkable how wrong they get it, especially with bull pens.
Eventually a manager will stop playing up to this silly conventional wisdom and he’ll be hailed a genius and for doing something that was as plain as sunlight all along.
Nathan looked like crap until he dropped the hammer on Laird
Eric….You are kidding right ???? Bringing in Nathan at this time virtually saved the game…..Man, is this a dress rehearshal for what to expect during the next 4 weeks ……
Sounds like a second guess in retrospect, but it should be obvious when the other team has the heart of the order up in the 8th inning, that is the time the game has to be saved, not the ninth facing the bottom of the order.
Will Ronen Tynan be in the house to sing G-D Bless America?
CB,
Glad to see you’re still posting here. I haven’t seen SJ44 in a while. Is he still posting?
Just thought of a new LoHud game idea (I apologize if it’s been discussed before):
Yankees Post-Season Record Predictions.
There’s plenty of combinations and people will be getting eliminated after every game. We’ll have to really go out on a limb, instead of taking the Sterling route of “You can’t predict baseball. You just can’t.”
I’m too lazy to organize this, but I nominate Erica or Trisha. They’re obviously the most qualified. Anyone else want to play?
The sad part about Molina’s grand slam against the Tigers (which bumped the score from 6-0 to 10-0) isn’t so much that it was his only HR of the year but that it represented 44% of his RBIs (4 out of 11).
CB livessssss!
CB, You’re hanging around for the playoffs ???
Sorry make that 36%
@ Pat M– OF COURSE, you bring Nathan in there, im saying he should have brought him in for 6. Why mess around with the heart of the order up.
Abdababdaserser
October 6th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I see the point about Posada not being in the lineup changes the circular lineup aspect. If AJ pitches well because of comfort level, and keeps the hits and runs down, then it loses some of the importance of that 1 batter.
I know it wears them out, but its not like Posada can’t come into the lineup replacing Molina if it isn’t working early enough or if he goes 6 innings. That could end up being 2 or 3 AB’s.
Molina can hit the ball sometimes. Granted it is more likely an out, but he has hit doubles as well. If the other batters in that lineup do well enough it won’t be such a black hole.
I can’t say that I am wild about this move, but trying to put myself in Girardi’s mode of thinking, I would think that he has more concern about AJ doing well than about the offense. It is probably a close thing, but if the starter flops it is more likely that the game is lost, over the value to having one more bat that may hit or see a few more pitches.
========
I accept that AJ is being caught by Molina on Friday.
But you can’t look at Posada’s ABs in isolation. And 2 or 3 ABs are significant, in a playoff game, and a single playoff game is signigicant, in a best-of-5 series.
If Posada hits a 3-run homer in his 2nd or third AB, that’s going to help AJ more than Molina, lol.
But beyond having a switch-hitter with left-handed power in the lineup for 3-5 ABs in Yankee Stadium, with its short porch in RF.
Molina batting ninth means we have a what, .220 RH hitter, in a park that does not favor RH hitters, and who has no power any way – instead of a .270 hitter (Cabrera), who is also a switch hitter.
Posada also gets replaced by Swisher, who is not the dangerous, professional hitter Posada is, and who is not going to provide Cano/Matsui with similar protection.
This is my whole point – people view Posada as an isolated bat in the lineup – but that’s not how baseball works, and it certainly is NOT how our lineup works.
Bohdisatva- your post demonstrates a superficial understanding of the importance of pitching. The Yankees have a fireballer capable of dominating a game, but also capable of imploding. In a playoff start, getting one over the other is more important than keeping the circular lineup intact, so the Yankees will make every choice they can to ensure a good start.
“randy, I was thinking that the arod and pettitte karma had already been paid back…”
you know what, i think you’re right
SJ, was here this afternoon, unless it was his imposter.
Eric, my comment was hastily written, I certainly didn’t intend to be judgemantal with at all….Your point is valid….Twins decided to roll the dice, and it failed….
Vader,
Thanks. I must have missed him.
Thanks, Vin for your response regarding artificial turf. Our infield is quite good and should not have a problem. Might make Tex’s glove a little more spectacular, tho.
That bunt play brought back nightmares. Reminded me of Joey Cora’s bunt on Mattingly in the ’95 playoffs.
How does a guy get a bunt single, then get pinch run for???????????????
bod, I definitely don’t view Posada that way but I am much more concerned about doing everything we can to have our starters bring their A game. We have all seen AJ implode and when he does it is not pretty. I doubt Jorge’s bat will make much of a difference if that happens since pitching wins championships for both sides.
I think Girardi made the right move, or at least the best of all evils if you want to look at it that way since AJ is unpredictable.
Another thing – if AJ has had more Ks with Molina behind the dish that’s another thing that works in favor of having Molina. The more hits someone allows, the more chances for the other team to score.
“you know what, i think you’re right
”
I’d say we’re an unmoveable force when we’re on the same page! He he he.
spare a thought for poor Pete Abe
no one in Red Sox Nation has a sense of humor
http://www.boston.com/sports/b…..rentPage=1
Also, apparently Brett Gardner left a comment.
__________________________________________
Man those Sox fans need to lighten up.
“Once again conventional wisdom is doing a hatchet job on a manager and his teams chances to win.”
Color me jaded but I really thought this post was going to be about Girardi. : lol:
I agree thoroughly. It’s like Christopher Columbus. Time to sail that ship cause the earth is not flat so why shouldn’t you have the best member of your pen pitch to the best hitters.
Imagine Girardi does it this postseason?
Can you say Nobel Prize?
You guys know Carl Pavano pitches game 2 and 5 if the Twins win right?
Or you still rooting for Verlander twice
Nathan is an amazing pitcher. Let’s hope it continues/lasts…
Trisha,
I just detailed why the circular lineup of the Yankees adversely affects the opponents’ pitching – starting and BP. That helps us outpitch the opponent.
It seems AJ will be indulged, so let’s hope that he wins the game for us, and personally, I would like to see Girardi pat his starter on the back, and then inform him that he’s a real playoff tried-and-true starter who can pitch to anyone, and that if the series goes to a Game 5 – he will be pitching to the team’s starting catcher, Jorge Posada.
Hopefully, we win Games 1 & 2, and then manage to win one on the road, precluding a winner-takes-all Game 5.
.
sure i guess id prob rather face detroit, but man i feel sorry for their fans right now
OH YEAH!!!
Nice job “Maggs”
i mean minn
This is an incredible game! I hope it goes 20 innings.
bod, my biggest fear has to do with AJ imploding. You know that always strengthens the skillset of the opposing pitcher!
Hey for me it’s all good. I don’t care if the Yankees use the clubhouse guy as long as they win! (And win they will.)
This game has been all sorts of awesome
Nick Punto will be the hero…
S.A.,
I agree! Fantastic game! It’s so much easier to enjoy a great back and forth game when you don’t care who wins.
Mauer gets the game winning hit?
Extra Innings! Just what we want to see.
hope it goes 18 innings
9:15 p.m. Celebrate victory
**********************************
timeline complete
i wonder how many extra this will go.