Live chat tomorrow
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Oct 07, 2009 
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Quite a day today with Yankees news and a marathon play-in game, but tomorrow figures to be even better. Remember to join Chad Jennings and me for a live chat at 12 p.m. – it’s been moved up a half hour – to get you set for Game 1 against the Twins. Go here to take part.
Wednesday is going to be a big day for the Yankees and on the blog. See you in the morning.
Thanks for a great day of coverage, Gentlemen — you were all fabulous.
Fantastic coverage. Welcome to NYC Chad.
I actually prefer this Emblem Health advertisement as opposed to the newly redesigned Lace and Stiletto ad…There’s just too much going on.
Call me a traditionalist.
I have the Lace and Stilleto ad. I don’t care for it either; what good are silhouettes? This isn’t a James Bond movie opening sequence.
Actually I think Girardi had a great year. One miff all season, considering the high priced egos.
You know what they say, “A miff is as good as a mile”.
Had to repeat it, just because.
I think Girardi had a great year too. Hard to argue with success, and he’s already the most successful Yankee manager since Joe Torre.
Nice one Nick
Levels of sublety. It’s one of those “Patented Nick” doubletakes.
“I just hope we win that game. That’s all. That’s all I’ve got to say.” —
Oy Posada – What’s the alternative?
A whole bunch of ego.
Talk about handicapping yourself.
You didn’t even listen to the interview.
To me, Posada was taken out of context.
& sites like ESPN, make the guy look bad.
I dont know what is more bizarre…The fact that they guarantee “75 Gorgeous Dancers” or that they offer coupons.
Q: How do you know when we’re in an economic recession???
A: When strip-clubs start to offer coupons.
Back to baseball…
I feel like this AJ/Posada-gate scandal is totally encroaching on my Joba-to-the-pen obsession. We still haven’t settled that one! We can’t just brush it aside. This isn’t the “Free Tibet” Movement.
Twins haven’t taken off from Minny yet.
Maybe they heard all the bold predictions and just decided to stay home.
Good point, Zach.
And timely too, as President Obama still refuses to meet with the Cervelli Lama.
A simple, “I know Jose will do a good job back there” would’ve gone a long way…
Back there is not the problem.
Okaaay.
How about, “I’m sure Jose will do a good job.”
Twins haven’t taken off from Minny yet.
Maybe they heard all the bold predictions and just decided to stay home.
================
Pat,
The reason why the Twinkies haven’t taken off yet is because Brett Favre got jealous due to the lack of attention lately and decided to announce his retirement. Helicopters are currently clogging the airspace around Minny-St.Paul, thus causing massive delays. Oh wait, he changed his mind. He’s playing next week. The Twinkies are in the air.
This issue still has you on edge, m. I’m sorry.
We’re going to get through it.
What a strange story…
http://www.newsday.com/sports/.....-1.1505328
Zach
I figured the impoverished little small market team with the billionaire owner who couldn’t afford Santana was waiting for the expensive NYC hotels to hit early check-in hours so they could avoid paying an extra night for only a few hours stay but the Favre thing makes more sense.
again with Twitter
I’m trying to work a Larry Craig angle into this Minny airport delay, but I’m coming up empty.
Nick
There’s no need to bring potty humor into this discussion.
Is it bad that I don’t know who Larry Craig is? Did he get caught doing something naughty in the potty?
allegedly
I think they said “I’m sure he’ll do a good job back there” about him.
Ah, the politician.
Chad, Sam, & Josh-
Will you do predictions? Kepner says “shweep!”
Alliteration at past the witching hour.
Naughty in the Potty.
No need to continue – We have a winner.
Wait so the Twins haven’t left for New York yet ?
I guess they aren’t going to get any rest.
Okay, off the top of my head:
Yankees v. Angels
Phillies v. Cardinals
Well the deck is stacked in the Yanks favor…..Win two at The Stadium and it really reduces the Homerdome factor significantly……However Game 1 is always critical in a best of 5…..CC begins his October legacy in Pinstripes tomorrow…….
Damn, I don’t think it was alliteration.
Edit, Edit? No Edit.
m, I think the LA Dodgers surprise the Cardinals
Was that alliteration?
Bo Knows,
I didn’t have the heart to tell you…
Pat M,
You’re such an LA homer. Hopefully, the Yankees will still be playing when the Lakers begin their season.
Carpenter/Wainright/Holliday/Pujols is pretty potent…
I’m sorry but I think it’s going to be Sox vs. Yanks ALCS. I said if the Yankees get through the first round they would face the Red Sox. I don’t have confidence in the Angels beating the Sox.
This has to be the Yankee year. What are the odds that Posada and Rivera had the performance, post surgery, especially Posada. Burnett with no breakdown, Alex post hip, Jeter improving defensively. Cano and Baba Luis coming back. It was a great year.
I would almost be relieved if it wasn’t the Angels. Cross country travel + Rathole Stadium is not a winning formula.
Yankee year of yore? Yes! <— alliteration (lame attempt at)
m, Hey what’s with the LA Homer stuff ???? I watch them play 40-50 or so games..I also see the Angels ( I hate them )……UCLA Basketball & USC Football yes, but that goes back to when I was a kid living in NY……I’m still a NY fan at the Professional level…..Lakers I do pull for…..Hell m, I root for the NY/ NJ Red Bulls in Soccer as I do the WNBA Liberty……
Chaffed?????
Jeremy
Sorry. Should have updated the itinerary. ETA of 3 am into Newark.
It pains me to admit it. I actually googled alliteration, it’s the repeated consonants that got me.
But then again, I don’t greet the day with Kona and fresh pineapple.
I’m being let off lightly. Whew!
Anyway, tuck tail, slink off, stage left.
I hate it when I have to do that.
Good that means they won’t get to bed until at the earliest 4 am. I hope CC is tucked into his pinstriped sheets already. lol
pat
Yeah, thanks ! Well the Twins aren’t going to get any sleep.
Sabathia said he is ready for this start and he said he has learned a lot from the past postseason starts. He basically said that the games against Boston at Yankee Stadium and Fenway were postseason like games.
I think he will be dominant.
Nick in SF…..Role reversal in the span of 24 hours
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ent-614320
Here’s an interesting article that shows that the Yankees’ regular lineup has the “best worst hitter” in Melky Cabrera in terms of OPS. Melky’s OPS of .750, is 57 points higher than the average of .693 among the other 7 hitters (not including pitchers).
The Yankees’ offensive advantage becomes even more clear when comparing the 2nd worst hitters in each lineup. Cano’s .871 OPS is more than 100 points higher than the other 3 hitter’s average OPS in the AL.
UNFORTUNATELY, the Yankees have decided to give this advantage up during games when Burnett is pitching. Instead of having “the best worst hitter” the Yankees will send out “the worst worst hitter” in Jose Molina, whose .560 OPS is more than 130 points LOWER than the AVERAGE worst hitter on each team.
Instead of having Cano’s ridiculous advantage as the “best 2nd worst hitter”, Melky will be the “2nd worst 2nd worst hitter”, 20 points lower than the average in the AL.
You guys need to start a petition. Maybe the Yankees will change their minds before it’s too late. March around the Stadium with “S.o.S! Save our Season!” signs.
I get why people don’t like it, it goes against conventional wisdom.
But if the Yankees are fine with it, doesn’t that count for something? They aren’t a bunch of dummies.
And why haven’t the talking heads, writers, and analysts of the media panned the idea? Every analyst I’ve seen has picked the Yankees in this series. One writer called it over in 3 games. Where’s the reservation about Molina?
Molina’s not going to kill the Yankees.
m is chaffed too.
Okay, I found one. Ken Rosenthal. But he has us winning in 4.
Pat m,
Rosenthal has Rockies & Dodgies…
m, many here have forgotten more about baseball than numbnuts Rosenthal knows….Yeah Yeah he’s around the game, has locker room access, but he’s a writer not a ballplayer……
Pat m,
You can find a lot of dirt going through the doggie door of the clubhouse.
NY Times Tyler Kepner says Yankees in 3,LAA in 5,Phillies in 5,and Cards in 4
I still think that the Angels are going to choke to the Red Sox in the ALDS. The fact that they have Lackey going against Lester in Game 1 shows that the Angels are not taking this seriously. Lackey does not have the best postseason numbers against the Red Sox.
m, I would argue that point whats so ever, I just view as a guy who researchers how feed him info and he just throws the manure out there to see what sticks…..Kepner knows the game, he knows what to watch for and reports thegame without an agenda…..He’s one of the best in the business nationally
The Red Sox are the favorite in the series. Probably would be a good investment.
Still hard to figure that with 4 games left, the Tigers blew a 3 game lead with such a power armed laced rotation that just shuts teams down….Tigers were a flawed ballclub
Jeremy,
Are you sure? Wasn’t he a two-time, hard luck loser? IIRC a reliever gave up some inherited runs in his last Fenway start. I seem to remember some sloppy defense, bad umpiring (basepaths?), and looks of exasperation on Lackey’s face.
Kazmir might be the X-factor in that series, having pitched in the AL East.
I know Boston has this wonderful postseason aura and mystique aobut them, but they weren’t a good team for large chunks of the season. We exposed them for what they really were, and I think the Angels are the second best team. This might be the season they break through the hex against the dreaded Sox. I’m hoping both teams lose. One in each round.
Nick in SF……Lot’s of pressure on the BoSox starters in this series…..They must keep an Angel offense off the bases ( team ba .287 ), if they don’t 2 things happen immediately….They’ll be distracted with the task of keeping the Angel runners honest, when that fails the Angel relay team will expose the worst catching staff in baseball……Angels in 5……No homer pick on this m…
Pat M, I think I am going to invest in both SoCal teams at plus money, since a split still means profit.
If the Redsocks and Redbirds take both, of course I will tip my cap and then reinvest in Pinstripes.
Accuscore says Yankees,Angels,Phillies and Cardinals are favored to win today.
Nick in SF…I’m going to play Philly in the morning game..Yanks 3-1 is not very attractive to me…..Dodgers are a slight dog at home, I’ll hold off until after the Phillie game….I did re-up on my Yanks going the distance
he Twins have rookie Matt Tolbert, a September call-up with two homers and 19 RBIs.
“They’re just another team, just like anybody else,” Tolbert said.
Bos has to find a way to neutralize Abreu.He owns lefty Okajima,4 for 8,and lefty Wagner he’s 3 for 10 with a home run
He bats .203 avg against Beckett,with an .375 on base percentage.
Abreu will eat up the Sox’s lefty (pen) pitchers
I was talking about the series prices… I will probably invest a little in the Yanks’ run line… Jorge will be playing in this game, I think.
All the overs are high for a game 1, in fact there high for a postseason game……Nick in SF, I’m playing the series on NY, LAD’s & LAA’s as well
I’ll check the game lines in the morning. Hopefully there will be a less anger on the LoHud tomorrow, particularly from respected regulars. Since we all want the Yankees to win.
Diplomacy at it’s finest……Are you aware that Tricia is running a game starting tomorrow….From what I can gather I think it’s premise is on the complete October record…..I’m not certain if on her good side anymore ever since I told her that she was gloating over the AJ /Molina situation regardless in how it effects the club’s lineup…
I did not know about October record contest. I think I will pass. I’m persona non Trisha right now anyway.
Big day tomorrow, goodnight LoHudder(s).
Nicky old boy, You’re certainly not a stranger to this, you have plenty of company……Until tomorrow at 11’00, I do have to get some shots in my knee but I’ll be back in time for Cliff Lee’s first pitch……
Mornin’ all.
I can’t believe I have butterflies. Am I taking this too seriously? I mean, I do have a life, after all, a pretty good one at that. I just feel that the Yankees had a such a great season and I want it to continue. It’s weird, no, that all the odds being in the Yankees favor have me slightly on edge? But of course they’re the favorites; they won the most games, played the best, most consistent baseball throughout the season!
I think the Angels are a slightly different team, and I expect them to, at the very least, put up a good fight against the Red Sox. I think they can win, too.
Apparently the Cardinals do well against the Dodgers in LA, so HFA may not be a big deal for Torre’s team in this particular series.
I think the last two losses to the Dodgers may have deflated the Rockies just a tad. But I have no idea who to pick in that match-up. Phillies have some pitching issues, but they have other assets.
Anyway, gotta keep busy until 5 (pre-game on YES!), at least.
This is the day, Yankees Faithful. Let it be a good one.
I couldn’t sleep last night !. . i’m soooo Nervous / Pumped !
Doreen-
is there a pre game on YES? I didn’t see it when I looked at the channel guide. I guess I will have to leave work a bit early.
I think this game will really set the tone. Everything appears favorable for the Yankees, but you just never know what could happen.
What happened in Detroit ?
http://www.baseballnewsshare.c.....go-around/
upstate kate -
I thought I heard them say they would have full pre- and post-game coverage for all the playoff games. It’s not listed on the YesNetwork schedule, but I imagine that might have to do with the Yankees not having ‘officially’ chosen a playoff series.
I hope there’s a pre-game. I know there will be a post-game, because they’ve always done that.
I need to calm down.
CC’s got a big game tonight. I think he’s going to pitch well, but I hope the bats come out in support.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....id=7000289
Pffft…Jorge can do this, too.
The Newark Star Ledger has a whole special section on the Yankees today. Do you know, for the most part, I can’t bring myself to read it? I skimmed some. The bit that I skimmed was favorable, and that’s good, naturally. But I’m afraid of being over-confident. So, so silly!
I heard Michael Kay talk about their pregame and post-game coverage on YES, so you’ll get to bask in a whole lot of info. I wish I had YES over here…sigh…
Wang IS Taiwan -
Sometimes all that information isn’t a good thing.
Doreen
October 7th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Wang IS Taiwan -
Sometimes all that information isn’t a good thing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You got that right! Try to do something today to take your mind off the game tonight. If not, you might be worn out by the time the game is on!
I won’t be able to sleep tonight (it’s Wed night here), so I’ll be ready to watch by the time 6am rolls around. Heck, I actually got up at 5am this morning just to watch the Twins/Tigers. Crazy, but the playoffs only come around once a year. What a game that was! I hope the Twins are exhausted and we’re ready to pummel them.
Wang IS Taiwan -
It reall WAS a great game last night. Just what you want a one-game playoff to be – back and forth, fighting to the end, extra innings. Great, great game. Best non-Yankee game of the year!
One wonders whether the Twins getting to celebrate and blow off some steam and champagne corks last night after such an emotional game and an “en fuego” last two weeks of the season will actually work against them in this series. Certainly in Game One, but if the Yankees are the Yankees they should handle the Twins with no problems.
Chad,
I am so happy to see you on this blog, but I will miss you at SWB. You were always my lifeline to knowing what was really happening. MIZ ZOU.
Guy Incognito -
Remember when the Yankees beat the Red Sox in 2003 and then went on to play the Marlins? Everyone expected the momentum to carry them onward with no problem. But we all know what happened. The Red Sox series drained them, somewhat, in my opinion. It could very well be that this run to the end, plus the very nature of the game last night, plus, as you said, the uncorking of champagne, could do the same thing here.
I’m not counting on it; it just as easily could go the other way. But anyplace to hang a hat or a hope, you know?
Anyway, all I want is for the Yankees to play as they’ve played all season. Gotta go out and play.
I’ll tell ya one thing, though. I’m not looking forward to the retelling of “David & Goliath.”
The Twins will be fine…….let’s see if CC is worth all that $$$ the Yankees are paying him. For all the talk about AJ, CC is the one who is going to be seriously questioned if he doesn’t pitch well tonight.
AJ feels more comfortable with Molina so he gets Molina. Posada was upset but he dealt with the writers and he’ll deal with not playing.
AJ should have talked to the press yesterday so they could put it behind them.
“I’m not looking forward to the retelling of “David & Goliath.”
Going on right now on Mike & Mike with Buster Olney. They are already asking if this would be the biggest upset in the history of pro sports.
Finally. It’s here.
Can’t wait until tonite’s game.
One would hope the Twins are exhaused today. Gardenheier went thru a lot of his bull pen, but it seemed like quite a few didn’t face many batters.
I hope CC has a good game. They had an interview w/ him on ESPN and talked about his post season failures…this is a better team and he has been able to get more rest this season, so I am sure he will be fine.
Doreen- your Jersey boy did a great job pitching for the Tigers.
have been hearing 10 pitchers.
that would most likely leave gaudin off.
guzman and cervelli on.
Mark in Tampa
I guess I won’t be going near sports talk in any form today!
They’re kidding, right? In the history of pro sports? Just a bit of hyperbole, I think.
upstate kate -
Yes, Porcello acquitted himself very well, I think.
I can’t believe he’s only 20. Sheesh, my youngest is going to be 20 this weekend. Ouch. 
http://www.northjersey.com/spo.....038;page=1
Bob’s right, especially on the first one.
Yanks are done by early next week.They are no match for a battle hardened twins team. Look deep into the eyes of Johnny Damon tonight and you’ll see his indifference.
Sorry Yankee fans, but your boys just don’t care or want it enough.
might like the extra pitcher over a pinch runner though. gaudin, would be insurance for a long game.
Betsy -
I hope it’s not as drastic as that (losing Posada’s loyalty). I guess that will remain to be seen. And remember: a Championship goes a long way toward making everything better.
Are you nervous at all?
I really hope this Molina decision doesn’t come back to bite them.
Lots of references to the money around the team in the NY tabloids today, as if that’s the biggest angle of why the Yankees should/must win. That’s all that people can come up with for backpage fodder before Game 1? I always thought all the references to payroll and riches and what not were saved for after the team won. Pretty lame.
Good morning.
I woke up jittery this morning. It may have been lack of sleep staying up late to get work done or it may be because the postseason is here!
If it’s possible to love and dread a day at the same time, that’s what I’m feeling. I want all the Yankees to play well and yet dread the fallout if they don’t.
Bud Selig was just on ESPN2. The more I hear him talk, the less I like him. He loves to pat himself on the back but never takes responsibility for foibles.
I’m kinda getting tired of Jorge. Everyone talks about what a great team guy he is but when it comes right down to it he’s not. Last year he insisted on catching even when his arm made him a liability back there (until he was shut down) and now his less than enthusiastic support of his manager’s decision going into the playoffs. Girardi should tell him to suck it up the same way Joe did when Torre benched him in 1996 so that Andy could throw to a catcher he was more comfortable with in Leyritz.
As for this series – yes the Twins have the big Mo on their side coming in, but I’ll take my chances against that rather than face Verlander. I feel better about the Yankee chances against pitchers who let you put the ball in play (like the Twins rotation) over a group of strike out pitchers that the Tiggers offer.
Yesterday’s tiebreaker was the best possible outcome for the Yankees. Extra inning game, the team is completely blown out, and instead of facing Justin Verlander in game five we’d be facing Carl Pavano. At Yankee Stadium.
It’s gonna be fun.
I would have been shocked and disappointed if Jorge wasn’t ticked off about being lifted for AJ’s start. What kind of competitor wouldn’t be. He blew off steam and it’s over. He’ll catch games one and three and maybe four. I don’t think game five will be needed.
I love the big question… how do you choose between a second pinch runner vs an 11th pitcher vs a third catcher? I see Guzman as the least likely to help. Cervelli gives you flexibility that you only need in AJ’s start(s) so Iwould go with Marte who might face a batter or two in any/every game.
Girardi manages the New York Yankees. That’s where his Loyalty (pay check?) lies. His job is to win ball games in October. If he, and his staff, feel that Molina will help A.J. remain focused in his first postseason start, then so be it.
A.J. is very mercurial, you don’t know how he’s going to pitch from game to game. He also has a tendency to let his emotions get to him out there.
pat -
I can’t get rid of the butterflies in my stomach. Good thing all I have to do is watch!
Anyway, I’m feeling exactly the same things you say you are.
It’s going to be a long day until 6:07.
My husband is in Arkansas on a corporate team-building exercise, until Saturday. So he’s going to miss the first 2 games. There’s no cell phone coverage where he is. Landlines available for emergencies only. One of the people with him had tickets to Friday night’s game (he’s a season ticket holder) and can’t go. I don’t know what happened to the tickets, because as my husband was telling me this morning, the cell phone cut out (I guess they reached the outer limits of coverage).
In a short series you don’t want to face Verlander twice. Twinkies please.