The best laid plans …
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Oct 08, 2009 
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Anyone got tickets to tomorrow night’s game? If you do, bring an umbrella.
Here’s the forecast for tomorrow in the Bronx. My very unscientific guess after looking at that page is that while there may well be a delay or two, it’s likely that Game 2 will get played.
But what if it doesn’t? A rainout would mean losing the travel day and playing Game 2 on Saturday and Game 3 on Sunday. Suddenly, the Yankees plans for only needing three starters in the first round would be shot.
In the rainout scenario, A.J. Burnett would pitch Game 2 on Saturday, Andy Pettitte would go in Game 3 Sunday and CC Sabathia would pitch Monday as scheduled. But who goes in a potential Game 5 on Wednesday? The Yankees options would be Burnett on short rest (always dicey for a guy who’s injury history isn’t the best), Chad Gaudin or … Joba Chamberlain?
The Post is reporting that the Yankees are “leaning heavily” toward keeping Chamberlain in the pen should they make the ALCS, which is hardly surprising – Gaudin has been miles better as a starter over the past month – but what if they need a starter in this series? Mother Nature may end up forcing the Yankees to make the call on Joba sooner than they expected.
http://www.weather.com/outlook.....hrly_graph
weather.com has it as 40% at 6 then 30% the rest of the night…not enough to get worried about
Sam, I think you stole that line from me………but then, I stole it from John Steinbeck, lol.
If there is a delay, it had better be before the game. What a nightmare it would be if AJ had to come out because of the delay. This stinks…..
A rain delay would be awful. My entire transportation plans involve the game ending at a semi-reasonable time, or else I’m in a bad spot.
Haven’t we had enough rain?! Geez!
Its Gaudin. Clearly. If Burnett pitches a gem tmo, then the media/fan sites will be all atwitter over him getting the start on 4 days. Its the only other option worth considering. Joba’s in the pen until (much) further notice.
Speaking of.. Anyone see the waffle job Pete posted over on the Globe? I’m sure you have.
http://www.boston.com/sports/b....._leav.html
Unreal.
I never worry about the weather too far in advance. You never know what can happen. The wind was supposed to cause all kinds of havoc last night, and it was fine. If it does rain, my only concern is AJ get in enough innings before any delay. But we have Aceves & co. in the wings if necessary.
And if there’s a Game 5? Well, Chad’s done a great job so far, but will Aceves be rested enough if he’s used tomorrow? Probably. If not, they can piggyback Joba – who can go a couple at least.
And, maybe it won’t even be necessary.
Steinbeck stole it from Robert Burns.
best answer: don’t GO to game 5…
and they won’t. yanks in 4 at the MOST!!! they’re gonna take game 2, for starters…
I’ve changed my mind.
Win in 3
Win in 4
Gaudin
Joba
AJ
Even if Gaudin goes his standard 5, you’ve got Joba, Robertson, Hughes, and Rivera to go to. Plenty of time for the offense to come through.
I know I keep harping on this, but Joba does this heavy breathing thing. I’m sure it’s just some kind of breathing technique, but it makes me nervous. He wasn’t doing that when he was bopping on the mound in Seattle (?). Reminds me of Clemens snorting like a bull.
If the Yankees win tomorrow it is ova for the Twins.
Horrible play by Holliday. All with 2 outs, too.
Tom, who did Robert Burns steal it from? LOL Either way, Sam owes me……
M, I just hope Joba doesn’t go through what Rog went through to snort like a bull…….
Gee you guys ought to lay off Pete. He did a great job when he was here. He is now writing from a Boston perspective. That is his job. That’s why he gets paid. Get over it. I’m sure he gave an objective opinion when here. Now he’s looking at it from a Boston standpoint.
And Holliday boots out #3 in the ninth.
earl- Problem is, has he written once about the soxs?
wow holliday really blew it
Cardinals fail
Well I have an extra ticket to tomorrow’s game if anyone is interested.
So glad our closer is someone who, you know, can actually close.
LOL
If Cards lose this one, they’re done. Yankees Dodgers series?
jennifer -
I did visit Extra Bases. I figured, as I usually do, I should take a look-see myself. The piece about Joba was written from the point of view that if the Red Sox & Yankees make it to the next round, the Red Sox may not have to face Joba (who they don’t like).
I scrolled down to see if Pete had written anything besides the Joba & ARod pieces, and, indeed he had. There are a couple of “slice of life” type pieces, they type which we had all come to enjoy here, as well as, I believe 2 having to do with the lineup against the Angels.
It’s odd, because you have to scroll and scroll to find Pete’s among all the other writer’s. And there are no headshots (you know, they are helpful – at Extra Bases, no headshots, and the author’s names are in small, light italic).
So, fair is fair. Pete is not simply writing anti-Yankee-centric stuff.
Plus, you know Pete is the king of button-pushing to get hits.
So, while I stand by my initial impressions of his seeming flip-flop on Joba, I am glad I went to see what is really what over there.
This is pretty simple: THERE WILL NOT BE A GAME 5.
And the Dodgers tie it up.
Aren’t they second in MLB in come-from-behind wins this season?
Jennifer most likely, almost certainly, he’s being told what to write about. As a writer who covered the Yankees the last couple of seasons no doubt he is considered something of a Yankee expert by the Globe. I’m sure he’d rather be writing about the Red Sox. As I said he’s doing his job. His family needs to eat. Lay off.
wow !!!!
Wow. Dodgers win.
Verrrry Interesting.
Wow, the Cardinals really suck! Holliday blew it and their closer is horrible!
Wow @ Holliday.
If they lose, do they still try to sign him next season?
They lost with their two aces…Oi…
Does every team except the Yankees have some sort of rally object (hankie, monkey, towel, whatever)?
Hahahahahahaha oh wow!!!!!
Cards really blew it (mostly Matt Holliday – I hope we don’t sign him)
Wow, that was a painful loss. As someone who is a fan of Holliday, that has got to be a tough one for him.
m -
And I read the the Cardinals had been playing well in LA. Disappointing for them.
I posted this in the previous thread….Boy, Dodgers win. I didn’t see Holliday’s play, but he must feel terrible. All we hear about are how nice St. Louis fans are – will they be nice to Holliday? How is he going to live that down? That said, Franklin did a crappy job – there were 2 outs; he didn’t have to give up 2 runs.
Poor Holliday – I don’t root for that to happen to anyone.
Plus, you know Pete is the king of button-pushing to get hits.
*******
That is very true!
Sam, I think you’re making a big deal for nothing. There was more chance of rain on wednesday than tomorrow. Weather.com says 30% chance of showers. They’ll definitely play and most likely start on time!
I sort of hope the Cards come back – I dislike the Dodgers and just seeing them celebrate like they won the WS annoys me.
If there is a need for a fourth starter, then I hope that Girardi realizes that the postseason is different and there is now tomorrow. Gaudin for 4 or 5 innings and then Joba.
Wow all time goat moment from Holliday.
matt holliday will fit perfectly at citi field next year…
“All we hear about are how nice St. Louis fans are – will they be nice to Holliday?”
I bet they give him a standing ovation. St. Louis is like that. They’ll welcome him with open arms.
So I had a cup of caffeine after dinner anticipating that I’ll want to see at least some of the other game on the west coast.
Somehow, I don’t think it’ll be as easy to watch as the Twins/Tigers game.
Victor Rojas is annoying as heck …….he practically accuses Jorge of taking his annoyance and problems out onto the field with him. Jorge had a bad game last night – he’s a thorough professional though and is not capable of acting out like that.
Yanks vs. Dodgers….Dodgers are a good ballclub
Wow, what a choke job by Holliday. He basically just blew the whole season for the Cards. That’s how you get yourself run out of town!
Ryan Franklin sucks ! He is just like Brian Fuentes. If the Angels use Fuentes in a close game the same thing is going to happen to the Angels.
Jason, probably…………
Pete wants all of us lohuders to go over there and register with the globe. More ad $ for his paper…
“.Dodgers are a good ballclub”
Have you seen their starting pitching? Randy Wolf and Vincente Padilla would get ROCKED by our lineup. Aside from Pujols and Holliday, the Cards lineup stinks.
its crazy how if holliday botched that play during the regular season there is a big chance they escape unscathed but in the postseason it is almost a given that no mistake goes unpunished
There’s still no excuse for Franklin to give it up. You know what? Suck it up….
Betsy October 8th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Victor Rojas is annoying as heck …….he practically accuses Jorge of taking his annoyance and problems out onto the field with him. Jorge had a bad game last night – he’s a thorough professional though and is not capable of acting out like that.
***
I guess according to him Yadier took his frustrations for Jose onto the field. It led to his passed ball.
I was flipping back and forth to see “The Office”, so I missed Holliday’s misplay, but I did see the Dodgers’ score two with two out. I could only think, thank goodness for Mariano. I know he’s had his moments, but we are really fortunate.
wow, I just saw the replay – horrible play by Holliday
mel, St. Louis might be a victim to that thing about clinching too soon can actually hurt a team. The Dodgers had to keep playing right to the last day.
I was really nervous that LaRussa kept Wainwright in with the bases loaded!
jennifer October 8th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Plus, you know Pete is the king of button-pushing to get hits.
*******
That is very true!
———
It’s only a matter of time before Chad gets on that too.
Traffic = $$.
The traffic is good now because of the playoffs and having great coverage of 3 guys. But on a slow January day, Chad might have to get something going (despite if that is his thing or not). I would think his job depends on how well (and how much traffic) this blog generates. It’s expensive sending guys on the road and these furloughs show the state in which Gannett is in.
wow cardinals
not an issue. no way this series goes 5
It is fate. As part of the postseason of redemption, it could be Yankees versus Dodgers.
Starting to wonder whether The Yankee Years was a good idea, Joe?
Jason did you see the chart?
I just saw the replay – number one, how could Holliday blow that? And number two, for Franklin to implode after that – wow.
Thank goodness for Mariano.
Hey, maybe St. Louis can pull out two at home and then go back for the final game. Stranger things have happened.
Trisha
What is the Chart?
MLB is giving a complete pass to Franklin……….sheesh.
WOW. before this series start I thought the Dodgers didn’t have a chance. With the two aces out of the way, there’s no way the cardinals can come back.
Not surprised that Franklin couldn’t hold it. Someone with such a hideous bush on his chin can’t possibly pitch well…
Jen, lol…..
Eh, I’m really not rooting for any NL team. I just want the Yankees to get to the WS…..we’ll deal with whomever we face if we face them. The Yankees still have a lot of work to do – no way am I counting the Twins out.
Dodgers. 8)
Nick in SF……..Dodgers…..
Uncle, we did a postseason prediction chart. I always want people who made the predictions to check my work because you know how bad I am keeping the chart numbers straight!
Why is Don Orsillo doing the telecast ?
OK thanka
Let’s Win Tomorrow!
Pat M, the Dodgers have been one of my top hated-foe teams from day one… slightly less so these days with Torre and Mattingly on the payroll, but not much… I am primarily rooting for my wager, as I took the Dodgers and Angels in both series and both at plus money. One more Dodger win and a $loss is eliminated as a possibility.
I also took the Dodgers in both games, I heard at stat that the Cards were 30th vs. left-handed pitching and the Dodgers started two lefties… at home. Good for the unders as well.
Go Rally Angels!
Jeremy – good question.
So are we rooting for extra innings in every game, extending the full 5 games?
Tonight there is nobody I love more than the Angel’s rally monkey!
And do we prefer slugfests or pitcher’s duels?
Playoff history would suggest it would have to be just short of a monsoon for the to postpone a Yankee game.
Trisha
Yeah. Why is Orsillo doing the telecast since he works for NESN. No other team has a person from their network doing their playoff telecasts.
8-1 Angels would be there preference here. 9-0 would work just as well.
Dodgers v Angels – my WS nightmare.
I’m really struggling with who I want to see go to the ALCS.
I want the Sox badly. I just feel confident with the way the Yanks manhandled them.
Still, how can I possibly root for the Sox?
Joba has to be a starter next year I dont think there is any debate over that. Why would the yankees waste this season watching his innings limit and the stuff they did to protect him. That would be a silly panic move to take him out of the rotation because he struggled in august and september. The yankees would look like fools if they did that. Joba was doing a very respectable job as a starter until they started to skip and shorten his outings. People forget Joba was the 5th starter if he going to be in the bullpen anyway for the playoffs in Wang was healthy.
But I am fine with them using Joba in the bullpen for this postseason. It is probably better because it will really shorten the game for Pettitte and Burnett. They really have to give you 6 quality innings. And a combination of Gaudin/Aceves could give you 6-7 good innings.
Wonder what % of people at Angels stadium are actually Angels fans. Maybe 75?
Very small sample size and doesn’t look like they faced him this year but the Angels hitters have a .364 BAA Lester
You know, I’m looking at those thundersticks and having very bad memories of those. I hate the Sox and really have no stomach for having to play them again, but at least they don’t have thundersticks at Fenway, right?
My gut tells me the Sox would be easier to beat in the ALCS, yet they would have to be the victor in this series to make it there. A semi-paradox?
The Sox are beatable. The Yanks can beat them in the ALCS. The Angels would be harder. I rather face the Sox.
Nice stop by Lowell
trisha,
“no. 27 – I believe he is. It is pretty ridiculous to say because someone mishandled one thing everything he does is suspect.
And let me say this. You have no idea what Girardi might have done to try to ease the situation.
I guess it comes down to this. I could have lived with Girardi doing it either way because I have trusted Girardi all season. You guys just can’t get past that he didn’t do it your way.”
That would be ridiculous for me to say, but it’s not what I’m saying. I think he’s done a really good job this year. I’m saying with this 1 issue that you agree he handled it badly the first time, but are so confident that he’s handling it right the second time.
And it has nothing to do with him not doing it “my way”. If it works out, that’s great. If it doesn’t work out, it’s going to be a huge problem.
If he went with Posada first and it didn’t work out, he could switch to Molina and it wouldn’t be as big of a deal.
Jeremy, on top of it I HATE Orsillo as a broadcaster. He makes every play sounds like the last play of the world series. I would rather listen to Jerry Remy any day of the week.
While I know this blog has turned into everyone hating Pete, he did write a nice article about Scioscia that I figure is worth sharing.
http://www.boston.com/sports/b.....his_wings/
You may hate the Angels, but you sure have to give props to Mike who has really been a key to the success of this organization of the past 8 years or so.
im not a tony larusa fan. Yes, his teams are in the thick of things year after year but he does some strange things and usually they hurt his team. Im not blaming this loss on Larusa but it just seems like he is an overated manager.
In trying to decide between the Angels and the Sox I am reminded of the scene in Ghostbusters where Sigourney Weaver(as the Gatekeeper) demands that the Ghostbustors choose the form of the “Destructor”. Remember? Bill Murray tells them to clear their minds and not think of anything.
But, I find, like Dan Aykroyd I can’t help but choose, so between the Sox and the Angels I will root for the Star-Puft Marshmallow Man…
that’s the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man of course…
So stupid to have a Red Sox announcer do the Red Sox game
nick in sf-
the sooner the red sox are eliminated the better my gut feels.
as i mentioned on the last post.
i have an irrational dislike of the red sox
Trisha
Yeah. I used to live in C.T. so I would get NESN and Yes Network. Before I moved to Manhattan I used to watch a few games on NESN and Don Orsillo is annoying. He always has the cry in his voice when the Sox do something.
27, Girardi had huge issues to take care of this season, from Arod, Wang, Posada, Molina, Bruney, and Marte going down, to Veras and a few others not getting the job done. I have to believe he did the best he could with the catcher situation but really had to focus on the bigger picture. I think he did it and did it well.
You may remember when the whole catcher issue started to boil over Girardi was questioned by the press and his answer was that CC and AJ were going to have to get used to throwing to Posada because Posada was going to be catching them in the postseason. That was a quote.
That we are where we are probably says that things didn’t quite work the way he wanted them to and he went back to the drawing board. It also could be as simple as Randy has suggested and that is Molina caught the most recent games and AJ has been on a roll, wo why not play it out? We all know that AJ is quirky, to say the least.
JMO
Christina -
Thanks. That was a good piece on Scioscia. I didn’t realize he’s been there 10 years. Time sure does fly.
“He always has the cry in his voice when the Sox do something.”
THAT’S IT!!!! That’s what drives me crazy about him!
I agree, this is a Girardi failure when it’s all said and done.
Just like the Twins-Tigers playoff game, I really don’t care who wins. Just as long as the Red Sox and Angels play five, 15-16 inning games. That torch their pitching staffs’. Rain delays are optional.
# trisha – OPPC lifetime member who trusts Joe Girardi October 8th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
“He always has the cry in his voice when the Sox do something.”
THAT’S IT!!!! That’s what drives me crazy about him!
Oritz to deep right!!!! But Swisher makes the catch… I hate this guy.
Doreen October 8th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Christina -
Thanks. That was a good piece on Scioscia. I didn’t realize he’s been there 10 years. Time sure does fly.
————
Doreen, I was also surprised to read he was signed until 2018. That sure is quite the commitment they have put towards him.
Also interesting to read the history he had with the Dodgers. I didn’t know much about him beforehand so this brought me some insight on his days as a player. One quote from the article:
Scioscia is a product of his environment, having spent 22 seasons as a player, instructor, coach, and minor league manager with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“You can’t deny your roots. I had an incredible education,’’ he said. “I was in the Dodgers organization when I was 17. My first three catching instructors were Roy Campanella, Johnny Roseboro, and Del Crandall. That’s where I’m coming from.’’
——-
Some good mentorship, to say the least. Especially Roy Campanella.
Christina -
I did remember he played for the Dodgers. What a pedigree, really. His contract was extended this year, I think, and at the time the Angels weren’t really clicking yet. It’s seeming to be a really good working relationship and it sounds like his players really have his respect.
I think it’s a luxury to manage in a laid-back place like California, though. The expectations and the spotlight are very different than here in the east.
No doubt, though, he is very good at what he does and the baseball teams he’s fielded have been very good.
this doesn’t work
I’m bummed this is 06′ all over again! The rain allowed the tigers back in it and now it will allow the twins back in it! SUPER BUMMER
I look at this differently re the rainout scenarios. You want C.C. to pitch any elimination game. So you pitch Aceves/Gaudin in game four, hoping to close out the series. If they don’t? A well-rested Sabathia waits in New York for game five.