Flash Points: John Flaherty breaks down the Game 3 pitching match-up
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Former Yankee and current YES Network analyst John Flaherty has agreed to break down the pitching match-up for every Yankees postseason game exclusively on the LoHud Yankees blog. Here’s his take on the Game 3 starters:
YANKEES: LHP Andy Pettitte (14-8, 4.16 ERA regular season)
WHAT’S HE THROW?: “Cut-fastball, sinking fastball, change-up, curveball”
STRENGTHS: “He’s done a great job of pitching to both sides of the plate this year and he’s throwing more change-ups and curveballs to keep hitters honest. I think he’s a more complete pitcher than he was a few years ago. It used to be that if you were a hitter, you could look for that pitch down-and-in and know it was coming eventually; now, look for how Pettitte works both sides of plate. You can’t say he’s re-invented himself, but he’s really tweaked some of his approach and it’s working for him.”
WEAKNESSES: “I think he’s got to be better with his location now than he did early in his career. Years ago, he could say, ‘here it is, see what you can do with it.’ Now, if he makes a mistake in the middle, it’s going to get hit and get hit hard. In terms of tonight, specifically, the only thing that would be a concern to me would be a week in between starts. That means there could be some rust and he’ll probably be taking some extra pitches in the bullpen to try and take care of it.”
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TWINS: RHP Carl Pavano (14-12, 5.10 ERA regular season)
WHAT’S HE THROW?: “Two seam fastball, backdoor slider and sort of a split/change-up”
STRENGTHS: “He’s got a nice two-seam fastball that he works down and away to hitters and he’s a big man so he creates a nice downhill angle when he’s got himself right. That can make it hard for hitters to pick up the ball, and he also hides it well with his front which makes it more difficult.”
WEAKNESSES: “When you face him and you look at him, you think ‘this guy is going to be bringing it’ in terms of velocity but it doesn’t come out of his hand like that. He doesn’t blow you away at all. … I also think all the extra baggage that’s going to go into it, he’s going to take that out to the mound with him. I think this is going to be a little bit too much for him, a must-win, all the Yankee stuff – it’s going to be overwhelming.”
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EDGE: “I think the Yankees have to leave the emotions aside in this game – whatever they think about Pavano, it’s got to be only about getting the job done today. In terms of the actual match-up, I give a big edge to Pettitte. I’ll take Andy Pettitte in a playoff game any day.”
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on Sunday, October 11th, 2009 at 12:14 pm by Sam Borden.
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Chad Jennings
Josh Thomson
6 hours and 42 minutes until Game 3!!!!!!
Hi Erica,
Are we playing GTLU today? Although I think most everyone knows what the line-up will be today.
I hope so!
This is the only day I can have a chance to play it. I don’t post while i’m at work – so I can never play it during weekdays.
How would you rank the teams as far as the best 1-2 punch in the playoffs(pitching)?
My order
1.Cardinals
2.Red Sox
3.Yankees
4.Phillies
5.Dodgers
6.Angels
7.Rockies
8.Twins
It looks like the top 2 will be out of the playoff which in turn makes the Yankees #27 that much closer.
Thanks, Flash. Thanks, Sam.
My main 2 worries today are Father Time and the Yankees getting away from a good approach because they want to give Carl a beatdown.
Otherwise, it’s all good. And if Brett should get in the game, I’m calling a homerun. Just kidding, nice to see that LoHud tweet, though.
LOL. Guerrero has 1 rbi in his last 19 postseason games. Yet nary a word in the press about his psyche. Maybe he should become a matchstick maker, did you guys see that bat shatter?
Fran-
I was planning on doing it at 2. Predictable.. yes. But still fun.
And I can chuckle at people who get it wrong.
In the meantime, I am very hungover and trying so hard to motivate myself to get up fromt his chair and have coffee. I really need coffee
SoS-
That 1, 2 punch isn’t working so well for the Sox right now
SoS,
CC/AJ of course!
Beckett’s getting cortizone shots like a junkie. Carpenter and Wainright are NL pitchers.
Erica…so true.
My prediction today is that Pavano does not make it out of the 5inning. Last time he faced the yankees he pitched well, but this time around i think the yankees will pound him into the ground.
Pavano pitched well against the Yanks TWICE this season. I would imagine by this third time they have made adjustments for him. Kevin Long should have lots of material to review
mel,
I was trying not to be bias.
Just beat Pavano
Pavano – 7.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Shaving cream has been used only once, when Burnett went to give Nick Swisher one of his patented pies but found the cupboard bare. “They got aired out pretty bad,” Burnett says of the clubbies. “It’s been full ever since.”
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....z0Te5hx2Ql
I hope he wasn’t too mean!
Thaks Erica, it is fun and helps kill the time to 1st pitch. Did you get your coffee yet?
geez, nobody posts over where pete is at
Pavano pitched well,but got a no decision.
Clay 1 base runner 21 pitches.Kazmir 12 pitches 3 outs
Erica,
I think we should predict the knockout round ala boxing. I say Pavano gets knocked out the game in the 4th inning. While Pettitte goes 6 strong.
Question:
Is it appropriate for me to watch the Boston/Anaheim game, go see Couples Retreat at 420, and be home at 630 for our game? I worry that I should be spending the time before our game focusing and getting mentally prepared. Thoughts?
I agree with Erica, I think they’ll have made the correct adjustments and will smack him around today.
Plus I think he’ll be a bit more nervous than the Yankees.
Mentally prepared for what, Carlo?
Are you taking the field with them?
Carlo,
I would go with the mentally prepared route. Boston looks like they are already gone fishing. I read the reviews on couples retreat and alot of people say it dragged and the only funny parts were the clips they showed in the previews.
Watch some football instead.
very good job by buchholz so far
everyone said they wanted to see him shut down a good team and so far he is doing just that.
All of the pressure is on Pavano today. I think the Yankees will get to him early.
Beat Pavano like the WIMP he is!!!!!
Beat on the Brat, Beat on the Brat, Beat on the brat with a baseball bat (Ramones song)
Who gives a rat’s behind what Pete posts now? If he was still here, he’d be reminding everyone that Rodriguez hasn’t has a hit or an RBI since Friday.
You could go see Zombieland instead. Or save your money and just watch the Boston game.
Daughter said Zombieland was funny. I told her that Woody Harrelson was from Cheers. She’s all like, “Oh yeah. Really? I thought he was a rock star”. Palm meet forehead.
I think this matchup favors a breakout by Damon.
He’s due, and a tailing sinker sets up nicely for Johnny to slap it the other way.
If Damon gets on a few times in front of 3,4,5 then I think they can score 4-5 runs, with support from the rest of the lineup.
Yankees 6 Twins 5
Pettitte 5 2/3 6 H, 3 ER
Pavano 5 1/3 7 H, 4ER
Damon 3-5, 2R, 1 2B
Arod 1-4, HR, 3 RBI
Coke 1/3 1 H, 1R
GreenBeret7
October 11th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Who gives a rat’s behind what Pete posts now? If he was still here, he’d be reminding everyone that Rodriguez hasn’t has a hit or an RBI since Friday.
**************
LOL!
I hope the Yankees can end it today. I would love to see them knock Idle out of the game early. I kind of wish they had gotten the afternoon game-I don’t want to wait ’til tonight.
Worse decision:
Russo leaving WFAN for Sirius
or
Pete leaving LoHud for the Globe
Is the extra dough in both gigs really worth the anonymity? If a tree falls in the forest….
Anyone think if the Sox get swept today, they will go hard after Halliday this winter?
Sos – Agreed. I need to stay home and get prepared.
While not critical to the series, this game is critical to our WS run. Need CC/AJ/Andy in that order in ALCS. A win today makes that possible. Very important we close it out so I need to go through the same routines I usually do pregame to assure good luck.
Inning 2 and Clay has 2 more base runners and 21 pitches,again. 42 pitches after 2
Yankee fans may hate Pavano (I sure do), but expecting him to get bombed is foolish. He’s pitched very well against the Yankees this year……..
Again, I have no idea if the Yankees failures in Pavano’s previous two starts were because they tried too hard or because it’s just not a good matchup for them, but I hope it’s the latter. This isn’t football – trying to take their revenge on is a recipe for disaster. It will lead to terrible approaches at the plate and they will play right into Pavano’s hands.
if i were a betting man, Halliday will play for the Red Soxs, to bad he cant play shortstop, because thats what they really need
Seeing that Angels coach rub his pendant reminded me of something. Father Damian (worked with leper colony on the island of Molokai) was canonized at the Vatican early this morning. He is now the patron saint of Hawaii (the kingdom, not the state). Also the patron saint of outcasts.
Hey guys,
Just a reminder, FYI– Giambi and the Rockies take on the Phillies at 10:07 ET on TBS in the pivitol game 3.
Giambi is not starting, obviously. But here are his numbers against some of the late inning Philly relievers.
vs. Lidge – 1-2, double
vs. Myers – 3-3, HR, walk
vs. Durbin – 6-15, 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 4 walks
As you can see… Giambi clearly has the upper hand late in the game. Hope everyone tunes in late in the game… could be a very special night for the Big G.
m
October 11th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
You could go see Zombieland instead. Or save your money and just watch the Boston game.
Daughter said Zombieland was funny. I told her that Woody Harrelson was from Cheers. She’s all like, “Oh yeah. Really? I thought he was a rock star”. Palm meet forehead.
————————————————————
Never thought much of Harrelson as an actor, and even less of him as a person. He’s just bizarre. It’s strange that he’d chose to do a movie like “Natural Born Killers” given what his father made a career of doing.
They might, but they’re in the position they’re in because they haven’t hit, not because they’ve gotten really terrible starting pitching.
Dave – buchholz is through 2 innings and anaheim is through their lineup once. Little early to say he is “shutting down a good lineup”. He’s recorded 6 outs so far.
If Clay continues at this pace the red sox will be hitting the pen soon
It is rare that I would root for the Red Sox but I want them to beat the Angels. At minimum would like to see Angels and Sox go the full 5 games. I do think we match up better against Sox than Angels.
Pavano is gonna get crushed
SOS
who could the Red Sox trade for Halladay?
I think Clay is there to stay.
Honestly, If you’re Toronto, who do the Sox have that you would want in return?
Maybe Bard. But remember, they gave up a promising young arm already in Hagadone for Vmart.
I just don’t see them doing it again so soon.
Their rotation is more than solid for 2010.
You’re not rooting for the Red Sox, Steve. You’re rooting for a more favorable outcome for the Yankees.
big g….yawn
mel,
zombieland got realy good reviews. Good call. The only problem is your mind will not be in it to enjoy it. Its all Yankees all the time. Let Carlo do whatever superstitious thing he does. Its working.
Steve,
Agree. People need to put their Sox hatred aside and realize that it plays to the Yankees benefit if this series goes 5 games. Make the players make another trip out West then fly back East the next day to play us. The Sox winning would also not be the worst thing in the world for us either, match-up wise.
Buchholz : 2 innings of work – 42 pitches.
This blog was the perfect confluence of three things.
The forum provided by The Journal News and their beat writer P. Abe and the Yankee fans.
If the Globe wants the same thing over at their blog, they need to give Pete the right tools. But they won’t have the same fanbase. It’s just not the same. (obsessessive/passionate…potato/potato).
Hi Betsy
You should really try to be more optimistic.
This is a great team. No sense worrying about their approach against Carl.
Just enjoy watching them attempt to execute that approach!
This blog was also really slow when it first started – for the first few months, for sure. I won’t go over there to post, but I’m not quite getting the “Pete Abe Post Count” watch, thats going on over here either.
Move along, nothing to see, lol.
BigSix,
Good point. But its not like they havnt made any panic trades before. Bucholtz/Bard/Elsbury would probably have to be in the conversation. Not sure what they have in the minors.
Nobody caught my Boston/Fenway/Zombieland metaphor?
GB7,
He is what he is. A supporting actor, not a star. Never was a favorite of mine either.
Watched the tail end of “The Departed” last night and remembered why I hated it the first time around. I hate it when the main character’s not breathing when the final credits roll around.
Big Six, I’m not pessimistic………..I’m just saying that everyone wants the Yankees to beat the pants off of Carl and they think they will do that…….except for the fact that twice this year, Carl has shut them down. I don’t expect the Yankees to blow the Twinkies out – they really haven’t blown anyone out in awhile.l
Really don’t know who I want to win.
Do we really wangt to face “Gibson” Beckett and Lester 4 times in a 7 game series? Dice-K has also pitched well for them since coming back. And really, I would take Buchholz over Gaudin in Game 4 10 times out of 10.
But do we want to face the Angels and their red hot offense? No longer are they just a speed/fundamentals team… they now have power, OBP, and high average hitters. CC hasn’t pitched well against them this year, either has Andy. We also never play well in LA.
In Boston, we face a team that is slumping offensively. A much easier trip. A place we win often. CC has dominated them. Andy has done very well against them. Our pen has pitched well against them.
But the Angels bullpen is weak. Would we rather face Fuentes-Jespen-Oliver? or Papelbon-Wagner-Bard? We’ve had success against every pen, so I am not sure how much of an advantage the Angels pen is over Boston’s in terms of weakness.
m -
i’ll be surprised of pete doesn’t go the globe people and tell them he needs a better blog format if he’s going to get one going there.
that extra bases format just doesn’t work like this one does .
Sox are gonna lose. I can feel it….and it feels good.
Initially I wanted the Red Sox Angels to go 5 games. But now I think I just want the Angels and the Yankees to both take care of business today.
That way CC can line up with Lackey and also have the advantage of facing the Angels best pitcher at home.
Fran (the original) and OPPC member
October 11th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Thaks Erica, it is fun and helps kill the time to 1st pitch. Did you get your coffee yet?
****
I took a drive to get my favorite chocolate rasberry coffee and a bagel. That should make me feel 100 times better
I still don’t get rooting for a particular opponent. First, the Yankees have not won their series yet – let them win the 3rd game before we start talking ALCS. Whomever they face, the Yankees are in for a tough battle…….but if they can’t beat either one, then they don’t deserve to be in the WS. They have been the best team in baseball for months now – and they need to play up to that.
S.o.S.
October 11th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Erica,
I think we should predict the knockout round ala boxing. I say Pavano gets knocked out the game in the 4th inning. While Pettitte goes 6 strong.
***
That sounds like a jinx. Too superstitious for that
Petes blog will never be like this one. Difference is the red sox fans are mostly apperal fans and band wagon jumpers. Most cant name 4 players on the team. Plus they are so obsessed with the Yankees so theyre reading this blog instead.
5 hours and 55 minutes until Game 3!!!!!!!
Remember this place was much different back in 2006, if fact it was slower than what Pete has going now at the Globe…..I started coming here during the Winter Meetings in Dec 2006, and it wasn’t until the 2007 season that The LoHud took off……It’ll be interesting to see how Pete’s blog develops during the off season…..We’re very fortunate that we still have a great deal of activity during the winter here….Much all the baseball people dominate the LoHud in the off season, which is great……….
randy l,
It’s not only that. It’s that he shares it with others. Pete’s not a star or anything, but in the sports blogging world you bet he is. When you have Gammons, Neyer, Starks, Olney, MLB Trade Rumors linking your stuff. When you have websites obsessed with you personally, you’re somebody.
Why not call it The PeteAbeBlog or something? Their viewership and participation would go up exponentially if they didn’t make it such a provincial endeavor. Hundreds of people would’ve gone over there to post, but they just don’t feel right because it’s a sox blog. If they had kept it a sports blog, they could’ve built up on his stature as a sports blogger. But that window’s closing quickly. Too much time has passed and too many asides have been written.
After the way Halladay got jerked around last season I suspect he will go to the Jays and say I will go here or there and that’s it and your deadline is March 1st. Otherwise I’ll play out my option.
No reason for him to let it drag out.
I fully expect a sweep tonight.
Sox fans have no idea who Pete is….and if they do, they think of him as a Yankee guy. Also, I can see how they think of him as something of an interloper – I mean, why is he joining them NOW, as the playoffs begin? Pete is going to have to work on building relationships with the players and with the Sox before he can get the type of info he was providing covering the Yankees. I don’t really care, though – I’m not a Sox fan and I don’t have any interest in reading about what he has to say. The guy turned out to be two-faced, saying one thing here and then saying the opposite to cater to his new fan base. He’s gone, so be it and Sam, Josh and Chad have done brilliantly.
randy – you’re right about the format issues. I checked out that site and didn’t care for it. If Pete had that one here, this blog wouldn’t have been successful at all, I think.
All kidding aside, I think the regular community is what drives this place. That comes from a passionate fanbase. Putting aside all the Red Sox Nation drivel, do the Red Sox have the same kind of fanbase? If they don’t then I don’t think a blog, no matter what kind of format, will be a success.
I would have thought that the Globe would check that out, what their customer base is, so to speak, but you never know. I’m not nearly as smart as the Boston intelligentsia.
What I’m trying to say, is that the Extra Bases Blog doesn’t look much different now that it did 2 weeks ago, except that you’ll see Pete’s byline if you look closely.
But, to somebody’s credit, his posts seem to be growing. I saw 88 posts on one. So there has been some improvement.
(also, the paper runs a message board that has game threads during the game that’s linked on the extra bases blog. so he does have competition during the games)
i’m expecting a close game. a lot of the yankees/wins games are even though the yankees have been winning most of them.
the way the twins play the game, they tend to keep he game low scoring. their pitchers don’t walk the ballpark and their defense usually makes the plays.
someone like gomez making a bone head play happens because they traded for him and he didn’t go through their system.
one reason i think the twins will lose is because they have made the karmic mistake of not rehiring stan cliburn their long time triple a manager . more than half the twins players went through him.
if the yankees want someone to teach fundamentals at the minor league level he’d be great. being a former catcher wouldn’t hurt either with all the young catching talent the yankees have.
Kazmir is starting to miss badly with his pitches.
Kazmir is toast, already.
ugh- c’mon kazmir
What was the hardest thing to read from Pete?
1.Arod bashing
2.Patriots posts
3.Springstein stalking talk
4.???
Awh the midgee RBI 2 runs,ain’t that cute?
The Angels like to travel on the off day to give the players an extra night in bed.
If they sweep here, what would they do? Would they fly back to the West Coast? Stay in Boston? Fly to NY if they win today? When’s the first game of the ALCS?
Springsteen….
IT’s amazing how they wake up from a comatose state at home.
Kazmir is just laying an egg. Terrible performance.
“All kidding aside, I think the regular community is what drives this place.”
joe from long island-
we do have quite the cast of characters here.
the blog still needs someone who can get in the clubhouse.
sam and chad are doing a great job with clubhouse info and audio.
i think the blog is as good as ever and that’s a testament to sam and chad , but also pete because the real measure of creating something is if works when you leave.
one thing i notice is the trolling and off the wall crazy posters are down.
seems like the new blog has tightened up on that stuff.
m,
the ALCS starts Friday.
The Red Sox offense is so reliant on the green monster
Thanks, Fran.
So can we all say 5 game series for the Sox/Angels?
Anyone know the pitching matchups for a potential game 4 at Fenway?
If the angels blow this game. I can see this becoming 3 straight, joining others in the ultimate playoff choke jobs.
Randy I, Hiring Stan would be a huge step in the right direction is upgrading the organizations coaching / instructional staffing…..Then pickup an outfield and infield instructor specialist….This is the one area where the system is lacking……GB has some real strong feelings about this void…..Stan would be a coup
randy l,
The trolling and crazy stuff has gone down on its own. There were some people who were obsessed with Pete himself. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were the same people.
The good thing is that Sam, Chad, and Josh haven’t had to scold anyone so far. What a concept!
This game is why Kazmir will never be a great pitcher.
He walks an auto out like Alex Gonzalez. Doesn’t get close to the strike zone.
Then he falls behind the rest of the hitter he faces. He just doesn’t have consistent control.
Personally, I don’t care who wins the Angels/Red Sox series, as long as they trash each other’s rotations and bullpens for the next 3 games. As long as each game runs about 18-20 innings and they play long into the night.
Come on guys. Admit it, you miss some of the famous trolls.
anti mussina
nypd113
etc.
We were able to take out our anger on them.
Who was the worst troll?
er was the worst, he goes by echo romeo & expectation something or other
i personally think that good old Jim-Pir One was the worst troll. crazy conspiracy theory’s
S.o.S.
October 11th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Come on guys. Admit it, you miss some of the famous trolls.
anti mussina
nypd113
etc.
We were able to take out our anger on them.
Who was the worst troll?
————————————————————
Stuart Little and the ones like Ken who appear out of nowhere, professing to have been reading for years and just decided to post, then whine about payroll, players and how terrible and expensive the Stadium is.
omg, lol…i had totally forgotten about “ER” and all his/her obnoxious posts. it has been very peaceful here lately, in a good way.
Sox are starting to hit Kamir — who is really a 5 inning pitcher. So might expose Angel pen. Now up 5-1. Anything cah happen in Fenway so a 4 run lead is not beyond reach but Think we are looking at a game 4 scenario and then hopefully back to LAAA for game #5
The Angels can not beat the Red Sox, that’s definite. If the Sox win today, Lester will win tomorrow…..
Of course, there’s still the ugly spectre of the “Dimwitted Gerbil”, Christina25.
And just like that, the Red Sox are back alive and kicking. So much for Kazmir’s Red Sox and Fenway dominance.
The Sox are a real different animal at home.
I hate to admit it, but Bucholz is coming up big………
I’m torn, I wouldn’t mind seeing an early exit, exposed Red Sox, and crushed souls of a nation today.
And really, we matchup pretty well with the Sox.
Oh, well, I guess that’s why they play the games, huh?
SoS,
Did you move to Indianapolis or San Antonio?
I think the Red Sox/Angels will go down to Game 5. I’m with Betsy, if RS win today, Lester will win tomorrow, he’s too good to have 2 “bad” games in a row.
That says something about the Sox that they are still so dependent on home field. The Yankees don’t need their home ballpark to win……That said, the Angels need to show some guts against the Sox and Kazmir has folded like a cheap suit.
Man, I luv Eli Manning! Giants knocking the Raiders around (not surprising).
M- Game 4 would be Lester vs Saunders and Game 5 would be Beckett vs Lackey.
Lester will be on short rest tomorrow night. Net net, this series is going 5 games and if so, buchholz is the alcs game 1 starter for boston and weaver is the alcs games 1 starter for anaheim.
Kaz has dug his team in a hole.Socks as usual play well at home. The professional sports handicapper projected all along Angels in 5.
Of course they projected Dodgers in 4,but they did it in 3 as you know.
But that said, I’m not rooting for either team as far as who would be an easier opponent. I’d like the Angels to win simply because I detest the Red Sox………but the Yankees need to beat whoever is in front of them. If they can’t, then it means they weren’t good enough.
mel,
Not sure if thats a trick question. I moved both my home and business an hour from san diego. Its a desert city. I went from living 20 minuts from s.d. to frying eggs in your concrete. Gotta do what you gotta do.
Still and indy and S.A. homer.
The Dimwitted Gerbil…..The best line of the 2009 season……….
Buccholz has been OK, not great, by any means. They’ve had some loud outs off of him today.
So if the Yankees lose tonight and win tomorrow, what is the rotation for the ALCS?
AJ, Andy, CC, 4th, AJ, Andy, CC?
Carlo,
Thanks.
G-Men making a joke of the Raiders, 28-0.
9 yards in 9 plays?! WOW Raiders are awful!
How sad are the Cowboys? KC has 24 yards of total offense and Dallas is losing 10-0. lol. That’s bad.
Wow @ G-Men!
Never under estimate the power of home field,sleeping in your own bed,your fans it’s all good.
Clay is soon to be out he’s at 85 pitches now after 5,(and avg 17 pitches per inning,)their pen will be strained to hold this lead.
pat m-
stan would be an amazing roving catching instructor for the yankees, but i don’t think they pay enough for that position.
he’s also very good with pitchers. he butted heads with garza but got through to him before he was traded to the rays.
ironically , it wouldn’t surprise me to see him end up in the red sox organization. his twin brother stu( twins minor league pitching coach) has a house in ft meyers) and stan has been based in ft meyers because of the twins being there in spring training.
the red sox seem like they wouldn’t want old school types which stan is, but the red sox seem to realize they need old school types to balance out their new school tendencies. tony cloninger is an example of this.
he was a fifteen year yankee minor league and mlb pitching coach and now works for the red sox as a pitching consultant.
stan and tony know each other well too.
stan will end up somewhere good. he’s worked in baseball since he was 18 years old. i don’t think he’ll have trouble finding his next baseball job.
m,
How sad are the Cowboys? Not as sad as the Raiders.
Betsy – if we lose tonight and win tomorrow, AJ would pitch Game 1 and CC Game 2. Puts AJ in line for Game 5 on the road though so not ideal. Game 2 of Alcs is saturday so CC would be on regular rest after a monday start.
man I actually feel bad for the raiders…this is like beating the c*ap out of a kid
Pete Abe has less than 10 posts for a gametime update with his team winning. Those Boston fans are really hyped up.
Maybe Pete can give Gammons some teeth whitener and shake his hand.
Carlo, AJ has had good games on the road – his road ERA is blown up by his Fenway disasters. Of course, if the Sox win, he’d have to pitch there again, which is definitely not ideal……but, I guess we’ll have to deal with it when the time comes.
Thanks for the info!
Girardi said he would use Molina to catch Burnett again. Not much respect for Posada.
Fran,
Sorry. I should’ve clarified. I was talking about professional teams.
Whos the worst NFL team?
Bucs
Rams
Browns
Chiefs
Titans
Panthers
I go with Browns.
Maybe the Angels would beat us, but the Yanks shouldn’t fear them – they shouldn’t fear anyone, just respect them. Neither the Sox with Lester/Beckett and now Bucholz or the Angels would be an easy out…..but then, that’s how playoff baseball is supposed to be. The Yankees won’t be an easy out for either team either.
“Of course, there’s still the ugly spectre of the “Dimwitted Gerbil”, Christina25.”
pat m-
i agree about that being the best line of the year.
at the time that cracked me up.
it’s amazing how every now and then gb7’s synapses line up and he comes out with a really good one.
m,
LOL.
The Raiders are the Knicks of football. I don’t follow football as well as baseball (though I am a big Bears fan) and I don’t know what Al Davis was like in his glory days….but man, he’s a complete joke. Is Tom Cable still the coach? After he punched an assistant?
Still, the Cowboys are lame right now…..down 10 to the Chiefs?
Angel bullpen will be their undoing in a 7 game series….
Its time to play “Guess the Line Up”.
Please post your line up submissions with players and positions here (or any new threads that pop up). I will accept submissions until 3:30 or sooner if the line up gets leaked online.
Btw- kind of amazing but this is the first GTLU I ever did while I was home. Kind of refreshing to not have to pretend to be working
Girardi said he would use Molina to catch Burnett again. Not much respect for Posada.
Um, we saw it the first time you posted it, gusb.
So this is good. The Angels no longer look invincible so far. Very good.
I came on board here same time as Pat M, just before the winter meetings in 2006. It took a while for the blog to grow to this size, and I have no doubt that Pete can nurture growth at his new digs.
The format is very different though. And though this is the LoHud blog, whenever I told people about it, I called it “Pete Abe’s blog.” I don’t know if that will happen over there because of all the contributors.
But I’ve gone over in the last few days and read some of his posts. Same good content. And really, no one should be questioned about why they choose one job over another.
Buchholtz starting to lose it a little…
lol. The broadcasters are always quick to rush to explain that the ball just slips out of the Red Sox pitchers’ hands. With the Yankees, they gotta look at the video five times and then say, “I don’t know. Looks like it just slipped out of his hand”.
m,
Did i release the demons with the worst trolls of all time post? Could gusb be er, anti, or christina? Hmmm?
1st and 3rd nobody out for the angels. Comeback?
SoS,
Nah, he just wants us to stir up the pot.
if baseball were football, the Yankees would beat the crap out of Pavano.
Erica,
I’ll play. Here is my line-up
Derek SS
Johnny LF
Tex 1B
Alex 3M
Hideki DH
Jorge C
Robbie 2B
Nick RF
Melky CF
Thanks.
the Raiders have to be the worst team in the history of the NFL and Jamarcus Russell the worst #1 pick in history, he makes Ryan Leaf look like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady rolled into 1.
considering this is an elimination game for the twins – if we get 2 or 3 runs off pavano early, gardenhire may pull him quick.
I don’t care about the Giants, but they should pull Manning and let Carr play……
I’m not stirring any pot. Posada’s overated anyways.
No sad is the St Louis Rams,0-4,turnover capital of the NFL,sitting on the 5 yard line and fumbles the ball.
Quarterback lost ball out of hand before forward motion,Vikings score TD# 2 in 1st quarter.
Looks like Tori’s bat woke up,a double,and a steal. Bases loaded no body out.Clay is pulled,YES 95 pitches,I was right!
Can Bard pull a Robertson.
LOL. The irony.
If the Yankees were a UFC fighter they would beat the crap out of Pavano till he tapped out. Come to think of it. No tap out would stop them.
Im just hoping they are not too agressive swinging at bad pitches today. Making Pavano effective.
Francona has left his starters in way too long in this series. Beckett the other night in the 7th inning with 2 outs and now with labtops. He should of been out once it was 1st and 3rd. Francona’s managing has been very Torre like.
LOL The Yankees have messed up with bases loaded, no one out……..the Twins did it. Now it’s the Angels’ turn. I’m not rooting for either team (though I prefer the Angels win because I can’t deal with the Sox).
The Bears need to heal up – they’ll have their chances to play the Vikings.
Wow the refs are trying to stop this from being a blowout! That was a BS call
gusb,
lol. Sorry, gus. Just thought you were trying to start up something with your disrespect comment.
Never mind.
MG, I have never liked Al Davis, aside from apparent senility, there seems to be this weird almost evil vibe he gives off. What he did with Marcus Allen was petty and cruel in my estimation.
m – very ironic.
Let’s go, extra innings!
That was ball 4 Rivera swung at……..watch him K and then the next batter will hit into a DP
Betsy – agree, AJ is fine on the road for the most part. Better at home, but road splits aren’t so bad ex fenway. I was thinking more about a series versus Boston. Don’t want AJ pitching a Game 5 at Fenway
LOL big surprise……….
Eh, color me unimpressed.
He’s no Robertson, haha.
Guess the Line up Time!!!!
So far Fran is the only submission
No one else playing??
m
October 11th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Eh, color me unimpressed.
He’s no Robertson, haha.
****
I still would like to send him a fruit basket as a token of my appreciation
4 hours and 41 minutes until Game 3!!!!!!
Last night my buddy said that it’s hard to believe that on the verge could have such different meaning to two teams. I thought that was pretty funny.
Bronx Born
October 11th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
MG, I have never liked Al Davis, aside from apparent senility, there seems to be this weird almost evil vibe he gives off. What he did with Marcus Allen was petty and cruel in my estimation.
———————————–
other than being born in Brooklyn and attening Erasmus Hall HS Davis has no other redeeming qualities, these awful teams are his payback for a career marked by screwing cities and fans.
Eh, the only thing that really bugs me in the game is that Bucholz pitched well…..The Angels can not do jack at Fenway and Kazmir choked.
Carlo, I expect AJ to pitch much better in Fenway next year- I have to think his performances there this year were flukish.
Okay -
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF
I hope that Jesus Montero becomes as overrated as Posada is.
What did Al Davis doe to Marcus Allen?
Hopefully the Yanks can follow the Dodgers receipe from last night’s game. Score a run early, then continue to tack on more runs. Of course that only works if Pettitte can shut them down for a couple of innings. But hopefully they can take the Twins out of the game early. Pettitte is going to have to pitch Mauer inside. Otherwise he will get killed by him.
Worst team in NFL is the Rams,just gave up turnover#3.
Bret is putting on a clinic,today.
Erica
guess I picked the right time to check in! I will go w/ the regular line up
SS the Captain
LF Erica’s PBF
1B Tex
3B Al
DH Godzilla
C Jorge
2B Cano
RF Swishy
CF Melky
jeter(ss)
damon(lf)
tex(1b)
arod(3b)
matsui(dh)
posada(c)
cano(2b)
swisher(rf)
gardner(cf)
i doubt girrardi will start gardner
i just put gardner in to be different
Erica,
Here is my line up-it’s predictable
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF
I want the Bears to put a smackdown on Farve ……..
Betsy,
Even if they do, Favre will bounce right back up. He’s one bad dude.
The Chiefs are wearing some nice retro helmets. Red with a yellow silhouette of the state of Texas.
The same thing beats Kazmir everytime. Be patient and he will walk you to put some guys on base and then a homerun. He has good stuff but isn’t consistent at all and always has big innings.
I hope that Jesus Montero becomes as overrated as Posada is.
Girardi’s smart letting Molina catch Burnett again. Posada’s catching is so last year.
Man Eli has a bruised heel and the Giants are 28-7 over the Raiders,ouch!
I despise Farve for what he’s pulled, but as long as the Bears beat the Vikings, I’ll be happy. It’s sweet having a QB like Cutler….Bears have things to work on, but it’s been a good quarter of the season for them.
Way to be different bru
why is there discussion about Molina and Burnett? Andy is pitching today.
Tom in N.J.
October 11th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I hope that Jesus Montero becomes as overrated as Posada is.
====
Too bad Montero isn’t a switchy, like Jorge. But he does have great opposite field power. It would have been awesome if Sanchez wielded a lefty bat. But I guess I’ll “settle” for two right-handed-hitting catchers with plus, plus power.
Red with a yellow silhouette of the state of Texas.
——–
Clean your t.v. screen mel. Its a white state on their helmets.
Angels had a big chance against the Red Sox and blew it. They’ll get them next game if they don’t come back.
Is that the discussion du jour again?
Time to leave.
gusb
When Posada catches all the pitchers throw a lot more balls,and pitches in general than with Molina.
I like the guy but he’s predictable,and selfish.
Betsy, read the bio on Wikipedia. Should give you all the info on their feud.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Allen
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF
I just hope Montero is as over rated as Mauer.
Does anyone know if Figgins is a FA after this season?
Yeah he’s definitely preditable and selfish.
it is hard to tell if it is right or wrong to start molina with aj
girrardi pulled molina fast once burnett left
i probably start molina & pull him wen burnett is gone just to give burnett no excuses
i dont think jg knows for sure how can we ??
“Posada’s catching is so last year.”
Jorge didn’t catch for most of last year-Molina did.
How’d that work out?
Anyway, Kate’s right. Go Yankees and Go Andy.
And Go Molina too!
Bard just throwing 100 with ease.
Whatever works right?
Erica,
I’m going with Girardi’s standard lineup, although I would love to see GGBG start:
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF
Looks like Red Sox live to see another day.
If Bard is good, does it make Papelbon expendable?
1.Jeter
2.Damon
3.Teixeira
4.A-Rod
5.Matsui
6.Posada
7.Cano
8.Swisher
9.Cabrera
Look for some comments today about the strike zone. Very tall. And Figgins did check his swing.
And that Bard curveball to Napoli, not only up, but in. You can’t fool these catchers.
And you can’t fool Swish. He gets it right most of the time.
If Boston wins today who are the starting pitchers for the game tomorrow?
If the Yanks get to a game 5 in this series I don’t see how you can sit Posada’s bat again. Then you have the automatic outs at the bottom again with the M&M boys…Melky and Molina. Hopefully it doesn’t get that far and they finish this off tonight or tomorrow.
Yankees record in games started by Posada and Molina
Posada 64 Wins, 34 Losses
Molina 23 Wins, 19 Losses
Case closed…
Fran,
Scroll up. Carlo had a good post and extrapolated it out to possible game 1 starters in the ALCS.
100 pitches,
Molina had all of one at-bat…
one thing is for sure i like posadas bat in the lineup esp at home
i would love to see cervelli catch burnett
he just always looks so calm
“Bard throws wicked hard. ” -pete abe
Whoever said that Pete Abe writes to his audience is 100% right….LOL!!!!!!!
Here’s who is in for GTLU so far:
Fran, Doreen, Upstate Kate, kf, Christina, Ed H, Yanksfan (same)
Bru
Reminder: Submissions until 3:30 or when the real line up gets leaked. If a new thread comes up, post on the new thread only
Fran
Saunders and Lester (on 3 days rest)
Doreen – Oh, I absolutely think the Red Sox master plan calls for Bard to replace Paps. Papelbon is coming up his big money years, and the Sox, between that and his injury risk, want no part of him. I think that once the Red Sox feel comfortable that Bard can do the job, Papelbon is history up there.
On another note, people have noted that Kazmir is just not more than a 5 inning pitcher. Given the situation over there in Anaheim, maybe the Angels should move him to the bullpen.
Thanks Kate and m
MG
i agree
you just do not take a bat like that out of a lineup
SI_JonHeyman
passed street called Blackfan on way to fenway. and havent seen one since.
4 minutes ago from web
I could care less whether the Angels or Sox win the series (the Yankees just need to beat whoever they face) but it certainly would help to see the series go 5 games, facing the #3 starter in the 1st game of the ALCS is certainly better than facing the #1 starter.
come on jg put gardner in so i can win
Case may be closed for you,but Posada is a selfish,self entitled guy.
Molina only had one at bat because the Yanks didn’t touch Blackburn at all. If they got a couple of hits then he could of had 3 at bats. Yanks are lucky he didn’t come up in a big spot. I just doubt Girardi would sit Posada in a game 5. AJ only gave up 1 run but he was extremely lucky it was only that with how many guys he put on base.
Bronx Born, thanks! Wow, Davis is pathetic – how do you treat a franchise player like that?
—.—.—.
October 11th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Case may be closed for you,but Posada is a selfish,self entitled guy.
——————————-
case is closed for anyone who understands 64-34 is a better record than 23-19, I guess you failed simple algebra in school.
Wow, Bard throws hard. I respect him, but he can be beaten……of course, Phil Hughes had bad day yesterday, so he can be beaten, too.
This series is going back to Anaheim – the Angels cower in the face of the Sox. One win by the Sox and they’ll be running scared.
100 pitches,
Sorry, I’m just not going to worry about it.
bru,
I doubt it. He wants Gardner available as a pinch runner.
Stephen,
That’s wicked awful. lol.
GreenBeret7 October 11th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Of course, there’s still the ugly spectre of the “Dimwitted Gerbil”, Christina25.
===========================
When I type lol, I really truly mean I was laughing out loud.
Dimwitted Gerbil. Hahahaha
i felt wicked bad for pete having so few comments over at extra bases so i stirred the pot a bit
randy-l wrote:
i’ve been telling people over at lohud for a while that “laptop” is a pretty good young pitcher.
I don’t believe what Girardi is saying – that Molina catching AJ in game 1 doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t be catching him going forward. He’d be a hypocrite if he replaced Molina with Jorge now. His whole MO was that AJ/Molina were in a rhythm together…….so, since most think AJ pitched well on Friday, and presumably Joe did as well, why would he break up the battery now? I blame this on Joe because Joe clearly thinks AJ is too fragile and needs a security blanket…..If I were AJ, I’d be more than a little annoyed that my manager has no faith in me.
Well hopefully the Yanks slap around the thief tonight and then we don’t have to worry about any of that catching stuff. Until the next round of course….
m
me too but if gardner starts we have more speed for longer
how do we know that wont make a difference???
it allows us to play a different game from the get go
Randy, I don’t think anyone said Clay wasn’t a good young pitcher (though 25 is pushing it)…….he also was beating up bad teams and finished with two bad performances. He was very good today – give him credit. Kazmir was lousy….give him demerits.
“SI_JonHeyman
passed street called Blackfan on way to fenway. and havent seen one since.
4 minutes ago from web”
that’s actually pretty funny.
Anyone know if Victor Martinez is a free agent after this year? If so, thoughts on having him dh next year? Has el capitan played at all in the angels series?
mel,
Pats/Broncos today. Do they hand them their first loss today?
Youkilis sure doesn’t look like a Gold Glover in this series…
100 pitches,
Now that’s the attitude. How many at-bats will Molina actually get if we breeze right through?
SoS,
Hard to tell. But I’ll go with Pats. Broncos look good though.
Bru, I love Gardner’s speed on the carpet. Those balls will be skimming into the gaps.
LOL Now I get that tweet – I didn’t understand it the first few times I read it……
Keep looking at stats only,instead of the players.Whatever floats your boat.
There’s a reason it’s been 8 yrs in the wilderness.
Posada needs to drop the me attitude.He’s on a team not boot camp lighten up.He’s too rigid!!
Heres hoping Wagner has one of those nice meltdowns he’s had in the past. I cant root for the red sox fellas. Not even for 1 game. Its Yankee fan and anyone vs. Boston all day.
strange
wagner has a 6 whip with a 0 era
Angels are going down without a fight today.
tying run up
randy
When Pete left I asked him to take the trolls with him.
Glad to see he listened. Now if he can get you to stay there.
new thread
no line ups here
Lets go angels
1 run game
without a fight??
juan” long gone from the yankees” knocks in two runs off papelbon who’s in for a 4 out save.
5-4 red sox.
What’s so funny about this game and tomorrow’s (if there’s one,)Socks will still have to win on the road.I still want both teams to deplete their pens,going the distance,and be worn out.
YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!1111111111111111111111111
Angels 7 – 6 lead top of the 9th, 2 outs.
couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy, Papelbon! lol
one and done
bummers
wicked bummers
Angels 7 – 6. Good come back. Now we will see what Boston can do. Nothing. Angels sweep.
Wow – the Angels did it. I hope the Yankees take care of business tonight. Love the way our boys are playing – go Yanks!!!!!
The board seems to have less personal attacks and discord with the absence of Pete’s negativity and obvious points of bias…..that’s good. Sam and his colleagues are doing a very good job.
Edit–swing