Flash Points: John Flaherty breaks down the Game 5 pitching match-up
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Oct 22, 2009 
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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. Be sure to check him out on the pre- and post-game show on YES today. Here’s his take on the Game 5 starters:
YANKEES: RHP A.J. Burnett (0-0, 2.19 ERA in postseason)
WHAT’S HE THROW? “Two kinds of fastballs, power curveball, change-up.”
STRENGTHS: “I thought at the beginning of Game 2, his rhythm and tempo were fantastic. I had been worried about him being a little too excited but he looked under control, and that is critical for an emotional pitcher. His curveball was excellent despite the cold weather, and you would think he would be even more comfortable with the curveball out in California with the temperatures being better, so I look for that to be a crucial pitch for him again.”
WEAKNESSES: “I think the one negative we saw in Game 2 was when the Angels got on base, he got a little distracted – he spiked a few curveballs in the dirt and got a little out of sorts. The Yankees have made such an effort here to pay attention to baserunners, so there isn’t much you can do about that. The key is going to be limiting those opportunities – keeping the walks down and not hitting any batters, which A.J. has been known to do sometimes. You don’t want to give the Angels any free bases.”
——-
ANGELS: RHP John Lackey (1-1, 1.38 in postseason)
WHAT’S HE THROW? “Fastball, curveball, hard slider, but his pitch is his fastball. He’s got a straight one, a four-seamer, and a hard biting two-seamer.”
STRENGTHS: “I thought he was pretty good in Game 1 – the defense let him down quite a bit. He competes. If you’re the Angels and you have one guy in that rotation that you have a must-win, you want it to be Lackey. Make-up is not a problem with him. I like the fact that he throws both fastballs to both sides of the plate, so from a hitting standpoint you have a lot to think about. The velocity isn’t overpowering, but out of his hand you don’t know what to look for – is it diving or is it a true fastball?”
WEAKNESSES: “It’s really got to be a wait-and-see approach with someone like Lackey. I think the Yankees are going to pay attention early on, just like they did with Kazmir, and try to push that pitch count. The first couple of batters of the night, all the Yankees in the dugout are going to be paying attention to see, does this guy have his location tonight? If he does, you have to be aggressive because you can’t fall behind a guy like Lackey. If he doesn’t, they’ll try to make him work and get into that bullpen.”
———–
EDGE: “I favor the Yankees overal in this game because they’re looking to close this thing out. Judging by what you hear coming out of the clubhouse, they’re not looking ahead and they’re focused on the job they’ve got. I think Lackey is going to pitch a good ballgame but I think the Yankees are going to be too much in the end.”
the angels bullpen is also pretty tired. bonus for the good guys
5 hours and 20 minutes until Game 5!!!!!!!!
I want to be tired and happy at work tomorrow morning. Let’s Go Yankees!!!
Yankee fans,
Trust AJ tonight. No negative enegry!!!
He’s a beast. I’m hoping he Ks 10 in 6-7 innings tonight.
Follow CC and go get ‘em AJ!!!
It’s interesting that he says he favors the Yankees as a team, but not Burnett over Lackey.
Says a lot.
However, as I’ve said before, I don’t care how they win, as long as they win.
I think AJ has a great game tonight. Just a hunch (one I hope comes true)
One good thing is that we probably won’t see Howie Kendrick in the lineup today. He usually sits against righties.
He wasn’t playing 2nd in game 2 when Izturis tried to be a hero and throw the ball away. Who knows, but Kendrick probably goes to 1st on that play.
I agree with Randy, this game is HUGE for AJ. Want to be remembered like a David Cone, El Duque, :gulp: Curt Schilling? Then you have to win this start.
Erica, I saw where they added James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Sting…Who else ????
Hearing McCarver sing just made me sick…I sure his cd will be a top seller…
A dear friend of mine just emailed to say he’ll be at tonight’s game.
Greatest guy in the world, loves to discourse about years of watching Joe Di, and has forgotten more baseball than most of us remember.
I really want us to win for him tonight.
And I really, really don’t want to have to trudge to the Stadium on Saturday.
McCarver’s lyrics are perverted.
Yanks win 8-4 Tex goes deep (possibly twice)
You are right Rebecca. In all Flash’s other pitching breakdowns he has given the edge to a starting pitcher, but never picked a team.
after saying go with Jorgie as DH I’ve changed my mind. At this point it is all about ending the series tonight. All you really need is 5 strong innings from AJ. The entire pen is available to go long tonight with the off day yesterday and potentially 5 off days ahead it would be better to use more of your key pen guys anyway. Plus as someone pointed out already you can get a full night’s work out of Matsui’s bat this way and still get Jorgie in there for at least 3ab’s.
tex will definatly sent a message! promise
Posada’s career numbers against Lackey just aren’t that meaningful to the here and now.
Including the postseason, Posada only faced Lackey 5 times in 2009 (1 single in 4 ABs, plus a walk). He did not face Lackey in 2008. The good numbers come from 6 PAs against him in 2007, and 6 PAs in 2006. I just don’t think that’s too meaningful.
lets just hope we see more Robertson/Hughes/Mo and less Joba/Aceves
Tex had a good looking AB in his first appearance in Game 4, and had that hit.
BTW, I can’t see sitting Swish. This is not the time of year you “rest” a starter, and he had a rest yesterday.
If we win tonight, he’ll have plenty of “rest.”
What he needs is to work his way out of his troubles. He did walk the other night, and he was making his outs on contact, instead of striking out, if I remember rightly.
He looked slightly better.
Look, you can’t give away all that OPS in the same game and expect to exert the same kind of offensive muscle.
The headache and spectre of our starting lineup affects in-game decisions, too, not just the results of that lineup.
It’s bad enough w/out Jorge’s stick. Leave the lineup alone.
i predict the game will be tied 3-3 headed into the 9th…some angel reliever like jepsen or palmer will have melky, jorge in for molina, and jeter. melky bloops a single, jorge walks and the captain doubles. mo gets up in the pen. we go from there.
meant to say after the jorge walk, fuentes would come in to give up the jeter double.
Brian:
Tie game at home in a do or die…why wouldn’t Fuentes be in to start the inning?
We need to use the key bullpen guys in this game. No Aceves, and no Joba. The only guys who should be in there in a close game: Robertson, Hughes, Rivera.
I would definitely not sit Swish tonight. They need to get him going and if the Yanks move on they will need his bat. Tex and Swish worked with Long before game 4 and both looked much better. Hopefully that will continue tonight. Also if Tex gets on base then Arod has to be pitch to.
Matsui fared better against Lackey than Posada in Game 1, so I’d stick with him. Matsui looked pretty bad in Game 4, but maybe he’ll be more confident against Lackey knowing that he was able to hit him in Game 1.
Scared of the Wall
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Matsui fared better against Lackey than Posada in Game 1, so I’d stick with him. Matsui looked pretty bad in Game 4, but maybe he’ll be more confident against Lackey knowing that he was able to hit him in Game 1
**********
Agreed. I figure Matsui has to break out at some point. I’m hoping it’s tonight!
lets go yankees (formerly lets go twins) October 22nd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
The only point in the season where Gardner was an everyday player was in April! And it was not more that Melky was so hot. It was that Gardner had a .220 AVG and a .254 OBP as an everyday player. So when exactly did Gardner hit close to .300 as an everyday player?
Why should Melky have ever lost his starting job to a rookie who had a .254 OBP as an everyday player? Sure, it would have been nice for Gardner to get a start here and there, but he got injured, so tough luck. Melky has been the CF for a 109 win team.
The only stat you referenced was AVG, so there was nothing else for me to comment on. If you are going to reference that in argument it shows me you have no understanding for important baseball statistics. If you are going to make an argument for Gardner, AVG is probably the worst one you can make.
And, finally 7 games does not make a slump. 162 is much more representative of Swisher’s far superior play than Gardner’s.
—
Gardner was in more of a platoon through when Nady went down until he got hurt where Girardi was finding ways to get him in the lineup whether he, Melky or Swisher was the one on the bench. I’m not strong about statistics because the game is played on the field.
Melky should have lost his “job” through weeks of doing nothing. Gardner’s a rookie but Cabrera’s in what, his 5th year? What improvement has he shown? None.
I hope Fuentes comes into this game.
Finally! and it’s a good thing you didn’t take my first submission because I had Garnder 9 and Melky 8
Jeter 6
Damon 7
Teixeira 3
Rodriguez 5
Posada DH
Cano 4
Cabrera 9
Molina 2
Gardner 8
Gardner batting 9th instead of Molina because he’s a more suitable “second leadoff hitter” in front of the top of the lineup, and on the basepaths would take Lackey’s focus off Jeter/Damon/Teixeira/Rodriguez
Joe won’t mess with the lineup.
Doesn’t seem like the type to leave his imprint by changing his philosophy midstream.
Erica, I’m going with the standard Burnett lineup…
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
ARod 3B
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Melky CF
Molina C
100 pitches of fun…
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I would definitely not sit Swish tonight. They need to get him going and if the Yanks move on they will need his bat. Tex and Swish worked with Long before game 4 and both looked much better
=====
They did, and Swish was really laying off the junk. I don’t think Joe’s thinking of benching Swisher – I can’t buy that.
Erica,
Here’s my GTLU for Game #5
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
ARod 3B
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Melky CF
Molina C
Tonight would be the ideal time for Teixeira, Cano, and Swisher to heat up.
Erica
SS the Captain
LF E’s PBF
1B Tex
3B the new Mr October
DH Sui
RF Swish
2B Cano
CF Melky
C Molina
Erica
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
ARod 3B
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Melky CF
Molina C
Tonight’s lineup should be interesting:
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF
Molina C
Burnett SP
NOW it is time to play Postseason “Guess the Line Up”
I got called into a meeting and missed the 3pm start time. If you posted your line up at 3pm OR later, I will accept it. If you posted it at 10am, I laughed at you and it does not count.
Post players AND POSITIONS!!!!
Guess the Line Up ends at 4:30 or sooner if the line up gets leaked. Absolutely NO late submissions allowed
1996 ALCS Game 5 Derek Jeter, batting 9th, was 4/5 HR SB
Pat M.
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Erica, I saw where they added James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Sting…Who else ????
****
Dion, Little Anthony and the Imperials.
But you got the ones I was really excited about!
Sam thanks a lot for these Flaherty Flash Points, great insight there.
Personally I think Burnett is going to come up big tonight. And I think a lot of bats woke up last night and hopefully that carries over. But Lackey’s going to be tough.
The Angels will go fighting but I just think the Yankees are too good. I’m trying to look at it as an impartial observer and having watched all these games you just get the feeling the Yankees are better and the Angels KNOW the Yankees are better.
So funny Francesa has interrupted Sweeny 3-4 times complaining about a light flickering in the studio. “Eddie you have to shut this thing off, its flickering right in my eye!” Love it.
Every team facing elimination so far has been eliminated on the first try. Let’s not break the trend
Tonight’s LU (not lower-upper decomposition)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
ARod 3B
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Melky CF
Molina C
“I got called into a meeting and missed the 3pm start time.”
Erica, I think it’s time you have a talk with your boss about priorities…
mick October 22nd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Joe won’t mess with the lineup.
Doesn’t seem like the type to leave his imprint by changing his philosophy midstream.
—-
If he doesn’t he’s certainly playing postseason games with a different philosophy than the regular season, regarding the bullpen and the fact that during the regular season he did use different lineups to win different games.
Erica,
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
ARod 3B
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Melky CF
Molina C
And Thanks for running this.
A scout who watched A-Rod in Game 4 said that the only reason he sees why A-Rod is hitting great this postseason is because Torre placed him 8th in the 2005 postseason lineup versus the Angels. (lol just kidding).
It’s worked every game (didn’t do it for Game 3)
Yankees 6, Angels 4
Burnett: 6IP, 5H, 3BB, 6K, 3ER
Coke: .1 IP, 2H, 1ER
Robertson: .2 IP, 1H, 1K
Hughes: 1IP, 1H, 1K
Rivera: 1IP, 1H, 1BB, 2K
Lackey: 7IP, 7H, 2BB, 4K, 4ER
Jeter: 1-5, 2K 1R
Damon: 3-5, 2B, 1R
Tex: 2-4, 2 2B, 1R, 1BB
Arod: 1-3, 2B, 2RBI, 2BB
Matsui: 1-5, RBI
Cano: 3-5, HR, 2RBI
Hokiehill
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:20 pm
“I got called into a meeting and missed the 3pm start time.”
Erica, I think it’s time you have a talk with your boss about priorities…
*****
I almost said I need to leave to start GTLU. Then I realized, that would probably be a really big mistake. LOL
Dave F-
You are welcome
Ok I’ve stayed away from playing playoff GTLU because it seems pretty obvious what the lineup is going to be most days. The only time in the first 7 playoff games Girardi swayed from the expected lineup that day was the Posada/Matsui switch last game.
What the heck, I have to try and defend my title….. but I’m sure I already lost because there’s been so many winners each game.
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
ARod 3B
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Molina C
Will A-rod break the post-season RBI record?
http://www.baseball-reference......hives/3042
Here’s my lineup Erica,
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
Arod 3B
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Swish RF
Melky CF
Molina C
I want to go with Posada at DH, but I think I would rather have him coming off the bench and catching for the second half of the game, and that way you can have both his and Matsui’s bat in the lineup. That way hopefully no losing-the-DH shenanigans will happen if need Posada to catch, kinda like what happened in game 3.
Erica, Smokey Robinson, Little Anthony & The Imperials ( Hurts so Bad ) & Dion…….Should be a great show…..I was at the Garden of George Harrison’s Bangladesh ( The best concert I ever saw ) and a year later for John Lennon’s concert……You’re going right ???
Probably smart move not mentioning GTLU Erica…then your boss would be having the conversation with YOU about priorities…
Miggs-
Its not impossible, I don’t think.
After 6 rounds the leaders are Upstate Kate and Andrew GTLU Bronze Medalist with 4 wins each
If we are fortunate enough to take a lead into the 7th inning tonight I want to see Robertson, Hughes and Rivera, and only Robertson, Hughes and Rivera.
miggs
you were a winner during the regular season when it was so much harder
Pat M.
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Erica, Smokey Robinson, Little Anthony & The Imperials ( Hurts so Bad ) & Dion…….Should be a great show…..I was at the Garden of George Harrison’s Bangladesh ( The best concert I ever saw ) and a year later for John Lennon’s concert……You’re going right ???
****
Yes, I will be there on Thursday night. I have terrible seats but it doesn’t matter. The Garden will be rocking!
ERICA-
ss jeter
lf damon
1b teixeira
3b rodriguez
dh posada
2b cano
rf cabrera
c molina
cf gardner
Pat M-
I also saw the concerts will air as an HBO special the end of November
Erica,
Not too original but here goes:
Derek. SS
Damon. LF
Tex. 1B
Alex. SS
Matsui. DH
Swisher. RF
Cano. 2B
Melky. CF
Molina. C
Thanks for hosting
Pat M.
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I was at the Garden of George Harrison’s Bangladesh ( The best concert I ever saw ) and a year later for John Lennon’s concert……You’re going right ???
***********
Oh my God, I am extremely jealous. That’s awesome! I’m a Beatles freak, unfortunately born too late. I have been lucky enough to see both Paul and Ringo in concert though.
Erin-
I am really starting to wonder if you and I are some long lost twins. I have also seen Paul and Ringo! I LOVE the Beatles. I was born right after John died
How old are you?
Great quote from an espn.com article:
An NL advance scout said it’s no accident Jeter and Teixeira are going to make plays in October that some others might not make.
“They’re so alert,” the scout said. “You know they’re always going to be lurking around out there. If you’re not careful, they’ll pick your pocket.”
Indeed
Thanks to Erica, SJ44 (the real one), GB7, Randy and many, many more for making this a rip-roaring blog. Can’t forget Sam and Chad either, since there has been a marked improvement since they took the reins – not that Pete did not do a bad job, but all that clashing was a distraction.
I was a denizen of the NY Times Blog for almost five years as were a few others here. This blog replaces that and more! Also, when you compare this to Halo Heaven – well, that’s like comparing Arod to Marv Throneberry.
Again, thanks to everyone
Erica – always OPPC
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Erin-
I am really starting to wonder if you and I are some long lost twins. I have also seen Paul and Ringo! I LOVE the Beatles. I was born right after John died
How old are you?
*************
Wow, Erica. I think you might be right! LOL I am 25.
You’re welcome Fran. I noticed you ditched OPPC. How come?
I just ask cause I was thinking of changing up my handle too, but I am not sure of a new one yet
Jeter-SS
Damon-LF
Tex-1B
AROD-3B
Posada-C
Matsui-DH
Cano-2B
Melky-RF
Gardner-CF
Erica that’s so funny how you have GTLU on your mind while in the middle of a work meeting. You certainly are dedicated and thanks for running the game again.
Question for everyone…..Is the ALCS MVP automatically A Rod or could it possibly be CC?
I mean, A Rod has dominated, there’s no arguing that. But CC’s 2 wins, especially going 8 innings on 3 days rest after our extra inning loss, were extremely valuable.
I think in the end you have to give it to A Rod just because his series has been simply amazing. But 95% of the time if you have a playoff series like CC had, that would have been good enough to win the award.
Erin-
I am a little older. I’ll be 29 in December
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
A-Rod. SS
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Melky CF
Molina C
SS Jeter
LF Damon
1B Tex
3B Alex
DH Jorge
RF Swish
2B Cano
CF Melk
C Molina
miggs – GTLU Reigning Champion
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Erica that’s so funny how you have GTLU on your mind while in the middle of a work meeting. You certainly are dedicated and thanks for running the game again.
****
You are welcome! I am glad to be doing it. I actually missed it. I will try to pick it up again next season, but if I do it will definitely not be until after April 15th. I need to see how busy season goes and what this blog is like then
miggs…maybe they get co-MVP’s…someone mentioned this earlier but I don’t recall who.
miggs I think it’ll be a Co-MVP thing the way both have carried this team on their shoulders.
Erica-well we’re not twins, but maybe we have a distant relative in common.
I think the Yanks are gonna pound them tonight.
one … more… win…
Question for everyone…..Is the ALCS MVP automatically A Rod or could it possibly be CC?
****
I am on the fence right now. I can see it going either way. If A-Rod can manage more heroics tonight, that will be a different story
Erica,
I am still an OPPC member in good standing. But I am sending this from my Blackberry and too lazy to type in OPPC member.It is on my computer at home.
ROBBYKID
I LOVE THE QUOTE
SS Jeter
LF Damon
1B Tex
3B Alex
DH Jorge
2B Cano
RF Melky
C Molina
CF Gardner
It’s not to punish Swish, it’s because of the potential need to manufacture runs against Lackey and the improved defense is a plus. And it gives the Yanks a nice bench of Matsui, Swisher, Hairston and Cervelli…. oh yeah, the other guy too… he really helps.
You better hope it ain’t Hendry Morales
Will A-rod break the post-season RBI record?
————————————————————–
These post-season streaks are really skewed.
Last night Chase Utley tied Gehrig for most consecutive games reaching base at 25.
19 possible games in the modern post season compared to 7.
Guys like Gehrig had to get it done over multiple years.
Howard and Arod can get it done in 2 weeks.
By the way, check out Gehrig’s OPS over that span. It’s over 2,000 !
I think they will be co-MVP’s.
If the ALCS ends tonight, I think I would have to give the MVP to Arod just because he has been producing in every game of this series, while CC has only been in two games. I am in no way taking anything from CC, but at this point I think it has to go to Alex. I don’t want to get too ahead of myself though, so lets just win tonight!!
I would be cool with co-MVP’s too.
BJ
By the way, check out Gehrig’s OPS over that span. It’s over 2,000 !
Yep, I mentioned that a few days ago
I honestly can’t choose between the two. If it were up to me, they’d be co-MVPs.
Here’s who is in today’s GTLU so far:
Reminder, post players and positions. Line ups until 4:30 (no later!!!). Game ends automatically if line up is leaked
Hokiehill, Rob in VT, Upstate Kate, BigSix, DaveF, miggs, Fran, Blackaccord (same)
Andrew, iiicollies, Shawn (same)
ADAm
Gardner in CF, Mr October, 86w183 (same)
Robbykid
They were talking about MVP on the post or pre game show, I forget which. Flash was going w/ CC. I think Kay and Kenny were going w/ Arod, or possibly co-MVP.
At this point I would lean toward CC. He put in 2 strong performances, and also saved the bullpen.
Hard to say for sure until it is over.
BJ
also considering Howard and Arod are doing over the course of a few weeks, wouldn’t there be more pressure on them?
What Flu? – SS
Damon – LF
Mr. Defense – 1B
MVP – 3B
Matsui – DH
Swish – RF
Former Ninja – 2B
Melky – CF
Hip Hip Jose – C
Hey all! Gorgeous day here, 70 degrees, and the sun is shining brightly. Of course it always shines mre brightly when the Yanks are up 3-1 rather than down 3-1!!!
Here is the update on the chart. I have figured out the points from the NLCS. I won’t take any WS predictions until the ALCS is closed out. It isn’t that I don’t think we’re ready to have them. It’s just a superstition kind of thing.
http://members.cox.net/lsdorgan/CLS.pdf
I haven’t read all of the posts on the different threads but I know one was devoted to DH. This is just a hunch based on watching Girardi in operation. I wouldn’t be surprised if he uses Matsui with the reason being that he wants to get him off the shnide (sp?). I’m not saying I agree or disagree. When I see the name he has pencilled in, I will believe it is the right name. But if he does go with Matsui I would bet that would be at least part of the reason. I remember him being asked about sitting someone because they weren’t hitting (this postseason) and he said that you don’t sit someone just because they haven’t been hitting. I think he would prefer to let the person work things out. When you’re up 3-1 you do have that luxury.
Anyway, I’m in love with our Yankee team and I am in love with the job Girardi has done with the team. Life is very very good.
I did get to read SJ’s interpretation of the decline of Torre and I think it was excellent and was really on point.
GO YANKEES!!!
SHUT UP FATCESSCA! FAT ASS
Hang up on this guy Mike.
Don’t forget we have our lucky (inactive) mascot sitting on the bench…Hinske has been to the WS the past 2 years.
Thanks Mr. October….
Thanks Mr. October….
Don’t get too excited after a yankee game, you might get fined for solicitation:
http://bit.ly/s1iA7
86W183
You and I are the only two that believe in that lineup. Your right its not to punish Swisher. Although he is 5/49 against Lackey. It sures up the D, makes us better on the bases, lets swisher clear his head and possibly come up with a big hit late. With Matsui, Swisher, Hairston, I wouldnt be suprised if once AJ is out Girardi slides Posada into the catcher spot giving up the DH and then just using the guys listed above (Matsui Swisher possibly Hairston)to pinch hit in the pitchers spot which would be 8th. Cervelli is still on the bench just in case of emergency and Guzman as well as Hairston are on the bench to run need be.
Anyone know if the stadium is open tonight?
“Hang up on this guy Mike”
Why? Because A-Rod is on HGH and you don’t wanna hear it?
what’s fatcessa saying??
Erica
Cano & Swish switch….
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
ARod 3B
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Melky CF
Molina C
Thanks Erica.
Haha!
‘Ransom Sucks’ is back.
Sit back and enjoy.
sorta reminds me of a four year saying things to make the adults angry.
Bye
By the way I am hung up on defense and pitching. I have always been that way. Of course I’m grateful that the Yankees were #1 in runs in the majors this year. That of course is a bonus.
I don’t get in a twist when someone isn’t hitting, especially with our lineup. So about Swisher – he has made some hell of a good catches out there. I think his defense has been invaluable so his lack of offense isn’t throwing me.
Typically pitching and defense wins your championships. That is a saying for good reason. I’m willing to give up some offense to have the pitching and defense that we do. Offense is always secondary to me. If you pitch, the rest takes care of itself – especially with our lineup.
JMO, and I’m sticking to it!
lineup
mr minka flavor of the month kelly – ss
mr erica always oppc – lf
mr my wife hates shopping in boston – 1b
mr househusband of hollywood movie star – 3b
mr paper wife – dh
mr i’m not stepping on third base first – 2b
mr i eat peanuts with a porn star – rf
mr aj burnett is my meal ticket – c
mr speed kills…yankee rallys – cf
“These post-season streaks are really skewed.”
As long as you realize Gehrig, Mantle etc did all their damage in the WORLD SERIES and didn’t get to pad their numbers against dubious playoff teams like the Rangers, Twins, Rockies, etc.
Look at the 1928 Series – Gehrig in 4 games hit 4 homers, 9 RBI, hit .545. Who would his division opponent been that year? The St./ Louis Browns? double or triple those numbers.
Mr. October — Brilliant minds think alike. Let’s hope Girardi has one too!
Gotta go away till game time or later… good luck getting it done Yanks.
Erica, if you’re out there, here is my GTLU entry:
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Tex 1B
A Rod 3B
Posada DH
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF
Molina C
Hinske is a good luck charm. He has been with two World series teams : 2007 Red Sox, 2008 Rays.
We should keep for next year since he is a good luck charm, lol.
a good way to check if a player is doing HGH is to look at his chin. A lot of chins start to jut more or get pointy when HGH levels go way up. Around baseball a lot of players are hiding their chins with beards, but you can still generally tell if there’s a more pronounced chin, even with the beards.
WHAT THE HELL has it right also!!!!!!!!!!
what the heCK
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
*****
I don’t like your handle very much, but you called Johnny Damon my husband so you are in.. hehehehe
Final Thought
I agree that “post-season” records are pretty much B.S. when you consider players who had only World Series games in their post-season, likely meaning better competition than early rounds these days.
Jeter has more post-season HR than The Mick… nuff said.
Getting some interesting variety from y’all out there
“Around baseball a lot of players are hiding their chins with beards…”
I actually don’t consider HGH a PED. It has yet to be proven that it actually enhances your performance.
Unlike steroids.
Will we stop with the HGH talk already ! I am sick of fans talking about it since players from all teams have taken it. Get over it !
MR.OCTOBER, 86W183
I’m with you guys, nobody’s being punished by not starting.
And brilliant minds do think alike
Francesa didn’t get it – the caller was a Met fan.
“I did get to read SJ’s interpretation of the decline of Torre and I think it was excellent and was really on point.”
Where is that post? I’d be interested in reading it, after listening to the post game interview with Torre, in which he was rambling. Interesting if the ownership will pony up to sign some big ticket players pending the McCourt divorce.
MR.OCTOBER
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:55 pm
WHAT THE HELL has it right also!!!!!!!!!!
==============================================
sorry mr october i have matsui at DH – him of the paper wife
erica the real mrs JD has nothing on you….can she fill out a tax form…i don’t think so!!!
Jeter-SS
Damon-LF
Tex-1B
A-Rod-3B
Matsui-DH
Posada-c (going against the grain here)
Cano-2B
Melky-RF
Gardner-CF
“also considering Howard and Arod are doing over the course of a few weeks, wouldn’t there be more pressure on them?”
Personally, I doubt either were aware of the streak.
My point is that essentially Howard and Arod have been hot for 2 weeks. (Actually Arods streak began in the last game against Cleveland in 2007 and certainly he wasn’t hot then)
Gehrig was hot for the 4 games in the 1928 world Series(A Yankee sweep) then 4 years later he was hot again.(Another sweep)
I guess I will give it a try…GTLU entry
Jeter – SS
Damon – LF
Teixeira – 1B
Rodriguez – 3B
Matsui – DH
Cano – 2B
Cabrera – CF
Swisher – RF
Molina – C
Trader, I will find it and link to it for you.
what the heCK
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
sorry mr october i have matsui at DH – him of the paper wife
erica the real mrs JD has nothing on you….can she fill out a tax form…i don’t think so!!!
*****
Dude, thats nothing. You should see how I work a calculator
YANKEES FANS v ANGLES FANS – FISTFIGHT!
UNDER THE FERGOSI BANNER!
NOT CURSING! NOT THUNDER STICKS!
Bronx Bombers Girl
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I guess I will give it a try…GTLU entry
****
Welcome to the party
Uncle E-
What has got you so riled up???
new thread
DO NOT POST ANYMORE LINE UPS HERE
This might be a stupid question but….Who decides who the MVP is?
SJ44
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:57 am
There were two Joe Torre’s as manager of the Yankees.
One with Don Zimmer on the bench and one without.
The one without Zimmer on the bench burned out relief pitchers AND the team. He also cared more about his image and his brand the final few years on the job.
That wore on almost everybody on the team, except those who blindly followed him.
In 2007, Luis Vizcaino pitched 13 times in the second half of the year in games when the Yankees had leads of 4 or more runs.
He was shot by the time the playoffs came around.
He killed Tom Gordon in 2004 and rendered him useless in the post-season.
His overuse of Proctor, Quantrill, Sturtze and others are well documented.
Yes, the starting pitching wasn’t what it was in the Dynasty Years. However, as manager, you have to do a better job of handling your bullpen and Torre did a poor job of that in the Post-Zimmer years.
The Yankees are one win away from going to the World Series with a 3 man starting pitching staff. Joe Torre wasn’t that short of arms in his time in NY.
He just did a poor job of utilizing them in the Post-Zimmer years.
Erica – always OPPC
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Uncle E-
What has got you so riled up???
Ransom Sucks is hear! Just recalling the loosey goosey time that was the begining of the season.
Big Mikey Francesa can’t even stay awake:
http://thesportshernia.typepad.....awake.html
Paco Dooley October 22nd, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Posada at DH is ok in a regular season game, but in a playoff game you need him as a late inning option and you cannot drop the DH to hit for Molina, which means you would have to hit for Molina late and insert Cervelli, which puts you in a tight spot.
***************
Where’s the LoHud love for Frankie Blue-Eyes? Yes, he’s a light hitter, and sure, he’s no Posada or Matsui, but he did bat near .300 this season, and earned himself a memorable walk-off pie. He’s got some speed, is better than Molina offensively, and is very solid defensively. If you pinch hit Matsui late in the game, and then Cervelli gets maybe 1 or more at-bats, I don’t think you’re really giving up too much.
Cervelli did a heck of a job hitting as I remember. That was just one of the great surprises about him.
Thanks Trisha-
Go Yankees!
Good stuff. Thanks again to Flash!
Go AJ! Go Yanks!