Pregame notes: Thames starting vs. left-handers
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Apr 06, 2010 
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Although Joe Girardi didn’t commit to a full-time platoon in left field, he said Marcus Thames could be a regular in the lineup whenever the Yankees are facing a left-handed starter. Today’s it’s at the expense of Brett Gardner, but there might be games when Nick Johnson gets a day off, or Nick Swisher gets a day off, or days when Curtis Granderson gets a day off and Gardner shifts to center.
“Will it always be Gardner (out of the lineup)?” Girardi said. “Not necessarily.”
Thames has strong career numbers against lefties. He’s 1-for-2 with a home run against Jon Lester. The homer came at Fenway. “It was a cutter that didn’t get in there,” Thames said. Getting at-bats against left-handed starters and relievers is more or less the same role Thames filled in Detroit.
“It’s a guy that we thought could get a lot of at-bats against left-handers,” Girardi said. “That’s what we envisioned, him being productive in that role. He’s a guy that you could pinch hit if you need a home run. He has the ability to do that. There are a lot of different things we thought we could do with him, but for the most part the numbers against left-handers is what spoke the loudest.”
Here’s Girardi’s pregame session with the media.
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• Everyone is well aware that Granderson’s splits against lefties were awful last year, but Girardi said another bonus of dropping Granderson is the lineup is to pair Granderson and Derek Jeter for some speed on the bases.
• Phil Hughes is with the team. He got in this afternoon after pitching yesterday in Tampa. Hughes went 100 pitches in that sim game — there were five different batters but no defensive players or base runners — and he’s scheduled for 110 his next time out.
• Girardi is going to play match-ups to determine his eighth-inning relievers early in the season, but he’s hoping to have defined roles sooner rather than later. “I think it’s important and that’s why we want to to get this ironed out as soon as possible,” he said. Basically, whoever steps up consistently will get the setup job ahead of Mariano Rivera.
• Joba Chamberlain went 30-plus pitches on Sunday, but Monday’s off day might make him available tonight. “I’m going to see how he feels physically,” Girardi said.
• Speaking of how they feel physically, Girardi said he’s confident Damaso Marte was physically able to pitch Sunday night and he considers him available tonight. Those control issues might have been because he hadn’t pitched lately, not because of any physical problems.
• Pretty cool to watch Gardner rewind video of Jon Lester’s pickoff move over and over this afternoon. He’s not in the lineup, but Gardner was studying just in case.
• The Red Sox are going with the same lineup as yesterday.
Jacoby Ellsbury LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Victor Martinez C
Kevin Youkilis 1B
David Ortiz DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
J.D. Drew RF
Mike Cameron CF
Marco Scutaro SS
I’d say the wait for Chad’s pregame notes is worth the quality.
(A few complainers here were whining about the lateness of your notes Chad.)
Thanks, Chad!
I really don’t want to see NJ being pinch hit for on a regular basis (or Swisher), but if they’re getting days off anyway, I’m fine with Thames getting playing time.
Chad, I thought Joe said that the next time Phil pitched, he was going to be dialed back (like the other starters) in preparation for his start.
Suboptimal.
Bob(the original) -
First, glad to see you posting lately.
Second – YES! I so agree with you.
GB, it sounds like McAllister knows how to pitch; I’m looking forward to seeing him up here.
Since tonight’s game is a lost cause, why not let AJ drill 3 red sox players right between the eyeball?
Because we’d get three eyeballs similarly speared?
AJ might throw at their eyeballls, while intending to throw it down and away…
Bob April 6th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Since tonight’s game is a lost cause, why not let AJ drill 3 red sox players right between the eyeball?
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Ya, that would be real classy Bob.
That’s what we were originally told about Hughes — that he would be dialing back his pitches in his final extended start — but he said today that he’s supposed to go 110 next time out.
still, it would be worth it to see youk dying on the ground, no?
110 pitches in a simulated game probably isn’t that stressful.
No. Seeing Justin Verlander throw him was pretty good, though.
Bob -
No.
Bob, it’s comments like your recent ones that serve as a magnet for the trolls to come out and really make this blog a cesspool.
We’ll find out whether Gardner’s cramming for his test on Lester will help later in the game as a pinch runner/late inning replacement. I wonder if he goes out to first base while Pettitte is throwing his side sessions. I don’t see much difference in the way Girardi plans to use his outfield this year over last year…other than names involved.
At least Gardner is showing the desire to keep improving his specialized skills.
Yankee Batting Practice Show now on YES.
I’ve always wanted to beat my opponents at their best!! No excuses!
Amen, Ray.
Chad, thanks! Rich, I’m sure that’s true… I don’t think these games are going to do much to keep him sharp for his first start back against major league teams, but I suppose this was the best way.
Ooooh, I love the mind games. It is now OUT THERE that Gardner is dissecting Lester’s move. Better be careful not to let Thames or Swisher or NJ get on base… you know who will be waiting…
Let that rattle around your head for a couple hours, Lester!
Good lineup ………..Tricia gets drilled for using the word gay, and this numb nut Bob comes out with his display of intelligence and only a few people call him out…….
Did I miss a good drilling?????
Pat M
I only read a few people’s posts.
But since you mentioned it, yes, Bob’s post is over the top.
“Did I miss a good drilling?????”
This thread is about Tiger Woods?
Pat M, I thought about it, but I didn’t want to give him the attention he’s craving. It goes without saying that that his comment about Youkillis is sickening.
Rich in NJ April 6th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
“Did I miss a good drilling?????”
This thread is about Tiger Woods?
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Betsy, McAllister has a strong family baseball background. His father is a scout for the Diamondbacks. He’ll be just fine and a possible late season promotion is possible.
GB, I’m looking forward to seeing him; hopefully he’ll have a good year.
“New Juhsey and Duke puhfect together.”
Sorry but that idiot”Bubby” is a ringer. He’s here for one reason only.
“New Juhsey and Duke puhfect together.”
If I close my eyes, I can hear Tom Kean’s voice.
Coach K isn’t leaving Duke.
I don’t know if I like the idea of platooning Thames and Gardner by rule against lefties. Gardner is still a young player and I would like to see him get more at bats and play everyday.
As much better as Thames is than Gardner hitting lefties, he is that much worse as a defensive outfielder than Gardner. With the quality of our current lineup, I think it is more important to focus on the defense.
However, left field in Fenway park is the smallest amount of real estate in baseball among outfielders, so the effects of Thames poor defense would be minimized.
Rivera says that his one remaining goal is to play in center for one game. He’s ragging on Jones about this might or might not be his last year. He’ll get back with her when he decides.
Thank you, Rich, I regret the earlier misspelling of Governor Kean’s name.
I missed your earlier post, Nick, so I’m glad you persisted.
In fact, if Joe is going to platoon against lefties it should be Granderson who sits rather than Gardner. Not only do many rate Gardner as the better defensive center fielder, but he has so far produced better at the plate against lefties than Granderson.
Career splits vs. LHPs
Granderson: .271 wOBA, 60 wRC+
Gardner: .281 wOBA, 70 wRC+
John April 6th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
What the heck is ?GTLU?? I am so lame for asking.
*************
Guess the Line Up. Its a game played on week day game days
Evening, GB, how you doing? I’m sipping some wine, waiting for the mrs. to get in. I’m planning a nice relaxing evening of dinner (leftovers from Easter dinner), wine, and the first win of the new season.
prudential prank downtown boston…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
I got Thames right, but Joe surprised me with the order of the bottom three. Can’t say I don’t like it though. Granderson’s numbers against lefties are bad and Lester is one of the best lefties in the game. If he hits he’ll be on base for the top of the lineup.
RayVT: Coach K/Nets wasn’t the joke, insofar as there was any.
Rich: in the last thread the ‘joke’ was to imagine Gov Kean saying “Marcus Thames and the Monstuh: puhfect together?”
I’m, um, not really working with my A material right now.
Evening, Joe. Doing just fine. thanks for asking. hope that all is well for you and Mrs. Joe. Dinner sounds pretty nice. If you don’t e-mail me some, I’ll have to call Domino’s. That’s not so bad, but I don’t have any beer. The twins drank it all.
Yeah…tonight’s a “must win”, you know. Everybody (trolls and chicken littles” say so.
• Everyone is well aware that Granderson’s splits against lefties were awful last year, but Girardi said another bonus of dropping Granderson is the lineup is to pair Granderson and Derek Jeter for some speed on the bases.
Thank you Chad for validating my Granderson batting 9th theory
Speaking of Mo playing one more game, I sooooooo want to see him get a base hit. Preferably off K-Rod, just so I could see the look on his face!
Thanks Nick! Sorry!
GreenBeret7 April 6th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
This is the last chance we have to be 161-1!!! (This year!)
GB – I don’t know about down south where you live, but we have some nice regional brews to go along with the national ones. Blue Point Brewery, Brooklyn Brewery, they’re pretty good with their recipes.
Ask, no TELL, the twins to bring something next time they visit. My mom always said you have to bring something when you visit.
This earthquake thing is becoming contagious:
Magnitude 7.8 earthquake hits near Indonesia
Joe from Long Island April 6th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
GB – I don’t know about down south where you live, but we have some nice regional brews to go along with the national ones. Blue Point Brewery, Brooklyn Brewery, they’re pretty good with their recipes.
Ask, no TELL, the twins to bring something next time they visit. My mom always said you have to bring something when you visit.
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Those kids are going to grow up to be lushes. Don’t know where they get it from. They have things mixed up, though. They don’t bring anything, but, MAN!!!!, do they ever leave a lot.
I’m so tired of this losing season.
Interesting – Kim is saying that it’s no secret in Boston that Beckett wants only Varitek to catch him. Given his lack of arm strength and poor hitting, that says something about Beckett’s regard of Martinez.
Earthquakes in that area of the world are common – it’s called the “ring of fire”. Oh boy -that’s a big one. I’m afraid to even think about the casualties.
RayVT April 6th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
GreenBeret7 April 6th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
This is the last chance we have to be 161-1!!! (This year!)
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Luckily, though, the Yanks still have Pettitte, Burnett and Vazquez still perfect on the season.
GB, and Phil, lol
Betsy – Hughes rules (pleading the Fifth) April 6th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Earthquakes in that area of the world are common – it’s called the “ring of fire”. Oh boy -that’s a big one. I’m afraid to even think about the casualties.
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That’s not what George Brett thought “the ring of fire” meant.
Baseball season isn’t good for my sleep
LOL! GB!! Remind me to never get in a one upmanship with you!! LOL! Cool!
GB, I’m not sure what you mean?
I still have nightmares wondering if George Brett is coming to bat again against the Yanks! I hope the RSox don’t sign him!! LOL! I bet he could still hit!
AJ —> Jorge = earthquake?
When I think of George Brett, I think of that jerk Lee MacPhail and his deliberate disregard of the rules in that pine tar appeal.
Betsy – Hughes rules (pleading the Fifth) April 6th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
GB, I’m not sure what you mean?
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Back in the early ’80s, George Brett had baseball’s most famous hemorrhoids in history.
RayVT April 6th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
I still have nightmares wondering if George Brett is coming to bat again against the Yanks! I hope the RSox don’t sign him!! LOL! I bet he could still hit!
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As long as Goose Gossage stays retired, I’m not concerned. Brett absolutely abused him every time he faced Gossage.
Game post up
So true GB! Brett would have been Babe Ruth II if he batted against Gossage everyday!
Could be a tough one tonite. Lets hope not. At least the weather is great especially with all night games.
http://www.sportingnews.com/ml.....erek-jeter
anyone see this article yet? Pretty cool.
new thread
Ricn in NJ…..Yanks had a pretty good club that saeson, but they fell off after that …..Even though they had the best record in the Majors in the 80′s, but it was the only decade they failed to win a Championship……..The 1980 club won 104 games I think, and then were shocked by The Royals….Brett’s upper tank shot off Goose I still can recall…….Howser was fired and a few years later he takes the Royals to the promised land……..