Yankees-Twins pregame, lineups
Posted by: Brian Heyman - Posted in Misc on May 16, 2010 
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Brian Heyman here today at Yankee Stadium, just up from the clubhouse. First of all, Joe Girardi was very cryptic when asked why he didn’t just push back the other starters to give Javier Vazquez his regular turn instead of skipping him. Girardi said, “It might make more sense to you later on today.” Maybe he was referring to Vazquez possibly pitching out of the bullpen if Sergio Mitre struggles in his spot start, but Vazquez said he didn’t think he was available today. Girardi said Mitre could go to 85 pitches.
Both Vazquez and Girardi pointed to Tuesday’s rainout as the main reason for him getting bumped. But perhaps some of it is that Vazquez will now start against an NL team in the Mets. Obviously, he had a strong year last year with the Braves. Anyway Vazquez said he was disappointed that he’s being skipped but that he understood because he saw other guys get bumped so he could take his regular turn in previous years.
Girardi is resting Nick Swisher at the start against the righty, Nick Blackburn, since he has been having trouble swinging lefty with his mild biceps strain. Swisher is available for right-handed pinch-hitting duty. Swisher said will try to take batting practice lefty tomorrow after not swinging lefty yesterday or today. Righty Daisuke Matsuzaka is scheduled to start for the Red Sox here tomorrow night.
Curtis Granderson took batting practice on the field for the first time since going on the DL and said he didn’t feel anything with the groin problem. He’s hoping to be back at the end of the month, but he wasn’t sure really on the timetable. He hasn’t done any stop-and-start type of movements yet. He thought he might need about 25 rehab at-bats like he had the previous time he was injured.
OK, the lineups:
Twins
1. Denard Span CF
2. Orlando Hudson 2B
3. Joe Mauer C
4. Justin Morneau 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer RF
6. Jim Thome DH
7. Jason Kubel LF
8. Alexi Casilla SS
9. Matt Tolbert 3B
Nick Blackburn RHP
Yankees
1. Derek Jeter DH
2. Brett Gardner CF
3. Mark Teixeira 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez 3B
5. Robinson Cano 2B
6. Jorge Posada C
7. Marcus Thames RF
8. Randy Winn LF
9. Ramiro Pena SS
Sergio Mitre RHP
Go Yanks!
awww no cervi too bad…
Lets go Yankees!!! 6-4 Yankees final!!
What I find really confusing is this:
Why can’t Nick Swisher start and hit right handed? I would take Nick Swisher hitting right handed over Marcus Thames hitting right handed any day of the week.
And the complaints about the lineup in 3-2-1
How skipping Vazquez potentially lines up other starters…
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/.....IG9yCD0NSL
Awful lineup.
Blackburn is breathing a sign of relief after seeing that lineup. Especially when he knows the Twins offense has Mitre to beat up on. He can be merely mediocre and still win.
With Mtre on the mound,. you would think Joe wants to score runs, guess not…
http://www.baseball-reference......5170.shtml
About a year ago, Sunday, May 17, 2009, the bottom third of the Yankees lineup looked like this:
7. Melky
8. Pena
9. Cash
What could Girardi have possibly meant by that comment? Weird.
I can’t wait until Granderson returns ………….this lineup needs him.
For the record, I’m not complaining about the lineup. I don’t have enough invested into any Sergio Mitre start to really care who is playing. They could put out Russo and Golston into this lineup and I wouldn’t care.
I’m more just pointing out that I don’t understand why Nick Swisher can’t hit right handed versus a right hander (like all non-switch hitters do).
This is Minnesota’s best lineup IMO. When Thome is DH and Kubel in left field.
It’s well worth what little they lose on defense to have both guys hitting.
Gardenhire likes his grit guys who can’t really hit, like Punto. But if they really want to compete with the Yankees and Rays in the playoffs, this is the lineup he’ll need to trot out.
Pat, thanks – that makes sense.
Hi Betsy,
I think what Girardi meant was that it was posted that Vazquez may work out of the bullpen today in long relief of Mitre if that becomes necessary. That would then make him unavailable until Friday.
Gotta love the morons who get on here and complain about the Yankees lineup. And by love, I mean pity.
You’re the reason people hate Yankee fans. What exactly do you expect Girardi to do when Granderson, Nick Johnson and Swisher are hurting?
Just don’t watch the games, it’ll be better for you and the rest of us as well.
About a year ago, Sunday, May 17, 2009, the bottom third of the Yankees lineup looked like this:
7. Melky
8. Pena
9. Cash
——————-
and they were coming off a year in which they didn’t even make the playoffs.
Fran,
While I’m sure that’s what Girardi “meant”, if you dig a little deeper that makes zero sense.
If Vazquez was available today for say 50-60 pitches (I’m just making up a number), why would you not start him, get him some innings, and then ride the wave with your regular bullpen (including Mitre)? That way you’re ensuring that the better pitcher of the two (Vazquez over Mitre) gets innings in this game, thus giving you the better chance to win.
It’s pretty clear to me at least that Girardi has an irrational fear of the Red Sox (as if Vazquez losing to the Red Sox would just end our season right there) and does not want to pitch him until we play the Mets.
Hi Fran
I don’t think so; they have Nova for that – that’s why they aren’t activating Park.
pat,
I am going to just copy and paste that article you linked. People are too lazy on here to click on it and would rather just complain.
“Yankees decision makers decided to push Javier Vazquez back until Friday against the Mets because they do view him currently as their fifth starter and want to avoid using him against AL East contenders Boston and Tampa Bay.
But Yankees officials insisted that was a secondary reason, and that there were tactical advantages involving the other four starters and the upcoming schedule for why Vazquez was not allowed to start tomorrow against the Red Sox.
For example, if Vazquez started tomorrow and the other starters stayed in line then CC Sabathia would pitch Wednesday against the Rays and Tuesday in Minnesota. Instead, he now will pitch Tuesday against Boston and that will enable him to start Sunday night against the Mets. And the Yanks see that as wise since the game is at Citi Field, there will be no DH and Sabathia is one of the best hitting pitchers in the majors.
In addition, if Vazquez started tomorrow, then Andy Pettitte would have opened the Mets series on Friday night. That would have meant his next two starts after that would have been against Minnesota and Baltimore. But if Pettitte starts Thursday against the Rays – as he is now scheduled – then his next two starts will be against the Twins and Indians, both heavily lefty-swinging teams.
The Yanks wanted to make sure that both Sabathia and Pettitte started against the Indians, who rely on lefty swingers Shin-Soo Choo, Grady Sizemore, Russell Branyan and Travis Hafner. Cleveland began Sunday with a .215 batting average against lefties and a .576 OPS.
“The first time around we did not think it was wise, at that moment, to have Javy pitch in Fenway,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. “But this time around (skipping Vazquez) has much more to do with everyone else and less to do with him.”
“What could Girardi have possibly meant by that comment? Weird.”
what kind of coffee was he drinking?
duncan donuts or starbucks?
when deciphering cryptic messages everything matters.
if joe drinks duncan, i’m gotta say i’m going to be a little concerned.
Daniel,
You do make a good point about Vazquez’s availability. But as for Girardi’s fear of the Red Sox and the Rays, I think he is simply lining up his top 4 starters to pitch in 4 division games. And Vazquez has faced the Mets in the last 2 seasons and may be more comfortable in that situation.
Twins will win 10-3.
I’m not disagreeing with what Joel Sherman wrote, but imagine if anyone ever posted:
‘the Yanks might be arranging their rotation, in part, so that CC Sabathia gets to hit in Citi Field’?
Virtual beat-downs and mocking would ensue.
You know guys, I just read through the comments and it seems that more people are complaining about people complaining. .. yet there isnt a lot of complaining going on from what I’m reading.
Daniel, the thing about Swisher is true, but my assumption is the guy is really hurting and they already won this series so why not give him as much time as possible?
“if joe drinks duncan, i’m gotta say i’m going to be a little concerned.”
Randy, did you see my response to you in the previous thread re: Javy? Thoughts?
Girardi has a a promotion going with Dunkin Donuts right now. They just featured it on YES.
“Box O’ Joe” with Girardi’s picture on it and they are selling Yankee hats commemorating the 27th WS.
Nick Blackburn has pitched almost 40 innings so far this year.
He has 9 Ks and he’s sporting a .312 BAA.
Justin Verlander he is not.
The lineup is definitely a non-issue. They should score runs.
Hector Noesi just got promoted to Trenton.
MY9
That article from Sherman is a bunch of nonsense.
yeah, I’m sure Girardi and his scouts were spending hours deliberating how to get a tactical advantage against the Clevleland Indians 3 weeks from now! Newsflash – Cleveland sucks, any one of our 5 pitchers can beat them. Oh, and CC owns Baltimore regardless of their handedness.
Just Sherman not having anything to write about, so he has to make it appear like this was some master plan to make sure our rotation is lined up so we are in good position to beat Cleveland! Also, the Mets have a mediocre lineup in a big ballpark, there is no need to set up the rotation for that series.
Pel
It’s on TBS too.
Let’s go Yankees.
Actually, they’re lining it up so CC can face Dallas Braden again in July.
Devious!
Lets go Yankees!!!
The point of the Sherman article is that there is not a single reason to point to for why they are skipping Vazquez.
There are plenty of reasons that mostly have to do with the other 4 guys.
betsy-
i think hughes is for real and i don’t think there are any real question about him at this point. yes, he might hit some bumps in the road, but all good pitchers do .
as far as the red sox being close to the yankees, i don’t think they are. maybe i’m so blinded by my belief that their catching tandem dooms them that i’m missing something with them.
i think theo’s jumping on the trendy defensive metrics bandwagon without upgrading their defensive catcher throwing is brain dead, but it doesn’t totally surprise me with someone who thinks being clever trumps everything else.
cashman’s return to smart spending of 400 million really has blown the red sox out of the water with all other things equal.
i think it would take a catastrophic injury or two to the yankees to bring them to the red sox level.
Let’s go Yanks!!!
So now we don’t even get an official game thread?
SAS
How long have you been a Spurs fan? Who are your favorite Spurs?
Even though the Spurs beat us in 99, I always respected Elliott, David Robinson, and Duncan (3 Ultra Classy guys).
Brian Heyman,
The game has started! Wake up!
nice inning!
SERGIO!!
Nice start by Mitre.
Is the in-market stream working for anyone else? Its a black screen for me
S.o.S. is the Spurs fan.
SAS: I don’t know.
“Actually, they’re lining it up so CC can face Dallas Braden again in July.”
nick in sf-
if any yankee fan sees dallas braden in a duncan donut line or any other line when he’s in new york, they really have to turn on their video recorder of choice and cut in front of him in line.
guaranteed million hits on youtube
Newsflash,
Most teams plan their rotations out at least 2 weeks out. Sherman’s article was spot on.
Learn baseball or stop posting whining nonsense.
Didn’t Blackburn pitch a 6 inning no hitter during 2009 ALDS against us?
Randy, thanks! No question Phil is for real; my natural inclination is to always, if not worry, be cautious, maybe too cautious, so that explains all the questions I had.
I guess I’m thinking in terms of the standings right now, but clearly the Yankees (esp. when healthy) are a better team than the Sox – even if the Sox pitching gets back on track. I didn’t realize Lackey was off to such an “eh” start……I still think he’ll be fine, but I wonder if the Theo is getting the same criticism in Boston for his moves as Cash has gotten for his. I still think Granderson is a terrific player and that he’s going to be outstanding for us – even if he needs some more time to get it going once he returns. I have said myself that I don’t have full confidence that Javy can turn it around, but it has nothing to do with his ability and I sure don’t think it has to do with playing in NY. If he can get his mechanics in order and a shot of confidence, he’s going to be fine -maybe more than that. Cash took a shot on NJ and it didn’t work out – that’s the only thing I think he can be criticized for. Then again, what were his options?
Cash is a pretty honest guy and his quote said it all. They were trying to avoid Javy in Fenway – he made no bones about that – but this time it’s not about him. Might as well cut all speculation off at the pass, though Joe’s comment was very mysterious. Of course, Cash wasn’t TOO honest – he wasn’t about to say that they skipped Javy because they wanted to pitch their best 4 against the Sox and Rays.
Brett gardner slump has begun…….
Brett Gardner slump has begun?
You mean a cheap strike 1, and a borderline strike 3?
Yes. And the fact that his batting average is dropping faster than a. Jackson’s.
sCR9,
Nick in SF is correct. I am not a Spurs fan. If I could I would root for the Knicks, but they are awful. I haven’t followed basketball since Ewing retired. I do like college basketball.
I haven’t seen S.o.S. on here in a long time.
CR9,
Hes a troll posting under a different name today looking to stir things up.
It’s probably HIt Girl or one of “her” friends.
Brett Gardner
.322 .398 .407 14BB 15K 2HR 12RBI 28R 17SB
Austin Jackson
.331 .382 .446 13BB 45K 1HR 10RBI 28R 6SB
Melky Cabrera
.194 .287 .231 14BB 15K 0HR 8RBI 10R 0SB
how did that go out
Man, that went a long way on a really good pitch
These M & M boys are darn good.
Cue the ridiculous articles on how the jetstream has shifted to LF now that YSII is demolished.
Meat-tray served up a meatball. (I couldn’t resist)
SAS
Sorry aboot that. If you dont mind me asking, what does SAS stand for? Your initials?
4 inning 6 runs game from Mitre?
I am not a fan of Mitre as a starter. I hope I am wrong in my thinking.
What made that Morneau homer even more impresstive is that the wind is blowing from left to right at 15 MPH.
Gardner last 7 games.
7-29 (.241) average down to .322 from .348
AJax last 7 games
5-30 (.167) average down to .331 fro .371
last 6 games 3-25 (.120)
Anyone who disagrees or calls out SJ44 is a troll apparently
This team needs granderson back
:rolleyes:
:rollseyes: