Yankees pregame
Posted by: Brian Heyman - Posted in Misc on Jun 30, 2010 
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Brian Heyman here at Yankee Stadium again for Chad.
Dave Eiland finally had a chance to work with A.J. Burnett in the bullpen again. The pitching coach wants Burnett to keep his left side from flying open. Burnett went 0-5 with an 11.35 ERA in five starts during Eiland’s leave of absence. Mike Harkey couldn’t get Burnett to do it right while serving as the interim pitching coach.
“It’s not like I gave him anything new today,” Eiland said. “Mike Harkey was telling him the same thing.”
Brett Gardner again isn’t starting, but his bruised right wrist is feeling better and he is again available as a pinch runner and defensive replacement. Chad Huffman started for him Tuesday against lefty Cliff Lee and fellow rookie Colin Curtis is starting for him tonight against righty Felix Hernandez. Joe Girardi has three rookies on his bench right now, but he sounded like he’s more comfortable starting them than using them as pinch hitters.
Marcus Thames is supposed to begin his rehab assignment as the DH with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but Girardi said he would also need to play some games in the outfield before he returns.
Girardi also said he doesn’t expect Sergio Mitre back in the bullpen before the All-Star break and Alfredo Aceves is behind him on the comeback schedule. Both were supposed to throw off a mound in Tampa today.
Here’s the Seattle lineup:
1. Ichiro Suzuki RF
2. Chone Figgins 2B
3. Russell Branyan 1B
4. Milton Bradley DH
5. Jose Lopez 3B
6. Franklin Gutierrez CF
7. Jack Wilson SS
8. Rob Johnson C
9. Michael Saunders LF
Felix Hernandez P
Nice graphics on Mo. I really like how sometimes he’s able to throw a thousand baseballs at a batter all at once:
http://www.nytimes.com/interac.....tches.html
We’re really missing Aceves. Hell, Mitre was pitching decently as well.
If Gardy could play left wouldn’t Posada catch and Curtis DH?
Cervy is an automatic out at this point.
“Nice graphics on Mo. I really like how sometimes he’s able to throw a thousand baseballs at a batter all at once:”
Mo is the ONE.
Get rid of Chad Huffman.. would much rather have Colin Curtis.
Chad Huffman has not earned the right to swing at the first pitch and make an out, but he does it anyway.
‘P- where is my team?’ making an early push for dumbest comment of the night. He could go back to back which is always an impressive feat.
If the Yankees go down early there could be some stiff competition though.
mick June 30th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Cervy is an automatic out at this point.
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Famous last words.
Gotta do things differently, dont you Heyman?
Maybe you can get a game post up on time today?
Probably not, as you’re a Red Sox fan.
So if Phil is in uncharted waters now in terms of learning how to be a pitcher and just overall throwing more innings than he has before, how is it that many are assuming he’s just going to be fine? If Price ended up with a 4.40 ERA last year, then that’s probably where Phil is going to end up, maybe higher You can’t just assume he’s a given to rebound; as was discas he doesn’t have the stuff Price has. As discussed before, he’s got a lot to work on. His stuff and command aren’t as good and those numbers Aaron posted are simply not conducive to having long-term success (for purposes of this discussion, I’m talking about this year only; I wouldn’t imagine this would be an ongoing problem for him, but who knows?).
I’m not sure why people are getting up in arms because some have concerns about Phil – they are legitimate concerns.
I’m not expecting much from Ace at all, but having Mitre in the pen will help………although I hope we don’t have to see him too often.
California June 30th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Nice graphics on Mo. I really like how sometimes he’s able to throw a thousand baseballs at a batter all at once
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No wonder no one can hit it, when it splits into a thousand balls like that its gotta be impossible to pick up. lol.
Erin
where have you been? Nick suggested you and Erica ran off to a Muppet convention, as neither of you have been seen lately
Betsy,
Because he has TALENT and those who have his talent end up being fine.
It ain’t that complicated.
Aaron
I tried to post a response to you, but filters keep eating it!
Posting stats from five starts, especially when you delve deeper into the numbers, isn’t relevent to anything.
Look at the ENTIRE month of June.
4-1 record, ONE bad inning in Houston, and one bad game against the Mariners.
Other than that, he was solid.
Again, what more are people looking for from the kid? He’s MORE than held his own and will continue to do so unless he gets hurt.
The amazing thing about what Mo compiled last year was that he wasn’t even pitching at 100% last year coming off shoulder surgery.
To have that kind of command, and not be as healthy as he is this year, is just amazing.
SJ, I’m just talking about this year; I can’t even think ahead to next year at this point. Look, suggesting that he might struggle for the rest of the year is hardly out of the realm of possibility. I hope that doesn’t happen – It wouldn’t surprise me if he turned it around, nor would it surprise me if he didn’t.
“If Price ended up with a 4.40 ERA last year, then that’s probably where Phil is going to end up, maybe higher You can’t just assume he’s a given to rebound; as was discas he doesn’t have the stuff Price has.”
Uhhhhhhhh, no?
AJ Burnett has some of the best stuff in the league and how far has that gotten him?
Joba Chamberlain has great stuff when he’s right and how far has that gotten him so far?
You can’t assume that because Price had a 4.4 ERA that that is where Phil will end up.
I’ve never seen a player analyzed as much as you analyze every minute detail of Phil Hughes.
upstate kate June 30th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Erin
where have you been? Nick suggested you and Erica ran off to a Muppet convention, as neither of you have been seen lately
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Hi Kate!
LOL I like the sound of a Muppet convention!!
I’ve actually been on vacation from work this week, so I haven’t been around as much, and then to top it all off my computer crashed on me on Monday afternoon. Not fun. It’s in getting fixed now, so I’ve been having to run up to the library to use their computers. I’m hoping to have mine back by this weekend.
If you want to worry about Phil, I’d go back eight starts, nothing magic about 5 (nothing magic about 8, either, but it neatly divides the “good” Phil (the first 6 starts) from the “not so good” Phil (the last 8 starts).
In those 8 games he has an ERA of 5.33, one lousy start, three below average starts and 2 good starts. As I said before, I don’t know what to make of it other than Phil needs to improve on that 5.33 ERA.
Considering there is no evidence whatsoever that Hughes is going to “struggle the rest of the year”, I’d say its a longshot possibility given what he has shown so far this year.
It has nothing to do with stuff. It has to do with command.
When his command is solid, he does the job.
I don’t think his command is going to fall off the cliff the rest of the year.
For those that do? More power to them.
Just not seeing any evidence of that so far this year.
Great…. June 30th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
California June 30th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Nice graphics on Mo. I really like how sometimes he’s able to throw a thousand baseballs at a batter all at once
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What’s more amazing is that he’s still able to avoid the middle of the plate despite throwing a thousand baseballs at once. Filthy.
Erin
ah well that explains that mystery! Hope you have enjoyed your week off, and get your computer fixed ASAP
Ray, the guy just pitched last night. What else would you like to analyze? You only think it’s overanalyzing because you disagree. If I agreed and thought that Phil was absolutely, positively going to have a great 2nd half, would you have said anything? If I agreed with the notion that he can be a top pitcher with 2 good pitches, would you have said anything? I get it that the idea here is for everyone to agree – since that is not the case with Phil, you’re right, let’s just drop it.
Oh, and you’re right about the point I was trying to make; the analogy didn’t make much sense. I expect Phil to end up closer to where Price was last year than where he is now, but we’ll have to wait on that, won’t we?
Now that the Yankees have ruined Phil Hughes and AJ is a complete bust and Andy is old and will hurt himself soon and CC isn’t a real ace, this is a really big start for Javy. If he doesn’t win, they will have to trade for Lee before the Mariners leave town or we will go into a total tailspin and not make the playoffs.
(Do I get a prize or something?)
# upstate kate June 30th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Erin
ah well that explains that mystery! Hope you have enjoyed your week off, and get your computer fixed ASAP
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Thanks kate-it’s been a very nice week, but I miss my computer!!!!!
I think the lady who’s fixing it will stop taking my calls soon. She’s probably getting sick of me asking “when am I going to have it back?”
Enjoy the game everyone!!
He doesn’t just have two pitches. He throws two pitches the majority of the time.
Just as a lot of pitchers in the game, Lee, Halladay, Santana and Lackey just to name to name four have done for years.
He’s never going to throw four pitches equally in a game.
His problem isn’t the number of pitches he throws. Its command of the pitches he throws.
As his command improves with all of his pitches, his spread will drop.
Right now, he’s going to throw 80% fastballs and cutters because for the past year, that has been what’s made him a better pitcher.
Betsy,
You are constantly analyzing Phil rather he’s been good or bad. It’s what you do. The bottom line is he’s made 14 starts and has the 3rd lowest starters ERA on the Yankees.
Wave:
Sox: bad
Mets: mediocre
Indians: good
O’s at home: very good
O’s on the road: good
Astros: bad
Mets: good
M’s awful
4 of his starts have been good and 4 bad. He’s showing the propensity now for giving up big innings (lots more HRs now)………I think it’s because in some of these games, he was getting lucky not to get hit earlier (Sox and Astros games) and his poor numbers finally caught up to him. For those saying he pitched well in the Astros game outside of one inning, go back to the game thread – people were bemoaning that day that he didn’t look that good. The same thing can be said for the Sox.
I agree much Phil’s issues can be traced back to the face that he’s really lost his command, but the numbers Aaron posted before also need to be improved on.
Nick
You forgot to mention this all came about b/c Joba is a failed starter
I hope he isin’t where Price was last year… that means Javy or Burnett needs to start in the playoffs
Get it right Phil. We need you in October. And not in the pen.
Betsy, I’m sure you’re a nice person but is this blog the best place to work out your obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Ray, you’re right – I probably do overanalyze things, but Phil should be treated no differently than anyone else. When AJ struggles, we talk about all his problems; when Javy was struggling, we did the same. Since Phil is a part of the rotation, we can discuss his performances just like we do with the other pitchers……..
I look at the numbers of a 24 year old Phil Hughes at the beginning of July and can’t help but see the glass half-full, at a minimum.
I’m confident in his abilities and very excited to watch him develop – what a treat as a fan.
I refuse to look beyond his next start. No expectations, no predictions, no worrying.
Just watching a good young pitcher who has the promise to develop into a great one. And to boot, for my favorite team.
“O’s on the road: good”
6 IP, 3 ER = 4.50 ERA. Gave up 9 hits as well.
That was a grind it out game for him. Had runners on base all night, but squeezed out of it. I
Good point, upstate kate. We can’t count on Joba ever again, our minor league pitchers are awful, and no free agent pitcher will ever sign with the Yankees while we have an unstable pitching coach.
Cashman really blew it, we needed to have already traded for Lee so he could have pitched for us last night…. he has to be acquired in time for his next start or all is lost. Four days, Cashman, the clock is ticking.
Better than you using this blog as a way to express your hate, morningglory
Hughes’ early success may have caused some to lose the plot, so to speak.
He’s a young pitcher. Young pitchers go through growing pains.
Betsy come on you have to admit that you overanalyze Phil. The vast majority of your posts on this blog are about him
Red Sox in first place by end of tomorrow? Anyone wanna bet?
Patrick, maybe so…………..I don’t want this to end up like the last time we talked about him, so I’ll just say that we can agree to disagree and drop the subject.
In Dallas Braden’s first full year as a starter he pitched to a 3.89 ERA and he has way worse stuff than Hughes. Therefore, Hughes will end the year better than a 3.89.
Thats the stupidest logic I ever heard used to chicken little a pitcher, NO OFFENSE.
After reading the blog, who misses Marcus Thames? His “stellar defensive skills” haven’t been missed. His occasional pop is ok. We need Gardy back in a big way.
Gardy would have made that catch in left field last night.
I hope Marcus Thames does not come back, personally. IE Cash upgrades before he is done rehabbing.
Why?
he is hitting .186 .324 .254 .579 from May 1 on.
And against lefties?
3 for his last 27 with 2 HBP and 3 BB’s in 32 PA
Awful.
And his 3 hits were all singles, so much for his one tool (power)
Betsy, comparisons to David Price in 2009 are not only ridiculous but a waste of time. Last year Price would throw 100 pitches in 5+ innings because he not only lacked command but lacked control. He also gave up lots of home runs, about 1 every 6 innings.
Hughes has good control (less than 3 walks per 9 innings) and many fewer HRs (1 every 11 innings). He also has a 10-2 record with an ERA under 4; he’s also 4-1 in his last 5 starts, what’s wrong with that?
There is no reason to believe he won’t pitch back to his early season success as well. If your contention is that he will finish the season with an ERA at 4.5+ that means he’ll be pitching to a 5.5 ERA for the rest of the year, that is also a ridiculous contention, he has way too much talent to pitch at that level the rest of the year. Pitchers go through ups and downs during the season, CC is the perfect example. If you took 5 of his starts earlier in the season during May, when he gave up 20 Earned Runs in 28 innings over 5 starts, you could conclude he was going to have a bad year and yet, 1 month later he’s 9-3 with an ERA under 3.50.
It’s a long season, Phil has both the talent and determination to be a top flight pitcher, and repeating your concerns about him as often as you do just makes no sense.
Jerkface, yeah the “no offense” comment really makes a big difference………..(don’t know how to make the roll eyes smiley, so just pretend)
Saw Kim Jones pregame show. Good comments from Hughes regarding last game. PH said he’ll get back to pitching the way he was early in the year. He said what fun is it if you don’t struggle sometimes. The adversity makes you appreciate the good games.
Phil sounds pretty mature. He has the right attitude to navigate the ups and downs of a season.
Hughes clearly needs to get better & will in time.
You better believe cashman & girrardi are more concerned about getting hughes,burnett,vaz right than some of the posters here that brush it off,especially hughes.
Yes he is young & needs time to grow but if the playoffs started tonight hughes is a concern.
His last 8 starts have been nothing special.I don’t think it is because he is tired because he just came off an extended rest.
You can get by with 2 pitches but when you are going with almost nothing else when your 2 pitches aren’t working i think it makes it tougher.
My main concern with hughes is an offspeed pitch especially to lh hitters.
Imo hughes should be a fb,cutter,change pitcher with a curve once in a while.
Don’t hate you, Betsy–why would I?– but am concerned about you.
MG, I never predicted that Phil would end up with a 4.5 ERA, just that it was possible (he’s already at 3.58, so it won’t take too much for him to get to 4.5). I guess it doesn’t make sense for any of us to repeat the stuff about Phil anymore, good or bad……….We’ll just have to wait and see how the rest of the season plays out.
betsy, time for a chill pill?
LOL Don’t be morningstar (not that I believe you) – I’m perfectly happy and content.
Mick, nope – I’m perfectly relaxed.
poifect.
Enjoy the game folks.
“The First Place Red Sox June 30th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Red Sox in first place by end of tomorrow? Anyone wanna bet?”
I wouldn’t be surprised if they do take first place tomorrow. As matter of fact, I expect it as they are on fire now. But I don’t see them on top for long as we move deeper into july.
she can never have her fill of phil even when he’s philthy…
Despite YMH’s recent struggles, of the top 10 things to worry about as a Yanke fan, Phil Hughes is not one of them.
// As matter of fact, I expect it as they are on fire now. But I don’t see them on top for long as we move deeper into july.//
On top of the last bet. I’ll bet the Sox pull away for good. Good pitching always beats good hitting and the Yanks have neither!!!!!
well you know people
like i just said
gotta get back to tennessee jed…
I never predicted that Phil would end up with a 4.5 ERA, just that it was possible (he’s already at 3.58, so it won’t take too much for him to get to 4.5)
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It will take 9 ER runs in 0 IP for Hughes to have a 4.5. Please stop spouting irrational nonsense.
# The First Place Red Sox June 30th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Red Sox in first place by end of tomorrow? Anyone wanna bet?
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hmmmm….this has a familiar ring to it:
# Red Sox 2004 2007 Champions June 13th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
An NBA Champion was crowned tonight! The 2010 Boston Celtics! Have done what no team before them has done! 18 titles! Sweet Caroline!
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I see that worked out well for you.
boston’s a hick town with hick fans…
Note to self: game starts at 7:10 pm.
usually 7:08
Pitcher A, 23 years old: 0-0, 5.56 ERA, 22IP
Pitcher B, 23 years old: 8-3, 3.03, 86IP
Pitcher A, 24 years old: 5-6, 3.71 ERA, 99IP
Pitcher B, 24 years old: 10-2, 3.58 ERA, 88IP
Pitcher A, 25 years old: 20-3, 2.22 231IP (!)
Pitcher B, 25 years old: who knows?
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[Pitcher A = David Cone ; Pitcher B = Phil Hughes]
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I’m not concerned about Phil.
Betsy – Hughes rules (pleading the Fifth) June 30th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
I’m not sure why people are getting up in arms because some have concerns about Phil – they are legitimate concerns.
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Phil is going through a learning curve. He’s way too talented to be of such concern. One lose, and a rising ERA is to be expected. Just like batters adjust to pitcher’s, pitcher’s must adjust to how batters are making, or changing their approach to Phil. This happens in-game, every game. It’s when he fails to make the adjustments, the pitching coach must work to help in this area. Phil is not Cy Young, but, he is, and will continue to be a very productive pitcher for the Yankees. This is going to be a long season for him, and he is bound to tire.
Why all this aggression toward Betsy? Give it a break.
The Sox have a 26 game stretch in July and early August where they play 20 games on the road including a West Coast swing and a trip to Texas-I doubt they will be much over .500 for those games and it will give the Yankees a chance to create a gap in the standings by the time that is over.
It’s gonna be another great night!
MG June 30th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
The Sox have a 26 game stretch in July and early August where they play 20 games on the road including a West Coast swing and a trip to Texas-I doubt they will be much over .500 for those games and it will give the Yankees a chance to create a gap in the standings by the time that is over.
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I’ve heard that before.
“-I doubt they will be much over .500 for those games ”
Are you same one who said these injuries will hurt their offense? You should know that they have only played better with all these injuries.
Should i start garza against the rs in fantasy.
David Cone sat in front of me for awhile at a game two years back and I’ll never forget what he said about Hughes/Joba…
Joba had better stuff – all 4 pitches at the time, but physically he didn’t think he’d have a long career – not surprising.
Hughes was a complete pitcher – a rotation anchor with sound mechanics and delivery – one that could blossom into a #1 – not surprising either.
But he did say that Hughes missed that “fire” – he was a deer in the headlights in 2008. I honestly believe that the 8th inning role last season gave him that spark he was missing. I would like to see him pump his fist some more this year.
Also, are you the same one who said they would struggle against Jimenez and Lincecum?
No.
He’s the one who said your team caved to the Angels last fall in 3 games.
The First Place Red Sox June 30th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Also, are you the same one who said they would struggle against Jimenez and Lincecum?
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Give it a rest.
The rs have been looking up at the yankees forever & are doing so this year.
Later ……….. Let’s Go Yankees!
Jeter’s demonstrating the proper approach to Felix.
Come on Derek, steal one here!
Hahahaahhaha @ the sox tools. Coming over to a World Champion board to see what it feels like.
I pity them.
Yankees are not going to get many chances with Felix, if he’s on. They need to capitalize.
So funny. Watch Dice-K loads bases then gets out of it with no runs — once again.
Hahahaahhaha sox tool.
Luck not skill.
Luck not skill.
LOL! 2 hard hit smashes, right at them, both in favor of the Red Sox. Cano and Jaso.
Good outing. Way to work the count on Felix.
We all know what you are doing Brian Heyman.
They have been lucky all year long. Luck and luck along will carry them to the World Series. Magical year. You have to admit.
melladie June 30th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
We all know what you are doing Brian Heyman
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What?
World Champs! Come on!
Is there a mod on this blog? Time to take out the trash.
Well at least they are finnaly making the pitcher throw pitches, Cashman must’ve sent the memo!
I would love to see a stat that shows how many pitches a batter sees per at bat. Mor specifically, I would love to see a stat for swinging at the first pitch and making an out. Derek Jeter would win that this year.. that is for sure!!
When the heck is this team going to realize that when there bats are cold, swinging at the first pitch hurts them much more often then it helps them !!! That aggravates me more than anything.