Most important series of the year
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Sep 20, 2010 
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This has to be it, right? For two teams separated by a half game, what could possibly be more important than a four-game head-to-head series in the final two weeks of the season? The Yankees and Rays played three games against one another last week, and all three were decided by one run. Two were decided in extra innings. There’s little reason to expect something different this week.
“You hope not,” Derek Jeter said. “But I would anticipate it.”
Of course, it’s also interesting to get the opinion of a veteran who’s been through the playoffs but hasn’t been through the larger-than-life drama of New York.
“The East is going to come down to the last week,” Lance Berkman said. “Unless something crazy happens like we win four straight or something like that. In a four-game series, usually if it’s two good teams it’s 2-2 and then we’re right back where we were and nobody gains any ground. And so the last week and a half of the season is going to determine it.”
Based on last week’s series in Tampa Bay, and based on the fact we’re this deep in the season and the race is this close, it’s obvious these teams are evenly matched. They might have very different styles — that picture is of the Rays leaving for the road trip — but both teams pitch well and have explosive lineups that have been known to slump.
“It’s going to be fun coming back and playing a team we’re going to be battling against the last two weeks of the season,” Mark Teixeira said. “There aren’t going to be any blowouts. It’s just two good teams playing against one another. They’re going to be battles.”
Associated Press photo
Love the photo!
Must win the series…
JM-
Contrast that picture with the way Joe G. has looked of late in our dugout.
Opposite ends of the spectrum right now.
Game 1: Matt Garza (14-8, 3.88 ERA) v Ivan Nova (1-0, 4.30 ERA)
Garza: Garza got roughed up in his last outing vs. the Yankees, allowing six earned runs on nine hits and failed to finish the fifth inning for the second straight outing. He has a 12.00 ERA in his last two starts after going 4-0 with a 0.99 in four starts.
Nova: Handed a 6-0 lead, Nova couldn’t hold it for the Yankees on Tuesday in Tampa, exiting with two outs in the Rays’ seven-run fifth. The rookie had the worst start of his brief career, giving up six runs on six hits with three walks in 4 2/3 innings.
Game 2: James Shields (13-12, 4.86 ERA) v Phil Hughes (16-8, 4.31 ERA)
Shields: Shields gave the Rays a quality start Wednesday night against the Yankees when he allowed one run on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings, but he came away with a no-decision. Shields is 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA in two starts at Yankee Stadium this season.
Hughes: Sporting a fresh black eye, Burnett limited the Orioles to three runs on six hits in seven innings on Friday, ending up with a no-decision. It was the fourth straight decent outing for the right-hander, who has a 4.50 ERA in September.
Game 3: Wade Davis (12-9, 4.19 ERA) v AJ Burnett (10-13, 5.08 ERA)
Davis: Davis allowed two earned runs on seven hits while striking out eight in six innings against the Angels on Friday, but got a no-decision. Currently he is riding a seven-game winning streak and is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA against the Yankees this season.
Burnett: Sporting a fresh black eye, Burnett limited the Orioles to three runs on six hits in seven innings on Friday, ending up with a no-decision. It was the fourth straight decent outing for the right-hander, who has a 4.50 ERA in September.
Game 4: David Price (17-6, 2.79 ERA) v CC Sabathia (20-6, 3.05 ERA)
Price: Price brought his A game in his last start Saturday night against the Angels, when he allowed just four hits in seven innings. Unfortunately for Price, one of the hits was a three-run homer by Juan Rivera that led to his receiving a no-decision.
CC: Is awesome (no comments from Yankees.com)
From my POV, a lot of these games are all up in the air. It depends a lot on whether or not the pitchers bring their best… AJ, Phil, and Nova…
Garza is wishy washy (like our AJ), so they’re no real way to call it. My guess, (assuming Girardi puts the A lineup in everyday), is the Yanks take 3 of 4. If he doesn’t and plays putz’s like Curtis and Kearns, I’m guessing the Yanks walk away in second place.
MTU,
Joe has clearly been very tight and some of his decisions over the past couple of weeks seem to reflect that tension. One thing Torre was great at was maintaining his calm demeanor no matter what the circumstance. The team could use that calm demeanor right now.
I am not one of those who wants Joe G to leave and I think overall he’s a good manager for this team. But he got out-managed pretty badly by Maddon in Tampa; a repeat of that could make things a bit dicey.
By the way, my grandfather used to have a pair of white and blue checked trousers that looked kinda like those. No white shoes, though.
MTU – I walked 150? taking the dogs out, does that count as a morning hike for an old man?
I’m a big believer in motivation.
It drives everything in life.
And what could possibly be more motivating to this Yankee team than the unveiling of the GMS statue in Monument park ?
IMO the Yanks should use that moment as great motivation to re-dedicate themselves to winning it all to honor the memory of GMS.
What better tribute is there ?
3 of 4 from the Rays. 2 of 3 from the Suxers.
Do it.
Boy, I’m really glad the article includes a Lance Berkman quote. He’s been such a big help with all his power numbers and RBI’s.
Sorry for the double post, but this version might be easier to read:
Game 1: Matt Garza (14-8, 3.88 ERA) v Ivan Nova (1-0, 4.30 ERA)
Garza: Garza got roughed up in his last outing vs. the Yankees, allowing six earned runs on nine hits and failed to finish the fifth inning for the second straight outing. He has a 12.00 ERA in his last two starts after going 4-0 with a 0.99 in four starts.
Nova: Handed a 6-0 lead, Nova couldn’t hold it for the Yankees on Tuesday in Tampa, exiting with two outs in the Rays’ seven-run fifth. The rookie had the worst start of his brief career, giving up six runs on six hits with three walks in 4 2/3 innings.
Game 2: James Shields (13-12, 4.86 ERA) v Phil Hughes (16-8, 4.31 ERA)
Shields: Shields gave the Rays a quality start Wednesday night against the Yankees when he allowed one run on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings, but he came away with a no-decision. Shields is 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA in two starts at Yankee Stadium this season.
Hughes: Sporting a fresh black eye, Burnett limited the Orioles to three runs on six hits in seven innings on Friday, ending up with a no-decision. It was the fourth straight decent outing for the right-hander, who has a 4.50 ERA in September.
Game 3: Wade Davis (12-9, 4.19 ERA) v AJ Burnett (10-13, 5.08 ERA)
Davis: Davis allowed two earned runs on seven hits while striking out eight in six innings against the Angels on Friday, but got a no-decision. Currently he is riding a seven-game winning streak and is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA against the Yankees this season.
Burnett: Sporting a fresh black eye, Burnett limited the Orioles to three runs on six hits in seven innings on Friday, ending up with a no-decision. It was the fourth straight decent outing for the right-hander, who has a 4.50 ERA in September.
Game 4: David Price (17-6, 2.79 ERA) v CC Sabathia (20-6, 3.05 ERA)
Price: Price brought his A game in his last start Saturday night against the Angels, when he allowed just four hits in seven innings. Unfortunately for Price, one of the hits was a three-run homer by Juan Rivera that led to his receiving a no-decision.
CC: Is awesome (no comments from Yankees.com)
From my POV, a lot of these games are all up in the air. It depends a lot on whether or not the pitchers bring their best… AJ, Phil, and Nova…
Garza is wishy washy (like our AJ), so they’re no real way to call it. My guess, (assuming Girardi puts the A lineup in everyday), is the Yanks take 3 of 4. If he doesn’t and plays putz’s like Curtis and Kearns, I’m guessing the Yanks walk away in second place.
Well, that’s quite a picture!!!
MTU -
Different expectations, different fans, different everything. You can’t say Joe G. doesn’t care. Now, you can certainly debate his moves, but you can’t debate his commitment.
so if someone here could go up to Yankee stadium and punch AJ in the eye before the game…?? j/k
sorta
Maddon has much less pressure on him, and from listening to him after last week’s games, is enjoying the play off run. The contrast in his reaction to Crawford’s attempted steal of 3rd vs Girardi’s reaction to Gardner’s says it all.
I am expecting that it will be all hands on deck for these games w/ the Rays
Big Al-
Certainly does.
Every minute not spent glued to the couch adds a another minute to a person’s life.
Bet the dog’s loved it too.
By the way, “Manning Bowl II” certainly did not live up to the hype.
what happened to AJ?
MTU -
We need an extra special tribute if we sweep the 4 game series, other than opening a bottle of Jack.
Doreen-
That wasn’t what I was trying to imply.
All I was saying was that Joe G. is tight and Maddon appears, at least on the face of it, relaxed.
I wasn’t trying to imply anything with respect to Girardi’s moves of late just his current mood.
Al-
It’s a deal if the Yanks sweep TB. Special sweep tribute.
How funny would it be to have Michael Kaye do the pre-game, dressed like Joe Madden in this picture, with Kim Jones sitting on his lap.
When he pitched in Balt – he was sporting a black eyeball. No one said where he got it from, but he pitched well. A quality start.
Yeh, I know strange minds think strange thoughts.
MTU -
I didn’t think you were. I should have put my usual smiley face, I guess.
Later folks ……….
Is the game tonight on MLBnetwork?
I think the Yanks leave this series still in first because I think they’ll get at least a split. The division will be decided on whether they have a .5 or 2.5 game lead.
Blake-
FWIS there is a lot more riding on it than just who winds up as the division leader but we’ve already had that discussion.
@blake MLBNetwork is covering Rays @ Yankees and Braves @ Phillies depending on your market. If I get the Phillies game for some reason, I’m going to be super pissed.
Good morning good people of the morning blog,
Last night I tried hard to explain to some that we need to win games to get in the playoffs. I felt like there was something wrong with me!!! These things are not a given until the magic number is 0. Unquestionably, I hope we win the the division, but there are games to be won even if it is the WC.
Andy was great yesterday. We will not be home for the tribute, but I hope I remember to ask my husband to DVR it for tomorrow. Both of my sons are going to the game, a birthday gift from one to the other…so I hope they will bring extra luck with them.
IMO, we have to start getting in that are on base and not leave oodles of men on base each game.
I am confident the Yankees can do this…but concerned with some of the outcomes lately and some of Joe’s decisions.
That was my diatribe of the morning!!!
Thanks.
That stinks…ill probably get the braves game.
MTU,
Yea. I don’t think you’re wrong neccessarily. I think it does matter, just not as much as the health of the team. I hope they go all out in this series….well as all out as possible.
***the guys who are on base.
Blake-
This will be where the rubber meets the road.
A Mexican standoff isn’t gonna cut it.
I know you know that.
Where is Vince Lombardi when you need him ?
That photo is priceless
The home offense has to come alive on this homestand because the road offense is dead. Especially with RISP.
It’s amazing to me how poor this team has hit on the road, especially with RISP the second half of the year.
If they want to win the division, or have any post-season success, that has to change.
“One thing Torre was great at was maintaining his calm demeanor no matter what the circumstance.”
Lol, like when our pitcher was being attacked by bugs!!
Blake-
Ever hear the saying “I’ll have plenty of time to rest when I’m dead”.
SJ44, what do you think about yesterday’s game ?
MTU,
Gotta win this first one if they are going to take the series…..that’s a lot to pile on a rookie starter going up against their #2. Hopefully the game starts out like the last time but he’s able to hold the lead.
If they can win 2 of the first 3 and leave it up to CC on Thursday then ill live with that either way.
Blake-
I expect the pitching to be good but I agree with SJ’s POV above.
We need to see a serious offensive explosion.
No more excuses. No more what-if’s. No more underperforming.
The full strength LU will be out there @ home.
If the they don’t do it then they’ll have plenty of time to rest and look back at what might have been.
I was in Minneapolis working yesterday and didn’t see the game.
Looking at the recap of it, Mo had a lead in the 9th and coughed it up. That was the game to me.
Regardless of all the machinations in the lineup, the lack of offense, etc, bottom line is, they lead by a run with Mo on the mound in the 9th inning.
For this team, especially this year with such an inconsistent offense, that has to be a win.
It wasn’t so, you have no choice but to turn the page and move on.
The Yankees didn’t hit on the road trip and didn’t hit with RISP but despite that…if the greatest closer in history of baseball holds two leads then the Yanks have a 2.5 game lead right now. I’m not blaming Mo but that’s just the facts….every loss except one was by 1 run and I believe 3 were in extra innings. They need to hit better with RISP but I have to believe that are capable of it with their full lineup and I also have to believe Rivera won’t blow leads…I always feel like if the Yanks are ahead with Rivera on the mound and lose then it just wasn’t meant to be…
Everything I just is however just talk…at some point they actually have to do it on the field.
Dog walk time. later.
I’m a bit nervous about this week, it could be the deciding series on who wins the division. That being said, I think the Yanks take 3 out of 4. A lot of fans were freaking out when the Yanks lost 5 of 6 to the Rays and Rangers. Well guess what, those were all on the road. Now that we play the Rays 4 games at home, I think they are in for a rude awakening. We have Swisher and Gardner back. A-rod and Tex are well rested. It’s time to shut the door on Tampa!
This series generally means nothing in the big picture. I dont want to see the Yanks lose 3 of 4, not because it’s the Rays, but because they shouldn’t be losing home series at all. But if they ended up splittling the series I’d be fine with that. Just get to the playoffs as healthy as you can.
# Shame Spencer September 20th, 2010 at 10:07 am
“One thing Torre was great at was maintaining his calm demeanor no matter what the circumstance.”
Lol, like when our pitcher was being attacked by bugs!!
___________________
In retrospect, Joe may have had a bit too much calming green tea before that game.
Hi Patrick
This is an interesting team this year to say the least. They say good pitching is what wins, and that’s generally true especially in the post season, but I believe that if the Yankees don’t catch fire offensively, it’s going to be an early winter. It’s more likely than not IMO that our starters are going to give up 3-5 runs per game, or more at times. Even CC and Pettitte aren’t immune to that.
We need to hit like we’re capable of, be bpatient and opportunistic, and I think Jeter and Tex are the keys. If they throw a .215 up there the rest of the way…well.
JM – Agreed. I know you weren’t knocking Girardi before with you comment but sometimes the alternative isn’t always the greatest option either lol. I’d take an uptight manager over a laid back one, personally, but everyone and every team likes/needs something different.
This final homestand will tip the scales one way or another. This is a gut check to see what this team is made of and whether or not they go deep in the playoffs.
Where the Yankees stand one week from this morning while in Toronto is a clear indicator.
Winning 5 of 7 should be a committed goal for the entire team.
I can see that this blog is going to be armageddon if the Yanks don’t have a good week.
Country Club,
That’s the way I feel about this series.
At this point, just try to stay healthy and make the playoffs.
The issues this team faces, offense (especially on the road, situational hitting (especially on the road), Girardi’s tenseness, questionable starting pitching beyond CC and Andy, aren’t going to be decided in a week or two.
At this point, just get in the playoffs however you can and hope you can get hot in 2-3 weeks.
The only scenario I want to avoid is having to waste CC and Andy the last week of the season in Boston in order to get into the playoffs.
As long as they can avoid that doomsday scenario, you wait until the post-season to see if this team can fix what’s broken.
I was looking at the schedule for the ALDS and the Yanks could easily get away with using just 3 pitchers. CC would pitch game 4 on 3 days rest and Pettitte would pitch game 5 on normal reast (assuming he pitched game 2).
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps.jsp
You all say that now that the yankees are back home things will change – Oh like they did the last series they had at home? When they were a swisher homerun away from being swept by the Orioles. The same issues they had on the road they had that series against Baltimore……its not as easy as “coming home”..
I also like that girardi gives players “days off” and protects his bullpen but then you see Teixiera and arod and the rest coming to bat and playing the field and robertson stays in to pitch a second inning…if keeping players rested and having a full metal jacket (what a stupid phrase for a baseball analogy) is the idea then just stick with the scrubs you started with because obviously winning the game wasn’t priority…..
also nothing like longing for getting teixeira back in the lineup regardless of how bad he’s been then seeing jerkman going 1-for 11 that last 2 days with what like 3 or 4 gidp’s to his credit
oh and maybe its not a bad idea to pay kerry wood his 11 million dollar option this offseason – or revisit that trade for joakim soria…..the end is coming folks…age 40 is not a good age to be at your peak anymore…..i’m not bridge jumping – just being realistic….you don’t want a repeat of what happened to trevor hoffman with the brewers this year do you? you want someone to be able to step right in and do the job..
I know everyone saw what happened in Camden Yards this weekend when a team knows how to bunt. Is there any conceivable, or should I say acceptable reason why Gardner, Granderson, Cervelli and a few others aren’t more capable in that arena? I have to believe that just saying they are not good bunters defies credulity. It’s a learned skill that if stressed and practiced a lot should result in success.
I know we are not built around small ball – but moving runners has not been a strength of ours as of late.
The only scenario I want to avoid is having to waste CC and Andy the last week of the season in Boston in order to get into the playoffs.
——-
I agree. You don’t want any of those last 3 games in Bosotn to be must win games. But the magic number is 7 right now. I just can’t see the Yanks losing enough and Boston winning enough for them not to hit that number by then. Especially since each win against Boston this weekend counts as 2 when it comes to the magic number.
Hey Nick
Screw that, I want the Yankees to hammer the Rays into submission and win the division by 4 games. None of this wild card BS.
Worrying about Mo and his age is a reasonable concern. But he goes through a struggle like this (sometimes twice) every yr. He loses his control and he gets hit hard. Even in the games he saved this past week he got away with a few mistakes.
At some point, the wheels will fall off (although hopefully he leaves a yr too early instead of a yr too late). But he’s been so good for most of this yr that I doubt that time has come now.
SJ, CC,
I agree…that is the most important thing. However I would like to see them turn it up a notch for this series and them see where they stand. A good series here could 1) put them in position to won the division 2) give them enough WC lead to basically put that out of reach. Agree that the last thing you want is to have to push it that last series….playing well this week is the best way to avoid that.
Patrick,
It’s your right to feel that way. I’d like for them to win the division too. But I also realize that winning the division means nothing if they lose in the 1st round. I’d rather they be as prepared as possible for the playoffs.
Maddon has much less pressure on him, and from listening to him after last week’s games, is enjoying the play off run. The contrast in his reaction to Crawford’s attempted steal of 3rd vs Girardi’s reaction to Gardner’s says it all.
__
This could be because Crawford’s run made sense at the time where Gardner’s didnt.
Normally, not being able to bunt is really not an issue during the regular season, however, in the post season it is needed more as games are tighter. For example, I do not believe the Yankees have squeezed all year and there have been many times where Jeter/Cervelli, etc…should have been trying it. I doubt it, but I hope our guys start practicing a lot more at bunting in the postseason for those very late situations where 1 run wins a game for you or when you have 1st and 2nd and nobody out. I would have liked Tex to show off a few bunts when the shift was on if nothing else to keep them honest.
Who knows maybe they are waiting for the right time where TB shifts Tex and he just points the bat toward 3rd base and jogs to 1st base with a hit?
Having Pettitte back is huge, but damn this team needs to start hitting RISP.. I can’t imagine how many more wins the Yanks would have if they were able to do that. This race wouldn’t be going down to wire if so..
At this point I think Minnesota will end up with the best record in the AL, so only one series is in play for the HFA. And that boils down to one game. You play that 1 game 100 times on the road, maybe you lose 53 and win 47. Since you don’t play it 100 times but only once, the slight disadvantage doesn’t bother me. I’m not going to waste energy worrying about that.
There is virtually no chance that Boston will be in a position to force the Yanks to pitch CC and Andy in such a rotation as to prevent the Yanks from lining them up 1-2 in the first playoff series. So I’m not going to worry about that either.
What ought to worry people is whether the Yanks are good enough to win three straight series against post-season quality opposition, which is obviously what is required to win the WS.
To have any decent shot at that, we need Teixeira, ARod, Gardner, Swisher and Posada healthy. I sure hope they will be.
It’s your right to feel that way. I’d like for them to win the division too. But I also realize that winning the division means nothing if they lose in the 1st round. I’d rather they be as prepared as possible for the playoffs.
—
Well yeah, but I think they can be prepared AND win the division.
At this point I think Minnesota will end up with the best record in the AL
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OH HELL NO
Well yeah, but I think they can be prepared AND win the division.
——–
I’m not so sure. If they go balls to the wall for the division, they may wear out guys like Arod, Jeter, Tex (injuries), Wood, CC, etc…
It’s not like Tampa has been lighting the world on fire lately. the Yanks could win the division and continue to rest the older players. It’s possible; we’ll see. It appears they are going hard for this 4 game series. Winning 3 of 4 would obviously be a good starting point.
Last night’s game is on the offense, imo. Mo gets a pass. They should have scored more than 3 runs against those pitchers, and squandered opportunities.
I agree Jacksquat. The offense really let a struggling Tillman off easily…and it shouldn’t matter who was resting, almost any mlb line up should have scored more runs off him. Mo shouldn’t even had to come into the game
These next 10 days are going to truly show us what potential this team has to finish strong and have their “game” ready for the pressure of the playoffs. This team has the talent to win all 3 series ( going 7-3 or better ) and putting all the “doubters” to rest, even if for just a bit. But if they falter here against the Rays and 2 teams that don’t even have the talent to get IN the playoffs, then I am afraid, with no HFA, they are a long shot to even reach the WS, IMHO.
this series is more important for us to win if we really want to win the division than it is for the Rays…
If we win 3 of 4 and they leave town down 2.5 games we play our last 10 games against the RedSux and the Blue Jays while the Rays have 11 games against cupcakes.
We could easily go 5-5 whereas the Rays close out 8-3 and win the division.
Taking 3-4 is a must here although I think we’re gonna own the RedSux to close out the season….win 5 of the 6 left with them and get our Mojo back heading into Oct. baseball!
Does anybody know the story behind AJ’s shiner?
Champ809,
I’m sure it involved a woman. Either from his wife for cheating or another man hit him for getting after his wife/girlfriend.
champ – word on the street is he met the wrong guy under the Paul O’Neill banner…
“I’m sure it involved a woman.”
Because women are the root of all black eyes.
SJ44 neat that you were in Minneapolis over the weekend. I reside across the river there and the weather was actually pretty good. Playoff weather is definitely in the air as it is getting colder. I am glad you got to check out Target Field. It really is a well put together stadium. Hopefully the Yankees can win the division and avoid opening up on Oct. 6th here in Minneapolis.
Anyways NY needs to take 3 out of 4 games here against the D Rays and open up a slight buffer in the division. They are paying the price for not hitting with RISP (especially with the sacs loaded and less than 2 outs) and now I don’t believe a split is going to make it considering both teams schedules down the stretch. Game 1 is huge tonight. Could be seeing a Pie tonight.
Okay- maybe I am not sharp today, but can someone help me out?
Who is that in this picture above????
Joe Maddon and some of the Rays….
They might have very different styles — that picture is of the Rays leaving for the road trip — but both teams pitch well and have explosive lineups that have been known to slump.
Mo’s blown save just goes to show you how important command is on the major league level. It’s the difference between looking like the greatest relief pitcher in history or just another guy that throws 92.