Postgame notes: Division on the line in finale
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes on Oct 03, 2010 
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It was past 1 a.m. when Dustin Moseley found out he would be starting tomorrow’s today’s regular season finale in Boston. The Yankees had just dropped the second game of a double header, and manager Joe Girardi couldn’t name a starter any earlier because he wasn’t sure which pitchers he would need as Saturday’s second game drifted into extra innings.
“It’s good, man,” Moseley said. “Go out there and give them my all tomorrow. Try to get home real quick and get some sleep, then try to get back out there… The routine isn’t in place, but the mentality will be there and ready to go tomorrow.”
Moseley last pitched on Monday, two scoreless innings in Toronto. He last started September 12 in Texas, where he matched Cliff Lee for six innings before allowing three runs in the seventh.
“I’m going to take it for what its worth,” Moseley said. “Go out there and do what I can do and hopefully we come out on top tomorrow. Or today.”
The Yankees need more than Moseley to win the division. They also need the Rays to lose in Kansas City. The Yankees and Rays are currently tied for the division lead, but Tampa Bay has the tiebreaker. A double header sweep would have left the Yankees in control of their own destiny. Instead they enter Sunday’s game needing Moseley and needing help.
• Girardi said he doesn’t know yet how many everyday players will be in the lineup on Sunday. “I’ll have to see when everybody gets in,” he said.
• Girardi used all of his go-to relievers in the first game, knowing he wouldn’t want to use any of them in the second. “You have to win the first game because you don’t know what’s going to arise in the second game,” he said.
• A.J. Burnett said he felt better than he has in his past few starts. “When I was quick I was able to slow down,” he said. “I didn’t let a lot of things bother me out there tonight. I never broke, so that’s a positive.”
• Four errors in the second game set a season high for the Yankees. The most glaring came on the play when Burnett argued with the umpire, forgetting about the runner at third base, who came around to score. “I probably should have called time, but I didn’t think about it,” Burnett said.
• Girardi’s take on the Burnett play at first: “It’s something that probably shouldn’t happen and it cost us a run.” Girardi said he never saw a replay of the controversial call at first.
• That 10th inning was going to be Ivan Nova’s last. Both of his major league losses have come against the Red Sox.
• The Yankees went 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position in the second game. They were 4-for-37 with RISP in the double header.
• Burnett has now hit 19 batters this season, the third-highest single-season total in Yankees history and the most since Jack Warhop hit 26 batters in 1909.
• Brett Gardner had five stolen bases today. These were the third and fourth multi-steal games of the season for Gardner. Three steals in the second game matched his career high.
• Robinson Cano picked up three hits in both games. It’s the fourth time this year that he’s had back-to-back three-hit games.
Associated Press photos of Burnett with Francisco Cervelli and Eduardo Nunez with Curtis Granderson.
Thanks for the wrap-up, Chad. Hope you get some rest.
4 for 37. Honestly?
That’s pathetic. Teams that go 4 for 37 with RISP don’t win championships. It’s just not gonna happen.
Oh well thats re-assuring that the 10th was going to be Nova’s last inning. Maybe Girardi noticed that HE DIDN’T HAVE ANYTHING TONIGHT FINALLY!!!!
Play for the Wild Card you get the Wild Card. Road Warriors now throughout the whole way in October. Be wearing the Gray’s alot.
“I never broke, so that’s a positive”.
Well, I guess if we’re setting the bar extremely low, then yes, it’s better than breaking out there, AJ.
Well, what can you say? Bad game. I guess that’s why you don’t leave things until the end, Joe, if you really are serious about the division.
That’s his way, though. Either you like it or you don’t, because Joe certainly isn’t going to change his approach because…well, he’s ALWAYS right in his own mind.
aj with some more really impressive stats.. wild pitch’s, hit batters, errors, he is a equal opportunitty clown.
this guy thinks he is starting in the alds. if girardi starts him in the first round i would fire him on the spot…………..
Love it Red Lobster! Love it! AJ the true American Hero has 2 more rings than ole Ted!
Love Carl’s response about Francona laughing. What’s Frankie Francona laughin’ at? Missing the playoffs with a $170 million payroll!!
Bo knows, insulting Alex because he discussed his ball not going out is ludicrous. He wasnt trying to hit a home run. Rather, he was trying to put the best possible swing on the baseball. And the reason he’s upset that his ball was caught was because any hit would have likely given us the lead. I’d rather have a centaur, a 2009 postseason hero, A God, than ole Ted.
When was the last time AJ won a game? Or even pitched good against a good offense? The A’s and Mariners don’t count. Giving up 4 runs against Pawtauket isn’t positive it’s terrible. 3 more years of him, how exciting. If he or Vazquez were decent this year the division would of been locked up a long time ago.
Ya got people insulting Alex?!! People calling AJ – the guy who won the single most important game in the 2009 World Series – a loser?!!!
That’s Yankees fans baby!!
AJ – a true American hero!
CR9
A.J. Burnett is a clown ! He is not an American Hero more like an American loser.
Ted Williams was a class act and a great ballpayer so you should not be making fun of him. And comparing a loser like A.J. Burnett to Ted Williams is the biggest farce.
Also If I were Francona I would be laughing at Girardi because he gave this game away to him and Girardi still managed to mess it up. Girardi is a fool ! Luck has been on his side but it’s running out.
aj won 1 big game last years whipttydoo. give him a paass for the next 4 years.
i was at his masterpiece game against anaheim. he did a 4 run implosion early on then the yanks tied it up later and aj wet his pants again. shocking aj gave up a lead and looked like a deer about to get hit by a car….
have a parade for aj…….again if he pitches in the alds the yanks are psycho…….
Moseley should have pitched in relief tonight and Nova should have started tomorrow.
Just saw the score, brutal. But then again, when you let them tie it up anything can happen. Saw that Cervelli had 2 errors, anyone still hoping he catches all the postseason games over Posada?
Did anyone really expect them to sweep Boston. I know we should always have faith in the team but we have to be realistic. Even though Francona put the AA lineup out there, those are always the guys that give them the most trouble. Anyway. I wonder if the Yanks will sell a wildcard Tshirt, ill have to get one.
From The Post:
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....7iwEZYfM/1
ANTI-AL CY YOUNG
A.J. Burnett/Javier Vazquez, Yankees. This duo did everything in their power to keep the Yanks out of the playoffs. Burnett ranked first in most starts in the AL of fewer than five innings (10) and Vazquez was second (7). Burnett went into yesterday’s start with a 5.33 ERA, the third-worst in Yankee history for a pitcher permitted to make 25 starts. Vazquez was fourth at 5.32.
Morning all.
Couple of things. I know the Yankees did poorly with RISP yesterday, but they DID score 6 runs in the second game, and they did have the lead going into the 8th inning. They covered their starting pitcher – ha ha – AJ would have been the winning pitcher if the lead held, can you believe it. 6 runs should have been enough. I put this loss squarely on AJ Burnett, who couldn’t succeed against a lineup of minor leaguers.
Nova stunk. I think Mitre should have stayed in. I don’t criticize Girardi much here, but the one thing I don’t like about his style is over-doing matchups and too many unnecessary pitching changes. He’ll do the same in the playoffs, for whatever that’s worth. I’m not upset he used Nova to relieve, though, rather than start tomorrow. If Nova was going to be on the playoff roster, more than likely he was going to be a relief guy and they had yet to see him in that role. I think you have a guy who has mucho trouble pitching from the stretch, and I think they saw what we all figured they would see.
Good job, Cano, with 6 hits on the day. One more for 200? Maybe a HR, so he gets 30 HRs and 200 hits with one swing? That would be a nice way for him to cap off his season. I’ll settle for a timely single though.
I don’t know how AJ can say he didn’t break. He was given two leads and couldn’t protect them. Costly wild pitch, hitting guys, and the incredibly stupid play at first base. How is that not breaking? Because he didn’t end up giving up 7 runs? And the Yankees are supposed to be encouraged because he didn’t break?
I don’t like the sloppy play, but I can understand it – not a great way to play baseball yesterday. A 4 p.m. start for the first game, a 4-hour game in the first game, and then 45 minutes later, you’re starting the second game. Not an excuse – but boy, you gotta figure that played into it a bit.
I don’t blame Girardi for using his A relievers in game 1. Had to have game 1 to make game 2 even a possibility.
So the division comes down to today. They must win and Tampa must lose. No other scenario will do it. However, even if Tampa wins, I’d like the Yankees to close out with a win, even though it nets them nothing. It’s not like they don’t get to play home games in the playoffs. They just need to win ALL their home games and hope for splits on the road. Which I think is doable. They need to avoid Games 5 and 7 (by winning earlier).
At least there are no rally monkeys or hefty walls to contend with this season. Hey, you gotta look for the positive wherever you can find it.
One more thing. What is up with Kearns? When was the last time he got a hit with runners on base?
I also think catching AJ has taken a toll on Francisco Cervelli.
So has all the idiotic “faith” in AJ Burnett dried up yet? It’s getting a bit tiresome hearing about how great he is in some other universe. He sucks HARD in this one.
beedogs -
At least on this forum, AJ hasn’t garnered any faith for a really long time.
” I don’t criticize Girardi much here…”
Welcome to the dark side, Doreen.
Actually, Doreen, the “pom pom” contingent was out in full force last night and were still cheery about AJ’s chances. Some of those posters are beyond reason or common sense, but just feel it necessary to bash others who can see reality and comment on it. Ugh. I guess both extremes get tiresome.
But one thing I don’t think is ever necessary is constantly telling others how they must post.
Anyway, I’m actually an optimistic person until the cold hard truth just can’t be ignored anymore. Of course everyone can have a different take, but ignoring everything just to yell, “the yankees are great” all the time is ridiculous.
BTW, I agree with your comments regarding yesterday’s marathon except that I think Joe should have planned better regarding getting another must win in the second game. I wouldn’t have thrown everyone out there in the first game, but I understand your point. I would have held at least one “stopper” out for the second game. Truthfully, it looked like Joe didn’t have much confidence in AJ pulling out a win for them and blew the wad on the first game.
I do have to say putting in Nova when he did and removing Mitre when he was fine was the kind of bonehead move I’ve come to expect from Girardi. Nova has such a hard time from the stretch. Maybe that’s not highlighted in Joe’s little sheet of paper he consults.
I wonder what the video tribute will be after today’s game?
Last season’s was fun, no doubt about it. You had all that pie! And they clinched the division before the last day of the season.
What would stand out this year?
They won 94 games right? So there have to be some good moments in there. Right now, I can’t think of a whole lot. ARod and Cano figure in, certainly.
They’ve had a much harder row to hoe this season; some of it because of underperformance, some of it because of nagging injuries. It really doesn’t matter. It’s been an interesting season. I wish that the good moments of this year had been savored and enjoyed, rather than looking for the flaws even in the successes. In thinking back, having experienced the season through the prism of this blog, it saddens me that wins were not only taken for granted, but picked over because they weren’t perfect wins; and forget about the losses – disasters of epic proportions. I am speaking generally, the general tone of this blog over the course of this season.
This is not a good thing.
I know that many will be disappointed if the Yankees do not take the division and HFA. But given the adversities of the season, and the quality of the division in which the Yankees play, I am really happy to see the Yankees advance to the post-season. I don’t care if it ends up being as the wild card team. They will finish with one of the best records in baseball, in spite of everything that went “wrong.” So, there must have been things that went right. And I will focus on those.
Once the playoffs start, anything is possible. There is no one dominating team this post season. Each team has an ace and then the rest. Each team has question marks offensively. It’s a pretty even field. I hope the Yankees advance. If not, I will be disappointed, but then you look to next season. Next season everyone starts 0-0 again.
Rich in NJ -
I told people I was a reasonable person.
First, let me give AJ props for arguing with the ump while the 3d run scored. (Knoblauch and Coney did it too). Way to keep your head in the game.
Second, what good can you say about this guy? He is asked to step up against the Red Sox to position the Yanks to take first place and show everyone he’s got some pitching left in him. All the stars were aligned: the Red Sox were pitching Dice K, their set up guy and closer had pitched in the first game and the lineup was Pawtucket with JD Drew. The second game has to be won.
A wise man once described marriage to me as the triumph of hope over reason. If this clown makes the postseason roster, then hope has plainly beaten reason.
Well. One and done seems likely now as wildcards. Pathetic.
Wang IS Taiwan-
I agree with you – I have as much trouble with people who can only see the dark side as those who can only see the bright side, even though I am much more glass-half full than not. And I’m tired of the “score-keeping” – who is an optimist and who is not. I myself waiver from game to game DURING the game. Ask my husband.
But I do wish people would enjoy the good parts of the game, the season, as they’re happening.
I think it’s a fair point to say Girardi might have been wise to hold back one good reliever for the second game. It certainly couldn’t have hurt. Especially if he wasn’t going with Mitre as a long man, which I think will be his biggest criticism from the second game – not sticking with Sergio a little longer.
I love the Yankees, but they have not had a great season, whatever the reason. But the managed to get to this point, and I think that’s a plus.
murphydog -
He’ll make the roster because they’re stuck with him.
In baseball, there’s a lot of hope over reason, and hope has triumphed in the past. I HOPE they don’t have to use him.
sunny615 -
It’s certainly possible, but I wouldn’t jump to likely.
They blew a three run lead to the Pawtucket Red Sox.
AJ was at his “finest” pulling his Chuck Knoblauch act.
Instead of holding open tryouts AGAIN for playoff roster spots, Girardi could have (and should have) just stuck with Mitre instead of playing mix and match.
That move may have cost them the division.
For a franchise that prides itself on winning, the way he has managed the team the past month is an embarrassment.
Today’s game? Who knows what he will do.
I will say this………be careful what you wish for when it comes to the Twins.
I don’t think it’s the “slam dunk” many think it will be.
In fact, I think it’s a bad matchup for this particular Yankee team.
It seems that’s what the braintrust has been positioning themselves for the past month.
I hope they won’t regret it.
Doreen,
I have to admit I miss the spark of last year’s team. At least two things are different (and more, of course): Some guys had never made it to the post-season or had never won a WS ring and they added urgency and 2) We had two guys that seemed clutch to me when we needed them (whether the stats show it to be the case or not): Matsui, Damon.
This year’s team hasn’t been dream team, that’s for sure. The pickups in the offseason were flops and the guys we got at the trade have been just OK (except Wood, who has been terrific in the bullpen).
I do like that we’ve seen some nice hitting improvement from Granderson. I worry, though, that we’re getting older by the minute. We may not even have as good a chance next year as we do this year. I think that may have been why Cashman went after Lee this year.
Anyway, I’m still hoping for the best. As Betsy keeps mentioning, the other teams all have problems, too. But Philly has looked pretty unbeatable lately. They scare me. But first, we’ve got to get past a couple of playoff series in the AL.
I hope “magic and mystique” will show up in the post-season. They’ve been MIA for quite some time with this team…
“I HOPE they don’t have to use him.”
Good use of the word, hope!!
Of course, Cashman also went after Lee this year because of…AJ.
Philly does seem positioned to win it all this season. H2O and all that.
I’m not going to worry about next year until next year.
I think Granderson has picked it up a lot and I expect him to perform closer to 2nd half Grandy than first half Grandy in the future.
Berkman and especially Kearns have been disappointing. And in a way, I believe their acquisition messed with something that was happening on the team. The young guys, Colin Curtis and whoever else, were an important cog for a little while and they did help. Now, I don’t blame Cashman for trying to get seasoned veterans, that’s what he does, and he doesn’t miss often on that. And Berkman I was okay with. But I never got Kearns. Wood has been nothing short of fantastic and I hope they find a way to hold onto him, but what will be will be.
SJ44 -
I never wish for a particular opponent. It’s foolish and tends to backfire. I sure hope that’s not what’s been going on. But I think either team, the Rangers or the Twins, are formidable opponents this season, so on the whole, if the Yankees play well, it won’t matter; if they play poorly it won’t matter. It’ll be interesting to see what happens if all the teams involved play as they’ve been playing all September. Not fun.
I love my Yankees, but does anyone else wish they were able to see the Padres/Giants instead of the Yankees/Red Sox on FOX yesterday?
The odds are we’re the WC team but it’s still not finalized.
Funny game that baseball. You just never know what might happen.
And as they say, “It isn’t over till it’s over.”
May as well have hope until you just can’t anymore.
Hope is free and surprises are always possible.
Either way. We’re in.
SJ44 -
Earlier this month I told you I would see how things played out before piling on Girardi. I still apportion a lot of responsibility for some of the tougher losses on inadequate offense and some bullpen failure. I don’t agree that the resting of players was necessarily inconsistent. But I do think that Girardi and his match-up system needs a reboot. Or something. Not sticking with Mitre when he was going well and when he had a shortened pen, was not a good move and no way to sugar coat it.
I also disagree with whoever said that the way Girardi managed gave his players the message that these games in September didn’t matter. If this was a young team, I would perhaps feel differently. But this is a veteran team and I don’t buy that. If anything it overtrusted the players to TCB while he was setting up. And they didn’t. I’ve said it before: one or two timely sac flies, walks or singles, and Mariano not blowing 3 saves, and the season ends differently. Blame to go around.
MTU -
Yup!
Kearns not being a K maching would have helped, too.
The Yankees didn’t hit with RISP last night and Girardi did make a few questionable moves with the relievers but IMO this is once again AJ Burnett’s loss.
He was given a chance to contribute something to this team in a season where if he has just been league average then the Yanks would probably have clinched several games ago.
He had this opportunity against a team starting only one of its regular players. The Yankees scored 6 runs and AJ squandered an opportunity and ironically (as was discussed last) the difference in the game turned out to be the run scored where AJ fell asleep argueing with the umpire.
Hopefully the Yanks can win today and get some help from KC but you really don’t have many better chances to win games than the night cap of that double header.
blake -
I agree with your take on the game. To me, it was all on AJ.
And I think the starting pitcher sets the tone for a game. He’s not the guy you want on the mound in any games that matter. Not this season.
Francona wasn’t exactly trying to prevent us from winning either, with that line-up he threw at us.
Real shame the guys didn’t take advantage of it.
Anyone here think that Kearns is on the post-season roster?? Is he really a better outfielder than Golson? It’s not like Kearns does much beyond striking out.
Blake-
I don’t blame people one bit for their frustration, or their disappointment if that’s what they are feeling.
But the bottom line is that what’s past is past now, and so we only have today and tommorrow to focus on.
If it’s in the cards we’ll get the pennant and HFA. Unfortunately, it’s not totally in our control now.
So we’ll have to hope for some luck instead.
I’m not piling on AJ today. I think everything that needs to be said about him has already been said.
I’m hiking today, and when I return we’ll either be the WC or the Division champs but either way I’ll know we still have a chance to suceed going forward.
If we play up to our potential we can beat anyone.
Enjoy your hike, MTU! Sounds like a great idea.
Wang-
Thanks. With some good fortune it might turn out to be the Division/HFA tribute.
Wasted opportunity. Story of the 2010 Yankees.
The division race is over a long time ago if the team did not have an absolutely terrible september,blame that on the players, not girardi.
Win 1 or 2 more games in september & we are not fighting for the division on the last day of the year,no wc & we end up tied we would have a one game deciding game.
The pitching in september fell apart along with a very inconsistent offense,injuries.
What we need next year is real production from the dh & catcher positions,another frontline pitcher & if pettitte retires wich i think he will,another solid pitcher.
If pettitte retires & let’s say we sign lee,we have
cc
lee
hughes
burnett
That leaves the 5th spot unresolved & a major question mark with burnett & a lot of questions with hughes.
MTU,
Well said. They just have to focus on winning today and hope KC can best Tampa (certainly possible).
I don’t want to pile on AJ anymore either but if it were up to me he wouldn’t pitch again this season.
Blake-
AJ has created his own Hell. I don’t think any pitcher would want to be in the place he’s in right now. That’s enough punishment.
The other part is obvious.
We need to focus on the positives.
Ron,
I don’t see a lot of questions with Hughes next year. I feel very confident with him moving forward into a full year. Heaven forbid we have to count innings again with him.
I think all Yankee fans have their fingers and toes crossed that we get Lee. I also hope Andy comes back.
Wang IS Taiwan
I feel confident with hughes but we just don’t know for sure if he takes a major step forward.
Now we might not need him to depending on who we sign.
As far as pettitte imo 1 of 2 things happen,We win the ws & he goes out on top or we don’t & he doesn’t have enough gas in the tank,i hope i am wrong.
The way i see it is we need 3 solid starters so if pettitte retires we are left with 1 solid starter,hughes is not quite there yet,a small step forward & he will be.
I would like to see us sign lee & then make a trade for another frontline starter using our plethora of prospects.
I think this was an experimental year for cashman.I would like him to take a few less chances on the berkmans,thames,etc… & bring in a real dh,catcher,maybe an outfielder.
tough loss, that certainly was a winnable game…as many were in September
The game of looking for positives from Burnett are over with. There just aren’t any.
The thought of Kearns in the postseason is unsettling.
Let’s hope Mosely comes though today to ensure Vazquez will not be on the postseason roster.
Mitre hasn’t been used much but when he is, it’s usually a good showing.
I am not ready to totally give up on AJ, but I certainly have for this season. Unfortunately I still think we see him in the 2nd round.
I couldn’t understand the Kearns/Gardner platooning.
At least Gardner can cover more ground in the outfield and if he gets on base things definitely do happen.
The idea of platooning Gardner with Kearns is stupid.
Ironic Burnett knocks us out of first with one game to play pitching against an assortment of rookies and AAA players. If not for him and his performance this season we would be comfortably in first.
The awful truth behind yesterday’s pathetic showing is yet another example of terrible situational hitting. They continue to not get runners in, and if this doesn’t improve they are toast in the post season regardless of how well CC, Andy and Phil pitches.
The other point is it is clear Joe G does not demand accountability from his players. If he did, there is no way AJ gets the start last night in a pivotal game-he has flat out not earned it with his performance. What the h was he doing with Nova in a big spot when it is clear Nova didn’t have it?
All year, Joe G has kept Jeter batting first, and his performance for the most part has stunk, especially in the 2H.
Joe G taking Mitre out of the game last night was yet another imbecile so called match-up. If Joe G would throw his books on the dugout floor and actually manage a little by instinct he may have realized it would have been better to keep Mitre in the game with a short pen.
Also, Posada I’m afraid looks washed up. Really, really sad how much his game has dropped off.
The biggest problem is 4-37 and 1-16 w/risp in the second game. If not for that, Girardi would not have been a factor. I think Girardi did ok except not leaving Mitre out there. Can’t blame Nova, he’s a starter with little major league experience and only 2 previous games in relief, and really if he hadn’t pitched fairly well as the 5th starter these games would have been meaningless.
Rhapsody-
You’re right, and if we want to play the blame game there’s plenty to go around.
The net result should be that we should not see AJ until at least the 2nd round, if we get that far. Maybe not all.
Focusing on the positives, we have a strong front three, and a really good BP. If the offense does it’s part we’re more than a match for anyone.
Who knows maybe we get lucky today.
I gotta admit, I did still feel like Posado would give us the win when he got up to bat last night.
I hate seeing our old faithful struggle (Jeter, Mo, Andy, Po). I just can’t hammer them now that age is catching up.
Why did you think Posada would give us the win when he got up to bat?
His track record as a PH is horrible,, if he doesn’t start, good chance he doesn’t contribute.
Wrong guy as a PH.
Yeah, I know his record at PH and it sucks. Doesn’t mean I have to stop pulling for him.
focusing on a few positives
Andy looks like he will be fine
Phil/Mo were perfect in relief
GGBG ran at will
Robbie…nuff said
the guys who played both games had to be absolutely exhausted
Not sure how Joe can face the team and with a straight face tell them that AJ gives them the best chance to succeed. If he gives them the best chance to have a good outing, he far and away gives them the best chance to implode. I’m all about supporting the players, but AJ needs to be put in mothballs until February.
People here have been advocating Royce Ring for a playoff roster spot and talking about how Nova should start over AJ in the post-season for two weeks (along with completely dismissing Mitre).
Now Mitre gets two outs in a row and all of a sudden Girardi is a bozo for bringing in Ring and Nova.
This place really amuses me sometimes.
I don’t see why AJ is being blamed more than Kearns. I mean for god sakes the guy come up to bat with the bases loaded and less than 2 outs twice and he strikes out both times. Talk about a rally killer
When Robbie barehanded that ball to first base, the cameras zoomed in on him and he made a face like, “I’m pooped out.”
I would certainly not excuse Kearns, but AJ should have been able to dominate that team…there was only one starter playing. And the mental mistake scored a run, which could have been the difference in the game.
Wave Your HatOctober 3rd, 2010 at 9:38 amPeople here have been advocating Royce Ring for a playoff roster spot and talking about how Nova should start over AJ in the post-season for two weeks (along with completely dismissing Mitre).
Now Mitre gets two outs in a row and all of a sudden Girardi is a bozo for bringing in Ring and Nova.
This place really amuses me sometimes.
—
Yes, the key word you wrote there is “start”. Nova has been a starter here for weeks, a starter in the minors. All the regular bullpen guys were unavailable from game 1, and he pulled Mitre after two batters in a close game that also could have gone extra innings (and did).
Anyway, the biggest problem was 1-16 w/risp, not the relief pitching.
For AJ to go into a mental lapse and let the run score from 3rd sums up his character.. Useless mental lapses… That run eventually cost the Yanks the game and the division title hopes…
the team the RS started in that 2nd game the Yankees should have never lost to that team…
Yankees get WC I don’t think they’ll be in the playoffs very long
joeman October 3rd, 2010 at 10:01 am
the team the RS started in that 2nd game the Yankees should have never lost to that team…
~~~~~~~~~
You got that right. Embarrassing. Still AJ seems to be pretty proud of himself. Clueless.
Let’s hope you’re wrong in your prediction, joeman.
They had all September to evaluate Ring. From what I’ve seen from him I’m not sure he throws enoughc strikes to be effective in the role they would use him for. The last thing you want is to bring a Lefty in to face one hitter and then have them walk that hitter.
Another observation from last night…Nunez still has a little ways to go defensively as a SS. I like his potential but I certainly missed Jeter’s sure hands in that second game….say what you want about the Captain but if he gets to it he catches it…I can think of 3 plays that Jeter may have made that Nunez didn’t (slow roller early in the game, the throw from Cervelli that went into CF, and the double play ball up the middle…though that one was tough).
Nunez has pretty good range but needs some refinement in his fielding and throwing mechanics.
AJ Bustnett can’t even beat AA teams
The guy is a joke
Chad, please do not post any pictures of AJ. So sick of seeing his face.
Why is bringing a LH pitcher ( who might make the post-season roster) to face JD Drew such a bad decision? He is hitting .208 against Lefties.
If he had left Mitre in, and Drew went deep then what would you say?
I’m looking ahead. IMO, next season, they have to spend/trade for catching and starting pitching as well as closer insurance.
Catcher: 1) Get Victor Martinez for the stick/DH/1st base back up and occasional catching.
2) And please tell me that Austine Romine is the real thing and is ready.
After watching the Posada and Cervelli follies last night, I’m sick. Be ready for everyone to run on the Yanks in the playoffs. That continues in 2011 unless this is fixed.
Pitching: 1) SIGN CLIFF LEE.
2) Schedule intensive off-season psychotherapy for Burnett.
3) Guarantee Pettitte that he can stay home like Roger did when he isn’t starting if that’s what it takes to get him back for 2011.
4) Pay Kerry Wood as closer insurance/transition to closer after Mo.
5) Hope that Nova matures (winter ball?) and some other fledgling arm steps up.
6) SIGN CLIFF LEE. But I repeat myself.
IMO it never should have come down to this last weekend for the Yankees to win the division.
The Yankees had many winable games in September including the ones where Mariano blew the save. I don’t blame Mariano, but those are games where Girardi “managed it right” and the Yankees still lost.
As for the opponent in the ALDS, I have learned be careful what you wish for. And the Yanks will have to play good baseball no matter who they face. But the possiblity of facing Cliff Lee twice in 5 games does scare me.
I agree w/ your suggestions murphydog, but IIRC V-mart wants to catch, and doesn’t like to play 1B
4) Pay Kerry Wood as closer insurance/transition to closer after Mo.
I predict right now that Cashman is going to lowball Wood and he walks. For some reason, Cashman values those who aren’t Yankees more than those who are when the off-season signings come around.
Not signing Wood? BIG mistake. I think we’re going to see more of Mo’s “off-periods” next year. It’s natural for him to finally show some aging…
Tar,
That’s a fair point. I think to some extent the critism of Girardi’s bullpen moves is revisionist history…it looks bad in hindsight but had it went the other way it wouldn’t have. AJ is a different story though…he had a chance to contribute and failed to hold down a team starting one regular position player….to boot a mental error he made turned out to be the difference in the ballgame.
4 for 37 with RISP….from my vantage point, NEITHER game should have even been close…
two Yankee moves in the off-season…Victor Martinez & C Lee
I’d love to get V.Mart as our DH, but not as our catcher. He’d be great in the clubhouse, too.
More about this next month but for me these are the off-season priorities….
Lee is priority #1, got to make this happen, some-how some way.
Getting Pettite to re-up for one more year is priority #2, even if it means coming back in May, June. Make him an offer he can’t refuse….
Re-signing Wood as Mo’s set up, and the team’s closer is priority #3.
Transitioning Montero in as DH/C is priority #4.
Teaching Brett Gardner to bunt is priority #5, if he can bunt adequately, he hits close to .300 and becomes a major, major weapon.
Getting AJs head on straight with a third pitch is priority #6, if he doesn’t have a 3rd pitch by the end of spring training, he cannot start on this team any longer.
blake
AJ’s on post-season roster. It’s up to Joe and Cash to figure out a way to help make him successful.
IMO that is coming out of the pen and throwing the ball as hard as he can. All of this “I have become more of a pitcher, and not a thrower” with AJ has not worked.
Limit his game time exposure, let him air out his FB for a batter or maybe an inning.
As for HFA. It would be nice, but honestly the Twins don’t scare me one bit. I also think the Yankees feel they match up better against the Twins. Which is why you have seen some questionable moves, that on the face don’t add up. I am not saying they are not trying to win HFA, maybe just not trying real hard.
Beat Pavano, Hughes win game 3 at home and have CC close it out. Sounds better to me than facing Lee twice.
Twins are playing better than TEX over the last 4-6 weeks, they also have a better BP and IMO a better manager. They are also “due” to beat NY. I am not comfortable playing this team in the least, especially on the road. Morneau, if he comes back, rakes against NY also.
I’d rather NY open up at home against TEX, even if it means facing Lee twice.
Murphydog on the money.
Terrible defense from the catcher’s position.
I think we shouldn’t count on Andy for 2011. Even in 2004 the Yankees were not sure of how is arm would hold up and that is why he spent time with Houston. We should be thankful that we got good performance last year and for one half of this year but his age and his body are catching up with him now.
Yipeee!!!!!!!!!