Pregame notes: The auditions begin
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes on Aug 31, 2011 
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It seems that the rotation auditions begin tonight, with Phil Hughes taking his turn to prove that he should remain a starter beyond this turn.
“Those are decisions that we have to make,” Hughes said. “We want to get down to a five-man rotation… We have one more (doubleheader), but that’s later on, so we won’t need a sixth starter necessarily for a while.”
What does Hughes need to show the Yankees to make his case? Girardi didn’t get into specifics, but the story with Hughes is usually the same: Mix pitches, hit spots, show good life on the fastball and be able to put away hitters. It’s not an unusual formula.
“His last start, he struggled,” Girardi said. “They put some long at-bats on him — we talked about that first-inning at-bat that Matsui put on him. He was just missing his spots a little bit. We just need him to get back to where he was.
“He ran about three or four good starts off in a row. It’s not abnormal to run three or four good ones in a row and not have a good one. That happens to pitchers. That’s almost a month’s work. If you were to have one bad start a month, you’d probably end up with a pretty good record. I think he’s closer, and he continues to get closer as the year has went on.”
• Alex Rodriguez is better, but he still didn’t swing a bat today. He’s expected to hit tomorrow, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll play in the game. Sounds like the Yankees still expect Rodriguez to miss this entire series.
• Girardi plans to play Russell Martin tomorrow, and Martin could play tonight if necessary. He reported that his sort thumb feels better, but Girardi wanted to give him one more day to be safe.
• Speaking of catchers, Girardi didn’t exactly confirm an earlier report that Jesus Montero will be called up tomorrow, but he said Montero is someone they’ve talked about a lot. He said Montero could be used as a DH or a catcher, but Girardi would be hesitant to start Montero at catcher because he prefers someone who’s familiar with the staff. Sounds like the bulk of Montero’s playing time will come as a designated hitter.
• Without saying who, Girardi said the Yankees are going to make “a few” September call-ups tomorrow. He said they will get the new guys here immediately, they aren’t going to wait and just have the call-ups join the team in New York on Friday.
• Eduardo Nunez is at third and Eric Chavez at DH just because Girardi wants Chavez to have a half day off his feet. Chavez has played three games in a row. This will be his fourth.
• Girardi said he has to check with Rafael Soriano and Mariano Rivera to determine whether they’re available tonight. Everyone else should be good to go.
• The Yankees are still deciding whether to start Freddy Garcia or CC Sabathia on Sunday. It would be Sabathia’s normal day, but they could give him an extra day and let Garcia make that start. Regardless, Girardi said Sabathia and Garcia will start Sunday and Monday in some order.
RED SOX
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Adrian Gonzalez 1B
David Ortiz DH
Jed Lowrie 3B
Carl Crawford LF
Josh Reddick RF
Jason Varitek C
Marco Scutaro SS
Associated Press photo
GB,
I was in France 10 years ago for 3 weeks and you can’t even compare the 2 IMO. People wise, landscape and food are about a million times greater in Italy, not even close.
If it weren’t so damn far away I’d live here in a NY 2nd.
Shouldn’t this thread be called “The auditions continue…”?
It’s really not a big deal at this point because the 5th starter is going to the pen in the playoffs as a long man/6th inning man. It’s really silly that this audition is being held on a game to game basis and that it’s going to come down to this particular game. It probably should go to the guy who the team thinks can give the team the best chance to win……….and that doesn’t necessarily mean the pitcher who pitches best in these next 2 games
repost:
A day late and a dollar short but who’s counting – other than I.
I am guessing that CC is now allowed to be an ace and a postseason contender because he beat the Sux? Not that he was before that of course…
Still dealing with the vestiges of hurricane Irene in the form of company without power. Unlike Betsy, I imagine, I have full responsibility for entertaining.
GO YANKEES!!!
• The Yankees are still deciding whether to start Freddy Garcia or CC Sabathia on Sunday. It would be Sabathia’s normal day, but they could give him an extra day and let Garcia make that start. Regardless, Girardi said Sabathia and Garcia will start Sunday and Monday in some order.
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Chad,
Doesn’t this mean they are either skipping Hughes or giving him an extra day on Monday?
Looks like this decision has been made.
Besides , they wouldn’t set up AJ to fail v the sox then take his spot.
this game is going to be really exciting. beckett is usually a hot head, but when he gets hot, he usually melts down. remember when he gave up a few runs to the yankees two innings in a row, threw at jeter and got tossed?
if we go out and play yankee baseball, we got this. beckett’s under pressure. they gotta get even tonight or they lose the series. at home. go out and make him throw strikes. then hammer those strikes into the seats.
altho martin will play tmw, he is hurtin’….montero might see more time behind the plate then we think….if he hits he will play
The Audition Is Over.
Seems as though Montero has cleared his stuff out of the scranton locker room
Mike_Boston – I’ve been to both Italy and France, and came to the opposite conclusion. I loved France. But, I still would choose to live in NY area, anytime. It’s the greatest city in the world.
mick August 31st, 2011 at 6:36 pm
The Audition Is Over.
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If Hughes goes 7IP, 2ER tonight, you still think he goes to the pen?
Montero has been to 3 spring trainings with the team as a non roster player and was one of the final spring cuts so he could spend a lot of time with Tony Pena. With the exception of Luis Ayala and Cory Wade, he’s familiar with the rest of the pitching staff in what they throw.
It’s not like he has to go around the clubhouse and say, ” Hi …. I’m Jesus Montero” to teammates.
Betsy August 31st, 2011 at 6:28 pm
It’s really silly that this audition is being held on a game to game basis and that it’s going to come down to this particular game.
————
It ISN’T coming down to just one game.
Do you really think their collective starts over the past month aren’t going to factor into the decision?
C’mon, you’re smarter than that.
If Hughes goes 7IP, 2ER tonight, you still think he goes to the pen?
==========================
Its not what I think.
They don’t think that will happen.
Either way, as Joe said, pitchers can go 3-4 good starts then have a bad one….sounds like a spin to me. They know he will be better in the pen than AJ + it gives them the opportunity to take him off the PS roster for the betterment of the team.
Joe from Long Island August 31st, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Mike_Boston – I’ve been to both Italy and France, and came to the opposite conclusion. I loved France. But, I still would choose to live in NY area, anytime. It’s the greatest city in the world.
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Of all of the places I’ve been to, Europe was one place that I was never in one place long enough to cause any international incidents.
mick August 31st, 2011 at 6:29 pm e
• The Yankees are still deciding whether to start Freddy Garcia or CC Sabathia on Sunday. It would be Sabathia’s normal day, but they could give him an extra day and let Garcia make that start. Regardless, Girardi said Sabathia and Garcia will start Sunday and Monday in some order.
====================
Chad,
Doesn’t this mean they are either skipping Hughes or giving him an extra day on Monday?
Looks like this decision has been made.
Besides , they wouldn’t set up AJ to fail v the sox then take his spot.
—-
Not necessarily. Because they’ve had a six-man rotation, everyone is basically lined up to get an extra day of rest next week. Sabathia and Garcia are on turn to pitch before Hughes, so they’re starting the first two games after this turn in the rotation. The fact CC and Freddy are pitching Sunday and Monday doesn’t mean much, except I guess it mean’s they’re more locked into spots than anyone else. But that was pretty obvious.
Need one of the next 2. That’s it. Easier said than done. Tonight the better chance in my opinion. Get ‘er done
mick August 31st, 2011 at 6:40 pm
If Hughes goes 7IP, 2ER tonight, you still think he goes to the pen?
==========================
Its not what I think.
They don’t think that will happen.
————————————————————
Right. But if it DOES happen, and Hughes goes 7IP with 2ER tonight at Fenway, do you believe they will move Hughes to the pen?
Italy is great for vacation.
After a couple months and the first transit strike you experience the shine wears off.
mick August 31st, 2011 at 6:29 pm
• The Yankees are still deciding whether to start Freddy Garcia or CC Sabathia on Sunday. It would be Sabathia’s normal day, but they could give him an extra day and let Garcia make that start. Regardless, Girardi said Sabathia and Garcia will start Sunday and Monday in some order.
====================
Chad,
Doesn’t this mean they are either skipping Hughes or giving him an extra day on Monday?
Looks like this decision has been made.
—————–
Mick, you need to work on your calendar analysis skills.
Pitchers work in turn in the rotation. Garcia pitched Monday, CC Tuesday, Hughes goes today, therefore it is normal for Garcia and CC to pitch before Hughes the next time through the rotation.
The only choice for the Yankees is whether to pitch CC on 4 days rest so he (1) gets back on his 4 day rest cycle and (2) get an extra start on the West Coast trip, which also would give him one more start during the regular season, if necessary.
It has nothing to do with any ‘decision’, it’s just how the calendar falls. The next place for either Hughes or Burnett to start is on Tuesday, both of them would have sufficient rest to make the start and that’s when it will happen.
It would be nice for Phil to remain a starter but we know he is effective as a reliever.
His arm strength is an issue so why not give him short stints in the pen for that reason.
Is he that much more a given than Colon or Freddy?
not sure why Girardi has to be so coy about Montero.
I think it’s safe to say he’s being called up. Just say so Joe.
There is no competitive advantage to saying “hmm. maybe we’ll call him up. maybe we won’t.” wink wink.
Hey Mick:
What was up with the cloak and dagger stuff on the last thread ? ?
Very interesting Joe, to each his own as they say. I won’t argue with you about NYC, it’s where I was born/raised, my entire family too (my generation and older) and I miss it dearly even when only 200 miles away.
I have a good feeling about Hughes tonight. He got his clunker out of the way against the A’s. It’s his time…hopefully. Look for Cano/Grandy to go deep too.
It’s pretty sad that we are holding auditions August 31st to determine what our rotation is. I wonder if Philly is doing the same thing?
Freddy just beat the o’s on Monday. My vote is for him to pitch Sunday vs the jays and allow him to miss the o’s and give C.C. an extra day off after his workload last night.
I was born and raised in NYC and think it is one of the world’s great cities. But San Francisco gives it a run for it’s money domestically and internationally Paris does as well.
I agree WCYF, S.F. is #3 on my list right behind NYC and Boston. All 3 are world class cities that have everything to offer and then some. I’d take Rome, London and Amsterdam over Paris but we’re just picking nits.
Warning Track Power August 31st, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Freddy just beat the o’s on Monday. My vote is for him to pitch Sunday vs the jays and allow him to miss the o’s and give C.C. an extra day off after his workload last night.
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Garcia 2011 Stats
vs. Baltimore: 3 starts, 2-0, 1.50 ERA
vs. Toronto: 3 starts, 1-2, 6.06 ERA
Boston and Toronto are the two teams that he has struggled against this year.
Off topic and purely hypothetical but say Cashman goes to Jeter and says;
We have the opportunity to reacquire Matsui (a Jeter favorite) for a Minor Leaguer that we do not believe will ever help us on the Big Club. But if we do reaquire Matsui it almost is certain that we will not be able to carry Posada (another Jeter buddy) into the playoffs. Jeter’s has always positioned himself as a team first kind of guy … how does he answer Cashman (who must make this decision almost immediately)?
This is just for fun … please take it as such.
MG
It could go down that way but if it’s AJ turn on Tuesday , then Phil would be going on 5 days, if he starts. Seems like they want to get away from that.
The other reasons I stated for Phil to the pen are more important than the calendar.
Win tonight then let Montero DH tomorrow! I would say let him catch tomorrow but AJ is pitching and that would just be mean for a big league debut
I was born and raised in NYC and think it is one of the world’s great cities. But San Francisco gives it a run for it’s money domestically and internationally Paris does as well.
—–
The California sun has gotten to you.
It’s pretty sad that we are holding auditions August 31st to determine what our rotation is. I wonder if Philly is doing the same thing?
========================
Do you really think they don’t know what they want to do yet?
Just like he won’t mention yet that Montero is coming.
It’s the way of Cash.
I don’t know what edge they are getting by being shady, but there could be a method to their madness.
BJK August 31st, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Warning Track Power August 31st, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Freddy just beat the o’s on Monday. My vote is for him to pitch Sunday vs the jays and allow him to miss the o’s and give C.C. an extra day off after his workload last night.
——————————————————————————
Garcia 2011 Stats
vs. Baltimore: 3 starts, 2-0, 1.50 ERA
vs. Toronto: 3 starts, 1-2, 6.06 ERA
Boston and Toronto are the two teams that he has struggled against this year.
******************************************************************
Well there goes my brilliant idea, LOL!!!
Stats don’t lie.
As much as I want C.C. to get 1 extra day of rest, it might make a lot more sense to have C.C. go Sunday vs the jays and Freddy Monday vs the o’s.
With a few extra arms in the pen beginning tomorrow, C.C. might not need to go deep into the game and rest his arm a little.
It’s pretty sad that we are holding auditions August 31st to determine what our rotation is. I wonder if Philly is doing the same thing?
——————————————————–
Are you really comparing the Philly rotation, which has a few #1′s to the Yanks who don’t even know who their # 2 is?
The whole idea of going back to a 5 man is to eliminate the extra rest so it seems logical AJ will go on his regular rest next Tuesday.
How’s that for calendar analysis skills?
mick August 31st, 2011 at 6:52 pm
MG
It could go down that way but if it’s AJ turn on Tuesday , then Phil would be going on 5 days, if he starts. Seems like they want to get away from that.
The other reasons I stated for Phil to the pen are more important than the calendar.
———————————
the rotation is going to be screwed up for one more turn no matter what they do-either Nova or Colon will go Saturday on 5 days rest, Garcia will either pitch on 5 days rest (Sunday) or 6 days (Monday).
Pitchers bounce back and forth between 4 and 5 days rest all season because of days off.
5th starters sometimes go 9 days between starts if they get skipped because of a day off as well.
they are all used to it but CC, being such a workhorse, has probably missed going on 4 days since all of his recent starts are with at least 5 days and could use some consecutive starts with only 4 days.
I just don’t see a need for Hughes in the bullpen during the regular season, there is no real spot for him except mop up situations and he really needs to get some innings in if he’s going to be in the rotation next year. It doesn’t matter for Burnett, he’s a hopeless case, probably, no matter what.
let the kid dh tomorrow. then watch him go 3-4 with two doubles and a hr
San Francisco gave the world Rice a roni …..so the get props for that.
Free Jesus!
Ian O’Connor:
David Ortiz on history of Yankees & Red Sox fighting: “I watched some of the fights that happened in the past and it was stupid, man. It seems like people were just expecting something to happen, for them to start a fight.” Ortiz called fights “embarrassing.” People want us to come to the field today like the Rock when he’s ready to fight Cena. We got our a–es kicked yesterday. All I care about today is just go out there today and whoop their a–. Not fighting, winning”
mick August 31st, 2011 at 6:58 pm
The whole idea of going back to a 5 man is to eliminate the extra rest so it seems logical AJ will go on his regular rest next Tuesday.
How’s that for calendar analysis skills?
*****************************************************
I disagree.
A.J. is the odd man out.
The 6 man rotation was necessary for several reasons. The time has come to delete 1 starter because the need for 6 is no longer there.
Mike_Boston August 31st, 2011 at 6:51 pm
I agree WCYF, S.F. is #3 on my list right behind NYC and Boston. All 3 are world class cities that have everything to offer and then some. I’d take Rome, London and Amsterdam over Paris but we’re just picking nits.
**********
Boston over San Francisco? Surely you jest. As far as Rome, London and Amsterdam love them all. But Paris has them beat. Better food, better looking women, much more beautiful architecturally , richer historically, painters, writers, wine, countryside, etc.
“Italy is great for vacation.
After a couple months and the first transit strike you experience the shine wears off.”
actually, upon getting off the train from the airport in rome and getting mugged by a pack of gypsies who descended on me kind of took the shine right off real quick.
i felt a hand in my front pocket i grabbed it and was half way into a punch when i realized i would be punching a woman with a baby in her other arm. i didn’t let go of her wrist though until she rolled the baby on the floor and started screaming in italian. it was a good move though. quite the diversion.
someone else picked up the baby and they all took off. i was off to the american express office for more cash.
I guess no one ever got mugged in NYC.
But Paris has them beat. Better food, better looking women
Yea if you like hairy armpits
randy l.,
I was warned of the baby scam before I got there so i was ready
Triple Short of a Cycle August 31st, 2011 at 7:04 pm
But Paris has them beat. Better food, better looking women
Yea if you like hairy armpits
***********
Another ignorant American.
Your stereotype of hairy armpits for French women are like the stereotype of fat American women. Sooo… I’ll go with the French girls based on stereotypes.