Game 157: Yankees vs. Red Sox
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Gameday Thread on Sep 24, 2011 
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YANKEES (95-61)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Andruw Jones LF
Jesus Montero DH
Russell Martin C
RHP Freddy Garcia (11-8, 3.77)
Garcia vs. Red Sox
RED SOX (88-68)
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Carl Crawford LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
David Ortiz DH
Adrian Gonzalez 1B
Mike Aviles 3B
Marco Scutaro SS
Josh Reddick RF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
LHP Jon Lester (15-8, 3.15)
Lester vs. Yankees
TIME/TV: 4:05., FOX
WEATHER: Cloudy by nice. Temperatures in the 70s. Very, very light breeze.
UMPIRES: HP Marvin Hudson, 1B Brian Runge, 2B Ted Barrett, 3B Tim McClelland
SUMMER OF ’61: The Yankees are holding a pregame ceremony to honor the 50th anniversary of Roger Maris’ then-record 61 home runs in 1961. The ceremony includes members of the Maris family — including Roger’s wife Pat — the Mantle family, former teammates, Sal Durante (who caught Maris’ 61st HR) and Frank Prudenti (Yankees bat boy in ‘61).
DOWN THE STRETCH: The Yankees are in the midst of playing 33 games over the final 32 days of the season. They have gone 17-10 thus far.
SINCE THE BREAK: The Yankees are 42-26 since the all-star break. Only the Brewers — 43-22 — have won more games in the second half.
UPDATE, 4:28 p.m.: Scoreless after one as Garcia stranded Ellsbury at second base.
UPDATE, 4:44 p.m.: The kid comes through. Montero’s bases-loaded single has given the Yankees a 1-0 lead in the second, still just one out.
UPDATE, 4:46 p.m.: Two-run single by Martin. Three-run homer by Jeter. It’s a 6-0 Yankees lead and this place is roaring. That’s Jeter’s sixth homer of the year.
UPDATE, 5:14 p.m.: Montero again. This time his two-run double has pushed the Yankees lead to 8-0 and chased Lester from the game. Meanwhile, Garcia has allowed one hit through three innings, making a strong case that he’s not finished just yet.
UPDATE, 5:39 p.m.: Garcia is through five scoreless, and he’s looking more like the guy the Yankees had in the first half. ALDS rotation of Sabathia, Nova and Garcia, with Sabathia on short rest in Game 4? Might make sense?
UPDATE, 6:02 p.m.: Six scoreless for Garcia, and he walks off the field with a small fist pump. He’s at 102 pitches, so that’s probably it for him. He gave the Yankees exactly what they needed (and what they wanted to see).
UPDATE, 6:06 p.m.: Montero goes deep, his fourth homer of the season. He’s clearly the DH against lefties, but is he going to DH every game, regardless of lefty-righty?
UPDATE, 7:05 p.m.: New defense for the Yankees: P Kontos, C Romine, 1B Swisher, 2B Pena, SS Nunez, 3B Laird, LF Golson, CF Gardner, RF Dickerson.
Go Chief, Go Yankees!!!!
Go Steady Freddy! Go Yanks!
No coverage of the Maris ceremony.
Win today, don’t wait.
Really disappointed that Bobby Richardson wasn’t there and especially disappointed that Tony Kubek forget his pettiness with the late George Steinbrenner and attend the ceremonies. Not many left from that team.
G o
Y a n k e e s !
(Beware of that dangerous Sucks bottom of the batting order — bottom four, to be specific.)
- Red Robin, from Rabbit Island
sent from phone
977364303807880000
***didn’t*** forget his pettiness
Hi yankeefem,
I strolled through this morning thread, and yes! joba to start again!
go yankeees!
what is the magic number for hfa?
And so it begins. Cheap hit. Automatic this season for the Sox.
wait luis, joba’s a starter again?
luis
Freddie’s luck, recently.
If Garcia doesn’t look better today I think AJ will pitch game 3. Cash and Giardi are already talking about AJ and his “stuff” getting a start. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Colon and Garcia get pushed aside for him. They seem determined to give AJ a chance and see him have success.
Longest ball hit off Freddie: 150′
Kd,
Nah, just wishfull thinking,
Shut em down Garcia.
Awww, the wittle boy didn’t hit it well.
So far, anyway.
I wonder if the bad Sept. that the Yankee “veteran” starting pitchers have had, can be at least be partially explained by them shutting it down early.
It has been apparent for awhile that the team was going to make the post-season. I wonder if there has been some “pitching to their record” kind of thing going on. They wouldn’t do it on purpose but….. I just wonder. Anyway just a thought.
Tom,
Don’t jinx him!!!!
that would have been cool luis.
can’t wait to see montero go 3-4 with two bombs against lester. just to watch red sox fans go nuts
Atta boy, Freddy.
See!!!, a flyout about 300 feet
Nice inning for Garcia
Yes, nicely done there Freddy.
Now for the mashing.
Give him run support early and often.
luis, wishing is making it happen.
luis,
OK, he gave him 220′ that time.
Freddy looks pretty good so far. That stupid pop up hit from Ellsbury ran his pitch count up a bit but no damage done on the scoreboard.
omingeorgia September 24th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
luis,
OK, he gave him 220? that time.
——
LMAO!!!
Ugh, hit it hard.
Yankeefem, Kd,
Yes!!!, but in all seriousness….he has four pitches, a good FB,a killer slider, a good curveball and nice change up…..they should give him the chance
The smurf was just tall enough
f’n elf.
C’mon Yanks, get his pitch count up, then kill him.
i do not like dustin
How about Dustin him off then.
The Yanks hit the ball hard…..that’s a good sign, eventually they’ll get him
kd September 24th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
i do not like dustin
————————–
you are not alone….
luis, i actually really respect the way he plays. i just wish he played for the padres so we wouldn’t have to deal with him
Garcia’s location and off speed stuff looks really good so far
Great inning from Chief.
…did the PBP guy really call Pedroia ‘Petey’ on that catch just now?
Ick.
Who’s that kid playing SS for the Yankees???
Jeter, washed up.
that’s the may version of garcia
The Chief steping it up, he sure is making an statement of his worthiness.
WOW!!, Jeter flashing some range to his left!!, what a play
Betsy,
If you are around, i may be starting to eat my words very soon!!
cano!!
Yeah, Robbie.
luis, yes the 4 pitches scream starter. They gave up on Joba too early. Surgery could result in his arm/shoulder being mucho stronger. We’ll see.
Lester is not locating well,sit fastball
The Yanks have to be patient with Lester and make him throw strikes
Here we go. Lestah loving to throw many many pitches. Let’s do it!
Here comes Jesus.
Let’s go Jesus!!!
Captain,
That should be the plan. Get men on base, frustrate Lester, then get ready for someone to get plunked. Red Sox MO.
Bases juiced, that call to make up for Dumbsberry getting called safe earlier.
Nice…Now a big spot for Montero….
Yankeefem,
Yes….The only reason not ot start him should be health related issues, in fact he didn’t fail as starter, they just gave up on him…
Yes!!! bases loaded
it’s montero time
Lester is definitely going to try and get a curveball over the plate to Montero
Be patient kid
Monstero!!!
Montero!!!!
Jesuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus!
montero!
Very nice
Jesus, Jesus!
Yes, a nice little hit, leaving bases juiced and driving in the run. First blood. heh.
Sweet Jesus.
Go Montero!!! I love this kid!!! He kills lefties and fastballs…
What a kid!!!, he is going to be a star!!!
Montero rakes…..tough pitch there. He’s going to be special.
Haha, Jesus just told Mick “That was a ball, but…”
that’s all he needed to do. didn’t over swing, just made solid contact.
what a player
Can’t take advantage of his nerves this time Lestaaah.
How many times have we seen him put it through the hole like that?
Martin please hit the ball in the air
Woo hoo!
MARTIN!!!, he is feeling the heat of the Jesus!!!
Thanks Carl
Yes!!! Gardner would of caught that ball in LF lol
LOL Crawford.
Hand that gold glove over to Gritner!
The Yanks have no fear of Lester…..they can hit him. If they solve Beckett then their rotation is toothless against the Yanks lineup.
crawford has to make that play.. $142 million wasted
Captain.
Go Jeter!!!
Jeet!!!!!!!!!
EL CAPITAN!!!!!!!!!
Jetes!!!! Siiiick.
Oh my god
El Capitan!!!!!!!
that’s how you welcome the red sox to town!
LMFAO
This lineup is friggin lethal vs LHP.
Well done. Horrible base running by Jones and Montero, but well done.
Haha…..tearin Lestah a new one…..gotta love it. He’s been very mediocre of late.
Yup … Jete’s washed up, all right!
Does.anybody question that Gardner makes that play on the ball Martin hit?
whoohooo JETER!!!!!!!!!!!
this whole thing of blending young guys like montero and old guys like jeter has got to go.
it’s just not working
Has Lester ever lost a game to the Yankees?
This really is bad news for the sux….they’ll have too use the BP today with a double header tomorrow!
Woohoo . Keep the runs coming, Yankees !
It is unfortunate that the Red Sucks got the playoff spot already in the bag.
- Red Robin, from Rabbit Island
sent from phone
977364303807880000
The person Lester is foolling so far is Granderson with curveballs
only person
When you combine Montero plus that Jeter, Tex, and Swisher are all so much better vs LHP…..then this lineup is scary vs lefties.
Blake,
He makes that play standing and blindfolded. j/k but he surely makes that play
I think this is the first time ever we have beaten up Lester like this — albeit still plenty of time for the Sucks to come back.
- Red Robin, from Rabbit Island
sent from phone
977364303807880000
Very impressive start. Not letting the Sox get any momentum built up. That pitch to Montero was tough and he handled it easily. Vintage swing by Jeter also. Great, great start.
The biggest thing today was always Garcia…..they need him to get going and he has so far today.
blake, Crawford usually makes that play also. But I’ll take it.
It really sucks that the Rays are so feeble against everyone else but the Sox.
The wild card is being presented to them on a silver platter.
Gardner makes that play. Honestly, 9 times out of 10 Crawford probably makes it to. It’s just that Crawford is making about 15 times as much as Gardner haha.
lester is going to the well to much with that breaking ball way inside.
it only works if he commands pitches to the outside of the plate.
it’s like he knows he doesn’t have command out there and goes in because he knows those inside pitches are unhittable. the problem is they are balls. if the hitters don’t take the bait and swing , lester is just digging himself a hole in there.
it’s like he’s afraid to pitch away to righties.
Yea….Crawford usually does. But Gardner is better out there.
Crawford has looked a step slower this season IMO.
I think he has bulked up a bit.
Jones makes that play.
Teams are going to start a new shift against Montero. The 1st and 2nd basemen stand between SS and 3rd and all of the outfielders stand against the RF wall lol
The pitch to Montero looked like a cutter in and.Montero got the bat head to it.
blake, I could not disagree more, but I’m glad he didn’t make it
.
Honestly, i think if Crawford catches that ball they are out of the inning, but all the breaks are going against them, that’s why i think is incredible that either the Rays or the Angels haven’t taken the opportunity
Freddy’s got them off balance, and now he can really expand the zone. He looks good.
Crawford’s had a hamstring injury all year but he still should have caught the ball. He’s a tremendous fielder, homerism aside.
luis, seems the Rays can only beat Boston
.
Yeah maybe the Yanks can get Babe Ruth back on the field also lol
I really despise Illsbury. I pray he would get injured.
- Red Robin, from Rabbit Island
sent from phone
977364303807880000
Pay no attention to what you’re seeing today. In the postseason the Sux will be dangerous.
Great timing. I got a reprieve from the birthday party I was at and came home to watch a few innings!!!
It’s early of course, but if it works – this is the Freddy you worried about yesterday (you know that saying, today is the tomorr you worried about yesterday.)
Yeah, that John Lester is worriesome I tell ya!
Gardner comes in on the ball really well……he rarely gets fooled off the bat
Sorry for the image but every time I see Crawford this season it looks like he’s running with a dukey in his pants.
i love how now FOX and McCarver are down on the RedSox and talking about how awful they are….i remember plenty of Saturday Yankee/RedSox games where McCarver was sayign the reverse…. oh how things have changed
Hi JAP,
The Monstero is on fire!! huh!?
he comes in well, but doesn’t go back that well. Crawford is better all around.
Crawford is just so far off the plate. Could that have anything to do with his batting woes?
Good job, Freddy.
luis, that’s what The Jesus came down here for
.
Hi Trisha!,
Glad to see you around!
LGY I wish you were around earlier – you and Yankfem – when I was the only person saying the Sux had no chance to do anything even if they made the postseason. I didn’t get far at all. But it was more of the morning crowd and they tend to be uncontroversial from what I’ve heard. The feist and fighting usually shows up later in the day.
Now let’s contine to pound Lester and not let him off the hook. Against this lineup you can never have enough runs.
Hey luis!!! I feel better with you gamethread peeps. I think we tend to think more the same here.
JAP-
Yes, but Gardner is 140 million cheaper
And of course nobody wanted to hear what I had to say about the lousy Sux bullpen!
he comes in well, but doesn’t go back that well. Crawford is better all around.
——
Maybe last year but definitely not this season. Gardner has really surpassed Crawford this year.
Even without the metrics, if you’ve watched Crawford this season he has been pretty underwhelming out in LF.
Gardner is definitely the best LF in MLB now.
Trisha,
The thing is that with you around the inner fan we all have comes out!!
luis, he’s been great for us in LF. But I think we’re talking about a different level of defender. JMO.
Say whaaaaaaaaaaat?? I swear, I left the room for 20 minutes to take a phone call. I come back in and it’s 6-0 for the Yanks??
Yay
The one guy I just really want to see get going is Tex. He still doesn’t look right.
@Ledger_Yankees: RT @IanMBrowne: For all the talk about Crawford’s lack of offense, he’s made surprisingly few standout catches in the outfield.
trisha,
I have the faith, too, but that damned mustard seed. . .
SWISH is such a good hitter right handed.
Tarheel-
All the damage probably happened within about 4 minutes of real time. Very fast strike.
Swisher is really hitting the cover of the ball
PeteAbe:
6-0 Yankees. A train wreck called and said it can’t believe how bad the #RedSox are
Someone asked if Lester ever lost to the Yanks. Don’t know if the question was answered but as recent as August 5th Lester lost to the Yanks.
http://www.baseball-reference......1&t=p
Remember this guy?
“Trisha,
The thing is that with you around the inner fan we all have comes out!!”
That is so sweet Luis.
Jesus.
LGY, Crawford’s had a hamstring injury all year. You can’t ignore that. And Gardner has definitely improved from last year. He’s had a phenomenal GG kind of year in LF. But you underrate Crawford, and his body of work. A one year evaluation is silly.
Jesuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus! Hail!
Montero!!
glad to see Jesus is getting the hang of this rivarly
JESUS RISING…..:D
THE JEEEESUSSSSSS!!!!, Kd you almost got your wish!!
Trish,
It’s just the truth!!
LOL. They have no choice but to gush over him….HAHAHAH! OURS!
hahahaha @ Jon Lester
I guess Lestah will get an even longer rest than he expected.
Buh-bye, Jon!
Yeah, Lester certain rocks and the Sux are dangerous. Cripes this is what I was trying to tell them but none of them would listen to it! This is not the Lester from the past that they’re all thinking about. This is the current version of Lester and the way he’s been pitching.
You have to read the earlier threads to see the numbers of posters who were trying to say that Lester and Beckett were to be feared!
I think Jesus might have caught onto Lester the 2nd time facing him haha. He is unbelievable.
Trisha
Jon, nice outing.
Warm regards,
Carlo
He barely swung at that. LOFL.
The genius of The Jesus…
Go Montero!!! This kid is so much fun to watch. I wish they would give him a real chance to DH against righties in the play offs.
Thank you, Tyler. I’m sorry I missed it though!
Did anyone notice Swish and Andruw grinning as the crossed the plate? I think the vets are really enjoying The Kid
J. Alfred Prufrock September 24th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
He barely swung at that. LOFL.
The genius of The Jesus…
______
QFT. Boy genius!
Good gravy, this kid can hit!!!
Lester doesn’t make it out of the 3rd … I am loving this!
Jesus just cemented his ticket to PS roster.
David Price is saying, thank God for you. Jon!
Fem
You know I’ve thought Gardner was better than Crawford even last season but at the same time I thought Crawford was very close.
He has fallen off this year for some reason though and I’m not sure it’s fair to blame it on a hamstrung injury from months ago.
He may get back there next year but IMO what Gardner has shown this season is better than what Crawford is at his best. He’s automatic out there.
trisha – true pinstriped blue September 24th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Someone asked if Lester ever lost to the Yanks. Don’t know if the question was answered but as recent as August 5th Lester lost to the Yanks.
———
That’s me. Still looking around for his record against the Yanks. I think he’s got a very good one, but today won’t help his cause.
Montero is so strong..
This game is very entertaining.
“It really sucks that the Rays are so feeble against everyone else but the Sox.
The wild card is being presented to them on a silver platter.”
LGY, okay let’s look at this rationally. If the Rays win today they pick up a full game. Then they are down two in the loss column.
When we win the doubleheader tomorrow, the Sux are down two more in the loss column. If the Rays win, they are even.
Three games left for the Sux and the Rays. The Sux go to Baltimore. You know what Baltimore has been doing lately!
The Rays have a fighting chance if it all comes together right.
This lineup against LH pitchers is looking great.
I do believe in PS Girardi will switch Cano and Tex.
Then no pithcer, Lee included, can hold this lineup down.
I thought Aceves was the only reliever in the Sox bullpen
Trisha
I have confidence in our Yankees taking care of business in your scenario.
The problem is that I’m losing faith in the Rays
indeed are perspirational
LGY, I agree that Gardner has taken his D to an other worldly level this year, but I do not think your evaluation of Crawford has ever been particularly objective. You just don’t nor have you ever since I have read you on this board given Crawford his due. He is a phenomenal defensive player.
Yankefem – OH YEAH!!!
**************
Here is my serious hope. The Yanks don’t keep piling on unless they just have endless hits in them because I’d rather they save some for the next two games.
LGY,
Crawford is overrated….the contract he sign with the sux is going to bite them big time, especially in the last 3 years when his speed starts to diminish
Pretty amazing to compare Montero the first time against Lester to this afternoon. He was pretty overmatched in his first big league game. Now he absolutely owned Lester. The kid is pretty good lol.
Crawford is a great defender but Garnder is better now…..he has.more.range and throws better.
Montero is a beast …..he hasn’t made an out in what 7 straight ABs now.
Nice 1 pitch out from Shrek
Yankees have been good about getting Ortiz to ground into double plays this year
Yankeefem
Haha maybe. I’m just not a big Crawford fan.
luis September 24th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
LGY,
Crawford is overrated….the contract he sign with the sux is going to bite them big time, especially in the last 3 years when his speed starts to diminish
————–
It was always a bad contract, but no one in their right mind could have expected this season.
Betsy,
if you are still around……I am eating my words one by one without sauce!!
Trisha,
The problem is that Rays come to NY and Yanks will not give away all the three games. They want to end the season on a positive note.
Also, our starting pitchers are fighting for PS starts and they will do their best to impress.
I think it is still a big mountain to climb for the Rays.
Believe me, I will be as happy as you are if Sox won’t make it to PS, but I still doubt that would be the case when the season is over.
luis,
His speed already has diminished.
At this point, I’d rather face the Sox than the Rays in the playoffs if both teams get that far.
LGY, I hear what you’re saying. I’m even willing to concede that the Sux may end up backing in with a gift wild card. What was driving me crazy is that nobody wanted to hear that this trainwreck of a Sux team doesn’t have a prayer of going anywhere in the postseason. I heard ever version of how dangerous a team they are and anything is possible in a short series and BECKETT AND LESTER WELL WATCH OUT!
It is apparent to me that these people either don’t watch the Sux games the way we do, they are operating from a premise of Sux fear, or they don’t take the current version of the Suxers seriously and believe that despite their having no bullpen, when the score is “0-0″ they have the ability to turn it on like a faucet and become fearsome.
Good grief.
Poor Freddie,
Bloop, plink, drop.
RadioKev,
Good point, he just bought the sux philosophy ( Losing!!)
Montero’s OPS at .991 after 50 big league ABs…..small.sample sure…..but not too shabby.
anyone care to predict a full season of montero at c/dh?
.310 35 115
over/under?
BBFan, again it wasn’t just about whether the Sux would back into the postseason, it was about what would happen if they did. I maintained and still maintain they don’t have a prayer of a snowball in hell of going anywhere if they do.
That thought was met with total resistance.
Freddy wants that playoff start.
It’s great to see how Montero always looks like he has a plan at the plate. If he swings at a pitch in the dirt you could see that he is upset at himself. Then he looks determined to not swing at the pitch again. He only has about 60 mlb at bats but he really improves from game to game.
This is the Freddy the Yanks need. Throwing strikes, mixing up pitches. This is the Freddy that is going to earn a game 3 start.
Hasn’t Montero been on base seven consecutive times?
trisha,
Keep railing at the faithless. Jesus has made me a believer, too (along with
freddie, Ivan, Jeter, Granderson, etal)
It’s nice to see everyone so happy and rooting for the Yankees today.
I have a very simple philosophy when it comes to the Yankees-I believe they will beat any other team if they play anything close to their best so the opponent doesn’t matter, period.
The Sox, Rays, Rangers, Angels, Tigers, just come on down. If you beat the Yankees, so be it, you’ve earned it.
A day off always does DJ some good
.
Oh yeah, I was also told that another reason the Sux could turn it around was because their bullpen would be rested.
I think you can see from today their bullpen probably won’t be rested. But even if they were, THEY SUCK! That’s the point. And they’ve used up all of their bullets.
@pgammo: @Buster_ESPN Tiger, Ranger folks say “what if Boston starts hitting again and Beckett, Lester, Bard, Papelbon are hot…?” Andujar4ever
Total domination.
Fuhgettaboutit.
tomingeorgia, what drives me nuts is it just doesn’t make sense to believe these Sux can do anything! Open your eyes, I want to say to them. I don’t get it but whatever. Que sera sera.
Trisha,
I agree, Sox do not have a prayer beating Detroit or Texas in the ALDS unless, miraculously, they start playing much better like they were in the mid-season.
What is troubling to Sox is that thier ace, lester, seems to be tired and Beckett may still be somewhat ineffective from that ankle injury.
hardwired7 September 24th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Total domination.
Fuhgettaboutit.
////
I’m wicked psyched!
Kd,
Those are lofty expectations, he will get there but not right away….my guess would be somwhere around 285/25/85.
Tom,
If that is true, then that contract is going to be a total albatross
Montero hasnt made.an out in at least 7 straight abs……5 hits and 2 walks over last 2 games.
MG,
as usual spot on!!
MG,
I, like you, don’t care who we play. Bring it on, and may the best team win, Yankees, of course.
The Sox lineup is much different without Youk. They really miss Beltre and also VMart. Those rigthy hitters battled and did so much damage. Now they have too many light hitters in the lineup and it’s even close to as good as it used to be.
Lester looks very hittable and Beckett hasn’t been white the same since coming off the DL…..plus Youkalis may be done for the year. The Sox have some issues…..they are very fortunate that the Rays and Angels have faultered.
The Yanks.really should have a change to sweep this though if they go.for it…..
Add “soft roller”.
Thanks Blake. Hoped I remembered correctly.
It’s so refreshing to not listen to Joe Buck.
Luis, lol. I never predicted anything, though – I just felt that Freddy deserved a chance to come out of his slump – pitchers slump just like hitters. IMO, he didn’t lose his stuff – he already did that a few years ago.
blake September 24th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Montero hasnt made.an out in at least 7 straight abs……5 hits and 2 walks over last 2 games.
———————–
blake, Montero is very impressive at the plate, he has a plan and isn’t satisfied with making an out.
I think the Yankees handled him very well this year-they gave him another full season of catching at SWB and have given him enough ABs in the bigs to adjust to the adjustments after his first bunch of games.
Going by WAR the Sox lost about 1 win by swapping Beltre and Vmart for Crawford and Gonzalez. Gonzalez is the best of those 4……but Crawford is a distant 4th right now….
Who is the second commetator.
MG, I don’t know if the Yankees will beat all comers, but I most definitely do not believe in wishing for a “weaker” opponent. Good teams have to feel they can beat anyone – and if a team is a WS caliber team, then they will do that. So, yes, bring on all comers. If they win, great; if they lose, so be it.
In the off season….we argue that even landing Agon and Crawford, they were losing two good bats in Vmart and Beltre, so basicly the cancel each other out, that’s why i was baffled that everyone was saying what a team the sux had built, while the additions where slght improvements at best
MG,
He is very impressive…..he’s going to get better also. He’s got a chance to be in the middle of the Yankee lineup for a long time……and that takes a special bat
I haven’t seen the Sox play since the last series against the Yankees but they look really bad out there-no energy, no intensity, it’s like the air was let out of their bodies and they are going through the motions.
“The Sox lineup is much different without Youk. They really miss Beltre and also VMart. Those rigthy hitters battled and did so much damage. Now they have too many light hitters in the lineup and it’s even close to as good as it used to be.”
Absolutely correct.
“The Yanks.really should have a change to sweep this though if they go.for it…..”
Yes. Let’s take as a hypothetical that the Tigers win tonight. The Yanks still need one more win for HFA. So they should be going for it in the first game tomorrow. The second game has Lackey. I’d like to think that Joe will have enough of the regular lineup in there to beat Lackey.
Theo’s moves also pushed Youkalis back to a more demanding position…..which coukd have contributed to his injuries…..he can’t play 3rd much longer with that body type and as fragile as he’s becoming.
Betsy
I wasn’t around this morning but wanted to say Happy Birthday!!
“I haven’t seen the Sox play since the last series against the Yankees but they look really bad out there-no energy, no intensity, it’s like the air was let out of their bodies and they are going through the motions.”
MG – this is how they have been playing basically through the month of September.
luis,
Still no base hit over 180′ off Freddie.
Ellsbury for MVP? Give me break. Why because he is having a good/career year and is a Sox player? Bautista and Granderson’s numbers are much better. The media loves to over value Sox players.
Betsy,
I don’t care who we play either, meaning that I believe we can take any team. If I really worried about the Yankees winning, I’d say bring on the Sux. They are so bad that I think I could beat them with me being the only player on the field!
Betsy, Happy Birthday, you share the day with a good friend of mine-I’m going to the party tonight.
And Happy belated birthday to the Boss, Bruce Springsteen, he turned 62 yesterday. No one puts on a better show than Bruce and the E Street Band-3 hours of high energy and no intermission.
And we’re on exactly the same page on the postseason-play whoever comes in, play your best, and let the chips fall where they may.
LGY, thank you! This is a pretty sweet present………
Just saw the replay of Russell Martin. Good for him! He hates the Sux and he showed them!
Tom,
Ok, i’ll eat my words too!!!
I’m really confused as to why so many sportswriters and broadcasters are saying that Kemp is the NL MVP yet they barely mention Joey Bats in the AL race….
That Lowes ad was good…..
as for the postseason rotation, Garcia’s performance today is exactly why you have to wait until the end of the season, with all the results in, before slotting guys into the #3 and #4 slots.
Freddy’s stuff is much sharper than his last few starts, the split is falling off the table once again and that sets up everything else.
Nice job by Garcia. They are definitely being more patient and making him throw strikes but his location has been very good.
MG, thank you! Have a good time tonight – I’m going out with family for dinner……
Lester is much better than this – but he’s going through a slump as well.
…Because Bautista is one dimetional and Kemp is triple crown candidate with great defense.
I’m 100% in favor of them changing the rule so that the pitcher is exempt from MVP voting. The Cy Young is their award. They don’t need two. And not for nothing – Verlander is pitching in one of the weakest divisions in the bigs. What would his record be if he was on an AL East team?
…Because Bautista is one dimetional and Kemp is triple crown candidate with great defense.
—-
Joey Bats is one dimensional???
I’m really hoping that Alex is saving his bullets for the postseason.
They have to get Arod going in these next couple of games .He looks really late and just off.
luis,
You weren’t the only one who said Freddie didn’t have the stuff to face good lineups, or Colon either. I said, back in the spring, that they would be fine,because they can pitch, and haven’t forgotten how. Adapted their styles, maybe, but not forgotten how to do the job.
LGY September 24th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
I’m really confused as to why so many sportswriters and broadcasters are saying that Kemp is the NL MVP yet they barely mention Joey Bats in the AL race….
———–
Bautista shouldn’t even be in the running for MVP. His 2nd half has been awful in comparison to the 1st half. .255/.415/.475
What MVP tanks in the second half?
I see the Yankees are letting Joba get away with the facial hair since he’s on the DL.
The voters are blinded by Bautista’s HRs. When it comes time to vote, they will come to their senses and pick someone else.
Go Montero and Jeter !!!
——————————————
::2 questions::
1. Is anyone else very concerned with what is going on with Teixeira ?
2. What is it going to take Girardi to move him from the 3 spot.
I seriously don’t know what is going on here, but something needs to change !
Laura I mentioned exactly that about Verlander when I was talking about what the writers seem not to look at. I totally agree with you. And that takes nothing away from him having a very nice season.
“as for the postseason rotation, Garcia’s performance today is exactly why you have to wait until the end of the season, with all the results in, before slotting guys into the #3 and #4 slots. ”
MG, agree with that too. And for that reason I refuse to write off Colon – or AJ. I kept mentioning too that these guys haven’t had the luxury of pitching on regular rest so it’s hard to gauge what is irregular rest days and what is a vaid fall off.
Who cares if Lester is much better than this – whatever that means. So is Beckett. But the version of both of them now doesn’t resemble the Lester and Becket of old.
Tom,
Don’t worry, if i had a nickel for every time i was wrong i would be the richest man in the world!!, so i don’t take it particularly hard, in fact i am glad i was wrong because the Chief adds another weapon for the PS
Bats is hitting .303 .447 .611 this year with very good defense at both 3b and RF.
If Kemp wins in the NL it will be criminal if Joey Bats gets snubbed.
Where are all the arguments that the Dodgers suck so Kemp can’t win?
Why aren’t they working the count on this SCRUB Atchinson? There is no excuse for letting him go almost as long as Lester and not have his pitch count about to knock him out of the game.
2.1 innings and he’s making them look like dolts, especially after what they did against Lester.
Haven’t watched the whole game, but it seems much more evenhanded with Matt Vasgersian doing play by play. Even Timmy isn’t as irritating as usual.
Lester is receiving the same “not an ace” treatment from a certain type of Red Sox fan on the boards as C gets from some Yankee fans.
Just change the names, basically same type of fan.
trisha – true pinstriped blue September 24th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Spot on
All of the air wasjust sucked out of Seattle. Felix hernandez was knocked around twice today. First by the bats scoring runs and then a liner off of hernandez’ right arm.
Jesus won’t let anything go over his head
.
GB, was Felix badly hurt?
Reddick looks like a punk.
Shoulda said,
Go Garcia, Montero and Jeter !!!
——————————————
If Arod was this consistently bad, people would be calling for his head ! If it was anybody else, people would be all over them.. so why does it seem like Tex gets a free pass ?
This goes without saying, but I will still go on the record as saying that I had bad feelings about none of them. I believed – and still believe – that we have a stable of capable pitchers in our rotation, battle-tested and able to go out and shut down any team.
I pay no attention to the negativity about any of the pitchers simply because they have been forced into bad situations because of the rain outs, double headers, make up games, and 6-man rotation.
On regular rest I believe that any of our starters can go out and win games for us. For that reason I feel comfortable with whoever gets put out there.
Well my reprieve is over so I will head back to the birthday party. But I needed to hook up with the positive gamethreaders – especially since I am in a sea of Sux supporters.
See you all later.
Big Popup!
Okay, so i spoke too soon! Although for once the context made sense.
Come on Arod…
@mikeaxisa: Tex probably gets the tag on a normal sized human.
A-Rod: All-Star get, AA throw.
Bye trish, enjoy the party
YankeeFem, it was a hot liner and he was holding his arm all of the way to the dugout. Didn’t look good. Hopefully, it’s no more than a bruise. Looked as though it got him near or just below the elbow.
King Felix took a come-backer off his right forearm and did display some serious pain as a result. Looked too me like he was hurt bad.
LGY September 24th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Bats is hitting .303 .447 .611 this year with very good defense at both 3b and RF.
If Kemp wins in the NL it will be criminal if Joey Bats gets snubbed.
Where are all the arguments that the Dodgers suck so Kemp can’t win?
————-
Kemp has been a better player over the course of a year, where as Jose Bautista has a majorly front loaded season?
I predict Aviles will get a big hit here. He has been unstoppable for those Sucks.
- Red Robin, from Rabbit Island
sent from phone
977364303807880000
I hope Felix is ok, not a good way to end the season
This broadcast has turned into a Sox funeral. The announcers definitely aren’t happy about the Sox poor play. McCarver is even bringing up 04′ to try and get them some magic. They are still going to make the play offs because Tampa and the Angels stink so calm down.
King Felix took a come-backer off his right forearm and did display some serious pain as a
result. Looked too me like he was hurt bad.
—–
Why wouldn’t a thing like this happen to Buckett, or Lee ?
- Red Robin, from Rabbit Island
sent from phone
977364303807880000
Of all of the players, beyond the pitchers, Rodriguez is probably the most affected by these rainouts and double headers. He just can’t get enough games in a row played to get any rhythm down at the plate or in the field.
Captain Clutch September 24th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
This broadcast has turned into a Sox funeral. The announcers definitely aren’t happy about the Sox poor play. McCarver is even bringing up 04? to try and get them some magic. They are still going to make the play offs because Tampa and the Angels stink so calm down.
———-
I think the other game is pretty even handed. He’s calling a fine game.
GB, thanks. Poor Felix. Hopefully, it is only a bruise.
I can’t stand this Scutaro scrub
*Other guy is pretty even handed
Hate to see that. Hope the King is ok.
///
So nobody’s going nuts because Alex patted Ortiz on the head after he couldn’t make the play on that foul ball into the Boston dugout?
ALEX! I THOUGHT YOU CARED ABOUT WINNING????!!!!
Kemp has been a better player over the course of a year, where as Jose Bautista has a majorly front loaded season?
——
2 questions
How has Kemp been the better player and who cares how well he has played? All season, regardless of how well Bats was hitting, all I’ve heard is that Bautista can’t win because Toronto is in 4th place.
luis,
it looked like it really hurt.
honestly, i’d love for the yankees to take a run at trading for him. he seems bored with all of the losing in seattle. he might consistently win 20+ for the yankees for a long time.
LGY,
The numbers that Radiokev showed for the second half are not MVP worthy, i think that granderson should win it.
Chief, great job!!
Great job by Chief working around the error and a weak Infield hit.
Garcia has been doing well today. This RS lineup, despite the excuses that are being given them, is no push over lineup. 6 shut out innings is pretty darn good. He has it working for him today.
I know I’m impressed anyway.
How about that big hit by Aviles though. heh.
Why do I have to do everything myself here ?
The Sucks bullpen is pitching a NO-HITTER .
- Red Robin, from Rabbit Island
sent from phone
977364303807880000
+ 1
@mikeaxisa: Big ups to Sweaty Freddy. Held the Sox to one run in 11 IP over his last two starts against them. Game Three starter, right there.
Garcia’s longest hit allowed is still 180′. No stuff, I guess.
Time to pull the starters and put in defensivevreplacements,rest the A squad for tomorrow.
Garcia having the kind.of statement start that we’ve been waiting for from the group that’s fighting for playoff spots in the rotation
The yankees can’t beat the Red Sox. 0-8. It’s hopeless. The Sox are in their heads. They play the game the right way. Gritty. Tough. Scrapping. They have 5 aces, the greatest offense in modern history and the two all start closers in the pen.
The Yankees have no hope.
Lost season.
LGY September 24th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Kemp has been a better player over the course of a year, where as Jose Bautista has a majorly front loaded season?
——
2 questions
How has Kemp been the better player and who cares how well he has played? All season, regardless of how well Bats was hitting, all I’ve heard is that Bautista can’t win because Toronto is in 4th place.
——-
Kemp has been a consistently great player this year. Look at their first and second half stats, it’s really not close. Bautista had a better first half. Also, the intentional walks accounts for Bautista’s better OBP and therefore OPS on the season.
I simply don’t think you could ever award an MVP to a guy who didn’t have a good second half. Who cares about the first half of the season? I sure don’t.
And I can’t speak to the importance of playing on a competing team in order to win an MVP. I don’t really believe playing in important games matters. It’s your quality of play, and I’d say it’s probably even harder to play at a high level when your team ISN’T winning. I’m with you on that.
Let me guess the Yanks will win this game and the Rays and Angels will both lose
GreenBeret7 September 24th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Of all of the players, beyond the pitchers, Rodriguez is probably the most affected by these rainouts and double headers. He just can’t get enough games in a row played to get any rhythm down at the plate or in the field.
==========
Agreed. To make it worse, Girardi will give him a rest day in between as well. Just like with Montero, they need to be playing every chance they can to get their timing down.
Tazawa and Montero – a real mismatch waiting to happen.
Visions of ARod taking him into the bullpen in 2009
.
I will give Tex a pass too if he gets hot in the playoffs, but I can’t be too optimistic based on everything he has shown thus far in previous post season performances and all season.
There’s just something odd with him, and we all know he is a very capable ball player. Majority of it seems mental, what else can it be ? I mean he only has 3 hits off of Boston all season. It’s mind boggling, I just don’t get it !!!!
Right now, offensively.. he’s been about how bad Posada was at the beginning of the season. Tex is batting .188 last 10 games not counting today’s 0 for 3 ..
UGH !!!! PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE TEXXXXXXXXXXX WAKEEEEEEEEEE YOUR BAT UPPPPPPPPPPP !!!
Kid is so good.
Jesus!!!!
Tazawa, ah yes, visions of that 15 inning game in August of 2009.
LOL, had a suspicion that might be coming. Jesuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus!
JESUS IS LOOSE!!!! No way can Girardi keep ignoring his bat.
Jesus!
He’s going to be the best player in baseball one day.
WOW JESUS JUST WOW !!!
welcome cb. that was a funny post.
man, that monetero kid can hit!!!
so so happy to see him in pinstripes
Kd,
I’m not on the Felix bandwagon…too many innings at a very young age, his decline should start sooner rather than later….it’s like Santana, i praised the FO for not doing that trade and time has proven them right….Off course if the price is reasonable and doesn’t mean morgaging the farm system ( No B’s except Brackman, no sanchez, no Murphy) i’m all for it.
Montero!!!, you got your wish!!
Unbelievable!
Ha, so called it
Montero doesn’t make outs anymore!
Nice call by Matty V!
Go Montero!! See Joey binder he can hit righties….
Uh, yuh.
Joe Girardi hides a smile. Jesus Montero is monstrous. Screw all of you who would have abandoned him for Jimenez, that’s why you’re not a GM
Works Each Time. Every Time.
L . o . l .
- Red Robin, from Rabbit Island
sent from phone
977364303807880000
How is Ryan Lavarnway doing today? Huge difference maker down the stretch.
Jesus, Joseph and Mary.
“He’s going to be the best player in baseball one day.”
He really has that offensive upside.
Montero is like all young hitters in that he’ll chase the good pitches down and away, but, it had better be way away and off the plate. He’ll learn. he’s learning now.
We can’t bring Montero up in June or July or August.How is Montero ever going to hit major league pitching?
Haha, we were all scared ! I know I was.
Who wants to trade montero now???
Freddie making his case for the #3 spot.
blake,
As a pure hitter – he’s even better than BJ was at the same age.
To be honest – and I’m very hesitant to say this. But I think I like his hit tools more than I did Cabrera’s at the same age.
I think you might have to go back to Alex to find an offensive player this gifted at that age.
that post makes a lot of sense luis.
maybe for romine, adams, and brackman
Montero is going to be a huge threat in the playoffs, mostly because pitchers have no idea how to pitch him and I don’t think scouting reports are going to be accurate enough from the minor leagues to peg him down in enough time.
He’s gonna cause a lot of damage. I cannot wait.
What would Jesus do?? Hit a homerun to right field.
I missed the HR, but I venture to say that there will be plenty more. I have no idea what will happen in the post-season, but right now the Yankees record against the Sox this year doesn’t mean much at all.
CB, My dad says to say, “hi! and good to see you’re around.” He says that the blog is in need of post’ers like you.
Jesus saves, no doubt.
Sorry – was thinking of the darn Rays. Meant to say better than Justin at the same age.
cb,
ped’s aside, he kinda reminds me of manny during the cleveland days
Girardi better not sit Montero tomorrow !!!
CB
Good to see you. What’s your opinion on how to line up the starters in the playoffs?
P,
How are you? Send your dad my best wishes. I always wished he would have posted here more. Terrific baseball insights.
We had a lot of fun when he did post. That thread where Tex signed was so much fun.
The only one who can stop Montero is Girardi, when he makes him ride the pine..
Montero is a lot more of a hybrid of Frank Thomas and Miguel Cabrera right down to the stance.
The thing that impresses me most with Montero is his adjusting to ML pitching. They are working around trying to figure out how to make him struggle, and he does for a bit, but then makes enough adjustment to hit it. He is getting harder for them to figure him out.
kd,
I would do that trade in a heart beat, but i don’t think the M’s would though
CB,
That’s a high praise!!!
“He’s going to be the best player in baseball one day.”
CB-
as you know, i don’t follow the yankee minor league system that much, but two years ago from hearing so much about montero on this blog i made sure to look for him while watching a televised spring training game.
he came up and lined a foul ball down the line into the stands. i actually stood up and said something to the effect of holy crap. swings and bat speed like that are so unique one swing is all it takes to imprint it in your brain.
one swing was all it took for me to know he was going to be the yankees next big thing.
nothing is better as a yankee fan than watching a new star emerge.
this kid has it.
kd,
The dimension where Montero is reminiscent of Manny on is plate coverage and the balance of their respective swing’s. Both have that outrageous plate coverage. Manny may have had slightly better coverage on the outside than Montero has – but that’s still to be decided.
That said – Montero is considerably stronger than Manny at the same age. And Montero has much more opposite field power.
I was watching Montero catch the other day and one thing I noticed about his game: he doesn’t put up a good target for the pitcher. It’s a little bit too much over the plate. He just doesn’t really look like a catcher out there. Perhaps he’s serviceable because of his offense. His arm isn’t bad, though the transfer time could be a bit better. I just wonder if he’s better out in RF, DH, or 1B. The problem with putting a young guy at DH is that although you might be extending his career by reducing wear on his body, I think you hurt his physical fitness by having him do so little fielding.
Yogi,
The beauty of Montero’s swing is that he has no holes, you pitch him inside you’ll get punished, you pitch him outside he’ll punish you as well
Thank goodness for Jack Z…………..
dunno bout you peeps, but I really think it is very exciting seeing you players on this team.. it brings that energy only young hungry players have.. I wasn’t a big Melky fan, but I always did appreciate what he brought to the team. Just like IPk, Joba, Hughes.. when they first started playing it was so awesome to see. Especially when they perform the way they are.
one day our Cano is going to be the oldest veteran on the team and I can’t help but wonder what we’ll look like then. My entire life Jeter, Posada, Mo have been on this team
so its really hard for me to picture this team without them!
Plus, reading about Montero made it sound like he was some hulking, gigantic figure…….and he’s not. He’s a big kid, but he’s not some monstrous figure. I hope he can catch, but if not, he can sure hit.
I think Montero will catch one of the DHer’s tomorrow. If they are considering having him as the back up catcher in the play offs I am sure they want to see more of him behind the plate. If they decide that they need Romine on the roster I wonder if they can take both Posada and Montero? It doesn’t seem like they have enough space for both especially if they want an extra reliever.
thanks cb. makes sense. i remember manny going deep in baltimore to rf when he was fooled, basically a one handed swing.
Betsy,
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow. They agreed to a one game playoff when they add another WC?
Very interesting info from Rosenthal.
LGY,
Personally – I thought this whole “six man rotatio” / who should get pulled from the rotation thing was something of a non-issue – I posted that here before.
I never thought Colon would last the season. I would have shut him down a long time ago and told him – we need 6 starts from you in october. That’s it.
But that’s water under the bridge now.
I think you have to go CC, Nova, Freddy and then you have to be very honest and just see who looks like they are throwing the best. Don’t know if it’ll be Colon or Hughes.
Don’t think AJ is a viable candidate unless Colon and Hughes are hurt/ dead arms.
No shutout
McCarver jinxes the shut out. Fool!
Are the fans seriously booing?
It’s 9-1…
P, it is mind-boggling that neither Kay or francesa has acknowled how bad Tex has been this season. Yes, he has 37 homeruns and 107 rbi but he should not bat 3rd in this lineup. Period!! It’s amazing how much this guy has flies under the radar. Not a peep from anyone. Amazing!!!!!
First real mistake pitch that Valdes has made in his appearances. Regardless of what he’s hitting this year, Crawford is still a good hitter.
Good move taking him out. His command wasn’t great today.
CB,
Interesting assestment, why don’t you think AJ is a viable option, it seemed that with the new mechanics he might be able to help…..Too unpredictible i guess….
LGY, the same fans who booed Jeter and Rivera…….
I think Colon is toast – and I agree with CB; the Yankees should have given him a break at some point.
“he came up and lined a foul ball down the line into the stands.”
randy,
I remember that spring training game very well – and I distinctly remember that swing. I can still see it now.
You and I talked about it quite a bit after it happened.
What matters is the swing. How good it is.
And Montero has a mind boggling swing. It’s not even an all star swing. It’s way past that.
It’s of the quality of Cabrera, Pujols, Kemp. It’s that kind of impressive.
Not Arod’s night
“LGY, the same fans who booed Jeter and Rivera…….”
yes, lgy would never boo jeter
Wow, Alex is having some fielding issues this game.
Guess Valdes won’t be on the post-season roster.
Wow Arod. He really looks out of rhythm today. He needs to play in almost every game to get back the flow of the game. I would of left Wade in but Joey binder is so scared of a righty facing a lefty.
Girardi still has to decide on the second LOOGY.
Rest of the season he will continue to evaluate if Valdes or Laffey are worth taking on the PS.
Luis,
He’s just too inconsistent. It’s very difficult to allocate a scarce playoff game to him given how bad he’s been – and how rapidly he falls apart.
If you start him you almost have to have another reliever warming up as the game starts so that they can some in at any point.
Under other circumstances I almost wish they could have slotted Noesi into the playoff rotation.
CB
I agree. Kind of strange how they handled Colon but like you said nothing you can do now.
So great though that Nova stepped up as Colon has faltered. It has been so enjoyable watching him steadily improve this season.
And of course Freddy. His start today was so important. Even as a huge Garcia supporter I was getting worried about him in October given the September he was having. But watching him bounce back today is a great development.
That’s where having a big glove (almost like an outfielder’s glove) hurts infielders. Ball gets in the glove and rolls around. Robinson, netters and Santo used a glove that wasn’t much bigger than Joe Morgan’s. a
Cb, it sure was. My dad will post this off-season I am sure.. he always does. He just said, “last season there was nothing to really talk about since the market was so thin”
he’s in the other room right now watching the game and I have pretty much hijacked his laptop. well he gave it to me, he just doesn’t know that yet !
Robinson, ***Nettles*** and Santo
Yet another reason for Alex to spend as much time on the field during these last games as possible. Yet, Girardi will probably rest him as much as play him.
If Logan walks him or gives up a homerun I don’t think anyone would be surprised
yes, lgy would never boo jeter
——
Valdes has a better chance to make the PS than Laffey.
Thanks CB, i guessed it right…..Garcia steped it up a notch tonight, he was always a big game pitcher.
Logan!!
Come on get Big Sloppy out. YES! Nice out there.
Notice how excited the Faux guys got once the Suxers got in one lousy run?
Benny, so true. I didn’t even think about that. I mean people here .. haha. But yeah, the HR/RBI are nothing to sneeze at.. in fact it’s awesome but he really does belong in the 5 spot and not the 3 spot. He’s just not a 3 spot kinda hitter right now (I woulda said “anymore” instead of “right now” but I think he can get back to hitting for AVG)
but being concerned last season, and now this season makes me even more concerned for the future, his BA continues to drop dramtically compared to career stats. All I have heard so far is Kevin Long say, “he has lost bat speed”.. if that’s the case, he needs to lost some weight and thin up, I mean what else can you do to increase bat speed ??
“Valdes has a better chance to make the PS than Laffey.”
That is what I think too.
So far Valdes has done well, but he did not get many chances to prove.
“So great though that Nova stepped up as Colon has faltered. It has been so enjoyable watching him steadily improve this season. ”
It’s been one of the great pleasures of what has been one of the most enjoyable regular season’s the yankees have had since ’98.
He’s gotten better and better. And if he can get that slider consistent – he’s a legitimate number 2/ very good number three pitcher.
And I think at comparable points in their careers – Noesi is even better.
I wasn’t too concerned with Freddy. He’s been so good the past two seasons, perfecting his slop. I figured he’s come around by the time the playoffs started.
He can only be so good. And if he’s slightly off and the team lays off there’s not a lot he can do. But on the whole he’s just been so good.
It’s humorous to think back to last winter when so many Yankee fans just hated Garcia – even the idea of Garcia – despite the fact that he had a quality season just the year before.
There’s a real argument that Garcia was the best free agent signing of last off season.
Him or Crawford. I’m still trying to decide.
Laffey probably has a 0.1% chance of making the playoff roster.
Valdes at 0.2%
Junk ballers like garcia should have better luck (most of the time) against fast ball hitting teams like Texas and Detroit than teams like Tampa who has more slider speed bats. Doesn’t always hold true, though.
They really should have given JC Romero a shot to see if they could catch lightening in a bottle
” Him or Crawford. I’m still trying to decide”
Umm!!!!, yeah right!!,
.
Tex continuing his non-hitting streak.
This lineup vs. LHP is so lethal. Please give us Texas.
“Kevin Long say, “he has lost bat speed”.. if that’s the case, he needs to lost some weight and thin up, I mean what else can you do to increase bat speed ??”
Change his swing plane. That’s the biggest and most important thing he can do to fix his left handed swing.
That’s why his swing seems so slow. He may have also just lost some hand speed – but that problem is amplified by that awful swing plane.
test
JC Romero was more static electricity than he was lightning in a bottle.
Buster_ESPN
Two things: First, I don’t care who wins,and have no idea if BOS will rebound. Two, ’00 NYY had 5.73 ERA in Sept. So rebound wasn’t assured.
Buster_ESPN
Another thing about ’00 NYY team: As they lost down the stretch, they were getting wrecked — blowout losses. The turnaround was amazing
Buster_ESPN
Never will forget the 2000 NYY. They lost 15 of their last 18,had team meetings that changed nothing, crawled into playoffs–and won the WS.
Buster_ESPN
I remember a scout telling me on the eve of the ’06 playoffs that the Cardinals were the worst playoff team he’d ever seen. WS winners.
CB,
swing plane meaning the way he upper-cuts like he is trying to hit it over the fence each at bat ?
They will do anything to try to cover their blunder….Best team ever!!! yeah right!!
Bluster Only is whistling in the dark. It’s killing him to see his boys fall apart against everybody.
P,
Sorry to cut in, but yes….Tex’s left leg collapses making it look like he is trying for the fences everytime out, and that is also why he can’t go the other way with authority
“What matters is the swing. How good it is.”
CB-
i’m really into swing speed personally whether it’s baseball or golf. it’s an extremely interesting phenomenon. there’s way more to it than just something a player is born with. yes, having natural talent is a prerequisite , but a player has to really go after it to develop what’s natural.
there has to be an intent to really let it go. so there is a physical and a mental aspect to it. it is just so obvious that montero has this gift of bat speed and has developed it.
his swing is built for speed and a maximum effort. even though montero goes all out, he’s so balanced it may look like he doesn’t swing all out , but he does. the thing i like about going all out on every swing is that it’s a constant. it makes for very consistent mechanics .
yes , he may be fooled by some pitches and he’ll have to learn how to stay back, but when he goes after a pitch, it’s with a purpose. i just really like watching that kind of guy swing a bat or a golf club.
it’s going to be fun watching this kid for the next 15-20 years.
CB
Did you see that article the other day I think from Mike Fast about catchers framing pitches?
It’s getting a lot of pub.
Randy I,
AMEN
P,
A big part of swing plane is the angle at which the swing is oriented (more technically the angle from the horizontal…).
Tex’s left hand swing is structured to create power by generating loft. It’s become very extreme to the point where it’s caused his plate coverage and ability to let the ball travel deep in the hitting zone to collapse. That has to change now.
The key feature with Tex is the way he collapses that back leg. It’s not even his hands or arms that are the issue in his swing. It’s how he uses his base.
Compare how Tex swings to Montero. It’s really quite amazing. Montero has a near perfect swing plane.
LGY,
Did not see it. Link?
Randy, what Montero does (mostly) is hits high line drives. Much like a right handed Mantle or Rodriguez of 2007. As level a swing as you’ll see. Not comparing the three just the levelness of that swing. Short swing, but, a long time in the strike zone.
45 ESPN experts made predictions about the upcoming baseball season.
45 of them picked the Sox to win.
That’s an impressive array of group think.
“45 of them picked the Sox to win.”
AL east or AL or WS?
CB
http://www.baseballprospectus......leid=15093
AL East.
Nearly all of them picked a Phillies Sox WS.
Montero’s HR was a thing of absolute beauty. All his hits were. I cannot wait until next season.
I love the way the Yankees are playing right now. So confident.
There’s more of a comparison between the 2000 yankee stall at the end of the year and the 2011 Phillies than the 2011 Red sox and 2000 Yankees.
OK, McCarver is officially a doofus. He thinks Swisher is checking out his photo in centerfield before his at-bat. Dope.
I loved the look in Garcia’s eyes when they showed the closeup of him on the bench. He is quite the competitor. Is he their #3?
On the Record :
(1) I predict the Red Sucks will turn it around in the playoffs .
(2) Either they or the Tigers will go to World Series to face the Phillies .
( Side note : many think the 2011 Tigers are the 2009 Yankees . )
- Red Robin, from Rabbit Island
sent from phone
977364303807880000
I’m sorry to interrupt you Matt, I’m gonna let you finish but.. Dustin Pedroia had the most important hop of this game.
but cb, the red sox have the best pitching ever…..
seriously, someone has to call them out in main stream media
Now, Jesus is to tall
It could have gone either way, he lay off a tough pitch, the kid is showing a plate discipline beyond his years
LGY,
That’s interesting. Not sure what it proves though. Utilizing a normalized strike zone doesn’t seem like the appropriate basis for drawing that conclusion. You’d want to utilize each umpire’s subjective strike zone.
On another note – sabermatricians have ridiculed the idea of the impact framing pitches has on the game on face value.
If one is going to completely rethink this position there has to be some discussion of the underlying theory the analysis is built upon.
CB,
Great to see you posting…..you can see a little Pujols…..a little Cabrera, a little Frank Thomas….and a little unique all his own in Montero’s set up swing. His hands at the ready position remind me of Pujols…..the easy opo power reminds me of Miggy …..hard to.watch him and.not.smile real big.
I aslo agree with you about how.fun this season has been…..regardless of how it ends up…..its big a great and fun season already…A WS wouldnjust be a giant cherry on top.
“OK, McCarver is officially a doofus. He thinks Swisher is checking out his photo in centerfield before his at-bat. Dope.”
It is well known that Siwsher looks at sky before each at bat to remember his grand parents.
luis September 24th, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Who wants to trade montero now???
________
I still would trade him…as I have said all year…for Washington’s Bryce Harper.
The most impresive moment of the game…..Jeter opposite field HR, i haven’t seen him do that all season
What I found interesting is how everyone assumed that the Red Sox would have no injuries this season….when they have a team full of injury risk…..and were coming off a season ravaged by injury
Kontos has been pretty impressive, even if he is Albaladejo 2.0
Yep. Lavarnway is just like Montero.
Hey, turns out Ryan Lavarnway has a long swing. Who would have thought that the player better than Montero has a much worse swing?
Kontos looks good and has good off speed pitches
CB
Yeah I thought it was an interesting article but as it seems with all things defense related I’m really not sure what to make of it.
I have tried to pay closer attention to how different catchers receive and frame since reading it.
THE YANKEES WIN!!!
SI_JonHeyman
Cashman looks smart not to have given up montero/nova for cliff rental now. As for crawford, we knew that was head fake in dec
GREAT start to the series.
a team victory and what a game by the rookie.
One down, two to go.
Very satisfactory.
Great game. One of the best on Fox in recent memory!
Of all the people to hit your first ML homer off of, ticky-tack hitter Matt Angle of Baltimore picks on Justin Verlander.
Kontos will get moved as part of a trade. He won’t start and he walks too many (before this season) and homer prone. Better off in big NL parks.