Game 1: Yankees at Rays
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Gameday Thread on Apr 06, 2012 
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YANKEES (0-0)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Raul Ibanez DH
Russell Martin C
Brett Gardner LF
LHP CC Sabathia (19-8, 3.00 in 2011)
Sabathia vs. Rays
RAYS (0-0)
Desmond Jennings CF
Ben Zobrist RF
Evan Longoria 3B
Jeff Keppinger DH
Sean Rodriguez SS
Carlos Penda 1B
Elliott Johnson 2B
Jose Molina C
Matt Joyce LF
RHP James Shields (16-12, 2.82)
Shields vs. Yankees
TIME/TV: 3:10 p.m., YES Network and MLB Network
WEATHER: This might be a terrible place for a baseball game, but at least we know it’ll be dry.
UMPIRES: HP Joe West, 1B Sam Holbrook, 2B Andy Fletcher, 3B Rob Drake
TOP OF THE LIST: With their first games of the season, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera will move into a tie with Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle for the most seasons played in Yankees franchise history. This will be the 18th season for Jeter and Rivera. They’re currently tied with Frank Crosetti, Bill Dickey, Lou Gehrig, Jorge Posada, Whitey Ford and Bernie Williams at 17.
MORE JETER: Today will be Jeter’s 16th Opening Day start at shortstop, extending his own franchise record (Phil Rizzuto is second with 11). Barry Larkin was the last player to start as many or more Opening Day games at shortstop for the same club. He made 17 Opening Day starts for the Reds. No active player has started more Opening Day games at a single position with any team.
FOURTH IN A ROW: This is CC Sabathia’s fourth Opening Day start with the Yankees. Jack Chesbro, Bob Shawkey and Roger Clemens also started four openers for the Yankees. The most in franchise history is a three-way tie between Whitey Ford, Ron Guidry and Mel Stottlemyre. They each started seven. This is Sabathia’s ninth career Opening Day start.
THIRD TIME: This will be the third time the Yankees have opened a season against the Rays. The Yankees lost to the Rays on Opening Day in 2004 — when they opened in Tokyo — and the Yankees beat the Rays at the original Yankee Stadium in the 2007 opener.
CRAZY EIGHTS: After today’s game, Alex Rodriguez will have made eight career Opening Day starts at third base and eight at shortstop. According to Elias, there have been three other players since 1920 to start at least eight Opening Day games at two different positions (Ernie Banks at SS and 1B, Rod Carew at 1B and 2B, and Robin Yount at SS and CF). … Rodriguez has hit safely in eight straight openers, including all seven he’s played in with the Yankees. … This will be the eighth time Rodriguez and Jeter have started Opening Day together, the most by a SS/3B combination in franchise history.
ON THIS DATE: On April 6, 1973, Ron Blomberg became the Major League’s first designated hitter. His first-inning at-bat ended in a bases-loaded walk. He went 1-for-3 in the game.
UPDATE, 3:13 p.m.: Leadoff single by Jeter and we’re underway here in the dome.
UPDATE, 3:18 p.m.: Without the shift, that’s a sharp single to center field. With the shift, Granderson hits into a 6-3 double play.
UPDATE, 3:25 p.m.: I’m not a big fan of the band Tantric, but I’ve said it before and it’s still true: Evan Longoria’s at-bat music might be the best in the game. A relatively obscure song that starts really strong. It’s a perfect 10-second clip for the situation.
Also, CC is really erratic so far.
UPDATE, 3:30 p.m.: Trusting Sabathia to get Pena. The Yankees have intentionally loaded the bases in the first, and now CC’s facing the power-hitting first baseman with two outs.
UPDATE, 3:33 p.m.: Well. That didn’t work. Full count, Sabathia went to the fastball and Pena clobbered it for a grand slam and a 4-0 Rays lead.
UPDATE, 3:41 p.m.: Yankees get their first run of the season on an RBI ground out by Ibanez. It’s now 4-1 in the top of the second.
UPDATE, 3:44 p.m.: Wild pitch lets Teixeira score and makes it 4-2.
UPDATE, 4:07 p.m.: The Yankees have pulled withing 4-3 because Robinson Cano beat the play to the plate when Carlos Pena chose to throw home rather than try to get an out at first.
UPDATE, 4:08 p.m.: Make that 6-4 because Raul Ibanez just went deep for a three-run shot. Do people still want him released?
UPDATE, 4:26 p.m.: For the second time today Granderson has hit perfectly into the shift. It’s a 6-5 game in the top of the fourth after Longoria’s solo shot in the bottom of the third.
UPDATE, 4:46 p.m.: Sabathia isn’t sharp, clearly, but as my good friend Marc Carig just pointed out, a lesser pitcher would have been long gone by now. He just got through the fourth with a 6-5 lead still intact. He’s probably got one more inning in him, and maybe part of a second inning. If Sabathia can pitch the fifth and the Yankees can mix and match in the sixth, they’ll still be able to go Soriano, Robertson and Rivera through the seventh, eighth and ninth.
UPDATE, 4:58 p.m.: Bad decision by Jeter to cut off that throw? Looked like Granderson had a shot at the out at third.
UPDATE, 5:19 p.m.: Very nice throw by Gardner gets the Yankees through the sixth inning, still a 6-5 Yankees lead. Gardner got Desmond Jennings trying to stretch a single to a double, and now Soriano is getting loose for the seventh inning. After the grand slam, Sabathia pitched another 5.1 innings with only one run. He wasn’t sharp, but he did the job.
UPDATE, 6:13 p.m.: A couple of walks were left stranded in the top of the eighth, and now Dave Robertson is in to pitch the bottom half. It’s still a one-run game. This is exactly the kind of game the Yankees built this bullpen for.
UPDATE, 6:21 p.m.: Robertson is going to need another great escape. A walk and a single have left runners at the corners with no outs in the eighth. Bottom third of the Rays order is due up.
UPDATE, 6:27 p.m.: Girardi might be off the hook for the most questionable managerial decision of the day. The Rays just tried a suicide squeeze on a two-strike pitch and Molina fouled it off for strike three. Molina had clearly missed the squeeze sign on the pitch before. Really odd.
UPDATE, 6:31 p.m.: Robertson did it again. Molina’s bad bunt helped the Yankees setup man retire three straight to strand the tying run at third. Still 6-5 with Mariano Rivera getting loose in the bullpen.
Go CC. Go Yanks.
Go yankees. Watching the game on my ipad…
Rays lineup is really weak. There is no way they can challenge with those bats. I don’t care how good their staff is…..
Alright Yankees fans, another season awaits us. LETS DO THIS!
Yankee players that exceed expectations will be Rodriguez and Hughes. Players that will disappoint this year, gardner. He doesn’t seem like he’s fixed anything so far. He’s bunting a lot but, it’s either to the wrong side of the pitcher or it’s foul. hitting, unless he can pick it up is getting worse. In the lead-off spot? Not a chance.
Work, work work work, how i hate thee
UGH……..Joe West behind the plate…..The worlds worst umpire!!!!!
5 minutes to go. Time to kick this pig.
And we’re off!! Go Yankees!!!!
anyone know a website to listen to……ugh…john and susan?
Nice ovation for Zim, he’s lost some weight. Must be that South Beach Diet…
” Does the WC runner up get a Wild Card banner this year?”
Nope, but the players all get a “Wild Card Runner Up” Phitens necklace and a fruit basket from Uncle Bud.
Doc lac, you can try the websites of any of these but odds are it’s already blacked out during games.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y.....e_stations
Good start Jeets.
Hey Nick. How are ya?
Joe West is the HP Umpire. Looks like MLB has decided to put us in the hole early.
Exciting… nice AB by Jete to start it off!
Great way to open the season for Jeter.
DJ, right up the middle
New Saison! New Hope!
I hope for 150 Games of AROD
That was close. Coulda been strike 3
Can’t hit it much harder than that
That stinks. That was a rip shot by Grandy. I still cant stand Sean Rodriguez.
pitchers best friend..wow!
We had the pitch count up past 10 with no 0 outs, and then bad luck takes us out of an inning.
They have to start bunting with those shifts on. Long has gotten them too pull happy.
Yanks sign a high Twins draft pick from 2009…a left handed pitcher.
opener: Pineda plays catch for second straight day http://bit.ly/IfMIGI
Matt Eddy?@eddymkReply
Yankees signed LHP Matt Bashore, the 46th pick in ’09 draft whom Twins released this spring. Missed ’10 with TJS; 17 rookie lge IP last year
CC has really lost weight since last season…
Not the greatest start to walk this guy.
walking jennings?? Nice.
Go Yankees!, I can’t watch the game, but I hope the best!
Losers with a Yankees suck chant.
2 hard hit balls and a walk. Way to go fatty.
Nice play Jeter.
CC is gonna lose this one. Never good in April.
“Hey Nick. How are ya?”
Fine, thanks, and you? Not able to watch the game at the moment and quite sleepy, so I’m not going to try to decipher your new name. But best of luck to you this season.
wow what?
Unnecessary
Texeria makes every play look easy….That was not an easy play, never is when you have to stretch towards the outfield
LMAO
A bit dangerous as Pena can get lucky and it’s 4-0.
Not liking this move at all. His control has been a bit off so far.
Girardi be trolling
why are we intentionally walking a hitter so damn early in the game? Only girardi makes moves like this….
I like Girardi, but come on… Rodriguez is not a good hitter. You put CC in a tough spot loading the bases.
the return of blog trolls is another sign of spring, just like the swallows returning to Capistrano and azaleas blooming at Augusta National, where Freddie Couples is challenging for the lead…
……………………..
Intentional walk in the 1st inning doesn’t even sound right.
This is what happens when you walk the bases loaded., you have no room for error when you have CC with sketcy control in the first inning.
LOL.
I’m obviously a yankees fun, but that is kind of hilarious. Hahhahaha. Man. Why did Girardi think walking Sean Rodriguez was a good idea again?
CC must be so mad at Girardi right now.
Sigh.
Wow – who’s worse Girardi over managing in the first inning or CC with his meatballs (pun intended) ?
Unreal……. This is what happens.
I am at the beach, did CC got out of the jam?
Intentional walk in the 1st inning doesn’t even sound right.
–
First inning of the first game. Awful.
Aas my husband says – The Genius Girardi!
Pena was something like 4/35, 19Ks off Sabathia, I wonder why they didn’t go after a bum like Ibanez to platoon with him.
Thats just fantastic.
Good, Nick. Glad youre doing well. Its been the best year of my life, starting with the Giants 2nd Super Bowl victory of the patriots!!!
wow – that will shut us up.
I like Girardi but that had to be the most dumbest move he’s made in his entire coaching career.
Joe Girardi….
Unbelievable. From not pinch hitting Russel Martin for Jesus Montero last year in the playoffs to intentionally walking a nobody in the first inning to bring up a guy with power.
I don’t know. Just wish he would sit on the bench and let these guys play the game.
Didn’t throw a breaking ball to Pena? Why walk bases loaded in 1st?
Unbelievable start to the season.
luis April 6th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
I am at the beach, did CC got out of the jam?
—
Girardi called for intentional walk to Sean Rodriguez to load the bases, then Carlos Pena grand slam.
good thing yanks have ibanez. much rather have him than pena
Forget about it, thanks Chad
they dont call him anal joe for nuthin’
the intentional walk to Rodriguez made absolutely no sense in the 1st inning of the 1st game of the year.
Can someone call the Yankees dugout and have someone take a match to the binder?
Wow…..Looking for # 1 and Pena didn’t miss it…..
No Luis, CC did not get out of a jam. Decided to pitch all fastballs to Pena and the last meatball on a 3-2 count was a meatball up and away that was crushed.
Maybe Joe got his Rodriguez’ mixed up…
girardi is such a control freak
id pitch sean rodriguez any time. pena has been through ups and downs but everyone knows what can do
Girardi, in the first inning of the season, shows why he is an absolute moron with absolutely no feel for the game whatsoever.
First, he should’ve hit-and-run with 3-2 on Granderson.
Second, he should’ve had his ace Sabathia pitch to Sean Rodriguez because Rodriguez hit only .223 last year and last I checked wasn’t a terror to Sabathia.
Instead, he plays station-to-station then intentionally walks a kid who can’t hit in favor of a guy who hit two now three homeruns off Sabathia (spare me the 4 for 35 jive.)
4-0 Rays and don’t be surprised if this game isn’t over already considering the Rays’ ace is on the mound, not their #4 or #5 starter.
Good job Girardi. He looks more like a one trick pony (2009) with every season and dumb inning like this one.
Note to Girardi: Stop managing off a computer and start managing with your brain.
Just gotta chip away. Girardi with an idiotic move, but its still early
CC is going to be pissed off and settle in.
We will win this game.
And the Non-Ace Ace and Retardi begin the year right where they left off 2011
Time to split before all hell breaks loose here…….Top of the 2nd inning guys…
Let’s chip away.
One swing and we’re one run down
No Trolling there is NOWAY you walk a guy in the first inning 1ST INNING 0-0 game WTF JOE???? at least ill be able to keep track of how many games Joes loses and not the yankees
Thansk JS. It’s only the first inning
game isn’t over yet, Shields doesn’t have much today either-the only thing that save him trouble in the 1st was the shot by Grandy that turned into a DP
bad decision
bad pitch selection
really bad fastball on 3-2 there.
let’s get em back
Maybe because it’s Opening Day but I can’t stop laughing about that IBB.
Hilariously stupid.
Girardi didn’t throw that fastball up and over the plate.
it’s not 100% his fault
I wouldn’t be suprised if Girardi pinch hits Jones for Gardner first time around because “we needed a home run.”
Nothing like Girardi over managing
The Rays’ lineup after Longoria is basically a joke. There is no managing needed to win against them. Girardi needs to chill sometimes.
Not the worst result by Swisher. Gotta chip away and hope CC settles down.
Need these two runs.
I had a dream last night Ibanez hit a home run today.
Thanks Trader, not good but is only the first inning
And just like that, 2 outs. We did get a run, nice job Ibanez. But had a chance at a big inning.
Girardi didn’t throw that fastball up and over the plate.
it’s not 100% his fault
——-
True.
CC has been struggling with his fastball command since last summer.
earn that new contract Russell!
at least he didn’t KO or pop out on the infield
“CC has been struggling with his fastball command since last summer.”
———–
yeah, it’s a bit of a concern. He seems to lose the fastball command, then regain it, then lose it…
I believe that the first inning mistake WAS Girardi’s fault. CC was clearly having trouble with his location. Location mistakes are not a big problem with Sean Rodriguez — a .236 hitter who drove in under 40 runs last year. A location mistake to Rodriguez is more likely to be an out than it is against Pena, who can just blast it over into the seats. When CC didn’t have his command, it is way better to face Pena the next inning with nobody on base.
Stupid move, no doubt. You can’t expect a pitcher who is having trouble with control to avoid making mistakes.
Back in the game.
I don’t know that Shields will be allowed to go to 100 pitches today either – prob not more.
Get that pitch count up, keep the game close, hammer that pen.
As odd as the move by Girardi was, Sabathia hasn’t helped himself with the walk and deep counts.
Girardi didn’t throw that fastball up and over the plate.
it’s not 100% his fault
—-
girardi put him in an unnecessary situation
Let’s go, Gardy.
Game threads are no different from last year.
Unbearable
It is still second inning…….
That Gardner guy just can’t hit…… =)
Yanks always hit for CC.
As odd as the move by Girardi was, Sabathia hasn’t helped himself with the walk and deep counts.
–
True, but if you have a pitcher getting into deep counts and having already walked 1 batter, why put him on the razors edge?
“Stupid move, no doubt. You can’t expect a pitcher who is having trouble with control to avoid making mistakes.”
————
you also can’t expect to win a game if your pitcher can’t throw strikes or avoid leaving fastballs up over the plate.
it was a bad decision by Joe, probably bad pitch selection, and a really bad pitch.
can’t always blame Girardi when the players screw up.
Nice hit by Gardner. I’m glad at least one player is not pulling the ball today.
as I said, Shields doesn’t have much, all he’s thrown is fastball and change and if he doesn’t get ahead with the fastball he can be hit.
We got one back, we are in business
Yes Joe did not make the pitch but he should NOT have had to do it if Joe would have JUST LET HIM PITCH
“girardi put him in an unnecessary situation”
———-
agreed – but what was the situation? to get a hitter out?
oh no, not that.
CC didn’t throw the ball well. CC gave up runs. It’s his fault too.
Gritner starts off his disappointing season with a disappointing single.
Right back in the game. Jeets with a chance to get another back.
Shields at 40 pitches is nice.
To me, CC has always been a tad below the other big-name aces because of his control issue.
Mostly Girardi’s fault. A lot less likely Sean Rodriguez hurts CC.
People aren’t saying the game is over.
Grandy man can!
really odd that both control pitchers are having control issues.
Grandy should be looking for 1st pitch fastball to drive here…
Make that two, we have a ball game and a needed rest for CC
the Grandy Man Can
Grandy stinks against Shields. Can’t read that change up and refuses to stay back and hit the ball the other way.
Amazing that he can’t adjust.
CC needs to settle down. He can out last Shields at this rate. We have the bullpen advantage and lineup advantage.
Girardi had one decision to make: Let CC face Rodriguez with a person on first and second OR face Pena. The choice was literally between “who do i face? pena or rodriguez?” He chose to face Pena, a much better hitter, with MORE people on base.
It is a stupid decision. CC did not execute and that is his fault. He needed to go to his slider and change, maybe the curve, even if they weren’t working perfectly. It would not have been easy to hit one of them if he could have gotten it into the strike zone. He was all fastball– predictably relying on it.
I’m not saying CC isn’t to blame. Girardi should not have walked Rodriguez is the point I’m trying to make. I don’t think it’s a defensible move, even if it works.
I missed that whole inning. But Girardi shouldn’t expect miracles from CC this early in the season. That being said, CC is better than that.
Let’s hold them at 4.
LOL — Molina is such a bad hitter.
according to mlb gameday….cc is way off…
Even if Sean Rodriguez hurts Sabathia.. It’s the first inning of the first game of the season. There is no need for Girardi to be dictating anything until the 7th/8th inning. CC is a Cy Young Winner and Russell Martin is not a rookie.
Nice play Arod.
CC isn’t throwing the ball well today, he looks out of sync, that’s not unusual for him early in the season. Hopefully he settles in and gets through another 5 innings without giving up more runs.
Unfortunately I am not watching the game. But the only thing I say is. That I wouldn’t put CC against the wall in the first inning, especially if he is having command issues
one of the mos conservative moves ive ever seen girardi make…
louie P in the booth staring over his shoulder?
george would bring in Lou tomorrow.
CC turns it on over the summer months and down the stretch.
if you ask CC after the game about pitch selection to Pena he’s probably say he was concerned about walking in a run after missing with the 1st pitch fastball so kept throwing it when he should have gone to the breaking pitches like he started doing right after the HR.
This game is far from over, both teams will be in the bullpen by the 6th inning, most likely…
Why is Granderson batting second let alone starting this game? Sheilds has owned him and has owned him in this game so far. Granderson has already killed the Yanks (DP then inning-ending K with the bases loaded.)
If the Yanks and Rays finish with the same record, the Rays win the season series, and the Rays win this game, this game should be the one everyone should point to as to why the Yanks lost the division thus possible homefield advantage throughout the AL postseason (and possibly the entire postseason.)
A-rod looks damn good. Please stay healthy please stay healthy
Yanks tagging Shields.
Nice drill shot by Alex and good baserunning by Cano.
but if the yankees LOSE THIS GAME i blame JOE more then CC yes CC made the pitch nut really you can’t defend the walk there is just noway you can defend what Joe did no matter what the yankees win this game easy IF JOE JUST SITS IN THE Dugout
Arod is locked in
If the Yanks and Rays finish with the same record, the Rays win the season series, and the Rays win this game, this game should be the one everyone should point to as to why the Yanks lost the division thus possible homefield advantage throughout the AL postseason (and possibly the entire postseason.)
—————————————
a little dramatic?
Matt, ya think?
crazies are out already
Mr Pop Up is back. Sickening.
The shift wins again.
Guys, let’s not overreact it’s only the first game of the season, I doubt that this game will set the fate of the team.
cmon Nick
big run to bring home here
keep the pressure on
Just gotta get 1 run out of this.
Yay!
Heads up.
the Tex Pop up has returned
PHEW
wow
bad play by Pena there, both decision making and throw…
just a terrible throw home – he kinda side armed it a bit
lucky
One-run game
Didn’t really see that coming, honestly
Raul with a chance to really tick Shields off here and change the momentum completely
Pena bails out another terrible at bat by Swisher
If Raul gets the hit, I will officially apologize on this blog about saying how stupid his face looked.
NICE!
ump squeezing Shields a tiny bit (more on the 1st pitch)
Raul your face is so pretty.
Raul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok more of that please.
4-3 already?
Ibanez. Woooooohooo
I still think his face looks stupid.
Rauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuullllllllllllllllllllllllll.
YEAHH!!!
Like I told you guys, i had a dream that Ibanez would hit a home run today!
JF,
haha
baby steps, right?
Raauuul. This Opening Day is full of LOLs
Raul Ibanez !!!!!
Rauulll!!!!
“Raul, so cool”. Sterling’s call.
I am just laughing my ass off right now, a whole winter of LoHud discontent about signing Ibanez is gone in the 3rd inning of the 1st game of the season…
Raul Ibanez….
your MAJOR LEAGUE LEADER IN RBI
yah baby!!!
(well, tied with Pena
)
Who woulda thunk that. Ibanez just made a lot of LoHudder friends with that blast.
Oh god, put your helmet back on Raul….
Oh god, put your helmet back on Raul….
–
Maybe he could hit HRs while wearing a catchers mask.
MG April 6th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
I am just laughing my ass off right now, a whole winter of LoHud discontent about signing Ibanez is gone in the 3rd inning of the 1st game of the season…
—————————–
Pssh, please, it’ll return.
Nothing slow about Ibanez’s swing on that one.
Somewhere Randy Winn just threw up in his mouth. Or perhaps chuckled and the eternally unsolvable mysteries of baseball.
YES!!!!! To say that I wanted him cut from the team!. Keep making me look bad Raul!
Raul be seeing you, Raul so cool, John Sterling at his best!!!
Jerkface April 6th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Oh god, put your helmet back on Raul….
–
Maybe he could hit HRs while wearing a catchers mask.
—————
Great compromise for everyone!
And look at that stellar Tampa defense at work…
Welcome to New York Raul! Great at bat right there… good to pick up Tex too. Now CC has to continue to settle in and they need to keep scoring runs.
Aint never seen that before.
Girardi knew that by giving TB an early 4-0 lead, they would relax too much and open the doors for the Yanks to pounce
genius!
Another disappointing AB by Gritner
Run,run,run.
Base hit! Gardner needs all the hits he can get.
And of course, Ibanez hitting 1 HR doesnt mean anything in the grand scheme of things. Even Randy Winn hit a HR
But its a good start.
So disappointing, right?
luis April 6th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
YES!!!!! To say that I wanted him cut from the team!. Keep making me look bad Raul!
——————————
blake and I have a theory that the more we hate him the better he will perform….
Shields is not long for this game the way the Yanks are working him…. it would be great to get into that Tampa ‘pen
Raul haters come out come out
Shields ain’t gonna make it through 5 at this rate.
Hows that TB bullpen lookin’?
With everyone feeling better:
I have the radio feed on while watching. As Girardi was trotting to the mound, Sterling said, oh, he’s going to ask CC what he wants to do. And that’s probably what happened. If he wanted to tell CC to IBB, he just had to wave four fingers from the dugout.
If Joe does nothing, he’s telling CC to pitch to the guy. If he waves four fingers, he’s telling him to walk him. If he goes to the mound, he’s probably giving his big guy the option. Not 100% but probably.
And Joe didn’t tell Martin and CC to throw all fastballs to Pena, instead of one of the nice offspeeds he threw the next inning.
Shame. Raul no American Idol but sure can hit….
Still not happy about Raul, Girardi is going to overuse him and he looks like Jafar from Aladdin right before he turns into a snake.
Very nice 2 innings there. Nice glimpse into the offensive potential of thsi club.
” Make that 6-4 because Raul Ibanez just went deep for a three-run shot. Do people still want him released?”
Yes, send him away on top!
“Still not happy about Raul, Girardi is going to overuse him”
———-
he’s the DH against righties.
Did he also ask Raul to mow his lawn or something?
They have to keep putting pressure on Tampa though… last year the Yanks had a habit on going silent in the later innings after taking the lead. I still don’t feel confident that 6 will win thsi game.
Gotta think CC is pretty flippin happy to get those runs back so quickly.
He knows the drill. It’s lockdown mode.
Shame,
Last season I offered to pay a one way ticket for Jones to go back home, so you are not the only one. Let the reverse jinx continue!
Nick in SF April 6th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
” Make that 6-4 because Raul Ibanez just went deep for a three-run shot. Do people still want him released?”
Yes, send him away on top!
——————————————
If his career ended right now, where would Raul rank among the greatest yankees of all time? .500 avg, 2.500 ops, 1 homer, 4 RBIs….. legendary.
CC has made the adjustments an experienced, successful starter does when his best pitch isn’t working, he’s pitching backwards now and getting ahead with breaking balls.
The only AB that Shields was able to do that was against Granderson in the 2nd inning, he went right back to his normal pattern in the 3rd without his good stuff and got nailed…
I really wish that they had released Ibanez before the end of Spring Training.
What a wild start to the season. Wow.
Big Game James coming up small after being given a 4-0 lead. Time for CC to buckle down for a few innings so that Joe can unleash the weapons in the pen.
MG,
good point
Looks like it might be a battle of the bullpens. Phelps might get to pitch.
sabathia blows!!
Longoria looks locked in also. 6 is not going to win this game. They need to pick up a few more against that bad Tampa pen.
I knew Ibanez’ HR wasn’t good enough. Should have been a 6 run shot.
BD, unfortunately he threw the bp fastball to Longoria there…
What part of buckle down did CC not understand?
Is the wind blowing out in the dome today??
“Did he also ask Raul to mow his lawn or something?”
That’s Little Dante’s job until he saves up enough money to get that new bicycle.
nice change from CC to Keppinger to start
need to see more of those
What with all this talk about ibanez face? He looks like a normal dude. Maybe your talking about the massive amount of chew he has in?
Battle of the bullpen today. Cc doesn’t have it,neither pitcher does.
Yikes, CC
oy vey
What with all this talk about ibanez face?
–
He looks like an emaciated ET.
Tampa has a horrible offense… and i mean horrible. I don’t see how CC could possibly struggle so much again them. I mean.. just look at the names in that lineup. Just horrible.
CC always looks like this on Opening Day… it takes him a little while to get rolling.
time to warm Kontos up in the pen…
eek
classic slugfest
it’s starting to resemble this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSK-Iv3gh9I
Typical non-ace Ace
a double play would be fantastic here.
Bryan April 6th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Typical non-ace Ace
——————————–
CC always struggles on Opening Day…. that makes him not an ace?
yea, but a minor league pitcher should be able to roll through this offense. Sure, longo and zobrist are good hitters. But… this has to be one of the worst offenses in the game. Sean roadriguez! is their 5 HOLE! hitter. bahaha.
Are they going to use that Longo home run ball for tomorrow night’s first pitch?
Don’t break the chain.
“Bryan April 6th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Typical non-ace Ace”
=====
typical troll
A-rod has flashed some nice range at third in the early going of game 1. Made some nice plays in spring too. That knee treatment must be the business.
Sean Rodriguez is a better player than you’re giving him credit for… they aren’t a powerhouse offense by any means but they are capable of putting up some runs. Add that to the fact that they are playing in front of a packed house for a change and it can be tough.
Sean roadriguez! is their 5 HOLE! hitter. bahaha.
——-
Dude, Sean Rodriguez leads the league in IBB. Respect.
Answer to quiz. Sojo was opening day SS in 2001
I posted an article about shifting before, but there is no coincidence that aggressive shifting is part of why the Rays lead the league in defense each year. The Brewers went from near last to near first by emplying more than 150 shifts last year after using under 50 the year before.
Well that slow spring by Cano isn’t carrying over right now haha. He looks great.
JF,
I wonder why more teams don’t do it. Do you have any other #s?
Alex locked in already
A-Rod locked on pace for a 2.500 OPS this season
BD (Boston Dave) April 6th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Alex locked in already
—————————–
He looked locked in early last year too… they key for him is staying healthy. Maybe his surgery has made him right physically. If he’s healthy throughout the year, he’s going to put up huge numbers.
I wonder why more teams don’t do it. Do you have any other #s?
–
http://www.billjamesonline.com....._to_shift/
CC better get that pitch then too.
thanks JF
Tyler – I remember that. Definitely gotta stay healthy.
Big hit here.
Unlike the anecdotal evidence showing how shifting seems to be working for the Rays and Brewers, we consider the 40- 50 point drop in batting average on grounders, short liners and bunts against the Ted Williams Shift to be direct evidence in favor of The Shift. Is it conclusive? No. Is it comprehensive? Not really. It’s only two years and doesn’t include all plate appearances.
Is there more research to be done? Yes. We are working on this as we speak. In particular, we are working at looking at all plate appearances, not just grounders and short liners. Nevertheless, there is good preliminary evidence that The Ted Williams Shift appears to be working, especially with the bases empty.
–
This is the important part. Its limited research, but 40-50 points of lost average thanks to the shifts.
Swish is sooo clutch ; -)
RAUL
take the sole league lead in RBI here..
sean rodriguez might be a nice player but he is their 5 hole hitter. most teams have a guy that can post 30-40 homers in that spot. not a guy who hits .240 with virtually no pop. It would be like russel martin as our 5th hitter.
If Ibanez doesn’t hit a grandslam I am turning him over to the government for study.
8 RBI in his Yankee debut.
damn, ibanez put good wood on that one too. It’s a shame that tex is a no show.
You’ll never see the green & yellow nitrogen/helium based skies of your home planet again, Raul.
Can’t they just ship Joe West somewhere far away? He is awful. Then again, Tex needs to swing at that pitch with two strikes.
M,
If this doesn’t make me eat my words, I don’t know what would
gotta find a way to separate tex and swish in the lineup
Walking Molina? Unforgivable.
At least Molina will clog the bases.
Chambliss,
And miss all the fun of West’s moving and discretional strike zone?
Ugh, I hated ET… I didn’t think I needed to be taught to mistrust the government at such an early age. I hold it single-handedly responsible for my high levels of cynicism.
That 0-1 slider to Joyce was right down the middle.
The value of a deep bullpen is a day like today when ur starter is walking jose molina.
West is squeezing CC terribly.
Is Molina one of the top 60 catchers in baseball?
Face……Tex loses a hit a week, which is the difference between .300 and .250, or there about
Nice play Swisher.
The highly underrated defense of Nick Swisher.
Wow, Swisher’s glove is huge, I mean the size of it….
Shame,
Number 57 right on top of Cervi. Stewart and tadle
94 on the corner at the knees, finally a nice fastball by CC.
Pat – does tex lose a hit a week because of the shift or because he continues to get worse offensively?
Carlo this is Tex redo 2011 same ole stuff as last year just turn the page.
luis April 6th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Shame,
Number 57 right on top of Cervi. Stewart and tadle
—————–
Nice start by Ibanez.. I hope I’m dead wrong about him and he continues to be useful.
Anyone else see that guy in the stands wearing a Boston hat?
I never get those clowns…
Lou Piniella is a really bad announcer… is he going to be a regular this year?
So, CC is the number one starter? The “ace?”…
Told ya earlier that he’s just a workhouse and absolutely nothing more.
Carlo…..He hits 1 ball a week that would be a hit if not for the shift……On average, I watched a series last season vs tampa and he must have lost 5 hits
Something I can’t believe is that Shields is actually doing MUCH worse than CC if you look at their lines
West’s biggest problem is that his twelve chins keep getting in the way.
Lou Piniella is a really bad announcer… is he going to be a regular this year?
–
He should be speaking the least, but he is infact speaking the most. I don’t know if thats by word count or just time, because he keeps pausing every 2 words as his brain hour-glasses on what to say next.
Cone should be the primary color.
Patrick April 6th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Lou Piniella is a really bad announcer… is he going to be a regular this year?
—————————-
He sounds kinda nervous to me.. the pacing between his words has been awkward lol. I think he just needs to warm up through a few more games to get comfortable.
Gardner now 2-3. What a disappointment.
He sounds kinda nervous to me.. the pacing between his words has been awkward lol. I think he just needs to warm up through a few more games to get comfortable.
—
I actually feel kind of bad for him because he is clearly out of his element. Has he ever announced a game before?
Jerkface April 6th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Lou Piniella is a really bad announcer… is he going to be a regular this year?
–
He should be speaking the least, but he is infact speaking the most. I don’t know if thats by word count or just time, because he keeps pausing every 2 words as his brain hour-glasses on what to say next.
Cone should be the primary color.
———————————
I love listening to Cone as the analyst… he’s the best on YES with Singleton imo.
Shame Spencer April 6th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
Patrick April 6th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Lou Piniella is a really bad announcer… is he going to be a regular this year?
—————————-
He sounds kinda nervous to me.. the pacing between his words has been awkward lol. I think he just needs to warm up through a few more games to get comfortable.
———————————
Yea, Lou sounds very unforgettable and nervous like he is spending all of his time just trying not to screw up… We need some more Paulie games
This has to be Shields last inning no matter what
“I actually feel kind of bad for him because he is clearly out of his element. Has he ever announced a game before?”
Other than the spring training games, none that I know of… did he ever work on ESPN?
He sounded better when he and O’Neill were arguing lol, that’s what this booth needs right now, more O’Neill. (And cowbell)
Time to catch the train to San Diego for the Dodger / Friar’s game……Sitting in the warehouse terrace seats in left for the first time…….
I seem to remember CC having a bad Opening Day in 2009. I forget how that season ended up, though.
Longoria on every single pitch lines a single to center – kay
CC is lucky that pitch stayed in the park. Thigh high and down the middle to Longoria.
Sabathia just is not that good.
Non-Ace Ace
Granderson oops. Tough read
muwarriorsfan April 6th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Sabathia just is not that good.
———————————-
Clueless
CC gave up 13 runs in 17 innings on opening days in 2009-11 with the Yankees and won 19+ each year, he’ll be fine this year also.
Whew. Let’s get a lazy fly ball and get to the top of the 6th.
That’s why that Pena grand slam in the 1st ticked me off so much…. Pena really is not a good hitter. He just occasionally gets a fastball and can put it out of the park. he’s so one dimensional.
Bryan April 6th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Non-Ace Ace
———————–
That’s what aces do, get out of jams while struggling.
I said lazy fly ball.
Let’s go bats. The baseball gods might not like that I laughed at the Boston bullpen.
Hey Tyler, thanks a lot for that great Mizzou showing in the tourney. I picked them to make the Final Four. I ended up coming in 2nd place in my pool. A few points from Mizzou would’ve helped!
Concerned about Wade in the 6th . Too bad CC couldn’t get through 6.
Bryan April 6th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Non-Ace Ace
————————————————————————————————————————-
That makes you a non-bridge troll.
Cory Wade is warming up? Weak…….
Nick-
That loss honestly still hurts. I could hardly watch any of the rest of the tournament. They obviously lacked height but I thought they should still be able to overcome Norfolk State… Norfolk just shot the lights out and every fluke bounce went their way. Plus, I think Mizzou put a little too much into winning the Big 12 tourney… Haith looked like he just made the Final 4 cutting down that net.
CC coming back out? I need one more K.
Surprised that Girardi didn’t mix and match his way through the 6th inning here. CC has not been sharp at all and he has now thrown over 100 pithces. Seems to be stretching it too much for my liking.
Nick got his K.
Great play
Gardner. Boom headshot.
Gardner is such a disappointment!!!
1 outfield assist on the year!
Gardy showing why he was robbed of the GG last year.
Don’t you read the scouting reports, Dez?
Gardner is mad he didn’t get the gold glove last year. What a rip off.
Woo hoo! Now let’s score some more runs!
Girardi looks pretty good – he has managed the game where his ace has a lead through 6.
What is up fellas!!
Today is game 1 and we know what comments that brings. Here are some.
1. We have no Ace.
2. Baltimore will be contenders.
3. Toronto will be contenders.
4. To be an Ace you have to throw over 97 mph. see Verlander.
5. Whats taking so long for Cashman to pull an early bird trade?
6. Alex isnt clutch. No ribis.
7. Swish should take Tex spot. Tex sucks.
8. Wish we had Ajax. Granderson should be demoted to AAA.
9. Wheres the Melkman.
10. Montero would have hit a 5 run homer.
SoRoMo
What is this loser doing on a 3-0 and 3-1 count???
Swisher with a terrible AB after getting ahead 3-0.
3-0 count and he swings 3 straight pitches. No sense, no feeling.
Swisher has always been a clown that doesn’t take the game seriously and that AB is just more proof.
Thank god we have a budget now, or we might have actually re-signed Swisher for $50 mil or so.
They need to tack on another run or 2 to make me feel comfortable about this….
How does Martin has looked on the plate?
Ibanez called and said he’s not wearing a mask at bat. Also said J F is soooooo bald !
How many relievers does Tampa carry? This seems like the seventh or eighth today.
Let’s go Jeter.
Jeter rakes lefties. I think Maddon just boxed himself
Jeter vs a lefty, yes, this should be a good PA.
time to blow this game open
Joe Maddon’s next genius strategy: a new pitcher for each pitch.
Jeter swinging like a slow, old, rusty gate.
Same crappy, unclutch hitting…
Joe Maddon’s next genius strategy: a new pitcher for each pitch.
=======
Topping that off with changing the pitcher before a pitch is thrown, just to psych out the batter.
And Maddon’s strategy works, unlike Girardi’s intentional walk.
Am I the only one who is dreading this one run lead for the ‘So’ portion of the SoRoMo connection?
It would have been nice to add on at least 1 there but this is the scenario the Yanks want…. taking the lead into the 3 relievers at the end. Up to them to perform here.
Someone has Krispy Kreme doughnuts stashed at the end of the dugout.
Hopefully Hughes is down in the clubhouse.
Soriano starts with a k
enough of this ” non ace” crap. CC has always been a slow starter out of the gate. He didn’t have anything close to his best stuff today.. but despite the four run first he was able to just grind out 5 more innings and only giving up one run. He still gave us six innings, and left the game with the lead and pitched well enough to give the team a chance to win. What else can you really ask for from any pitcher? At the end of the day, its all about giving your team a chance to win and he did just that with virtually no command of his fastball today.
What else can you ask?
Your “ace” not giving up 5 runs in 6 innings.
This game has the feel of a loss.
Shields definitely isn’t an ace then right? 6 runs in 5 innings? How about when Halladay gave up 3 runs to the Cards last year? And Cliff Lee let up 4 in one inning?
Clean inning for Sori– never mind.
so, i guess james shields suck too? What a bum… cant believe he gave up 6 runs. He is at best a 4-5 starter.
Is it me or does soriano look really bad?
Tabbart, I agree. The big man will be ‘big soon enough. If we win, no worries, right?
BEA utiful!
Great job Sori! lets tack on another run for D-Rob!
1-3. Pretty DP.
Ok, ‘So’ down, RoMo ToGo.
Let’s tack On 3 or 4, I’d rather NOT see Mo today, as much as I love him.
Good game outside of the first inning. lol
Girardi let up four runs in 2/3 of an inning.
CC pitched well, only allowed 1 in 5.2 innings.
Soriano took bare of the Redart of the order, that 7th inning was key.
Brett-
People overreact way too much in yankee land. CC is a fake ace because he doesn’t strikeout hitters like king felix, or he is a fake ace because he doesn’t have pin point control like doc halladay, or he is a fake ace because he cant simply go 8 shutout innings. I don’t think people really understand what a ” ACE” really is. I will sign up for a guy who pitched 230+ innings a year, has a era in the low 3′s, is almost a sure lock for 20 wins a year, and is a absolute bulldog on the mound. CC never loses confidence, he never quits, he never feels bad for himself. Good or bad, cc always gives it his all and can always be counted on to give this team a great chance to win each time out. So, if that is ” fake ace” then so be it. I am more than happy to have that ” fake ace” on my staff.
Tough day for Grandy
Took care of the heart of the order
This would be a great time for an A-Bomb
tomingeorgia, I left you a British golf anecdote last night, did you see it?
Granderson is a ” fake slugger” he is 0-4 today and only hit like .240 last year. Just a complete bum if you ask me. Probably should be batting 7-8th in the lineup. : )
Fred Couples with the Masters lead in the clubhouse at -5. Love them old farts, and it looks like Tom Watson might make the cut!
muwarriorsfan April 6th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
What else can you ask?
Your “ace” not giving up 5 runs in 6 innings.
This game has the feel of a loss.
————————-
Not a Yankee fan.
Tabbart, I am in 100% agreement with you over here in Queens.
He pitched well enough after the bad inning to keep us in the lead.
Another thing an ace does, even when he doesn’t ‘have it’.
Tyler, any time is a good time for an A-Bomb! lol
Fred Couples with the Masters lead in the clubhouse at -5. Love them old farts, and it looks like Tom Watson might make the cut!
They normally run out of gas in the third round, rarely in the fourth.
What happened to Kim Jones?
A-Rod is seeing the ball great.
they offered her contracts a few times, she turned em down.
6th pitcher used by Maddon today, he has used pretty much every pitcher he had on the BP
Tyler, the thing to take out of this game, outside of the fact that Raul Ibanez earned the dogs called off of him after his HR, is A-Rod looking much more fit out there.
I smell a homer
MS – left for the NFL network
Luis, it better not go Extras, for maddons sake.
man, if arod stays healthy this season…. the skies the limit for this team. Cano and grandy get most of the love, but if arod is healthy all season he has all the ability in the world to put up a monster season. Alex is one of the most talented players to ever play this game and obviously you have to wonder about his power production as he gets older but he still can put up elite numbers with the bat with his natural talent and baseball IQ.
Tampa has 2 guys left in the pen. Rodney and Lueke. I’m guessing Rodney is the closer now that Farnsworth is out.
Bo,
Who cares? Still like to watch the old guys during the brief windows between Tiger sagas.
I Collect Brett Gardner Cards April 6th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Luis, it better not go Extras, for maddons sake.
—————
He still has crazy Kyle
joe west is calling one heck of a game.
tomingeorgia April 6th, 2012 at 6:04 pm
Bo,
Who cares? Still like to watch the old guys during the brief windows between Tiger sagas.
———————–
I don’t think Tiger will ever be the player he once was. Besides he is got stiff competition from McIlroy
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
nice to see tex not chasing!
2 really good abs by Arod and Tex. Come on Swish! 16 pitches between those 2.
Man, this tea,m sure does run up pitch counts.
good to see that hasn’t changed.
I think that Swisher is without a doubt my least favorite Yankee on this team.
luis,
Woods has stiff competition from half the field, plus, he’s a boor and a rotten sport. I’m sick of him and the adoration. Poor Teix!
CC just seems to start slow. I should have known better to start him on my fantasy team!
This is a completely different lineup with cano batting third and having a healthy arod in the 4 spot.
I Collect Brett Gardner Cards – Thanks for the answer.
I’d like to see raul get another shot here.
silver lining–> they’re really working pitchers today. high pitch counts for tampa
Come on Swish! keep it going
Swisher looks a lot thinner than last year.
Pinella says some whacko stuff
The clown Swisher is just flat out pathetic.
How can anyone be a fan of that guy?
Couldnt even bother to take a walk. This guy must have thrown over 25 pitches, and all Swish could do is wave weakly at ball 4
Who cares? Still like to watch the old guys during the brief windows between Tiger sagas.
——————–
Absolutely, they do much better on the tough courses where they have to manufacture shots, Love the British open.
if there is one guy I hate on this team it is Swish. His glove actually is underrated but his approach at the plate makes me want to vomit. I HATE watching him. That’s my rant.
I am actually most impressed with the yankees moving guys over and scoring runs without the long ball earlier. Didn’t see too much of that last season.
Robertson time! 5-6-7 coming up for Tampa.
Swisher is a nice guy, but he can’t be a long term solution for us. His ABs in big spots are continually morbid.
“Tampa has 2 guys left in the pen. Rodney and Lueke. I’m guessing Rodney is the closer now that Farnsworth is out.”
———
possibly. I think Peralta will get the most save chances even though he just pitched there.
Maddon is clearly the kinda guy who could use 8 different closers in the month that Farnsworth is out though.
Swish trying to do too much, again…….. Get used to it
Don’t ask how, but I think Maddon is going to try to put Aceves in this game.
Swisher HA
Nothing more to say
I could get $10M to suck like him
Lueke, noted rapist, warming up in the pen.
Robertson’s 2011 season is freakin legendary
YankeesWFAN Yanks have stranded 9 runners since Ibanez HR in the 3rd.
Swisher already has been a long term solution with us. This is his 4th year with us. His act is old and tired.
“I could get $10M to suck like him”
————
yet you still do it for $5 a pop
beat it troll
i love my yankees but the sny team + production are so much better than yes network’s. thorne + darling + keith are so much more entertaining than kay + co…
Their guy will take a walk, and our loser Swishticles wont
Bo,
Even the young guys often run out of gas at Augusta National. If you watch the tournament on TV, it doesn’t look so bad. Bur in actuality, there isn’t a level sport on the whole course; it’s either uphill, downhill or side hill. I’ve walked it twice, and came home exhausted both times.
BD-
Yeah that’s very true… Maddon’s got a lot of LaRussa win him in the way he mixes and matches. I was surprised to see Peralta in this early but he’s trying to keep it close… gotta give him credit for managing to win even on Opening Day. This game could decide things in September with how close these two teams might be.
“His act is old and tired.”
——–
yeah, those .850 OPS seasons he’s put up are so old and tired
I really do not like swish and tex batting behind each other… They obviously put up solid power numbers but they can both become all or nothing hitters very quickly. That can lead to some very quick innings, or rally killing innings. Its obviously just the first game and i could be completely wrong. But, i wouldn’t mind jones/ibanez hitting after tex.
Said before this game had the feel of a loss. The Yanks always lose close games when they don’t add on runs.
Tyler,
yeah…
it’s hard not to like the way Maddon manages. He’s got no fear.
He makes the decision he thinks will work out the best and doesn’t look back.
BD-
The thing i want to see with Swisher is a little playoff production if the Yanks make it. He’s given the Yanks good if not great value in right but I just have a very bad taste from his past 3 octobers.
That was right down the middle.
And West strikes again
Wow, that 2-1 pitch was right down the middle….
Robertson has created himself another whodini situation.
that’s all tex has to do…
Told ya it felt like a loss.
Same crap from the Yanks.
*Houdini*
well, this was my last worry coming into the season… Drob sucking it up.
Shields got squeezed on the edges. The Yankees getting squeezed right down the chute.
welcome back houdini. lol
Five Minutes of Funk time?
Houdini time, lets hope the Wild Wild West doesn’t intervene
Now the 4-6-3
one down, big k
Maddon keeps sending Pena to stay out of the DP… smart move
Truly odd sequence
I knew Maddon would attempt a suicide squeeze
If this is how the rays are going to have to score runs all season…. they aren’t beating boston out in the east.
Maddon doing his best “Girardi” impression there ?
man, that takes guts…. but not a great call IMO
Watching Madden mismanage is fun
heart pumping.
how about a Sombrero for Joyce?
Ok, I’ve never seen that. Thanks Maddon.
And on the 2-1 pitch to Pena, sure, right down the middle. But it didn’t hit the target and Joe West has high standards.
BD-
That squeeze play was what we were just talking about with Maddon. The guy has guts but sometimes I think he just tries to be too smart.
Who woulda thought that not every manager calls work out…
maddon thinks this is game 7 of the ALCS. he wants this win soo much.
1 inning 3K’s – are you kidding me?!?!
Great job Dave.
DROB
Thanks Maddon. Sometimes what looks like “guts” is just plain stupidity.
Heartburn Houdini rides again!
OMG. Too much, D-Rob. Too close.
Just no reason for robertson to make a habit out of that. Take the result, can do without the stress.
Tyler April 6th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
BD-
That squeeze play was what we were just talking about with Maddon. The guy has guts but sometimes I think he just tries to be too smart.
———–
he would never be able to manage in new york, chicago or boston with the same type of madness…
Dealin’ Dave Robertson.
Houdini does it yet again!…He definitely needs the extra adrenaline, but i don’t
Houdini is in the building.
Knock Knock
Who’s there
Who.
Who who?
Houdini thats who!!
lol
Robertons- beast mode
robertson constantly putting himself in these tough situations is why i wouldn’t want to make him the closer after mo’s done.
There ya go. Hit the target and you get the call even if it’s outside.
Robertson has too much “Valverde” in him
His OPS last year was .823.
Small sample size, but check out his OPS in 124 postseason ABs.
My goodness this game might be one of the most second guessed questioned games from both managers in years.
Tyler,
I bet Maddon splits 10s in blackjack…
the guy definitely likes to go for it.
yes maddons suicide squeeze was questionable, but Molina showed why he is here for his Defense.
lol
missed a squeeze sign, and bunts the 2 striker foul.
I like Maddon – he is a river boat gambler who doesn’t go by the book
Ibanez may have an issue if he’s gonna swing at mid 90s fastballs.
His success this season may be tied to how well he can make the pitcher keep the ball in the zone.
make that mid-90s fastballs that are UP
doesnt have the bat speed for that
MikeVacc
You know, if the #Yankees played this inning this way, someone would be slandering a binder.
Anytime Robertson gets the ball Girardi should tell him the bases are loaded..
Mariano really could pitch 5 more years I think.
As good as Robertson has been, he’s too much like John Wettland with those walks. Tough to see him as a closer until he can clean that up a bit.
if chavez can stay healthy, and that’s a big if, he’s a much better dh option than raul in the long run
Rays infield defense (minus Longo’s couple mishaps today) is ridiculously good
I guess once they get Upton back their OF defense will be sick too.
Best team defense in the game?
possibly KD, but Raul earned a few weeks with that HR. lol
I’d say the Rays have the best defense in the game until the Sawx bring up the legend, Jose Iglesias.
If Bobby V is right, that guy is so good he can play all 7 IF/OF positions at once.
Yank1 April 6th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
I like Maddon – he is a river boat gambler who doesn’t go by the book
————————————————————————————————————————-
he’s not a gambler. He just thinks he’s smarter than everyone else. Nothing better than seeing him out think himself.
Rays infield defense (minus Longo’s couple mishaps today) is ridiculously good
I guess once they get Upton back their OF defense will be sick too.
Best team defense in the game?
—
At least the best in the AL. Arizona has great team defense too
somewhere blake is still out there pounding his fist saying the Yanks should have signed Beltran.
I think Beltran and Kuroda will be the FA “steals” of the offseason.
Furcal, Beltran, Holliday, Berkman, Freese…. Pujols who?
Mo time
Reminder: if rivera happens to blown this save chance, it doesn’t mean its time to put a fork in him.
I’m pretty sure I’ll cry if Mariano announces he’s retiring.
It just can’t happen.
DP ball pls.
Terrible 1-2 pitch from Rivera
Thats terrific
TOLD YA SO
Thats that.
Now the questions about Mariano will start. ugh.
ouch
I said what I said because there was no doubt they were leaving today with a loss. Too many blown chances.
3 of the 4 fastballs he’s thrown were up and over the plate…
What a demoralizing way to start the season
I know this was a loss with how we played it was just meant to be a loss they did the right things we did our normal suck score in 2 innings then quit
couple IBB
Rivera’s cutter wasn’t moving at the end of spring training and it’s basically batting practice now.
We had ample opportunities to tack on runs, and failed to. And our offense failed us following the Ibanez homer. Their offense gets a single and triple in 2 ABs and the game is likely over.
you can’t leave the guys we left on base and play the way we play and still win just not gonna be this season
GB7,
It’s gnat season around here.
Rays and Jays in the AL East
Good move, look for the out at the plate.
Why 2IBB’s. You still need to get an out before a DP.
You know it’s the real season when the asinine posters start showing up.
This had loss written all over it. Left way too many on. Bad omen to start year
It’s the first game of the season. Way too much over-managing.
Why 2IBB’s. You still need to get an out before a DP.
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Force at home.
Some questionable defense this inning. Either alignment or in range.
This loss still is on Joe then after him it is on CC then on Mo in that order
Put Kontos in.
this is just about the worst way to start the season.
“Bad omen to start year”
100% correct. Rivera is throwing meatballs. No hitting with RISP. An ace that isn’t an ace. Swish is still a clown. A DH with zero bat speed.
But a walk, WP, passed ball, HBP all lose the game. Just dumb.
Pena is not the DP candidate I wanted to see here.
Big k
You get the sense that this game is a harbinger of things to come this season.
Where was that pitch???
“But a walk, WP, passed ball, HBP all lose the game. Just dumb.”
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the odds of winning are slim as it is. It’s the right play to load em and create the force at home.
Where did Johnny Damon end up?
How is the lost on Joe G?.. Yanks had lead in 9th. Blown saves happen to every closer its just weird when it happens
I hate Carlos Pena
But a walk, WP, passed ball, HBP all lose the game. Just dumb.
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A runner was on third so a WP or PB would lose the game. In this situation you create more chances to stop the run from scoring.
You add HBP & Walk but force play, double play are no longer run scoring.
Well that sucks….Pena twice yikes
Pena’s more clutch than anyone on the Yanks.
“muwarriorsfan says:
April 6, 2012 at 6:53 pm
You get the sense that this game is a harbinger of things to come this season.”
Yes, lots of idiot trolls will be showing up every time the Yanks lose.
This raises the odds for wins in the games I will actually be attending.
Seasons over, they all suck!! Ahhhh. Relax take a breath its one game
tomingeorgia April 6th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
GB7,
It’s gnat season around here.
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Tom,
It’s gnat season everywhere and this board isn’t much better.
Still the biggest Blunder is Joe walking the bases loaded no faith in your Ace to get a 238 hitter out.Anyone who defends joe is in denial
“Where did Johnny Damon end up?”
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sitting on his couch hoping someone will pay $5M for a DH
“This raises the odds for wins in the games I will actually be attending.”
Some fan you are
Some fan you are
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2 out of 3 in a 3-game set ain’t bad
I had a feeling CC would get hit today. But not Mo
Tough way to lose…. This one is on the Yanks offense for not scoring anything since the 3rd inning. I said then that 6 runs wouldn’t win it. Rivera will be fine… I’m never going to blame him and will never doubt him. Disappointing game though.
Swisher picking up where he left off last season. All we need is a walk or single Nick.