The ninth-inning decision
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 11, 2012 
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That picture above is from last night’s 10th inning. Who would have had the foresight to take such a picture in the ninth?
From a distance, Joe Girardi’s decision to pinch hit for Alex Rodriguez looks easy. Rodriguez had been awful. There was a right-hander on the mound. Raul Ibanez has been an outstanding pinch hitter. But in the moment, in that dugout, the historic magnitude of pinch hitting for one of the game’s all-time greats escapes no one.
“Of course you do (think about that),” Girardi said. “And you know you’re going to be asked a lot of questions if it doesn’t work. … I mean, it’s a tough move. Sometimes you’ve got to do what your gut tells you, and my gut told me to make the move. I still have the utmost respect for Al, and I still think he’s a great player. He’s just going through a little tough time right now.”
Ibanez said he had to ask another player to find out who he was about to pinch hit for, and the name didn’t escape him.
“I just tried to put it behind me and get a good pitch to hit,” he said.
Rodriguez said it never occured to him that he might not take that at-bat.
“Obviously not,” he said. “I’ve never had that situation in my career.”
It’s a gutsy move. It might be an obvoius move too, but it’s certainly a gutsy move by Girardi.
“I just went to (Alex Rodriguez) and I said, ‘You’re scuffling a little bit right now,’” Girardi said. “‘We have got a low-ball hitter, and we’ve got a shorter porch in right field, then left field obviously. Raul has been a good pinch hitter for us, and I’m just going to take a shot.’”
“When he told me,” Rodriguez said. “I said, ‘Joe, you gotta do exactly what you’ve gotta do.’ Then I got up to the top step and started cheering. … (Tonight), that opportunity may come back for me again, and I’ll be ready. I’m going to attack. There’s no hedging. I’m coming right back at them.”
Rodriguez said he fully expects to play tonight, and with a lefty starting for the Orioles, there’s a good chance Rodriguez will be back in that No. 3 spot in the order. Is Rodriguez still capable of doing what Ibanez did in his place?
“Yeah, 100 percent,” Rodriguez said. “I saw the ball well (last night), was as relaxed and comfortable as I’ve been in a long time. Sometimes when you get your pitch or two, you can’t foul them back, can’t leave them in the net. You wish you were 8-for-15, but the bottom line is we have a 2-1 lead, (tonight) we have another big game and I’ll be ready to keep attacking.”
Associated Press photo
Repost :
Raul Ibanez Photo tribute for a magical game :
https://picasaweb.google.com/109721757058432487394/IbanezTribute?authkey=Gv1sRgCJjGkdyf-a7a2gE#
You earned it Raul.
Enjoy.
Off to walk the pupperoni
Good guy arod
Y’s guy
Ref your 9AM post, well said on all fronts.
I like Arods attitude…… First his praise for Ibanez ! ….and secondly his “gotta” keep on attacking approach ! Thats all you can do when your slumping ! .
blake says:
October 11, 2012 at 9:04 am
Alex will still have his chances in these playoffs….Joe made a now move last night that needed to happen and it worked….the truth though is that they really need Alex to get going especially to help with lefties.
I hope the Yanks finally realize now that Alex likely isn’t going to ever again be what he was and that they need to replace his production in the lineup….Alex can still be valuable in a complimentary role…. Heck it might even help him if he’s not asked to hit in the middle anymore going forward.
But that’s for the winter time…..
do the A’s have any coaches who didn’t play for the Yankees at some point?
Lineup tonight hopefully will be based on current production.
Most Yankees have faced Saunders, none more than Ichiro who has hit him really well. I realize that some of these stats are from at bats well over a year or more ago on Saunders, but looking at them, you could certainly make a case that Ibanez, based on prior success vs him, should be in the lineup tonight:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/.....e-saunders
Hughes is a crapshoot tonight… Hope Giardi has a quick hook on him
I think Alex was being genuine in his happiness for Raul and the shots of him in the dugout looked like he was crazy happy when that ball went out…..but as a competitor you know it stings him….jump back on the horse and find a way to contribute…..it’s all about #28 at this time of year and I think Alex has figured out by now that the best way to further his legacy in NY is to help win a title….more than anything he does individually
Alex gets a lot of grief here but I think he reacted with class last night. He also knows he will still have his chances in big spots going forward
The Yanks need to hammer Joe freakin Saunders tonight and cruise to a win…..they have CC backing up Phil tomorrow but a win tonight sets up the next round so much better….
You’d have CC pitching game 1 instead of probably game 4…..and Verlander won’t be available for awhile even if the Tiggers win…..
so now we finally know what it says in the binder. it says: ‘Go with your gut!”
another good moment last night is Valverde
oh my, so glad to see this joker suffer!
Do u really expect the Yankee bats to wake up against Saunders, I be happy with 3 runs
Is Rodriguez still capable of doing what Ibanez did in his place?
“Yeah, 100 percent,” Rodriguez said. “I saw the ball well (last night), was as relaxed and comfortable as I’ve been in a long time.”
Blake and everyone-
Is he still capable?
Pitchers seem to now know how to pitch him. How often is he in 0-2 counts? Doesn’t his bat speed seem slow?
Can another session with K. Long today turn it around? Really?
Thoughts?
I am still excited about last night’s game. I brought back Chambliss to my mind.
Alex will get some key hits if they advance. He is nowhere near the player he used to be, but he can still have value. Start him at third and Ibanez at DH, or Nunez at DH with Ibanez ready to replace him when appropriate.
With Verlander pitching today, it does make me wonder which team I would rather play. But, first, let’s win tonight.
TheDA53 So does Valverde jump around and do all his antics when he blows a save? #sotired Great finish
Ha
Another closer who had a great season craps the bed in the playoffs.
Mariano is the platinum standard.
YT,
All I have to hold onto regarding Alex is how he was hitting when his hand was broken. That was the best he had looked for a long time. We shall see.
The Yanks have the advantage in pitching tonight. And their pen is still pretty well rested. Robertson threw two innings last night, but not a ton of pitches. Soriano, Logan, Joba and Phelps are all ready.
Win tonight so they get a day off tomorrow. The last you want is no off day between the ALDS and ALCS.
Yeah, the A-Rod of ’08 and even ’09 is long gone, but I also don’t think this is who he is. I really don’t think talent dries up this quickly. He’ll just need to make adjustments moving forward.
I’d still take A-Rod over a guy like…Ibanez over the course of any given season. However, good call by Joe recognizing that he isn’t the same guy and that he’s transitioning to that complimentary-type player. The team still needs him to contribute.
Didn’t A-rod hurt his hand? He may just need the long offseason and we can see a reasonably effective A-rod again. He was doing fine before he got hbp right on his hand.
It is pointless to continue to interview A-Rod about these things. He says the same thing every time, and I respect that, but opposing pitchers are telling us all we need to know.
Detroit or Oakland?
Oakland or Detroit?
No Verlander Saturday or Sunday, unless he pitches with 3 days rest.
No Cespedes, the only A hitting>.300 in the playoffs, vs .300 playoff Detroit hitters-Cabrera, Dirks, Peralta, Avila.
Balfour or Valverde?
Tiger stadium or A’s stadium?
Fister, Scherzer, Verlander or any one of the A’s young pitchers?
Too much to think about!
Yankees just need to win tonight to be able to set up their rotation and have the best chance to advance to the WS no matter who they play!
I’d much rather face the Tigers. The A’s are a very hot team.
“Is he still capable?
Pitchers seem to now know how to pitch him. How often is he in 0-2 counts? Doesn’t his bat speed seem slow?”
I remember this spring when Ibanez’s bat looked slower than Christmas and everyone including me thought he was finished……sometimes it’s actual decline and sometimes guys figure something out mechanically and bounce back…..
I think Alex can figure out how to be productive again …..and this is key….. If he can stay healthy enough to do it
The last 3 or a years with Alex have been a continual combination of actual decline and injury….. He is declining physically but I don’t think he’s ever stayed healthy enough long enough to adjust to it…..and he may never be able to….
He just looks out of sync mechanically to me….as I’ve said he looks like a guy that thinks he can hit a pitch but his hands are doing what his brain thinks they can…..he’s got to adjust to his new skill set ….he’s got to figure out when to start so that he can get to fastballs etc and its probably going to take some time to do that…..
But either way the bottom line going forward is that the Yankees need to forget about what he’s being paid and build the lineup based on what his is at 38 and not what he’s paid at 38
“With Verlander pitching today, it does make me wonder which team I would rather play. But, first, let’s win tonight.”
I don’t like to wish for anybody …..but the Tigers are very top heavy team and if Verlander is only goin to be able to pitch one game on full rest in the ALCS then they seem like a more vulnerable opponent than the As
The As don have anybody close to as good as Miggy, prince , or Verlander…… But what they do have is a team full of solid players and a deep pitching staff and pen.
tucker October 10th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Maybe in a big situation, Ibanez pinch hits for ARod.
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Nice prediction
bruceb October 10th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Raul be seeing you. Hopefully, not in the bottom of the 9th when we’re behind.
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well ….
the yankees dont have advantage pitching tonight… any pitcher can shut this lineup down we would see what Hughes can do
I mean, A-Rod’s biggest problem is fouling off good pitches to hit. That could be a mechanical problem, an approach problem, or a physical (hand) problem. If he’d actually put those balls in play he wouldn’t look half as bad. Forget the strikeouts and what not.
I dont care who wins. But I do know that if the Yanks make it to the ALCS, and their opponent happens to be Detroit, Verlander not pitching gm 1 is a plus.
JF and Austinmac-
Had Alex injured his wrist, I could see why he hasn’t had a homer in such a long time.
Is it just that pitchers know to bust him inside or is it an aging slow bat? He is whiffing on mistake pitches too.
Can he turn this around in a day?
If the yanks don’t win tonight though then the same problem Detroit will have with Verlander the Yanks will have with CC should they advance to the ALCS
I am not onej of Girardi’s biggest fans, but have to say my respect for him went up last night.
Not only a gutsey decision but also the right decision–this is a team sport and Arod is struggling no matter how he tries to spin it–glad it worked out the way it did. I
My only lingering concern is that after that 9th inning hr. to tie, the next 8 batters went hitless till Raul hit the walkoff–was hoping his 9th inning hr would fire up the rest of the line up…lets hope it does tonight and the come out smoking!
Thanks Blake. I just read your explanation.
Everyone is so down on Hughes…..his last start really is sticking in people’s minds and making them forget how solid he was all year and that he pitched some really big games for them…..one of which was actually against the Orioles.
Its funny all those “new” Yankees saying it was their favorite moment in baseball. Over the last 16 years, can you imagine how many favorite moments Jeter, Mo and Petitte have had?
Its truly amazing to have been a Yankee fan during their careers. Yah, we’ve had some crushing losses, disappointment and I’ll never get over 2004 but man, we’ve witnessed some incredible playoff games and dramatic 9th innings. Wouldn’t trade it for any other team in any sport.
These are Hughes regular season stats vs the Oriole hitters:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/.....hil-hughes
Let Showalter load the lineup with lefties. Hughes vs lefties: BAA .211 Slugging% .340
I do feel the Yankees will need to score 5 runs for him, based on his outings the last month of the season[6 total games]
Kudos to the Yankees for being a cohesive unit. There is a great culture to this team, especially given the expectations and star power that they have. Girardi does not get enough credit for how well he manages this team.
Nix is 3 – 10 agaisnt Saunders with 3 HRs. Ibanez is 8-23 with a 1.027 OPS.
A lot of Yanks have good numbers vs him:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/.....e-saunders
A lot of Yanks have good numbers vs him:
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That is because saunders kind of sucks. He relies on a lot of ball in play luck. He gives up HRs, doesn’t strike anybody out, and doesn’t really walk anybody, all while giving up more hits than innings pitched. The Yankees should be putting the ball in play with authority against him, though chances are he will strike out 8 or some crap because any time a pitcher who doesn’t strike anybody out faces the yankees they set season highs.
Time to go.
Have a great day.
Go Yankees. Finish it tonight and get a well deserved day off before the ALCS.
arod will break out of this slump, idk if it will be tonight but even the reduced, less-power arod isnt this bad.
watch arod tear up the alcs if they make it….
Teix and Swish have bad numbers vs Saunders (not huge samples, though).
A few months ago, I would have said Hughes vs. Saunders was a massive advantage Yankees, but Saunders has been a revelation since moving to the Os and was mightily impressive in the wild-card game in Texas. I’m just hoping last night’s momentum carries through to tonight. Late-inning rallies hide a multitude of sins…like the fact that half our lineup is not hitting.
Everyone is down on Hughes because it’s like the HR Derby when he pitches.
Love the move by Girardi last night, but if he bats A-Rod third tonight, he belongs in the loony bin. I know the rest of the lineup hasn’t exactly been killing it, but A-Rod is on another level of ineptitude right now.
forget the contract. i know it’s tough for alot of people to do but just forget about it.
arod is no longer the same player he was. injuries / no more peds/ age / whatever the case may be, he’s no longer the same player he was prior to 2 years ago.
he needs to adjust his approach and expectations (in terms of #’s) have to change from the fanbase.
with all that said, i still like him alot as a player and like his presence on this team.
we’re 1 game away from the ALCS…that’s all that matters.
saunders reminds me alot of kenny rogers. hope it’s not like the last time we saw rogers in the postseason…
“Late-inning rallies hide a multitude of sins…like the fact that half our lineup is not hitting.”
Perfectly stated. These HR-bashing Yanks teams of the last few years just do not get it done in the playoffs. Makes me think ’09 was a bit fluky (but hey, I’ll take it).
here’s my gtlu!
ichiro cf
arod 3b
jeter dh
cano 2b
martin c
ibanez lf
teixeira 1b
swisher rf
nunez ss
Jeter 6
Ichiro 8
Tex 3
Cano 4
Alex 5
Swish 7
Ibanez 9
Martin 2
Nunez DH
Switching Martin/Swisher makes sense, but Alex # 2 and Jeter # 3 doesn’t.
Wish Gardner could play….
86w183 October 11th, 2012 at 10:19 am
Jeter 6
Ichiro 8
Tex 3
Cano 4
Alex 5
Swish 7
Ibanez 9
Martin 2
Nunez DH
—
i like it
id love to close out the series tonight, hughes will have a short leash
“Everyone is down on Hughes because it’s like the HR Derby when he pitches.”
Not really…..most games he pitches he gives up a homer or two and then not much else….he has a game every now and then where the long ball gets him and you lose….but overall he’s given the Yanks a good chance to win in a lot of games this year…..which is why he lead the team in wins
Why does everyone keep saying that Joe “went against the binder ” last night…..the binder is objective and has no feelings towards star players……the binder would have started Ibanez for ARod in the first place against the righty…..
Joe actually went with the binder in that decision…..he just wen against his conventions
It’s interesting how people feel (especially I’m the media). I was at Yankee Stadium last night and there was not one person in my section that even questioned the Ibanez for ARod decision. Maybe this “Alex is a superstar and needs to hit in that spot because he’s proven” is prevalent, but last night, everyone was thrilled that A-Rod was not batting in the 9th.
Nunez at SS in the playoffs? No thanks.
Jeter DH
Ichiro LF
A-rod 3B
Cano 2B
Teixeira 1B
Swisher RF
Granderson CF
Martin C
Nix SS
Ok here is my rationale. First of all I think Jeter is hurt and won’t be able to play the field so that’s why he’s at DH and Nix is at SS. I’d love to put Nunez in the lineup because he hits lefties really well but he just cannot be trusted in the field. I keep A-rod at 3 because despite his struggles he still can hit lefties well. Just look at game 2, he had two hard hit balls. Swisher isn’t doing anything special at the plate so I see no reason to keep him at 5. If we were facing a RHP I would consider putting Ibanez in RF and hit him 5, but I don’t want him in the lineup vs a lefty.
As I mentioned above, Nix is 3-10 with 3 HRs vs Saunders. I have to think he’s going to play tonight.
only 9 wins to go…this journey is like the obstacle course from Wipeout and we only just got shot into the water
Jeter DH
Ichiro CF
A-rod 3B
Cano 2B
Tex 1B
Ibanez LF
Swisher RF
Martin C
Nix SS
That’s an interesting lineup Jerkface..
Granderson has been arguably worse than A-rod so makes sense to take him out vs a lefty. Not sure I like Ibanez in the field though
If granderson keeps struggling, don’t be shocked to see Gardner pop up in one of these games.
Jeter would most likely be better off DHing tonight, he may put Girardi in a chokehold, however, if the lineup card looks like that.
Nix is a solid shortstop, playing him against Saunders with his 3 HR’s in 10 ABs makes lots of sense.
If I am making out the lineup card Granderson is on the bench, I would rather have him available to pinch hit or play defense late in the game than have him hit against Saunders, a crafty lefty who will most likely make him look pretty bad.
Ibanez should be in the lineup with his good numbers against Saunders plus how can you not play him after last night.
Good morning everyone,
I was too tired last night to give my two cents, so I will give it a try now:
1) Kuroda was excellent, aside from two hanging sliders and a bit of a command problem in the 5th, he was outstanding. Happily, such an effort didn’t go to waste. Soriano and Drob were amazing as well, good to see the latter’s CB back.
2) Gutsy move from Girardi. As G Love pointed out, that’s what I want to see from our manager.
3) Ibanez not only responded in kind, but he did it twice. For me, he is the MVP of the series
4) Something that may have gone unnoticed is the attitude from Arod, he is a class act. And makes me think that when the time comes, he will retire for the good of the team and assume a FO role in the organization.
If granderson keeps struggling, don’t be shocked to see Gardner pop up in one of these games.
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I don’t think that will happen because instead of playing Gardner, Joe can just shift Ichiro to CF and play Ibanez as we see in Jerkface’s lineup. As much as I like Gardner, he has had like 5 AB’s since coming back. That is not someone you start in a playoff game
you know…if this team wins a world series this year…girardi really deserves alot of credit…
Is Jerkface a verb or a noun?
Sterling’s calls from last night:
http://youtu.be/sqk-tPNu-iA
Is Jerkface a verb or a noun?
—
noun of course.
I don’t think that will happen because instead of playing Gardner, Joe can just shift Ichiro to CF and play Ibanez as we see in Jerkface’s lineup. As much as I like Gardner, he has had like 5 AB’s since coming back. That is not someone you start in a playoff game
————-
Everything you wrote is logical. But I’ve heard Girard on the Fan with Francessa and he’s hinted at Gardner playing a real role. I wouldn’t be surprised either way.
Ichiro LF
Jeter DH
Cano 2B
Tex 1B
Arod 3B
Swisher RF
Martin C
Granderson CF
Nunoz SS
Can’t see Jeter leading off if he can only run as well as last night. Speed at the bottom would wrap around to Ichiro at the lead off spot. Nunoz is a risk…I’d replace him after the 6th if we had a lead with Nix.
My lineup would be like this:
Jeter unless he can’t
Ichiro
Arod
Cano
Tex
Swisher
Ibanez
Martin
Nix SS
If Jeter is a no go (possible but not likely) Nunez DH and lead off.
jeter is playin, u know that
he anit josh hamilton
Girardi’s decision recalls Billy Martin’s benching of a slumping Reggie Jackson in the deciding game of the 1978 playoffs against KC, in favor of Paul Blair. Blair came up big, and Reggie had a pinch hit single in the 9th as the Yanks rallied to win.
Tex popping up again from the left side…let’s hope he finds his stroke from the Right
I’d consider playing Raul instead of Granderson as well…..Grandy just looks like he has no shot against astray right now.
The only issue with doing that is you really hurt your defense with the fly ball pitching Hughes on the mound and im not sure id want that.
Jeter DH
Ichiro LF
Tex 1B
Cano 2B
Arod 3B
Swisher RF
Martin C
Granderson CF
Nix SS
I might would consider playing Gardner in CF if J knew his status….he might have a better chance to get on base than Grandy
I said two nights ago, and I stand by it…. Granderson should take a sit on the bench… He is hurting the team inmensely, he has no clue of what to do at the plate at this moment in time …. Last night was ugly yet again… I would say this, even though I think Gardner would be a better option defensively, Ibanez earned a start tonight … I do think however that Gardner gives us a a much better option there, both at the field and on the plate, regardless of the 5 at bats… If he can bat, I would play him.
I would say play Nunez in LF, it’s easier than the infield and less chance of mistakes. But he hasn’t played OF all year, there is no way Girardi experiments with it now.
Tex swing from the right side is good, I would bet that tonight he will do some damage.
You ride the horse that got you here. Granderson needs to play CF & bat. ARod needs to play 3B as well. Ibanez needs to ready to PH or be there when a RHP comes in. The only question I see is do you play Jeter at SS with Nunez as a DH or do you play Nix at SS with Jeter as DH.
Everything can change with just one AB. ARod my be fired up tonight. LHP Saunders isn’t going to scare anyone, but he may hit his corners & do okay. Yanks have Phelps rested if Hughes struggles.
….and I thought there was nobody Ibanez could pinch hit for other than Martin.
I said yesterday that there is no way Chavez should be starting ahead of Ibanez. The only trouble is that if you start Ibanez, who do you have to bring off the bench and save the game for you in the 9th?
Tex swing from the right side is good, I would bet that tonight he will do some damage.
————–
I hope you’re right. But he has awful numbers vs Saunders.
jeter is playin, u know that
————-
If it’s up to him, absolutely. But it may not be up to him.
Ray,
I guess you want to see another Grandy sombrero
because if he plays, that’s what we are going to get. Look carefully at his at bats, he is having trouble recognizing pitches ( especially offspeed ). Imagine if he had trouble with a right handed pitcher what a lefty would do to him. I understand your motto, but I think is time to think outside the box.
Someone posted yesterday (I think LGY) a link to an article talking about lineup optimization. It was an interesting read, but I strongly disagree with some points made in it.
First, according to the article, the #3 hitter should not be your best hitter, he shouldn’t even be one of your 3 best hitters – your three best hitters should be #1, #2, and #4 spots in the lineup.
Second, it is mentioned en passing that no matter how you shuffle a line up around it’s impact would be around only 1 extra one over the course of the season. Now, this, I would have liked to see a link in the article to a study or proof, since I don’t buy it. For such a big statement, I’d like to see some numbers, just en passing saying so just doesn’t cut it for me.
The article puts in contrast the “old book” with the “new book”. I’m sure the poster could post the link again for those who missed it yesterday.
As for me, like I said above, it was an interesting read. But I would stick to the “old book” in this case.
I think it’s pretty much a guarantee that Jeter will at least DH tonight unless he literally can’t walk
Trying to figure out just where to put A-Rod in the lineup Now, and in 2013, compounds the error of signing him in the 1st place. A-Rod either merits being in the lineup or he does Not. His salary should have Nothing to do with whether he plays or Sits.
The O’s Pen is showing the wear-and-tear that Buck has inflicted on it. It’s a House Of Sticks, and the Yankee huffing-and-puffing is blowing it down.
Valverde continues doing an A-Rod from The Hill. Leland and Girardi have this in common.
The loss of Cueto, has sucker punched the Reds. They are currently on Queer Street.
CC,
His swing is more leveled from the right side. He just have to let the ball travel before committing to the pitch. Something he can’t do left handed. So yeah, I think he is due.
What price all four series going to a Game Five now?
dismay, anger, disappointment, outrage, despair then euphoria…. onto game 4.
i say get the best offense out there to start the game, you’re up 2-1.
get the lead, add on and then bring in the gloves.
Jerkface October 11th, 2012 at 9:25 am
Didn’t A-rod hurt his hand? He may just need the long offseason and we can see a reasonably effective A-rod again. He was doing fine before he got hbp right on his hand.
—
He hit very well for the first half of September after he came back from the hand injury. Then the second half of September he was poor, including no power. Maybe he reinjured the hand, although I can’t notice anything watching him hit. He has stolen bases well also, so not sure if it could be the hip. It’s a mystery. Clearly he can do better though, he has recently.
Ibanez has to be in the lineup tonight, he has great numbers against smoke and mirrors Saunders. If Jeter has to DH then let Ibanez play LF and sit Granderson. If Girardi can pinch hit for future hall of famer Arod he can sit Granderson for a game. It’s hard to be successful when you can’t even make contact and he has been brutal.
Girardi has to have any extremely short leash with Hughes. They can’t afford to allow him to give up 4-5 homeruns. Especially with the way that the offense was hitting yesterday. Saunders is garbage but he usually finds a way to get guys out and keep them off balance and hit into DP’s. Lowe and Phelps should be ready to go from the 1st inning.
Jeter needs to take a day off since the game is not an elimination. The rest may end up being several days with a win tonight. It opens up the line up with Ibanez as DH and Nix at SS. Granderson and Arod are primed for a big game.
Here’s my lineup if Jeter can’t go:
Ichiro LF
Arod 3B
Cano 2B
Teixeira 1B
Ibanez DH
Swisher RF
Martin C
Nix SS
Gardner CF
luis October 11th, 2012 at 11:11 am
LOL! I am from VT so I watch Grandy more than I should. I agree he has struggled, but let me say the following, “Who hasn’t on the Yankees this year?”.
Last night everyone agrees that it gives a release on life for ARod, but everyone has been trying to pickup the team themselves & try & do too much.
A Los last night could have been devestating. Now I think you see the whole team take this game early with a lot of runs.
I’m loving Ibanez’ bat but I still don’t want him in the outfield especially with Hughes pitching.
Miguel Cabrera blows off the media; teammate gets on his case after Tigers loss to A’s http://is.gd/dgJgU9
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if a-rod did that hed never hear the end of it
I was at the game in KC when Martin benched Reggie because a left hander Gura was on the mound. Lets just say Arod and his reaction last night–he is no Reggie. But with Raul’s dramatic homers it did feel a little like Reggie in a good way.
Arod is Alex Rodriguez, no one else. For the better part of decade and half, he was the most gifted athlete on a diamond. He was the never best hitter imo. It is a sad to watch his recent abs. mere shadow of himself doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Ray,
I must say that I love Vermont…I learned to ski there, and I love skiing…Have many friends up there in the woods…And some family used to live there…
About your question….Good point…Maybe he hits two ouf th park to shut my mouth