I think it’s now pretty safe to say “Whatever was bothering A-Rod against the M’s and the Angels is no longer an issue.”
I know it’s unfair, but, the way Rodriguez threw the lumber around tonight is what Yankees fans (probably) expect from “the best player in the game.” Sure, no one can hit 300 homers in a season. But, if Alex did what he did tonight just once every five or six games – well, he’d be an MVP.
And, no one would be moaning about him – ever.
Two weeks ago, I said that, visually, I see “a little of Greg Maddux on the hill” when Lidle is on – like he was tonight.
When Lidle throws his two-seamer inside to a left-handed batter, like he was this evening, and it breaks back towards the black of the plate for a strike, it is a Maddux-like thing of beauty. It’s almost like Mo’s cutter in reverse. If he’s on, Lidle is going to be a difference maker for the Yankees in the post-season.
OK, that’s all the good stuff. Now, the bad news – the weather forecast for tomorrow.
If tomorrow gets rained out, before they start the game, the Yankees will probably play a double-header on Sunday – with Karstens and Rasner starting the games for them.
And, what happens if both these young pitchers get knocked out early (say, around the 4th inning) in same day? It means the Yankees bullpen will be pushed (and then some) – which is something that New York does not need now.
If both Karstens and Rasner get run quickly in a double-header on Sunday, someone like Beam or Veras is going to have to take one for the team and log some serious innings.
Yankees fans don’t want to see Proctor and/or Villone pitching in some meaningless game on Sunday.
5 Responses to “September 1st vs. The Twins”
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September 1st, 2006 at 11:22 pm
Thank God. If A-Rod can swing a solid bat in October, this team is going to be tough to beat. And I’m glad he didn’t get up for the curtain call, this stuff is ridiculous. Nothing wrong with A-Rod getting a little Ted Williams in him. And not to open this can of worms again, but A-Rod was one Dave Roberts stolen base away from being “clutch” so hopefully this thing will die once and for all this fall.
By the way Steve, thanks again for this blog, I don’t know how you find time to do it but I’m glad you do, because I can always find time to read it:)
September 1st, 2006 at 11:35 pm
First, Schilling will miss his next start and maybe Papelstain will miss some time.
Second, this is precisely why Beam will never have any value as long as he’s a yankee. Maybe when he goes to another team will he be productive. He is just like Jose Contreras. I don’t feel bad about getting rid of him for Esteban b/c he was once good and as long as we had Jose, he would’ve been the laughing stock of baseball. Beam’s name should be T.J. Farnsworth so then he could be called Farnsworthless. If the red sox use T.J. Beam, they get a stellar performance like they did from Kyle Snyder tonight and in a big spot they just throw in a loser Craig Breslow who apparently has held lefties to 1 of 20. That makes me sick. Some of you will probably say that Snyder has a good curveball, but PLEASE. He struck out I think 8 guys tonight and at least 5 and maybe all 8 on his curveball & more than 70 % of the time, his curveball was low and away from the batter. Simply, he cant throw it for strikes, THEREFORE, it shouldn’t be swung at.
September 2nd, 2006 at 12:18 am
Thanks JeremyM – as long as I have some time, I’ll keep doing it. But, that can always change at any time. I’m just in a good spot now, time-wise – and enjoying doing this.
September 2nd, 2006 at 1:58 am
Hey, I predicted the resurgence of Alex a few days ago, right here at Was Watching.
And I am far from his biggest fan.
September 3rd, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Loaiza was good but contreras was better. Contreras had a good season prior splitting time between the pen and the rotation. Loaiza had a well-established track record of mediocrity, having crapped out with the Pirates, Rangers, Jays, and WSox.
Beam’ll be fine. The league’s going to knock him around for a bit, but he’ll be fine.