Steve Lombardi wrote:

http://waswatching.com/2009/06/08/the-illusion-of-the-improved-yanks-bullpen/

Ah, yes. I remember that post now. Sorry about that.

I would say that it is not all illusion. Part of the improvement surely is being used less though.

Justin wrote:

Any opinion on that, Steve?

http://waswatching.com/2009/06/08/the-illusion-of-the-improved-yanks-bullpen/

Got free tickets to a Ducks game, might go if verything lets up/ have the time by the time the game comes. I live a few miles away from where the Ducks play and a lot of people go to the games.The Ducks have done a good job of bringing people to the ballpark. Admiral Halsey, what has become of you? Funny as to who eneded up in the Atlantic League. even John “Bigmouth Racist” Rocker got a chance with the Ducks. Carlos Baerga and Edgardo Alfonso,too. Kinda sad to see the somewhat mighty so crestfallen BUT hey they love playing so bloody much, a mere pittance in terms of payment is an irrelevance in the end.

The CW is that whenever a pitcher and batter face each other for the first time the advantage always goes to the pitcher, no matter how experienced the batter might be.
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Indeed. Even still, when a pitcher has average to below-average stuff, it shouldn’t be the case.

Halsey started the spring with the Dodgers, and was released, eventually signing with the Ducks. He missed last year with surgery.

If John Halama can get numerous shots, I’m sure Halsey will get another chance somewhere.

The CW is that whenever a pitcher and batter face each other for the first time the advantage always goes to the pitcher, no matter how experienced the batter might be.

it’s just the 10 or so times a season that they don’t (and that’s probably overestimating)
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Twice in three games and I can count a few others this season already (5/2, 5/23, 6/3). That’s five in 10 weeks of play.

It may be a myth but it sure seems like it happens pretty frequently to me.

“Do the Yanks even have advance scouts? Do their coaches even bother to look at scouting reports and prep their players for these types of opponents? This isn’t a rhetorical question, I’m honestly asking. From the looks of it, the answer would be “no” on both counts.”

I’m so tired of this myth. The Yankees routinely clobber ‘no-name’ pitchers, it’s just the 10 or so times a season that they don’t (and that’s probably overestimating) that sticks out in our minds.

Really? The Yankees don’t have advanced scouts? Give me a break.

Last night’s game was more of the same from the Yanks…they just can’t hit no-name pitchers they’ve never seen before. Do the Yanks even have advance scouts? Do their coaches even bother to look at scouting reports and prep their players for these types of opponents? This isn’t a rhetorical question, I’m honestly asking. From the looks of it, the answer would be “no” on both counts.

Separately, I’m glad CC was able to go deep into the game. He didn’t seem as sharp as in other starts — went into some deep counts and wasn’t able to put hitters away (only 2 K’s) — but sometimes you can tell more about the greatness of a pitcher on the days when he’s not at his best and he can still last into the 8th inning!

Steve wrote:

Actually, considering the state of the Yankees bullpen this year, to date, and the inconsistency of the Yankees starting pitchers, Sabathia just may be the team MVP – for the first half of the season – with all the innings that he gives you, each time out.

Your not going to get much of an argument from me about the value CC has provided (though I do want to put in a good word for Tex on the other side of the ball; those two signings have worked out just fine, thus far), but the bullpen has been steadily improving over the course of the year. Which is good, considering how terrible it was when the season started. And since I’m too lazy to research the numbers myself, it’s a good thing Mike over at RAB did it for me:

http://riveraveblues.com/2009/06/the-new-and-improved-bullpen-13244/

Any opinion on that, Steve? Personally, I’m not entirely convinced the bullpen’s out of the woods yet. As always, we’re dealing with small sample sizes, and Hughes is unlikely to be a permanent fixture in the pen. But Bruney’s back, Robertson’s just fulfilling the potential he showed in the minors, guys like Melancon and Edwar are waiting in the wings in the minors if anyone falters, and the trend is undeniably good. So I’m feeling pretty positive about it overall.