WasWatching.com Water Cooler Talk 9/3/09
Posted by Steve L. on September 3rd, 2009 · Comments (22)
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postseason magic #: 20
also good to see Giambi doing well in his role out in Colorado, good for him.
also, anyone else dissapointed with the steinbrenner yankeeography? Felt like they just did a cut and paste job and grabbed parts from all the other yankeeography’s.
Corey wrote:
Gotta love it that Tampa fought back last night after coughing up the lead. The only thing better than cutting the magic number down by one is when Boston loses and we get to cut it down by two!
Also, yeah, I was happy for the Giambino. It must be nice for him to go from being cut by a last place team to being a valuable role player for a potential playoff team.
@ MJ:
im actually basing the # off texas, cause that’s the magic # for a post season birth…personally i don’t give a rats ass how we get there
fyi, our division magic # is 23
Corey wrote:
I caught about 10 minutes of it around midnight and had the same thoughts – based on what little I saw…the clip of Bernie, for the millionth time, saying that he wanted to hug everyone during 911, etc.
With the deserved concern over AJ’s performance of late in mind, has anyone seen what Beckett has done during the same time period? It might be hidden a little since, like the Yankees, and like Steve mentioned yesterday, the Red Sox have been able to win more than they lose lately, but he’s posted a plus 5.00 ERA since August 1 and given up 14 HRs in 45 1/3 innings. I’d be concerned if I was a Sox fan.
bfriley76 wrote:
Even when Beckett was less-than-stellar at the end of last year he still pitched well in the playoffs (if I remember correctly). I believe the reports were that he was tired, came to camp out of shape and may have been injured by the end of the year…but he still came through. I’m an honest Yankee fan, and I can say I have more faith in Beckett turning it around than I do Burnett turning it around. I wouldn’t worry much as a Sox fan.
@ YankCrank:
Oh I do too…I realize Beckett has a better and lengthier track record than Burnett, but there’s got to be some concern there, right? Beckett is going to be leaned on more in the playoffs than Burnett. Beckett has already given up more home runs this season then he did in either of the past two seasons. I’d still be a little worried.
Just a few days after eliminating the O’s in Baltimore the Yanks find themselves in a position to possibly eliminate the Blue Jays in Toronto. Not so easy a task there because (a) the Yanks would have to take 3 of 4, and (b) the pitching match-ups aren’t as favorable as they were in Baltimore. Still, it’s possible.
Here’s a fun breakdown between Bobby Abreu and Nick Swisher this year, from Pinstripe Alley: http://bit.ly/6rFHQ
Basically, if you break it down for Runs created Above Replacement, Abreu is having a slightly better year offensively (17.8 vs. 16.4 RAR).
But when you plug defense into the equation, Swish saves 12 runs more than Abreu saves back there in RF. So Swish, overall, contributes 29 Runs Above Replacement while Bobby contributes 21.
Good work Cash, good work.
@ YankCrank:
As one that truly loved Bobby Abreu and was sad to see him go, I do have to say that I’ve loved Swish just as much.
Separately, even though I hate the Angels, it makes me feel good to see Bobby having a very good season for them. No matter what, I’ll always root for him to do well (unless he ends up in Boston).
MJ wrote:
Honestly, Bobby never did much for me. He was a very productive hitter and there is no denying that, but it always bothered me how he looked like he was on ice skates in RF. I remember at the end of last year, after watching the final out in Boston, my lasting feeling was “Thank God this season is over, and thank God i’ll never have to see Giambi and Abreu suite up in a Yankee uniform ever again.”
Both good guys, both very like-able, but in my personal opinions, one-sided players who were often exposed in big spots. This is all simply my opinion and i’m sure you and others feel differently, but the love I feel for this team seems to bring out how flawed some of our “big” players were in previous years.
@ YankCrank:
im right with ya.
YankCrank wrote:
Always have liked both Jason”I’ve sorry about I don’t know what”Giambi and Bobby ” Mr Wall Averse” Abreu. People forget that Giambi hit those two game 7 home runs in 2003 to stave off the Red Sox from finally reversing the curse.Abreu didn’t like walls but was the epitome of a productive player then some.Had little worries with them BUT the Swisher Sweet? With defensive sabermetrics , I’ve always found them to be non conclusive. It was funny to hear Joe and Evan from the FAN say something to the effect that the only way to judge a player’s defense is to actually watch him, so to speak. On that note, Swisher isn’t a great right fielder. He also has been exposed as a mindless baserunner at times as well. Yeah, I’m worried that he might blow a big game in the field and no range factor or Bill Jamesian stat can convince me otherwise.
I’m more worried about Burnett spitting the bit in a big game than I am Swisher or anyone else. I just hope that of things go sideways, Girardi has a quick hook for the guy. On the other hand, if he pitches well, we will be very difficult to beat. But please, Joe, don’t let Bruney anywhere near the postseason roster.
I find it amazing that if we wanted to match the win total of the historic 1998 team, we have to go 29-0 the rest of the season. Seriously, I feel like this team wins every day and we’d STILL have to win out to match the win total of that team.
Amazing.
With the deserved concern over AJ’s performance of late in mind, has anyone seen what Beckett has done during the same time period?
Not to mention Halladay’s been stinking it up lately. I bet he brings it vs Joba next time tho.
YankCrank wrote:
Pretty crazy to think about it that way! Makes that ’98 accomplishment seem even more incredible since, as you put it, this ’09 team feels just as invincible.
MJ wrote:
Have you seen Joba and AJ pitch lately? Have you seen CC’s stats in October? A-Rod’s post-season stats since 2004? There’s a good chance this team could be done after four games in the ALDS, IMHO. And, I never thought that about the ’98 Yanks.
Steve Lombardi wrote:
I’ve seen #62 and AJ pitch recently. Those are legitimate concerns.
I am not concerned with CC’s or A-Rod’s postseason performance as I have complete faith in both players.
The Yanks COULD be done after four games in the ALDS. But I’d be willing to bet with you that they’re not.