Nick Punto & Mo Rivera
Posted by Steve L. on October 8th, 2009 · Comments (1)
It’s All In The Spin
Posted by MJ Recanati on October 8th, 2009 · Comments (10)
ESPN.com just published the following story. I’m nearly certain that every major sports news site will try to paint it as evidence of dischord and disharmony in the Yankee clubhouse, a place that is famously described as “corporate” and “tense” whenever it’s convenient for a writer to do so.
But if you drown out the background noise and read the important part of this story, you’ll really like what AJ Burnett says here.
I’ve thrown good to both [catchers]. My good games, I’m right. My bad games, it’s not the catcher, it’s me … When I’m good, it doesn’t matter which one is behind the plate.
Look at that, folks! AJ Burnett took responsibility for his failures (Joba, take notes; this is how it’s done, son). I’ll bet no ESPN scribe would ever point that out, as it would interfere with their effort to portray Burnett as a renegade clubhouse back-stabber.
It’s making me out to be the bad guy again…And obviously Jorge’s upset. He’s a big part of this team. He’s a leader on and off the field and hopefully his mind will be right to get in there and get a pinch hit when the time comes.
I love this Burnett guy. I hope he lights up the radar gun and tosses zeroes. I hope he teaches the mainstream sports media a lesson at the Twins’ expense.
How’s that for some rah-rah fanboy stuff on an off-day?
-Posted by MJ
Gardenhire On A-Rod’s ALDS Game 1 Ribbie
Posted by Steve L. on October 8th, 2009 · Comments (12)
Via La Velle E. Neal:
Thanks to Mike Herman of the Twins baseball communications department, we were able to grab Twins manager Ron Gardenhire following his main press conference to get more details on Jesse Crain’s sore groin muscle.
But it led to some interesting stuff from the Twins manager about Game 1 and the state of his team.
Brian Duensing’s pitch to Alex Rodriguez was the moment that jumped out at him the most. He said pitching coach Rick Anderson told Duensing to be careful with the All-Star because the chances were good that he would chase something off the plate. But Duensing grooved a pitch.
“We gave up A-Rod’s first (postseason) RBI in five years,” he said. “Chrysler.”
Classic.
Maybe we can get Jerry Van Dyke to now star in a sitcom called “My A-Rod The K-Car”?
Lupica: Yanks = $ And Expectations
Posted by Steve L. on October 8th, 2009 · Comments (11)
Some good stuff from Mike Lupica today -
Here was Derek Jeter standing next to Reggie Jackson behind home plate, nine World Series titles between them, six with the Yankees, two of the greatest winners the old Stadium ever saw.
They were in the new Yankee Stadium with the same kind of red-white-and-blue bunting we always expected on the other side of the street; trimmings for a sports pageant – Yankees postseason baseball – that seems as old as the game, almost as old as the city.
Jackson, who hit three home runs to close out the 1977 Series, back when hitting home runs at Yankee Stadium was a bit more challenging, put it this way before another baseball October officially begins for the Yankees:
“Par here is making it to the World Series.”
The Yankees are never just happy to be here. They are not just happy to be one of the eight teams in the tournament. The Yankees are supposed to make it back to the World Series this year for the first time since 2003, win it for the first time since they beat the Mets in 2000.
The Yankees sell two things on 161st St., no matter on which side of 161st St. they’re playing: They sell history with both hands and they sell winning. But you can only sell so much history. And when the Yankees and their fans talk about winning, they don’t just mean the 103 games they won in the regular season.
“It’s not how they keep score here,” Jackson said.
As one Yankee said yesterday, “Maybe the real MVPs in the American League are Hal and Hank Steinbrenner for letting (general manager Brian) Cashman spend nearly half a billion on those three players last winter.”
They have been the best team before over the first 162. And somehow, even spending $200 million on talent every year, the only team in their sport to spend that way, always nearly $50 million clear of the field, they haven’t made it out of the first round of the playoffs since 2004.
The money is different here, the talent level is different, so is the history, so are the expectations.
So, if the Yankees don’t make it to the World Series this year, will it be open season on the team and/or front office? What do you think?
October 7th Vs. The Twins
Posted by Steve L. on October 7th, 2009 · Comments (25)
I’m not sure why I feel this way…but…I think Kate Hudson was at this game.
Really, TBS, did you have to show her that many times? The George “Big Head” Lopez promos…sure…that…I understand. But, unless Kate Hudson has a new show coming up on their network, there was really no need to show her that many times, was there? (She’s still “Kate Hudson,” right? Or, do we have to start calling her “Aaaa…Bee-Star…for Aaaa-Rod!” yet?)
Moving on to the game…hey…it all went according to script, huh? The Yankees best starting pitcher faced the Twins most inexperienced starting pitcher and New York beat Minny, 7-2.
Sure, you may want to say that the Twins were exhausted, playing that crazy game on Tuesday, and getting into New York after 3 AM on game day. And, sure, you may want to say that, in reality, with just a couple of key hits here and there – not many, just a couple – and a few less at’em liners by Twins batters, then this contest is a lot closer than the five-run win for the Yanks.
But, the heck with that, right? CC Sabathia, despite throwing what seemed like too many pitches, got the job done – and his numbers would have looked even better if Jorge Posada didn’t have a nightmare evening behind the plate. Phil Hughes got a big out in the seventh. Everybody drafted by the Yankees since 2002 except for Ian Kennedy got to pitch in the eighth inning. And, even Alex Rodriguez had a couple of RBI singles! How ’bout that! And, of course, there was the Godzilla homer. Hideki Matsui is truly beloved by his teammates. Man, is he going to be missed. (Speaking of missed, between Sabathia in this game and Cliff Lee in the Phillies game…yikes…it must hurt to be a Tribe fan today.) Outside of the aforementioned Posada and Mo Rivera throwing too many pitches in a non-save situation, all was great in Yankeeland today.
Oh, that’s right, Derek Jeter had a big game today too. How silly of me to forget…for a moment.
O.K., now, here’s the deal. The Yankees win this one, Game One, by a score of seven to two. And, that’s enough to make the rest of your Wednesday a happy time – and carry over some into Thursday as well. But, let us not forget…
In 2005, the Yankees won Game One of the ALDS by a score of four to two. And, in 2006, the Yankees won Game One of the ALDS by a score of of eight to four. And, we know how those two ALDS ended, don’t we?
So, here’s what the Yankees now need to do: DO NOT ALLOW THE TWINS TO WIN A GAME IN THIS ALDS – NOT ONE.
Remember Game Two of the 2005 ALDS? How about Game Two of the 2006 ALDS? Shoot, what about Game Two of the 2002 ALDS? Or, Game Four of the 2003 World Series? Heck, while we’re at it, what about Game Six of the 2001 World Series and Game Four of the 2004 ALCS?
When you have a team down on the ground and your foot is clamped down on their throat, you better finish them off…because, sometimes, if you let them win one game…just one win…that little bit of daylight becomes just what they need to recharge and spring back at you.
No pressure, A.J., really, no pressure…but, whatever you do, don’t allow the Twins to get back off the mat in Game Two, please…pretty, pretty, please. O.K.?
WasWatching.com Water Cooler Talk 10/7/09 – ALDS Game One Edition
Posted by Steve L. on October 7th, 2009 · Comments (21)
Click here for more information about this entry.
So, how are you feeling today? Excited? Nervous? A little of both?
Me? I’m both – but, that’s standard Yankees October Baseball Mode for me…
New Jeter Life…Of Riley
Posted by Steve L. on October 7th, 2009 · Comments (3)
Rob Neyer highlights Ian O’Connor’s feature on this today. A snip:
On the recommendation of [Derek] Jeter’s agent, Casey Close, [performance trainer Jason] Riley pieced together a program of drills, and the shortstop started performing them in the first week of January 2008. Cone drills. Shuffle drills. Resistance drills.
Well, it’s not up there with having nunchuck skills, bowhunting skills, computer hacking skills, etc.
But, it seems that these drills have done Jeter good, no?
Wind – ALDS Game 1 – 10th Man For Yanks, Or, This Year’s Midge?
Posted by Steve L. on October 7th, 2009 · Comments (0)
The Bronx weather forecast for this evening calls for 24 MPH winds, gusting to 42 MPH, blowing out of the ballpark.
Will this help the Yankees, or, will it hurt? Probably depends on which team’s pitchers keep the ball out of the air…
Why Twins Will Give Yanks A Good Fight
Posted by Steve L. on October 7th, 2009 · Comments (17)
The Yankees played the Twins seven times this season – and won all seven games. But, let’s look at those games:
Cnt Date Tm Opp Reslt INN +----+-------------+---+----+-------+----+ 1 2009-07-09 NYY MIN W 6-4 9 2 2009-07-08 NYY MIN W 4-3 9 3 2009-07-07 NYY MIN W 10-2 9 4 2009-05-18 NYY MIN W 7-6 9 5 2009-05-17 NYY MIN W 3-2 10 6 2009-05-16 NYY MIN W 6-4 11 7 2009-05-15 NYY MIN W 5-4 9
What do you see here? Four of these seven games were very close – being one-run wins. Six of these seven games were decided by two runs or less. And, two of those six games went into extra innings.
So, while the Yankees took all seven games from the Twins this season, these were very close contests.
Next, how did these two teams trend out to end the season?
In their last 21 games of the 2009 season, the Yankees went 12-9.
In their last 21 games of the 2009 season, the Twins went 17-4.
Therefore, the Twins were the “hotter” team towards the end of the season this year.
Of course, the Twins are heading into this ALDS tired and spent whereas the Yankees are rested and have been prepping for this series for the last three weeks (or longer). That said, the Twins are probably very happy that they will have off-days on Thursday and Saturday this week.
And, I don’t think the Twins are sweating the Yankees as much as some people think they should be…and I hope the Yankees don’t think they’re going to “steamroll” their way past the Twins in this ALDS – because, this season, these teams kept their games close; and, the Twins have been playing outstanding baseball lately (when the Yankees were not playing at that same level).
Who Is Brian Duensing?
Posted by Steve L. on October 7th, 2009 · Comments (6)
Brian Duensing is the little lefty rookie pitcher who will face the Yankees in Game One of the 2009 ALDS.
He was taken in the 3rd round of the 2005 draft by the Twins – out of the University of Nebraska. Duensing was a college teammate of Zach Kroenke that season – who was taken by the Yankees later in that same draft. Joba Chamberlain and Alex Gordon also played on that 2005 University of Nebraska team.
Here are his Triple-A stats from the last two seasons:
| Year | Age | Tm | Lg | Lev | Aff | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | WHIP | SO/BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 25 | Rochester | IL | AAA | MIN | 5 | 11 | 4.28 | 25 | 24 | 0 | 138.2 | 150 | 66 | 16 | 34 | 77 | 1.327 | 2.26 |
| 2009 | 26 | Rochester | IL | AAA | MIN | 4 | 6 | 4.66 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 75.1 | 87 | 39 | 2 | 19 | 44 | 1.407 | 2.32 |
While that doesn’t appear impressive, in his last 7 big leauge starts this season, from August 22nd through September 29th, Duensing had an ERA of 2.64 in 47.6 IP while allowing a BA/OBA/SLG line of .268/.328/.352 (facing 197 batters in the process).
It will be interesting to see how the 26-year old does under the pressure of facing the Yankees, in the Bronx, during the post-season.
CoolStandings.com: ’09 ALDS – Yanks In 4
Posted by Steve L. on October 7th, 2009 · Comments (2)
They’re saying the Yankees have a Win Probability of 59.8% – at this moment – for the ALDS.
And, here’s what they say about the other LDS:
Angels – Win Probability 51.3%
Dodgers – Win Probability 56.6%
Phillies – Win Probability 53.9%
So, the Yankees have the highest Win Probability going into the LDS this year…for what it’s worth…according to CoolStandings.com.
Setting The Bar For CC In ALDS Game One
Posted by Steve L. on October 6th, 2009 · Comments (2)
Since 2007, CC Sabathia has started against the Minnesota Twins seven times and has never had a game against them where he’s faced less than 25 batters in the process. Further, in these seven games, Sabathia has never allowed more than two earned runs in any of these contests.
In the last seven times Sabathia has faced the Twins, he’s thrown at least seven innings in the game while allowing one earned run or less in the game five times.
There is no debate. Since 2007, CC Sabathia has dominated the Minnesota Twins during the regular season. He will face them in the post-season for the first time, ever, in Game One of the 2009 ALDS.
Has Cashman Improved Yanks Pitching In 2009?
Posted by Steve L. on October 6th, 2009 · Comments (22)
An e-mail came in to WasWatching.com HQ today from a “reader” that brought cause for some further analysis. I say “reader” – and not “fan” – since the e-mail started off by calling me a Yankees-hater, and some other less than sweet things, because I’ve been critical (my word, not theirs) of Brian Cashman’s work as Yankees G.M.
Now, that aside, in attempt to support their “presentation,” the author of the e-mail claimed that Cashman, this season, has built the “best pitching staff [in New York] since 2003.” And, that remark got my attention.
Why? Simple…I wanted to know if it was true or not. And, this is what I found:
Number of “Quality Starts” -
2009 Yankees: 76
2003 Yankees: 96
Winner: 2003 Yankees
Number of Starting Pitchers with 200+ IP -
2009 Yankees: 2
2003 Yankees: 4
Winner: 2003 Yankees
Number of Pitchers with “RSAA > 0 and INNINGS PITCHED >= 50″ -
via the Complete Baseball Encyclopedia…
2003 Yankees RSAA IP 1 Mike Mussina 23 214.2 2 Mariano Rivera 21 70.2 T3 Chris Hammond 10 63 T3 Roger Clemens 10 211.2 T5 Andy Pettitte 8 208.1 T5 Jose Contreras 8 71 7 David Wells 5 213 8 Antonio Osuna 3 50.2
2009 Yankees RSAA IP 1 C.C. Sabathia 26 230 2 Mariano Rivera 19 66.1 3 Phil Hughes 13 86 T4 Alfredo Aceves 8 84 T4 A.J. Burnett 8 207 6 Andy Pettitte 5 194.2
Winner: 2003 Yankees
I could keep going…but the answer will keep being the same: The pitching staff of the 2009 Yankees is nowhere close to being as good as the pitching staff of the 2003 Yankees.
Of course, this leads to the question: Where does this current Yankees pitching staff sit – compared to other recent Yankees pitching staffs? To address that, I returned to the CBE which provided this leader board:
TEAM YEAR RSAA IP
1 Yankees 1998 102 1456.2
2 Yankees 1997 78 1467.2
3 Yankees 2002 76 1452
4 Yankees 2001 71 1451.1
5 Yankees 1996 60 1440
6 Yankees 2000 54 1424.1
7 Yankees 2003 50 1462
8 Yankees 1999 40 1439.1
9 Yankees 2007 30 1446
10 Yankees 2008 28 1441.2
11 Yankees 2009 19 1450
12 Yankees 2005 -11 1430.2
13 Yankees 2006 -14 1443.2
14 Yankees 2004 -41 1443.2
It’s clear: This current pitching staff, built by Cashman, is better than the 2004-2005-2006 disaster pitching staffs built by Brian Cashman. But, this year’s model is not as good as the Yankees staffs from the two seasons before it (2008 and 2007) – in terms of saving runs above average. And, it’s not nearly as good as those 1996-2003 pitching staffs featured in Yankeeland.
The “reader” did not share their basis for this claim that Cashman has built the “best pitching staff [in New York] since 2003.” Maybe they made it up? But, anyone who wants to make that claim is ignoring the stats and the facts and just blowing nonsense out their pie hole.
In any event, thanks for the e-mail – as it helped establish another reason why those who want to credit Brian Cashman for a job well-done this season are just pushing hype.
And It Will Be The Twins To Face The Yankees…
Posted by Steve L. on October 6th, 2009 · Comments (24)
Well, that has to be one of the greatest one-game tie-breaker play-ins ever…right? And, as a Yankees fan, can you ask for for anything more…all those nail-biting innings…and extra frames…etc. The Twinkies will be coming into New York on fumes.
Actually, I’m happy for the Twins. I have no beef with the Tigers. But, I’m a fan of Minnesota’s front office (outside of their ownership). I think Ron Gardenhire is a great old-school manager. The team plays sound and fundamental baseball. There are some really good guys on the team like Michael Cuddyer and Joe Nathan – just to name two. Also, my friend Rob – who is as great a baseball fan as anyone can be – is originally from Minnesota and is a Twins fan…so, I’m happy for him.
Do I want the Twins to beat the Yankees now in the ALDS? No, of course not. But, I can be happy for them making this great comeback – and forcing this game…and then winning it.
Now, it gets interesting. The Twins are white-hot, winning 17 of their last 21 games (including this one). But, historically, the Yankees own them. So, which trend will “win” out now – history or the hot-streak?
While I still feel that there’s no excuse for the Yankees to not beat the Twins in the ALDS, if Minnesota can manage to win just one of the first two games of this series, it could be interesting. Taking one in New York this week makes the series then “best two of three” with the Twins then having the homefield advantage. And, as you saw today, the Metrodome can get loud…plus, there’s that roof and turf. The playing field is not as “marbles in a bathtub” bad as it used to be…but, it’s not going to help the Yankees defense at short and in the outfield corners…for sure.
This ALDS could be interesting, indeed.
WasWatching.com Water Cooler Talk 10/6/09
Posted by Steve L. on October 6th, 2009 · Comments (35)
Click here for more information about this entry.
Committed, Or Should Be?
Posted by Steve L. on October 6th, 2009 · Comments (9)
Today, this blog is 1,630 days old. And, in that time, there have been 8,155 posts made to the blog – prior to this one. And, 99.99% of those posts have been made by me.
What’s that average out to? It’s 5 posts per day, everyday, for the last four years, five months, and two weeks.
How many hours of my life has been spent doing this? It has to be at least 2,000 – probably more. Actually, if you told me it was 3,000 hours, I wouldn’t be able to defend against it.
O.K., I’ll just hang up now and listen to your reaction to that…
Molina To Catch Burnett In ALDS
Posted by Steve L. on October 6th, 2009 · Comments (11)
And, Jorge Posada is not happy about it:
“I just hope we win that game,” Posada said. “That’s all I’ve got to say.” He added, “It’s not like I didn’t see it coming.”
Ouch.
Old Yanks Speak About Current Yanks
Posted by Steve L. on October 6th, 2009 · Comments (7)
Mike Mussina, Paul O’Neill, Moose Skowron, Mel Stottlemyre, Ralph Terry, and Roy White talked to TSN about our currnet Yankees. Here are some highlights:
Alex Rodriguez’s Yankee playoff batting average is .245. Think he’ll top .300 this postseason?
Terry: “Probably not, because he’ll be facing premier pitchers in the playoffs. However, he seems to be hitting the hard throwers better. I’m sure he’ll be eager to do well. Never underestimate great players.”
Skowron: “No way.”
Robinson Cano is a dangerous — but underrated — hitter in the Yankees’ lineup. Who’s the Yankee you want up with two outs in the ninth in a big playoff game?
Stottlemyre: “Derek Jeter. He still has the ability to get the job done, and his desire and attitude are the best.”
O’Neill: “I’m still very confident with Derek Jeter in those situations. Some things never change.”
Mussina: “Mark Teixeira.”
White: “Robinson Cano.”
What’s the one area that worries you most about these Yankees?
Stottlemyre: “Can the pitching staff step up to allow the offense to score runs? Pitching must carry them in the playoffs.”
O’Neill: “The pressure of winning this many games and not finishing with a World Series win. The season becomes sort of a failure.”
Terry: “Catching. (Jorge) Posada is a big key. I hope he’s healthy. Him being in the lineup really makes them more dangerous.”
Skowron: “Nick Swisher.”
Who’s the most underrated Yankee?
Stottlemyre: “Mark Teixeira. He has lived up to the big contract and has played great defense along with his hitting.”
O’Neill: “Tie — Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano.”
Mussina: “Either Melky or Phil Hughes.”
Skowron: “Cano.”
Interest stuff, eh? How about you? What would be your answers to these questions?
In October, The Pen Is Mightier Than All?
Posted by Steve L. on October 5th, 2009 · Comments (5)
David Schoenfield, at ESPN.com, has an interesting look at what works when you want a ring. Some snips:
Since 1969 (the start of the division-play era) only three teams have won a World Series with their closer owning an ERA over 3.00. That’s three out of 39 World Series champions. Your odds aren’t good if your ninth-inning guy isn’t great.
Of the 56 teams to make the playoffs since the Division Series began in 1995, 30 had a closer with an ERA over 3.00 (and two more had no set closer entering the playoffs).
Only five of those 32 teams reached the World Series: the 1996 Braves (Mark Wohlers, 3.03); the 1997 Marlins (Robb Nen, 3.89); the 2006 Cardinals (Adam Wainwright, 3.12); the 2006 Tigers (Todd Jones, 3.94); and the 2008 Rays (no set closer).
So, while more than 50 percent of all playoff teams since 1995 had a closer with an ERA over 3.00, only 15 percent of them made the World Series.
Still not convinced that this 3.00 threshold is important?
During Division Series play, the team with the better regular-season record actually has a losing record, at 26-28. The team that scored more runs per game in the regular season has gone just 22-32. Meanwhile, the team with the closer who had a better ERA has gone 29-24 and the team with the better cumulative bullpen ERA has gone 33-23. Those series records are even slightly better than teams that had the better ERA from their starters.
A few caveats: The more sabermetrically inclined will protest at the simplicity of the study, that adjustments should be made for home park or that cause and effect hasn’t been proved. Also, it’s possible that over time these comparisons will even out (maybe the higher-scoring teams will win their next 10 series, for example).
But 14 years of results indicate — arguably — that a good bullpen is a better predictor of playoff success than a team’s win-loss record or its offense.
What’s perhaps even more surprising is that the bullpen numbers have been a slightly better predictor than a team’s starting rotation.
So, how do the A.L. bullpens look, right now, with only one more game outstanding in the league (between the Twins and Tigers)? Here are the stats:
TEAM W L ERA G SV IP WHIP SO/9 SO/BB OAK 24 23 3.54 488 38 559.1 1.26 8.3 2.64 BOS 27 17 3.80 463 41 479.0 1.40 8.2 2.08 SEA 27 30 3.83 410 49 491.1 1.34 6.8 1.87 MIN 24 20 3.88 473 48 512.1 1.36 7.1 1.95 NYY 40 17 3.91 461 51 515.0 1.25 8.4 2.43 TEX 19 19 3.95 436 45 485.0 1.32 7.8 2.15 TBR 26 23 3.98 510 41 457.1 1.33 7.1 2.04 CHW 22 22 4.06 415 36 469.2 1.44 8.3 2.29 TOR 17 30 4.08 445 25 487.0 1.36 7.5 2.07 DET 26 21 4.32 435 42 485.1 1.45 7.0 1.53 LAA 27 23 4.49 434 51 483.1 1.46 7.4 1.92 CLE 20 24 4.66 445 25 519.0 1.43 7.7 1.85 BAL 20 29 4.83 484 31 551.1 1.53 6.5 1.72 KCR 16 26 5.02 426 34 477.0 1.55 7.8 1.69
It’s pretty close there between the pens for the Bosox, Twins and Yankees, no? Prittay, prittay, close…
More Of Less From A-Rod In This LDS?
Posted by Steve L. on October 5th, 2009 · Comments (25)
While you can expect to hear these statistics a million times between now and Wednesday, everywhere, let me share them here anyway…
Below is Alex Rodriguez’ post-season cumulative “offensive” contribution to the Yankees since Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS:
PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG 76 5 9 1 0 2 3 11 19 .148 .316 .262
Yeah, yeah, I know…this is a new and different A-Rod this season, right?
But…wait…isn’t that what many said after the 2005 and 2007 seasons too? You know, when Alex was the league MVP and played like he was from another planet…during the regular season?
And, what happened in the 2005 and 2007 ALDS those years?
Oh…that’s right…Rodriguez played like he had an over-sized corn dog lodged in his throat…the whole time. So, should we expect any different performance from A-Rod in this ALDS?
Personally, it would not shock me to see him again allow the pressure of the post-season to get to him and then squeeze his bat handle so tight that it turns to sawdust…because that’s what we’ve seen in his last 76 post-season plate appearances…
But, that’s me. How do you think A-Rod will perform in this ALDS for the Yankees?
WasWatching.com Water Cooler Talk 10/5/09
Posted by Steve L. on October 5th, 2009 · Comments (35)
Click here for more information about this entry.
Wild Thought: Messing With Post-Season Flow
Posted by Steve L. on October 5th, 2009 · Comments (9)
Today’s wild thought is about post-season off-days and rain-outs. We know that the Yankees are off today and tomorrow. And, after Game One of the 2009 ALDS, they have another off-day. This is followed by Game Two on Friday – and that’s followed by another off-day. Oh, and, by the way, for the two days that the Yankees play at home this week, Wednesday and Friday, there’s some rain in the weather forecast.
Maybe this is just a gut feeling thing, and totally subjective, and somewhat off-base, but, I always felt that off-days and rain-outs have worked against the Yankees in the last four post-season series that they have played over the last five years. I recall, after the 2004 ALCS and 2006 ALDS, lamenting, in retrospect, about how things might have been different if certain games had not been rained-out. And, I want to say there was at least one other ALDS – 2005? – where it seemed like a break in the series sort of stopped some momentum or enabled the other team to bring back a better pitcher…but, this could just be me, as Roger Clemens likes to say, misremembering it.
In any event, how do you feel about all these off-days for the Yankees in this ALDS? Sure, it enables them to skip starting Joba Chamberlain. But, does it also allow the Twins or Tigers to somewhat recover from their play-in game tomorrow as well – allowing them to start a pitcher in Game 2 that maybe might not have been available if Games One and Two were on back-to-back days? Or, maybe it helps them come back in Game Three with a better pitcher? Maybe both?
All these off-days, whether planned or due to weather, just seem to mess with the flow of the series…or, is that just me? What do you think?
Twins/Tigers Vs. Yankees In ’09 ALDS – Who Has What Edge?
Posted by Steve L. on October 5th, 2009 · Comments (3)
How do the Twins and Tigers compare against the Yankees this season – in terms of personnel and performance? Well, here’s my opinion…providing grades on a scale of one to ten…with ten being the highest grade possible…
Week 26 – 2009
Posted by Steve L. on October 4th, 2009 · Comments (7)
What stands out the most in my mind, this past week, is that the Yankees had six meaningless games against the Royals and Rays, and went 3-3 playing them, in a period of time that seemed to take forever to pass by…
…really…
…it was very hard to have any interest in these games…outside of having the hope that no one on the Yankees got injured playing these contests.
And, now, it’s over…finally.
Next up: The first two games of the ALDS, to be played in the Bronx, next Wednesday and Friday – at 6:07 p.m. ET, each day. (Yeah, a six o’clock start – nice break for the kiddies…but a bit of a bummer for us working-stiffs.)
Actually, this is going to be very strange week coming up…with no Yankees baseball to watch sans those two games. Nada on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Zip, zero, zilch…
Very strange, indeed…
October 4th @ The Rays
Posted by Steve L. on October 4th, 2009 · Comments (33)
Missed this one. Too nice not to be outside enjoying a Sunday on a day like today. Took the family for a nice lunch and then some browsing. So, everything I know about this one comes from after-the-fact reports.
First, from what I can tell, that IBB to Mark Teixeira in the sixth inning was bush league. And, those on the Rays who made that call should now come down with a pox, if there’s such a thing as baseball karma…
And, yes, A-Rod made them pay…and good for him…well, sorta/kinda.
Leave it to Alex Rodriguez to hit two homeruns and drive in seven in one inning – setting a new A.L. record for most RBI in an inning – in an absolute “garbage time” situation…meaning game #162 and facing a rookie, Wade Davis, and a guy who can’t get anyone out this year, Andy Sonnanstine. Truly…seriously…the only guys who have been worse than Sonnanstine, this year in the A.L., are Jason Berken and Fausto Carmona. (Well, maybe you can throw Luke Hochevar and Derek Holland in there too?)
Now, on to the most important news of the day: The news about the race for the A.L. Central.
Could the ALDS be set up any better, now, for the Yankees? First, they get to face the weakest seed in the A.L. post-season – and don’t have to worry about the Red Sox or Angels until the ALCS. And, whichever team they face, albeit the Tigers or Twins, their opponent will be running on fumes.
Oh, my stars and garters, if the Yankees somehow manage to now screw up the ALDS…well, it will be very ugly, for sure.
WasWatching.com Water Cooler Talk 10/4/09
Posted by Steve L. on October 4th, 2009 · Comments (0)
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How Important Is Johnny Damon?
Posted by Steve L. on October 4th, 2009 · Comments (5)
This season, through the Yankees first 161 games in 2009, when Johnny Damon reaches base two times or more in a game, New York’s record is 52-21.
And, when Damon reaches base one time or less in a game, the Yankees record is 38-31.
Yanks To Use Joba In Pen During ALDS?
Posted by Steve L. on October 3rd, 2009 · Comments (4)
Via Bryan Hoch:
For at least one day, the Yankees are putting Joba Chamberlain back in the bullpen.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that the club has reconsidered its stance and plans to take a look at Chamberlain for one inning of relief in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Rays, in what could be an audition for a playoff roster spot.
“I think it can give you a better idea of what you’re going to get,” Girardi said. “Will it be necessarily what you’re going to get during a series? It may not tell you that. But I think it will give you a better idea.”
“It’s not something new, so I have a plan on what I’m going to do to get ready, because I’ve done it before,” Chamberlain said. “That’s the advantage that I have. It’s just coming to the ballpark and having the idea that you’re probably going to pitch in the game.”
His recent track record has made it a near-lock that the Yankees will select the longer ALDS schedule, providing an off-day that will keep Chamberlain from needing to start. Girardi said that Chamberlain could be used as either a long reliever or for a shorter burst in the playoffs.
“We might use him for a couple of hitters tomorrow just to see how he reacts,” Girardi said. “He feels good right now. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow. He’s in that mix and that’s something that we’re going to take a look at.”
Girardi said that he would be paying attention to how quickly Chamberlain warms up, as well as the results of the short stint and his approach on the mound.
“Everything that you would want to know if we were going to bring him in for an inning, what he would do,” Girardi said.
My first reaction when I heard this news? A clear flashback to this game. And, that was followed by a flashback to this game.
October 3rd @ The Rays
Posted by Steve L. on October 3rd, 2009 · Comments (1)
Including this loss, since September 11th, the Yankees are painting an interesting picture:
- From September 11th through September 20th, New York went 4-5 playing mostly against the O’s, Jays and M’s.
- Then, from September 21st through September 27th, New York went 5-1 against the Angels and Red Sox.
- And, since September 28th, now, the Yankees are 2-3 while facing the Royals and Rays.
Now, granted, going into September 11th, the Yankees had a 9 game lead in the A.L. East. So, maybe, they decided to autocruise it back at that time – sans the games against L.A. and Boston, just to prove a point – and they’re going to kick it into high-gear again when the post-season starts? I dunno…for sure.
But, I hope that’s the case…and we’ll find out soon enough, won’t we?
Who Will Yanks Face In ALDS?
Posted by Steve L. on October 3rd, 2009 · Comments (4)
Can it get any better than this?
The Twins are starting to look like the 1988 Dodgers…and that scares me…does it make the 2009 Yankees to be the 1988 Mets?
