Game 27: Death by southpaw

April 28, 2008 by Benjamin Kabak 113 Comments

Oh, lefties, how the Yankees hate you.

While the Yankee offense has sputtered all season, against lefties, their numbers are particularly brutal. In a combined 186 at bats, the Yanks are hitting .247/.325/.339 against lefties. They’ve managed just three home runs off of southpaws and just nine extra-base hits overall. Against righties, the team is hitting a not-quite-so-robust .267/.332/.454 in 692 at bats.

So after facing a tough lefty yesterday and managing just one run on four hits, the Yanks are in for yet another lefty starter. Tonight, they’re facing Aaron Laffey, a soft-throwing lefty making his 10th Major League start and first against the Bombers. Laffey’s a high-80s guy with a decent sinker. I hope it’s not one of those games where I want to hurl my TV out the window by the end of the third inning.

To counter Laffey, the Yanks are turning to none other than Mike Mussina. Moose threw a great game against Chicago last week. Can he put together back-to-back starts against good-hitting teams? Time will tell. The weather — a game-time temperature of 47 degrees — does not bode well.

Meanwhile, it seems as though Chris Stewart, the Yanks’ fourth-string catcher, will don number 38. I’m not sure what Chris Britton will take in his place, but I do expect fans of Matt Nokes and 1984 Jose Rijo to boo Stewart tomorrow night at the stadium. How dare he takes Randy Choates’ old number? (For more on Stewart, check out this profile.)

Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez DH
Giambi 1B
Matsui LF
Ensberg 3B
Cano 2B
Molina C

Mussina P

Game Notes: The Shelley Duncan two-day experiment is over. Jason Giambi — 0 for 10 against lefties this year — is in the lineup, and Hideki Matsui‘s two-day vacation is over…RAB is now tabloid-free. Find out more in this post.

http://www.myspace.com/j_panama Jamal G.

YES showed a little stat about Mike Mussina’s splits this year vs. the Red Sox and all other AL teams (TOR/TB/CWS). So I decided to dig a little deeper and what I found was pretty damn encouraging.

In three starts up against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay …Rays and the Chicago White Sox Mussina has these numbers:

18.2IP-14H-6ER-4HR-8:4 K:B-30:17 GO:AO.

The ground out to fly out ratio is impressive because it means that two seamer Moose has been featuring this year has been real effective. In his first two starts this year against Toronto and Tampa Bay he has a 22:7 GO:AO which is just amazing. He is also 2-1 with a 2.89ERA with a opponents’ batting average against of a smidgen over .200.

So we can basically agree that any offense other than the Red Sox and Tigers will be of no worrying issue to Mike Mussina. I know it’s a very small sample size but you can’t ignore a 22:7 GO:AO in those first two starts and a 30:17 overall in the non-Boston starts.
http://www.myspace.com/j_panama Jamal G.

I think I might watch this game via ESPN just to be entertained by the utter ignorance and idiocy of Steve Phillips.
http://www.myspace.com/j_panama Jamal G.

You know what’s funny, we’re going to face a fourth LHP in a row in Kenny Rogers. Then a couple games after that I believe Nate Robertson takes the mound. Luckily, we do miss Justin verlander in the next series if I am not mistaken.
http://www.magicball.net Double-J

Melky Cabrera = OBP machine.
nefarious jackson

so, was that a typical Melky AB Mike A…
RichYF

Derek “GiDP” Jeter.
- RichYF
  
  Derek “463” Jeter
  Derek “643” Jeter
  
  I dunno which one is more accurate
dan

dammit I was hoping to see Jamal do an entire game thread by himself
http://www.magicball.net Double-J

A-Rod = Anti-Clutch. :p
Joe

I could’ve sworn that shot by Giambi was gone. Damn.
KW

I love the avis commercial, freakin hilarious
http://www.magicball.net Double-J

Our team needs some Cocoa RiSP so we can get hits with runners on.
Chip

I miss Shelley
Pedro

We could learn a few things from the Giants’ offense.
Pedro

It’s gonna be painful to watch Moose pitch to Pronk. Let’s hope he keeps the ball on this galaxy.
- Pedro
  
  I totally take it back. Moose owns him!
- Ivan
  
  Well it was painful…….for Hafner. Boy Hafner hasn’t been the same since 06. Whats up.
  - Newman
    
    JUICE
KW

Moose may be loose!
Ivan

Pat Riley officially retiring from coaching…….until the heat gets championship team.
http://www.magicball.net Double-J

Maybe Moose is improving since the squirrel game last year? I wonder Bullwinkle’s splits are pre-/post-Rocky’s appearance on the foul pole. :-p
Newman

Why the hell is Cano playing in all these games against lefties when he’s mired in a god awful slump? What is Girardi thinking? Give him a blow
- http://www.magicball.net Double-J
  
  Because apparently it’s okay to bench one of our hottest hitters (Matsui) for the last couple of games since he’s had bad numbers, but Cano gets a pass for some reason, even though he’s colder than a witch’s tit.
  - Newman
    
    Witch’s tit, I like that
    - http://www.magicball.net Double-J
      
      The Hollywood Knights, baby. IMDB it. It’s much better than it gets credit for. :D
  - steve (different one)
    
    yes, playing a fantastic defensive 2Bman through a slump is EXACTLY the same thing as sitting Matsui when the guy he shares his position with, Damon, is equally hot.
    
    so yes, Cano gets a pass.
    
    because he plays defense.
Ivan

Boy Espn just like miling that bug game. ESPN just making fun of the yanks uh.
Chip

Wow Jeter looked horrible right there
Chip

Moose!
Number 27

Who is this pitcher and what has he done with mike mussina?
- http://www.magicball.net Double-J
  
  Maybe he finally got his AARP card? :p
- http://www.myspace.com/j_panama Jamal G.
  
  Read the first post of this thread.
  - http://www.magicball.net Double-J
    
    Sarcasm much?
Chip

Another bad play by Jeter
Chip

Man, if Jeter can’t field he should at least be a few feet taller to get the line drive :)
Chip

The only reason righties are having such a good success against Moose is because Manny is right handed
Chip

68 MPH HEAT!!!!
Newman

Girardi can give us his schpiel all he wants about Giambi, he is an atrocious first baseman who is going to cost us in a big spot
- KW
  
  It’s a tradeoff between offense and defense
  
  right now, who can play a better 1b regardless?
Xavier

When Posada hurt his shoulder earlier this year he was still able to play first and hit. You think if the shoulder injury is “long term” the yankees would keep him from catching all year and just use his bat and have him play at first and dh
Ivan

Onley reports that the Giants will move remove Zito from the rotation and place him in the bullpen. That contract just keeps getting better and better and better for the Giants uh. One of the worst contracts in sports
http://www.thebronxzoo.wordpress.com iYankees

Do the Yanks even have a hit yet?
- Chip
  
  Nope, this is getting frustrating
Chip

I’d like to see Posada spend some time over at first, he still has the bat to play there
carlo

Again A”K”-Rod killed the rally in the first….. pop-out with runners in 1st and 3rd 1 out…. .136 Avg. with runners in scoring position…. WOW thats what they are considering one of the greatest player…. There is a great player, but then there is a GREAT YANKEE PLAYER…. A “K”-Rod is the the first one…..
- steve (different one)
  
  it’s been 23 ABs. relax.
Jon

I believe Chris Britton is wearing #47 right now, previously worn by the great Ron Villone.
http://www.thebronxzoo.wordpress.com iYankees

Girardi should have had Damon in there. It doesn’t matter who’s pitching but Damon is hitting everything right now.
Chip

Don’t throw the fastball 3-1 Moose, please!
- Chip
  
  Bad move, he’s lucky he got away with the fastball right down the pipe
Chip

Is it bad that I hold my breath everytime a ball is hit hard to short?
- steve (different one)
  
  probably, your organs need oxygen
Number 27

what is pabe’s deal over at his blog? his sarcastic disclaimers to every post seem a little much. take it easy buddy. get defensive much?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
  
  I stole this from Mike.
  
  It’s in response to this Phil Allard piece at NYYFans.com.
  - Number 27
    
    thanks for that. i hadn’t seen it.
    
    so is pete being defensive about being criticized for being defensive in response to criticism? I don’t get it.
    
    phil allard has some pretty legit points. I mean, I (as I’m sure all of you do) check out pete’s blog at constant intervals throughout the day and as such, am grateful for the information he provides. but man can his commentary be grating…
Chip

only 63 pitches seen through 5 innings? These are not the Yankees of years past and is just another reason we need Bobby back next year IMO
mustang

Can someone remind these guys that they are the Yankees?
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

The Giants moved Zito to the bullpen. That deal just gets worse and worse.
Chip

I love Molina, he should have had a pickoff there except Giambi is worthless over there
Chip

I should learn to throw lefthanded and make a career of throwing junk to the Yankees
http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno

Would you trade IPK & Tabata for Maddux & Nick Hundley?
- http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno
  
  My thinking is do this at the All Star break, move JOBA to the rotation and Moose to the pen. Have Molina/Hundley at C in ’09 with Posada at 1B.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Nah, Hundley is nothing special, and Maddux isn’t going to be around much longer. Basically it’s 6 years of IPK and 6 potential years of Tabata for 2 years of Maddux (max) and 6 potential years of Hundley. I think Kevin Towers would be all over that one.
  - http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno
    
    Actually looking at SD’s AAA stats, Luke Carlin looks like he might be a steal if he’s solid defensively.
    - http://knickerbockerchatter.blogspot.com/ Bruno
      
      And don’t underestimate Maddux’s effect on Hughes and JOBA in the rotation.
      - steve (different one)
        
        Maddux has a NTC and wouldn’t accept a deal to the AL.
        
        he’s been pretty adamant about this his entire career.
Mike D

Ben K. since the Yankees don’t have a hit through the first five innings, I assume you are no longer watching the game, having hurled your TV out the window in the third! Why do I feel like we’re reliving the start of ’07 again?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
  
  I was at the gym through the first four innings. My TV is safe until at least the 7th tonight.
Chip

Damn, he’d have been meat at the plate
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Need a hit.
mustang

Bases loaded twice and once with no outs and all they got were 2 runs.
I didn’t know Moose was magician.
Chip

Take one for the team A-rod!!!
JT

Oh yes… in that position, i think thats the only way Arod would of gotten the run in.
- steve (different one)
  
  hey, he took a pitch in the nuts for a run.
  
  credit where credit is due.
  - Chris
    
    His wife just gave birth… he won’t need them for a little while.
JT

beautiful…. and no double play =) nice and so giambi.. good job
- GoYankees
  
  Sooo right.
mustang

The Bronx Bombers ?
http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.

That was one of the sadder four-run rallies ever.
- GoYankees
  
  I don’t think so. About time the Yanks scored small.
  - LiveFromNewYork
    
    Agree. They can’t swing for the fences every time. They have to know how to play small ball.
mustang

Whatever works.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Eight men to the plate, four runs crossed, one ball left the infield. Welcome to Yankee baseball.
- mustang
  
  LOL
LiveFromNewYork

Nice job by Ensberg. There’s some tool over at Phil Hughes’ blog screaming that Morgan is a juicer in a post that Ensberg guest blogged for Phil. So stupid when the guy was trying to have a little fun with the fans.
LiveFromNewYork

AbbaDabba is up! Hope he’s on it.
GoYankees

How about solid pitching from Moose and a string of dribblers for 4 runs? About time the Yanks caught some luck. Woohoo
Adam

it is “Game 27″ fellas.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
  
  Wow. That only took 85 comments. Go us.
- steve (different one)
  
  it’s also 45 degrees and Abreu and Giamb both tagged balls in the 1st that just died in front of the warning track
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

It’s easy, just remember Jessica Alba … ladejo. God I hate Michel Kay.
http://www.pinstripesplus.com ansky

quite a catch.
GoYankees

Farnsworth pitches a clean inning. Wow.
mustang

Wow…..Farnsworth
I’m going to look outside for those flying pigs.
Number 27

so much for your over under pick on 1-2-3 innings for farnsworth…
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
  
  We all took the over.
  - Number 27
    
    so you did…
Number 27

also, for anyone watching the game, who’s warming up in the bullpen. We going to joba/mo for 8/9 again?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Yessir.
Dave P.

why was damon hitting for a-rod?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  Not sure, but A-rod took a pitch to the thigh or junk his last time up, and looked like he was limping a bit on the base paths.
  - Dave P.
    
    thanks. getting hit in the junk is never fun.
carlo

A”K”-Rod sort of twisted his ankle while running to home…. with A”K”-Rod gone look for the Yankees offese to really take off…..
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
  
  The stupid nicknames are really mature.
  - LiveFromNewYork
    
    Thank you.
    - Lanny
      
      Yea, the guy only won the MVP last yr and was the clutchest guy in the game. But lets coin lame nicknames!
http://www.myspace.com/j_panama Jamal G.

Anybody else appreciating the immense BJ the ESPN crew is giving Mariano Rivera? This rivals Tim McCarver and Peter Gammons on Mr. Josh Beckett, LoL.
- LiveFromNewYork
  
  I’m watching it on YES. What are they saying?
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

So long Cleveland! Quality win.
mustang

It wasn’t pretty but chuck another win for the toast.
MOOOOSE !!!!!!!!!!
http://www.myspace.com/j_panama Jamal G.

ESPN really sucks at covering games, Johnny Damon comes in to PH for A-Rod and there’s absolutely zero mention of it. They’re too busy talking about Joba Chamberlain and if he should stay in the bullpen this season. Morons.
Micky#7

Hay, a win is a win!
Thank god this trip is over. Do we need anymore hurt people? Good going Moose, you kept them in the game…that’s all we need, next time make it 7 innings. 27/08.
A.D.

Farnsworth….potentially raising his trade value….