Game 51: Something’s cooking

by 107 Comments

Hip, hip rehab!
Bombs away in Scranton

With 19 of their next 28 games coming against teams with losing records, don’t you get the sense that this team is about to go on a major roll? Something good is cooking in Yankee land, and I’m not talking out the BBQ’s in everyone’s back yard today.

The Yanks face a lefty starter for the upteenth time this season, with Garrett Olsen taking the hill for the O’s in Camden. This is the same Garrett Olsen that the Yanks bludgeoned last week, and Girardi was kind enough to fill out the same lineup responsible for that massacre.

My stupid lineup trick worked yesterday, so let’s keep it going.

1. J-Dam, LF
2. D-Jet, SS
3. B-Ab, RF
4. Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez, 3B
5. H-Mat, DH
6. S-Dunc, 1B
7. R-Can, 2B
8. C-Moel, C
9. M-Cab, CF

And on the bump, the molten hot D-Ras.

Notes: Wilson Betemit is back with the team, the Former Attorney General was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton to make room on the roster. There’s nothing wrong with the move, Alberto was rotting away on the bench for the most part, and he should be getting regular at-bats, something he’ll be able to do in SWB.

Hip, hip rehab!
Bombs away in Scranton
  • doty

    time to make our move on the redsux!

  • McCaff

    yeah writing A-Rod would have been really weird… that nickname just doesn’t work!

  • steve (different one)

    h-mat? sounds like something you have to get rid of before entering the lincoln tunnel

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      Maybe G-Zilla would have been better.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      Yeah I heard. Sad.

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

    Damn. Damon just got owned.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

    LoL, Johnny Damon just got owned.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

    I really hope Willie Randolph doesn’t get fired. Also, this racial issue the Mets fans have with the Latino Mets players is getting on my nerves a bit.

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      I think they’ll keep Willie on long enough so he can coach at the All-Star Game. After that though, he’s on borrowed time.

    • LiveFromNewYork

      Of course I love Willie because he was in the Bronx for so long but really he should have done something about all those dancing celebrations and “in your face” nonsense last year. This year he has to stop telling people to move on from the collapse. Mets fans are still freaking pissed and I can’t say that I blame them. That team definitely doesn’t care about its fans and I think Willie should have reigned them in long ago.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

    Mike, I know nothing of Alfredo Aceves and I usually would never trust a Minor League scouting report from a Major League beat reporter but what PeteAbe said about Aceves makes me wonder if he has potential as a middle reliever/long-man/spot-starter type.

    “He’s 25, around 91-92 with his fastball. He has a solid two-seamer and a plus changeup.”

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      Sounds like Edwar.

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

    Man, that Weeks-Markakis-Wolf for Lincecum-Ellsbury-Keppinger deal I made in fantasy is looking better and better by the day, even if Kepp is on the DL until June.

  • LiveFromNewYork

    Hzilla…go baby go.

  • E-ROC

    Matsui is seeing the ball really well right now. Its just bananas.

  • Joey

    lol that was awesome. Watching the game on MLB.tv (they have it through YES). Shelley steps up to bat, and about as clearly as I can hear Kay, someone shouts out “SHELLEY IS A GIRLS NAME!!!” Awesome, love baseball fans

    • steve (different one)

      when Damon came up, he yelled “you throw like a girl!!!”

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

    Moeller took that one like a champ.

  • Joey

    wtf is up with Melk man?

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      Regression to the mean.

      • steve (different one)

        that’s cold.

        true. but cold.

  • E-ROC

    Cabrera isn’t doing too good this month. Maybe, he can have a hot summer like last year. Hopefully….

  • Chip

    This ump is calling pitches in the opposite batters box constantly. At least he’s consistent though

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

    Is there any doubt that Edwar Ramirez’s Changeup rates as an 80? Speaking of which, the guys over at the forums at nyyfans.com were having a discussion about which players in the Yankees organization (Major League level included) posses 80-grade tools or pitches. Who do you guys think of and what tool or pitch do they have that you think rates as 80 on the scouting scale?

    Alex Rodriguez – 80 Power
    Joba Chamberlain (As a reliever) – 80 Fastball
    Edwar Ramirez – 80 Changeup
    Jesus Montero – 80 Power
    Andrew Brackman – 80 Fastball
    Brett Gardner – 80 Cranium

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      80 is a big number to throw out there. I’m a firm believe that there’s no such thing as an 80 pitch, there’s just too much variation from inning to inning, outing to outing.

      I’m comfortable with saying A-Rod has 80 power and Giambi has an 80 eye. Beyond that though, I don’t think I’d say anyone in the org has 80 anything. Maybe some 70’s, but even that’s a big number.

      Well down with Gardner’s head, btw.

      • steve (different one)

        with Mike’s comment noted, i’d say Joba’s splitter is close to an 80 too.

        Jeter has an 80 fist pump.

        • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

          Jeter’s taste in women is plus-plus as well.

        • steve (different one)

          obviously i meant to type “slider”, not “Splitter”

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

        I’ve heard the arguments against rating a pitch as 80 but I’ve always felt that the variations you speak of has nothing to do with the pitch itself. The change in velocity and varying degrees of control/command I think has more to do with mechanics and fatigue than the actual talent you posses to throw said pitch.

        What I mean is that your mechanics are universal for every pitch you throw, so to say a pitcher’s mechanics being a reason for a pitch not realizing its potential should not be a knock on the pitch itself. So if Andrew Brackman’s leg kick (hypothetical) is proven to be the reason for his Fastball losing a tick or two, that should not factor in the grading of Brackman’s Fastball. I understand it’s difficult as hell, if even possible, to determine if a pitcher’s mechanics is the reason his pitches are being held back but if he was right mechanically at one time and then someone noticed he’s doing something different (mechanically) then his stuff begin to lessen, you can’t necessarily blame that on the pitch itself.

        • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

          I’ve heard the arguments against rating a pitch as 80 but I’ve always felt that the variations you speak of has nothing to do with the pitch itself. The change in velocity and varying degrees of control/command I think has more to do with mechanics and fatigue than the actual talent you posses to throw said pitch.

          That’s true. Thinking about it now, saying there’s no such thing as an 80 pitch because of the variation is like saying there’s no such thing as 80 power because the guy doesn’t hit a homerun whenever he steps to the plate.

          I’m the last person that should be talking, but lots of people on the internets throw around 80 grades like they’re nothing. I almost never use scouting grades or terms like “plus-plus” when I blog about a player. I’m no scout, and I have no idea what a 65 breaking ball looks like. I know what a good breaking ball looks like, so that’s how I describe it.

          • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

            I did feel a bit odd writing out those few 80-grades because I was just thinking in the back of my head, how can I realistically say all these players have 80-grades when I myself am skeptical of ANY such grade given to a player.

            I use the scouting grades/terms because I am guilty of just reading the scouting reports of others and and to a sense I will “average” out the scouting reports. I usually don’t and hate making an assumption on a player based on one article or report I read but that’s why I try to read at least three and come to my own conclusion based on the three different angles. I realize that is in no way a perfect science, if a science at all, and leaves me open for a lot of second guessing and questioning but for my needs I find it as the best method.

      • Simon B.

        Yeah, I would even be hesitant on Alex’s power and Giambi’s eye. Plus-plus certainly, but there have been better, so you’d prefer to reserve a perfect score.

        Even respected scouts seem to throw the number “80” around quite a bit. I think Callis called Maddux’s fastball an 80 which seems absurd to me. Maddux’s velocity sat only upper 80s MPH even in his prime.

        Edwar is exciting to me, and his changeup is certainly impressive. I don’t know if it’s the best in the game right now, but it stands top tier along with Hamels, Santana, and Shields.

        • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

          Well, Maddux has 80 command, for sure. It’s not just great command, it’s historically great command.

          • Simon B.

            Well, I can’t find it right now, but I don’t think he said command; he said fastball, at least I think.

            • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

              I know exactly what Callis piece you’re talking about. He did say 80 fastball. But at the same time, velocity is only one part of what makes a fastball.

              • Simon B.

                Maybe, but I find it hard to call a fastball essentially perfect when he was sitting at 89-90 MPH.

        • Simon B.

          Also, don’t be so quick to annoint Brackman’s fastball as a godlike pitch. He (reportedly on some of the college guns) touched 100 once, but he was sitting much lower. We’ll see how he comes back from TJ surgery.

          • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

            Wow, haven’t heard that but thanks for the info. All reports I’ve read he sat about 94-97MPH and hit 100-MPH now and again.

            • steve (different one)

              the thing with Brackman is that 94 is going to feel faster because he is releasing it that much closer to the hitter.

        • steve (different one)

          if A-Rod doesn’t have 80 power, there is no such thing as an 80.

          • Simon B.

            http://www.baseball-almanac.com/hitting/hiisolpow1.shtml

            Alex is certainly a great player, but I think a lot of people forget that many of his contemporaries have actually hit better than him. His strength is he’s done it as a hitter AND a fielder.

            • steve (different one)

              right, and all of those guys ahead of him ALSO have 80 power.

              how can a guy with 520+ HRs at 33 not have 80 power?

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

    Phew, Montero’s back in the lineup.

    • Chip

      That’s a relief, hopefully we’re done with this injury thing this year

  • Chip

    Wow, huge K there by the Razamatazz!

    • r.w.g.

      Maybe you’re not the guy to be coming up with the nicknames?

      • Chip

        That one was all Shelley Duncan, I think it was last week’s game where he gave the starting lineup and called Rasner that

        • r.w.g.

          Just wow.

  • Chip

    I’m quite impressed how Olsen is hitting the corners, this isn’t the same guy we saw a week ago

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

    You don’t run on Nick Markakis. Bobby Meachem should know this by now.

    • steve (different one)

      with 2 outs, you send him.

      he has a gun, but if it’s a foot or 2 up the line, they score.

      sometimes you tip your hat.

      • Chip

        I agree, Shelley “I hit below the Mendoza line” Duncan was coming up next anyway

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

      Two outs with Shelley Duncan on deck against a guy who likes to mix speeds, I think I would have sent him as well.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

    “Evan flow”, “Girl with the curl”, and ‘O’Neill, you’re an idiot’. What are some other things Michael Kay likes to say ad nauseam?

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      “Hot doggish” when a player slacks off. “Betwixed and between” is another one.

      • steve (different one)

        “3-2 2 outs, the Yankees catch a bit of a break because the runners will be off”

        • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

          “I was talking to a scout yesterday…” and then he goes on to say something that was written in the Post that morning.

          • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

            :D

            I’m going to start looking out for that one, classic.

            • steve (different one)

              “no error on the play, b/c you can’t assume the double play. you know Kenny, i never agreed with that rule”

    • pete

      i think it’s “ebb and flow” not “evan flow”

  • http://deleted Randy

    why is shelley in the lineup? is ensberg that bad?

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      Yes.

      • steve (different one)

        Girardi is desperately trying to find that lefty masher and he’s giving Shelley a prolonged audition. Ensberg had his audition and didn’t do anything with it.

        i’m not sure at what point we can say that Duncan just isn’t a major leaguer. 100 AB’s?

        • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

          It’s time to give Jason Lane a shot.

  • http://deleted Randy

    i would say at this point its neck and neck and shelley’s D is almost as scary as his bat.

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

    Justin Upton must be in some kind of slump. It seemed like two weeks ago he was hitting .350, now he’s down to .280.

  • http://deleted Randy

    I agree about Lane.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

    Darrell Rasner now has 16 straight scoreless innings (dated back to his 2nd inning @ DET on 5/10) over the course of 2+ starts.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

    Alex Rios’ fantasy impact FTW.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

    Derek Jeter loves America. He swings at the first pitch in a tied game with two outs and nobody on just to get the Memorial Day ceremony in on time. Classic guy.

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      Jeter’s all about the intangibles.

      • steve (different one)

        Derek Jeter IS America.

  • Chip

    Man Olsen with 7 strtikeouts over 4 innings, he’s getting the perfect combination of hitting the corners and getting all the calls

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

    D-Ras dropping curves for strike one. Love it.

  • LiveFromNewYork

    D-Raz says promote this.

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

    Is that Brian Schneider in a Toyota of Manhattan commercial?

    “Buy or lease a new 2008 Camry, and you’ll have an 82 career OPS+ like me!”

    • Rich

      Money for nothing, and your Camry for free.

  • Rich

    Suboptimal.

  • Rich

    Rasner may be tiring.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

    Nasty hammer Mr. Rasner.

    LoL, Chien-Ming Wang looks like he’s about to own the hell out of somebody in a round of laser tag.

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

    Who is Melky Cabrera and what has he one with the guy who did something with him earlier in the season?

    • steve (different one)

      is Melky good or isn’t he? i honestly have no idea. every time i think he is or isn’t, he goes the other way.

      i can’t remember any other player that has confused me more.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

        I think he’s a below average hitter who can run hot or cold in a given month.

        • LiveFromNewYork

          I think you’re right. I think he’s a good outfielder but the plate appearances will never be his strong suit.

      • mustang

        4th outfielder on a good team.

  • http://riveraveblues.com Ben K.

    Is there a more useless member of the Yanks than LaTroy Hawkins?

    • Rich

      Hawkins can only pitch in low leverage situations.

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      Morgan Ensberg.

      • mustang

        At least he doesn’t cost 3.75 MILLION!!!!!!!!

        • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

          Yeah, that $3.75M they wasted on Hawkins is really going to hinder them from making any moves in the foreseeable future.

          • mustang

            Yeah you can add that to the 46 million and so on.
            Remember we are a fiscally responsible team now.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

    Can’t blame tht bloop RBI 1B on LaTroy Hawkins but you can fault him for that two out BB to Brian Roberts that pushed Ramon Hernandez into scoring position.

  • Rich

    Britton really needs a shot.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

    Looks like the anti-Joba “The Starter” dogs have their first piece of meat to chew on.

    Ouch, that hurts Jose.

    • LiveFromNewYork

      The lack of talent in the bp is not a reason to derail a brilliant career. That’s not Joba’s problem and shouldn’t affect his career.

  • pete

    plus i wouldn’t even call it a lack of talent, more of a presence of latroy hawkins and aubrey huff and kevind millar are both the biggest yankee killers on the planet so it was bound to happen. let’s just win the series

    • LiveFromNewYork

      Agree. Definitely an overreaction. We have some good bp pitchers, Veras, Bugs, Ohlie, and others who can be good (Britton) and our old friend Crapshoot Farnsworth.

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

    Wow, two-time defending CWS Champs Oregon State didn’t make the postseason. They were on the bubble, and I figured they’d get in based on their rep.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

    Brian Cashman is on with Buster Olney on ESPN right now. Taped from Mike & Mike earlier this morning.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

      BTW, Cashman is a fucking master of per longing answers to field as little amount of questions as possible.

  • Ivan

    Can we finally say that Jason Giambi is better than Shelly Duncan?

    • A.D.

      I’m happy with going with that

  • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

    Nice job ruining the shutout Chad.

  • http://www.freewebs.com/ps3tf2/ Double-J

    Rasner still pitched well today, if he could have got some offensive support it might have turned out better.

    Incidentally, for you guys at the site, how come lately I’ve been getting a strange version of the comments system with just a light red top and a while half below where I can reply? I usually *fixes* itself after I make a comment, but I can’t see the default nested style. Never had this problem with other sites/blogs, only this one, and only recently.

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      I’ve never had that problem. If you can, do me a favor and email me a screenshot the next time it happens, and we’ll get it taken care of.

      • http://www.freewebs.com/ps3tf2/ Double-J

        Sure, next time it happens I’ll grab a screen. Much appreciated Mike.