Game 92: It’s not a lefty, nor Halladay, so let’s win

July 12, 2008 by Joe Pawlikowski 109 Comments

Not a whole lot to talk about in the pregame. Commenter E-ROC brought up an interesting point about Richie Sexson: He has far better numbers on the road than at home. That’s a .875 OPS on the road, and a 1.045 OPS against lefties. His strikeout rate against lefties is also far better, about once ever 5.5 plate appearances, while he’s striking out once ever 3.5 plate appearances against righties. Given all this, and further given our horribly misaligned roster, I think we should give him a shot.

Oh, forgot to mention this. We have a few tickets up for sale for the Futures game tomorrow. There’s a single seat, and then either two sets of two or one set of four. If anyone is serious about this, hit me with an email and I’ll get you in contact with the proper person.

Other than that, there’s not much to say. Score runs. That’s it.

Your lineup:

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Bobby Abreu, RF
3. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
4. Jason Giambi, 1B
5. Jorge Posada, DH
6. Robinson Cano, 2B
7. Melky Cabrera, CF
8. Chad Moeller, C
9. Brett Gardner, LF

And on the mound, number forty-three, Darrel Rasner.

http://freekibblekat.com TurnTwo

we play today, we WIN today! das it!
- B
  
  can we please get someone so we can get rasner out of the rotation!
tripp

Two Catchers today?
zs190

Was going to say that myself. Normally I would think Posada would be the DH but I thought he was promised that he could catch today.
- http://freekibblekat.com TurnTwo
  
  yeah, i believe PeteAbe had Jorge as the DH. Moeller used to catch Rasner in Scranton.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  He was promised Friday and Sunday.
http://freekibblekat.com TurnTwo

thats our captain!
cult of basebaal

6. Robinson Cano, 2B
7. Melky Cabrera, CF
8. Chad Moeller, C
9. Brett Gardner, LF

ah, our dreaded 6-9 spots … where OBP goes to die …
zs190

It’s harder to GIDP for Captain when he’s leading off since there is nobody on base more often than not with that bottom 4.
Haggs

Nice in RF Lupus.
daneptizl

Abreu’s a punk.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Joseph P.

In case anyone is just reloading the comments, we’ve got a number of Futures Game tix for sale. There’s a single seat, and then either two sets of two or a set of four. Everything is in the bleachers. Email me if you’re seriously interested.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

How did that get past Bobby Abreu? Fucking turf.
- http://freekibblekat.com TurnTwo
  
  although it did look, before the camera cut away, like he was taking an awfully short/direct route to that ball.
- Haggs
  
  Definitely the turf’s fault that Abreu didn’t bend down.
  
  And it’s the warning track’s fault that he turned that fly ball into a triple.
  
  Nice strike out with the bases loaded too.
  
  Bobby looks hungover.
Will

Guys, I’m not seeing the game down here–has Rasner been pitching as badly as Gameday’s making it look, or is he catching bad breaks?
- http://freekibblekat.com TurnTwo
  
  eh, couple of close pitches, but overall, he hasnt been good.
andrew

o bobby.
E-ROC

I guess those mechanical improvements aren’t helping. Looks like Cashman needs to find some more starting pitching.
http://conservationvalue.blogspot.com Jon G

Ugh – Abreau kills us with a spineless play in RF again. That should have been a single at most – a little dive and you stop it from heading all the way to the wall.

Then again, all balls over the plate by Rasner. I’ve had enough of him – time for next in line. Who will it be..? Aceves is likely a few weeks from a start, IPK isn’t looking close to MLB ready (84 pitches in 4 innings last time out in AAA – ugh), Karstens should just be traded so Jason Jones can take his spot at AAA. That leaves…McCutchen?
http://conservationvalue.blogspot.com Jon G

But I don’t think McCutchen should be brought up yet. So what to do for our 5th starter..?
NYFan50

At least we had a lead today.
zs190

Who can we replace Abreu with after this season? =(
- NYFan50
  
  Maybe the Angels will decline Vlad’s $15M option. Otherwise there isn’t very much. Burrell, and shift him from left.
  - mike
    
    Only issue with Burrell is the Mets might just sign him to keep him from killing them anymore – otherwise maybe we will get lucky and Abreu will sign in Flushing.
    
    Abreu should have had that flyball, and his gut got in the way trying to bend over reaching for that roller in the gap
- claybeez
  
  Dunn and also switch him from left.
  - mike
    
    or put the Captain in rightfield and sign Cabrera – i think he is a free agent this offseason, and the Chisox have a young guy to slide in so he will be expendable
- E-ROC
  
  Milton Bradley?
zzzzz

come on brett.
zs190

Come on Captain, time for some clutch hitting.
- zzzzz
  
  wow GIDP…..or maybe not. haha.
zs190

Abreu is just killing us today =(
E-ROC

Bobby Abreu has really regressed this year. Yikes!
mike

good thing we didnt give in to Arod’s contract demands- its a sign of weakness. Lets all say “Thanks Hal& Hank”
NYFan50

That’s TWO hits with RISP today. TWO! We may never see this again, folks. Be sure to take it all in while you can.
http://RiverAve.Blues Joseph M

Abreau is another in an endless series of Cashman blunders. Last year the average fan could see he was in decline, a GM who knows talent would have spotted it, why was he brought bak!
- A.D.
  
  Well there really wasn’t some great option available, and he had a terrible 1st half, and killer 2nd half which would lead one to believe that his skills really hadn’t diminished and that he just had a bad funk in the beginning
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Only seven RBI’s separate Bobby Abreu (59) and Carlos Quentin (66) for second place amongst A.L. OF’ers in RBI’s. Josh Hamilton leads all with 93. His declining is being overstated.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Joseph P.
  
  Are you serious? He destroyed in the second half. Bringing him back was a no-brainer.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    Especially seeing how it was a team option. You say no GM would take him back, I say only a moron would let him go.
    - mike
      
      Jamal hits it – there were no other options available, and it was a one-year commitment.
      
      He has disappointed with his defense and his hitting (irrespective of what the numbers say), but he was the best – and not so bad – rightfielder coming into the season for this team
E-ROC

C’mon Rasner!!! Geez!! Where’s Carl Pavano?
A.D.

get giese warming
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Damn slow ass Catchers.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

I know it’s the San Francisco Giants but Rich Harden is owning in his Cubbies’ debut today.
- A.D.
  
  He’ll own especially the NL, its just about the health, best case for the Cubs is they can essentially lock it up in early sept rest Harden, and have him ready to blow ppl away for the playoffs.
A.D.

BG!!!
- zzzzz
  
  who’s the man! haha.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner: 4-for-4, 3-RBI.
- A.D.
  
  Ahh if only we could face righty junk ballers everyday!
E-ROC

This Gardner guy is pretty good.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Melky Cabrera isn’t all bad either.
  - Jon
    
    Funny how everyone ignores him isn’t it?
  - E-ROC
    
    Facing Jesse Litsch helps in both cases. Chad Moeller has been effective at the plate too. But u know….Molina will be playing tomorrow.
mike

Gardiner is playing himself from a 5th outfielder to a 4th outfielder for a ML club – i dont think he could fill in for 2 weeks because he has no extra base pop (like a Gerald Williams-type would have offered), but he does work the count pretty well, and he puts the ball in play against mid-type pitchers, and his D has been what we expected.

I know Gomez is the same type outfielder ( the guy the Mets gave to Minney) thus far – did Gomez scout higher because of future power or because of his age?
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Carlos Gomez in no way profiles as a slap hitting, speedy outfielder. This guy has all five tools with probably the power being the lesser of the bunch. Gomez and Deolis Guerra were the centerpieces of that deal and are damn, damn good ones.
  - mike
    
    In watching Gomez alot last year, he has a serious arm and wheels – i just dont know where the power will come from. maybe 15 hrs/ 50 xbh, but to think more than that may be pushing it
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      I think you can reasonably expect some 15/50/30 (HR/SB/2B) years in his prime with probably a couple better years than that.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Also, what idiot profiled Brett Gardner as a fifth outfielder? I would say a lot of people see him as a Jacoby Ellsbury clone with a little bit more speed and a little less power.
  - mike
    
    I think thats a big reach – I look at a 5th outfielder just as Gardiner is, and in my opinion Melky is a 4th-type outfielder.
    
    Ellsbury has a swing which will lead to more power, and Gardiner looks happy to put the ball in play. Unless he is Ichiro, or continues to be able to milk out long AB;s/ walks, he will have limited offensive value.
    
    And i believe his walks in the minors have alot to do with the skill level of the pitchers – it seems power pitchers thus far can knock the bat out of Gardiner’s hands, and that going to let him getting challanged alot more – fewer walks, more swings = less value
    
    I will be mighty surprised if Gardiner ever becomes a regular player in the bigs
    - Todd
      
      I can’t blame you for thinking the way you do because he has looked terible thus far and is somewhat non-conventional in his style of play. But, I think this is the type of guy we should give a shot. He seemed to always do much better his second season at each level. Plus, I think that this guy can be a serious weapon in the 9 hole with his speed. This guy is scrappy and has elite speed. Think 50-60 SBs out of the 9 hole.
      
      I like the Pierre comparison. I also think of him as an Eckstein type. They are the type of guys that good teams need. And both of the aforementioned players have rings.
- Sal
  
  I think the comp would be Gardner to Ellsbury. I don’t know if everyone agrees but their minor league stats are very similar as well. Not much power, great speed, average arm, slap hitters.
  - whozat
    
    “I think the comp would be Gardner to Ellsbury. I don’t know if everyone agrees but their minor league stats are very similar as well. Not much power, great speed, average arm, slap hitters.”
    
    Ellsbury isn’t a slap hitter. He’s shown more power in the minors, and his swing just isn’t a slap hitter’s swing. Gardner’s is.
    
    Look, if he can hit .280 and get on base at .360, he won’t need to slug much to be a decent 1-2 hitter. But the way he strikes out…it’s plenty possible that he won’t be able to put up that kind of performance.
- A.D.
  
  Gomez has pop, and is far rawer than Gardner
  
  There’s been plenty of guys without much pop, but plenty of speed and succeded in the ML
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Don’t mean to beat a dead horse here but having no pop does not mean you can’t be a MLB regular, or a good one at that. If Juan Pierre were to have Brett Gardner’s patience at the plate I would sign that type of player in a heartbeat. Juan Pierre’s contact skills with Brett Gardner’s patience at the plate, outfield play, and either of their legs? That’s a damn good player right there.
  - whozat
    
    “Don’t mean to beat a dead horse here but having no pop does not mean you can’t be a MLB regular, or a good one at that.”
    
    True. But having no pop makes it a lot harder to work walks. Everyone comes right at you, and you have to put it in play. You have to hit .300 to be valuable if you’re that kind of player. Or, you need to show the ability to put the ball in the gaps if they throw you a tater.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Anybody think Brett Gardner would have scored even if that ball didn’t squeak by John McDonald (and DJ would have beat a throw to first base)?
- A.D.
  
  If he had been running, definitely
- Luthien
  
  I seem to remember a story about him scoring from 2nd on a groundout in the minors.
Jersey

Let’s go Bobby, prove the haters wrong.
- Jersey
  
  Alrighty then, don’t.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

The Houston Astros have signed first-round pick, Jason Castro. Castro becomes the 16th first rounder to be signed thus far.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080712&content_id=3119690&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Meaningless.

So much for the theory that A-Rod can’t handle the pressure of the extra media attention.
Ben C

“he can hurt you from both sides of the plate” and “very solid hitter”

–Blue Jays announcers talking about Melky Cabrera
- mike
  
  surprised they serve Molson in the booth
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  I think “can” is the operative word there.
- E-ROC
  
  Ha!
- Will
  
  Well, it’s not like both aren’t technically true. He could throw a bat at you from either side of the plate, for instance, and it’d probably sting pretty bad. And all you really need to do is look at his generous, barrel-shaped midsection to see how “solid” he really is.
pat

hey mike, this is the first year im following the farm very closely (thanks to you undoubtedly), so im wondering where the low a charleston standouts go next year, do they go automatically to tampa or do the really good ones go straight to AA. I guess what im asking is if tampa is a stop for the mid to low tier prospects or everybody spends a season there?

and i think i speak for all of us when i say keep up the good work you guys run an awesome website
pat

oops mike A isnt in here my bad, well maybe joe p could help
mike

Mike (sans “A”) is here, and I remain completely unable to speak to the topic LOL – thanks for the rescue, as Im sure most were waiting with baited breath!
Mike W.

Off topic (sorry guys, although anyone could answer my question):

Jamal,

I seem to remember you talking about a game for Playstation 3 in the past? I have been thinking about buying a PS3? Is it worth the money? Is the 40 ok or do I need to go higher?
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  I have the 40-GB and it’s perfect for me. I have my PS2 hooked up right next to the PS3 so if I need the playback option I can just switch it up. I bought my 40-GB this past November but I don’t know if the new 40-GB has the playback option built-in.
  
  My top choices for games are:
  1. Metal Gear Solid 4
  2. MLB 08: The Show
  3. Grand Theft Auto IV
  4. Call of Duty 4/Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (Army or tactical, whichever you prefer then that’s the one you get)
  5. Assassin’s Creed
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    Heh, realized I never really answered your questions. Yes, it is very worth it. Especially since the rest of the year should see some great titles, headlined by the upcoming SOCOM game. As for which size, I believe only the 40-GB are being made now, don’t quote me on that though.
  - Mike W.
    
    Just watched the trailers for Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty 4. They look SICK!
pat

im following on espn gametracker and cant see if anybody is warming up but i would think this is a good spot to bet robertson in the game to pitch the 6th and 7th
- pat
  
  *get
- A.D.
  
  maybe we see him after Edwar
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

LoL at FOX Business commercials. First they have this unbelievable douche partnered with a cute girl. Then they go with some unassuming dude and now they go with two girls.
- A.D.
  
  The 2 they have on now are obviously trying to sleep their way to the top
A.D.

Hopefully they can wear out this pen a bit, with a 90 pitch limit on Burnett tomorrow, he shouldn’t go too deep into the game
- E-ROC
  
  What’s wrong with AJ Burnett?
  - thelastclown
    
    3 Days rest….
A.D.

Why is Veras warming?
A.D.

BG loves the full count
claybeez

A-Rod is giving me Soriano nightmares with all these K’s on sliders off the plate.
pat

i guess joe g wants to get the regulars some work before the all star break becaus ehe def could have given robertson some work today
- A.D.
  
  Yeah figure with the one inning each they can all throw tomorrow
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Carlos Marmol entered a game with the Cubs leading 7-2 in the top of the ninth versus the San Francisco Giants. It is now 7-5 with the bases juiced and two out. I love me some Carlos Marmol, but when this dude has his games, he really has them.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  It is now tied. Cubs lead 7-0 entering the top of the 8th inning.
  - E-ROC
    
    I wonder how good the Giants would be if they brought back Barry Bonds.
- A.D.
  
  Why was Marmol even in the game at 7-2?
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    Did not pitch the last two games.
Andy In Sunny Daytona

Is Joe Inglatt in the “Scrappy Club”?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Nice article on Yankee prospect Jesus Montero: http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080711&content_id=1448616&oid=36019&vkey=4 (Kudos to the guys at NYYFANS.com)
http://freekibblekat.com TurnTwo

my friend just sent me a text that Bobby Murcer died… its on YES now.
http://gftf2.proboards80.com/index.cgi Double-J

Wow, that news just flattened me. I’m too young to have seen him play, but he has always been one of my favorite “old timers” as far as Yankees go, and loved him in the booth. RIP Bobby, God bless. :(
http://derekjetersbat.blogspot.com/ Joey H

RIB BOBBY! i remember how bad i wanted him to go to the old timers game. and sure enough he had a blast. his great southern voice was great on TV always laughed. RIP
batty

Just heard it too, really sad :( I thought he was beating it too.