Game 21: Phenom vs. Phenom
By
As if Phil Hughes‘ glorious comeback last night wasn’t enough, we’ve got ourselves a top shelf pitching matchup tonight: Joba Chamberlain vs. Rick Porcello.
Joba hasn’t been as explosive as expected, but he’s hardly been terrible, putting up a 3.94 ERA in 16 IP over three starts. Still just 23 years old, we all have to temper our expectations a bit and remember that he’s still just a boy amongst men in the AL East. Patience my friends, patience.
Speaking of boys amongst men, how about this Rick Porcello character? Just 20 frickin’ years old, the kid straight outta Jersey has been pretty much everything the Tigers could have asked him to be at this point. He’s got a 4.50 ERA in 18 IP covering three starts. He didn’t receive a deal worth potentially as much as $11.1M as a high schooler in 2007 for nothing, but it’s still staggering how quickly he reached the majors.
The starting nine:
Jeter, SS
Damon, LF
Teixeira, 1B
Matsui, DH – .393-.414-.643 in his last 6 games
Cano, 2B – .387-.375-.645 in his last 6 games
Posada, C – looks like the hammy’s healthy
Swisher, RF
Melky, CF
Pena, 3B
And on the mound, the Nightmare from Nebraska, Joba Chamberlain.
Don’t forget to vote in this week’s Fan Confidence Poll if you haven’t already. I see many fans have lost the faith following last weekend’s beatdown in Beantown.
Photo Credit: Entertainment Earth
332 Comments
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The Mason Williams Watch
I’m less concerned about the results than Joba’s stuff tonight. I can’t shake my worry that he’s carrying an injury.
so i guess gardner has officially lost his job….?
I hope not! Brett brings some things to the game that Melky simply can’t. Speed is one of them but since the CF is the “captain of the outfield”, I’ve yet to see Melky make smart moves and direct the flow of the game nicely… ever. While Gardner’s no miracle, he’s better (overall, and in the long run) over Melky, the only thing is that Girardi is placing the hot bats into the lineup and Melky has been hitting a little better than Gardner recently, but I think they’re essentially about the same (hitting wise, maybe Melky has a little more pop, but less discipline etc.) Hopefully Gardner plays tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that and so on.
Melky can also hit major league pitching. How in God’s green earth is Gardner better than Melky? What planet do you hail from?
I actually don’t think it is an open and shut case, yes Cabrera hits faaaaaar better, but Gardner is faster, a better fielder and sees more pitches.
I know you can’t steal first base, but I think that writing Gardner off this early would be a mistake.
its gone. they gave him a whole 10 games.
Better fielder? You’ve watched this year, right?
how can cano’s avg be higher than his obp?
man i love the look of 5 switch hitters in one lineup…. we gotta be the only team that can do that
He don’t walk a lot
Sac flies. They count as a plate appearance, but not an at-bat.
u just blew my mind
Uhh? It’s not.
I wouldn’t worry about Joba being hurt quite yet; it’s still early and he’s done his pitching in cold weather cities, which doesn’t exactly help arm strength.
Man, would kill to have Porcello as a Yankee thought.
It’s the Jersey thing.
New Jersey: Only the strong survive!
New Jersey: Our Girls Aren’t Trash… Trash Gets Picked Up!
Alas, from personal experience this seems to be the case.
OHHHHH stop don’t get all sad. I remember from my days of goading you and UWS into relations u had a BF. The weather’s starting to get nice, love will be in the air, even in the cesspools of Jersey my dear.
I hear if you sleep around, that helps too.
Alas, I don’t have a boyfriend any more. Haven’t since late January.
JOBA TO THE BULLPEN!!! No really, what do we do with joba after he reaches his innings cap?
Probably just execute him. He’d be pretty worthless at that point.
Two questions: Is “Porcello” pronounced POR-CELL-O or POR-CHELL-O? Is it MUH-LAN-SIN or MUH-LAHN-SIN?
Just like it’s spelled, POR-CELL-O.
Good ole’ Jersey Italian.
He’s destined for greatness.
And what about Melancon? I keep hearing people pronounce it with a “LAN” and others with a “LAHN”.
I’ve heard it come out of his own mouth as LAN.
Mycolonhurts?
I’m quite concerned that the Yankee hierarchy will make the stupid decision to put Joba in the pen at some point this season long before he’s near his 150 IP and he’ll remain there for the next decade.
I think it will be a decision they will eventually regret (for every reason sane people believe he should be in the rotation) – but a really sick feeling in my stomach is starting to believe that we may see that happen.
Hey man, the power of positive thinking!
You say “joba will stay a starter” enough times and it’ll stick.
Quote the contrary. They don’t believe him to be a reliever, the need for him being a starter is needed more than ever.
Quite*
That’s not quite true. Cashman and Girardi believe his future is as a starter.
But we don’t know how many people in that front office who have the opposing point of view and are prone to panic when things aren’t all hunky dory.
I’ve always been ambivalent about Cashman – I neither like him nor hate him.
But all of that will change if they move Joba from the rotation because ultimately he has the final call on that decision since it would essentially be a long term one.
Ya, if Joba goes to the pen. My fan confidence poll would go down a whole point or two.
I think this lineup may be the best we have at this point, and it should be the one we trot out there as much as we can over the next few days (barring Matui and Posada’s health). Add Arod into this lineup and it will really be a great group.
So after Hughes yesterday, if Joba pitches poor tonight, everyone writes him off as an 8th inning guy. But if he’s solid tonight, then what?
Everyone writes him off as an 8th inning guy.
And then what do they say about Wang?
He’s just another asian dude who could only last 2 years in the bigs.
Edited by RAB: Easy with the racial slurs
I’m not racist, I’m just saying that’s what they would say.
I know, but we have to be careful. Someone will get pissed off, it’s inevitable.
My bad yo.
I’m predicting bad things tonight for the young Porcello. Welcome to the bigs, punk.
wrong spot
HA!
Even though it’s not funny.
Joba could pitch every game left in the season as a perfect game and people would want him in the bullpen. B-Jobbers will always exist.
I find it amazing that there are few starting pitchers in the bigs, even mediocre ones, whose careers are seen as disposable as someone as talented as Joba’s is.
Bad grammar / syntax. Messy but you know what I mean.
It’s just ridiculous. Joba could have a good start, they say it’s only 1 start. But then after last night, how many things have you read/heard saying Phil in the rotation and Joba to the pen. They just contradict themselves, it’s crazy stupid.
The Yankees have to shut down the debate. They have to say something like even if he goes back because of his innings limit, he is NOT staying in the pen.
Okay, Joba. Time to shine baby.
7 innings of 2 run ball. 8 k’s!
Fuck the Tigers, Porcello was so close to the Yanks!!
Arg!
In case things go wrong tonight we could try to avoid writing off the season? That would be nice.
~ Pollyanna reporting for duty
man it looks like it’s freezing in Detroit
Seriously, Porcello should be in AA.
Love how YES and ESPN are totally not in sync
which is ahead?
Yeah let’s watch the Yankee hating ESPN bastards over David Cone + Ken Singleton – Michael Kay.
I’m predicting bad things tonight for the young Porcello. Welcome to the bigs, punk.
I agree, he needs to throw 95.
Helluva play by Inge right there.
Johnny Hustle.
LOL, embarrassing.
Time to bust out, Teix
That is some kind of filthy two-seamer. Wow.
I’m gonna call it.
Tex misses a HR by a foot again.
porcello’s ball moves like crazy
we play today, we win today
Give
The fuck? Miguel Cabrera can’t play defense.
Give Teix a break.
Just wait until the bullpen comes in hehehe
WHAT THE FUCK! That was awesome! How did Cano do that?
yeah that was pretty cool looking.
What ee do?
You know that thing people do with poker chips, they like flip it up and down their hand?
Well Cano was doing that, WITH HIS BAT. ESPN had it.
?
He was spinning the bat like a basketball on top of his fingers.
You’re watchin ESPN?
yep
Joe with 2 lefties in a row in the heart of our lineup, interesting move..
They are the hottest bats.
8 lefites in a row!
What the hell?
Fuck that.
Holy Defense, Detroit.
Took at least one run from us there
Did David Cone just say give him a chance?
Psshhh, if he didn’t throw a no-no yet he isn’t cut to be a sp.
Apparently you cant achieve success in major league baseball if you don’t consistently throw 95.
Even Mussina and Maddux know that!
Why do the ESPN guys keep harping on this, he just said, “A one, two, three inning for Chamberlain. More importantly, 95 on the radar gun.”
Is this a fast pitch competition? I thought the idea for a pitcher was to get outs.
Have they pointed out Porcello’s velo yet? He’s sitting low-90′s, not 95.
I believe there might be a little bit of a double standard going on tonight.
He has no business in the 8th inning then.
Look, velocity’s clearly not the be-all-end-all… But Joba’s been throwing a few MPH slower since late last season. It’s a little disconcerting and I’d love to see him back in the mid 90s as a starter.
Don’t jump to conclusions and lump me in with people who think a pitcher can’t be successful unless he throws 95+, that’s not what I’m saying here.
I was saying anything about you, Rick Sutcliffe won’t stop talking about it.
Well yeah, clearly you weren’t saying anything about me. I’m just saying… I don’t think it’s crazy to be watching Joba’s velocity.
Well…I can see the rationale of “He used to throw 97 MPH fastballs out of the pen. Now he’s throwing 92…that’s a BIG dropoff, and he had the shoulder injury…maybe he’s hurt?”
That’s not what the ESPN guys are thinking, but that makes some sense. I mean, even as a starter, it’s valuable to be able to reach back for that 97MPH heat a couple of times a game — as long as you can control it. If Joba can’t physically do that anymore, that’s something important to know as you try to project his value going forward.
I understand and agree with that point of view. If his decreasing velocity is potentially because of an injury it’s a concern. I’m more just annoying with ESPN, because that’s not what they’re implying.
agreed. I’m more worried about his mechanics, then an injuries though. You can loose a lot of velo when your mechanics are out o’ wack. I just want him to be in the best position to succeed, which is in the starting rotation and healthy and straightened out.
Seriously though, he needs to throw faster. Its almost like he is uncomfortable throwing 92 and he loses accuracy. He shouldn’t dial up to 99 but he shouldn’t be around 92.
Gameday had the 2 pitches of Magglio’s at-bat at 95 and 94.
According to Gameday, Joba’s getting jobbed on some of these calls. Does that jive with what you guys are seeing? Was it happening to Porcello too?
I didn’t see any call that seemed to agregious
Joba was 92-95 that inning; can people shut the hell up now?
Forgive me if someone already noted this, my computer’s running a little slow so I’m not refreshing too often… But Joba’s last 2 pitches that inning were at 95 then 94, according to MLB Gameday. He was around 91-92 until Maggs’ AB.
last batter of the inning he was up around 94,95 on gameday. I have to admit, I was getting worried something was wrong, like his mechanics were off or something. hopefully Joba comes out of his shell and goes on a tear.
I go Newcombe.
No love for Al??? haha
What are the Porcello rules?
it’s nice not having to listen to michael kay
I’d much rather Kay than these idiots on ESPN
agreed. sutcliffe makes me want to kill someone
i meant singleton and cone
Heh, Yovanni Gallardo literally did it all for the Brewers today. Well, not the 9th but you know what I mean.
I saw that, pretty impressive day…
Hot damn, 8 LHB inthe lineup.
Holy fuck. I didn’t even notice that!
Which makes even less sense when you look at his platoon splits for this year
http://www.baseball-reference......9&t=p
Last year was more typical for a power righty like him. But yikes, those numbers are stark. Just 3 starts, though.
Where the fuckity fuck did this defensive first baseman come from?
dominican republic?
Venezuela.
You are cursing up a STORM today, kiddo!
Dude, for me this is nothing.
You should see my Livejournal sometime. Especially last night. I got into a fight with my dad.
Nice play there by Miggy…For a load and a half he is damn athletic.
Porcello only throws 91. They should trade him now while he still has value, get a reliever or a UT guy.
Porcello 35 pitches through 2. i like where this is going the sooner the tigers bullpen comes in the better.
Ya, I would have liked it more if Pena had taken a couple more pitches. I mean…it’s not like he’s going to get a hit.
NESN broadcasters Dan Orsillo and Jerry Remy talking about the 2007 ALCS:
Remy: “I actually liked Carmona’s arm better than Sabathia’s; I thought he had better stuff.”
Orsillo: “[Silence].”
Carmona did pitch better in the 07 postseason.
but Sabathia is a better pitcher over the long term.
Carmona was brilliant in 2007, but he’s no CC. Talk to me when he puts two good season together back-to-back, nevermind seven.
The game he pitched against Pettitte. Amazing.
You’re right, Carmona is a power sinkerballer like Wang with better secondary stuff. Power lefties with CC’s size and durability are exceedingly rare. But CC hasn’t had 7 good seasons, more like 3-4 with 4 average ones in the middle. He had a bumpy start to his career, like many good pitchers do.
come on jeter.
Cap’n.
Pastadiving… oh wait, he didn’t dive, just completely fucked it up. Come on cap’n
Is it just me or is jobas velocity up?
Just you. He needs to be in the bullen to hit 95 and over.
-John Kruk
Mostly just you. Though gameday identifies these all as 2-seamers. Then again, it thought EVERY fastball yesterday was a 2-seamer. I saw some 4-seamers today, with Porcello, though.
Im convinced everyone at ESPN is a BJobber.
Actually, I know for a fact Joe Morgan isn’t. He’s said several times that Jobe should remain a starter until he proves he can’t do it.
Go figure.
They all took an oath.
Not sure what Keith Law thinks, but he’s too smart to be lumped in with the rest of them, I’d venture to guess anyway
KLaw’s definitely not a B-Jobber.
Neyer is disappointingly on the fence about it.
I figured, couldn’t remember though
Johnny on the spot.
now Damon playing defense too? wtf.
What? Damon was the best defensive LFer not named Carl Crawford in the bigs last year.
It’s a vast right wing conspiracy
Well he did hit 95MPH
Yeah, once.
I kinda have a feeling inge is gonna take joba deep.
Dude, he was out!
Joba Velo looks good.
Woot Woot!
Haha Cone totally called that!
oh so nice.
Love those strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out DPs.
what?
Gameday has the inning continuing…
oh. Now they ceased fucking up.
Inning’s over. Joba K’ed the guy looking and Posada threw Miggy out trying to steal second.
strike and throw them out.
cabrera looks like a bloated diego luna
He loves the arepas. But then again, who doesn’t?
He’s a high priest. Look at his wiki page.
Wow, couldn’t see that coming, huh?
Quicksand, Miguel. Miguel, Quicksand.
Strike ‘em out throw ‘em out DP and as I type that ESPN guy says the exact same thing, so I refuse to post it. Lets go with nice job Joba
ah, strikethrough fail
test
wtf
It’s [strike]text[/strike]
I was just doing [S] and [/S] and it looked fine on the preview. Thanks though
Coney called that shit.
Lester is getting bitch-slapped.
Verducci’s year after list strikes again.
Hopefully.
Well he idolized him, now he’s just another victim.
Hey guys. I’m sorta new around here .Can someone tell me what a “Bjobber” is?
Someone who wants Joba to the bullpen.
Someone who wants Joba in the pen.
RABs fun little term for someone that wants Joba in the bullpen. Note the sexual innuendo, took some (looks at Jamal) wayyyyy too long to get it
Ya, you want a cleveland steamer?
Bjobber = wants Joba in the bullpen
Do you want Joba in the pen?
If you answer yes to this question then you my friend are a BJobber.
So how long till this Morristown kid starts to fall apart? Place your bets.
2025
I was hoping more this… GAME.
Fuck. would have liked to seen porcello throw some more pitches that inning.
You know, Porcello is pretty nasty. And the Tigers bullpen is really terrible. Soooooo…
Same plan as last night, Work the pitcher and go to the bullpen.
Do the Tigers have the Porcello rules?
Uh, why do you have to be 21+ to get a $2 gift card from Dunkin’ Donuts?
Caffeine’s a drug
Caffeine’s a helluva drug
/Rick James’d
What did the five fingers say to the face?
Maybe they sell alcoholic coffee?
[I don't drink coffee, I wouldn't know]
They sell alcoholic everything.
The put crack cocaine in their drinks, which is how they compete with Starbucks who put straight up heroin
Man, Gallardo laid the smack down today. On the mound and at the dish.
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/.....=290429108
Aysh, Joba, please let’s not walk people
C’mon Joba, bear down now.
Up and straight as a laser.
JEEEZ! Investigate tehhh umpire!!1!1!!!
Even Granderson knew that wasn’t a strike. Irony if you will..
That pitch was closer than the pitch Jeter got rung up on.
I no like this.
Man Joba’s got little command tonight. It’s making me really nervous.
Seems like Joba’s getting squeezed tonight.
GIDP. That’s what saved Jabber last time.
Why didn’t Melky throw towards home?
Maybe to keep the runners where they were.
Shouldve thrown home.
Nah, then you’re stuck with second and third instead of first and second, and the run probably scores anyway.
objective is to keep the force in that situation
Wow Im watching gameday and the game and Joba is getting extremely squeezed by this ump. Such BS
Is this an every night complaint?
they cant throw strikes. its not getting squeezed
i think its safe to say gameday isnt wront EVERY single night.
swish will give us something to smile about.
Bear down Joba.
It’s really, really tempting to blame the umpire.
Miggy Cabrera with the bases loaded =/= good.
hmm Joba, wth?
Ugh.
Fucking porcello gets that pitch. Fuck this, we need robots to call strikes.
Damn, walking a batter to get to Cabrera is NOT a good sign.
This scares me
I know it doesn’t help that he’s getting squeezed but it doesn’t look like he has much confidence in his stuff.
I’m sure Joba is “confident” bro.
He may be. It’s a matter of whether he trusts his stuff. However, I do take that back after that curve ball.
Holy schnikees. Joba got away with a major hanger.
His stuff isn’t the same as last yr and his location has been terrible in every start.
He never had great control. Anyone who’s followed him since the draft knows that.
It’s common for power pitchers to not have the best control. That’s why they are not control pitchers, they are power pitchers.
hung one. lucky
Somebody tell Joba its the 8th inning!!!!
atleast two of those pitches to magglio were strikes.
Seriously every ump we faced against is pulling a Tim Donaghy on us.
You are absolutely correct.
Booya.
exhale….
Lvoe that pitch.
PHEW.
Great pitch Joba!!!
Some would argue that that inning should have been a lot worse.
That was pretty filthy
wheww.
That was his third pitch, you B-Jobbing sons of bitches.
Hahahahaahhah!
HEY STOOPID! THAT WAS LIKE HIS 12TH PITCH THAT INNINNG! YOU OBVIOUSLY KN OW NOTHING ABOUT TEH BASBALL
Was Posada having a word at the end of the inning about the umps inconsistent strike zone.
Bueno.
Haven’t seen too many swinging strikes from Joba tonight.
we’re winning this game
WOW ESPN has joba at 43 pitches 19 for strikes that is not a good ratio.
He always got by on stuff more than control, but those numbers need to get better.
Pitch Count after three innings (PC/ST):
Joba – 43/19
Porcello – 43/25
Which bullpen comes into the game first?
Well. That inning could have been A LOT worse. What’s TEHH Jobber’s highest pitch count this year? My guess is 98 or 99. I could be wrong.
threw 93 against cleveland.
I thought in an earlier start he went 99 through 6.
thought you were planning on doing a chat for the league?
Too tired. No RSVP’s. Maybe next week.
You know, with the vastly improved plate discipline from Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera (not to mention Ramiro Pena having patience at the plate), this entire lineup is void of a hack-at-anything hitter.
it’s about to be 2-1
BAh, robbie killed that.
That trivia question is hard. Looked it up, no idea who that guy was haha.
was it Will Ledezma ?
Nope.
Cano doesn’t make soft outs. That pitch would have went through the wall if it wasn’t caught.
Gameday doesn’t seem right, Porcellos pitches are being caught an inch above the ground and Gameday shows they’re an inch below the strike zone.
Everything on Gameday seems lower on TV, even that 3rd pitch to Posada looked right on the bottom corner, on Gameday it had it mid way up the plate
The first strike to Jorge almost hit the ground. Brutal call
Is it me or does Joba not get that call?
I just started watching – has Porcello been getting the call below the knees the whole game?
nah, but he does get it once and awhile which Joba doesn’t at all
“MATSTEWY IS STILL GOING…”
Hah. Hit and run with Matsui on first and Posada at the plate.
And then Posada stole second. Awesome.
out of control. haha
WOW When was the last time that happened.
Nice job, Leyland.
I think he’s drunk.
He is good buddies with Tony LaRussa.
Posada with a SB i like it.
Posada with blazing speed.
Stolen base for Posada?
Yikes. When Posada steals a base on you, you know you’re too slow to the plate.
Did Jorge Posada seriously just steal a base? o-o
Watch, if he gets to third he’s going to steal home .
Run Jorgey! Run! I can use some SB’s for my fantasy team. Since Upton doesn’t want to get on base lately.
With Nick Swisher batting, Jorge Posada (1) steals 2nd base.
WHAT? I’m assuming the ball got away from Laird, no?
No throw. Bad pitch int he dirt.
Swisher doesn’t get cheated on his swings. I’d like to see a smoother swing. Cut back on some swinging strikes and falling to 1 knee
matsui and posada can change a game with their speed
Matsui legs out a triple
Molina hits a grand slam
Posada steals second
Definitely thinking the apocalypse is coming
Don’t walk Swish, Melky will fuck this rally up.
How about a HR?
Like yesterday? C’mon man.
Awesome.
Nick Swisher.
haha.
SWISHER BABY!!!!!!!!!!!
Nick Swisher = Son of Mo
Swisher is back!!!!!!!
that will get the runs home
Swisher’s back!
Swisher is freaking awesome!!
YEAH Swish!!!
the swish-norris
That was almost a check-swing home run.
Swishhhhh
In play, run(s).
Love it!
Swisher is the MAN!
Hell yeah.
THE SWISHER PICKER-UPPER!
SWISH!!!!!!!
Hey, just like last night… I show up, and good things start happening.
Swisher is my homey.
“activity in the bullpen.”
that is the best thing ive heard from the espn crew tonight.
Heh.
Wait, Gameday says Posada stole second?
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
He pissed on his feet tonight.
Quote of the night from above:
“Matsui legs out a triple
Molina hits a grand slam
Posada steals second
Definitely thinking the apocalypse is coming”
Gawker calls it the aporkalypse.
yes i enjoyed that one too.
Eh. Jeter, wtf
And the wheels are off the bus for young Mr. Porcello.
Porcello.
should be in the minors still no?
I can’t believe I hit add comment before I even wrote more than is name. Heh.
BULLPEN TIME!
Porcello is destined for the closer’s role.
And Jeter’s hustle gets the Yanks another run (with Damon’s hit)
New thread?
Annnd out in the 4th, maybe they should have let him pitch at AA & AAA first.
Jim Leyland is way past the age where men should stop wearing sports apparel.
Just heard John Sterling’s home run call for Nick Swisher for the 1st time…
“And that’s why he’s Jolly ole Saint Nick!”
What is his call for Teixeira?
quick hook for Porcello.
I am trying to not get excited about facing Detroit’s bullpen for 4.1 innings, but it’s really, really hard.
THANK MO our phenom lasted longer than their phenom.