Jun
02

Game 52: Small Sample Size Alert

By Joseph Pawlikowski

News of the Yankees lineup usually drops sometime around 3, 3:30ish for a 7:00 game. Usually there are no surprises. Yeah, sometimes we get a curveball with Angel Berroa in the lineup, but those are few and far between. Girardi has apparently settled on a certain lineup scheme this year, and he’s sticking with it for the most part. However, upon seeing today’s lineup I had to scratch my head a little, for Nick Swisher was sitting.

Now, I’ve long advocated giving Swish a few days off during his skid. With Melky Cabrera claiming the everyday CF role and with Brett Gardner hitting decently of late, the Yanks could afford to rest the slumping Swish a few times, hopefully helping him get out of his funk. Yet last night Swisher showed signs of a breakout, smacking two doubles including the go-ahead one with the bases loaded in the seventh. One would think that would earn him a start today — wait, scratch that. He’s already the regular starter, so one would think that his performance wouldn’t be cause for a day off.

Yet that’s just what happened. The lineup came out, and Swisher was nowhere to be found. This struck me as odd, and I said so on the Twitter feed. I got a bunch of responses talking about Swisher’s track record against Padilla: 1 for 15 with five strikeouts. So what? Fifteen freaking at bats? That’s a nothing sample. Just read what PeteAbe said about it:

Swisher finally seems to have his swing intact. Why screw him up against a pitcher he obviously can’t hit? Let Gardner start and when the Rangers go to the bullpen, you have Swisher ready and waiting for an at-bat or two.

A pitcher he obviously can’t hit? Nothing is obvious in 15 at bats. If Girardi wants to sit Swish, fine. As Pete also says (and with which I totally, 100%, no doubt agree), “The Yankees have won 15 of 19, let’s give the manager the benefit of the doubt, shall we?” I do like Joe Girardi as manager of this team, and I like him a lot. I sincerely hope he didn’t base this decision on 15 measly at bats.

That said, Brett Gardner has been fine recently and there’s nothing wrong with starting him. Starting Damon is a given because he had last night off, as is Melky because of his absence over the weekend. So please don’t mistake. I’m not complaining about Swisher on the bench, per se. I just don’t want to see him sitting because of a tiny, minuscule, insignificant sample against Padilla. Not to mention, Of those 19 plate appearances, 18 came in 2006 and one came in 2007. So Nick Swisher’s sitting because of something that happened three years ago? Give me a break.

Anyway, enough of the complaining/debunking. Onto the lineups:

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Robinson Cano, 2B
6. Jorge Posada, C
7. Hideki Matsui, DH
8. Melky Cabrera, RF
9. Brett Gardner, CF

And on the mound, number thirty-four, A.J. Burnett.

Posted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 6:43 pm in Game Threads.

RSS feed | Trackback URI

328 Comments

Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

Let’s hope the Yankees sink the Padilla Flotilla.

hahahahahaha DUCWIDT? Classic!

Jersey says:

On a semi-related topic, have Bastardo’s fans come up with a name for themselves yet? Bastardo’s Bastards seems too obvious.

 
 
Mike HC says:

Maybe it was for defensive purposes. Having Damon, Melky and Gardner give the Yanks a hell of an outfield against a pretty good hitting team, and a fly ball pitcher on the mound in AJ Burnett. I clearly just pulled that out of my ass, but it is something to think about. Maybe that combined with the poor numbers, albeit in a small sample size, convinced Joe to give him a night off. Of course, there could be another reason entirely which has not been made public yet. Who knows?

Chris says:

Defense can’t help against the home run.

 
Mike HC says:

Defense can surely help prevent doubles if a faster outfielder such as Melky/Gardner can run them down. And technically, outfielders can rob hitters of homeruns, but I get your point there.

 
 
 

Swish on the road trip: .304-.419-.522.

Chip says:

Speaking of small sample sizes………

 
 
e mills says:

I don’t really mind having Swisher able and ready to come off the bench if/when the Yankees are in a pinch and Gardner perhaps is due up

 
Drew says:

Should the Melkman be hitting in front of Matsui? I think so. For more reasons than one.

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

I don’t know…. 15 ABs isn’t THAT small of a sample size when it comes to batter vs pitcher…it’s borderline.

Marlon Byrd is something like 1-12 with a few K’s against Burnett. You’d have to feel pretty comfortable with Burnett on the hill when Byrd comes to the plate, no?

I agree, though, with the point that it’s certainly not big enough a sample to take out a hitter who seems to be getting hot. Right now, Swisher finding his groove is much more important than Gardner getting his reps.

Yes, it is THAT small of a sample. The Book did a study on this, and showed that batter-pitcher numbers aren’t consistent even with a larger sample.

 
 
leche: it does the yankees good says:

oh god kay and oneill calling the game. Cue the corny jokes about oneill’s eating habits and their love hate relationship. These two make my ears bleed.

Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Whatever gets Flaherty out of the booth.

 
leche: it does the yankees good says:

id like to see more of leiter and singleton

 
 
Phil McCracken says:

I agree with you on this Joe.

Using 15 ABs as your reasoning doesn’t give you reasoning to start both Gardner and Melky in the same lineup.

 
Jake H says:

Why can’t the Yanks have a hot side line reporter? Hopefully Gardner and Melky hit well. If they do let Swish have a night off. All players need one now and then.

kSturnz says:

i agree, though I liked his strong tone

 
 
John says:

Let’s win this Yanks!

 
John says:
John says:

though I hope he’s healthy soon

Zack says:
 
 
 
Mike HC says:

15 at bats is clearly not enough at bats to get a true reading. Maybe he got robbed on a couple of those outs.

 
boobie says:

Damon was 5-9 with 2 doubles against Sowers but he sat, so who really knows why swish isn’t playing.

 
Chip says:

Joe, PeteAbe said that it was because of the poor results that Swisher had against him, not Girardi. I honestly can’t remember the last time Swisher has had a day off so maybe he just wanted to give the guy a breather. He gave Damon a night off last night and will probably give Cano or Jeter at least a game in the DH spot this week as well. Just trying to keep everybody fresh

 
kSturnz says:

over/under on Davis Ks at 2

Zack says:
 
 
vin says:

What if Swisher were 14 for 15 against Padilla? Wouldn’t you like his chances? Just sayin…

Why would I like his chances then if I don’t care for his current 15-AB sample?

Mike HC says:

Couldn’t you argue that the odds of Swisher going 1/15 against Padilla, against his career averages, are a lot greater than the odds of him going 14/15 against his career averages? Basically, hitting 14/15 against a guy is so ridiculously good and so against the odds, that it might mean something; as opposed to going 1/15, which is far more probable to happen with a small sample size. I’m not saying that this post was not completely ridiculous, but I do think if the guy is 14/15 against someone, I would not dismiss it.

vin says:

You proved my point (better than I did)… therefore, how can it be completely ridiculous? 14 for 15 is so far out of the range of probability that the sample size DOES become relevant.

 
 
vin says:

I think that 15 ABs IS a small sample if the results aren’t so dramatic.

But a sample as significant as 1 for 15 or 14 for 15 would be enough to sway my decision, however. If you are talking about 4 for 15 vs. 9 for 15, then I think it’s a different story.

Mike HC says:

I don’t think 1/15 is that dramatic, as compared to 14/15. I wish I was a better statistician to figure this out. I remember Ben had a post about Jeter, saying the odds of Jeter starting the year hitting around .270 for a hitter with Jeter’s career averages was like 15%. I was trying to apply the same principle here, except I don’t know what the real numbers are.

vin says:

It’s certainly not as dramatic as 14 for 15, but I think it’s significant.

What’s probably more significant, and Joe alluded to it, is the amount of time that has passed since most of those AB’s occurred. Padilla is certainly a different pitcher, and Swisher (may or may not be) a different hitter.

Doesn’t really matter to me, as long as they sink the flotilla, then I’m a happy camper.

 
 
 
 
 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

strike out nice way to get out of the inning.

 
Bryan says:

Great inning AJ, it looks like he has his stuff tonight.

John says:

He usually has it. Let’s just hope he doesn’t implode later in the game again.

 
 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Pfffft. What bandbox?

John says:

Great Pitching (especially strikeout guys like CC, AJ, Joba, and even Hughes has been getting K’s)>>>>>>>>>>TEH Bandbox

 
 
dre says:

Girardi does not know what he is doing..Gardner supposedly screws up royally on sunday and what does he get? 2 straight starts…

by the way look up the defensive stats..Swisher is a very good right fielder so defense is not the reason to sit him…

pat says:
 
Jackson says:

Can I use my first ever Oaktag on this comment?

pat says:

Eh, dre will bring it much worse than that, keep it holstered for now.

 
 
Zack says:

melky screwed up on the play that he hurt his shoulder on correct? a guy has a bad game so you must bench him?

 
 
Dave says:

Anyone else’s gameday not registering pitch speeds or types?

Jefree says:

I’m not getting that data either.

 
Chip says:

I’m not getting anything on mine

 
pat says:

the YES gun isnt working either

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

YES has no gun either. Looks like both pitchers are throwing hard though.

 
 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Pitcher just coming off the DL with a shoulder injury should = shaky command.

 
pat says:
pat says:

umm walk the yard that is.

 
 
arlok789 says:

Everybody could see that he didn’t catch that… Lame attempt at trying to look like he made the play.

 
Dave says:

Jesus, put some long hair on Padilla and he could double for a Geico caveman

Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

He looks like an actor… I can’t put my finger on it… but I’ll get back to this post.

Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:
Dave says:

More of a failed comedian than an actor but i see it

 
 
 
 
Chip says:

Looks like this will be a very fun game to watch

John says:

14 of the last 18 have been very fun to watch (at least in the end)

 
 
Jake says:

“It pays to have protection” – Michael Kay

If only his parents had known…

John says:

It pays even more to have Patience

 
pat says:

hahaha, nice dude.

 
 

like the familiar quote of William Wordsworth – “What is pride? A whizzing rocket that would emulate a star.”!!

 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

Base hit arod right here.

 
pc69 says:

Non baseball issue. Anyone work with MS Access and know a site with information on linking reports to forms.

so far I am not finding what I want, but may be searching the wrong information.

Thanks…

Now back to what really matters.

Jefree says:

You can’t link a report to a form. What you CAN do is link the report to the same table or query that underlies the form.

pc69 says:

Ok, makes perfect sense. Thank you.

 
 
 
John says:
 
Dave says:

Not the first pitch robbie

 
Nigel Incubator-Jones says:

Cano will definately get on or get out right here.

 

Are they booing him? Those fans should be beaten about the head and neck with a rubber hose.

Chip says:

Wow, talk about what have you don’t for me lately

 
pc69 says:

Yes they should. Dumb asses.

 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:
 
 
cjc says:

boos really? no our fans aren’t embarassing

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Geez… RISP fail lately. Hopefully it’s just a minor funk.

Chip says:

Just think how good we’ll be when we actually start hitting in this situation

John says:

oh yea, we will as luck evens out.

Remember when we started that long winning streak, it was because we started hitting well with RISP after going a while after struggling. And of course, we did have good pitching.

Chip says:

And that A-Rod guy that everyone is booing

 
 
 
 
Jake H says:

A Rod hasn’t looked that good lately at the plate.

Jake says:

he has a 7 game hitting streak where he’s batting over .300 for that period

Zack says:

but he’s 0-1 !!!

 
 

HIP HIP!

SURGERY!!!!

 
Chris says:

Stop with the facts. We prefer unsupported generalities.

 
 
 
Dave says:

You never realize how much you pay attention to the gun until its not there…and Fuck, nice work 3-4-5.

 
whozat says:

That was pretty bad.

 
Nigel Incubator-Jones says:

Murphy will get on due to catcher’s interference right here.

 
V says:

Wow, that’s not an error? Cano, you have to get in front of the ball. I hate ‘ole’ plays.

Chip says:

Home scoring, gotta keep the streak going!

 

It was a rocket, not a slow dribbler.

 
 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

The Yanks would have to make a BLATENT error to have the streak broken here at home.

Mike HC says:

Good point. It will be interesting to see a borderline play and how they call it. That is why many people believe the “error” is a worthless stat.

 
 
Nigel Incubator-Jones says:

I predict Byrd will pop up to posada near the dugout.

 
pat says:

holy shit 167 AB 77 K. I suddenly don’t feel so bad about ajax K habits.

Chip says:

Yeah, he’s historically bad at striking out

 
Zack says:

on pace for 250

 
 
Mike HC says:

The Rangers obviously have a game plan to run early and often against AJ and Posada tonight.

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

I love Chris Davis!

 
pc69 says:

AJ has some movement tonight

 

Joe, it may be a small sample size, but it’s also possible that Joe talked to Swish today (possibly after looking at his numbers) and asked him if he’s confortable facing Padilla, does he see the ball well when he faces him, stuff like that.

You’re absolutely right that a 1-15 could be a function of bad luck on hard hit balls. But it could also be the predictable result facing a pitcher who flat-out owns you. I’ll guess he talked to Swish and made up the lineup based on what he said.

John says:

Swish doesn’t strike me as a guy who’ll want to sit out, even if he struggles against the pitcher. But I see your point and it could be true.

I don’t think Swish would beg out of the lineup, it would be a situation where Joe would have to read between the lines with what Swish tells him.

Girardi can’t admit this stuff publicly, he has to say BS like “Oh, I think he needs a day off” to protect his player. But he knows when a pitcher owns a guy.

 
 
Chris says:

Swisher has had one day off this year (everyone else except Cano has had more days off), so it’s not a surprise that he would get a day off. If you’re going to pick a day to rest him this series, why not do it today since he’s 1 for 15 off Padilla? It’s probably just bad luck in those at bats, but that’s a better reason than just flipping a coin.

 
 
pat says:

yes just provided video evidence that pitch was over the black. UGH

Luthien says:

May seem like a silly question, but where does the phrase “over the black” come from?

Jackson says:

The edges of home plate are usually black. So a pitch over the corner goes over the black part of the plate.

 

The edges of home plate are black. Literally.

 
Nickel says:

I think there was a time when home plate had a black rim around it. Thus, hitting the corner was known as “painting the black.”

Nickel says:

It still does.

 
pat says:

Heh, that time is now.

 
 
pat says:

The actual plate has a thin strip of black rubber framing it. It’s generally considered the best place to put a pitch because it’s the furthest inside or outside a pitch can be and still be a strike.

 
 
 
Jersey says:

Can’t call it a ball if they swing.

 
arlok789 says:

Saltalatoolonganame definitely had four strikes there. No problem for AJ though.

 
Drew says:

Is anyone else’s gameday not reading the speed?

Jersey says:

Yah, the gun is on the fritz at the stadium.

 
Joey says:

Everyone’s I believe

 
arlok789 says:

Yup, all speed measurement devices are inoperative. My dad is there so I’ve been thinking about texting him to see if the stadium gun is working. Too lazy though.

Jersey says:

John Sterling said they’re not posting gun readings at the stadium. They keep bringing it up.

Nick L says:

i dont think YES is posting the readings either

Zack says:

i was going to say Joba broke them last night…but remembered they played in Cleveland

 
 
 
 
 
Jersey says:

Porcello just pitched out of a bases-loaded one-out situation vs. Boston without giving up a run.

Zack says:

Porcello? You never even heard of him!!

Chip says:

GET ME PORCELLO’S LAST 5 STARTS!!!! He’s been a starter all his life!!!

 
 
 
Dave says:

Lets get some more walks

 
Charlie says:

Nice start for A.J, anyone else having problems with the gameday for this game??

Charlie says:

my bad, now i see u guys already talked about this

 
 
John says:

I like the 3 K’s but not so much the 33 pitches through two. I want him to go deep into the game, at least the 7th.

Chip says:

If he goes 6 without allowing a run again, I’m completely satisfied. The bullpen is well rested

John says:

yea, it is but still it would be nice :)

 
 
Zack says:

he’s on pace to go through 7

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Eh. The pen is fully rested. And the way Padilla is going… we’ll be beating up the Texas bullpen in the 4th or 5th.

 
 
Chip says:

Even at 37 the guy can still rake

Charlie says:

i know, it seems like he’s gotten a lot better in his older years.

John says:

And he’s been the best catcher this decade
Name/ABs this decade/OPS+
Jorge Posada 4897 129
Mike Piazza 3670 127
Vi. Martinez 3245 121
Iv. Rodriguez 4659 113
Javy Lopez 3312 110
Jason Varitek 4408 101

Joey says:

I’m sorry, that last name on the list completely dumps all it’s credibility to me

John says:

well, Rob Neyer posted this and one of his points was that only 6 catcher have been at least LEAGUE AVERAGE this decade.

 
 
 
 
Chip says:

But can’t run as well

 
 
JobaWockeeZ says:
 
Nickel says:

Oh for cryin out loud!

 
Dave says:

That stinks like poop.

 
arlok789 says:

Jorge can hit but man he sucks at running the bases

 
pc69 says:

Thank goodness that baserunning does not count and error or the streak would be over.

 
Mike HC says:

Looks like the third base couch put the stop sign up there.

Mike HC says:
 
 
Drew says:

That’s really inexcusable.

 
Jake H says:
 

Nice baserunning, Dumbo.

 
pat says:

I kinda blame robbie thompson, he didn’t make a very emphatic go sign, he waved with his fingers.

I blame his big ears. Too much wind resistance.

 
Drew says:

Windmill definitely should have been more emphatic but most of the blame lies on the player imo.

 
 
Charlie says:

fuck jorge, ur slow! don’t go testing people’s arms at your ripe old age with your hammy problems.

 
Jersey says:

Joba’s more valuable as 3rd base coach.

 
JobaWockeeZ says:

Even without speed Jorge could have made third.

 
V says:

I hate “6 for his last 18″ type stats, because it probably means he’s “6 for his last 19″, “6 for his last 20″, or something similar.

Jersey says:

On a long enough time span…he’s hitting his batting average.

 
Zack says:

i hate all stats, i just use my eyes

 
pat says:

gritner leads the league in crappy hits deflected by infielders that somehow make it into the outfield.

pat says:

ugh wrong place.

 
 
 
Tom Zig says:

Sweet baserunning Jorge

 
Chip says:

It just amazes me to see Melky take 0-2 and 1-2 pitches

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Gardner’s just going to grit and grind this ball through in the infield… I just know it.

arlok789 says:

nice prediction

 
 
arlok789 says:

Common Brett, lets get a hit

 
Charlie says:

what is up with this pitcher’s hair. its greasy as hell.

Chip says:

It’s all about the ritual man, you don’t shower before a start!

 
John says:

(insert him being a foreigner joke here)

 
arlok789 says:

Padilla is a greasy greasy man.

 
 
Jake says:
 
Drew says:

Okay, now take second. Thanks.
-Drew

 
SouthernYankeeFan says:
 
Nickel says:

Nice job, Gard.

 
Chip says:

Alright, way to smack a little single (soon to be a double) to right

pat says:

how about that for a little single?

 
 
Tom Zig says:

Can Chris Davis bat 27 times today

John says:

with AJ? Damn that would be nice

 
 
JobaWockeeZ says:

Nice job Gritsner.

 
Jake says:
 
Drew says:

Good running by Grit.

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Three. Run. JACK. Wait for it…

 
Chip says:
 
Chip says:

Well it’ll be good to have the bullpen to beat up on by the fifth

Dave says:

Hopefully they get to feast on some tender Kris Benson

 
 
Tom Zig says:

It is still weird for me to see the Yankee starting staff to record high strike out totals. Especially compared to last year.

Chip says:

Isn’t it wonderful?

 
 
Mike HC says:

I am still a bit surprised that everyone seems to be a little surprised that Jeter is having an excellent year. I always felt that last year was just a down year, probably because he picked up some injuries. I’m happy Jeter has quieted the premature talk of his decline.

Tom Zig says:

Not having to face Daniel Cabrera also helps.

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Jeter gets hit with with a pitch and goes into a slump at least twice a year. You can set your watch by it.

Mike HC says:

It does seem to play out like that. He leans into the plate and takes one off the hand/wrist. Hopefully he can avoid that this year.

 
 
Zack says:

a 15 game hitting streak in which he raised his BA 40 points also helps. you cant really make decisions about a guys year in the middle of a hot streak

 

Moshe had a nice post up the other day, showing that Jeter’s actually been very consistent in recent years. The big year he had in 2006 was the outlier, he’s been remarkably consistent both before and after. If you use 06 as the starting point, it appears he’s declining. But if you start at 2000, you see a remarkably consistent player, who’s slightly better some years than others.

http://www.baseball-reference......de01.shtml

Mike HC says:

I’m with you, and Moshe on that point. Jeter is the model of consistancy.

 
 
 
Drew says:
 
arlok789 says:

2 outs, risp, lets drive in runs plz?

 
Chip says:

Love it, it’s Tex time

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Does Mark Teixeira REALLY want to rock? I bet he does.

 
Nickel says:

It’d be really nice for Tex to validate the whole “Yankee Stadium is a lunching pad” belief right about now.

John says:

The most upper deck! He got the suite level right below it once

 
Nickel says:

Alright…let A-Rod do it.

 
 
Jake says:
 
John says:

Bases loaded walk!!!

 
SouthernYankeeFan says:

Ha hahahahahahahah

 
Chip says:

I could also deal with the bases-loaded walk in order to bring A-Rod up

 
Drew says:

This inning has grit all over it.

pat says:

Grits grimey little fingerprints are pitter pattered all over the place.

 
 
Jersey says:
 
Chip says:

Wow, how do you balk when you’re not holding anybody on?

 
Rich M says:

Any one else see that Tyler Clippard is filling in as pitching coach for his AAA team?

http://community.thetimes-trib.....notes.aspx

 
Drew says:

AJ, take care of that. Thanks.
-Drew

 
Mike HC says:

hahaha … as per Joe’s early post, all you gotta do is apply a little pressure to Padilla’s head (bases loaded jam) and he will self implode.

 
JobaWockeeZ says:

A-Rod better get a run or two…or 4.

Chip says:

Yeah!! Or I’ll……I’ll…….boo you!!

JobaWockeeZ says:

Because that always works!

 
 
 
Chip says:

Wow, nothing going right for Padilla right now

 
pc69 says:

Padilla looks like a member of the Gipsy Kings.

 
Dave says:

Really gotta put this Padilla cat out of his misery here.

 
LiveFromNewYork says:

Balk and HBP not a good time for Padilla.

 
SouthernYankeeFan says:

damn Arod is running S L O W

 
Drew says:

I wish Al was fast again…

 
pc69 says:

Damn, tough one…. ARod is about two weeks away from really starting to do some damage.

Dave says:

Yea, I was really hoping that 5 for 5 game in Texas was a sign of “holy shit tex-arod 3-4 is going to be bananas” but I suppose itll prolly take a little longer for alex to hold up his end to his fullest potential

 
 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! How does he not hit a grand slam every time! He’s so SELFISH!

 
LiveFromNewYork says:

Gardner spooked him. I don’t know how. Is he a threat to steal home?

Chip says:

Yeah, but not from his seat in the dugout

Drew says:
Chip says:

Gardner wasn’t on third, Jeter was. Gardner scored on the balk

Drew says:

Gardner was on third with the bases loaded. Padilla went to the full windup the quickly realized he can’t do that with Gardy on. Hence, he spooked em.

Chip says:

Ahhhh, I misinterpretted that

 
 
LiveFromNewYork says:
 
 
 
 
 
Chip says:

Would have been nice to really break it open there

 
John says:

Damn, oh well, at least we got 2 runs

Tom Zig says:

A line up without Hamilton and with Chris Davis in it = no bueno

Chip says:

Don’t discount them so early. Kinsler, Cruz, and Young have been absolutely mashing this year

 
 
 
arlok789 says:

RAGE…

I want to bring the pain. I wanna see Padilla cry. I want to see the Rangers give up in the face of double digit run deficits. Groundouts with the bases loaded annoy me.

 
pat says:

Love when theres 2 strikes before they even put the graphics on the screen.

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

How many pitches is Padilla at?

 
 
Drew says:

Who gets plunked on the Rangers?

Zack says:

2 run lead playing in a bandbox? no one

Drew says:

I’m not talking about right this instance. Someone will get plunked this game.

 
 
 

AJ quits the Roy Halladay school and signs up for Joba Chamberlain University.

You got great stuff, use it. Want to be efficient? Throw strikes.

Chip says:

So true, I love it when they just start attacking guys. Sure a guy will guess right once in awhile and hit one out but for the most part, you’re going to come out on top

Chip says:

And as soon as I say that, he walks a guy

. . . . and lets up a 3 run bomb.

ITS ALL YOUR FAULT!!!

 
 

I think the reason Joba’s velocity was down was he was using more 2-seamers and spotting his fastball. It just doesn’t work for him. Joba’s talent is in his stuff, the explosion on his pitches, the movement he generates. Location isn’t as much of an issue for him since his stuff is so good. When he pulled back a bit, he became more hittable.

If you looked closely when Joba was at his most dominant as a reliever, he threw balls straight down the middle of the plate at times. But when its going 97-98 MPH, most hitters still can’t hit it.

 
 
 
Dave says:

Whoo, that could have ended poorly.

 
Ivan says:

Nice play Melky.

 
Drew says:

Melky’s the man

 
Chip says:

I love how you have to hold your breath on every fly to right the way this place has been playing

 
Nigel Incubator-Jones says:

Suggestion. For everyone that makes perdctions.. i.e. “Damon is going deep here”. You need to put your record on predictions next to it.

Damon is going deep here (0-4).

If you get to 0-5 you have to stop making predictions.

Dave says:

Can we CC Steve Phillips on that memo?

LiveFromNewYork says:

John Sterling has to STFU every time he does that HR-not foolishness.

 
 
Nickel says:

Are you only allowed 5 predictions in a season or is that 5 predictions over the course of one game?

Nigel Incubator-Jones says:

Per game, so that we can watch people go down in flames

 
 
pat says:

So you’re 0-3

Nigel Incubator-Jones says:

Yes, but mine were to show the fact that I hate predictions..

 
 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

PUT YOUR NAME ON IT!

/Mientkiewiczed

I’m 1 for 2

 
 
pc69 says:

Ok back to the topic of the fence line being straight instea of curved like the old stadium; that hit would have just made the warning track if the dimensions were the same.

Gotta get that fixed.

 
V says:

Ugh, it’s about time for Jason Bay to go into an 0/100 tailspin. Please. He’s pissing me the fuck off.

I honestly have to wonder what would have to have been added to get Bay instead of Nady. Too much, probably, but worth wondering.

Dave says:

I was looking at that too the other day thinking “what if”, until I was reminded that the Redsox gave up Manny in that deal

 
 
John says:

A-rod’s BABIP is .233 entering this game. His career BABIP is .326. His LD% is 17.9%, which is right in line with his career LD% of 18.0%. Therefore, A-rod is still unlucky and will soon be batting .300+.

Chip says:

True, and he is still looking silly up there a lot. He’s obviously not in top form yet in addition to getting lucky

 
Drew says:

You need BABIP to tell you Al will be hitting 300 soon. Step away from the computer.

John says:

no I know he’ll bat .300 but im just saying he’s unlucky so far and he isn’t really that bad right now, though he clearly isn’t 100% at the plate yet.

 
 
 
Drew says:

It’s nice having an arm out in right…

 
V says:

Hey, AJ, guess what? It looks like walking a guy you had down 0-2 is a BAD IDEA.

He really, sometimes, is a real coward in terms of trying to throw the perfect strikeout pitch.

Zack says:

fans like you are annoying

V says:

Are you saying it’s a good idea to walk a guy when you have him down 0-2?

 
 
 
pat says:

Wait so because Nolan Ryan was a genetic freak who could pitch like no other human on earth he is going to mortgage his whole farm system on his own experience?

Chip says:

Yes, that seems to be his plan

Does he also plan on teaching them how to issue the most walks in the history of Baseball?

http://www.baseball-reference......reer.shtml

 
 
Zack says:

Yes, and if Ripken was manager his starts would never take a day off

Chip says:

But Ripken isn’t from Texas. People from Texas are always right

 
 

Nolan wasn’t even that big of a guy, 6′2″ 195 in his prime. He had no business throwing a ball 100 MPH or lasting as long as he did. It was all in the genes.

 
 
SouthernYankeeFan says:
 
arlok789 says:
 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Yeah so 2 out walks are so sexy.

 
John says:
 
Dave says:

Ah, the perils of having no control at all.

 
Chip says:

Well that was bound to happen sooner or later. Hopefully we can correct this RISP problem soon

 
Charlie says:

bad pitch there to cruz and not a great one to blalock either. and posada called for both of those.

Lily says:

so in a way your blaming posada for those pitches because he called them. your not going to blame aj who didnt place them where it should have been.

 
 
cjc says:

man when it comes apart for him it really comes apart hard and fast goddamn it

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Vintage AJ this season.

 
John says:

We’ll score more soon. We’ve been getting on base a lot but that big hit with RISP hasn’t come but it will soon.

 
SouthernYankeeFan says:

Dear AJ get another out.

 
Drew says:

AJ you’re giving me agita.

 
V says:

Wow.

2 easy outs. 0-2 count on batter #3. Walk. Double, HR, single, single.

Too early to get Wang up?

Chip says:

I’d imagine he won’t be making an appearance, this’ll be Aceves

 
 
Nickel says:

Geez…Is Aceves available tonight?

 
Chip says:

Thank goodness Chris Davis is here to save us

 
Dave says:

Ah good, Chris Davis is back up

 
John says:

Is AJ prone to the big inning or what

 

I predict that we will bring the tying run to the plate this inning. 0-0

Nickel says:

Wow…there’s a bold one right there. :-P

 
 
 
SouthernYankeeFan says:

thank god he hit that to center.

 
Drew says:

He sure enjoys the precarious route.

 

Thought that was gone.

 
Nickel says:

Well, they’re just down by 1. Lotta baseball left.

 
pat says:

I’d imagine of a batboy gave Paul O’Neil the wrong bat pauly would promptly turn that sumbitch sideways and stick it up his ass.

 
Dave says:

Hopefully AJ gets his shit together

 
Drew says:

You’d think we’d see at least one replay of that Gardy catch. God sometimes I hate YES.

 
cjc says:

hope he keeps that as the bad one of the night damn 2 out no one on

 

Hmmmmm. Girardi leave the possibility of a 6 man rotation open.

“Girardi said he will speak on Tuesday with general manager Brian Cashman about what to do next with Wang. Though Girardi acknowledged that Wang isn’t pleased with his situation.

“I haven’t seen it outwardly,” Girardi said of Wang’s frustration. “I’ve seen him do what ever we’ve ask because I’ve always believed he’s been a team player. And I think that’s what he’s being. … Eventually, he’s going to be back in our rotation.”

Girardi left open the chance of plugging Wang into rotation even if he has to give the other pitchers in the rotation an extra day by pushing them back”

http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde.....or_ya.html

V says:

I’m actually not totally averse to a 6 man rotation. But CC definitely needs to be going on a normal schedule. Hughes and Joba could use extra days off over the course of the season, and it can’t hurt Pettitte. There’s the worries of Wang having too much strength and the sinker not sinking, but, eh.

I could see a 6 man rotation, with CC on normal rest and everyone else with extra rest, being OK.

 
Dave says:

Heh, you gotta love the “setback” for Damaso Marte:
“Left-handed reliever Damaso Marte stubbed the little toe of his left foot but was still able to play catch.”

 
 

Is it just me or have the Yankee lefties been getting rung up on the inside FB an awful lot this season? IDK why but it sticks out to me.

Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Posada is a total guess hitter. If it’s not what he’s looking for he’ll look at it all the way right down the middle more times than not.

 
 

The score will not be 3-2 by the end of the 4th inning.

1-0

;)

John says:

hopefully it will be 3-2 after the top of the fourth

 
 

Paul O’Neill is a weird dude.

 
V says:

Man, his curveball comman SUCKS right now, and their big hitters are just going to sit fastball.

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Wow. It just fell apart.

 

Nice fucking throw Jorge.

Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

Not a good sign. You know the Rays are watching this.

 
 
V says:

Wow. Bad pitch, bad throw.

 
Reggie C. says:

Shoulda had Cervelli in there.

Drew says:
 
 
pat says:

Jorge must not have worked out his shoulder while on the dl.

 
Nick L says:

what a terrible ay to get an error, all he has to do is lob it to cano if anything.

 
JobaWockeeZ says:

Jorge really has no arm.

Drew says:

If ya got no arms throw your hands in the air.

 
 
V says:

Does this mean…

Kay will stop talking about the stupid fucking streak?

 
John says:

at least we set the record

 
 

The answer is Tim Wakefield (31 H, .313/.343/.444).

 
Tank the Frank (formerly just "Frank") says:

We have so much damn GRIT coming up in this inning it’s impossible not to score a run!

 

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.