Sep
23

Burnett strong as Kennedy returns in series win

By Benjamin Kabak

If I told you that the Yanks would win a game in Anaheim with Jerry Hairston, Jr., Shelley Duncan, Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner and Jose Molina all in the same lineup, would you believe me? What if I told you that Damaso Marte, Jonathan Albaladejo, Phil Coke and Ian Kennedy would be called upon to get a combined seven outs in the middle of the affair? What if I added that the Yanks hadn’t won a series in Anaheim since May 2004?

In a turn of events sure to confound those fans who are convinced that the Yankees can’t win a game in Angels Stadium, the Bombers’ C lineup and their C bullpen corps downed the Angels today 3-2. Robinson Cano, struggling all year with runners in scoring position, came through with a huge hit, and A.J. Burnett struck out 11 in 5.2 strong innings of work. Ian Kennedy gave us all a heart attack but held down the eighth in his return to the Majors. With their victory, the Yanks saw their Magic Number drop to 5 and their lead above the Red Sox increase to a temporary 6.5.

For the first few innings, the Scott Kazmir/A.J. Burnett pitching duel lived up to its billing. While the Angels left a man on base in every inning of the game, Burnett had the K pitch working this afternoon. He was sitting between 95 and 97 for most of the game and recorded 11 of his 17 outs by the strike out. With that stuff, the runners on base won’t score.

The Yankees broke through first, finally getting to Kazmir in fourth. While Jerry Hairston, Jr., struck out, Mark Teixeira doubled, and Hideki Matsui walked. Shelley Duncan lined a single just over Chone Figgins’ glove to left, and because Teixeira started back to second when it seemed as though Figgins would make the play, Juan Rivera gunned him down at the plate. With two outs, Robinson Cano and his struggles with runners in scoring position came to the plate, he lined a two-out, two-run single to left and advanced on the throw. Melky Cabrera would drive Cano in with a double, and those three runs would be all the Yanks would need.

In the bottom of the fifth, Burnett ran into a spot of trouble. Mike Napoli singled, and Chone Figgins doubled. With two on and no one out, Burnett bore down. He struck out Erick Aybar, and Robinson Cano ranged far to his left to snare a Bobby Abreu ground ball. A run would score, but Burnett pitched out of the inning.

In the sixth, the bullpen would take over. After Burnett allowed another run to score, Damaso Marte retired Figgins. An inning later, Jonathan Albaladejo would take over, but his stay was short-lived. After a double, Phil Coke came in and struck out Kendry Morales. Coke has lost seven pounds over the last two days with a bad stomach bug, but he got a huge out with the tying run in scoring position.

One of the stories of the game around in the 8th. With Al Aceves and Phil Hughes unavailable and Brian Bruney in the dog house, Ian Kennedy came in for his return to the Bigs after aneurysm surgery. He seemed nervous and struggled with his control, loading the bases on a hit by pitch and two walks. But he pitched around it. He got the first out when Juan Rivera lined to Ramiro Peña at third and struck out Maicer Izturis with two on. With the bases loaded, Erick Aybar flew out to Shelley Duncan. Threat over.

In the 9th, Rivera nailed down the game, and all was right with the Yanks. A.J. had another strong start, and Joe will look at his resurgence in the morning. The Yanks knocked another game off the Magic Number counter and have now won three of their last four against Anaheim. The Yanks are sitting pretty.

Hairston Injury Update
Jerry Hairston left the game in the 7th when he felt his wrist pop, and PeteAbe speculates that Hairston’s injury could be serious. Apparently, Hairston first injured his wrist while with the Reds and received an MRI and cortisone shot ten days ago. He will have another scan tomorrow. I wouldn’t expect much from him for the rest of the year, but then again, I wasn’t really expecting much from him anyway.

Feel free to make this an Open Thread. Talk about the game. Talk about Kennedy for the 8th. Talk about the long wait until the Friday night game against the Red Sox. Just play nice.

Posted on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 at 7:45 pm in Game Stories.

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255 Comments »

Zack says:

Remembe people flipping out saying that the Red Sox would be within 2 games prior to this series?

Salty Buggah says:
 
 
Dela G says:

I put this on the spillover, but why not continue it here

2009 memes

<strike
yankees cannot beat anaheim in NY
yankees cannot beat boston
yankees cannot win in fenway
yankees cannot beat roy halladay more than once in a season
yankees cannot win in anaheim
A-rod is on a "Steep Decline" and "Looks like a 3rd baseman"
Yanks can’t beat rookie pitchers
Yanks can’t win without the HR
Yanks are too old and so can’t win

The last three are courtesy of Salty

Dela G says:

I put this on the spillover, but why not continue it here

Fixed

2009 memes


yankees cannot beat anaheim in NY
yankees cannot beat boston
yankees cannot win in fenway
yankees cannot beat roy halladay more than once in a season
yankees cannot win in anaheim
A-rod is on a “Steep Decline” and “Looks like a 3rd baseman”
Yanks can’t beat rookie pitchers
Yanks can’t win without the HR
Yanks are too old and so can’t win

The last three are courtesy of Salty

LivefromNewYork says:

Joe Girardi sucks and can’t manage a bullpen.

 
Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

CC Sabathia and Mark Texeira can’t handle the pressure of NY.

 
steve (different one) says:

the Yankees can’t win in TEH BANDBOX!!

Cashman can’t build a bench
Cashman was stupid for letting the Sox get Smoltz/not signing Juan Cruz/not trading for Washburn/Bannister…and my favorite, not signing Dallas MacPherson!!!

 
 
Charlie says:

i guess you mean “looks like a 1st baseman”

Dela G says:

wow i am full of fail

salty, DFA me please

JMK says:

You also forgot that Cano (and all Dominicans, for that matter) is lazy. Cabrera will only play well with Gardner on his ass and Swisher is a 4th outfielder.

 
 
 

Nice job Dela, I was thinking the exact same thing today.

IIRC, we took 2 of 3 from the Angels earlier this year, then won the makeup game recently, and now took 2 of 3 in Anaheim.

Total it up, and the Yankees have won 5 of 7 against the team they supposedly can’t beat. I can only hope we can’t beat the rest of the league to the same win pct.

The Angels also swept the Yanks in Anaheim right before the All Star Break. I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer, but that too was part of the season series.

No, you’re 100% right. I conveniently “misremembered” that basking in the glow of today’s win.

I conveniently “misremembered” that basking in the glow of today’s win.

/AndyPettitte’d

 

So that would make it 5-5. Not good, but not bad either.

But I still think we can put the ‘can’t win’ stuff to bed. Most of that was done against Yankee teams from 02-07, and there’s only a handful of players who’ve been here that long. This team has been totally rebuilt, and this year’s edition is a very different group.

 
 
 
 
 
Salty Buggah says:

“If I told you that the Yanks would win a game in Anaheim with Jerry Hairston, Jr., Shelley Duncan, Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner and Jose Molina all in the same lineup, would you believe me? What if I told you that Damaso Marte, Jonathan Albaladejo, Phil Coke and Ian Kennedy would be called upon to get a combined seven outs in the middle of the affair? What if I added that the Yanks hadn’t won a series in Anaheim since May 2004?”

Yes, I would believe you. Then again, I’m a bit too optimistic at times.

 
 
RIYank says:

I almost never post here, but dang that game was satisfying. Soul satisfying. And with all the cool, satisfying things you mention, Ben, for me the greatest of all was, well, The Greatest of All, pitching the ninth inning.
It just never gets old.

thurdonpaul says:

the greatest of all, i like that line, maybe that can be on his monument park plaque down the road

 
 
Esteban says:

Ok
Ian Kennedy to the 8th. He’s has the right mentality to get it done in the 8th and is able to just air it out in short appearances. Yanks better not take out Ian Kennedy out of the 8th or they’ll be messing with his head

/something’d

scooter says:

Ian Kennedy is a starting pitcher!
/Francesa’d

Watching Pelfrey getting hammered by Atlanta. The ghost of Garrett Anderson just missed a HR by about 3″

 
Greg F. says:

I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Ian Kennedy in a Phil Hughes type role next season.

Pasqua says:
 
 
 
Greg F. says:

Great to see Kennedy back in the majors. His command wasn’t great but he got squeezed on a pitch or two. He also averaged over 92 with his four seamer, which was surprising to see.

I hope he gets into some more game action before the season is out.

Anth says:

Averaging 92 is very suprising. I thought the gun was just hot but checking out Brooks Baseball he averaged 92.01 and maxed out at 93.1. You could see if was a bit nervous, can’t blame him. It will be interesting to see what kind of role he plays next year.

 
 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

Earlier in the year that Sunday game was supposed to be a night game what the hell happen.

Yom Kippur. The Yanks moved that game time about three weeks ago to accommodate the religious holiday.

yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

damn i was supposed to go to that game and now i cant go if its a 1pm start.

LET’S KILL THOSE DIRTY JEWS!!!!!

Sincerely,
Mel Gibson

 
 
 
scooter says:

Yom Kippur happened… and the game was moved

Pardon my ignorance, but does the date for Yom Kippur vary each year?

Yes, but not enough that MLB doesn’t know about it well enough in advance to have fixed this issue before it became an issue.

Wikipedia already has the next 4 years of Yom Kippur posted. I’m sure a tiny bit more digging, or a call to your local neighborhood rabbi, could probably get you the next 50 beyond that.

 

It moves around in our regular calendar because the Jewish calendar is a lunar one.

Considering that most of those in the upper reaches of the Commissioner’s Office and the Yankees Front Office are Jewish, the game never should have been set for 8 p.m. Now that it’s been moved, I can — and am — going.

Mouch "half man half couch" says:

Good now I can watch the NFL on Sunday night after watching the Yankees kick Bostons ass in the afternoon.

Don’t forget to participate in Glenn Beck’s tea-party protest…

http://mediamatters.org/press/.....0909210024

Tom Zig says:

Not a fan of Glenn Beck

(Comments wont nest below this level)

Of course you’re not a fan of Glenn Beck:

You made it to high school.

 
 
 
 

Once again, my ignorant self is curious: was Yom Kippur ever an issue scheduling-wise in the past for MLB?

Take a look at this article. Good stuff.

Yeah, thanks for that BK. I was aware of the Koufax and Greenberg situations and of certain players being conflicted about it. But I had not heard of MLB rescheduling games because of Yom Kippur, hence my question.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
 
toad says:

The Elders of Zion move it around randomly every year to confuse Selig. Otherwise he might look at a calendar and know ahead of time when it falls.

 
 
 
 
Evan says:

Sometimes, I hate my irrational side. I cringed and yelled much more than I should have during these past couple of series.

 

It was a stressful, yet satisfying series…and now the Sux come to town. Man, I know it’s been beaten to the ground but once it’s over this whole week will have definitely felt like the playoffs.

 
scooter says:

The only question now is – Billy Martin or Bobby Murcer for #1?
(Could we do both?)

 
 

Bobby Richardson says hi. Lots of good Yankees wore 1. Earle Combs, the first guy to wear 1, was no slouch either.

Earle Combs, career – .325/.397/.462 (126+)

Well, he’s no Bernie Williams, but who is?

Oh, yeah… Bernie Williams is.

 
 
 
 
 
Bob Stone says:

Is this file video or audio only? I’m getting only audio. It’s great BTW.

 
 
Jack says:

Is it wierd that I already had that on my mp3 player?

 
 
pollo says:

RAB ads always give me the biggest boners.

 
Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

Is it the Michelin Man one?

/JMK’d

 
 
jim p says:

iirc, didn’t Seattle beat us overwhelmingly in Seattle for a few years running? Then, that just totally switched over for the next few.

 
danny says:
 

I must say it is nice to see IPK back in the show. I was watching the game on the Angels feed (live in Las Vegas) and when IPK had loaded the bases, They put the camera on Girardi & Pena talking and you could see him say he we are sticking with him. I know it was a rocky inning the was self induced by control problems, but he buckled down and got out of that jam. I looks like the yankees are really starting to get the young pitching in a groove. Congrads IPK

Pasqua says:

I was happy to see IPK get a successful inning under his belt, too, but lets not use him as evidence of the young guys “getting in a groove.” It was one inning (in which he loaded the bases). I’ll just be glad he’s healthy and pitching for now.

 
 
BigBlueAL says:

Any news on Hairston’s injury????

yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

Peter says he felt a pop in his wrist while taking a practice swing.

 

“I’m just hoping it’s some scar tissue breaking up,” he said.

Please, Oh Benevolent Mo, let it be so.

Mo it is written, Mo it shall be done. Mosanna, Mosanna, Mosanna in the highest.

RichYF says:

I’ve seen this like 8 times and I still not only think it in the voice of a priest, but I giggle. Every. Single. Time. So, for that, I thank you.

You fucking dochenozzle.

Mo—
oh-oh-oh-oh-oh—
oh-oh-oh-oh-oh—
oh-oh-oh-oh-oh—ria
In excélsis Deo…

 
 
 
 
 

“Mike Axisa says:
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:53 pm
[Read Comment]

Oh yeah, A-Rod really needs another two days off, he only has two homers in his last four plate appearances…

/The Artist’d”

http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ent-594509

Today’s starting lineup

YANKEES (96-56)
Jeter SS
Hairston 3B
Teixeira 1B
Matsui DH
Duncan RF
Cano 2B
Cabrera LF
Gardner CF
Molina C

(in my best Joker voice)
Never rub another man’s rhubarb! Hahahhahahahahhah!!!!!

Never rub another man’s rhubarb! Hahahhahahahahhah!!!!!

Absolutely fantastic.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that…

My rhubarb happens to be adorable and I get compliments on it frequently.

 
 
 

Oh don’t even. You said he needed two days off after a particularly ugly strikeout, implying that you think he was struggling and needed a break.

Obviously, he’s fine.

 
 
danny says:

“The Angels were left without the simple clutch single that would have handed them the game against a dawdling old Yankees squad feasting on a generous strike one for mid-career hack A.J. Burnett.”

LMAO dang, bitter much?

 
Greg G. says:

If the Sox lose one of the next two games, then the Yanks can clinch the division by taking two of three against Boston.

Sweet.

 

The only thing today that can top Ian Kennedy’s glorious Hold (1) this afternoon would be having my threeway with Esther Baxter and Melyssa Ford.

Oh, Moly Father, I don’t ask for much (yes, I do), but if you could see it in your heart to hook up that hot threeway action for me, I’ll be ever so grateful. I’ll even be nice to Melky Cabrera. Rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub, Amen.

Greg G. says:

OK, TSJC, put that “shiv” back under the mattress.

 
 
Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

With my luck, it would be a three way with Esther Rolle and Gerald Ford.

 
Greg G. says:

Dame Edna and Eleanor Roosevelt?

 
 
 

Aw, crap, Cole. Ross destroyed that.

 
 
mustang says:

Nice to see IPK do so well after the year he has had.
If you think about where he has been to do what he did to today very impressive.

pagliacci says:

it would have been more impressive without the hit, hit batsman, and walk to load the bases 1st tho lol

pagliacci says:

but for what he went through i’ll take it!

mustang says:
 
 

I like the HBP. He’s feisty. Knock a few shlubs on their ass, Bob Gibson-style, baby!

Joba should take a page out of his book. What’s that? Joba leads the league in HBP?

Dirty lil secret. Joba’s control isn’t great and never has been.

I was going for the toughness angle.

 
Marcus says:

“…never has been.”

Hm? Joba had a 5.0 K/BB ratio in the minors (not counting Hawaiian league, which would have made it even better).

I take your point if you just mean the majors, but his control was stellar in the minors.

Majors, and college. He was OK in college, but not great. Averaged around 3 per 9 IIRC.

(Comments wont nest below this level)

2.5 in ‘05, 3.4 in ‘06.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

‘do so well’ might be a bit much, he hit a batter and walked two others. He said he was overly pumped up early, and Molina noticed and came out to the mound to calm him down. Can’t blame him, after the season he’s had.

But I love the way he keeps his cool out there, even with men on base. He knows that he can’t give in, and I have confidence watching him that he will find a way out of it. He’s very mature for a pitcher his age, we used to see savvy veterans like El Duque and Coney pitch the same way, bend but don’t break.

Still an IPK fan, hope to see him get a shot next year.

 
 
BigBlueAL says:

Tim Hudson’s stuff looks pretty good considering he had TJ surgery last year.

 

One of these years, he’s going to drop dead right in the dugout and the Braves will be FORCED to hire a new manager. And the new guy will inject some energy and a new style of Baseball into that team, and they will actually over perform for once.

Most overrated manager in baseball.

Most overrated manager in baseball.

Ozzie says what?

Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:
 
 
 
 
 
thurdonpaul says:

great Joe D pic, very classic, very nice

 
Bob Stone says:

I read an article from Fna.com yesterday quoting Cashman as saying the Yankees will go with a ten man pitching staff in the ALDS. I’d post the link but I don’t want to violate Guidelines. Is it ok to post the this type of link?

Bob Stone says:
Bob Stone says:

Man I can’t get this right . . . it’s fanhouse.com

You’re good money. LINK THAT SHIZZ, HOMIE!

 
 
 

Not against the guidelines to post links in Open Threads as this one, but we discussed Cashman’s statement yesterday.

Bob Stone says:

Thanks Ben. I must be tired. I read that RAB story and totally forgot that you covered Cashman saying there would be a ten man pitching staff. See what the late night west coast games due to some of us, especially when you have to get up for work at 5:30am the next day.

 
 
 
LivefromNewYork says:

Ian Kennedy had a BRAIN ANUERYSM. I repeat Ian Kennedy had a BRAIN ANEURYSM.

To come back from that is amazing. To pitch in an MLB game after that is double amazing. To pitch for the Yankees in Anaheim is triple amazing.

Thus there was a man on base for each of his amazings and then said, watch this bitches..more amazings.

I know he was a brash SOB at some point last year but I think a brain aneurysm might give you a different perspective on life and I gotta give the kid respect.

IPK FTW.

Greg G. says:

Ummm…are you being serious here? It wasn’t a brain aneurysm…it was an aneurysm in his arm, like Cone’s. Very different.

LivefromNewYork says:

oh that’s right, it was ME with a brain aneurysm. Nevermind.

WHY DID I TYPE BRAIN ANEURYSM????

I have alex gon syndrome tonight.

 

Ian Kennedy was shot to death, twice, and came back to pitch for the Yankees today.

I REPEAT, IAN KENNEDY WAS ASSASSINATED TWICE, SET ON FIRE, RAPED BY WILD RING-TAILED LEMURS, AND HAD HIS BALLY’S TOTAL FITNESS MEMBERSHIP REVOKED FOR NON-PAYMENT OF DUES AND HE CAME BACK TO PITCH FOR THE YANKEES TODAY.

THAT’S AMAZING.

LivefromNewYork says:

No he was drawn and quartered and then pronounced to be a witch because he weighs more than a goose.

 
RichYF says:

That’s two victories for you, sir. Game…blouses.

- Nice game.
- Wish I could say the same for you… bitches.
[drops pancake on plate]

 
 
 
 
 
 
Greg G. says:

Don’t get me wrong…it is still very cool that he was able to come back and pitch this year.

OH, I’M GETTING YOU WRONG BUBBY! YOU HATE HIM, DON’T YOU?!?

Greg G. says:

…oh…it’s true…[snif]…ever since he stole my juice box in the cafeteria in 5th grade…I just…hate him!

 
 
 

He has a scar in his armpit, he was showing it off to guys in the bullpen. Mo even commented on it in the post game.

I’m no brain surgeon (big surprise) but I don’t think they operate on the brain via the armpit.

I’m no brain surgeon (big surprise) but I don’t think they operate on the brain via the armpit.

They use the “Cranial Screw-Top Method”.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uAj8.....6546_8.jpg (safe)

I didn’t even need that link. Love Doctor Haafffllllaaaarrrr.

 
 
 
 

Kay mentioned that Freddie Guzman might make the post season roster, as a 2nd pinch runner.

So does that mean Jerry Hairston would be out?

10-man pitching staff + 9 man starting lineup = 6 man bench

1) Molina
2) Hinske
3) Hairston
4) Gardner
5) Guzman
6) Peña

 
Accent Shallow says:

They were making noise about including him in the roster last week, so not necessarily.

I’d pretty much hate Guzman on the postseason roster. Ergh.

Why?

He’d be the 25th guy on the roster, and he can steal a base with the best of them. An excellent base-stealer to pinch run for Hazmat or Jorge probably adds more value than an 11th or 12th pitcher or a 3rd backup infielder or a Shelley Duncan.

Guzman makes a TON of sense on the postseason roster.

Is he really that much faster than Pena or Hairston?

 
Chris says:

Fine, but my point was is the marginal speed difference worth carrying one less pitcher? I don’t think so.

I think Joba likely gets taken over Gaudin. But Gaudin could eat up 3 innings somewhere and save Ace/D-Rob from having to do so, leaving them strong to perform in a win, rather than a losing cause. We need a garbage man, and Gaudin would be perfect.

My retort: I agree.

Take the 11th pitcher, and keep Guzman on the roster. Peña gets dropped.

11th pitcher >> elite basestealing pinchrunner >> second UTI (who can’t really hit)

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salty Buggah says:

4 baserunners in 2 innings for Beckett against KC. No runs but thats not really good against the Royals.

 
Bob Stone says:

Over/Under on the Yanks winning 102 games?

Jose says:

Push. Yeah I did it.

 

Joe Girardi’s an idiot. Anyone could have won 102 games with this team.

/Goldman’d

Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

I happen to like Steve Goldman, so question: When did Goldman say that?

I fucked up. I meant Jeff Pearlman.

Shelley’s gonna WHUP YOUR ASS!!!

Confusing two Jewish guy’s names during Rosh Hashanna is doubly bad. I’m going to have to convert just so I can repent on Yom Kippur.

 
 
Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:
 
 
 
 
 
Teix is the Man says:

It would be totally awesome, yet random if the Yankees went on their first road playoff game, went into the home team clubhouse dressed in tuxesos, and said, “we’re the Yankkes, and we’re here to fuck shit up!’

Jose says:

They are way to classy for that to ever happen.

Teix is the Man says:

I know, but it would be just like Stepbrothers!

 
 
 

Just to see what one would look like, I’ll make up a 25 man postseason roster. 10 pitchers, 15 position players.

Pitchers:
CC
AJ
Andy
Mariano
Hughes
Aceves
Marte
Coke
Robertson
Joba/Gaudin/Alby/Bruney

Position Players:
Posada
Molina
Tex
Cano
Jeter
Alex
Damon
Swish
Gardner
Melky
Matsui
Hairston
Hinske
Ramiro Pena
Freddy Guzman

 

I don’t know about you, but I’d drop Guzman and take an extra pitcher, myself. Rather have Gaudin+Joba than Guzman. Its not like Pena, Hairston or Jose Molina can’t pinch run for you.

Salty Buggah says:

well, Hairston may be hurt. Heh, Molina.

For Lack of a More Creative Name.. Alex says:

Haha seein Molina as a pinch running option made me laugh and cry simultaneously.

For Lack of a More Creative Name.. Alex says:

Just want to see if people are paying attention.

 
 
 
 
Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

Jose Molina pinch running for you is like getting General Patton playing jump rope with you. It just doesn’t work.

 

I’d prefer that, too, I think. If the Yankees advance to the ALCS, I think Guzman’s out and Gaudin is back in.

If Hairston is healthy, don’t be surprised to see Guzman on the roster and Peña not on the roster if we carry the extra pitcher.

Peña and Hairston are basically the same player, with subtle differences; Peña’s better defensively at 2B/3B/SS, but Hairston plays the OF and is a much better hitter.

So, if Hairston >>> Peña and Guzman, if the choice is between Peña and Guzman, Guzman’s top-notch speed is probably more valuable than Peña’s LIDR skills, since they’re effectively duplicated by Hairston.

On the six man playoff bench pecking order, I’d put Guzman at #5 and Peña at #6.

Speed kills.

So you’re not arguing against the extra pitcher so much as arguing Hairston over Pena, which allows you to take the pinch runner.

If they drop Pena and go Hairston+Guzman and an 11th pitcher, I’m on board. But we need a mop up guy, I don’t want Ace or D-Rob wasting their arms (and being unavailable the next game) in a losing cause.

 
 
 
Bob Stone says:

I agree – Tkae the extra pitcher.

 
 
Jose says:

Molina is moving up the depth chart for 3rd basemen.

 
Chris says:

I think they’ll go with 10 pitchers in the ALDS and 11 in the ALCS/WS. Also, if Hairston is injured and not available for the post season, I could see going with an extra pitcher for each series (so 11 or 12).

As I see it, there are 8 locks for the staff:
CC, AJ, Andy, Mariano, Hughes, Aceves, Marte, Coke

Robertson is a lock if he’s healthy. That leaves 1-3 of the remaining pitchers. Here’s how I would rank them right now:
1. Joba
2. Gaudin
3. IPK
4. Alby
5. Bruney

I’m with you, but Alby and Bruney over IPK.

 
 
 

Logic Fail from The Sacramento Bee, sourced by ESPN’s NFL Rumor Central (emphasis mine):

ULTERIOR MOTIVE IN TAMPER CHARGE?

While the San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets and the bigwigs at the league office figure out whether or not Gang Green tampered with Michael Crabtree, NFL Insider Adam Schefter confirmed yesterday that Niners coach Mike Singletary is not ready to give up hope that Crabtree will suit up for the team.

So was there an ulterior motive in the Niners filing the charges? Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee thinks so. He notes that the Jets have now effectively been removed as a potential suitor if Crabtree sits out the season. If he did re-enter the draft and the Jets took him, it would essentially signal that they were guilty of tampering.

Umm… no, we haven’t and no it wouldn’t.

Tank the Frank says:

I went to Tech and saw Crab play. He needs to get his shit together. If he comes to New York I will be more than pleased.

 
pagliacci says:

do the jets already have a certain pick in the next draft or something? they seem to be doing pretty well so their pick would be further down anyway right? why would they think they would have a chance?

That’s the other half of the equation that doesn’t make sense in the whole “JETS R TAMPURIN!!!” story: We won’t be able to draft Crabtree next April, he’ll be off the board before we pick and we’re not trading up for a wideout.

It’s moot.

 
 
 
Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

Right now I’m having a blast reading the game thread from lohud, not for today’s game but yesterdays. Actually, it’s split into two game threads.

It’s hysterical. You can just see the veins in people’s necks popping farther and farther out as the Yankees blow that lead, then the incredible drastic mood swing as they regain it.

Amazing.

Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

Favorite comment thus far (I will leave out the name of the poster. We’ll just call him “Troll 1″)

Troll 1
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:09 am
The Yanks are a joke.

THEY WERE WHAT WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!!!!

Playoffs?

Playoffs?

Playoffs?

 
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

LOL. It wasn’t so different on here from what I recall. That’s the nature of most Yankees fans. I, for one, have promised no more profanities until the postseason.

Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

Want to know something amazing? It WAS different on here. Very different. and it wasn’t even particularly good on here.

Tank the Frank says:

Yeah I know LoHud is pitiful.

 
Tank the Frank says:

I’ve never posted on here during a postseason series. Does RAB get a lot of trolls and such in the playoffs?

Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

You and me both. I’d suspect less than lohud.

 
 
 
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Luke Hochevar > Boston Red Sox

Tank the Frank says:

Hot damn check out them Royals!

 
 
Gary says:

I hope Glenn Beck falls off a building.

Tank the Frank says:
Tank the Frank says:
 
 
 
For Lack of a More Creative Name.. Alex says:
 

This made my night.

IPK made my day.

 

If I had the money, I’d fly every Jew in the world to his front door to slap him in the face.

http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ent-597431

He wants to have a “National Day of Fast and Prayer” for his 9/12 Project of Crazy Kooks on Yom Kippur, a holy day of prayer and fasting and the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar.

He’s at best A) an idiot and at worst B) a co-opting, sacrilegious idiot.

Bob Stone says:

I knew about the project but not that particular activity. I see where you are coming from now.

 
Tank the Frank says:

Beck put together a campaign, The 9/12 Project, that is named for nine principles and twelve values, extolled by Beck, that he says embody the spirit of the American people on the day after the September 11 attacks.” Emphasis mine.

Well how quaint! Want to prove you love your country? Just buy my book that’s 7 or 8 years too late and I’ll tell you how to think, feel and live in this post 9/11 world that the rest of us have long since dealt with while becoming filthy, disgusting rich!

And then there’s Ann Coulter. Look, I’m Ann Coulter, I say controversial things in a bitchy tone and insult people. Buy my book!

 
 
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

I would just have someone slip him some booze and some choice prescriptions without him knowing and watch him spiral into drug addiction. That guy is off his fucking rocker…I’m willing to bet not even Mormonism can save him. He’ll fall off the wagon sooner or later.

 
Bob Stone says:

I didn’t know he was an anti-semite.

Tank the Frank says:

I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s just another one of your run-of-the-mill right wing closet racists who every now and then lets one slip but gets away with it because he said it on Fox News, and the only people who watch Fox News are your run-of-the-mill right wing closet racists.

 
Aaron says:

He’s so pro Israel it’s kind of ridiculous. Get the facts straight

 
 
 
Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:
Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

That’s code for “I have nothing to say, I really don’t.”

“…” means many things. For me my code is “Lol wut?” but I don’t need to type it.

 
 
 
 
Bob Stone says:

KC up 1-0 on Betancourt’s triple. Still one out with Bet on third.

Bob Stone says:

Woo hoo – KC up 2-0.

Steve H says:

9 hits thru 3 2/3 off Beckett…..loving it!

Steve H says:
Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

How the hell do you only allow 2 runs on 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings?

Steve H says:

ehh, it’s the Royals.

Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

Even for them that should be impossible.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
Steve H says:

Yeah it should be, yet they find a way. Unreal. I’m guessing part of it is their team building philosophy to get a bunch of slow 1B who get on base 30% of the time though.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Amazing. Remember when Boston would sweep KC and the Yanks would get swept by LA?

Bob Stone says:

It’s more than amazing. I was one of those who thought that more likely than what is actually happening.

 
 
 
 
Steve H says:

I love Beckett getting creamed with V-Mart catching. Even though it has nothing to do with his struggles, they will overreact and have Captain Tek catching Beckett in the playoffs with the automatic out in the lineup.

Funny AJ and Posada gets “OMFG THEY CANNOT WORK TOGETHER THEY SUCK LOLOLOLOLOL” form the MSM and now I hear that Beckett and Dice-K like Varitek better but nothing.

I hope they put Varitek in the starting lineup when the playoffs come. At least we know (I hope) that Posada will catch every game unless he’s hurt.

Tom Zig says:

Yeah the callers on ESPN Radio after the game were saying some crazy things about the playoffs.

 
 
Bob Stone says:

I’d love to see that too. But, I don’t think they are that stupid.

Steve H says:

I wouldn’t be surprised. Tito’s main flaw as a manager has been sticking with his guys. I know I can’t wait to listen to the radio tomorrow to hear it over-analyzed for a few hours.

Bob Stone says:

You’re right. I remember the heat Fancona got when he stuck with Pedroia hitting .215 for a few months when he first came up to the bigs.

Steve H says:

Well at the very least Pedroia was young. I was thinking more along the lines of Millar in 2005 and also leaving Papi in the #3 hole earlier this year for as long as he did.

 
 
 
Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

No way. That would just be TOO stupid.

 
 
 
Bob Stone says:

Damn – KC 2 BosSox 2

 
Dela G says:

ugh

red sox lead 3-2

Bob Stone says:

Damn it. And I was feebly beginning to hope for a KC sweep.

Tom Zig says:

Its a 4 game series. Boston has 0 off days left

Bob Stone says:

Yes I know – That’s why I said “feebly”

 
 
 
 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

found a nice pic of Alex and his daughter wit kate and i think that’s her son.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tmz.....hudson.jpg

They’re like the Brady Bunch.

yankeefan91 Arod fan says:
 
 
 

Beckett’s line

J Beckett
IP-4.0
H-10
ER-2
BB-1
SO-4
80-53

11 baserunners in 4 IP?

Dela G says:

thats bosox smoltzian (from monday’s game of course)

 
pagliacci says:

but the red sox are still crushing them oh well if it were any other team they’d be losing with that kind of pitching

 
Moshe Mandel says:

Oh, don’t worry, he has a 4 run lead, now he will settle down and pitch great.

 
 
Esteban says:

Of course, Curt Schilling, on Joe Buck Live, was extolling Beckett and Lester, and said that Lester was the premier power lefty in baseball and second only to Lincecum. Not surprisingly, there was No mention of Greinke or CC of course.

Rocky Road Redemption (formerly RAB poster) says:

That’s a ridiculous comment, actually.

What a surprise. Curt Schilling usually makes rational, intelligent, and well thought out statements.

thurdonpaul says:

hahahaha, thats a good one

 
 
 
 
Dela G says:
 
aj says:
 
 
Steve H says:

I greatly miss DOtF pre-injury.

 
 

Just noticed this.

Detroit’s Run Differential is -1. They’re the only playoff team with a negative RD in the major leagues. Even the 2nd place Twins are +29. They must have gaping holes in that team to be negative at this point of the year.

And Toronto’s is positive despite a well below-.500 record.

Steve H says:

Is there an easy way to see run differential by division? I’d like to see what the Blue Jays’ are in the East vs. the rest of the league.

ESPN puts it with their standings

http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings

‘DIFF’

Steve H says:

I was hoping to see the Jays run differential vs. the East, and then vs. the rest of the league. Considering they are 23-43 vs. the East and 39-29 vs. the Central/West, I know where their run differential is coming from. They should petition to be moved to the NL(though they were only 7-11 in interleague).

 
 
 
Aaron says:

Thanks Joel Sherman Twitter

 
 
 
Jose says:

I’m so excited that the magic number is down to Joltin’ Joe. I’m surprised you guys didn’t go with a picture of Nolen Richardson.

/alex gonzalez’d

 
 
bonestock94 says:

I’ve said it before, and now I will say it again. Ring or bust.

Confidence level = 11

 
Drew says:

Billy Wagner implosion plz

 
Drew says:

I wonder if Ajax will be in the stands this weekend.

I don’t think he can sit in the dugout without being on the 40 man but it would be good to see him in the expensive seats come Friday.

 
Wolf Williams says:

Over/under for Girardi’s weight after the postseason: 98.5 pounds.

I know he eschews sugar and snacks, but geez…. He looks anorexic lately. Someone FedEx him a box of peanut brittle.

Drew says:

Over by almost 100 lbs.. lol

 
 
Wolf Williams says:

Imagine a birthday party for Dante Girardi. Organic vegetable chips and vitamin water. I wonder what would happen if Girardi caught Jeter sneaking Dante a handful of M&Ms…. Would they throw down in the clubhouse?

 
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