Game 153: Burnett draws the C lineup
ByInstead of putting out the A lineup and going for a series win this afternoon, Joe Girardi has deemed it more important to get his regulars some rest. Absent from today’s lineup are Nick Swisher, Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and Jorge Posada. Most curious is Posada, who has destroyed Kazmir in 28 career plate appearances: .440/.464/.680.
The lineup, however, isn’t what concerns the Yanks. They have other matters on their minds, and A.J. Burnett stands out among the rest. The man who will likely take the ball in Game 2 of the ALDS has been a bit inconsistent of late, and needs these last couple of starts to tune up and prepare for the playoff spotlight. He was good last time out, striking out six over seven innings against the Mariners, allowing just one run. This is a much bigger test. The Angels offense is quite a bit better than the Mariners.
In fact, you might call this one a…playoff preview.
Since his debut in 2004, Scott Kazmir has pitched 81.2 innings against the Yankees, and almost none of them have been easy. He has allowed just 30 runs in that span, 23 earned, striking out 92 to 36 walks. The Yanks were glad to get him out of the division, but he can be a pest even with the Angels. We’ll see if success against the Yankees carries over to his new home.
Kazmir struggled through the first half of 2009 and let it spill over into the second half. Even so, he pitched 13.2 innings against the Yankees and allowed only four runs. Even when he’s going poorly, he’s still a Yankee killer. He’s turned things around since becoming an Angel, allowing just five runs, four earned, over 25.1 innings spanning four starts. He could have an easy time today with the Yanks’ “we just clinched a playoff spot” lineup.
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Jerry Hairston, 3B
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Hideki Matsui, DH
5. Shelley Duncan, RF
6. Robinson Cano, 2B
7. Melky Cabrera, LF
8. Brett Gardner, CF
9. Jose Molina, C
And on the mound, number thirty-four, A.J. Burnett.
299 Comments
RAB Info
The Founders
Mike Axisa, Ben Kabak, Joe Pawlikowski
Editor-In-Chief
Mike Axisa Archives | Email
Managing Editors
Ben Kabak Archives | E-mail
Joe Pawlikowski Archives | E-mail
Contributing Editors
Larry Koestler (Archives)
Moshe Mandel (Archives)
Stephen Rhoads (Archives)
Weekend Writers
Hannah Ehrlich (Archives)
Matthew Warden (Archives)
Special Contributor
J.R. O'Grady (Archives)
Subscribe to RAB by RSS and Twitter
Follow @RiverAveBlues Search RAB
Spring Training Countdown
Just 5 days 'til pitchers and catchers report.Banner Design By
First!
ugh
ban him, or your guidelines are pussy suggestions forever. even if its temporary, you gotta do it
No joke. Guidelines are guidelines. This guy’s gotta go.
I’m waiting for Mondesi to say something and watch it all go to hell. The relationship you two have screams “future romantic comedy”.
Why don’t they just marry each other and be done with it.
The sexual tension is unbearable.
How do u break that 1? Boot
From Lohud:
So that explains that.
Nick Swisher also hurt himself on that foul ball.
I wonder if Kazmir’s entrance music is Led Zeppelin.
And it’s in the upper 90′s. A nice, hot day for a ballgame.
Posada played the whole game, so the foot is probally ok. However the bat he took to the collarbone late last night might have something to do with it.
Why would you rest your best players while you’re trying to find some consistency with AJ Burnett? He would presumably be more confident with a better line up behind him…he’d probably would have better defense…
I dunno, I mean I’m not upset by it…but just a question I guess.
Buh-bye now.
Well Swisher, Posada and Damon are all banged up, and A-Rod hasn’t gotten his weekly rest so I guess its not surprising but man that lineup does not instill faith. I bet we win anyway though
Actually, this lineup gives him the best defense the Yankees can put out there. Well, except for Duncan.
someone explain to me why Jerry Hairston and Shelley Duncan are hitting infront of cano
they wont get in scoring position, and Cano doesnt hit well with runners in scoring position…
Hahaha true statement FTL
Damn refresh button. I had that one!
They want to make Robbie more comfortable at the plate, and it’s unlikely that Duncan or Hairston will be in scoring position when Cano is at-bat. Less pressure for Robbie, ya dig?
Hmmm, that is weird. I’m guessing Shelley is there because he can hit lefties well and separates the two lefties Hideki and Robbie. I dont know why Hairston is batting 2nd though.
Melky, Molina, Hairston, Duncan and Gardy in the same lineup, Yikes.
I hope they prove your lack of faith wrong.
I have alot faith, but you can’t ignore that still.
Just heard Sweeny on the fan with Mike F. X-rays on posada were negative. Should be ok to to play Friday.
Posada Results were negative thank god.
Great news. According to Kay his toes are black and blue.
Just rest him and keep him fresh for the playoffs i couldn’t live with Molina hitting in the playoffs if Posada was Injured.
really? Jeter-Damon-Tex-Arod-Matsui-Cano-Swisher-Garbrera makes so you uncertain you have to have Posada too?
its teh )#$@_#$(* YANKEES!!!
Yeah. I know Posada is great, great hitter and all being possibly the 2nd best catcher in the league but it won’t be the end of the world without him in the lineup. Difficult? Yeah but they should be able to live.
Could be worse, we could have Guzman starting in left, Ram-pen at short, and miranda at first
That’ll be the lineup come 7th inning. Hopefully with the visiting team holding a 10-0 lead.
Would that be our D Lineup?
So whats our F lineup.
Anything with Cody Ransom.
F Lineup:
CF: Gardner
RF: Duncan
LF: Guzman
3B: Hinske
2B: Hairston
SS: Ram-Pen
1B: Miranda
DH: Molina
C: Cervelli
Hide the women and children folks.
Molina the DH? Heaven forbid the Yankees ever foist that travesty on us. That truly is godawful.
Anyone worried that …one reason or another Posada is not catching AJ in his tuneups… if i remember right… Molina caught the Mariners’ AJ start too…
Posada had xrays done on his foot, took a bat to the shoulder AND its a day game after a night game.
No. I think he catches today if not for the foot injury.
For Makavelli, since he deserves an explanation:
Your first comment on this thread is a direct violation of commenting guideline #9. You were not treated unfairly.
http://upload.overclock3d.net/.....hammer.jpg
(safe)
’tis stern, but ’tis fair.
http://www.smart.net/~hymowitz/bja/corner.jpg
I like that one.
http://msimonetta.web.wesleyan.....avelli.jpg
http://www.2pac2k.de/imgs/makaveli1024.jpg
I found Axl!
Woah is he actually banned?
How pissed are Fox and ESPN that Yankees took juice out of the weekend series.
Oh boy I hope we can clinch on ESPN. That would be awesome.
I’m hoping for an A-rod walk-off HR off of closer of the future or Papelbon.
Pie and Champagne? Could it get better?
Minka and Kate nude, making out, in addition to all of the things you listed.
You didn’t just one-up me, you two-upped me.
bravo
Minka and Kate
nudewearing only a tire…TCWA.
Heavy hula hoops. I like it!
For a change I think I would rather have Kay do the commentary while the celebration starts as Miller/Morgan/Phillips would be crying foul anyways.
Pie and Champagne? Could it get better?
Steaks and blowjobs?
/TSJC’d
jajajaja
and tbs on friday night
that Frank Calliendo show is off the air right? i wonder what show they’re going to beat into our heads this postseason.
Something horrible like Wendy Williams.
Doesn’t George Lopez have a show coming out?
/shudder
Eeek. I wouldn’t doubt it. He has the potential to become the hispanic Tyler Perry.
….so you’re saying he’s going to have a new movie coming out every other week all starring the same people?
…i can’t stand west coast games…even day games are irritating…if i were independently wealthy, this would be so much easier…
SO: How many different major league team stadiums have you visited? old/new only counts as one–count the teams not the stadiums.
I’m on a quest for all of them–knocked off three this year, and we’re in line for three more next year…I’m in Alabama, so Denver/Seattle/CA-LAAofA are going to be tough, along with the Marlins unless I can get my wife to go to Key West for a week!
Favorite non-Yankee stadium?
Coors Field (live in Denver)
Been to both Yankee Stadiums, Shea, Fenway, The Vet, PNC Park, Petco, Dodger Stadium, Anaheim, SF, and Oakland.
I’ve only been to YS, NYS, Shea, Citi, and Fenway. Apparently we went to the Metrodome while visiting friends in Minnesota a long time ago, but I’m too young to remember it so it doesn’t really count.
Also, fave non-YS park is probably Petco, although PNC is up there. I was only there for about 7 innings and the game sucked, so maybe that is skewing my opinion. Best backdrop in baseball though.
PNC is wonderful. Easily my favorite. San Fran is also great, though.
either Citizen’s Bank or the Big A
Wrigley Field
The Vet
Comiskey Park aka US cellular
Camden yards
Citizens Field
Yankees Stadium old and new.
Tropicana Field
Shea Stadium
I’ve been to:
Yankee Stadium II
Yankee Stadium III
Shea Stadium
Citi Field
The Vet
Citizens Bank Park
Camden Yards
RFK Stadium
Fenway Park
Skydome
PNC Bank Park in Pittsburgh
Jacobs Field
Comerica Park
Wrigley Field
Comiskey Park
Kauffman Stadium
Turner Field
Dolphin Stadium
Angel Stadium
Petco Park
Dodger Stadium
Oakland Coliseum
AT&T Park in San Francisco
I think that’s all.
I don’t have to work today so I can stay home and watch this game. I’m kinda bummed about it, though, ’cause we finally got a DVR and I was all set to record the game on it.
Congrats. Getting a DVR is a life changing experience.
Yeah, I finally talked my parents into it. I have to pay for the monthly service, but whatever…so worth it.
Bummed about it? That’s awesome. Crack open a few beers and enjoy the game!
I was all excited to use the DVR for the first time, though, haha.
I’m calling Brett “Sweep the Leg” from now on.
Melky, Grit, & Shelley in the outfield? This should be interesting.
Melky and Gardner is 2/3rds of the best defensive outfield they can runt out there, so there’s that. . .
Melky has a -2.5 UZR in Left but its a small sample size.
I find it odd that he would have a positive UZR in CF but negative at the corners.
AJ for the shut out?
It might be his only chance of picking up a W.
Shelley Duncan will provide some offense.
If he doesn’t see a breaking ball, maybe.
I think this lineup can still score some runs dont ya think?
not like they dont have legit all stars at 4 spots
Wrigley Field
Comiskey Park aka US cellular
Camden yards
Citizens Field
Yankees Stadium old and new.
Tropicana Field
Shea Stadium
The reply button is your friend.
I couldn’t be happier that Kazmir is out of the division. I just hope that him being on the Angels reverses the polarities and means the Yankees will hit him.
Great, again with this “giving up when they traded Kazmir” talk. It’s not like Tampa saved $20M AND got a middle infielder that OPS’d .900+ AND two other very good prospects in return.
Yeah, and Kazmir wasn’t his normal, what if he never returns to his good K/9 and ERA… than the Rays got the steal if one or two of the players become something decent.
That falling K rate from Kazmir will be interesting to watch next season.
And the increase in OPS against.
Plus, it’s not like Kazmir would of made a difference to TB who had one point lost 10+ consecutive games down the stretch.
Stop using facts. They are ruining my narrative
It was a great deal for them.
The kids they got might be good prospects. But to the team itself? It was a white flag being waved. What does Carl Crawford care about some double a kid??
They were what? 5 games out when it happened? The team just saw there ace get traded for prospects.
Where do you guys think the Rays will send Crawford?
Eventually, I’d definitely think the Yanks.
I don’t think they’d trade him to us. Nor do I want to trade for him.
I mean when he hits FA. The Yanks aren’t going to shell out prospects for him.
Ah yea Id love to sign him FA.
Left Field.
ICWUDT
i really don’t know what that means, but seeing them trade crawford… would have to be to the West probably.
I see what you did there.
yeah, i eventually figured it out. Thanks. Not up on that new acronym internet slang… even for a 19 year old…
It took me a while to figure out what “TCWA” meant (that comment was awesome), and like you, I’m young (23).
Does Kazmir throw a changeup or is it just Fastball-Slider?
Yessir, he does.
Fastball, Slider and Change-up. Basically a 3 pitch pitcher.
hell of an at bat by jetes, even though he was out
good to see hairston battling too
Here we go again with the hard hit balls finding gloves.
this entire inning Jawn and Suzyn have been talking about Abreu in right, but gameday says it’s Matthews and Abreu is DHing. are they just dumb?
lol
Yes.
well, he finally corrected himself there
yup
damn, every hard hit ball found an angel
i’m sure they’ll find gaps sooner or later
…When did Howie Kendrick turn into Howard Kendrick?
i’d prefer him to be on the bench
When Dwayne Wayne become Dwayne Wade.
Why does Kay refer to EVERY Angel as a Yankee-killer?
well that’s because almost all of them are…
Especially Aybar, Figgins and Morales.
kendrick is hitting .360+ against the yanks too :/
And Mr. Kendrick.
most of them are
So – you’re saying Kay is correct? Wow. A Kay kompliment here on RAB!
well, saying every angel hitter is a Yankee killer is just wrong, but most of them actually are
I love Michael Kay. Seriously, I think I’m the only one who likes him. He cracks me up.
Peace, Aybar.
Filthy nasty AJ.
AJ’s curve definitely has the bigger curve back
nasty pitch by burnett.
AJ needs to bring the pwn today.
SHELLEY!!
wow that was absolute filth
DUNCAN FLASHING THE HOT LEATHER
That first pitch to Abreu had some crazy movement to it for a fastball. It was sinking, not typical AJ.
A good start today from burnett would cure a lot of worries people have about the rotation come playoff time.
Indeed.
Yes, yes it will.
Did Boomer always have that tat on his arm?
i dont think so. It looks really new
If the Yankees let Matsui go and dont want to pay for Holliday, I would bring Figgins in to play LF and have Damon DH. Keeps Damon healthy, Figgins can also back up at other positions on days you want to DH some other players and have Damon play the field.
I think there will be a ton of teams going after Chone. He can fit into just about any team.
I’d prefer not to. His bat can’t justify LF and he’s 31 y.o. Plus, he hasn’t played off of third much at all of late (’07-09).
Agreed. I think people believe he is younger than what he is, i’d rather have damon play Left and Hairston is always good to play LF anytime he needs to.
Obviously, it would need to be the right deal. Most people have no problem with Damon in LF, yet these two guys are about equal in terms of WAR from year to year, 2.5-3.0 WAR each. Chone just gets there differently.
You think Wells has any gas left?
good inning
at work so I’m relegated to gameday…how is Burnett looking so far?
good.
sick.
Bommer in the building.
Great 1st inning by AJ…leaving some balls up, but he is challenging hitters which I like from him…95-96 with movement up isnt a terrible thing
Does a day game mean we’ll have an open thread tonight?
I would think the recap would serve at the open thread.
Hey Joe, my apologies for breaking the guidelines on this post
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ent-596111
mea culpa!
You’re apologizing for intentionally violating the guidelines?
The first word in your post was “unrelated”, and yet you saw fit to continue anyway.
Those weren’t even breaking balls!
shelly couldn’t hit the 92mph “gas?”
fwiw
it was:
92
94
94
95
oh ok… i forgot yes gun is garbage
Kazmir just blew that by Shelly.
… he didn’t even break off the change on Shelley. Not looking good for the Smasher.
He’ll just have to march out to the mound and forearm bash Kazmir
that was one ugly at bad by shelly
wOw Shelly just overmatched on fastballs
http://majorleaguejerk.com/wp-.....myself.jpg
Yo, fuck the Cross Bronx Expressway.
what did it do to you?
It makes me get stuck in traffic. A lot.
don’t drive on it.
It destroyed neighborhoods!
yep. horrible.
http://tinyurl.com/nbudpp
Haha, I saw that this morning and was just hoping for a context in which to use it.
little known fact…robbie leads the league in foul balls
really? I thought it would be anyone on the angels or kevin youkilis
Why does this surprise you? The player doesn’t have to run when hitting a foul ball…that’s perfect for Cano.
/dead horse’d
Kevin Youkilis leads the league in ugly…as well as baldness
Seeing how Edwin Jackson is pitching in DET and how Kazmir “picked up” 3-4 mph on his fastball this year, maybe there is an issue with TB’s pitching coach or how they handle their young guys. Outside of Neimann, they all seemed to regress a little this year, no?
What about last year?
matt garza has been pretty good, no?
Yeah his era+ is actually higher this year. I guess it just seemed they weren’t doing as good since the team was doing horribly.
I think Garza and Shields are right around where they were last year; Shields maybe a little worse but Garza is about the same
Thats not fair at all.
Jackson sucked in LA too and first couple seasons in TB he sucked as well, however he was turning the corner last season with TB. Also, Kazmir was pretty good his first couple seasons with TB. Plus, what about Garza and Shields?
wow the yanks just cant get morales out in this series was that 6-6
This is why we have an embargo against Cuba.
Aroldis Chapman The Yankee.
But he’s from Andorra.
haha, nyce
My Mo, Morales became a monster this year. Kinda came outta nowhere.
actually i notice he was pretty good before he just never had the playing time. I seem him play a lot in winter ball in the Dominican Republic and i was Impressed.
it looked like cano could’ve had that.
juan rivera…. He gone
Gassed em…damn 97+
Juan Rivera had a dejected look on his face, like he knew he was going to strike out, but made himself look stupid by swinging the bat anyway…
i would give my left nut to face minnesota in the ALDS
Why? don’t sacrifice something like that when we can beat the Tigers just as easily.
haha remember 2006? Nothing is safe my brotha
We didn’t have the pitching in 2006, CC can take on Verlander. No Sweat.
los tigres are much more scary in a short series…Minnesota has no stud starter and you can pitch around Mauer with Morneau out
mauer would never even see a strike from any pitcher except mariano rivera if i were girardi
It’s not worth a left nut.
And so are the Yanks. Right now they can only rely on Verlander with Jackson mid air form that jump.
I’m totally bookmarking this page, just in case. Will you give it to charity, donate to science maybe? Wasn’t there a commercial like that with Red Sox fans?
its ridiculous how everyone on this team hits 300
i agree
its completely Bananas
They all have average OPS so meh…
The Yankees are better offensively.
Walk Howie K up Matthews
Fat Guy tried to hurt Shelley, SHELLEY SMASH!!
Jeter has to come up with that one…
damn that was so close to a K-throwem out
B E A utiful
Is Burnett throwing the seeds Gameday seems to be showing him throwing?
Think the Angels want a re-do on that Mathews deal? Ouch.
ugh, walking matthews isn’t the brightest of things to do there
Burnett needs to throw strikes. He looks good, but needs better control.
That seemed almost like an intentional walk.
why did they pitch around Gary Matthews?
i’d love for napoli to go 4-52(53) after today’s game
Strike out Kendrick, walk Matthew on four pitches. That seems like Burnett.
Now if he can just get Napoli . . .
We need to get AJ some adderall for these 4 pitch brain farts he has every 5th batter
he reminds me of a more talented jeff weaver ugh
B E A UUUUTIFUL !
SiiiiiiiiiiiiCK!!
Thaaaaaaaat was awesome.
Nice curve. He looks pretty good, overall.
Nasty.
Mike Napoli just got owned
maybe it was an intentional walk.
aj is just fucking filthy.
That’s what I like to see from A.J.
Wow. Just nasty.
The New York State Department of Health must have a huge budget to continue to run these horrible commercials 30 X a day. I thought there were budget problems in Albany?
Does it count as irony that RAB runs advertisements for the e-Cigarette?
I think it qualifies. Having recently quit smoking (a few months ago), I can tell you that zero advertising ever makes people quit. It’s insane that people think it has anything more than the most miniscule impact.
It helps after you have already quit. I’m 4 year in and it helps keep me away. so, it does have an effect on smokers. I know smokers who say some of them and it makes them want to quit. It may not, but they think about it.
What do you think created the budget problems?
Matthews against NY this year: .318/.385/.409. That’s frustrating.
That’s… Unexpected…
They’re not kidding when they say they’re all Yankee killers…
Brett The Jet!!
Kazmir got lazy on that one.
Love the infield single on a comebacker to the mound.
Did Kazmir know who was running?
GRIT GUTNER SPEEEEEEED!!!
is that english? haha
Haha i call him Grit Gutner
and he has speed
http://umpbump.com/press/wp-co.....ingrit.jpg
not Gardner, but still relevant
Brett Gardner might have the worst swing in baseball
Sweep the Leg!
Damn Gardner is fast.
There goes Kazmir’s no hitter
Can’t be dilly-dallying with Grit Gutner on the basepaths!!!
I don’t Gardner was the only one who beat it out on that play.
*think
Molina should probably let Grit steal there…
why is molina not bunting, let alone swinging at the first pitch
Because the dude is like Barry Bonds reincarnate.
You have to love how devoted Molina is to working the count.
Have we ever seen a Yankee as fast as Brett Gardner? Rickey was obviously fast… Deion was fast… But good Mo, I swear that every time I see Gardner fly down the first base line I say to myself “holy shit he’s fast.”
Maybe it’s somewhat of an illusion because Gardner hits from the first base side of the plate, so he gets to first a bit faster than, for example, Rickey Henderson.
I think its cus he is white…white guys running that fast just doesnt look natural
jajaja ietc
On speed: last night my dad showed me some write up in Baseball Digest saying that Cool Papa Bell was once clocked at 12 seconds around the bases.
Not Mr. Coolin it.
Kazmir has thrown first pitch strikes to all 10 batters he’s faced. THat’s not the Kazmir I remember from the Rays.
damn gardner want’s to steal badly
just go my brotha on a breaking ball
I think its cus he is white…white guys running that fast just doesnt look natural
Hmmm…well that didn’t work out.
well that GIDP wasn’t really what i wanted to see there…
Oh well, i am off to my 4 oclock class
let’s hope the yanks win!
I predict a 4-2 yanks victory
With this lineup we need to take shots when they come, Molina kind of pissed me off going after the first pitch. Coulda let Grit steal, then moved him over for the Cap’n.
Agreed. I’d rather have Cervelli out there anyway.
Molina should either stand there or bunt. It is a rare occasion that something good results from him swinging the bat. If there is a hanging breaking ball or a FB down the pipe then maybe he should swing. Even then though is taking a risk
He should have bunted either way. Molina should never be allowed to swing the bat. He either bunts or takes every pitch.
Yep. But Molina never met a pitch he couldn’t lazily hit. Perhaps a take sign was in order there. Give Gardner a chance to get to 2nd.
Jeter moves into the Top10 in the AL with that GIDP
don’t care.
As Mark Reyolnds said after setting strike outs record “So What?”
Kind of amusing that Gardner has the only hit so far.
You could put a highlight real together of breaking balls that go out of the zone for balls from AJ…just nasty
Kerry Rhodes’ twitter is one of the most unintentionally hilarious things on the interweb.
“It was so muggy at practice 2day! I thought it was fall”
http://tinyurl.com/l8xqgo
Who here would give Bobby 2yrs/12mil to DH and part time fill in in the OF?
Michael Key: Bobby, he’s not a negative in the field.
Down on three pitches.
BUH-BYE.
Did Kay just say Abreu is not a negative on defense? Seriously?
And, wow, that pitch was fucking DIRTY.
wow aj looking good out there.
Sit yo ass down Bobby.
Good morning, good afternoon, good night, Bobby. Watch the wall on your way out.
two seam looks good today…Doc Halladay like
if AJ threw a cut piece he would be even nastier…MO needs to get with him asap