Game 154: 49 years ago, this would have been the last game
ByIn 1960, the Yankees finished 97-57, first place by eight games in the eight-team AL East. The next year the AL picked up two more teams: the Minnesota Twins and the Los Angeles Angels. With the expansion in teams came an expansion in schedule, from 154 to 162 games. The Yankees went 109-53 in 1961, winning again by eight games. The team the Yankees beat in the World Series that year, the Cincinnati Reds, played just 154 games that season. The NL didn’t go to 162 games until the 1962 season.
While this series doesn’t come with the typical New York – Boston intensity, it is still compelling. If Boston sweeps they knock out Texas, regardless of what the latter does. If the Yankees sweep, they clinch the AL East. Either could reduce their magic number to one by taking two out of three. At this point these can be considered housekeeping matters, but the Yanks surely want to get the AL East wrapped up as quickly as possible.
With Jon Lester on the mound, it’ll be tough sledding for the Yanks. He had a rough start to 2009, but even amid his horrible 59-inning start to the season he was able to hold the Yanks to three runs over seven innings. Since June 1, Lester has pitched 129.1 innings, allowing just 31 earned runs and striking out 141 to 36 walks. It’s been nothing short of dominance. In that span he’s allowed more than three runs just once, a four-run performance against Oakland at the end of July that the Red Sox won. The Red Sox are 15-4 in Lester’s last 19 starts.
Last time the Yanks saw Lester it was in the final game of a four-game sweep at the Stadium. Lester pitched brilliantly, allowing just one run, an A-Rod bomb, over seven innings, striking out seven and walking none. Daniel Bard blew that one for him, though it wouldn’t have even come to that if Andy Pettitte didn’t pitch brilliantly over his seven innings.
After showing some progress in starts against the Rays and Angels, Joba Chamberlain took a step backward last time out against Seattle. He allowed far too many baserunners, and let most of them score. Now he goes from the horrible Mariners offense to the formidable Red Sox one. Joba has started three times against the Sox and has yet to record 18 outs. Even in his standout 12-strikeout performance he allowed four runs in the first, putting the game out of reach for the A-Rod-less Yankees.
Even if Joba pitches well tonight, it’s almost certain that he won’t start in the ALDS. Via PeteAbe, the Yanks have lined up CC, Pettitte, and Burnett to pitch the final three games of the season. That puts CC in a position to start Game 1 of the long ALDS on normal rest. The short series begins on the eighth, which would put everyone on long rest.
Pete seems to think that lining up CC, Pettitte, Burnett in the season’s final series implies that they’ll go that way in the playoffs. I wouldn’t be so sure. In the long series the Yanks will play the Tigers or Twins on the 7th and 9th. That would line up both CC and Burnett on normal rest. Pettitte would then have to start on seven days’ rest, but given how well he pitched on long rest in Anaheim, that might not be a concern. Pitching Pettitte in Game 2, on 5 days’ rest, would mean pitching Burnett on six days’ rest. I think they’re more likely to go Pettitte on seven before A.J. on six.
It’s the A lineup tonight.
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Jorge Posada, C
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Nick Swisher, RF
9. Melky Cabrera, CF
And on the mound, number sixty-two, Joba Chamberlain.
377 Comments
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Let’s do work, son
That’s definitely the “A”
Lineup
Let’s work on that damn magic number and reduce it baby!
For sure, I want to see the Iron Horse up there.
Never mind, if they win tonight it jumps right over 4 to 3. But seeing the Babe would be pretty sweet also.
By the way, anyone else excited to see billy wagner get rocked this weekend?
I always loved watching him blow big games.
haha me too
*raises hand*
Hell yeah son
Got my beers and my couch and the gamethread going. Last time i did this we swept.
Anyone else think that the “i got ripped in 4 weeks” add is the gayest one of this entire season?
I bet you “clicked” on it anyway.
Actually I double clicked it.
http://www.shareasale.com/image/2pump-deez.gif
touche
I will say, it makes it kinda awkward to check RAB in the campus library.
I do kinda wish that guy killed himself in the gym. Too much?
a smidge ‘D
Aroldis is officially a free agent.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....agent.html
the yankees should give him 50 million on the spot
left handers throwing 102 should be snatched up immediately
+102
good thing he’s not a Boras, otherwise he would announce his signing during the clinching game of the World Series
That would be perfect. 2 pieces of great Yankee news in the same night.
lol terrible throw from the fan
Hmm, the Panama people might wanna call for a recount after that 1st pitch from their prez!
I hope Mo was wearing a cup.
well its good to see 3 pitchers batting today
how was pitch 1 a ball?
Over/under that Youk gets plunked?
Is that even and onver/under question?
And we’ve gone through this every game this year. No.
sooner or later, you’re going to see the whole BTonight crew attack Joba on the mound if he keeps plunking their patron Bosux hero.
great
my9 doesnt even have a radar gun
i swear this channel is such utter garbage.
But it has a Law and Order show!! How rare is that for a prime time channel.
Why must the Sox wear alternate uniforms, the dark blues look stupid.
i do like their green unis though
those are far worse, Dela!!!
looks like batting practice
Greed is Good.
/ John Henry & Larry Luchiano doing Gordon Gecko impersonations in some dark lair’d
Looks like Little League.
My9 on a Friday?
booooooooooooooooo i hate 9
What the hell, I’m watching the game live while still having GameDay to check pitches, and GD tells me Pedroia grounds out BEFORE it’s on tv?….
There we go Joba. Nice and easy.
Great first inning there
lets build on this plz?
Watching TBS HD for the first time… have they always had that pitch tracking thing in the corner? Very annoying.
Good inning. No K’s but whatever.
good quick inning by joba.
Let’s break that hitting streak tonight.
Hey mike, how much money do you think chapman gets (yrs/total)?
whats joba’s velocity at?
his last two pitches were 94, 95
he’s been at 90-91 though
joba looks like hes throwing meatballs but boston took the good pitches and swung at the crap
led off hit babii.
jeterian!
Good start Jete
cap’n america ftl
hahahaa captain suckage FTL
DEREK DEREKK DEREKK!
Stop showing bunt Johnny, it’s the first freaking inning.
Oh I really hope this series we run wild on Boston
did joba have any swinging strikes in the first inning? i don’t remember
Awesome. The guy has a super easy, efficient inning…and you’re still complaining.
boston bailed him out…his stuff wasn’t great
How can you tell?
Because Joba belongs in the 8th. Any success he has outside of the 8th means the other team bailed him out.
Salty, how can you NOT tell?
He belongs in AAA with his outings recently
No.
Did the gun just say 98? Jeez, that cutter was 91…
lol yeah i noticed the same thing
I’m psyched that they’re running. This is a team that is hugely vulnerable to the stolen base, and they should really take advantage.
dammit johnny
damn johnny that was a ball
Yes should really fix there radar gun.
I wanna see those giant tex eyeballs right before he puts one in the upper deck
that change is filthy
So when does Omar’s first anti-Joba post come? First baserunner, hit, or run?
Evolution is already here bitching about a 1-2-3 inning.
I can see that complaint. Getting 3 outs in an inning is just wasting pitches. Joba should know better than that.
no ones bitching.
its called analyzing.
Joba hasn’t done jack shit for me to sit here and sugar coat him
What has he done wrong tonight?
damn filthy stuff again
Damn…
Bring him home A-rod
Al, the radar gun is wrong, don’t cite it.
Lester just hit 153 mph.
arod needs to right back up the middle
preferably into lesters grill
clutch
Unclutch.
Yes!
or that
great job arod
Get up in that motherfucker!! good shit Al
Aite good job A-rod!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A-ROD IS TEH CLUTCH!
CLUTCH ROD
Clutch-Rod gets it done!
Arod has been so clutch this year. Will anyone write a story on it is the question.
HOooray!!! Alex the Great seizes the lead for the Bronx Bombers!!
1-0 Yankees!
don’t swing at the schlop matsui
I want 10 steals tonight off Captain Tek.
This inning.
How many did Crawford have on him that game? 6?
I want someone to top that.
Grandpa Tek lookin bad
Haha, I love the running on Tek
Love it. Run on that no talent assclown all night.
Now, Mike. That is Captain assclown to us civilians. Please, respect his “C” it means he’s “special”
Matsui should try and steal!
captain america for the loss
again
Your base are belong to us!
Tom off every Zig!
A) I blame that run on Tek. Kepp your rhetoric, logic and stats–I like my blame where it is right now!!
B) would love to see Arod, Tex and Matsui hit that next milestone on HR and RBI…need lots of Jeter and Damon setting the plate though…lots.
C) I can haz second for free?
Bring him home Matsui
Yankees making lester work. Lets get him out of the game quick!
good eye matsui
OK, bring him home Jorge!
I’m not sure I like Al Leiter as an analyst
/MLB Network’d
Solder shurgery?
i thought the same thing…
must be new
hells yeah!
another chance!
finally, a good umpire…
Haha, Tek lies!
Cap’n America, you suck
Oh those cheatin’ rascals. Not this time, you’re not at Fenway where you can “affect” the game.
RUN and RUN and RUN!!!
Everybody runs!
We’re going to steal the mound too, at this point.
Haha, get em A-rod!!
There running like crazy on Lester.
There running like crazy on
LesterVaritek.Fixed.
Three, three stolen bases. Ah ah ah.
/The Count’d
hahahahaha
3 SBs this inning. Varisuck
a-rod has another steal!
hahahaha matsui could’ve stolen!
Suspect call there
That shit was inside man. How the fuck can Jorge even hit that.
OK, that was a bullshit call!
3 steals!
Close, but inside!!!
Not even close. Look on gameday, that shit was WAY off the plate.
Yeah, replay says you’re right. Not close. I need to find my glasses (seriously, I can’t find them).
Did you check the nearest tire store?
I haven’t had sex with an obese girl in months. In fact, the last piece of action I had was actually super cute (this is not a normal event). So no, I haven’t boned in Autozone lately. Kind of weird, actually.
GIFT
holy cow that was a ball!!
WHAT???? Where was that???
Tough pitch – it was close.
that wasn’t close
it was a ball
That was Definitely a ball.
wait, I spoke too soon. They just stole another call. Please, someone reassure my angry opinion that 3-2 pitch was inside.
30 pitches nice
Sorry, but that was in Jorge’s batter’s box, Umpire called a pitch closer to the plate a ball on jorge… but that one’s a strike? hmmm…
I’m blacked out on mlb.tv since I live in NESN territory, and I don’t get NESN, so I’m following on gameday w/ John and Suzyn. Was that strike tree to Jorge as really as far inside as gameday says?
Yes Sir!
it certainly didn’t look like a great call.
One run and running up Lester’s pitch count to 30. Overall, a very good start.
MLB.com headline is BoSox return to Bronx on upswing. Splitting a 4 games series with the Royals is an upswing?
Leaving the Midwest always qualifies as an upswing.
They’ve been 21-8 recently so yes, that is considered an upswing.
I suppose so. haha
Again, I don’t know how accurate Gameday pitch locations are, but that pitch was a full ball’s width further inside from the first pitch ball. Take from that what you will.
It looked like a strike on TV. Not sure about the first pitch, though.
Seriously, we need robots
please insert liquor.
/ Bender’d
Joba’s second pitch was a ball? But Lester’s last pitch was a strike? Is this fucking opposite day?
Gameday showed that as a good 4 inches inside.
Nick The Quick!!
haaaaaa Swish!!
lol, looked pretty bad on the replay.
Having watched Shelley Duncan and his Shelleyflop against the California’s Los Angeles of Orange County’s of Greater-Anaheim Metropolitan Area’s Baseball-focused servants of Deities (The Angels, to some), I’m thrilled to see such a graceful man like Swisher out there.
In fairness to the umpire, it looks like he has a liberal zone all the way around.
/waiting for everyone to say, “Yeah, but that shouldn’t happen anyway!”
Damn, Can we make Tim Welke- Joba’s personal Umpire, please!!!
nice play swish.
Weird catch Swish.
Okay, let’s be honest folks. It looks like Welke is going to be a pitcher umpire tonight.
Nice play, Swish!!!
Yep. He’s giving Joba the same pitch that struck out Posada.
Thats what i talking about babii.
Make Bay look ReTahDehd!!
OH SHIT.
THAT JUST HAPPENED.
Oh Joba, you so nasty.
Nice job Joba
I’M GAGA OVAH JOBBER!
I know who umps in the playoffs is supposed to be determined by calls vs calls of Questec. When do they release the names and do they show accuracy % anywhere. Oh, and nice inning Joba
Good Joba? Haven’t seen you in a while.
I probably shouldn’t get ahead of myself though. Let’s see how he does second time through the lineup.
Hey look! Joba Chamberlain is pitching tonight. Haven’t seen him in awhile.
Joba lookin’ fan-freakin-tastic!! Ho-yeah!!
/ Peggy Hill’d
(golf clap)
Love that show.
So do I. It’s a shame it’s over.
Nice, to see there is another KoTH fan here. So, underrated , hope a nice long run on A.S. helps give it the due it has long deserved.
hehe
EvoLuTioN- Hello are you there?
Helllo?
/ Charles Darwin’d
This take on Russ shit has got to go.
I’ve got a good feeling about this game, guys. Joba looks great so far.
Send Canobie?
He should do a backwards crab walk just to give Varitek a chance.
Thankyou.
no DP Swish
well you got your wish
I’m no expert, but I really think what Robbie and Jeter did to Lester is the best way to attack him. He’s always around the plate, and from what I’ve seen, it seems like he loves to start with the fastball.
I could be wrong.
Who’s gonna steal this inning?
Give robbie a cigar
Melky great number against Lester.
Melky has good numbers against a lot of the top pitchers.
LOL, Varitek throws like my grandmother.
Is your grandmother named Johnny, per chance?
Nope, Joan.
You have no chance Varitek. Just eat it and stop embarrassing yourself.
HAHAHAHAHAA! 4 SB in 2 innings
Ohmygod, when Cano has a stolen base you know you’re horrible.
Tek’s arm is going to be sore tonight.
you know you suck when Cano steals a base easily off of you
Jason Varitek’s arm makes Johnny Damon’s arm look like Nick Markakis’ arm.
Variteks arm sucks! I really wonder how the sox will solve their catching problem in the following years.
by dropping varitek.
love the aggressiveness
Just Saw Aroldis Chapman declared a free agent.
I know, are there any teams who can afford spending that much and have him in the minors for a year or more beside the yankees?
Boston
IDK, they need a fifth starter themself, no money really coming off the payroll… They can afford it, but i dont know their payroll situation… or who their 5th starter is for next year.
Tazawa is crying in the corner.
White Sox (although maybe not anymore with Peavy and Rios), Red Sox, LA teams? I know the Mets and Cubs are in financial purgatory, so I doubt they’d bite. I’d say it’s down to Bos, NYY, LAA.
I was thinking maybe the giants, because they have Sandoval, Posey, and their pitchers on teh cheap for a nice chunk of time, and if they muscle up the money, Zito will be dipping in a few years.
Yeah, but that’s a ton of money and I’d think the Giants would spend it on big-time FA bats if they’re going to spend that much.
No doubt, i agree, but Bengie Molina isn’t coming back, if they had money aside other than Molina’s contract coming off, and they can give money to Aroldis, they’re a sleeper to get him.
Eckersley is thoroughly confused on the NESN broadcast. He can’t seem to figure out how they’re stealing off of Lester.
Dude, it’s all Tek.
dont worry. they’ll make as many excuses as they can for the captain
Eckersley has the IQ of a sock.
Maybe Leiter can demonstrate his famous sock and ball method, hmm?
Ohh, nice. I’d forgotten about that one. He explained it so well, too. I’m sure Eck will be able to follow, sock and all.
I’m torn between the TBS broadcast and the NESN broadcast. The TBS is in Hi Def, but it has Chip Carey.
Eeeek. Bad choices all around, but I’d have to go with NESN on that.
how the heck do you get NESN in florida?
I really hope the Angels are taking notes.
Getting greedy. Double steal?
Is Robbie’s speed similar to Abreu’s? On his steal he reminded me of Bobby, he’s not fast but is a great baserunner/stealer. If Robbie can learn how to steal it would be great.
hahaha they should try a double steal!
We might have to steal home to score tonight. And the great thing is it looks like it might be as easy as striking out Tek.
http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/MQMss
Team record is 12 SBs. Anyone think they’ll do it?
wow what a lucky ass play by alex gonzalez… hahahaa
Chapman’s a free agent.
Yo Cash, get on that.
Thanks,
Drew
Please!!!!
Aite, Drew
Gotta settle beef with that punk Theo for that terrible 2010 schedule he rigged, yo. Ring you up latter, Drew ;D
—— Ca$hmoney
Andy’s wishlist to Brian Ca$hman:
1. Sign Chapman.
2. Sign Sano.
3. Sign Mateo to a cheap contract.
4. Bring over Melvin.
5. Profit.
(This list will piss off Mike Axisa.)
Make sure to hire an opthamologist, too.
6. Cut the eyes out of a Southie hoodrat to give to Mateo.
They are just abusing Captain No-hitter tonight, love it.
I Like This Joba.
Please Kay, spare us the lovefest of Varitek and Lowe
Joba is looking good.
Is this real, Joba?!?! You complete me, baby!!
Hmm, was that too much?
Joba, got the Ace stuff tonight.
Just nasty
Joba Chamberlain is unimpressed by the second place Red Sox.
Joba Chamberlain is unimpressed by the second place
Red SoxChad Gaudin.Joba is unimpressed by the flawless Red Sox… except their middle relief, horrible CS%, and overall defense
/kruk’d
Question Marks….FTW!!
Kay finally said the P word.
Joba you NASTY MAN
JOBA!!
shut up kay with the perfect stuff
Holy shit, Joba. Am I hallucinating? Anyone have a reliable velocity read?
FWIW, Gameday has him 93-95.
Not bad with good command. Command is key! Thanks, Jersey.
I’m calling it now, RAB Crew. The Braves will force an extra do-or die game. I will be shock if they don’t catch the sinking Rox.
Holy shit, he completely fooled Gonzalez there. That ball was in Cali but he still swung.
‘Goin back, back. To Cali, Cali.
or something like that.
Man, Joba looks awful. He’s just not in the same class as Lester.
ABOMBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
Who was asking for swinging strikes from Joba?
Joba was just screwing with us for the past two months.
ietcvm
not a bad smile
too bad we didn’t get to see the blonde next to her….
joba, babyyyy, keep it goin
now, i know no one is going to believe me and no one has to, but I knew Joba was gonna pitch well tonight. as frustrating as he is to watch when he sucks, there’s not much better than watching him when he’s dealing.
I don’t believe you.
good lord tex is getting fooled by the change
Please stop, Kay. I’m trying to enjoy this game.
tex! thank’s for finally hitting that fastball
If teix steals I’ll go nuts.
good hit tex.
Nice Tex.
OK A-rod, no DP but I’d love one in the seats.
OH SHIT SON!
Salty, say more things like that =]
wow the gun had its first correct reading! (94mph)
If Boston celebrates in YS then Girardi’s gonna bring out Melancon for the next game.
Duck!!
/ Boston players yelling in the dugout’d
SEE YA!
seeeeeeeeeeeee yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
AWESOME!!!!!
It’s soooo pretty
He is the fucking man. The MAN.
DUDE, thats twice tonight A-rod has listened to me!!!!!!
Now, that was A-BOMB!!!! Hooray!!! Yankees up 3-0
Clearly, he’s back on the roids.
they’re called vitmans, chico!!
/ Big Sloopy’d
Unclutch motherfucker.
Good day for Alex.
UNCLUTCH!!
HOLY SHIT!!
WOW!
STAT PADDER.
Alex Gonzalez probably told him what pitch was coming.
Wait, their Alex Gonzalez, or our alex gonzalez?
hahahah
Their Alex
But wouldn’t it be cool if it was ours?
I think that name just reached Voldemort status.
TCWA
THIS.
IS.
SPAARTAAAAAAAA
Spartans!!
I thought it was on 161st and river avenue? Oh well….
Whoop, There it is! shakalakalaka
Tag Team, back again…
Kay was so excited to call that home run, his sperm flew so far that Kim Jones is now pregnant. Ahh, the miracle of life.
blecch
Can you imagine what came out of the radio booth?! Hope Suzyn survived Sterling going off.
Boston Killer? = A-Rod
More hits!!!
no DP Jorge but I’d love it if you also put one in the seats
i am loving this
A-Rod would scare the shit out of me as a pitcher in the playoffs with the way he’s been hitting since like, June? July? Unreal. Misses a month. Struggles in his return…yet he’s on the verge of 30 HRs.
I’m not getting ahead of myself. But, if possible, John Kruk looks like even more of an idiot at this point.
He’s right though. The only tiny, microscopic flaw the Sox have is their middle relief. And that’s not a big deal.
Just for shits and giggles, I want to see Matsui try to steal. I don’t even care if he makes it near the base.
I would pay to see that.
Yup, me too!
I would also like to see that. But I’m concerned his knees would explode.
He makes his own cortizone shot blend. I’ll let you interpret that one.
What knees?
I thought middle relief was the red sox only flaw?
I like your style.
wow can’t believe there is only one out
Damn, no other player is doing what I want them too.
Your powers apply only to “The One”.
Lester is going to hit 70 pitches this inning.
Yanks have Lester up to 70 pitches and he’s not even through the third inning.
Then there’s a chance we won’t get no-hit in this game, cause we’d get to their ONLY weakness, their middle relief!
niceeeeee
woohoo Robbie
Matsui got some extra horses on the hover-round.
Jeter and Cano on opposite sides of the lineup, Awesome!
Cano is playing like the best 2nd baseman on the field today…..oh wait he is.
Good time to bunt, right guys?
Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!!
/Girardi’d
Fuck it, double steal.
This game is the balls.
C’mon Swish, just get a run in.
Damn, I wonder what Big CC’s numbers are against .500+ teams? Anyone, some assitance?
ball boy fail. get that weak shit outta here.
wow lester could get out early
wow
Is that what he said Kay?
Um, Lester is older than Joba.
over a year and a half older.
Ohhhh…this sucks, though.
I thiunk it was more like “what the fuck was that” john
haha payback for that bullshit in the first inning
Jon Lester…not younger than Joba. At all.
When did Jon Lester get younger?
Lester, it’s called low… You must get that call at Fenway against the Orioles… sucks for you,
4-0
Bollocks, the audio just crapped out on me. What did Melky do??
dont wanna see a guy get hurt
Lester younger than Joba? Michael Kay needs his eyes check.
Melky!
Extra points for Melky!!! Love that guy.
I shouldn’t be happy, but I am.
Yipeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! Lester is down!!!! Hooray!!!
That’s just dicky. No need for that.
Francona just drooped a deuce.
Eckersley’s brains are spattered all over the NESN broadcast booth after the none call to Lester.
In other news…I hate the Sox, but I hope Lester isn’t hurt.
oh snap
i hope he is ok
good lord that was scary
Kneed I remind you our offense likes to score?
/Window seat, please
Man that looked like that hurt. And that’s one of the few Sox i can tolerate.
Hmm… The Melkster… Collateral Damage
Drew just….Jizzed In His Pants!!
EEsh right on the knee.
Francona just dropped a deuce.
this could decide the red sox’s entire season
injury delay? lester?
melky hit a line drive at his knee
nailed RIGHT on the knee by melky’s liner. looks pretty bad.
I noe i hate boston but u neve want notin like this to happen.
Hope Lester is ok.
Good, I don’t wanna see another “hey Jon Niese, see if you can still pitch– oh, that’s horrible”