Game 160: This could have been a meaningful series
ByIt was supposed to have been a three-horse race. The Yankees, Rays, and Red Sox were supposed to battle for the top two spots in the AL East, which was assumed to house the AL East champion and the AL Wild Card. The three teams battled through the first half, but the second half has been all Yankees, and has been all against the Rays.
A team that won 97 games last season is stuck at 82 with three games left. While they were once greatly underperforming their run differential, even that has come back down to earth. As it stands, they’re just two games behind pace. The Yankees, for what it’s worth, are outperforming their run differential by eight games, though they do have the best mark in the AL by three games.
Rookie David Price takes the mound against the Yankees for the third time this season. They worked his pitch count the first time, forcing him to toss 106 through 5.2 innings, while they scored three runs. Price’s five walks didn’t help matters. He was better the second time, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks in six innings. In his last appearance, he gave up five runs in five innings to the Rangers.
While the game is meaningless for the Yankees as a team, it does mean something for CC Sabathia, who can notch his 20th win tonight. He downplays it, saying that it would be nice but not necessary. After year after year of busted free agent pitching, I think most of us want to see him get it. Not that it makes a difference in CC’s season — he was a great pickup who was worth every penny — but it’s always nice to see a pitcher hit 20 wins these days.
For some reason, Jose Molina is DHing tonight. The early lineup had him as catcher and Jorge as DH, but then they flopped. Why not just DH Hinske if you’re not going to DH Matsui? I don’t get it. I’m glad Posada is catching CC, because that’s the way it will line up in the playoffs. Molina should catch tomorrow, and Posada should catch A.J. on Sunday.
Lineup:
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Jerry Hairston, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Nick Swisher, RF
6. Jorge Posada, C
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Melky Cabrera, CF
9. Jose Molina, C
And on the mound, number fifty-two, Carsten Charles Sabathia.
334 Comments»
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The Mason Williams Watch
I have constantly defended Girardi, but if Molina gets a postseason start, I’ll be one pissed off optimist.
I think if Molina starts and the Yanks win, all will be forgiven. If he starts and AJ pitches awful anyway, well then let’s just hope the Yanks get another shot at doing it the right way.
It’s a gutsy move by Girardi, and I would not be upset with Molina catching if AJ spins a gem. Whether or not Molina is the “x-factor” is irrelevant to me. It’s all about results.
I dunno about “gutsy”. AJ had that row of dominant starts this summer, and Posada caught a large percentage of them.
If it’s what it takes for Burnett to pitch well, I’ll accept it, but I remain skeptical.
Well, “gutsy” in the sense that people will question the move and he will be open to a lot of criticism if the Yanks lose 2-1 or something like that.
“AJ is pitching well of late, do you really think Molina has something to do with it?”
“Posada has caught X, Y, and Z pitchers in A, B and C seasons that were all successful. You’re telling me he can’t handle AJ Burnett?”
Or they can do what you did and (correctly) quote the run of games in which AJ pitched very well. I will also add that in every post-game interview AJ credited Jorge 100%. So that counts for something, right?
Like I said, I’m indifferent. Jorge’s bat is really hard to replace, but if AJ stinks it’s going to be a long game either way. It’s all about what AJ believes regardless of how silly it is.
I will amend this to say “in the ALDS, if Posada does not get banged up in the previous game.”
Jesus, CC looks like Wang out there.
I’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is less cowbell.
Over/under on the number of people at the game tonight is set at 20,000.
I’ll take the under on that.
Having Molina DH should make clear to CC and to us just how important getting that 20th game for him is to Girardi.
Maybe Molina is the anti-Giambi: he’s an amazing hitter but only when he plays DH. His bat is coming alive tonight, I can feel it in the air.
molina and jorge are both catching?
wow that’s a first
I too am a big Girardi supporter, but I cannot understand the thought process behind a man with 50 OPS+ in his last 400 abs getting any type of postseason play.
Molina shouldve been DFAd earlier this summer.
Molina shouldve been DFAd earlier this summer.
No he shouldn’t have.
Wow. You don’t DFA one of the best defensive catchers in the league.
agreed, but this is probably his last month with the club as frankie has shown he can do enough to hold down the backup job next year.
This isnt the time of year to throw bones to departing players.
I know Molina is a good dude, but he has too many holes in his game to belong on a postseason roster.
Yes he shouldve been. Cervelli is clearly the better player at this point. Even Posada has a better CS% than Molina.
I know his CERA is very good, but the man is a walking rally killer, and I dont mean walking literally.
Big picture. The difference between Molina and Cerveli is slim. DFAing Molina for that marginal upgrade would hurt depth needlessly.
No, you don’t DFA a guy like him – maybe you trade him, but you don’t DFA. I like Cervelli too, but I understand why the Yankees have held on to Molina.
Its October now, we learned depth at Catcher wasnt an issue since Chris Stewart had a decent year at AAA and couldve easily been the emergency catcher.
The difference between he and Cervelli is no longer slim. Cervelli is a better hitter, better thrower, better framer, and better runner. He can do things that win games in the postseason.
Molina no longer possesses that skill.
Well, we’ll agree to disagree on this one. It would seem the Yankees didn’t want to have to rely on Stewart. I’m sure they could have had a deal for a useful player if they had any interest in trading Molina.
One thing no one will argue: Posada is the weakest by far defensively of the 3 catchers on the team. Every bit as important as defense is calling a game. None of this would even be a subject of discussion if Posada at least could hold his own and do a competent job of calling a game, managing pitchers etc. He should be splitting DH time or on very limited catching duty — for pitchers like Petite that he has a comfort level with — next year.
why is hairston playing left field if we need him to get more infield work so he can get qualified to get a pick for him?
http://www.olympicringschicago.....hicago.jpg
That is funny, but in all seriousness, South America has never hosted the Olympics. On the Olympic flag the rings represent the 5 inhabited continents. Why not 6? It counts South America as part of North America.
It would have been nice to have the Games stateside, but it’s important historically/symbolically to have the first South American Olympics.
Oh, I agree
Also, has anyone ever BEEN to Rio? I can’t imagine anyone choosing Chicago or Madrid for that matter over Rio.
cmon white sox!
1-0 sox
lol michael kay is wearing a bright purple shirt.
Swish has killed it in The Trop this year.
He has been even better in his career at Camden Yards. He has 13 HR in 107 PA.
Wait a second, David Price’s ERA is pretty close to Joba’s. How can that be?
Price is Teh Uber prospect.
They both go a solid 4 innings a start.
To dah bullpen!
Bossman Jr. is unimpressed by Jerry Jr.
Pussy David Price.
Anyone think that HBP on Tex has something to do with Pena?
Pena swung at the pitch from CC. So it shoudlnt.
It shouldn’t, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t. Your thoughts, Zack?
Just a HBP in my book. Although Price has had a better BB/9 lately, he’s struggled with control this year. (Young SP struggling with control? I’ve seen that somewhere before)
Agreed.
but tampa is a bunch of loser babies, so it does
Honestly, Pena swung at it. It’s not like we pinned Pena down and took a hammer, then one by one smashed his fingers.
They’re still crying over this.
Dioner Navarro & Tim Beckham or Buster Posey?
Beckham, caught stealing a lot, not a lot of power, Posey.
Posey. Easy.
So would you say they chose the wrong chalise, and chose, Unwisely?
Beckham’s only 19, Posey is 22, Don;t count Beckham out yet.
time for tex hit #40– thats yankee retaliation, not tampa punks
CC: “I can’t beat him over there!”
being forced to watch Rays network in NC and im about to drive to tampa and strangle the assclown announcer
Which one? Dwayne Stats or Kevin Kennedy? They both SUCK.
stats going on and on about last season, yankee payroll, and how price hitting tex was a sign of his maturity……maturity? really ?
They definitely have a slight bias.
slappy, its ok, the real games dont start till next week, it will be ok
Teixeira > Tampa Bay.
One armed Teixeira > Tampa Bay
Ben Zobrist has an 8.2 WAR this year. Joe Mauer has an 8.0 WAR. That is only because Mauer being a catcher doesn’t have any type of fielding score factored into his WAR. Does anyone know of any difference metric for catchers that is indicative of runs saved due to defense?
difference = defensive
does CC’s speed on his FB seem low?
Maybe a tick or two
PitchFX has him at 92-94.
Well, better this now than next week.
As to the whole Molina starting a playoff game, if Im Brian Cashman I order Girardi not to even contemplate starting Molina in the playoffs. Seriously.
Plus the fact that Girardi is even contemplating it is absurd. I already feared that we might be seeing Ron Gardenhire amount of bunts per game from Girardi come playoff time but having to watch Molina start a game would really drive me crazy.
Just what you need. The GM ordering his manager to fill out his lineup like he wants. Nah thats real good.
Have you ever considered that the problems between AJ and Posada weren’t just some media creation, but actually had some merit?
Oh Swish.
What’s Upton batting… .030… and he gets a bases clearing triple, nice. TEH LUCK!! TEH LUCK!!
Ouch
It’s okay.
Our DH is going to have a BIG night. Lots of RBIs.
oh well no 20 wins for CC….get this out of his system and dominate in the playoffs
It’s still the first inning.
i just dont think theyll leave him in long enough for the comeback….game means nothing to us
Fact: No team has ever come back down 4 runs with 8 innings to go.
Our DH is Jose Molina. It’s not impossible, but it’ll be hard to win this one.
The Yankees have score 4 runs or more in 119 games this year. Look at this lineup and how many runs they scored. http://www.baseball-reference......9280.shtml
This is hardly over even with Molina at DH.
how about get this out of your system now in the first inning settle down, shut down the rays, let the yankee bats do their work and get your 20th win
Unless he has some quick innings here there is no chance he pitches 5 innings.
Just get out of ya system CC, just get it out of your system.
Maybe next year CC will get to 20 wins. It’s no big deal.
I seriously wish they due away with all the artificial turfs, I hate them.
Who’s ready for a week of CC is not a #1 and CC cant handle pressure?
The better question is who is ready for this in the first round of the ALDS or against the Red Sox?
And all those runs are unearned.
Swisher is one terrible defensive right fielder. Anyone that throws UZR out that hes good doesnt watch him everyday.
Shelley Duncan is a gold glover. Your point is moot.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs.....-teixeira/
Yankees are fucked.
They see me trollin’, they hatin’…
WTFs up with this price? screaming after a strikeout……YOURE 20 games out asshole
Melky is a daily RAB reader.
Jose Molina’s batting=dividing by zero.
Hearing talk of Molina starting playoff games makes my ears bleed.
I can not believe they are seriously considering letting Jose Molina catch in the playoffs. That’s such an awful decision, it’s not even fucking funny.
Not even a little funny?
No.
In your honest opinion, do you really think they’ll start Molina? Seriously.
You fucking tell them!!!!
Joba moving back to the pen seems like a really bad decision to me too.
No, it’s not.
When would you want him to pitch?
I responded to Mike. Maybe you’re new here and not familiar with the ‘nesting’ thing, but if you look again you’ll see my post connects to his.
Sorry, I don’t know how I missed that.
Molina’s not a pitcher.
Thanks for validating Mike, I made this argument around 630 today.
Forget just when AJ pitches, start Molina at C every game.
Only if he’s on a shit ton of steroids, discovers how to hit and occasionally decides to run to first when he makes contact with the ball. Your prophecy, I like it.
So how long before Melancon comes in to plunk Longoria or Crawford?
Melancon is so wild, it’s not inconceivable that he somehow manages to hit Maddon and breaks his glasses.
jeter walks, hairston grounds out softly
YARGH!!! STRIKE OUT ON MOLINA! WE SO UBER!!! WE THE BEST!!!
…god you guys struck out Molina for Mo’s sake… what is there to be so worked up about? It’s like howling over the fact that you pummeled a 5 yr old kid.
PRICE IS AN ASS
Shit, I get a 3 week free preview of the NHL package. For baseball and the NBA it only for a week (I always buy both regardless anyway) but 3 weeks for the NHL, they must really be desperate to get people to buy the package.
Dunno if showing more games for free is actually the answer though….
I’ve tried to enjoy hockey, but find it really difficult unless I’m at the game. As far as the NBA, it’s like watching a glorified streetball game half the time.
Just wait til you get the replacement refs
Hey those refs can do any worse than the officials now.
What about the 2 refs who were previously FIRED by the NBA?
The NBA ALOT better over the years trust me.
Sorry, I LOVE the NBA. I think the NBA now is at its best since Jordan retired the 2nd time in 1998.
As much as I loved watching the Knicks of the 90′s because of how good they were and the dramatic/intense playoff games they played the NBA really got ugly in the late 90′s thru the early 2000′s. But now with them taking away all the contact on the perimeter and off the ball it is a much more flowing game and there are some really great players and really good teams in the NBA right now.
No need to apologize. I see a few games and it looks like a lot of Isolation plays at the top of the key and take your man one-on-one. I haven’t seen much, so I’m not saying that’s the only trend, just what I’ve seen. I also really dislike the playoff format. Half the teams in the NBA make the playoffs? That’s ridiculous.
Its been the same format since 1985. There is ALOT less isolation now because teams are allowed to play Zone now, the only difference is they cant have a defender just standing in the paint blocking shots since there is a defensive 3 second violation just like on the offensive end.
The Knicks suck right now but if you want to watch a team that doesnt do many isolations and have a fun offense to watch watch the Knicks since Mike D’Antoni is their coach now. At least now they may still suck but are alot more fun to watch and hopefully come next season with the cap room they will have next off-season they will be fun to watch and successful at the same time.
Gotcha. I’ve never supported the playoff format. I can’t think of any reason half the teams in a league should make the postseason. I might check out a Knicks game next year, provided the tickets aren’t too expensive.
Wow. I was not expecting this score.
CC’s command hasn’t been all that good this game. That said, I wouldn’t expect this to continue into the playoffs.
Girardi out to the mound to hand deliver the IBB call.
Tigers losing 3-0, Twins up 5-0…
Interesting, things are becoming.
Only thing that sucks is the Twins face Greinke tomorrow.
Deflated, I am.
Watching a lot of Star Wars lately, you are?
The force is strong with this one.
Its no surprise CC is pitching like shit tonight, Posada is catching.
CC just wants to get the clunker out of his system
Wouldn’t be opposed to lifting CC after this inning.
might as well. don’t want the big guy to hurt himself
This.
You can’t be serious. He’s out.
Yep. Thank Mo.
He swung, he’s out. Nice try, Tampa.
I see CC is in October form
im following along on gameday, how did they score on a swinging strike 3?
K. Runs don’t score.
oh nevermind, they just decided to update the score at the wrong moment, making it seem like they scored
I’d like to see them comeback from this, not even for CC’s win I just really hate price.
Sick on a friday night, I was really counting on watching a good game. Oh well.
CC’s performance should provide great fodder for the NY media, ESPN, et al. How many “Should the Yankees be worried?” editorials will come out of this one?
Front and back pages of both the post and daily news
Top headline on sportscenter and espn.com along with a picture
Tons. Let ‘em chatter, there’s nothing to worry about.
+1
Living in New England, I hear talk show hosts on a couple local stations read Sabathia’s postseason numbers a couple times a day, then compare them to Beckett’s postseason numbers, and then explain how the Sox are way more prepared for the postseason than the Yanks. They will feed on tonight’s start like you wouldn’t imagine. I really hope Sabathia will prove them wrong soon.
David Cone: intelligent.
John Sterlings explaination of that strikeout to end tampas inning was priceless
Punny.
Why would the Rays, a smart organization, trade B.J. Upton at his lowest point? That just doesn’t make sense.
Well, they obviously gave up on the season when they traded Kazmir.
Well whats their record since the Kazmir trade? The trade may be good from an organization stand point. The prospects may be huge. Who knows. But to the team itself and to the fans it was waving the white flag.
Because he’s non-Domincan and lazy. Who would want that combination? Maybe they can get a Igawa-type arm in return.
I wonder if the people in Detroit are freaking out about how Edwin Jackson has finished the season.
He might have hit the wall. He hasn’t been good since what, the All-Star break? Either he’s tired, injured or his mechanics aren’t right. It doesn’t bode well for the Tigers, whatever it is.
Or maybe the first half was just a fluke.
There’s basically three months of his career that look nothing like the other four years.
Good point. His stuff has always been good. The prevailing theory was he finally put it all together. It seems that might not be true.
Jackson in a pressure spot? In a Game 2 in Yankee Stadium? Ok.
Wasnt tonight a pressure game? They’re not locked for the playoffs yet
“2. Tigers acquire Edwin Jackson for Matt Joyce…. But this winter they actually determined that they had too many starters, taking offers on Jackson, Jason Hammel (who was traded to Colorado) and Jeff Niemann with the intention of trading two of them. Jackson, very good in Tampa last year, became even better with a move to Comerica Park. Tampa was at least wise to trade Hammel and keep Niemann.”
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....ef=writers
Apparently Heyman only looks at first half stats when deciding the best moves of the offseason
Bingo.
Although he was once upon a time the #1 prospect in all of Baseball (weak class IIRC) so it was fair to think earlier in the year that maybe he was finally putting it all together. Change of scenery, the whole bit. But seeing him revert to his old self lately and I don’t think there’s any other conclusion to draw. Nothing’s changed.
Yes, Michael, it looks like he’s not trying but he is trying. He’s just good enough to make it look like he’s not trying.
For everyone flipping out about Molina catching AJ, check out AJs splits by catcher
http://www.baseball-reference......;t=p#catch
Every number (R-H-BA-OBP-SLG SO/BB ratio) explodes with Jorge behind the plate. It’s the right move. Nobody affects a game more than the starting pitcher, and that’s not even debatable. A player can only affect his 5 or so ABs, a starting pitcher affects 30 or so ABs by the opposition.
If you want to argue Posada vs Molina’s bat, be my guest. Posada sports a .894 OPS and Molina’s is .553 OPS. Huge right? Its 3.5 bases every 10 ABs, or 1.75 bases per game.
AJ has allowed 58 Runs in the 16 games Posada has started, or 3.63 runs per game. With Molina behind the plate, he’s allowed 24 runs in the 10 games he’s started, or 2.4 runs per game. I’ll take a full run+ less over 1.75 bases generated every day of the week.
Were not talking about a long season anymore, were talking about 1 game. That’s the difference.
Burnett is just as likely to throw a stinker to Molina as he is to Posada. Burnett and Jorge have had some incredible games together (see: June/July).
Also, one game magnifies a weakness like an awful bat much more than a season does.
No, he’s more likely to strike out more batters and give up less runs. Can I guarantee he’ll be good? Of course not, but a manager’s job is to put the odds in his favor. He has a better chance to pitch a good game with Molina.
Plus, don’t forget that if it’s game 2, the Yanks are at home where the generally have no trouble scoring runs, and obviously get the last AB.
May 27th – July 27th: 11 starts, 2.08 ERA, .623 OPS against
Posada caught 8 of those starts, and was still on the DL during the first one. Cash caught one, Cervelli two.
Three starts ago, Burnett gave up 6 runs in less than two innings to Baltimore with Molina catching, before settling down.
Looking at ~90 IP with Posada vs ~60 IP with Molina does nothing for me.
“Looking at ~90 IP with Posada vs ~60 IP with Molina does nothing for me.”
But 8 starts from May thru July prove your point? Can’t have it both ways, Mike.
Based on the logic you’re using, yes.
My reasoning for starting Posada is that he’s immeasurably better than Molina.
No one’s disputing that Posada’s a better player, but if you think his impact is greater than the pitcher’s, or think the Burnett-Posada thing was just a media created narrative, then I don’t know what to tell you. Games are played by human beings, and they don’t all think the same or get along. The fact that Girardi is considering this tells me a lot, and he’s an ex-catcher.
And, that also shows many, many things are possible in small sample sizes.
So much THIS. A small sample size also concludes that I’m a total ladies man, when only factoring in girls with a BMI above Pi. This doesn’t mean I’m actually a ladies man.
Posada’s had far more games with AJ, and the reason those numbers are inflated is largely because of three poor appearances. Boston earlier in the season (5 IP, 8 ER), Chicago (4.2, 7), and Boston again in August (5, 9). On the whole, he’s been pretty good. Molina hasn’t been invincible, either. Ultimately, it’s up to AJ to make the pitches. I’d rather take my chance on AJ pitching with Posada and emulating one of the 12 good starts, with Posada’s bat, than I would his good starts with Molina and a guaranteed 3-4 outs from the catcher.
In response to your ‘few bad outings’ claim, I was going to post the outings that Molina was behind the plate where Burnett blew up, to show that a few outings inflated his numbers as well.
But I ran into a problem. Almost every horrific outing AJ had this year had Posada behind the plate.
4/25-5 IP 8R vs BOS
6/9-2.2 IP 5 R vs BOS
8/1-4.2 IP 7 R vs CHW
8/22-5 IP 9 R vs BOS
9/1-5.1 IP 6 R vs BAL
http://www.baseball-reference......;year=2009
There’s one 6 run outing on 9/9 with Molina, and even there AJ pitched into the 6th inning, so it wasn’t a disaster. So the downside with Posada appears to be much greater, and maybe that’s what Girardi is worried about.
How many times this season has Kay mentioned that Navarro made the ASG last year?
Jesus H. Montero, just take him out. Put Towers and Kennedy out there to give them some innings. There is no reason for Sabathia to continue in this game.
I want Kennedy.
+1
That would be nice, plus we can listen to Sterling lose his shit again and have a few laughs.
i’d rather cc get his october clunker out of the way tonight
Why is he still in there? Get him out and let him forget it.
Time to take CC out.
I guess just let him get to 100, and then no matter what the situation, just take him out.
Great way to tune it up, CC. Just the way to get ready for Game 1.
Its one thing to have a bad start, but damn, that was horrendous. Even Jobber looked better.
this is just one reason why i fuckin hate Girardi. Do you really have to frickin wait until he gives up 9 runs and throws 80 pitches in less than 3 innings to take him out?
+1.
Dude’s a moron. Girardi has no friggin clue. Friggin hate the guy.
He wanted CC to get his work in, he’s not going out of his way to win this completely meaningless game. He saaid on the pregame that he would go around 100 pitches. Considering how badly things went, 80 pitches was about right.
I haven’t seen Sabathia look this bad since…the first game of the season. And this is incalculably worse. I’m thinking (and hoping) it’s an outlier. He hadn’t given up 5 ERs since August 23rd. We can’t expect all pitchers to throw no-hitters every time out, but this was really unexpected. That said, I really think he’ll bounce back. We’ll need him to if we’re facing off with Verlander.
CC chokes while going after win #20.
He can’t pitch in big games. We’re doomed.
send him to the pen
Feed him to the LIONS!!
And send ‘Friggen clueless’ Girardi with him!!
just when I let myself believe this was going to be easy now we get to worry about CC
Worry? After one meaningless game?
Worry? About one start? If this happened a week ago, you wouldn’t think twice about it.
Relax.
Atleast he didnt have a cortison shot for his back spasms and had to skip his start, like some other guy who know
I would just like to say ‘Fuck Gallantry’
..and Chivas for that matter. I’m a Knob Creek guy, myself.
I bet you are!
ietc
I’m also a bourbon guy – and that’s a great choice for about the same price as Makers.
Makers in a manhattan; Knob Creek on the rocks.
Bakers or Bookers neat
Work’s been hell – I guess I didn’t miss much.
Yeah Maker’s neat. I’m having one right now, in fact.
I always knew I liked you for some reason. When you want a lil more flavor, Gentleman Jack is another good choice.
Any other manhattan fans here?
The biggest thing is finding a place that actually uses bitters w/ the sweet vermouth
Got a little petite syrah flowing.
(If Andy got into wines after his career ends, he could sell Pettitte syrahs)
Ehh, vermouth is too abrasive for my tastes.
Another favorite of mine. It’s been a long week at work (half of my department was laid off, I’m fortunate because I work well and I’m not eating much payroll, but my responsibilities just tripled), so I may head out to the liquor store and grab some GJ.
I had forgotten about that delicious, mellow flavor.
Been hearing bad news from Wall St friends about layoffs and closings – esp in structured finance. My condolences to any friends of yours who lost jobs this week
The Jobs Report today was a disaster. Economists had it at around 100K down, which is an improvement since it would mean losses are slowing.
Then it comes in around 275K down, almost TRIPLE Wall street expectations. Now all the economists are rethinking their growth expectations, and are even looking at a double dip recession. Which means things could bottom out once again, like they did last year.
Yeah, I’m not in finance, but you’re right, it’s tough in that industry right now. A few friends of mine in finance were bragging about their bonuses, salaries, etc. earlier in the year. Now? Some of them are unemployed or barely hanging on, and one is crashing in my spare bedroom. I’ve got law school coming up in a few months (which is also no longer a guaranteed stable job), so I’m hoping that gives me some more marketability.
Thanks for your words, though.
Artist – looks like Roubini (aka Dr Doom) might have been right – a recovery more like a W than a U
I keep fingers crossed that some magic happens and the Doha round advances – but I fear protectionism could raise its ugly head some more
Roubini’s been getting a lot of play lately, since he called the Real Estate bubble. His track record is one of constant negativity, so he was going to be right sooner or later. I still wouldn’t give him a nickel of my money to invest.
He’s no genius, just an economist and they all get more things wrong than they do right. They don’t call it ‘The Dismal Science’ for nothing.
Currently drinking margaritas
/less of a man for having mixed drinks
pffft . . . sissy boy.
Whatever, I can’t drink 10% ABV beers every day.
Well, I could.
Bossman’s going cycling tonight. Needs just a single.
Yeah but he won’t get a cool ring to commemorate it.
The game is totally meaningless. I’m just disappointed for CC personally. He pitched well enough this season to have earned 20 wins.
It’s a nice, round number that looks good on the stat sheet, but there is so much more to appreciate when it comes to pitching than the “Win.” A great year for CC, 19 or 20 wins.
I have only two questions: who are these people and what have they done with the Yankees?
You didn’t read today was an unscheduled off day?
WHy is Jorgie even still out there? I’d say it’s time to throw the H lineup in the game.
Agreed. Time for SWB Yankees.
Your choice, Tigers or Twins?
Whooops how did it end up here?
“Dude’s a moron. Girardi has no friggin clue. Friggin hate the guy.”
Agreed on Girardi. DHing Molina while entrusting CC’s 20th win bid to Posada?
Incidentally, for all the criticism, Jobber has never pitched as badly as CC did tonight.
I can go for Makers neat, splash of water, myself.
PS Looks like Twins are alive for another day – ChiSox have just beaten Tigers and Twins are up big (8-0, 4th).
I’m a few saki bombs deep but I thought my sarcasm was apparent.
I love Joe G, I was just expounding Charlie’s craziness when I said: “Dude’s a moron. Girardi has no friggin clue. Friggin hate the guy.”
Your sarcasm is apparent is one is a regular commenter or a lurker. Not so much if this is a LoHud refugee.
Funny thing is, the Rays are playing this game like their families’ lives are on the line.
Wake me up when the post season arrives.
Apparently they were told that their families’ lives are on the line. So…coincidence!
Damn, I’m sick on a Friday night, just wanted to watch a decent game and lie down.
Watch the end of the White Sox / Tigers game on ESPN. At least that game is going the way we want.
Should be down to 1 game back with 2 to play.
Anyone think the Twins can do it?
It’ll be tough since they face Greinke tomorrow.
I do. Pavano’s declared that he’s ready to go on short rest Sunday if needed.
This is gonna be a hell of a battle for the Twins regardless of tonight. Greinke tomorrow and Verlander Sunday for the Tigers. Two shitty pitchers in the Sox/Tigers game tomorrow, so who knows how that will go.
Words can’t express how much I hate that guy. He malingers for four years here and suddenly he’s a selfless horse?
Hahahahah!
I’m sorry, that was just funny. And true.
Twins = the little train that could
Wow, the Padres fired Towers. I’m shocked.
He’ll find a job real quick, but wow.
Ownership on that team is a mess. Towers will be fine.
I’m not shocked. Rob Neyer wrote earlier today that it was possible. Moorad wants his own management team. Remember that Moorad competed against Towers for the job at the Diamondbacks a few years ago.
Damn, how long has he been there? Seems like forever.
So I go out to dinner, and what the fuck?
CC, you’re not helping me out by shitting the bed on your last start pre-ALDS.
I realize this thread has to be empty (blowout on a Friday night), but what the hell? Guys?
It’s the least important game he’s pitched for the Yankees, no biggie.
Well, yeah, but you’d like at least a solid 5-6 stress free innings out of a tune-up start.
Better a clunker now than next week, I suppose.
Better a clunker now than next week, I suppose.
Exactly. Don’t worry too much. These things will happen. It’s a weird combination of CC being really off (which is very rare), and the Rays being very, very hot with the bat. You’re not likely to see this again this season.
Did BBTN really just say Jason Kubel has been good against LHP this year when talking about the Twins ability to hit LHP and RHP?
It’s BBTN. If they told me Carl Everett is a religious prophet and a progressive thinker, I would not be surprised. The fact that some take BBTN’s blurbs as gospel is amazing.
Congrats to Bossman.
Good way to end a very poor season.
I still don’t think David Price will have as good a career as Joba.
(I’m going to look back on this statement and either feel prescient or dopey)
B. J. Upton’s cycle was 8th in MLB tieing a record set in 1933.
This place is dead tonight. Is anyone still here?
yup. Don’t really have much to add, just kinda observing
We’ve all moved onto bigger and better things. Like hockey opening night. Go Rangers.
or catching up on episodes of House
What country are we in, again?
Oh, America? Just checking.
I’m sorry, I thought this was America!
/Randy Marsh’d
BBTN had a funny exchange tonight:
Showalter: Upton has hit the cycle and it’s only the fifth inning. What do you call it if he hits two cycles?
Kurkjian: A Bi Cycle
Andy: Joba, maybe we should start you in game 1. You haven’t had a game quite this bad.
Joba: Word.
Fans are so fickle.
You mean Andy is so fickle, he forgot how CC was the horse of the staff.
I wouldn’t suggest something so absurd.
(Although it would be great to see Joba match Verlander.)
Stupid spam filter.
http://tinyurl.com/yjj6kwv
Not sure how much I believe in Ben Zobrist’s ludicrous season, especially given the facial hair. Yikes.
He actually did a lot of work last offseason and basically overhauled his swing, so there’s tangible evidence for the improvement.
That said, .841 OPS since June 17th vs 1.123 before. The former is probably more indicative of his real future production level.
He’s never had more than 198 at bats in a season or batted better than .253. This season may be the prototypical outlying anomaly, but he’s had a great year and has hit in so many clutch situations.
wow just got back from dinner
good to see CC got the shitty start out the way now instead of LDS
Gabe Kapler: unable to hit either Phil Coke or Nick Swisher.
Wainwright just lost his chance at 20 wins. STL bullpen blew it.
That’s a shame. Great year for him anyway.
The Royals are battling back. Twins 10, Royals 5 in the 6th.
Dale Thayer: apparently not killed in the sinking of the Titanic
JUAN MIRANDA!!
WOOOHOOO FUCK YEAH!
We’re only down by 9! Hooray! Good for Miranda.
First jack for Miranda. I’m certain he’s seen Thayer in Triple-A.
very proud of miranda
his parents have to be giddy with joy
Who would have thought Ramiro freakin’ Pena would get his first career bomb before Miranda?
He’s played quite a few games more, but yeah, pretty crazy.
Well, Pena had ~100 more big league at-bats under his belt at the time of his first homer.
Rockies on the board
Miranda could probably play in the bigs, just not on a good team. A bad AL team that could DH him occasionally sounds about right.
i disagree. I think he could turn into a poor man’s juan rivera from the angels
Rivera seems much more athletic. He could also hit both lefties and righties.
Dela’s right, his R-L splits were bad last year but he’s made big strides this year.
Yeah, maybe you’re right. His R/L splits were pretty stark last year but this year they’re almost identical. Nice job by him.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....pid=506673
Yeah, but how indicative are MiL splits of one’s ability to hit same-handed MLB pitching?
Especially for lefties, since most good lefties are in the majors. (Or too young, a la Bumgarner)
True, but since they were bad last year and almost identical this year, it still represents progress on his part.
Cone just made a key point I forgot to make earlier. Were really talking about 2, maybe 3 ABs with Molina. You pinch hit Posada for him late in the game and he still gets an AB or two.
But those are 2, maybe 3 almost guaranteed outs.
Unless AJ really needs Molina to catch to have a good game, I wouldn’t do it.
Maybe you got here late, but it looks like its happening.
Shit.
This is probably going to result in me throwing things throughout the playoffs.
good god BJ upton is on fire today
‘Stache needs to go, Phil. It’s hideous.
You beat me to it. Was just going to write the same thing.
i love the stache man! maybe its because i have an inability to grow facial hair at all…
He looks like a cop.
Fuck.
actually, reminds me of this guy
http://i2.photobucket.com/albu.....g_bang.jpg
Pfft, consider yourself lucky. I’d rather be woken up every day by having someone punch me in the face instead of having to shave every other day.
yeah i started shaving at the age of 20 (i’m 22 now) and shave once every 3 weeks
I’m Italian. If I’m not cooking, I’m eating. And if I’m not cooking or eating, I’m shaving.
iiiiiiiinteresting
Haha. Ever shave while eating?
Mine just grows in reallll slow. I can get away with shaving once a week and I still find that to be tedious
You and Dela are lucky. Full, thick beard in about a week. My back also has a weird hair patch, and if I flex my shoulders, it resembles a hairy vagina. Fun party trick…
haha i have zero back and chest hair and my arm/leg hari started growing at 18!
i can’t imagine what it would be to have chest/back hair!!
grow a beard, thats what i did
Where did that miss?
Ummmm … where’d that one miss?
where did that miss???
See guys. This is just a weird game all around. Do we think that Hughes is going to implode in the playoffs because of this poor outing?
Again, better to give up rockets to scrubs like Reid Brignac now than next week.
/yes, I know he’s a top prospect. Don’t care
This ump must enjoy being in a crappy game in one of the ugliest ball parks in the continent. What’s with the strike zone?
what a tight ass strike zone
dude, the score is 13-3, let anything close be a strike and get it over with you doof
Kate Hudson’s prenant
http://www.nydailynews.com/gos....._says.html
or not.
Apparently Alex Gonzalez was hurt badly in the Sox game. Could be a ginormous loss for them.
It was a huge loss for RAB. Then again, that was a different era.
jokes aside, hasn’t be been hitting like .300 since coming over? And has provided solid defense
Is he the one who booted the possible DP ball for the Cubs, or the one who hit the bomb off Weaver that year?
“ginormous?” I dunno about that. The guy can’t hit (although somehow he is hitting .289 since he came back to boston), and all he does is field.
Its an important loss i guess, but they might be able to survive without him like they did before they traded for him…
anyone here watch “Surviving Disaster” on Spike?
FOR ANYONE WORRYING ABOUT CC, PLEASE READ:
Zack Greinke (he of the 2.06 ERA), against Toronto, June, 5 2009:
5.0 IP 9 H 7 R 5 ER 2 BB 3 K
… and he SHOULD win the Cy Young.
Felix Hernandez against Toronto, July, 27, 2009:
5.2 IP 11 H 7 R 7 ER 2 BB 2K
… and he is in the running for the Cy Young.
Roy Halladay against Tampa, August 24, 2009:
6.0 IP 12 H 8 R 7 ER 1 BB 8 K
… and he is in the running for Cy Young.
Tim Linecum against Los Angeles, September 20, 2009:
4.0 IP 4 H 5 R 5 ER 1 BB 3 K
… and he should win the NL Cy Young.
Adam Wainwright against Philadelphia, May 5, 2009:
6.0 IP 9 H 7 R 7 ER 2 BB 5 K
… and he is in the running for the Cy Young.
If it weren’t his last start of the regular season, no one would really freak
To be fair, there aren’t too many people freaking anyway.
I don’t think anyone’s worrying. I remember Pettitte gave up like, 8 runs in his last start of the season one year, then threw like 7 or 8 scoreless in his first ALDS start.
Hahahhaha!!!
Coney going through Posada and Molina’s splits with AJ!
MY MAN!!!!!!!
GRIT GUTNER CARES ABOUT THE RUN DIFF!!
13-4!!
GET SOME PIE!…. or not
if that’s anyone other than molina or posada, the runner is safe
Did anyone for the Yanks get injured today?
There was a scare with Tex when he was thrown at, but he’s okay. Otherwise, no injuries.