Game 115: Rookie vs. Rookie

August 10, 2011 by Mike Axisa 371 Comments

The Angels are throwing the Yankees a little bit of a curveball tonight, calling up rookie right-hander Garrett Richards to start instead of going with Hisanori Takahashi. Richards is coming straight from Double-A, where he posted a 3.54 FIP with an okay strikeout rate (6.38 K/9). Baseball America considered him the team’s seventh best prospect before the season, saying that he “touches 96 mph at times and sits comfortably at 92-93 with sink and occasional cutting action.” A mid-80’s breaking ball is his second pitch, which he calls a curveball but it looks a whole lot like a slider. BA cites observers that consider him “everything from a mid-rotation starter to a power reliever.”

Anyway, the Yankees have never seen Richards before, which usually means CERTAIN DOOM. I’m actually feeling pretty good about the matchup just because Richards is a typical power pitcher. The rookies with soft stuff are the ones that tend to give the Yankees fits, plus going from Double-A to Yankee Stadium in the middle of playoff spot race is a tough spot. Here’s the lineup…

Brett Gardner, LF
Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Eric Chavez, DH
Russell Martin, C
Eduardo Nunez, 3B

Ivan Nova, SP

The game starts a little after 7pm ET and can be seen on YES locally or ESPN nationally. Enjoy.

Wayne Tolleson

2 SS’s is pretty cool. Maybe it will help Jeter with his range….
- Pat D
  
  I don’t ever recall you being that good a glove man, Wayne.
  
  Of course, I’m too lazy (and at work) to look up your stats.
  - Jorge
    
    You were no Paul Zuvella, Wayne.
    - Pat D
      
      My dad, for some bizarre reason, always liked Lenn Sakata.
  - JohnnyC
    
    Yeah but Tollie was a hell of a proofreader
    - Wayne Tolleson
      
      I’m a great reader thanks to these coke bottles…..
Gonzo

I feel good about facing this kid too.
jay h

is there a reason why halosheaven calls the yankees the New Jersey Yankees of the Bronx?
- JohnnyC
  
  They flunked geography in high school?
- Gonzo
  
  California educational system?
- Pat D
  
  This is the same site that said Rivera spit on the baseball.
  
  Don’t try to figure them out, you’ll have a stroke.
  - jay h
    
    oh i see. Yesterday they were the Jersey girls>
- JohnnyC
  
  Win one fucking WS in your entire franchise history and, all of a sudden, you’re funnier than Larry David. Yeah, that’s about the gist of it.
Winston Smith

At least tonight we’ve got a pitcher on the mound who doesn’t blow up for 4-5 runs in the 5th inning. Expect 6-7 strong and consistent innings from Ivan Nova, our 4th starter.
- http://twitter.com/#!/Paddock9652 Stratman9652
  
  “At least tonight we’ve got a pitcher on the mound who doesn’t blow up for 4-5 runs in the 5th inning. ”
  
  Things nobody could say about Nova last year. He may never be a top of the line starter but the kid has come a long way.
- Jorge
  
  Let me predict nothing but roses Ivan Nova, but crap on the the rest of the players on every other post. My god, Hester.
MikeD

Let’s just make this easy and score lots of runs tonight. The Yankees are averaging just over three runs the last four games. SSS and all and to be expected after their eight-game winning streak, but a little more offense will cover up other sins!
Kevin

Keep in mind..it’s still only been a year since he started pitching and still has a way to go..but he has held up better so far than the others under the very,very unforgiving NY spotlight that demands rookies be Cy Young flying out of the gate or else.
jay h

Garrett richards was drafter with the compensation pick the angels got when the yankees signed Tex.
- jay h
  
  drafted*
- http://twitter.com/#!/Paddock9652 Stratman9652
  
  Which even further guarantees impending doom.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  No, he’s not. I thought so too. They took Tyler Skaggs with the Teixeira pick, Richards with the K-Rod pick. At least that’s what B-Ref says…
  
  http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=2009&draft_round=1&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round
  - Jimmy McNulty
    
    I thought Mike Trout was the Teixeira pick…
    
    http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=2009&draft_round=1&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round
    
    Or are you talking about the Comp pick in the sandwich round?
    - jay h
      
      sandwich round
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      Yeah, the sandwich round.
  - YankeesJunkie
    
    This is interfering with the narrative.
    - MannyGeee
      
      read the by-rules. Fact and ficures should never get in the way of the narrative!!!
  - jay h
    
    oh. i guess i shouldn’t be paying attention to anything on halosheaven
Jimmy McNulty

Nova’s the first Yankee to get ten wins as a rookie in 40 years. I know wins aren’t a very indicative stat for a pitcher’s performance, but still…that’s says something about Nova. I’m still a bit bearish on Nova long term, but apparently the Yankee Brass thinks highly of him.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Nova’s the first Yankee to get ten wins as a rookie in 40 years.
  
  He’s the first rookie righty to do that for the Yankees in 40 years. Pettitte won 12 in 1995. El Duque also won 12, but he wasn’t really a rookie.
  - Jimmy McNulty
    
    Fuck, I read that on the crawl on ESPN when I was watching NFL Live…my badsky.
    - nedro
      
      serves you right for watching espn.
      - Jimmy McNulty
        
        Yeah, I’m mad at the NFL and I wanted some NFL coverage, gots do do what you gots to do.
- YankeesJunkie
  
  Back end starter, but if he keeps pitching like who knows.
  - MikeD
    
    Back-end starters have value, and there are a few talent evaluators who actually project Nova out to mid-rotation. I remain agnostic on that last point, but hope it’s true.
- MikeD
  
  I think it also says something about the Yankees over most of those 40 years, both in their drafting and faith in young pitchers. It’s changing.
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  He’s only a few very good starts away from being a 2 WAR pitcher. Very impressive.
Esteban

Hey good thing the Padres didn’t keep Nova when they drafted him in the Rule V draft.
Rick

I haven’t been to the Stadium in a couple months; can anybody tell me what that stupid video-game sound they’re playing when the opposing team reaches base is all about?
- nedro
  
  think it’s YES…
Jimmy McNulty

Really not all that bad of an inning, Abreu draws a lot of walks and I wouldn’t expect a rookie that’s not a top 100 prospect to take him down swinging.
- Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
  
  13 pitches, 7 for strikes. Harmless walk and harmless single.
Jorge

I watch Nova’s starts with excitement. I would love for this kid to exceed expectations and become even more than the back-end starter many said his ceiling would be. A solid young contributor can come from all places, and doesn’t always have to be the sexy name.
- YankeesJunkie
  
  Love the fact that he can get over 50% GB, however he needs a swing and miss pitch and slightly better control to make that jump to the middle of the rotation IMO.
  - Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
    
    Hopefully he sticks with that slider. That shit was nasty his last start.
YankeesJunkie

Dude was throwing 7 innings a start in AA.
Dela G

Damn, this guy throws damn hard
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

Brett Gardner: Leadoff hitter
AaronGuielWithASmile

I think they get Gardner with a decent throw
AaronGuielWithASmile

OK Grandy, send this kid down to double A
- AaronGuielWithASmile
  
  Well that’ll help
YankeesJunkie

Love when the Yankees get back to back walks.
MikeD

I wonder what the lowest in-season BA is for a guy with a 31-game hitting streak during the season? Gotta believe Uggla has it right now.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

God the Yankees better take advantage here.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Casey Janssen made binoculars out of coffee cups in the Jays bullpen. That’s pretty funny.

http://twitpic.com/643q9k
- IRF
  
  Relievers are the best
- MannyGeee
  
  hilarious.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

31 game hitting streak and Uggla’s BA is only at .222?

Mind-bottling
YankeesJunkie

Brett Gardner-elite player
Cy Pettitte

off the wall!

the Grandyman!!!
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

3 run dinger please
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  wow right as i sent that he hit the homer. awesome. Go Grandy, go get that MVP out of A-Holes, Dingleberries’ and the Keebler Elf’s hands.
  - MannyGeee
    
    butbutbutbut… the AL MVP!!! he has a music video and everything!
    
    http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/fancave/index.jsp?content=article&content_id=21431324#fbid=Klp_78PQjll
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Welcome to the bigs, kid.
Winston Smith

SHE’S GONE! CURTIS MAKING UP FOR LAST NIGHT’S GOOF!
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

Redemption
Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

Haha Grandyyyyy
IRF

Fine. I forgive you Curtis
YankeesJunkie

That is called a hitter’s touch right there! Only if Matt where here to comment on its beauty.
Dela G

Hahaha that was a hilarious debut hit
Esteban

See that’s why I can’t stay mad at the Grandyman
Ivan

Boom, Boom, BOOM!!!!!
Winston Smith

Vindication for Curtis Granderson.
Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

Fuck the HR, Grandy just killed a rally.
- YankeesJunkie
  
  True dat! No baseball IQ or grit.
  - Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
    
    If Grandy had grit, that ball would have stayed in the park and he would have had an inside the park HR.
  - AaronGuielWithASmile
    
    Dustin Pedroia would’ve hopped before the pitch got to the plate
MikeD

It’ll probably be the only three runs they score.

I’m not being serious…I hope.
- Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
  
  I always think of Greg when he says something incredibly negative and then says “Prove me wrong, Yankees.”
Esteban

So the Yankees CAN hit pitchers they haven’t seen before
Cy Pettitte

what a swing.
Michael Mirabella

Is it just me or do I feel like we already one this game with Nova on the mound and a three-run lead?
- IRF
  
  When did Nova become this shut-down ace? He could easily give up three runs.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    Yeah really. He’s been very good, but let’s chill the fuck out.
    - YankeesJunkie
      
      Nova>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Walter Johnson
      
      Don’t wreck the narrative.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Nova is a lock to not lose this game. 11-0 when pitching with a lead. Nova will be the number two starter come postseason. Idgaf that he’s a rookie. He’ll be the second best pitcher come October, you can book it.
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  AJ Burnett is a numbah 2 stahta!
MikeD

What? CC/Nova not part of the poll? Nonsense!
- IRF
  
  Nova is better than Weaver and Haren combined.
AaronGuielWithASmile

So am I the only one who thinks that the Angels are gonna win the AL West?
- YankeesJunkie
  
  Texas is the better team, but if Haren and Weaver can dominate in their starts they will stay close. However, they have virtually 0 shot at the wild card.
- Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
  
  Do we count what Mike Scioscia thinks?
Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

Nice play, Noonie.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

That’s some arm in this Nunez kid. You have no idea how far that throw is until you stand out there.
- YankeesJunkie
  
  It is about 90 root 2 from first to third in a straight line so it about 150 feet, so give or take a few feet where Nunez is and that is a heck of throw.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    Yeah, so it’s about half a football field.
    - Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
      
      Feet and yards are not the same thing, Axisa!
      - Jetrer
        
        ummm, 150 feet is 50 yards, which is half of a football field (excluding the endzones)
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  don’t tease us Axisa, you know most of us won’t have a chance to stand out there!
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    I’ve never been on the field, just find a park somewhere and stand near third base.
  - jon
    
    I was there on sunday
    
    yankee stadium 5k
- bonestock94
  
  I know all too well as a horrific defensive 3B in little league
- Monteroisdinero
  
  True Mike. Go to a high school field and try to make that throw-not easy to reach first without throwing a high fly.
- MannyGeee
  
  meanwhile, easier throws are the ones he bones…
Guest

The odds of Dan Uggla having another 26 game hitting streak on top of the 31 game hitting streak he has just had, is just about zero.

BUT on the 0.00000 *takes breath* 000001 or whatever percent chance that he does have a 57 game hitting streak, he’s going to get more grief for a breaking a record he “doesn’t deserve to break” than Maris did, right? (Don’t think either should get/should’ve gotten grief, but it’s inevitable).
- Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
  
  Uggla is trash.
  - Guest
    
    Yeah, this is kind of what I was talking about.
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  If it weren’t for a couple of great defensive plays, Joe DiMaggio would have had a 73 game hitting streak and we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
YankeesJunkie

Hell of play!
Winston Smith

That’s why Russell’s playing. Gives us something we didn’t have last year. And once A-Rod comes back he’ll be hitting 9th anyway and not 6th or 7th like he was earlier in the year.
http://www.clothinglegends.com Joe – Yanks Fan In Texas

I think the biggest thing that plagues young pitchers(yes, even the great Nova), is the 2 out hits. It seems as if with 2 outs, many of them can not just shut the inning down…it all comes in time(hopefully) but it just seems like something Nova needs to work on.
- MannyGeee
  
  I think the biggest thing that plagues ~~young~~ all pitchers(yes, even the great Nova), is the 2 out hits.
  - http://www.clothinglegends.com Joe – Yanks Fan In Texas
    
    Well played, Mauer.
MannyGeee

so anyone else watching th ESPN braodcast? I turned it on riiiiight after the Granderslam, and I have heard no less than 5 times “You know, the Yankees are 0-6 when facing a pitcher for the first time… ” could be an interesting drinking game if i didn’t have a client presentation tomorrow…

fuck ESPN.
- YankeesJunkie
  
  Key word is tomorrow. Go grab a fifth and enjoy!
IRF

Did you guys know Michael Kay went to Fordham? Cuz he did.
Zach

Sterling thinks Gardner goes back to bottom 3rd of lineup when arod is back. They might do it, but still silly.
Gard
Jeter
Curtis
A-rod
Tex
Cano
Swish
3b/dh/c
c/dh/3b
- Jetrer
  
  I think they will drop Gardy
  They won’t drop Cano to 6th
  - Zach
    
    OBP > SLG, I hope.
    - Jetrer
      
      except Granderson, ARod, Tex, Cano, and Swisher (barely) are all more productive hitters than Gardner
      They won’t drop ARod, and they won’t have their 3rd and 4th most productive hitters batting 5 and 6
      - Zach
        
        What does “productive” mean?
        
        Jetrer
        
        overall offense
        I was basing it on wOBA and wRC+ , but the same would apply for OPS
        
        Zach
        
        That’s cool. I just wasn’t going to accept RBI. Yanks will make the playoff either way.
- Winston Smith
  
  That is silly. Him and Jeter are good at the top. Our best player this year stays at 3. Then A-Rod and the rest of the order goes just like you say. They need to stop platooning Gardner. He’s a leadoff hitter, period.
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  Here’s what the lineup will look like whether Sterling likes it or not:
  Jeter
  Granderson
  Teixeira
  Rodriguez
  Cano
  Swisher
  DH
  Martin
  Gardner
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  Ideal lineup (in other words, never going to happen):
  Gritner
  Grandyman
  Tex
  A-Rod
  Cano
  Swish
  Chavstache
  Jetes
  Russell
  - YankeesJunkie
    
    Jesus for Chavstache
    - http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
      
      Or Russell a couple of times a week.
  - Jetrer
    
    Agree except that Jeter should be at the top instead of Gardner vs. LHP
    Jeter vs. LHP this year: 361/446/526 .428 wOBA, 173 wRC+
    - http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
      
      Right. Jeter and Gardner should be interchangeable depending on who the opposing starter is.
- Guest
  
  I think Gardner is pretty close to earning Girardi’s full trust. And I think Girardi has a little new school in him to go with the old school. He probably knows it makes little sense to have someone with elite speed and very good OBP skills get the least amount of at bats.
  
  I don’t think Jeter goes anywhere (and he’s been hiting well anyway, hopefully he continues to do so). But I also don’t think any of A-Rod, Tex, or Cano will have a crisis of confidence if they are dropped a spot or two. Keep Gardner, Jeter, and Grandy at the top, A-Rod, Tex, and Cano or Tex, A-rod, and Cano in the middle and call it a day.
  
  Russell Martin and Chavez/Jones getting more at bats than Gardner = No.
  - Zach
    
    What you said “Russell Martin and Chavez/Jones getting more at bats than Gardner = No.”
Winston Smith

Supernova’s one hell of a pitcher. And they wanted to send this guy down even after AJ’s meltdown in Chicago! 3 runs is all Supernova needs.
- MannyGeee
  
  god I wish people would get off Nova’s dick.
  
  We get it, hes pitching very well, but you guys will be first in line to lamb-baste him when he loses three in a row or gives up 7ER in his next start… go ask Phil Hughes.
  - jon
    
    plus hes back to his non swing and miss stuff
    
    i get the hype if he strikes out 10 again
    - Winston Smith
      
      He’s a groundball pitcher. Look at him out there inducing grounder after grounder. At least he doesn’t give up warning track drives to Jeff Mathis. The guy is consistent and he’s only a rookie.
      - IRF
        
        K’s>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Grounders
        
        Jetrer
        
        yes, but Nova is still >>>>>>>>>>Burnett
        
        IRF
        
        That’s not saying much.
        
        Jetrer
        
        just saying he should definitely be in the rotation when they go back to 5
  - Joba4Prez
    
    Hater…Ha-Ha-Ha-Hater
    
    /Jay-Z Voice
    - jon
      
      2 swinging strikes is not a good pitcher make
      - YankeesJunkie
        
        No, that is what is holding him back. However, the ground balls though allow to be an MLB pitcher.
    - MannyGeee
      
      please. scroll up and look the comments in this thread, and then go back to a thread from one of Phil’s April starts… and then you’ll get it.
      
      that said, he’s throwing a hell of a game so far. extremely efficient. which is clutch
http://www.clothinglegends.com Joe – Yanks Fan In Texas

Loved ESPN’s announcers making excuses for the Angels SP! “If he wasn’t nervous and he didn’t pay a lot of money for a cab on the way here, then he wouldn’t have walked anyone and he wouldn’t have given up Granderson’s HR that was only over because it hit the top of the wall!”

…lol
bonestock94

Tex is a badass
YankeesJunkie

I will say A-Rod and Mantle for the trivia knowing I am wrong.
MannyGeee

ha. Abreu runs like an old yenta with a hip replacement.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

That was strike three to Hunter.
- SDM
  
  i agree
Cy Pettitte

GARY FUCKING SANCHEZ

2/2 with 2 HRs
- YankeesJunkie
  
  Hellz yea! 17 homers as an 18 year old is ridiculous and his wRC+ 115 is huge for a guy at C.
- MannyGeee
  
  call up Sanchez. fck Montero!
- Guest
  
  Further proof that maybe people should let the full year develop before they change their opinions on prospects.
  
  Wow. What power.
  
  Cup of tea with Tampa to get a taste of the next level (especially since JR is hurt).
  
  If only JR didn’t get hurt and get up his pre-injury production (big Ifs).
  
  Everyone could’ve been promoted next year:
  
  Montero – Majors
  Romine – AAA
  Murphy – AA
  Sanchez – High A
  Tejeda – Low A
  
  Not bad.
Joba4Prez

Halladay isn’t that great…he doesn’t miss bats

/RAB’d
- jon
  
  uhhh you do realize hallday strikes out 8.4 so/9 right?
- YankeesJunkie
  
  His 7.5 + K/9 the last four years says differently.
- IRF
  
  8.35 K/9
  
  10.4 % Swinging Strike
  
  /Actual RAB’d
  - Joba4Prez
    
    Ok, Greg Maddux missed bats right?
    
    Glavine?
    
    How bout Andy Pettite?
    
    Mike Mussina do anything for you?
    
    The point is that there MANY great pitchers who never struck out a ton of guys
    - IRF
      
      You know Moose and Pettite were strikeout pitchers right?
      
      And if you wanna go ahead and bank on Nova having the legendary FB command of Glavine and Maddux, even though he hasn’t shown that in his entire professional career, be my guest.
      - Joba4Prez
        
        If strikeout pitchers average 6.1 and 6.6 K/9 for the careers, respectively…bravo
        
        IRF
        
        Moose is at 7.1 for his career which is above average. In his prime he was an 8 K/9 guy. Pettitte’s swinging strike rate was above average
    - jon
      
      Maddux 16.5 k%
      Glavine 14.0 K%
      Pettitte 17.3 K%
      Moose 19.3 K%
      
      what the FUCK are you talking about
      - Joba4Prez
        
        Looking or Swinging sir?
Kostas

It is only 3 innings and there is much room to improve, but Nova is making a solid case as an alternative to Burnett.
- Winston Smith
  
  He’s already made the case of a vast improvement to AJ Burnett. They didn’t send him down last week and the next step is giving him a permanent rotation spot going forward.
- MannyGeee
  
  my dick is making a solid case as an alternative to Burnett if for no other reason its got a better haircut.
  - YankeesJunkie
    
    LOL
  - Kostas
    
    OMG… now THAT is funny.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

LOL Bourjos
http://twitter.com/#!/Paddock9652 Stratman9652

Anyone know a way to find out the probables for Scranton for the series against Syracuse? I just got very very excited to find that the series opener is 5 days from Manny’s last start, but the way minor league “rotations” go I can’t be sure.
- YankeesJunkie
  
  Pretty sure Scranton has a blog so I would probably check that.
  - http://twitter.com/#!/Paddock9652 Stratman9652
    
    I checked that, no definitive probables and looking back at who has pitched lately shows no rhyme or reason. Guess I’ll just have to go to all four games right? At 15 bucks a ticket no reason not to.
    - YankeesJunkie
      
      Thats the spirit. However, I am pretty sure ManBan will start on Friday so the earliest he would start is Wednesday.
      - http://twitter.com/#!/Paddock9652 Stratman9652
        
        Yeah that’s what I’m thinking. Friday is the first game of the series in Syracuse so I’m probably gonna get lucky and see him.
        
        I can’t believe I’m saying this, but hopefully they don’t call up Montero for a few days, still haven’t seen him catch. He was having that whole attitude problem last time they were in Cuse and he got his ass benched.
YankeesJunkie

Cano for the cycle tonight!
Brandon

If Nova continues to pitch well tonight, abd Hughes pitches good on Saturday, there going to have to move Burnett. Moving one of Hughes or Nova after good starts, would really be stupid.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

Zombie Chavez!
Cy Pettitte

#productiveDH
YankeesJunkie

Awesome relay!
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Hooray for having a productive DH.
http://deleted Total Dominication

Piling on.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

They’re really tagging Richards.
jon

how do you miss 2 cut off guys?
Cy Pettitte

some serious meatballs being served up this inning
Cy Pettitte

stupid Bourjous
YankeesJunkie

That was a hell of play.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

Robbed
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Bourjos is like “get out of the way you old fuck.”
bonestock94

Fuckin A what a beast
SDM

*clap clap Damn
Ivan

Who is the better fielder, Bourjos or Gardner?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Probably Bourjos. He’s ridiculous.
  - Ivan
    
    I might agree to that. Can you imagine Bourjos and Gardner in the same outfield defensively.
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  Gardner
  
  But Bourjos plays a more important defensive position.
Cy Pettitte

are you serious? getting robbed this inning.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

Bullshit call
YankeesJunkie

Damn!
bonestock94

That’s not cool man
IRF

Robo umps now please.
Bartolo’s Colon

man, gardner just got anti jim joyced
karel capek

Perhaps Jorge can retire and become a commentator for YES. Imagine a booth of Micheal Kay, Posada, and Cone. Nothing but sabermetrics and Posada talking about how Swisher is still slower than him. But if Cone looks like Buster Keaton who does Posada looks like?

Fingers crossed.
- MannyGeee
  
  http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsW/18311-13105.gif
- http://twitter.com/#!/Paddock9652 Stratman9652
  
  Ok, I give. Whats with the David Cone/Buster Keaton obsession? It’s almost all you ever post on here. We get it they look alike.
Eirias

Collusion!
Cy Pettitte

wow what a terrible call, not even close.
MannyGeee

nunez flingin the ball
Cy Pettitte

i repeat, stupid Bourjos.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

Just a solo home run. No big deal.
- YankeesJunkie
  
  Unless it is AJ Burnett
  - Jimmy McNulty
    
    AJ’s making 16,500,000 USD, and the team is unwilling to replace him in the rotation. So yes, AJ is held to a higher standard than Ivan Nova.
Ivan

Yankees have given up homers to Abreu (twice) and now Bourjos…mind boggling…
MannyGeee

officially over Bourjos
mbonzo

So the Angels called up Trout and Richards without going to AAA. What has become of the PCL?
- Sarah
  
  Brandon Belt is toiling at SF’s Triple A club. And killing it. So what does that tell you?
  - mbonzo
    
    Yea, the offensive numbers are a joke, but it seems like teams would rather keep prospects in the Texas League. Is there more competition in AA than AAA?
    - Sarah
      
      Don’t know for sure but I’d guess that is true.
    - Jimmy McNulty
      
      Read the NoMaas Mark Newman interview, at AAA the players are used there exactly the way they’d be used in the big leagues. So the managers, to a large degree, worry about winning the games because it preps the players for the call up. At AA they don’t care as much about winning and it’s more about letting each player develop.
      - mbonzo
        
        Thats interesting but it feeds into my point. The Angels must seriously consider the PCL to be a joke (which it is) for them to skip that part of a prospects development.
        
        Jimmy McNulty
        
        Depends on the prospect, depends on the organization, depends on the park and coaching staff at the PCL team too. The Royals used the PCL Royals quite a bit. The Pads kept Rizzo in there for a significant amount of time, the Jays had Lawrie there for a while, and Ackley was there for a while too. It all depends, most of the elite prospects aren’t in AAA for that long anyways as players need to develop at the ML level too.
        
        **cough** Jesus Montero **cough cough**
      - The Fallen Phoenix
        
        That’s just how the Yankees organization runs things, though. Not all AAA organizations are run the same.
MannyGeee

bye bye! another shot by Grandy!
YankeesJunkie

The Grandyman can!
Cy Pettitte

lol Grandy destroying this kid.

congrats to him on new career high on HRs
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

Grandy is in beast mode. For that brief second where he hit that home run, he was the best hitter in baseball.
http://www.twitter.com/stophamm3rtime Dela G

I love the effing grandy man
Guest

I wonder if there has ever been someone who led the league in HR’s, RBI’s, Runs and did NOT win the MVP.

Right now, Grandy, as much as I love him, doesn’t deserve the MVP. And he could lead the league in HR’s, Runs, and RBI’s and still not deserve the MVP.

But I imagine someone leading the league in those categories and not winning the MVP is a pretty rare phenomenon.
- mbonzo
  
  If he leads the league in HR’s, Runs, and RBI’s he’ll probably put up numbers that’ll make me comfortable enough to vote him MVP.
- YankeesJunkie
  
  Gonzalez and Bautista are the only two hitters that have a better wRC+ than Granderson. If Granderson had a +8 fielding rather -8 his fWAR would be right up there. I still don’t think he will win it, but if he continues this he should be in the top 5.
  - Guest
    
    WAR and fWAR take the import of the position a player plays into account, correct?
    
    In my opinion, a slighlty below average defensive CF brings more defensive value to a team than a slightly above average defense first baseman.
    
    Then again, according to most metrics I’ve seen, Grandy’s been worse than slighly below average so far this year.
    - mbonzo
      
      Another thing is that centerfielders are primarily a defensive position, and whats considered average for a centerfielder would be incredible a decade ago. Its almost as if Granderson were producing these numbers at an elite position like catcher.
      - YankeesJunkie
        
        Agreed. There are a lot of extremely fast and good CFs on defense just look at who the Yankees are facing tonight.
    - YankeesJunkie
      
      fWAR takes to account positional differences. Bautista is the leader because of his pure beastly numbers especially his walks. While Pedroia has not put up the numbers like Grandy, Bautista, and Gonzalez he is not only getting help from the position he plays, but UZR rates him extremely high (like Brett Gardner high) at second base.
- https://twitter.com/TheRealJeromeS Jerome S.
  
  HR’s and Runs? maybe. RBI’s? Nope.
  
  And yeah, it’s amazing. Between Gonzales, Bautista, Ellsbury, Pedroia and whoever the fuck else is out there, there’s some people having some monster seasons.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

At least Robbie hustled.
MP

Grandyman trying to make up for getting picked off last night.
Jimmy McNulty

This Mike Trumbo is quite a player, is there any other competition for AL RoY other than him? I suppose Jeremy Hellickson or our very own, Ivan Nova. Is Jordan Walen a rookie? He’s been pretty damn good too. Ogando is technically a rookie too, he’s another candidate.
- Mariano’s Pimp Hand
  
  Pineda in the first half but he has been pretty bad since then.
- Cnight_Ithaca
  
  Eddison Volquez?
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  Dustin Ackley?
  - Jimmy McNulty
    
    Yeah, I forgot about Ackley and Pineda, they’re on my fantasy team so how I managed to forget them is beyond me. Anyways, Ackley is probably the pick. Trumbo’s got about 40 games on him, but Ackley’s rate stats are just undeniable.
    - http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
      
      Ackley has the same fWAR as Trumbo in about 60 less games. Trumbo’s HR’s and RBI’s will assuredly woo the voters though. It’s going to be close
Cy Pettitte

“Granderson on pace for 43 homers, 128 RBIs, 145 runs scored and 30 steals. Staggering. #yankees”

damn.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

I thought Robbie doesn’t dive?
- Monteroisdinero
  
  Dustin Cano!
  - http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
    
    HELL. NO.
    - Monteroisdinero
      
      The only thing missing is grit.
      
      HELL. YES.
      - http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
        
        Cano can’t be gritty because he’s both Latino and isn’t allowed to grow facial hair during the season. (Technically he could grow a stache, but that would look awful on him.)
http://www.twitter.com/stophamm3rtime Dela G

i love cano’s range
IRF

This performance has been downright Wang-ian
Winston Smith

Groundball after groundball. Reminds me of Wanger.
YankeesJunkie

Nova is looking like 2008 Wang tonight.
The Fallen Phoenix

Michael Kay needs to get off his horse about what games are or aren’t watchable.
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  Michael Kay makes games unwatchable on his own.
Monteroisdinero

Looking forward to a Nova interview after the game. Great guy.
http://www.twitter.com/stophamm3rtime Dela G

wow joel pinero in the bullpen? what a laugher of a contract
- CMP
  
  Kudos to the Angels for having the balls to pull an $8 million ineffective starter out of the rotation.
  - http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
    
    AJ’s making more than twice that. He should still be pulled from the rotation though.
Cuso

Grandy’s 2nd shot landed two rows above me!!
Monteroisdinero

Swish having a nice game. In praise of Nick.
Pants Lendelton

I notice a lot of CMW comparisons tonight,

Keep in mind that Nova has a better infield/outfield defense playing behind this season compared to the gloves playing those 4 seasons.

/piss’donyourparade’d
- Joba4Prez
  
  With the better breaking stuff :p
- YankeesJunkie
  
  Outside of Tex for Giambi this infield is not much worse than what there was in 2008.
  
  Nova has been efficient with pitches, ton of grounders, and no strike outs or walks. This is what Wang did when he was on. Not saying Nova is as good, but he does look Wangian tonight.
- Mariano’s Pimp Hand
  
  I just looked up Wang’s #s for this year. 3 Ks in 15 IP. Only 1 K in his last 2 starts (11 IP).
  
  Still living dangerously.
  - YankeesJunkie
    
    25 grounders to 9 fly balls though in the last two starts.
Cy Pettitte

get ’em over get ’em in. now we’re playing the game the right way.
http://www.twitter.com/stophamm3rtime Dela G

loving this game
SDM

Does this ump hate nova, thats the 2nd punchout he missed
YankeesJunkie

Time to let Noesi finish the game!
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Isn’t this when he way “here we go again!”? Of is that just for AJ and Hughes?
- Cy Pettitte
  
  he has 10 wins, I think we can cut him some slack.
  
  /Kay’d
- mbonzo
  
  Nova is throwing all the pitches he shouldn’t be throwing.
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  No. You’re supposed to wait until AFTER he hits the three run bomb.
- JohnnyC
  
  Hate it when managers wait until bases loaded to make a pitching change…shades of the ol’ master, Joe Torre.
http://www.twitter.com/stophamm3rtime Dela G

yeah…. i’d take nova out now
- tom
  
  I’d have done it a batter ago. Yeah, he probably got hosed on the first walk, and the hits weren’t entirely scorched. But I don’t see why relievers should be given so little margin for error.
YankeesJunkie

Nova has pitched great, but you got to pull Nova now.
ItsATarp

GOddamit AJ you suck…oh wait
Erica

Nova had a great game. Kid deserves all the praise.
Mike Myers

Earn that money Raffy!
YankeesJunkie

Nova just lost control and started throwing the fastball high in the seventh.
Winston Smith

Well deserved standing ovation for Supernova. He is our 4th starter.
Monteroisdinero

Just when I thought Cano had grit, he doesn’t come up with the hot shot up the middle.

/No grit is right.
Your mom

Implosion time.
- Your mom
  
  psych.
YankeesJunkie

Take that everyday of the week in that situation.
Guest

6IP, 2 ER
6IP, 5 ER

One is very good, the other very bad. Fate of the start in someone else’s hands.

Also, I think pitchers should not be responsible for a runner that was on first when they left the game. The reliever either gave up an XBH or multiple hits. Both would play a larger role in the runner scoring from first than the previous pitcher letting the runner get to first.
Winston Smith

I think there are people who want Nova to fail just so they can say see I told you he wasn’t any good. He’s only projected to be a back end starter. There is the anti Nova people and the anti Hughes people who want nothing more than to see those two kids fail.
- Monteroisdinero
  
  I want both of them to succeed as I want any Yankee to succeed. AJ makes tons and has had tons of crappy results with a reliable implosion inning. Nova and Hughes have = upsides right now in my opinion although I have more confidence in Nova because he has command of more pitches.
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  I don’t want either of them to fail. I want Nova to keep doing what he’s doing and for Phil to go back to first half 2010 forms.
Mike Myers

perfecto!
http://www.twitter.com/stophamm3rtime Dela G

great GIDP
Monteroisdinero

Bourjos is no Gardy.

Soriano gets it done.
tom

Solid outcome. Bravo, Soriano
Mike Myers

Worth every penny?
Erica

Four pitch 7th by the 8th Inning Guy. I love it.
mbonzo

Soriano is pretty good at this pitching thing I guess.
Cy Pettitte

now that is what we paid for.
Your mom

Soriano: 7th Inning Guy
YankeesJunkie

Soriano did great! Time for Noesi to finish up the game.
Rockstar4Life

How can you not like Nova? He’s given them so much more than anyone could have expected.

And Soriano is the man. Did exactly what he was suppose to do.
https://twitter.com/TheRealJeromeS Jerome S.

I worked on a really long and cool post about Nova, then my signal went out (storm). It comes back and I get this shit.

Fuck.

I mean, Nova still did well, but I just can’t post it now.
Esteban

So much for “Girardi’s gonna make Soriano THE 8th inning guy and stick to strict roles”
- sangreal
  
  So he made him the 7th inning guy when he got back and is sticking to that strict role… Not much of a difference
https://twitter.com/TheRealJeromeS Jerome S.

Maris and Mantle in ’61 were so much better than Tex and Grandy it’s incomprehensible.
Esteban

Yahooooooooooo
http://www.twitter.com/stophamm3rtime Dela G

Cano is killin it!! WOOOOOOO CANO!
Erica

ONE SINGLE AWAY!!!!!!!!
Cy Pettitte

Robbie oppo-bomb! he’s going for the cycle!
mbonzo

Cano can’t hit a single to save his life.
Justin

Go Robbie! Hope he gets one more AB for a chance to get a single!
Your mom

So that’s why Piniero is in the pen.
Monteroisdinero

Cano is good at this bezball thing. Pinero was looking like Cano’s dad out there.
Bartolo’s Colon

too bad mitre is hurt, he could tie this thing up so cano would get another ab to try for the cycle
- Your mom
  
  Fuck the cycle! I’ll take the win instead.
  - tom
    
    My mom would never use that kind of language
http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

Would have a single already if it weren’t for that play by Mark Trumbo.

FUCK YOU MARK TRUMBO!!!1!1!!1!1!1!1!1!1!1!!1!1!1
YankeesJunkie

Why Ayala? Noesi can actually learn from this game.
Your mom

Yay! My fav reliever >>>>> Ayala
Monteroisdinero

Soriano can’t pitch if we are up by 6 or more.

Binder rule #10,642.368
- Jetrer
  
  that binder rule actually makes sense though
  No need to waste good bullets in low leverage work
http://www.twitter.com/stophamm3rtime Dela G

Mike Kay is so effing creepy. 49 year slump??? jesus
Your mom

Cano is having a fine game.
Mike Myers

Binder rule 12312 – throw first pitch strike to bobby…he NEVER swings…god i dont miss his lazy fat ass
- CMP
  
  Say what you want about Abreu but he’s had a pretty good career.
  
  Bobby Abreu: 62.6 career WAR
  Manny Ramirez: 69.5 career WAR
  - https://twitter.com/TheRealJeromeS Jerome S.
    
    ManRam definitely had, like, a negative 10 WAR defensively.
    
    Not that it doesn’t matter, jut putting in perspective. Who would I want at the plate? Ramirez, and it’s not even close.
    - CMP
      
      Of course but ManRam is a sure fire first ballot HOFer if not for the PEDs and Abreu isn’t far behind.
      - https://twitter.com/TheRealJeromeS Jerome S.
        
        I believe Abreu is one of the most underrated players of the past decade. No one realizes the value of his walks, and at his peaks he was one of the games better hitters.
- Monteroisdinero
  
  and 2nd pitch strike. He takes that pitch alot too. Then pitchers nibble and it’s 2-2 or 3-2 before he swings for the first time. But he is a quality bat.
Michael Mirabella

Steve smith to the Eagles, damn it
/giantsfan
- Pat D
  
  Yea, I’m getting really pissed off at that team already.
  
  Thankfully I work Sundays so if they suck, I’m spared.
smurfy

Lotsa movement on Ayala’s two seamer.
- Monteroisdinero
  
  His 2 seamer is Colonic.
  - https://twitter.com/TheRealJeromeS Jerome S.
    
    gross
- Michael Mirabella
  
  Yea and boss is gone too
Bartolo’s Colon

i thought for a second cano was gritty, but it was actually just an athletic, finesse play
Jetrer

if nothing else, the Yankees have the best mop-up guy in baseball
Tyrone Sharpton

Doesn’t Bourjous seem like a Gardner clone?
- The Devil
  
  Minus about 40 points of OBP. That’s pretty important.
Esteban

Trumbo… more like Dumbo. Amirite?

/worst joke ever.
Cy Pettitte

no comment on how Andrew is Austin’s brother? I’m disappointed Kay.
- Jetrer
  
  he’s reading your posts
Cy Pettitte

they couldn’t get Robbie another AB? boo.
Your mom

I’m surprised Ayala’s ERA is so low. He seems to give up a shitload of hits.
YankeesJunkie

Maybe I am just crazy but Cano has a 131 wRC+ while Pedroia is at 145, but if you take defense out of their fWAR Pedroia is at 5.2 and Cano is 3.9. That seems like a huge difference.
Monteroisdinero

Trumbo with a Monterian double. We will all soon see.
Your mom

I still can’t believe the Angels traded for Wells. He sucks!
- YankeesJunkie
  
  He was not awful in 2010, but the payroll is just so big he would have to be a fucking beast to even take on that contract.
  - Jetrer
    
    he was only good in Toronto last year
    he was below average on the road
    Maybe he needs the Angels to start stealing signs
- sangreal
  
  and in doing so, they gave up Napoli as their catcher for Mathis
  - Pat D
    
    Napoli isn’t much of a catcher.
    - http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
      
      At least Napoli is an above average hitter. Jeff Mathis is a black hole in the Angel’s lineup.
Esteban

Solid win.
http://twitter.com/#!/Paddock9652 Stratman9652

Anyone else notice how often Logan is getting dry humped lately? If he isn’t pitching he is warming. Such is the life of a lefty specialist I guess.
- BklynJT
  
  People make too big of a deal about warming a pitcher up and not using him.
bonestock94

Dear people who said the Yankees would get shut out because this was the first time seeing this pitcher,

Suck it.

Sincerely,

me
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  Today was an exception.
  - bonestock94
    
    Doubt it
    - http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
      
      /sarcasm
Pat D

CJ Wilson told Dallas Braden that his mound sucks.
Hall and Nokes

Arodys Vizcaino about to come in, if you’re interested in that sort of off-topictry.
- Hall and Nokes
  
  Loaded the bases with walks and a HBP. The verdict is in: good trade.
  - http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
    
    Considering that Boone Logan was the centerpiece, GREAT trade.
  - Jim S
    
    He should not be in the majors yet. Not sure why Atlanta’s doing that to him.
Monteroisdinero

So when Cano came back to the dugout he put up the 2 finger peace sign to the camera and did he say “2nd pitch”??
- Monteroisdinero
  
  after his home run…
http://www.twitter.com/stophamm3rtime Dela G

great win
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  Last night or the game before that would have been a great win. Today was just a good win.
  
  /nitpick’d
Kevin

Watching the Kansas City/Tampa Bay Rays game…the KC closers gave up five runs in the 9th..what a joke.
- http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7
  
  I thought Joakim Soria was supposed to be good. I can’t believe Cashman wanted to trade Jesus for him once.
Chen Meng Wang

Just Got back from the game. Few things I noticed:
Nova was touching 94-96 pretty regularly, I never remember him doing that.
Excellent job by Soriano making me look stupid. right before the double play I said to my date “I don’t feel very comfortable about this: soriano coming in bases loaded, no-one out.”
Robinson Cano has unbelievable strength.
How did AJ allow 5 runs yesterday? The Angels don’t seem to hit the ball hard all to often…just my observation, I could be very wrong.
Robbie/Teixeira on the right side is about as smooth as it gets.
Grandy’s second homerun was hit to the section right above me, I wish he would’ve hit it lower.
Finally, the people in the short porch absolutely love Swish, I like him alot, but god they go nuts for him out there. They also gave Torri Hunter a hard time, but he laughed along with alot of it.