Game 149: Home Stretch

September 16, 2011 by Mike Axisa 674 Comments

Blue Jays Tigers Baseball — No Ricky Romero this weekend, thankfully. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Here we are, the home stretch. There’s only 14 games and 13 days left in the season, and exactly two weeks from today, CC Sabathia will be doing exactly what he’ll be doing tonight: starting for the Yankees. The stakes will be much higher in two weeks though, that will be Game One of the ALDS. Here’s the starting nine…

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

CC Sabathia, SP

Hooray for a 7pm ET start! The game will be on My9 locally and MLB Network nationally. Enjoy. Oh, and go Rays.

Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

No Jesus? booooooooooooo…
- The Big City of Dreams
  
  Blame Cecil
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Feel the heat! The Rays!
The Big City of Dreams

Can’t stand my9 games
- Mr. Wallace
  
  Me neither. They’re so cheap they have the same scoreboard as yes but covered everything up with my9
  - The Big City of Dreams
    
    And to make matters worse Flash is doing the game
- http://kierstenschmidt.com Kiersten
  
  When is this stupid contract up? The Yankees should pull their games from my9 until they get HD.
  - The Big City of Dreams
    
    Don’t know when it’s up but I’m sure someone on here does. The sooner it ends the better.
  - CP
    
    My9 doesn’t have HD? I live by Albany and I live these games because I get My4 (Albany station) in HD, but nit YES in HD.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    I get My9 in HD. Time Warner in NYC.
Tom O

I have Martin and Montero as my catchers in my fantasy league.

I prefer when Montero plays.
http://twitter.com/urbainshockcor Urban

I understand Yankee and Red Sox fans rooting against each other, but doesn’t it seem kind of wrong right now for Yankee fans to be rooting for the Rays? Aren’t they asking for potential trouble?

In order for the Yankees to make the postseason they at least need to secure the Wild Card. Their competition right now for that are the Rays. A Yankee win and a Rays loss brings the Yankees closer. A Yankee loss and a Rays win brings the Rays closer to the Yankees, and the Yankees have seven games remaining against the Rays, including the last series of the year. Meanwhile, the Red Sox have seven games remaining against the Orioles.

Be careful what you wish for Yankee fans. If things break the wrong way, the Yankees might be feeling the extreme pressure the Red Sox are right now.
- Rookie
  
  Agreed, Urban. But why not hope that the Rays win, but it’s close enough that it keeps the Red Sox from allowing their players/pitchers to rest and heal as they’d like or maybe even line their pitchers up the way they want?
  - http://twitter.com/urbainshockcor Urban
    
    I’m not disagreeing. As a Yankee fan, I’m enjoying this mini-collapse by the Sox. I’m just wondering when it starts to become counter productive on the Yankees side.
    
    The best scenario is the Yankees sweep in Toronto, and the Rays sweep the Sox, and then the Yankees sweep the Sox in the head-to-head competition, while the Yankees do mediocre enough to allow the Sox to fall into third, but the Yankees never lose first. The other scenario is a full-blown collapse by the Sox, including losing four or five games to the Orioles. Not sure I can see all this happening.
    - http://twitter.com/urbainshockcor Urban
      
      …mediocre enough against the Rays.
- StanfordBen
  
  The chances of the Yankees not making the playoffs at this point is insignificant. For the Yankees to not make the playoffs, they’d have to have what is probably the worst collapse in history at this point in the season (the Mets were 6.5 games up with 17 games to play in their 2007 collapse) *and* the Red Sox would have to also beat them out. Given that the Rays and Sox play each other, those chances are outrageously slim. Coolstandings’ 99.7% estimate for the Yanks, which doesn’t even account for the fact that the Sox are a debilitated team now compared to the rest of the season, is probably about right.
  
  And even if you don’t think the Yanks should prefer one team over another in the playoffs, making the Sox play more meaningful and stressful games down to the wire is a tangible benefit because they won’t necessarily be well-rested and lined up for the playoffs. The best case is a 1-game playoff, which would be beneficial for the Yankees even if they don’t play the winner immediately.
  - http://twitter.com/urbainshockcor Urban
    
    I know the odds.
    
    I also know there’s a lot of head-to-head matches.
    
    I fully expect the Yankees in the postseason. I’m just doing a gut check on Yankee fans. How uncomortable are you willing to be for the sake of the potential of the Red Sox collapsing all the way out.
    
    The extra stress on the Sox team is nice. This is a question about stress on Yankee fans.
    - StanfordBen
      
      The odds include head-to-head matchups, which make it easier to make up ground. It’s not just that it’s a near certainty that the Yankees will make the playoffs, it’s that the uncomfortable scenario you describe is also extremely unlikely. It would take a collapse similar to what the Red Sox just did (which was outrageously unlikely, plus the Yankees don’t have the same fundamental problems the Sox do), except with fewer games to do it in, and that’s just for them to get uncomfortable.
      
      Basically, I’d say that given a Rays sweep, the chances of the Yankees even being uncomfortable about making the playoffs is around 5%. I’d easily trade a 5% chance of being uncomfortable for a high likelihood of the Wild Card team needing to play stressful games down the stretch, and possibly needing a 1-game playoff.
- http://kierstenschmidt.com Kiersten
  
  You realize the Yankees have 14 games left and as long as they play .500 ball over that time, it doesn’t matter what Tampa does?
  
  Even if the Yankees go 4-10 in those 14 games, Tampa would have to go 11-2 to pass them. I’m not worried. Go Rays.
  - http://kierstenschmidt.com Kiersten
    
    Oh, and this doesn’t even factor in the Red Sox. Even if the Yankees were to go 4-10 and Tampa were to go 11-2, the Red Sox would have to go 8-5 (not entirely unlikely, but still) to tie the wildcard and 9-4 to win it.
    
    It’s pretty much next to impossible for the Yankees to not make the playoffs at this point.
    - http://kierstenschmidt.com Kiersten
      
      and StanfordBen basically said what I said before I said it.
      - MikeD
        
        Late to this. I think both you and StanfordBen missed what’s being said.
        
        He seems to believe that the chances of the Yankees missing the postseason are quite small, yet one of the likely ways for the Rays to pass by the Red Sox would be for the Yankees to play like crap. If the Yankees play well, Tampa is dead.
        
        In other words, it’s pointless to be rooting for the Rays, because it’s almost rooting for a Yankees collapse.
        
        That’s my take.
Bronx Byte

Winning 2 of 3 in Toronto will be good. It’s 2 more games toward the magic number and more if the Rays do damage in Boston.
- http://twitter.com/urbainshockcor Urban
  
  Agreed. I don’t expect the Yankees not to make the postseason, but when I look at the schedule, it’s going to be tough for the Rays to pass the Red Sox, unless the Yankees doing poorly against the Rays. Yet that’s a horrible scenario as the Red Sox are playing the Orioles.
  
  If the Yankees were to have a bad series in Toronto this weekend, and the Rays were to have a good series against the Sox, I’m not so sure Yankee fans are going to be comfortable realizing they have to play the Red Sox and the Rays heading into the final games of the season, while the Sox have seven against the Orioles.
  
  In order for the Rays to knock the Red Sox out of competition, Yankee fans are going to have to live with a lot of discomfort about the fate of their own team, at least potentially.
  - StanfordBen
    
    I think you’re overestimating how likely a collapse is by a lot. Realize that it would probably be the most unlikely collapse at this time of year in the history of baseball. They’d have to be caught by BOTH the Sox and Rays, and the closest they will be by the end of the weekend is 4.5 games with 13 left to play, which is still a comfortable lead when you need to be passed by both teams.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

I’m actually going to watch the TB/BOS game more than the Yanks game tonight. I’ll check in on the Yanks but this potential Boston collapse is a must watch.
- Nuke LaDoosh
  
  Keep us apprised on the action. I may do so flipping myself.
  - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
    
    Will do.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Here’s a bold prediction I say either Brackman or Betances makes their MLB debut tonight.
Sheepmeister

Why is posada starting and not jesus?
- Cy Pettitte
  
  gotta get Po Po some ABs
- Nuke LaDoosh
  
  The Sabbath starts at sunset
- http://highfirstpitch.wordpress.com/ Stratman9652
  
  Right Handed pitcher. Gotta use the old guy once in a while.
pat

My9 might suck, but for the thousands of people who don’t get YES it is a godsend. Yanks would anger a lot of people if they pulled them off the air completely.
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Beckett putting on a LOL fest right out of the gate
mbonzo

Lol Beckett, bunt double.
nedro

Is this gonna be one of THOSE games? Fuck, I hope not.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Rays gotta score just one and Shields will pitch a CGSO.

/wishfulthinking’d
- Cy Pettitte
  
  just getting a hit is great for them.
  
  Beckett 2 starts 17IP 2H 0ER against them this year.
  - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
    
    Well they just got 2 runs on 1 swing. Gotta love baseball.
Cy Pettitte

LONGO! 2 run BOMB off the monstah!
- Cy Pettitte
  
  over not off
JobaWockeeZ

2-0 Rays.
Kramerica Industries

Two run home run by Longo.
mbonzo

LONGORIA! 2-0 Rays, suck it Beckett.

Oh and this ump crew in the Yankees game is terrible.
Greg

Longoria bomb 2-0 Rays
http://highfirstpitch.wordpress.com/ Stratman9652

Wow Joe Mauer has pneumonia now? Seriously not his year.
StanfordBen

Haha, home run off Beckett. This is so fun to watch.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Fuck you Francona, even Orsillo and Remy think it’s a homer.
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Longoria’s home run was not well struck, just a high fly ball. Beckett is still unhittable.

ESPN’d
- Nuke LaDoosh
  
  laughing
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  He shouldn’t have hit a homer, that’s selfish of him. Only singles should count.
  
  /ESPN’d
Cy Pettitte

what the fuck Robbie?
Tyrion Lannister

What the hell was that, Robbie? He always flips that over to first.
Greg

I think Chavez should have gone home. He would have been out
- pat
  
  Instead of the inning ending double play that gets turned 99% of the time?
  - Greg
    
    That’s true but McCoy was dead to rights at home.
    - Sweet Dick Willie
      
      And if he gets McCoy at home, there’s runners on 1st & 2nd w/ 2 outs and Lawrie coming up.
      
      If he delivers a hit that scores a run, you (and everybody else) would be bitching and moaning that he didn’t turn two.
      
      Chavez made the correct decision, it just didn’t work out that time. It happens.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Don’t see Cano do that very often.
- Vocabularry
  
  Cano is dealing with 3 different thirdbasemen, all with distinctly different ways of throwing the baseball, especially on double plays. Chavez tends to sling the ball almost sidearm, and his throws move significantly from left to right. Timing is also a factor, as well as the difference in speeds for the three guys.
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Could someone please describe that play?
- Cy Pettitte
  
  the run scoring play? Chavez fields, throws to Robbie, Robbie throws it wide to the RF side, looked like he might have rushed after trouble with the transfer and just yanked it.
  - Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
    
    thanks.
- Greg
  
  Grounder to third, Chavez to Cano but Cano’s throw sails to the left of Tex.
Karl Krawfid

Think ima make this a Sons of Samhorn night.

GL CC!!!!
nsalem

Jennings bunted Beckett threw it away are you watching Mr. Torre are you watching?????
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  Please don’t bring up Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS.
  
  /stillpissedoffaboutthatstupidseries’d
- Kramerica Industries
  
  It sucks that any-time there is a bunt against a hobbled pitcher, that’s the first thought that comes to mind.
  
  Probably true for the majority of us.
  
  Hard to forget the epic stupidity of that night.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Hahaha Casey Kotchman with a stolen base.
- Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
  
  Jorge Posada could steal a base off Varitek.
  - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
    
    But he’s teh captain!1!!111!111!!
pat

You gotta be fucking kidding me with that call.
- pat
  
  Eh, I guess it was the right one. I begrudgingly tip my cap, Mr. Umpire.
Cy Pettitte

Robbie you’re killing me tonight.
mbonzo

Bad break for Cano.
- StanfordBen
  
  It looked like he slowed down a couple steps before 2nd.
Nuke LaDoosh

bang bang play
Greg

Robbie slowed down around first and that cost him.
nedro

Damn good tag…
Cy Pettitte

all i know is they better start pounding this guy the 2nd time through…
Greg

Offense has been struggling since last week. They better wake up
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Shields with a 2-0 lead before taking the mound, am I the only one who smells a CGSO??
- Cy Pettitte
  
  leadoff double. ewww.
  - Greg
    
    Then an RBI single down the line by Pedroia.
- Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
  
  You jinxed it.
- Cy Pettitte
  
  2-1 Rays now. ugh come on James.
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  Ah fuck, so much for that shutout.
- Greg
  
  Then an RBI single by Ortiz 2-2
Cy Pettitte

2-2 off a Papi double. wow. come on Shields.
- Cy Pettitte
  
  make that a single. forgot how insanely slow/lazy Papi is
Kramerica Industries

James Shields not on top of his game thus far.

To say the least.
Cy Pettitte

Gardy gone wild
pat

All fuckin day Brett. THANKS!
James A

Gotta admit, I’m really impressed with McGowan’s movement and velocity so far, we’ll see how he does going deeper into the game and on his 2nd and 3rd time through the lineup, but he looks pretty sharp
Paul O’neill’s Batting Helmet

who would people rather see make the playoffs right now, rays or sox?

I’d pick rays, just because that offense seems to be overachieving big time right now and no one is that line up scares me. Yea the starting pitching is better, but I’d take my chances against shields price and hellboy (or niemann).
- Tyrion Lannister
  
  If Beckett is healthy I’d rather see the Rays as the Sox are better. If Beckett is not healthy then I’d rather see the Sox because they’d have to field a rotation of Lester, Bedard, Lackey, Wakefield and might not even make it out of round 1.
Greg

3-2 curveball nasty.

Where for art thou offense?
Hummingbird S.

Sucks that the offense is still cold.
Tyrion Lannister

Just makes you wonder why Girardi continues to bunt Gardner over to 2nd when he can just steal 2nd and 3rd. Hopefully Joe isn’t that dumb in the playoffs.
- Greg
  
  I wonder if it has to do with the fact that Gardner doesnt steal immediately.
Cy Pettitte

Yankees have mentally checked out
Karl Krawfid

Yankees are playing stupid right now.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Smart throw by Grandy. GIDP is still in order.
Cy Pettitte

Shields looks so bad right now…ugh.
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  And CC doesn’t look that stellar thus far either.
  - Cy Pettitte
    
    yea, CC looks like ass too, not encouraging.
bonestock94

Man, it feels like nice and smooth CC games have been kinda rare in the second half.
Greg

In this stretch of games, CC’s location has been all over the place. He’s not being efficient with his pitches.
- Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
  
  6 day rotation maybe?
  - Cy Pettitte
    
    CC has been going every 5th day
    - Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
      
      WELL THEN I GUESS HE JUST FUCKING SUCKS!!!!!1!!!!!
      - Cy Pettitte
        
        this is also a common theory.
  - Greg
    
    That’s the common theory.
Cy Pettitte

nice GIDP
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Tex is bitching that Encarnacion was running inside the line.
- crm
  
  I wouldn’t call it bitching, Mike. It’s a legitimate complaint.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    Oh I know, I didn’t mean it to sound like he was wrong.
    - crm
      
      No worries, Mike. Tex is a right-handed fielding first baseman. It’s tougher for him to give Martin an angle when the runner is inside the baseline.
Tyrion Lannister

Why isn’t Big Game James pitching like it’s a Big Game?
- mbonzo
  
  Red Sox are a very good team.
Cy Pettitte

LOL Sox just bunted into a double play.
- Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
  
  That was not a gritty bunt.
  - Cy Pettitte
    
    that was the dumbest bunt ever. Girardi-esque. Shields looked like shit and they give him 2 free outs and then they get no runs. lol.
    - joe
      
      He also had just walked the 1st 2 guys of that inning… while 1st/2nd no out is one of the times where a bunt is good, you have to consider the situation and the possibility of a big inning.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  How? MLB.tv not working for me. 1-5-3 or something?
  - Cy Pettitte
    
    5-4-3
    - Cy Pettitte
      
      er 5-6-3, my bad. bunted way too hard right to Longo.
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        Impressive. Twitter tells me Aviles didn’t run hard out of the box either.
  - Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
    
    Bunted in the air and Longoria got it on the short hop, threw it to 2b, then got the out at first on a bang bang play.
  - mbonzo
    
    I thought it was just me that was having trouble, its working for me now, but its been laggy and takes a few minutes to load. Very disappointed.
    - Cy Pettitte
      
      I’m watching it on MLB.tv (Rays broadcast, I don’t know if that matter) took like 5 minutes to load but it’s been fine since it finally did.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      I still can’t get it. The loading wheel just keeps spinning. Can’t get any game.
      - Cy Pettitte
        
        tried a different browser? I’ve been having that happen in chrome lately, working fine in firefox though.
      - mbonzo
        
        Last time that happened I fixed it by lowering the video quality. Worth a try if you haven’t already.
Champagne_whores

THey are stealing signs again flucking cheats
Karl Krawfid

As Granderson stands at first base watching.
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

PEDroia had a chance to make a gritty play and failed? madness.
Champagne_whores

Why no montero tonight?
Sheepmeister

could someone tell me why they keep hacking at the first pitch? His control has be shaky at best when they don’t swing.
mbonzo

Flaherty, don’t let Kay walk all over you, put him in his place.
Cy Pettitte

Swisherian!
pat

Yay swishies.
Champagne_whores

Swihy nice
Greg

Well done Swisher.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

No pressure!
Nuke LaDoosh

all of a sudden these Yanks look like a well rested team
Champagne_whores

Steal the signs swish
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Lulz Varitek is so terrible.
Cy Pettitte

lol Varitek airmailed one trying to get Jennings, he goes to third.
mbonzo

ZOMBIE!
pat

I APPRECIATE YOU ERIC CHAVEZ!
Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

Zombie.
Champagne_whores

Chavez revine
Greg

CHAVEZ!
CBean

WOO CHAVEZ!!!
Cy Pettitte

CHAVEZ!
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Holy fuck Chavez!
Nuke LaDoosh

the Yankees heads are really in this game
swishers fauxhawk

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

The Zombie hits one out to dead center. Perfect.
- nedro
  
  ICWYDT…nice
Chen Meng Wang

Love when you turn on the game and good things happen right away :)
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

And the Rays take the lead!!
Champagne_whores

Steal signals die by it
pat

America Runs

On Varitek.
Cy Pettitte

3-2 Rays on a Longo single
Champagne_whores

Late to the game today why no montero
Greg

Where was Cano going on that single by Lind?
Champagne_whores

Mauer reminds me of when giambi broke down after the roids
- bonestock94
  
  That’s a hell of an implication.
Karl Krawfid

CC needs normal rest.
Greg

I just dont understand how one extra day of rest can affect a pitcher’s location so much.
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

lol what the hell was AGon doing?
pat

WHEWWWWW Thanks Gardy!
Champagne_whores

Gritty catch
Cy Pettitte

wow what a play, Gardy!
Chen Meng Wang

UZR goodness.
Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

Gardy wearing his PF Fylers.
Karl Krawfid

Who said White Men can’t jump!

What baby!
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

That might have hit the wall before going in the glove.
- crm
  
  I thought so, too, but I rewound it on DVR. Definitely hit the glove first.
  
  BTW, who do you think will pitch the split DH on Wednesday? I have tickets for the nightcap.
Greg

The blue backsplash behind the wall made me think it was gone.
Nuke LaDoosh

nice jump by Brett, Dave Winfield would have caught that at his shoelaces (kidding)
nsalem

Hank Arencibia
Chen Meng Wang

It looked like Pedrioa was out for anybody watching the Sox game…
- Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
  
  Yep. And Jerry Remy is completely oblivious to that.
  - Chen Meng Wang
    
    To say something nice about Micheal Kay: If the umpire makes a bad call that goes either way, he calls the ump out on it.
    - Nuke LaDoosh
      
      and he does a true home run call when the opposition hits one…Hawk just goes silent
http://www.abovetheyankeedugout.com Carl

UZR’d
Cy Pettitte

and Shields gives it right back 3-3.
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Jamie Shields defiantly not on tonight…
- Hall and Nokes
  
  He sure is showing them!
Chen Meng Wang

Does anybody else hear that god damn noise in the background of the broadcast?

Btw, Papi go yard or something?
- Cy Pettitte
  
  doubled in Pedroia
  - Chen Meng Wang
    
    ahhh…gotta give credit where it’s due…they have a really good line-up.
- crm
  
  To me, WWOR’s mics sound worse than YES’. Also, the roof being closed may have something to do with the reverb that you are hearing.
  - Chen Meng Wang
    
    It’s not a re-verb I’m hearing…it almost sounds like somebody playing with a synth machine at a really low volume.
    - crm
      
      I don’t hear it, but I probably got some hearing loss from the Big 4 concert!
Karl Krawfid

Michael Kay once again not knowing what the hell he’s talking about.

Aceves hasn’t saved shit. They’re 3-11 this month.
- Greg
  
  In terms of eating innings, Kay is absolutely right.
Sheepmeister

mike mccoy (.204 hitter) and kelly johnson (.214 hitter) are 4-4 off sabathia tonight combined.
- Champagne_whores
  
  Batting average climbs 100 pts when you know what is coming.
SevenAces

Did Beckett get plumper all of a sudden? He seems rounder…
- Mariano’s Pimp Hand
  
  He’s been fat for awhile.
  
  2010:
  http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXQh6Qsh7Z8/SPgHIhbtKFI/AAAAAAAAA2E/gQHkHy4Cty8/s400/beckett.jpg
  - SevenAces
    
    I know he has always been, but he seems swollen tonight… like a bloated corpse.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

That was gross. Put him away 0-2.
Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

CC looks so bad.
Champagne_whores

CC struggling now. No control
Greg

He’s starting to lsoe it again.
Nuke LaDoosh

“Victor Martinez might be the best off-season pick up”
-Buck Martinez
Adrian Gonzalez says hello
- mbonzo
  
  Cliff Lee wasn’t so bad either.
mike c

CC burnett
Cy Pettitte

CC sucks
Greg

Cant blame the offense tonight.
- Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
  
  No one has blamed the offense.
  - Greg
    
    Preepmtive strike
Champagne_whores

Cheating bastards
Tyrion Lannister

CC just isn’t very sharp. Get the big man back on regular rest. Oh wait, they can’t with how they’ve screwed this up.
- Greg
  
  Frankly if one day of extra rest bothers you that much, you dont deserve to be an ace.
  - Matt
    
    Frankly, if you don’t understand pitching, you shouldn’t criticize. You don’t just magically have your command any time that you want to throw the ball. It’s maintained by repetition and routine.
    
    I guess we should expect CC to be lights out in his first spring training start as well? After all, if he can’t deal with extended rest, then he’s not deserving of the ace label?
    - Greg
      
      All I know is that I have heard of pitchers going on 2 or 3 days rest and being fine.
      
      And if one wants to blame the extra days, blame Phil Hughes for not pitching AJ Burnett out of the rotation.
      - Matt
        
        That’s ridiculous. It’s up to the manager to set the rotation, and to keep his pitchers on their normal rest. Who cares if your #5 pitches on turn if it throws off your number #1?
        
        Also, just because some pitchers have happened to pitch well once in a while on extended rest, it doesn’t magically extend it to all pitchers in baseball. The majority of pitchers don’t like throwing on extra rest, unless they are abnormally fatigued or coming off a high pitch count outing.
        
        Certain kinds of pitchers are also better on short rest than normal rest. For instance, sinker ballers struggle when they are too strong because their ball ends up too high in the zone. Throwing them on short rest is like having them pitch with 15 or 20 pitches already on the arm, and most sinker ballers struggle early in games.
  - nedro
    
    Shirley, you can’t be serious.
ArchStanton

He’s been struggling, hope the innings aren’t starting to catch up….
Bartolo’s Colon

Cc is just not the same since that mariners game. He has been good since then, but he was just absolutely dominant before that
Cy Pettitte

Shields sucks too, HR to Aviles.
- joe
  
  The same guy they had bunting when Shields was struggling early on.
Champagne_whores

Speaking of fat where did CC weight loss from spring go?
- Nuke LaDoosh
  
  Ha ha, reminds me of a joke my dad would say when my sister would say “I lost 10 lbs” – He’d reply…”turn around, you’ll find it.”
Champagne_whores

If cc does this in the playoffs we are folked
- bonestock94
  
  Ugh enough
- Nuke LaDoosh
  
  and so here on September 16th, let’s assume the absolute worst possible scenario for the yankees, and start panicking now.
  - Champagne_whores
    
    No the worst is the Angels getting the WC WEAVER and HAREN is deadly to us in a 5 game series
Champagne_whores

100 pitches in 5 ininngs WTF
- Mariano’s Pimp Hand
  
  He was almost out of it in the Bautista AB with 82 pitches.
Tyrion Lannister

And that should be it for CC. Shut him down and bring in Wade.
Karl Krawfid

CC pitches to a 2.56 era on normal rest.
Greg

Unacceptable from CC. In a period where we are struggling to score runs you need the ace to pitch like an ace and dominate.

And if he’s bothered by one extra day of rest, then I dont know
- Karl Krawfid
  
  I hope this is a joke.
  - SevenAces
    
    Sadly, he is serious.
  - Greg
    
    No I’m not joking. This is what George would have said. I want to win, that’s it.
    - Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
      
      LOL at this.
      - Greg
        
        You know its probably true.
        
        Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
        
        That doesnt mean it’s not really stupid.
    - Nuke LaDoosh
      
      look…George was an idiot – did he make the best investment of the 21st century? Yes!! But, he got very lucky.
- Matt
  
  Exactly, you don’t know.
  
  It’s a pretty big difference throwing on extended rest when you are used to pitching on less. You are used to pitching with a certain level of fatigue, and if you are too strong, then you tend to overthrow and miss location up in the zone.
  
  Which is happening tonight? Good velocity and overthrowing, or diminished velocity and a lot of balls in the dirt?
  - Greg
    
    Then waste that excess energy doing something on the side.
    - Matt
      
      What do you expect him to do? Throw a bullpen the day before his start?
      
      You just don’t get it.
      - Greg
        
        MAybe an arm exercise or something.
        
        I just have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that extra rest can hurt pitchers.
        
        Matt
        
        Go to your local baseball field and throw a baseball when you haven’t in a few weeks. You’re likely going to be rusty with your mechanics, and feel so strong that you are throwing it farther than expected (and over your friend’s head).
        
        Now apply that to a pitcher, who needs to have pinpoint location and very consistent mechanics to execute his pitches.
        
        Now go out there a few days later and do the same thing. You’re going to probably feel fatigued, but you’ll be getting your throws down a bit more, instead of airmailing it over your friend’s head. You may not reach at longer distances as well, but you are allowing him to knock it down still.
        
        SevenAces
        
        Matt, he is not going to understand it. Save your energy and use it somewhere else.
        
        http://highfirstpitch.wordpress.com/ Stratman9652
        
        Very good explanation. Probably wasted, but spot on.
    - Matt
      
      Also, look at Matsuzaka. He was used to pitching on an extra day of rest in Japan, but still tried to maintain his throwing regiment inbetween starts. He ended up with arm trouble because he couldn’t make the adjustment.
- bonestock94
  
  Look at CC’s season line before running your mouth.
  - Mariano’s Pimp Hand
    
    He pitched so well on short rest for Milwaukee in 2008. Maybe the Yanks should go with a 4 man rotation. J/K
Bill

It’s surprising that CC’s mechanics have been so out of whack lately. Is it because of the extra days rest that is a result of a 6-man rotation?
Bill

To me, Teixeira has been the most frustrating Yankee to watch this year.
mike c

tex’s pop up swing is one of the ugliest swings on the team… I think its time for him to work on his mechanics too
first time lawng time

Wow. Sabathia has been trash lately.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Bronson Arroyo has allowed 44 homers this year. How does that happen?
- bonestock94
  
  How does his contract happen? Remember the trade rumors to the Yankees in mid ’09, that was terrifying.
  - Karl Krawfid
    
    That was Mike Francesa screaming that garbage.
- Bill
  
  Really bad pitcher + Great American Ballpark = lots of homers
- Pat D
  
  Being shitty?
- Cy Pettitte
  
  at least he’ll have a great post-baseball career throwing batting practice for some team.
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  He’s also walked 44 this season. Very odd.
Karl Krawfid

The sad part of the 6 man rotation is, they are basically doing it to accommodate AJ and Hughes over big CC, the franchise pitcher.

Freddy hasn’t looked as good either.
- mike c
  
  isn’t the extra day off because of the travel day? I thought they were keeping CC on his normal schedule
  - Karl Krawfid
    
    Yes. But it was actually his turn to pitch tomorrow.
    
    Now Bartolo is on 6 days I think instead of CC.
    
    The whole situation is dumb.
    - mike c
      
      well I’m not sure giving bartolo & freddy some extra rest is a bad thing, fortunately this little cushion should give us some flexibility. it will be interesting how the stretch plays out… I think whoever has the hot hand will determine who #2 and 3 are for the playoffs
    - Greg
      
      So he’s on normal rest now?
      - Jetrer
        
        no
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Clutch Swish.
Champagne_whores

Refuse to lose baby
Jetrer

so unclutch Swish
Cy Pettitte

god damn that unclutch Swish.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Damn,no pressure again!

I kid because I love, Cuso.
Greg

Swisher getting out the forklift
Chen Meng Wang

Swish!!!
pop up teixeira

hell yea Swisher!
Champagne_whores

CC back out there. 99 pitches
- Chen Meng Wang
  
  Joe really makes me scratch my head sometimes. I like him as a manager overall but this makes no sense at all…
  - JohnnyC
    
    He’s trying to get CC his 20th win. I know, I know…
  - Greg
    
    Meh, he’s trying to save the bullpen an inning.
Champagne_whores

Kay reading the theads
CC and extra rest
Chen Meng Wang

Jeter! with the D!
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Every time I get mad at Tex for popping up, he goes and makes a monster scoop at first like that.
- Chen Meng Wang
  
  Which is why I can’t stay mad at him for more than two or three minutes after a bad at bat. :)
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

A guy named Kelly has four hits…

/joking
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  *three
Champagne_whores

Johnson now 3-3 every time he swung right
Montero’s Mojo

Just tuned in. I see that Teixera’s still sucking ass and Granderson’s MVP hopes continue to slide. Also, what’s up with CC? His pitch efficiency has disappeared of late.
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  So in other words you haven’t missed much.
joe

So has Girardi said what they are doing with CC between now and the playoffs?

They should look for a Sunday start with Game 1 on Friday, no?

Does that mean a short start during next week? (which is also complicated by having a DH on Wed)
- Tyrion Lannister
  
  It’s obvious they don’t know what the hell they’re doing. CC should not have started this inning. Might cost us the ballgame.
  - Greg
    
    I would let him face Thames and thats it.
Tyrion Lannister

Let Mike McCoy beat you again, CC. Get that pen up, Joe.
Greg

Its the Fugitive!
Cy Pettitte

CC is done, just take him out.
Champagne_whores

Go get him joe
pop up teixeira

come on CC, no more runs plz
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

I didn’t even want CC to start this inning.
http://www.simdynasty.com/index.jsp?refer=Jeety Jeety

I figured once they went up 3 – 1 CC would take it home, not so much
- Karl Krawfid
  
  He hasn’t been sharp the whole game. Don’t know why you thought that.
Chen Meng Wang

The Rays opened the sixth with a lead off single, down by one run, and they didn’t sacrifice…I really hope they score this run. Zobrist totally didn’t go around btw.
- Cy Pettitte
  
  that call on Zobrist was BS
- Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
  
  They should be straling off Varitek with guys like Damon, no excuse not to…
  - Mariano’s Pimp Hand
    
    3 SBs so far.
  - Chen Meng Wang
    
    I agree, but Zobrist was behind in the count almost from the get go, so I kind of understand him not going in that situation.
  - Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
    
    Damon just stole, should have done it with Zobrist AB.
Champagne_whores

Finally changed the signals
Mariano’s Pimp Hand

CC is really staying away from the fastball.
Cy Pettitte

Damon steals 2nd again, gotta get him in here.

Also, this is probably Beckett’s last inning, hopefully they can work over the pen again.
- Chen Meng Wang
  
  I really don’t understand wasting your 100th pitch of the night on an 0-2 count with a runner in scoring postition like beckett just did. It makes no sense…
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

why is cc acting scared of a guy he has OWNED until tonight
mike c

maybe CC misses cervelli back there with the fist pumps
Champagne_whores

Look how the guy on second goes back to second on fastballs
Karl Krawfid

Protecting your ace by allowing him to throw 120 pitches.
- Greg
  
  Tell that to the Brewers.
Tyrion Lannister

Get in there Ayala and give up 3 runs without raising your ERA. That’s why he’s on the ballclub.
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Ayala’s gonna give up a bases clearing double, and his ERA will remain the same.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Please score Tampa.
- Chen Meng Wang
  
  They can now score and tie it w/o a hit..
  - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
    
    Not when Joyce pops it up. God he’s been terrible for the last three months it seems.
Widget

kinda bummed it’s not Boone Logan.
JohnnyC

A page from the Joe Torre book on managing pitching changes. Wait until bases are loaded and bring in a guy who doesn’t have excellent control. And I’m sure letting CC remain in the game to throw 120 pitches is really productive.
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

And now Damon steals 3rd. I just don’t get why every single runner that gets on just doesn’t take off on Varitek.
- Widget
  
  Biggest reason Crawford’s stolen base totals have gone down, well outside of actually getting on base, is that he no longer gets to face Super Catcher.
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  He has 3 steals in this game, didn’t he have only 8 steals his final year with the Yankees?
  - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
    
    Nope, he had 12.
  - Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
    
    I’m not complain about Damon, they had plenty of chances to do it early, with Longoria and I think Zobrist and didn’t do it. just don’t get that…
- joe
  
  They pretty much have been… they have 6 steals (Kotchman has a steal) and they’d have 8 or 9 steals had batters not fouled off pitches with runners moving.
Champagne_whores

Ayala has given up runs before in this role . Pray for a pop up
http://highfirstpitch.wordpress.com/ Stratman9652

Raise your hand if you thought Ayala would be with the team all year. And be pretty useful at that.

Ok. put em down liars.
- Nuke LaDoosh
  
  i’m not going to tell you where my hands were, but they weren’t raised.
Champagne_whores

Laffey really JOEY!
Nuke LaDoosh

oooooofff
Chen Meng Wang

BABiP WIN!!!!!!!
Greg

Ayala farts in your general direction

/Holy Grail’d
- Chen Meng Wang
  
  Bautista, your mother was a hamster, and your father smelled of elderberries.
http://highfirstpitch.wordpress.com/ Stratman9652

Anybody know why there are CDs stuck to the dugout walls in Toronto?
- nedro
  
  I’m triple platinum, bitch!
Pat D

What is this batter’s eye seats thing? Is this for real?
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Strike 3 to Jaso was outside: http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/numlocation.php-pitchSel=277417&game=gid_2011_09_16_tbamlb_bosmlb_1&batterX=48&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=3.gif
- Chen Meng Wang
  
  I think that’s what Maddon is saying to Wendelstat.
  - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
    
    I didn’t see that, I flipped back to the Yankee game once Jaso went down by way of the K
    
    /Orsillo’d
    - Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
      
      Wow “by way of the K” I’ve never heard that before, thats worse than “put it on the left side”
      - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
        
        He says it all the time, it’s pretty stupid.
      - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
        
        I found this awhile back: http://joyofsox.blogspot.com/2007/04/don-orsillo-drinking-game.html
        
        It’s pretty hilarious that it was posted 4 years ago since he still says the majority of those phrases. Here at RAB we should create a list like that for Michael Kay, haha.
        
        Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
        
        “Put it on the left side”
        “DRILLED to right field…and caught”
        “Player X’s struggles continue”
        “”Not in love with that call”
        
        Chen Meng Wang
        
        We’d die. No like seriously, people would get alcohol poisoning and die if they were to play a drinking game using any ONE of those phrases, let alone THREE.
        
        http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
        
        Haha I know, but it’s funny to imagine since there’s a number of phrases he says ALL THE TIME.
        
        http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
        
        “He gets into and out of trouble”
        “He ties a record held by many”
        
        And also something to do with him overvaluing wins for individual pitchers.
        
        http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
        
        Also, “Do the Yankees have a rally in their bones?”
        
        Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
        
        “DRob for MVP!!!”
  - Hall and Nokes
    
    It would be awesome for a manager to get a printout from brooksbaseball and show it to the ump. Someone is going to do that someday, and earn my respect for life.
    - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
      
      The bench coach or whoever should have a laptop in their hands the entire game with Wifi and check Brooksbaseball after every close strike/ball call.
    - SevenAces
      
      Sad thing is, these horrible umps won’t face any repercussions at all. They’ll just continue to do their jobs the shitty way.
- joe
  
  And not as bad as the punch out of Upton earlier in the game:
  
  http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/numlocation.php-pitchSel=277417&game=gid_2011_09_16_tbamlb_bosmlb_1&batterX=39&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=3.gif
  
  There’s no way Pedroia or Gonzalez get punched out on those pitches (heck Pedroia walked on a 3-2 pitch yesterday that was even close to a ball)
JohnnyC

Since Aug. 1, Sabathia had gone on extra rest in 7 of 9 starts entering tonight. He was 4-3 with a 4.04 ERA in those 9 starts.

–Mark Feinsand via Twitter
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  Not terrible, but not very Sabathian.
  - JohnnyC
    
    They’ve essentially turned an ace into a mid-rotation innings eater. Good job!
    - Bill
      
      Yeah, and it’s only to give guys like AJ Burnett extra looks. Go figure.
- joe
  
  He’s given up more than 3ER just twice over those 9 starts…. the #’s are a bit impacted by 2 bad starts (12ER allowed)
Nuke LaDoosh

this team have any lefty relievers? jonesin for Jesus.
Karl Krawfid

Josh Beckett is getting every call.

Such a joke.
mbonzo

This homeplate ump hasn’t given Shields a single call and Beckett has gotten a huge strikezone.

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/numlocation.php?pitchSel=277417&game=gid_2011_09_16_tbamlb_bosmlb_1/&batterX=48&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=3
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

woah what did Maddon get tossed for? arguing balls and strikes?
- Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
  
  Those last few comments just answered my question
- mbonzo
  
  http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/numlocation.php?pitchSel=277417&game=gid_2011_09_16_tbamlb_bosmlb_1/&batterX=48&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=3
  
  All night long, Beckett gets the close calls outside the zone and Shields gets balls when he hits corners.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    It’s the Fenway strike zone. Umps are scared of calling strikes against Sox pitchers because the fans are right on top of them.
    - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
      
      /conspiracy theory’d
- Chen Meng Wang
  
  Must be because Beckett’s had a huge zone all night and he was arguing about something
Pat D

How many fucking times has he done that this year? That’s at least the third.
- Pat D
  
  This is why I have no sympathy for him and don’t subscribe to this stupid fucking thought that some of you have developed that he “deserves” to catch Mo’s 602nd save.
JohnnyC

Girardi wanted to see what this kid Posada could offer the team in the post-season. Not much apparently.
JohnnyC

So when’s the blessed event for the Litsch family. Looks like Jesse’s around the 7 month mark.
- Chen Meng Wang
  
  I would think they, yes they (definitely twins), are coming late November.
- Champagne_whores
  
  You would think the black top would be slimming
Karl Krawfid

Joe G didn’t use Brackman or Betances with a 9-1 lead.
Bill

So we have one player who only hits pop ups and one player who only hits grounders to the left side of the infield.
Montero’s Mojo

5 hits to 10… Where’s this monster offense I’ve been reading about all year? No more blacks holes. No more Jorge and Martin. I want Jesus and Austin! Also, my prayers go out to Mo that ARod comes back and lights the world on fire, and by “world” I mean Beckett. I hate that guy.
- Montero’s Mojo
  
  *Black holes* . . .
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Captain Varitek has been pinch hit for :(
- Chen Meng Wang
  
  Don’t they know how awesome he is behind the plate?! Tito must not know about the 4 no-no’s he’s caught…only a great Captain and Field General, and not somebody extremely lucky, could ever hope to accomplish something like that…
SDM

Great to see the Umpires continue their love affair with Beckett, the gave him two punchouts on strikes no where near the zone
Chen Meng Wang

Hughes should hang out with Shields this off season. He’s allowed four runs over 5 2/3 innings and has thrown 89(!!!) pitches against the redsox.
- Monteroisdinero
  
  Hughes could learn how to throw 3-1 changeups from Shields.
Bill

Who does Boston go to if Beckett doesn’t go 8?
- Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
  
  Ace :(
  - Greg
    
    As Kay said, the savior of that bullpen.
  - Bill
    
    Still wish Cashman kept him.
- Chen Meng Wang
  
  hand the ball to Bard and cross their fingers. Or hand the ball to Aceves, cause he’s saved their season
  
  /Micheal Kay’d
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  Aceves for like the 8,000th time.
  
  I swear, it seems like he at least warms up just about every game.
  - Greg
    
    He’s getting Proctor’d
    - Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
      
      It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he starts next year like Phil Hughes started this year.
      - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
        
        Me neither. They have Beckett, Lester, and Buchholz, and they’ll probably stick with Lackey. But they should just lose Wakefield, or at least put him in the bullpen. The Red Sox should realize Aceves>>>>>>>>Wakefield.
  - Nuke LaDoosh
    
    8,000 appearances this year? Cash will sign him for 2012.
JohnnyC

Meals is so short you’d think he’d give you the low strike.
Mister Delaware

Gas.
Champagne_whores

Ace in
He must have gotten into big pappys protiein shakes
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  Don’t call him Ace. He’s not on the Yankees anymore.
- bonestock94
  
  Moron
- Champagne_whores
  
  He throws mid 90 s now never had that when he was here.
  - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
    
    He has added some velo this year: http://www.fangraphs.com/pitchfx.aspx?playerid=5164&position=P
Mister Delaware

Lets bottle that for the playoffs.
Nuke LaDoosh

strikes out the side
Chen Meng Wang

side K’d by Soriano?! That’s kind of what I expected this past offseason.
pop up teixeira

struck out the side
Chen Meng Wang

BJ Upton has one of the most flawed swings I’ve ever seen…It’s no surprise to me he’s hitting in the .220s
- Mister Delaware
  
  The timing tick with his front foot is definitely … unique … but when he’s on, there’s no righty that looks prettier.
  - Chen Meng Wang
    
    It looks like he’s almost constantly late on the ball because of it. Idk if you saw this at bat just now, he got a hanging slider at 81 on the inner half of the plate and was wayyy late on it.
    - Mister Delaware
      
      I saw it. I think he just decided to swing after he’d already decided not to and it looked odd.
Kostas

Yanks can’t go extra innings. They can’t win in extra’s this year.
Monteroisdinero

Jeets swings at a ball on the 2-0 count. Mr. Hit streak!
- Vocabularry
  
  and how is the MVP making out with his “hit streak?”
  - Nuke LaDoosh
    
    dude, your reply to Mike ealier in the thread had me believing you passed through puberty in 7 days, guess regression was inevitable.
    - Vocabularry
      
      and Dude your reply each and every time you do reply causes me to believe that at midnight tonight you’ll be out there with lipstick on, heels, and a nice blonde wig.
      Go take a bath with a toaster.
      - Nuke LaDoosh
        
        and thanks to you for proving my point…
        
        Vocabularry
        
        what point? That you’re an idiot asshole who decided tonight to come after me without any justification?
        
        Nuke LaDoosh
        
        LOL
      - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
        
        Really???
        
        Nuke LaDoosh
        
        nah, i’m 6’4″ so I wear flats
Cy Pettitte

2 on 2 out for Kotchman, please do something here.
pop up teixeira

damn you Tex
Greg

Dammit we’ve been struggling this month. We need a win.
Nuke LaDoosh

Blue Jay crew attibuting all of the success against CC to the Jays Vs. CC being off tonight … nice narative.
Champagne_whores

Need a montero bomb to win this game
Bill

If this game goes to extras we’re losing.
joe

Why is Tex still 3rd in the order against right starters?

/thatsthewayitsalwaysbeen’d
OMG! Bagels!

Twitterverse is blowing up against the six-man rotation thing. Harming CC? I’d say a definite maybe.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

My God, this strike zone is terrible in Boston. Even Orsillo thought it was a ball.
- Chen Meng Wang
  
  +1
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Kotchman got royally fucked up that AB.
pop up teixeira

come on D Rob
C

Is it just me, or have our pitchers given up a lot of leadoff hits the last week or two?
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

yanks against the 9 players on the field and the dbag in the stands tipin pitches
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Come on DRob, dont turn into Bard.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Ugh. Take a free out.
jon

nice way to take away the bunt

walk him
Champagne_whores

Drob way off
http://highfirstpitch.wordpress.com/ Stratman9652

Are you fucking kidding me? Whats worse: walking the guy who is trying to bunt or bunting when a guy is trying his best to walk you?
Mister Delaware

Robertson is such a choker. Demote him to the 7th!!!
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

fuck you rookie
https://twitter.com/johnsc2000 JohnnyC

It’s been a long road trip and guys are tired so Girardi decides to rest Montero.
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

D Rob owned him
Mister Delaware

This Proctor stuff is getting really stupid.
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Bunting fail.
jon

how do you walk a guy trying to bunt then go back and strike a dude out trying to bunt
Champagne_whores

Procter and laffey up as girardi ready to raise the white flag
http://highfirstpitch.wordpress.com/ Stratman9652

I can’t wait until September is over so I never have to see Proctor and Laffey up in the bullpen at the same time again.
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

horrible throws all night long! damn it
https://twitter.com/johnsc2000 JohnnyC

The dangerous McCoy finally retired. Wipes brow.
mbonzo

Sloppy game tonight.
Cy Pettitte

play good defense you stupid idiots.
Mister Delaware

It ain’t called a Glove Arm, boys.
- Mister Delaware
  
  Gold, not Glove. Whatever.
jon

nice job jeter
Champagne_whores

Come on jetes wtf
Tyrion Lannister

Just walk Jose, go after Encarnacion.
Greg

Walk Bautista
- mbonzo
  
  Yea one of the few times I agree with an IBB.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Yeah … definitely not liking this walk.
- Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
  
  Do you ever like IBBs?
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    Generally not. Now a walk or HBP forces in a run.
- jon
  
  dude is not superman anymore hes only batting .240 something since the ASB
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

man in stands to Bautista…..”4 wide”
Mister Delaware

Right call.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

That was some swing by Encarnacion.
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

notice how these guys are swinging hard…like they know whats coming….
- Champagne_whores
  
  Been stealing signs all night bro
  Girardi can’t figure it out.
Cy Pettitte

HOLY LONGORIA! wow. just a spectacular play.
- Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
  
  I missed it…what was it?
  - Cy Pettitte
    
    line drive that he snagged on a dive and then tagged 3rd base to get Aviles taking his secondary lead.
    - Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
      
      Yeah I just flipped to NESN and saw the replay. that was amazing.
Chen Meng Wang

I completely understand walking Bautista but as to Kay’s comment “you’d walk him if it was 2nd and 3rd, why not 1st and 3rd?” I’d say it’s because you don’t want to put that second runner in scoring position.
Mister Delaware

Knew it and was still late on strike 1. Not late on strike 2.
Champagne_whores

Houdini does it again
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

D Rob….un b fucking lievable
pop up teixeira

and he does it again!
http://highfirstpitch.wordpress.com/ Stratman9652

Is there any way to explain the enigma that is David Robertson?
- Nuke LaDoosh
  
  he’s a riddle, wrapped in a mystery inside an inigma
  - Vocabularry
    
    enigma? that was 6th grade, Einstein
    - Nuke LaDoosh
      
      hahhah, you do remember.
Chen Meng Wang

News just came in, D-Rob is actually Houdini’s great grandson.
Tyrion Lannister

Great decision to walk Bautista. Now let’s cash in and bring in Mo for #601.
Mister Delaware

Bard time!
- TomH
  
  So, Mr. D., where in Del.are you from? I grew up there, in the 50s.
joe

Girardi needs to give DRob some time off after this… 4th appearance in 6 days. (7th appearance in 11 days)
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

I know they are resting guys, but I cant watch another walk off win
Champagne_whores

Please pinch hit for posada with jesus
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  + A billion.
Montero’s Mojo

So once again the Yankees fail to do a fucking thing against another lackluster bullpen… This is pathetic. Knock the starter out early and they proceed to do nothing? This team needs a kick in the ass if they hope to stay afloat in the playoffs. Fact.
- Greg
  
  Actaully the Blue Jays bullpen is not that bad
  - Chen Meng Wang
    
    but..but..but…the Yankees have to hit 1.000 against every bullpen with nothing but homers or they’re terrible!
    - Montero’s Mojo
      
      Do your research, twat. No need to insert your useless, asinine comments into statements that do not require them. You’ve created your own narrative and implied I was saying something else entirely. You can do better. Just being honest
    - https://twitter.com/johnsc2000 JohnnyC
      
      Ehh, Jays bullpen not as good as Orioles’ bullpen. Now those guys are killers.
Chen Meng Wang

Wow, how many blow jobs do these umps get up in Boston?
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  Probably many from Heidi Watney.
  
  /Joking
  - Chen Meng Wang
    
    No longer mad, just jealous.
    - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
      
      Don’t blame you one bit.
Mister Delaware

Bob Davidson sucks so hard.
mbonzo

The Red Sox couldn’t get anymore calls tonight. FFS with these umps.
Cy Pettitte

Rays have been getting calls against them all night from behind the plate and on check swings.

fucking bullshit
Jimmy McNulty

Any news on who is starting Sunday for the Jays?
Mister Delaware

This is just stupid. At this point I can’t believe they didn’t rule Longoria isn’t allowed to leave his feet to make a catch.
Cy Pettitte

oh my god, another awful call against the Rays on that 3-1 pitch.

at least he got the walk any way.
Montero’s Mojo

Will gladly eat my words but I’m predicting a walk-off loss here. They haven’t been themselves since that 6-7 game win streak ended.
- ArchStanton
  
  Looking that way, since they apparently fold against any and all bullpen pitchers.
  - Montero’s Mojo
    
    Yup, that’s what I’ve been saying for quite some time now. I don’t know who’s fault this could be, but something HAS to be corrected here.
- jon
  
  wow so youre going out on a limb on that one huh?
  - Montero’s Mojo
    
    Haha, pretty much. All I’m saying is that they’re going to lose… Don’t want to ruin the ending by tellin’ y’all what inning it will be.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Damn, it should be first and second with nobody out in Boston.

Fuck you Balkin’ Bob.
Cam

I don’t know if it’s been mentioned, and I’ve only seen Tex’s last AB, but he looks like he closed his stance a lot. That seems to be another K-long trait. Anyone else notice?
Champagne_whores

Blue jays playing hard for team out of it wonder if Theo has a favor in with Farrel
- Sweet Dick Willie
  
  Well, since the Jays are 4-2 vs the Sux in the last 10 days, I kinda doubt it.
- TomH
  
  Absolutely not. This has been how Toronto has played NY since the 1970s. It’s some kind of Toronto vs. NY thing. All of Canada gets excited at the prospect of knocking off the Yankees, and it passes even to the Jays’ American players.
Nuke LaDoosh

e
Tyrion Lannister

And that should be it. Chances of the other clowns in the bullpen holding the tie are slim.
Chen Meng Wang

Last time I checked a strike zone is one end of the plate to the other, not batters box to batters box right?
kev

this is an unreal strike zone that first pitch to jaso was 4 inches outside!!!
Cy Pettitte

this strike zone is disgusting. Jaso is getting fucked
Mister Delaware

Bahd is wicked back!
Champagne_whores

Walk off homer coming here the guy in the stands with an asst
- Champagne_whores
  
  Almost
Chen Meng Wang

Oh, well. We have to worry about the Yankee game right now, Sox/Rays is secondary.
pop up teixeira

Logan, how bout not giving up a walk off ok?
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Now that I think about it, I’m really surprised that the umps didn’t overrule Longo’s first inning homer.
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

top 10…Jeter game winning hit…Mo saves 601. Mark it
mbonzo

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/zoneplot.php-pitchSel=all&game=gid_2011_09_16_tbamlb_bosmlb_1&sp_type=1&s_type=7.gif

Amazing, not a single red triangle out of the zone, but plenty of red squares out of the zone. Meanwhile, checkout all the green triangles that were easy strikes.
- Tyrion Lannister
  
  The umps were probably given orders directly from the MLB offices, keep the Red Sox in the playoffs.
Tyrion Lannister

ESPN will go crazy if the Sox win- Beckett dominates- Aceves, Bard, Papelbon best 7-8-9 in MLB.
Jesus Freak

Fucking Hunter Wendlestat is giving the Red Sox staff every single call.
Greg

Cant really blame the offense tonight. You score 4 runs with your ace on the mound that should be enough.
- Jetrer
  
  having ace on the mound is no excuse for the offense to continue to suck against bullpens
  - ArchStanton
    
    Not to mention the starter was no great shakes either.
mbonzo

Fuggin Logan.
C

Another leadoff double, right on schedule…
Cy Pettitte

NOBOONE.jpg.
Nuke LaDoosh

Boonie’s arm looks kind of dead.
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

lolgan
bobtaco

How many walk-offs has Logan given up this year?
jon

fucking boon logan
mbonzo

Stupid IBB.
ArchStanton

This dude has had a dead arm for three months now, but he’s still out there getting hammered. What am I missing?
Jesus Freak

Hunter Wendlestat = Tim Donaghy
Montero’s Mojo

HAHAHAHA! Fuck this team. They suck extreme amounts of dick right now. This offense has been non-existent. If you can’t hit a bullpen then you deserve to lose. Simple as that.
- mbonzo
  
  Damn you need to work on your trolling bro. Getting way too obvious.
  - Montero’s Mojo
    
    How about a reality check? Maybe that will help your perspective. Excuse me for stating the obvious truth. And trolling? Come on now… Such an idiotic comment to make.
- Sweet Dick Willie
  
  And yet they have the best record in the league. Imagine that.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Bring in Wade please.
- Widget
  
  Too late to take it back.
Widget

Overall so far a pretty shitty night of baseball. I guess losing ANOTHER 1 run game is the icing on the cake.
Chen Meng Wang

If I’m the Jays you HAVE TO be bunting.
Kostas

Well at least this sets up a chance not to lose in extra innings. Damn it!
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

LOVE THAT PLAY…..please take notes Nunez
http://highfirstpitch.wordpress.com/ Stratman9652

Someong shoot me. IBB with no outs?
- Jetrer
  
  meh, that runner makes absolutely no difference
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Watch and learn, Nunez.
Champagne_whores

Bunt again bitches lol
Cy Pettitte

see how Chavy backed up and stayed at 3rd? take notes Nunie.
bobtaco

Wow, look at that, Nunez goes to field that ball… thanks Zombie.
Chen Meng Wang

Credit to Logan and Chavez knowing what to do there.
Mister Delaware

Underrated nice play by Chavez there.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Nice play by Logan. Nunez would have tried to field the bunt instead of being at third.
will

bum logan
CBean

Chavez > Nunez on that play there
Jesus Freak

Hunter Wendlestat = Red Sox’ 10th Man on the field
- Mister Delaware
  
  Wouldn’t that be Ortiz?
- Chen Meng Wang
  
  So does that make the 3rd base ump the 11th?
Vocabularry

Great IBB. An essential part of the game. Just like last inning
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

Molina loves to hit against the Yanks
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

My God, that was nearly an eephus!
Champagne_whores

Molina really
Chen Meng Wang

fail Wade…fail..
Mister Delaware

Go Rays.
Erica

Ew.
Cy Pettitte

Molina?

and Cory is killing me.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Damn you Jose Molina…
Tyrion Lannister

Kelly Johnson, Mike McCoy, and Jose Molina beat us. This bullpen needs work, lineup needs work, we aren’t ready for October.
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  /overreacting
- Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
  
  Worst 90 win team evahhhhh.
- Pat D
  
  We?
  - Nuke LaDoosh
    
    that’s us
  - Mister Delaware
    
    I know my wife isn’t. Only has maternity clothes for the summer and you can’t get away with cardigans over dresses once the really chilly weather hits. We’re totally screwed.
    - Nuke LaDoosh
      
      huh?
Jesus Freak

Blue jays acting like a high school team.
- Mister Delaware
  
  We throw desserts at each other.
- Bellevue Patient
  
  Take off your homer glasses. You remember how the Yankees celebrated a walk off win against the Jays on May 24th this year, like a girls hs softball team?
  
  http://espn.go.com/mlb/photos?gameId=310524110&photoId=1325063
- MikeD
  
  At this time of the year, that’s pretty much all Toronto has. A win against the best team in the league is the way they motivate themselves.
bobtaco

Wade is quickly turning back into a pumpkin…
pop up teixeira

DAMN IT!!!
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

OMG Wade Suckz cause he’z given up 2 walkoffz in a row!!!1!1!!
mbonzo

Well, that anti-climactic.
http://highfirstpitch.wordpress.com/ Stratman9652

Un freaking real.
Kostas

This fucking team. Give away stupid wins a great way to enter the post season.
- Sweet Dick Willie
  
  I’m guessing you don’t remember the 2000 Yankees.
  - Widget
    
    They didn’t exactly play great last year down the stretch and how’d that turn out?
    - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
      
      It worked out in the ALDS, that’s for damn sure.
  - Kostas
    
    Difference, this is just stupid fucking managing by Mr. What does my binder say.
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

down and away down and away down and away….Wade….”nah, I will give him a fat ball right over the plate”
Pat D

Eh, it was all Logan’s fault anyway.

Right?
Greg

Well, hello 3.5 game lead
- mbonzo
  
  3.5! NOOOOOO!
https://twitter.com/johnsc2000 JohnnyC

This is getting old.
Widget

I miss winning.
joe

Girardi does know Wade actually gets lefties out better than Logan right?

This addiction to handedness is ridiculous… does Girardi’s binder have actual PERFORMANCE stats and splits of his pitchers or does it just say left=left, right=right?

Does he even think about who gets lefties out best or does he just blindly assume any lefty is going to be better?
- SevenAces
  
  Shhh…don’t let Greg hear you.
- Jetrer
  
  Girardi does know Wade actually gets lefties out better than Logan right?
  
  Not really, Wade vs. LH 4.80 FIP, 3,62 xFIP, 1.93 HR/9
  Logan vs, LH 3.63 FIP/ 2.98 xFIP, 1.46 HR/9
  - joe
    
    Using FIP with relievers? Not so sure about that.
    
    While avg and OPS against are flawed stats over smaller samples I’ll take that over a modelled # which assumes all balls in play are created equal.
    - Jetrer
      
      I don’t mean to say Logan is definitely better, just that Logan is better than Wade in some stats, so overall they are fairly close in performance against LH, so it make sense to use the lefty considering Lind is much worse against LHP.
Champagne_whores

Jays hyped up for a running out the season game huh Little boston north of the border
An asst to the guy in croud tipping pitches all night
- d.
  
  Yeah shame on them for enjoying that walk off.
thaaaaaaaayankeeswin

what do you expect when you get outhit 13 to 5…cant hit a mediocre bullpen and the jays know what pitches are coming?
C

Well you can’t expect to win by giving up leadoff hits in 6 of 9 innings.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Am just glad Michael Kay explained what a walkoff is. I was really wondering there………
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  *I’m
  - Nuke LaDoosh
    
    Am worked fine too. Subject was assumed.
Tyrion Lannister

A lot of these late September ballgames you aren’t gonna win because you put out a lineup full of AAA kids or you’re starting a spot starter. But when you’ve got your ace on the mound and your regular lineup in there you damn well better beat an inferior opponent.
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  I take it you either only get the MY 9 games or you’re overreacting.
  
  I’ll take the latter.
- Mister Delaware
  
  All AL opponents are technically inferior. Baseball teams lose, that’s how the sport goes.
Kostas

So using the closer in a tie game is against the rules. MLB has to change that rule. It is unfair to teams to not be able to use their closer in tie games in the 9th inning.

Players Union should protest.
Wow

It’s unreal how this team loses so many games at or after the ninth
- Montero’s Mojo
  
  Careful what you say. Speaking the truth will have the regulars accuse you of trolling! Apparently only a few of us can see that this team is seriously reeling right now. No offense for miles.
- Kostas
  
  You are correct. They do possess an ability to not close out games properly…
Normando

You mean being in first?
Karl Krawfid

Yankees get the starter out of the game then fold up against another shitty bullpen.

Grandy and Tex aren’t doing a damn thing.
- FIPster Doofus
  
  They’re both painful to watch.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

LOLGonzalez
Mister Delaware

C’monnnnnnn Papelblown.
mt

4 hits Wednesday; 5 hits today; maybe we can scratch out 6 hits tomorrow if pattern holds?

This is where it would be nice to have AROD carry us for a few games.
Also they need to keep Montero in there.
takecare

Anyone else worried about CC’s return to mere mortal?
stuart a

boone….. nic work boone..

watch out below tex popping up to short..

btw tex sucks and gets no grief.

the guy is hitting 245!!!!!!!!!!!
Pat D

I’m always amused by how this site reacts after a loss like this.
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  Same here. I thought RAB separated the men from the boys if you will.
  - Nuke LaDoosh
    
    nah, no separation, leave the door open and anyone can walk in ;)
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

At least if Tampa loses our magic number gors down
- Pat D
  
  Would still rather Boston lose.
  - Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
    
    So would I, just looking at the positive.
Mister Delaware

Jennings: “Was that a strike?”

Wendelstedt: “Do you mean was that a strike or would I have called it a strike?”
Jimmy McNulty

Fucking Hell…walk off losses when Mo doesn’t get used is EXTREMELY frustrating.
http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse

Two run homer Longoria please.
Nuke LaDoosh

I hate Papelbon almost as much as I hated Rocker
- Mister Delaware
  
  I assume Papelbon is racist too.
  - http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
    
    Well we all know Salty is.
    - Mister Delaware
      
      Right, and Papelbon is blonde and I think from Mississippi.
      - Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
        
        Louisiana. Your point stands though.
        
        Mister Delaware
        
        Assuming non-New Orleans, its the same thing. Maybe worse.
        
        Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat
        
        Baton Rouge according to wikipedia
        
        I Collect Brett Gardner Cards
        
        Yep, the Stooge from Baton Rouge.
Kevin

Bottom line, this loss is on CC and his inablity to put batters away after an 0-2 count.
Mister Delaware

Papelbon will get a lot of money for a lot of years to pitch in Philadelphia and everything I hate will someday be in one 3×3 area.
Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat

Don’t watch ESPN tonight, folks.
- Mister Delaware
  
  ESPN: 8===[) – – – the Red Sox
- Nuke LaDoosh
  
  no, i’ve already flipped to msnbc
https://twitter.com/johnsc2000 JohnnyC

Would like to see Granderson and Teixiera start hitting again…like soon.
tom

Well, the magic number drops to 6, yet somehow it doesn’t feel like a successful night.

Two thoughts:

I guess others have said this before, but it really does seems like that rain-aborted would-be perfect game drew a line in CC’s season. He just hasn’t had his mojo working since.

This Yankee bullpen is absolutely stellar at holding onto a 6th-inning-or-later lead. But it seems like they have a very difficult time winning in a battle-of-the-bullpens/late inning tie situation. A good part of that is on the offense, of course, but still there’s a sense that the other team’s bullpen is always capable of holding out longer than theirs. On the road, that’s logical (even mathematically likely, I believe). But they’ve been failing just as convincingly at home.

And losing so many of these games — in defiance of Pythagoras — is costing the team an easy coast to a division title.
- I Collect Brett Gardner Cards
  
  Yep, and man think if we just won a few more of those Sox games. Different story.
  
  So, do they make us sweat this out or what?
- http://danielslifka.wordpress.com Jerome S
  
  The reason we win when we have a lead is because Girardi is willing to go Robertson, Soriano, Mo, etc. to win. But if we’re tied, or even down by 1 or 2 runs, Girardi is much more apt to go to Ayala or Wade or the world’s worst excuse for a LOOGY, Boone Logan. This is so he can “save” his more effective relievers for later innings, when they’re winning. It never works.
  
  FWIW, This isn’t a “blame Girardi” thing, because literally every manager does this. You can not find a manager who doesn’t do this, because if they actually do the smart thing and pitch to leverage, they receive criticism.
  - tom
    
    Mostly agree. But does this mean the Yankees’ second-tier relief corps is inferior to most other teams’ second-tier? Because, as you say, nearly every manager does this, yet somehow, just over the past week or so, the Orioles/Angels/Mariners/Jays have all managed to win with their lesser relievers over the Yankee equivalent. You’d think by happenstance you’d get the opposite result once in a while.
    - https://twitter.com/TheRealJeromeS Jerome S.
      
      No, I’m saying our second-tier relief corps is a second-tier relief corps; they’re going to give up runs.
      That’s fine if you have a comfortable lead, but if you’re tied or behind, why widen it?
Kostas

Girardi must not want to overuse or tire out Mo so he can get his 601st save.
- Nuke LaDoosh
  
  I wouldn’t have brought Mo in tonight.
  - https://twitter.com/johnsc2000 JohnnyC
    
    Picked a bad night to quit smoking.
  - Kostas
    
    Then, none of the regulars should have played either. Get the win and get it done instead of stringing this shit out.
    
    Plus it is really about the piss poor patter that Girardi displays that carries over into the post season. He starts going all Joe Torre and leans heavily on a few people but then never makes the right call until its too late.
    - Nuke LaDoosh
      
      He’s 4-1 in Post Season Series.
- http://bleedingyankeeblue.com Jesse
  
  He normally doesn’t bring in Mo in a tie game on the road, in the regular season at least.
Nuke LaDoosh

I don’t like the look in CC’s eyes in this interview.
- Kostas
  
  CC is gassed and should be skipped in his next turn…Of course that would require the Yankees being in the playoffs already… so scratch that.
https://twitter.com/johnsc2000 JohnnyC

If we take the next 2 in Toronto, we’re good whatever happens in Boston.
your mom

WTF Teixeira? WTF offense? WTF CC? Fuck Boone, piece of shit LNOGY.
mbonzo

Mike Zagurski was juust DFA’d. I don’t think he’d be a bad option as a LOOGY to try out.
Kevin

CC has nothing…six days rest, five days rest…he’s gassed.
MikeD

I feel like we’re living the anti-2009. If it’s a close game in late innings, or goes to extra innings, the Yankees seem to lose. Amazing the Yankees overall record is as good as it is considering their record in one-run games and extra-inning games.