Sep
26
Pregame Notes: Going through the motions
By
Air conditioned batting practice. What a country.
When we looked at the schedule a few weeks ago, this series seemed like it had the potential to be pretty important, and that’s why I’m here for the three games. Things have since taken a drastic turn for the better, at least for the Yankees. These games mean nothing to them, it’s all preparation for the playoffs and hoping that no one gets hurt. Of course it means everything to the Rays, who are holding onto playoff hopes by the skin of their teeth.
Anyway, there wasn’t much going on before the game, just like you’d expect with a team that’s had a playoff berth wrapped up for close to a week now. Here’s some miscellaneous items worth mentioning…
- Joe Girardi did say that he’s going to play his regulars this series, but he obviously won’t push it. His focus is on Friday. There’s no Mark Teixeira or Nick Swisher in the lineup tonight, but all of the other regulars are a go. Alex Rodriguez is at DH and Eduardo Nunez gets to have some fun with the roof in right field.
- Both Jorge Posada and Jesus Montero were doing various catching drills on the field earlier this afternoon, making throws to second and blocking balls in the dirt. Gotta figure they were prepping for a potential emergency catching situation in the playoffs.
- Batting practice was optional after the late night, but most of the regulars are on the field taking their hacks. Andruw Jones man, that dude puts on a show.
- I didn’t hear anything about it before the game (could have easily missed it), but Buster Olney says that Raul Valdes has an “excellent chance” to make the postseason roster as the second lefty. I’d rather see them just take a better pitcher even if he is right-handed.
- Still no word on who will start Wednesday, but it won’t be any of the regular starters or even a B-list reliever. That figures to be a September call-up bullpen game.
- I really can not stress this enough: Andrew Brackman is gigantic.
56 Comments»
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The Mason Williams Watch
Good to see that Girardi can play Granderson and Cano after a long, late night flight but cannot use A-Rod, Jeter, Jones, or Martin for a couple innings last night. What an idiot. Go Rays.
Ignoring the age difference, I see.
– Chris Hansen, after tenting his fingers and spinning around in a giant office chair.
Martin is younger than Granderson. And if you let A-Rod and Jeter play a few innings last night you don’t have to play them today in a game that I would rather see the Yankees lose anyways.
Way to ignore Martin’s position.
Saltalamacchia didn’t seem to mind catching sixteen innings yesterday. In fact he had enough energy to burn a cross after the game.
Way to ignore the importance of that game for the Red Sox.
I’m sure Martin wouldn’t have either, if the team was barely holding on to a playoff spot.
Way to ignore the fact that putting weaker teams in the playoffs actually could help the Yankees.
Way to ignore the fact that the Yankees actually have a good chance to beat anyone in the American League playoffs.
Way to ignore (meme?) that I already know that but would take an easier matchup any day of the week (Red Sox pythag record>Tampa’s pythag record).
So why are you bitching about it then? And way to ignore the fact that you never said that (The Yankees have a good chance to beat anyone in the American League playoffs) in this conversation thread.
Because I want Boston to miss the playoffs? Am I the only one that wants them to?
I FEEL LIKE I’M TAKING CRAZY PILLS!
I agree with Brian S. Mike, there’s no reason those guys couldn’t play a couple innings last night. Or at least pinch hit and replace them immediately with someone on the field.
What an idiot. Look in the mirror and say it three times, then say:
AL East title!
Best record in AL!
Will win World Series!
I just hate that he is allowing Boston in the playoffs. Boston was so close to one of the most epic collapses of all time and Girardi picks them back up by allowing Golson, Nunez, Romine, and Pena to bat in extra innings instead of the four that I mentioned above. Instead he saves them so we can start them against Tampa.
It’s not Girardi’s job to keep the Sox out of the playoffs. Maybe Tampa should have done better than 6-6 in their last twelve games to make last night’s game irrelevant. This isn’t a charity, at some point the Rays have to earn it.
But the Boston hater in me (as irrational as it may be) really wants the Yankees to do all that they can to fuck over the Red Sox. They have hit our batters ~20 times this season, in case you needed another reason to hate them…
Yea but as Mike said, Tampa had their chances and failed to take advantage of them, period.
Tie game, bottom of the ninth; winning run on third. Who do want behind the plate, Posada or Montero?
C. Francisco Cervelli
http://online.wsj.com/article/.....57310.html
Montero and it’s not even close. Even with a righty pitching.
Yeah, even Montero looked small standing next to Brackman on the mound last week.
I like how the win last night is going to give Boston life all the way to the World Series.
Face it folks, Boston was making the post season. The Rays and Angels had all the chances in the world to overtake the WC and failed to do so.
There is still hope!
Baseball America on Mason Williams today:
Tony (Clifton): As a Yankees fan I’m obviously thrilled with Mason Williams’ pro debut as well as the glowing praise for him as a potential 5-tool guy but what, if any at this point, would you consider his biggest weakness/challenge going forward? I know he has advanced plate discipline but have scouts said he struggles against off-speed? Is his bat speed elite? Thanks Aaron.
Aaron Fitt: I think he’s a legit blue-chip prospect, a very exciting talent, on the same level as Ryan Westmoreland when he burst onto the scene in the NY-P two years ago. Yes, it is elite bat speed — he can hit the ball a long way, especially for his size. He does have some things to work on, of course. He has premium speed but needs to learn how to steal bases more efficiently, and a couple of NY-P managers said they’d like to see him run harder up the line a little more consistently. He’s also still refining his routes in center field, where his speed masks some of his rawness at this stage. I did get some reports about him struggling against offspeed stuff, but almost all hitters need to improve that part of their game at Williams’ age. I have no real concerns about Williams’ bat; this guy’s going to hit.
Should be ready in time to take over for Granderson in a couple years, very exciting.
Tony Clifton?
I thought Andy Kaufman died.
I might be wrong but i think the guy is from Clifton?
Yeah, Clifton is his location.
but did he? apparently not… (There’s still hope.)
SHOCKER!
Lackey turns out to be a douchebag!
WHOCOULDHAVEFORESEENTHAT!
Lackey gorgeous dumps wife who is recovering from double breast cancer, and then harangues the media for reporting it.
http://www.tmz.com/2011/09/26/.....adid=hero2
You know, I like boobs as much as the next guy, but to kick your wife out because she lost her boobs….. gawd.. sickening.
Everytime I get down about AJ and his problems/contract I can always turn to John Lackey and his… and there is 3 more years left!
What a trainwreck.
Video of Lackey’s post game meltdown.
http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/.....xt-message
He’d make a great Captain Queeq.
There’s so much to like in that video. AJ > Lackey, every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Bulldog.
I did feel bad for the guy, but after hearing that his ugly ass can go fuck himself
If Joe puts me on the postseason roster he is an idiot. I mean I really suck. I’ve given up earned runs in all but 2 of my appearances back in pinstripes. I am really awful. I think Swisher could do a better job than me and has. I’d rather go fishing in October…so please, please, please leave me off the roster. Again, I suck.
Well said.
I honestly think there is a better chance of Girardi coming out of retirement, signing with the Yankees, and making the post season roster than Proctor.
Proctor won’t be on the postseason roster. Calm down.
Lets go Rays!
And O’s!
“Raul Valdes has an “excellent chance” to make the postseason roster as the second lefty.”
Career vs LHB: tOPS+ 138
Career vs RHB: tOPS+ 74
’11 vs LHB: tOPS+ 132
’11 vs RHB: tOPS+ 104
He’s could be our LOOGY???? THE HELL?
Did anyone catch Sport Center today? Wow!
Quote “ Last nights HR clinched the MVP for Jacoby Ellsbury if they getting in..”
I mean seriously if you didn’t know better you would of thought the Sox just won the WS…LOL
Forget the fact that it took them 14 innings to win against an AAA line-up!!!
Just WOW!
I expect bias reporting from YES or NESN, but ESPN?
They are truly becoming a joke.
Let’s look at things a bit rationally for a minute.
Ells is having a tremendous season, and the Red Sox were in danger of having totally blown their lead over Tampa if the Yankees won last night (such an annoying loss, as it turned out). If the Red Sox manage to get in by one game over Tampa, that home run might end up being the difference.
For someone having an MVP-caliber season, a monumentally big hit like that, for better or for worse, could be what puts him over the top. It’s really hard to scoff at a CF with 31 homers, 38 steals, and very good defensive markings. It’s much easier to scoff at him ever hitting 31 home runs ever again.
It might have been a bit over the top, but it’s very possible to be true. Ellsbury has been outstanding for the RS, especially this month while the rest of the team has slumped.
Jesus Montero – Good at hitting
Sad we won’t get to watch tonight, truly a joy every time he steps to the plate
Absolutely. I know he has a .450 BABIP due to the luck he has had on some of the ground balls he has hit to the left side (and that bloop last night) but the fan and prospect lover in me sees his 189 wRC+ and gets a hard-on.
.444 BABIP to be exact (which is a cool looking number).
This may be overly wishful thinking, but any chances Betances gets a start on Wednesday?
Bring in Proctor!
Where’s Romine, Pena and Golson when you need them?
RISPfail
Deadness among the RABBI’s tonight.
Hoping Brackman gets the Wednesday start. Why not, they’ve been paying him a big league contract for years. He’d have a chance to earn his money more than Pavano did.