Game 21: Win the series

April 29, 2012 by Mike Axisa 396 Comments

The Yankees have won just one of their last three series, but today they have a chance to take two of three from the Tigers before embarking on a pretty favorable stretch of the schedule. The right guy is on the mound too, and the Yankees really need CC Sabathia to step up and help set this disaster of a rotation straight. Here’s the starting nine…

SS Derek Jeter
CF Curtis Granderson
3B Alex Rodriguez
2B Robinson Cano
1B Mark Teixeira
RF Nick Swisher
LF Raul Ibanez
DH Eric Chavez
C Chris Stewart

LHP CC Sabathia

Today’s game starts at 1:05pm ET and can be seen on YES locally and MLB Network nationally. Enjoy.

CS Yankee

I guess the focal point of that picture was to capture a time that those lux seats are actually filled; otherwise the focus should have been on the Grandyman.
- Dummies Playing With Balls (formerly Rainbow Connection)
  
  Well it WAS a one-time only event. AND there are minorities at YS!! Crazy!
Typical MIT Nerd

Soooooo, Chavez at DH and Stewart, the defensive specialist, at C.

Yeah, there was no place for Montero to play…
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  I don’t think anyone has ever seriously said there wasn’t a place for him.
  - Typical MIT Nerd
    
    You don’t read the comment threads around here? It’s been the running theme among more than a handful that there was no place for him…
    
    It’s still amazing to me that Cervelli was CC’s catcher last year while Montero repeated AAA.
    
    So now the defense-first backup is CC’s personal catcher. Awesome.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      Bah, you can’t trust commenters. They change the truth after the fact to make their point.
      - Dale Mohorcic
        
        ICWYDT
    - Manny’s BanWagon
      
      No one said there was no place for him. They mostly said its a fantasy to think he could catch more than 30-40 games per year which is true.
    - OldYanksFan
      
      Where does Montero play in a year or 2, when ARod is the fulltime DH?
  - Dummies Playing With Balls (formerly Rainbow Connection)
    
    I did. There would be a logjam at DH in the future with all the old dudes getting over-paid for years to come.
- jjyank
  
  …what? Nobody ever said there wasn’t a place for him in the lineup. It’s the fielding position that was sketchy. And seriously, enough about the Montero comments. It’s getting to a point where I’m starting to hate the poor kid because I’m so sick of hearing his name. Get over it.
Mike Stanley

Mike Silva taking shots at the blog on twitter. The guy is a pathetic troll mad at the world.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  In other news, it’s Sunday.
  - Manny’s BanWagon
    
    Who is Mike Silva?
    - Bo Knows
      
      a douche
      
      …I’m serious that’s all you need to know
  - Mike Stanley
    
    Hahahaha. Loved your retort.
    
    I love how he pretends he is being victimized by the man, and that’s the only reason he isn’t on WFAN.
    
    Well, that. And talent.
    - Dummies Playing With Balls (formerly Rainbow Connection)
      
      Brown nose much?
      - Mike Stanley
        
        Maybe I actually like the guy’s work on the site? Could that be it, Mr. Silva?
  - Mike Stanley
    
    Seriously, Mike A., keep doing what you’re doing here. Screw the haters.
Derrick

Yankees killer on the mound that era will go down real fast after today.
Diego

I always liked the Stewart decision more than most. Not only he’s way better than Cervelli defensively, but he also has a history of hitting lefties well. He has a career line against lefties of .288/.377/.424 in the Majors (small sample) and .304/.370/.435 in the Minors (from 2005 on, couldn’t find splits before that).

I imagined that the Yankees, aware of that, would try to limit his appearances to games against left-handers (as much as possible, anyway). That way, he might have a chance of bringing some sort of contribution offensively. But instead, it seems Girardi is simply assigning him as CC’s personal catcher. If that’s the case, I’m really starting to change my mind about that deal…
- Typical MIT Nerd
  
  You make too much sense.
- jjyank
  
  Good points. But I can see the argument of having him catch CC. If you’re going to take an offensive hit by sitting Martin in favor of Stewart, you might as well do it with your ace on the mound.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    My problem with the personal catcher thing is that it sets them up for second guessing, especially come playoff time. Are they really going to start Chris Stewart in Game One of a series? If not, how is CC going to respond? Unnecessary distractions.
    - jjyank
      
      Yeah, true. But I think at this point, Martin knows CC well enough. They don’t need to make Stewart his personal catcher 100% of the time either, but I get the argument that they can do it a majority of the time.
    - OldYanksFan
      
      So… we’re definitely in the PS?
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        Of course not, but I have a real hard time seeing five better teams in the league. A lot has to go wrong for the Yankees to miss the postseason. Two sucky rotation spots in April would just be the tip of the iceberg.
jjyank

Scherzer’s eyes never cease to freak me out.
Sheepmeister

fantasy question, someone in my league wants to trade for miguel cabrera. What should I ask for in return. I also have Arod and Fielder on this team.
- jjyank
  
  Well it depends on what the guy has, right? Throw some names on his roster out there.
  - Sheepmeister
    
    He has Halladay, Hamels, lance lynn, Tex, A. Ramirez, Hunter Pence, Jay Bruce.
    
    My Pitching staff has Gallardo, Shields, Beckett, and Daniel Hudson as its headliners.
    - jjyank
      
      I dunno, maybe Halladay. Plus someone else. Does your league have UTIL spots so you can play A-Rod, Fielder, and Cabrera? Because I might keep him in that case.
      - Sheepmeister
        
        There is a UTIL spot, I just dont know if should trade him unless I get Halladay, Hamels and 1 of Tex/Pence/Bruce
        
        jjyank
        
        Oh, no doubt. Ask for Halladay and two of that group. If he says no, ask for one. If he still says no, walk away. If you have Fielder, you don’t really need Tex though. Who’s your outfielders if you want Pence/Bruce?
        
        Sheepmeister
        
        Beltran, Melky, and Luke Scott, with LoMo on the bench. I have asdrubal as SS, pedroia at 2B and Miguel Montero at C. So OF is my weak spot.
        
        jjyank
        
        Fair enough. Try to get two of those guys, but you probably will have to settle for one.
    - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
      
      See if you can get Halladay/Hamels (I personally go Halladay) and two of the three of Tex/Pence/Bruce. Your probably going to have to settle for one of the three but it’s worth a shot.
- Manny’s BanWagon
  
  Matt Kemp?
Clyde Barrow

If our ace can’t win a big series at home against a playoff rival then we’re in serious trouble. The pitching staff has been dreadful and it’s always up to the ace to eat up innings and right the ship. CC needs to win today.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  This has to be the earliest someone has ever broken out the #playoffpreview narrative.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
    
    Somebody had to bring it up during the Texas or Boston series…
- jjyank
  
  While partly true, it’s also April. If this was August, sure. But this series isn’t as “big” as you make it out to be.
  - Dummies Playing With Balls (formerly Rainbow Connection)
    
    According to RAB, wins don’t count until August, right?
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

“The Yankees have won just one of their last three series,” While 100% true, I find this slightly disingenuous, because it makes it seem they lost the other two when they split with the Twins.
- CS Yankee
  
  A. Split with the Twins is losing the series.
jjyank

Atta boy Carsten. Good way to set the tone.
Clyde Barrow

Stewart should catch CC all the time. If that’s what he’s comfortable with, why not? Stewart has been good with the bat, as good as Martin in fact. They seem to work well together and I’m guessing that CC doesn’t really have a good rapport with Martin. He prefers Cervelli or Stewart.
Mike Stanley

Boesch owns the Yankees.

How?!?!?
- jjyank
  
  I dunno, but he’s punishing my fantasy team for sitting him again.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    I was all over him as a breakout candidate coming into the season and he’s made me look rather foolish so far.
    - jjyank
      
      I know, me too. He’s become a little more important to me team too, since Gardner is my left fielder and he’s obviously out. At least Logan Morrison is raking right now, so that helps.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

Cabrera 9-17 off CC? I thought good pitching beats good hitting?
- OldYanksFan
  
  CC hasn’t been good this year. And Miggy isn’t good… he’s the best hitter in the AL.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
    
    Those are lifetime stats, not just this season.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  If it gets beat, then it wasn’t good pitching!
- Professor Longnose
  
  GOod pitching always beats good hitting if you define good pitching as “a pitch that just got someone out.”
flamingo

NICE, CC.
jjyank

No first inning runs? Glorious day.
Clyde Barrow

And that’s how the ace sets the tone for the game. 2-3 runs should be good enough for CC today.
Manny’s BanWagon

CC and Prince should be facing off in a Sumo Dohyo, not on a baseball diamond.
- jjyank
  
  Or maybe a hot dog eating contest.
Mike Nitabach

No runs in the top of the first! WOOOOOO!!
- Mike Stanley
  
  I feel like the day is already a success no matter what.
Clyde Barrow

Tight strikezone today benefits our patient hitters. Make this guy work.
- Mike Nitabach
  
  srsly
jjyank

Bunting already…sigh.
Cy Pettitte

a bunt? you gotta be kidding me
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

What a stupid bunt.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

Smart play, if Cabrera fields that it’s a hit.
- Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
  
  A guy who can hit 40+ homers bunting in the FIRST INNING is never smart.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
  
  Apparently I’m alone in that thought.
  - jjyank
    
    Eh, kinda. Its a huge power threat at the plate and the first inning.
  - Manny’s BanWagon
    
    No, Girardi’s binder apparently agrees with you.
    - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
      
      Was it a legit sacrifice though? I’m only listening to the game, so in my minds eye that was a bunt-for-hit attempt.
      - Manny’s BanWagon
        
        Looked like a sacrifice to me.
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        Even if he was bunting for a hit, it was a bad play. Scherzer gives up a lot of homers and Grandy … well he hits a lot of homers.
        
        Need Pitching
        
        definitely a bad play … just a question of was Granderson the dumbass or was Girardi the dumbass
    - jjyank
      
      If he was bunting for a hit, it could have been his own decision too.
    - Need Pitching
      
      I’m thinking Granderson may have been bunting on his own
Manny’s BanWagon

God job giving the tigers an out for free. With Granderson no less.
MMMMyyKuroda

I’m watching this on gameday…did Granderson really just sac bunt?

If so, time to get my ‘don’t f*cking bunt’ t-shirt out of the closet (courtesy of the RAB shop, of course.)
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
  
  I don’t think it was a sac bunt, as much as it was a bunt for a hit that didn’t work out and goes in an a sacrifice.
Mike Stanley

I can’t believe Alex let that 2-2 pitch go.
WillTheThrill

Great! That bunt has seemed to awaken Good Max Scherezer.
- jjyank
  
  What? He walked A-Rod right after that.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

Robby, I would have ripped my hair out if that was a double play.
WillTheThrill

I can predict exactly what’s gonna happen here. Yanks are going to make Scherzer sweat here but not score, then Scherzer will settle down and retire the next 14 Yankees via strikeout.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

We didn’t score any runs, but something tells me Scherzer is not long for this game at all.
- Mike Stanley
  
  As long as they stop f*&#ing bunting, yeah.
718

TRADETEX!
Mike Stanley

CHONE FIGGINS LEADOFF HR

GRAB THE CANNED GOODS AND HEAD FOR THE BASEMENT
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
  
  I forgot my end of days survival kit at home.
- FIPster Doofus
  
  hahaha
718

lol
OldYanksFan

Man… Teix just looks bad. How many players got big money then turned to shit?
- jjyank
  
  2009 was not shit. And he’s still not shit. He’s very good, just not elite.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
    
    don’t you understand, unless he’s hitting .330/.460/.675 while playing a stellar first and hitting 47 bombs (all to the opposite field to beat the shift obvi) he’s garbage?
    - jjyank
      
      Ha yeah really. I get that big money comes with big expectations, but the Tex haters are exaggerating how bad he is.
      - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
        
        Yes, but looking over that triple slash line again…I want that from somebody on the Yankees…that would be a fun season to watch.
      - Professor Longnose
        
        Right. He’s about a single a week from great. If he could add that in, we’d be happy.
Athenian

I am amazed that Tex with all his apparent talent can not do more than just continually pull everything. wouldn’t you think he has the ability to make adjustments? Apparently not.
- WillTheThrill
  
  It’s so strange too because in 2009 he was an all fields hitter which was awesome. Looks like he’s selling out for power and looking to validate his huge contract with homeruns. I don’t know about you guys but I’d rather have someone hit .315 20HR 130RBI with an all fields approach than .250 40HR with a pure pull approach.
  - Knoxvillain
    
    .250? That overrated piece of garbage will never hit .250 again. He will be lucky to ever hit .240 again.
    - Need Pitching
      
      I like how guys characterized as “piece of garbage” can be considered overrated at the same time … lol
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
    
    With Tex I’m much more concerned with his OBP than average, if his average is .250, but his OBP is around .360 or higher and 40 HRs I would rather that.
    - Professor Longnose
      
      Sure, but he’s been drawing the same percentage of walks as always. It’s the singles that are coming.
  - OldYanksFan
    
    Agreed. I tend to look at OPS, not HRs. His OPS as a Yankee has been .870, while well over .900 elsewhere.
jjyank

CC’s change looks nasty today.
Mike Nitabach

CC looking really good!
flamingo

Am loving the strikeouts.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

Suzyn Waldman “Girardi says that Stewart isn’t CC’s personal catcher, but Girardi likes to give the back up catcher just one guy to focus on so they can know each other really well.” Does anybody else see the irony?
- Mike Nitabach
  
  CC is Stewart’s personal pitcher!
- jjyank
  
  Kay said that Girardi wants to limit a BUC to two pitchers, just to perserve familiarity. I think Waldman was mistaken with the one pitcher thing.
- Bo Knows
  
  It might be because CC is about as low maintenance a pitcher as they come, so that might be why CC alwasys seems to get the “personal catcher”
Mike Stanley

This is sacrilegious, but I really want a GIF of David Ortiz sitting in the washing machine. Hilarious.
- jjyank
  
  Haha yeah I like that part of the commercial.
Manny’s BanWagon

Is Delmon Young banned from Yankee stadium for life like Ronin Tynan?
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
  
  Dude, I remember when that story about Tynan broke. I’ve never had a more complete “…dafuq?” moment
- Mike Nitabach
  
  Is Tynan really banned for life? Like if he buys a ticket and shows up for a game, they won’t let him in?
  - Manny’s BanWagon
    
    I think he’d be shot on sight.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
    
    I think so, as soon as that story broke the Yankees ran in the opposite direction of Tynan faster than the Flash.
SMK

Life would be so great if we could all just fall back on our ready-made excuses.

“Sorry for losing all those accounts, boss. You know how it is, I just can’t do anything right in April.”
Manny’s BanWagon

Sacrifice by Chavez now?
jjyank

I’m glad they brought Chavez back.
Mike Stanley

I hate to cast a pall on the game, but apparently there’s been a very serious, deadly accident at the Bronx Zoo. NYT is tweeting about it.
- OldYanksFan
  
  7 Reported Dead as Vehicle Falls From Parkway at Bronx Zoo
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
    
    Jeez that’s terrible…
- Zooboy
  
  NY Times report is on Bronx River Parkway south of the zoo, not AT the zoo. (Still tragic, but nothing to do with the zoo.)
jjyank

40 pitches already. I like it.
Mike Nitabach

Car accident on the BRP.
J

With the first inning double the Yankees have played 20 games and retired the side in order in the first FOUR times. FOUR.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

Wow..jeets got really lucky.
- Paul VuvuZuvella
  
  and then took advantage of the opportunity
jjyank

Real tight strike zone today.
Mike Stanley

You had to know Jeter was getting a hit after that.
flamingo

C’mon, Grandy!
Mike Nitabach

DON’T BUNT!
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

The Scout on Gameday finally said something I like. after his 45th pitch hitters are tagging Scherzer to a .520AVG!!!
- jjyank
  
  Wow that’s pretty crazy.
flamingo

WOOOOHOOO.
jjyank

Haha I love it! Good eye Grandy!
Mike Nitabach

YESS! I love patience!
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

That’s rough…he’s one bad strike away from falling apart Garcia style.
flamingo

Alex, the bases are loaded and you are one grand slam away from tying Lou Gehrig for the MLB lead.
Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

Too many walks!!!
CS Yankee

Need an Abomb
- CS Yankee
  
  …An Adribbler works
jjyank

Well, not the way I drew it up in my head, but I’ll take it.
Mike Nitabach

YEAH!!!!! Another infield hit!!!!!!
Need Pitching

hooray for cheap runs
Cy Pettitte

lol Scherzer is getting some terrible luck
Midland TX

Wow. Scherzer is Leyland’s Hughes. At least Phil pounds the strike zone.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
  
  this.
- jjyank
  
  To be fair, the strike zone is tiny and the Jeter and A-Rod hits weren’t exactly scorchers.
Manny’s BanWagon

2-0 and the ball hasnt left the infield.
Mike Nitabach

For some reason, I always laugh my ass off every time the booth refers to “YES-mo”. It sounds so goofy.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

Wow, Robbie…come on buddy.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

I miss the good Robinson Cano.
jjyank

Ahh damn Robbie. You’re better than that.
cjc

It really is time for cano to start producing enough is enough already
Clyde Barrow

Chavez should be DHing more vs righties. Dump Ibanez and get someone with more range as the 4th outfielder.
jjyank

It sucks, but I’m not worried about Robbie. He’s the kind of guy that will go out and hit like .500 for two weeks and absolutely carry the team. He’ll be alright.
Professor Longnose

…are NOT coming.
Greg

Interesting.

If we win this game, on this tough stretch that we had, we would have gone 5-3. I think people would have signed up for that.
- jjyank
  
  Yep, I would have. The Tigers are generally overrated I think, but knowing that Verlander was pitching one of the games, I would have totally signed up for 5-3. Texas is just in beast mode.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
    
    After winning the game with Verlander I thought we had a legit chance to sweep and go 6-2, but yeah at the beginning of this stretch 5-3 sounded good.
Ogre

im sick of cano hes so impatient come on man wait for a good pitch and stop swinging at everything if he doesnt pick it up they should drop him in the order and forget about resigning him his skills are gonna erode
- Mike Stanley
  
  I liked how Jack Curry in the pregame said Cano should swing MORE.
  - Need Pitching
    
    he is actually swinging less than normal this season
    Career Swing % 51.7, this year 45.9% (which would be a career low)
- Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
  
  I can understand being sick of Teixeira…but Robbie? You know he’ll turn it around soon enough.
- jjyank
  
  Cano will be fine. He’s always been a hacker, and has put up MVP caliber numbers doing so. Every play looks old, or slow, or impatient when their slumping. He’ll come out of it.
  
  And there is no way he gets dropped in the order.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
  
  I’m sorry, all I heard was trolltrolltrolltroll
jjyank

CCC (Carsten Charles Cruisin’)
Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

Girardi should drop Tex to the 6th spot, and let Swish and Grandy platoon that 5 hole.
jjyank

Oh no, please don’t tell me Swish pulled a hammy or something.
- jjyank
  
  Guess he’s okay, nevermind.
  - Greg
    
    Well, no he’s not because he’s coming out
  - jjyank
    
    Scratch that. Hope Swish is alright, or we’ll be seeing a whole lot more of Ibanez in the field.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
    
    nope, they’re pulling him. and instead of acting concerned at all about it Sterling and Waldman are patting each other on the back for seeing that he was hurt.
    - jjyank
      
      Hopefully they caught it early enough that he just needs the day off.
jjyank

Ouch, 70 pitches for Scherzer now.
Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

Please be OK Swish.
- Midland TX
  
  Tonight: “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”
  
  Tomorrow: “Swish is day-to-day. He says he feels fine but we’ll take it one day at a time.”
  
  In the manager and GM’s offices: “Ohshitohshitohshitohshitohshitohshit” along with sacrificing much rum and many cigars to Jobu.
aRX

*sigh* What a week…
Clyde Barrow

And now Swisher’s out of the ballgame. Sure would be nice to have a 4th outfielder that could play good defense as we have the lead. Now there’s no defensive replacement for Ibanez in left.
- Greg
  
  They put Jones in
- CS Yankee
  
  Mo wants CF
- jjyank
  
  For one game. I gotta believe if Swish is going to miss more than a day or so, they’d bring Wise or someone up.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    Or sign Bobby Abreu for the pro-rated portion of the league minimum.
    - jjyank
      
      That too.
    - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
      
      I thought we wanted somebody who could even fake playing the outfield better than Ibanez.
    - CS Yankee
      
      I think his point is that we could use an OF
      
      /boobyandraulare thesamesadoldgloves’d
Ogre

we should trade for scherzer he has serious heat and sweet control
- Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
  
  We just had Scherzer. We traded him to the Pirates.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

If somebody told me that we’d have Scherzer at 78 pitches in the 3rd, and that he will have thrown more balls than strikes, I would imagine we’d score more than two runs.
- jjyank
  
  I’d like that, but I’ll take a 2 run lead with CC apparently in beast mode any day of the week.
- Greg
  
  The walks are spread out, two an inning, and last inning, the runner was walked into scoring postiion with 2 outs.
  
  First inning: Failure to take advantage
  Second Inning: Took advantage
  Third inning: 2 outs when runner was in scoring position
Clyde Barrow

With Swish out let’s sign Abreu to play right, Ibanez can play left, and Andy can convince Bernie Williams to come back and play center.
jjyank

I wonder how much longer Hughes’ leash is with Phelps, Mitchell, and eventually Pettitte looming.
- Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
  
  I think that Phelps will start in Garcia’s place and then Hughes will get bumped for Andy when he comes back unless he shows drastic improvement.
  - jjyank
    
    That’s what I think too. Guess your new handle is appropriate then, since Phelps will likely replace Freddy haha.
  - CS Yankee
    
    You might need another handle change. Might I suggest, “Phelps the fifth”
    - jjyank
      
      Philthy Phelps? Since we can’t use those fun “ph” names with Hughes anymore, let’s run with it for Phelps.
- pistol pete
  
  I hope not long. I just don’t think he has it to be a starter. Not enough pitches, not enough command. Put him in the pen and let him empty it out for an inning or two. He did great most of 2009 in the pen.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

Yeah, well…Prince will do that from time to time.
Greg

That was up and in!
- jjyank
  
  Yeah, it was a slider though. Gotta keep those down.
  
  Still though, mistakes happen. He still looks real good outside of that pitch.
jjyank

Ah shit. I guess it was inevitable that Fielder would hit one out in this series.
Ogre

we shud have signed fielder instead of that bum teixeira whos doomed to hit 210 and 25 bombs thats not great value for your money we should trade him for brandon belt hes a young phenom
- jjyank
  
  I’m…not sure if this is sarcasm. I’m going to pretend it is.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
  
  I’m sorry, all I heard was trolltrolltrolltroll. Which is funny because you’re an Ogre.
  - Ogre
    
    I’ve been trolling for two days and you’re the only one who has replied that noticed… Congratulations plouffenator!
    P.s. trolling is fun.
WillTheThrill

If we lose this game, it’ll be really disappointing because the Yankees had a lot of baserunners on and could only squeeze 2 runs out of a wild Scherzer.
718

These TBS announcers are idiots!
flamingo

I hate Sterling.
- jjyank
  
  Haha I’m sure that call was an adventure with Pa Pinstripe.
  - flamingo
    
    You have no idea. IT IS GONE! NO, IT IS CAUGHT! NO, IT IS GONE!
    - jjyank
      
      Haha nice. At least Kay paused while he figured out what just happened.
      - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
        
        Not Sterling, he just had a continuous word vomit going as it was happening.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
  
  You’re not alone. I was about to go on a tirade bashing him, but I decided Grandy hitting a homer makes me happier than Sterling’s annoying shit makes me angry.
Need Pitching

should have bunted
Mike Stanley

HOLY CRAP JACKSON
jjyank

Holy crap I thought A-Jax had that for a second. Great effort by him.
- jjyank
  
  Wow that replay is crazy, he kinda had it for a split second then rolled off the glove against the fence.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

Grandy!!!!!!!!!!
FIPster Doofus

Holy shit, I thought he caught that.
Greg

OH HE DROPPED IT
Cy Pettitte

Holy shit Ajax had that thing in/on his glove
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

I’m almost mad he didn’t make that catch. That was amazing.
- FIPster Doofus
  
  Would’ve been one of the greatest catches ever.
- jon
  
  I had the same feeling
jon

WOW he had that ball
CS Yankee

What a great non catch.

Ajax has glove though.
Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

That was one hell of an almost catch there.
jjyank

Wooo 95 pitches in the 4th. Let’s feast on that bullpen.
Midland TX

Grandy getting fat this series on Coke and over A-Jack.
Cy Pettitte

I can’t prove it with science but I think Teix and his pop ups do more damage to the ozone than pollution and all that other stuff
- Greg
  
  That wasn’t a pop up. It was proper fly ball the other way.
- CS Yankee
  
  I left the room and came back to see the ball in play, my initial thoughts was “Teix is hitting”
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

Question: If Phelps get the start in KC, who does Girardi go to when he gets an itchy trigger finger and has a quick hook because he has zero confidence putting a rookie on the mound to start.
- Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
  
  Probably Mitchell.
- jjyank
  
  Depends on what inning it is and what the score is, right?
- CS Yankee
  
  Mitchell unless he is spent from Hughes start. If so, Clay or Cory.
- flamingo
  
  Yanks need to give rookies an actual chance. I hope Phelps doesn’t get pulled if he gives up, say, three runs by the third.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
    
    I agree, but we both know he’s going to be on an incredibly short leash with a choker collar.
jjyank

For all the concerns about Tex’s bat, he can still pick it a first with the best of em.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

I finally got video of the almost catch…would’ve been hands down play of the year.
- jjyank
  
  Without a doubt. Home run robs are rare, but that one would have been awesome.
Greg

I was looking at the Red Sox White Sox box score and was shocked to discover that their lowest batting average was Cody Ross with .261. That’s nuts
- jjyank
  
  The Sox offense isn’t the problem. That game we came back 9-0 to win 15-9 has been called a microcosm of the Sox season so far because the hitting is there, but the rotation and bullpen have been really shaky.
- Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
  
  Hitting is definably not their problem, though guys like Aviles and Sweeney are due for some regression.
- StanfordBen
  
  ? What about Punto (.250) and Byrd (.164)? And their regulars Saltalamacchia (.245) and Youkilis (.219) who are on the bench today.
  - flamingo
    
    Ouch, Youkilis.
  - Greg
    
    Byrd’s hitting .333
    - Need Pitching
      
      just for the Sox, not for the season
    - Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
      
      With Boston. His season BA includes his time with the Cubs.
flamingo

Aaaaand he’s at 100 pitches.
RetroRob

Interesting article on the Rays’ increasing use of shifts, something I thought might become more of a story based on what I saw in the opening series.

The Rays led the league in shifts in 2011 with about 1.3 a game. So far in 2012 that is up 600%! Also of note, the Yankees are second in the majors in incorporating defensive shifts. Although well behind Tampa, they are using shifts at a higher rate than Tampa did last year.

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/42984/shifting-interest-in-rays-defense-vs-rangers#comments
jjyank

Jeez, Jason Hammel is 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA?

How about some regression tomorrow night, eh?
- CS Yankee
  
  …and by some, I take that you mean 5 outs outing giving up six runs.
  - jjyank
    
    Yup.
CS Yankee

Chavy
Greg

Now that’s a pop-up
jjyank

Benoit warming up already? I thought he was the set up guy?
flamingo

Wow, that’s two infield hits for Jeter today.

I’ll take them.
- RetroRob
  
  It’s always been part of his game. In addition to his opposite-field, line-drive stroke, those infield hits are one of the reasons he produces high BABIP throughout his career.
Cy Pettitte

never seen so many infield singles
Need Pitching

it would be nice if one of these RISP hits actually got through the IF and knocked in runs
- CS Yankee
  
  Well Grandy is due up
Tom

Ron Darling with the quote of the day:
“4 more outs and Scherzer can actually have a ‘quality’ start” (he was obviously mocking the stat)
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
  
  Yeah, it’s a terrible stat.
  - jjyank
    
    Yep. Quality starts say that 6 IP 3 ER (4.5 ERA) is better than 9 IP 4 ER (4.00 ERA).
    
    I guess it’s useful for talking about a collective pitching staff over the course of a whole season though. Team X having the most quality starts in the league does tell you something useful. But it could certainly be improved.
    - aRX
      
      If it was 6IP/2R and 7+IP/3R, at least it wouldn’t be as laughable as it is now.
      - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)
        
        That’s a small positive step in the right direction
      - jjyank
        
        I think it just needs to be in-game ERA. If your game ERA is 4.5 or below, than it’s a quality start. That way those 9 IP 4 ER scenarios count as quality starts.
      - CP
        
        Both of those would be excellent starts. That’s not what the stat tries to measure. It’s trying to get an idea of how often the starter gives a reasonably good performance. People love to point out the 6 IP, 3 R games as the weakness of the stat, but they make up a very small percentage of quality starts.
        
        jjyank
        
        My problem isn’t what it includes, it’s what it excludes. 8 or 9 IP and 4 ER is a quality start in my opinion, but not according to the stat.
        
        CP
        
        There were 2268 games started by AL pitchers last year. Of those, 1200 were quality starts by the current definition. There were 17 games other games where the starter went 8+ innings and gave up 4 runs. There were 97 games where the starter went 6 innings and gave up 3 runs.
Greg

Yankees 3-10 with RISP, which is .300 including that Grandy out
- Need Pitching
  
  all 3 hits IF singles, amounting to a total of 1 run scored
  - Greg
    
    But RISP fail by definition
    - Greg
      
      But NOT RISPfail by definition
  - RetroRob
    
    …illustrating why it’s pointless when brought down to individual games and SSS.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

If we were loosing this game, I’d be screaming about guys being left on, but CC has been great, and we’re winning so, it’s not as bad.
Clyde Barrow

This ain’t good. Against a lineup like this you want more of a lead so that a bloop and a blast can’t tie you. Too many men LOB. Good thing CC is on his game today and will get us to Robertson and Mo with ease if they are needed.
Clyde Barrow

And this is why you score more than 3 runs against this lineup, especially when you’re given 7 BBs.
- Greg
  
  NOT RISPfail by definition
jjyank

Damn it, that slider was right over the middle.
RetroRob

Wow. Eldred has 240 minor league HRs. Rarely see those kind of cumulative numbers for a minor leaguer. Must be a AAAA guy.
- jjyank
  
  Yeah, that’s kind of like how Igawa set the SWB record for wins. Not the kind of records you want to have.
CS Yankee

Call Gieco, and get us some insurance runs, damnit!
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

hooray, base hit for Robbie.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Tex smoked that the other way. But it was an out and no one will notice.
- jjyank
  
  I did. If Tex is gonna make an out, an oppo field out is at least encouraging.
- Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
  
  Didn’t seem any different than his other at bats. Other than he flied out opposite way.
- Greg
  
  Now we’re in hedgy territory. 3-11
aRX

¿3-run jack por favor?
Clyde Barrow

And here’s Chavez to put the game away. Thankfully, this won’t come down to Chris Stewart.
aRX

They’re trolling us.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com The Plouffenator (Formerly Chen Meng Wang)

We’ve left a small village on base today lol.
CS Yankee

Feels like 300 men LOB
Greg

3-11. Starting to enter RISPfail territory. Get under .250 and it will be
- Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
  
  Having only 3 runs as a result of all the baserunners the Yankees have had is already RISP fail territory. Especially when all 3 hits were little infield singles.
  - Greg
    
    Not according to numbers.
    .272 is an okay average with RISP
    - Need Pitching
      
      but a horrible SLG
      - Greg
        
        Correct.
        Until they separate RISP hits that drive in runs and RISP hits that dont. .272 is a good average
        
        Need Pitching
        
        and yet another example of why BA without any context is a weak stat
    - Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
      
      Yeah, but all 3 hits were infield hits which are pretty random. Not a very reliable way to score.
      - Greg
        
        Again, until they separate RISP hits that score runs and RISP hits that don’t, this is the stat that is used.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      .272 is also an okay average with no one on base. The situation doesn’t change anything.
      - Greg
        
        Exactly. So they haven’t gone into RISPfail….yet.
Greg

ANother bad factor is that they are not doing this with nobody out.
Its always with one or two outs which lessens the chance of runs scoring
Athenian

Three times bases loaded and nada. This is why runs scored is in effective as a counter argument to the lack of consistent offense.
- Need Pitching
  
  Every team in baseball lacks a consistent offense. Every team ever.
  - jjyank
    
    Right. Baseball is a game of failure. As a hitter, you can fail 2 out of every 3 times and still make the Hall of Fame.
aRX

Now let’s just hope CC can go 8/9 and Fielder/Cabrera don’t catch hold of one. The Yanks could load the bases again, even with none out, and I’m not expecting any more runs.
mike_h

Stewart is like Cervelli with out the fist pumps
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Better on defense. Cervelli never seemed to keep a ball in front of him, everything bounced away.
  - jjyank
    
    And he seemed to have an affinity for throwing the ball into CF on stolen base attempts.
    - Need Pitching
      
      beat me to it
  - Need Pitching
    
    but he was good at playing catch with Granderson during SB attempts
jjyank

SSS I know, but maybe Stewart isn’t the complete black hole we thought. If he can get hits every once in awhile with great defense, that’s a pretty valuable BUC.
Mike Stanley

Play for one run=one run
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Usually less, actually.
Hummingbird S.

IBBs and bunts.. awesome strategy Joe.
Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

They better not have Curtis bunt.
Need Pitching

please don’t bunt
please don’t bunt
please don’t bunt
please don’t bunt
Tom

Granderson needs to end this here….
- Need Pitching
  
  can you have a walk-off in the seventh inning?
  - Tom
    
    Yes… a bomb here would end this.
Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

Angels lose again. 7-15 now!!
- jjyank
  
  Awesome. Also, Boston is losing 3-0 in the 6th.
- flamingo
  
  Insane.
- Mike Stanley
  
  ITS ALBERTZ FAULT!!!!!!!!!111
aRX

So close…
jjyank

Juuuust missed that.
Greg

Essentially works as a bunt, but now 3-12
CS Yankee

Phil Coke is rubbing off on his fellow relievers
Hummingbird S.

yanks offense has 9 walks and only 4 strikeouts… damn!
flamingo

Did Susan just tell me that the Red Sox are getting no-hit through six? Did I hear correctly?
- jjyank
  
  Yup. Floyd on the mound for the Good Sox.
  - flamingo
    
    Would be pretty crazy if they got a perfect game and no-hitter in the space of about a week.
WillTheThrill

Can we get some real hitters in the lineup please? Preferably ones who hit with RISP.
- jjyank
  
  So one of the best offenses in the league has “no real hitters”?
  - WillTheThrill
    
    I’m clearly overreacting. I’m a Yankee fan. I make outrageous statements then look back at them and wonder what I was thinking.
    - jjyank
      
      I resent your assertion that being a Yankee fan is synonymous with making outrageous statements. That’s a “you” thing.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    No, they’re holograms like Tupac.
    - jjyank
      
      LOL I heard “Tupac” might be going on tour.
aRX

A little 2 run single up the middle…that’s all we’re asking for.
Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

Stewie with the ninja slide.
Greg

He got his foot in
aRX

lol whatever.
jjyank

Nice! Like I said earlier, this is not how we drew it all up, but I’ll take it. He got his foot in, good call by the ump.
- CS Yankee
  
  Safe by a six-pack
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Some slide by Stew.
- CS Yankee
  
  The great Gazoo doesn’t do what Stew does.
Mike Stanley

I don’t know if getting no-hit by Gavin Floyd causes the Red Sox clubhouse to fully implode, but I’d love to find out.
- jjyank
  
  Considering how quickly it took for tension to arise with Valentine and the players, I have a feeling this will end badly for them. I can’t wait for the drama to explode.
Tom

Gotta give the ump credit.

Usually when the ball beats the runner and throw is on target, they give the defense the benefit of the doubt. But clearly that was the right call.

Cowboy Joe would have been ringing him up (to speed up the game).
mike_h

a few more feet Cano
Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

Chris Stewart 2012 fWAR: 0.1
Albert Pujols 2012 fWAR: -0.5
- jjyank
  
  This makes me smile, SSS be damned.
Midland TX

173 pitches by Tiger pitchers through 7 vs. 88 for CC. Good thing they wore out Valverde last night.
Need Pitching

midget broke up the no-no
- flamingo
  
  Awww. It had to be him, didn’t it.
jjyank

Came across this again earlier today. It still cracks me up.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=robert+andino+red+sox&start=156&num=10&um=1&hl=en&biw=1152&bih=555&tbm=isch&tbnid=-m_9dJ21tO8vQM:&imgrefurl=http://www.camdenchat.com/2011/9/29/2457181/orioles-4-red-sox-3-rays-8-yankees-7&docid=b8BoGmkfmHP3tM&imgurl=http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a324/lagmeister/andino.jpg&w=340&h=459&ei=Op2dT_TdLcTW0QGb5c2HDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=504&vpy=184&dur=741&hovh=261&hovw=193&tx=108&ty=164&sig=117729053120955786209&page=11&tbnh=163&tbnw=121&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:156,i:143
- Need Pitching
  
  awesome
  - jjyank
    
    I should save this link and post it at OTM every time the Red Sox are losing haha.
    - flamingo
      
      They’d ban you in about three seconds but it might be worth it.
      - jjyank
        
        There are 4 computers in my house and several wifi connections around my neighborhood I can jump on. I have several bullets.
        
        Need Pitching
        
        please let us know if/when you do it. I would love to read the reactions.
        
        jjyank
        
        Of course. I’ll probably save them for Yankee-Sox games. So the next time the Yankees beat the Sox, it’ll happen.
flamingo

Is anyone else hearing the Bronx Zoo accident update?!
- OMG! Bagels!
  
  All 7 people in the mini van were killed. 3 children (girls), 3 women and a man. No one at the zoo was involved.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Not an ace CC Sabathia with another un-ace-like performance. Too bad the Yankees couldn’t sign a real ace, someone like Justin Verlander who never has an off night.
- Karl Krawfid
  
  He’s no Johan!
- jjyank
  
  Haha I laughed. I had quite the argument with my girlfriend’s friend’s boyfriend (kind of confusing, I know) about whether or not CC was a top 10 pitcher in baseball. It was hard to be civil.
Tony

Why not let CC finish the game
Karl Krawfid

Let CC complete this thing
Cy Pettitte

Andruw is such a beast. jesus.
jjyank

Yeaaaaah Andruw! Guy still has crazy power.
Need Pitching

Nowwww its OK to smile, Andruw.
flamingo

Sterling: They’d never get Mariano Rivera up and not use him!

Andruw Jones: Care to test that theory?
Greg

Now I would sit Mo down
aRX

If pretending there’s no one on base helps you guys to hit, fine by me.
- Greg
  
  WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
jjyank

I’d definitely let CC finish this, but I didn’t see what his pitch count was.
- Cy Pettitte
  
  106
  - jjyank
    
    I think I’d still let me at least start the inning. 1-2-3 inning on 10 pitches would be great, and if not, he at least would get a standing ovation as he walks off.
jjyank

I’d like CC to finish this, but D-Rob is on my fantasy team, so I won’t complain too much.
teddy

no cc with 2 lefty coming up
flamingo

Ain’t the ninth inning without a bat broken by a Yankees reliever.
Karl Krawfid

“Why did he use Mo 2 days in a row!”

(Doesn’t see Mo for a week after)
RetroRob

Yankees about to finish 5-3 during what was acknowledged as a tough stretch, originally nine games before the last Boston game rained out.

Well done.
aRX

So you won the game, and the series. Nicely done (seriously). But next time you put that many runners on base, I want blood. And entrails. And at least 10 runs.

:)
http://none Dick Cheney’s Kidney

nuff said