Game 26: Win it for Mo
By
(Chuck Solomon/SI)
Mariano Rivera is down but not out. The Yankees will be without their all-world closer for the remainder of the season but can look forward to having him back in 2013. That’s better than nothing. Now it’s up to the rest of the team to rally around their fallen closer and start a long stretch of dominance. Here’s the starting nine…
SS Derek Jeter
CF Curtis Granderson
1B Mark Teixeira
DH Alex Rodriguez
2B Robinson Cano
RF Andruw Jones
LF Jayson Nix
3B Eduardo Nunez
C Chris Stewart
LHP CC Sabathia
Tonight’s game starts a little after 8pm ET and can be seen on YES. Enjoy.
Brett Gardner Update: Gardner took some hacks the batting cage today and will hit on the field tomorrow. Hopefully that goes well and he can head out on a rehab assignment and get back in the lineup early next week.
450 Comments»
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The Tyler Austin Watch
A-Rod DH again? Jesus. I think Granderson and Cano could use a half-day off myself.
If anyone can get Tex’s bat really going, it’s Bruce Chen. Insane numbers against him. Hope for the best tonight.
+1
Sometimes guys get going on a certain hit or a certain pitch, and sometimes guys can get going from a certain pitcher. Here’s to hoping Chen does that for Tex tonight.
nice call
Is it any coincidence the Yanks are in Kansas City, MO??
Also, stupid ESPN quoted Mo about how “They want this old goat.” and then said he was referring to Greatest of All Time. Are they kidding?? yeah, no. he as just using the expression “old goat”.
Alright, I’m going all out tonight. Wearing my (sort of) vintage Cano batting practice jersey. I say vintage because it’s got #22 on the back. Over that, I have my real Cano jersey (#24) with the old stadium patch on the sleeve. If that’s not enough, I’m also wearing a 2009 world series hat and drinking out of a 2009 world series shot glass. BRING IT KC!
HARDCORE!
What shots are ya doing?
Captain Morgan. That’s how I roll.
Not a big fan of the closer by committee approach Joe G. wants to go with. I can see merit in either Soriano or Robertson but just pick one
I get it for an initial decision. Not saying I agree with it necessarily, but there’s not harm in giving each Robertson and Soriano a couple of chances to see how they respond before writing it in stone.
I just found it funny how he said he didn’t want to pick because he didn’t want to be locked into anything. Yeah right, he loves having things locked in for him.
I’m ok with not labeling a closer. I just hope he has an actual plan that he’s hashed out with both of ‘em. Girardi does have a penchant for keeping things from the media and I don’t blame him.
Cone: “We’ll probably see CC’s best fastball velocities to date.”
Yeah, because the gun is off. Can’t wait to hear how excited you are when he hits 97 or 98.
Time for some Mo mentum.
I see what you did there.
And I like it.
Pineda, then Rivera…the Curse of the Montero!
Orioles have 3 errors and a passed ball in 2 innings against the Sox. Where the hell was that last week against the Yanks???
It’s okay to admit that I got a little choked up when I saw that picture of Mo up above, right?
Regardless… go and get ‘em. I have a great feeling about tonight.
We’ll see it again.
Happy tears! They were happy! And we sure will see 42 jogging out to the mound.
Additionally, is it unpopular to admit that I miss Kim Jones? I’m not sold on Meredith just yet.
Have they talked to her during games the way they used to with Kim Jones? I’m not sure why they haven’t.
I like her. She’s from the area where I live, so I hope she succeeds.
I haven’t noticed if they’ve interviewed Meredith during the 3rd inning or not. Regardless, we need to have a moment with Meredith that tops that guy eating Kim Jones ham-on-a-stick, or whatever that was.
Their interaction with her is decidedly cold, but they might just not know her well enough. It’s definitely weird and I don’t like it.
I didn’t like Kim Jones, but I think Meredith is even worse.
Yeah. It might be her diction. I don’t know.
I prefer Jack Curry. I was kinda disappointed that he didn’t become the full time field reporter.
Agreed -and your username is FANTASTIC.
Thanks
That would’ve been great, but I wonder if he just doesn’t want to have to travel all the time anymore. Maybe he’s gotten past wanting to do that. Or, maybe there’s something about all the teams seemingly wanting females for that kind of position.
Wow, another Montero comment already.
Has there been even one single thread since that trade that hasn’t mentioned him yet? It’s really getting old.
I don’t see any Montero comment in this thread.
http://riveraveblues.com/2012/.....nt-4212044
Whoops, my bad, must’ve missed that one. Thought you might have been referring to the 1st comment of the thread.
I don’t think there has been. It’s beyond old, but at this point I’m just trying to block it out.
I’ve trained myself to not see the word “Montero” anymore. It’s so, so, so over.
is Campos already injured? Thought he was in line to start today.
@jnorris427
It’s an elbow for Campos. He’s having an MRI. Complained about it after his last start. #Yankees
Guess James Andrews will be getting another day of surgery.
can’t make this stuff up
The Montero Curse is in full force…..
Yankees fans have to feel like they’re characters in a Phillip Pullman novel, don’t they?
The Red Sox announcers just spent a whole half inning talking very glowingly about Mo and his career and the terrible injury. Say what you want about the team and some of the players, but for the most part their announcers aren’t bad.
I can’t believe you’re saying that. They’re the worst I’ve EVER heard. I’d pay significant money just to bitch slap that Remi dick.
Some of that fans aren’t bad either. Don’t get me wrong, I hate the Red Sox, but that OTM post on Mo was very good, and I have quite a few Red Sox fan friends who are respectful about the rivalry.
I swear the greatest thing I’ve heard today is Joe on the RAB podcast faux-imitating Derek Jeter at the plate. “You want to put the ball there? Base hit. Oh, you want to put the ball *there*? Base hit.”
You want to put the ball there Bruce Chen? Another base hit.
TEX!!!
Lol Bruce Chen
fuck yeah Tex, great way to start listening
Guess forensic was right. Tex just needed some Chen in his life haha
I love RHB Tex.
Chen needs to be Tex’s personal pitcher!!!
maybe we can use tex as a late inning defensive replacement and start him when we face chen
if only Teix could bat righty all the time
cano obviously doesn’t give a shit about mo
lazy dominican’d
/Salty’d
Nunez.
Always an adventure.
Do a shot every time Nunez makes an error.
Are you kidding? I’ll be dead by the 5th inning.
Always an adventure!!
Maybe every other error haha.
Nuneeeez. That didn’t take long.
Oh Eddie.
How is it possible for Nunez to suck this much?
Nunez……
I usually support Nunez, but damn man, learn how to use the backhand!
Arod gets that?
Oh Núñez. It’s almost funny how bad you can be.
Thanks Nunez.
thanks for the run nunez
Hughes desease, cant put away guys with 2 strikes..
CC to teh 7th!!
5th*
CC to teh 1st!! Oh…wait…
Wow, not a single player in the Yankees lineup today has a batting average in the .300s.* The only player on the roster who does is Brett Gardner.
Not that batting average means much, but you’d think that in early May, SOMEBODY would be batting in that range.
*Or for that matter, between .280 and .400.
Jeter?
how bad defensively does nunez have to be to be demoted? is there anyone else who could even come up for him?
Not sure. What happened to Kevin Russo? I haven’t heard his name in awhile, is he hurt?
Nix.
Mike, would you have rather seen Nix at 3rd and Nunez in left?
Yeah that makes more sense.
*sigh* so much for that lead…
Boy, they’re crushing balls off him. Not a great sign. Hopefully he finds something in between innings.
CC, can this be the moment where you say “they’ve had enough” and shut it down? Please?
How big is this damn outfield? That thing was up there forever.
This season sucks.
…………
Groundball heavy, lefty pitcher on the mound.
I wish Girardi would actually think about defense when giving off days and not simply the opposing pitcher…. Nunez should be playing when Hughes is on the mound or even Kuroda. Arod can also DH against righties too…
or just get a utility guy who can actually field a position
that would work too
Well he has who he has… base your decisions on what the players CAN do not what you would like them to do.
Deploy the players when/where they can be successful, it’s not Girardi’s job to find a utility man.
He is just such a slave to platoon situations (both on hitting and pitching) that he doesn’t seem to realize other components in decision making (defense, quality of pitcher, how much having two LOOGY’s strains the pen, etc)
I mostly agree, but I have yet to figure out any situation where Nunez can be successful (and yes, I know that’s a Cash problem and not a Girardi problem)
C’mon CC, it’s the ROYALS.
CC…not cool man…just not cool.
Hopefully he just stormed into the dugout right now and growled “That’s all they get” and he’ll shut them out for the next 7 innings. Do it for Mo CC.
wow, he made moosetacos look bad
Don’t dis the Greek. He abused the team last night.
I think that might be my favorite nickname in all of baseball. Moose Tacos is just awesome.
I miss effective pitching.
Francouer (.176) and Gordon (.190) have struggled mightily against CC while Butler (.321) has hit him well.
So of course, Francouer and Gordon crush balls to the gap and Butler strikes out…
That’s why YCPB, suszyn.
I wonder if Suzyn is ever like “STFU John” in her head.
No, cause she talks just as much as he does….
Yeah but I feel like Sterling repeats himself more.
Just once I’d like to hear her mutter that into the microphone.
There has to be a better option than Nunez.
Nix nixed any chances of getting on base with that flyer
Oh god you wasted the pun in the second inning. There was so much potential…
Red Sox just gave up a triple to Wieters. I am very interested to see that highlight.
LOL I was watching MLBN earlier, and saw footage from last year where Bengie Molina hit for the cycle. Yes, that includes a triple. And it was against the Red Sox. Watching Bengie leg out a triple against the Sox was amazing.
I just saw it and it was a ball that was hit right below the pesky pole and skipped past the RF. It would have probably been an inside the park homer with a faster runner.
It bounced around in the right field corner. They threw home to get the lead runner so there wasn’t even a throw to third.
Why not call up Pena for Nunez?
was the chen the guy that the red sox were going to get for game 163 if they made it?
ARGH NUNEZ
crucify Nunez, go.
we’re getting Nunie’d hard tonight.
Too bad NunEz can’t hit the ball to himself.
IETC
This BABIP bad luck streak has got to end, right?
damn, after cano…. the lineup looks abysmal.
after Cano?
cano looks pretty abysmal this year too
right now after Granderson this line up is abysmal. We are slumping hard.
its like as AAA as the new york yankee lineup can get.
Nunez needs a ticket to aaa. Keep nix up
wow, our lineup does suck now, please come back soon swish and gardner
But Swish only hits in Garbage Time* remember?
crap, i forgot about that
DOOM-ED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And people think the Montero comments are getting old…
This is a meme mocking the idea that Swish only hits in Garbage Time.
I know, that’s why I said that.
At least that meme has something to do with a player that actually plays with the Yankees.
Doo de doo…
I love the score in the first and disappear for the rest of the game routine from the Yankees offense
ill take it over their routine against the o’s
Jeter always says sometimes it’s just who gets hot at the end of the season (and Eli Manning nods approval). So hopefully we’ll be laughing our heads off in September at all our silliness in May.
Yankees averaging ~3 pitches per AB (35pitches/11AB’s).
You really don’t want to fall behind Chen, with his electric stuff once you get two strikes you are done!
anyone who swings before they have 2 strikes should be fined and/or released immediately
That’s a good way to not get hits.
but at least the Yankees will be averaging more than 3 pitches/PA
Swinging at 1-0 sliders against a pitcher who is far from dominant is not a good approach.
If they get a good pitch swing early, but they are swinging at way too much secondary stuff or pitcher’s pitches in hitters counts.
That’s how you get 3 pitches/PA; it’s not like getting to 1-1 or 2-2 is theend of the world against a pitcher like Chen.
Thank you for mischaracterizing my comments again and again…
your welcome
Idiot.
they’ve swung at a grand total of 1 1-0 off speed pitch (by the replacement backup utility guy)
but I guess that doesn’t fit your narrative
You ARE welcome….you’re welcome…
It’s not just 1-0 pitches… 2-0, 2-1… against this guy sit fastball and if he throws something on the corner take it…(as opposed to hitting it weakly. Even 0-0. Or sit on something offspeed or a specific location…. my “narrative” is you don’t have to swing early at anything around the plate, especially in a hitter’s count.
It’s one thing to disagree, but to re-interpret my comment and then be snarky about it gets annoying (especially when done repeatably)
My “narrative” isn’t about just 1-0 pitches.. that was an “example”… again thank you for mischaracterizing my comment.
even counting the other ahead in the count situation, its happened maybe 2-3 other times, hardly indicative of a team-wide failure of approach
As far as sitting fastball, 4 of the Yankees 5 hits (including the HR) have come on offspeed pitches.
I agree with your premise, I just don’t think it is at all representative of this game (outside of a small handful of examples), which is why I got snarky. It gets annoying when people automatically assume low pitch count is indicative of bad approach. Occasionally (and by occasionally, I mean likely most of the time), someone hitting what looks to be a pitcher’s pitch weakly early in the count is more indicative of the hitter being fooled by the pitch, than just having a bad approach
and thanks for the grammar lesson. Much appreciated.
I give grammar lessons when people are being snarky…If it was just a normal comment I wouldn’t say a thing. Next time when you are trying to be funny, you might actually want to do it right.
And it’s not a matter of not swinging at ANY offspeed pitches ahead in the count… it’s about making outs, fouling off, swinging through stuff that are good pitches when ahead in the count. That’s the issue. If they are swinging at mistakes or pitches in a specific zone they are looking for and making loud outs or getting hits that is an entirely different story – I imagine you know that and are at the point now where you are arguing for the sake of arguing.
no, I said I agree with your general premise. My entire point is that I’d seen very little of that kind of thing in this game. I think some people (maybe not you) jump to the conclusion that quick AB’s or weak contact automatically mean bad approach, which I don’t believe to be the case. Outside of a couple of AB’s, I had no problem with the team approach.
And I’m not sure how you can judge whether somebody is looking in a particular location or not. Weak outs aren’t always indicative of bad approach. Hitters sometimes get fooled. Hitters sometimes slightly mistime pitches or slightly misjudge breaks on breaking pitches and consequently make weak contact. None of that is an automatic indication of bad approach.
Yes that’s exactly what I’m saying… thank you for that.
Curse of the FIRST INNING HOMERUN strikes again!!!
are they booby trapping the god damn warning track?
Wow, Suzyn Waldman just made a decently valid point as to why Soriano should close over Robertson: Robertson has the ability to come in to a bases loaded situation and strike a guy out, where as Soriano is in his best mindset when starting a clean inning.
That is definitely valid, i just feel like D-Rob will be starting mostly clean innings himself anyway, whether it be the 8th or the 9th.
If Soriano is the closer, Robertson is the 8th inning guy. He’s the 8th inning guy right now, he doesn’t seem to be getting into many bases loaded in the 7th type games.
Not a ton, but he did just that in this game.
http://www.baseball-reference......4150.shtml
Tough choice, there are merits on both sides. Just makes it so we have more stuff to complain about when one of them doesn’t do their job.
I hear you, but I think Girardi would be a little more willing to bring him 8th inning guy into a game mid-inning than the closer.
That’s true, but what about Need Pitching’s point below? Once Soriano is in the game, there is nobody left to bail him out, and he’s been giving up more base runner than Robertson. That was never an issue with Mo obviously because he was the best guy in the pen, he didn’t need a safety net.
I guess the optimal situation is to just go by what the game calls for. 8th inning, 2 run lead, nobody on? Soriano pitches with Robertson waiting in the wings. 7th or 8th inning with a 2 run lead and 2 runner on, bring in Robertson and let Soriano have the clean 9th inning.
Unfortunately, that will never happen.
Soriano starts the eighth, proceeds to load the bases, Drob comes in with a K to bail out Soriano, then stays in for the ninth
of the Yankee relievers, Soriano is the one giving up the most baserunners. Somebody is going to need to be available to bail him out.
i hope this means cc is locked in now
Not a homerun? Bum…
Wooo RHB Tex!
Trivia question: first name to pop into my head was Eckersley, but I really have no idea.
Alex with a hit against left handed pitching hooray!!!!
single them to death. no rally killing HRs please.
Please Canoooo!!!!
Just sacrifice Cano. At least it avoids the DP…
Girardi needs to start reading the comments during games. If we can all see what’s going on, why can’t he?????
What the fuck was that.
That was Cano failing at life. Clearly a ball
lol at this team right now.
that was hilarious. they should give cano a day or two off, he looks baaaad
wtf
I’m just confused.
Wow…this has been a tough week…
7 straight game with at least one strikeout for Cano now. Longest streak of his career.
Absolutely terrible.
Tex stealing? Desperation already?
GUYS LET’S DOUBLE STEAL WITH THE LEAD BASERUNNER WHO IS ONE OF THE SLOWEST RUNNERS ON OUR TEAM
THANKS
I’m okay with that. Cano has to take that pitch
It wasn’t a hit and run. Cano could have easily taken that pitch for ball four. It’s obvious his concentration is sadly lacking right now. For whatever reason. Being in a slump is no excuse for simply blanking out at the plate.
You can’t count on Cano taking a ball. He never does it.
not a double steal … essentially a hit and run with one of the most lost hitters in baseball at the plate
i don’t think it is all that bad of a move, cano only hits the ball on the ground this year, would have bee a dp in that situation. unfortunately, he also strikes out a lot now. cano just plain blows this year, i hope they can fix him, fast
yankees suck balls right now
I’m just going to laugh…if not I might cry.
Damn it…Bruce Chen…get it together boys.
Cano was stupid to swing at that pitch and Girardi was even stupider to send Tex.
It was the right play to avoid a ground ball DP. Cano fucked up not Girardi.
Worst part is that we are wasting games against subpar competition. What happens when we play the Rangers again? We’re headed for rock bottom. especially with that other team winning tonight
WE’RE DOOOOOMED AND THE RED SOX ARE GOING TO WIN THE NEXT 20 WORLD SERIES AND THE YANKEES WILL BE IN LAST PLACE AND THE MEDIA WILL GO CRAZY DID I MENTION THAT WE’RE DOOMED
Give me tangible evidence that this will turn around. Why shouldn’t I feel this way right now.?
I mean there isn’t any tangible evidence, but there’s also no tangible evidence to believe that he won’t turn it around. All we can go on is track record, which is very much in Cano’s favor.
I wasn’t talking specifically about Cano. I’m talking about the team.
You beat up on the inferior competition and go .500 against everybody else and you make the playoffs.
Okay, well the same point stands. No evidence either way, but the track record is good. The Yankees were a top 3 offensive team last year, and that’s all we got. So you might as well try to be optimistic.
Like I said, we’re doomed! Might as well hand the title to the Red Sox now and pack it in!
At least I dont avoid questions when asked.
I answered it for him.
Look, the Yankees aren’t a .500 team just like the Rays and Rangers aren’t .690 teams. The odds are very much in favor for Cano to turn it around. Andy, Swish and Gardner are on their way back to reinforce the offense and rotation.
You are the one that has to back up your claim. Show me the tangible evidence they won’t turn it around.
You lose to inferior teams, you are going to be in trouble.
All the good that was done in the stretch against Boston,Texas, and Detroit is being negated by this stretch.
And this is not a few weeks we’re talking about. We’re entering a second month.
Our percentage of making the playoffs is under 50%, according to ESPN
“Our percentage of making the playoffs is under 50%, according to ESPN”
1) that’s pretty much completely meaningless this early in the season
2) that’s the 4th highest % in the AL. 5 teams make the playoffs
2012 Yankees. Reaching new heights of ineffectiveness.
What the hell is up with Cano? All he’s hitting is ground balls and he’s striking out like Melky Mesa. Argh.
7 in a row for CC…at least he’s settling in. Now let’s just fix that LOLffense problem.
Cano looks dreadful at the plate like he almost doesn’t care. There was no reason we couldn’t have scored there..none.
Please forgive if this has been covered ad nauseum, and I’m sure it’s not an original insight, but I ask truly wanting to know: since last July (?) when CC had the perfect game against Seattle and then had to sit out rain delay and came back to pitch, how many really dominant, CCesque start has he had? I can’t recall any, but I’m willing and hoping I’m wrong about this perception.
…last week?
Which would be 8 IP, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 H, and 8 K’s.
Sounds pretty damn good to me.
He had one five days ago.
His last time out, five days ago against Detroit. 8 IP, 2ER, 8K
By the way, that rain delay pissed me off. That was my birthday, and I just knew CC was going to throw a perfect game for me. Fucking rain.
We should be up by four or five runs right now..just like last night. Cano is a rally killer.
Not having perennial Pitch Counters like Gardner and Swisher in the lineup is seriously destroying this offense.
Nunez got really lucky there. Geez…
Yeah they probably had a play at 3rd.
Who would have thought Swisher and Gardener would matter that much.
They do when Tex, Arod and Cano have noodle bats.
Tex and A-Rod are starting to hit. It’s Cano who is the rally killer now.
I did.
reply fail.
If only he didn’t have nothing in that 1st inning. Locked in now.
Nunez was a big contributor to those runs.
Hands of Stone, baseball-style.
I wouldn’t say a big contributor. He could’ve been better on it but you still don’t know if he gets Dyson. It was ruled a hit after all.
The bigger contributor were all the crushed balls off Sabathia (including the rocket to Nunez).
It was ruled a hit because it was crushed. It’s a play that ARod or most other experienced 3rd baseman make, and they probably get Dyson because it was hit so hard. Obviously some of the blame goes to CC, but Nunez had lots to do with it too.
Nice CC! 10 in a row, and a good pitch count. Just need the bats.
LOL at the Coors Light Freeze Cam. Priceless.
love when our 2-5 go down on 5 pitches.
Jack Nicklaus? Really Cone? In addition to being a great golfer he was also an actor apparently.
In Cone’s defense I’ve done that at least 1000 times in my life.
I bet you smoke more than Cone though.
We have no idea if Cone smokes lol, I could see it.
Actually I could see it too.
“Dude…saaaaabermetrics…are the shit. I love me some WAAAAR maaaaan.”
Wow. I continue to be amazed at how poorly this team has become at hitting. I don’t know that this level of ineptness has occurred in many years.
They inepted their way out of the first round last October.
This is too frustrating to watch. Even as a diehard fan. The lack of hitting is cringe worthy.
This team fucking sucks! I’ve had enough of it already. WTF! Holy shit! This is ridiculous!!! Girardi needs to get pissed off and get himself kicked out of the FU**ING game. Anything to light a fire under this deplorable excuse for a team. If they dare waste a rare, stellar start by a Yankee starter I am going to blow a gasket.
Nobody is making you watch
Wow. Really? What a worthless response. Thanks for that.
You said “I’ve had enough” shit when I’ve had enough of something I stop doing it.
It’s called a Train Wreck. I CAN’T look away. Trust me, I’ve tried 3 times already tonight. It’s hard to ignore your team. Ah fuck it. I’m starting the night early. I’m going to get so drunk that I pass out and piss the bed.
Honest peace of advice: don’t drink to the point where you puke the bed, realize your doing it, but you’re to drunk to get up…it is honestly the saddest feeling ever.
Well . . . I’ll at least try not to SHIT the bed, like the Yankees have been doing most of the season . . .
the Yankees are going to need to spend sometime in the burn ward. Cause that was a sick burn. seriously laughed out loud.
Hahaha
I won’t get into most of your comment, because that will just spawn another epic argument, but Girardi got kicked out the other day and that didn’t seem to help. It sucks to watch a team struggling, but they’ll be alright.
Being passive-aggressive doesn’t help either. Just saying . . .
I wasn’t trying to be passive aggressive. Just commenting that track records are on the Yankees’ side and it’s a long season. I am confident they will be a top 3 offense again. Nothing passive agressive about that comment.
Seriously hard to watch this team right now.
I somehow ended up with Granderson, ARod, and Teixeira on my fantasy team. Eek.
At least those guys are playing. I have A-Rod, Swisher, and Gardner. And D-Rob *hopes he gets named the closer*
I have Mo.
That’s rough.
Yeah, and now I have zero ways to get saves at the moment because Heath Bell has been terrible and Brian Wilson is out for the year.
Oh wow no way, you had all three of those guys? That really sucks man.
There’s easy ways to get saves on the free agent market, closers for shitty teams still get 20-25 saves a season and go undrafted sometimes.
This is true. After I lost Madson I grabbed Jim Johnson and Grant Balfour off the undrafted free agent pool, they’ve been working out so far.
I’ve got Balfour in one league. He’s on the cusp of losing his job with another bad outing. Ryan Cook might take over.
Not according to the Yahoo updates. He was 6-6 and had one bad outing, he’s supposedly got a leash long enough for several more chances.
Also, I didn’t draft Balfour. If he loses his job I’ll just drop him and pick up his replacement, but that’s not happening quite yet.
I have Kenley Jansen, I just hope the Dodgers soon realize he’s a better option than Javy Guerra.
Ouch. He’s usually as safe a pick as any for closer. If it makes you feel better, I initially drafted Madson.
Had to drop Mo for Robertson last night
Why Gardner?
Ever heard of steals? He gets a lot of them.
I’ve got Jeter
We have to win this one. Our only starters who can hold opposing teams to 2 or less runs are CC and Kuroda so we have to win their starts. Unfortunately, the offense can’t get more than 2 runs so we’re in a stalemate. Better hope CC goes 8-9. Maybe we’ll get lucky and someone will run into a solo home run.
This is why we needed to keep montero we have no young bats coming up anytime soon.
*Sigh*
I’m on of the people who actually doesn’t get tired of this narrative. Its the truth and it’s going to bite the Yankees in the ass if it isn’t already happening.
Ditto.
and the Yankees have 0 need for quality starting pitching, even though the offense has been much better than the SP this season
Love the guy in the stands with the “Fish Naked” T-shirt on.
Larry Rothschild has some serious bitch tits!!
Haha. I haven’t seem them, but I sure as hell can imagine them. Meatloaf status a la Fight Club?
that’s more like it Robbie
That Cano hit was very predictable. Still over .300 with the bases empty. Nothing with RISP though…
you can predict baseball?!?!?!
SOMEONE TELL SUZYN. NOW.
HA who needs RISP when they score from first!!!
(just kidding, sort of)
NUNIE REDEEMS!!!!
Finally!
Eddie!
Redemption for Nunez!
NUNEZ + CANO.
Whoa.
I’ll take an error per game if he hits triples too. And yes, I did a shot for the triple too.
Was it a triple shot though?
Haha na, but I did another for the Jeter home run. Had to.
Phenomenal. How many are you up to?!
You aren’t babbling about Montero right now so I mean you MUST be coherent?
I learned long ago to stop keeping count. I still have my undergrad tolerance, which is kind of a bad thing really, since I was a frat boy.
The Montero comments annoy me, but I’m just tired of responding to them now.
OH MAN. I’m envious of your tolerance. I used to drink anyone and everyone under the table – now at the ripe ol’ workin’ gal age of 25, two beers in and I’m more error-prone than Nunez.
Sad. Sad sad sad.
I’m not far behind you (23) but I am not yet gainfully employed. Finishing up a Masters program next week then I’m working on that part, and my tolerance will likely plummet. Which just means I’ll be spending less money, so that’s cool really.
Well, congrats on your Masters! I guess that’s why you just have to drink as much as you can during these games then, hahaha
Heh more or less. It’s been six long years so I justify it all by celebrating its end. Then I take the Yankee pride down to DC. Already have tickets to the Yankees/Nationals game down there in June.
Nunie redemption
NUNIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m listening to the game, and I’m guessing he lost the helmet between first and second?
surprisingly the helmet stayed on
Nunez saves the day!
Still can’t get it done with a runner in scoring position.
Chris Stewart doesn’t count. Not a true Yankee yet.
How about Jeter?
Nunez!!! Sweet!!!
85 pitches in nearly 7 full innings of work. Atta boy, offense! Now THAT’S how you work a pitch count!
Even when they score two runs, it’s gotta be a negative comment, huh?
Some people just like to miserable. If they were losing but Chen was at 120 pitches, he’d be jumping on them for not being more aggressive.
Hey Mike. BTFO. I already explained myself below.
They hadn’t scored yet . . . But thanks for the passive-aggression. I still maintain that their ability to work the count without G and S is horrendous, however.
Whatever bro.
Haha. You’re such a cute li’l instigator, “bro”.
Glad you think I’m cute. Unfortunately, there is a long line for my services.
Stew.
Francisco weeps
4 RBI in 20 ABs for Stewart. Nice.
Russell Who?
Spell broken? 2 out runs? Bottom of the order coming through?
First two fastballs that Chen has thrown in 2 innings.
Good job Nunez and Stewart!
Wow, what is that number next to NYY in the left corner of my tv?
Their OPS with RISP….
Ha, can’t believe I’m stoked for 6 runs versus bruce Chen and the royals, but hell.
Well . . . I can say with near perfect confidence, Russel Martin would NOT have driven the runner home.
How much money would you have placed on it?
More than you’ll make in a lifetime.
Adorable.
Adorable and true.
For Mo.
Jeter is absolutely unreal.
Jeter is the fucking best.
CAP’N!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YYYYYYESSSSSSS
Derek Jeter is sick of this.
Man I am just LOVING vintage Jeter!
this isn’t vintage. this is better then vintage. hitting almost 600 vs lefties? that’s god like. if mo was a center fielder, he would probably be the first batter to have a 500 ave.
JETER!!!
Thank you baseball gods!
Jeter is due for a Steroids test.
Stewart: .250 4RBI
Cano: .257 4RBI
I rest my case
(I don’t know what that case is, just that I’m resting it)
Ew. I puked a little.
By the way, thank you Ned Yost for letting Jeter face the soft tossing lefty again!
The Captain just said “fuck that shit!!! We’re playing KC and Baltimore and struggling??? Not on my watch…”
Jeter in beast mode. I love it.
Damn right
Amen.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand Jeter’s current line is: .407 .443 .611 1.054
Have his updated split vs lefties handy?
His splits against lefties are obscene. I love it.
It was .583/.579/.861 coming into tonight
So two funny things….
- his avg and OBP will go DOWN with his 2 for 4 night, SLG will tick up a bit
- his avg will remain higher than his OBP (assume there was a bunt or sac fly in there somewhere)
Just ridiculous…
While that is going to regress, didn’t he hit something like .330 after coming back from the DL last year?
A little over .330 I believe. And considering the apparently made an adjustment working with his old minor league hitting coach in Tampa, there is evidence to support that.
Eaxctly.
So while he may not hit .400 (though I won’t discount it); given he’s been hitting since last June the regression may not be as much as people expect.
I won’t bet on anyone hitting .400, but it is most definitely possible that Jeter hits between .300 and .320 I think, which would be an amazing accomplishment for a middle infielder at that age.
Wow, Alex really sucks vs. lefties. that pitch was crushable.
Jeter and Cano swapped bodies for the season.
Literally “Freaky Friday”d it.
I wonder if the new Jeter still leaves gift baskets?
Sometimes it’s good to arrive home and start watching from the 7th inning on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc8fqgbU_SU (safe)
Who is this Collins?! A pitcher for ants?!
How can he throw a pitch if he can’t even fit inside the building??!!
He needs to be at least….3 times bigger to throw the baseball!!
i think the yanks should bat jeter 3rd or 4th. fucker is ripping the cover off the ball.
Jeter at this time last year .250/.311/.272/.583
Jeter this year .407/.443/.611/1.054
Seriously considering dealing Tulowitzki for Jeter+Verlander. That’d give me the Yankees’ 1-4 hitters though, so too much feast or famine.
If I REALLY wanted to, I could probably also deal Pedroia for Cano+.
Damn it Robbie just missed that.
i think derek is injecting some Mo.
Do they test for that?
MoPeds?
MGH (mo growth hormones)
Here’s hoping that D. Wise turns into an unconsciously and ridiculously WISE pick-up. I can see him contributing, to be honest. And sweet. He just doubled.
April 1, 2013 — In an run that has both statisticians and numerologists confounded, the Yankees look to open their 2013 season with an amazing streak where every one of their wins post Mariano Rivera’s injury was by four runs or more, preventing the team frm ever having to name a replacement for the great Rivera.
As long as there are 82+ wins of 4 runs or more, sounds great!
Not a problem. As Mo said, “miracles happen.”
Gordon “gold glove left fielder”
Bullshit.
4 runs in one inning.m like they lost their virginity.
Sweet play on that bunt.
Another un-ace-like start from not-an-ace CC Sabathia.
Where did this meme come from?
I don’t want to even look, but were people saying that earlier in the game again?
Some guy earlier said that he couldn’t remember a CC-esque star since that rain delay on July 26 of 2011 where CC legit looked like he could throw a perfect game.
Someone sent me an email saying Sabathia wasn’t an ace because he wasn’t as consistent as other top pitchers. I told him he should watch more other top pitchers and he got mad.
Exactly.
CC pitching like an ace. But time to turn this over to Soriano to end the game. Let him start the inning.
Let him start the 9th with Robertson ready to relieve if needed.
Or not.
Well it’s not a save situation, so whatevs.
I’m not sure if I need a break after this game from all things Yankees or if I should watch the Yankeeography on Mariano. I have so many feelings.
This is in no way sarcastic!
Give a couple of days. We’ll be okay in 2012. We have more than enough in the bullpen to still lock down the late innings. And Mariano will pitch in 2013.
Bad break for us, but we’ve been way too spoiled with having Mariano and Jeter as crutches for so long. Time for the rest of the team to earn their keep, Girardi included.
Yeah, you’re totally right. It’s certainly been a rollercoaster these past 24 hours or so, hasn’t it?
But I agree – everyone needs to step up – well, this we know, but it’s just more apparent that they have to give it their all now.
Yeah, the whole season’s been surreal. Pineda, Joba, Swisher, Gardner, now Mariano. But then so many closers around the league are out as well. We’re fortunate to have 2 legit possible closers to fall back on. And we also have Aardsma coming back soon too.
Now, just thought of something, when Mariano comes back in 2013 and retires, we won’t just lose him, but also Soriano, whose contract expires. Something to really think about.
It really has been the year of closing the Closer hasn’t it? It’s so odd.
Honestly, how much are we using Soriano that we’re going to miss him? Obviously he’ll have a more prominent role now that Mo is gone, but I feel like he’s so replaceable. Maybe it’s because of how he’s used here, maybe it’s because of how I never really trusted him… but I don’t feel like I’m going to miss Soriano too much next year.
He’s actually a very good closer. Girardi just doesn’t know how to use him and the inconsistency of use can really screw with a closer’s mentality. Another case of how spoiled we were with Mariano. Soriano was very effective for us after coming back from injury in the 2nd half last year.
He gets a lot of crap because of the contract, but that’s not his fault. Blame Hank. He hasn’t been the closer on this team, but he can be an effective closer for us. I prefer this route, and using Robertson in the 8th inning and fireman role.
Fair enough! Time will tell, I guess. I think I need to research Soriano further because I never took an interest in him.
Guess now is the time, eh?
We’ll be seeing a lot of him. LOL!!!
If you’re researching, also keep an eye out for David Aardsma and Joba’s rehab. I wouldn’t worry about the bullpen. We’re loaded.
i’m in the minority, I’m sure, but I’d like to see Soriano be given the shot. He can convert a high percentage of saves, and that leaves D-Rob for what I think will be more high-leverage situations.
Plus, it will allow Soriano to jack up his save totals and re-enter the market after this season as a closer. In other words, there’s a much better chance he will pull the rip cord and leave after this season if he’s coming off a solid season as the Yankees closer.
It’s a win-win!
I agree with the Soriano as closer deal. He’s got the makeup and experience, just not used consistently by Girardi.
I also agree with this as well, but I don’t think he’ll leave, nonetheless. I think he actually likes playing on this team, with a bunch of professionals, veteran leadership, and always in contention for a WS.
He’s getting paid $14 million/yr to be a part of this. I doubt if he’d take $15 million/yr to close for KC or the Astros.
I know there’s plenty of questions about the Yankee rotation, but man it is nice to have your ace give you 8 inning starts so many times.
Is there a stat for that? Number of 8 inning games by starters, etc.? I feel like CC would be up there for that.
Super-duper quality start???
#SDQS
Better than the existing quality start.
Jeter fail. 2-5 is only .400. BA goes does.
Whoa George Brett was 5 hits shy of hitting .400 in 1980? That’s pretty crazy, I never knew that.
He had the best chance of any of the three I’ve seen in my lifetime who were close. Carew, Brett and Gwynn. I think anyone who does it will be closer to Brett and Gwynn, where they have a low enough # of ABs where a hot streak can carry them over .400, but enough to qualify for the BA title. Carew is some ways is the most amazing because he carried such a high BA in an a high number of ABs. Conversely, it made it difficult for him to get over .400 so late in the season. I do seem to remember Carew was over .400 in September, as was Brett, but the pressure has to start playing with your mind.
Brett was at .400 in mid-September. Carew no time after July 10th though. Gwynn no time after May 15th.
Interesting. Well that confirms my Brett thought, although I thought Carew was at .400 in September, and then slumped, and then had a strong finish the last few games to pull his BA up.
I guess I should just go look!
Checked. Memory faulty. He actually was cranking along in the .380s into August, then slumped down to about .375, pulling his average up to .388 with an overall strong September.
I remember there was a lot of discussion through the summer if Carew could hit .400. I think that conversation died down was his average dipped to the .370s, before the strong September run.
y’know, for L/R/L/R batting order, ARod should really be considered to be a lefty
Ken Singleton says he thinks this might be a warm up for Robertson, even know it’s not a save situation. Thoughts? Is this an easy way to break him in to the closer role, or does the fact it’s not a save situation mean that Soriano is the guy?
Yes and Yes. : -)
Girardi is just f’ing with us.
I think he’s right. Girardi wants him to start a nice clean 9th for his first time, save or not. I think Robertson is the guy for now, but it’ll be both in time.
That’s my thought as well. He wants to see D-Rob get the last three outs of the game post-Mo injury regardless of the situation in my opinion. Seems to be an audition for the closer role.
Soriano pitched last night so there is no reason to use him tonight (as he would be unavailable tomorrow)
While this might mean Robertson is the closer, it may also be Girardi smartly thinking ahead and wanting both guys available tomorrow.
(would have like CC to finish it out, but this seems fine)
Soriano was warming up, so I don’t think that’s the case.
So the one time I actually give credit to Girardi, he doesn’t deserve it… oops.
He would use Mo in 4 run situations – I think it is hard to read too much into this one way or the other. It is odd to have both guys up though.
You can’t read super into it, but you can read some. The Yankees are looking for a new closer, so whoever enters a game in a certain situation deserves some thought about who’s the leading closer candidate.
Sure. Girardi seems to treat these 4 run leads as ‘tweeners’; if the closer hasn’t worked recently, he’ll use them, if not he’ll use someone else until someone gets on (didn’t he use Eppley like this once?).
The odd thing is why was Soriano up at all? Having worked last night, that might be more informative than Robertson coming.
I dunno, maybe if a coupe of guys got on in the 8th? Soriano and Robertson were not warming at the same time from what I could see, Soriano was warming in the 8th. So from what I can tell, Soriano was warming for a potential CC bailout in the 8th, then Robertson for the 9th. That might be telling.
Ahh… thanks. I didn’t know when Soriano was warming up – if he had him up in the 8th, I think that makes it very clear that Soriano is the 8th inning guy and Robertson is the closer
And not that Girardi would think this way but: If Soriano was the closer, it would still seem to make sense to use Robertson tonight anyway so they both are available tomorrow.
Soriano was only warming in the 8th, iirc
apparently saving Drob for the 9th
Well Robertson certainly made his case tonight!
High Socks For Closer!
I like it.
Hmmm, what happens if Mo comes back and he’s the setup man.
…If MO is the setup man?
Pretty sure that was a joke
I was totally prepared for a troll moment. PHEW.
Na RetroBob is legit. You’ll learn who the trolls are and aren’t in due time haha.
Oh, yeah. That was a joke. It was just recognition of D-Rod sriking out the side.
D-Rob
My apologies to you RetroRob! For that I shall offer you a solid “LOL.”
NP. With me, if it looks like a joke, then it’s a joke.
Domination again!
They won it for Mo! They did!!!
Love listening to comebacks while actually working
btw, May the 4th be with you everybody 
Heh wow I hadn’t heard that one on facebook all day!!
I’m hoping sarcasm…because if not I will be looking at my friends list as worlds geekier if not.
Of course sarcasm…my news feed has been flooded with the May the 4th stuff all day haha
Robertson has struckout 8 straight batters, 10 of 11, and 11 of 13.
I think he’s a pretty good pitcher.
That’s just…..insane.
Awesome stat: Robertson has not allowed a run since August 29, 2011.
Another one….
He allowed 1 run on the road all of last year.
Picked Robertson in Fangraph’s TheGame. FIP = -3.04! (yes, NEGATIVE 3.04).
I didn’t know a negative FIP was possible…
Don’t we have Aardsma coming back in June/July? And what about Joba? This year? Plus, one more poor start from Hughes, and I think it’s bullpen time for him. I have no worries about our bullpen.
Great to see the offense finally wake up a bit. CC does his usual ace performance. D-Rob is a beast!!!
I think Aardsma, is more like July/August and Joba is more like September if we’re lucky.
No need for trade deadline bullpen relief. Kudos to Cashman.
While I agree they have depth and don’t need to be trading for relievers, counting on two power pitchers coming off TJ surgery is a little risky.
True, though even without Mo the bullpen is still stronger than most. I’m not counting on Joba, but I’d rather bank on Aardsma than trade for a reliever. If the Yankees swing a trade, I hope it’s for an OF/DH type, not a reliever.
Agreed. The Aardsma signing was very under the rader and unheralded, but it has the potential to be a big boost in the second half, plus the Yankees can retain him in 2013 too for only 500K.
Girardi just said that Soriano was up in the 8th inning in case CC got into trouble. So that leads me to believe that Robertson is the favorite for the closer, no?
Well, he has said that Robertson would start there, but it’s not necessarily an everytime thing. Also, with the way his pitch counts can go sometimes, there should be plenty of chances for Soriano anyway.
True. Though his last few appearances have been pretty efficient.
He doesn’t seem to want to name a closer just yet. He may go game to game, but for the most part I think it’s Robertson, but Girardi is leaving some wiggle room. I expect Soriano to get some saves.