Game 41: Fast Start

May 16, 2013 by Mike Axisa 572 Comments

The Yankees and Mariners have split the first two games of this three-game series in very different ways. New York mounted a late-inning comeback in the opener before getting completely blown out yesterday. Did you know the Yankees have trailed after the first inning 14 times this year? They’ve had the lead after the first just five times, and they’ve been outscored 63-54 in the first three innings this year. Early runs and a fast start, please. Here’s the lineup that will face former Yankee Hector Noesi…

CF Brett Gardner
SS Jayson Nix
2B Robinson Cano
LF Vernon Wells
1B Lyle Overbay
DH Curtis Granderson
3B David Adams
RF Ichiro Suzuki
C Chris Stewart

And on the mound is 1996 Al Cy Young Award runner-up, left-hander Andy Pettitte.

The weather is damn near flawless in New York right now, so it’s a perfect night for baseball. The game is scheduled to start at 7:05pm ET and can be seen on YES. Enjoy.

trr

Looking to have Pettite right the ship as he goes for his carrier win number 250
- SDB
  
  If he’s going for Prussia, he’ll get win number 250.
  - Havok9120
    
    Hear, hear!
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Jayson Nix batting second.

Enough said.
- Havok9120
  
  Against a right hander, too. It’s defensible against lefties, but a righty? Meh.
Havok9120

*grumble grumble grumble grumble*

iijdfsjhgrijfkmleknapo

*GRUMBLE*
Robinson Tilapia

For Dellin, and for Prussia.
http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso

Granderson hits two bombs tonight!

Who’s coming with me? Who’s coming with me?

(Someone grab the goldfish)
- Havok9120
  
  Vorwärts!
  - http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso
    
    Salute!
Havok9120

Kill them with fire Andy.
vicki

looks to be pretty quiet around here. i imagine most of those who don’t have the flu are out enjoying the pretty weather. jerks.
- Havok9120
  
  Only the second night since I got home Saturday that I haven’t spent out on a boat. In return, I spent the day by my pool.
  - vicki
    
    are you still in nola? river? lake pontchartrain?
    
    jerk.
    - Havok9120
      
      Now that school is out I came home to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Chilling out on beaches and rivers and whatnot. We’ve been tooling around on a party barge, though this weekend we’ll actually be taking a boat out into the Gulf for some fishing. I, noted hater of fishing that I am, shall drink a ton and act as DJ.
      - vicki
        
        i had a good time in gulfport once.
        
        Havok9120
        
        I’m there fairly often, though Biloxi is definitely the better place in almost every way, especially entertainment wise. For bar crawling, Ocean Springs is probably best.
        
        Still, the Coast is a nice little place in a ton of ways.
Mykey

It’s been said, but Holy crap, Jayson Nix is batting second…
- The Real Greg
  
  Well, Cano’s slumping, Ichiro’s slumping, Granderson just got back. Who else is going in the two hole? If Girardi wanted to shake it up a bit.
  - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
    
    The only worse choice for the #2 spot in that lineup would be Chris Stewart. And I’m not entirely sure he would be a worse choice.
  - Mykey
    
    I would take any of those names you mentioned.
Wheels

Pretty poor at bat Robbie
- The Real Greg
  
  He’s been doing that the last few days.
The Real Greg

This ump’s k zone is a bit small
Wheels

Ball six
The Real Greg

My scouts kept saying Ken Phelps! Ken Phelps!
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  My ~~scouts~~ baseball people kept saying Ken Phelps! Ken Phelps!
  
  ftfy
  - The Real Greg
    
    Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve seen that scene.
    
    My favorite: BIG STEIN WANTS AN EGGPLANT CALZONE; HE MUST HAVE ONE!
    - Havok9120
      
      Those scenes in the office at the end (like that one) are gold.
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUwSxqnRW-8
Mykey

Crap call there. Works for us, but the home plate ump calling that does bother me.
- Wheels
  
  Call was total b.s.
Mykey

Ugh, knew that was coming with the whole, “They need him to get going” nonsense.
Anderson Silva

one of the worst lineups in the majors and this staff is having trouble with them.. amazing.
- Havok9120
  
  Quick “trouble” trigger you’ve got there.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  That’s why they play 162 of these bastards.
The Real Greg

All the sudden the starting rotation doesn’t look as good as did a few days ago.
- Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
  
  I disagree. Phelps was great, Nuno was great, CC was pretty good, Andy’s last start was good, and Hughes had one really bad game. Big deal.
  
  Andy just gave up one run. I’m not quuuuiiiiitttte ready to give up on Andy yet.
  - Mykey
    
    He was VERY close to giving up 3, but I agree with you.
- BFDeal
  
  Is the sky ever NOT falling with you?
Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

What’s with the two out runs with this team? Two strikes, two outs. Get the fucking final out, guys.
- The Real Greg
  
  What are you talking about? This is the first time the starting rotation has looked shaky in about a month
  - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
    
    When did I say they were doing bad? I’m saying that, and it’s admittedly subjective, it seems like a lot of the runs they are giving up come with two outs.
    - vicki
      
      not compared to the league; but yes, i only like a two-out rally when it’s MY two-out rally.
vicki

bacon saved. get some runs.
Eddard

Ichiro just saved 2 runs.
Rolling Doughnut

Flat fucking stuff.Hope Andy’s not gonna be bad again. My liver is toast from last night.
Wheels

Asshole umps
The Real Greg

F Aaron Harang and his “bad back”
- Havok9120
  
  lol
Mykey

So when we go down in order again, will we start to hear, “How could we trade a top prospect like Noesi?”
- The Real Greg
  
  It seems as though he has found himself when he went to the bullpen. He was good with us in the bullpen as well.
  - Mykey
    
    I liked him in the pen as well. Just was never convinced he’d be a particularly useful starter.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      You can turn over a rock and find a Hector Noesi.
- Anderson Silva
  
  Noesi is garbage. We have about five Noesis in our system. The problem is this lineup, pretty fucking bad
- Rolling Doughnut
  
  Noesi sucks. You all have the stats. We will hit him.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Probably, and you should ignore them.
Havok9120

Alright Adams. Time for some ribeye.
- Wheels
  
  Nice, he heard you
Dan in Athens

Why is Michael Morse allowed to play baseball? 3 roid suspensions before he came up as a SS and is now 250 lbs?
Eddard

Granderson’s power is back. Now drive him in, Adams.
Mykey

Save that ball.
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Way to be, Addy!!!!
The Real Greg

Adams!
Anderson Silva

yeah david!!
Havok9120

Boom. Called it.

Well done Mr. Adams.
SDB

Nicely done Adams!
Eddard

Adams already so much better than Nelson/Francisco.
- Mykey
  
  How could you forsake such a faithful platoon!?
Anderson Silva

Ichiro should have some pride and just retire. What a waste of money and a roster spot.
- The Real Greg
  
  While the Japanese are a very prideful lot, they are also not stupid and won’t give up that much money
  - BFDeal
    
    dumb
WhittakerWalt

Ichiro = pitcher’s spot
The Real Greg

And some people wanted Mr. 0-21 to bat second, is that correct?
- Mykey
  
  Not quite as powerful an argument when the guy he’d be replacing is Jayson Nix. But sure, Ichiro wouldn’t be my first choice to bat second, but Nix certainly wouldn’t be either.
  
  Ichiro at least has an advantage in terms of speed there.
  - The Real Greg
    
    Well Nix at least has been on a bit of a hot stretch recently. Put him there while he’s still in that at least for one game.
    - Mykey
      
      It just sucks that they’re in this position. God I can’t wait to have our team back.
    - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
      
      167/286/167 since May 11.
      
      En Fuego.
      - Havok9120
        
        Heh.
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  Still a better option than Nix.
  But no, I wouldn’t bat him second.
  Nix,Ichiro, and Stewart should be 7,8,9.
- Havok9120
  
  While I am not one of them, those who would prefer him over Nix are not invalidated by that AB, his slump, his season as a whole, or his post-2010 crappiness. It’s Jayson Nix. Against a righty.
  - The Real Greg
    
    Well as I said, Nix has been on a bit of a hot streak of late.
    And it’s probably just for a game so it won’t have any long term implications.
    
    All I’m saying is if you have lemons….
    - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
      
      If you have lemons, bat them at the bottom of the order, and let better players get more ABs.
      - Robinson Tilapia
        
        Not quite as inspirational as “make fucking lemonade.”
    - Havok9120
      
      Yeah, I understand. And against left handers I really don’t have much of a problem with him in the two hole given the roster. But against a righty? I’d take Granderson, Ichiro, or Wells there before Nix.
      - vicki
        
        looks like skip went LRLRL with extra consideration for obp. here’s hoping adams makes a case.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        I don’t think I ever want a job where I could called “skip.”
        
        Then again, money’s not bad. Call me anything you want for mid six figures.
- Get Phelps Up
  
  There are players not named Ichiro and not named Nix that could have hit second. Cano, Wells, Adams, etc.
  - The Real Greg
    
    Adams, I might consider, if he continues to show that nice swing.
http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso

That was a pretty swing by Adams. Don’t wanna act the fool about it.

But that was just nice to see.
Get Phelps Up

I wonder if the guy who revoked his fandom over the Yankees releasing Adams has come back yet.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  We changed the locks.
Wheels

Nice inning Andy
Havok9120

Heh. Andy.

Breathe folks. He’s got this.
Robinson Tilapia

So, to get this straight, now we’re supposed to exhibit huge amounts of righteous anger over Ichiro Suzuki. I just want to make sure I’m getting this right.
- Get Phelps Up
  
  Ben Francischiro.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Javy Vazichiro.
    - Get Phelps Up
      
      Serchiro Mitre.
      - Robinson Tilapia
        
        Ozcar Azochiro
        
        Get Phelps Up
        
        Before my time.
        
        vicki
        
        carliro suzano.
- Havok9120
  
  Not just righteous anger, but acting as if he’s totally useless is encouraged.
- Mykey
  
  I love Ichiro. I get it, I’m not blind. He’s aging and clearly not where he once was. But I just admire his professionalism so much. It pains me to see him flailing. I’ll be hoping all season (and next, *gulp*) for him to get back into form.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Yup. I can only feel sad. I can’t feel angry. That’s a fucking HOFer out there.
  - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
    
    Yeah, considering his status as a first ballot HOFer and his resurgence last season I’m willing to give Ichiro more leeway than most other players. I’m still hopeful that he’ll give us a real contribution at some point this season and get really hot.
CountryClub

@ChasRiverDogs: Rafael De Paula has struckout 5 through 3 perfect innings. It’s 2-0 Dogs top 4
- Mykey
  
  I love this kid. I can already tell I’m going to be way too obsessed with him and Ramirez.
Anderson Silva

I wish Gardner could hit something. A league average bat would be greatly appreciated.
The Real Greg

Think Nix got jobbed there a bit. Not defending him, just stating my possible observations
Wheels

Nix goes down looking. Again.
Mykey

So Nix being 0 for 2 immediately invalidates the argument for batting him second, right?

I’m pretty sure that’s how arguments work.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  You must be quick with the smackdown, or else you’re not a real somethingorother.
  
  Office finale time.
- Havok9120
  
  I’m not sure there ever was much of an argument for batting him second against the righty.
  - Mykey
    
    This is true.
McLovin

I took the AP World Exam today and there was a question about Prussia. Go Prussia and Andy!
- Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
  
  Fuck it all.
- Havok9120
  
  Wow. Prussia question on an AP exam is pretty impressive.
The Real Greg

Cue the DEFENSIVE CATCHER call
- Mykey
  
  SO tempting. It really is.
Rolling Doughnut

Go Andrew! In the basket.
The Real Greg

He just can’t find the plate
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

C’mon Andy.
Strikes please.
Mykey

So Montero goes to a team where you can grow a beard, and that’s what he comes up with, huh?
Rolling Doughnut

Hope Joe doesn’t wait too long.
- The Real Greg
  
  I’m not sending Betances out there with the bases loaded.
  - Rolling Doughnut
    
    What? I didn’t say take him out now. I said leash him. You really say some stupid shit brother.
  - BFDeal
    
    You’ve got a very screwed up thought process.
Eddard

Andy walked Montero? These are .200 hitters! Attack them!
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Stewart cost him that strike.
- Mykey
  
  Just beat me sir. Well done.
Mykey

Chris Stewart just cost that strike right there.
Anderson Silva

Andy has no idea where his pitches are going… he looks awful
Pasta

Would someone please put a bag over Romines head Andy can see him and its screwing him up.
Anderson Silva

good play by Overbay and Stewie there
Eddard

Smart play by Overbay. They weren’t getting 2 there.
WhittakerWalt

Fuck.
The Real Greg

And of course Ryan finds the hole
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  twss
Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)

Dammit.
Cy Pettitte

2 out, 2 strike RBI hits to Dustin Ackley and Brendan Ryan, what a joke.
Eddard

These are middling hitters that couldn’t hit anyone and Andy is letting them off the hook. Throw it in the dirt on 0-2.
Havok9120

Oy.
Anderson Silva

that’s Brendan Ryan of the -1 OPS+ on the season hitting hard ball all over the field..
WhittakerWalt

Strikes would be nice.
Andy Pettitte

I blame Romine
- RayBeSomething
  
  You may be right. Either way, losing 2 of 3 to this terrible team puts a damper on the recent success.
  - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
    
    Games over already?
  - The Real Greg
    
    It does and it leaves me quite confused on how to react.
    - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
      
      React like this is baseball and you’ve experienced baseball before.
      - Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
        
        We’re having a serious discussion here, Need Pitching. We don’t have time for your bullshit.
        
        Personally, I recommend sobbing. But only in private. In public, swear profusely.
        
        Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
        
        Isn’t that pretty much what I said?
        
        Havok9120
        
        ietc
        
        Havok9120
        
        And this one.
  - Get Phelps Up
    
    It would force the Yankees to trade rosters with the Astros.
  - Troll
    
    Let’s be honest here . . . It’s Granderson’s fault. He screwed the mojo. DFA Curtis. Promote Ichiro to Captain.
  - BFDeal
    
    NEGATIVE VIBES!
Wheels

The stadium sounds so lifeless.
- Improbable Island’s Dirty Midget Whores (formerly RRR)
  
  Not the world’s most energizing inning.
Troll

These are the goddamn Mariners! C’mon! This is getting to be re-goddamn-diculous! EXCLAMATION POINT!
Rolling Doughnut

Andy’s of tonight but he’s also getting squeezed.
- Anderson Silva
  
  Strikezone is tight for both pitchers but Noesi is cruising along
Khan noonan singh

At least we are still in the game
SDB

Someone give Andy a five minute lecture on Otto von Bismarck while the Yankees are batting. That should inspire him.
- Havok9120
  
  I could do it if needed. Two minute recap is easy. With 5 minutes I could get into Frederick the Great AND the Great Elector too.
  - SDB
    
    No inspirational speech on von Bismarck, and this is what happens. Shit.
    - Havok9120
      
      It’s like the gods are insisting they keep a Prussia expert in the dugout or something.
      
      I’ll just go wait by the phone.
The Real Greg

Oh my lord, Robbie, come on
Anderson Silva

seriously, Robbie needs a day off.. he’s garbage right now
Mykey

Just me, or has Robby been chasing pitches lower in the zone more often lately?
- The Real Greg
  
  He’s been chasing pitches all over lately.
  - Mykey
    
    Fair enough.
Eddard

Robbie hits a little dribbler, Grandy hits a little dribbler. This guy isn’t that good and we know that.
- The Real Greg
  
  He’s a good bullpen pitcher and spot starter. He’s not a good regular starter.
Troll

Trade Cano! Bring back the Fonz! Bring back Womack! Bring back Knoblauch!
- The Real Greg
  
  Winkler used to play softball with the cast of Happy Days.
  
  Why noy?
  
  /joke
  - Troll
    
    I was hoping to plug Soriano back into second base, but I hear Ron Howard is looking for a new project . . . Happy Days indeed.
- Rolling Doughnut
  
  Dooley Womack? Wow. From the lean years.
  - Troll
    
    Tony! Toni! Toné! Womack. The man who gift-wrapped Cano his starting position, I believe . . .
    - Rolling Doughnut
      
      Dooley Womack
      
      http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/womacdo01.shtml
      - Troll
        
        How do you go from Horace Guy to Dooley?
- Khan noonan singh
  
  Wrong new york baseball team bring back tiki too
  - Troll
    
    Tiki in left with Bernie Baseball back in CF . . . and Sir Gary of Sheffield back in Right. Unless, that is, O’Neill is still on the market. This team needs a warrior!
Rolling Doughnut

Run run run…
The Real Greg

Everybody seems to be late on Noesi’s fastball.
WhittakerWalt

Kurtis.
- Wheels
  
  Blows
  - Jack
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZDUEilS5M4
- Havok9120
  
  That would have been a horrible, horrible pitch to swing at.
The Real Greg

Swinging at that offspeed pitch caused that strikeout
Karl Krawfid

Inconsistent strikezone.
Rolling Doughnut

So in this parallel universe Noesi is good but Granderson still strikes out a lot. And there is no Prussia.
- Troll
  
  Well, at least the likelihood of Curtis breaking the K record is substantially diminished with a month’s worth of ABs in the dumpster . . . Silver Linings.
- Havok9120
  
  No Prussia?
  
  ……
  …..
  ….
  …
  ..
  .
  
  *sobs*
The Real Greg

Uh oh
Eddard

Moose is a hall of famer. Andy is a hall of famer. They’re both automatic.
- JonS
  
  Andy will have the PED thing against him with some voters.
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Well that just sucks
WhittakerWalt

Yikes.
The Real Greg

Did anyone see anything?
Anderson Silva

that explains why he was off.. hope it’s not too serious
Havok9120

Tight back I assume.
Leg-End

Oh man not another injury.
Eddard

Joe said Andy’s back was behind him, maybe it’s back. Who knows.
- http://www.penuel-law.com/ Cuso
  
  Isn’t everyone’s back behind them?
  - Havok9120
    
    Buh dum pissssshhhhhhh
fabricio

fuck us
Havok9120

Good thing Betances is up.

*cackles*
Karl Krawfid

Greeeaaaaaaaaaat.
sangreal

Well, that sucks.
Eddard

I would bring in Mr. Adam Warren and see if he can give us a couple good innings. The offense needs to come alive.
The Real Greg

Amazing how the mood and situation of a team can change within a few days.
- Havok9120
  
  Your mood and situation, or even the mood of the insanely involved fanbase represented here, does not actually reflect that of the team. Down one run in the rubber game of a series with a two game lead in the division does not deterioration make.
  - The Real Greg
    
    Well it depends on Pettitte’s injury. If we win this game but lose Pettitte for a big length of time, then we’re in major trouble.
    - Havok9120
      
      We could be, sure. Or Andy could make his next start with no trouble. Or he could miss one start and his replacement could do relatively fine. Or…
      
      Meanwhile, nothing has actually happened yet to actually “the mood and situation of a team.” Breathe.
      - Havok9120
        
        to change “the mood and situation of a team.”
        
        Khan noonan singh
        
        Slide Nuno in andys spot for a few weeks meantime pineda is close
        
        Havok9120
        
        As much as I hate to admit it, Nova’s close as well. We’ll see.
  - Rolling Doughnut
    
    Almost word for word what I was going to write. But then I figured why bother?
Dan in Athens

This has become ridiculous.
Karl Krawfid

I did notice Andy shake his shoulder/arm earlier after a K.
I’mVernonI’mVernon4U

I remember the shock/frustration I felt when I learned that Grandy, Tex, etc. got injured a few months ago. Now it’s at the point where I’m so desensitized that its just “meh”.

That said I hope Andy is well.
dkidd

from certain angles, david adams looks a little like daniel craig
- Wheels
  
  Use the YES-view
  - Havok9120
    
    I laughed.
  - dkidd
    
    bullet time!
Havok9120

Chris Stewart: He’s Got This.
Khan noonan singh

Stewie baseball player!
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Now’d be a good time to break out of your slump, Gardy.
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  or do that instead
  
  At least Nix is up now.
Eddard

Stewey did it again. Now get that run home.
dkidd

holy crap

oliver perez
Khan noonan singh

Squeeze here
The Real Greg

Useless Gardner
WhittakerWalt

Gardner strikes out too much for a guy who doesn’t homer.
Anderson Silva

I’d like to know what Gardner did to deserve to hit leadoff. He simply can’t hit
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  He’s the closest thing to a leadoff hitter they currently have.
  - Troll
    
    You’re forgetting about Pronk. The man was born to hit leadoff.
Havok9120

Blargh. C’monnnnn Nix. Make me look wrong.

….

(I still wouldn’t be)
Khan noonan singh

Gardner can not hit southpaws
- Anderson Silva
  
  Can’t hit in general
Rolling Doughnut

Why didn’t they squeeze? Is it a binder thing?
Anderson Silva

only chance to score here is a wild pitch or balk
Mykey

Useful there. Very useful.
Havok9120

Darn.
SDB

Ugh. So much for that possibly rally.
dkidd

whatever

we’re still winning this game
- Havok9120
  
  Agreed. No other outcome is acceptable.
  
  The fate of Prussia is in their hands.
The Real Greg

Gardner is just a awful offensive player for a starter. Nix has to start because of injuries, but Gardner, my goodness.
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  Gardners a slightly below league average hitter.
  
  Ichiro is an awful offensive player for a starter. As is Stewart.
  - The Real Greg
    
    He’s hitting .250 as a leadoff hitter. He has a .322 OBP as a leadoff hitter. That’s unacceptable
    - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
      
      He shouldn’t be hitting leadoff. He’s better suited to the bottom of the order.
      But he’s the best leadoff option they have right now. And his numbers should improve a bit.
      - The Real Greg
        
        But they were planning for him to hit leadoff all along. That was the plan all along. If what you say is true, then it’s a complete disaster in planning.
        
        Havok9120
        
        There was never any better option.
        
        And no one here, even hard-core optimists like myself, even seriously said the team’s construction was optimal.
        
        Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
        
        If he hits to his career numbers, he’d be about average for a leadoff hitter. Not great, but not exactly a disaster.
        And if Jeter was healthy, they’d have options if Gardner didn’t work out. They only NEED Gardner to hit leadoff because of all of the injuries. He would just be one potential option if not for all of the injuries.
        
        Get Phelps Up
        
        Pretty sure the plan was for Jeter to hit leadoff.
- Troll
  
  I agree, but it never seems as though anyone else does. He’s a one-tool player. I never believed that he was starter-capable . . .
- WhittakerWalt
  
  He’s not exactly the On-Base Machine we were led to believe he’d be.
Anderson Silva

It’s amazing that a team can win while starting both Ichiro and Gardner in the OF.
Wheels

Shit dammit
JonS

K or Hr, K or HR…sigh.
Anderson Silva

that was amazing, he crushed that.
The Real Greg

What did I say about mood?

Losing 2 of 3 to an under .500 team (maybe) while maybe losing your number 3 starter to injury.
- Havok9120
  
  The same things you always say. You’ve been wrong well over half the time since you’ve started saying them here last season.
  
  Color me unimpressed by your talents as a Seer.
  - The Real Greg
    
    So if I’m wrong, that means they’ll win this game right?
    - Havok9120
      
      No. Because this is baseball and sometimes teams lose games to other teams that aren’t as good. See, this is part of the problem. You see what happens and you come up with these emotionally-based, incredibly illogical, generally worst-case scenario reading of the issue.
      
      Emotionally-based, incredibly illogical, generally worst-case scenarios are sometimes correct. Usually they’re just panicky nonsense. And you know it, too, because you’ve said as much before. That hit Granderson got just now? If I was so-inclined I could argue that that’s the big hit that’ll light a fire! Everyone will take their cue from that. 2-out rally to tie and win the game because the team is driven to win it for the now-injured Andy. And I’d have just as much evidence for that as you do for your “a pall has formed over the team” theory.
      - vicki
        
        the beauty of the game is the long season.
SDB

Gardner’s reputation seems to be strongest when he’s injured for a long time, and we’re all imagining him to be this wonderful player that can keep getting on base, getting contact when needed to, and raising hell on the basepaths. Next time I’ll just believe in unicorns.
- WhittakerWalt
  
  Boy, you said a mouthful. Every time he’s injured people talk like “when Gardy comes back it’s like trading for an all-star outfielder!”
  - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
    
    All-star OF is an overstatement, but solidly above average overall value is pretty much a lock if he’s healthy.
    - WhittakerWalt
      
      Isn’t he healthy now?
      - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
        
        Yes. I meant if he stays healthy (or mostly healthy) over the full season.
        
        WhittakerWalt
        
        Well if he’s healthy, starting, and leading off for us, I’d sure like him to start making some things happen.
        
        Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
        
        That would be nice. He’s definitely off to a slow start this year.
        Ideally, they wouldn’t need him to leadoff.
Dan in Athens

Drafted as a SS. 3 minor league steroid suspensions. Now 40 pounds even heavier. Why is he allowed to play?
Eddard

They’re going to end up losing the series to Michael Morse, Hector Noese and the corpse of Raul Ibanez.
Troll

This team went from “fun to watch” to being a fu**ing travesty. It was a nice stretch while it lasted. Hopefully a new hero steps up soon. Couldn’t rely on Youkilis, Wells, Overbay, Cervelli, and Hafner forever. Woe is me.
- Wheels
  
  That’s a little premature
  - Troll
    
    It’s just my personal reflection. I came into the season with the lowest expectations. Like, I didn’t even want to know their statistics, record, or transactions. But, I started to appreciate the whole over-achieving underdog narrative. It was fun. It was exciting. It was a warm and touching story. Also, I didn’t have to bear the inevitable Teixera pop-ups and Granderson strikeouts. Now . . . I have an irrational (though I believe it IS rational) dislike of Gardner and the starting lineup is straight up ugly, especially when the rotation shows signs of imploding. And Cano, good golly, his slumps are atrocious and appalling to watch. Whatever it is, something’s clicked and the fun’s been sapped from this team. It’s almost as though the magic disappeared when Ichiro hit the dirt. We need his sorcery to continue the team’s success. He needs his powers back!
    - Wheels
      
      Ha, maybe. Im gonna give it a little more time, lets see where we are at the end of the Blue Jays series
      - Troll
        
        True. That will be a good gauge . . . but then there’s the Red Sox at the end of the month, I believe. May. The month of May. This is the real test, I guess.
- The Real Greg
  
  This is what I mean. In 2 frickin’ days.
  - Havok9120
    
    Hahahahaha
- Johnny Wise
  
  Spoken like a true bandwagon fan.
Khan noonan singh

Morse= juicer should bebon the bluejays.
- Dan in Athens
  
  3 suspensions for roids. And that was when we was still a SS. Now he is a fucking giant.
  - Havok9120
    
    If you say it 3 or 4 more times the MLB is sure to take action.
    - Dan in Athens
      
      And you contribute what around here?
      - Havok9120
        
        Prussia memes, generally good-natured sarcasm, and the occasional salient point.
        
        Havok9120
        
        The latter is exceedingly rare.
        
        Dan in Athens
        
        So self-indulgent crap to make yourself feel good.
        
        Havok9120
        
        And amuse quite a few others, yes.
        
        I could get the copy-paste machine and anger working more often, but I choose this instead.
        
        Dan in Athens
        
        Sorry, just screwing around. Your point was pretty valid.
        
        Troll
        
        Hahaha.
Liam

What’s up with Michael Morse’s eyes?
Leg-End

We will win this game.
- Havok9120
  
  Hear, hear!
  - Leg-End
    
    But not for Prussia, for me.
    - Havok9120
      
      I don’t care for reasons. Give me results and I’ll use whatever reasons make me happy. I expect everyone else to do the same. :)
WhittakerWalt

Guys! This is Oliver Perez! FINISH HIM.
Anderson Silva

7 runs in 25 innings against one of the worst teams in the league. The Yankees are very lucky they won 1 game. What a fucking joke of an offense.
- The Real Greg
  
  Now that’s a bit unfair because Seattle has a good 1-2 in Felix and Iwakuma. And they have a good bullpen. The fact that Hughes imploded is the object of ire.
  - WhittakerWalt
    
    Hughes made the game non-competitive yesterday. There was barely even a chance to come back against Iwakuma. If it’s a competitive game maybe we rally against Iwakuma.
    - The Real Greg
      
      The guy was 4-1 with a 1.74 ERA going into that game. I’m not so sure.
      - Havok9120
        
        I think he’s just saying that there was a chance….if we weren’t down 6 by the second inning.
        
        WhittakerWalt
        
        Yeah, seriously. We beat Felix the day before, because the score was at least close.
        
        Havok9120
        
        Yeah. At least the option of the “just get to the bullpen” strategy would have been there.
- Troll
  
  Yeah. Granderson was never going to add much of anything . . .
- Get Phelps Up
  
  Including 2 games against 2 of the best pitchers in baseball.
Eddard

Seattle has a middling lineup, middling pitchers and they can’t do a damn thing.
- The Real Greg
  
  Felix Hernandez is a middling pitcher?
  - Troll
    
    Middling Middle Relief, he meant.
    - The Real Greg
      
      Every team has middling middle relief. The Mariners have a very strong bullpen.
WhittakerWalt

Kurtis again?
- Leg-End
  
  Heh.
Eddard

Hit a HR off this guy Grandy and shut him up.
Eddard

Now would be a good time for another one of those doubles.
sangreal

why even bother pitching to Adams with Ichiro on deck
Troll

Ugh. A game of squandered opportunities. These are the worst to watch and witness. I want to look away but I keep on coming back!
- The Real Greg
  
  I got out but they keep puling me back in.
  - Troll
    
    Here’s to more blowouts and pitching duels! Win or lose, those games are simply more entertaining. (And less stressful, because, let’s be honest, this brand of pinstriped shittery is particularly taxing.)
Havok9120

Boone “Scott Proctor” Logan.
Karl Krawfid

Kelly K’s everything jeez.
The Real Greg

I would say though about mood that a lot of Yankee fans still don’t believe in this team despite being 10 over. They are just expecting or waiting for the other shoe drop. And any loss or another key injury could be the other shoe dropping. So this year, I think the wild overreaction is more present and maybe even a bit more understandable
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  The wild overreaction is equally present every year.
  - The Real Greg
    
    Yeah present wasn’t the right word. Maybe a bit more common is the way I want to go. Not just by us but by other fans
- Troll
  
  For me, the other shoe is worn by my diminished expectations of the calvary returning. Is this team truly better with Tex, Grandy, Youk, and Cervelli? I suppose, but the two that I see having the greatest impact are Jeter and A-Rod, and who knows what’s going to happen with them. Pineda is obviously the wildcard here.
  - Winter
    
    Over the last two years, A-Rod and Jeter have combined for 11.1 WAR. Teixeira and Granderson have combined for 15.7 WAR.
    - Troll
      
      I don’t put much stock in “WAR”. The strikeouts, pop-ups, and weak dribblers between the two of them are enough to warrant my general, half-assed disdain. I just have a positive feeling concerning A-Rod’s return. I think he’ll be able to add a touch more than Teixera and Kurtis. But, don’t get me wrong, I’d LOVE LOVE LOVE to see 25 and 14 buck the downward trend and return to their once elite status.
- Havok9120
  
  I can go with a bit more understandable. But you were here for pretty much all of last season, and we’ve still yet to come anywhere near some of the insanity we had there. I mean, remember the insanity present here during “the collapse” when the team blew nearly all the stockpiled lead in the standings? You would have thought NYC had quite literally burnt to the ground while tornadoes leveled the rest of the East Coast and a Armageddon-type meteor was on a collision course for Westchester.
  - The Real Greg
    
    I think that has to do with lowered expectations as Troll mentioned earlier. People are hedging their bets on this start. Frankly IMO, optimism and the Yankees broke up this offseason.
    - Havok9120
      
      There’s enough people around here (and even a good many in the real world too) that have been feeling good about the team for most of the time for that to not be true though. *shrug*
  - Dan in Athens
    
    Hey, BTW, was just busting your balls earlier after you made a very valid point. Nothing personal.
    - Havok9120
      
      Same. I only realized after re-reading that I hadn’t taken proper steps to make sure that that would sound playful instead of dickish, and you and I don’t have the rapport for you to be assuming I wasn’t being a dick. No harm done I don’t think.
      - Havok9120
        
        Damn you, italics system. Damn you.
I’mVernonI’mVernon4U

Idk… Kelly was looking pretty good.
The Real Greg

Damn I thought Logan had worse numbers than that.
- Wheels
  
  Me too
  - The Real Greg
    
    I mean I knew the ERA was small so I just assumed he was giving up inherited runners left and right. Only 5 of 13 inherited runners scored?
    - Havok9120
      
      That does seem low. I knew he’d been on a run of decent-good appearances, but I didn’t realize his numbers had recovered so much. Me likey.
      
      He’s still getting Proctor’d though.
    - Wheels
      
      Perhaps instances like blowing that Oakland game go a long way in forming an impression.
      - WhittakerWalt
        
        The homer to Prince Fielder was pretty horrible, too.
        
        Havok9120
        
        I don’t know what you’re talking about. The season started in Cleveland. We haven’t played Detroit yet.
        
        Wheels
        
        No, we opened with the Red Sox. Then we went to Detroit
        
        Havok9120
        
        No. No we did NOT completely crap the bed against Boston and Detroit to start the season.
        
        The season started with two wins in Cleveland.
        
        Wheels
        
        Yes, I don’t know what I was thinking.
        
        Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
        
        heh
        
        Wheels
        
        My bad
Troll

The magic is back!
Brian S.

Think you have to pinch hit for Chris Stewart here. Even if he ends up doing something good.
- The Real Greg
  
  The problem is that the Yanks don’t have anybody credible to PH.
  - Winter
    
    According to Mike, Hafner might be available to PH.
  - Havok9120
    
    There was a rumor from Jennings that Hafner was available. Never confirmed that I saw though. Still, wouldn’t you take Boesch or Romine over Stewart there?
    - Brian S.
      
      Boesch is in AAA I believe
      - Havok9120
        
        I completely forgot about that. I’ve spent so long waiting for it that it just fails to occur it finally happened.
        
        I’d still be tempted to take Romine there, but that does pretty much nix the decent options with Hafner a no-go.
        
        Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
        
        Ben Francisco ftw!!!
- Havok9120
  
  Agreed. This is an awful move.
  - Brian S.
    
    Bad process, good outcome. Way to go Chris.
    - Havok9120
      
      It happens. Quite often these days. He’s done it quite a few times this year. Soon we’ll be calling him clutch.
SDB

Ichiro gets a hit, and Verlander’s getting clubbed around Arlington (8 ER, 2.2 IP). What’s going on here?!
- Havok9120
  
  Oooof. Rough week for a lot of pitchers.
  - SDB
    
    Yup. Just looked over at SF/Col, and Cain’s given up 6 ER by the third as well.
WhittakerWalt

LOL at Sterling describing Joba as one of “the big guys” in the bullpen.
- Brian S.
  
  Well he’s pretty fat
The Real Greg

I would be really tempted to have Gardner bunt.
- Troll
  
  Definitely. And I hate bunting.
  - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
    
    +1
Troll

Damn, that’s some Funky Cold Medina.
Eddard

Stewey’s had some great at bats tonight. Now bunt Gardner, he can’t do much else.
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Awful AB
The Real Greg

Should have had him bunt.
Eddard

And he just stood there. Get that piece of shit out of the leadoff spot.
WhittakerWalt

Gardy is really coming up big tonight.
Rolling Doughnut

Gardy can’t bunt, but he sho’ can whiff.
Winter

Double steal.

Just kidding. Kinda.
- Havok9120
  
  They’ll never see it coming!
Get Phelps Up

So I guess Pronk probably isn’t available tonight.
- Havok9120
  
  That’s what I take from all that.
Brian S.

Gardner used to be my favorite player but he’s starting to annoy me. I wish he would go back to how he was in 2010-2012.
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  Slumping hard right now. Baserunning and hitting.
WhittakerWalt

Yanks sure have made a lot of weak contact in this series.
The Real Greg

We needed that one out earlier.
Havok9120

Whew. That was a nice play by Seager. Alright Cano/Wells.
Winter

Does this mean they’re not walking Cano? You don’t change pitchers right before an IBB…
- The Real Greg
  
  No they will pitch to him. Let’s Cano gets lucky and connects against the lefty.
Rolling Doughnut

So they’re going to pitch to Cano. Get fired up Robbie, let’s go.
Troll

Top 5 in the lineup are 0-15 with 2 walks and 7 strikeouts. Pathetic.
- Winter
  
  As long as Cano goes 1-1 right now, I don’t care.
vicki

this guy’s the raper, right?
- Brian S.
  
  No that’s Locke you’re thinking of I think.
SDB

The way Cano’s been striking out recently, may be safer for them to pitch to him instead of Wells.
Get Phelps Up

Nice job Brendan.
The Real Greg

The shift backfires
Leg-End

Caught a break, make them pay.
Eddard

This acting manager is worse than Girardi with all these pitching changes. Hopefully it costs him the ballgame.
Winter

I missed most of the game, what happened to Wedge?
- Leg-End
  
  Stewart now has an issue……this is unreal.
  - Leg-End
    
    Damn reply. Wedge was tossed for aruging….well nothing much early on.
- Wheels
  
  Tossed early
Troll

Swinging at the first pitch, huh Cano? Regardless of outcome, isn’t this why he shouldn’t make the mega-bucks? Utter lack of plate discipline . . .
- Winter
  
  Yeah, your right. The player who was 2nd in the league in WAR in 2012 should make “mega-bucks.” Not to mention top 25 the year before and top 10 the year before that. But yeah, sometimes he swings at the first pitch…
  - Winter
    
    Oh, and those numbers are all-MLB. Not just AL.
  - Troll
    
    Nice. I’m right. Thank you :)
The Real Greg

And now Chris Stewart’s hurt
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Looks like he pulled his left nut.

Bobby Wilson, welcome to the Bronx.
- Troll
  
  “If you call him, he will come”, says a mysterious, whispered voice.
  
  It’s time for Gary Sanchez. Everyone, in unison, yell out his name!
  - Winter
    
    Mur-phy! Mur-phy!
    - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
      
      Better chance of him than Sanchez, but still unlikely, at least right now.
      - Troll
        
        If Kevin Costner can summon “Shoeless Joe” Jackson, Moonlight Graham, AND his dead father, then I think we’ve got a pretty decent shot at Gary Sanchez.
        
        Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
        
        No harm in trying.
The Real Greg

Again swinging at the first pitch. And if that was right down the middle at 85mph, you gotta get a better swing than that.
Rolling Doughnut

Unbelievable.
Eddard

Just call up the entire AAA roster, they’ll eventually be needed at the rate these injuries are happening.
The Real Greg

If you thought our catching offense was crap now, it’s gonna get a lot worse.
I’mVernonI’mVernon4U

One game we lose Nova and Cervelli, another game we lose (potentially) Pettite and Stewart. Getting really old now.
Leg-End

At this point if Stewart is hurt, just let Romine catch everyday and have Murphy up, I don’t want to see any part of Wilson’s mendoza line offense.
Havok9120

Wow. My computer dies for 3 minutes and we lose another player?

We did gain a run though. Hmm. Hey, Benny…we need you for something quick…
Winter

So who’s the emergency catcher. Nix? Vernon?
- Leg-End
  
  Nix.
- Havok9120
  
  Nix was the answer last time this came up. I’d assume that’s still the case.
- SDB
  
  Girardi?
  - Havok9120
    
    I still say he could do it. He’s in better shape than most players.
- Get Phelps Up
  
  I’d guess either Nix or Alberto.
The Real Greg

Tight back again for Pettitte.
- sangreal
  
  traps
Havok9120

Dude’s trying to show up Mo by breaking all these bats.

Cut him. Now.
- The Real Greg
  
  So know we are for the most part okay with Pettitte’s injury, but now we have another injury to fill that hole of worry.
  - sangreal
    
    That’s just how the 2013 Yankees like to roll
  - Havok9120
    
    If enough guys get hurt and we stay competitive maybe the media will actually agree to call us scrapy/gritty.
Rolling Doughnut

2 runs in 2 innings. It.can.be.done.
The Real Greg

One more injury happens and I am breaking out the M*A*S*H* theme
https://twitter.com/Erica_Lynnnn Erica

These injuries are getting to be a bit too much. I mean, I have a bum knee and I can still mildly hobble around every day. TOUGH IT OUT, MENFOLK IN PINSTRIPES.
WhittakerWalt

Ma and Pa are flummoxed. They thought Pettitte hurt his back, but it turns out he hurt his trapezius. Oh, OK. Because that’s not part of your back.
- The Real Greg
  
  Looking at the diagram it’s more neck than back
  - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
    
    not really
  - WhittakerWalt
    
    It’s absolutely your back. Please don’t defend Ma and Pa.
- Wheels
  
  Ma and Pa are flummoxed, ha
  - Havok9120
    
    Iknorite? It’s stunning. They’re usually so alert.
The Real Greg

I don’t care that Overbay fouled out, he took up 11 pitches with that at bat. That’s valuable.
- Winter
  
  I’d rather he get a hit on the first pitch.
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  Not so much with a short reliever in the last game of a series.
  - The Real Greg
    
    Not right now, it just shows his workman like ability.
The Real Greg

Let’s see if Grandy can still steal a bag
- The Real Greg
  
  There we go.
  - Havok9120
    
    Definitely nice to see.
Havok9120

Let’s get this going boys. We still got this.
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

C’mon Ichiro. Do something big.
The Real Greg

They’re going to walk Ichiro
- Havok9120
  
  Austin Romine shall become a True Yankee should that happen.
- The Real Greg
  
  Apparently not, but they were talking about it.
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  Not sure Ichiro would allow that to happen.
Havok9120

Sad face.

Up to Romine and the top of the order to get this done. Let’s keep this at one run.
WhittakerWalt

Did Ichiro swing at a ball or a strike there? They won’t say.
- The Real Greg
  
  With this ump it’s really hard to tell.
The Real Greg

What can you do? Brian Cashman and his Ichiro decision are looking worse by the day.
- Brian S.
  
  I think Ichiro was a trust fund baby decision.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Ownership re-signed Ichiro.
  - The Real Greg
    
    Just like a Steinbrenner.
    - Havok9120
      
      If it really was ownership (reports like that are always suspect) it’s such a Boss-like move that more people should be pleased with it.
- Get Phelps Up
  
  http://riveraveblues.com/2013/04/sherman-top-of-the-yankees-hierarchy-was-behind-ichiro-re-signing-84874/
  
  That ain’t Cashman.
Eddard

Yeah, why pitch around one automatic out to get to another? This way they have Romine, Gardner and a struggling Robbie Cano due up next inning for the closer.
- The Real Greg
  
  You forgot Nix.
- Eddard
  
  Check that, Nix hits ahead of Cano. Robbie won’t even get an AB.
- Havok9120
  
  You only wish Robbie was batting second.
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

So it’s going to come down to Romine, Gardner, and Nix in the 9th.

Not exactly reason for optimism.
The Real Greg

And now Toronto comes in, even though we’ve dominated them, they’ve won 4 in a row and are playing well. No landing spots.
- Wheels
  
  Lawrie is gonna piss us off all weekend.
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Way off topic, but somebody paid $1.9M for a topless painting of Bea Arthur.
http://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2013/05/16/bea-arthur-topless-painting-fetches-19m-in-nyc
Havok9120

That was a pretty good play. Needed a better throw though.
Havok9120

Oh no. Their closer’s name is Wilhelmsen. What the fuck are we supposed to do if he’s Prussian?

Screw it. Dude’s a traitor. We got this.

He’s probably from Hanover anyway.
- Dan in Athens
  
  He’s a Swede. F him.
  - Havok9120
    
    Swedish? SWEDISH?
    
    They’ve been our arch-nemisis for freaking centuries. Gotta get this done.
  - Havok9120
    
    I saw and responded to you up above by the way. Quick summary: totally my bad for not realizing who was posting and making my comment sound as playful as I meant it. No reason for you to assume I wasn’t being a dick.
Rolling Doughnut

Sox-Rays: Sox have 1st and 2d no outs top 9, down 3-1.
The Real Greg

That was ball 4. And Romine is f’ing slow
Havok9120

Damnit. Romine runs like Tex.

I don’t blame him for swinging there though. The ump’s been calling that low strike alllllll night.
The Real Greg

WHAT THE F*** IS GARDNER DOING
- The Real Greg
  
  That was to the bunt but he got a base hit.
  
  Could have used that earlier though. Let’s see what happens.
Eddard

Finally the leadoff hitter gets on base. About time.
Wheels

Time to win this
Havok9120

Pound this Swede. We need revenge for the Thirty Years War.

Get off to the races Brett.
- Brian S.
  
  I think Prussia and Sweden were allies.
  - Havok9120
    
    It was still Brandenburg. And they were, on and off. And yet the “Swedish menace” was burnt into Brandenburg-Prussian memory well into the next century. They looted and leveled large stretches of the province over the course of the war. The electorate lost something like 2/3s of it’s population, largely due to Swedish occupation of it.
Winter

Gardner has to run, right?
Get Phelps Up

Man I wish Pronk was available.
Rolling Doughnut

Get to second. NOW
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Don’t be a statue, Brett.
Eddard

I would steal 1st pitch. Montero couldn’t throw out Romine.
Get Phelps Up

Yikes Jesus.
The Real Greg

The problem is if Nix gets out they’ll walk Cano.
- Get Phelps Up
  
  This time there’s a good hitter behind him though.
Eddard

I’d steal 3rd the next pitch. He can’t throw.
capitalT

Steal 3rd too
- capitalT
  
  yes
Winter

Wow. Gardner probably had that stolen anyway, but Montero was slow with the throw, then it was way off-line.
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

There ya go, Brett.
Wheels

Yeah baby
Rolling Doughnut

Take 3rd Montero sucks
Havok9120

Oh Hell yes Gardner.
Vintage

Embedded Yankee Jesus Montero
Winter

Brett Gardner and the Magic Oven Mitt

A picture book for Yankees fans.
- Havok9120
  
  That was fantastic. Kudos to you.
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

So glad Nix was batting second.
Want him to get as many AB’s as possible.
- Troll
  
  Seriously, where’s the chorus humming the tune of “Batting order doesn’t matter over the course of a season!” Well, it could very well cost them a game tonight . . .
Troll

F (U) Rodney. You suck!
Eddard

Damn it Nix. They won’t throw anything to Robbie. Who’s idea was it to have Nix in the 2 hole.
capitalT

nice nix. worst possible outcome.
I’mVernonI’mVernon4U

Okay Cano, please do not hit a weak grounder.
Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)

Steal home. Montero still couldn’t throw Brett out.
Jack

Fuck it, steal home too.
Havok9120

Aaaaaaaaargh. He really wanted that sac-fly. Ugh.

Alright Robbie. This is where you’ve gotta do your thing.
Freedom

Steal home. it’s the only way this game is going to be tied.
The Real Greg

I’m shocked they aren’t walking him
- Havok9120
  
  I’d be hugely tempted to walk him AND Wells and pitch to Overbay.
  
  Which is just one more reason I’ll never manage in the MLB, but still.
Winter

And they’re pitching to Cano…
Brian S.

Fuck you Nix
WhittakerWalt

Jayson Nix always does something to help the team.
Vintage

Steal home! Montero wouldn’t be able to throw him out.
Troll

Wow. Fucking Red Sox. My potty mouth could not be contained.
- Freedom
  
  This was all on super genius Joe Maddon. Your closer just walked everyone. Sure leave him in the game.
Freedom

Red Sox are heating back up. First place will be gone by Monday. Yankees sux
- Troll
  
  Granted you’re likely a Red Sox fan, the Blue Jays have a better shot at winning the division than Boston.
  - Freedom
    
    Red Sox are better than toronto. The blow jays are not winning anything. GO play hockey moron.
    - Troll
      
      Oh, because I’m Canadian, right? My bad. Must’ve slipped my mind. Poor Bostonians, all they have are sports, and even then, they have nothing.
Dalek Jeter

Welp…I got in at an interesting time…
The Real Greg

Just not enough good players to win.

There goes the mood.
- Winter
  
  We had one of the best hitters in the game at the plate with the tying run at third. It wasn’t an issue of not enough good players.
  - The Real Greg
    
    Said best hitter is slumping hard.
- Havok9120
  
  I thought that happened, like, 2 hours ago?
  
  My point from then still stands.
  - The Real Greg
    
    It’s that other shoe. People are baited at the breath for it to fall and then feast on the carcass.
    - Johnny Wise
      
      Greg, your mood goes south on a foul ball.
I’mVernonI’mVernon4U

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand weak grounder. Fuck the Mariners and there 60 relievers.
- I’mVernonI’mVernon4U
  
  Their*
Matt

3 times they had a runner at 3B with 1 out. 3 times they struck out.

Inexcusable to have such pathetic at bats in those situations.

Another huge assist to Girardi for batting Jayson Nix, one of the worst players on the roster, in front of Cano. Does Girardi realize he is OPS’ing under .600 on the season? Only a clueless idiot would be so concerned about breaking up lefties in the order that he would bat a terrible right hander in the two spot.
- The Real Greg
  
  For who Matt?
  
  Hafner was unavailable.
  - Matt
    
    Wake up. Girardi could have put him 8th or 9th like any other manager in the major leagues would have done. You really are clueless.
    - Havok9120
      
      He just misunderstood what you were saying, I think. He’s not clueless.
      - The Real Greg
        
        No I meant who are you pinch hitting for Nix in that situation. Not whether you are batting 8 or 9.
        
        Havok9120
        
        Exactly.
        
        Matt
        
        You don’t need to pinch hit for Nix if he is not batting second in front of your best hitters.
        
        Just stop.
        
        The Real Greg
        
        Oh for God’s sakes…..
        
        Matt
        
        Stop being an idiot and this won’t be necessary. You will say or do anything to defend Girardi.
        
        Nix should never bat second against a RHP. Period. If he isn’t batting in the wrong spot in the order, he doesn’t get as many at bats in those sort of spots.
        
        It’s common sense to everyone, except you apparently.
      - Matt
        
        Doesn’t matter. He is still clueless. He always finds an excuse to defend Girardi no matter what he does. Batting Jayson Nix, one of the worst hitters in baseball, in the two hole is inexcusable.
        
        The Real Greg
        
        That’s fine. But you didn’t answer my question.
    - Johnny Wise
      
      Oh, this is just precious…Matt calling Greg clueless. Pot, meet kettle.
      - The Real Greg
        
        Matt is a gutless troll. At least I comment the whole game. He only comes up to comment at the end of games.
        
        The Real Greg
        
        Suspend me if you want, but it’s true.
        
        Havok9120
        
        There does seem to be a bit of a pattern there. I’m glad I missed this.
        
        Johnny Wise
        
        And only at the end of games they lose.
        
        Matt
        
        And that matters because? I don’t need to post my every thought on this blog. I come here to vent about stupid moves like the one that was made in the game. You need to get off your high horse and stop thinking you are better than others because you post more often.
        
        Johnny Wise
        
        Oooo…Matt angry…Matt smash!
        
        Johnny Wise
        
        As far as high horses, you seem to have one of tallest on this blog.
        
        Matt
        
        So what? I don’t need to sit on the blog all night and discuss every single decision that is made in the game. I have better things to do.
        
        You seem to think that posting a lot makes you an authority, but if what you post is stupid then it doesn’t change anything.
        
        I come here to vent my frustration about the avoidable mistakes that are constantly being made out there. You need to get over yourself.
      - Matt
        
        What in the world are you talking about?
        
        Everyone in the world knows that Nix should never bat second against a righty, even in this lineup.
        
        Keep attacking me for no reason, but I am almost always right. You don’t like the honesty, but burying your head in the sand doesn’t change the outcome.
        
        Johnny Wise
        
        “Almost always right” – that’s laughable. And stop whining about being attacked when you constantly attack anyone who disagrees with you.
        
        Matt
        
        It’s only laughable to you because you criticize my posts regardless of their content.
        
        Just because you refuse to see it, it doesn’t mean it isn’t true.
        
        I’m harsh in my assessments, but I don’t criticize just to criticize. I only go after someone when it is deserved. Batting Jayson Nix in the two spot against a righty is stupid even for Girardi.
        
        Johnny Wise
        
        This is the first time I’ve criticized one of your posts, however I have been around long enough to see that when someone disagrees with you, you lash out with “idiot” or “clueless”. Then you whine when someone calls you out on it.
        
        Perhaps if you would stop being defensive about every reply, you would realize I did not attack your post about batting Nix 2nd…I commented on the fact you immediately called Greg clueless.
- Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
  
  2 times. Not that it makes it much better.
Rolling Doughnut

Regression to the mean ladies and gents.
- Havok9120
  
  Stop making Greg’s point for him.
  - Rolling Doughnut
    
    .600 ball from this team is great, may it continue ever thus. How’s that?
    - Havok9120
      
      :D
- Matt
  
  There is no such thing as regression to the mean. They were not getting lucky before and did not get unlucky tonight. They lost this game because they couldn’t put the ball in play repeatedly with runners at 3rd and less than 2 outs. This was a game that a major league team should win 90% of the time.
  - Johnny Wise
    
    Go get a degree in mathematics.
    - Matt
      
      Aren’t you cute? I do have one, and you are an idiot.
      
      There is no such thing as “regression to the mean” in the way that you are describing it. Just because they got some extreme outcomes before, it does not mean that they will get extreme outcomes the other way to “make up for it.” Each game is a relatively independent event.
      
      What you are looking for is “convergence in probability.” And it is only guaranteed in the limit of an infinite number of observations.
      - Johnny Wise
        
        I never described it. Your mind is apparently wandering again.
    - Matt
      
      And yes, they were bound to lose some games like this during the season. But it is not because of any sort of “overachieving” before. A game in which you K 3 times with the tying run at 3rd and lose by 1 is more likely to be the outlier than the others.
  - Rolling Doughnut
    
    If one assumes a random variable obeys any one of many mathematical models (Central Limit Theorem, for example), then the variable will tend to be measured at the avg. value. So, unless you think the Yanks are a .600 club, their avg will regress to the “mean”, which, admittedly, there are various sabermetric ways of estimating what the mean should be. But it ain’t .600
    - Matt
      
      Again. There is no such thing as “regression to the mean.” Every estimator in a finite sample has a distribution with a non-zero variance. Extreme outcomes can happen even in large samples, with low probability. Just because they have won some close games early, it does not mean that they will lose some close games later and end up at their “true” ability level.
      
      The distribution is basically memoryless. The previous outcomes don’t matter. If you play .800 ball over 10 games and then play at your “true” level of .600 ball for another 10, your winning percentage is .700, not .600.
      - Rolling Doughnut
        
        You are confusing sampling with measurement of a random variable. I also have a degree in Math (PhD) and although my specialty is not Stat, I know enough about it to believe you do not understand the idea of regression in general. Suggest you read, for example the following discussion which is focused on the regression toward the mean concept
        as it pertains to the study of phenomena defined by the repeated (at least two occasions) assessment of a
        particular variable:
        
        http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic469678.files/regress_to_mean1.pdf
        
        Havok9120
        
        I love this community.
Get Phelps Up

Jayson Nix needs to steal Ichiro’s ticket to the sun.
- Havok9120
  
  I’ve got DARPA on the line ready to let us use the railgun.