ByIs there really a reason for Joba to pitch two innings in a 4-0 game? 35 pitches a few days before a Boston series? Really, Joe? Was that necessary? · (22) ·
Game 145: Moose season
By · CommentsMike Mussina, one of the Yankees’ three weathered pitching arms in the twilights of their careers, take the mound tonight. It is his first start since the end of August, and I’m guardedly optimistic that he may be able to keep the Yanks in the game for five innings today.
And really, when push comes to shove, isn’t that all they need? The Yanks didn’t have to use their bullpen bullets last night. Joba’s available; Farnsworth’s available; Rivera’s available. If Mussina can get the Yankees through five innings, I like their chances.
The Yanks are going with their A Team. Every game counts, and if the Yanks can keep the winning streak going through tomorrow, they’ll head into Boston at the most 4.5 games out. Dreams of the division are dancing in my head.
Lineup:
J. Damon DH
D. Jeter SS
B. Abreu RF
A. Rodriguez 3B
H. Matsui LF – He’s in a bit of a slump right now.
J. Posada C
J. Giambi 1B
R. Cano 2B
M. Cabrera CF
M. Mussina P
A Yankee Stadium prank for the ages
By · CommentsLast week, at the Yankees-Mariners game on Wednesday, a marriage proposal flashed across the screen. It was a fake one, part for a prank perpetrated by two guys from CollegeHumor.com. The video, embedded below, tells the story (but there is some adult language if that’s not your thing). Today, Deadspin interviewed the architect of the prank.
Fun fact: I was at the that game last week, and my friends and I laughed at that marriage proposal. We talked about the disastrous Houston proposal and wonder what happens when the woman says, “No.” Now we know. Classic.
Yanks’ old arms gearing up a final October
By · CommentsIt’s rough being an old pitcher on the Yankees these days. All the talk swirls around the young arms: Joba, Ian, Edwar, Phil. Even Brian Cashman gushes for paragraphs about Humberto and Ross, not to mention the slew of injured pitchers rehabbing with the Yanks.
For the Yankees and their October dreams, success lies squarely in the past, and starting tonight, we’ll see if that past is ready for one last gasp of greatness.
ByThat’s the Devil Rays’ bullpen ERA on the season after they blew a 7-run lead by surrendering 11 runs to the Red Sox tonight. Why is there a franchise in Tampa Bay? And is it even accurate to call this team a “Major League franchise”? Seriously. · (10) ·
ByThis has nothing to do with the Yankees, but I want to express my general frustration over the news that Ozzie Guillen has received a four-year extension in recognition for his efforts this season. That’s right; baseball’s clown — the same guy who threw his team under a bus last month — gets a four-year deal in the midst of a Worst-in-Baseball season. The White Sox, under Guillen, have gone just 94-125 since the 2006 All Star break. · (3) ·
One step closer
By · CommentsDouble-A Trenton (5-3 win over Akron) Trenton leads the best-of-five Championship Series 1-0…Chase Wright takes on personal fave Chuck Lofgren in Game 2 tomorrow
Reegie Corona: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 K, 1 HBP
Austin Jackson: 2 for 4, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 K – all 3 RBI came with 2 outs
Colin Curtis: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 2 RBI – both RBI came with 2 outs…which means all 5 of Trenton’s runs came with 2 outs
Juan Miranda, Cody Ehlers & PJ Pilittere: combined 0 for 14, 1 BB, 7 K – Miranda got hit by a pitch & K’ed thrice…Ehlers & Carson each K’ed twice, but Matty threw a runner out at the plate…PJ drew the walk
Marcos Vechionacci: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 K – signs of life
Gabe Lopez: 2 for 3, 2 R – one thing that all championship clubs have that gets no attention whatsoever is production from the bottom of the lineup
Tyler Clippard: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 1-8 GB/FB – still walking too many
Steven Jackson: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K – gave up a solo HR to Akron’s #3 hitter, which isn’t all that bad when you have a 3-run lead in the 8th with a stacked bullpen to back you up
Justin Pope: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Game 144: Brian Cashman speaks…
By · Comments…and, man, does he have a lot to say.
In a fantastic and compelling interview with CBS Newsradio 880′s Phil Allard, Cashman fields questions on, well, everything. He talks about the young pitcher prospects; Joba Chamberlain‘s future; the high-risk, high-reward nature of the Brackman draft pick; what the future holds for Humberto Sanchez, Ross Ohlendorf and the disappointing Kei Igawa; some injury updates; and of course, Alex Rodriguez.
The kicker is A-Rod. Cashman reiterates his stance: The Yanks will negotiate with A-Rod as long as the slugger does not opt out. Once he opts out of the contract, Alex Rodriguez will not be back as a member of the New York Yankees. For the Yanks, this makes perfect financial success. They want to keep the money flowing to A-Rod from Texas, and to do so, A-Rod will have to agree to an extension beyond the terms of his original deal.
If A-Rod opts out, a new deal would force the Yanks to pay A-Rod his entire salary. For the next three years under the current deal, Texas foots the bill for a substantial portion. But this unique financial arrangement means the Yanks can afford to pay A-Rod into the future. I think – and I hope – he stays.
Read the interview; it’s a great insight into the mind of the Yanks’ GM.
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Meanwhile, in Toronto, as the AL Player of the Week looks to homer in his sixth straight game and Phil Hughes goes for his second straight strong start, Derek Jeter makes his triumphant return to the lineup. While the grumblings are that he’ll need to go in for minor off-season knee surgery, I won’t complain about the Captain’s return to the lineup.
On a related note, how great is it having a bench? While Wilson Betemit had struggled with irregular playing time in August, filling in for the Jeter the last few days, Betemit has gone 5 for his last 13 with a 1 HR and 5 RBI. Miguel Cairo never did that.
Meanwhile, today’s game is brought to you by the number 15. When the Tigers lost game 1 of their day-night doubleheader to the Rangers this afternoon, the Yanks saw their magic number to clinch the Wild Card drop to 15.
Good times.
Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui DH
Jorge Posada C
Jason Giambi 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF
Phil Hughes P
ByAccording to reports, the city’s Industrial Development Agency postponed a vote on the Yankee Stadium parking tax exemption plan. Some board members had more questions about this plan that could cost taxpayers up to $8000 per parking space. It sounds like the board listened to the Bronx Borough President’s formal protest. · (0) ·
