It’s a turnpike series! Expect lousy weather. It’s the worse time of the year for baseball in the Northeast, half-warm, half-cold, windy, and soggy. Kids, thank Bud! Saving grace here is that the teams are seperated by just a three-hour busride up and down I-95, which, one would think, should make start times logical and reasonable to the fan. We’ll see about that.
What gives the Yankees the edge, if there is one, against the awesome Phillies? Throughout the playoffs, the Yanks held good-hitting opposition to less than three runs per game. This is critical. The starters, led by ALCS MVP CC Sabathia, had a combined ERA of 2.55 while working an average of 6 2/3 innings per start and striking out 7 batters per 9 innings. These numbers are distorted by a bad first inning out in LA for A.J. Burnett – which is typical of the kind of unpredictability we know to expect from A.J. The relievers, led by Mariano Rivera, were even stingier with runs to the tune of a 2.28 ERA and 8 K’s/9 innings. The bullpen did bear the responsibility of the two losses, and tallied a 1.55 WHIP – perhaps showing weakness in keeping runners off the bases. We’ve only seen three innings pitched by hot-handed David Robertson, while Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes have been anything but dominant. It remains to be seen whether or not Joe Girardi can stoicly execute the right moves late in the game.
In the field, the Yanks have not made an error in eight of nine games (outside of when the cold, hard ground sparked 3-error flare-up for Cano and Jeter in game 2 of the ALCS, a game which was ultimately won) while the opposition has made a total of six. There has been some sparkling play on the right side. Robbie Cano has ranged out to the left and right to deliver pitchers from more than a few late-inning jams, while Nick Swisher was instrumental in capitalizing on the unusually high number of the opposition’s baserunning blunders with accurate and decisive throws. Of course, there is always Mark Teixeira scooping, leaping, tagging, and stretching. You can give an assist to Mick Kelleher, the infield coach, as the Yanks seem always to be in position to make a play with runners on. Derek Jeter is Derek Jeter.
At the plate, the big story is Alex Rodriguez shaking the monkey off his back but the box scores show a shared load, the Yanks delivering from many spots in the lineup and primarily using their multiple power threats to put runs on the board. Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira, and Robbie Cano have shown signs of life versus the Angels, while Hideki Matsui slumps. Derek Jeter is Derek Jeter. Melky Cabrera has been hot out of the bottom of the order, and is making Nick Swisher’s rough patch and the absence of Xavier Nady not so difficult to bear. Hopefully, Joe Girardi will start using speed to his advantage – which he has yet to do. The many times that he has pinch-run in late innings, it has either backfired or was not really leveraged to the fullest. The Yanks are just 3-3 in stolen base attempts (that includes an Angels pitchout that nailed Brett Gardner), and did not even attempt to hit-and-run in the playoffs, which counters what we saw in the regular season over any given nine-game stretch.
As we’ve known since last season, Girardi will have to occasionally put the clipboard down and use some common sense and intuition to summit the mountain. He has shown a bit of rookie nerves, but ARod being hot and CC being money have picked him up. How long that can stand versus a Phillies team that bangs at every level is anyone’s guess. If anything will keep the Yankees firm, it’ll be the players – and if the players have a leader, it’s Derek Jeter, and if he has champion, it’s Mariano Rivera. What else can be said.
With the way Lee was last night, I guess you give all the batters a pass. That said, how much longer do you go with Swisher? He truly looks lost. A peak at his career post season numbers shows that he has always been brutal.
Does the 6 inch notebook come into play here?
noogs if you sit Swish you plays RF? Since we know how you feel about Gardner I suspect you’d go w/ Hinske?
Jeter had a single and a double in two of his first three at-bats. Also, his head was in the game on defense in the ninth inning, even though his team was losing 5-0. Jeter’s teammates??? Fuck them.
Given AJ’s lack of control, I’m looking for the Phillies to be really aggressive on the bases tonight.
I think that’s one of the reasons Molina will be back there. Posada is not going to throw those guys out.
TYPO:
Jeter went THREE-FOR-FOUR last night. He was two-for-three after three plate appearances, but he added a third hit in his fourth at-bat. My bad. His teammayes can eat shit off a New York City sidewalk.
TYPO:
Jeter went THREE-FOR-FOUR last night. He was two-for-three after three plate appearances, but he added a third hit in his fourth at-bat. My bad. Jeter’s teammates can eat shit off a New York City sidewalk.
Supe–I give Gardner a chance. Shake things up a little. Hinske hasn’t been in a game situation in a long time. Especially if the Yankees go down this series–I look for major outfield changes next year.
If ALEX RODRIGUEZ continues to have a crappy world Series, I wonder if he will make a statemtent to the press that he is “underpaid and under-appreciated” again/ $33 Million per year doesn’t cut it. No way. If Steinbrenner and The Yankee organization REALLY appraciated him, they would tear up this current insulting contract, and give him an extension at $46 Million per year. Fucking cheapskates don’t want to pay their players what they are worth.
Agreed J 3-4-5 need to step up, maybe Pedro left his game at the podium yesterday. AJ on the bump yes indeed Supe, but they still need to get the last 7/8 outs, Burnett traveling past the 7th inning would be enlightening, he hasn’t shown that kind of make-up though, maybe he’s saving his best for last. Problem I see he’s from the wrong side of the tracks in Arkansas, unlike Lee. The Yankees have a concern if any starter can’t get at least 24 outs and still have the lead.
Fucking low-balling Steinbrenners.
I remember when A-Rod came out swinging in the press two years ago DURING The Rockies-Red Sox World Series. Hey, can’t a man express himself, and tell the world why the $25.2 Million per-year that The Yankees were paying him was a slap in the face ???
ARod is the first guy I give a pass to last night. He’s been great and Lee was on the black against him all night. I say he gets Pedro, but good tonight. Tex, too.
I think Swish will get the seat, but i’m not sure I’d go there just yet, he still can snap out of it and make Pedro work if he can be patient at the plate. i think the line-up should grind on El Pollo let him paint the corners, try to get him behind in the count, Swisher still might be the best choice, all though it sure doesn’t look it.
Swish won’t ride the pine tonight Sal & Noogs; everyone gets a pass for last night the way Lee was dealing. Now if Swish takes the collar tonight vs. Petey I look for a change Saturday.
NOOGER:
Damn right. Fucking Yankees paid the man like shit from 2003 through 2007. He had to come out in the press and practically BEG The Yankees to stop treating him like a common peasant, and give him a raise. If A-Rod had kept his mouth shut, he would still be making an embarrassingly low $25.2 Million per-year.
Unk—Your points on Swish are valid. He just looks so uptight to me. The way Arod used to look in the post season, times 100.
Maybe A-Rods girlfriend put a hex on the Yankees. Just stay home Kate, your giving out bad jibes.
I don’t know what these dumb-ass union people like Marvin Miller and Donald Fehr have been doing for the past 40 years. The average player makes only $2.8 Million per-year. $2.8 Million !!!!!! How is a man supposed to feed his family, for crying out loud ???
The problem with that Supe is that Hamels is going in Game 3 and you are right back to Hinske and Gardner being lefties and you can’t start Hairston or can you?
BTW- Hairston is 10-27 against Pedro career
2-10 vs Hamels
http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/p-pvb.cgi?n1=martipe02#choice=&bats=&minPA2=0&year_game=career&opp_id=NYY&orderby=PA&orderbyb=Name&minPA=0&orderbydir=DESC&orderbydirb=ASC&n1=martipe02&as=pitcher
NEW THREAD!!!!!
The payroll argument and the Yankee “way” of acquiring all the talent in baseball is such a boring, repetetive discussion.
At this year’s deadline–who loaded up (Or tried to load up)???
A) Boston with Victor Martinez and Wagner.
B) Philadelphia with Lee and Martinez
C) Dodgers with the Orioles lefty reliever (who is he Shoe?) Plus Padilla.
D) Angels with Kazmir.
Who did the Yankees acquire? Freddy Guzman? Hairston??? Mitre??? Gaudin??? Give me a break on the Yankees always getting everything.
Can’t argue noogs, the last guy i’d think would get uptight is Swisher, go figure. I’m leaning toward supe’s plan of giving him the shot tonight, If I was to make a bet I’d go that route because of giradi’s take on Swisher, but I won’t be surprised to see a shake up either. Joey that game looked like what your boys used to do to us back in the late 60′s. I used to hate to see the Birds come to the Bronx from 66 on
Forgot about Hamels in game 3
fat georgie sherill noogs
great drop Lev on pedro/ br ref page
The union needs to strike if A-Rod doesn’t get a contract extension with a higher salary. Fucking cheapskate Steinbrenners.
you have a good job keep it up and more strong and thanks for sharing with us
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