Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Holiday Headache


What has transpired over the last 48 hours has been terribly painful for me. The New York Jets have run out of steam, and may be headed toward an even bigger collapse than the 2008, Brett Favre squad. Their schedule is not favorable, and they are getting closer and closer to our favorite phrase: “The Same Ol’ Jets.” A day later, it was announced that the prize free agent of the offseason, Cliff Lee, was rejecting the Yankees’ and Rangers’ offers to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies, creating, on paper, one of the greatest starting rotations in baseball history. Let’s not forget that these guys will be pitching in the National League East all season. There is a chance of having four 20-game winners, bringing back memories of the 1971 Orioles.

First, the thing that’s stressing me out more than anything else. The New York Jets. This should come as no surprise to anyone that has ever bothered cheering on “Gang Green.” The Jets are a joke, even with talented players and a popular coach. Despite starting the season 9-2, it was only good enough to remain tied with New England, and the Jets have gone into a downward spiral since. Sure, they have a two game lead in the AFC Wild Card, but take a look at their schedule! At Pittsburgh, At Chicago, and home versus Buffalo. We can only hope that the Buffalo game still means something. Pittsburgh is currently playing toward a bye in the AFC, and Chicago is leading the NFC North. Had the Jets beaten Miami, a playoff berth would have been all but locked up. Now, they will look for a miraculous win on the road, or they’ll be scoreboard watching for the rest of the season.

Mark Sanchez just isn’t good enough. He’s not Tom Brady, and we are not the New England Patriots. Until Brady retires, that just won’t change. Heck, even with Matt Cassel for a whole year, the Patriots went 11-5. The Jets have negative sentiments tied to their franchise. This is a chance for the entire organization to reverse the trends, pick up a big victory on the road, and head toward the playoffs for a second consecutive season. They have a chance, but it’s unlikely. With a young quarterback sulking on the bench, a deteriorated offensive line, and an aging running back, the Jets’ hopes look dismal. Like Yankee fans, Jets fans are impatient. The Jets loaded up for one season, and in reality, they won’t be able to keep Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes both on payroll next season. This year was supposed to be the year. Even if they make the playoffs, does anyone think they’re going on a run all the way to Dallas?

The Lee thing really hit home. Most readers of this blog know how I feel about the Philadelphia Phillies. I love the fact that they continue to embarrass the New York Mets, who must be feeling even worse than the Yankees today. However, I do not like anything that is Philadelphia. I have family and friends from Pennsylvania who I love very much. I just hate the sports teams. Why? Competition. Philadelphia and New York are comparable. Sure, the Yankees have won 25 more championships and the Eagles have never won a Super Bowl, but the fans certainly wouldn’t give you that impression. Phillies fans are unbelievably passionate, and expect success on the field every day. Sound familiar? My only gripe about Phillies fans are the ones you don’t hear from for years, but have come out of the woodwork since 2007. That, to me, is pathetic.

Are the Yankees at fault here? Probably not. They made Cliff Lee a lucrative offer, one that would allow him to pitch for the Yankees until the age of 40, but he turned it down. His wife doesn’t like New York, and I guess he doesn’t either. What can you do? In hindsight, it’s probably a good thing that catching prospect Jesus Montero was not traded for Lee in July, as Lee may have bolted for Philadelphia after the season anyway. Cliff Lee was the Yankees’ Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C. They needed pitching help, and they normally get their man with a Steinbrenner check. This time, they didn’t. They sold the team, and I’m sure his buddy CC Sabathia tried to help, but he went back to Philly to join the greatest rotation in baseball.

Brian Cashman will have to figure it out between now and Spring Training. Andy Pettitte can laugh all the way to the bank as he now has the front office wrapped around his finger. The Yankees need him back, or we face another season with AJ Burnett as our number two starter. The signing of Russell Martin, I believe, is a positive thing. He’s been hurt lately, but he also posted two All Star seasons, and won a Gold Glove Award as a catcher for the Dodgers. He has potential, and if healthy, he is a clear upgrade over the aging Jorge Posada. It’s also positive because there has to be come plan waiting in the wings. Why do we need three catchers plus Posada? I’d rather see Jesus Montero stay in pinstripes, but if it means acquiring a pitcher of Felix Hernandez’s caliber, sign me up. A rotation of Sabathia, Pettitte, Burnett, Hughes, and Mitre/Nova simply is not going to work in the American League. This team played sub-.500 ball after the All Star Break in 2010, so improvements are required.

Boston and Philadelphia have become very hypocritical over the past week and a half. With Boston’s acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez, and making Carl Crawford the highest paid outfielder in MLB history, they will no longer have the ability to call the Yankees the “Evil Empire.” Philadelphia can’t blame their two championships on their lack of money. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley have big contracts, so do Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay. Their team is not exactly built from the farm up either. The Yankees cannot be referred to as the “Evil Empire” after this current off-season. At this point, I’m just hoping they’ll still be relevant after the season gets underway.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

JOE MUST GO



This is probably going to be my most unpopular blog entry of the year, but Yankees' manager Joe Girardi is ruining the season, and the Yankees' playoff hopes are getting scarier. I know, I know, they still have a large Wild Card lead, but other than CC Sabathia and a miracle Nick Swisher walk off homer last Wednesday, the team has shown no life for over a week. There have been no reports of team meetings, no locker room speeches from their captain, and no momentum heading into the stretch run which includes more games with Tampa Bay, Boston, Toronto, and Baltimore. There is no guarantee of a playoff spot if the team rolls over every single day. The games against the Red Sox coming up will be bigger than anyone thought they would be just a few days ago.

CC Sabathia was lights out, and deserving of his 20th victory. Unfortunately, the Yankees, who have the worst September schedule in all of baseball, had to face Cliff Lee and David Price in back-to-back games. The offense accomplished nothing, and Joe Girardi gave up the game after the ninth inning, using Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre to finish out a devastating loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, which dropped the Yankees to second place. Every hitter on the team not named Lance Berkman is mired in a slump, and things do not get easier with two more games against the Rays. Based on the Yankees' starting pitching, when you don't win with Sabathia on the mound, you risk a losing streak. No one, other than Ivan Nova, has been anywhere near reliable.

At the time of writing this article, the Boston Red Sox lead the Seattle Mariners 3-0, with mostly back-up players driving in runs. The Red Sox are showing heart despite a plethora of injuries, while the Yankees appear to be going through the motions and waiting for something better to come along. In my mind, Joe Girardi's thoughts may already be in Chicago. He allows Brett Gardner, with a sore wrist, to pinch run, but not until the ninth inning. Gardner then idiotically tries to steal third base before a pitch is even thrown. Girardi would have been better off using Brett in the eighth, when Jorge Posada reached on an error to begin the frame. Girardi also chose to give up on the game in the tenth inning, bringing in Chad Gaudin and then Sergio Mitre, who blew it immediately. Chad Gaudin lost Friday's game, and would have lost Saturday's game if not for a big hit by Alex Rodriguez. I think I can speak for Yankees Universe when I say we have seen enough of these guys that Brian Cashman insists on signing.

The Yankees are in free fall. They are still in very good shape for the postseason, but it's tough to think about when the Yankees can possibly get on a run. Their magic number stands at 12 to clinch the Wild Card over Chicago and Boston. Their offense is in shambles, and you have to sit and worry about the next three starting pitchers until CC pitches again on Saturday in Baltimore. The last 18 games of the year will be a real test of this team and its leadership. Instead of resting everyone and getting the playoff roster in order, Joe Girardi has to play with all available hands on deck the rest of the way. The Yankees' schedule simply does not allow for anything else. Monday's night in sports allowed all New Yorkers to play a brand new game show: "Which Offense is Worse?" In case you're looking to play, take a look at the Jets and the Yankees and give it a guess!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Bittersweet Victory



As fun as it is to see a guy like Nick Swisher pick up the team and crack a walk off homer to end a fairly successful homestand, Wednesday's victory over the Orioles was more of a relief than a satisfying win. The Yankees avoided embarrassment at the hands of Buck Showalter and the pathetic Baltimore Orioles' pitching staff. They dodged a potential four game losing streak before heading to Texas with three great arms scheduled to pitch: Vazquez, Moseley, and Burnett. If you're not thankful enough for Nick Swisher's homer, just check out the recent statistics on these guys.

Had Swisher not hit that big blast, we'd be talking about how atrocious the Yankees offense has been for four days. Well on The Inside Corner, we still talk about that stuff. Derek Jeter stinks. I hate to say it, and I hate to pick on the greatest shortstop in the history of the franchise, but maybe it's time. I'm not sure how the Yankees can really justify re-signing this guy with Eduardo Nunez waiting in the wings. Another 0 for 4 performance by "The Captain" has dropped his average to .262, and he also contributed a poor throwing error during Wednesday's game. If Jeter steps it up in the playoffs, he's guaranteed to be back next season. If it's more of the same for Derek, who knows where he ends up?

The 2010 Yankees are one of the streakiest offensive teams I can remember. When they're hot the whole team is hot. And then when one guy gets cold, the rest of the team can't hit. The lineup is just full of guys who have not hit for average this season: Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada (once in a while), Lance Berkman, and Curtis Granderson. When Jorge's not playing, which may start happening more frequently, we have Francisco Cervelli, who probably hasn't driven in a run since the beginning of May.

Ivan Nova seems like the real deal. He's had four starts, and he's done fairly well in all of them. The Yankees have won three of his starts, and his other start was lost by David Robertson after a 2-2 tie score. Why Cashman and Girardi don't consider him for the playoff rotation is beyond me. Who cares about experience? You can have a young kid in the game, or you can deal with the ineffectiveness of Javier Vazquez or AJ Burnett. You make the call.

On a side note, congratulations to Trevor Hoffman on his 600th save. That's an impressive accomplishment, but let's just think about how many saves Mariano Rivera would have accumulated by now if he played on a team that did not win a lot of blow out games, like the Padres or the Brewers. By the way, if you're keeping track at home, Trevor has posted a whopping 4 career saves in the playoffs. It could have been more, but he's pretty famous for blowing Game 3 of the '98 series against the Bombers, and coughing up a 2 run lead in a 2007 one game playoff at Coors Field. So congrats Trevor, but you'll never hold a candle to Mariano.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tuesday Thoughts- Three in a Row

There were certainly different sentiments surrounding the Yankees after Friday's loss and Monday's win. After Friday's drubbing at the hands of the Chicago White Sox, there were questions of whether AJ Burnett should stay in the rotation or not. Sure, these questions still exist, but after three wins in a row, you tend to feel better about things. Since Burnett was trounced in Chi-town, the Yankees got clutch offensive performances, and key outings on the mound by Ivan Nova, CC Sabathia, and even Javier Vazquez in relief.


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Why do the Yankees have such a great record this season without Alex Rodriguez? It has nothing to do with A-Rod being a jinx or a poor player, it just shows that the Yankees have clutch offensive players that can step up when they are needed. We saw this on Monday night against a strong pitcher in Trevor Cahill. Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, and Marcus Thames all had monster nights after Dustin Moseley did not have a strong outing. Cano has filled in beautifully in the cleanup spot, and all of a sudden, Tex has 92 runs batted in before September 1st.
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John Sterling is out of control. We all love his different nicknames and sayings for different players when they hit a home run, but Monday's postgame was completely ridiculous. After Marcus Thames' three run bomb in the fifth inning, Sterling did his usual song of "Happy THAMES are Here Again," but then he went on to shout: "Marcus timed a fastball, no, he THAMESED a fastball!" What does that even mean, John? At least he provides a nightly laugh for anyone listening.
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Speaking of Thames, how great of an acquisition has he turned out to be? He's one of the few Yankees with an average over .300, and he has cracked four homers in the last three games. His two homers on Friday were critical in a 12-9 victory, he hit a solo blast in a 2-1 victory Sunday, and Monday night, he put the game out of reach for the Athletics.
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Here's a good topic for debate: should Ivan Nova be one of the four Yankees' post-season starting pitchers? This year, MLB has ensured that teams will have to work with three pitchers, as there are not as many days off as the 2009 season, which the Yanks obviously used to their advantage. Even if Andy Pettitte does return this year, the Yankees can throw out a rotation of CC Sabathia, Pettitte, Hughes, and Nova. Vazquez seems effective in relief, and at this point, you really cannot take a chance with AJ Burnett. I'd almost rather see Dustin Moseley at this point. Nova has looked strong and fearless over two starts, so the playoff atmosphere shouldn't bother him at all.
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Kudos to the New York Yankees staff. I had a chance to attend the game with my father, uncle, and friend Monday night. My dad, who has had a couple of knee surgeries, needed to stretch his knee in our seats, so an usher allowed him to sit in the unoccupied handicapped seats behind our section, which gave him the chance to stretch his leg and enjoy the ball game. Sometimes, I feel a bit annoyed when ushers are constantly checking my tickets after I run to grab food, but Monday night, they did a nice thing for a nice guy.
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The Yankees need to win 7 of their next 9 home games. I went into this homestand against Oakland, Toronto, and Baltimore thinking that the Yankees needed 8 out of 10, and I stand by that sentiment. Boston is now 7 games back, but there is still time for the Sox to catch up. Tampa Bay keeps on winning, and the Yankees' last three weeks of the schedule are completely brutal. Not only do they have to make another trip to Texas, but they play the Rays 7 times and the Red Sox 6 times. As stressful as it may be, every day the Yankees win is another day off the schedule while remaining on top.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Great Night in Yankeeland



Even before the Bronx Bombers drubbed the Blue Jays north of the border, it was already a perfect day for Yankee fans. Johnny Damon snubbed the Boston Red Sox and rejected his trade from the Detroit Tigers, preferring to remain in Michigan rather than enter in a playoff race with his former team. To me, that just shows you that Damon is tired of the Red Sox fans' antics and playing in Fenway Park. Not only was it a slap in the face of Beantown, but it kept the surging Red Sox from adding a clutch October player.

After the great news about Damon, it was announced that the young Ivan Nova would remain in the rotation, while the atrocious Javy Vazquez would head out to the bullpen. Great move by the Yankees. Who cares about Javy's self-esteem in the midst of a pennant race? Nova looks like he has a great future and a lot of guts, challenging the over-confident Jose Bautista on Monday.

Then, the game started, and the offense showed up to back up Dustin Moseley. Mark Teixeira, Jorge Posada, and Marcus Thames had monster nights. Curtis Granderson hit another homer, and Derek Jeter waited until it was an eight run game to contribute, but he did hit a ball over a fence, something he hasn't done in almost two months. Coming off of a difficult 3-2 loss on Monday, the team responded perfectly with an 11-5 drubbing.

Dustin Moseley has been just what the doctor ordered for the Yankees' ailing staff. No, he hasn't been lights out and he hasn't won all of his starts. But he's been solid. The guy throws strikes, and without joking around, he's been better than AJ Burnett and Javier Vazquez. We aren't hearing much about Andy Pettitte, so we really don't know if we can count on him for the stretch run or even the post-season. In my mind, Moseley or Nova will be a fourth starter come October. Ideally, we'd see a rotation of Sabathia, Hughes, Pettitte, and Nova/Moseley. Notice how Mr. Burnett and Mr. Vazquez have not been included.

A lopsided victory, a Beantown embarrassment, and a smart decision removing a horrible pitcher from the starting rotation. Just an ordinary kind of day.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Ace of the Diamond



CC Sabathia is the ace of the New York Yankees. He's the ace they did not have during their postseason struggles between 2002 and 2008. You could even argue that he's the sole ace that they lacked during their Dynasty run of 1996-2000. He is the stopper. He is the guy who gives the Yankees innings. And in my mind, he's the guy that will be the first Yankee since Roger Clemens (2001) to bring home the Cy Young Award.

Tuesday's game was the kind of game the Yankees needed. They got distance from Sabathia, clutch hitting from Nick Swisher, Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, and even Derek Jeter. When things looked bad after CC surrendered a leadoff homer to Austin Jackson, the Yankees worked the count and got two quick runs against Justin Verlander, the ace of the Tigers. CC took over from there.

The Rays were victorious, and the Red Sox were too. That's the way it's going to be in the American League East for the rest of the season. It must be nice to have a worse record, but close to a ten game lead in your division, like the Texas Rangers, who were trounced by Tampa. Tampa is a great team, and the Red Sox simply do no go away, especially when guys like Buchholz or Lester are on the hill.

The solid victory over Detroit Tuesday doesn't mean much unless the Yankees can go on a run. Their record at home over the last two months has not been impressive, and it has not been anywhere near their 2009 mark in the Bronx. Unfortunately, Andy Pettitte is very far away from a return to the mound, so Dustin Moseley will throw for the Yankees on Wednesday. The offense needs to carry the team sometimes. This would be one of those times.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

One MO THAME(S)



No matter what happens to the Yankees this season, Wednesday night's 7-6 victory in Texas can be the next edition of "Yankees Classics." A game that looked lost before and after it started thanks to the unbalanced pitching match-up turned into a dramatic, team win that hopefully leads the Yankees to a winning streak. Javier Vazquez was awful, but Cliff Lee was not his normal brilliant self.

Thanks to clutch hits by Lance Berkman, Brett Gardner, Derek Jeter, and Marcus Thames, Kerry Wood picked up his first Yankee win after another solid outing, and Mariano Rivera showed why there is no one in baseball quite like him. The biggest at bat of the game, in my mind, was Lance Berkman leading off the ninth inning. His Nick Johnson-like at bat and leadoff walk set up the Yankees to tie the game and eventually take the lead.

Marcus Thames has filled in the number three hole beautifully as Mark Teixeira is too busy being a daddy to play baseball this week. He seems to be the one Brian Cashman offseason acquisition that is working out. Javier Vazquez is not. Curtis Granderson doesn't deserve to be in the lineup. No one really knows where Nick Johnson is. But Marcus Thames has been clutch, hitting over .300 and delivering some big RBI's. When most other hitters in the Yankee lineup have trouble getting in runners from third with less than two outs, Marcus Thames showed us how it's done in the ninth inning.

A few negatives from tonight. One was just touched on: leaving runners on base. When Austin Kearns hit into an inning ending double play in the eighth inning, I really started having doubts about this team, especially with the red hot Boston Red Sox, who seem to score 9 runs a game despite a shortened lineup. They have heart. They have an outstanding manager, and a good starting rotation. The Yankees do not have a great starting rotation. Javier Vazquez stinks. He and Burnett are enormous head cases who are afraid to put the ball over the plate in big spots.

We can only hope that Wednesday night's victory leads to a winning streak, something the Yankees really haven't had in quite a while. Although they picked up a big win in the two game series finale, the Yankees haven't won a series since they took 3 out of 4 in Cleveland back in late July. They need to win 3 out of 4 in Kansas City this weekend to make the road trip a success. Wednesday night's game was certainly a potential playoff preview. It has gotten a little bit sickening hearing announcers and reporters talk about what a lock the Yankees are to reach the playoffs. Those sentiments had been dwindling a bit over the last week or so. Wednesday's game is a start in restoring some of that early season confidence.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Push the Button



Friday night's Yankees-Red Sox game showed us a lot about the remainder of the 2010 season. If not for a Tampa Bay loss in Toronto, the entire evening would be a total wash. Fortunately, the Yankees remain in first place for another day, but one thing is for certain after the last two series and the opener against Boston: the 2010 Yankees are NOTHING like the 2009 World Champions. Let's take a look based on comparisons between Friday's game and last year's series opener between the Yankees and Red Sox (August 6, 2009).

Back on August 6, 2009, the Yankees got three big home runs to blow the game open against the Red Sox, from Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, and Jorge Posada. Flash forward to 2010, the Yankees get a big homer from Mark Teixeira, and then the offense completely dies. In 2010, the Yankees do not have Johnny Damon for no apparent reason- they have Brett Gardner, a decent fourth outfielder who reminds me more and more of Bubba Crosby every single day.

They don't have Melky Cabrera either, who was traded for Friday's losing pitcher, Javier Vazquez. And Jorge Posada didn't play Friday. Francisco Cervelli did, and his error on a simple pop up led to three unearned runs, the difference in the game. The 2010 Yankees simply do not have the same look as the 2010 Yankees. They don't work the count, not many come through in the clutch, and you don't get the feeling that the team is ever going to come back and win a game, even at home.

That game back in August of '09 also featured a clutch two run double by Hideki Matsui, who is no longer with the Yankees. Does anyone out there actually think that Lance Berkman is a better DH than Hideki Matsui? Berkman is horrible, and hitting coach Kevin Long has decided that after a 13-year career, it's a good time to change up Lance Berkman's batting stance. Nice job not giving the new guy too much to think about while he's up there putting up 0 for 4 performances every night. He fits right in with the likes of Curtis Granderson, Francisco Cervelli, and Brett Gardner.

Over their last four games, the Yankees have hit a two run homer in the first inning to take a lead, and they have found a way to lose all but one of those games. Why? Pitching, pitching, pitching. They only won the game that Phil Hughes pitched, because AJ Burnett, Dustin Moseley, and Javier Vazquez are simply not very great pitchers. That is why I have chosen to hit the panic button. Right now, out of the three teams fighting for these two playoff spots, the Yankees (without Andy Pettitte) are clearly outmatched by the other teams' rotations.

Saturday's Yankees-Red Sox game, in my mind, is the most important game of the season. They have a chance to maintain sole possession of first place, and put the Red Sox back to seven games out in the loss column. Should the Yankees drop another with their ace on the mound, they'll try to salvage a series split with AJ Burnett against Josh Beckett, followed by Dustin Moseley against John Lester. I think that's all you need to know about the importance of Saturday's contest.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Number 600



Alex Rodriguez's 600th home run could not have come at a better time. Besides the fact that it is finally over with, A-Rod hit it in a game the Yankees HAD to have before taking on the Red Sox this weekend. He also contributed to one of those John Sterling "you can't explain baseball" facts. Three years ago, August 4, 2007, Alex Rodriguez hit his 500th home run at Yankee Stadium, and Phil Hughes earned the win. On August 4, 2010, A-Rod hit number 600, and Phil got himself another W. Congratulations to Alex. Regardless of what you think of his past activities, the guy has admitted he was wrong, and carried on, leading the Yankees to a championship last season. I'm happy that number 600 is over, and the Yankees can move on.

Phil Hughes was solid, but it's very painful to watch him pitch. He takes an eternity in between pitches, but it's tough to complain when someone finally shuts down the Blue Jays and ends a miserable three game losing streak. The starters have been nothing but shaky over past week or so, but the Yankees bullpen is really coming together. Boone Logan, Joba Chamberlain, and David Robertson have turned it up since the All Star Break. Mariano Rivera is Mariano Rivera. Damaso Marte hasn't been seen in quite a while, but right now, Boone Logan is filling the lefty role perfectly. You have to imagine when and if Marte comes back, Girardi will keep two lefties out in the 'pen.

While A-Rod will be the headline for today, I'd like to do something I haven't done very much since the inception of this blog: credit Derek Jeter. The offense has been scuffling, and the team is out of first place. So what does Derek do? He has a 4-4 afternoon at the Stadium, raising his average to .280. Derek goes on these tears sometimes and all of a sudden, he's up around .300. He scored three runs, setting the table for every Yankee rally of the day. With Swisher and Tex heating up behind him, maybe Alex can get on a power surge now that the flashbulbs will die down.

The Yankees have an off day Thursday before an enormous series with Boston begins on Friday night. It's not enormous because of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. It's enormous because the Yankees, Rays, and Rex Sox are probably baseball's three best teams. Even with the Red Sox decimating injuries, they have hung in there. Two of these three teams will reach the playoffs, while one will go home. In my mind, if the Yanks can take 3 out of 4, Boston becomes buried in the standings. However, despite their injuries, the Yankees will still have to take on Josh Beckett and John Lester. Whatever happens, get ready for a long, long weekend full of four hour games and see-saw battles.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

RAYSing Eyebrows



It's August 1st, and even after today's debacle in St. Petersburg, the New York Yankees are still in first place by themselves. That's normally no cause for concern, especially after the "successful" trade deadline moves made by Brian Cashman and the Yankees' front office. Lance Berkman, Austin Kearns, and Kerry Wood are certainly upgrades over Marcus Thames, Colin Curtis, and even the great Chan Ho Park. Things are looking up for the most part with a tough last two months of the regular season remaining.

Today, however, was one big question mark. After an emotional, thrilling win Saturday night fueled by several clutch home runs, Joe Girardi and the Yankees had the chance to take their second consecutive series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the team with the second best record in baseball, and the team right behind them in the A.L. East Standings. The ace of the team was on the mound, but the lineup was outrageous. I respect Joe Girardi's willingness to rest veteran players to keep them fresh for the stretch run, but was it necessary against the Rays? Couldn't this have waited until the Yankees return home Monday against Toronto?

Sunday's lineup did not feature Alex Rodriguez, who is beginning to show signs of frustration due to his pursuit of home run number 600. It did not feature Brett Gardner, a spark plug at the plate and on the bases, despite having a right handed pitcher on the mound for Tampa Bay. Finally, the lineup did not feature the American League Gold Glove Award winner at first base, Mark Teixeira. Instead, Girardi stuck Lance Berkman at first base, giving the new Yankee a shot in the field, and he inserted Austin Kearns into left field, who failed to reach base at all.

Lance Berkman did pick up his first hit as a Bomber, but his play in the field likely cost the Yankees two runs. Early on, a bloop pop up by Kelly Shoppach went off his glove, allowing the game's first run to score with two outs. If that ball is hit to Mark Teixeira 100 times, Tex makes the play 100 times. Hands down. Later in the game, Berkman failed to scoop up a relatively simple one hop throw from Robinson Cano. That runner eventually came around to score. If Tex gets that throw 100 times, he probably makes it about 90 to 95 times. I know Tex deserved a "half day" off, but this could have waited until tomorrow.

CC Sabathia was not great, but he just always seems to pitch well enough to win. In his last two outings, the mighty New York Yankees have not been able to score a run in support of him. Tough to win that way. Sabathia probably deserved to pitch seven innings and surrender only one run, but he still would have lost anyway. I was impressed with Kerry Wood's debut. The guy hasn't pitched since July 11, and he showed how good his stuff was by striking out three batters. Chad Gaudin had to help him get out of the eighth inning, but Wood is clearly an upgrade over Chan Ho Park, whom he replaced on the roster.

As good a day as Saturday was for the organization, Sunday was almost that bad. The Yankees got a great start from their ace against a tough lineup, but their lineup was missing some key elements, and most hitters failed to make contact against James Shields, who despite his 9-9 record and ERA over 4.00, has been pretty brilliant against the Yanks in 4 starts this season. It will be interesting to see how Joe Girardi sets up the lineup this week against Toronto before a Yanks-Sox showdown begins on Friday. Does Lance Berkman deserve to be hitting second? Should the red hot Swisher have been moved out of his original spot, where he has been putting up a fabulous season? The Yankees' roster greatly improved over the weekend, but many questions remain to be answered.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Who Needs It?



It would be easy to sit here and complain about Alex Rodriguez's journey to 600. He hit number 599 a week ago in the Bronx, and he's yet to crack one over the fence since then. But you'd really only be able to complain about it if the team was losing, and if Alex was in a slump. Alex Rodriguez has been a different person since last season. He doesn't try to do too much, and that homer will come when it comes. A-Rod had a beautiful at bat in the first inning, driving in the first run of the game with a single up the middle, and that's all AJ Burnett and the Yankees needed en route to an 8-0 route of the Indians. I would like to retract my statement last week involving the Yankees' need to trade for Fausto Carmona. If there's any question why, check last night's box score.

Mark Teixeira is really turning it on, and it looks like he'll have no trouble ending up with over 30 homers and 100 RBI's, despite another horrendously slow start. The most important thing tonight was not Alex's base hits (one of which went off the right field wall), not Granderson's clutch at bats, or Cano's unbelievable power, but it was the man on the mound, AJ Burnett. After his little tantrum back on July 17, Burnett has turned in back-to-back scoreless outings to win two consecutive games. With Pettitte out and Dustin Moseley starting Thursday's series finale, the Yankees really needed this one, and Burnett delivered.

The Yankees are now 17-6 in the month of July, which is the best mark in baseball. The problem they are having are the teams below them, Tampa Bay and Boston. Tampa, too, is 17-6 this month, and Boston picked up a huge sweep of the LA Angels. If you think about it, the Red Sox are almost picking up free agents at the trade deadline as their stars begin to come off of the disabled list: Josh Beckett, Victor Martinez, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Dustin Pedroia. Fortunately, the Yankees have a 7 game lead over Boston, so there's not a need to worry (yet). Tampa Bay is another story, and this weekend's series at the Trop will tell you a lot about the remainder of the 2010 season.

Despite enormous amounts of power in the Yankee lineup, it's more encouraging to see games like tonight won by timely hitting. The base hits by Rodriguez, Gardner, and Teixeira that gave the Bombers a 4-0 lead essentially put the game away in the second inning. It became a show of whether or not A-Rod would get it done. A-Rod, like many other power hitters, hits homers in bunches. Once A-Rod gets number 600 out of the way, expect him to reel off about 4 or 5 more in a week. Other than the end of Tuesday's game, the Yankees haven't NEEDED a home run from Alex at any point. When he has to, he's still come through with the big hit. It's just those final at bats of the game where you see him swinging out of his shoes a little bit.

Every article/video blog entry this week has ended with a trade deadline discussion. I'm not all that sure if the Yankees will be able to acquire anyone at this point, but Scott Downs and Adam Dunn are the two men I'd most like to see in pinstripes by August 1st. Downs, a left-handed reliever from Toronto, has been outstanding this year, and Boston is also vying for his services. Dunn, a perfect DH for Yankee Stadium, hits mammoth home runs and his on base percentage would be a perfect fit. Only a few days remain for Cashmoney to come through.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

No Surprise Party



Tuesday, Alex Rodriguez had a chance to give himself a birthday gift by cracking homer number 600. Instead, the Yankees' reputation of failing against pitchers they've never seen before gained some steam, as rookie Josh Tomlin knocked off the World Champs for an embarrassing loss. Over the first two games in Cleveland, Jake Westbrook and Josh Tomlin have looked like Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. Is it really a surprise that Tomlin beat the Yankees? Ask Sean O'Sullivan about last Tuesday at the Stadium, when the rookie was masterful over seven innings. Five days later, the Yanks destroyed him as a member of the Royals. Something about that "first time" just doesn't go right for this team.

CC Sabathia was not great Tuesday night, but he was good enough to win. He always gives the Yankees innings and keeps the team in the game, but that's tough to do when you don't score until the eighth inning. Once in a while, it's OK to lose a game. But when you play in the American League East, two in a row is just about unacceptable. Tampa Bay continues to win, and third place Boston still has one of the best records in baseball. It's VERY tough to sweep a four game series, but you'd really like to see the Yankees take the next two before a showdown in St. Petersburg.

Not a good sign to see that Jorge Posada was scratched from the lineup with a sore knee. This is no knock on Cervelli, because he was huge when the team needed him early in the season, but Francisco can't hold a candle to Jorge's bat. If the Yankees were to do something at the trade deadline, Adam Dunn is not a bad idea for DH. Jorge is going to have to catch for the rest of the season until, hopefully, Jesus Montero is ready next year. Cervelli simply cannot maintain solid offensive numbers over the course of a full season.

Alex is finally starting to look like he's pressing a little bit. I can't say I blame him much, but to his credit, his fly out in the seventh inning probably would have been in the seats in the Bronx, and this anticipation/distraction would finally be over. One positive came out of tonight: Chan Ho Park pitched a scoreless eighth inning. If the Yankees can trade him away for a bag of sunflower seeds, the team would improve by the end of the week.

Monday, July 26, 2010

A Grand Night

The Inside Corner discusses Monday night's 3-2 victory in Cleveland, Alex Rodriguez's pursuit of homer number 600, and the idea of instant replay in Major League Baseball.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Royally Stupid



Today was another brutally long, yet important game in the 2010 Yankees season. Phil Hughes was not great, but he improved off his last start to pick up his 12th win of the season. Curtis Granderson showed signs of last year's power by cracking two homers, and Boone Logan has put together several impressive outings in a row to become a force out of the Yankees bullpen. Although Alex Rodriguez failed to crack number 600 at home, the Yankees' offense exploded and knocked off the Royals, 12-6.

It was a great game, the Red Sox lost again, and the Yanks finished the homestand with a 6-3 record. So why am I complaining? In the bottom of the eighth inning, Alex Rodriguez had a chance to crack number 600 with the bases loaded, which also would have given him career grand slam number 22. Sadly, he was drilled with a 1-2 fastball in his left forearm and came out of the game. I thought the Yankees needed to retaliate, showing other teams that they won't put up with their best player being knocked down and hit in the same at bat. Instead, Chan Ho Park came in to pitch the ninth inning, walked a couple of guys, and showed no heart by not even coming close to drilling any of the Kansas City Royals' hitters.

This is not only Chan Ho Park's fault, but also the rules of Major League Baseball. What if Park hits a guy? Then, you are looking at a suspension. (Would it be bad to see Park suspended?) Seriously, the rules have gotten a little bit too tight for pitchers throwing inside, and umpires issuing warnings. Believe it or not, I would have liked to see Joba Chamberlain start the ninth inning and put one in somebody's ear. That's the way old time baseball was played. There's nothing wrong with it. At least Joba would have accomplished something positive after another horrendous eighth inning. Could the Yankees possibly consider sending him to Scranton to get his head straightened out?

Dan Haren was traded from Arizona today, but it was not to the New York Yankees. Instead, he went to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Joe Saunders and a cast of others. I like Haren, but he's not someone that causes you to want to give up all of your minor league talent. If all the D-Backs wanted was Joba, however, why couldn't the Yankees pull the trigger? Either way, I'm happy to see him with the Angels. Right now, the Angels are certainly not a playoff team, and we all remember what happened last year when the Angels pulled off a "steal" to pick up Scott Kazmir.

The Yankees head to Cleveland before a big series in Tampa next weekend. If Girardi puts him in the lineup, I guarantee A-Rod cracks number 600 in Ohio Monday night. No excessive flash bulbs, no standing ovations. Let's just hope the midges don't return at any point.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

History on Hold

The Inside Corner blog discusses Saturday's frustrating loss to the Kansas City Royals, as well as what the Yankees need to do before the trade deadline to fix their starting rotation and bench.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Another Legend Passes



After a great victory which included two Yankee rookies homering in the same inning for the first time since 1929, the Yankee family was saddened by the death of yet another icon, former catcher and manager Ralph Houk. Houk spent 8 seasons with the Yankees as a backup to Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, and then had a successful career as a manager. Houk debuted as skipper of the Yanks in 1961, leading the team to his first of two consecutive World Championships. He won the American League pennant in all of his three seasons in his first stint as Yankee manager. Houk would then go on to pilot the Yankees again from 1966 until 1973, when he quit after the last game of the regular season. This is the third major passing that the Yankees have experienced in a week and a half.

On to today's game, the Yankees picked up a much needed victory over the L.A. Angels, and another game on the hapless Boston Red Sox. Javier Vazquez was great for four innings, and then a complete disaster after that. Although he wasn't good overall, he wasn't terrible. For a change, the offense and the bullpen bailed him out. Vazquez has lacked run support all season, and in his last start before the All Star Break, Vazquez left the game with a 1-0 lead after seven innings until Joba Chamberlain coughed it up in Seattle. Today, he left with a 6-5 lead and got some help.

Today, I witnessed one of the most interesting at bats I've ever seen in my life. Brett Gardner was ejected from the game in the seventh inning after complaining about an 0-1 strike call. He really did not deserve to be tossed, and Joe Girardi almost was given the gate for the second straight game. Once again, MLB umpires are on too much of a power trip and are ruining baseball. But the Yankees found a way to stick it to Paul Emmel: Colin Curtis. In the middle of someone else's at bat, Curtis stepped up, ran the count to 3-2, and hit his first big league homer. Earlier in the inning, Juan Miranda went deep. Curtis and Miranda were the first Yankee rookies to homer in the same inning since Lyn Lary and Sam Byrd in 1929.

The Yankees host the Royals for four games starting Thursday night, when CC Sabathia takes on Bruce Chen. You don't want to call these games "must-wins," especially with the Yankees still atop the AL East, but there is absolutely no reason that anything less than three out of four victories would be acceptable. On Saturday, Kyle Davies will take on Sergio Mitre. Davies, you'll remember, served up A-Rod's 500th homer back in 2007. If anything, at least Davies will have a chance to be the answer to an interesting trivia question, as will Colin Curtis after today.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Phull of Garbage



It's the same recipe for Phil Hughes and the Yankees again: mo' rest, mo' problems. That's not quite the way the Notorious BIG said it almost 15 years ago, but it's a similar concept for the Yankees' right-hander, who was embarrassed by the Angels in the Bronx Tuesday night. The Yankees were silenced by a pitcher they'd never faced before (shocking) in Sean O'Sullivan, who looked like Greg Maddux at Yankee Stadium after the first inning. All of a sudden, with Hughes' struggles and innings limit, it makes you wonder if the Yankees will be forced into trading away some prospects for a mid-season solution to their starting pitching woes.

It's tough to single out one hitter when the whole team struggles for eight innings at the plate, but let's continue to talk about Curtis Granderson. After noticing that Ian Kennedy defeated the Mets on Monday night, the Granderson acquisition keeps on getting worse and worse for Cashman and the Yankees. Phil Coke was at least a solid lefty, and Damaso Marte is on the DL. Austin Jackson has tons of potential and has a batting average about 70 points higher than the Grandy Man, and now, Ian Kennedy looks like he could have been a viable option for the Yankee rotation with Andy Pettitte out until late August.

The Yankees are really screwing up Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes with their innings limit rules. Hughes has been in the big leagues since 2007, so I guess I'm confused about why he still needs these limits. Hughes' worst start of the year (until Tuesday night) came against Seattle in late June, after he was skipped over by Joe Girardi and the Yankees' Brain Trust. Since then, he has been pretty shaky, including losing the All Star Game in Anaheim. Let the kid pitch. With Pettitte out, Hughes should not be skipped at all.

ESPN's Buster Olney had a great article about Derek Jeter on ESPN.com today. I respect Derek Jeter and am incredibly thankful for what he has done for this franchise. I greatly look forward to watching him get his 3,000th hit next season. In his article written before Tuesday's game, Olney discusses Jeter's .271 batting average. If the guy's name wasn't Jeter, what would YOU pay for a 36 year old shortstop who just finished up a .271 season? The Yankees have some serious thinking to do. Here's hoping Jeter turns it around and makes the decision even easier.

The Yanks have a tough one Wednesday afternoon. Javier Vazquez takes the hill for the first time in over a week against Joel Pineiro, who already wiped the floor with the Yankees way back in April. The Baltimore Orioles gave the Yankees a complete gift by coming back and defeating the Rays in extra innings, keeping Tampa Bay 2.5 games back in the American League East. If Vazquez can't have a strong second half, Hughes is on his innings limit, and Burnett continues to need a shrink, the Yankees may be in trouble. Of course, they could always call up Kei Igawa, who is riding out the last season of his well-deserved contract.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Winning Comes at a Cost

The Inside Corner's second video blog entry discusses the series victory over the Rays, Andy Pettitte's devastating groin injury, and what the Yankees can do to improve their short-staffed starting rotation.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Inaugural Video Blog



It's an historic moment in The Inside Corner's history, as yours truly has gone into the age of video blogging. The video blog covers one of the most tragic weeks in Yankees' history, as well as the first two games of a key series with the Tampa Bay Rays. Enjoy!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

A Yankee Icon Passes Away



I was going to write a post ripping Joba Chamberlain apart for causing the last two Yankees' losses by blowing 1-0 leads in the eighth inning, but on a day like today, that's about all I have to say about it. Bob Sheppard, the longtime, legendary Public Address Announcer of Yankee Stadium, sometimes referred to as "The Voice of God," died Sunday morning at the age of 99. This is a major loss for the Yankee family, and I won't be surprised to see the team wearing black armbands for the rest of the season, starting today.

Sheppard came to Yankee Stadium in 1951, and hardly ever missed a game up until 2007, when failing health caused him to be absent from the American League Division Series. Sheppard was not there for the final game at Yankee Stadium, but the Yankees did the right thing. They went to Sheppard's home in Baldwin, and had him record the starting lineup, as well as a brief "valedictory," which was played on the video board during the seventh inning. No icon was synonymous with Yankee Stadium the way Bob Sheppard was.

He will always be enshrined in Monument Park with a plaque. He will always be heard at Yankee Stadium when Derek Jeter steps to the plate. More importantly, he'll be remembered by every Yankee fan who ever sat at Yankee Stadium, took a moment, and really listened to the announcement of the starting lineup. He was not a screamer, or a rooter, just a professional announcer with a one-of-a-kind voice. I'm looking forward to attending Old Timers' Day next Saturday, when the Yankees are sure to pay tribute to the only Public Address Announcer in sports who was almost as famous as the team he worked for.

Friday, July 2, 2010

The Embarrassment Continues



Over the last couple of weeks, the New York Yankees have really made their fans question whether or not they are capable of repeating as champions. Today, for the first time, I lost confidence in their ability to do so. Not only do they lack a bridge to Mariano Rivera (see Joba Chamberlain's inflated ERA), but they have a plethora of hitters who are having horrendous seasons that can no longer be considered "slumps."

Today, the Yankees had a one run lead after seven innings. AJ Burnett pitched a great game, and as he usually does, Joba Chamberlain coughed it up. Since the Yankees couldn't hit another starting pitcher with an ERA over 5, the game went to extra innings. David Robertson was good for one inning, and bad for another. Chan Ho Park continues to make me scratch my head in terms of what Brian Cashman and the Yankees saw in his ability to get batters out. There have been several losses that I've declared the "worst of the year," but today's game has to be right at the top.

The Yankees scored one run in 11 innings against Toronto today, so it's really difficult to write a whole blog entry about how bad everyone in the bullpen has been, minus Mariano Rivera. The team has several hitters that are having bad seasons. It starts with Mark Teixeira, whose average is right around .230. In the first inning, Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher both get on base, and Teixeira follows with a slow dribbler to first base. Sure, Michael Kay, it's as good as a bunt, but Mark Teixeira is not getting paid to bunt. He's supposed to drive in runs and get the team off to a good start. Instead, he's making everyone regret the enormous contract that he received in December 2008, and it's concerning to think about 8 more seasons with Tex up there flailing at the plate.

Everyone is constantly saying that the Yankees need another bat. I'm not sure how one bat is going to fix this offense. I know in the offseason they will likely sign Carl Crawford and Jayson Worth. That's great, but what about this season? How is one bat going to fix the down years that guys like Jeter, Posada, Granderson, Teixeira, and even Rodriguez are having? If these guys aren't going to hit for average and they continue to leave runners on base, I don't think we need to worry about getting relief pitchers to get the ball to Mariano.

Brian Cashman really made some terrible moves in the off-season. We can't keep talking about them all the time. But the Curtis Granderson trade is looking like a horrendous deal, which may at some point become one of the worst in Yankee history because of Austin Jackson. Jackson continues to hit over .300 for the Tigers and is looking like a future Al Star, while Curtis Granderson is hitting a horrible .232, still cannot hit lefties, and has already spent about a month on the disabled list.

The Yankees will look to try not to embarrass themselves more this weekend by taking the next two against the Toronto Blue Jays. Doing so will allow them to salvage a 3-3 homestand, and it will keep them in first place. Do it for George Steinbrenner's 80th birthday, and be thankful that he's not around as much, or heads would be rolling and change would be in the air.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Cause for Concern



These last two horrible games with the Seattle Mariners have really been eye-openers. I know, I know. They've faced two of the best pitchers in baseball: Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez. They are both very, very difficult and very, very talented. You've got two aces against the 4 and 5 starters of another team. Even though these games have been in the Bronx, you wouldn't be wrong in assuming that Seattle should have won both of them. But there are several causes for concerns with this Yankee team, which holds just a one game lead in the A.L. East.

The number one concern has been the offense. This has nothing to do with who they faced; rather, it's the type of approaches they take at the plate. It also has everything to do with the fact that the bottom of the lineup is absolutely terrible. Francisco Cervelli's magic is over, which is why the guy was in Double A before coming to the Yankees in 2008. The combination of Chad Huffman/Colin Curtis doesn't produce much, but they're not supposed to. It's Brian Cashman's fault that the bench is not full of guys like Jerry Hairston and Eric Hinske. Mark Teixeira looks like he will not come out of his slump this season, and I believe he needs to undergo an eye exam. Finally, you've got guys like Derek Jeter, Nick Swisher, and Curtis Granderson who do nothing but swing at almost every single pitch instead of trying to run up Felix Hernandez's pitch count and possibly see a Seattle relief pitcher on the hill in this series.

The second concern that's really not a surprise to anyone is this bullpen. Chan Ho Park and Chad Gaudin have both been useless acquisitions. They're so bad that Michael Kay and Al Leiter make a huge deal out of it when one of them throws a scoreless inning. Joba Chamberlain either strikes out the side or gives up four runs. Boone Logan looks like he should be pitching in A-ball. And tonight, Damaso Marte did a great job with Russell Branyan, who completely owns the Yankees, as Branyan went deep again at Yankee Stadium.

If the Yankees fail to reach the post-season this year, I believe that Brian Cashman should be fired. I know the owners typically have something to do with what happens in the off-season, but this falls on Cashman. He signed Nick Johnson instead of Hideki Matsui or Johnny Damon, and Johnson hasn't played since the first week of May. Instead, Francisco Cervelli catches, and Jorge Posada DH's. Neither of them are hitting much at all. The Granderson trade hasn't worked out all that well. Austin Jackson looks like a pretty good player, and the Yankees gave up two much for a guy who can't even hit .250. Finally, the Yankees traded Melky Cabrera for Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan. Vazquez has been just OK, while Logan hasn't been able to get anyone out.

Tomorrow is an absolute must win game, but no one will get to watch it. For some odd reason, the Yankees have four consecutive 1:00 games coming up at Yankee Stadium. Either way, C.C. Sabathia's got to put a stop to this madness and beat the Mariners. Of course, the Yankees visit Seattle next week, so we'll see Lee and Hernandez again. By the time the Red Sox face the Mariners, I'm sure Lee will be traded to the Mets, and it won't be Hernandez's turn in the rotation.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Thanks, Yanks



After a genius Yankee decision to skip Phil Hughes to keep him on his "innings limit," Hughes turned in his worst outing of the season as the Yankees dropped a game to Cliff Lee and the weak-hitting Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium. Thanks to a solid outing by John Lackey against the Rays, the Red Sox are now just one game out in the AL East, despite missing two key parts of their lineup. And if anyone needed to see an audition from Cliff Lee, tonight was it. I don't care if he gave up four runs. He's pitched three consecutive complete games, and he owns the Yankees.

I'm not sure there's too much to say tonight other than the disappointment in Hughes, which may or may not have been directly affected by the skipping of his most recent start. Hughes' trouble may be attributed to rust, but I saw a problem with pitch selection. He threw too many fastballs. I'm not sure if it's because he doesn't trust the hook, but he was unable to put away hitters with two strikes, especially batters at the bottom of the Seattle lineup. Whatever it was, I just hope we're not talking about the skipping of Phil Hughes anymore this season. Unless, of course, the Yankees want to sign Cliff Lee.

Things do not get any easier for the Yankees offense tomorrow, as C.C. Sabathia takes on Felix Hernandez. Tonight's game was a perfect example of what the Mariners were supposed to be this season. They still do have two pitchers that would be aces on almost any other team. As ridiculous as it sounds, tomorrow may as well be a must-win game for the Yankees. Losing a series to Seattle at home is completely unacceptable.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

A.J. Bad in L.A.



Before I was even able to get in my house this evening, the Yankees had a 3-0 lead thanks to a couple of walks and a Tex Message. The sad part? I immediately said to myself: "The Dodgers shouldn't worry. A.J. Burnett is pitching." I really couldn't have been more right. Not only did we have to listen to Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, but they also shoved two of baseball's most obnoxious personalities in the booth: Reggie Jackson and Tommy Lasorda. Then, we were treated to a normal four hour game, and a fifth consecutive terrible game from A.J. Burnett.

Joe Girardi needs to be criticized for one thing in this game: leaving Burnett in. Early on, with the Yankees trailing 5-4 with runners on the corners and one out, he elected to let Burnett bat instead of sending up a pinch hitter in a sacrifice fly opportunity. Burnett laid down a bunt to put runners at second and third, and the 36-year-old shortstop struck out. Then, Burnett proceeds to allow the first two baserunners in the next inning to reach, and THEN Girardi pulls him. Gotta scratch my head on that one.

The Yankees had a couple of things on display today: some of the worst pitchers in the American League, and the weakest bench. A.J. Burnett, Boone Logan, and Chan Ho Park are completely atrocious. Burnett has been bad for a month, and Logan and Park can never give you a scoreless outing. Their bench is comprised primarily of four players: Kevin Russo, Chad Huffman, Colin Curtis, and Ramiro Pena. None of these four men are proven hitters, so in a National League park, other than a backup catcher, you don't have very many options to send up to bat.

I'm not complaining about one loss. For the most part, things in Yankeeland are positive. The team has won three of five on this West coast trip, and the team has a two game lead in the A.L. East. You never wish injuries on people, but the Red Sox suffered a bad blow today when it was announced that Dustin Pedroia has a broken bone in his foot. Clay Buchholz also hyper-extended his knee running the bases today in San Francisco and left the game after one inning (see Chien-Ming Wang, 2008). That being said, A.J. Burnett needs to get it together. I'm not a big proponent of removing a guy from the rotation, especially a head case like Burnett. But something needs to happen soon. Thank goodness the Yankees have him for three more full seasons after 2010.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

GRAND Finale



Sadly, I did not watch every single pitch of Wednesday's rubber match between the Yankees and the Diamondbacks. But I woke up when it counted. In one of the ugliest games you'll ever see, the Yankees turned in a memorable 10th inning victory, capped off by another clutch Curtis Granderson homer, followed by a Harry Houdini act by the greatest closer of all time. After pitching a perfect ninth and grounding out in the tenth, Mariano Rivera loaded the bases with no one out, only to retire the next three hitters on two pop ups and a strikeout. The guy never ceases to amaze me. No matter what, you always have faith that he's going to get out of it, even if the game DID take place in Arizona, probably his least favorite stadium in baseball for obvious reasons.

Why was the game ugly? Because the Yankees really had every opportunity to blow the Diamondbacks out of the water. Dontrelle Willis started for Arizona, and walked SEVEN batters in just over two innings, yet left the game with the score tied at 2. For a while, despite countless opportunities, it looked like the Yankees were going to drop the series to the hapless Diamondbacks. Javier Vazquez was not as sharp as he has been, but it was the bats who needed to be blamed in the early going. Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano each hit into two double plays, and the Yankees had several runners thrown out on the base paths, killing rally after rally.

Damaso Marte came in to pitch the sixth inning and showed why Joe Girardi has lost faith in him. He gave up a run without surrendering a hit. Two walks, a balk, and a wild pitch later, the Yanks were on the verge of a 5-4 loss. But fortunately, former Met Aaron Heilman came on for the save and did his best Marte impression, giving up the tying run without yielding a hit. Props to A-Rod for the clutch sacrifice fly.

I really have to give Curtis Granderson a lot of credit. I've heard plenty of people ripping the Jackson, Kennedy, and Coke for Granderson deal, and I've been one of them at times. Jackson was off to a good start and Kennedy has not pitched badly out in the desert. If you looked at Granderson's stats without watching a game, you'd think he was really choking in New York. But the guy was out for a month, and almost all of his homers have been clutch. Two of his homers have been game winners in extra innings, another beat the Mets this past weekend, one came off of Roy Halladay, and another was a GRANDerson slam that knocked out the Orioles. He never complains, runs his mouth, or watches the ball leave the yard.

The best part of the night, however, came after the game was over. YES Network's Kim Jones interviewed Rivera after his magical 10th inning, and instead of talking about himself, he told Jones, "We played horrible. It's unacceptable." Mariano Rivera is one of the greatest Yankees of all time. I cannot wait to see him enshrined in Cooperstown one day.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Weekend Wrap-Up

Apologies to my faithful readers for my lack of postings this weekend, so here's your wrap up from this weekend's series in Toronto, which was saved by today's come from behind 4-3 victory. Javier Vazquez looks like a new man, Robinson Cano is by far the 2010 Yankees' MVP, and Mark Teixeira looks like a bad minor league player at the plate.

On Friday night, I had hoped it was just an off-night for the Yankees. Burnett simply cannot pitch in Toronto. I kind of have the feeling that he gets the Roger Clemens syndrome of being "too pumped up" and overthrowing constantly. He gave up two home runs to Babe Ruth Bautista, and the Yankees could not hit Brett Cecil. I figured it wasn't much of a big deal coming off of a five game winning streak. The Yankees hit some balls hard, and Burnett kept serving up meatballs.

Saturday was the dagger game of the series. Andy Pettitte was again fantastic, and Derek Jeter provided the early power. As usual, the power hitting Alex Gonzalez (yes, Gonzalez, not Rodriguez) cranked his 12th bomb of the year off of Pettitte, which would eventually send the game into bonus cantos. However, the Yankees squandered a golden opportunity earlier in the game to score a run, which would have given the Yanks a 3-2 win in nine innigs. Again, the Yankees couldn't catch a break, as Derek Jeter lined into a double play with runners on second and third. Other than Chad Gaudin, who thinks it's a good idea to walk the first batter he faces on four pitches, the Yankee bullpen was excellent. But, guys like Tex, A-Rod, and Cano did nothing at the plate, and the Yanks lost in 14.

Today, I was unhappy for seven innings, but the Yanks salvaged a win north of the border before a well-deserved off day Monday. Javier Vazquez was brilliant against a potent offense, making one bad pitch all day to Yankee-killer Vernon Wells. Once again, the Yankees were leaving runners on third with less than two outs. And once again, Derek Jeter was the culprit. However, the gutty, gritty Yankees started an eighth inning rally when Francisco Cervelli and Brett Gardner each "took one for the team." Despite more brutal at bats from the meat of the order, a wild pitch, a Joe Girardi ejection, and a two run hit from Robbie Cano propelled the Yanks to victory.

All in all, it was not a miserable weekend. The Rays lost 2 of 3, and the Red Sox somehow lost a game to Baltimore today. It's on to Baltimore for three, so as a Yankee fan you have to be VERY happy that the Orioles were overdue for a victory, and picked one up against Boston today.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Sweep Dreams




When you're in a pennant race, and you're playing the Baltimore Orioles you expect a sweep. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, or where the games are being played, but these are the games that you'll look back on if your team falls a few games short of reaching its goal of playing in October (or even November). The New York Yankees, now just 2 games back of first in the AL East, have done what they've had to do against the worst teams in the American League, especially on this home stand. CC Sabathia got back on track, and Alex Rodriguez and Brett Gardner provided the power as the Yankees knocked off Baltimore, 6-3.

I do have to give CC Sabathia a break. He earned his fifth victory of the season today, but he could easily have eight wins already (Andy and Phil lead the team with seven). On three different occasions, he had victories taken away from him. He tossed 4 2/3 innings at Fenway Park on May 8th before they put the tarp on the field, preventing CC from getting the final out to go five innings and earn his win. At home against Boston, CC handed a 5-1 lead over to Joba Chamberlain in the eighth inning and, well, we all know what happened there. And CC was very shaky this past Saturday, but left the game after six leading the Indians 10-5, only to have Joba and company cough it up. So instead of being 5-3, CC Sabathia could easily be 8-3 and well on his way to winning 20 games.

Everyone who played today contributed, the sign of a good team. Every batter had a hit other than Francisco Cervelli, who caught a great game and finally got on the same page as Sabathia. A-Rod showed his trademark opposite field power, Brett Gardner already has established a career high for dingers in a season, and Joba Chamberlain pitched "another" perfect eighth inning. It's painful not being a kid anymore, because these summer weekday games really interfere with your productivity at work. So instead of watching YES, I was confined to the GameCast, sweating it out as Mariano allowed the first two batters in the ninth to reach. But, Mo was Mo, and he retired the next three.

On to a slightly different topic, kudos go out to Armando Galarraga and the rest of the Detroit Tigers for the way they handled Jim Joyce's costly mistake. Thursday afternoon, as Joyce was behind the plate at Comerica, the Tigers had Galarraga bring out the lineup card and shake hands with Joyce, who was in tears. I have to give Galarraga credit for the way he handled himself in the heat of the moment, almost laughing it off when the runner was incorrectly called safe at first base. One out away from perfection, and I honestly don't know what I would have done. You get the feeling that baseball is getting closer and closer to instant replay on safe-out calls, with each team probably getting a challenge or two throughout the course of a game.

The Yanks fly north of the border for a weekend series with the Blue Jays. Toronto can hit it out, but they are coming off back-to-back brutal ninth inning losses at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays. If not for two blown Blue Jay leads, we'd be talking about the tied-for-first New York Yankees today. You want to look for at least two out of three victories for the Bombers, who will then head to Baltimore before returning home to play the lowly Houston Astros.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Your Daily Phil



Once again, I must apologize to my faithful readers. I have received comments lately that I am not my normal self. There have not been complaints, groans, criticisms, and any other unpleasantries that often frequent this hallowed website. Tonight will be another complaint-free night after one of the most boring Yankees games of the season. Phil Hughes was dominant, the bats stayed hot, and the Orioles stood absolutely no chance as the Yanks won game two of this must-sweep series, 9-1.

Robinson Cano continues his push toward the American League MVP Award, and Phil Hughes is emerging as a Cy Young candidate. Robbie is riding a hitting streak, and is absolutely pulverizing everything. You still get the feeling that Tex and A-Rod still have not completely gotten it going, but guys like Cano, Swisher, and Granderson are really picking up the slack. Jorge Posada's return makes the lineup ten times better. Plenty of protection for A-Rod and Cano, while you have an All Star in Granderson hitting seventh.

Ok, let's have some complaints. This time, they aren't really Yankee-related. Nice job by the Toronto Blue Jays proving that they're really not that good. Somehow, for the last two seasons, they haven't had to play the big boys of the American League until June. And after two major ninth inning collapses, they've given the Tampa Bay Rays plenty of life and ruined their season.

I also had the painful privilege of watching poor Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning as he inched closer and closer to a perfect game, which would have been the THIRD on this young season. Austin Jackson made a fabulous catch in center field for the first out. After an easy second out, it appeared that Galarraga had a perfect game after receiving the throw from first baseman Miguel Cabrera at the bag.

But umpire Jim Joyce completely blew the call, costing Galarraga a chance to have hit name etched in history. The best part of the whole situation was watching Miguel Cabrera screaming at Joyce as the game continued, and Jim Leyland was barking like crazy after the game concluded. Another game ruined by pathetic umpiring. I'll bet anything that this leads to baseball's eventual establishment of instant replay for almost EVERY call, not just homers.

Back to business, the Yankees must sweep the Baltimore Orioles tomorrow. It's time for CC to have a good start, and the Yankees must conclude this home stand against two of the worst teams in baseball with a 6-1 record. No excuses, no exceptions. I can't say I'm a big fan of weekday games, especially now that I spend my days working for the man, but at least the Yankees won't have to deal with arriving in Toronto super early Friday morning.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

JAV A Night



As I've always said, Javier Vazquez is the guy I want on the mound in a must-win game. OK, I haven't said that at all, but tonight he tamed the dangerous Baltimore Orioles lineup by throwing seven solid innings and getting out of a bases loaded jam, earning his fourth win of the season, tying him with supposed ace CC Sabathia. These are games that the Yankees have to win, and the Orioles basically handed it to them tonight as the Yanks took game one of this critical series, 3-1.

Tonight we had a great Javier Vazquez, and a good Joba Chamberlain. Both have been inconsistent and cost the Yankees some victories. Vazquez was completely lights out until the sixth, and appeared as if he might get a loss in the seventh. Believe it or not, Joe Girardi stuck with him and he escaped the Orioles rally with the game tied. After Miguel Tejada and Ty Wigginton gave the Yankees two runs in the bottom of the frame, Joba had a shut down inning, and Mo was Mo.

Curtis Granderson has really looked impressive since coming back from injury. For months, we've all heard about how he cannot hit lefties, but tonight, he took one into the seats. And it's a homer that does not go out of Comerica, so Curtis has to be smiling and enjoying his new right field porch. The Yankees' bats really did nothing other than that, but a win is a win. When you have an off night, the Orioles still know how to give away a game.

Once again, a victory did not come without a cause for concern. Yesterday it was Derek Jeter's hamstring, and today, it was Mark Teixeira's foot, which was bruised on a foul ball. Fortunately, it's nothing serious, but it's concerning that the Yankees seem to have a player leave with an injury almost every single game. Before Jeter on Monday, it was Robertson on Saturday and Moeller on Sunday.

The Yankees must sweep this series. They have Phil Hughes and CC Sabathia going against the Orioles over the next two days. I totally understand that the Orioles are a "big league team" and can win on any day, but they really do look pretty pathetic. Phil needs to continue his dominance, and CC needs to figure out how to get his fifth victory on the year.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Memory Lane

Today I experienced the perfect way to celebrate Memorial Day: heading to Yankee Stadium with great weather and witnessing a dominant victory. We were reminded of the brave men and women who gave their lives for our great nation, and we were reminded of how great the Yankees have the potential to be this season. Andy Pettitte continued his Renaissance-like season, Alex Rodriguez made another team pay after a poor decision, and the Yankees did what they had to do: take 3 out of 4 from the hapless Cleveland Indians.

Andy Pettitte has had some great moments and some great seasons as a New York Yankee. Everyone remembers Game 5 in 1996, and the three clinching victories during last year's title run, but this year is shaping up to be the finest of his career. The guy is a Yankee, and hopefully, a future Hall of Famer. If not for his three year stint with the Houston Astros, he'd be the franchise leader in victories. Andy mowed down the Tribe with ease for seven innings today, retiring the side at one point on five pitches. It really is a pleasant experience at Yankee Stadium when Andy takes the hill. Not only does it bring back memories of a great left-hander, but you're also watching one of the great starts to a season in Yankee history: 37 years old, 7-1, 2.48 ERA.

The bats were a little bit quiet in the early going today, similar to yesterday's game. And just like yesterday, the place erupted in the bottom of the seventh inning. Mark Teixeira was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out, and a statistic popped up on the video board: "Alex is 4-4 with 14 RBI's and two grand slams when Mark Teixeira is intentionally walked in front of him to load the bases." I guess Manny Acta wasn't paying attention, as A-Rod cracked home run number 590 into Monument Park, where he will one day be enshrined. It was also his 20th grand slam, just 3 behind Larrupin' Lou Gehrig for the all-time record.

Robbie Cano continued his MVP-like season with a solo homer after A-Rod's salami, and Curtis Granderson is fitting right in the number two hole as he added yet another extra base hit. One cause for concern emerged as Derek Jeter left the game with a hamstring injury. As much as I like Ramiro Pena and Kevin Russo, the Yankees cannot afford to have Jeter on the shelf at all.

The Yankees took 3 out of 4 from the Cleveland Indians in this holiday weekend's wrap-around series. Anything less would have been inexcusable. They now play host to the last place Baltimore Orioles for 3, and based on the fact that the bats appear to be waking up, I'm calling it a "must-sweep" series. Javier Vazquez needs to have a good start tomorrow, and the Orioles' pitching should be no match for the Yankee offense, with or without Derek Jeter. With Tampa floundering atop the AL East, the Yankees have plenty of opportunities to gain ground as they take on Baltimore, Toronto, Baltimore, and Houston over their next four series.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Dumb and Dumber



Despite a bad loss to Boston and two disasters against the Rays this month, today's contest was by far the worst at Yankee Stadium this season. Several factors gave today's game this dubious honor. First, it was absolutely disgusting watching David Huff get hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of A-Rod. Of course, it involved A-Rod. Everything does. But it was really, really painful to see. You have to feel for the guy, especially with his family in New York to watch him pitch. Fortunately, he is OK and even called the Yankees to let them know about it.

That being said, on to the nightmare that was today's blown six run lead and a loss to one of baseball's worst teams. There are several culprits that we can blame. First, we'll start with CC Sabathia. I know he gave the team a good shot to win, leaving after 6 innings with a 10-5 lead, but he kept the Indians in the game. He blew a 3-0 lead and allowed the Indians to tie it, then gave up runs in consecutive innings after the Yankees had a couple of six run leads. CC looked like he had no control of his fastball, and I'm starting to wonder if he and Cervelli aren't having trouble getting on the same page. Aside from Javier Vazquez, Sabathia has been the least reliable starting pitcher this season for the Bombers.

The final two culprits earn the title "Dumb and Dumber today." DUMB: Yankees manager Joe Girardi. I completely agree that Sabathia did not need to come out for the seventh inning. It was a five run game, and Sabathia didn't have his best stuff. Fine. He brings in David Robertson. Also fine. And of course, Robertson gets ahead of a batter 0-2 and promptly plunks him. After giving up a run and getting an out, he comes out due to back soreness, so Joe calls on Sergio Mitre. Also fine. Mitre comes in and walks the first batter he faces, with the score still 10-6. Don't even consider the fact that Mitre has been a starter who can pitch several innings, but Girardi yanks him after one batter and brings in Damaso Marte, who retires Russell Branyan and comes out of the game.

Instead of sticking with Mitre, or even Marte, Girardi tries to set the record for the number of pitchers used in an inning and brings in Joba Chamberlain, who was absolutely awful. Four hits and a walk later, the Yankees had completely blown the lead and lost to the Indians. I can't tell what the problem is with Joba (DUMBER): he's either out of shape, a total head case, or the organization has completely ruined him with the starter-reliever switch every single season. The worst part of Joba's outing was the base hits he gave up to a bunch of no names.

I refuse to pick on any of the hitters today, even if they didn't hit for the last half of the game. You score 11 runs, you win the game. Especially when you give your "ace" a couple of different 6 run leads. This game was completely on two people: Joe Girardi and Joba Chamberlain. No one else. After starting the season 21-8, the Yankees are 8-12 over their last 20 games. Today was a bad, painful loss to one of the weakest teams in baseball. The next two games are absolute must wins against Cleveland. It will be completely unacceptable to do anything other than take 3 of 4 from the Tribe.

Friday, May 28, 2010

GRAND Return



Believe it or not, there's not much to complain about in Yankeeland after tonight's 8-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians. These are the games they have to win, and Phil Hughes made sure that they got it done. Hughes was outstanding, Curtis Granderson made his return with a double and a walk, Mark Teixeira showed more signs of coming out of his slump, and Robbie Cano capped off the night with a grand slam to right field. Not to mention Nick Swisher continued his hot hitting, drilling one off the foul pole.

Before the game, I questioned Joe Girardi's selection of the lineup. He decided to give Alex Rodriguez a day off, which is fine, but he did it on a day when Chad Moeller started behind the plate. The bottom three hitters in the order were Brett Gardner, Ramiro Pena, and Moeller. Gardner contributed a sac fly, and Moeller cracked a late double.

Tonight's game was overshadowed by tragedy. As Curtis Granderson was recalled off of the disabled list, the Yankees said goodbye to the legendary Randy Winn, designating him for assignment. I'll miss his slow swings, his poor play in the outfield, and that sickening feeling I got when he struck out against Jonathan Papelbon to end a game last week. Fortunately, the Yankees found Kevin Russo at Scranton, so Winn can hit the road.

In other good news, Jorge Posada was seen today walking around the dugout without the boot on his foot, so his fractured bone is obviously healing very well. According to sources, he took some swings off of a tee and did some running. I think Granderson's return provided a lift, and you can imagine what Posada's return in a few weeks will do to this team. All in all, a great night for the Yankees, and a night on which the Red Sox and Rays both lost at home. The success must continue the remainder of this homestand, with six games left against the Tribe and the Orioles.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Bats No Good



Believe me, there was no bigger goat in tonight's Yankees-Twins game than starting pitcher Javier Vazquez, who was back to his normal, American League self. The Twins teed off on Javy, who looked nothing like the pitcher who dominated the Mets for six innings last weekend. Vazquez was bad, Chan Ho Park continued his disastrous Yankees career, and Chad Gaudin was welcomed back with a three run bomb off the bat of Jason Kubel. It's obviously pretty easy to blame the pitching staff for this one.

However, I'm going to take a different perspective on this one and blame the offense, specifically Alex Rodriguez. Mark Teixeira finally started hitting the ball, but the Yankees' number four hitter is mired in a terrible slump. In the first inning, I thought the game turned in the Twins' favor for good when A-Rod bounced into an inning-ending double play. How many times have the Yankees failed to knock in a runner from third with less than two outs? That's the kind of thing that good teams do. It really does not take too much to loft a fly ball to the outfield.

The pitching was bad tonight, but once in a while, the bats are allowed to have a slugfest. Jeter seems to be picking it up, and Teixeira has had some encouraging at bats over the last two nights. But now it's Rodriguez who is not pulling his own weight. Overall, the Yankees had a 3-3 road trip against tough opponents. Minnesota is leading the AL Central, and, say what you want, the Mets play pretty well at home. At the time of this posting, the Mets are two innings away from sweeping and shutting out the NL Champions for three straight games.

Now, it's time for the Yanks to put up or shut up. It's time for the bats to wake up, and the team to win seven straight games. I understand that's very unfair to ask of any team, but they host the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles over the next week. There is no reason that these teams should not be swept. Good teams have to beat the bad ones, and the Yankees will have plenty of opportunities over the next few weeks to prove what kind of team they actually are.