After an embarrassing three game swing in Boston the Yankees travelled back home to take on their cross-town rivals. Friday night looked like it was going to end in yet another Yankee pitching failure as the Yanks blew three separate leads and A-Rod popped up to second on a 3-1 count. Luis Castillo, though, forgot that he actually has to catch the ball for game to end and Mark Teixeira must have forgot to get his work in on the treadmill as he chugged all the way from first to score on the three-base error.
As the Yankees entered Saturday they were looking to capitalize on the crushing defeat for the Mets, but Pettitte continued in his recent slide only making it through five innings while allowing five runs. The bats also went dormant, perhaps expecting the Mets to commit more blunders in the same vein as Friday night. The Mets did not and the Yankees watched Fernando Nieve cut them up with 95 mph heaters and a tight breaking ball.
As the Yankees walked into Sunday most fans were probably thinking worst was coming with Johan Santana on the mound against A.J. Burnett. What most fans might have forgotten is that Johan is one of those pitchers the Yankees always had a beat on.
The real question was whether or not Burnett would show up. Perhaps motivated by his second beat down at the hands of the Red Sox, Burnett was dominating. He looked like he would break in the third inning after a long layoff while the Yankees put up four on Santana. These last two starts are exactly what the Yankees got when the signed Burnett this off-season. He can be painful with his inability to throw strikes but he can always wow you with his natural ability to throw 95 with ease and a wicked breaking ball.
The Yanks will have an off day today before preping to take on the major leagues worst team, the Washington Nationals. Really it is a series the Yankees have to sweep and with Sabathia taking the hill first they have the best chance to get off on the right foot. Plus we will see if Chien-Ming Wang will regain his proper form and if Brian Bruney will carry the fire he had for K-Rod back out onto the mound when he is activated on Tuesday.
If you haven't seen the video of K-Rod vs. Bruney from yesterday's pregame warm ups its kinda funny. K-Rod definitely has the middle school "hold me back man" attitude while standing in front of the larger Bruney. Good thing for the Mets that K-Rod didn't actually touch Bruney or he would have burned the Mets with a stupid suspension.
I can relate to Bruney's argument and I feel the same about Jonathan Papelbon's celebrations too. I can understand when it is a big game or if they are called into duty with runners on in a tight game, but when it's a standard three-run lead save, chill out. Same goes for Joba, though we haven't seen as many of those fist pumps since he joined the rotation.
I'm gong to rest up on this off day and get ready for another week of baseball.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Subway Series Part I
So I guess the Yankees had a rough stretch in Fenway during the week, but now theyhead home to the friendly neighborhood launching pad. I'll tell you this, one thing that would make me panic is if the Yankees fail to destroy Livan Hernandez. He has absolutely no business pitching against this team and the Yankees proved that back in 2007 when they faced him as a D-Back.
Tonight would also be a good night for dominant Joba to show up and shut down the Mets. The Yankees could really use a no doubt-win to boost team morale and that of the entire Evil Empire.
Tonight would also be a good night for dominant Joba to show up and shut down the Mets. The Yankees could really use a no doubt-win to boost team morale and that of the entire Evil Empire.
Sox Spank Yanks... Again
It's a shame for the Yankees that they lost this one. I know that Sabathia was responsible for all four Sox runs, but it didn't feel that way. He pitched a gem into the seventh. The Yankees just left him in too long. On the other side, Brad Penny was equal to the task. Penny's stuff isn't that great so he has to paint to consistantly get people out, and last night he was Mark Rothko.
Quietly, David Ortiz is coming around. Last night's homer was his third in five games. Had a mini seven game hit streak going along. Too bad he'll have to be on the bench or play first in this stupid interleague series with Philly that starts tonight. Francona will probably do what he usually does and rotate Ortiz, Mike Lowell, and Kevin Youkilis around.
Anyway, I wouldn't get too excited, Sox fans. Sure, it's nice to beat up on the Yankees, but a lot is going to happen between now and the end of the year. By August, this will all be a distant memory.
Annoying note of the day: Did Yankee catcher, Francisco Cervelli, have to appeal every single check swing by the Red Sox? Most of them weren't even close. Besides, no third base umpire is going to call strike three on a check swing from his vantage point.
Quietly, David Ortiz is coming around. Last night's homer was his third in five games. Had a mini seven game hit streak going along. Too bad he'll have to be on the bench or play first in this stupid interleague series with Philly that starts tonight. Francona will probably do what he usually does and rotate Ortiz, Mike Lowell, and Kevin Youkilis around.
Anyway, I wouldn't get too excited, Sox fans. Sure, it's nice to beat up on the Yankees, but a lot is going to happen between now and the end of the year. By August, this will all be a distant memory.
Annoying note of the day: Did Yankee catcher, Francisco Cervelli, have to appeal every single check swing by the Red Sox? Most of them weren't even close. Besides, no third base umpire is going to call strike three on a check swing from his vantage point.
Can We Go Home Now?
Well that's enough of that I guess. The Yankees can't get out of their own way when they play the Red Sox. It's pretty inexplicable and inexcusable for a team as talented as the Yankees to score a combined three runs off of Brad Penny and Tim Wakefield.
I'll be honest I only watched the first two innings of the game. I could have watched more, but refused to subject myself to the Yankees stranding two runners every inning against Penny and Sabathia giving up a home run to a guy hitting on the interstate. This was the sixth of the eight loss that the Yankees could have easily won.
The reality of the situation, like a cut on your forehead, is this looks much worse than it is. These losses hurt because it's the Red Sox and it's a division rival, but if the Yankees can bounce back against the rest of baseball then when they meet the Sox again in August the will be in good shape.
I would expect to see the real Yankees until Monday though. They always seem to let the Mets off the hook too.
I'll be honest I only watched the first two innings of the game. I could have watched more, but refused to subject myself to the Yankees stranding two runners every inning against Penny and Sabathia giving up a home run to a guy hitting on the interstate. This was the sixth of the eight loss that the Yankees could have easily won.
The reality of the situation, like a cut on your forehead, is this looks much worse than it is. These losses hurt because it's the Red Sox and it's a division rival, but if the Yankees can bounce back against the rest of baseball then when they meet the Sox again in August the will be in good shape.
I would expect to see the real Yankees until Monday though. They always seem to let the Mets off the hook too.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Wang Slides Back
There was little to know doubt that game two of this series would go the Sox. Even when Wang has been at the top of his game he has had little to no effect against the Red Sox, especially in Fenway. I think even the Yankees knew that coming into the game, but what I'm sure they didn't expect was to perform so poorly against Tim Wakefield.
The most disappointing part of the Yankees batting against Wakefield was their hacking. They lacked any real discipline against the knuckleball and it cost them. Seven of their 28 plate appearances against Wakefield ended after one pitch with only one of those swings resulting in a hit.
Sure they scored a few runs, but this is Tim Wakefield we are talking about. With the offense the Yankees have they have absolutely no business hacking at the first pitch of that many at bats. That's pathetic.
But still Wang deserves some blame. You have to believe that this is now something that's in his head. If he isn't walking people then he is serving up meatballs. If you're Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi, it's really hard to send him out there again in five days. Phil Hughes wasn't lights out during his 3.2 innings, but he was sure as hell better than Wang.
The Yankees want to get Wang right, and really that would be the best thing for the team. But they also need to win games, and right now Hughes gives them a better chance to win every five days than does Wang.
Tonight it is CC Sabathia vs. Brad Penny. The pressure will be on CC in a game the Yankees absolutely need, simply so they don't have to carry 0-8 around until August. On paper it is the best match up they have had all series, and though Penny is no slouch right now, the bats need to wake up and get the job done. They were 2-15 with RISP. That won't win games against anybody.
The most disappointing part of the Yankees batting against Wakefield was their hacking. They lacked any real discipline against the knuckleball and it cost them. Seven of their 28 plate appearances against Wakefield ended after one pitch with only one of those swings resulting in a hit.
Sure they scored a few runs, but this is Tim Wakefield we are talking about. With the offense the Yankees have they have absolutely no business hacking at the first pitch of that many at bats. That's pathetic.
But still Wang deserves some blame. You have to believe that this is now something that's in his head. If he isn't walking people then he is serving up meatballs. If you're Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi, it's really hard to send him out there again in five days. Phil Hughes wasn't lights out during his 3.2 innings, but he was sure as hell better than Wang.
The Yankees want to get Wang right, and really that would be the best thing for the team. But they also need to win games, and right now Hughes gives them a better chance to win every five days than does Wang.
Tonight it is CC Sabathia vs. Brad Penny. The pressure will be on CC in a game the Yankees absolutely need, simply so they don't have to carry 0-8 around until August. On paper it is the best match up they have had all series, and though Penny is no slouch right now, the bats need to wake up and get the job done. They were 2-15 with RISP. That won't win games against anybody.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Photos From the New Digs
Here are some shots from my first trip to the new Yankee Stadium. I'll have up my thought about how the new stadium feels in comparison to the old stadium.
The Great Hall as it is called, is immense to say the least. It is nice to have some elbow room as you traverse the inner workings of the stadium, that is something the old Yankee Stadium lacked.
Here is a shot of Evan Longoria as he heads to take some BP. Everyone knows it, but I'll say it again anyway; this guy is a beast. He struck out three times against Pettitte and Phil Hughes, but he puts on a show during batting practice.
Now I could never afford the best seats in the house at the old Yankee Stadium not to mention this new one, but my seats for Monday's game were close to the furthest you could be from the action yet each section was guarded by an employee. I get why they are there, but it definitely gives off that caste system vibe.
These spikes are meant for the birds or more accurately, to keep the birds away. Even they needs tickets to see the Yanks.
Hughes came in for his first regular season relief appearance and set down the top of the Rays order 1-2-3. Hughes could succeed in a relief role, but really he doesn't belong there. It's the same argument with Joba. The guy can be a successful starter in the near future and to have him wasting away in the bullpen not getting his innings limit up or getting work and experience is a travesty. All bets are off during the playoff run but for now the Yankees still need starters in case Pettitte's back needs a break, Wang doesn't return to form or A.J. Burnett decides he needs a 15 day vacation in August.
That screen in center is ridiculous.
These photos are from the upper deck behind home plate. Enough said.
The Great Hall as it is called, is immense to say the least. It is nice to have some elbow room as you traverse the inner workings of the stadium, that is something the old Yankee Stadium lacked.
Here is a shot of Evan Longoria as he heads to take some BP. Everyone knows it, but I'll say it again anyway; this guy is a beast. He struck out three times against Pettitte and Phil Hughes, but he puts on a show during batting practice.
Now I could never afford the best seats in the house at the old Yankee Stadium not to mention this new one, but my seats for Monday's game were close to the furthest you could be from the action yet each section was guarded by an employee. I get why they are there, but it definitely gives off that caste system vibe.
These spikes are meant for the birds or more accurately, to keep the birds away. Even they needs tickets to see the Yanks.
Hughes came in for his first regular season relief appearance and set down the top of the Rays order 1-2-3. Hughes could succeed in a relief role, but really he doesn't belong there. It's the same argument with Joba. The guy can be a successful starter in the near future and to have him wasting away in the bullpen not getting his innings limit up or getting work and experience is a travesty. All bets are off during the playoff run but for now the Yankees still need starters in case Pettitte's back needs a break, Wang doesn't return to form or A.J. Burnett decides he needs a 15 day vacation in August.
That screen in center is ridiculous.
These photos are from the upper deck behind home plate. Enough said.
Yanks and Sox Fatigue
I know this blog is dedicated to this rivalry, but I'm just not up for it this go around. The game tonight will probably be rained out anyway. It's just too exhausting, and I can't stand the 4 hour games. Beckett and Burnett will probably be out of the game by the 4th inning. Final score: Sox 13, Yanks 12. Total game time- 5:43.
Anyway, here's an interesting article about the evolution of the walk in baseball from my favorite sports writer. More specifically, it's about how attitudes about walking have changed through out the history of baseball.
Anyway, here's an interesting article about the evolution of the walk in baseball from my favorite sports writer. More specifically, it's about how attitudes about walking have changed through out the history of baseball.
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