The Yankees are 18-3 in their last 21 at home going back to June 30TH…

How’s that for Home Field Advantage at The Stadium?

I would argue on the side of "Woohoo!"

: )

per Pete Abe:

R - Jeter SS
S - Swisher RF
S - Teixeira 1B
R - Rodriguez 3B
S - Posada DH
L - Cano 2B
R - Hairston LF
S - Cabrera CF
R - Molina C

Got the lefties out and ready to tear it up. Is this Swisher's 2nd game in the 2-hole with the Yanks or more? How did he fare on the previous occasions?

[2] in 13 starts in the two-hole this year, Swisher has hit .229/.362/.417.

goddamn. I don't know why I can't remember nearly that many. heh

Rios to Chicago, according to ESPN ... traded for a bag of balls. Literally nothing. Dodge the salary. My, my, Vernon Wells' contract is the gift that keeps on taking.

rios is gone to the white sox - straight waiver claim, blue jays receive nothing in return

mk, leiter, and o'neill - not bad but where the hell is coney? he hasn't been on since the july 4th weekend i believe.

No Rios, but Josh Inglett is batting 1.000 against Mitre!

Fairly small sample size, I guess I should admit.

Er, Joe Inglett.

[8] Who isn't batting nearly 1.000 against Mitre this season?

; )

dimelo if you are around - funny story about runninng into mk on the ues - i like that you told him "the yanks win baby"

So speaking of Mitre...
Is he going to be "pumped and motivated" this evening, or "running scared", on account of the parade of guys breathing down his neck to snatch away his starting job?

Doesn't seem nervous!

nice pitch - pumped and motivated against scutaro

[14] Sounds like faint praise, but I'll take it!

Hmmmm. Okay, this is good. Gooood Sergio!

Ah, that look's more familiar.

His ball moves a LOT, but he is always up in the zone. He is Iggy with movement.

Yeah, this is more like what I was expecting.
Two on for Wells.

Big test for Sergio...

much like victor martinez, lyle overbay is a professional hitter

[19] ™

[17] yeah as al just pointed out - you are a sinker ball pitcher and yet all your pitches are up

Lyle OH-verbay...

what an interesting inning sergio

[21] On the other hand, you're making two billion dollars a year to play CF for Toronto, and you kind of suck.

Skeleton crew at the Banter tonight, huh? Not surprising. Emotional let down. And maybe Alex et al. are giving some of our Heavy Hitters the day off.

Ahhhhhh.
Take that, Scrabble.

way to break out that rickey henderson special derek

JETER!

oh sweet Jetes! I haven't even turned the game on yet!!

i think petey said hughes was a big collector - he certainly goes after those hr balls with a vengance

[25] yeah - it's a trap night on the banter. though, even during the boston series it took an hour or so for the banter to pick-up (at least the 3 night games).

I love Scrabble. Triple word score for three hits before an out, right?

Woohoo Derek!

[31] Let's start drinking early. That'll teach those lazy bums. We'll be three sheets to the wind when they walk in the door...

That may be the first time I ever actually used the expression "three sheets to the wind".

[32]

did someone mention Scrabble?

and why is A-Rod playing tonight?

Party pooper. Unclutch.

[35] Yay! I thought that might summon you.
He DH'd last night, right? How many days off does that slacker need?

[37]

my own Banter fan club .... cool :-)

I would argue that Rios' f-bomb-laced tirade in public after his five strikeout day was a lot of why he was waived...

That's "who f*cking gives a shit," Alex!

: )

Bautista with the Johnny Damon jump catch!

Okay, someone has to say that he or she has a bad feeling that this failure to score off Spelling Nightmare is going to come back to haunt us. Hm. Who's in the line-up for williamny tonight?

SUPERADDITION went yard for the Sox, 2-0.

Whoa, nice. Superaddition.
He must have a nice one with "pus" in it thought, huh?

[42] Well according to ESRSN last night, he's "equal" to Teixeira...

Heh heh!

[41] At least they have some offensive production these days...

: )

Orgies Timer looking good. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt by not assuming the Jays are in "fuggit" mode.

[45] He is what he is, RIY.

He'll keep the Yankees in the game. Anything more is a bonus, like going past five innings...

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt because Molina is working with him tonight.

: )

[42] using the " rage tenor" he has some good ones:

parodied units
audited prison
roadie pundits
dinosaur tepid
unpaid steroid

E5

Jose Molina ..... ALIENS MOJO

[40] oyf's production from that spot in the lineup is replacement level

Rzepczynski = No anagrams found

I'm so off my game, I can't even watch this game with the same intensity as the past four. These are the types of days I appreciate the life of the professional athlete. Even when you think of the Patriots undefeated regular season, that shit must be hard.

Oh well, Mitre, our universe turns its lonely eyes to you. Keep this streak going while I catch up on work.

Mitre must have caught the good pitching bug, good virus to get.

So Bautista can't keep track of outs, and MK can't keep track of strikes. You're not alone in your lack of concentration, Dimelo.

[53] Either that or the Sox left the not-hitting bug in the visitors' clubhouse.

i don't watch enough of other teams to be really bold about it - but i don't think another 2b in the league makes that play as easily as cano does

[50] That comment is Unacceptable. A firering is in order.
Why do they call his pitch a 'sinker'?
It moves left to right, and is usually waist level.

well hill is a really good hitter

Aaron Hill = Brady Anderson

I've been supporting Orgies and will continue to do so. Carl Crawford catches that. : D

[57] A firering? Like in the Johnny Cash song?

[61]
Good grief ... I JUST watched this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSFEA9ezMv0

[58] I know Aaron Hill has always been first in my book.

(My book is "Second Basemen, alphabetic by first name")

[62] Whoa.
I hope that isn't the Score Truck. It's kind of disturbing.

Captain Spry back at it.

Derek Jeter, ladies and gentlemen.

Christian Guzman. Yeah. I'm liking everything about this season.

[64] that's the pirates score truck - note the colors

Its the Derek Jeter Show

according to petey cody ransom cleared waivers - i'm surprised the red sox didn't go after him :}

damn bautista has an arm

[67] Oh, right. Yeah, that makes sense. That's why they don't like scoring so much.

Holy crap that was close!

[64]

Yeah ... I know .... I saw the link in Nerdabout ..
http://blogs.discovery.com/nerdabout_new_york/

I hope they show more of Ricciardi in the stands. I like watching him be a failure.

[71]

Alex Rios doesn't make that throw ...

[73] i feel sorry for his kid though. he keeps yelling at him to sit down.

[73] He's enjoying the game, though. He's admiring Lyle Overbay in all aspects of the game.

[62] Wow. And I gave up acid years ago.

Finally back after my two week vacation. So, did I miss anything, like, oh, say, a beloved Red Sox hitter coming up on the list of 104, and MLB, MLBPA, and the media try to cover for him unlike the way they didn't for A-Rod?

About the only game I saw the last two weeks was Melky's cycle. Good to see the Yankees back where they belong, first place.

[77] Naaa, none of that.

Oh wait...

[77] Oh, uh, no, you didn't really miss anything fun or exciting. Well, there was A-Rod's 15th inning walk-off, Sabathia's domination, and the back-to-back daggers Damon and Tex drove through the Red Sox' hearts. But nothing much.

Captain Derek 2 - Blue Jays 1

: )

[77] welcome back rbj - hope you had a nice vacation. just a few little things happened the last fortnight.

This "Yankee Universe" thing is kind of lame. I would go ahead and embrace at least part of the "evil empire" thing and go for "Yankee Empire". After all, New York is the Empire State.

hi everyone!

[51] i tried myself and was sad to learn there were no anagrams. : (

i've got the shit sox on espn here. their beating up on the tiggers. me no likey.

we should be beating up on eye chart more than we have.

6 K's for Orgies already! wow. : o

was Derek's homer a YS Special or legit? (i'm guessing former...)

i still need to read Cliff's write-up and catch up on some other baseball news.

weird day today. the old, longtime ex-g/f was in town for the afternoon and we had lunch. hadn't seen her in almost 4 years, methinks. she's en route back to enemy territory (boston/worcestor)...

[82] "Yankee Empire". hmmm. i could learn to dig that!

[83] Very legit...almost to dead center.

steve phillips just said that Pukilis is a "baseball player." wow, thanks man. i didn't know that before this broadcast. : /

[83] Hey thelarmis.

Yeah, Orgies had five K after two innings!

Derek's blast was legit. Straightaway CF, wasn't it?

[85] awesome. and Welcome Back to you, too! : )

[86] I'm fortunate to have the Blue Jays feed.

[87] are you halfway to 3 sheets yet?! : )

[89] yes, you are!

[90] seamus - Sheetz!!! : )

this seems more like the Sergio i know and don't love. let's hope he strikes out the next 3...

[90] Well, I know the Jays don't give two sheets tonight, that's for sure!

[82] The Yankees Universe makes a world of difference to kids at Memeorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Very important, Yankees Universe...

: )

[88] Thanks! I was out of town again, but able to catch bits and pieces of the last four games. Not much to complain about, to say the least.

I am finding it increasingly difficult to believe that Mitre is "unlucky," as just about every ball hit off of him goes for a hit (and often, but not always, a hard hit). Fortunately he has the strike out pitch going for him tonight.

[86] Funny. I though Puke was a ballet dancer. I guess his pink tutu is what threw me.

Glug.

That was embarrassing.

Mitre really doesn't do much well, does he?

Looks like Robbie should have had that

So, he actually gets *lucky* in that he fielded that hot shot, and then air mails it into CF. Can we please put Sergio out of our misery??

Orgies may induce rash.

[96] He's the Head Elf...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettywarstl/332128709/

: )

WTF happened?!?! : /

[98] Does part of you wonder if he actually committed that error on purpose, to increase the chances subsequent runs are unearned?

Wait, E4??? No way. The replay showed it pretty clearly sailed out of Rob's reach.

didn't sergio throw one into cf last game too?

I think he should have gone to third, actually. There was a small chance of a triple play if he did it right.

[94] I'm sure it is, but is there a special reason for "universe" there, as opposed to "empire"?

[106] I think so. It was Jeter covering. And someone, maybe Kay? made a big deal out of how he should have led Jeter to the bag... is that right? Am I remembering an actual play?

[107] yeah if nothing else to catch the lead runner - and they still could have gotten 2

Vernon Wells is a lot like Toucan Sam

[109] yeah that's what i remember too - i think he also held the ball kind of long and messed jeter's timing up

Ugh.

Okay, we need the Score Truck.

jesus fucking christ.

this guy is killing me. : /

Bring back the Red Sox, they don't hit like this.

so can we reasonably expect gaudin to be better than mitre?

Great, back to Mitre's typical run-per-inning rate. Consistency, that's all you can ask for in a fifth starter.

dammit. I'm at work, and get involved in something here, then next thing I know I hear Sterling say it's 4-2 Toronto.

and mlb gameday isn't worth a poop. It's forever an inning behind. ugh.

[116] I'm confident of it.
[118] Sergio fielded a hot grounder and fired it into CF. It's scored E4, but I thought it was pretty clearly Mitre's fault. That sparked a rally...

[108] Yes there is...

A Universe is much larger than a Nation.

That's the name they came up with for the charity.

Woohoo Robbie!

[113] Did you order a score truck?

That makes up for the error. : )

robbie cano - refusing to be a victim of mitre

Nancy Drew just pulled a Swisher in right. Kittens on the board, man on 3rd, 1 out. hopefully, they cut the deficit in half...

Cano no no no I don't smoke it no more ... I'm tired of waking up on the floor ...

Woohoo Jerry!

b2b?

nicely done jh hr - guess you want to stay around

I can just imagine what Sterling is saying now.

Score truck with another delivery for Mr. Mitre ...

A Cashman belly to belly.

OH HELL YEAH!!!

i just saw the high & low -lights on espn!!!

well, they didn't show Hairston's homer.

this ROCKS!!!

Score Truck!!!

[119] It was a bad throw, but you can see Robbie looking at 1st base as the ball tips off his glove. You want a DP there, but if not, you want one. If you can't get one, you at least catch the ball and keep the runners where they are.

It was a shitty throw, and a tough error, but Robbie has to catch that throw.

espn gamecast is still on commercial break. : /

i have a feeling the score truck is going be working a double tonight

[130] he said "it is high... it is far..." (which at this point, it's still 3:2 that it get's caught) "...it's [long ass pause] ...GONE! Back to back. Belly to belly."

Then Suzyn went on about Hairston contributing in every single game.

[120] Thanks. Though I still like "Yankees Empire" better.

We aren't getting many-run homers, has anyone noticed that? That A-Rod walk-off, naturally, when we only needed one. (Typical A-Rod.) And lots of solos. Lots. Not complaining, but a couple three-run jobs would be nice.

"I respectfully submit that ball was outside and your mother is a whore"
Won't slow the game down.

[137] Oh fer...
What the hell is wrong with you? Must you inflict your suffering on everyone?

(jk jk jk)

I'm calling a 9-6 win for the Yanks tonight ...

He's going to the BP? In the 4th? After an easy ground ball? In a tie game? Weird, no?

[139] did get 2 3run hr off smoltz and traber thurs mr greedy score truck

where's cito gaston ?

[142] That's one of your favorite scores, I know. Kind back-to-back, though, Sterling Style.

Oh, I grossed myself out.

[144] I know, but recently. A long Score Train of solos shots, no?

[145]

Well ... my birthday IS 6-9 ....

[144] He was mysteriously ejected earlier in the game. Seriously.

[146] yeah - sometimes the score truck just rides solo

[148] thanks - that's weird

[25][31] Lurking..
Is Gameday buggin' out or did Jerry Hairston hit a homer? ("Jerry Hairston"..sounds like a 1950s tv show boy-next-door)..

Puke got drilled in the ribs by Edwin Jackson. i clapped.

i HATE that bullshit stance of his. it makes NO sense.

4-2 shit sox

[151] Yeah, weird, huh?
And when you add the "Junior" even more so.

Aaron Hill has 20+ more HRs than David Wright ....

[154] And what hustle!

[155] Yeah, he's clearly not in "fuggit" mode...

: )

Another 4 runs in 5 innings from Mitre...I don't think he can pitch better than this (especially because the Jays have the feel of a team mailing it in), so I really hope the Yankees are ready to make a change.

I hate the wave. I refused to participate when I was at the stadium

I hate Lyle Overbay

damn that was a professional homerun

[157] Hm, you spoke too soon.

dammit! that inning was going soooo well. : /

Sweet...Mitre just gave up a bomb to Lyle Overbay. Mattpat, are you still with us? Do you feel ok??

Breaking News: Sergio Mitre fucking sucks.

[157] Damn...spoke too soon....make that 5 runs in 5 innings...in a game he is supposedly pitching well. At some point, the Yankees need to play every 5th game with a serious handicap.

[157] But...but...but...he's sooooo unlucky...

I hear Smoltz is available.

gaudin's debut looming

Who cares about Mitre's pitch count? I sure don't, his arm could fall off for all I care. It's time Kei Igawa got called up anyway, he's the best pitcher ever for Scranton.

[167] you mean Scthzmoltz

[167] And Sir Pizza...

[167] :)

Ok would Sergio Vallente work here....Ya know....sucky pitcher...sucky jeans?

[168] What do we do now, now that we are happy?

[169] shudder

[169] SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Cashman might hear you.

It really is a testament to how great this team is when you consider how poorly Girardi has managed and how poorly the organization has handled the 5th starter role.

It would be one thing if the Yankees didn't actually have another option now, but with Gaudin they do. I just hope Girardi and Cashman don't continue to insult everyone's intelligence by pointing out that the Yankees have won 75% of Mitre's starts. The bottom line is the Yankees are needlessly not putting their best team on the field every 5th game.

Sergio Mitrie is not so good methinks.

Bay just hit a "Fenway Homer". cheap, pop-up, over the mahnstah. bullshit.

5-3.

I'm still very surprised they haven't got 50K at a game yet...

[179] Is Jason Bay also a "professional hitter"? (I don't know how to put the little "tm" symbol)

maybe jp riccadi is trying to steal signs

[177] I have a feeling we'll be saying this for the rest of the year, just about different people. I have no faith in the Chad Gaudin Experiment,

[177] Who is Boston's fifth starter? Who is the Rays fifth starter? I don't know, it really is a non-issue at this point. Only 6 more weeks left, so if the Mitre gets the 5th turn each time out then we are talking about 8 starts. If they go 5 - 3 in those starts, then that's fine with me.

Bigger issue is Joba, IMHO. Sergio is, well, a fifth starter, nothing more, nothing less. They aren't going to plug in Cy Yong in that slot

[180] With the 2 for 1 deals they gave to the premium season holders, I don't think they can sell 50,000 seats (assuming the extra seats are counted as comps).

5th starters suck. I just enjoy rooting for Orgies every 5 days.

[184] Cy Yong, he's Taiwanese, right?

[183] Neither do I, but I would have said the same thing about Chacon and Small. We know Mitre will not perform. Let's at least see what Gaudin can or can't do.

[187] haha! Nope, Korean.

We'll hang ourselves tomorrow... Unless Gaudin comes.

[184] Why are the 5th starters of TB and Boston relevant? The Yankees personnel decisions should be based on who they have, not who their rivals have. Mitre has now had 4 starts and been bad every time. There is no point in continuing the charade. The Yankees haven’t clinched anything yet (neither a playoff spot, the division or home field), so I see no reason to waste starts on a guy like Mitre who has no future on this team anyway.

[189] And that Cy is pronounced "see," not "sigh"...

: )

[181] On my Mac, it's option-2.

[184] I don't know who their fifth starters are, but Mitre has been arguable the worst starter in the AL who has started four games (before tonight), and tonight's game does not help that. He is near the bottom of the 100+ pitchers with four or more starts in ERA and WHIP, and he's not even giving innings (so he is putting pressure on the BP).

Moreover, the Yankees have been throwing away games in the Wang-HUghes-Aceves-Mitre slot the whole season.

Maybe it won't matter in the end. Maybe they will lose all 8 starts he makes the rest of the season and it won't matter. But that does not justify throwing one of the worst pitchers in the league out there every five days. For heavan sakes, do SOMETHING.

[177] I'm still enjoying their level of play for the last couple of months to be concerned about their 5th starter. Mitre, Gaudin, Towers, etc. won't be a lot different. I agree that the team needs to figure out how to handle Joba's innings limit, not overextend CC, manage their bullpen to keep them fresh and in general manage their 6.5 game lead.

[187] hilarious.

Penny just got TWO very favorable calls on 3-0 pitches. ended up being a groundout. total bollocks. should be man on 1st, no out. : /

[188] I think we've got a good general idea of what we can do. http://tiny.cc/mzAjd

His numbers over the last three years are some kind of awful.

Aces for Ace.

[194] One way you manage your 6.5 game lead and create a situation wherein you can rest Joba, Hughes and Mo is by not giving games away...games like this one.

looks like aceves will vulture another win tonight. the offense will come alive in the 7th. bank on it

[194] I wonder how much guys like Aceves will be wasted cleaning up Mitre's four inning messes.

[191] What I'm saying it doesn't matter, the 5th starter is a problem for 90% of the teams, no different than the backup catcher spot. I'm not worried about the 5th starter at this point. If the 5th starter can go 5/6 innings and give up 4/5 runs then I'll take that, I don't expect a superstar in that spot. We lost that battle when Kennedy went down, now it's just about plugging in a body.

and Mitre did get 6 K's, for whatever that's worth...

so...how will Ace vulture a win tonight?! ; )

he best go out for another inning...

Can anyone explain to me the current photo on top at NoMaas? Really not getting it...

Cano = Smooth

[191] Methinks it's simply to point out that it is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to have 5 QUALITY starters. Just sayin'.

There we go! Gimme a rally. Gimme a rally.

[203] me, neither. but the 2 below it are pretty funny! : )

[190] nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes, it’s awful.

[196] Again, see Small and Chacon. I am sure their past numbers weren't much better. Also, check out Gaudin's numbers over his last 5 starts or so. He had been very good. Meanwhile, Mitre has been awful. There is no reason not to make the switch.

[199] it's his job. not everybody can be the 8th inning guy. Aceves is great at pitching a couple of middle innings. He's very efficient and just throws strikes.

[202] he just threw 9 pitches. he's good for at least the 7th.

i wish robbie had stealing bases speed.

and i really hope the score truck drives in this half-inning!

[201] I refuse to accept that a team cannot do better than 7.00 to 9.00 ERA starter in the fifth spot (as you suggest), and I think you undervalue what kind of damage such a pitcher can do by blowing out the BP or limiting the options for resting other pitchers (as William points out).

And for what it is worth, I imagine it is not as much of a problem for "90%" of other teams, since all of them can't have arguable the worst starter in the league, which the Yankees have sent out every five days between Wang-Aceves-Mitre (and to a lesser degree Hughes, who was credible in his starts).

that was incredibly unproductive, unacceptable and infuriating!

[203] Something do do with the show, "To catch a predator." Creepy computer dudes preying on youngsters. Is Dusty the youngster someone is supposed to meet? I don't know. : /

[201] I get what you are saying...I just diagree. If your point was the Yankees shouldn't trade a prospect to fill a hole that really isn't a major problem, I'd agree. That's not what I am suggesting. Rather, the Yankees already have potentially better option in the organization, so it makes no sense not to give them a try. After a big 4-game sweep against the Sox, it might seem trivial, but nothing has been clinched. Regardless, a few extra wins could mean homefield against the Angels (huge) or even just two skipped starts for Joba. There is no reason to field a sub optimal team when you don't have to.

[210] was directed at [200].

Quality start for Mitre, no? (3 ER)

[201] Yeah, but where a team gets bit is say the #4 has a bad outing (or that game goes extra inns) and you run the bullpen. Now you're in a spot. Knowing you can only count on 5 to 6 innings from #5.

[208] Gogo! . . . Gogo! . . . GOGO!

[218] That's a good point. Let's say Andy is struggling a little in his game, but Girardi leaves him in too long because he knows Mitre is unlikely to go more than 5. That's another way a starter as bad as Mitre can negatively impact a team.

[212] And to think they've managed to have the best record in baseball even with those shortcomings in the 5th slot. Again, I don't see it as a big issue, but I also believe in santa claus, the easter bunny, curses and ghosts.

Well that was unacceptable!

Um, we're not bunting with Hairston Jr. because...? Its not like its Derek Jeter at the plate there. Move the guy over.

[220] especially when a certain someone keeps relief pitchers out of games after having "pitched in 2 straight games" (even thought that was 1 batter each game totaling 8 pitches).

[221] Well if she floats like a duck, it means she's made of wood...and then what do we do?

[221] What difference does it make that they have the best record in baseball right now? The season still has 50 games. Do you completely dismiss all of the reasons given for why having an awful 5th starter could negatively impact this team's attempt to win a championship?

[216] Well, I think that you are incorrect. Right now Girardi trusts three relievers, it seems: Hughes, Coke and Aceves. You want, therefore, to be able to use them in high leverage spots. You do not want to burn them for the middle innings of games that are being thrown away by the fifth starter who is clearly well below replacement level.

On Sunday, according to Girardi, there was no way that Aceves or Hughes were coming into the game because they had been heavily used before. That could have come back to bite the Yankees (indeed, Coke coughed up the lead)...the odds of that increases every time good relievers are burned for extra innings.

Mitre has failed, repeatedly. Put him down and throw some other arm in there. There is ZERO reason not to try someone else.

[209] For every Small and Chacon, how many Ponsons and Reddings and Darrell Mays are there? Sometimes bad pitchers just keeping pitching like bad pitchers. That was my whole reasoning behind not wanting Mitre in the first place, and we've now dedicated a month to pretending that he's better than he is. I don't want a month of pretending that Gaudin is any good on top of that.

[217] he only went 5 innings.

[217] sorry didn't realize Mitre was out after 5

[228] And his last five games have been awful.

http://tinyurl.com/lhufax

[221] Agreed..arguing over the quality of the 5th starter..not major problems...AL rivals have much bigger things to worry about..this team is going to the WS, there is zero doubt in my mind....

Right now Girardi trusts three relievers, it seems: Hughes, Coke and Aceves.

No... there is another.

did you guys see that Mickey Mantle's widow died?

[228] Again...you are right...most of these kinds of guys will be awful. That's exactly my point. Instead of settling on one who is putrid, doesn't it make sense to keep trying until you find a Small or Chacon? They tired Mitre. He has failed and given no reason to think he will improve. It's time to move on. It makes no sense to keep letting Mitre fail because you don't want to see Gaudin fail.

[233]

Ha-ha! You know what I meant.

; )

[233] Hey Mo! Woob woob woob woob!

: )

[236] Of course. Some things really do go without saying. I was just being pedantic.

Uh oh, Lyle OHverbay!

Can lightning strike twice...?!?!?!?

[231] He was pretty good in the stretch from July 8-26. All the Yankees need is to squeeze 4 decent starts out of him.

[226] They can let Gaudin start the next 4 times the 5th spot comes up and we'll be having the same conversation, I don't care, it's a non-issue - the 5th starter spot for me. In 3 weeks we'll go to a 40 man roster and if the 5th starter can't then some starter from Scranton will be plugged in there, all I'm saying is that at this point in the season we're not going to find quality. Just a body, as long as that body ain't mine then the Yanks are doing alright.

[238] No sweat. It made me laugh!

It cannot.

[238] PEDantic?

You failed the '03 test too, RIY*?

: O

[242] I was quoting Yoda. Did that come through the internets to you?

here we go tigers, here we go

[241] They shouldn't let him start four times if he sucks...if they don't (or if he doesn't suck), then we won't be having the same discussion. There is no excuse for a team not to try to improve--even marginally--at every point in the season.

[227] I didn't know there was a right and a wrong in this and I think we're confusing things. One thing is the Mitre experiment, which I think tonight is the last game he should start. It was a nice try but enough is enough. before gaudin, there were really no alternatives. I see no fault in giving Mitre one last chance. next start, we'll see, they'll probably start Mitre and have Gaudin very close behind or start Gaudin.

My other point is that the guys in the bullpen have certain roles. Aceves has been used as a long reliever, he's been great at it. Coke and Hughes are other trusted relievers, mostly used in the 8th. Coke is mainly used for LHB and Hughes is used regardless of the batter. I also wanted Hughes yesterday but was pleased with the explanation that he had been used in 5 of the last 6 games.

anyway, Ace will vulture the win, here comes the 7th.

[244] Oh nos! I have an asterisk already?
This is horrible. Where's my lawyer?

[241] Most likely, we will. But why not give him a chance? You seem resigned to having a crappy 5th starter. I am in favor of trying everyone and anyone instead of settling on an awful pitcher. You could be right...maybe the Yankees don't have to try to win every game. I disagree. I'd hate to be playing game 7 in Anaheim (again) because the Yankees couldn't be bothered to try and at least slight up grade their 5th starter.

On Sunday, according to Girardi, there was no way that Aceves or Hughes were coming into the game because they had been heavily used before.

pfft

(although I agree with your point here, mp)

good job, Ace

The Yankee Car is an extremely well oiled machine at this point. There just one part that isn't very good. In fact, it's the most useless part on the car. The problem is it is an EXTREMELY rare part. It's sole purpose is to not make the car implode beyond all recognition. Sure, you could trade for the rare replacement, but it is going to cost much more than the mechanic is willing to go for.
That's all I got. Good starters are not a dime a dozen. Lastly, the fine tune car will in no shape, way, or form accept any Japanese parts / rant. : D

[251] Yeah, the explanation was horseshit. I was actually intrigued by the decision to use Hughes for only batter in two consecutive days IF it "saved" him for Sunday. But if Girardi was not going to use him on Sunday, he should have gotten more value of the two appearances on Friday and Saturday.

Ah well.

Jesus Christ.
Down by two runs the Tigers have Adam Everett bunt Laird to third.

Jim Leyland is an idiot. He's just an idiot. And everyone who thinks he's a genius is an idiot. He's a second-order idiot.

[249] I'd tell'um (pun intended) I was out of the country, if I were you...

: )

[247] how can one even define marginally at the 5th starter spot? A 4.9 ERA vs. a 5.00, I just don't see how Gaudin sucking in the NL is going to make me change my opinion. Sure, like William was trying to say, we could catch lightening in the bottle by getting a Small or a Chacon, but what's the likelihood and probability of that happening? A. Small was a freak thing, as was Chacon. If that happens with Gaudin then great, I'm not advocating keeping Mitre in the rotation, I'm just saying that I expect SUCK to always be pitching.

[255] Have you seen Everett "try" to hit?

[256] I was careless on certain occasions.

[235] If they did what you're suggesting, I'd completely agree. I think the Yankees have shown (and continue to show with Mitre) that they wait WAY to long to pull the plug on these experiments. Watching Mitre suck for five or six games and then watching Gaudin suck for five or six games is mind numbing. I'd rather just send Aceves out there every five days.

c'mon Teix...

[214] Jayzuz, that was an actual show on mainstream tv?? That's insane..surely illegal, no??

Banter is killing me tonight, we just swept our main rival and have a 6.5game lead and youse are arguing about the 5th starter..

[255] I always felt that Leyland and Sciosia were very over-rated..

I wonder why this team dosen't bunt the runners over?

bloody hell

[262] Good, then you are not an idiot. (Uh, not that I ever suspected you!)

[257] Again...no one is saying Gaudin is a savior...just that he isn't likely to be as bad as Mitre has been over the past 4 starts. The Yankees don't need to catch lighting in a bottle to improve...they just need to have someone not be as awful as Mitre.

Tex got sent a text message, SIT DOWN!!!

'Nips the inside corner', meaning only 3 inches inside.

[262] 'Tis the nature of baseball bantering, no?

mk how many god damn times will you be fooled by a flamethrower throwing it down the middle

[266] And I'm saying that Gaudin, Mitre, or whoever else pitches in that spot will have "I SUCK" as their other name and we'll still have this discussion whenever their turn comes up.

that was lame team

[266] Exactly, given that Mitre has been just about the WORST starter in the AL to start more four or more games. Gaudin (or whomever) could be very, very bad and still be an improvement.

[269] Oh, my comment was not a criticism! It is indeed the nature of being an over-hyped fan..I'm just taking at least ONE day to bask in the glory of Sweepdom, and not worrying about the 5th starter spot *9

[271] We know Mitre sucks...we strongly suspect Gaudin will suck. I'd rather find out Gaudin will in fact suck than simply accept that Mitre does.

Polanco came thru. still a 1-run game.

League sat our asses down... : /

[262] If you came back stateside and spent 1 month straight watching what is available on TV, your head would explode. Then they might make a tv show out of it.

[266] I think its extremely possible that Chad Gaudin can go out there every game and give up four or five runs in five innings.

I found a stream of this game online.. it's Toronto's telecast. They were just obsessing over Kate Hudson sitting in A-Rod's seats. Meanwhile, League was setting down 2-3-4. ugh

Thames ties it up!!!

man, i wish that went out...

[275] I think we are saying the same thing already: the 5th spot = SHITTY PITCHER.

[279] well, she IS a hot blonde! : )

[278] Right, what is extremely possible for Gaudin has been a definite reality from Mitre.

[280] If freaking Leyland hadn't given up Adam Everett for nothing, on purpose, like an idiot, this would be a big inning.

[275] But we do know that Gaudin sucks. We haven't seen it first hand as a Yankee, but it is documented over seven years and 550 innings pitched.

This is why I hate the Yankees and their blood from a stone acquisitions. We just wind up debating the merits of the seemingly endless list of terrible pitchers we get

[282] oh, no doubt. She got a purty mouth...

[281] Not exactly the same thing. I think you are saying every one will suck, so why bother to try improving. I am saying, Mitre does suck, so why not try someone else.

wow, Ace just kicked some serious ass...and fast, too!

hope we can "vulture" another win for him!

Looking at Chad Gaudin's number in the NL , I would give him a start or two.

[283] You're right, but we're now interested in the future. We do not, in fact, know whether Mitre or Gaudin will be better in his next start.
I'd go with Go-go Gaudin, myself. But I have to agree with those who are saying it's a very small difference.

What do you figure are the two pitchers' expected ERAs? I'd say they're maybe a half run per nine apart.

[277] My sis sometimes tells me about new reality shows..they sound apalling..Dancing with the "Stars" sounded bad enough!

[282] Carlize Theron = "hot blonde" Kate Hudson = "average in looks and talent but had a famous actress mother so got into the biz and now dates A-Rod" :)

3 innings, 30 pitches, 20 strikes.

i'm glad GI Joe sent him out for a 3rd inning...

that was quick for aceves!!

[284] Everett of the career OPS+ of 68. He should probably be bunting with no men on base.

New Show. Bronx Banterers forced to follow a non-contender for an entire year. They must watch at least 150 games and comment on said team's banter site at least 5 out of 7 nights. Watch hilarity ensue.

[291] i've never seen Dancing w/ the Stars, but speaking of hot blondes - Stacey Kiebler beats 'em all!!! : )

[287] Maybe I don't share your optimism, but Gaudin doesn't inspire me like, say, a David Cone. But whateva. Let Gaudin start and he'll suck too. Players like him aren't given up for a dozen krispy kreme donuts for no reason, at some point they'll regress to their mean.

[295] Wasn't that last year?

[294] Look, if he bats, he has a better than 1/4 chance to get on base. If he bunts, his chance is maybe 1/20. DOWN BY TWO RUNS IN THE SEVENTH INNING.

Grrrrrr.

[295] hah! can you imagine the SD Padres blogs bynow? Do they even have any left??

[295] I was a contestant on that show in the late 80s and early 90s. It's amazing how quickly one's focus changes from present to future, and from team performance to individual performance.

[298] Yes, it was called "September". Didn't like that show at all.

[299] Yes, but his bunt made another run more likely. Everett is so bad, that increasing the chance of one run is probably worth it.

[303] I think most of us saw the writing on the wall by the end of July

Jorge juice one here. Ugh, please?

[304] That should be for [302]

[298] We could stay with SNY and drift over to the Mets blog. I'm sure they are having a great time over there :)

[303] In a tie game. Maybe in a 1-run game. But down two runs! It's a rally-killing decision. And indeed it cost them a rally -- or at least it cost them a chance at the lead.

damn jorgie lost that one

Also, if we're going to watch a shitty fifth starter, part of me would rather watch the guy that gets knocked around than the one that walks the ball park.

[308] A typical Everett out hurts more, IMHO. I'd normally agree, but Everett is one of the worst hitting regulars in all of baseball.

damn, that was some AB for Jorgie. shitty outcome though...

[307] Metsblog was fun to read till they put all those restrictions on their comments, I loved reading the comments there. Mr. Cerrone felt that his comment section couldn't morph into people dissing David Wright, Met fans love to say how he's one of the top 5 Met players ever.

Damn...the Yankees might actually give this one way. Very charitable of them.

[307] My cousin is a Mets maniac..masochism is an ugly thing to witness up close..

Come on Damon, swing quicker not harder......

I really don't want to lose on a Lyle Overbay hit.

gues damon is 2/3 against this guy now

[316] That only works against Bard.

You think you're a HoF-er, but you aren't. You don't even know Dave Concepcion.

FU TIGERS

fuck. boston rally. really need a DP here...

nope. boston up 6-5...

boo.

dang. down to 3 oots.

Boston takes a 6-5 lead, so Yanks might be giving a game right back as well.

Nick Green puts the Sox ahead. And that's bad news for Christian Guzman...

Curious decision to use Damon against the lefty when you'd likely have a good chance to use him for Molina in the 9th.

Holy crap, Ace Hardware is still out there.

well, everett just made a nice play. tigers still have the 8th to get it back...

are they stretching Ace out to start? hmmm...

[325] An odd choice indeed

[327] Yeah, I was wondering that. Stretching Ace.

Aceves for 4 innings in this game highlights that ignorance of Sergio Mitre in the rotation. Why not just start Ace then? Why wait until Mitre gives up 5 runs to burn Aceves for 4 innings? This team is so poorly managed. It's like having a monkey drive a race car.

[325] Matsui for Molina I bet.

Maybe tomorrow Mariano can pitch the first, Hughes can pitch the second and third and Joba can try to go the last 6?

I think they should put him in the rotation.

The light slowly dawns over Michael Kay...

[330] I agree with this. Start Aceves

Good job Ace!!! Maybe you should be our 5th starter

Only one thing went wrong in this game...Sergio Mitre. The players on the field didn't lose this game (assuming they dont come back). A careless organization did.

Ya know, I think that pretty nearly solidifies it: Aceves just won himself the starting job. I bet you anything.

I blame this game more on the offense then on Mitre. except for a few here and there, they have had crappy at bats. I'm looking at teix, posada, swisher, melky and molina. they have had their chances tonight. they've been trailing by 1 run since the bottom of the 5th. C'mon now!! get vulture the win, he earned it this time!

Sergio Mitre should go back to making his designer jeans. IT'S ACE TIME IN DA BRONX!

wow, ACES HIGH!!!

[337] Defense, actually.
Two unearned runs.

ah, hey folks. i can't catch up on the thread now but i'm here for our last licks.

[342] Cano got the error, but it was Mitre's defense.

[337] Geez, you'd be the kind of guy to piss on Santa's leg cause he ran out of Cabbage Patch Kids in 1985

Ace was a great find huh? He has been remarkable all year. And very flexible.

[342] Well, that was Mitre too....

are the silly toronto umpire guys at the game?

[339] I know what you mean, but after all they got ten hits and three homers in eight innings. That's generally good for more than four runs. A bit unlucky.

I say the defense is most responsible, even though it was just the one E.

[345] If Santa just couldn't be bothered to bring that sack sitting in his sled, then yes I would.

[344] [347] That's what I said, but now I'm convinced it was a shared error.

c'mon melky!!!

damn

So much for Leche gizzing on the Blue Jays

godzilla time

Leyland bunts again.

(This one isn't so bad, I admit.)

I want to win this game too, but some of the whining is out of control here.

[348] I didn't see them. They can only go to games at places like NYS if the team or home TV network foots the bill. The Yankees did that...once...

Wow, Adam Everett really sucks. Why didn't someone tell me that?

I really don't get pinch-hitting Damon with 2 outs and no-one on but whatever.

This game feels like it's circling the drain.

[358] got ya. That is probably the case.

GOZILLER!

nice hit matsui - come on in pena

[359] I did! He probably should have squeezed, I gather?

Where's Pena? There's Pena.

Cap'n on deck. just get on base, Matsui

[358] haven't seen you in a couple days MP. How goes it?

YES!

Is this going to be the Joe Girardi classic of putting in a pinch runner but not putting on a play?

Why on earth is Toronto in no-doubles defense? Is it because there was one out?

Overmanaging is the curse of our time.

Papelbon for the 4-out save...

Paps smear in the game

[364] I know!
I guess. He struck out on three pitches with runners on second and third, one out.

Is Pena running? He doesn't appear to be.

i REALLY hope papelbitch gives it up here. just a nice, easy, 2-run base hit.

GO TIGERS!!!

I gotta say... I was tickled when my 5-year-old son told me his favorite Yankee is Jeter.

[372] Now, sacrificing to get to Everett is stupid.

I hate when we do this

I hope Papelbon isn't "feeling it" tonight.

fuck. granderson fucked up for the 2nd AB in a row... : /

Yeah, unfortunately Laird also sucks. And in a one-run game, nobody out, moving two runners up isn't so bad.

God, I hate Scutaro.

Incredible...at no point was Pena going. Great strategy.

ARGH!

[380] was about [376]...

do it again, Johnny!

Come on Swish-a-licious!!!

[384] i mean, Swish. oopsie!

Pena was in to score on a gapper. Which didn't happen. Shit happens.

[384] Are you watching a replay of another Yankee game?

[381] Its the Girardi hallmark. Put in a pinch runner but don't put on a play. People would expect him to put on a play, you see, so in his never ending quest to fool everyone, the only logical thing to do is nothing.

[387] Shit happens on the 5th starter spot

I think Pena was just in there because Matsui run, not because they necessarily wanted a base stolen.

That should say "Matsui CAN'T run"

[387] I COULD SCORE ON A GAPPER.

That answer drives me up a wall.

[390] Do you prefer shit or Shinola? : D

[393] logic drives you up a wall?

Swisher has seemed antsy at the plate tonight. The whole team kind of has, actually.

[391] [392] I agree. They don't have enough confidence in Pena to have him steal.

So if Pena was thrown out or ran into a line out double play, would Girardi be an idiot then too? Just wondering.

Total give away game by the Yankee organization. Hopefully by next Saturday, the Yankees will change their attitude and actually try to win every game.

Crud.

This was an exhibition game, right?