What the bejeezus is going on with Joba-mania?? At this point is he going to get a post-season start?? Should I go back to to read the game thread from his start or like Seth Brundle should I "be afraid..be very afraid..."??

Oh, good. Here's my opportunity to re-post my nerdy stat thing. (I'd put it in the Homage to Chyll's Homage to Hank's Homage to Scoring thread, where it really didn't belong.)

I decided to run Baseball Miusing’s lineup analysis on the current Yankees. Keep in mind that this tool ignores (1) psychology, in that it assumes that batters would have the same OBP and SLG no matter where you slotted them, and (2) speed on the bases. I think the second of these is probably negligible, esp. the way the Yanks play, but the first could be huge (cough cough A-Rod cough cough Cano). So, with that in mind, here is the best line-up for the Yankees:

Rodriguez
Matsui
Damon
Teixeira
Swisher
Cano
Posada
Cabrera
Jeter

Is that weird? Here’s something weirder.

The TOP THIRTY RUN PRODUCING LINE-UPS had Jeter batting ninth and A-Rod batting first. Also Melky eighth.
A-Rod first must be because his OBP tops the team. Melky eighth because that turns out to be the best spot to hide your weakest hitter (not ninth because of turning the order over, I believe). But why Jeter ninth? Maybe ninth is the “second lead-off spot”, and so much of Jeter’s OBP comes from his BA? I can’t fathom it.

By the way, the line-up tool was based in part on the work of Toaster Great Ken Arneson.

[1] I am really way behind the stat revolution..but wouldn't putting A-Rod leadoff mean you waste a lot of his power production?

Chyll, I saw the Score Truck and I demand a t-shirt be made asap!

[3] Not this year. A-Rod is a middle-of-the-pack Yankee in slugging. (This is partly because he's having a down year, HR-wise, and partly because our line-up is awesome.) It's based on this year's production, not lifetime.

[4] I wonder if a manager could ever get away with constructing a lineup like that..would have to be someone like LaRussa with the credentials to withstand the critics..

[2] I'd love to see them try a line up like that for a few weeks - not now, of course, but at some point in the middle of the season. It will never, ever happen but it would be great to see something like that.

[2] Good stuff but Unacceptable. : ) Chyll and Shaun, et al, Great reading earlier too about the score truck. Let's hope it has its autumn tires on for the next 6 weeks. Last west coast trip I didn't have to wake up at 6:30 in the am. Ah, those were the days......

Yeah, it would be fun to see the reaction from the NYT, Mike Celizic, and the Usual Gang of Idiots (with apologies to MAD).

The psychology of that line-up actually doesn't suck, assuming Jeter could get over the apparent slight. Cano is in a comfort spot, A-Rod gets to be in the spotlight, Teix would presumably be happy in clean-up, Matsui presumably doesn't give a damn, and everyone else is in a slot that's pretty familiar.

By the way, the Yankees' actual (most common) line-up scores a mere .14 runs per game fewer than the "ideal" one. The worst possible line-up scores only .17 runs per game fewer than the actual one. So it doesn't really matter a whole lot. That's why I think it really does make sense to put batters where they're comfortable.

[0] I don't think anybody would disagree with your opinion that the Yanks should be playing out the string if all they were after was a wild-card berth. But I am curious why you didn't mention the division title and home-field advantage. For me at least, winning the division, and not getting blown past by boston at the wire is important and I hope the Yankees are thinking the same thing.

Red Sox rolling again. Tonight might be a good time for the Yankees to win a game

[2] riyank - if you care enough to email baseball musings to find out the criteria and formula and weights i would be very curious to hear about it. maybe diane will do it.
matsui and jeter are the big weird ones to me.
in any other year arod leading off would be too - but with the high obp and down slg this year i can see that one.

here's crossing my fingers, knocking on wood, petting a rabbit's foot, you name it, that andy's shoulder responds well tonight.

[9] The division title is, for me, largely irrelevant. And since teams from the same division can't play each other in the first round, it matters not whether the Sox and Yanks finish 1-2 or 2-1. If you think that home field advantage is important, or that it matters which team they play in the first round--and these are reasonable considerations--then the last ten games or so matter much more.

In any case, I am still confident that the division is wrapped up, despite recent panic.

In an unrelated matter, MLB.com has an article on Doug Melvin, who thinks that MLB should change the rules governing September call-ups. I tend to agree.

http://tinyurl.com/ncu3rw

[12] Another point that I think we need to consider: if the Yankees actually do play such miserable baseball that they blow a nine game lead with 21 games left, are they going to be able to suddenly turn it on for the playoffs?

[14] Uh-oh..i see another "momentum" discussion on the way...

Division title in the era of the wild-card..means nothing!

[14] Who knows? The 2000 Yankees lost 16 out of 19 games to close the season and win the WS. Will the Sox, who will have had to play crazy baseball to overtake that nine game lead, burn out by the time they get to the playoffs?

[15 ]Its not momentum. If they lose so many games that they blow the division in historic fashion, why should we think they'll just stop losing when they fly to Anaheim for the ALDS?

[15] Yep, this is dangerous territory.

[17] This has nothing to do with anything, but I think (well I know) that you and I know have a friend in common.

Without getting too specific: he's from Long Island, he went to Manhattan College, he enjoys Dave Matthews and unpredictable mood swings.

I think you can probably figure it out.

[18] I missed Ichiro's heroics..did the Banter explode when Mo gave up the sayonara tater?

[17] Perhaps because for a team to lose a lead of historic proportions, it requires also the pursuing team to play at a potentially unsustainable rate. The 1978 Yankees overtook the Sox, then lost the lead and they ended in a tie. The 1995 Angels lost their lead to the M's, only to take it back briefly then end in a tie. The 1993 Giants lost a big lead to the Braves, but then gained it back before the season ended in a tie.

Who knows what the '78 Sox or '93 Giants would have done had there been a WC.

[11] Matsui batting second shouldn't really surprise you once you remember that basepath speed isn't a factor in the lineup analysis.

My first thought was that the tool actually runs simulations, but that was silly of me. He'd need a supercomputer. I think the way it actually works is with an algorithm that was in turn generated from a big pile of data.
Cyril Morong worked out a regression, figuring out how much points of OBP and SLG were worth in each lineup position. Mark Pankin did a slightly fancier analysis. Both used the Retrosheet data. I think Pinto's tool just uses one of those algorithms.

I'll ask David (I know him, though not well). I have a nagging feeling that there's something kind of seriously wrong with the way Morong and Pankin worked. The problem is that the value of a little more power in the clean-up slot is obviously going to be a function of how much OBP you have in the 1, 2, and 3 slots. It doesn't look like the guys who cranked out the basic algorithm considered this to be important.

[20] Don't know--was out of town. But I imagine, somehow, that pitching Hughes in the 8th and Mo in the 9th was taken as clear evidence Girardi and company weren't trying.

[19] And perhaps a drink or two?

[22] Intuitively, iatting a high OBP-high SLG guy first (ARod) makes sense if you put a high OBP-lowSLG guy (Jeter) in the nine spot. You lose some of ARod's power contribution in the first inning, but then he stands a good chance of batting with men on base later in the game. Plus, you get him an extra AB, say, every other game.

[22] I put that last note badly. I shouldn't have said there's anything wrong with what Morong and Pankin were doing. It makes sense for answering the questions they were asking. (They were interested in the relative importance of OBP and SLG. Turns out OBP is more important, and high in the order it's hugely more important.) What I meant was that ignoring the fact that extra SLG in the clean-up slot will make a greater contribution to runs the more OBP is in the 1, 2, 3 slots, calls the accuracy of the analysis tool into question.

[24] umm yes, I believe we're on the same page

[22] the lack of speed isn't what is throwing me off - i know these guys HATE speed and LOVE baseclogging :}
it is that matsui has the 5th highest obp and 4th highest slg - is it optimal that that profile hits 2nd? i would think you go for one of the other 3 guys with a higher obp (the highest is already 1st)

[25] arod is slg the 5th highest on the team this year though; but he has the second highest ops - with the highest obp, so... i can completely see arod 1st in one of those simulators

[17] The 1997 Marlins lost 15 of their last 25 games, slipped to 9 games out in the standings, and "backed into the WC".

Kay's back. That's depressing.

Ha, my last name is Morong- not too many of us out there. I forgot about the stats guy out there by that last name and did a double take for a second.

[27] Saw him a few hours ago.

The Royals were thisclose to tying the game with a three-run homer, but it was just a fly out to the fence. They are playing in a freaking monsoon. And I can't believe how slow and old Wakefield looks out there.

[30] yeah but that team had the luxury of having a first baseman who could predict the future and probably reassured them that they would be fine...right before he told them the date the world was going to end.

[35] Oh man, that guy is freaking nuts. Unfortunately for him (and us), the Mayans beat him to the punch on the world ending.

[12] the teams compete for 162 games and the result of that competition is, in itself, important to me as a fan. the enjoyment and celebration of winning division for the players, is not primarily about securing a place in the tournament, but rather a celebration of a marathon victory. diluted more than it was back in the day, but a it's still championship.

as 2004 teaches us, it won't console us to win the division and then lose to the red sox in the alcs, but it doesn't invalidate the accomplishment either.

royals scored 3. it's 8-5.

one can hope...

Did that say 240 baserunners in 166 IP?

[35] Precognition is extremely valuable, more so than slugging and on base%, and possibly as valuable as grit.

I wish I had as much confidence as monkeypants, but I am starting to get that 2004 ALCS feeling in my stomach. The division is both meaningful to me and important with regard to advancing in the playoffs. With Boston on a roll, the Yankees need this game. I have a very nervous feeling heading into this game.

243 baserunners in 166.2 innings ...

Did Damon hold up there?

9-5 Sox

[37] I couldn't agree more. Winning the division is still very much an accomplishment in my book. In fact, any year with a division title is never a complete failure.

[44] Except for Greinke, the Yankees can't look to the Royals for help. They need to take care of their own business this week.

Yankees need Arod to be big this week...it would be an awful time for him to go into a slump.

[37] I actually agree with you in theory. But given how the division title has been so, as you say, watered down...and given the success of WC teams, I just can't get too excited about a division title. Frankly, I think they should get rid of the divisions and just take the top four teams in each league for the playoffs.

[41] I am confident because if the Sox keep winning all of their games and the Yankees drop two of three to the Angels, they are still up by two games in the loss column. That would STILL require a sweep by the Sox for them to overcome the Yankees.

Look, if the Sox win every game for the rest of the season, it will probably be hard for the Yanks to keep their division lead. Then again, if the Sox close the season on a 15 game winning streak, what can you do?

It's rare for a pitcher to bounce a pitch that far in front of the plate.

Kooky-Krazy Rogers Sports Net West is carrying the Yankees-Angels game...starting at 10:30. I'll join y'all in the second inning or so.

I'm already tired of this ipod nano commercial ...

[48] I guess for me, it isn't what can you do, but could you have done. IMHO, the Yankees lost 2-3 games this month because of how Girardi managed. With those games in hand, the division really would be wrapped up.

That inning was Yankees/Angels in a nutshell.

congratulations Kenny "Carl Carlson" Singleton

[51] I'm watching on mlb.tv, no commercials, and yet I know exactly which one you mean.

Oh great...

How does Chone walk so much? He has no power, so it's odd that he sees so many pitches out of the strike zone. Maybe he's good at fouling off pitches, as well as (obviously) having a good eye.

[57] why must you complicate things - he is scrappy and gritty

[57] The thing is, he has not walked *that* much over his career. But this season he is a BB-machine.

The Yanks rode into the playoffs on a dead horse with no name........well....Girardi actually.....and it felt good to blow so many games.. : D
ps. I hate the fucking Angels and I think Aybar looks like Snoop from "The Wire."

[57] Overall, I am not sure why but he walked in that inning because Pettitte got ahead 0-2 and then started to nibble.

[60]

Good grief .... an "America" reference ...

Can Molina start all weekend?

[60] he and Guerrero just bought a nailgun for all those bodies up in the vacants

Thank god Chone is not on our team. I would really hate him.

They got Figgins by three feet

[60] you ain't even wait to get the muthafucka in the house

take that chone

[60] What happens when an irrepressible Score Truck collides with an unmovable Dead Horse?

[68]

dinner?

[59] True, I just looked. So what the hell happened this year? Word is the Halos learned something from Abreu. Still, I can understand trying to hit corners when you're pitching to Abreu... why Chone?

Chone's OBP is higher than his SLG. That's pretty unusual.

Ugh.

[69] excellent - that was my though too diane - i'm pretty sure that horse meat is tough though

This series is going to be ugly...the Yankees are in big trouble.

Ah, I tuned in just in time to see that. Blech.

Fug.
Well, thank god Chone stole.

Vlad is still a professional hitter ... but that was a bad pitch

[60] ??

Damn Vlad can hit anything..Kay & Sing prescient with the Angels running stats..they always push it..thank you Molina for preventing this from being a disastrous inning..

Too bad Andy didn't put the ball in the strike zone for Chone and keep it four inches off the plate to Vlad, huh?

9-8 BoSox

side note: Pete Abrahmam going to the Boston Globe?? will that blog continue? Enjoy the updates there..

[79] Please KC...give us some help.

Andy is not looking like a Golden God so far.

Its gonna be one of those nights.

Lets go Royals.

Ouch.
Settle down, Andy.

Wow.

Angels are going opposite field on Andy ...

Back to back doubles sure look better than a k and weak pop up with RISP. Bollocks.

i HATE when umpires let the batter call time like that..get in the damn box and stop lolllygagging!

the Angels are at least legit hitting Andy right here, he looks to be healthy as far as I can tell...just not terribly effective so far.

Ms. Oct, David P. confirms that there are coefficients in each order spot for SLG and OBP. They were determined empirically from the historical data.

[89] The velocity isn't there, but it's early.

[88] And really, according to the rules, the ump does not have to let the batter have time. Just let the pitcher throw one or two over after the batter steps out, and I guarantee that the batters will stay in the box.

Funny. Kenny insists that "the Angels are a very good base-running team," even though their attempt at base-running may have cost them a bunch of runs this inning (and at least one).

[90] Ahhhh...but history doesn't matter in baseball, because you just can't predict it. Haven't you learned anything from today's discussions?

Division or not, the Yankees are now down to one rock solid starting pitcher.

OK Yankees, sack up.

[91] I think thats to be expected coming off the 10 day layoff and the fatigued shoulder.

Bottom line I think we just watched Andy pitch poorly because he pitched poorly, not because he's injured. So that's at least one thing to be positive about.

[48] Catching up here, but I think what you can do is play over .500 baseball to close out the season. The Yankees are not playing well lately; if they were, the Sox couldn't take the division even with a 15 game winning streak.

[90] thanks riyank - that's interesting

[91] gameday has his fastballs at about 91-92

I hate the Angels.

And I kinda look forward to September callups. I'm disappointed that Ajax didn't get called up. Though I guess roster spots must be tight, since the Yanks DFA'd Anthony Claggett to make room for Freddy Guzman.

I do think they should consider having a larger roster throughout the year. The 25 man was set before they started carrying all these specialist pitchers.

Catching up on the rumors & news..if the BoSox get King Felix I will burn down Safeco Field in protest..no way in hell the M's trade an ace pitcher...right?

Yankees 5-17 in Anaheim last few years...ugh...

Good one Jorgie, let's get the Score Truck to run over their rally monkey!

Royals tie it

[99] Yes gun was showing 89, but I trust pitchFX more.

[94] I know, but my stomach doesn't give me clear, unequivocal and indubitable messages, so I'm stuck with the history crap.

9-9

KC!!!

It's incredible...this team folds like a blanket in Anaheim.

Think I can run faster than Cano did on that one..

Trey Hillman don't fail me now

THE POWER OF POSNANSKI COMPELS YOU!!!

Uh, Kenny, there are no 120 meter high hurdles.

[107] I'll always remember Cano losing a footrace to Todd Jones

Royals up 11-9, holy cow.

The ERA of the Red Sox and Angels starters over the last 2 weeks compared to the Yankee starters is very scary.

[111] Sterling's Law.

[111] Can Soria pitch three innings?

11-9 Royals

[111]

The Score Truck must have a franchise ...

Hey, anyone familiar with the union rules regarding Milton Bradley? How can they suspend him without pay for just speaking his mind to the media? Bradley obviously an idiot at times but am sure the team will still have to pay him..great signing there Jim Hendry!

[98] The Yankees have won 4 out of their last 9 games, over which time their lead went from 9 games to 5 (four in the loss column). To have played over .500 ball would mean winning 5 out of 9 games, or a one game difference. Their lead has been cut largely because the Sox have won 8 out of 9 over that same stretch. If the Sox manage not to lose for the rest of the season, it will be pretty hard for the Yankees to maintain their division lead---especially considering the teams play each three games.

[112] It is shocking. Esp considering how weak the Angels' rotation was over the season as a whole.

11-9!!!

Soria for Three!!!

[117] I am sure his contract has a clause about publicly criticizing his employer.

[117] with his history I'd imagine the Cubs insisted on, and have invoked, some sort of "conduct detrimental" clause in his contract

Through 3 quarters in the Dolphins/Colts game ... Miami has had the ball for 33:56 of the 45 minutes, but its tied at 13.

The Royals have bad players that I didn't think were in baseball anymore

[122] But the CBA governs what sorts of clauses they can have in contracts. I think that's what Mr OK Jazz meant.

[118] The problem is the Yankees have lost those games to Seattle, Toronto and Baltimore. You shouldn't lose 4 of 9 to those teams. The reason the Red Sox are on a rampage is partly because they are playing well, but mostly because they are facing dregs. Hopefully, KC can pull one out, but outside the Yankees Series. the Red Sox have as easy a schedule as you draw up.

Hey, Tokyo...I looked in on Andy Phillips' stat page. He's hitting .287 / .359 / .543, with 14 homers. Do you think the Carp will sign him next year?

Pena as Catwoman.

I am going to have some weird freaking dreams tonight.

[120] That game is going to wind up about 16-15 bad guys methinks. : /

Jeff Kent is a miserable human being in every way imaginable, this has been well established for about 15 years

The color guy for NESN is talking about how Jamey Wright was one of the best pitchers in baseball in the late 90s.

I have no recollection of this

[118] I think you meant to say the Yankees lost 5 of their last 9 games.

At any rate, I didn't say play over .500 ball over their last nine games.

It's pretty annoying that we're even forced to discuss the Red Sox taking the division. I waited a while to give it to the Yankees but at nine games up, I did. They promptly put it into doubt.

[123] That is insane!

nice bounceback for Andy

[124] is Farnsworthless still on that team? if so, i sure hope he doesn't pitch tonight!

[126] But even against dregs, even good MLB teams lose a few games. Easy schedule or not, one would not expect the Sox to play .900 baseball for three or four weeks. If they do, they take the division, and the Yankees dropping an extra game to Seattle, because Mo hiccuped, won't really matter.

[127] The Carp opened their new stadium this year (Zoom Zoom Stadium!) and are trying to contend for the first time in ages..they should have some money available and I heard Phillips likes Japan but..need to check the Jpnball blogs for more details..havn't folllowed NPB so much this year..

[131] That's either because you have some untreatable memory problem, or because Jamey Wright was a bad pitcher.

Oh, good news for you...

[125] A team can suspend a player if they believe they have just cause. Of course, the player can file a grievance. The Cubs better hope they have a solid basis for the suspension because otherwise they'll pay for it.

[131] 'coz you were still a pre-teen!!! ; )

[130] Jeff Kent? Where that come from?

[135] Of course he is. So is Jamey Wright and Lenny DiNardo and Yuniesky Betancourt and Josh Anderson

according to this article bradley has not been informed if the suspension is w/ or w/o pay yet (as well as the reason) and the mlbpa may file a grievance

[133]

Miami has run 60 plays, Colts 25.
Miami now up 20-13.

I really resent the fact that this Red Sox series this weekend is gonna be meaningful. It wasn't supposed to be. I guess things could change in the next three days but it seems unlikely to change for the better.

[140] Yo thelarmis, you going to be a night owl tonight? let's catch up after the game, want to hear about the sessions you did..and got some jazz news here for you..

[139] Of course, but the CBA says what's just cause.

Dear Mr. Kay .... its called a recession ...

[139] this is Milton Bradley we're dealing with, do you really think they'll have trouble establishing just cause?

Of course none of this would have happened if the Cubs didn't decide to give the biggest headcase this side of Jurassic Carl a 3 year deal

[136] I also call into question how Girardi managed against the Orioles and Jays, but that's now water under the bridge. His job is to right this ship or he'll pay for it with his job...and rightly so.

[145] The entire discussion about the division and the Sox would have been irrelevant if the Orioles actually won a game against Boston..the Red Sox beating the snot out of the O's and Royals does not impress me..

[143] Teams have to inform the player in writing, I believe. If the Cubs have't done so, they are wide up for a grevince.

[141] Kay told a story about how he refused to take part in rookie hazing back when he was on the Mets

Greinke vs Byrd tomorrow. Can I get a ****ing Red Sox loss please?

[137] Zoom Zoom Stadium? LOL.

[145] Don't get me started!!

Sean Casey is the color guy. I thought so.

I like Lou, but I think he's badly mishandled Bradley from the little I've seen. The Cubs knew what they were getting with him and they have only themselves to blame. He needs to be babysat, not antagonized.

[153] Thanks. Kent & Barry Bonds as your two best players..must have been a lovely clubhouse in SanFran in those days..

[154] Greinke is so good it's ridiculous..Paul Byrd..if he starts in the playoffs can the fans hold up porno pictures to distract him? Or is that a low-blow?

[147] Actually, I don't believe it is that explicit. There are some things the teams can't prohibit, but they do have considerable latitude. I am sure trashing the team would qualify as just cause.

Sox go down in the seventh.

This is Joe Saunders, right?

[159] In Yankee Stadium????
Sir, I'm afraid I must ask you to do me the honor of choosing your weapon.

[159] Both Bonds and Kent were great players, both apparently assholes, and both apparently hated each other. Talk about chemistry!

[159] Unfortunately the Yankees will likely face Greinke next week so ... The Greinke giveth and the Greinke taketh away. Wouldn't it be a kick in the balls if he beat the Yanks but not the Red Sox? Why I oughtta ... !

[155] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Stadium

[160] Impossible to enforce that..technically then, saying "we stink" during a losing streak would be "trashing the team"...just saying...

If the Yankees manage to hold onto the division, I will be rooting for the Red Sox without a doubt.

[146] maybe. i really need to go practice. but there's some CRAZY flooding going on here in Rainlanta. it usually floods right by my studio, so we'll see...

[159] at first i thought the jeff kent reference tied back in to bradley - didn't kent throw a fit saying bradley wasn't hustling when he was quite injured

I think they should call the game in Kansas City

[165] Actually, they shouldn't. He is scheduled to pitch Tuesday and Sunday.

[165] No, he should pitch against Minnesota on Sunday.

[161] Is that part of your Catwoman dream? ; )

[166] That's why the have the arbitration process. The team can issue the suspension, but it must stand up.

If the Red Sox somehow lose 2 of 3 to the Royals then you may subtract from your ill will one of the following:

Yanks losing 2 of 3 to Orioles at home
Yanks losing 2 of 3 to Mariners in Seattle.

Personally, I'm going to use mine on the Orioles series.

[175] If the Red Sox lose 2 of 3 to Kansas City, I'll feel a hell of a lot better about the division.

[175] I think that's fair enough

Keep "Snoop" off the corner bags, Andy. Atta, boy.

[166] Again, I am sure that teams are given some latitude, and surely there is a difference between the obligatory "we really stink right now" comment during a losing streak, and the sort of systemic "negativity" Bradley is accused of. Whether that stands up up to the likely grievance, we'll see, but his teammates don't seem to be defending him.

[175] It's like one of those little kids' board games!

[175] If the Red Sox lose 2 to KC, then that makes the picture much brighter. I believe it when both losses are in the book. I can't see the Yankees winning more than 1 game here, so that would leave the lead at 3 games into the weekend. If it's a double sweep, however, panic wont be the word.

[175] And I'll pick the Seattle series, BTW.

[171] [172] I counted wrong, sue me. It was worth it to say "The Greinke giveth and the Greinke taketh away." And I stand by that statement, actually.

[175] I like that. Yes, I agree, I'll count it against the O's series as well.

Molina sold that well...

yeah I'd throw back the Seattle series as well, that was one Mo cutter away from being a 2 of 3 win

More runs KC! Please.

Billy Wagner was a good pick-up for Theo. It kind of compensates for Gagne.

[179] Not defending Bradley, he's obviously got some serious issues but...when I watched the 1977 Word Series DVD, there was an interview with Thurman Munson before Game 3 where he said "I don't really want to come back here, there 's just too much negativity..if the Yankees want they can trade me i don't care"..or something along those lines..this was from the Captain during the World Series! Just goes to show that winning trumps any Bronx Zoo-type behavior..

alright night team - at least andy looked a lot better after that 1st inning

surely the score truck has to appear after it has been documented so brilliantly today

[188] ... although he just walked Mitch Maier, so perhaps the jury is still out.

12-9 KCR

[186] Or an Ichiro IBB...

I take it back. Billy Wagner is a bust!

[181] It's possible. They could lose tonight and get Greinke-ized tomorrow, it's certainly a possibility.

[182] Cause of Mo? I thought that was a fluky series loss and not at home, so not as bad. Aren't the Orioles worse than Seattle too? Well, I'm not arguing, this would be all about the healing process, you see. Whatever works.

[186] Yep. The two losses to Seattle sort of couldn't be helped.

The game we gave up on in Baltimore, and losing two of three to Baltimore period, though...

[194] Wagner always struck me as a bit of a diva..be great to see him and Papelbon get into it in the bullpen..

This futility defies all logic...I can't wait for the year when this team finally puts an end to this Angels dominance. I don't want this season to be the year they have to do it.

Arod's AB have been 2005 ALDS-like...not good.

[195] I'm saying I'd subtract the Mariners series from my ill will for those reasons.

Bill Bloomquist.
Mitch Maier.
Billy Butler.

(I know, it's Willie Bloomquist. Humor me.)

The top of the Royals' order is like some kind of nursery rhyme. Why didn't they sign Barry Bonds to bat clean-up?

[189] I'm not taking sides. I am just suggesting that your proposal---that it must be illegal or whatever---for players to be punished for negative behavior is probably incorrect.

Also, let's look at your evidence another way. Maybe it was not winning that patched over the negativity that Munson spoke about. Maybe, instead, this indicates just how negative Bradley has been this season!

This must be how just about every other team in just about every year has felt about the Yankees.

[200] The Roylas lineup is just shocking..but the Twins don't seem to get such criticism for some of the .OBP black-hole bats they run out there as well..why does Gardenhire and the organization get credit for "doing things the right way"..? With a couple better bats they could have won that division...

[200] it's willie bloomquist. jeesh.

NO humor!!!

Does humor belong in music?!

; )

ps - if not Barry Bonds, how 'bout Sammy Sosa. or Mark McGwire. or Maxwell (m)Smart. wait...

Miami has now run 70 plays to the Colts 31. Dolphins lead 23-20 with 3:50 to go.

[201] Interesting..the BxZoo team obviously fed off their distaste for each other and anger towards Reggie, Billy, George, etc...At this poont with Bradley though why would any team sign him?

[199] I don't get it but, Greinke willing, all of our souls will be lightened come tomorrow's eve. Mine is already somewhat lighter, knowing that the shadow of the mighty Greinke will not fall on the New Yankee Stadium, and his hand will be thusly stayed, at least until next season, when, truly, he may smite us all.

Greinke be praised.

[206] He led the AL in OPS+ last season...that's why you sign him.

Watching both Vlad and Matsui try to run is painful. This ump sucks. Hunter was k'd twice.

God help me, I'm depending on Jamey Wright and Willie Bloomquist

[207]

comment of the night nominee

[209] I was watching Vlad walk in Texas yesterday. It was sad.

Does humor belong in music?!

I say yes, thelarmis.
Gilbert and Sullivan?

[210] That's how I felt watching Lenny DiNardo before I turned the game off.

Sean Casey ranting and raving about pro wrestling. Pretty knowledgeably. I'm starting to like him as the color guy.

Going to the bottom of the eighth in KC

I hope Billy Butler doesn't brink that swing to Yankee Stadium.

[212] Vlad admitted to an extra year on his birthday right..? Maybe there's another 2 or 3 years that have not been found yet? But man, can he still swing the bat!

[208] Well, yes..and I am sure Stephon Marbury can still average 15 and 8 in the NBA but I wouldn't sign him either..

Jamey Wright mows down the heart of the Boston order.
John Sterling would love it.

[217] oooooph you're really giving Starbury a lot of credit

[217] (part b) Despite Stephon's intimate Score Truck connection???

http://tinyurl.com/mltpnp

(Thanks to Emma Span for that one.)

Dolphins have had the ball 42 of the 57 minutes so far, but trail now 27-23.

This is beyond frustrating.

[215] Ugh, I hated listening to Casey a few weeks back..every guy on every team was " a great guy, a real grinder", someone you "could go to war with" and "really knows how to play the game"..was a 3-hour cliche-a-thon..

This game boring and depressing me..

[221] Holy crap. Dolphins are losing?!

[213] who are Gilbert & Sullivan?

i was quoting the great Frank Zappa!!! (per usual)

oh, and yes, humor most certainly belongs in music!!! : )

[224] Who cares!! :)

[220] Oh...the original "score truck"...

Did Chyll Will keep the Score Truck locked in his studio?

[225] Shoulda known.
Right, of course. You've never heard of Gilbert and Sullivan. They're the Peanut Butter and Jelly of opera, thelarmis, so it figures you'd never give them a taste.

[228] He drove it out to KC, actually.

well, that was utter waste of a leadoff hit...

[224] 'coz the other teams has more points. dolphins weren't consistent enough. - joe morgan

[229] And they're funnier on pot. : D

Going to the ninth in KC

[224] The wildcat giveth...

[230] He better hit the road once that game is over and get it to LA.

Manny Delcarmen, Daniel Bard, and BIlly Wagner (not to mention Tim Wakefield) all get smacked around by the might Royals, and it takes Michael Bowden, he of the 9.5 ERA, to put them down.

[232] Well, there ya go, just like PB&J. Mmmmmm.

[215] i have a good friend who is a successful professional wrestler. when i met him a few years ago, i thought he was kidding. i truly thought pro wrestling had ended in like 1989 w/ Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and his peers. i thought there was ONE Wrestlemania and then that was it. boy, was i wrong.

i was NOT living under a rock. i was living in a windowless practice room with a concert grand marimba, 4-mallets and Classical scores out the wazoo. literally.

After Andy shuts down the Angels again this inning, the Yankee are going to break through next inning for sure. Book it, as they say.

Do you hear that low rumble? That's the Score Truck on the horizon.

Lowell down

Whoa...where was THAT pitch on 3-2?

[238] Jesus, Will must be driving that thing fast down US 70. Long way from KC to Anaheim!

[238]

Just as long as that annoying Lexus dealership women doesn't come on and tell us about the great deals we can get on a 2010 Score Truck ...

[229] Ever see "Topsy-Turvy" by Mike Leigh? Fictionalized account of the aking of the "Mikado" by G&S..very good film.

[238] I hear that truck a comin...it's comin round the bend...

Why does every Angel rally look the same??

[238] Are you sure it's not delivering for the Halos?

[229] [232] awesome! hilarious! : )

ah, i'm not big on opera. that said, i do love Verdi and enjoyed studying him in school. we loved how his name translated to Joe Green. that was big in Central PA.

hey, at least you didn't quote Captain and Tennille! ; )

Kotchman down

[246]

Trucks .... trucks will keep us together .... :-)

oh, Andy - you were cruising right along.

Cruising For Burgers! (more Gilbert & Sullivan!)

[243] Yes, I loved that movie.

Why is Arod playing in!!!!

Well of course.

[248] i'm close with the musical Trucks family. does that count?!

[244] seen through the eyes of a monkey?!

Sox lose

If Damon had a semblance of an arm, that runner doesn't tag up from 2nd to 3rd, and thus no 3rd run.

Sox lose.
I mean, KC wins.

[251] I wondered the same thing. Is Aybar really a bunt threat, as Singleton said?

Shit Sox lost.

i hate the halos...

KC halts the collapse for at least a day...all hail Soria.

[255] Good point.
And Melky could very easily have fielded that ball instead of JD, too.

I suppose I have to turn the Yankees back on

[255] That was bad OF defense, I thought--Melky should have called off Damon and made the catch striding toward LF, rather than Damon making the catch falling backward.

[257] Definitely.
On the other hand, he's been hitting very well for a couple of months, too.

Baseball Prospectus with a defense of Milron "Risk" Bradley.. http://tinyurl.com/nznfwg

This game is deadly boring..am really growing to hate the Angels as much as the BoSox..

[260] You beat me by *that* much [262].

The Yankees have little chance against the Angels. They have to win the division so the Red Sox can do their dirty work for them.

all things being equal I feel good about how Andy has pitched tonight

Colts had ball for less that 15 minutes the entire game, and still won.

[265] This will be a lesson to you: run out every agreement with Diane, never take anything for granted. Hustle, monkeypants.

[267] Yeah, that's a bright side.
[268] That's incredible. Has that ever happened before in NFL history?

I was thinking that, too. Why didn't Melky call Rag-arm off?

If nothing else, we still have the Brian Fuentes option

regardless of everything, i'd rather face the Halos than the Shit Sox next month...

[271] Melky needs to take charge out there. It seems like he is constantly fighting off Damon and Swisher.

OK folks ,,,,, bedtime here .... have a good night.

[266] Yes, it is really a miracle that they took three out of four against them at Yankee Stadium this season.

This is my last inning -- early morning tomorrow. I'd settle for even a smallish delivery.

[237] Who is your friend that made it big in wrestling thelarmis? I used to be a huge fan and very casually follow it now.

[270] they said it's never happened since they've been keeping that stat - mid 70's.

i don't even like football...

[272] Did Fuentes just stink last week against the Red Sox or was he really robbed by the umps?

NFL...yawn....i just havn't been able to follow it since Ickey Woods retired..

[273] Couldn't disagree more...I'll take Boston anyday.

[280] A little of both

This is NOT new Yankee Stadium, Mr. Damon.

Kay is a moron.

[280] He stunk until he struck Green out on a full count- then he was robbed, and possibly earlier in the same at-bat on a check swing.

Jeter laughing can't believe Abreu caught that.

[278] ooh, i might end up outing myself if i say his name. it's a pretty obvious connection. in the next coupla months, i'm prolly gonna out myself here anyway - cd/website...

let's just say he was at the very pinnacle of the, um..."sport", then retired. he's back now.

[276] Too bad they can't play all 7 games at YS. Three out of four at YS might not be enough.

Abreu boldly runs onto the warning track. I didn't know he had it in him.

Didn't Joe Saunders allow something like a million baserunners this year?

I *thought* that I heard the Score Truck...

Can Girardi try to put a play on? Just for fun? Is he even awake?

[276] When are you going to get over your neurotic obsession with history?

[290] He's allowed plenty of base runners tonight.

[287] Lead singer from a band named partly after a muppet? If so, he is one of the few guys I will tune into watch.

[287] Has to be the Honkey Tonk Man!

[287] Hes from Atlanta?

[290] Earlier, but in the last month he's been very good. ERA about 2, WHIP about 1 1//4.

[293] You forget the special exception, that history may always be invoked to prove the Red Sox and Angels inevitable superiority over the Yankees, and related discussions.

[281] my stomach just can't handle it. i guess we might have a better shot on the field vs. boston, and ultimately, that's what matters, but emotionally, a series against the Shit Sox, destroys my insides.

can i use more commas? i, think, i, can. i, dunno. wait, let, me see. yup, i, can! ,

[294] Four hits and a fielders choice in six innings?

[300] I agree, losing is twice as bad when it's to the Red Sox.

Officially a good start for Andy.

[295] shhhh!!! i *just* got a text from him. btw, he's a GREAT guy, in real life!

[297] no, not from atlanta.

Okay, this is really my last half inning.

[299] Is that clause that states history is only relevant when it completely ignores context? Probably the only thing worse than ignoring history is misassigning it.

[301] Hm. I'm not paying attention I guess. Every time I look the Yankees seem to have a base runner, followed by a DP.

[300] Games against Boston make me nervous. Games in Anaheim make me feel hopeless. I'll take nervous over hopeless any day.

THANK YOU

Well, that helps

[304] His biography was awesome. Great stories. He's so good at being the bad guy that I kind of feel bad for not really watching it anymore!

It WAS the Score Truck!

Has Chyll arrived? I hope so.

A-Rod padding his stats again in a losing game..what a bum! :)

[306] Uh oh. I think if monkeypants is misassigning history his department chair might have to get involved. That's a pretty serious charge, william.

Oh, hey. Bout time. Glad I stayed up.

[296] i will start calling him that! it'll be hilarious! he's a fun/ny dude...

Un-Clutch.

[314] At least he wasn't so selfish as to pad his RBI total. Noble of him to wait until nobody was on base.

[306] I don't know about that clause. I would argue that history is context, but to be honest, I am not really up for a historiographic discussion tonight, since I have to teach historiography and historical methods tomorrow morning.

[304] Ah. He's probably the best guy in the company now, FWIW.

Reggie & Frank Robinson! That's a lot o' taters!

Why is Swish ahead of Posada in the order, by the way? Strange.

[319] I am not up for that discussion either. I just know the Yankees lose a lot of games in Anaheim.

[308] there's a great lyric:

"hopes can always go hope, tears can only come down"

i guess they can go sideways, if you're crying whilst in a horizontal position, but that's a whole 'nutha story... ; )

There sure are a lot of Yankees fans there.

That was ball 4, Jorge.

[304] Not even debatable really, other than maybe Shawn Michaels when he's not doing his DX schtick.

Posada swung at two ball-4s. The Yankees have abandoned their patient approach, which is usually what happens they struggle.

[327] Shawn also missed four months this year.

Kenny, be serious. A home run cannot ignite an offense. A home run kills rallies. Only a walk can ignite an offense. Well, maybe a two-out single with runners on second and third.

[320] very cool! i won't tell him that though. i'll just make fun of him in spandex! : )

[325] i wonder if Cult is there. i'll text him right now...

Can KC win three games?

Why is Bruney warming? This is the stuff that drives me crazy. It's 3-1, let's keep it close.

[331] A question I've always wondered for people who know the wrestlers. Do you use his real name or ring name? I guess in his case, you can also use his (music) stage name...

Change to "why is Bruney coming in?"

Oh Christ. Bruney

[330] Well, A-Rod hit a HR and the YAnkees did nothing after him. Doesn't that prove that HR's kill rallies?

Bruney? Why.

Jeremy & Matt - if it at all helps, i can honestly tell you he is a very good person and cool cat. i know him well and he's good people.

oh, he saw Jeter eating at a Carraba's a coupla years ago in Tampa. now, the wrestler guy is famous and recognized - all over the world; i can attest - but he didn't wanna bother Jeter, so he didn't approach him or anything...

Ugh. Bruney?

It's going to be interesting to see who the Yanks keep on the roster after this season.

Who the hell bought a Brian Bruney 38 jersey?

[335] Well, his stage and ring first name are the same. But I know people called Hulk 'Terry' for instance.

When did BabaBruney swtich to #99?

Bruney practices that.

Andy did alright. this one's on our offense.

i don't understand why Bruney is in though. only 2 runs down - for now - 6 outs to go.

i guess it could end up being on Girardi, after all...

Ladies and gentleman, Brian Bruney!

Sigh...time to some fall cleaning and then turn on the Sumo..

I do hope that Bruney has pitched himself off the post season roster.

THIS infuriates me. Girardi's Bruney fetish is going to be the downfall of this team.

[349] No chance in hell

Now that couldn't have been predicted. Nice to see Girardi continue to manage with no sense of urgency. Queue up the collapse. It's back on track with Joe leading the way.

Hey guys... Just tuned in time to see BBruney give up the solo shot!

[340] He struck me as one from what little I know of him, as he seemed down to earth in interviews and so forth. Geez, I seem to remember he was attacked by idiot fans earlier this year in a parking lot? See, I told you he plays a great bad guy. The rule of thumb in that stuff is the bad guys are the real-life nice ones, and vice versa.

Might as well bring Edwar in.

How come we can all see it coming? I don't get it.

[342] Cult?! he never texted back, btw...

[335] does he use a different name in the ring? i mean, i learned that he has a bunch of nicknames and stuff, but he generally just goes by his main stage name. his first name is real. i know his middle and last names. i don't think he keeps it too secret, i'm not sure.

his dad was a professional hockey player - rangers - and that's his real last name.

fuck. this is bullshit. now, it's on Joe. NO reason to bring in BaBa. if there's one predictable thing about the game, it was that... : /

Aceves hasn't pitched in a week.

[358] Not to dredge up this conversation again... But Joe really needs to light a fire under this team's ass before PS starts, not dick around with Bruney/Edwar

I hate to be contrary (!!!!), but that was a pretty low-leverage situation. I'd rather have Bruney off the team, but if he's going to be used that really wasn't a bad time for it.

[359] If Aceves is going to be wasted as a Joba mop-up man, the Yankees might as well just give him Joba's slot to see if he can build up arm strength to become the 4th starter.

[357] Well, he doesn't use his given last name when he wrestles They acknowledge who his father was, so its not like its a secret though.

Girardi is really screwing the pooch. I know the arguments that these aren't "must win" games and tend to agree, but you can still manage to win without compromising the playoffs. Bruney is a mop-up pitcher right now, nothing more.

[361] Aceves and Hughes have both been underworked. If the Yankees were going to come back, they needed to keep it at 3-1. Bringing in Bruney was not the way to do that.

[360] I like to call it the Bruney Fetish, because I think that sums it up best.

I don't even know what Edwar is.

[360] Girardi is the problem, not part of the solution.

[365] Then Bruney should be off the team. It's Cashman's fault!

[368] And Ramirez.

[368] Why? It's Cashman's fault that Girardi can't figure out whom to use when?

[366] My dad used to have the ol' bruney fetish. The fastball is enticing, the walks are not

[369] Yes, if he can't be used in low leverage situations, then he should be off too.
They can keep one guy for very, very low leverage situations, although frankly Aceves could do that along with whatever his other job is.

Now bring in Edwar to give that one back

[354] he's a bad guy, huh? that's awesome! i didn't know that. i'm not around him a lot anymore, so i didn't hear about the attack. that's crazy. he's REALLY careful in parking lots. kids are always asking to be put in a move, and he's really wary of inadvertently hurting someone and getting sued. i guess all bets are off if he's attacked!

we're about the same height, but he's like 3 of me, haha!

he's a smart cat. educated, too. college degree in journalism...

See, THIS Is why Joe Girardi is not a good manager..3-1 late in the game against a huge rival, you DON'T bring in Bruney! Now Matsui does the job but we're still down by 2...

[373] perfect!

Great idea to give Matsui the night off, by the way. Meanwhile, Bruney's damage looms even larger. If he can screw things up, he will...it's Girardi's Law.

[370] For the reason I stated in the comment you referred to!

[378] 3-1 in the 8th with a bullpen like Anaheim and an offense like the Yankees isn't low leverage.

[363] oh okay, same outside wrestling, for the most part. he just goes by that "stage" name. but, he *always* uses his given last name (his dads') for real life purposes and that's how he gets mail and stuff.

[379] Yes it is.

is Ace's shoulder okay?

[374] Yeah, and he has a really unique style where he doesn't yell and scream, he just talks really calm and kind of cold, and uses big words, which really pisses off some of the fans. We're not all like that :)

[372] I don't see 3-1 as low-leverage really but that's neither here nor there. I mean if he had shown some flashes I could see bringing him in, but he hasn't been able to close out blowouts due to his habit of walking everyone.

[381] No it's not.

[384] I'm prepared to give evidence. Are you?

[383] I'm on board with that -- that's why I think he shouldn't be on the team.

[377] To be fair, with Matsui's knees the way they are, we don't know the whole story there. Although if it was a lefty-righty deal, which it probably was, well, that's stupid.

[387] The reason for giving Matsui the day off was actually to let Jorge DH. Cliff mentioned this earlier. Jorge complained about a stiff neck. (His own, I presume!)

Are the A relievers in the john?

[388] Right, and there's that, and Posada has two hits, so that wasn't a flop of a move and I have no problems with it even if Posada went 0 for 4.

[385] Sure...Fuentes ERA is 4.26 (bullpen is 4.50). Yankees 8th OPS is .868 and their 9th inning OPS is .957.

Albaledejo now...so Girardi still isn't trying to win games. Very comforting.

[391] Okay, so what does that make the leverage with nobody on in the bottom of the seventh in a two run game? Or do you also have to account for the Angels' OPS?

[383] i can see him being cool like that. he's an *amazing* business man. i am...not.

[388] jorgie has a stiff neck from the stoopid fight he started. : /

[387] Agreed...if Matsui's knees are barking, it make sense, but like you, I am sure Joe got the bright idea because of the lefty/lefty matchup.

wow. i figured boBBy would walk on the 17th pitch...

[393] You have to account for both lineups and both bullpens. I like the Yankees chances with Hughes and the Yankee lineup chasing 2 runs against the Angels bullpen.

OK Jazz - if'n you're still around, the Sonny Red "Out of the Blue" album is freaking beautiful!!! i've been searching for it for ages, finally got it today and i'm listening now. it's terrific! : )

Tango Tiger says the leverage in that situation is .4. Maybe you can speculate that various things about the current game make it higher (you can't be selective about what you include, though), but there's no way it's high leverage.

[399] Needless to say, I am not impressed by Tango Tiger's leverage index because there is no way you can assign the same leverage to situations with completely different variables. The leverage index is useful for generic analysis, not for evaluating a specific situation.