One of my big fears about A.J. Burnett was that he would be the 2009 version of Randy Johnson. In his two years as a Yankee, Johnson won 34 games, struck out 383 men, and had one key run of dominance, posting a 1.93 ERA over his final eight starts of 2005 as the team went 7-1 in those games and won the AL East via a tie-breaker with the Wild Card Red Sox. Those handsome counting stats and one hot stretch belied the fact that Johnson was maddeningly inconsistent and enigmatic, and used Jorge Posada as his scapegoat for his struggles, forcing his manager to pair him up with weak-hitting backup John Flaherty.
Most significantly, Johnson, who was brought in to be the dominant ace who would make the difference for the Yankees in the postseason as he had for the 2001 Diamondbacks who beat the Yankees in the World Series, was awful in both of his postseason starts as a Yankee. To make matters worse, both of those starts were key Game Three rubber matches in best-of-five ALDS series that were tied 1-1. Johnson’s failures put the Yankees in 1-2 holes against the Angels in 2005 and the Tigers in 2006, a game away from elimination, contributing mightily to the team’s first-round exits both years.
Burnett has proven to be a far better teammate than Johnson, but his regular season performance in 2009 was certainly Unit-esque. However, his role in the postseason has thus far been very different. There are two key reasons. The first is that CC Sabathia, not Burnett, is the man the Yankees are counting on to be that dominant post-season ace, and Sabathia has thus far delivered. The second is that Burnett, though he opened the season in the third spot in the rotation behind Sabathia and Chien-Ming Wang, is not starting those crucial Games Three. Instead he’s following Sabathia, which means that thus far both of his starts have come with the Yankees up 1-0. That’s a much lower risk situation as a Burnett stinker would do no worse than tie the series with plenty of games left to play.
Also, to Burnett’s credit, he pitched well against the Twins in his first career postseason start. It was a typical Burnett outing in which he put more men on base (seven, five via walk plus two hit by pitch) than got there via hits (three), but the end result was just one run alowed in six innings and, ultimately, a Yankee win.
Tonight he looks to put the Yankees up 2-0 against the arch-rival Angels and lefty Joe Saunders, once again pitching to Jose Molina. As for Saunders, he’s been excellent since returning from an August DL stay, going 7-0 in eight starts with a 2.55 ERA, including a strong 8 1/3-inning outing against the Yankees in Anaheim on September 21. The DL stay was due to a tight shoulder, and it seems the two weeks off were exactly what he needed.
Outside of Molina batting ninth, the Yankee order is the same as last night, including Hideki Matsui DHing against the lefty (because he hits them well, and so that Posada can sub in for Molina once Burnett is out of the game).
Despite forecasts of rain, it’s still dry in northern New Jersey a half-hour before first pitch. Still, the bitter cold could negatively effect Burnett’s ability to grip his knuckle-curve, giving sinker/slider pitcher Saunders and edge. If so, perhaps Girardi will get Posada in the game even earlier, as it was Burnett’s doubts about Posada’s ability to block that curve in the dirt that led to his preference for Molina.
I see this one being a high scoring affair. Just can't imagine AJ not walking guys. So our boys will have to score some runs too.
LET'S GO BOOM BOOM
[0] cliff did you write that you feared aj would be like rj before his twins start or am i having some weird deja vu?
[1] let's hope he walks the riveras and napolis if he must
i just walked home and even though manhattan keeps on makin' it - no rain here - drizzed very briefly maybe an hour or so ago but that is it
i feel oddly confident in aj tonight so i hope that doesn't cause me too much stress tonight
i would of course like to see the yanks jump on saunders quickly
damn. i'm heart broken right now. first got turned down for a second date that i was looking forward to. now, ND literally loses in the final seconds. please, I need a Yankees win!!
thelarmis - i'm definitely planning on a state college drinking binge next summer! so, we need to follow through.
and for those who followed my heating drama, I have heat. so all is well in Pittsburgh-land. Even if the cops use sonic weapons against our peoples.
[2] I meant to, but I didn't work it in. I'm sure I've mentioned it before, possibly in comments, but this was my first full writeup about it.
[4] Glad something went right for you today. Yins stay warm now.
[6] thanks Cliff. Let's hope the Yanks complete the day with a nice win!
I think that's a little unfair to both Burnett and Johnson. While Burnett has definitely had hot and cold stretches, he does have as many quality starts as Sabathia (21). Similarly, Johnson had 22 QS in 2005. I think the reason they both seem(ed) more inconsistent is because you expect them to dominant with their stuff.
Also, while the Big Unit was pretty bad in the playoffs, he was absolutely essential down the stretch in 2005. Not only was he a major cog in besting Boston for the division (I believe he beat them 5 times), but the Yankees only finished two games better than Cleveland, so without his hot pitching, they might not have even made the playoffs, which I think would have been particuarly damaging after the 2004 ALCS collapse.
In other words, I think Randy Johnson more than pulled his weight in 2005, and feel AJ has done the same this season.
[3] Ack. That ND game was a heart breaker, a killer. They're getting closer though.
[5] thanks cliff.
mark grace looks weird - i'm having trouble pinpointing it but maybe a to catch a predator look
[9] What is this "ND game" of which you speak? Does not compute..
So no rain delay then..DRAT!
Was Randy Johnson really THAT bad a teammate?
[9] closer for sure. USC is just so damned good. Anyhow, a Yankees win makes all better!
Steeerike one!
interesting that mlb would ask the managers if they want to try and play
[10]
Mark Grace is a color man on the D'backs TV broadcasts .... I just don't like the sound of his voice.
sweet K!!!
AJ looking sharp!
and choad is still roughing it
Attaboy.
Show up that Alex Belth, why doncha!
Damn AJ, pound that Zone. Sit down CHOAD!
We've taken Chone Figgins, and replaced him with Alan Wiggins ... let's see if anyone notices ...
nice movement on that one!
[15] i had forgotten that - there is something odd about him now - i had a slight crush on him when he played for the cubs but now he is creepy
jd interesting as always!!
[3] Just got home from watching with my dad, an ND Alum. He's been rather grumpy for about 20 years running.
[23] seriously? a crush on grace? ew
[25] yeah i know - but i was like 10 or something
[21] It tastes just like Chone!
[24] since 1988? we are serious fans. never satisfied. Feels like being a Yankees fan does!
[26] fair enough.
haha no pc richardon & son music yet
I'm liking good AJ and hoping he stays with us!
[25] Glad to have you back in the land of heat, seamus! Or you could have borrowed Frosty the Cano-man's ski hat. ;)
dammit. lucky hit. AJ's cruising. don't lose it here. i love the 1st pitch strikes!
That sucked. Damn these Angels and their bloopy bleedy garbage, again.
[23] My wife loved Grace when she was younger. She also had an unnatural affinity for Dykstra. Go figure. Screw you Toriiiiiiiiii
ah bullshit dink hit - get vladdy here
[31] hehe. would have had to break out the wool army pants i have! thanks Shaun!
i'm already really sick of Tim-Buck
Some day I'm going to make a joke about Torii having two "eye"s. But the right moment has never come up.
easy going. nice job AJ!
beautiful !!!
LET'S GO YAN-KEES !! !!!
Nice inning.
that'll do it - very nice start aj
Beauty of a first. Word.
[37]
Tim-Buck Two?
[37] God, they are the worst. Somehow Caray had me convinced that they wouldn't be so bad, but they are terrible.
[38]
TORII is actually a word ...
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861720976
[44] can we tip them over in a canoe?
[44] Hm, impressive.
Sutcliffe busted out a "baseball is funny" bit..thought he was close to saying "Ya just can't.."
Don't rip off John's bits, Sutcliffe!
I think Vlad is almost as slow as Matsui nowadays.
[46] Wow, that's very surprising. Let's just hope he won't be the gateway to the WS for the Angels.
[51]
Scrabble geek to the rescue.
the lohud guys really are doing quite well - sam actually has a pretty good sense of humor (he made a fisted comment) and chad just jumped right in - josh seems good too - only thing is he has a new weird picture hiself that sort of looks nothing like his old pic
I can't get over this eerie calm i feel. If the Yanks were playing Boston I'd be climbing up the fucking walls.
I wonder how Bob Shepard is feeling these days ... would be nice to see him at the Stadium, even if he was just waving "hi" from the pressbox.
[54] That's why I am glad they aren't playing Boston, even though I think they would have been an easier opponent.
[54] very true. and for some reason i felt more uptight in the alds
[53] oh i really liked his old pic. he looked bad ass.
damnit a loud out that the wind just killed
[50] I was thinking that Vlad circa 1999 or so would have come very close to beating that grounder out. Its strange to see him going slow. (And somewhat off topic - how are you feeling?)
DAMO. . .or not. Wind's in again, huh?
Ooof, Damon just missed.
I don't know if Damon hit that one well enough, wind or no wind.
[55] I wonder if there's any possible way he could "throw (roll)" the first pitch for one of these upcoming games.
[53] i hated his old pic. looked like a crazy mug shot. the new one is just weird. but yeah, LoHud is kicking ass. i'm really pleased with that place. will it stay the 3 of them or just eventually go down to Chad? Sam seems like a good ringleader...
Johnny was oh-so-close on that one.
RI - you're very punny today! i caught your last comment on the last thread, too...
[60]
Thanks for asking .... I've still got this virus ... I dragged myself to work all week. Right now I don't feel that bad (knock on wood).
Hmpf. Looks like Molina is gonna have to earn his paycheck today.
[63] Similarly, did you hear that John Wooden turned 99? 99!!
[63] Or better, make just one last announcement ("Ladies and gentlemen, ... ").
[65] knocked on wood for ya.
Burnett is one of the few pitchers that can have a first inning like that and it's not necessarily encouraging.
sweeeettt!!!
NASTY K. WHoo-hooooooo.
[60] amazing he had 40 SB's one season. he shoulda been a 40-40 guy. i remember him hitting his 40th homer late in the season and it was ruled foul or a double, or some shit. it was clearly a homer. i think it was the same season Sori went 40-40.
nice work AJ
nice k pitch
hello, Good AJ
Wow, FOX TRAX +. Release velocity and crossing the plate velocity. Never seen that before. /snark
MLB.TV is sniggering at FOX right now.
OK AJ - keep those wild ones when no one's on base!
[76] fox's innovation is amzing
Btw Cliff's piece here is really stingy with Burnett. "Yeah he was good but it's only cause of this and this and the other thing, otherwise he would've sucked! And that goes for this game too, if he pitches well." ; )
[73] Vlad has been my favorite hitter to watch during my MLB-fandom, after Mattingly and Frank Thomas.
Nice glove, AJ!
AJ has been watching CC!
nice play!
good stuff aj
Is McCarver nuts?
fuckin' beautiful, man!
I don't understand this, AJ is being efficient. What gives?
Big Game AJ, roll on brother.
Well, it sounds like the ESPN announcers have consumed the Molina kool-aid. Yes, catchers need a day or two off a week...but NOT DURING THE PLAYOFFS!!
This has nothing to do with helping Po, and everything to do with making AJ better. If it works, then it's the right call.
[70] What about now?
[83] very much so - you missed some real insight last night
[89] I watched the replay, unfortunately. Buck was actually solid, but McCarver has passed a point of no return.
[86] haha if james shields got that moniker last year might as well let aj have it this year
[83] Partly nuts, partly just plain old stupid.
[90]
then let's send McCarver to Kansas (ba-dum-bum)
damn i thought arod was a miami boy
[88] Uh, no. I like watching Burnett pitch but you never know when the other shoe is gonna drop. Hopefully it won't at all.
[93] eh eh eh. i get it...
snoop was right there with the nail gun
[83] Pardon me for saying this, but, DUH!
They're both horrible. You missed listening to Buck say last night that CC had "matured as a pitcher" under Eiland's tutelage - because he pitched more to contact. At which point, I looked up CC's K/9 for '09, and found it was near identical to his career K/9 (7.7 vs 7.6).
Then Buck cites CC's pre and post ASB splits - and reads that his K/9 went UP during what Buck called his "dominant second half". Dipshit.
Ah, that was close, A-Rod. Get us runs!
[87] They even dropped the amazing "catching ERA" stats earlier..but from the comments about Timmy Mac we seem to be better off...
I miss that pitch tracker on TBS, god help me.
The offense isn't as explosive as I would like...I want 10 runs!
phil highes = 8th inning bridge
gotta love it
[101] It's coming..Swish and Matsui are going to go deep today, no doubt about it.
Nicky Baby. OBP
swish with his specialty
[98] There's something ironic about saying a 29 year old guy who's already won a Cy Young and established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball has matured this year.
Knock a wall down Robbie.
frosty time
Kind of odd...Saunders has had 3 or 4 three-ball counts, and that's who Jimmy and Joe seek out for early praise.
Did swish just tap Morales on the butt?
[110] yup
[109] they had lackey as better than cc in their comments last night as well
[101] The problem is that half the lineup couldn't hit its way out of a paper bag right now.
[106] Ironic, and ridiculously stupid. I've somehow managed to complete ignore their ramblings all night.
RUN SWISHER RUN!!!
ROBBIE !!!!!!!!!!!!
BEAUTIFUL hit by Cano!!
Yeah Rob! Yeah Wheels!
Love Nick Swisher.
dropping the relay throw costs the Halos
Bobby is such a bad fielder
yes - run on the board -way to go frosty
Robbie Cano, don't ya know?
Well, he didn't knock it down but he hit it. YES!!!!!!!!!!
[99] How true. Small blessings....
Robbie Cano...don't you know! Swisher kind of ran out steam there! Gald he made it.
what a gorgeous swing by cano.
please plate him now!!!
Take THAT gritty grimy Angels!
Give us more errors!
[126] yeah, i'll take a wild pitch about now...
I like early score truck.
c'mon melky let's turn over molina's spot at least
It'd be great if they could get the pitcher up this inning
I cant believe that made it to the wall.
damnit melky - nice score truck though
[130] : )
I almost wish Gardner had started in this game, lefty starter or no.
That seems like the tenth time Melky has struck out with a half swing on a ball in the dirt. No?
Great hitting by Cano but a key BB by Swisher.
Those k's piss me off. boooooooooooooo
damn, i wanted molina to make the last out.
[134] But then he couldn't PR. Wake up now!
[135] he is vulnerable to it.
[131] That's the difference between Abreu and Swisher. Abreu just jogs at the ball as it heads up the gap, while Swisher makes a head first dive and sends the ball careening toward the wall.
bit O' hoops anyone? breaking news alert! Marbury to take a year off, then return.."Like Jordan did." Not sure any joke even needed here..
Saunders won't see the 6th at this rate...
Mildred ... come outside ... its raining umbrellas!
This is very old (April 2009) and I don't know if it was discussed, but it really pissed me off.
http://www.mensjournal.com/brian-cashman
Some decent comment though, especially by one guy who claims to be employed in baseball.
[139] Hello, Freddy Guzman!
[142] i feel bad for him in some respects
[142] Article this morning about how he wants to build a center for kids up here in Rochester. So that's pretty cool.
So, assuming that they will not shorten the regular season, what would you do to get the WS to be finished by the second weekend in October?
If Molina can see AJ's back after the delivery, it's a bad sign. Huh.
[148] Nothing...the longer the season, the better (for me, at least).
[144] Is that Taibbi's bullshit article on Cashman?
I (no surprise) very much enjoy his political writing, but I thought his piece was a (pardon me) piece of shit. Then I found out he is a Red Sox fan and I hated it even more. I expect more and better out of Taibbi, but no one's perfect.
[148] would awful weather to start the season be less problematic to you?
also, these are unseasonably cold temps for nyc.
i am fully with you that baseball is not meant to be played in the cold though.
Tex fuckin' RULES!!!
I guess it [149] could mean that Molina was playing CF, which really would be a bad sign.
Wow, was that entire section of the upper deck in RF empty?
Man, Tex is just awesome
I hope Joba is taking some mental notes in regards to 1st pitch strikes.
C'mon Tim. Tell us again that Teix's foot was off the bag ya' douche.
that is what having a real 1b will do for you
155 Auxiliary Press box
[155] It is being used as a temporary press box, I believe.
Tex is so damn good with the glove..
[146] Yeah, I don't think he's a bad guy, and loved his sneaker idea. He just..seems so so troubled..
[148] 5 games series. We play the East 19 times and other guys 10 times. 5 game series will save many travel days, cut down on the number of West Coast trips, and every series will show the full rotation.
[148] More double headers during the season, and the season has to start on APril 1st.
The WBC is cool and all, but November baseball is NOT worth it.
[152] Yes, it would be less problematic, for two reasons. 1) The playoffs should be seen as more important. 2) Postponed early season games can be made up throughout the course of the regular season, while the post-season schedule is much less flexible.
Throw CHOAD the heater.
damnit, lost him. i thought he had him struck out...
stay calm AJ
AJ...don't worry about Figgins...get Abreu.
[161] yeah i think he is - a sort of interesting read is "the last shot" about him and 3 other guys he played hs basketball with and their quest to make it out of coney island
[159][160] Ah, I see.
[162] Hm. That's a really, really good idea.
[163] Players Association would probably never for more DHs, but I would.
[162] I have to admit, that's an intriguing idea. Obviously they can't all be 5 game series - 81 games at home, 81 on the road, and 5 doesn't divide into 81 - but very intriguing.
Well, this is why Molina is catching, right? To stymie the running game. Do your job, Jose.
[164] yeah i agree - certainly right now - i would probably be complaining in march though
[167] Nodding
[167] Say that LOUDER....
[168] Read that! Was very interesting and very very sad..made me hate college athletics even more than already did, the coaches are horrible.
Cmon AJ, just get boBBy here!
[169] Player's Association would have no say if they were one admission double headers. It's the owners who do not want to lose the gate.
Forget Figgins!!
molina just pointed at boBBy, saying 'worry about the hitter, dude'...
FUCK. C'mon AJ.
Time to do that paying attention to the batter thing.
I hate watching Burnett when he gets like this
So Sutcliffe just said that he really liked what Molina just did, when he stood up, took off his mask, gesticulated toward AJ and went through the signs or whatever.
Isn't that the sort of thing that got Posada benched for AJ's starts?
Ok, buckle his knees and end this shit
[174] yes very very sad and really how much these kids are used
[179] Fortunately it only happens when Posada catches.
OK. I promise that's my last one on that topic.
sweet.
Yes! Now I have to do the dishes, very quickly. ;)
Let Figgins run...run Figgins...run.
okay good job aj of just careening there and not falling off
See, that works.
I agree with Hawk that you can never be truly confident, but I like this start better than the alternatives.
See, when you get the batter out, it doesn't matter what the runner does.
[170] Obviously, some would be 4, and interleague could be used to fill in the spaces. But for every 3,3 and 4 series, you would have 5 and 5 and possible save a travel day.
It's going to take a bomb to get one over the fence tonight. Ya hear me Alex! Teix! : D
[187] Okay, that's the second use of "careening" in the thread. What gives???
[180] I think the problem between Posada and AJ has been Jorge either not blocking the breaking pitch, or being reluctant to call for it for that reason.
[182] I grew up in Brooklyn and never knew that part of Coney Island was like that..thought it was just in the movie "The Warriors"..
damn, work time. Get that Score Truck engine revved up boys!!
[190] that really is a good idea oyf - you should write to bud (and i am not being a smart ass)
i would think teams would be happy to cut down on operating expenses now too
[151] Seconded and I didn't even know he was a Red Sox fan.
I just read the first few paragraphs and his lack of understanding kind of shows his political pieces in a different light.
[171] I doubt that...we never complain.
; )
If Ellen Barkin married Barry Larkin ...
thank goodness this isn't the NL, otherwise our inning would start w/ Molina & Burnett. : /
[193] I vowed not to make any more comments on this topic. But if I did, I would use the word illusory.
working hard not to comment on that ab
yes, hang your head in shame Molina. that was a pathetic at-bat. pathetic.
[180] You sure do want Posada in there, don't you?
[201] don't careen yourself! ; )
Jeet!
Well who knew? You actually can hit it out on a windy night!
WHOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
WOOHOO!
Fuck yeah, Derek!
score truck to the short porch
Jeter versus the Wind....Jeter wins!
Derek Jeter is stronger than the wind.
CAPTAIN!!!
DEREK JETER!!!!
man oh man, i love my captain. love him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Came back just in time for a Jeterian blast!
JETERIAN!!!!!!
I was getting worried about Jeter not hitting for power in Setember, but its now clear that he was just saving the doubles and homers for October.
Anyone know what Saunders pitch count is?
Mr. October
[211] Why you $^&(!%... [212]
: )
fox don't start your feed bullshit again tonight
[218] 46
[217] Derek Jeter doesn't make outs...he just takes a break between hits.
Tim, I'm not really sure what Jeter hitting a home run has to do with his fielding 3 years ago. But um ok.
top of the order going oppo. me likey!
watching juan rivera field immediately removes any sentiment i might have about him no longer being a yankee
Amazingly, I get cable from the cave I'm hiding in, Mr. McCarver.
Also, apparently Jeter is a clutch fielder now too? And how is this relevant after a homer? A rally-killing homer!
Back to the farm Colonel Saunders.
I enjoy having the effective Johnny back
[223]
Me likey .... :-)
Does anyone know if there's a behind the scenes vid about NYS?
CROO-KED NUM-BER *clapclap clapclapclap*
[226] ALTHOUGH, Rivera does rate very, very well according to UZR.
[217] glad you made it! i'm sorry Mr. OK Jazz Tokyo missed the homer.
Tex always hustles.
let's go Alex !!!
I would like to see Jeter in dreds.
If Teixeira was hitting...
[233] but Tex doesn't, for some reason...
Arod let one go there!
damn off the bat i got so excited.
[228] yeah, i HATE that extra "u" in the name. : /
Alex made decent contact, but no dice...
let's go AJ
RATS and BOLLOCKS. Hold em down AJ.
Back later ....
WOW... Jeter DOUBLED!!!!!!!!! the lead.
The man is a God!
[237] I really don't like UZR...if it is accurate, I am one of the worst judges of fielding talent (which might be true).
The inning felt like it could really get away from Saunders, but Tex kind of bailed him out and Arod just missed.
A-Rod is hitting the ball pretty well even when he makes outs. That alone is a huge improvement over past years
there are 4 hits in this game and we've reached the cycle !!!
[245] Unfortunately it didn't, but he has thrown a lot of pitches in a very short time
TEX IS AMAZING!!!
I heart Mark Teixeria
Teixeira really is contributing even when he's not hitting.
Did he stay on the bag this time, Tim?
Despite what Sutcliffe says, 1B is not the most important defensive position in the infield. That said, Teix is really putting on a show this series.
Teixeira is really amazing...it seems like he makes one or two great plays every game. It almost makes me doubt the logic behind the defensive spectrum.
Well, that was nifty.
And UZR only considers outs that start on the right side of the infield, so it doesn't include stretches like that
Ouch.
hehe... my wife just surmised that Tex must have a piece of gum on his shoe.
OMG, Tex is UNREAL!!!
Wow, Vladdy wanted that one... Tex is putting on a show
He was safe
Well goddmann. Each shit Scioscia. I hate his stupid face. Safe though.
It's official: Vlad will swing at anything.
I would say he was safe, but I'd have to agree with McCarver.
Tex is fucking awesome tonight with all the stretching... Nothin' special, just fucking awesome basics
Listening to Buck and McCarver analyze these replays is exactly why I am not in favor of instant replay.
[262] that's been official for a long time.
Weird angle for the Ump, who is used to watching the baserunner and listening to the ball hit the glove, so he couldn't do that there. Vlad looked safe. But he doesn't deserve being on base swinging at that junk.
He might have been safe at the bag...but what is the call if the ball hits the batter-runner on a swinging third strike that is dropped by the catcher? Very odd play.
[255] thanks for that!
Molina shoulda tried to backhand that...
Tex...man...wow!
i thought it hit the dirt before his leg!!!
[253] I don't know if you saw Donnie play, and you're getting an idea watching Teix play, but the idea that 1st base is not an important defensive position is rediculous. I believe Teix's glove has saved a number of games this season.
Damn it
Even good AJ is still AJ, after all.
[268] You would think runner is out, right?
[268] If the contact is incidental, the ball is in play.
[268] Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's dead and the batter is out as soon as it hits him. But I'm in too good a mood to look it up.
[274] Make that accidental.
The reason Teix is so good is b/c he learned in Oakland that if he missed any throws his way the runner would be able to take 2 bases. Oh wait, I'm getting my Kay stories confused. : D Roll on AJ!!!
i'm glad it's not Posada getting beat up back there : )
YEAH AJ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AJ looks great!
[270] Donnie had more range in the hole to his right...and yes, I saw him growing up--he was my favorite player. As for the relative importance of defense at1B...let's just agree that Teix is flashing some leather out there.
Donnie had a great and very accurate arm. His 3-6-3 DPs were art.
[270] [280] I am somewhere in the middle of the debate. 1B is clearly not as important as most of the others, but I don't think the gap is wide as some would have you believe. I definitely don't agree with the idea that just about anyone can play the position.
Saunders is getting his pitches up...lets make him pay!
[282] i agree with those points william.
2-0 roll over...not good Godzilla.
stfu and show us the game
[285] Seems he and Johnny can't be good concurrently
More annoying: Chip, Buck & Timmeh!, or the inane manager interview?
[286] haha. those coaching interviews drive me crazy but seem to drive you even more so.
[282] True, but certainly more people an play 1B than SS or 2B or CF or C or even 3B. For hundred years teams have put the worst defensive player at 1B for a reason.
i'm digging cano's patience. esp after those 2 quick ab's...
[289] they really do - i hate them and the idea of them - even though i don't like the basketball ones at least they speak to the coaches during the break after the 1st and 3rd quarter and they aren't showing us the interview during the game
Nice play by Toriiiii...
Hm, if a batter makes contact with his own batted ball before it touches a fielder, then he's out. Rule 6.05 (g).
So I imagine it's the same for a dropped third strike, since that ball is also in play.
damn, Robbie's makin' some solid contact...
torii made that look very easy
I'd prefer many more crooked #'s next to our side.
[292] i hear ya. it is a bit ridiculous because it just feels off to me to hear Girardi semi-live (I know it isn't live) talking while his team is playing and he should be making decisions.
[290] I think more people play it, but not play it well, which is why a 1B is still a very important defender. If you assume all SS are pretty good (because other wise they wouldn't be playing there), then the gap between a great and bad 1B can be massive, especially if many teams are using the position to stash no-glove sluggers. Going from Giambi to Teixiera kind of drives that point home.
[294] It's not the same. As long as the contact is not intentional, the ball is in play.
Aside from charging the bunt (and 1Bman do field some bunts), what does a 3rd baseman have to do that a 1st baseman doesn't? Then add fiedling throws.
[300] does it say that in the rules or is that you opinion?
[302] It's my confident understanding of the rules.
[301] throw the ball to 1b
Bad.
shit - left that ball up
Ignore the runner...go after the hitters.
[303] so it's your opinion.
Atta boy Napoli.
We (in baseball) have also had some big bat, poor fielders at 3rd.
I was going to say, this is where having a strikeout pitcher is quite useful - but a pop fly will work too.
[299] Given how few balls a 1B has to field or throws he has to make, relative to the other IFs, I wonder how many runs separate Teix from Giambi (or whatever two you pick). Surely some numerate person could calculate this objectively?
[308] No...it would be like me saying 2+2=4 based on my confident understanding of how to add.
[308] But it's a confident opinion....
damn
crap
Yeesh. Not the two guys I would have guessed would combine for the first run.
damnit - too bad aj couldn't have fielded that one
OK, how long do you leave AJ in? His pitches seem to be getting elevated
Maicer and Snoop LAME. LAME. LAME.
[313] so it's your [314] confident opinion.
Crud. C'mon, AJ, get out of this.
[312] Why does a 1Bman have fewer balls to field then a 3Bman?
goddamn that was close
AJ...please focus on the batters here.
snoop almost got caught there
he got a great jump
So much for Molina's arm . . .
[321] Stop that
this is not making my stomach feel any better : /
Nice throw Molina....
[329] sorry
[312] Unfortunately, I think UZR is not a great stat for first basemen, for the reason I mentioned earlier. It just doesn't measure the ability of a 1B to stretch out and get throws.
But put it more abstractly... if the difference between A-Rod and Cody Ransom is X, and the difference between Tex and Giambi is also X... then replacing G with Tex is going to be more important to the team, defensively. The first baseman has just so many many more chances (putouts and assists) than does a third baseman.
[319] soon as you pinch hit molina
This is the 5th inning Tim, you've sounded exactly like yourself. A complete a-hole.
GOD DAMNIT.
Oh geez
shit
for fuck's sake c'mon aj
Christ AJ - this is EXACTLY when not to hit a batter!
Sheesh.
Anyone else worried about the double steal?
Christ... AJ's ball really breaks.
It's amazing how he has the same kind of inning every game.
Come on AJ, bear down.
Sets up the double play?
Please please please keep the ball down, AJ. The double play cometh...
glad I came back to this ...
Stay aggressive...if you get hit, you get hit.
I hope this isn't an AJ Blowup Inning
Is anybody warming? This could get to melt down very quick
[349] isn't this typical? he could be lights out next inning.
[349] i'm not warming, but i am plotzing...
[350] True, but he can also be lights out after giving up 5 runs in an inning- we've seen that!
[350] This is the ALCS and you have a lead
[349] I don't believe so - or at least I haven't seen anything on the teevee.
OK AJ, get us an out or two. Don't be afraid.
Pick up the phone, Joe.
Isn't a sequence like this supposedly why Molina was catching AJ?
And I'll gladly take that. Get 'em, AJ!
This is all the result of a lack of focus...why they don't just tell him to forget the runners is beyond me. Stop yelling "Hey" and just let him pitch.
So you PH for Molina no matter what, right?
[352] and [353] yep yep. both true.
[349] You see what I was saying now?
My eerie calm has shit the bed.
[361] I remain calm. I think Abreu is a great player, but I'll go with AJ here.
[323] More RHB.
Great at bat.
This is agonizing
Abreu is channeling his inner Chone.
Awesome.
ah phew!
that was so sweet!
That a WAY, AJ!
holy crap. that was whack!
Well hell's bells. That was crazy. Atta boy JD.
When Abreu is up, I propose switching him with Melky.
Great catch Johnny, I think that was harder than it looked.
very nice play jd
and way to actually win a battle aj
Wow I thought that ball was well fair.
JD adds another dimension of entertainment in the field.
WOW that carried!
Yikes! That was scary.
[376] And by fair I mean foul. Just like MacBeth.
Pop it up toriiiiiiiiiiii
god damnit throw strikes aj
He's trying to spot the ball...why!
Stay way from Bad Vlad please.
Bases loaded with Vlad up does not sound good.
I'd say AJ is pitching a hell of a lot better than Unit ever did.
Runners advance on ball in the dirt here?
It's 2-2...why even fake.
Whatever TBS's problem was, on FOX YS2.0 is ROCKIN'. I'm loving the noise!
Catcher goes out to the mound.
Or ... the ball spins so much it bores miles into the earth and lava erupts onto the field? No one is bothered because now it is warm at Yankee Stadium
That was a stike.
THISclose. I thought he had him.
Is Buck reading off a really slow teleprompter or something? What is....the deal....with this.....guy.
Uhhhhh .... scary
Jesus Christ.
Yoiks! Good thing it went into the seats!
horeshit
that was lucky to go into the stands
ugly
Right, so bases loaded for Vlad. Quick hook?
Crap, I just agreed with McCarver.
Yeah, it's Posda's fault he can't block AJ's breaking pitches. Those are unblockable.
in old Yankee Stadium ... does that ball go in stands?
[394] he's watching college football
My lord AJ is an adventure. Can we please end the inning with no more runs scored?
Aye aye aye. OK AJ, get Vlad. Don't throw a wild pitch or walk him!
IS ANYBODY WARMING? JOE?
vlad will flail and fail here...
Pitcher crossed up the catcher.
Maybe AJ can get Vladdy to swing at some more dirtballs
[407] Yes, Dave R is warming.
dave robertson up
I still don't know exactly what happened here. AJ got unnerved. It's almost worse when he starts off so dominant, because when something goes a little wrong, the wheels come off. He doesn't "deal with adversity" well.
[394] Its like . . . Timmeh . . . is trying to channel . . . William Shatner.
And Robertson's up in the pen.
No breaking ball here AJ...have to stay hard, but up.
You don't realize just how little control AJ Burnett has until you see him pitch every day.
Catcher goes out to the mound again.
Throw a high fastball at his eyes
[413] Reminds me of Pettitte in some ways - how many times have we seen Pettitte get rattled by an error behind him, for example.
aj loves mound conferences
Jesus.
fucking brutal.
Argh ...
[417] If only it was Posada!
fuck me
Pitcher bounced the pitch, allowing a run to score.
this is infuriating
damn. the aj run
Oh come on. Why didn't they throw a fastball up?
GET MOLINA'S LAME ASS BAT OUT OF THIS GAME!
No reason to ever start Molina with AJ again. Eff this.
Ugh, g-d damnit.
[416] Yep...
Yeah I'd call this an unravelling. Might have to pull him, Joe.
This is brutal.
Did AJ warm up this afternoon on a Little League mound?
The worst part is there is nothing surprising about this at all .
why is he so volatile : /
beer run time...
There was a lot of activity that inning involving the pitcher and the catcher.
Is AJ throwing that thing too hard ... or gripping it too tightly, too long?
pinch hit for molina and end this bullshit
Bump in the road. Now let's get some M$%^Hf#$%ing runs. Colonel Saunders is real Cold after this inning.
Well, that's the end of the evening for that battery.
Also I'm pretty sure Vlad would have swung (and missed/popped up) at a fastball at the eyes.
Burnett circa 2005 would have done it.
AJ will now be unhittable for the rest of the game again.
Well that was more painful than it was damaging, if you know what I mean. Two runs is more than acceptable if that's all he gives up and gets another inning in. It's now on the Yankee hitters to get something going.
The bats need to score here, in case the rains come.
[438] Esp. if you count conversation as 'activity'.
AJ Burnett has absolutely zero idea where the ball is going when he lets go of it, and its going to bite us in the ass big time.
really, AJ is amazing at having these terrible innings but where he still only allows a run or two. I'm oddly impressed.
[1] Alex, if you had said "can't imagine AJ not walking and hitting" then you woul dhvae been a prophet. Sigh.
OK, Molina is up second - time to pull his ass. I don't care if AJ pitches the next inning. Get Molina's bat out. NOW.
On the plus side, the game is still tied. But I would have a quick hook next inning...
[443] That's what I was thinking, not sure why they went there.
Wow, I was just assuming Burnett was done. No? I think Robertson for an inning here and then Joba, Phil, Mo. This seems obvious to me.
[443] i agree - vladdy has a hardrer time catching up to that pitch, whereas he does golf a decent amount of pitches , would have certainly reduced the chance for a passed ball
damn that po and his pitch selection
holy shite... there were over 50 comments in 2 batters.
Why AJ tries to throw harder and break off sharper curves when he gets in trouble is puzzling...does he not have the confidence in the same stuff that go him through the other innings?
[449] Yeah now that it's over, I feel the same way.
Crikey how many balls in the dirt/batters' legs were there in just a half an inning?
[451] If AJ is really wild again, I agree.
But outside of Morales - and Napoli, inexplicably hitting 8th - this is very much the soft, chewy underbelly of the Angels' lineup. If he's not wild, I say stick with him.
WHY THE EFF IS MOLINA ON DECK! WAKE UP JOE!
[453] i would send AJ out and see how things go. It isn't like they were blasting balls off him. if he walks a better or two, bring in robertson.
I can't believe they wouldn't pinch hit for Molina here.
i don't want to see either molina on deck or rudy behind him right now
BUNT!!!!!!!!
[456] Was that AJ's choice, or Molina's?
Nice job Melky! NOW PLEASE SEND UP POSADA!
[443] That was clearly the right call...it's incredible that they didn't go with it. That's almost a spot where Pena has to take control and call the pitches.
Now might be time for a bunt, sadly enough
Nice job Melky. And I suppose Molina will probably just waste an out and sac bunt.
The catcher is batting.
Pastadivingaybar
good start Leche.
why is Molina still in?!?!?!?!?! : /
This should be a pinch hitter...no reason to give away an out for 1 more inning with AJ.
These stupid interviews- SHOW THE GAME!
[456] It really is the difference between a pitcher and a thrower.
Why the hell is Molina batting?!
[468] that is punilicious.
Still bunt.
The team carries three catchers for the post-season.
Jose Molina is an epic fail tonight.
[472] But he pitches for most of the game, but then starts throwing when he gets in trouble.
Saunders is just terrified of Jose.
I am not joking...I would give Molina the RED light here.
[476] Girardi is not making me very happy right now.
Where's weeping with a good "why can't anyone bunt well" rant?
If Saunders walks Molina . . . I say pinch run with Guzman!
Send Melky. PLEASE.
Saunders is pulling a Burnett here.
start Melky?
It would be funny if Molina gets on and they PR for him
Now, if the catcher manages a walk, will one of the innumerable pinch runners appear?
molina is a strikeout machine timmy
You just can't predict baseball.
Jose would like Bronx Banter to SHUT THE FUCK UP NOW please.
Well, that worked.
professional hitter!
You just can't predict baseball
Girardi = Genius. Clearly :)
Un-effing-real. Jose Molina, I take it back!
[477] How about now?
nice hit molina - wasn't sure you had it in you but nice job
wow, color me impressed. i guess we're not pinch running him...
Hahah, ridiculous...
Molina says take THAT
Like I said...green light.
Now, you pinch run here and don't bunt Jeter!
[489] haha
Jeter's gonna bunt
Sit on it Banterers- J. Molina. : D
[489] He told us!
[488] ARRRGH [492]
Odds that Jeter bunts?
DO NOT BUNT DEREK
See, the ends justify the terrible inbetween times.
Jeter, please do not bunt.
Please don't bunt Jeter. And don't GIDP either....
[489] And clearly we should.
If Jeter bunts - you damn asshole Timmeh STFU - I will scream. And then my wife will kill me because I will have undoubtedly woken up the kids.
No pinch runner?... c'mon Joe, wake up
[500] I didn't realize you were color blind!
nice hook. don't bunt, derek. hit another one out!
[506] Methinks you are seeing the game slightly before I am, cause you said that before I saw it.
The Angels are looking for a bunt because that's what their useless brand of smallball bullshit would call for right now.
Sigh.
FUDGE!
Well, that was a disaster
fuck a goat in the ass
SAFE!!!!!!!!!
Damn, nice play. Crap.
Should have bunted.
oh no. dammit, derek.
real close at 1st...
GAH!
That's why Guzman should have pinch ran for Molina!
Worst. Possible. Outcome.
Not very clutch there, sigh.
That was ugly. The series has turned ... Angels in five. Jeter retires.
Fuck you, Aybar
need a hit here jd
Banterers 0-fer-2 this inning.
Oh, man, he was safe. GODDAM it. That one hurts.
he definitely beat it
damn he was mega safe
[524] Runner out at third? Triple Play?
[524] Girardi wouldn't have sent the runners anyway
Ump sucks for both teams.
waaaaay fuking safe!!! : /
[519] Thanks for the laugh, ms october. You can curse anytime in these tense situations.
[522] Bah.
how about a WP, Saunders?
You cannot waste a base hit by Molina, guys. Come on.
You have to expect more from Jeter there...obviously, if know he is going to have a bad AB, you would bunt.
[519] Well... at least it wasn't a fisting comment.
fucking bullshit.
Ewwww. Terrible by Damon
Just awful. Ugh.
Fuck YOU SAUNDERS!!!!!!111111!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[537] thanks :}
damnit what a frustrating inning
The momentum has shifted in the wrong way. The only thing that could make this shittier is a Damaso Marte appearance.
[537] I was just joking. In a "well, I didn't win with pocket aces, so I'll just fold them" kind of way.
I hate it when the score truck gets hijacked like that.
Okay, well, AJ better give us a very good inning, then back to business.
Brutally disappointing inning. DAMN !!!!!
The offense has been doing this quite a bit lately...hopefully, AJ and the pen can close the door.
I have never complained about bunting..............fwiw. G$%fu#$^ing Damnit.
[547] please matt let sleeping goats lie
[549] I'm extremely confident that AJ will be lights out next inning, because of his catcher.
[551] Yeah, some guys are scuffling and, unfortunately, there aren't really any alternatives on the bench. Maybe start Gardy?
The pitching has really held the line for the first 4 games, is it too much to ask that the offense outright wins a game?
Sometimes the bunt is the way to go?
Home run, right here...
[554] I know that Posada would have doubled to prevent Jeter from GIDP, by the way.
[556] Game one of the ALDS was over early.
[557] Say you bunt Jeter and Damon strikes out...then you need a 2-out hit anyway. In the 5th inning, I think you have to play for the big inning.
WAY to go, AJ! Glad I don't know shit.
OK, AJ, way to put it back on track
Ballsy to leave Burnett out there. But I think Girardi is trying to build him up. He's had a good game. Give him a chance to go deep. Last inning was a bunch of cheapies.
[558] ???? Shame on you
Man, that last half inning left me red face bitter! LOL
Now, if there was a man on third, he would have abandoned the inside fastball and bounced that last curve...for some reason, AJ loses faith in his stuff when he needs it the most.
If Posada started it would be 10-2 Angels. Posada would have had a 2 run homer and Marte would be now pitching. : D
[559] We can dream, can't we? ; )
Nice.
[559] I'm pretty sure he would have struck out looking on pitch that he took in the same spot three times in a row
Molina has 3 PA and a single to show for it. This sounds pretty good, but if you think about it, Posada averages a lot better than that! (It's only a .667 OPS, after all.)
[566] It frustrated the hell out of me too, but would it really be better if he gave up clean hits to plate the runs?
No no no if Posada started, it would be 10-2 Yankees, and Jorge would have 10 RBI and also cured cancer by the end of the game.
C'mon, get this little Flee.
I got your back AJ. One shite inning does not tarnish a damn good start. Screw you Maicer.
[573] It would have been quicker.
This hick really pisses me off sometimes.
Typical AJ, leave him in or the 7th.
VERY Well done. Teix TIME
nice inning there aj - you frustrating fellow
People act like Burnett gave up six runs. He's given up two in six innings. That's very good. Sure it was painful to watch, but come on. This has been a quality performance.
Exhale... Scoretruck, please?
Well, I was totally wrong. Giving AJ another inning worked out perfect, and now we have a stronger pen in case this goes to extras.
I wish AJ would never have "that inning", but that would make him Roger Clemens, which is probably too much to ask.
Any bold predictions for this coming inning?
How can he have failed to learn a straight change? Hell, throw a palmball!
Yeah, I would've signed up for 2 runs in 6 anyday- that said, the 5th inning was painful. But the 6th is our inning. We need Teix to start it off.
I got to think AJ's finished. But what the hell do I know?
[572] I'm just being snarky out of frustration, but more seriously it comes down to whether one thinks that AJ has been more good (or less bad) tonight because of Molina. Would the meltdown have been worse with Posada? Would it have come earlier?
Obviously, I think that the catcher makes no difference...but at least tonight Molina has not been a total offensive waste.
==
Moving forward, I wonder if we get a chance in this close game to see some PRs employed. Maybe if Matsui (e.g.) leads of an inning with a hit or walk?
582, good point and really only one painful inning and as far as painful innings go it wasn't THAT bad.
[586] There's a homer somewhere lurking in the heart of the order. That's the best I can do.
[586] A-Bomb for A-Rod.
[582] 2 runs is outstanding. The rest is not.
[586] Back to back taters - I won't say who tho.
I bet he could go another inning, but at 105 pitches, why wear him out
...But I'm a little worried about a bullpen that hasnt pitched in 5 days
i had faith in AJ there. which proves nothing.
[585] Instead, AJ Burnett is a less durable Nolan Ryan.
[586]
(cue Clubber Lang)
PAIIIIINNNNNN ...
[595] AJ should be done because in the world of the 3-man rotaiton, AJ has to pitch again in a theoretical Game 5.
Teix!!
EAT SHIT CHOAD!!!!
Ha!
Chone does the job, but Morales is no Teixeira.
Wow, great grab by Figgins and then a lucky break.
Wowsers.
wow crazy play! nice snag by chone. then the crazy throw and tag and flying ball!
what's frustrating is in a close game in the playoffs against a team that is not a cupcake little things do matter - so hitting batters and throwing terrible wild pitches is problematic
Opening up our 1B discussion...if you assume Tex makes that play, that's a pretty big out saved.
[591] I'd much rather take a single and a homer. 30-something pitch, walk filled, bases loaded wild pitch-tastic innings are harder to watch and shorten the outing for the starter.
[599] Yeah, but he won't be on 3 days rest, right? Only CC had to go on three days I think. But I think he's likely done.
[607] I think he makes that play 5 out of 6 times, yep.
i'm back...
do it A-Rod. 2 run job right here
[606] maybe. but baseball would be kind of boring if everyone played perfect baseball. eveni n the playoffs.
[594] RIght, which equals out to "very good", I'd say!
[809] Exactly. It's on full rest, so no need to be tender with Burnett.
shitpissfuck
No DP Matsui.
[614] i'm looking forward to that post.
F'in Groundzilla.
Oh, fer godsake.
Yankees hitting is looking putrid right about now.
goddamn motherfuck
Ugh, not good.
I've heard this song before...
well that SUCKEd
[607] Sure...there is no doubt that better 1B will make occasional plays that save outs (and runs). The question is HOW many over the course of the season.
And as we see, that play didn't matter after all (I know, predetermined outcome, yadayada).
Oh Joe Saunders. Your're my hero. cack-bleh.
Are we going to have the first cricket-style baseball game? Two days later we have a winner?
[612] well i am not asking for a perfect game :} just not hitting people and throwing wild pitches
that inning ended mighty quickly
Joe Saunders should not be holding this lineup to only 2 runs...if they lose this game, any discussion of AJ's bad inning would be a waste of breath.
We're getting really close to the point where Girardi is going to try to be clever.
Too early in the game, Yankees saving it for last 3 innings.
Fuentes is going to allow a walkoff homer in the bottom of the ninth, first batter (name of that batter TBD)
[630] Yep, I shudder with the vibes of a Girardi loss...
[606] It's hard to watch but if it equals two runs over six innings, he can hit every other batter for all I care.
This game is on the bats if they don't score.
Teixeira has been bad in the PS thus far. I called it! But I also called AJ being bad, and ... well, I was wrong, folks.
[629] I agree, but we don't write for the fish rags.
[630] The opportunity passed when he didn't pinch run Guzman for Molina.
And so much for my grand bold prediction!
wow, more AJ
Man, Napoli doesn't get cheated on that swing, huh?
[628] yeah i get that. i guess what i'm thinking is that you can only take the entire package for any one player. ANd typically this includes some negatives that go with the positives. And we still need those players, good or bad. Which isn't what i said at all. hehe
hmmm cokey
I'm kind of surprised AJ's out there again. Is there a lefty coming up?
[635] Oh no. There's still plenty of time to start mixing and matching relievers.
One out. YES.
whew...
Oh, goody, Ken Rosenthal, just the man I wanted to hear.
[640] SHUT UP.
[645] Nothing can stop it, you may as well get ready
[636] If this gets rained out until 4pm tomorrow, better to have ridden AJ as long as possible.
nice pitch.
a lotta bit of indecision on aybar, per bunting.
[638] you're right - i just find his particular negatives very frustrating
Do. Not. Walk. This. Batter.
(get him out)
Uh oh.
dang
fuck what happened there frosty?
oh no. wtf, robbie?!?! : /
Wow. I called that as soon as the ball was hit.
[649] me too.
robbie? please!
GAH Cano! Dammit.
Maybe it's time for Cano to take that ninja mask off
Wait, when did we just become the Angels?
oh. my. god.
[655] You son of a gun you
Not good...exactly what AJ doesn't need.
And out of the BP here comes...?
nice hand for AJ. very nice hand.
his wildness drives me to drink. what say you, i drink regardless? aaahhh...
The Figgins/Morales error was costless, so by the Law of Balance, Cano has to get away with this one, too.
ooh, i want # 666 !!!!!
so, turning choad around - need to get this out cokey
Its better than Marte, I guess.
Now, I would go right to Mr. Hughes. I have a feeling it's Cokey.
Okay this is a genius move by Girardi, seriously. An error puts a runner on base, AJ is going to come apart at the seams.
Get eem out
AJ you did good, man, but you don't have to deliver a pie in every game you pitch. You make us squirm!
haha, Devil Boy struttin' his stuff!!!
the Yanks will now WIN !!! : )
I think I wouldn't screw around with the matchups, and just bring Joba in.
[665] You have a good mind.
[666] you are the number of the beast!
[665] [667] howdy, neighbors! : )
Nolan Ryan had an ERA+ of 111, K/9IN of 9.5 and BB/9IN of 4.5. He also average 7 HBPs and 12 wild pitches.
AJ Burnett has an ERA+ of 111, K/9IN of 8.4 and BB/9IN of 3.8. He also average 10 HBPs and 11 wild pitches.
I don't have any confidence in Coke in this spot.
It's Coke, by the way.
[675] i am not a number. i'm a free man! muwuhahahahaha
i'm also incredibly silly and really easily amused. no wonder i'm single... : ~
[678] Me neither
I wont be happy losing a game with Coke on the mound, but this move can be justified.
Of course, if Coke is preoccupied by the runner, he will get hammered.
Coke's move to first is pretty sad
But...can he throw a strike?
Hes gonna throw it away
[678] me neither, definitely definitely BEER!!! ; )
throw strikes cokey
[684] Not if he keeps uing a slide step.
Frankly, if Posada was catching during AJ's meltdown inning, I think his head would have exploded. Then Girardi would have to set himself on fire.
[679] no. i just went to the store. it's beer. i swear. don't fuck with the devil!!!
Apparently not.
Throw a fucking strike.
[687] Yes please!
I can no longer ignore Timmeh. This is not good.
Hey, a STRIKE.
[690] I could use a beer right now, but sadly, we are all but out.
[689] I can picture that
Has anyone mentioned how stupid Aybar's hairdo looks?
So, in addition to the WPS and HBPs and meetings at the mound and cross-ups, it would have been messy as well!
that robbie error is not doing my stomach any good.
i really need a DP.
throw strikes Cokey!!!
Coke is freaking pitching TIGHT
Coke is picking up the target late...why would he able to throw strikes?
Ah Coke. Coke - get it together, buddy
Well done Coke. ASSHOLE.
Yeah, that wasn't too surprising.
Seems like the rain should be here ...
http://tinyurl.com/zklk6
god damnit cokey
Dreadful.
Abreu will come through with a big hit here.
[697] it's a hair-don't !!!
goddamn motherfuk!
[680] me too! and i love it! (iron maiden playing in the back of my head)
Oh for the love of G-d. Throw strikes damnit.
7th inning, Rested BP. Close game. Play-offs. Please use your best relievers.
Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad bad BAD job. Awful. They ought to take him out, he's as bad as AJ right now, losing it. He's losing it I tell ya!!!
Double play. Please.
I hate when we he decides he wants to be cute. Why are we putzing around with the B relievers because of handedness?
How do you bring Coke in the game and then sit by and watch him completely disregard the batter in favor of the runner?
Biggest batter of the night, bigger than AJ vs. Vlad.
least we know cokey will be out after abreu - let's just hope it is 2-2
Bring in 1998 Mike Stanton
It's time for an unclutch GIDP by Abreu. Come on now
Again! Everytime he picks up the target late, he doesn't come close.
[712] Do either Figgins or Abreu have significant platoon splits? I want to say no, but I am not sure. If not, no reason to use Coke here.
And I am bloody well tired of hearing Timmeh and Buck being able to talk about nothing more than Abreu's patience. SO glad to know you guys know NOTHING ELSE ABOUT HIM!
Coke looks stoned in his Gameday pic.
Nice called strike. I wouldn't go back outside though.
that was a good pitch. Now DP, please!
[716] Yep.
[717] Yep.
DP, please please please.
Do you trust Joba more?
[710] Maiden plays in the back of my head about every other day.
c'mon kid, get 'em!!!
[722] Yes...Figgins is awful as a RHB.
Got lucky wtih that one.
If nothing else, we know Posada pinch hits in the bottom of the 7th.
[722] they both do and figgins is very extreme
[716] Coke's a lefty. It all makes sense.
2-2, now he'll go away again and Abreu will beat him.
[730] Then Joba or Robertson ought to be in now, unless Abreu has a significant platoon split.
Go 3-2 Coke. Make it interesting.
Wow. Coke and onions!
That was a scary match-up.
YES
I'll shut the fuck up now.
THANK YOU BOBBY FOR GIVING US AN OUT!
awesomeness !!!
Cokey!
Why no Hughes?
[745] Belth with another successful reverse jinx!
We love you Coke!
We are not exactly on a roll here, folks. I think we need some more optimism!
Joba Joba Joba
And me with another unintentional forward reference!
I don't think Abreu was picking up Coke's pitches too well there. I'm not trying to take credit away from Coke, but Abreu looked a bit out of it.
Jezus, JOBA, gotta git Torii. BRING IT.
I dont have a good feeling about this matchup either.
[745] good point
...now I chug my corona
[744] are you trying to become a psychic?
[744] I'm honored, but I think you meant [735].
Olive Garden ~= good meal?
bobby's splits:
lhp 267/348/386
rhp 305/408/457
[750] Me neither!!! I got the fear!
I don't trust Joba. I hope he proves me wrong, but midges or midges, I don't trust him.
reason # 45203,0y3o#!96Gswp%3 that i'm single:
35 yr old man and i just put a Joba baseball card on top of my tv and took out my Joba Rules t-shirt for...good luck, i suppose.
i'm hopeless... : ~
[736] Abreu does too.
There was very sound reason for going to Coke here...my only problem is he used two slide steps to Figgins and never picked up the target until he was already heading toward the plate. He gave away an AB he should have and could have dominated. Girardi, Eiland, Molina, etc. have to tell him before he takes the mound that holding the runner is not a priority. Getting batters out is.
I love this match-up. I'm not supremely confident, but this is one of those moments.
[751] i'm having a "good pint"! : )
[756] Then Coke was the right move.
[755] Somewhat tasty, for generic Italian-American food. Not sure about the nutritional content though - most of their dishes are heavy on cheese, or Alfredo sauce, or both, so I shudder to think about the calorie and fat content.
Breadsticks are pretty good though!
[759]
some women would find that endearing ...
NUKE LA LOOSH.
Wow, Joba looks wild. Unless that was for effect.
[759] haha. no fears. there is some womyn doing exactly the same thing right now. i swear it.
[759] Superstitious...yes. Hopeless...???
[765]
he needs to breathe through his eyelids ....
Actually I'm kind of enjoying this ... I decided not to get too crazy about these games till it's elimination time for someone.
I just remembered there are two men on base. Ahhhhhhhh
[755] used to be pretty good, back in the day...
get 'em Joba!
Put. Him. Away!
[770] So true!
Don't nibble Joba.
I go back to the heater here. Screw the slider.
[769] Rose goes in the front.
too in love with the damn slider.
[764] send 'em south!
and, yes, the breadsticks at olive garden are "teh" awesome : )
So far, this is Joba's season in a nutshell.
[759] Ah, I've done worse, and I've been married for almost 7 years now. Patience!
Joba, Joba - give us the out!
Joba needs his slider, and it's not there right now.
FUCK.
Is there a stat that keeps track of the number of times a pitcher goes from 0-2 to 3-2?
Oh God.
They should tell Joba he can't shake off the catcher.
Oh, man.
Okay, no problem, Joba, no problem, not your fault.
Oh boy.
damnit - man
Oh good, bases loaded for Vlad again. This should be fun.
Don't throw Vlad ANY SLIDERS
Frustration. Mounting.
HEAT!
Again I ask - Molina is supposed to be GOOD at calling these games. WTF!?!?!
stay with the heat, kid.
We didn't think the Angels were gonna go quietly this series, did we?
bases juiced twice for Vladi = playing w/ fire.
i still think he flails and fails. just no wild pitches, please.
fuck you, joe buck. fuck you right in pooper.
Have to elevate the fastball...put the slider on ice.
really, how can you complain about the slider when he clearly couldn't hit it square. just a bad break that he hit it so badly we couldnt get him
throw high heat joba
Now this is a matchup!
Too bad - Joba got the job done with Hunter, really.
Don't go soft on us know. Stay with the HEAT
Joba got away with one there....that ball should have been destroyed.
Don't throw a wild pitch.
HIGH HEAT at the eyes
This is awesome.
[792] And I recognize that I may be unfairly blaming Molina. But I want Posada's bat in there, two innings ago.
Upstairs NOT outside.
He'll swing at anything
My laptop battery is almost run out!
I'm melting ... I'm melting ...
It's nice that Molina is getting his exercise.
[807} And he could likely hit it. He's a freak.
Meetings at mound...are...insufferable.
[809] He can use it.
Molina should get frequent walker miles.
I wonder what Girardi just said. At any rate, I'm glad he went out there.
If he throws anything other than a high fastball it's malpractice
mound conference time - anyone who had over 100 mound conferences should be happy
In his career, Joba, after an 0-2 count (103 batters), has walked 3 guys and struck out 48.
[811] Worse than Buck and Timmeh?
Piece o' cake. : O
Oh yeah. Punch 'em, Joba.
YES!!!
Okay, they have to win now.
Oh thank God. Whew.
I'll take it
Best slider he's thrown yet.
BUG SPRAY! He got Vlad!
There's the Joba fist pump! That's why you watch 162+ baseball games.
i just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
[815] Are you going to sue???
fuck it way to go joba
everyone who doubted mr chamberlain should go drink the rest of their half empty drink :}
I pumped my fist there too, and let out a very quiet gutteral roar (the kids and now the wife are sleeping).
There's the slider.
Damn, Joba is bugnuts.
Good job though.
i think i just air-"fisted" harder than joba and aj put together.
i might be outta work for a week... : ~
One GOOD thing about Fox or TBS broadcast, no God Bless America ...
[817] Awesome stats, it's funny how things seem so different. Of course, if we were announcers' we'd just say he loses a ton of batters to walks after starting 0-2 and never verify.
Anyone's blood pumping yet?
[814] Not every manager would have done that, and it was an excellent move. Sometimes, having the manager tell yourself carries more weight than the catcher.
Girardi has done an excellent job so far...please don't change.
[768] definitely superstitious! it worked... : )
[829] Think we can get a class action?
It'll be Hughes in the 8th, no?
828, LOL
[805] It's not unfair at all. The very same things that Molina is doing this game (getting cross up, coming out to talk to the pitchers, not being on the "same page") were invoked as evidence that Posada couldn't work well with some pitchers and thus had to be benched. Sutcliffe just said that Molina "communicates more with his pitchers than any other catcher," yet the exact same behavior gets Posada labeled as "not on the same page."
So yeah, if it's the same no matter who is catching, I too want to see Po taking his hacks sooner rather later.
[841]
Hey Alex, where is Em and the cats amidst all this
(and we're overdue for a Moe Green pic) :-)
Time to talk about the o's inability to score runs. D'oh. : ( Let's go already!!!
Hey, I'm glad my forward reference at [614] turned out to be to myself.
it's probably still saUnders. can't wait for their pen. is that jose arrendondo guy still with them? is he injured, or something?
[836] neh, i'm as cool as a cucumber! ; )
i think the score truck has been waiting for those dogs to be grilled
[815] [829] [839] I'm pretty sure he/they/we doesn't have standing. /lawyer
[836] Yes, though its calmed down now.
Some runs here would be nice boys
[842] After tonight, I don't think Girardi has to keep Molina as AJ's caddy, but, if Burnett has one of his stinkers, it will lead to a huge second guess.
[847] yer drunk AND a drummer. doublethreat...
[842] those are arguments we make. But I think we all know that he is in there principally because for some reason Burnett pitches better with him in there.
The only thing surprising about this game is that Saunders has pitched so well.
Cook the Colonel. I'm tired of this mouth breather.
[836] Most definitely, Alex, most definitely!
This game ends right here.
[849] nor have they exhausted their administrative remedies.
So, if you were an Angel fan, you'd be cursing Vlad right now, huh? Twice had the sacks juiced, twice failed.
Swish!
po's been had his bat ready timmy
nice hit Swish!
OK, NO DP, Dammit!
Oh boy. Gritner time.
Gardy!!!
Nice. Run, Forrest, Run.
WHAT?! No no NO - you do NOT pinch run for Swisher! He can crank it out! WTF??!?!?!
Gardner for...Swisher?
i'm not sure i want swish's bat out of the game
[845] that takes talent.
good job, Swish. he'll be our biggest cheerleader now.
run, gritner, run
Cano - time to atone for wrecking my stomach further...
Scioscia is scared of his bullpen
It's Gritner.
Torre would never do this. He'd leave Swisher in unless the Yanks had a lead.
[853] Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. For his best stretch this year that wasn't the case--you can look at the numbers.
In any case, water under the bridge. Yay Swish...send Gardy!!
Scioscia looking at that phone like a kid who just crashed his father's car and doesn't know who to call.
Too early to be playing for 1 run. Wayyyyy too early.
[867] Or, strangely, his defense.
Must make Napoli throw Gardner out....did you hear that!!!
[871] i would judge by overall stats, not hot stretches.
guess gardy is not scared of the cold
did McCarver just say he doesn't think Cano knows how to bunt? WTF?
i don't agree w/ taking Swish out either, but check out Gritner rockin' the short sleeves!
If Lil' G is not on 2nd in 3 minutes I'll lose my mind.
Kelleher said you are going to steal off the catcher because that fucking guy can't throw.
Eh, yeah, they might get a better chance to use Gardner later in the game, but if he does something aggressive and it pays out, go team
breathing...difficult...nerves...shot...
[878] He said Cano may not know the bunt sign.
[880] try attaching a gps tracking chip.
1 run could be enough for the Yanks to win. Hughes and
o coming.
[878] probably the most accurate thing he has said so far
[884] I heard that too and I don't think I've seen Cano bunt before
I'm worried about a Cano line out and a double up on Gardner...
[876] He's been flaky and streaky his whole career. I trust that more than anything. The correlation between his streaks and who catches him is pretty weak.
dammit!
Hm.
Girardi is losing this chess match.
Or that
HORSESHIT
absolutely fucking BRUTAL!!!
FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man, the Yankees are going to be upset about the mic picking that sound up...and Kelleher was right...normally, I'd be killing Giardi here, but that's on Gardy.
Mattpat - I'll save you the effort -
WHY THE FUCK DO YOU PUT IN GARDNER TO PINCH RUN AND NOT SEND HIM!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!!!
So you PR, don't send him and then there's a DP. What the FUCK was that?
fucking christ.
Fuck!~~~~~~~
Why in the fuckityfuck do you send in Gardner and not once send him?
Aw, Cano. Momentum wasted
and now Swish's bat is gone. plus, i actually trust him in the field more than Damon.
Damon's bat at YS is better though...at least for homers...
if gardner was scared to run again that is fucked on him and if girradi didn't send him then that is fucked on him
FUCKING POINTLESS
Why the fuck are you in there, Brett? If you're just going to adjust your cup? Bollocks!
[899] That's all Gardner...am I the only one who heard Kelleher? He told Gardner don't worry about your jump...you are going to steal on the catcher because that fucking guy can't throw".
i hate the halos
[904] Yes, but Swish gets on more.
No point arguing it now . . . Melky plays RF now, yes?
to top it all off joe fucking saunders has made it through 7
Seriously Joe Fucking Saunders?!?!?? Can somebody tell the Yankees who's pitching.
After that, Guzman has to become the first pinch runner. Gardner not running is unacceptable.
dammit.
[908] I have the volume low so I can't hear Timmeh and Buck, so perhaps.
Somewhere Dave Roberts is smiling. : /
gardner can't run on every pitch. he seemed to be having trouble reading saunders on the release ( my opinion). in which case i'm glad he didn't try to run. the DP is a bad break. We've been killed on DPs tonight.
[915] It was plain as day...that's exactly what he said.
My next bit of bad feelings go to Morales hitting a homer...
[917] But that's not what Kelleher ordered him to do.
[908] yeah i heard him say that - i am guessing it was up to gardner when to run - but am not totally sure
Gardner is going to get shit for not running there.
[919] Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
[919] You already called a Morales homer the last time he came up!
THREE DPs in the last 3 innings. I feel like I've been fisted.
(and that is my porn post for tonight. Ms O, thelarmis... hope you enjoyed)
The O is depressing.
[921] It sounded like it was a command to me...Gardner was sent in not to get a great jump, but to make Napoli make a good throw. He becomes the goat of this game now because his mistake is not a physical one.
[910] oh yeah, i'm NOT happy about Swish being out. just trying to rationalize anyway i can...
oh, and lest all of you people forget, i'm getting text messages from Cult of Basebaal - he's mega pissed...at AJ (wild pitch), Joey Joe Joe (pulling Swish), Gritner (not running).
i can't be sure, but i imagine he's getting sloshed at a bar in LA !!!
yeah Hughes - pump strikes. make this quick.
Joe Girardi and his FUCKING PINCH STAND THERE. This man is going to cost us a championship.
Dumb as shit again, thank you...
pop-up for morales - alex no more bad vibes man :}
I would have kept Joba in the game, but Hughes has been the man. Girardi is shooting his bullets faster than Scoscia tonight...hopefully the YAnks can scratch out that extra run sooner.
[929] It wasn't Joe!! Gardner was ordered to run by Kelleher and he didn't.
Now how about a DP for us?
[919] keep it up!
[925] ; )
Networks have mishandled you Tim. Because you still have a fucking voice on national TV.
[927] i am guessing so too - i don't even know what to say though if he was told to go and refused to run again
Hopefully Willets is as brain dead as Gardner.
Here comes bizzaro-Gardner... see if he goes...
Dear FOX and Travelers,
Don't you think it might be appropriate to wait until the game is over to declare the "game changing play"?
Just a thought, dipshits.
Frustratingly yours,
etc etc
[936]
touche ...
And now the Angels will show how to use a pinch runner.
well, according to RI in [665], willits now has to stay at 1st and there'll be a DP!
[925] much appreciated
this is too much drama. i'm exhausted.
What the fuck.
damn cold weather! AGGGGGGGGGGGGGH
OK, this is not happening.
[936] I've now lowered the volume to 1, because I can't take Timmeh anymore.
Want to scream? Go find the interview Ken Funck of BaseballProspectus did with one of the FOX baseball producers. They base the stats they show and discuss entirely around Timmeh. It made me want to throw up when I was done. Idiots.
GOD FUCKING DAMMIT! WHAT IS GOING HERE?!?!?!?!?!?!? THAT WAS THE INNING!?!?!?!?!
the sky is falling...
holy fuck you have to be kidding me - derek?>?
Un fucking believable.
Christ on a crutch.
Saw that one coming too.
Incredible...really fucking incredible....unfucking believable.
something is wrong when jeter boots a ground ball.
Ho Lee Shit.
OH COME THE FUCK ON!!!
OMG. that was it. there it was. RI's thinking was right. this is re-cock-u-lous.
brutal.
[954] no you didn't. you're just an eternal pessimist.
The boys are choking a little in this game.
bad fielding is killing us tonight. plain and simple.
Yanks are just GIVING this fucking game away.
ladies and gents, the $50 million pinch-hitter ...
954 Always with the negative vibes, eh Moriarty?
All this game needs is a Marte appearance.
Hughes will get outta this. unscathed. (i hope.)
get us the fuck out of this, Hughes!
c'mon HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGHS
C'MON Hughes, pick em UP!
good job hughes to come back with 2 quick strikes
[964] ...whose catch wasn't nearly as good as Ichiro's wall climbing backhanded homer saving thing of undying beauty!
wow nice!
thatta boy hughesy!!!
Fuck Yeah. 1 More.
siddown Lil' Sarge!
1 more out Phil.
Nasty, nasty, curve.
mo time
no no no. don't take him out. why? why? why? leave him in. please. wtf?!
This does not feel good.
Lame. Wasting Pitchers.
too early Joe .... too early ...
Big Shoes Hughes
Girardi's really shooting his wad early tonight
Over-managing don't like it.
[962] Oddly, bad fielding hasn't led directly to any damage yet...or were there bad fielding plays in AJ's speed bump inning? I guess the balls getting past Molina, but those looked to be on the pitcher.
Wait, but its a tie game, don't we have to wait for a lead? I think Jeff Weaver is available still.
I think Mo is due for a clean outing.
Doesn't this just feel bad...?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
[966] Here is where you will see Marte, Joe going to Mo waaaaay to early.
Then no runs in the bottom of the eighth, Mo pitches the 9th, no runs and you get the game on Marte's shoulders.
Fuck you Joe.
I think this is the right move, but what a waste of Hughes and Joba...three outs between them.
those stems are waaaay too hot to be in a freaking taco hell commercial.
OK, I love Mo too - as much as anyone outside of his family - but why, exactly, is Girardi going to him here?
I don't like the move to Mariano here.
I hate when Joe does that. This game could go 13 innings
[991] Aceves, Robertson
Joba 1 out. Check. Hughes 2 outs. Check. Mo and pray my lifeless offense can scratch a run. We'll see.
Either way, Mo would only go through the 9th anyway, so if the Yankees don't score, you have Aceves for two inning and then all hell breaks lose.
On the record with you guys, I'd have left Phil in to get the final out. He was dealing.
[992] That's what I was thinking, exactly. These guys can go multiple batters, multiple innings even - and while Mo is Mo, they aren't half bad. Why use them as essentially ROOGYs?
[994] My theory has always been that Girardi periodically gets bored and needs to make a MOVE, which would explain his love of the pinch stand there.
don't worry, po is going to crush a hr in the bottom of the 8th
I don't like using Joba for one batter. Mo better pitch until the Yanks take the lead.
didn't GI Joe say joba hughes mo would all be available for 4-5 outs. even Timmay can do this math...
[982] Yep. The longer this goes, the worse for the Yanks. But for some reason, despite my generally critical banter, I am strangely confident.
[997] What about in the 12th?
Girardi is a genius.
Free and easy.
Hughes was pitching well. I am nervous about this. I don't sweat losing a game, but I ... Oh okay, ground out. Never mind
[1000] TOTALLY leave Phil in. This is a four out HOLD. FUCK THAT. I don't even understand four out saves, especially with Hughes on the mound
[1003] i love that.
and...i LOVE Mo!!!! : )
easy!
Ok, that worked.
Praise be to Mo.
Incredibly, I am with Girardi again...I think this is bizaro world.