The one positive to A.J. Burnett crapping the bed Saturday evening is that we now get one heck of a rubber game to cap off this hotly-anticipated series between the Yankees and Dodgers. Starting for the visiting Yankees is Andy Pettitte, who has been one of the best pitchers in the American League thus far this season and is having his best season as a Yankee at the age of 38. Pettitte has averaged 7 1/3 innings pitched over his last six starts while posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, and 4.11 K/BB. Every single one of those six outings has been a quality start, and Pettitte hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of them. In fact, Andy has allowed more than two earned runs in just two of his 14 starts this season.
Opposing Pettitte will be 22-year-old lefty Clayton Kershaw, who was the seventh-overall pick in the 2006 draft. Kershaw allowed more than two runs, earned or otherwise, in just two of his first 11 starts, but has fallen off a bit in June, allowing three or more runs in three of four starts. Not that he’s been bad. He’s 2-1 with a 3.90 ERA and 10.1 K/9 in his four June starts, his only real dud being his last start in which he gave up five runs in 6 2/3 innings against the Angels, all of those runs coming in his final two frames. The Yankees should be able to get their walks against Kershaw, but his impressive four-pitch arsenal (which includes a mid-90s fastball, big yakker of a curve, changeup, and slider), has shut-down potential. Over the past two seasons, a stretch of 262 2/3 innings, Kershaw has posted a 2.95 ERA and struck out 9.9 men per nine innings.
For those of you wondering if Joe Girardi would leave Curtis Granderson in the lineup against a tough lefty like Kershaw in a rubber game, the answer is yes (you’d prefer Chad Huffman, a player with just one major league hit to his name, or Kevin Russo, who is hitting .196/.260/.239 in 51 plate appearances?), but he’s dropped him to seventh in the order. Swisher bats second. Posada is back behind the plate and batting sixth. Marcus Thames, meanwhile, joined Triple-A Scranton last Tuesday, but has yet to begin playing rehab games there.
Tidbit from LoHud ... Dave Eiland should be back to the team on Tuesday.
Guess we'll soon see if he's the missing link to AJ's extreme recent suckitude.
[1]
My Bantermetric post tomorrow deals with Burnett's recent suckitude, and similar periods of Yankee starter suckitude in franchise history.
Happy that Eiland is back .... hope whatever it was was minor.
Beat LA
In the grand scheme it probably matters little, and if it's not broken don't fix it. But when should Girardi think about moving Gardner up in the lineup more consistently?
If the Rays don't get their act together, the Yanks could run away with the East, as the Sox are injuring themselves on a daily basis ...
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=txredsoxmartinezinjure
[5] Wow! I stop listening to local radio for one day and miss a Professional Broken Thumb. Together with My Little Hoof Injury and Laptop Kneepop, the Sox could be in some deep trouble. (The word yesterday was that Buchholz wasn't going to miss any time. But Pete Abe was wondering about Chien-Ming Buchholz...)
By the way, I saw the Sox' trainer run out onto the field for the pony injury. He's tiny. Seriously, he's maybe five inches shorter than Pedroia. I though they were going to start singing the Oompa Loompa song.
Uh oh, is that insensitive? I would like to apologize to tiny, funny-looking, fictional people everywhere for that remark.
[6]
I'm trying to figure out how a catcher breaks his LEFT thumb on foul tips ...
[6]
Laptop Kneepop .... LOL!!!!!!!!!!
I thought we should rename him My Knee is Made of Clay therefore it Buchholz.
[8] I seem to remember Mike Stanley leaving his meat hand exposed, too often forgetting to put hit behind his back. Perhaps Victor was cheating, anticipating a throw to second (total speculation, I have no idea if there was a runner on when he broke it).
[8] Finally a great Buchholz pun. Beautiful. They can't all be winners, but that one is.
Hey, that's good. I never noticed that his last name sounded like "buckles". It sounds like a clown's name. "Hi kids! I'm Buckles! Wanna see my slider?" They should make him wear really big shoes to run the bases.
The article says V-Mart might not miss any games. Odd. Catching would be painful, but I could see him just playing through that. But does it really not affect his hitting? He might turn into Jason Varitek. Then they'd have two.
[9] No, he's right handed, Cliff. So he broke the thumb that's in the glove, not the meat-side. Or maybe I've misunderstood you.
Is it too much to hope that Morgan-Miller are not too annoying this evening?
[12]
Well, FWIW, I just asked Will Carroll about this, and he replied simply "bad hand position".
[13] Yes, yes it would be.
Ok, I'm super pissed that it's ESPN but super jazzed that it's Andy, so I'm going to be magnanimous and call it a wash.
[9]
thanks CC!
If Andy Pettitte is "the ancient one", then Moyer must be Buddha.
[13] do you have magical powers that we don't know about?
[4] Of course, we don't know cause and effect, but Brett's slump did seem to coincide with his being moved up in the order.
Nice hit, Derek. Keep it up.
good to fight that one into center derek.
Reid Johnson can't really think that looks good
Jeter looked bad in his last couple of ABs last night, but that was against a couple of tough, hard throwers. I think that overall he's starting to look a little better with the bat. I think one of his patented hot streaks is on the horizon.
Of course, I'm a Jeter apologist.
SHIT.
[6] "I though they were going to start singing the Oompa Loompa song." Hahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahhahah!!!
god damnit that would have sucked if they turned two on that shot.
[19] well, I'm not a Mysterious Wizard like Joe Girardi is, if that is what you are asking.
[23] me too (both sentiments).
Poor, Poor, Dusty.
[27] then unfortunately it is too much too ask that miller/morgan are not too annoying tonight.
Man, ESPN3 is "TEH AWESOME!"
Blackouts??? We don't need no steeenkin' blackouts!
And as bad as Jeter has looked, Teix makes him and justbabout everyone else in the lineup look great.
[29] kinda reminds me of barbaro.
All right, Andy, do your thing.
[33]
OK. .... THAT was cruel.
[35] But awesome
Ooh ... here's a thought ... Erin Andrews interviews Steve Garvey ...
[33,35} Only a pop-gun would be needed. : )
That was a truly brilliant analysis by Morgan. It's hard to know what to say about that.
I blame Mike Harkey for that leadoff walk
[39] I know. I'm tying to forget about it.
Nice bunt, Jack.
[39]
I think *Captain* Morgan could have explained it better.
[42] It's just criminal. He's a big league player. No excuse.
Atta boy, Andy.
[43] Joe would be so damn good in those commercials. With an eye patch. God, that would be great.
Hm, not good. Not good.
Now we need a DP, or a K.
"I don't give a damn about my reputation ..."
Manny has killed Pettitte too. I'll be glad to not face him again after today.
[44] If any of my little league charges did that I'd saunter slowly up to them, get in their face, smile broadly and make a 'wtf?' gesture.
This may not end well.
Nobody has a pitch to get Manny out with.
No!
Not "no matter who's pitching," you ass!
I wish I could listen to Scully calling this .... :-(
Just walk him.
I'm sorry, but the first two pitches were in the strike zone. They were.
There you go, Andy, one more...
yes, the god of the dp
[55] Or get a double play. Either one will do really.
There's my boy.
Andy Pettitte, golden god, ladies and gentlemen.
[55] Oh, William of little faith. Doubting William.
Beautiful.
Has a Yankee organist ever tried to get a "Boston Sucks" chant started?
Why did Miller go on about how Manny hits AGAINST Joe Torre managed teams? Is that relevant here?
ahhhh, Andy is now a wily veteran and if you didn't believe it, just watch that inning again.
[62] I think "Dandy" works better!
=)
[63] hard to say, though since these days the Yankees only play the organ for about 30 seconds at Yankee Stadiumin between various blaring ads and music and sound effects, I doubt the organist has much of an opportunity to.
I DON'T CARE!!!
That Heineken commercial is bizarre. Creepy.
i have taken to just listening to stuff in my itunes library when i watch these games and the announcers are especially annoying. i'd prefer to hear sane announcers and background baseball noise but i feel i have been given very little choice.
[64] More importantly, did Manny ever face a non Yankees Torre managed team?
[6]1 It wasn't doubting Andy as much as greatly fearing Manny.
[63] No. I hope. That's the "Loser Chant". It's fine for any other fans, against the Yankees, but it's not permitted for Yankee fans.
OldHossRadbourn tweet: The A. Rod/J. Torre summit: "Hi, Skip. Heard you thrashed me." "Sorry." "It's OK. I didn't read it." "That's fine. I didn't write it."
[70] He also faced Buck.
[70] sure he did, with the Indians, no?
STOP SAYING "OPS!"
[72] This.
[71] Okay, I have to credit you with some faith since you were willing to see the bases loaded with one out.
Oh, good, we get to look at the morons in the booth. That's good.
3 ESPN stat tweets:
# Pettitte entered the day with an Opp BA of .177 with RISP, 3rd-best in the AL
And Pettitte again strands runners...14 GIDP this season. He only had 16 last year.
Only player with a better career BA than Manny against Pettitte...Shannon Stewart.
[76] They're killing me Weeping, KILLING ME.
[74] I worded that poorly. He has great numbers against "Torre teams" has he ever faced a team that Torre managed that wasn't the Yankees?
what's even worse than having to hear these blathering idiots is having to look at them - last night's shit show on fox was especially bad with reggie, lasorda, billy crystal - jesus christ.
[82]
Jesus Christ was there? Do the kids on South Park know?
[83] He was there but he was weeping and interceding on their behalf.
[82] It's just harder to ignore them. And the idea that they should be on the screen when there's a baseball game on is insulting. To God. (I'm not even sure what that means, but it feels right.)
[82] The only part of yesterday's game I saw was the Lasorda-Reggie inning. I thought they were giving it to each other pretty good. I enjoyed it.
[83] somehow cartman arranged it.
[83] I missed Jesus Christ, nut then I tuned out around the seventh inning. Actually, I'd be pretty interested to hear what JC has to say during a ball game, certainly more than Reggie or Lasorda, or Billy Crystal, or Buck and mcCarver for that matter.
[86] well as you might guess i love reggie - so i always find him amusing even when he is not - but showing them or anyone while the game is going on is really annoying to me - it's like they are trying to fit the game around their bulls hit.
as riyank said - it is insulting!
[88] I hear he thinks it's really cool that Jesus Montero might play on the Yankees. He's telling everyone, "Hey, I'm Jesus too!" They're all rolling their eyes, "Yeah, we know, Jesus."
Just tell me to shut up, anyone, any time.
[90]
And Genesis sang "Jesus he knows me"
There it is! My Little Hoof Injury! The whole world is weeping now, weeping. It's so sad. Oh, how I hate baseball.
Very nice, Andy. Uno mas.
Nice work, Andy.
Gorgeous.
nicely done andy!
anyone have any info on the score truck?
[88] He thinks the DH is impious bullshit.
hi friends!
good to be back. still lots of catching up to do (weekend baseball news), but i'm keeping an eye on the game.
hope you all had a good weekend.
GO ANDY!!!
[97] :)
run, gritner, run
(first...be OK!)
Uh, here's an idea Joey Joe Joe, *steal* ... and THEN bunt!
Hey, thelarmis! How was Philadelphia, or the Greater Philadelphia Area, if such there be?
Hmmm .... isn't ESPN's coverage of this game PART OF THE PROBLEM for Joe?
Stealing and then bunting would have been a novel idea.
now steal 3rd and score.
no 3-pitch strikeout, please captain.
i see Jeter finally caught up to me this weekend...
Why is Gardner not allowed to steal anymore?
I think Brett has a hard time stealing against pitchers he's never seen before. That's my guess.
[100/103] yes. that's what i was hoping for...
[101] hi RI! philly was good. i was in west chester. fun time. saw lotsa friends from half a life ago. still, it was a long weekend and sufficiently wiped me out. nice to be home...
Oh my god, I more or less agree with Morgan here, on the All Star Game.
Hmmm..was that a strike?
I suppose who strikes out when doesn't really matter when Jeter's going to strike out looking ...
[109] Actually, I think it was.
[110] err, who *steals* when, that is.
[110] That was really puzzling until I realized that you were using the Special Code (you use the words "strikes out" for "steals").
[111] i was referring to strike two, but i didn't check on game day . It looked wide on teevee, but maybe it caught the corner.
[114] Outside corner, according to Gameday.
Aggghh!
Dammit. Good swing.
Let's go Andy, Houdini act.
huh. i actually liked the leadoff walk better than that...
There's something about this Morgan "shadows" monologue right now that's making me crack up. It's like Dr. Corey Whatshisname, the doubletalk guy.
Brain cramps for everyone. OY!
Oh, shit. Shit. Had him, too.
O
goddamn motherfuckin' cocksucking bullshit!
OHHHHHH, fuck ME!!!
Come on.
Uhhhh ... what's the opposite of 'Dandy'?
The Yankees really continue to play so poorly.
That's a tough play even if the throw was good. Just take the damn out here in the third inning.
[126] AJ.
[126] Horseshit.
Oosh.
Damn, he's fast, though.
[129] well played, rhode island.
Kershaw looks tough, so anymore runs could make it tough.
but the AL wins the majority of the interleague matchups, despite the bunting.
What the FUCK is going on?
oh my fucking god. you've GOTTA be kidding me : /
Hm.
Hard to know what to say.
The AL is to bunting as Joe Morgan is to announcing. FUCK.
Paging Jim Kaat .... Jim Kaat to the pitcher's mound ... stat!
total fucking bollocks.
Cripes, Orel is right. If A-Rod had been on third, they would have had him.
At least Cano didn't break his arm. Silver lining and all that.
Ya know how I thought last night's game was the worst game I'd seen this year?
I was right, but I was soooo premature ...
Buy one, get bunt free
fuck this noize
They're going to score four runs on one hit, aren't they?
That's pathetic...Yankees have played like the games are inconvenience. At some point, hopefully they wont tolerate playing half assed.
Girardi should have come out to mound after second bunt and given his IF a talking to ...
Alex having a shitty, SHITTY inning at 3rd.
ugh.
Yeah, I can't complain about this IBB.
Hey Banter, how 's it going? I just read some odd things on Gameday..should I just log off and do paperwork, woudl it be more rewarding?
Btw..why did the Dodgers give up Carlos Santana for Casey Blake..is Russel Martin that good?
[151] Hideous.
When the fans chant "Yankees Suck", we're all nodding in agreement.
what # does mattingly wear in LA? (god, i hated typing that question...)
Every time I watch the Yanks play, I can't figure out how they have the best record in baseball (for now).
Oh god, the ESPN stupid, it burns, IT BURNS!!!
I can't believe Blake didn't bunt!
Why did the Dodgers stop bunting? Is it one of those unwritten rules or something?
also, why do the Yankees play like ass every time I get to see them on TV?
[151] I'd recommend going back and watching one of the two World Cup games from today. MUCH more entertaining.
Glad to hear Hershiser not pull any punches. The play in this inning has epitomized the entire roadtrip.
[154] me either.
[153] It looks like #8:
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/team/coaches.jsp?c_id=la
i hate this inning
this inning is quite a crapfest.
Okay. Still in it.
Orel was right, Andy actually pitched just fine.
[157] yeah, i always seem to get to see the clunkers, too.
[161] thanks. i actually thought that was it. at least it's like yogi!
fucking finally.
andy was more like a blackened dog than a golden god. (sorry weeping)
All right, never mind, Andy.
Their "ground game?"
[164] Pitched fine...but threw the ball like crap.
that long nightmare is over.
lot of shitty fielding to make up for boys, i suggest scoring some runs.
[164] but...but....but i wanted to use my "black dog" reference.
zeppelin kinda rule!
Had the Yankees played really well this month, they could have realyy built a nice lead.
[165] Yeah, never mind, he'll rebound.
The question is, can we score some runs?
So..everyone enjoying Miller&Morgan more than Timmah & Joe? Sounds like I should appreciate the quiet of Gameday and my stack of reports to get done...
Whenshould Teix be moved down in the lineup?
that coulda been low n outside
So, the Yankees game plan on offense is to take fastballs down the middle? The Yankees look like a team that is either disinterested or ill prepared.
[173] about 6 weeks ago...
Ok, that was an interesting analysis on Arod's swing.
[175] the shadows...the shadows...
[177] He does occasionally say something worth listening to. That's the thing.
well, if we're playing "Shadow Games", then the yanks *must* win, in honor of Todd Drew. (ahem)
Yep, which is why I prefer the ESPN broadcast to Fox, even though they are both, well not good.
[181] Joe Buck, Jon Miller.
Hmmmm.
Pouring lemon juice in my left eye, pouring vinegar in my right eye...
Can't decide.
But yes, I think Joe Morgan has a redeeming quality or two. McCarver is good for a couple of laughs, is about all.
shit. i hope gritner's okay...
fucking crap.
I've seen this inning before, only I thought it was the first base line. Huh.
yay!! it's a miracle.
Oh, it turned out better this time.
fuck.
I HATE Reed Johnson.
Imagine if that's what had happened last inning? That's what was supposed to happen. Sac, sac, one run in and two out with nobody on...
Oh well.
Where is Gritner? Was he removed because he is the only Yankee playing good defense and consistent offense?
Oh, motherfucker.
I don't like this.
NO!!!
wtf?! : /
i'm gonna need a break from this game in a minute...
Hey, no fair. That was an AL style run.
Well, this isn't fun, I think I might leave now.
So much for the ol' National League style baseball. Nor smart, though...very rally killing.
[191] The HBP. He hurts. Probably nothing serious.
I gather Gardner was hit by a pitch. Where was he hit?
Hope the Yankees enjoyed their vacation in LA. What an embarassment.
[191] he got hit on the wrist before and it was swollen. girardi thinks it's muscular and he'll be okay, but he's getting checked...
[199] if Girardi says he's OK, then I am worried.
Actually, good move not to burn the starter for a PH with two outs, especially considering the bench.
Guess Joe didn't learn his lesson. It's not like outs are important when down five runs.
clayton kershaw is the perfect example of why its advantageous for organizations to draft young, left handed pitching out of high school. the dodgers have developed this kid completely on their own, he could easily be in college right now. instead hes starting in the major leagues, and is on the brink of becoming a star.
Fuck this. This has been one horse shit game and I'm at my ageta max. Between those three retards in the booth giving each other happy handies over how the game is going and the Yankees play and fucking smiling Torre (go murder another kid's career, Joe) - forget this.
I don't know what the hell Alex was doing at 3rd in that inning. For my money that is one of the worst half innings I have ever seen a third baseman play. And could Alex please stop giving directions about *anything*? He has ridiculously poor spatial judgment, for whatever bizarre reason. His indications on passed balls are routinely laughably horrible, and he's pointing at first when a good throw has that guy freaking meat at 3rd.
Phil Huffman.
Anyone know how Gardner is yet? It's not like we'll get any info from that crew - where it took Miller almost a got damn inning to spit out that VIctor Martinez did something (?) (wouldn't know what, because he never got to that point).
As good as Morgan was as a player, he's that bad as an announcer. It's just offensive that he so obviously does no research before any of these games.
What an utter shitfest.
[201] i disagree with you. Tonight is completely different from last night, because Andy is actually pitching fairly well while AJ was awful. also, AJ batted with two men on and one out, so there was a pretty good chance to score. Andy came up with two outs and a man on first. The chances of scoring in that situation are very low whether you pinch hit (with Cervelli? peña?) or not. I'd rather try to get another two innings out of Andy than turn the game over to Mitre? gaudin? On the off chance that the they could push across the run from first base.
Oh, yeah, I've enjoyed the dissertation on how AL teams have never seen this thing called the bunt and that's what was going on in that inning. Couldn't have just been horse shit play.
I never thought I'd say such a thing, but it's actually more annoying listening to this ESPN crew than it is to listen to FOX. At least with FOX, it's predictable. These guys come up with new shockingly ridiculous things to say that are so unfathomably ridiculous, that you can't possibly see them coming.
[204] a more interesting tactic might have been to send the runner, Huffman or Hofman or whatever the fuck his name is, on the very first pitch. If he made it to second base, then immediately pull Pettitte for the PH. If not, Andy goes back out to pitch.
This is one of those games where I half-heartedly wish that George was still running things because heads would roll, someone would get traded, LOL. Jesus, Rodriguez was awful in the field in that inning. I mean, that was impressive how bad he was. And now watch Kershaw shut their asses out.
How about a little fucking HEART here, World Champs? How about...SOMETHING...ANYTHING.
[205] in their defense, teams bunt around twice as much in the NL as in the ALso there may be something to the notion that Nl teams are somewhat more practiced at bunting and defending the bunt. That said, they really did pound the point to a ridiculous levelall the while imying that this is why NL teams play better in inter league games...even though year in and year out the AL kills them. I guess we'd have to look at the record in non DH games. i guess.
What about Huffman, you idiot?
Shhh...maybe some sxore truck this inning?
Let's Go Swish!
209) You said it. Been fucking screaming at my TV. My cats think I'm knuts.
[212] yo, Alex, you sticking around for the rest of the game? It sure got quiet here once the score reached 5-0.
[212] Glad it's not just me. I lost it about the sixth time he said that.
Damn, nice pitch.
Good ab, Tex.
[154] It really is incredible that they have the best record, and it's not like we shouldn't keep that in mind. But it has been a bizarre season so far. Not a guy in the bullpen you trust besides Mo, AJ has been disastrous, Tex still looks bad, Jeter has exhibited some disturbingly poor play, etc. etc. and yet, there they are.
It has been interesting to watch the Rays take a massive tumble under the stupendously, splendiferously, s'wonderfully sparklingly s'magically awesomely brilliant management of Ma-doon, the Red Sox make a charge right as they are dropping like flies, and the Yankees sort of chug along despite a massive shit show at least once a week.
[207] Rodriguez' inning really was remarkable. I think I saw an infielder melt down like that in softball. Once.
God, Teix is absolutely hopeless. He's got to be dropped out of the three hole, maybe to six or seven.
213) Prolly not, only cause I got some shit I need to do around the crib to get ready for the week...but I'm hanging for another minute or two...
2-0 pitch, what are you swinging at, Alex?
Then fouls off a hittable pitch...I've got little faith that the Yanks can score a run tonight.
from lohud:
UPDATE, 10:00 p.m.: Brett Gardner is out with a bruised right forearm. No x-rays necessary. Day to day.
[221] Shadows. That's all i got to say.
[208] I'm just saying that I guarantee there is no FREAKING way that a Girardi-coached team isn't practicing that like hell in Spring Training. Girardi is nothing if not overly energetic and anxious to put his prints on everything. So the flip side is that I don't believe for one second that he doesn't obsess over that sort of thing in Spring Training.
LOL, I'm a sucka, I admit. Way to go, Alex.
Ok, that's nice.
Good work, Alex.
[222] Yankees, wrists, injuries...let's just say I'll wait and see.
What does Morgan have to say about that?
[222] Thanks, and thank goodness. I don't want to lose him right now.
I did mean to mention that Alex's play at 3rd is starting to really make me concerned about his legs.
um, that was rather gorgeous!
[210] why thank me very much.
way to spit out your dip, alex.
Man, they've pitched Robbie tough this weekend.
I think A Rod chews gum and seeds at the same time.
Lovely.
[233] He's also looked hackier, at least to my eye. Unfortunately I think we are seeing a bit of that regression we all knew was coming this season.
Wow, he really almost made that play.
I thought he should have eaten the ball but he actually almost made the play.
[229] What did A-Rod do at 3B that has everyone so concerned? (I just got home an inning or two ago.)
[234] ??!!!! That is so gross..like Homer's failed invention "Peanuts in Gum"...
234. you can see a little chaw mixed with the gum.
[208] Don't bother, it's ESPN, they're not likely to let facts get in the way of a discussion
Also very encouraged to hear that Eiland is on his way back. I'm of the mindset that a pitching coach sure as damn hell can make a difference. In a sport where mechanics are so important, and more specifically, in an aspect of that sport, pitching, where the smallest change in arm angle or foot placement, or other slight but extremely important course correction can turn someone from awful to good, I find the thought that a pitching coach can't make a difference to be well on the road towards mindboggling. Particularly if the issue *is* tipping pitches, where someone who has made it his job for years to study the smallest details of a pitcher's work is surely someone I would want to consult.
I even remember from my days as a lousy pitcher how helpful it could still be when someone would remind me of a mental cue we had gone over that was likely to send the ball in a positive direction.
Lifting Pettitte after the fifth makes his decision to let him hit look even worse.
Now, after defending Girardi, I am not so sure of the merits of letting him bat for the purpose of squeezing only one more inning out of him. I'm surprised he is not out there this inning, and then a PH in the top half.
furcal is a good player. and a damn pest.
[237] In an inning with a bunch of horribly mangled bunt plays, my vote for biggest culprit was A Rod who approximated the classic definition of "lost in space" or "lost at sea," as he wandered around the 3rd base to pitcher's mound region, consistently finding himself in the worst position possible. I also particularly enjoyed him coming up the line to field a great throw by Granderson, when, if he had played at the bag properly, the runner was dead.
Oh, Jorgie.
Every time!
Posada is now a very bad catcher.
I vowed I was going to watch the whole game, but I'm not sure I can take much more of this.
I know it's a veteran team, but the sloppy play all this week merits some kind of discipline.
[245] Thanks.
Sounds like the problem is his head, not his hip.
[241] Fangraphs has several articles dedicated to Burnett's struggles. Seems that his "pitch to contact" mode isn't yieling the desired results...
And now we get the Marte experience. On the bright side, whehe let's these runners score, it won't affect his ERA.
this is the game right here. if ethier delivers, will probably put it out of reach.
What are we going to do with all these aging players. A-Rod with his bad hip, Jeter a 36-year-old SS who thinks he can still play SS when he's 40, Posada no longer a very good catcher. They can't all DH.
Shut, up, Andre.
Okay, dudes, I'm out for the evening...here's hoping they can pull out one of those come from behind wins they specialized in last year.
Smell youse later...in fact, tomorrow morning!
Let's Go Yan-Kees!
[250] You may be right - although, I know from experience that when all the parts aren't working properly, you can sometimes cheat in one direction to try to compensate or you make a half-move in one direction that is really no move at all, because you've lost trust in your body and it has leaked into losing trust in your judgment - and all these things add up to being out of position. Mostly, what I'm saying is the physical can have a surprising impact, in my experience, on something that seems mental, like putting yourself in the right spot.
[251] What's the exact history of his whole "pitch to contact" idea, which I assume was some (ill-fated) plan to allow him to go deeper in games and throw less pitches? I remember reading someone mention it here, but I don't think I know exactly how we got alerted to the fact that a guy with filthy stuff who specializes in making hitters look silly is trying to hit bats.
[254] Jeter's contract is up this year, Posada's after next season...
[254]If it's any consolation, it's only certain aspects of his catching that have gotten worse. Some of them have been terrible all along...
thats a homerun in new york, dodger stadium. routine flyball.
Wow, Clemens sure does get down that line.
[258] Don't you think Jeter will get a four year deal, though?
I think he will. He wouldn't be talking about playing SS when he's 40 if he didn't want a long term deal. And I think the Yanks would give it to him, even if it meant eating the last couple of years.
[254] I think it's a little early to worry to much about who is going to DH in a year or two or three. Let's see how they close out the year. If Jeter for the next two years can hit even like he is this season and play defense even like he is this season, he's fine. Posada will not be catching for the Yankees one way or another in two years.
I sure would like to beat Torre, but I figured we'd lose 2 of 3 this weekend.
Is anyone as bummed out as I am that Dustin Pedroia's hurt? Bless his wittle heart.
[262] jeter is the one I worry the least about. The worst xase scenario is he gets a four year deal and they eat the last two after he gets to 3000 hits. The best case scenario is that he continues to defy time until he's forty, perhaps playing fewer games. The likelihood is something in the middle (and I for one am not so he sure he would not entertain switching positions at the very end of his career).
Dodgers SUCK Dodgers SUCK
Sorry, I just wanted to know what that felt like.
[257] My comment's awaiting moderation, but there are a few things written about Burnett on Fangraphs
[262] Maybe, maybe not, it wouldn't surprise me if the organization took either route.
[268] I'll check it out, thanks.
If Jeter gets a 4 year deal, it will be more painful then GOB. Even 3 years scares me a bit. As mentioned, unless Posada will agree to be a cheap BUC/mentor, 2011 is his last year in Pinstripes. ARod will be here until the next appearance of Halley's Comet.
The only real issue is Jeter. If need be, ARod can DH his last 4 years.
[265] Eat 2 years at what? $20m per?
I will say this winter will be interesting on the Banter discussing Jeter's contract.
[272] Sure, why not? Who knows, maybe Jeter pulls a Schmidt and retires abruptly. A lot can happen between now and then, I wouldn't sweat it.
[271] what sufferance does it make. We've gone through this before...even at 20 million per year, that would represent a reduction in payroll from his current 23 million, plus the Yankees have tons of money coming off the books in the next two seasons.
[270] on what could you possibly base that prediction. GOB was an atrocious defensive player at the end of his career, whereas Jeter is right now average to slightly below average. GOB was below average for his position with the bat but Jeter remains one of the top offensive players at his position in the league.
If anything, everything points to Jeter being able to hang on longer more gracefully.
3-hit game for the captain
total bollocks.
calm down jon miller. jeesh.
It really is one of those nights.
[275] That is true, by the time Bernie was done, both shoulders had been worked on, and his knee.
[274] of course I meant to type "what difference does it make". I'm not sure what I typed such as to make the autocorrect write what it wrote.
[274] At one time, Bernie was an above average fielder, something Jeter never was. Jeter is also well older then Bernie was, and plays a more demanding defensive position. I just can't see a 39 or 40 year old Jeter at SS. It could be very painful. Jeter will NOT go elsewhere. Cashman should give him 2 years, and they can go year-by-year after that.
Nice to see Joba still struggling with command.
oh good, a leadoff walk.
: /
[279] You love to start these memes, don't deny it.
Not looking forward to the huzzahs that'll be heaped on Torre for winning this IL series if this score holds
nicely turned.
[280] you're right, it *could* be painful. But the funny thing with hall of fame caliber players is that they tend more often than the average player to age better.
As for your observation about Bernie being at one time a superior defensive player, that is basically irrelevant. He was a cripple shell of his former self for the last four years of his career, especially the last two at age 35 and 36. Meanwhile at age 35 Jeter put up an MVP caliber season, and at age 36 he is still playing basically average defense and is one of the top offensive performers at his position in all of baseball.
Are the odds good that he can keep it up until he is 38 or 40? Of course not. But he's obviously not the average player following a typical career trajectory.
And with all this, we still do not know if he will amenable to a position switch at the end of his career. Or maybe he simply hangs them up after 3000 hits.
Jeter is simply not worth worrying about at this point.
Torre has not exactly draped himself in glory out in LA, so just take solace in the fact that any huzzahs over a three game series in June will be as meaningless and empty as a Torre playoff appearance.
I will admit, though, that watching the 3rd inning and thinking we'd opened the door for endless nonsense about "bunty Joe" made steam come out of my ears. He was a Godawful manager in the latter part of his time here, and he's stunk out in LA, as well.
[283] I do seem to be good at starting them. The funny thing is that I write for a living, but I sure can't type.
I guess that I have to write for my job is a mute point when it comes to posting on the Banter.
Watching Posada catch is sad.
Yikes, and that was a pitchout. Jorge better keep slugging.
[280] Yes, it's GOB that keeps coming to mind. That was just so painful to watch.
In his book, Torre says Jeter is the only person he knows who doesn't care that much about baseball and will just walk away and not look back when the time comes. I think he's wrong on that.
[289] watching Joba pitch is sad.
pretty pathetic
[288] Oh he was an awful manager (or at the very least no better than the run of the mill MLB manager), but winning it all gave him a free pass.
If Joba is the closer of the future, the Yankees future isn't very bright.
What a shameful roadtrip this has been.
prolly woulda scored anyway.
joba's really not that very good at the pitching...
Hello all,
[283] I'm still kinda new here. Is the mute point v moot point joke in play here?
[291] the thing is, I don't really get sad watching players who hang on too long. I get mad at organizations for signing them and playing them too long. Many great players have hung around long past their expiration date, and can you blame them? But the really great have a very late expiration date.
The question with Jeter, barring catastrophic injury, is how long he can play before he is hanging on too long. Folks were ready to pile dirt on him two seasons ago, and they were wrong. I suspect that he's going to be a net positive for two more years, and maybe a couple more depending on how he is used. We'll see.
[288] I happen to love "what sufferance does make." It appeals to the archaiophile in me.
[297] oops I meant [288]
Thanks for coming Tex.
Torre busting out Braxton for four outs yesterday, in a game that really wasn't close, and again tonight with a four run lead. He's downplaying it in public, but he wants this series, no?
that coulda been outside
I wonder how often we'll continue to see players playing until they're 40, what with 'roids and greenies banned.
If anyone can do it, though, it will be Jete.
Who was GOB?
[299] then by all means use it. It will add to my fame and glory!
[300] I'll let others fill you in.
[305] Ghost of Bernie
[288] Funny. I used to write, and I can't type, either. My aim is pretty accurate, though, I just can't "type" in the speedy, proper manner.
[299] I also love the phrase, despite finding my best guess at "archaiophile" somewhat at odds with any meaning I can peg to monkeypants' newest effort.
[302] Yes...I'd also say that Girardi wasn't interested in winning it if I didn't know how bad of a manager he was.
[304] Every generation has had players who played into their forties. They're rare, and they tend to the great ones.
[305] Ghost Of Bernie
nice.
i wish they gave alex a stolen base. he's still 1 away from 300...
[306] George Oscar Bluth; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40Nz_XoBEdI
[313] Dang, too slow... Guess I better order some memory for the laptop
Interesting.
The Dodgers' tack-on runs really hurt now. Actually, almost all of their runs, save the HR, piss me off.
Mattpat would kill me but I would actually PR for Posada here.
great ab, jorgie!
damn, i really wish robbie scored on that...
Jorge managed to get to second without incident!
Chad Huffman...
Let's go Rookie!
And now it comes down to Lance Huffman.
Uh, boy. Too bad we have the SWB Yankees for a bench.
C'mon Muffman!
[318] Terrible Base Runner Indifference if your scoring at home.
another great ab.
please score all of these runners! (and then some...)
yeah rook!
Wow!
HANS MOLEMAN!!!!!!!
Yay!! Butch Huffman!!!
i hope this kid does good, but it's not inspiring that he's up there...
felicity huffman with the big hit!
That Cloris Leachman can sit on my bench anyday!
Double steal?
PHIL HUFFMAN!!!
Let's go Rookie #2!
Suicide squeeze?
Can this guy get it in the air?
[333] always. even if there aren't 2 runners on base. : )
[334] How bout a squeeze?
Can Jeter still play at 39? Possibly. But at what level? We can guess his D will be below average... but just a little or a lot? Will a WS bound team want him? I'm sure an out-of-contention team would be happy to have such a 'famous' player. But do the Yankees want to commit a roster spot to him? I can't see it.
[339] Again too slow...
Lean into one, Stein.
don't strike out, kid.
tie this bitch up!
I've been trying to place the face, and it just dawned on me; Colin Curtis looks an awful lot like Peter North...
[343] wow...
[339] is the roster spot really an issue for the Yankees? Really? For the teathat has found a way to carry Mitre and Gaudin? They'll sign him and if he doesn't produce they'll eat his contract one way or another.
SO MUCH DRAMA!!!!
I gotta quit watching these night games. Too hard to get to sleep afterwards...win or lose.
Broxton's going to be toast for awhile. Regardless.
[343] Not bad. If he hits a homerun, can we call it his "money shot"?
Not being fooled, but he's not getting around on the FB either
YES
That'll do.
TIE!
Hey hey hey!
[343] :)
REDEMPTION! FLUSH THAT SHIT AWAY. A NEW BALLGAME!
YES!!!!!!!!!!
Has there been a shot of Mo warming up in the pen?
Well.... taking out Swisher didn't really work here. Now, after Brains, our bench is empty?
I can't believe they're leaving Broxton in. His arm's about to fall off.
hey everyone.
Bad play not coming home immediately
This has been some all time Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo right here.
C'mon Brains, sweep the leg.
[359] There's Pena and Russo.
[359] Ask, and ye shall receive
i can't believe green tea is leaving brox in
[360] I want you to take a long hard look at who is in the Dodgers dugout, and then I want you to re-evaluate that statement
Too bad, Arod forgot to review the video "Where's The Play" in little league, and Andy made two bad throws that he had time for, and this game would look a whole lot different.
[359] Uh, and the difference between the bench being empty now, or two batters ago is?
Hey, Andy's off the hook!
National League 1st baseman are not used to fast AL runners coming home from third.
362- yep, bad play for sure. I think Peña is still on the bench, and also maybe Russo. Or did I lose track of a move?
Jesus, he's Proctoring Broxton tonight..
my wife reads lips.. Joe Sr just said: remind me never to let that sum'bitch trim up his sideburns again.
Somewhere, Scott Proctor's arm whimpers in sympathy ...
[361] [367] You can't? I can. It's par for the course for Torre or any MLB manager.
Mo in a tie game? I'm guessing no. So, who's coming in?
nice inning, fellas.
[377] He was getting loose in the pen.
[377] I'd better see me some FUCKING Mo.
Dodger Stadium is only about 20 minutes away, Coffee Joe, don't think I won't drive down there before you can get away!
Ok, it's a tie on the road. Will Girardi fight the urge to use, say, Gaudin over Mo? Will No-save-Mo show up? What happened to the Shadows?
Soooo many questions...
Girardi and Torre seem to be engaged in a game of anything you can do, I can do worse.
It's Mo. Torre would never do it.
OK, I missed it- why did Manny get pulled?
way to jinx his ass, Skipper from Giligan's Island.
[382] that's kinda hilarious, man! : )
I love a good F-bomb on national tv.
[384] huh, I missed that too. Presumably the ol' Torre pull your best hitter for a defensive replacement move. Though with a four ruled in the ninth that is not such a ridiculous move.
[282] Maybe, but nobody is fighting in the dugout on either team, and the Yanks are in first, and the dodgers don't have pitching to compete at this time.
[382] Sing it, Ethel!
Mr. OK Jazz is chained to my desk translating an "Enterprise Solutions" text from J to E..this reaches heights of boredom I never knew existed..I want many extra innings to ease the pain...
not a walkoff. now, stfu miller.
Come on Mo, no walks here.
Wow. TB loses 2-1, getting only 2 hits.
And that loss, on top on may others, has led to this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300627130
THROW HIM OUT!
[384] I'm sure there were times that Torre used Mo in a tie game. Something tells me that if it weren't the Dodgers, that Mo wouldn't be in this game.
Sweet, now Garrett Anderson is going berserk.
that was strike, ga. get back in there and strikeout. fucker.
Anderson has no argument there. It was strike two.
This is a very strange battle of the benches.
Well.... one more out and we have our 3-4-5 coming up while LA has the bottom of their order up for Mo's 2nd inning.
Zo.... it's this inning or beddie-bye.
And here we go!
With luck torre sends Broxtonback out there.
Now let's win this one boys!
Mariano Rivera, ladies and gentlemen.
[395] He just did it against Arizona.
12 pitches.
wow, this is weird. the computer is waaay ahead of my tv. that never happens...
Is Broxton their Closer? He's cookeed... done.
Man, 48 pitches in one inning for Broxton.
That's unforgiveable from Torre.
He's managed the last 2 games for his ego while putting an important part of his team at risk for the season.
Nope, some mediocre lefty. ARod's gonna go to work here, methinks.
did I miss anything?
Whoops, he's a eighty.
Ramon Troncoso - 1.38 WHIP, 5.51 ERA
OH JESUS TEIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!
atta boy, Tex!
let's saddle troncoso w/ a Loss, shall we
Great start. Please do not PR.
Why dont the Dodgers use the shift? Did the McCourts split the scouts too?
[407] Seriously! Wonder if the LA press will rip him for that?
Gotta do it here. Swisher is out, so he can't close
Absolutely inexusable for Teixeira to not make it to second base.
Christ! Teix is slow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[416] it is weird, though again it's worked so far. Well, really the way Teix is hitting you could defend against him with six players.
And of course, here the PR would have paid off.
Is Miranda still injured? We could use his bat.
sherrill hasn't been good.
alex should steal his 300th base here.
and robbie should rip one into the corner (or seats, preferably)!
I'm calling SLASHER here.
Let's see how their LOOGY does. Hm. 6.00+ ERA, .300+ BAA. Sounds about right.
George Sherrill - 2.17 WHIP, 6.50 ERA
[422] yeah, what happened to him? i missed it...
RIBBIES FOR ROBBIE!
FUCK YEAH. Love me some Robbie. HE smashed that.
DON"TCHAKNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW.
[405] I saw that, I see Torre has done it a few times himelf
ROBBIE!!!!!!!!!!!
TEE HEE HEE
I love being the beneficiary of the Loogy Paradox.
Robby Cano, don't Ya know...
I guess the Yankees SUCK again, huh?
[423][424]
When we're good, we're good!
=)
Some serious powert for Cano... going the other way.
ROBBIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
meh. too bad Posada wasn't quicker gettin out of the box. He coulda been out by 4 feet instead of 6.
holy fuck, he smoked the living shit outta that. oppo!!!
Mo can go 2. only threw 12 pitches...
And there's the Money Shot!! Whaddayanknow, the kid can hit lefties!!
jorgie's 'shot' didn't quite go as far as cano's...
man, that homer sounded as good as it looked!
That is about as wonderful as it gets.
Joe Morgan says something wise for change. Now that we are halfway, we can ask, who is your MVP this year?
[435] he also benefited from Millers big mouth.
How many times does this have to happen before some manager decides not to carry a useless lefty specialist? Heck, that manager might even, say, decide to go with an eleven man staff or some other radical strategy.
So now Joe Torre gets to see Mariano pitch in a tie game and then win...If only he knew that was possible before the 2003 world series.
Fuck this jinx shit!
Is the our best comeback of the year?
Bones are breaking in Boston, tempers are flying in Tampa Bay, and somehow we keep rolling along.
well, i think robbie *was* 0-11 vs. sherrill before that ab, or something like that...
Still three more outs to get. Let's see the old guy rip through the bottom of the line up.
Oh shit...
Uh-oh...the dreaded sixty-three hopper to start the inning.
Come on Mo, throw strikes.
Uh oh.
Here we go again.
He's not throwing very hard tonight.
[448] FWIW it wasn't that long ago that Sherrill was one of the better lefties in the game
double-plus un-good
This is pretty funny.
oh, sweet.
i'm all confused. the tv is far behind. i thought he walked him. i'll take the K!!!!
(tv is at 3-1 count)
Joe's got to be next. Oh. Way to stick up for him.
Tough, tough pitch. I thought it was wide but the robot says it was on the black. Wicked.
[460] that is funny!
Mo strikes em out and takes em out.
I love that the Dodger fans had to beat the traffic, and mostly Yankee fans are still in the ballpark.
Eeek. Mo got away with one there.
One more. Now, can anyone get the mighty Furcal out?
Most of thes people behind home plate should be banned forver.
Now you see it. now you don't. Sit down, Reed.
Wow, i am really off tonight...I thought it was Furcal.
[464] This whole year has been funny. Like why cannibals don't eat clowns because they taste funny.
Mo is just the best...period.
what a comeback. niiiiiiiiiice
Oh. That was SWEET.
i love the "let's go yankees" chant on the road!
Excellent.
The team showed some real fight after a slow start, and for once watching a game televised on FOX or ESPN ends well.
All rise. Atta boy, Mo.
Shitty evening turned up swell.
amazing.
all praise be to Mo!
Hoh-lee. Crap. Dudes, I logged off and then got superstitious and didn't want to chime in again.
Embarrassments no more! Time for L.A. to suck long and hard.
Sloppy game. Great win.
That my friends, will make Monday morning feel a whole lot better!
472) Truer words have never been typed, my friend.
480) Exactly! If I'm going to be tired in the a.m. better it be with a shit eatin grin on my mug!
Yipee!
that 3rd inning was a loooong time ago...
Comeback of the Year... yes?
Wooooo hoooooooo!!!!!!
Sorry, had to check out after following up on what [314] described as "Interesting."
Thanks for the tip!
Went in to re-super-superstition mode.
Guess what Dodgers fans? YOU suck!!!!!
Nighty, night, y'all!
okay, now back to my film noir marathon...
what a great way to end a weekend
[472] William...I couldn't agree with you more.
[479] Ha - we did the same thing.
Joe Torre can eat it. As if he didn't do enough to us with his awful managing in the Torre Era, Part Deux, putting that stuff in his book after everything he claimed to be all about - I hate "pious" hypocrites.
Oh, one more! Dipshits in the booth? EATTTTTTTTTT ITTTTTTTTT.
I hooked up the new TV in the bottom of the 8th. I think the TV gods were so thrilled to have me back, they gave me this great win.
Andy on YES. He said he was thrilled the team won, and he was frustrated by his two bad throws, allowing three runs. He thought he lost the series by his errors. Manned right up.
It might be easier to do with the team winning tonight, but Andy would have said the same thing if there was no comeback.
Andy Petitte= Classic Yankee.
Banterphrenia... mmm-mm-mmh...
[494] Hahaha, you bet. Cano-uforia when he hit that tater for sure!