Do I think the Rays made a number of plays today, and with the exception of Berkman’s one play at first (which he more than made up for in the negative), the Yankees didn’t? Yes.

Do I think an excellent game out of Shields, who pounded the strike zone all game and had a filthy change up working, matched with a shitty hitting day by the Yankees overall is the main explanation for the result? Yes, yes I do.

I don’t love what Girardi did here, but the Rays won this game with their play, and the Yankees lost it the same damn way.

Popping up just might have something to do with facing a number of good pitchers in that series.

Nah, I’m sure Maddon brilliantly deduced this winning strategy, and has shown the league the way.

And, we’re back.

Frustrating game, from start to finish.

Are there any National League watchers who can chime in on Berkman?

Great game to set up the rest of my Sunday nicely. Always appreciate nine innings of torture when I know I should be working and also end up with three fewer hours to work with. Fantastic.

Take THAT, Girardi haters!!! (muhahaha)

(yes, of course I didn’t see that coming, either)

[111] It’s funny you talk about A Rod’s hips and torque, etc. – because this is one of the reasons I am concerned about Berkman. I hate his swing. I’ve always hated his swing. Again, it’s a lefty thing, but it just looks all wrong. But he was obviously a great player at his peak – it worked for him.

But my concern is that with such an unorthodox swing, if the body is starting to go, that much body movement in a swing may be a real liability.

It looks like a swing that you have to be right on the ball consistently to succeed with.

I don’t watch the National League – pretty much, ever – so I wonder what people have seen from Berkman who do watch the other league.

Chad Gaudin here. Quizzzzzzzzical.

I can’t take it.