I guess they're not trying too hard with this lineup, but whatever. I just like the graphic >;)

I like how the Yanks are really playing these games smart, no reason to panic yet, they are resting players and making this about October -- losing one game is not as important as the ultimate prize.

[2] Yep.

I know Teixeira's toe is the explanation for his absence. Anything in particular for A-Rod's?

[3] Probably just rest, at least I hope.

So, it took Brian Cashman coming along with the team and saying something to the press for this all to be smart strategy?

[5] Check out the comments at LoHud. To me it looks like nobody's changed their minds: some people were on board with all the rest days, and they're happy; others want the foot down to the floor for all of September, and they're still upset.

[2] and who better to rest against than Baltimore?

Boston/Toronto starts in an hour, but the Red Sox haven't announced a line-up yet because they're awaiting Beltre's tests results from Mass. General.

What a disastrous season they've had for the health of their players.

[5] i missed cashman's statement. I always thought it was smart.

I hereby declare today "Golden God Sunday."

I can't wait...!

I'm so much more excited about Andy today than about "ROGER CLEMENS IS NOW A YANKEE!!!'

I mean, Jesus. This is just so much more meaningful to me.

[2], [3] Hopefully Jeter gets another day or two off soon.

[6] I'm fine with the resting strategy, as long as that's what they intended all along. The decision-making on the field seemed head-scratching at best, and I wonder what the players were thinking before Cashman came along and they seemed to "straighten themselves out."

Will, you are so principled.

[14] Sorry about that, I used to have to see the principal a lot in elementary school... >;)

There are few better ways to start a game than a 9-pitch Gardner walk.

Torre and Donnie will be in the house tomorrow night!
http://tinyurl.com/33tyc59

Go Fat Elvis!

That's my Rob.

Not good. This is not the Andy Pettitte we want and know and love.

Alright, Andy's back, my back is, ah, back, chores already done and I've got the first apple cider of the year.

[21] Nice.
But I'm worried, Andy does not look like he's in control. Let's hope it's just a little rust.

Oh, not nice. But, that kind of thing happens, that doesn't bother me. Much.

[22] Yeah, let's just hope it's rust. I can accept a rusty game from Andy. The offense should bail him out.

Rays load the bases with one out against their old buddy, but Kazmir strikes out Baldelli and Sean Rodriguez.

He looks okay. His control is definitely a little off.

Meanwhile, Lester vs. Bautista, two outs, bases juiced...

Damn, Bautista grounds out on a first-pitch cutter.

Awwww. Poor Andy!

Beautifully turned.

Wow.

Fucking Robbie!

Did you see that economy?

Love that.

[28] Why?

That he can make such a powerful throw with absolute minimal movement.

This guy's incredible.

[32] Kim was just taking about he was stalking around the clubhouse for all this time all miserable and grumpy because, as he explained, "I don't belong here, I'm not doing my job."

But since last week he's been his old self again, eating snacks, fraternizing...

How I love this man.

[34] Oh, thanks.

I think the strategy of Not Swinging could be extremely effective against Tillman.

There, my strategy is looking very good. If only Swisher had followed it.

Yes. Better than a walk, Curtis. Excellent.
Now let's return to the Not Swinging strategy.

Yes! Good job of Not Swinging (almost ruined it, but Austin came through with the take).

Right now, AK is DEFINITELY better off not swinging ...

I imagine that goes DOUBLY for Ramiro "The Pitcher's Spot" Pena ...

[39] Definitely.
Fouling a few off is Acceptable.
But that is not.

Come on Gardner!

Okay, Brett, do it. Take a few, foul a few, and then hit a triple.

God.... I LOVE Gritners approach!

[42] Isa BB OK?

Beautiful.

[44] Yesitis! It's the perfect implementation of my Not Swinging strategy.

[43] Me too. So old-school. The rare player who actually knows the meaning of the words "shorten up with two strikes."

Fug.

Well, two runs on one measly hit, so hard to complain, but it does seem like the Yankees might have done more with the gift base runners.

Bourjos 3-run dinger! 4-1 Angels.

Wow.
Happy Golden God Sunday!

Kearns is now up for Best Supporting Actor...

Uh, that was ball five. WTF? Suddenly the strike zone gets much wider?

[51] :)

Nice change.

0-2...

Bravo, Andy!

Bravo!!!

How 'bout my boy?

Eh?

I'm positively glowing.

Just amazing. Bow down before Andy Pettitte.

[59] He's something else, isn't he?

Yeah, I was wondering. I thought maybe they'd let him get to 85 pitches, get a couple guys out. But this is fine.
Go get 'em, Joba.

Coffee Joe can't be stopped ...

[62]
JOBA to E4.
LUKE to E5.
BOONE to C5, check...

Get me a run here, boys, so I can relax.
The Angels are thrashing the Rays.

Nope.
Well, the Wheel of Bullpen Fortune isn't quite so scary these days. Let's see whose number comes up.

[62] Coffee Joe?

Uh oh.

Mo, please. D-Rob can finish if necessary.

Crud.

In a playoff game, would Joe have gone to Mo when the first two men reached base?

Good job, Kerry.
And thanks for the out, Buck. Much appreciated.

Oh, jesus.
Well, one stupid move deserves another. Now let's see if Kerry walks in a run.

Why do I question his genius? Joe knows.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

FUCK ME!!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Well ... that sucks eggs.

Oh Mo ...

Ohhhhhh.
Where is everybody? I need support now.

Well.... wasn't expecting that

Oh, there you are.
Misery likes company.

I feel like I just got punched in the gut.

Well... at least TB in down by 4 in the 8th.

It all began so well, but what an end...

Anyone see where Mo threw that HR pitch? Was it fat?

[81] Low in the zone, but over the plate. Not fat, but hittable. Obviously.

Oh no, Mo. Nothing else to say. First pitch hitting by Cano last inning in hindsight, not so good.

Those sacrifice flies that didn't happen earlier in the game come back to haunt.

The good news, Hastings beat Dobbs Ferry in football (continuation of the game started on Thursday postponed due to the storm).

OK, get it back now boys.

[81] No, it wasn't fat. WAsn't perfect, but by no means fat. It was pretty good hitting.

Well, this isn't going to end well. Sure would've been nice to have cashed in some of those runners earlier- this should've been a laugher.

Ye gods, wasn't expecting the game to still be going on.

You know it's a bad day when "2-pitch-at-batterson" gets a hit off Mo.

Ya' see something new every day. : )
Squeeeezzzzzeeeeeeee. Just kidding. kind of.........

I didn't have a good feeling for Thames in that at-bat. Come on Yanks, they've handed this to you.

Uh, boy. Gonna be up to Jete.

[88] With Jeter I up, I am no longer kind of kidding. Get it done.

Bobby Fischer for next manager of the Yankees? This is epic chess being played here.

Come on Jeter!

Walking Jeter, too.

Crap, it worked.

[92} Walking Jeter? This is epic chess! My mind is boggled!

What a great pickup Berkman has been. Worthless in every big spot.

Nice job, Lance.

Goddammit Berkman.

Gonzalez had intentionally walked 2 batters AND started you off with a ball ... how the FUCK do you swing at that pitch?!?!?

How friggin slow is Berkman? That was a slow bouncer to third, and he was out at first in the DP by a step and a half.

That inning was not the Yankee Way.

It is a chess match. They walked Jeter to get to Berkman, because they know he sucks from the right side of the plate.

And they also knew that Girardi didn't have anybody left to pinch-hit. At least, anyone good.

One of my favorte things about baseball is having the winning run on third with no outs and not scoring. In extra innings no less. Fucking Bollocks!