Kinsler go yard in the first.

Texas up, 2-0 in the second.

I don't have a good reason to write this; it's certainly not statistically based; it's certainly not based in any semblance of reality; and to the people who are superstitious (who I will piss off), I am sorry.

But, AJ Burnett is going to pitch his ass off tonight; and Game 5 will be played in Yankee Stadium.

I haven't been here is a while. West Coast Pacific Time and working weekends has kept me from watching games in real time.

But I had to come here and simply voice by optimism for tonight and send mucho mojo A.J.'s way.

Tampa on the board.

they could be giving away free money at the Trop and they STILL wouldn't sell out a playoff game

Why is tonight different than all other nights?

I'm optimistic, no... make that hopeful.

I've seen AJ pitch scores of times. It would be silly to deny the reality of the past. If the Yankees score first and often, and AJ is kept close, then the Yankees will get through. I hope Burnett pitches out of his mind tonight.

One rain out, and this is the best option for a $200M+ payroll?

question: If I told you for tonight AJ gives up 4 runs in 6 IP...do you take it?

[7] It wasn't for lack of trying. Yankees money wasn't enough to bring in the pitching pieces that we needed this past off-season.

[8] Depends how many runs the Yankees have. But no, that is probably one run to many for playoff baseball.

[10] And I mean "too" many. Sorry.

[9] I would feel a whole lot better if Bartolo Colon was starting tonight. He would be muy descansado.

[7] Count me as hopeful w/o optimism. I'm not setting myself up for that kind of misery. But I will be happy, no RELIEVED if we bring it back to the Bronx tomorrow. Like Cash said, we're capable of getting swept in the first round or winning the whole darned thing. Option 1 is out of the way, so we can still go for it. And most level-headed folks (as can possibly be) say the series goes 5 and the yanks prevail, so why not be hopeful?

[8] I'll take it, because the Yanks, when not pressing, can blow it out and cover the spread...

8) Yes, but he won't last too long I figures. I wouldn't be surprised if Porcello pitches a good game but I will be very disappointed.

[8] ha damn - that is right on the precipice. i actually think it makes a difference how those 4 are scored. if it is in 1 inning no way, because i would be furious at joe if he left burnett in for a disaster in the making.

[7] [8] i certainly think the yankees need to try to end next year with an actual staff. they got very lucky that 3 pitchers won them the ws in 2009. that's really not a recipe for success.

[8] Hmm, tough. That's the tough one, four runs in six. I guess I say no, I'll roll the dice... but just barely.

The Yankees need to make Burnett's performance a moot point by gassing up the goddamn SCORE TRUCK.

You guys see this yet? Pretty funny:
http://jest.com/video/46873/too-much-moneyball

i didn't realize there was a day game. caught beltre's 2nd homer. harrison pitching really really well.

GO AJ!!! GO YANKS!!!

[17] Amen to that

I just get the feeling that we're all talking "AJ, AJ, AJ" and tonight is gonna end up being about two things:

Lineups

Bullpens

jaime maggio is an absolute goddess.

[17] I believe you meant to write "mute" point.

[15] I'd rather see the Yankees convert all of their best pitchers and prospects into relievers, and eschew entirely the hidebound notion of a "staff" of "starters." After all the most important inning is the next one, or the eighth, whichever comes first.

Now if Porcello does his Cy Young impression that's when the shit will REALLY hit the fan. I am on the AJ redemption train, though One out at a time. Thass all. You can do it you lug headed s.o.b.!

Interesting stuff from Neyer on AJ vs Ricky

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/10/4/2468865/yankees-tigers-game-4-aj-burnett

This Moore fella, pretty good, huh?

[27] yeah, he's having himself one helluva coming out party!

[26] Heh, people feel the power of the AJ Burnett redemption miracle ... Burnett leads the poll 70%-30%.

wow. nice double diving play into 1st base.

johnny's out. close play.

how come the down infield seemed wet?

harrison and his 9 k's are out after 5 innings and 97 pitches.

Beltre in full on BEAST mode.

Looks like the Devil Fishies are going home.

holy crap. beltre with THREE solo jobs today!

[25] I'm on the redemption train too. If the train goes off the track, do you want your money back?

No more talk, let's see what happens. This could be a turnaround of epic proportions (and only if he has an average performance), or the pinnacle example of our discontent.

If I didn't care about the team, it would be interesting to watch, but the emotion invested makes it more personal.

“They’re here. The end times, kid. The end times.” - Saul Goodman

Come on A.J. Prove the doubters wrong.

Why is Tampa dressed like the Royals?

[36] So when people tune and see lots of empty seats they'll know why.
Is it too early to start dropping f-bombs about the strike zone? ; )

Not a bad day at the office for Mr. Beltre, huh?

[38] Yes, my Dodger fan friends out here in LA aren't taking it well.

[35] Saul Goodman - the old tymapnist from the NY Philharmonic, Percussion instructor at Julliard and famed percussion author???

i'm guessing - no...

[37] Heehee!

[40] Nope.

why do these rays "fans" look despondent? they don't give a fuck about their team...

[42] yeah, didn't think so. ; )

same lineup tonite for the Yanks:

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada DH
Russell Martin C
Brett Gardner LF

wow. here come the rays.

again...

Rays hanging tough.

[45] I see you've posted the the lineup surrounded by "A cocoon of execellence."

1 more out for tex-ass

[48] most definitely! but, of course...

1 more strike...

Well, that's that.

[48] Spelling fail. Banter needs spell check dammit. Time to walk the dog and whisper sweet nothings to him about when AJ use to baffle the Yanks and Sox as a Jay.
Eat shit Maddon. You suck Trop. Take your cowbells and piss off.

rangers in the alcs for the 2nd season in a row.

let's meet them there and pay them back for last year!

Congrats to Texas.

[53] yeah, your spelling wasn't "excellent".

i don't think it's the banter; i've got spell check in my comment box. i use firefox, maybe it's through them? i'm not sure...

Stormer, welcome back, long time no see!

[57] You too! A confluence of events has made it nearly impossible for me to follow games in real time.

[57] i think you left before i replied to your post last night...

sooo glad you got the CD and THANKS again for the support!!! i truly hope you enjoy my music : )

did you see the name on the return address? hope you dug the "bonus"...

i had emailed you right after i received the order, hope you received it...

well, i'm off to teach a couple of drum lessons before the game. see you all later!

GO AJ!!! GO YANKS!!!

[58] hope those events were positive!

welcome back. just in time...

[60] Thanks!

If the Yanks can win I'd prefer to face Texas. But if Detroit wins, I wish The Rays had one.

Had won

Of course I saw those things! As if the music weren't enough!

[64] Contraband through the U.S. Mail?

Must support the Cards here.

I hate the phillies.

[66] I can't support LaRussa. I wish I could, but I just can't.

Just one man's opinion, but I would pencil in Montero behind the plate tonight. Why not give the kid to hit against what could be minor league level pitching?

* a chance to hit against what could be minor league level pitching? Sorry.

FWIW, the Yanks were 3rd in the league in pitching.

[3] It gives me great satisfaction to write, "told ya so", though I don't know who "ya" is.