"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Dread Not

The most difficult part of the playoffs from a fan’s perspective is that the narratives are crafted so quickly that they become fact before anyone has a chance to question them. After two games in Houston most people have decided that these Astros are simply too good for the Yankees, that their dominant pitching staff is untouchable, that the Yankee bullpen is a dumpster fire, that this team from the Bronx simply isn’t very good.

Perhaps it’s time to back away from the ledge and remember that we’re talking about two games, and those two games weren’t all bad. Consider, for example, that the mighty Astros only scored seven runs in those two games, and that the three runs they scored on Thursday night came courtesy of one mistake — a two-out, two-strike fastball that Luís Severino wasn’t able to get up in the zone. There’s also the fact that Aaron Judge nearly grabbed Game Two right back with a laser that might’ve been a home run were it not for the winds that were whipping through Minute Maid Park.

A quick note about those two balls, Alex Bregman’s towering fly ball that landed in the seats for a three-run home run and Judge’s line drive that was caught at the wall by Kyle Tucker. Those two balls determined the game, so the postgame analysis naturally focused on the differences between the two, and the Yankees came out looking a bit petulant as one after another they stood in line to tell us that they thought Judge’s ball was going out. (In their defense, they had to answer the questions.) Severino even went so far as to say the Astros had been lucky because Bregman’s ball had been only 91 MPH off the bat while Judge’s had been 106. (Ever the diplomat, Judge said he never thought it was going out. He had hit it to the wrong part of the yard.)

Alex Eisert at Fangraphs provides some quick analysis on the data behind those two balls:

After the game, Severino expressed surprise that Bregman’s looping 91.8 mph fly left the park and Aaron Judge’s 106.3 mph shot to right didn’t. He mentioned the wind as a factor; the roof was open at Minute Maid, and the swirling air currents may have brought balls back into the park in right field but lifted out those hit to left. Yet, it’s hard to discern the ultimate impact environmental factors had on the game’s outcome; there were plenty of Astros who flied out to deep right as well, notably Peña, who hit a 99.2-mph, 22-degree drive that stayed in the yard. Besides the wind, batted ball spin may have caused Judge’s knock to fall short.

The whole discussion was interesting because it pointed out how exit velocity and launch angle haven’t just changed the way the game is played but the way it’s perceived. When you’re sitting in ballpark, every ball hit in the air looks like it’s going to be a home run, so we’ve all quickly learned to watch the outfielders, not the ball. Knowledgeable fans have been doing that for generations, but the players don’t do that anymore. With stadium scoreboards posting exit velocity and launch angle the instant a ball is struck, all eyes in the dugout immediately look to those magic numbers. It’s no longer the crack of the bat but the flash of the scoreboard that triggers celebration in one dugout and despair in the other. The game has changed.

Today will determine whether or not this series changes. If I’m being honest, I’ll admit that the narrative being written right now actually isn’t based on just games one and two. We all know that Houston beat the Yankees five out of seven games this season, without Yankee pitchers throwing a single pitch while holding the lead, and we all bear the scars of 2017 and 2019. These Astros, whether cheating or not, have ripped our hearts out of our collective chests over and over.

Ah, but this is baseball, and sometimes the action doesn’t follow the script — just ask the Dodgers and Mets. Gerrit Cole pitched and won the biggest game of his Yankee career six days ago in Cleveland, and today he takes the mound for a game that’s probably even bigger. (No, it’s not an elimination game, but to my knowledge no team has ever come back to win an ALCS after being down 0-3, right?)

I have faith in Cole because I have to. There is no other choice.

There are a few tweaks to the lineup — Rizzo moving into the leadoff spot, Carpenter back at DH, and Cabrera at short. I’ve gotten used to Boone’s constant shuffling of the batting order, so I have no thoughts on that, but I wonder about playing Matt Carpenter. He looks hopelessly lost, bringing to mind the days of Gary Sánchez. The only hope is that he might run into one and accidentally put a ball into the seats. Here’s hoping. Anyway…

Let’s-Go-Yank-Ees!

  1. Rizzo, 1B
  2. Judge, RF
  3. Stanton, LF
  4. Torres, 2B
  5. Carpenter, DH
  6. Bader, CF
  7. Donaldson, 3B
  8. Cabrera, SS
  9. Trevino, C

Categories:  1: Featured  Game Thread  Hank Waddles  Yankees

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284 comments

Show/Hide Comments 1-100
1 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 2:18 pm

Thanks for the perspective. It was nice to not be a raging, frustrated lunatic last night. A Saturday late late afternoon game. Go Cole. Go offense. GO YANKEES!

2 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Oct 22, 2022 3:48 pm

Great post Hank

3 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:08 pm

Here we go, Team.

4 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:10 pm

c'mon Yankees!

5 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:15 pm

Hi, Team!

Let’s Go Yankees!!!

6 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:15 pm

Wtf was that?

7 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:18 pm

already in trouble. argh

8 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:19 pm

Good write up Hank. Just tuning in.
Not sure why Carp is in front of Bader here. Makes no sense.

9 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:19 pm

Evening Nostra, evening all.

Howabout you don't start the evening off by killing the mood, Gerrit?

10 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:20 pm

Come on, blue

11 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:20 pm

FUCK YOU BLUE!!!

12 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:20 pm

That was a strike.

13 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:21 pm

Relief.

14 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:21 pm

Now, he’s over 20 pitches…

There it is!!! Coke gives the idiot ump a death stare and said something as he gets his hand checked

15 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:21 pm

Okay. Three strikeouts in the first? I'll take it.

16 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:21 pm

ok! strikes out the side!

17 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:21 pm

Three ks

18 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:21 pm

Hey Cult!

19 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:21 pm

[14] good. bs call

20 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:22 pm

Carp is in, because Javier is a right handed fly ball pitcher and Carp can pepper the short porch. That’s the thought and hope, at least…

21 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:23 pm

(Thank you for your writeup, Hank, for offering hope to the hopeless!)

22 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:24 pm

Crap

23 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:28 pm

Swings at ball 4 and another 30 foot popup.

24 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:28 pm

The judge has left the bench ... all sit.
Sigh.

25 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:28 pm

Wow.

Two identical popups.

26 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:28 pm

there is no room for Judge to slump in this offense.

27 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:28 pm

Several of the Yankees are scruffy. I like it!

28 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:29 pm

Man, that was the pitch for Stanton…

29 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:30 pm

Frick

30 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:30 pm

sigh

31 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:31 pm

[28] I know. That was fat.

32 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:35 pm

Phew.

33 rob_smith_51   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:35 pm

Is that Kelly Leak in CF?

34 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:35 pm

Good ears, Stanton. Bader went a country mile on that out.

35 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:36 pm

Jesus

36 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:36 pm

Fucking Lame!

37 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:37 pm

Extra pitches, extra pitches...

38 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:38 pm

I'm stressed already.

39 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:38 pm

Modammit

40 rob_smith_51   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:38 pm

Wow, bad luck there.

41 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:38 pm

Obligatory HR

42 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:39 pm

Holy fuck.

43 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:39 pm

There we go. The best defender on the field costs two runs.

44 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:39 pm

Figures. Unfuckingbelievable.

45 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:39 pm

Fucking fuck. CF call off their damn LF/RF. How hard is it m

46 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:39 pm

Chas???? FUCK!!!!

Season over

47 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:40 pm

I mean, his name is Chas. Pretty much all you need to know.

48 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:40 pm

[45] Bader was definitely calling him off.

49 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:40 pm

Houston is definitely trying to scratch out a hit for Altuve. That's all this is.

50 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:40 pm

They sure do hustle. We could learn a lot from this team.

They sure are fundamentally sound.

51 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:41 pm

This Fucking SUCKS

52 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:41 pm

I wish he would've said, "After review the call stands, the batter is now 0 for 28 in the postseason."

53 rob_smith_51   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:41 pm

Seems like a bad challenge. Hopefully it comes back to bite them.

54 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:42 pm

[52] lol

55 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:42 pm

How much shite luck can one team have in 2 and 1/9 of a game. Fucking Bollocks!

56 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:43 pm

Two line drives at the wall in two games. Judge's is caught right below the wall, Chas's bounces off the top. Fill in the cliché.

57 rob_smith_51   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:43 pm

Got Houston right where we want them.

58 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:45 pm

stop with the big swings Torres

59 mhoward120   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:45 pm

And so you now have the meme for this series.

60 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:46 pm

Tie the fucking game, Carp

61 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:46 pm

Good walk, Gleyber.

62 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:46 pm

ok good walk!

63 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:46 pm

He hasn't even fouled off a ball.

64 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:48 pm

Jesus FUCK

65 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:48 pm

They are putting way too much faith in Carpenter. He's useles.

66 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:49 pm

I feel bad for Carpenter. He was having a dream season, then came the freak injury, and now he's completely lost.

67 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:49 pm

Why the F is carpenter in the lineup?

68 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:49 pm

Carp is done, for this year at least. Mercy benching, please.

69 rob_smith_51   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:50 pm

Seems like Marwin would provide better abs than Carpenter.

70 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:50 pm

GODDAMMIT

71 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:50 pm

Peraza would be better than Marwin + Carp combined

72 rob_smith_51   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:51 pm

Everybody's favorite Yankee. Will he come through?

73 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:51 pm

I know these guys are hitters and they're paid to hit and they've been successful, but with the way Javier is throwing, it almost seems like they should go up there and take until they get a strike.

74 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:51 pm

Remember in 2001 at the Stadium in like game one or two Arizona's catcher missed two of those popups behind the plate?

75 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:51 pm

down the middle so I knew JD wouldn't swing.

76 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:51 pm

Lucky call.

77 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:52 pm

Swinging through 94 down the dick. Ugh

78 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:52 pm

JD's swing is just so long.

79 rob_smith_51   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:52 pm

[74]. I remember them missing it completely then it went foul. I am not sure that was the series though.

80 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:53 pm

This team can not hit anything that bends

81 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:53 pm

horrible.

82 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:53 pm

Donaldson is good at two things:
1. Defense.
2. Gently placing his helmet and bat at the plate after striking out to end an inning.

83 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:54 pm

I mean, I really don't want to be Mr. Doom and Gloom but my God, are we just going to get swept? Is that it?

84 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:54 pm

Stanton came back from injury and stunk for a month. It's absurd to hope to catch lightning in a bottle from Carpenter. Or expect Donaldson to look like anything other than dog shit.

85 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:55 pm

I don't feel very hopeful.

86 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:55 pm

weeping - yes, most likely

87 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:55 pm

[84] yep exactly.

88 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:55 pm

[79] I want to say it was the game their #3 guy started, so I guess that would be Game 3. What was that dude's name?

89 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:56 pm

[86] That's not what you want.

90 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:57 pm

[88] Battista. That was the guy's name.

91 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 4:59 pm

I'll take it, but it seems like every check swing is a strike nowadays.

92 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:00 pm

Commander Cole!

93 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:03 pm

Better. Crowd needs to stay behind Cole and feed off each other.
And if it spreads to our batters, all the better.

94 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:03 pm

Overslept! Was the homer a NYS special? Cole seems to be dealing..

95 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:03 pm

Little bingo. Let's fucking go!

96 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:06 pm

Beautiful short swing.

Fuck.

97 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:06 pm

Get a grip Darling. I watched little leaguers make that catch all summer.

98 Boatzilla   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:09 pm

[94] Good move, sleepy head. The epic dream I was having was way better than this shit. Wish I could go back there.

99 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:09 pm

[94] It was.

100 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:09 pm

Ah ... sigh ... I go to make and eat dinner and Cole coughs one up.
Fastball I presume?

Show/Hide Comments 101-200
101 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:11 pm

(98) My dog gave me a ‘not a chance’ look from his blanket when I proposed a walk, so maybe will get the game on the radio and return to semi-slumber for a bit!

102 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:11 pm

At this point I'd really just like to see a base hit of some sort.

103 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:11 pm

Our offense is offensive.

104 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:11 pm

sigh

105 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:11 pm

Dammit, post supper terrorist walk didn’t work yet again

106 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:13 pm

I'm loving our 35/3 K/BB ratio at the moment.
I'd certainly not fear our bats if I were Houston.

107 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:15 pm

Carpenter is batting FIFTH..??? Has no one on the Yankees seen his ABs???

108 Boatzilla   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:16 pm

I think we've all known for a long time, the Yankees are not going to beat the Cheaters in a series of any length. Not with this team. Not against that team.

I just feel for the fans out there at the Stadium. At least give them something to cheer about. One exciting win, please.

109 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:18 pm

getting a lot of beneficial calls.

110 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:24 pm

Need the Towers to do damage here

111 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:25 pm

Seventy pitches through four innings for Cole. That won't matter if the offense doesn't get a hit, but still something to watch.

112 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:27 pm

Not over yet. Cole is great, and we’re gonna win (am I really a Yankee fan?)

113 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:27 pm

[107] Match-ups Mr. Jazz ... like how Mr. Burns won the game pinch hitting Homer for Strawberry!
Carpenter is a lefty!

114 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:28 pm

That's two very hittable pitches Judge missed.

115 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:28 pm

Judge looks awful

116 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:29 pm

Three.

117 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:29 pm

I had to put my dog out back. I was just sitting on the couch he wouldn't settle. I'm sure he senses I'm on edge. Lol...

118 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:30 pm

He hits rockets.

119 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:30 pm

Base hit!

120 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:30 pm

Stanton rips it in the gap

121 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:30 pm

First hit

122 Boatzilla   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:31 pm

Beautiful hitting by Stanton there.

123 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:31 pm

Smoked by G

Very very nice hitting.

124 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:31 pm

Please capitalize. Thx.

125 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:31 pm

Bollocks

126 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:31 pm

This offense is making me think of great poetry last lines.

Like: Now is time for every man to enter his own soul's desert and look for God having seen [man] this Yankees' lineup
-Robinson Jeffers.

A hit, A HIT ... from Frankenstanton!

127 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:32 pm

Another easy out.

128 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:32 pm

Cult, haven’t seen that episode in years! Will get the kids and did it online somewhere tonight. ‘Are you Daryl Starwberry?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Are you better than me?’ ‘Well, I don’t know you but, Yea.’

129 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:32 pm

Carpenter. Oh, joy.

130 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:32 pm

[128] Good stuff.

131 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:33 pm

Sigh.

132 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:33 pm

At least he didn’t whiff…

133 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:33 pm

Yay! Contact!

134 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:33 pm

Sounded good off the bat, but…..

135 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:33 pm

Carp hit the ball! Carp hit the ball!

My expectations have been effectively lowered.

136 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:33 pm

I have a comment in moderation and have zero idea why.

137 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:34 pm

Base hit and no K for Carp, so…progress?

138 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:34 pm

At least it was contact from 'Stache

139 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:35 pm

[126] The Leaden-Eyed by Vachel Lindsay

"Not that they die, but that they die like sheep."

140 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:37 pm

Anybody notice that the TV coverage for the playoffs has poor production values? Very few shots of the field defense setup.

141 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:38 pm

Cole is dealing!
Weeping, I once got detention in high school for no reason. Teacher said, ‘I don’t know what you did this time, but I’m sure there was something so go to detention’

142 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:38 pm

And there it is. He’s gonna go on a tear now

143 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:38 pm

Jeez now even Altuve is getting a hit

144 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:39 pm

That fucker.

145 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:39 pm

Has Altuve surpassed Dusty PEDroia on Annoying Little Guy rankings?

146 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:39 pm

[145] He stands alone.

147 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:40 pm

My wife has the indignity of going to the prom at 22 while we were dating. Her familie's friend long time crazy mom needed a date for her son and bullied my soon to be wife into going.
His name: Chas.
Fuck altuve.

148 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:40 pm

Kinda cool that our battery grew up as diehard Yankee fans!!

149 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:41 pm

Good job, Gleyber

150 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:42 pm

They sure do run like they care.

151 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:42 pm

They definitely hustle…

152 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:43 pm

YEAH!!!

153 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:44 pm

Cole is badass. Now where is the gosh darn ‘O’???

154 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:44 pm

I’m really liking Cole. Now if we can get some support soon…..

155 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:44 pm

Can't blame Cole for this one. He's been brilliant.

156 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:44 pm

These last 2 games would have been historic patching duels if it weren't for 1 meatball and an unforgivable miscue.. smh.

157 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:45 pm

I'm proud of Cole, to be sure.

He's really stepping up.

158 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:48 pm

Leadoff man on with speed!

159 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:49 pm

Lance McCullers looks like he would smoke a lot of pot and listen to classic rock radio

160 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:51 pm

Please take a BB, JD..

161 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:51 pm

Suckitude

162 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:51 pm

I have decided that I will only eat my remaining Sour Patch Kids in number equal to the number of Total Bases on hits by the Yankees for the remainder of the game.

163 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:51 pm

Jesus.

164 Boatzilla   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:52 pm

Donaldson should have orders to take every pitch. The chances of him walking are better than anything else.

165 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:52 pm

I wouldn't be mad if they pinch hit a peanut vendor for Donaldson next time up.

166 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:53 pm

[164] I was thinking the same.

167 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:53 pm

FUCK!!!! : /

168 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:54 pm

Why’d he look at the catcher???

169 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:54 pm

can't do anything right on offense.

170 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:54 pm

Can't blame them for sending Bader.

171 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:54 pm

LOL ... a caught stealing!

172 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:55 pm

Unbelievable. End the series now. I don’t wanna watch this shot anymore.

That K was quite predictable…

173 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:55 pm

Stupid steal attempt

174 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:55 pm

If there's little hope for base hits, Boone has no choice but to force the action.

175 Boatzilla   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:55 pm

Why can't the Yankees steal anymore?..well it's been decades.
Bader should have gone on the first pitch.

176 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:56 pm

By the way, it's been nine straight games with six hits or fewer for the Yankee offense, the longest streak in franchise history. This would be game number ten.

177 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:57 pm

[174] I'm happy with it. Nothing else is working. Force them to make a play. They had to make a perfect throw and they did. They win. I prefer that to standing around waiting for a home run that's never going to come.

178 Boatzilla   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:57 pm

[174] Yes, but wrong pitch. That pitch in the dirt was tailor made.
Good base stealers don't mess around, they just go.

179 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:57 pm

[177] Wow.

180 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:59 pm

[179] Yes.

181 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 5:59 pm

Something tells me they won’t strand their leadoff double…

182 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:03 pm

What’s with all these players and their back pockets flapping around? That’d drive me nuts! Hell, it already does just looking at it!

183 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:03 pm

SETTING UP THE DOUBLE PLAY!!!
Siiiiiiigh.

184 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:04 pm

Desperately need Cole to roll the 3-ball here!

185 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:04 pm

Get this fucking racist to make multiple outs on the first pitch.

186 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:05 pm

Nice deke by Judge

187 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:06 pm

Bad luck!

188 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:06 pm

Obviously.

189 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:06 pm

Fuck you, Fucklander

190 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:06 pm

Well, here goes the series.

191 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:06 pm

Yikes.

192 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:07 pm

That’s the last time we’ll see Cole this season…

193 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:07 pm

I only have 7 Sour Patch Kids left ... why do I feel like I'll some left over at the end of the game?

194 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:10 pm

It’s gonna be 5-zip in a blink

195 Hank Waddles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:10 pm

I swear -- if Trey Mancini delivers the dagger....

196 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:11 pm

They’re playing with confidence and we’re playing scared

197 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:11 pm

This is all so sad.

Someone needs to re-engineer this team from the ground up. Come up with a real plan.

Starting with developing our own guys. No one should come out of our system without being fundamentally tight from stem to stern.

198 Ara Just Fair   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:12 pm

Don't bother throwing to 2nd, Stanton.

199 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:12 pm

That sucks. All runners advance…

200 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:12 pm

we don't make basic plays.

Show/Hide Comments 201-284
201 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:12 pm

Might as well be three thousand nothing Houston.

202 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:13 pm

Bottom of their lineup. Former shit sock. This sucks sooo fucking bad

203 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:14 pm

Really smart bringing in trevno

204 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:14 pm

Yup, of course

205 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:14 pm

They deserve it. They're just a superior team. They prove it again and again and again.

What can you do?

206 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:14 pm

Peraza should have been up weeks before he finally was, but the Yankees always seem hesitant to trust young talent on the offensive side and insist on sticking with mediocrities like Falafel.

207 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:15 pm

All 3 runs charged to Cole, who probably should have stayed in…

208 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:16 pm

Guys not on next year’s roster: Carpenter, Hicks, and a couple of others

209 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:17 pm

[208] please Donaldson. I don't care how. Lost him.

210 Boatzilla   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:17 pm

I can't stand it.

Why do we even bother? At the beginning of the year everyone on the planet knew we'd have to go through Houston again, but Cash did nothing to address that.

The team should be designed to beat Houston.

211 rob_smith_51   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:17 pm

[207]. Whatever Boone decided probably wasn't going to work. I would have stuck with Cole, but it certainly defensible.

212 Boatzilla   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:19 pm

Dusty should let the batboy pitch.

213 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:20 pm

I’m at the ‘acceptance’ stage. Astros are just better in every area of the game. Can only hope that Boone is released into the wild after Game 4, he brings now ident skills to the job at all.

214 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:24 pm

[207] It didn't used to be that way; Cano was a mid-season call up. And if I recall correctly, so was Melky(?).

215 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:24 pm

Here comes Neris to get the 1-pitch double play

216 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:26 pm

I've been at the acceptance stage since before the series.

217 rob_smith_51   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:30 pm

[216] I was counting the Mariners to take they out in the 5 game series. They certainly played the Astros closer than the Yanks did.

218 Boatzilla   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:31 pm

[213] Right. They're even better at cheating. When the Yanks were cheating (sign stealing) they still couldn't beat Houston.

219 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:38 pm

This team just does not have anyone outside their top four or five who could possibly deliver a playoff hit when it’s needed.
No Spencer, Leyritz, Chili, Straw, Justice, Olerud, Hayes, Clark, Matsui, etc.

I cannot believe this is the team that entered the playoffs after the first half they had. Unreal.

220 rob_smith_51   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:40 pm

[219]. Well they are missing DJ and Bennetendi.

221 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:40 pm

I hope that everyone associated with the team is visited by the Ghost of George Steinbrenner in a dream tonight.

222 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:42 pm

[219] They had near perfect first half injury luck and really terrible 2nd half luck.
Shrug. Would have loved the first half team against this Astros team, but, that's baseball.

223 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:42 pm

WOULD SOMEONE GET A HIT FOR FUCK'S SAKE?
I want a Sour Patch Kid!

224 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:45 pm

[222] I know. Which makes this all the more maddening.
Entering the playoffs, they were essentially a 90-win team masquerading as a 99- game winner. That did keep them our of the WC round and give home field for Cleveland, both of which were great, but makes them look all the more exposed now, is all.

225 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:45 pm

Calling it ... Carpenter gets a hit!

226 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:49 pm

Damn, I SO wanted to call Carpenter The Sour Patch Kid

227 rob_smith_51   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:49 pm

[225] I would take the other side of that bet.

228 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:51 pm

Pathetic

229 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:52 pm

At least Padres-Phillies should be a good baseball game

230 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:52 pm

Two innings left for the Yankees to break double digit Ks for the 3rd straight game!
Impressive!

231 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:55 pm

Good thing I'm drinking, otherwise this team would drive me to it.

232 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 6:58 pm

I’m about to start drinking. 4th night in a row! Taking the next 4 off!!!

233 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:00 pm

I gave it up recently. Goal is sorta to stay dry through Jan 1 of 2024. But these games make me want to pour a bourbon or mix up a Negroni.

234 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:01 pm

At this rate, you'd very likely only need the next night in any case.

235 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:04 pm

This is clear proof that the whole ‘playoffs are a crapshoot’ thin is nonsense. Clearly the Astros making the LCS Sox years in a row dispels that

236 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:06 pm

[233] best of luck

237 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:07 pm

Topper’s opener strategy not working out. 4-0 friars in the first

238 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:08 pm

That dude in the stands looks like The Babe!

239 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:09 pm

[236] Grazie

Looks like I’m rooting for the Pads from here on out. Not a Tatis fan after his bust, but as a Virginia resident I sure do like watching Soto.

240 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:09 pm

Hmm, something?

241 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:10 pm

Say the final is 5-3. (As if…) It’s damn Chas homer as the difference.

Then again, here comes a one-pitch double play

242 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:11 pm

Knuckles - good luck with the suds. Or, rather, without the suds!

243 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:12 pm

Cmon now guys. Show some life.

244 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:13 pm

Feh

245 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:14 pm

At least not a DP

246 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:14 pm

s i g h

247 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:18 pm

Rats

248 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:18 pm

Complete and utter garbage. Total bollocks

249 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:18 pm

Must. Bleach. Brain. After. Watching

250 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:19 pm

Damn. Phillies storming back. Pads scored 4 in the first with 2 outs. Phils have scored 2 without any outs and Harper is up

251 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:21 pm

Bryce with yet another XBH. 4-3, Harper on second, no outs. Clevinger, who I can’t stand, is already out of the gsme

252 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:23 pm

Oh, good. German in and gives up a leadoff walk

253 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:25 pm

He can’t find the zone

254 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:28 pm

Harper on 3rd chatting with Machado, both should have been in pinstripes :(

255 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:28 pm

Yup. BOTH!!

256 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:33 pm

I can’t believe it’s not 8-0…

257 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:35 pm

To borrow from the Joker in the original Batman ... "this team needs an enema".

258 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:37 pm

Why bother playing tomorrow? Why should I bother watching? (I will, of course)

259 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:39 pm

It’ll only be fitting to go down 1-2-3…

260 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:39 pm

Give Peraza an at-bat, dammit!!!

261 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:39 pm

I turned it off for a couple of innings but I see that didn't change our luck.

262 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:39 pm

Pinch runner?

263 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:40 pm

And Gleyber makes 10, so 17+13+10 = 40Ks in 3 games

SUCK IT EVERYONE ... Matt Carpenter IS THE SOUR PATCH KID!

264 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:40 pm

A HIT A HIT

265 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:40 pm

Well a second hit. A moral victory. I hate moral victories.

266 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:40 pm

I was just an at bat too soon!

267 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:40 pm

How are they letting Carp run for himself???

268 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:41 pm

A third hit.

269 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:42 pm

Baby spark.
Something to build on tomorrow?

270 rbj   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:43 pm

Blergh.

271 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:44 pm

Ugliest swing ever. How fitting.

272 knuckles   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:45 pm

This team needs a real overhaul this winter. Blech.

Night all.

273 jaynek   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:45 pm

depressing performance.

274 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:45 pm

Nope.

275 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:47 pm

No words.

276 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Oct 22, 2022 7:47 pm

We’re done, wait until next year

277 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 8:01 pm

Kay reading Boone the riot act for pulling Cole.

278 cult of basebaal   ~  Oct 22, 2022 8:06 pm

[275] Oh, I have PLENTY of words, trust me ...

279 Boatzilla   ~  Oct 22, 2022 8:16 pm

What the Bombers need is a fan revolt. The NFL Giants fans did it in the 70s, and hell if it didn't work.

Burn season tickets in front of the stadium. Boycott games.

Since Hal took over the teams have been designed to be just good enough to make money, but not good enough to go all the way.

280 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 8:18 pm

Is that on YES?

281 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Oct 22, 2022 9:02 pm

[279] nodding

282 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 9:26 pm

Holy Phucking Phillies!!

283 thelarmis   ~  Oct 22, 2022 10:00 pm

D-Rob mowing down the Fathers

284 OldYanksFan   ~  Oct 23, 2022 2:15 pm

"They're hitting .128 in the ALCS, the second-lowest average through three games in LCS history; Judge alone is batting .156 with 14 strikeouts and three RBIs in the playoffs.

New York has not scored an earned run in 19 innings"

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver