I said in my series preview yesterday that I thought taking two of three in Boston this weekend would ice the AL East title for the Yankees. All they need to do to reach that goal is beat 23-year-old Japanese rookie Junichi Tazawa in this afternoon’s FOX game.
Tazawa made his major league debut in the 14th inning of that 15-inning scoreless marathon between the Yanks and Sox at the new Yankee Stadium two weeks ago. The Yanks hit him hard in that inning, with both Eric Hinske and Melky Cabrera just missing game-winning hits down the right-field line with runners on first and second, but ultimately came up empty, only to finally tally off Tazawa in the bottom of the 15th via a Derek Jeter single and an Alex Rodriguez walk-off homer.
Tazawa pitched well at Fenway against the Tigers in his first major league start four days later, striking out six in five innings and allowing just one earned run on four hits and two walks, but his last outing, in Texas, was shakier as he failed to strike out a batter and gave up four runs on ten hits, two of them homers, in another five frames.
Today, he takes on A.J. Burnett, who was the Yankee starter in that 15-inning marathon. Burnett was awful in his first two starts against Boston this year, but came up huge in that game, pitching 7 2/3 innings of scoreless, one-hit baseball despite six walks. He’s turned in two more quality starts since then, giving him 11 in his last 12 outings dating back to his last start at Fenway, in which he failed to survive the third inning.
Jason Varitek, who homered of Sergio Mitre in then ninth inning last night, returns to the Red Sox lineup to face Burnett while Mike Lowell sits. Johnny Damon, who fouled a ball of his knee in the top of the first on Friday night, sits today in favor of Eric Hinske. Hinske plays left and bats eighth. Nick Swisher takes Damon’s spot in the two-hole. The Red Sox have reloaded their bullpen, demoting Michael Bowden, who threw 63 pitches in two innings while allowing seven runs Friday night, in favor of Enrique Gonzalez. Given Tazawa’s brief track record, the Yankees will likely bring the underside of the Boston pullpen into play today as well, which bodes well for the Bombers, as do most things these days.
While I think the Yankees are very close to putting the division to bed, I think the race against the Angels is very important. Right now, the Yankees only have a 3 game lead, so they need to win as many games as possible.
[1] If the Sox or Rays win the Wild Card, the Yankees will play the Tigers in the ALDS regardless of how they finish relative to the Angels. If the Rangers win the Wild Card, the Yankees will play the Rangers in the ALDS regardless of how they finish relative to the Angels. If you're worried about not having home-field against the Angels in the ALCS . . . you're thinking even further ahead than I am.
Checking in from Port Chester, NY. How is the weather looking in Boston? We're getting intermittent torrential downpours here
Remind the team that they've seen this kid before, even briefly. He's no URP.
[2] That's exactly what I am thinking (not worrying yet) about.
I don't like Hinske in left. He was so bad out their yesterday, but I guess that's getting overlooked because of the lopsided score.
[5] Do we know for sure the Angels are going to hold on in the West? I'm not convinced - or maybe I'm hoping they end up being home.
[3] After my weather prediction last night, you have no reason to listen to me - I still can't believe those storms missed both Fenway and where I live - but FWIW, the sun is shining here, twenty miles southwest of Fenway Park. The forecast is for rain, though it looks like everything might blow to the north again.
Sun shining here too (more like 50 miles SW of Fenway).
[7] If they don't, the Yankees still need to keep winning games. I would be shocked if Texas was able to overtake them. I expect the Rangers to fade.
[6] Left in Fenway is tiny and right is huge. Hinske is a statue in the field. Best to leave him in LF.
[6] They're probably looking for a way to get him in the lineup, I guess he's higher on the depth chart than Hairston? Maybe they figure that playing LF in Fenway will minimize his defensive shortcomings.
Watching the Cal Ripken World Series, where the umpires made an absolutely horrid, atrocious call.
pick-off play to second, the baserunner makes it back, but is called out by the umpire. Shortstop never had the ball. Kid walks off because he thinks he's out, where he is tagged with the ball, and is called out again.
yeah hinske is basically a disaster out there - but rhp on the mound for bos (if it were lester, i think we would see hairston) and hopefully aj will be high strike out aj today and minimize hinske's chances
anyone know the forecast for Boston? Because its disgusting in Manhattan
[3] my very first roommate in college was from Port Chester, NY. we had the same birthday. he had a really HUGE accent. port chester is waaaaay up there!
[1] the Halos are gonna win yet again. Juan Rivera just hit his 20th. 7-3 over the Jays. they're winning constantly and scoring tons of runs. i HATE them!!!
i don't think it'll happen, but i really hope Texas will win the WC. i also wish the Chi Sox would take over the Central, but i doubt that'll happen either...
I can't with TWIB opening with a story about that John Challis kid, I really can't...
I'd rather have Hinske's bat than Hairston's glove/legs in Fenway against a lesser starter. Maybe if they were facing Beckett I'd rather have the guy who could tighten up the defense and take the extra base, and obviously against a lefty like Lester, Hinske becomes rather useless.
It's dangerous to start against the Yankees if you pitch for Boston...Penny is now out of the rotation.
[10] Best to use Hairston in RF and Swisher in LF. It may be short, but Hinkse looked very uncomfortable out there. I would go with defense behind AJ.
[15] yeah what happened to the sweat box breaking?
today has been weird with sun/rain/sun/rain...
looks like 40% chance of showers in boston most of the rest of the day, with humidity going from 70 some percent to 90 some during the evening.
i am not good at reading those doppler radars to really pinpoint what might happen.
[21] "yeah what happened to the sweat box breaking?
today has been weird with sun/rain/sun/rain…"
Welcome to Atlanta!!! ; )
[6][11] Not much choice but to use Hinske, so that leaves Hairston as a possible PR and LIDR (for Hinske), and more importantly, he is the only back-up on the team now that the staff has bloated out to 13 pitches.
[23] "...13 pitchers."
[22] haha 20 some years in huntsville prepared me for this, but central air everywhere is a whole different way of life
[23] isn't 13 pitches phil hughes absolute maximum limit
i think i would have found a reason to put someone in the pen on the dl and called pena back up (he can come up for a pitcher right, it doesn't have to be a position player?)
[25] you don't have central air? i couldn't imagine life without it...
FOX is confusing me - i'm still not sure if i get the Yanks or Cubs/LA game. it BEST be Yankee Baseball...
[25] I've read conflicting things as to whether the the called-up player has to "match" the DLed player. I think so, but I could be wrong (I think that RIYank posted that the players did not have to "match").
[26] no central air - and i'm on the top floor
according to awful announcing atl is getting the yankee game
pj is stuck with cubs-dodgers though
[26] Yeah, I was confused for a minute too, thought I'd be getting the west coast game. Gonna have to smack someone if I do.
[29] oh good, it's the Pinstripes! T-mac is there, but at least no Buck!
i wish Jeter's shot fell in...
[27] Yes, in order to get Pena back ahead of schedule, the Yankees would have to DL a position player, not a pitcher. That said, I'd have dropped Mitre and brought up either Shelley or Kevin Russo.
As for central air, I've only had it in one place I've ever lived. Don't have it now, but my house stays cool because it's well built, well insulated, and shaded by trees.
[19] I know. Now Penny and Smoltz are victims of the Bombers.
30 straight games on base for Swish. let's get an early run!!!
[25]
According to Cot's Baseball Contracts site (http://tinyurl.com/ytm3ss):
If this is accurate, it does not appear that the recalled player has to "match" the DLed player.
c'mon A-Rod!!!
[31] I stand corrected at [34]. I should have trusted my memory the first time!
And yes, Mitre really must go...it's not good having such an unlucky player on teh team. Bad karma for everyone.
dammit. alright Mats - 3-run homerun...that's your thing!!!
just as part of this discussion - are robertson and hughes the only pitchers in the pen with options? (certainly not advocating sending either down - just want to understand the other guys' situation)
wow, 'Stros signed Armando Benitez...
What? No runs?
fuck. woulda really behooved us to plate an early run there.
i hope we get ass-kicking AJ today w/ that amazing tight curve he has...
lucky hit. that 2nd pitch was beautiful.
FUCK!!!
really need a DP from ugly here.
Come on AJ...don't fall apart here.
That was a very professional™ hit.
Professional Hitter is NOT a Professional Runner (or Catcher or Thrower...)
he is an incredibly ugly human being.
fat liar gets a rather huge ovation. now ground to 2nd, please...
dusty and david really give puke a run for his money in the ugly department. damn!
oh goddamn motherfucker. hinske is awful out there. that just fucking blows
Ugh. Hinske in LF makes me ill.
Hoo-boy
I hate to say I told you so about Hinske, but, I told you so. After yesterday, Hinske should be nowhere near that wall.
hinske rears his ugly head early
AJ already has a defeated look.
this is a bunch of bullshit.
Mitre's luck is rubbing off on AJ.
is hinske's arm worse than damons?!?
Hinske's awful defense has already contributed to two runs. Completely inexcusable for Girardi to make such an obvious mistake. Meanwhile, AJ looks like he is going to have one of those games where he throws in the towel. That has been his only flaw this season.
it's really something when you miss Damon in the field...
not to worry. we're gonna knock the snot outta Taz the spaz.
[56] you did suggest we remove the cracked mirror so as not to spread unluckiness around
K for trot nixon
...I mean drew
[59] Incredible right? It would be one thing if we didn't get a preview of Hinske yesterday, but after seeing how poorly he played, throwing him back out there completely defies logic. Even if you insisted on Hinske's bat, the Yankees could have swapped him with Swisher.
hinske has played LF at the Fens. maybe GI Joe shoulda switched him and Swish...
i hate fenway park.
why are you swinging at that, jorgie?
[64] Would have at least made a little sense. These are the types of decisions that really expose Girardi.
espn's gamecast strike zone box is all outta whack. first 2 pitches were high, but they're box has them close to Broadway.
jorgie has now swung at Ball 4...twice...
Posada swung at ball four there.
that was a long time coming. let's destroy the kid from the Industrial League (how many times are they gonna tell us this???)...
robbie - you're an idiot
nice hit robbie - bad baserunning robbie
My goodness Cano...what the hell happened to him? At what point will Girardi address Cano's failure to run out of the box?
[64] eh, if Hinske's GOTTA play the field in this game then I'd rather him in LF. RF in this park is a horrorshow.
Robbie letting his inner-Jawja Peach out
I wouldn't mind it if Dustyass had to sit today. And tomorrow.
The Yankees are picking up with the sloppy play from yesterday...which is why you really shouldn't overlook things just because you win big.
[63] Swapped as in put Hinske in RF? That makes less sense as RF in Fenway is tougher defensively to play.
[70] And took strike 3 for ball four
redeem yourself Hinske
[75] But Hinske has played RF before and we all saw how bad he looked in LF yesterday. Also, it's not like Swisher is a gold glover either, so I don't think you lose much by moving HInske to RF.
motherfucker.
Cano would have been doubled off on that anyway.
That's not the way to redeem yourself Hinske.
ah, if robbie had stayed at first, he prolly woulda been doubled up on that.
repeat after me...
7.5 games
7.5 games
7.5 games
that was a nasty pitch w/ all kindsa movement.
We can complain about HInske's defense but:
1. The goofy roster + Damon's injury all but guaranteed that Hinske would start and Hairston would be "saved" for the bench as the only reasonable backup for most position, only PR, only LIDR.
2. If he has to play in teh field, Hinske is better off in LH at Fenway than in RF.
3. That inning was on AJ--all of the runs would have scored (predetermined outcome™) no matter which of the Yankees chicken-armed OFs were playing LF. AJ gave up one lucky hit to Pedroia, then kinda stunk it up.
[85] If only the season ended today. It does not.
[85] not enough! : )
[80] they're both terrible, but you're more likely to get the odd nice play out of Swish than Hinske. Like that running catch going towards the pen last night, no way Hinske makes that play. Luck defintely played into it, but still...
bollocks.
[83] Hey, he hit it hard, VM just happened to be there to catch the liner.
Yankees are letting too many scoring chances go by the wayside today. I wonder what their record on Fox Saturday games is.
we're letting this kid off the hook easy.
buckle down, AJ
i've gotta step away for a spell. hope i come back to a Yankee lead...
[90] He looks ugly doing it, but Swisher is really not "terrible" in the field. He's a good bit better out there than Hinske. I agree with your overall point.
holy crap! this from Petey:
UPDATE, 4:46 p.m.: A.J. Burnett at Fenway Park so far this season:
8.2 innings
17 hits
16 runs
14 earned runs
8 walks
5 strikeouts
[87] Why did it guarantee anything? If you start Hairston in the OF, he can still move to the IF if needed. It also doesn't make any sense to alter your lineup to preserve a PR.
After seeing him play so poorly yesterday, I absolutely do not believe Hinske would better off there instead of RF. This isn't a typical field. That wall definitely comes into play and Hinske looks completely confused by it. We saw that yesterday...and now we've seen it again today.
I agree that AJ was the main culprit, but better defense could have helped him out.
[87] yeah aj did not pitch well after ugly's at-bat.
you are dangerously close to mixing predetermined outcomes with an attempt to predict baseball.
hinske would be problematic anywhere out there. rf is huge and his range is not-existant, and lf has the monster and he has shown no ability to play balls off the wall.
siddown, you fucking douchebag.
oh no. i'm goin' again...
gonna be one of those days
It's gonna be a looooong day I'm afraid.
a hr to alex gonzalez? it's early yet, but maybe aj doesn't have it today
RUFKM
This doesn't feel like a game that the Yankees really want to win. Sloppy play and absolutely no signs of focus from AJ. The Yankees are giving away a chance to really crush the Red Sox.
[97] Because Hinske is a poor defender, so Girardi would be loathe to have to move Hairston to the IF and move Hinke to the OF late in the game. More importantly, if Hairston is in the field, he can't be used as a PR.
It seems pretty obvious that Girardi wanted to maximize Hinske's bat, and then have Hairston to bring into the game later, in a specific tactical situation (as a PR perhaps, and in any case to replace Hinkse in the field).
Hm. Can't blame Hinske for the HR.
it's not a good point timmy you asshole
AJ has suboptimal command of his F B.
dusty is not even fast - aj paid zero attention to him
[106] So, he'd rather have Hinske play bad defense for the whole game? Also, saving Hairston as PR should not mean you field a suboptimal lineup. That would be incredibly foolish.
Im calling it here...if AJ gets his act together this inning and keeps the score 4-0, the Yankees are going to win this game.
Apparently this Burnett vs Posada meme isn't going away. Pitch selection isn't the reason Burnett doesn't have command of the fb.
AJ is meltdown mode...that's one thing that really makes you nervous. If he has one of these games in the post season, it could send you home.
I don't blame Girardi for starting Hinkse, but I would have put him in RF. The Yankees have too many OFers on their team that can't field. It's why they can't bring Matsui back.
[112] I would definitely like to see Molina paired up with AJ more.
[111] I love the optimism! They're never out of range for a comeback. But still, this shite is looking sloppy.
[110] Bad defense will hurt you less often than playing the worse bat the whole game. Case in point, Hinke's bad defense contributed nothing to that inning, as all of the runners would have scored on AJs subsequent stinkiness.
Jorge doing his best Mackey Sasser...
So, he’d rather have Hinske play bad defense for the whole game?
Yep. That's the way it has always been. Put the butcher in the field, then lift him later for a LIDR.
[113] If this was the postseason, I would have pulled him.
Pull him now.
[111] that if ain't happening
More bad defense from Hinske leads to three more runs...
dammit.
Pull him. Now. And tell AJ he needs to get his head out of his @ss.
[117] Hinske has done a nice job, but he isn't that much better of hitter than Hairston. I also don't buy into the pre-determined outcome argument either. One bad defensive play can really change an inning.
The Yankees can still win, btw.
I really don't understand the logic behind wanting Hinske in RF. You have a bad defensive outfielder in the game because of an injury, so why do you want him in probably the single hardest defensive outfield position in the American League??
so CC vs Beckett tomorrow...that should be fun....
God **&%$@ - I'm breaking my rule about posting during the games.
Geez, Girardi, I know you're trying to figure this out for the playoffs, but for &^$@@ %#@!!%@@ sakes, Burnett doesn't pitch to Dumbo anymore!!!
&^$ $@@!&@!
AJ quit on this game after the Ortiz double.
I really don’t understand the logic behind wanting Hinske in RF.
Because that's where he played when he was a RS.
[123] OK fine, if your point is Girardi knew AJ would implode so he figured he'd get Hinske some ABs, then I guess it make sense.
Playing LF in Fenway is a learned skill.
Soooo, who gets to play long man today?
Maybe Swisher can't play LF here either and Girardi wants a decent fielder in right instead of 2 below average OF. Also Hairston can't start, he is pretty much the only backup IF. What if Jeter, Cano or Arod has to come out?
Hinske has done a nice job, but he isn’t that much better of hitter than Hairston.
I can't say that I agree with that assessment.
I'm furious at AJ, btw. What a disgraceful, feckless effort.
Saturdays on Fox. Holy shit do I hate Saturdays on Fox. And McCarver sneaks in a reference to Orlando Cabrera earlier, for good measure.
I know the second throw was just off, but could Posada have had a play at the plate on the first throw if he'd let the ball come to him instead of shying away from contact, as he likes to do?
[127] yeah they are hitting japanese industrial league legend junichi tazawa hard - need to some better luck (unless sergio has infected the whole damn clubhouse)
[128] there is no good place for hinske. cliche time: what is the lesser of 2 evils? where will he do the less damage? could be he screws up rf less, because he has shown he has a hard time with the monster.
[128] Because he looked so bad playing LF yesterday, mostly because of the wall. Of course, my argument was that Hairston should be in this game.
Maybe Swisher can’t play LF here either and Girardi wants a decent fielder in right instead of 2 below average OF.
Swisher is far more athletic than Hinske. The dude has played CF as recently as last year.
[135] that's an interesting point about not having 2 worser OFs
But if he did start JHjr, he could always double switch if need be.
[135] If they get hurt, Hairston goes to the IF and Hinske takes his place.
[131] He played LF as a RS too.
Does it matter who is playing in left on August 22nd? The bigger issue here is the Yankees don't have a single starting pitcher that gives you confidence that they can win a big game on the road. AJ certainly doesn't. CC has been great but he's still a huge question mark given his dismal playoff history. Andy? Joba? Who do you give the ball to in Anaheim or in Boston come playoff time? NY won't be scoring 20 runs a game in the playoffs. Just saying.
[143] Badly, I take it?
[131] in 2007 he played a grand total of 12 games in RF, and at least some of those were on the road
[137] I thought the same thing...Posada came up too much.
[131]
A quick scan of Hinske's fielding page on baseball-reference.com shows that he played more in LF than in RF when he was with the Sox.
[144] The bigger issue here is the Yankees don’t have a single starting pitcher that gives you confidence that they can win a big game on the road.
On the road, AJ has a 4.01 ERA (before today), with a .234 BAA. That's good enough to win games.
CC's road ERA is 3.54 with a .228 BAA.
But whatever.
hilarious story rosenthal - my day is enriched now
[145] Looks he was worse in RF than LF.
[144] I am not worried about the rotation. They do have some hiccups, but they have mostly been very good. My bigger beef with this game is the Yankees, collectively, have shown little interest in winning this game.
[148] At home or on the road?
Was that the Gyroball??
[151] That's not possible.
[148] evidently playing lf in fenway is NOT like riding a bike - hinske really looks like he never played there
[144] thats a damn hard thing to quantify though. Who would make you feel comfortable in a playoff game in Boston or Anaheim (or anywhere else really)?
[148] In fact, the samples are both too small to draw any conclusion from. Hinske has played 2x as much in RF overall, so I'd imagine he would be much more comfortable there regardless of ballpark.
Monkeypants, wasn't it that he played like 10 games in LF, though? If the number's that small, who cares where he played more?
[154] Nope, curve,
[154] gyroball spins like a bullet, thereby "hiding" the seams better, and therefore making it harder for the batter to read the speed and trajectory. Invented in Japan.
I would not play Hinkse in the OF tomorrow.
[159] I agree with you more or less. I as simply refuting the erroneous statment that he "played RF" implied exclusively or more] when he was on the Red Sox."
[150] holy shit what a waste of time that was
[161] whoops, I thought you said "what is.." sorry
[162] If Damon can't go, Hinske will play. Girardi is stubborn.
[163] Point refuted. Thanks.
I would still have played him in RF though.
[158] you can't say "regardless of the ballpark" in regards to defense. When it comes to defense at least 60% of it is contingent on the ballpark
[159] 24 in LF, 43 at 1B.
Called out for going around and *&%$#@ Posada wasn't even going to point for an appeal. I want to punch him in the teeth right now.
[166] To an intolerable fault. See Mitre, Sergio.
[160][161] That's what you say. But the GYROBALL !! is pretty mysterious. Just ask Jon Miller.
Manny played LF when he was with the Red Sox, to me that implies that LF is a bit easier to play than RF.
So now A.J. decides to pitch.
well aj still looks pissed but perhaps he has pulled his head out of his ass, do the bats have a 7 run comeback in them?
[172] It's easier if you know how to play the caroms.
But when you hit like Manny, does it matter? Plus, Manny was always good for an all world defensive play every series v. the Yankees.
[169] Calm down, dude-he tagged the batter first (dropped third strike), then called for the appeal. Not a bad play.
[168] Where did you get your 60% figure from? I'd have to think that the angle the ball comes off the bat plays a bigger role. Besides, Hinske hasn't shown an inability to track a flyball. Rather, he has been spooked by the Monster.
[163] Gotcha.
[173] so with you.
I am still so angry that he let that lying fat finished piece of garbage Ortiz double off the wall.
[172] but manny played the wall very well - bay does too now - so does damon - hinske doesn't
we're probably focussing on him more than we should but his lf play, particularly as the wall has been involved has been awful yesterday and today
crap, total downpour out here in NW Bumfuck, NJ. Direct TV is down for a moment. Gotta turn on the Lumpy & Chuckles Radio Show on the New York Yankees Radio Network.
[174] yes I think they do.
Yankees have three innings to get back in this game.
How much would it demoralize the Sox if the Yankees end up winning this one? Part of Girardi's master plan ; )
They are overswinging. Just chip away.
[179] It seems irrelevant because these two games have been blowouts, but that didn't have to be case.
[175] The caroms are tough, but you can get bailed out by your IFs half the time. It takes less range and zero arm to play Fenway LF. On the other hand, RF is a cavern and a terrible sun field, and it has its own odd bounces in the corner. I'd put my worst OF in LF at Fenway every day of the week and twice on Sundays, unless I had someone on the team who had a peculiar knack for Fenway LF.
[182] I like your thinking!
[175] Point is @ Fenway you put your lousy defensive players, like Hinske, in LF
[177] its an arbitrary number, I'm just saying that I think there's a better than 50/50 split (more like 60/40 I think) when it comes to defensive ability between a) natural talent/ability and b) familiarity with the various outfield configurations around the league. Not all right fields are created equal, just because you can do it in the Bronx doesn't mean you can pull it off in Boston.
So if you're Girardi and you have Swisher in RF who has shown at least a cursory ability to play RF in Fenway then it behooves you to keep him there.
[185] Sounds like an argument for Hairston in RF?
[185] Hinske's arm may be better than Swisher. As williamnyy23, Hinske can track flyballs. We disagree on strategy.
I guess, and the bottomline is this team has too many bad defensive OFers.
[187] I disagree with that point given the caroms.
cano loves that damn monster
oh johnny - we really really miss you here in fenway - we have had to not only watch hinske play lf we have had to talk about him for damn near an hour and a half
[188] From my experience, the side of the field makes the biggest difference. I played/still play 2B and could easily move to RF and play it well. I could not, however, do the same with LF. You often hear that same experience from professional players.
If you aren't going to hit, Hinske, go home.
So why is Hinske in this game? Depth is great until you have to use it.
[181] 6 innings to get back in!
hey, the shit sox clawed back yesterday to double digit runs - we can do the same!
thought that Hinske AB was pathetic. hey, if Johnny didn't injure himself yesterday, all this Hinske talk would be "mute"...
Well, that AB did not help my defense of Hinske! I strongly suspect THAT was the gyroball.
total bollocks...
We have left a damn village (make that a city) on base.
Even with AJ imploding, Hinske has had a very large negative impact on this game.
This game is getting to me.
This is getting tiresome.
You know, it just ain't right that Hinske played LF for the Red Sox & won a WS ring, but Ted Williams never did.
also, just after looking it up now...Hinske's career OPS is 75 points higher than Hairston's. So if nothing else that can be the dealbreaker for putting him out there.
[195] What fucking depth? They are playing, effectively, with a 24 man roster and 1 man bench.
lord poor joba was really a fatty
there's something about these beyond a journey commercials i find exploitative
[205] that's because they are
[203] I'll grant you that the advantage is even better than that when you consider Hinske against righties. My observation before the game was based on how poorly he looked playing the wall yesterday. Sure enough, he misplayed the first ball hit to him. Maybe that play irked AJ? Who knows. I just think keeping Hinske out of LF was an obvious decision.
[191] Given the players that have played LF in Fenway, I'd say they disagree with you.
[193] The defensive spectrum disagrees with you.
[204] If someone is insisting on keeping Mitre, I'd have to believe it is Girardi, so if his hands are tied, he is the one making the knots.
[200] But they knew how to play the carom. It's sui generis.
[194] After a lineout and a strikeout?
If Yankees don't score next inning, it might be time to fire up the grill. Sometimes these FOX games beat me down.
[205] Not to mention stupid. Dad plays catch with son? That's a story?
[197] Nope, fastball
this game isn't going to spoil my steak dinner but what the fuck?
We need a quote feature.
[208] The defensive spectrum has an opinion? You do see why that statement makes no sense. For example, if we put a SS or C at 1B there is a good chance he'll fail miserably. That's not because 1B is harder to play, but because they aren't used to it. In this case, Hinske has played a lot more in RF so it stands to reason he'd be more comfortable there. LF "might" be easier (and probably mostly because of the throws), but not for someone who isn't as versed at that position.
[215] Don't let it.
Might be able to get six innings out of AJ yet. At least the BP won't get totally roasted.
[209] Is that a Girardian knot?
[210] It doesn't change the fact that LF is easier to play than RF in Fenway.
[219] I would prefer to make Mitre a human sacrifice.
Ok, checking out until the end of the game. Still believe the posting during the game is bad luck for me. Signing off, hoping for a miracle.
[205] He was the water boy for the team that played my high school in the state basketball championship game in 1998. That fat kid drove me freaking nuts during that game, carrying on like he was one of the players- and now look! I would've never put two and two together until there was an article in the paper here in Omaha about him being the water boy.
[221] Of course, that's not a fact.
[221] I disagree because of the uniqueness of the wall, but we aren't about to convince each other.
[222] In general, you sacrifice something that God (or the gods, if you prefer) actually wants. Fatted calf? Yep. Sergio Mitre. Hmmm...maybe not.
[217] Are you even familiar with the defensive spectrum concept?
[227] I don't presume to know what the Lord values. :)
That's not RF in NYS, Mr. Jeter!
Jeter was really swinging at a 3-1 down by 7?
not for nothing, Hinkse's played 695 of his 821 career games at a position OTHER than RF. Its not like its his natural position.
[228] Yes...are you?
[220] nice!
[220] Well played!
[232] He doesn't really have a natural position, but has played 900 innings in RF versus 400 in LF.
[231] Yep. And he struck the ball well. I would want him to do it every time.
[224] haha - that's funny. and i can completely see it.
[232] I don't think he has a natural position at this point, except for his batting stance, but again, the wall is unique.
[237] And he made an out, which probably happens most of the time a batter strikes the ball well. Leading off an inning down by 7 seems to suggest that you do everything possible to avoid making an out. Jeter had an extra pitch to play with and should have used it.
Take him deep, Alex.
nice rip, Tex. can Alex hit a 5-run homerun with only 1 man on?! that would RULE!!!
ha, a smattering of boos for Alex....
Since Papi's announcement, Arod hasn't gotten much a reception at Fenway.
[233] Yes I am. So looking @ the defensive spectrum you do understand why a player with limited range like Hinske would play LF, right?
[240] Taking a strike probably does not contribute much to not making an out. Hitters fail most of the time They sure as hell don't increase their chances by taking hittable pitches.
And why your anecdote doesn't hold water
Pete Abe can be brutal:
Burnett has retired seven in a row. Just in time for it not to matter. But now Girardi can make the "it was only two innings" excuse
_
Take him deep, Mat.
another nice rip.
how 'bout another 3-run jack for Mats!!!
[243] damon was booed much louder last night
alright matsui - last niight's outcome with 2 men on was very acceptable
[244] You do understand that experience plays a role in how a player fields his position? Also, I could be wrong, but I don't think the defensive spectrum includes a LF with a large scary wall.
matsui can look soooo terrible when he swings and misses
[245] plus jeter is an agresive hitter as opposed to an very patient hitter like swisher or abreu - it doesn't make sense for him to let a ball pass that he thinks he can drive
[244] BUt William does make a good point. The defensive spectrum identifies the general relative difficulty of positions. But just because SS is harder than 2B does not mean that if Jeter were suddenly asked to take over for CAno, he would play the position well (at least not at first).
Now, we tend to think that OFs are sort of interchangeable, so that a very good CF would be an even better LF or RF, or that RF and LF can swap seamlessly. That may not be the case, and certainly not for all players.
[245] That assumes it was a strike and, if so, the pitcher could throw one again. And, if he could, Jeter would have the same chance to strike the ball well.
[246] So you completely dimiss the notion that practice and experience play a role? Interesting.
This pitcher has been too lucky.
Grrrrr.
crap.
man 2 lob inning after inning -
I thought Tomko was as bad as a pitcher could pitch and still have a 5 inning shutout, but Taz is giving him a run for his money. When the Yankees lose, they always do it ugly. Maybe that's because when they play well they usually win.
[254] If it was as easy as just "playing" with extra strikes, then presumably every hitter would just sit back until there were two strikes. Every former player I have ever heard on TV or radio says that you get maybe one chance to drive a pitch each AB...probably an exaggeration, but no doubt this speaks to the precious commodity that is a drivable pitch. That Jeter hit the ball well suggest that it was a drivable pitch. In a hitter's count, I want him swinging at that pitch every damn time. I'll take my chances that he knows what he's swinging at.
[256] he is the anti-mitre - reminds me a bit of the previous version of matsuzaka in the high whip low number of runs given up way
[256] He's the anti-Mitre? Bizarro Mitre? Ertim?
[261] It isn't that easy in most cases, but it should be down 7 runs in the middle innings. Why? Because one presumes a pitcher will not want to walk a leadoff batter and so would throw a fastball down the middle on 3-2. And, if he did try a "trick" pitch, it would increase the chances of walking.
Even easy pop flies to LF make me queasy, with Hinske out there.
Tomorrow now becomes a significant game. If Boston beats CC and pulls to within 5 games, this division is far from over, especially with Texas and Chicago coming up.
at least it is enjoyable to watch ugly get struck out
[149] Well unfortunately AJ numbers are skewed because he feasts on weak teams and the Rays. However, against likely playoff opponents he's winless in 6 starts and an ERA approaching 7. If you want to add the win he had against Texas then his ERA drops to around 6. Still not exactly inspiring numbers and the way he just zones out of games makes you wonder if things are only going to get worse not better with him.
[264] Ahhh....but since everyone is expecting him to throw strikes, if he tried a "trick pitch" it would also increase the chances of fooling the batter and getting a strike out.
We've argued about this before. When the team is down a few runs (or mor), you want them to take every pitch. I want them to do what they do best, however they normally do it. I want Jeter approach the game the same way he always does, which has gotten him a .330 BA and . 395 OBP. If that means swinging at a good 3-1 pitch, then by all means swing away, Captain.
Cone has said that AJ needs another pitch when his command o fhis FB or curve is lacking. I think today's game makes that point.
In ST, I thought Cone was a bad broadcaster, but he has really turned me around. He's so bright that the Yankees should look to hire him in a decision making capacity, if he is willing to do it.
STOP talking about football. jeesh. : /
It's incredible that it took AJ/Posada to move to the curve ball. Maybe it was Jorge and maybe it was AJ who wanted to stick with the fastball. I'd really like to know.
Dammit Hinske, catch that.
[266] yes, i'm worried about all this. and i wanna keep boston OUT of the postseason.
i loathe Oritz. always have. well, not when he was a Twin or was David Arias...
And they go back to the fastball.
shit - i wanted ortiz to have totally fallen off a cliff
[268] 2006-08
v. Boston 2.56 ERA
v. NY 2.39 ERA
Were they weak teams?
Gardner is going to have a tough time catching Ortiz's HR total now, especially with the thumb injury.
[269] It's definitely a different philosophy, but you can't can't hit a 7-run HR.
[255] Not really interesting when you consider players who've moved around the diamond.
[272] in previous games i have heard po talk about trying to get him to go to the curve
[270] i am an unabashed coney fan. i hope he shows back up on yes soon.
he seemed to have very sound advice for wang too - i do think he could make a good pitching guru.
Great footage of AJ asking over and over "Why did I throw that pitch". Something tells me that's a reaction to Posada's game calling again. I really think it's time for an AJ/Molina pairing. Whenever these second guesses happen, AJ seems to give it up.
[279] Nope, but you can get on base. I'll trust my highest OBP player to get on base the way he always does.
Swish victimized by the sun field...
this is ridiculous. 20-20 for the two games...so far.
That was catchable.
[277] But this is 2009.
Hinske has trouble in the corner and then Swish has trouble tracking a ball in RF. So much for that spectrum.
I think it is safe to bail on this game.
Man, typical Burnett Blowup...
[281] More Cone, less Flaherty, imo.
[287] But this is 2009.
Which means what? That small sample sizes are more robust?
Aceves is up in the pen. Do you really want to waste in a 9-0 game????
If AJ was question Posada and not himself, I wonder if we will see Molina catching him next game.
I've been to my fair share of clubs, and I can't remember the last time, if any, I saw Miller High Life there
[288] Yeah, Hinske would've had that had he been playing RF
[289] Yes, this game is over. It's safe to bail. The Yankees did at some point in the 2nd inning.
[292] That, and the game apparently happens in a vacuum.
[295] Nope, but I think Hairston would have.
Meanwhile, El Flojo got another hit.
It seems like the Yankees have a runner at 3B every inning.
i would at least be somewhat pleased if we score some runs - make this a ballgame, help the Run Diff, blow out their 'pen and make them sweat. lying down like a lamb is not my idea of okay...
[300] they're all allergic to home plate. : /
[299] :}
that is completely fucking brutal.
aaarrrggghhh!!!
This game isn't doing our Pythag any good.
This is the baseball equivalent of a white flag.
Jesus, how many times can they strand two runners today?!?
the chance of boston winning this game is now 99%
[292] Small sample yes but you're bringing up numbers that are totally irrelevant. Last time I checked AJ pitches for the Yankees so what's the point of mentioning his stats against NY in prior years? Is he going to be traded before the playoffs start? Does it not bother you in the least that he has performed so poorly against likely 2009 playoff teams?
[308] And that doesn't take into account Hinske's defense or the gyroball.
Aceves hasn't pitched well since his start in MInn (ERA > 7.00). There have been reports of back and shoulder issues. I hate this move with an unholy passion.
Sweeny Murti: 8 of the 9 Boston runs off AJB have come with 2 outs.
[310] I think the gyroball is a myth...like Atlantis or Ultimate Zone Rating
[310] the existence of either of those has yet to be confirmed
[311] If he's hurt, he should go on the DL. In any case, he has been kinda bad (as you note), so he has slipped into untrustworthy category. Thus, I'd rather see him here than in a tight game.
[309]
Irrelevant?
You set the terms of the debate:
AJ numbers are skewed because he feasts on weak teams
The stats I cited prove that he can pitch well against top scoring lineups.
I think he can pitch well in the postseason.
[314] Do you really think that Girardi will stop using him in tight games?
Yeah!!! Hinske fielded one of the wall.
I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that fucking Melky was hitting into a double play right there. I said it out loud before it happened. He has sucked also today. He's picked up NO ONE. He's had a chance to come through three times against this pillow tossing little girl and he's spit the bit each time.
I need to take an actual look at the stats, but - and this game has me feeling like saying if we make the playoffs - Posada may really have to DH one spot in the rotation each series. He's a damn butcher back there, as I said a few days ago. Watching him stab around in the dirt like he's making sand castles on yet another strike 3 from AJ is hard to watch.
I'm done with this game. I don't know why I bothered to hunt down a feed to a Saturday game on FOX.
I can't believe they didn't torch this kid. It's not like his stuff isn't exactly as crappy as it looks - they hit the hell out of him, just did NOTHING with it.
Holy crap, that was frustrating.
if there is a heaven, Tim McCarver's wife is definitely going there
They let Pedroia reproduce???????????????????
[312] I agree entirely. But I still crack a smile when I think about Jon Miller orgasmically shouting "was THAT the GYRO BALL!?!?!?" during Dice-K's first few games.
I realize that I am boringly repetitive about this, but bring up Melancon!
wow, and the shit sox have scored more runs than us these 2 games. their offense has been a lot more consistent. this is embarrassing...
well for everyone who wondered about yankee futility on fox this year petey says that assuming yanks lose today they will be 2-6 and outscored 85-39
[316] Snarky answer: no. MOre serious answer:
Girardi has been far more flexible with his BP than Torre, and probably a *bit* more flexible than we give him credit for. The fact is that he is in this game, which suggests that he has fallen out of the circle of trust, at least a little bit. The last two games have been auditions for marginal (and bad) pitchers. After today, it would not surprise me if Aceves falls down the depth chart.
OMG. i think Ace is cooked.
we've got some issues. i don't think this division is locked up, let alone a strong effort in October...
Take away the $65 million payroll advantage, and Girardi sucks.
Almost made the run to Boston today, it's a good thing I didn't...
Great job by Girardi to let Aceves get beat up in a mop up role. It's not like he has contributed a lot to this team.
ugly is 30 - that is not basbeall young
[325] The post-2000 Torre.
Not flexible enough for me, however.
We shall see.
What's happening now? I had to turn it off. If Aceves is hurt, for Godsakes, give him a rest. I believe in the guy's stuff, and believe he's essential to our bullpen.
Rich, what have you seen out of Melancon that makes you so eager to see him pitch? I've been thoroughly underwhelmed by him every time I've seen him.
Bean Ortiz.
The way Aceves pitches, I don't think you can judge his performance in a blow out. Using him is really stupid. Throw Mitre out there for two more innings.
way to whack po on the head papi
least we know they key to getting mccacrver to shutup - bring up dennis rodman
[332] His last 5 ML IP have been scoreless.
He has been very good at SWB since the demotion except for his last outing.
[334] Look at his last few performances. He has now been touched up in about 6 of his last 8 appearances, according to the gamelogs on baseball-reference.
[327] I'd say Girardi's about average. Besides, he isn't the reason Jeter ($20M), Rodriguez ($32M) & Posada ($13M) aren't doing as well as they should.
Melancon's mL stats.
[339] Even granting your point arguendo, shouldn't we try to do better?
[331] Not flexible enough for me, either. BUt BP managing so rote these days that I do believe Girardi deviates more from the typical than we realize. If we could only convince him that the eighth inning is not magical, we'd be onto something.
I'm hungry. I'm taking a break.
Hinske coulda done that
[337]But do you like what you SEE?
5 IP means squat - particularly 5 innings in varying circumstances - so I ask again if you like his stuff. He doesn't look MLB ready to me yet. What does he have - a 90mph fastball, a reasonable curve and questionable control? I'm not saying that's who he is, but I don't watch minor league games, and when I've seen him on the mound, the actual components of his repertoire do not fill me with confidence.
[344] oh wait, JH-Jr. was replacing Cap'n...
[340] Confused by your post - who and what was it directed to, and what exactly does it mean?
[341] Sure, why not? Not sure who would be better, tho'. I'm sure the next guy will make similar, if not the same mistakes.
Hey! A Run!
at least it's not a shutout!!!
At least Swisher came to play.
I think we need to tip our caps to the genius of Tito, who started Varitek. It has been his leadership that stewarded the Sox offense today.
a grand slam each of the last 3 innings and we win!!! : )
hey, another hit!
[352] and don't forget Boy Wonder who got Alex Gonzalez!
name that Molina...
William gets his wish: Hairston and Molina...only about 7 innings to late.
[315] Go back and re-read my original post. The terms of this debate is AJ's performance against teams he might face in this year's playoffs.
More seriously, how "day to day" is Damon, really? Is this Joe Girardi day to day, meaning he has a broken leg?
If he is going to sit any more, they need to DFA, demote or DL someone and call up another player, though their 40-man roster presents some problems.
Did I miss something? Who plays 3b? Who plays short? Jeter & Rodriguez are out of the game.
[358] maybe hinske moves to 3b and they leave lf empty :}
I think I just heard William's head explode...
oh my - i hope molina doesn't hurt himself at 3b
Molina @ 3b, Jr @ SS. Oh boy
I wonder if Girardi is trying to make a point?
[357] for sure if he can't play tuesday they have to do something.
i hope they learned their lesson with brackman and stop wasting 40 man spots on guys who are no where near ML ready. i believe the 40 man has hamstrung several decisions this year.
Apparently the broadcasters don't believe in the concept of backup gloves?
[364] They'd be fine if they didn't insist on carrying 13 pitchers.
[363] what point is that?
and do you expect any different from timmy - what does he think robbie was going to field with his shoe?
[366] It would make more sense if Joe carried 27 pitchers then everyone could get 1 batter out.
[366] i totally agree - and that is mp's battle cry - but they are also in a situation that they will have to dfa any pitcher besides hughes or robertson (i believe) to get them off the roster and they seem loathe to do that
[367] Dunno, maybe he didn't want Pena sent down?
[369] Still, I don't understand why they can't just DFA them, it's not like they can't get another arm from wherever. But, to name an example, there really isn't any reason to carry Aceves, Mitre and Gaudin, 3 of a kind.
[370] hmm gotcha - could be
i guess molina wasn't lying when he said he would have come in for alex in that game alex got plunked on the elbow
[371] i don't understand either - especially someone like mitre or gaudin is damn near a dime a dozen - but they are treating them like valuable resources that they have to hold on to
Seems that everyone's mind is blown from Molina @ 3b; it has gotten quiet in here :D
I'd really like to see Molina handle a chance, but everything his his way has been smoked.
No chances for Molina, and unless the Yanks have a huge rally in them we've probably seen the last of Molina @ 3B
I missed this entire game! Pity. I watched District 9 instead. Seems like the game was uglier than those aliens!
I missed the Molina at 3B experience (cooking dinner). So, has Molina now played more innings for the Yankees at 3B than Hinske?
That could have gone better
Very glad I did not wake up at 5am to watch this game...is it impossible for the Yankees & Red Sox to play a normal 4-3 game??
CC will rock tomorrow and we're do to beat up on the Grinch, this game already forgotten!
Oh..and please let me never see Eric Hinske in the field again..ever...
[380] Yeah Jazz, I wish to never see Hinske forced into a losing proposition like that, but considering the casual misstep of not having a decent backup in an unlikely (but not surprising) case of injury in order to keep pitchers who have proven to not be effective in previous situations, it's more likely we'll see him there and in other inappropriate places for the next week or so. Fortunately, the players seemed to have built a fool-proof lead over our adversaries for the foreseeable future.
What has popped up into my mind is that despite winning Manager of the Year, Joe was fired after his one year with Florida, ostensibly for getting into it with the front office. Though he's seemingly enjoyed a productive relationship with Cashman, you have to wonder if Cashman sees some of the decisions that Joe has made that seem not only counter-intuitive, but perhaps even damaging in a Josh Johnson-kind of way (despite the Joba map); like how Alex and Aceves have been used and how Melancon, Robertson and Pena not used...