The Yankees have gone 24-10 (.706) against the two non-contenders in their division, the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays, but with this brief, two-game, mid-week series against the Jays in the Bronx, that gravy train is finally pulling into the station.
The Jays and Yankees split a four-game set in Toronto, two weekends ago. Given that Sergio Mitre is taking on Roy Halladay in tonight’s game, the Yankees would probably be happy with a split here as well. Though they beat him in their previous meeting, Halladay dominated the Yankees the last time he faced them, throwing a one-hit shutout against them while striking out nine. In his four starts against the Bombers on the season, Halladay has three complete games and lasted seven full in the exception. In those 34 innings he has compiled a 2.65 ERA and 0.91 WHIP.
Mitre’s last start, also against Toronto, was a disaster. He gave up 11 runs in 4 1/3 innings, though he wasn’t helped by his defense in what was one of the sloppiest games the Yankees have played all year. The Yankees run out their standard lineup behind Mitre tonight save for Brett Gardner starting in center over Melky Cabrera.
The Yankees will start Chad Gaudin against Brian Tallet in Wednesday’s finale, skipping Andy Pettitte until Monday due to a bit of late-season shoulder fatigue. Pettitte said he threw a light bullpen Monday night and “felt great,” so it seems the team is just being cautious in anticipation of the playoffs. Still, there will be some lingering concern given that it was a shoulder problem that undermined Pettitte’s performance in the second half last year.
Toronto Blue Jays
2009 Record: 65-79 (.451)
2009 Pythagorean Record: 73-71 (.507)
Manager: Cito Gaston
General Manager: J.P. Ricciardi
Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): Rogers Centre (99/98)
Changes:
- Edwin Encarnacion has returned from the DL, pushing Randy Ruiz to the bench.
- C Kyle Phillips, LHP David Purcey, and RHP Jeremy Accardo have been called up
1B – Lyle Overbay (L)
2B – Aaron Hill (R)
SS – Marco Scutaro (R)
3B – Edwin Encarnacion (R)
C – Rod Barajas (R)
RF – Travis Snider (L)
CF – Vernon Wells (R)
LF – Jose Bautista (R)
DH – Adam Lind (L)
Bench:
R – Kevin Millar (1B)
R – John McDonald (IF)
R – Randy Ruiz (1B)
L – Joe Inglett (UT)
R – Raul Chavez (C)
L – Kyle Phillips (C)
Rotation:
R – Roy Halladay
L – Brett Cecil
L – Brian Tallet
R – Scott Richmond
L – Ricky Romero
Bullpen:
L – Scott Downs
R – Jason Frasor
L – Jesse Carlson
R – Shawn Camp
R – Brandon League
L – Marc Rzepzynski
R – Josh Roenicke
R – Casey Janssen
R – Brian Wolfe
R – Dirk Hayhurst
R – Jeremy Accardo
L – David Purcey
15-day DL: RHP – Dustin McGowan (labrum), RHP – Jesse Litsch (forearm tightness), RHP – Robert Ray (shoulder)
60-day DL: RHP – Shaun Marcum (TJ surgery)
Typical Lineup:
R – Marco Scutaro (SS)
R – Aaron Hill (2B)
L – Adam Lind (DH)
L – Lyle Overbay (1B)
R – Vernon Wells (CF)
R – Rod Barajas (C)
R – Edwin Encarnacion (3B)
R – Travis Snider (RF)
R – Jose Bautista (LF)
The artist who created the MLB logo will be honored tomorrow at Yankee Stadium.
He's a New Yorker - grew up a Dodgers fan.
[1]
I was gonna post that in tomorrow's NOTD .... cool!
If Ricciardi isn't fired, you have to wonder just what level of incompetence he'd have attain before being fired
[3] I kinda wish "Bum Rush" still existed, seeing as how he and I got into a spirited back and forth around early May over his claim that Ricciardi is a better GM than Cashman.
I'm not saying Cashman is Branch Rickey...but thats just ridiculous, I'm sorry
Halladay vs Mitre ... complete mismatch ... of course that probably means a beat-down for ol' Doc ...
dammit, NO BOOBOOS!!!
[5] I know, that looked ugly.
God, what a sickly hack there by Hideki.
You idiot, Kay. "Right down the middle. I wonder what Matsui was looking for."
Well, Kay, maybe he was looking for a pitch that wasn't coming right at his thigh before darting "right down the middle."
That ball had sick movement on it.
That 3rd strike was a beautiful thing.
Heh. Kay is getting 'schooled'.
Totally, utterly schooled.
[8] Heh. The other YES broadcasters - the ones who have actually played - jumped all over him for that.
[8] Ridiculouse pitch. Almost like a screwball. I can make a wiiffle ball do that. On a good day. : )
as a Manhattan alum I refuse to stare at a Fordham ad for 9 innings
[10] I know! Flash just called Kay an idiot: "Actually, Michael, we weren't reacting to the pitch so much as your comment about what was he looking for, it was right down the middle."
The thing is, sometimes the ball really is right over the dish and the player doesn't swing and you really do have to wonder what he was looking for.
But this was so not one of those cases.
Poor Kay.
Robbie would have had that.
Agggghhh, fuck.
Nice hit, Robbie.
Damn it.
Are we rooting for the Angels tonight? Or the Red Sox?
[4] It's beyond ridiculous... I think I was involved in that discussion to a degree. I believe the crux of his argument had something to do with JP's apparent magical ability to evaluate pitching.
[18] Arggh.
The "Halliday tanked after the nontrade" meme is still alive...
[18] How are the Rangers doing?
If they're winning, I guess I root for the Angels.
Otherwise ... Act of God.
Nice, Swisher!
Swish and Cano both drove the ball the other way.
Good job!
Not bad for a "4th OF"!!!
I think it would be pretty fun for Daisuke to get smacked around. Rooting for the Angels to do that doesn't make me sick or anything.
c'mon Gritner!
I really don't think that theres anything "quiet" about Swisher's year
Gardner vs. Halladay. Hmmmmmmmm.
[25] Rooting for Boston is like rooting for the Nazis, the Mongol Horde ... or Steve Garvey.
Rooting for the Angels is like rooting for the psycho in a slasher film ... the one that will-just-not-EVER-stay-dead.
Just can't do it.
Gritner!!!!
Whoa!!
Look at little Bret!
GRITNER!!!!
[28] Not what I had in mind, but I'll take it. : D YES!!
[29] Go Psycho! Rip, slash, kill!
Come on, Derek!
bea-fucking-utiful baserunning there.
Oooh, nice cut!
[29] Yeah but who else do you root for in the slasher movie? The babysitter? Camp Counselor #3? The killer IS the hero!
Steve Garvey on the other hand is just creepy and weird.
Terrible swing, Derek.
Did everyone hear that, and do you believe it: that this year Jeter has hit exactly one pop-up to the infield?? Is that possible?
Oh, YESSSS!!!
Go, Team, with the hits!
Whoo-hooo. Roll on, Captain.
[40] Pretty amazing. I seem to recall a similar stat for Boggs, where he went a whole year without popping out or something.
Damn, oh well. NIce inning, Team.
FUCK.
Wanted MORE!
[38] Jamie Lee Curtis?
[44] I know, but hey, we did get *something* and off of Halladay, that's pretty damned good.
[40] "They" mentioned last week that he's popped up to the infield something like 1.7% of the time while the league average was somewhere between 7% and 8%. IIRC. Whoever was providing the info was incredulous about the whole thing. I think it was Flaherty.
Don't tell me we just scratched out two runs off Halladay and now we've walked the leadoff batter on four pitches.
Don't tell me that.
I love how the "TWIFootball" music is all X-TREME TO THE MAX!!1
[45] looked exactly like Chris De Garmo from Queensryche!
i wanted 3 runs last inning.
Dice-Klay has a NO-HITTER thru 3 innings. ugh. Go Halos!!! (god, i hated typing that.)
whelp... so much for that
Good job, Bishop's Hat.
well you knew that was coming at some point
Blech.
And THAT'S why I said "FUCK".
It was nice to have the lead. Remember that?
well, that's shocking. : /
The 1st time Kay prompted Leiter to tell this anecdote ... it was amusing and telling ... now, just FUCKING annoying.
Whoopsies.
It's an epidemic. !,2,3. Ugh.
Okay, that was funny,
Smokin' Sergio.
Well, those are the types of smiles you can afford in Sept with these kinds of leads.
Damn, Nick couldashoulda had that.
Swisher fucked up theat up big time. Well, Metire has messed up this inning pretty good on his own.
Wow, Cone is right, he could have caught it if he'd stood there.
Swish is not a good outfielder.
jesus fucking h. christ.
every time i look away from the game for two fucking minutes, this goddamn motherfucking asshole is giving up homeruns. aaarrrghhh!!! : /
[64] Leiter.
oh, okay. now i'm seeing it was mostly on Swish. still, this Mitre motherfucker is pissing me off...
Wait, did Joe get suspended?
[67] Oh yeah, Leiter.
[66] that last one can only generously be called a home run
this "espn chicago", "espn boston" is total friggin' bullshit. highly annoying and useless.
goddamn, am i an asshole tonight!
holy shit, Mitre struck a guy out! : o
rangers losing...again. already gave up a run in the 1st. young is back in the lineup as DH.
Thelarmis, is it true that you have never eaten pastrami?
[65] depends on what your definition of "is", "is".
NIce rip, Alex.
He *is* hitting.
That was really nice.
A-Rod has hit some lasers of late. DAMN!
There's that pitch again to Matsui.
[74] i've never eaten pastrami, and i don't find that weird at all. thelarmis has never even eaten an apple.
nice, Alex. steal 3rd and score on a sac!
[77] He really has.
[79] You guys should have a party. A very small party. You could discuss the things you have never eaten, and compare how they don't taste.
OH, MOTHERFUCKER!!!!
O fer godz sake. Freaking stupid.
Ugh
[74] it's true! are you even slightly surprised?! i'm not even sure what pastrami is... : ~
[79] you can add bacon to the list! never had it. and, no, my house wasn't kosher. one of my grandma's was, but my mom cooked bacon in the house and my brother ate it. just not appealing to me...
a friend of mine has never had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
I thought he might be in...
the ball was in his hand. he was safe.
jesus. Alex's fault, i take it? : /
Alex really can't run full out. You can see it watching him run. He has no 5th gear.,
[88] He really could have been safe. Oh well, I think it was definitely the right call to send him.
You don't get too many chances off Halladay. On the other hand, we're actually hitting him pretty good tonight.
Dice-Klay finally gives up a hit...
"He wants the league to know he's not going to be afraid to hesitate to send them home."
Ummm. Too many negations, there, Al.
wow they finally show the right angle. maybe he was out. very close though.
[90] No fault. Just a close play and a good throw.
[82] i'm down. i'll bring the beer! ; )
[97] i've never had beer
Yes, that was a great throw and a great tag.
But I think A-Rod would have made it if he were 100%.
[87] i've never had a PB&J sandwich, either. i've never had jelly before.
[ducks flying objects coming south from Rhode Island in disbelief!!!]
Safe OR out. My right hand hurt a little more after each replay. Catcher was lucky they didn't have to pry some spikes out of his meat hand.
How bout that Brett Tomko?
[98] i'm very sorry to hear that. more for me. i don't like sharing, anyway! ; )
holy fucking christ. i HATE this motherfucker!!! : /
[102] all is forgiven. goddamn, is his wife hot!!!
[105] I've never tasted his wife. Really! I don't think that's strange at all.
tommy hanson is really fun to watch. he's mowing down the Muts tonight here in the Atl. unfortunately, caray's calling the game...
Hmmmm, Mitre, translated means "teh SUCK".
bleh, BRING BACK TOMKO!
It's the 21st century. I'm done with orgies.
OMG!!!! pull him. and throw him on the Major Deagan... : /
This is kind of funny, actually.
Also, I feel confident that we will not have to watch Sergio in the post-season.
[105] standard issue skankish.
Now ... Swish's GF???
DAMN!!!
ok time to watch primary returns
[106] do you find it odd that i LOVE Indian & Thai food?!
ooh, i'd love to taste Julia Schultz! ; )
[112] you watch yer mouth!
[114] I have to admit that there is practically nothing you could tell me at this point about what you have or have not tried that I would find odd. If you told me that you have never listened to a Beatles song, I would not be surprised, for example.
Damnit. Just swished.
Slow, showboating fuck! You should have been on third!
Haven't we seen enough of Mitre's ML rehab assignment during a pennant race?
I wonder if the lighting is making the OFs misplay those long ones. Isn't that very close to where Swisher misjudged the homer? That was just a terrible play on Swisher's double.
[116] i'm really not that bad. for real! and i've gotten a whole lot better from when i was a kid. there are actually plenty of foods i do eat!!! : )
oh, and i LOVE the Beatles!!! : )
ps. i've never tried a sugar cereal before. not even 1 little fruit loop or anything like that!!! [true story]
[119] Well, yes, except it isn't really a pennant race.
[29] Boston is like Steve Garvey...that just put me in hysterics!
Is this game worth following this morning or should Ibe diligent and get some jazz work done? (Slow morning at Acme Investigations Inc. so I can goof-off with baseball or jazz..)
thelarmis, i refuse to believe you have never eaten a peanut-butter & jelly sandwich!!
[121] {sigh}
If I make you a peanut butter and cocoa puffs sandwich on naan bread, would you eat that?
[123] i love peanut butter though! no jelly. i mean, it's purple... ; )
definitely true that Blue Note covers are the BEST! that said, i don't like the cover of Hot Dog very much. Hank's "Workout", is prolly my all-time favorite, but there are some *amazing* ones.
okay, so who's having me over for dinner?! ; )
oh, look who's pitching - sergio mitre.
dear orgies,
FUCK YOU!!!
i mean it,
thelarmis
[124] substitute the cocoa puffs with cheerios (straight up variety) and i'd be in heaven! : )
Well, I just got home from working late. I see that Mitre has been unusually Unlucky® tonight.
[123] hey Jazz - isn't there some kind of FJM reunion tomorrow?! like at Deadspin, or something?
Pavano #45. Mitre #45 Not good.
[128] I'm afraid True Outcomes cannot be considered lucky or unlucky.
[130] Hmmm.
When he said, "Hey, can I have Pavano's number?", I bet a few guys turned their heads and looked at him suspiciously.
[122] I don't think it's over, and there is the best record in the AL to consider.
[129] Really?? I don't read Deadspin, too smarmy and obvious for my tastes..FJM was an all-time HOF site though. If they are back then I will check it out!
Blue Note album, covers..wasn't there a $150 coffee table photo book of the covers? Would love that..
Man, I thought I was a real picky eater but you got me beat! The food here would really challange you..I still get the shakes thinking about the time I sat down to a plate of raw horse meat...
[131] Well, there's unlucky....and then there's Unlucky®. I find that Mitre is the latter.
boston scored and is threatening.
[133] i don't think it's over, either. and next week is all Halos/Shit Sox.
we have Gaudin tomorrow. this sucks...
Nice hit, Teix.
Especially nice considering how fooled he's been.
Where would the level of objection be to Joba being Halladayed? Meaning spending a good chunk of time back in the minors to get his shit back together. Doc is now a strike throwing maching who can do silly things with the baseball. Just wondering. Trying not to think of Orgies. Or Andy.
[138] I don't think it's necessary unless he struggles next season.
Yankees' post-season chances, according to current Baseball Prospectus ELO version:
100.00000
I guess they rounded up.
Tie it up Jorge. Just for shits and giggles.
we're making Doc work. it sure would behoove us to plate a coupla runs here...
[140] ELO version..is there an ELP version as well? (thelarmis, you should get that one..)
[143] Har har.
[144] I got yer Tarkus right here! Oh!!
[143] Believe it or not, thelarmis has never listened to "Blinded By the Light". Or "Tank".
[146] Or eaten meatloaf.
[147] Oh, you forgot to capitalize "Meatloaf".
someone should check the broadcast booth for a carbon mononoxide leak
[148]
and those Hamburger Helpers ...
[134] yeah, i'm not a big fan of Japanese food and i don't eat fish. well, tuna sometimes, but thazzit...
FJM - i'm not positive. i think i read something at a link a coupla weeks ago. for some reason, tomorrow's date is sticking out in my mind. i think the writers are just getting together at some site - deadspin? - and writing for the day. something like that...
there were a few BN books. none that expensive. i know the one you're thinking of. Hank was on the front of the beautiful hard cover book. came out mid-90's, or so. i was still in college and had no money. it was between $35-$50. it's waaaay outta print now and i've seen it go for over $100. it's Francis Wolff photos, not album covers.
later on, there was a 2nd edition photo book w/ Joe Henderson on the front. it's soft cover and smaller. about $30. i have it...on my coffee table!
there were 2 album cover art books. the original, was full album sized (actually, a little under - more like 11") and was $25. the 2nd edition, was a small book size. both are soft cover. and AMAZING!!! i've got both...on my coffee table! : )
i bought an extra copy of the small one (you can get it for like $10) and ripped it apart. i put TONS of the pictures up on the walls at my drum studio. i still have some more to put up. they look great!!! i did the same with some BN wall calendars. it's really classy artwork!
there's also a small BN postcard book. yes, i have it and yes, it's on my coffee table!
and, of course, i've never tasted coffee!!! : )
can i call it a "beer table"?!
The Yankees need to finish 1st, not just make the postseason.
[148] It's a family site. : )
Why charge the fans admission if you aren't doing your best to win?
[151] Per FJM. http://tinyurl.com/oonbef
This game sucks.
[152] For very small values of "need", yes.
Baseball Prospectus chance for the Yankees to win the Division:
98.85420
I love the fact that they give you five decimal places. As if it were an incredibly precise system.
[146] "Brain Salad Surgery" is my favorite food! ; )
[147] my mom made meatloaf as a kid. that along with london broil & lamb chops, were among the reasons i stopped eating red meat.
Jon Miceli, the drummer from Marchello on Long Island (related to the Hot Rats), got the Meatloaf gig. i'd take that gig!!!
[150] ick! but hamburgers from McD's were my fave as a kid. only "red" meat i actually liked...
i really hate Mitre. pull him.
ugh. not for Edward. there is NO way both of those runs aren't scoring. : /
[155] Oh, hey! That's awesome. I don't think I'll take the day off, though.
[154] I think it has something to do with paying those large salaries.
[152] Do you really think they're not going to finish first? They have a pretty healthy lead.
Right, Michael, Sergio was pitching just fine, he was having no problems. I wonder why Girardi pulled him.
Edwar pitching is code for "its ok to put a DVD on now"
see ya tomorrow all
Yeah, I'm gonna follow Raging Tartabull. Later, Yankee fans.
[161] I think they will if they play with more urgency than they have been playing with since last Friday (except for last night's game).
Ok, uncle.
I think that's it for me tonight. Maybe I'll check back in later, but I just can't deal with this anymore tonight.
good job, edwar. why'd it take you 5 pitches. 4 would've been easier on your arm!
Well, I come in just in time to watch Girardi punt the game tonight with Edwar coming in. And his continued fascination with Mitre. I have a turkey burger is waiting for me, so hellogoodbye...
[157] If you want to call a Mickey D burger "meat", be my guest. Btw, I read something about the source of Fillet-O-Fish perhaps being overfished. Not surprisingly, it's about the ugliest fish you could ever want to eat besides catfish, and like you I only like tuna >;)
[155] oh, that's teh awesome! thanks for finding that!!!
i'm glad my memory is still steel trap-like! : )
[168] Hey Chyll, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C9Dintbj9U
just got in - i take mr. mitre was unlucky again
might just follow chyll out the door
[165] I think it would take divine intervention for the Yanks not to finish first.
However, I am concerned that they're just going through the motions now. I think there's a sweet spot. You don't want your team to be struggling to the very end (as in 2005). They'll be exhausted, and there's no time to set up your rotation. OTOH, too much "time off" before the post-season isn't good, either.
[168] that's why i put in it quotes!
i'm totally down with turkey burgers! melted pepper jack cheese. mmm....
[171] Not as unlucky as the four baseballs that faced the ultimate sacrifice.
Erasing a 5 run deficit begans with 1 run. Maybe 2. And getting Doc the hell out o' the game.
well, Dice-Klay pitched a fine game, so i'm sure we'll be hearing about that and Andy down and...
i think we'll win the division. and i sure hope to pass thru Round I. it's the LCS i'm most worried about...
[171] Ms October,
See [128].
[177] wow, damn - eerie wavelengths
[174] ah yes, 4 long balls sacrificed at the altar of orgies
this game sucks. so does the rangers game. and the shit sox game...
What do the Yankees see in Edwar Ramirez?
Melancon will close what? The door to the clubhouse?
Fat Albert up the bases loaded.
Sac fly. Whoop-de-doo.
The Yankees have gotten crushed by some bad teams lately.
[184] all relative..Tigers gave up 11 runs to the Royals..how many cigs does Leyland smoke after that game?
This game seems to be going on forever.
Melancon loves to plunk guys. Yeesh.
Al Leiter is bored.
[186] Keep the faith..7-run rally in the 9th coming up..
Melancon is looking kind of wild tonight. His pitches are going all over the place.
Aaron Boone just got an at-bat playing against his old team, the Reds. They gave him a standing ovation.
papelbitch gave up a run, but shit sox won 4-1. same score tex-ass is losing by...
this game sucks ass.
[190] Must be tough to be a Reds fan these days if that warrants a standing ovation..
[191] Sox playign good ball.. I am starting to worry..
[190] Does Melancon ever not look wild?
[192] Eh. He's a feel good story
[192] It's not just that he's a former Red. He's just back from open heart surgery. They weren't sure he would ever play again.
[194] Is there a feel-good story in this game?
[195] Ooohhh...I forgot about that...
In defense of Baseball Prospectus Playoff odds report, the reason they show 5 decimal places is because they play out the rest of the season 1 million times. The last decimal place is to handle ties.
So really, all they are saying is that according to the monte carlo simulation, out of 1 million seasons, the Yanks won the division 988542 times -- or whatever the actual number is.
So it's not so much they are trying to be that precise as it is that they are simply reporting the outcome of all 1 million simulated seasons.
I was at a Scranton game the last weekend of the regular season. A kid got hit by a large chunk of broken bat. His dad ended up carrying him out.
[199] As long as they still have the "No Pepper Games" signs everywhere. : /
Christ. Don't get hurt.
Oh, Lord, no injuries, please, no injuries.
Well that will surely fire up the troops for the next few days. The ol' Red Ass can't catch a fastball but he can throw down. Lame.
Hmmm .... I wonder what Burnett was doing amidst this ...
Holy crap. Edwar holding Barajas back? Edwar???
Melancon is the fire starter.
posada ejected?? what happened??
[204] Dunno, but CC & Joba were right in the middle of things... Not something you want to see.
"And you can see the dirt on CC's hat!"
ha hah ah ha ha ha ha hah ah ha ah !!!
Girardi got socked below the eye ...
[207] Yeah, Jorgie's gone. Right now we're waiting for the umps to issue some manner of ruling so we can get on with the game.
[210] By John McDonald.
Girardi's looking kinda beat up.
Posada must have said something. He was ejected almost immediately. He started the fight after the umpire threw him out.
Not surprising that Shelley Duncan was in the middle of it.
Kinda funny, how Cano and Matsui hung around the edges. You could tell they didn't really want to fight.
[207] Posada gets thrown behind by Carlson. Posada eventually walks. Scoring on a play, Posada bumped Carlson and was immediately ejected. Carlson took exception, Posada charged him, brawl ensues
[210] Wow! What started the brawl? zero details on Gameday...
Ah, Burnett was in the middle of things too.
AJ's bakin' a pie somewhere. That should be obvious. : O
[214] Thanks. I love Posada, he doesn't take any crap..
[213] Matsui would be very reluctant to fight, they rarely do that here..
Let Shelley and Bruney be the goons please...
It's nice to see Girardi being so generous yet again. Most managers would be greedy, but apparently Joe has a soft spot for the more needy teams among us. Otherwise, I am not sure what would explain employing Sergio Mitre to be a BP pitcher during games. If only he wasn't so unlucky.
Meanwhile, over the last 10 games or so, we've seen several players neglect simple things like remembering how many outs there are. That relaxed player is understandable when you consider how haphazardly Girardi has managed lately. If they don't wake up soon, not only will those games in Boston mean something, but the team will lose momentum heading into the playoffs.
I know Girardi's just trying to stop the fight and protect Po but when you have a brawl like that holding your guy back or pulling on him just makes him an easier target.
Kay is just loving this. Can't stop talking about Girardi's war wounds.
It started with that Melancon plunking. That ticked off the Jays. Posada elbowed the pitcher (who was backing up at home) as he scored. The pitcher said something, and suddenly, Posada was ejected. (He must have said something back.) Posada then charged the pitcher, and the brawl was on. It was serious. They were really pissed off. It wasn't just the pretend shoving you get in a lot of these brawls.
Personally, I'd wait until after the game to talk to a pitcher; the clubhouses couldn't be that far apart. No sense risking injury to my teammates because I couldn't keep my cool
[222] Wow..baseball players so rarely get into it..was is as serious as the Armando Benitez game?
The Blue Jays need to have more of a senses of humor.
[219] I don't think momentum means as much in baseball as it does in other sports. Certainly the pacing isn't there.
Damon has sucked lately.
[224] No, not really. There wasn't anyone antagonizing the opponent like Benitez did.
[226] We always have this debate, but I do believe how you are playing at the end of the season can have an impact. Either way, there really is no good reason to go into the playoffs playing poorly.
229 Didn't they lose their last 20 regular season games in 2000?
I wonder if Jorgie is going to get suspended. Not that it really matters at this point. He could probably use the rest.
[230] That's more of an exception than a trend.
[230] Yes, and their first game to Oakland. They went in in wheezing and gasping. Won 2000 on fumes.
Sorry I missed the fight. I really am.
[234] I'm sure it will make the highlight reels.
[229] After the Septmeber swoon by the 2000 Yankees I personally can't get caught up in that. Once they start the playoffs it's all brand new. imo.
I'm trying to decide if I like watching Dunn pitch even less than I do Edwar
The 2000 Yankees had won three rings before those playoffs started. This team has won nothing.
As baseball fights go, it was a good one. And Jorge will definitely be suspended, five games I'd think. Also, does anyone else think it might've made sense to go with Duncan for Damon with the bases loaded in the eighth?
[230] They weren't that bad, but they did struggle down the stretch. Of course, that team was coming off back-to-back championships, so their confidence level heading into October was probably pretty high. I am not saying the Yankees have to be playing well heading into the post season, but it can't hurt. What's more, the bigger issue is also holding on for the division and best record. When you look at the Yankees and Red Sox schedules over the next 10 days, it is very easy to paint a scenario in which those Boston games mean something. If the Yankees have to win games in the final week of the season, not only do they risk the chance of blowing the division, but they also could compromise how they want to set up the rotation.
I guess my bottom line is there is no reason to send Sergio Mitre to the mound when/if you are trying to win games.
[230] 7 game losing streak to end the season, 5-15 in their last 20 games
[240] I guess my bottom line is there is no reason to send Sergio Mitre to the mound when/if you are trying to win games.
True.
With Pettite needing rest was there another choice?
watching Tex chug around the bases makes me all warm and fuzzy ...
right in the buttocks as Forrest would say.
[243] I think just the fact that the Yankees decision makers see something in Sergio Mitre is troubling.
If the Yankees have to win games in the final week of the season, not only do they risk the chance of blowing the division, but they also could compromise how they want to set up the rotation.
I would say that it only becomes a problem if a losing streak jeopardizes a playoff spot. I don't think there really is a correlation between best record or homefield advantage, and playoff/world series wins.
245 reflects where the ball hit Tex, not in response to 244 as to where he makes people warm and fuzzy ;)
[243] I don't think the problem is with choosing Mitre as much as Mitre is an option.
249 I guess short of making a trade for another pitcher the Joba rules have made it necessary to start Mitre, he was pretty much their best option, unless you take Ace out of the bullpen.
The "kid" that caught the ball looked like Julio Franco
The fact that Pete Abe and others are lamenting the loss of Tomko is probably not a good sign.
[250] Just having him on the team is a tactical mistake
253 I agree but what other option was there? Kei Igawa? Tomko looks good now but I don't remember anyone lamenting his departure. I'm just saying he is the best they could get for now, he won't be on the PS roster. And I wouldn't completely write him off yet, his surgery takes a while to recover from.
[254] Pedro Martinez.
[250] Well, you have Ace, Gaudin or Towers. They could've cut bait with Mitre a while ago, and replaced him with someone else. Hughes could've been moved back to the rotation earlier. A start could've been fashioned from the 12 guys in the bullpen, etc. There are many ways they could've gone with this.
Yeesh. The game went almost four hours.
[256] Having said that, this start is much ado about nothing, as Mitre got the call due to the Yanks being cautious with Pettitte.
255 Pedro is pitching in the NL there's no way to know how he would be doing in the AL e.g. Smoltz.
256 Gaudin is already starting, the Yankees would get killed for moving Hughes given how he is currently pitching (which is not to say he won't start again, but it won't be this year). As for Ace, I don't know, he should be starting but they are holding him back for some reason, weak shoulder maybe?
[256] The Yankees have Chad Gaudin, Josh Towers and Sergio Mitre on the same team.
They love them some mediocre pitching.
[259] I've said this a million times, but I'd rather watch someone like Pedro or Smoltz get bombed than the Mitres and Ponsons and Towers and Gaudins of the world. Best case scenario you get what Pedro has been for Philly. What is the upside for all these bad pitchers we collect?
[247] I don't know if there is a correlation, but I do know that the Yankees would be much better served having a game 7 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium rather than the Big A or Fenway.
I am not really sure who would be a better option than Mitre, except to suggest that ANYBODY would be better. Yes, that even includes Kei Igawa. Mitre was never that good to begin with, but the what the Yankees have now is a pitcher recovering from surgery. It makes absolutely no sense to continue to allow an awful pitcher to rehab on the Yankees dime. Basically, Girardi is giving games away because Mitre had a few good starts for him in Florida.
[263] Now, lets not say things we can't take back.
[263] Mitre is in the rotation because Hughes is the Eighth Inning Guy™, its as simple as that. Once it was decided that Hughes could never be removed from his extra special late inning relief role, the team has been forced to jump through hoops finding starters, ultimately leading them to Mitre.
That being said, as I pointed out several times weeks ago, Mitre has not only been fifth-starter-bad, nor has be been simply-bad, he has in fact been in-the-running-for-worst-starter-in-the-league bad.
It blows my mind that he is trotted out there every five days or so. No mater how badly he pitches, no matter if he gets whacked with a line drive, no matter if he pitched a couple of days ago in relief. The team's overall success is only masking the reality that they are willing to punt every five games or so with possibly the worst starter in the league.
As William points out [263], at this point anyone--anyone, including Towers or Igawa--would be better, or at least they would not--could not--be any worse.
And it all goes back to the decision in June to move Hughes into the pen "temporarily" in June.
.
.
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That, and Mitre has been unlucky.
[262] Maybe in terms of gate receipts.
[264] I wouldn't worry about it too much. Given their transactions since they took Igawa off the 40-man, I would say you'd have a better shot of seeing Harkey or Eiland start a game for the Yanks before Igawa.
265 Technically Mitre is a sixth starter, Gaudin is the fifth starter.
I do think we are making too much of this, the Yankees have the best record in baseball and they are going to the post season. If the Angels or Sox catch them it won't be because of Mitre.
[266] I'm not worried about him coming back, but I really don't think we should underestimate just how terrible he is
[267] I guess the overall point is that no matter where he slots in the rotation, or even on the pitching staff, Mitre really doesn't have any business on it, and the Yanks should've cut him loose a while ago.
[267] well, yes, it is much about nothing, inasmuch as the team success overall continues to mask the absurdity that he has been given nearly ten starts at the MLB level. That the Yankees have the best record does not justify willingly conceding games with arguably the worst starter in the league. As Raf says [269], he should have been cut loose long ago.
Now, I disagree with your statement that if the Sox of Angels catch the Yankees, it will not be because of Mitre. For the Yanks to lose that many games in a short time will require multiple players to contribute negatively. But I guarantee you that if the Yankees do squander a late season lead, Mitre's stinkiness will account for a significant portion of that collapse.
Just because a team is winning does not mean that it should give up trying to shore up obvious weak spots.
[170] Great idea for the first two minutes, then it gets overbearing. Just shutup and show the clips!
I'm not even gonna asked what happened after I left, and to be honest with you, I don't know if it's worth following the rest of September if Girardi's using this time to bone up on his playoff strategy. It can't be helped since he isn't listening to our most level-headed brethren and sisters, and since only God and he know what's going on behind the scenes (although a Noises Off version of the Yanks would be worthy of serious consideration), I just don't have the patience or stomach to endure the head-scratching, lackluster chemistry experiments of a back-to-school sophomore (played, albeit ironic, winningly by Joe Girardi).
Pepperjack cheese is the bomb. Here's a tip, thelarmis: that, with hot sauce, black pepper, a liberal amount of soy sauce sprinkled inside the bread, along with a thin spread of Hellman's for taste will make any meat sandwich devilishly good. Or you can try it with smoked tofu >;) I totally forgot what other important note I was going to make, so try the sandwich; it'll derail your train of thought real goot!
Oh I know what it was... next time you're up, go to Hummus Place on St. Marks Place between 1st and Ave A in the East Village, you'll love it. They also have one at 7th and Bleecker in Greenwich Village. gnite ZZzzzz...