It has been two months since the last meeting between the Yankees and Rays, the teams with the two best records in baseball who also happen to share the same division, but the two teams have 13 games against each other in the second half starting with this weekend’s three-game set in the Bronx. When they last met, the Rays padded their lead in the East by winning a pair of slugfests at the Trop by a combined score of 18-12, sending the Yankees packing five games out of first place. Since then, the two teams have switched places, with the Yankees entering this weekend’s set with a two game lead in the East, having thus gained seven games on the Rays in the last two months.
Introducing that last series, I wrote about how the Rays had played over their heads to that point, scoring more runs than their component offensive numbers would suggest thanks to some effective baserunning and clutch hitting. Indeed, the primary difference between the two teams thus far has been run production. The Rays and Yankees are one and two in the AL in both fewest runs allowed (Rays: 3.85 R/G; Yanks: 4.00 R/G) and defensive efficiency (Yanks: .714; Rays: .708). The big difference is is on offense, where the Yankees have scored 5.33 runs per game with potential for second-half improvements from Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and a healthy Jorge Posada, while the Rays have scored 5.05 runs per game despite slugging just .405 as a team, the ninth-best mark in the league, which suggests they’re more likely to head in the other direction.
The Rays have improved at catcher, as 26-year-old rookie John Jaso has solidified the position with his strong on-base skills (.274/.393/.377), while former Yankee prospect Dioner Navarro, now also 26, has been farmed out to Triple-A after hitting .216/.268/.314 in 531 plate appearances between last year and this. They have yet to solve the designated hitter spot, however. When they last met the Yankees, the Rays had just dropped Pat Burrell in favor of Hank Blalock, but since then they’ve released Blalock as well, turning to Matt Joyce, the outfielder they received from the Tigers for Edwin Jackson. Joyce has shown some on-base skills of his own, walking 11 times against just seven strikeouts in 15 games, he hasn’t actually hit yet. Altogether, the Rays DHs have hit .240/.307/.373 on the season.
That’s better than what they’ve gotten from Jason Bartlett at shortstop, but at least Bartlett contributes in the fiel . . . huh? What’s that you say about his UZR numbers this season? Oh. So why hasn’t Reid Brignac stolen his job yet? Bartlett hit what last season? And what makes you think that was anything but a fluke? Hello? Hello? . . . I think they hung up.
Where was I?
Oh, so yeah, the Rays’ offense has its problems. It’s basically Crawford, Longoria, some solid on-base rates from Jaso and Ben Zobrist (.385, but a .398 slugging), the occasional Carlos Peña dinger (he has 18, but is still hitting just .203/.321/.415), and some bonus stolen bases from B.J. Upton when he actually gets on base (.230/.320/.395, but 25 for 31 on the bases). Sean Rodriguez has some power and speed, which is nice from a second-baseman, but he’s drawn just six walks all year (one every 39 plate appearances!) and has a .302 OBP.
Still, with their pitching and defense, the former of which includes a deeper end game than the Yankees thanks to strong showings from hard-throwing 32-year-old righties Grant Balfour and Joaquin Benoit and spectacular work from newly imported closer Rafael Soriano (1.60 ERA, 4.14 K/BB, 23 of 24 save chances converted), the Rays remain dangerous, and this weekend’s series will likely be just an opening salvo in battle between the two teams down the stretch.
While I have my eye on Sunday’s game, which pits veteran lefty Andy Pettitte against tyro southpaw David Price, both whom ranked among the top pitchers in the league in the first half, tonight’s game presents a far more favorable pitching matchup for the Yankees. It’s not that James Shields is a pushover, though he’s struggled of late, going 1-3 with a 6.29 ERA in his last four starts allowing at least four runs each time out and going 2-7 with a 7.66 ERA over his last nine appearances (eight of them starts, one a throw-day relief appearance in extra innings). It’s more that CC Sabathia has looked unbeatable of late going 8-0 with a 1.81 ERA over his last eight starts, all of them quality, all lasting a minimum of seven innings. He has faced the Rays once this year, holding them scoreless for 7 2/3 innings back on April 10, and is pitching on normal rest having started the Yankees’ last game on Sunday, so there’s little reason to expect his rhythm to be disrupted.
More good news, Juan Miranda has returned to the team to boost the feeble bench, bouncing Kevin Russo back to Scranton and starting at DH tonight and batting eighth between Curtis Granderson and Brett Gardner. Jorge Posada is behind the plate, making this the best offensive lineup the Yankees have run out in some time.
The Yankees will honor Bob Sheppard and George Steinbrenner before the game. It seems fitting that they’re playing Tampa tonight given the Boss’s home base there and the added emphasis he always placed on beating the Rays. I expect the Yankees will do him proud tonight.
Tampa Bay Rays
2010 Record: 54-34 (.614)
2010 Pythagorean Record: 55-33 (.625)
Manager: Joe Maddon
General Manager: Andrew Friedman
Home Ballpark: Tropicana Field
Bill James Park Indexes (2007-2009):
LH Avg-100, LH HR-91
RH Avg-95, RH HR-96
Who’s Replaced Whom:
- Kelly Shoppach (DL) has replaced Dioner Navarro (minors)
- Matthew Joyce (DL) has replaced Hank Blalock
25-man roster:
1B – Carlos Peña (L)
2B – Sean Rodriguez (R)
SS – Jason Bartlett (R)
3B – Even Longoria (R)
C – John Jaso (L)
RF – Ben Zobrist (S)
CF – B.J. Upton (R)
LF – Carl Crawford (L)
DH – Matthew Joyce (L)
Bench:
S – Willy Aybar (IF)
R – Gabe Kapler (OF)
R – Kelly Shoppach (C)
L – Reid Brignac (SS)
Rotation:
R – James Shields
R – Jeff Niemann
L – David Price
R – Matt Garza
R – Wade Davis
Bullpen:
R – Rafael Soriano
R – Joaquin Benoit
R – Grant Balfour
R – Dan Wheeler
L – Randy Choate
R – Lance Cormier
R – Andy Sonnanstine
Lineup:
S – Ben Zobrist (RF)
L – Carl Crawford (LF)
R – Evan Longoria (3B)
L – Carlos Peña (1B)
L – Matthew Joyce (DH)
L – John Jaso (C)
R – B.J. Upton (CF)
R – Sean Rodriguez (2B)
R – Jason Bartlett (SS)
15-day DL:
LHP – J.P. Howell (strained left shoulder)
Looks like everyone (except Cliff) is still in AS Break mode!
It's hot here. I see it's about the same in the Bronx.
Batter up!
hi there ....
Hi Diane.
It's not the heat, you know...
HOW HOT WAS IT?
It was so hot, I saw Teix take his cap off as Carl Crawford ran out a grounder, just so he could feel the breeze.
Yeesh, I go to Denver for a few days and ya'll manage to lose Mr. Sheppard, Mr. Steinbrenner and the Yankees home field advantage in the World Series?
I'm going to be in NC from Aug 6 - 15, please look after the team and other personnel that week.
And for heaven's sake, a couple of you need to pay special attention to Yogi. I don't want him going as well.
James is working hard.
Stadium looks kind of empty. Too early? Too hot?
Hit & error.
1) hey, I've been going strong...but Every time i post I seem to cause the thread to shut down!
Welcome back.
Okay, that's it everybody, time to pack up and head for a new thread.
[1] Hot day here, no baseball till 11am, when it's a riveting Angels-Mariners derby...damn you Andrew Friedman for trading Iwamura Akinori, now no Rays OR Yanks games on tv here..
So why the Miranda-Russo swap? Just to get a better offense?
11) ha ha.
Ok, how about this discussion topic. While loosening to various retrospectives of the Boss and Shepard, the name Sparky Lyle came up...my favorite player when api was younger than ten. Anyway, I looked up his career numbers and they are damn fine. Hie ERA+ is actually better than Goose's, though his career was a tad shorter and did not have quite as lone of a peak. But not that relievers are finding their way into the HOF, what do y'all think about Sparky's credentials?
Ah, monkeypants still has his iPad. Do you loosen to the game with it too, mp?
Yo! Greetings from pnc park in da burgh! LET'S GO YANKEES!!
Seriously, I think there is still a serious prejudice against relievers. Sparky is still a long shot.
13) Russo hasn't played in ages, and when he did he was not appreciably better than the atrociousness that is Peña. With the team apparently committed to using Peña as the mainBUIF, it makes sense to try to get a little more offense fro the rest of the bench, in theory, miranda should be able to make a not complete,y embarrassing platoon with Thames.
15) I'm loosening right now, but this is a family site so let's just leave it at that.
17) i agree that he's a longshot. But when i looked at hia career numbers I was surprised at how good he was for so long. My question is more hypothetical (hat do you guys think), not practical (what will actually happen).
Oh, I get it. Well, it's still tough for the same reason. The Hall has to set some benchmarks for relief pitchers. I guess we could just look at WARP or something -- how does Sparky stack up?
21) where does one find WARP? I did look at his 'regular' stats the other day, and they stack up with Goose in terms of rate stats (ERA, ERA+), but not as much in terms of counting states.
Foot race! Teix wins!
hey everyone.
[20] His baseball-reference page makes him a real longshot:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lylesp01.shtml
(scroll to the bottom.)
Now part of that is that relievers/closers aren't thought highly enough. He pitched an average of 1.546 innings per game, whereas Mo averages 1.396. Trevor Hoffman averages 1.055
[18] Thanks.
I NEVER thought Brett the Jet would be a passable every day player. Good for him. Just goes to show that I don't know shit. Happy 2nd Opening Day, all. : )
YES!
Swishalicious. Oy!
swish! nice.
25) interestingly, when you compare the various HOF predictors between Goose and Lyle, it's much closer, though|
Black Ink: Gossage 9, Lyle 7
grey Ink: Gossage 41, Lyle 43
HOF monitor: Gossage 126, Lyle 78
HOF standard: Gossage, 19, Lyle 18
[31] Jesse Orosco for the HOF? ALL-time games appeared leader!
Good catch. Made it look easy.
I've got tickets for Old Timers Day tomorrow ... should be special. Last OTD I was at was when Bobby Murcer's uniform top was hung in the dugout.
32) certainly the LOOGY HOF if nothing else.
C"Mon, Big Fella! Get outta this already.
can someone please, for the love of God, explain to me how Michael Kay pulled off Jodi Applegate??
[34] Lucky. Bring your camera and share photos with us.
[31]
B-R has a blog post up on Sparky,
http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/7391
Apparently he lost 12 saves due to the 1974 save rule. That would push his total up to 250, though I think HOF voters look to the magical 300 saves plateau. I don't think he gets in, but his case isn't so cut & dried. Maybe he's like Mussina, one of those who just miss.
Pitchers should get a thousand dollars each time they get Cano out.
Dumb Marlins fans can't be bothered to go watch Strasburg.
[37] Fallacy of the pre-determined outcome?
[41]
You mean phallusy of the premature outcome :-P
[38]
I have an iPhone camera, and I'm all the way out in section 205 (main level, right near bleachers) .... ergo .... not too many zoom photo ops.
Taking out Mo's numbers gives the Yankees the 2nd worst era in the league. Yikes.
38) but was he F-E-A-R-E-D ??
[43] So we'll have "panoramic" scenes.
44) you mean BP ERA?
It would be interesting to compare all teams' BPs subtracting each team's closer. Just how bad are all those extra relievers that so many teams carry?
[47]
Oooh .... a Bantermetrics idea!!!
[47] Sorry. Yes. That's what the boys in the both said. The starters lead in innings pitched, however.
Ha ha...the Soc-Rangers are in rain delay, so they cut to the Yankees game. But I had the sound on the the TV down while I listened to the Yankees game on the computer. But i never really looked up at the TV, so i had noticed that the game has been on for, like, half an hour.
OK, let's WATCH some Yankees baseball.
CC caught a break there.
CC might have gotten some help on that last strike call.
Time for Score Truck to make an appearance.
Hm, the Rays TV broadcast shows that strike three was in fact strike three, despite how Jorge caught it.
Shields' change is fu&*ing killing the Yanks.
And I have to say, the patches over the interlocked NY on the uniform is TAC-KY. Black arm band = respectful, subtle. Big patch on the chest = marketing ploy?
55) yeah. Maybe I shouldn't be so happy to get the game on bonus coverage.
You kidding me? Tip my cap to Kapler.
Where's Joe Morgan to tell me that was the first foul ball homer of the night? It wasn't that great, MK.
[56] WHAT? that's crazy.
anddddddddd.... HOME RUN!?! ahh fuck. dammit. fuck you gabe kapler.
boooooooooooooo
Jesus Christ. Now they are falling apart.
WTF, Swish?
He's no Gabe Kapler ...
The newest-greatest sac bunting technique.
60) what's so crazy. For decades of my Yankees fandom, when a great died he was honored with a simple black arm band and maybe the uniform number on the players' sleeves. Not with a conspicuous patch on the front of the uniform. I guarantee they start selling replica commemorative uniforms with patches at the stadium within a week.
Two hands, Swish, two hands!!!
Anyone else remember the game where the fans spontaneously cheered when Fay Vincent banned Steinbrenner? Amazing how George & the Yankees got turned around.
[66] Everything these days needs to be bigger, brighter, and flashier. I hate it with a passion, too. But what are you going to do? The new field in Minnesota has lots of free space on it. : )
[66] I mean it's crazy that they've covered up the NY on the chest. Never would have guessed that. I figured armband and maybe initials (since these aren't players).
I just scoured mlb.com, but I couldn't find pics of the front jersey.
...I'm listening on the radidio tonight, btw.
69) you're right, sadly. Still, I am going to keep checking to see if they have the tackiness to sell Steinbrenner Commemorative Jerseys. i just checked, and not yet...only commemorative first season of the new stadium patch jerseys.
I hope the Red Sox beat out the Rays.
70) they didn't cover the NY. rather, one of the patches (Steinbrenner) is above the NY on the chest. There is another (Sheppard) is on the sleeve.
I know that overall the offense has been great, but it sure seems like it has been scuffling forever. My main man, Jeter, is just killing me. I really hope they add a solid bat before the trade deadline.
FUCK YEAH. Atta boy, Robbie. wow.
And just as I complain about the offense, ROBBIE!!!!
Dontchaknow!
That was a fucking laser shot. Damn!
finally some score truck. ribbie for robbie!
no PA announcements .... but that stupid "make noise" siren blaring
This game just turned fun!
SCORE TRUCK!!!!
Great things in threes????
NICE!!
so yeah...I got 193 out of 200...I needed to get out more over the past 2 decades.
http://www.sporcle.com/games/smyth/yankees_lineups_19902009
One for Bob, one for George.
As soon as he hit it the game was tied. Kenny S. : )
HIP HIP!
CC being out there again in the 7th is pretty damn good. C'Mon, Teix!!
If Jorge throws out Upton I'll eat my hat.
[84] wow.. that's hard to complete. I got 176. But I only meant Bernie and it gave me both he and Gerald. hehe
Rough game in RF for Swish.
DAMMIT!
You could mention that a good throw means an out at third. Crap!
Stone cold...the Sox and Rangers are back, so i just lost the Yankees feed in the middle of CC's jam. Back to the radio...
[90] braggert's type-o. I got 116.. not 176. Fuckin braindead, I am.
[95] yeah, i definitely padded my answers with easy ones like Bernie and Jeter. I'm just shocked I actually remembered Josh Phelps and Spike Owen
96) Spike Owen...oh man, it's like a bad flashback...
131 .... I got Alvaro Espinoza though :-)
[97] You want a bad flashback, how about Jose Canseco on the Yankees in 2000. I think he got a WS ring out of the deal as well. Yup, he got 1 AB against the Mets.
That was nice.
[99] he sure did. however he did hit one of the longest home runs I've ever seen at the old stadium during his brief stint. a day game in August, LF upper deck...moonshot.
[96] dude.. I missed so many f'n easy players, I should be shot. Abreu, El Duque, Soriano! (I also missed Pavano... amazing he started game 1 in 07)
pathetic.
MK said Robertson "Struck out the side. In order." As opposed to what I wonder....
Fuck Yeah. Again.!!
that boys and girls, is what we in the industry call a "no doubter"
Swish swat!
Unreal.
STICK GO BOOM!!!
I KNEW that ASG Homerun Derby would mess up his swing ...
[103] Maybe Bret Gardner is messing with the space-time continuum again? Strike out 1 then 3, then 2.
do it Alexander
Hello, hot 'nuf for ya?
Swish makes it go! Our little all star.
[6] Please don't say that again (although we're thinking it, the "3"s thing).
The rays have blooped their way all night, nothing hit hard. I'm glad CC is off the hook.
[103] As opposed to striking out the side while allowing runners to reach, which is also a correct usage of the term by many
From Wiki:
[96] A fun distraction, and time sink. Thanks for the link.
Uh, no es bueno Alejandro ...
[113] Oops, i meant {84}
Benoit is a ballsy pitcher
84) I got 163, and I didn't cheat and put in Owens or Phelps, which you mentioned and i never would have remembered.
I can't believe I forgot Boggs and Velarde!!
Got too excited.
[112] Indeed. I s'pose whenever I hear struck out the side, in order should go without saying. It's only when other stuff happens that a caveat should be added. "He struck out the side.........but he did allow 5 runs on 3 hits." : )
hi everybody!
my mom's down from ny visiting me, so i'm not really around, but i just wanted to drop in and say hola to my 'other' family!
LET'S GO YAN-KEES !! !!!
Mo in a tie game. Times have changed.
Walk. Off. Win.
Hi thelarmis! Hi thelarmis' mom!
Can't blame A-Rod for that one ...
you really can't get mad at him there
Damn, can't bblame arod for that.
Why not leave DRob in there (who struck out the side in the 8th)?
Jeter woulda caught it.
Arod, probably swallowed some of his gum, seed, plug chaw however.
I blame A-Rod.
Just because everyone says I can't.
SWEET!
The complete pitcher is that Mariano!
never underestimate the stupidity of BJ Upton
I heart BJ Upton now.
121) ah Grasshopper, you forget: tie game at home in the ninth = no more chance for a save. Therefore, it is acceptable to use the closer. Textbook, really.
[135] Your move, Maddon... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!
All Rise!
127) hey, he was used in the EIGHTH INNING. Now you want him in for two innings, including the ninth? That's just kooky talk!
; )
[136] Ew.
thanking you, Mo!!! : )
Love that delayed call by the ump. It's like he needed time to decide on the SO.
Okay, boys, go get him the W.
[140]
yeah .... that was low, even by my standards ... I'll get rid of the comment
Choate Pie, anyone?
143, 139) dammit, I miss all the fun. No one wants to hint at Diane's comment?
[143] Hey, now I "Ew"ed myself! [139] -> [136]
Yes. Atta boy, Curtis.
Hey, mildly grandish!
[146]
LOL
..... what happened to the days of the [134]ed ....
I absolutely LOVE how Bro Hymn is now a stadium music staple
Steal?
[146] you must be near a mirror... ; )
[151] always! even if no one is on base... : )
Dammit I really don't like WordPress login...
So, what'd I miss?
wait, what? nino for miranda? i smell stoopid bunt to get the runner to 2nd base. i hate that national league bullshit.
at least steal first...
If Pena doesn't get the bunt down, send his ass to SWB. Or to Chillicothe (independent league.)
The Rays announcers just mentioned how the the Rays are trying to hold out Soriano for a save situation, right before the Granderson hit, which is then doll owed by the pinch-bunt.
The chess match continues...
[136] I read that comment with a Newman voice. Was it written with such intention?
[152] I really try to steer clear of them.
[153] Looks like a bunt instead...
Just back here..looks like a good game! what is this quiz everyone is talking about, link please?
see that right there is why I can't co-sign Cliff giving Pena a D- in his midseason grades. As long as Pena doesn't make an error and gets an ocassional bunt down, what more do you really want out of him?
Scooter is smiling.
[155] It's not legal to steal first.
[143] It wasn't so bad. Maybe it's me, but sometimes the obvious joke needs to be said.
walk him to DP Jeter?
well, steal now...
Is that AJ staring at the BJ in left whilst his hands are on the pie.
Gotta win this one for the Boss.
Why the heck isn't Marcus "I kill lefties and I have the only two walkoff hits this team has this season" Thames up now?
Its not like Madden had anyone up in the bullpen (I think).
What a waste of an out.
[160] here ya go
http://www.sporcle.com/games/smyth/yankees_lineups_19902009
[158] I was thinking Dr. Evil, but Newman works.
[163] first, beforehand, afterfoot...
[164]
sometimes I lower myself to the obvious ... my apologies ...
Spellczech, anyone? :-)
[160] http://www.sporcle.com/games/smyth/yankees_lineups_19902009
[149] When I opened up the page, there were exactly 134 comments. I said to myself, "hmmm, I wonder what got left out this time?"
Nostralarmis, why didn't you warn me this would happen with the spooky powers? >;)
[161] but, in "cosine" he gets a D. i guess that stands for Defense! ; )
Derek Jeter for the game....that would be fitting.
[172] Ohhhhhh.
[175] sorry man, i'm half hangin' with mom!
you just know this is gonna come down to Jeter tonight
seriously, why the fuck can't grandy steal 3rd??? he's *fast*!!!
[165] How far the mighty have fallen, or how fickle these mortals be.
169) girardi burned his one PH chance with the Peña-bunt play. He won't PH for Gardner, one of his better offensive and defensive players, with Thames. We won't see Thames until Peña comes up in two innings or so.
[181] watch your mouth when you're in front of your mother!
good ab for gritner. don't make an out.
Oh, Captain. My, Captain!
go gritner.
DEREK!!!!!!!!!
this would just *rule*...!!!
how about a double steal so that Jeter doesn't GIDP?
[163] Steal first, ask questions later...
[167] I've never seen the movie, but I know there's an American Pie reference in there...
[180] Jeter and Mo....and don't forget Jorge's contribution.
[184] she has the filthiest mouth you've ever heard in your life!!! i'm NOT kidding. i've learned lotsa great curse words from her... : )
that stadium has to be soooo rockin' right now
Come on, Jeter, there has to be bit of the old magic left. At least, no DP.
Double steal here, on first move? Maybe The ghost of Billy MArtin will possess Girardi for a a few minutes, in honor of the Boss.
captain - please win it now. joba's warming up... mo only threw 13 pitches...
A nice Jeterian single to right center would do it. #2.
[183] The worst part is - Choate is the ONLY left-hander the Rays have in their bullpen, and of course all Thames hits is lefties. I can't believe Girardi didn't use Thames.
But I do suppose there is something cosmic about it coming down to Jeter.
Upton error to win the game ...
[193] That is funny!
i'm always down for the double steal!
even with only 1 runner on base... ; )
[fuck you word press]
"In Play, Run(s)" please...
Sheeeiiittttttt. Just missed it.
[179] I get it, hang time...
August 6, 1979: Yanks won 5-4....I'm just saying.
I just realized something ... Jeter could get pied for the 1st time ...
Tough one to take.
[204] that's what John and Suzyn said.
damn it
Dang.
[204] On YES you mean. D'oh!
Man, if that doesn't just sum up how this year has been going for the Cap'n ...
Blech.
Good thing, AJ would not dare pie Jeter.
Well, it doesn't all come down to Jeter after all.
There is another...
I hope we win but that there's no pie tonight. Win it and be glad to win it for the Boss.
[211]
AJ would walk in front of Jeter ... hand him the pie, and let Jeter pie AJ ...
seriously - why in the goddamn fuck did girardi take tims out?!?!
aaarrrggghhh!!! : /
God, I hope Girardi doesn't feel called upon to Make Moves now, just because his counterpart is making a whole bunch.
Pooh, another pitching move. Check! your move, Girardi.
216) damn you, you beat me to it and had a funnier line.
I'm kind of surprised Maddon is taking Wheeler out, but I seem to recall he's kind of homer happy, and Swish has already gone deep . . .
Though honestly I'm not sure why Maddon is doing this.
Lance Cormier with 14K, 20BB? Is Maddon trying to make sure the Yanks win this one for the Boss?
Swish!
DOPE!
[219] He's earning his paycheck.
[216] Hello. I am Joe Girardi-O, bat-ball bunting relations, and this is my counterpart, Joe2Madden2.
what a great game
219) that's what separates you and me from a chess master like Maddon, who is always four or five moves ahead.
Nick Swisher = Bobby Murcer 31 years later (kind of).
That's for the Boss.
i'm totally cool w/ swish winning it right here!
"Making Moves: The Joe Girardi Guide to Winning Baseball" - estimated release date 2012
Fuck yes.
It's just a Swishalicious night, is all.
Our 'lil all star comes through! Again! George would want the team to pie.
YES!!!!!
Swishalicious!
The ghosts are in full force tonight. Honoring their two newest members.
Well look at that: 5-4.
I still don't get Maddon bringing Cormier in, but I'll take the win.
FUCK YEAH! Go Yanks! 3.0 games up!
Girardi: "Check and mate! Another game, my old friend?"
Maddon: "tomorrow...tomorrow."
[227] wahoo! : )
[i just woke my mom up...]
Swisher!!!
What a great win..
and once again, "Transaction: NY Yankees acquire OF Nick Swisher for CHI White Sox OF/IF Wilson Betemit"
[234] So, Mr. Girardi, you expect me to IBB?...
You gotta figure that no one would love the pie quite the way Swish does.
[225] Deep Blue wouldn't have brought Cormier in.
Meanwhile a certain Shit Sox team is losing 7-4...
[232] hey shaun - was that you that neyer linked today to a jonah keri article?!
thanks swish. grandy and gritty, too.
Hey Boss,
we WON!!!!
rest easy,
thelarmis.
[214] I nominate for comment of the night.
uh-oh... Suzyn has her "Rawger Clemens" voice going on...
NIGHT FOLKS!
[239] 9 outs to go. let's hope the rangers' pen is up to task...
thats maybe the most satisfying win of the year right behind the Papelbon walkoff
[241] you prolly missed diane's early comment - original #134. woooeeee!!!
i love how Mo gets the "W" tonight. quite fitting...
swisher = True Yankee (tm)
: )
i think bob sheppard's trademark:
"Good evening, ladies and gentleman, and welcome to Yankee Stadium."
...should be played at the Stadium, from here unto eternity...
[245] yes I did. But it can't be the comment of the night if it's no longer a comment!
I have the Sox on now. Quiet at Fenway.
[248] also, in honor of Bob Sheppard's passing, there shall be no more TV commentary. Ever. Unless Paul O'Neill wants to say a lil something. Or Ken Singleton. Once or twice.
[240] That would be awesome! But I have no idea why either of those 2 fine gentlemen would even know me.
I haven't read Neyer today - I'll go look now.
They just showed the Swisher hit and pie on the Red Sox game. That must bring a warm glow to the Sox fans' hearts.
[240] [252] Ahhh, now I see what you mean.
Nope, that wasn't me. Its a little strange to see another Shaun P. out there, though.
It somewhat sounds like me - though I don't care about Yunel Escobar (except that I drafted him for my fantasy team and so I wish he would start hitting already).
Benjie Molina just hit for the cycle. He needed the triple and got it. Wow.
Oh my god.
Oh my god.
Benjie Molina just tripled.
The man makes Posada look like fucking Gadner. He's the slowest man I have ever seen. I think Sabathia could beat him around the bases.
It completes the cycle for Molina! And his homer was a granny!
[255] Were you watching it?
It was like some kind of freak show.
[254] yeah man. i was thinkin' the same thing...
i was like, "why is shaun so fired up - and knowledgeable - about escobar (not to mention long-winded)" and then i was like, "it's gotta be him. another "shaun p" - really?!"
i guess there's another you! hopefully, his last name is a different state! ; )
[255]
pre·dict
/prɪˈdɪkt/ [pri-dikt]
–verb (used with object)
1. to declare or tell in advance; prophesy; foretell: to predict the weather; to predict the fall of a civilization.
–verb (used without object)
2. to foretell the future; make a prediction.
3. the act of predicting, which is impossible to do with baseball
[255] REALLY?!?! holy shit. very very cool!
i hope tex-ass gets this extra run right here. double 'em up...
[257] Yep, I'm getting the Soz feed tonight. I knew he had once you could see it was over Patterson's head.
little brother yadier homered today, too...
PR for Molina. How often does it happen that a guy who hits a triple is PR for?
haha! i just saw the benji triple on bbtn.
[258] That must be the Evil Shaun P.; I'm certain we have the good one...
[259] Very nice.
[256] How? My gosh - did the ball get kicked around, pinball-style, into the funky corners in Fenway? Did someone slip while going for the ball?
[254] Since not many folks are left around (and some already know this), I might as well let you in on my little secret. "P." isn't the first letter of my last name - its the first letter of my middle initial. I just think it sounds better than Shaun M.
[261] Paterson kind of misplayed it. Who are all these guys? You could make a .580 team out of the guys on the Red Sox DL.
[259] I predict he'll never hit for the cycle again.
yadier also got caught stealing tonite. guess benji would beat him in a footrace...
[266] It's the first letter of your middle initial?
What is the second letter of your middle initial, may I ask?
Run prevention!
This is very much fun. It's like watching Little League.
Terrible decision to try to score from third (the PR for Molina) on a very short fly, Drew has him easily, Cash drops the ball, run scores.
[269] h
[267] Its amazing the Sox have scored as many runs as they have with guys like Bill Hall, Darnell McDonald, and Eric Patterson (among others) playing as much as they've needed to.
[266] acha! i knew the last initial was "M", don't think i knew P was the middle initial. if so, i forgot.
i actually don't have a middle name. neither does my brother.
[i do in hebrew though. my brother doesn't...]
[269] I know it, I know it! It's the same as the second-to-last number in pi...
[271] philip?! i never understood why there's one "L" in the first name and two in the last name (plus an "s")....
[270] Actually, with a three run lead, two outs (assuming the OF makes the catch), and a PR in the game, I would have sent the runner from third on just about anything. In that situation, you really don't have much to lose; force them to make the play.
[273] Whoa.
I always feel like I'm stoned when Will is here.
[271] Shaun Phranchise Molina?
Very quiet in Fenway. Hehe...
[276] Why thank you. I'm a natural, after all. I saw through your trick question...
[274] Yep - after my dad. Not exactly a lot of Ph names out there. ;)
[273] Well you have an advantage not many folks here do - but I appreciate not being the evil Shaun P in your estimation.
[276] yeah, i was gonna say - chyll gets stoned as often as i do!
on the other side of that coin, i just poured my first beer in a week. mmm, tasty!
[273] dude, you totally blew a beautiful chance to use the word "penultimate"! one of my very favorites...
i got to see aj pie swish on bbtn. good stuff!
[281] Good man! I'm drinking bourbon and soda, good for a hot night.
Sox are making a little 8th inning noise now.
Uh-OH... Papi and Youk start the ninth with back to back singles.
Some Red Sox fan is shouting "Let's go Nancy" to JD Drew!
What a classy bunch.
[281] If it was a root beer, I'm with ya. just had one down at Mario's Pizza on Dyre Avenue off the 5 train. Mmm. boy!
[280] Quiet is kept, my friend.
Down goes JD!
Nice pitch, wow.
fuck. i hate the goddamn shit sox and their stoopid little league stadium. they can't ever go quietly. still 6 outs to go...
[284] nice. i'm still really really full from dinner though.
good job, nancy!
now, i'd like run prevention to hit into a dp. that would certainly prevent runs!
[287] i drank a boatload of root beer at dinner just before (barq's, of course).
now, the 'root' beer is more of the "pale ale" variety. and from the sierra nevada mountains... : )
[282] That's the beauty of it; we can cross that bridge when we get there... >;)
Well hit, but just a loud out.
[284][275] OK, I may take that back. I ran the Win Expectancy calculator--
The chances of Texas winning with a three run, second and third, two outs in the eighth (i.e., not sending the runner from third on the flyball) is 94.8%.
The chances of them winning with a three run lead going into the bottom of the eighth (sending the runner and he gets thrown out) is 92.6%.
The chances of them winning with a dour run lead going into the bottom of the eighth (the runner scores from third on the fly ball, no further damage) is 95.5%.
All situations are good for the Rangers, but the added value of sending the runner (less than one percent chance of winning) is probably outweighed by the hi risk of him getting thrown out (raising the Sox chances of winning by about 2 percent historically).
Aren't you glad you showed me this website?: http://winexp.walkoffbalk.com/expectancy/search
And another loud out!
Good job, Rangers. One more inning.
[291] Of course!
[294] Yeah, that figures. All the differences in win pct are going to be small at that point, but it's better to give the next batter a chance at a hit, if the chance of scoring on the tag-up is pretty small.
In any case, the Rangers do have that dour run lead! Glum, humorless, dominating.
nice!
hey, was frank francisco the guy that had a blow up with the fans a few years back, or was it a different texas reliever? i think it was this guy. can't even remember what the fracas was all about...
[293],[294] (in John Sterling voice) "All sound and fury, signifying nothing..."
[286] Classy is almost impossible for some of them, sadly. I heard someone the other day saying that the best thing about 2004 was beating the Yankees in the ALCS. I'm sorry, but are you effing kidding me? The best thing about any winning postseason is winning the Serious. Who gives a rat's ass who your team beats in the DS or the LCS? Or the Serious? Classic Sox fan - derives happiness from see the Yanks lose, not from seeing the Sox win.
/rant
[287] A place near me that has homemade ice cream started brewing their own root beer this year. The other night I went in to get a root beer float - figured it was a good toast the Boss - and they were OUT of the root beer. I have not yet recovered.
[297] Sigh. And I am using my laptop now instead of the old iPad.
[298]----> [299] >;)
[298] Yep, that was Frankie Frank. He threw a chair. At a fan. Charged with felony assault.
Eric Patterson's neck hurts about now.
3 outs to go at the fens...
Feliz. Odd. Closer with a 4-run lead??
[305] And now two...
[300] Gotta figure there are a lotta teary-eyed folks out there right now. It will get better...
Another unknown, Shealy. I've seen him in Pawtucket, actually. Not ML material.
[300] oof. not only did i have my barq's root beer tonight, but i also got a chocolate cone from carvel! it was like being home in ny again...
i love both of those, but RI won't be surprised to learn that i've never had a root beer float! [true story.]
[303] ah, that was it. chump.
[307] down to one...
And that'll do it.
Good day for the standings.
And good to have real baseball back, too. See youse!
[309] ryan shealy? if so, i remember when he was a hot power prospect for the rox, but blocked by helton. he's been traded a few times. i guess he never put it all together. might not even be a quad A guy. it happens...
G'night. A nice memorable Yankee evening.
ooh, i'm gonna go try to coax a game of boggle or scrabble outta my mom. catch you guise soonish...
[314] Remember, curse words don't count!
Good night all - see ya for the Old Timers' tomorrow?
Apparently, BJ Upton was angry about getting picked off because "he felt deceived."
I've always felt the wording of the rule is pretty much stupid, but somehow, Upton's comment strikes me as hilarious.