Yeah, things look grim. But you know what? The Yanks are winning today. Hiroki will be good enough, they’ll score a mess of runs, win one for the Jeppier, and leave New York with the series tied.
Ichiro Suzuki LF
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Raul Ibanez DH
Russell Martin C
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Curtis Granderson CF
Nick Swisher RF
Jayson Nix SS
Never mind last night: Let’s Go Yank-ees!
That is absolutely a lineup that can beat the Tigers.
Now do it!
I'm annoyed to see Swisher playing, but we can do this!
[2] In fact, it looks like Girardi has made not a single change to the lineup, save replacing Jeter with Nix. Interesting. I was hoping to see Gaardner in the starting lineup, but whatever.
In any case, the game is not being broadcast here on a channel that I can get, and my interest in this team is waning as it is. I can't wait to see how Jeter looks next spring.
I thought the season was over when Mo went down. Given all the problems for the Yankees this year, the fact that they had the best record in the AL is astonishing.
But now with Derek down, the season is over. Not only is the Score Truck broken down somewhere, it's been stripped.
OK, Derek wasn't on the 1995 post season roster, but he did get into 15 games, and Mo pitched in 3 postseason games. The last time the Yankees won the Whirled Serious without either of those guys was. . . 1978. Which is, um 34 years ago. A third of a century.
Oy.
I'm sufficiently depressed now so if they go out, I won't be upset, and I'll be pleasantly surprised if they win the whole shooting match.
[2] I'm more annoyed that Granderson is playing, but you know Joey Joe Joe ...
[4] And WHO was the MVP of the 1978 series, I ask you?
Brian FUCKING Doyle, that's who!
Brian Doyle, who replaced Willie Randolph on short, injury's notice and led the Pinstripers to victory!
Let's go Jayson "Doyle" Nix!!!
(nb) Brian Doyle wasn't actually the Serious MVP, but he *could* have been! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?!?!?!? NO! And it's NOT OVER NOW!
Amen, brother. They are definitely winning today.
[5] I think Swisher's performance in the field this week trumps Granderson
Expecting Robbie to shine today. I'm not going to be around the comments section but I'll be here in spirit.
Yanks play today, they win today.
I really hope ARod called a team meeting.
They really need to discuss their offensive failings (approach), and make a plan to correct them. They are a better team then the Tigers, but they need to start PLAYING better.
[10] POresumably half way through said meeting A-Rod would be replaced by Ibanez.
Man, awful lot of empty seats at the Stadium.
Good start.
How about some FUCKING runs here.
You know, just to try something different for a change.
Another great at bat from Cano.
we can't bench everyone. but damn that was an awful at bat by cano.
Another nice AB from Cano
Yay!
Cano is now 0-for-his-last-23. That is the longest hitless streak in NYY postseason history.
Way to go Tex!
Jeez, there really are a lot of empty seats. Everyone staying home to watch football?
Nice cut Russ. Asshole.
same as it ever was
Unreal.
We are cursed (in the first 8 innings anyway).
[21] Giants play tonight, can't imagine all those folks are Jets fans. Which is over anyway.
[22] Don't you know, we get more points the further we hit the ball!
[12] Hasn't that been the case since the newer (and, ironically, smaller) stadium opened. One of the games against the Orioles was the lowest attendance for a Yankees home playoff game in the new stadium, according to the announcers at the time.
Delmon looks like he ate Albert Belle.
Serious question. Should it take three months for Alex's broken hand to heal?
There's healthy and then there's healed.
[29] To have 100% strength back? Maybe. Maybe being out 6 weeks screws up your timing a bit. Why are you oicking on 37 yr old ARod, when much younger and healthier Swisher, Cano and Granderson are playing just as poorly.
Teix and Raul with an OBP OVER .500!
Serious question: should Gardner be starting in CF?
[32] He would be for me.
[31] Oh, they all get rage. I still don't think Nick Swisher should be in the lineup after he almost single handedly caused the loss last night. But the broken hand was being used as an explanation for Alex.
From Lohud:
UPDATE ON DEREK JETER: CT scan and MRI confirmed an ankle fracture. He will see Dr. Robert Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist in Charlotte, in the coming days. Jeter is currently in a splint and on crutches. He is not at Yankee Stadium and will not travel to Detroit.
Have we had a run of starting pitching like this all season? If the offense was even average, we'd be flying high.
Aaaaaaaaaah.
Shit.
i'm barely watching but 7 ks over 3 IP is unreal for kuroda. damn, our offense needs to stop wasting our pitchers awesomeness.
Guys, it doesn't matter if Hiroki strikeouts 20 guys if you DON'T FUCKING SCORE.
I hate watching this team hit.
Errr, "hit".
[39] this team hits?
Take advantage Raul. Second chance.
Good.
Double Play
Why in hell was Raul running?
Hit and run? Really?
[44] 'Cause no one would ever expect it! It's brilliant!
Joe is already pushing the panic button
[46] One of Joe's steadfast rules on the rare occasion he uses the hit and run is it must be a slow runner and someone who swings and misses alot.
I really don't think that Alex gives a flying fuck anymore
Hmmmm. . .
Can we please score now?
c'mon damnit. score a feckin run.
Aw rats.
Have I ever mentioned that the Yankees are one of the worst positioned teams in baseball?
[54] and the worst at adjusting to other teams' positioning.
Wow... in 3 years with a 106 OPS+, and AJax is already 'elite'.
No doubt he is a very good player... but elite? TBS = Hyperbole
Woke up at 6:15AM, turned on the game to watch A-Rod, Grandy and Swisher K..I mean, this has to stop sometime, right?
Dang. No-hitter into the sixth, but we can't score.
(57) Wrong
Well at least they haven't been no hit yet. That says something' about this team's resolve.
At this rate, even if this series returns to NY, the Stadium might has 25,000 for the 6th game.
Nobody wants to pay to watch this shit.
We have had however, EXCELLENT PITCHING. Cy Young stuff.
BEFORE this game, we had a 0.97 WHIP and a 2.29 ERA.
Who'd a thunk it?
Is there carpet under that dirt?
A BLAST by Cano.
Wow Robbie, you almost reached the pitcher's mound.
RISP = RIP
Surprised he couldn't pull a pitch 3 inches outside.
I'd have him run again.
OK, now we need a wild pitch or passed ball or an error.
It always comes down to Raul....
This is depressing.
OK.... Martin now has a chance with RISP to hit the ball 500'.
Fooled him. A Fat pitch.....
C'mon wild pitch.
Beyond pathetic.
this
is
just
painful
.
.
.
Oh well.
I'd love to see the Yankees get two hits in a row
Kuroda doesn't deserve to lose. The Yankees don't deserve to win.
Good thing it bounced out, otherwise Berry would have a triple.
If they are going to go out like this at least make it memorable. I want 27 Ks when Verlander pitches. This team needs to be broken up in the worst way.
Oddly enough, when they play so hopelessly shitty, it's not quite as painful when they go down in flames.
I was expecting that throw to be air mailed to Detroit.
Now a double play please.
Glad he didn't catch that. Berry would have scored.
Oh God.
Is Cano on the take?
FUCKING CANO.
What the hell was that?
jesus, when does cano blow that play? insane.
[87] I think large portions of the roster might be. Jeter wouldn't go along with it so they took him out.
Is kuroda's run support 0 this postseason?
They're just inventing new ways to lose.
Absolutely inexcusable.
Dead heat now between Cano & Swisher for series goat..just putrid.
I would STILL put Jeter in to PH
[58] Yup. In about 2 more games.
There's a fine line between comedy and tragedy.
[95] ARod likes this post
MVP goes to the next Yankee to get a hit (IF they get another hit...).
[92] Nope, he got one whole run in the ALDS. He should be thankful for that.
Oh great, a football injury for Derek.
Just for kicks I say ARod goes yard here.
Watched a few minutes of the game on MLB.tv. Logged off. Made dinner. Ate dinner. Cleaned up after. Checked back in to see that the Yankees have kept it going non stop since about the 10th inning last night. Kuroda deserves better. But then, so did Pettitte.
ARod looks so TIGHT....
That's a home run in little league.
Over/Under if Granderson even foul tips one....
[105] Give that man a participation ribbon!
Oh God..Sutcliffe: "The bonuses in A-Rod's contract..you see, that's something Derek Jeter would never have asked for, individual stats. Jeter would get bonuses for team wins, that's the difference between you guys." Sutcliffe, go have a drink somewhere and STFU!!!
I give Grandy and Swisher the TAKE sign until there are 2 strikes...
Ok. Need 4 steals here
Why am I so glad that Nix is up?
Sorry - wishful thinking
[108] I'd bet a bunch those bonuses were Hal's idea, to motivate ARod.
Wow... a modest swing from Swish!
[108] Man, putting Sutcliffe on the international feed has got to be punishable in the Hague, right?
[109] And maybe even with 2 strikes.
Well... at least he got a foul tip.
Another great at bat from Swisher
Alright, Doyle.
Do your thing.
[115] The blatant A-Rod hate is unprofessional. Regardless of whether he's a good or terrible announcer. What player would turn down those incentive bonuses? And Jeter had a $189 million deal!
Sorry for being cranky, woke up early here for this whiff-a-thon performance by the O..
I pray Jeter isn't watching this game.
Hopefully, they gave him LOTS of serious pain killers.
[120] You are correct sir!
[118] Are you kidding, he protected Granderson's steal attempt. Very unselfish.
[120] Just as long as you don't consider being staggering drunk on the air to be unprofessional.
Looked like Strike 3 to me.
I think I'll root for the Tigers in the World Series. I like Jim Leyland.
[125] Well, justice was served on swinging strike 4.
Cue the tack on runs
Crying shame to waste such a wonderful performance from Kuroda.
Kuroda only losing because Cano dropped a double play ball. How much you wanna bet Joe plays matchups anyway?
Kuroda has just been beyond awesome.
That was strike two.
NOT EVEN CLOSE!
Good god
Bullshit call Blue.
My god, out by miles!!!!!
That wasn't even a close play.
Tell me again why high-powered rifles aren't allowed in the Stadium?
Suckboard:
Cano
Swish
Umps
TBS booth
ARod
Jeter's ankles
MATCHUPS!
Joe needs to get run here, just on principle. Team is struggling enough, now umps give the Tigers a freebie.
Might as well be twenty runs.
I would NOT have taken Kuroda out there.
So mad right now. Yeah, they'd lose anyway, but that was such an awful call. Cano was all but sitting on him with the glove and his hand off the bag, the ump was right there, and blows it. The Yanks don't need any help sucking...
[141] What happened?
[145] http://twitpic.com/b48ljp
Kuroda in the 8th is a lot better than Boone on his best day
[143] Joe has resisted the urge to play pointless matchups all post season. It was just too much to resist.
[136] Jazz, listen to MLB.com if you hate Suckcliff so much. Darling is a little less annoying, IMHO.
It seems like the world is against the Yankees this year.
Swish fucks up again
Fuck Earth
MATCHUPS!!
[146] Wow, just Wow
My Packers have lost a turnover each of the last 3 weeks thanks to the great officiating.
I'm so fucking done with baseball now.
(146)FUCK the fucking Packers
I'm usually a Girardi supporter, but to take out Kuroda who is pitching great was a terrible move.
However, a terribly blown call and a dink, and we lose.
The Yankees have some strange Karma.
(155) Sorry, bud, just a little pissed now
I want replay. Or robot umpires. Or something.
[149] Hey, completely forgot could watch online now..NHK has every game on BS1 for the LCS. Sutty came through with a good one about the umps and lack of replay though.
[150] Swisher threw out the guy at 2nd on a perfect throw.
Does anyone doubt that we will score and still lose?
Any particular reason Hiroki Kuroda was taken out of the game?
(161) i have no doubt the yankees will lose, at any rate.
(162) Cuz Joe wanted to fuck us permanently
That looked like strike three to me- it's been a strike all night.
I'm the ultimate optimist. And I'm thinking that there's no way the yanks can recover from 0-2 in this series.
(156) hey, we lost before the blown call, when the tigers scored a run.
And so was that one!
MATCHUPS!!!!
What is Jeff Nelson's home address? It's time for recourse
So what happens in the off-season? House cleaning?
[158] It wouldn't have helped. Tack on runs were going to happen one way or another.
J.F.C Girardi, that's 5 pitchers on the same two outs. This isn't working
Only had to get 1 out? Umm they got 3.
[171] You mean after the parade?
Only a Joe Girardi managed team could have the starter get two outs and still use FOUR RELIEVERS in that inning.
I just can't understand how Bud can watch these obvious bad calls in critical situations and not want to use such an easy fix as instant replay.
[177] As long as the Yankees are getting hosed he's good with it.
0-2 and Hughes vs Verlander in Detroit - this Jew is going to St Pats to light some candles
[176] Unfortunately, once our starter is out, you HAVE to use matchups. These BP guys (aside from DRob, Sori and maybe Joba) are basically castoffs. They are NOT good pitchers. They only have one specific skill, which they aren't even that good at,
If they can't get out same-side hitters, you want to leave them in against opposite side hitters, when they usually have like a .350 BA against them?
If Phil was doing Coke, he wouldn't be so fucking fat
[179] Do you have any torches?
(177) they already use instant replay. How expanded would you want its use?
Bring out the gimp!
Man... any guesses how much money Swisher, Grandy and Cano might lose due to these performances?
AND CANO DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF THE STRIKE ZONE.
HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT CITY IT'S IN!!!!!!
One thing bothers me. Jeter is always saying, "It's about the pitching." And, as we all know, it is, for the most part. However, as the last few years have proved, it's not only about the pitching. The Yankees could not have dreamed of better pitching this year, could not have DREAMED of it....and still look where they are.
Rapada did not get these calls that went against Cano and Ichiro. I'm about sick of these jerk umpires.
(180) bingo. They are not good pitcher. Yes, yes. Not good. So why in the name of all that is good and pure has every fucking team in the league decided to carry more and more of them, to build a pitching strategy around bullpen rouxlette?
How fitting is it that A-Rod's gonna strike out in his last game in a Yankee uniform?
WE need to come up with a word for beyond pathetically hopeless.
[184] LOL
Careful Avila, last time that happened you got a concussion.
[190] We also need a word for when we do this again next year because you know nothing drastic will be done in the offseason. Loved how Cano mouthed the word "wow" in the dog out. How about you get your head out of your arse and throw something'. Act like you care.
[189] aren't we stuck with arod until like 2016?
[194] Some weird rumor is going around that LA wants him. I doubt it, but you never know with them right now....
So now it's time for Ben Wa Balls.
[177] I'd like to see something like the NFL has. The manager has X number of chances to challenge (maybe one or two per game?) If he uses them up, he can't challenge again, no matter how egregious the call.
[195] hard to believe anyone would want him at this stage. thanks
[195] A powerless A-Rod in Chez Ravine? He'd be lucky to have 10 home runs -- all hit in Colorado.
[196] Nope, first a few lines.
If LA wants A-Rod, maybe we can trade him for a dose of the clap
Wow. A-Rod could be the last out. You can't make this stuff up.
[188] There are plenty of Pitchers who are NOT good who are starters too. The best Pitchers are starters, and those that can't start are aren't bad are either the Closer or 8th inning guy.
The reality is middle relief is totally a crap shoot. That's why you HAVE to at least put the odds in your favor by going with same-side matchups. This is just the reality of life in MLB.
If the Yankees pay Alex's full salary, I am sure that another team might take him, but I cannot see the Yankees trading him. They have to hope that he is able to revive his career next season.
Hey that's one of them whatchamathingies!
When ARod doesn't strike out, he actually sometimes hits the ball hard. Can't say that about Cano, Grandy or Swisher.
Now the Worthless One comes through - if we get a HR, I'm going after Nelson's family
[203] I agree. But the fact that pitching is so thin that many starters and relievers are bad should be an argument *against* larger bullpens and endemic pitcher rouxlette. And yet, the opposite scenario has evolved. You are right, that is the reality of MLB today. I simply contend that this reality is madness.
[204] ARod is still an average or slighly better then average 3rd baseman. You want to eat his salary and then pay to replace him with someone who might not even be as good?
Yankees are so fucked. We'll be lucky to stretch it to 5.
Fucking Cunty-man
[207] Go after Granderson.
Should Gardner start for Granderson?
.
.
.
.
I keep asking. Repeatedly. When Granderson strikes out.
Frankly, I am most annoyed about Cano's failures this postseason than Alex. Cano is the team's best hitter at the moment. He has got to fine a way to hit these pitchers and pick up his teammates.
When was the last time the Yanks lost the first 2 games of a series?
The only one that is coming to mind is W.S. in 1996.
[208] No matter how good the ENTIRE Pitching pool is, there will always be average and worse then average in that group.
It's all relative. These guys are GREAT pitchers compared to you and me... just not compared to the MLB pool.
In Little League, the worst players were in RF and behind the plate.
In MLB, the worst pitchers are middle relief.
It's really not that insane.
[215] ALDS against Oakland in 2001?
[214] 100% agree. Shocking performance so far.
[215] Can they summon that magic??
I've been in love with Yankee baseball for more than 40 years. I think this season, this team, finally broke my heart.
15 for 78. Hitting (and I use that word loosely) .192
[218] I actually don't care anymore.
[209] In fact, according to the league splits on baseball-reference, A-Rod is considerably better than the average 3B.
[216] It's insane that for 100 years MLB teams used 9 or 10 pitchers, and in the last 30 years have decided that they need 12 or 13 pitchers, the additional pitchers being---by your admission---bad. The entire structure is idiotic.
Today is a case in point. Kuroda, who is a good pitcher and pitching well was pulled because....that's what you do these days. 30 or 40 years ago he probably would have finished the damn game. But today he's pulled for no discernible reason. And because it's not a save Save Situation™ or a job for the Eighth Inning Guy™, a good pitcher, pitching well, is yanked for a crap middle reliever.
It's madness through and through.
Don't panic
Might beat V on Tuesday and start on a roll
[224]...they always find a way to pull me back in.
[225] The good (?) news is that the next game will be televised here, so I can watch it. Yeah, I'll end up tuning in despite my protests.
[226] You're a Mr. Softee deep down, MP. :)
I'll be at ACME, Inc that day but will be glued to Gameday no doubt.
Hey, they've beaten Verlander before..it's not an impossibility..
[208] There's also the gorilla in the room. If we insist on taking Kuroda out of a one run game for one out in the eighth inning, why wasn't David Robertson brought in? Why did we go to the crappy middle relief at all?
This is sickness. We are beyond disappointment. What's wrong with these guys? How about the starting pitching for the Yankees? If the hitting was 50% of norm, they would be sweeping every series.
It's almost like they are trapped on the Island in The Prisoner. The only one who I truly worry about is Cano, and natural in his prime. The others might be replaceable.
Hey if they turn this around somehow; it begins against Verlander. It would be a tale worthy of Shakespeare.
[219] Really? This is nothing compares to the 2004 collapse against the Red Sox. Now that was heartbreaking. It crushed my Yankee devotion for a while there.
Missed 100% of this one. Sorry guys, seemed like a rough game. I just read the last few comments, but I'm so curious, why did Girardi only use Robertson and Soriano for one inning each in Game 1 if he wasn't going to use them at all in game 2? He should have sold out the pen to win the first game, but not doing that, why on earth wouldn't Robertson come out of the pen in the 8th?
Overall, I think the team can win this thing yet. I don't expect it, because I need to see hitting before I will believe it, but it wouldn't shock me to see them pull together and figure out a way. Worth watching anyway.
I actually got invited to the game in the last minute. It shocked me how many available seats there were. Really? Once upon a time, a play-off game was the hottest ticket around. Plus, the old stadium used to be wild with energy. The crowd was in it somewhat in the beginning and as the hitting was relentlessly bad, the fans were drifting away. The only silver lining was Kuroda. He was dealing, his pitches just bottoming out. He still had gas in the tank. He was still around 93-95 on his fast ball before he was pulled.
The call at second was horrendous. not that it effected the outcome of the game. But, the fight left the team even more at that point. Cano looks awful and Granderson too. Russell was pressing. All in all, a colossal drag.
This team is confusing. In the big picture, I love my team and right or wrong, I'll stick with them. That said, I am not especially enamored of this bunch. and the woman who sang G-d Bless America's last note is still ringing in my ear.
At least it wasn't cold.