How did we end up here?
Well, if you ask Boone and the Bombers, it all went according to plan. I was wrong, I admit that right away; Yankees did get the home field for the wild card. After that, they punched their ticket emphatically and now are invading Boston to continue their quest for the expected: a trip to the Whirled Serious and a chance to make good on the promise they showed last year, not to mention to justify all the moves and deals they made to get there.
And maaaaaybe just a little revenge for 2004? Not that anyone on this roster would recall that series (nor should they try), but some of us would just love to get those games back, and this is the first time since then that the two teams have had a chance to hash it out again in the playoffs. And look who’s leading those teams to this fancy reunion: rookie manager Alex Cora and equally-rookie manager Aaron F***in’ Boone. Of course, neither were part of that series, but both had contributed to their teams in important ways when they were playing for the teams they now manage. And both won at least 100 games in their first year at the helm. Trivial, but fun facts heading into this showdown, which promises to be Very Interesting Indeed.
Lots to take into this series in terms of expectations; Boston sprinted past the Yanks early on in the season and held tight or stayed close through the mid-season, then turning on the afterburners after the ASB and leaving the rest (especially the Yanks) to fight it out for second place. If nothing else, having two 100-game winners in the same division has begun and interesting discussion about what teams should actually qualify for the playoffs; had the Yanks won their hundred games, yet failed to reach the post season while a team with maybe fifteen less wins was automatically in because they won their division, there certainly would have been a lot of outrage among fans if it were not the Yankees (but definitely outrage if it were from MLB and their television partners). But that’s for a later debate. For now, let’s revel in the chance for fireworks and Score Trucks and who knows what. Both teams are coming in with chips on their shoulders, so it oughtta be “lit” as the young players would likely say.
As for me, I’m feeling the Yanks in five; now that Brother Judge is up to speed and has brought life back to the lineup and clubhouse in general, it’s up to the starters to get the job done. Scientific Happ leads off, followed by Major Tanaka and The One (Whom Most Doubted) , then C-Squared ready to shut the door on Boston’s aspirations if that were actually the case. This makes sense; I think that’s the right order. I could be wrong about what we’re about to encounter (and kinda hope I am, but in a good way). Fasten your seat belts, ladies and gents, the show’s about to begin! >;)
Nice intro Chyll. Don't forget Bucky F**king Dent. Been into the Yanks/Sawks since.... Ever. For good luck, wearing 2009 Championship T shirt.
BTW, Happ seems to be scheduled to start.
BTW, Yankee fans, is there a libation of choice for tonight?
[2] Oop, will change, thanks!
(3) Espresso and muffins here! I’m calling a 10-2 game, Stanton hits one 475ft and Chris Baby Sale gets knocked out in the 3rd.
[3] vodka tonic here.
[0] [4] Makes even more sense now that I got the right rotation order >;)
Evening All!
Only been on pins and needles all day waiting for this one!
And Angel Hernandez is upping this series. Find a nerf ball to throw at the tv.
Let him K the side, 24 pitches helps us
Me no like
Fuck
C'mon Happ!
Shit
Morherfucker
Jazz Jr called that one..damn it
Not exactly a great start. Settle down. Only inning one.
Trust the O, at Fenway especially 3-0 is nothing
Nice hit!
Wasn’t even a bad pitch to Martinez.
Double fuck
blargh
Alright Happ, keep it right here
'Evening, Guys. 'Morning, Jazz. Two coffees in and thinking about some muesli.
Not a great start, but Sale does not look overpower. They are making him pitch and they are getting some good wood.
More worried about our pitching.
Well, that was a lot better. Nevermind...
(24) Perfect grey morning for couch time and the game. Happ can settle down, I’m confident they can get to Sale...
GRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Betts is just so good..dammit
Le sigh
Well, this is grim.
Voit is ... not much of a 1stbaseman
I know this is but a five game series, but that hook seems a bit quick to me.
(31) I’m good with it, Green could get out of this with Ks. Happ didn’t have it.
How about a K and then DP here Chad?
Le sigh.
The sight of that bird casually hopping in the outfield as that scorcher bounded by it ...might be the only redeeming moment of the night.
Finally an out
This fucking sucks balls
Blergh
45 minitew from sister's house. Been listening through grainy static ass am radio. 5-0? Fuuuuucking motherfucking Bollocks! Was looking forwatd to varriving to a decent game. Grrr......
This might be a short evening.
Long .. if you're a masochist.
They are still in it. 5 runs is nothing at Fenway. Go Bombers!
These announcers are feckin awful
Did everyone see that Mike closed commenting on articles over at RAB (this was probably a month or so ago)?
What a damn cesspool that place became after the "Great Migration" when LoHud shut their coverage down.
Damn shamn, Mike and crew do so much good work.
Makes me appreciate our little community (though I wish some of the old crew were still coming around).
Such a great AB by Hicks there
Alright ... let's get a party started!
Uh oh, never a good thing when the trainer comes out
That's just fucking great
Feck..
So ... it's gonna be that kind of night, is it?
[42] yeah. There was a doxxing threat which was the final straw. I wouldn’t mind if any of them showed up here, as long as they adhere to our guidelines, with a short leash.
Fugging Sale
[50] I think we're flying under the radar at this point, really, since Alex is so concentrated on his other projects.
We're an Ox-bow lake at this point, I'm afraid.
[50] Didn't know about the doxxing threat. Like I said ... a cesspool.
Dammit ... just foul.
Yeah, it's gonna be that kind of night.
Turning to the Blanton bourbon
[53] Brings back memories. One of my old favorites, back when I could drink, although Elijah Craig 17-year was my fav.
Not loving leaving Green in there. He wasn’t particularly effective last inning and he hasn’t been going in second innings this year.
Replay of foul balls to the scorer box? Really?
Phew, phoul
This type of game would be good tonight. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS200709140.shtml
Great, more aural sexxx for the Sox by the announcers..
Ok glad that worked out. Let’s knock Sale out now please...
Sun’s coming out here, if we don’t score soon may switch to radio and head out for the day. C’mon Sanchize!!
No a bad half inning, all things considered. Go get um.
RAB rules, but I couldn’t go near the comments. Someone threatened them personally and Mike shut it down. I hope that adds years to them keeping the site running and doesn’t hasten the end of it. That’s my main - and only, really - place for Yankees news...
So much for Sale being hurt and sucking...
Need a couple now.
This fucking sucks.
Need a half dozen...
Cutch not making a case to stay in ny
That was a poor inning. Bad at bats
[63] Yes. I read it religiously. Always hated the comments.
That was just a sad display of ‘O’. I’ll keep the game on but get to some laundry..
Lynn. I guess Cole isn’t on the roster...
[64] Yeah, I like to see what the site traffic has looked like after the fact.
Well, Lance coming in is a bit of a white flag. OTOH, glad that Sonny is not on the roster.
[73] Well, I guess this when you'd use him. Save the rest of the bully for tomorrow night.
I hope Hicks isn’t too hurt...
Andujar looks like he might be slowly coming down with a case of Sax-itis...
Axisa said he wishes he shut down the comment section earlier, so maybe that’s a good sign and adds to the lifeline there.
[77] Yeah, I was thinking that. Afraid to say it.
[71] Modern dad. Wife already did ours. ;>) It's really getting hot out there Jazz. Better to get it out there soon.
[80] Done and Done. 5mins in the sunshine more enriching than watching this garbage game...
[78] He is ... not a good defender at 3rd and I'm not very confident it's going to change.
Okay, now!
Hmm, something cooking.
Please make it 5-3 here.
Good, the string bean is gone. So much for him being hurt...
Stanty!! This is the inning..let’s go
Gd Sale was too good. Maybe the bullpen won't be quite as good.
Ah, always classy Red Sox fans with the "Yankees Suck" chant.
Although ... they've got a long way to go to match that complete douchbag Yankees fan during the A's game.
I assume everyone's seen this: https://deadspin.com/this-is-supremely-fucked-up-dont-do-this-1829522031
Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke!
Luuuke!!!
Luke Voit is my spirit meatball.
And Didi has been crushing foul balls tonight. Straighten one out here.
Keep it going, Didi!
LUUUUUUUUUUUKE!
A run. I missed it, had to release the hound
Ahhhhh. A t.v.. Just in time for some action.
Yeah, I was in the laundry room. Luke is a lot o’ fun and so easy to like!
That's closer
I'm gonna say it ... I think Greg Bird has been Wally Pipp'd.
Well, that's something Didi
There’s the couple. Need a coupla more on this next a-b
Darling has been such a Yankee hater these two games. Calling that a dirty slide is waaaay overboard
Come on Miggy Mantle!
Scoring position
C'mon Miggy, get this one in.
Imagine if Gary did that. The booth would be sooo excited. Here, they said nothing. Asshats.
Dammmit Andujar.
Fuck! Take that walk
I have my Andujar 1981 replica card!
Good job, kid.
C’mon, Gary - tie this fucker up!
Seriously. Ron Darling blows.
Starting to get interesting. It is, after all, Fenway
Well, a year ago, I would have been so excited to Sanchez come to the plate here.
Now?
Here comes Mr..186
We got somethin' going on...
A three run jack would be nice
All the youngsters showing nerves. Well I guess Brashier isn’t a youngster. But stilll. I’m so anxious i can only imagine.
I have my Sanchize replica 1983 card in hand!
Oh good, another aggressively quirky Sox reliever with a bad beard. Every one of them looks like Dwight’s inbred cousin on The Office.
Well, at least he can’t hit into an obligatory double play
Work the walk and let Torres take a crack, please.
Stfu about the Voit slide, Darling. Jeesh!
Darling, shut the fuck up about the slide. It's over, dick.
Hmm. A grand salami would be even better
Come on, Gleyber - give us the lead!
Knuckles -Unless someone taught Moes sex, that baby is mine.
Good job, Gary!
C'mon kid ... deep breaths, don't try and do too much.
A hit probably drives in 2
Don’t make an out.
He just had a passed ball!
That was a dig at Gary...
C'mon ... c'mon
Outside. Damn. Full count
Oh. Gleyber. A meatball.
Modammit
Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit
FUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!!
Fuc*
[133] He was looking to pull.
Le sigh
That was our best chance...
Missed chance..but they still need 2 more innings from their own before Kimbrel
Shite. Still in it, though.
Game is not over..... Hope Boonie understands
Three inning to get three (four) runs in shithole Fenway? Eminently doable.
Have to think Kimbrel will pitch 8th&9th?
[142] Britton is warming
Hey, a pitcher covering first!
That makes sense walk Bradley so you can pitch to Betts.
NICE PITCH.
Sit the fuck down, Markus!
BOOM!
Lance!
Who'd a thunk it?
How many more times does darling bring up Voit’s slide?
Come on, Cutch!
Good start. Gavel time!
I have a Legend in the Making Judge card
That’s outside!
Whew
Cutch!
Judge!
I wish that rolled to the wall...
What instincts from Cutch!
Me likey.
That's the best Super Cuts commercial I've ever seen. Didi!
[161] it’s so weird. Every time i pause and think, that was for Supercuts?
That should be 2 bases.
Come. On. Now.
Talk about how great of a defensive catcher he is again. Ga’head
Good eye, Gritner
C'mon, let's get some runs!!!
Bases full for GS
Score some runs! Little bingo!
Stanton needs to go BOOM!!!
Like Darling.... scooping waster out of a sinking boat
Aw crap, bases loaded, no outs, Yankees don’t score. I’ve seen this too often
C'mon Stanton.
Please come through here.
No DP, no K
Dammit. Don’t strikeout or do too much
Any fucking high school catcher would have done it, too. Settle down.
FUCK!
K, now double play
Awful from Stanton...
Fuck!
Go yard, Voit
Dont bite on that slider. Mash a heater.
Pathetic
I unbuttoned the top of my jersey for ya, Luke!
[183] From Stanton
Helps
I’ll take that
Must plate another
Let's go DD
Cmon Didi!
Rats!
Fuck. Not nearly enough after having the bases loaded and nobody out
Still a game
Stanton’s AB really sucked
That was just not good enough.
[194] indeed
Either Mario Impeba or Rod Allen is looking for a new gig next year. They got into a fight after a broadcast this August and both have been suspended. Neither all that great, but still better than TBS
Cone should stream himself at home doing the game.
[197] Good idea!
I’d pay for that stream!
That was probably ball 4...
And throw in Paul O’Neill. Goofing off each other. It’s not Scooter and Bill White, but nothing is.
What are you looking at?
Fuck you Blue!
Goos sign. Dammit!
Bullshit
That was not even close to a strike, total BS
Remember when Gleyber was good?
Good.
Tie the game, Cutch.
Tying run at the plate
Fucking Freak Kimbrel.
I loathe his stoopid setup. Always have. Even when he was a brave...
We Hateses Kimbtel
Crap.
[212] do you mean the douchecrow?
Dang it.
Tough to win a game like this when you leave so many on base.
Thanks nunez
Yeah, we’ve outhit these scumsuckers, but we suck with the bases loaded
Did Fave think there were 3 outs?
Well here we go
Sale vs Happ looks to be the difference. :(
They’ll crush Price tomorrow though
JUDGE!!!
ALL RISE!
Judge delivers
The. Man.
All feckin rise!
All Rise!!!!!
Still need more though...
Fuck yeah!
God, that base loaded crapfest is really going to rankle if we can't get another one here.
Atonement time, Stanton
Crush the pitch, dude
How can you not swing at that???
[223] AJ Crap didn't help, but I'm gonna put a lot on #RISPFAIL
Stanton has had an awful awful game
April/May Stanton seems to be back.
Fucking brutal
Didn't even get the bat off his shoulder ...
And that’s that
We should’ve won that game...
Well, they gave it their best. Nothing to be ashamed of.
that game was annoying from start to finish ... we should have won it.
We need some zeros from Tanaka tomorrow. I feel good about our chances.
Totally winnable game. Either they can make it a moral victory and stomp Price tomorrow or this could be a huge missed opportunity in retrospect.