Last night’s game was difficult.
Saturday
November 23, 2024
Since 2002
On the Edge
There are any number of things that could’ve been done differently, and all of them were hashed out and beaten into the ground in the minutes and hours after the Cleveland Guardians scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Yankees 5-3 and take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
There were questions about bullpen usage and defensive strategy, but we never got any actual answers from Aaron Boone. Rookie Clarke Schmidt, and not All-Star Clay Holmes, was tasked with getting the final three outs of the most important game the Yankees had played up until that point in the season. When asked about it afterwards, Boone said that Holmes was only available in an emergency. When Holmes was asked about it, he said that he had showed up at the park prepared to pitch. When Luís Severino was asked about it, he said that Holmes was the closer, so of course he was surprised. Then he expanded: “You’ll have to ask Boonie and Blake about that.”
It was a bad look. The Yankee house was burning, and everyone one was taking turns tossing kerosene on each other.
Some also wondered about Oswaldo Cabrera’s play in left field. He had had a great game and certainly would’ve earned first-paragraph mention in most recaps had things not imploded in the ninth inning. His double ahead of Aaron Judge’s home run was important, and his own two-run home run in the fifth inning gave the Yankees the lead in a game they were poised to win.
But for the second time this series we saw him make a tentative approach on a ball hit in front of them, and this time it started that rally in the ninth. Why, people asked, was Aaron Hicks on the roster if not to play defense in the ninth inning of a two-run game? That double was a ball that Hicks likely would’ve caught.
There were also questions about shortstop Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, who continues to struggle in the field. He botched a ball that led to a run in the second inning, then misplayed a grounder that should’ve been the third out of the sixth inning. Instead, Severino was lifted early and the Guardians plated a run.
Boone wouldn’t admit concern about either Cabrera’s defense in left or IKF’s fielding at short, but tonight’s lineup indicates something different; IKF is out, Cabrera is at short, and Hicks is in left. Too little too late? We’ll see.
If you’ve made the mistake of wandering through Yankee twitter in the last twelve hours, you know that the natives are restless. I get that, but there’s one theme that I disagree with. When the Phillies play the Padres in the NLCS, Bryce Harper will be facing Manny Machado, and many Yankee fans are convinced that one of those two players would’ve been the balm to heal all these wounds. (This summer it was Carlos Correa, but since the Twins didn’t make the playoffs, I suppose people have forgotten about him.)
The reality is that this is baseball, and this is the playoff structure that baseball wants. The 162-game regular season tells us who the best teams are, but that isn’t exciting enough for Rob Manfred and his minions. They don’t believe that October provides enough drama on its own; they want ALL the drama. But it’s a double-edged sword. The scene in San Diego last night was epic. I apologize for using that word, but that’s truly what it was. It was everything that baseball wants.
But on the other hand, by allowing a team into the playoffs after finishing 22 games out of first place, baseball now moves to the LCS without one of the greatest regular season teams in the history of the sport. They will see this as validation of the expanded playoff system, but it shouldn’t be a surprise. If they expand to 24 teams, there will be upsets galore and even more excitement — precisely because this is baseball. Anyone acn beat anyone in a short series, and that’s exactly what they want. They want the drama.
Will the Yankees be the next victim of this? Or will Gerrit Cole do what he was paid to do? Tune in tonight and find out.
Let’s-Go-Yan-Kees!
- Torres, 2b
- Judge, rf
- Rizzo, 1b
- Stanton, dh
- Donaldson, 3b
- Cabrera, ss
- Bader, cf
- Trevino, c
- Hicks, lf
Guardians
- Slap hitter, lf
- Slap hitter, ss
- José Ramirez, 3b
- Homer or nothing hitter, dh
- Rookie, rf
- Slap hitter, 2b
- Slap hitter, 1b
- Slow slap hitter, c
- Bloop hitter, cf
Categories: 1: Featured Game Thread Hank Waddles
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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver
--Earl Weaver
This series reminds me so much of the 2003 WS. Hopefully, there’s a happier ending.
Here we go…
let's go Yankees! Hope is all I have.
A rally!
Heavy Monday morning work load at Acme Investigations, INC here but have the game on in the background.
Safe! 1-0 good guys!
Early lead!
A run!
And a base running blunder, sigh.
What the hell was Rizzo doing?
Unfuckingbelievable.
That was some inning…
"...bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Yankees 5-3"
The final score was 6-5.
This goddamn fucking kid
The booing on throw overs has gotten out of hand
[12] Wishful thinking on my part, apparently.
I'm ready to see Ron darling shot off into space never to be heard from again.
[15] No... You posted what the final score should have been.
Fuck that fucking kid. What a fucking pest.
Yeah, Darling used to be better. He’s been truly terrible
I'm nervous.
11 pitches.
Nice.
Gotta win every inning
good job Cole!
I cringe watching Naylor hit and run and field. He’s sooo dumpy. And that back pocket flapping bothers me…
It’s funny how we al react differently to announcers. I like Darling, but Costas is such a blowhard. At least it’s not Costas & Smoltz, that would have driven me to radio for sure.
Hank - very funny on their lineup in your post! I would have written Fucking Pest for the leadoff guy ; )
Don’t get picked off in a stoopid rundown!
Unproductive out.
Bader!
WOWIE ZOWIE!!!
Bye Bye Bader!!!!!!
Costas set that up on a tee.
Kaboooooooooooom!
Quantrill will not face Bader again. Book it.
Oh, and this — Monty who?
YAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!
So they trade for a guy who shows up in a boot. Like the HR
I’m just wild about Harry!!!
Time for Cole to earn that dough. Shut these no-names down.
Ara Just Fair, yep. It’s Cole time. No excuses now with this lead!
Fuck all these contact guys
Can’t Cole have an easy inning?
Wish we turned two on that
Beautiful. A nice easy DP
Won another inning
Eleven pitches an inning will work.
Well a non strike out.
Judge had TWO pitches to hit in that at bat. He’s late and underneath the ball
Rizzo was under that one too…
Maybe the problem with not slumping all year is that eventually the slump will come, even if it’s October.
A leadoff walk to a TERRIBLE hitter. Shit fuck damn
Fucking leadoff walk.
Fuck.
Here comes the fucking pest
If only IKF had been there last night.
This fucking Kwan is a pain in my balls.
Got the lead runner.
If Cole got the 1st 2 outs he could've drilled him in the ribs. 2 outs!
Cabrera looks comfy at short
Haha! I like the way you think, just fair
[58] Didn't even think about throwing the baseball.
They’ve been peppering the right side with hits all fucking series
This might be the most important at bat of the game for Cole coming up right here.
Fuck fuck fuck.
[61] They do play some baseball, these fucks.
Best not to have two men on when Ramirez bats.
Two curves in a row, same spot, same results...
One more...
Fucking bloops. FUCK!!!
Sigh.
Yup. Hix is the answer in left.
Dammit, a bloop. And a baserunning blunder
AGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
F*cking bloops
Such a dumb challenge
Stupid bloop
that is an out.
Man. I was celebrating there… but forgot about the Bermuda Triangle in left field.
Also was Hicks jogging in on that?
That was a bad challenge. Maybe it will come back to bite them.
Jogging in with no rush watching Oswaldo the whole time.
Coulda been worse but the bloops are making me bleep.
How in the FUCK did that ball drop?
Godfuckingdamnit.
[26] I like Daring too. Go figure.
Nice start for the boys from Bronx.
It's Monday here, I will have to zoom out for a Zoom before this one is finished. [sigh]
Not a strike.
Also, some idiot let the coffee run out, and I'm looking at the man in the mirror.
God, I hate how worked up I am.
I'm all nervous and queasy.
Just leave your bat on the bench next time, josh.
(84) Shamone!
Tito Francona looking old, think he’s had some health issues in recent years?
It's okay. Bader leads off next inning. Strength of our order coming up.
Oh, and it's seems we already "benefited" with Hickies' defense that many of you craved.
[87] The dude is put together with rubber bands and string right now. It's amazing he's still out there managing.
2022 Tito looks like he ate 2004 Tito. The wrong kind of puffy. Illness not hamburgers.
I hope he’s healthy.
Huh, the radar shows no rain around Cleveland.
[89].He used to be a very good center fielder.
(90) Oh man I just read about that, he’s had a really hard time..
Fuckitty
At least it is a solo homer.
[92] oh that cloud? Just a few midges.
The Cole Homer.
[96] Exactly.
Sigh.
Now what?
Jesus f'ing Christ.
Please, Cole.
Please, man, keep it the fuck together.
Just breathe. Chill out and breathe.
You got this.
The Ace! A near Homer foul, then a realHomer, then another Almost Homer.
Time for a coffee run. Hold 'em Cole.
Costas didn't like Oswalsdo's show last night but had no problem with that dude carrying his big balls around?
Hah, overturned!
Attaboy.
nice!
Back on mute and music.
My twins are singing Coat-of Many Colors at the Halloween fest downtown and my heart is bursting even at their practice.
I
accept
that
walk!
(108) That’s a Dolly song, yes?
Hicks contributing!
Hicks still knows how to walk.
That's something.
[108] adorable!
Yep; Dolly.
Two on and one out. Score one or more here boys. Please.
Of course a double play
Cleveland with their fucking bloops, then Gleyber hits one on the screws.
You have got to be fucking kidding me.
Was Torres not running hard?
Good defense. What a concept.
How the fuck do you complete a double play like that after a drop.
Did Gleyber think that was caught?
[115] Well, you know what they say, Suzyn...
The most promising inning in days. Fucking Bollocks!
[121] John predicted every NFL score today, by the way.
ok, now some runs please....
If John can predict the G Men winning the SB, a series loss to the IndGuardians would sting a little less m
[123] lol--for real?
Nice, G. Cole
Just getting back from picking up dinner for my family. Listened in the car on my mlb app. And, yup, Sterling talked about how you can’t predict baseball and statistics are dumb because they’re all in the past!
[128] lol
Of course he did.
Probably out.
Hustle from the MVP. Don’t reverse this one.
Shit. Pretty clear.
His foot was clearly off the base. Shut this crowd up
These fucking assholes were so psyched that he was out.
"They have zero challenges remaining."
Yay!
[126 No. But that would be funny wouldn't it?
[131] Someone on this team knows how to bust it out of the box.
[136]. hahahahaha
It really would.
FAIR BALL! FAIR BALL!!
YAAAYYYYYY!!!
Really nice at bat from Rizzo.
CAPITALIZE! Ferfuck's sake!
That’s one back
Why didn't Rizzo tag?
Man, I thought Stanton’s ball was out. Shows how nervous I am.
Yeah I thought Stanton styled that one.
Get more.
I think of all the hitters on this team, I have the least faith in Donaldson.
They have to plate Rizzo.
Donaldson's at bats are a good time to leave the room.
Donaldson is straight trash. Give me Gio all day.
Can't get another big hit. Choke.
Fuck.
I love me some Gio!
O-Cab feels like Gerald Williams 2.0.
High ceiling but…
That was a real missed opportunity.
I feel like the only way to beat this team is to blitz them. I do not feel good about a two-run game.
Shoot, I had to give the terrorists their bedtime walk and then take out the trash. Missed the scoring.
[154] I can't imagine why.
Wait. Does it have something to do with those guys who never bat and have their own area to sit in?
Let’s take a second to appreciate Rizzo. Just a winner all day long.
Me and my brother lived 4-5 blocks from Wrigley, respectively just before the Cubs finally won. My eldest nieces (six months younger than my daughter) first words were Rizzo.
Love the guy
Thank you, Gerrit!
Nice job, Cole.
Nine more outs...
Solid inning by Cole. Hope he’s rolling downhill and can handle 1-2 more.
[156] I daresay you hit the nail square on the head, my friend.
We need to be knocking around these nullpenners
Bullpenners
Oh, huh. Okay I have two comments in moderation. I thought I knew why the first one got stuck, but apparently I don't.
Ah! Because in both of them I mention games of fortune! Wordpress must think I'm advertising illicit sites!
You guys are like a half inning ahead of me. I hate when that happens. So I'm hiding in the weeds.
Anyway, nice to get some insurance runs, but we will need more, me thinks.
Dammit. How the fuck did he make that play? Hicks hit it hard
[165] You mean you're not?
So you can say FUCK but you can’t say roo lette.
[167] Because the baseball gods are against us.
Knuckles (my numbering is off now because of my comments in moderation so I'd get the number wrong if I tried): Exactly. And you can't say the name of the establishment that houses that game either.
[171] RIYank, you mean Trump's 'Taj Mahal'?
Costas & Darling speculating on 'what's going on in Boone's head..' Tumbleweeds?
FUCK!!!
Interesting.
On that note, I hope Putin wakes up one morning soon and decides to play a game of RussianGoFuckYourself.
Can they do anything right on defense?
So, Bader is a no glove power guy?
damnit.
[172] [I think] yeah, the generic of that.
Now they plan on using Holmes for 2+? Crap
See what happens when you bust it out of the box?
fuckfuckfuckfuck
Glad we traded the started who could’ve delivered us the one seed for Gardner 2.0.
Starter.
Looks like my Zoom meeting will force me to miss the nail-biting end of this.
Stay strong friends. Bring it home.
[183] MLB Tv on the desktop lets you use a tiny 'pop out' window.. :)
Cole has thrown about 8 eye-high fastballs tonight. Nobody is swinging at those.
2 out!
Nice K, Cole!
Nice
nice!,
Bravo!!!!!
Bravo, Cole!
One more!
Exactly - I was thinking the same thing, Ara. These guys don’t chase up there. Just a wasted pitch
Another rookie moment.
Nice pitch!
Right under the hands at 97...
Two more...
Hah, Ara! Will Brennan just swung at one of 'em!
Oh, yes!
0-2...
Ace.
Nice job Cole!!
LET’S GO!!!!!
Hurrah for Cole!!!
Hot damn. Cole delivered tonight.
beautiful!
YAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!
F.
Yes.
Damn. He finished with a bang.
Okay, two rounds of rule et. Another run or two would be nice!
Insurance, please.
Give him the eighth to start at least.
[189]. I'm glad you put the sticks down for a hot minute to join to join the playoff gang. ; )
Thanks! Hopefully, there’s a game tomorrow night. If so, I won’t be able to make it here though…
4 runs ain't gonna cut it.
That guy just doesn’t have enough power ; )
I thought he got that one.
Damn.
End of the bat.
someone keeps blowing a whistle just as the pitch approaches home plate. Boone should be on that
Not sure how I’m gonna make it through these next two innings. I am soooo stressed and nervous.
We needed to score more these past three innings against their young relievers
Buckle up. Here comes the shit show.
[212] You and me both, brother.
You and me both.
[214] That's the spirit!
[212] [215] yep super anxious here too
Anyone think the Yanks will re-sign Judge? $300,000,000 is a lot of money.
[218] hope so. He'll make that and more for them easily.
I'm weirdly calm.
I know in my soul that everything is going to be all right.
I like strike one
One out!
I've done my fair of things but never coke. I imagine being hyped up, agitated, and pissed off with no end in sight. Like now!
[216]. lol.... Good to see you. : )
Six effing, 5 effing outs
[220] I'll take that.
One out.
This fucking kid again
Just a *little* bit outside.
Where's Luetge!?
not.
[227]. This fucking kid again.
Uh oh.
Oh man. He's so good, but he loses the strike zone.
Jesus Fucking H Christ
Not even close! FUCK!
Here comes the stolen base
OMFG.
Strike this fucking terrible beard out
This team prints money. They have to sign Judge.
I really think a Boone for Mattingly swap makes too much sense. Hell, I’d be thrilled with Aaron going and Bam Bam getting the nod.
Get it lower.
He's just throwing the one pitch. Sinking fastball, every pitch.
Jermaine Dye.
Oh, wow. I’ll take that K
Sit down, bruh.
I mean, it's a very good pitch! So, go for it.
The booth always quick to support Cleveland's batters.
Woof!
I'll take that call.
Thanks, blue.
I might hate Kwan more than Altuve
I’d take Bam Bam as the manager. I don’t think Donnie is a very good field manager…at all. Boone is all kindsa terrible
Keep it low!
[218] OYF, I think the Giants poach him..
C'Mon Clay!
16 pitches so far. Gotta watch that if they want him going two frames
YEAH!!!
SWEEET!
Great job by H
woo!
Man, it's a good pitch when he's on top of it.
Okay let's give him the ninth too.
Costas announcing a huge Yankee strike out like he's drinking some orange juice, wish we had YES for these games
Geico runs, please and thank you
[223] did it about a dozen times. Not a fan, too amped up and the crash is horrible.
Got off pot about 25 years ago.
Bourbon and a Yankees win is best.
Meulens should have been hired when Boone was but Aaron “nailed the interview” or whatever TF, despite Bam Bam having the actual track record, being multilingual etc.
Man, he swung at that!
Can we get that Progessive gal to provide some insurance?
Exactly, Jazz. I’m missing Kay. And, I believe Costas is a lifelong Yankee fan. Maybe he’s over trying to dial that down.
Cleveland crowd has been LOUD
[258] Same here, about ten times, over the course of a month.
I loved it. Totally loved it. And I'm so so so so glad it was only a month.
[256]. I know. I blurted at the tv "Try to contain yourself, Bob."
[262] costas has bought into the myth of himself and tries to be profound every time.
Just call the game
[223] Cheers! :)
[263} That must have been some month! lol....
Hope the blue is as generous in the bottom of the inning
167 and 0 with a 2 run lead in the ninth in the post-season until last night. Can the Baseball Goods be so cruel again?
[267] Was about to say that! I was always more of a light-up a Bob Marley and put on some Miles Davis or Pink Floyd type. But not in Japan, where a wise man once told me, 'Yo, they arrested and held a BEATLE in jail for a little pot, what you think will happen to you??'
Bad call. Bad inning.
Let’s have a great and fast 1-2-3 inning here
This ump did fairly well tonight until the last few innings.
Another umpire who doesn’t know the strike zone. I think I’d be embarrassed if a rookie kid knew the zone better than I did.
All right.
Here we go...
[269] Yeah I saw that, amazing.
Remember when going to the bullpen was a joy? I did appreciate it... but I don't think I appreciated it *enough*.
Deja vu
Go get it. Please.
Three outs to go.
Here we go indeed.
How did this thread turn into cocaine? I don’t have numbers on my phone version of the banter, so I can’t really follow.
I’ve never done a hard drug or even been stoned in my entire life. Hell, I’ve never even tasted coffee before! But, I sure do love good craft beer. Had a lot of a local red amber ale this weekend. No wine, shots, or hard alcohol for me either. Just good beer!
Wandy after 27 pitches last night? Why not Lasagna?
Oh, handedness
[279] You're the anti-Keith Moon, thelarmis, and all the healthier for it!
Let's Go Wandy!!
You got this, Wandy!
It's all you, my brother!
Feels like this first batter will be even bigger than usual.
Nice.
One
Wandy?
One down! I like Magic Wandy. I’m still nervous as hell, but less anxious than if Holmes were still out there
Two
Sweet!
One more
One out...
Cleveland swinging away...??? Thank you!
I’m liking this so far.
WTF
Maybe I have amnesia from the 115 win team through July but is Wandy really the best option here?
One.
Apparently my phone is a bit late.
Two out...
Haha - true, Jazz!
Two.
[284] and the second!
Shanthi... Shanthi...
Wandy’s Lefty Lane
One. More. Strike.
Sick fucking quick pitch!
Ahhhhhhhh.
I knew it. I was so calm.
Yes!!!
Wandy is a badass!!
Three! See you all tomorrow night
HELL YES!
BASEBALL IN THE BRONX!!!
[302] Loved it.
See you all tomorrow AM! Going to be a tense one...
YAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!
Ron & Bob are sooo utterly disappointed
One
Game
Series
Let’s go.
Yes! Tied!
Well I'll be! Cheers, y'all!
exhaling
Great fun in the thread again tonight, everyone. See you tomorrow night!
[312] Fuck 'em.
Yeah, and now you two assholes are the crestfallen ones.
g'night all! well done
MUCH better!
Bullpen game tomorrow right? Taillon as "opener"? Then maybe a little bit of Nestor, a little bit of Schmidt...
Should be a fun one!
Cole just said, “We said F it, we gotta challenge this guy.”
Helluva day for New York’s sports teams.
[322] Loved that!
Taillon and German tomorrow?
Really need the bombers to hit the fuck outta the ball and get a big early lead. Like the Phillies did…
[321] why not German?
[325] Yeah though I hope we skip on Taillon. Just me maybe but I don't trust him
Yeah, Jameson in the first would be tough. I’d rather start German
[321] [325] I keep thinking Nestor Cortes, but it looks like Taillon is the guy. Let's go Yank-ees!
Great win, Team!
See y'all in the Boogie Down!
Well, you did it! Great win.
Now, I'm thinking that my absence was good ju-ju for the win.
Do I have to miss then end of tomorrow's game, too?
I just bought a ticket for tomorrow! Holy fuck, I'm going to my first postseason game ever!
Nice, weeping!
[333] I'm an impulsive fool!
[334] Wow. We will be there in spirit with you.
FYI, I was in Cleveland (on holiday, believe it or not) during the playoffs in the late 80s and I actually sneaked into a playoff game. Slide my skinny body right under the outfield fence. Charlie Sheen threw out the first pitch....and I had seen him on the airplane when I was coming over from NYC.
[332] Awesome! Can't wait for the full report!
[335] [336] I'm so excited!
[334] I always was too. Enjoy!
I'm still watching the postgame. Seems like Michael Kay is drunk. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Just an observation.
22 years ago today I was at the stadium with my brother for the ALCS clincher where Justice hit the bomb.
Mets had clinched the day before so the crowd wanted that Subway Serious. Have never seen that ballpark as loud as that day. Just wild.
Good vibes for tonight’s game.