We have to win this one, or ... realistically, start the countdown to Spring Training.

Truly. How are you feeling, vibes-wise?

Kiss, New York Groove. Brooklyn Bridge, 1996
https://youtu.be/D_hvAp23sOk
Recreate . . . 96.

4. Here here!

I know Judge is so in between right now. Hope a couple of guys get some mistakes, and he gets some, and he doesn't miss.

Win tonight. Thass it!

I am torn ... I want the Hobgoblin to make a couple of lineup changes, but at the same point, the choices are so rusty at this point I'm not sure it would matter

Trevino is in, but not the Martian

Cool and rainy in the rough & gritty streets of North Yokohama here, and I got to head to a meeting mid-game unfortunately, but will get the radio feed on while in transit. Let’s Go Yankees!

Oh, still seething about that Trevino PH choice instead of Jasson, what does he have to do to get in the game??

let's go Yankees!

[8]. Boone hasn't had the touch this series, but he hasn't helped himself. I think Jasson is probably the best hitter on the bench, but he hasn't been used yet. The bullpen has been very good with the exception of Nestor. They really need some offense which he can only control so much.

[10] He didn't hit really at all in September which is obviously influencing Boone's usage of him. LA has better overall bench pieces I think. Martian will be special but he'll presumably take time to get there.

I think Ohtani will homer to lead off but the Yanks will find a way to win the game.

Beating a dead horse but, FOX can’t do better than Joe Davis (who?) and John Smoltz (yuck)..????

Verdugout hasn't really hit since June, which OUGHT to influence the Hobgoblin, but he's got the defense, don'tcha know?

[13]
It's nice of FOX to find employment for a garden gnome as a sideline reporter, though

Sigh ... WTF is this?

Fat Joe? Meh…bring the Fania All Stars! (Old man shakes fist at cloud)

Instead of Trevi, can we replace Boone tonight?

Stop with this nonsense and start the game. I’ve got a nine am class.

[17] GET OFF MY LAWN OLD MAN
-Another old man

Anyone see that late night garbage about ‘The MLB’ getting an anonymous tip last week that Aaron Judge was using steroids and he was to he tested before Gane 3? I’m guessing it was all bogus…

[21] no that sounds like nonsense.

That ‘music’ was sooo far beyond awful. On par with Boone’s decisions at the end of the games…

Wish I hadn’t seen that late at night, before finally going to bed. Between that and election anxiety, I slept terribly…

[23] we warmed up with some My Bloody Valentine to kill time until the game...

Pretty cool that Clark’s dad is a Delta pilot and flew the team across country last week. And, working for Delta makes sense that Schmidt of the Atlanta suburbs.

I’m just getting home from teaching and about to have my dinner ruined by the Dodgers lineup…

My Bloody Valentine are great!
I don’t mind Fat Joe but live hip-hop doesn’t always work well.

here we go.... nerves rising...

uh oh. control issues.

Great start. 4 pitch walk to a speedster with zero arm behind the plate. He’s stealing soon…

Fuck

Dinner ruined on queue

damn

that pitch was terrible

How many decking times they going to throw the same poorly places fastball to Freeman?????

Way to go, Clark. Good job. Glad Boonie thinks you’re a confident guy.

I have a tremendous amount of confidence that Jidge will strike out and look fucking terrible doing so…

I believe, We've got this somehow.

Gleyber has been sooo good

Gleyber will not be easy to replace next season.

Soto is *impossible* to replace if he leaves…

Now’s the time.

There was the pitch. Whiffed and looked bad

Predictable K

Series over.

swung at junk.

90 mph cutter with barely any bite. He looked like a bunch of fcuking horseshit.

judge is just too eager to swing at those pitches. So they don't have to throw strikes.

[24] Man, you and me both, except I didn't see the Judge thing.

Personally, I have two questions. (1) Will tonight pass without a single bunt towards Freeman? (2) What is Stroman on the roster for, if not to get suspended in place of a useful player, for letting a pitch slip and hit Freeman in, oh I don't know, the leg?

[47] He's anxious but he controlled it until the last pitch. I take that as a good sign.

Here's some radical surgery. Tomorrow, bench Judge and play The Martian in his place.

Don’t strut too much, Schmidt

[49] let's hope so...

Terrorist walking time

Nah. Gotta keep the big man in there. Bench Ver-douche-go and play The Martian

good job Schmidt!

[50] That is not happening.

Brutal uppercut : /

[57] Made him work, though. Gotta make Buehler throw a ton of pitches and early. The more the Dodgers bullpen pitches tonight, the better it is tomorrow (bullpen game for LA).

ump sucks

Fuck you, blue

Awful.

[4] I'm awfully late with this, but nice to see you in the comments AB!

The ‘09 lineup was sooo deep…

[59] Not as bad as the game 1 ump, definitely not as good as the game 2 ump.

Pathetic

[54] I wish Boone had done that every game, once The Martian was up.
How's the drumming going?

Jazz popping up 3-1. Rizzo whiffing on garbage. Alright, then.

The drumming is going great, OYF!

Our performance against their starters is troubling.

Schmidt has to stop worrying about the Dodgers' lefty hitters.

Even this one.

I love giving up leadoff walks. Love it.

walking the #9 hitter on 4 pitches is so bad.

Definitely walk the 9 batter to start the inning.

That long strap dangling off of Schmidt’s glove is as annoying as his pitching

Throw a freaking strike!

Let's please stop saying Brandon Gomes is some genius. They beat up on garbage teams all year and they're now playing an inferior team with their biggest bat a non factor. This isn't astrophysics.

well we can't come back if we don;t shut them down. C'mon Schmidt!

Nice try, Rizzo.

[77] Here, here!

ARE YOU KIDDING?!

Sigh, tain’t nuthin workin.

Sigh.

Of course.

nothing is going our way.

The same pitch called a strike against Volpe, should have struck out Markus

Two lead off walks, two runs. See how that works?

[85] Was thinking the same thing

this is hard to watch.

2-0 on every batter

30 balls in 66 pitches and still one more out to go in the 3rd. Yikes.

Sooo many fucking pitches

Yup. Schmidt may not finish the fourth.

31 balls, 68 pitches. Jeebus, Clarke.

Not even a full three for Clark

I spoke too soon. Is El Duque available?

Good job, Confidence Kid. : /

Leiter in to save the season???? Boone-o-riffic managing as usual :<

Nice pitch, Leiter.

Nice pitching kid.

phew!

Here. Come. The. Bats!

Doesn’t matter. We can’t score 3 (or more) runs…

Super stoked that Trevino and Verdugo are batting this inning. That’ll really spark a comeback…

[97] I don't mind Leiter here. No sense in bringing in a lefty to face Will Smith, a RHB. No sense in going to Holmes, Kahnle, or Dream Weaver this early (it's so far from over). That leaves Stroman (NO), Cousins (meh), and Leiter. I'll take Leiter.

[101] We want a Score Truck!! We want a Score Truck!!

[102] Worse hitters have driven the Score Truck, you know.

I'd say hitter-friendly is an understatement for the umpire.

That was an awful at bat.

Just get on Verdugo.

I blinked and there are two outs.

We don’t belong in this Series…

The analytics guys will only course continue to say ‘it’s a crapshoot!’ Which is nonsense, you don’t win a series like this with a complete black hole in the back half the lineup

Yup. It's just about time for a carefully considered change in the front office.

gleyber rules

[109] Man, I don't know. I seem to recall that black hole that was the 2001 Dbacks back half of the lineup...

[111] Outcome of this series aside, unless Soto decides to go elsewhere (please God no) I think we will not see Gleyber in pinstripes again. Which will suck. Dude has been excellent.

[112] Nothing a hanging cutter from Mo can't cure.

(112) Black Holes can be negated by the Johnson-Schilling Parallax Theorem :(

[113] he seems like an affordable signing though. But yeah I have little faith in the willingness to pay much at all. If they sign Soto especially.

Haha. Yeah,not sure we were beating that pitching in 2001 under any circumstances.

this is so boring. ball. ball. ball. ball. ball. ball.

God, is this just going to be one of those series where we don't ever cheer again?

I wish I could be happier that we’re even in the Whirled Serious. I was, but then … Boonie.

[119] it's really frustrating that we can't even find anything to cheer for. Not even a token solo homer or anything.

Really love that leadoff walk … again

Got him!

Shit. Are his fingers in? Please don’t overturn this.

Not enough to overturn

Look, the Dodgers are a stacked team with just about everyone playing their best baseball right now. Including the pitching.

That's tough to beat with a wonky top heavy lineup and the MVP making your 9 hitter look good.

[125] I agree.

Yup.

Out!

Suck it, Smoltz.

Whew!

Yanks got away with one. Now, Ohtani just can't hit a 3 run homer. (But he prolly will.)

Nestor? Really?1

Jennifer Steinbrenner is in the front row. Can she just go into the dugout, tell Boonie to pack up his belongings, and assign Ausmus as manager?

Nice that are season is coming down to players who weren't even on previous playoff rounds rosters. Let's go Nestor!

I kind of expected Nestor with Schmidt going so short but hoped he'd start a clean inning.

I’ll accept that surprising K

Nestor! Lucky he swung at that

Nestor!

Whatever works...

Phew

That play home was just the spark they needed!

nice!

It’s getting late early unless someone..anyone…in pinstripes can string a couple of hits together.

A hit!

wooo Stanton GO CRAZY! We over cheered for that haha

Nice catch by Mookie.

Surprised we didn’t get doubled up…

Volpe has been a bust with the stick so far in this series. Time for a knock.

Are they crazy sending him?

Why? Why?

Just dumb. Your average HS left fielder throws out Stanton.

[149] Desperation.

nothing can go right

It was sooo obvious he was getting thrown out. I was even excited about the hit…

Press much? Can't send him there.

They are playing desperate and stupid.

At least Freeman can only score one run here.

Glad they have the leadoff guy on again

Teo’s fastest throw of the year. Of course.

And the bad news bears in the field continues.

Nice DP!

yeah dp!

Even the DP looks ugly…

Here’s a crazy idea, string some hits together and manufacture some runs.

Spark!

Splash!

Let's go!

At least the no hitter is off the table. Hurrray!

And yet another quick out

Anyone who lived in LA after living in NY can attest that Vin Scully was sweet but boring as fuck.

Get on base!

Dodgers defense has been lights out.

I'm keeping faith, one has to, but my biggest problem with this team, this series? We are boring!!!

Not surprising.

The bottom of the lineup is dreadful. It seems like the team has a chance to score only once every three innings. And that assumes that one of only three or so consistently productive hitters does not go into a massive slump.

I thought they'd have Nestor go longer than that

LA Taking the effective starter out? Sounds good.

And Boone does inspire confidence that we get a tactical edge from the dugout.

I honestly thought Jeter tossing that pitch would bring some magic.

good fundamental baseball, world series team. : /

Crap.

perfect. fuck every single one of these players. (except soto)

[175] does NOT, obviously

A hit with a risp. Yankees have sucked at at all season.

Walks, hit by pitch, passed ball.

Yankees baseball!

good thing we hit him with a pitch. he would have stolen second even without the wild pitch, and we couldn't throw him out at home even though he has a bad hip. we are *pathetic*

It was actually a great throw from Judge but it was a long shot.

[181] The last few years. With different players. Only constant has been ownership, front office, and manager.

shocking. doesn't matter though. we're getting swept...

It would just be silly to roll another season with Cashman and Boone. Turn the page.

I didn't expect to win this series, but I didn't expect to be embarrassed. We are not a clutch team, and without Judge, not a dangerous offensive team.

easy peasy. for them, of course.

i didn't see us beating the dodgers, mets, padres, or phillies...

For a series that's been close score wise, this series hasn't felt close since Boone-y's Blunder

I'm not sure we're worthy of Juan Soto

C'mon, Captain!!!

i hope tomorrow isn't the last time we see Soto in pinstripes (assuming we get swept, which is *highly* likely)...

[191] Boonie's BluderS, plural.

safe

Another sigh.

Can't win when the Captain couldn't hit water falling out of his own boat

WTF? damn...

As a Steelers fan I am quite familiar with the close but no cigar just above average coaching, clinging onto the tall tales of yesteryear when coaching and ownership were actually competent.

Throw in a little luck and an unexpected HOF draft pick and you get magic. A little luck ain't helping this squad. It needs a new engine and transmission entirely.

great job, judge.

Running out of GD time for Judge to do anything consequential.

Frankenstanton refuses to die ... again.

station to station.

stanton to station.

Base hit, Jazz. Base hit.

Judge can't even hit into a double play properly. ;>)

Why isn't Stanton batting 3rd. That small adjustment could have already paid off.

[202] i'd say every at-bat of his has serious consequences. : (

[206] ha! funny and true!

[194] It is my birthday tomorrow, so personally I think a win is highly likely. :)

And! Folks, I know our boys are playing like garbage, but we have all seen a team be COMPLETELY destroyed for 3 games and then win 4 in a row. I don't like borrowing from the Mets, but, ya gotta believe, yes?

Jazz, too.

[209] Or the Townies.

[209] ooh, i know that! it's my dad's birthday too!

Sigh

the only shocking scenario is if we actually scored.

If this keeps up I might not look as forward to baseball in the spring. WTF!!!!!!!

This PS, Stanton and Soto both have an OPS over 1.000.
Meanwhile Judge: .150, .280, .325, .605 - not including 0 for 3 tonight, 19K's in 41 AB.
A guy I dislike, Verdugo with less than a .499 OPS.
Why is Jaason not playing?!?!?!?

What is this 1976? The No Joy in Mudville WS?

We need a Jim Leyritz moment.

We're about to need a 2004 Red Sox moment

[217] Even tough I became a Yankee fan in 1969 (why were the Mets getting all the press in the newspaper) I have no memory of 1976 WS, just 1977.

[215] yup. i was really excited for this series. the end of the first two games wrecked me and the beginning of this one buried me ... :_(

Can't hit. Can't throw strikes. oi.

Walks haven't been ending well.

[218] Might as well be us!

of course freddie still beat it out.

holmes about to serve one up to teo...

Our pitching has not been a problem. If you can't score 4 runs you don't deserve to win.

Hill keeps getting out the lefties. Who would have thought?

freddie's ankle is apparently as fine as a certain insurrectionist.

also, edman of course would have made that play...

Yup. If Freeman raced Stanton around the bases he'd beat him by 100 feet.

[220] No shit. I'd rather they have not made it than have to watch this.

[225] Don't deserve, and won't!

Gotta get some guys on base here.

[217]. They were down 6-0 in that one, about to go down in the series 3-1 and got it back to 6-3 before Leyritz's AB.

foul. of course...

Beware of the breaking ball.

it that were LA, it would have been a 2-run job with no one on...

Even worse.

When is the last time Rizzo hit a HR? Seems like he doesn't have any power.

C'mon, Rizzo, don't make an out!

Volpe needs to sit, but Boone is incapable of showing even a hint of creativity...

...aside from asking an injured starter to close a game in a high pressure situation.

[236] August was the last time ANY Yankee playing first base hit a home run.

wells on deck.

[239] yup. *insane* stat

Alright, a base runner! More, please!!

wells needs to go yard right now...

C'mon, Wells! Here we go!

[243] Sure - but to channel RIYank once upon a time poking a little fun at me: we want a non-out event!

[245] i always say: 'don't make an out', at my house

What the actual fuck!?!? That was NOT a strike, you blind dipshit!

FUCK YOU, BLUE!!!

Fuck you Blue. Too low

Can't blame Wells for not swinging. The chances of him getting a hit are near zero.

[249] Actually looked good upon replay.

Nice work, blue.

can gleyber get on in an inning other than the first?
let's hope so!

OK, we got 2 baserunners and Gleyber up. Let's go Yankees (clap clap clap clap clap)

[251] only by the box, which I don’t trust.

get on and soto go BOOM!

It's getting late early.

That wasn't a strike.

wait, WHAT???

Is that on the pitch or checked swing?

This ump needs to get fired before the next inning.

Boone needs to get thrown out over this crappy umping.

All I want for Christmas is the ABS challenge system, because this is madness. Not a strike.

Wow!

Ump calling them both high and low that inning. WTF.

C'mon Umps, the Yankees are perfectly capable of losing without your help.

One more AB for Judge to K or hit a five run HR.

I'm not a lip reader but I'm pretty sure I know what Gleyber said there, and you are right my man.

Even worse on slo-mo replay.

LA only has 5 hits. But our fielding and walking of hitters did us in.

Sure the ump sucks, but complaining about balls and strikes when you're down by 4 and your team has basically only two guys in the line up who can hit--it looks bad.

Worst of all, the guy who could benefit from some close calls has been swinging wildly at balls for the whole series.

Tommy'll take that bad call.

Ok, it’s late and the Verizon Fios connection is on the fritz all night. Gotta get up early.

We can hit Brasier. In theory. Though we can't seem to hit anything right now.

[271] Smart move.

I was worried that I stupidly scheduled a new business Zoom meeting during this game. However, I was happy to leave the game for that hour.

Judge, all we need is a walk here. Please.

winning a ring here was really career legacy making for cole, judge, and stanton, all of whom are borderline hall of famers. soto is going to be a shoo-in...

strike out again, dude.

i still think cole is somewhat injured. hasn't gone to 90 pitches in over a month and was shaking his hand a couple of times last outing...

[274] Ask and ye shall receive!

we're going to strike out double digit times...

You cannot take possible strike three looking with the ump they have out there right now n

sterling came back for this...

double digits!!

Season going right down the tubes.

New Bomber Slogan: Swinging on Balls

[281] I am glad to hear him a few more times. He was just saying he thinks Jeter was wrong, when you get to the World Series and don't win, it isn't a failure - it's a heck of a year. He's right of course.

Yikes. That'll do it.

[285] yup. i made sure to hear that. i'll listen to him in the 9th too and some tomorrow as well. that'll be the last game of the season...

dream weaver coming in to face ohtani...

[288] Might as well, right?

Been a never-say-die, Yankee fan since I was 7 years old, thus before '76. I think I get a pass for shutting this off now. Life is too short.

Seeya tomorrow for the final Yankee game for many of these guys.

[289] JUMP!

Well, this team, Frank excepted, has played the entire series like they're all wearing tighty whities at LEAST one size too small.

oh, good. leadoff speedy guy aboard.

it definitely hit his toe. now, he'll steal second and third.

I'm confused here. He was on first base. Why challenge?

[293] I feel like "almost lost for the rest of the postseason due to a slide" Ohtani is unlikely to steal.

And there's the double play!!

bottom of the order coming up and, if we're lucky, ver-douche-go(away) will end the game in sad, sad, sad fashion.

maybe pinch hit for Verdugo. What do you have to lose Boone?

[297] Could use a couple of baserunners to get to that.

a strikeout? i'm shocked! shocked, i tell you!

on a terrible pitch, to boot. not close, so it would have been called a strike anyhow...