It would be more upsetting if it wasn’t so predictable. Dallas Keuchel continued his mastery of the Yanks as the Astros made quick work on the home team, 3-0 to advance to the ALDS against the Royals.
At least it was swift and relatively painless. The only reason I qualify the pain is because it feels as if the Yanks have been playing–and losing–the same game for the last 3 weeks. In late August, Keuchel pitched 7 scoreless innings in the Bronx, 3 hits, 0 walks, 9 K’s. Last night, he almost matched it–6 scoreless, 3 hits, a walk, 7 K’s.
Like lambs, I tell you. But give Keuchel credit, he was excellent once again. The Yanks didn’t hit against lefties all year, especially Keuchel.
So, no surprises, nothing crushing, just a sagging, uninspired end to what was a surprising and entertaining season.
Yes, sagging and uninspired. But some hopeful signs that suggest the Yanks will remain competitive. Defense seems better, pitching is damn good,and some of the young ones show promise.
.500 was the best I was hoping for going into the season. First place after the All-Star Game got our hopes up too high.
But this team is too old. Alex Rodriguez was a good redemption story, but we are paying for what we knew we were getting into with the last contract. Which is why I'm not sorry about letting Cano go. 10 year contracts are an albatross.
If you had told me in April that Greg Bird would be our starting first base man in the playoffs, I'd have taken your bong away.
Better than what I expected, but it still sucks.
At the start of the season I predicted 80-82 in 4th place. Exceeded expectations a bit. But rbj is right about age.... I think it helps explain the poor play after the break.
3) Not entirely though. I mean, McCann, Ellsbury and Gardner were awful after the break and they aren't old guys. Older, maybe. I get Alex and Tex not holding up all year--either through injury or fatigue--but the other three were more disappointing. There could be things we don't know about--how their health factored into it--but an old guy, Beltran was their best hitter the last two months of the season as well.
Teams always seem old, slow, an unathletic when they're losing. They just didn't have Mystique and Aura with them this season - too many close games went the wrong way, too many men left on base, too many relievers called in too early in games to give up too many hits.
Too much. Too many. Not enough. Whatever magic mushrooms they had after ASB faded around mid August. The wins (as few as there were) in September seemed almost unexpected.
I was holding out hope for a miracle, as everyone was, but that ninth inning was pretty fugly.
I wasn't surprised, but I was disappointed. I want more Yankee baseball. It felt great to have that "too nervous to eat" feeling heading into the game last night. I was hoping for more, but I think for awhile there this summer we were all seeing a mirage. The pre-season prognosticators turned out to be more right than wrong, unfortunately. You can't really predict baseball, John, but you can sometimes come pretty close.
On to the winter meetings.
I told my wife all weekend thw Yamkees couldn't hit the Goddamn Astros pitcher they'd be facing and would lose. Sigh.... Hockey season starts tomorrow. YES!
I agree with everybody. Disappointing but predictable. Overacheiving and coming up small at the same time. When it looked like Keuchel a few weeks ago, my hopes went out the window. And it came to be.
When Gardner and Ellsbury are on base and the foursome of Arod, Teix, McCann and Beltran are taking whacks to get them in, this team could really hang with anybody. But take those top of the order guys off base and we're just waiting around to hit solo homers or get lucky with the bottom of the order.
I don't know whether it's realistic to expect Gardner and Ellsbury to both be good and healthy at the same time for full seasons. If it's not, then maybe they need to rethink that set-up.
Also, losing the WC game is a lot like losing the first day of the NCAA tournament. The party hasn't even started yet and you're ushered outside the ropes. Just a really crappy feeling.
I was at the game, and the crowd seemed prepared for the inevitable. I guess Tanaka's strike zone was suspect, but more balls than strikes? After the last three weeks, how could we expect a different outcome? The game was lost after Rasmus' HR, damn I hate that mofo. I didn't get to see that dinger because it took over an hour to get inside the stadium. I guess the Yankees Organization forgot how to handle a real sellout. Arrived off the train at 7:13 and didn't get to the seats until after 8:30.
Both Gardner and Ellsbury were loudly booed after their last at bats. What happened to them?
It was a good year, and the team was interesting and exciting to follow until September. It sucks they lost, but it isn't heartbreaking because of their play lately. Can't wait until next year. And thank you Alex, and all the Banterers for the insight and humor.
I think Keuchel got a better strike zone or worked better with what the ump was calling, but all in all the Yanks offense is too reliant on the long ball.
I think the Yanks have to jettison 2 of the following 3 if possible: ARod, Beltran and Tex. Maybe Tex and Beltran can be dealt if you eat a little salary.
Beltran was great in the 2nd half and ARod faded and Tex got hurt. One old man started slow and the other 2 started fast and held us together. We need to get Bird in as a regular and also bring up Aaron Judge.
Now with the stricter PED testing it is obvious that the older guys can't hold up all year long.
Surprising season in the beginning and mercifully a quick exit.
Watching last night's game was pretty brutal but agreed nor surprising.
Still they provided some thrills. Wins in April and May count the same in Sept, but this team looked a lot less like their September team in output.
There's nothing better than your team being in a playoff atmosphere. I felt nervous and anxious all day, and all the snacks I had ready sat untouched 'cause I had that "this is a big game" nerves going on. I had every good luck trinket I could find in play before and during the game - employed every anti-jinx I could think of. It was Game 7 without the Game 1 thru 6 build up - boom right into the fire. Edge of the seat nervousness with every pitch.
But that's what sports is all about - you know? That sort of adrenaline rush and excitement - the unknowing outcome. So for that - thanks to the NYY for giving us what we crave if for only the briefest moment. It's been awhile since I felt that way for Yankee baseball.
Here's to next year.
Time to put it away until next year. The season was entertaining up until the trade deadline. Things seem to have fallen apart right about them. The Jays went all in and a bunch of injuries struck at the same time. Yanks were like a balloon leaking helium. I didn't appreciate the fans booing Gardner or Ellsbury. Its not like they were the only ones not hitting at the end of the year. The offense wast too left hand by the end of the season. And you need two left handed starters in your rotation if you're the Yankees. They only had one and he is old and rarely effective. Cashman was right to hold onto his younger players. In two years we'll be rid of ARod, Tex, Beltran and CC. Pitching staff is youngish. Looking for a step back next year then competing in 2017.