The Yanks are in Boston for a big four game serious. Sox are in first place, a game ahead of the O’s , 2 ahead of the Jays, while the Yanks sit a couple of games out of the second wildcard spot with 2 teams ahead of them. That’s a whole lot of 2’s…and a lot still left to settle.
Be nice if the Yanks can cause the Sox some trouble, perhaps even some grief over the weekend. Or maybe the Sox will cause us misery instead. Usually either goes one way or the other, don’t it?
Never mind the standings:
Let’s Go Yank-ees!
Picture by Bags
Padres GM A.J. Prellers gets 30 days suspended w/o pay for playing fast n loose with medical info. What's with guys named A.J. that makes them dicks?
Go Yankees!
Poo, GR double
Something tells me there are gonna be a lot of runs scored.
Billy Butler!
More runs please
Billy Butler? Um....what?
Good job Butler
Kinda kept Big Poopi in the yard
Must be a blue light special on GR doubles tonight
100 year old ball park. Time to tear it down
Hot diggity!
Hi Banter, looks like I picked a good game to watch for the first time since Opening Day
This is fun!
I watched the beginning with some Sox fans. I really wish I could have hung around with them.
Aw gawd, Eddie, come awn! These guys suck, just get them out faw fuck's sake!
Garbage ab, Rob. Rats!
Rats, wanted more
Hm. We could really use a DP here.
Run roh, double plus ungood situation
Or, load the bases for the RBI machine, either way.
Double play, you fat fuck!
A phew so far
I accept that sac fly result.
Definite phew
Exhale.
Phew, don't walk the gd 8th batter!
Nice. Glad to get out of that with only one run.
Gardy working base to base. walk, stolen base, passed ball. What's next?
damn it Gary. He has not hit well with RISP overall. I wonder if he is pressing in those situations.
[1] His second suspension isn't it? Old boy network in effect...
ゴーゴー田中！
Nice! My little close play.
Got that run back, in weird fashion
yes! what a break.
Yay Starlin!
[27] Wow, no kidding. The splits are amazing. With nobody on or a man on first only, he's Babe Ruth; with RISP he's, I dunno, this year's model of A-Rod or something.
[29] Not seen it yet but was told there is some very very naughty My Little Pony GIF that comes in automatically with an iPhone update..will keep a lookout.
[28] Yup. Time to move to the non baseball side of operations. And do you really think the team president didn't know?
[33] and I could be wrong, but I think he hits a lot of ground balls in that situation. Which makes me think pressing.
Didi looking smooth.
alright. keep hitting boys!
With the O's losing, this could help. Need every game.
So nice to see Didi possibly coming out of his slump?
Tiggers also shitting the bed of late
The Red Sox have a bullpen full of mediocre pitchers. It's their biggest weakness.
How is he safe??
And was that a kind of stupid steal?
Oh, he missed the forward hand with the tag and got him too far back on the body, after Didi got his hand in. He was waiting for Didi to slide into the tag, but he didn't slide into the tag. Huh, good call. Back in the day that would have been called an out by courtesy.
Still, not a smart move.
man, he shouldn't have run but damn. wow. amazing he was safe.
Well those three ABs sucked.
Sub-optimal.
That totally sputtered. Austin has looked over aggressive since his walk off I think.
Oh goody, two hours in and we're . . . Half way through. A nice, tidy four hour game. And I have to be at work by 8 am
[49] When the games mean something and the team isn't boring and we are winning i don't even notice the length. I'm enjoying this!
Good job Tanaka-san
Our Hiro does it again.
Let's get another couple of runs and fill up the Green Line early.
nice. keep grooving Tanaka!
[50] Yeah! Certainly nice for me while I'm 'working' here at ACME, Investigations.
Btw, you guys all up to date on Shohei Otani? He threw a 101.5mph fastball yesterday, and also has 22 home runs this season for the Fighters over here.
[54] no, not up to speed at all. Any rumors on him going state side?
[55] It's up to his team although word is they will let him go if/when he requests it. I watched him win the home-run derby at the NPB All-Star Game, he's got real power.
These strikes that never cross home plate are annoying.
[56] So he'd be a hitter if he came over you think? I doubt anyone MLB would go for a two way player. But it'd be pretty cool.
Looked what I found. 5-3.
[58] No, I think he's be a pitcher who may DH occasionally. The Effectively Wild podcast guys are obsessed with him and talk about it often, which teams would take the risk to let him bat regularly, etc.
[60] oh I see. Pretty neat. Thanks for the updates.
Beautiful, easy inning.
One more?
No Ks but I'll take the efficient inning.
[62] Two more! He's not even at 80 pitches.
Wait, a pitcher who can hit home runs? Unprecedented! Maybe the Yankees can take a Broadway flyer on him. Can he play right field on off days?
[54]. Never heard of him. Wow. Impressive.
[66] http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/08/31/baseball/japanese-baseball/fighters-face-ruthian-dilemma-with-young-star-otani/
Who for the 8th? Clippard?
He can start the eighth, right?
93 pitches, I think.
Nice. Probably it for Tanaka. ERA under 3!
[69] Yeah he probably could. I'd be ok with that.
Do not bunt! Do not! No bunt!
Ugh.
Well, at least he's good at it.
It's up to Tanaka-san if he wants to go back. Hope he gets a complete game. None this year. Gotta go back more than 100 years since they failed to get one.
Opinions on the bunt aside, that was a very nice bunt.
Only gave away a small amount of Win Expectancy with that 'successful' sacrifice, by the way. About a third of a percent.
[75] what I wrote here didn't make sense. Opinions on the use of the bunt in that situation aside, that was a very nice bunt. Otherwise it's unclear how I can opine on the bunt itself...
Actually, I think the historical Win Expectancy for these situations are anomalous, so let's say it was a wash.
Yes, it was an aesthetically pleasing bunt. Well done. And, probably not a bad decision. (I would just rather that Joe never called for a bunt.)
I wouldn't mind hitting a three run jack here
Good lord.
Truly hideous. I mean, what can you say? Ugly.
What was Headley doing there? Did the third base coach send him?
Headly, you dumb ass!
Sigh
we've got based loaded with Sanchez coming up. Let him hit! (RISP issues aside)
Holy shit! The 3rd base coach! Terrible!
It was Espada! He tried to change his opinion but way too late.
Humph.
Damn I hate Big Poopi
Well, it was a solo homer.
Warren v Ortiz wasn't a great matchup.
Somehow I Think He's BACK Next year.
Is Butler ineligible for the playoffs?
[92] Don't think so. The whole Goodbye tour. It would be embarrassing.
Anyway, I think he feels done, like Jeter did.
[93] Yes, added past the deadline.
Girardi has done a great job overall this year but sometimes still too quick with the trigger. Trust Tanaka there against Ortiz way more than Warren.
[28] Mr OK Jazz, Go Go let's go Wo-o-ren!
[93] yup. Unless I guess it's for the A's. Have to be on the 25 man roster on Aug. 31. So I gues A-Rod isn't eligible even for the Yankees.
Okay, I feel better.
That situation (runner on second, one out, eighth inning, two run game) was very high leverage. Still high. Gaining five points of Win Expectancy with each out.
[95] Thank you
[97] Thank you
[94] Thank you
blah.
I feel like I struck out on three straight thank yous. Will shush and watch now.
Nuthing's easy.
Come on, Justice! With the Judge on the Bench, you're our only robed member. Bang the gavel!
Ohhhhhh.... foul. Whew.
[103] Hah! 問題ない、久しぶりじゃん！
27 pitches this inning...
This is exciting!
Hey, nailed him!
Good verdict, Warren.
Phew
wow! looking!
Sweet!
That's right, blow that 100MPH heater right by Gary Sanchez. Go ahead. No, really.
How can anyone hit a 99mph pitch? I was at the batting cage and 80mph seemed impossible..
And slip that slide right by Starlin, too. Keep it up, Joe Kelly!
[113] start with the bat out over the plate. Doesn't go far but it's hittable!
[107] Thanks!
There's that rising cement mixer. Castro mashed it.
[114] Joe Kelly kind of stinks, right RI? You're our Boston portal so give us the scoop.
Maybe you can blow a belt high four-seam right past Brian McCann. See if you can do it.
[113] that's why they get 7 figure contracts, at least. Eye hand coordination. I could possibly do Aikido, but this is a more intense level.
[117] Actually, he's been good in relief. Very good. He did suck as a starter, big time.
Well, he did blow it by Brian. McCann didn't cut down the swing, the way Gary did.
[119] Which school of Aikido?
3-1 money pitch, gotta be a fastball, come on, Didi!
Walked him.
Goodeye Didi
I will accept any RBI. Even a non-RBI run, like E4.
Just letting everyone know what I will accept. I'm not being greedy or picky.
Get some insurance runs and let Clippard and Betances rest. That would be nice.
I'm looking in. Fastball
Oh boy.
Full count to Chase. You know what's coming, buddy!
Fanned him. Dammit.
Adam Warren is going to pitch the ninth. Nobody's warming up.
[122] Shobu. Sensei is Jay Weik, under Bill Gleason Sensei, who studied under Yamaguchi Sensei. After being a hobo.
O's lost.
Oh are you kidding me?
Good smack, Mason. Bad luck.
Well, go ahead Justice Warren, throw the book at 'em.
At'em ball
Aw jeez, that was a couple of runs
wow. that was quite a catch.
Mo fucking Christ!
[130] Thank you
[135] Indeed
Oh, Layne. Did he warm up really fast?
Looks good, anyway.
Layne, Parker, and ?
Yeah, Chris Young PH-ing for Benintendi. Freaking stupid. Without looking, I can pretty much guarantee you that Benintendi hits lefties better than Young does.
Oh, so now we'll go to a righty to make sure Brock Holt will hit instead.
It's dummy chess. This is what I really hate about September.
[140] Boardwalk? Seems like a Monopoly bullpen
[140] Geez, could be anybody. We have like 18 relief pitchers, right?
And they leave Young in. Farrell could be the worst game manager in MLB. What on earth is he thinking? The choice is Benintendi against a lefty or Young against a righty, and he goes with Young?
Fuck.
That hit him? Bullshit, blue
Oh, god.
That's enough Parker for me, thanks. I'll have a helping of Dellin.
ok well I guess that's that. We really should have made this unnecessary with more runs. But shit happens I guess.
So, what do you bet Ortiz comes up as the tying run?
DB time. Fingers crossed.
[145] It really did hit him I think. I didn't think so live either but the replay makes it clear.
Hoo boy. Not in the groove.
Find it, Dellin, and fast. Please.
And I hate Pedro
Oh no. Dellin wild.
Oy. Not even close.
This is not good.
Jeez, Dellin
[150] It's odd to reward a base when the batter moved toward the pitch that hit him. Not complaining. Just find it odd.
I think he's about to find it.
Okay, he did. Maybe.
Good thing the Yankees stranded all those runners. Extra exciting.
[156] No I know what you mean. But it was a legit ducking action I think. Still odd.
A homer is imminent.
Nice play
Nice throw DB
Why on earth did he do that?
Amazing.
Fielder's choice. 1-2-5.
That's good.
Hey, Dellin didn't shot put it! Small miricales
Ahem, [148].
Aw crap, tying run
I'd walk Ortiz, if DB could throw an IBB.
[166] :(
Hirshbeck fucking sucks!
Not the worst outcome, which isn't saying much
Figures.
Well, it wasn't a homer. Now Mookie is the winning run.
Exciting!
I think Dellin will strike him out.
ok. not a homer at least.
Could have been worse.
Jeez, death by a thousand cuts
Crapola.
Oh, man. This is officially a rally.
Tense now.
COME ON, DELLIN, DO YOUR K THING!
Grrrrrrrrrrr
just one more in the name of Mo...
This is not going to end well.
AHHHH! And another cut. 1001.
PB not WP I guess.
Dellin got his bite back
Dellin is toast.
Fuck you blue
oh shit he swung.
Oh, man.
That one hurt.
I really thought Dellin was gonna nail that one down.
Modammit bullfuckingshit
Freaking ump calls it a non swing. So of course we lose.
wow that's shit. Dellin clearly didn't have it at all in this game.
The check swing's gotta be reviewable.
Geez. Can't believe it. Hanley Ramirez.
Oh well, see youse tomorrow.
Yup. Motherfucker times a million.
Hanley's got power. He was jammed and still went yard.
I'm out. Peace Banter
Fuck you Betances. Can't ever come through in the clutch. Just get rid of that piece of shit. Bring back Soriano or fucking Ed Whitson.
You fucking killed the entire season for us single-handledly. I wonder how many of those bobbleheads you can fit up your useless ass.
[195] Easy tiger. Ed Whitson is the William Calley Jr. of the Yankees.
Betances is a stud. Even the great Mariano had a bad day or two. A very bad day. He basically gave away the 2001 World Series.