Thursday, May 22, 2014

Yankees Split With Cubs

The Good

The Yankees out lasted the Cubs last night, and edged them out on a throwing error by Jose Veras in the 13th inning.  Might not be how you'd draw up a win, but a win is a win.  Chase Whitley pitched a decent game going 4.1 innings and allowing just 1 run, however the bullpen was remarkable holding the Cubs to one run over 8.2 innings.

The Bad

Tanaka wasn't his typical unhittable self, though even then he gave us 6 innings of 4 run ball (3 earned) and struck out 7 in the process.  This was his first loss of the season.

The Ugly

The Yankee offense has been underwhelming contributing to yesterday's game requiring 13 innings and an error to get ahead, and Tuesday's 6-1 loss.  It wasn't for lack of hitting per say (the Yankees had 13 hits yesterday), but the Yankees are displaying a recurring inability to drive in runs.  Before, they could rely on the long ball, but now they need to hit with runners in scoring position, and that's been a challenge for this offense. 

Not in Wrigley

The Yankees have left Chicago without contributing a single dollar to charity.  Are the Yankees against charity?  Only time will tell.

Brett Gardner 3hr = $6
Alfonso Soriano 6hr = $12
Kelly Johnson 4hr = $8
Carlos Beltran 5hr = $10
Dean Anna 1hr = $2
Brian McCann 6hr = $12
Yangervis Solarte 6hr = $12
Mark Teixeira 11hr = $22
John Ryan Murphy 1hr = $2
Jacoby Ellsubry 1hr = $2
Brian Roberts 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2

Total 50hr = $100

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Yankees Beat Pirates, But Former Draft Pick Beats Yankees

The Good

The Yankees took 2 of 3 from the Pirates this weekend, which included a game 1 win where 5 different Yankees hit a homerun, while backing up David Phelps 5 scoreless innings.  In game 2, Kuroda gave us a quality start, pitching 6 innings and striking out 7 while giving up 3 runs.  Even Vidal Nuno gave the Yankees a quality start, going 6 innings and allowing 3 runs, only 2 of which were earned.  The bullpen held up in both of the first two games, throwing a combined 7 scoreless innings.

The Bad

The Yankees could not capitalize on opportunities for the sweep.  They got a few runners on base late in the game, and a rally seemed imminent, but the Yankees could not drive in any more runs, so they lost the game.

The Ugly

Former Yankees first round draft pick Gerrit Cole pitched against us on Sunday night.  Although drafted by us, he opted to go to college instead and later was drafted higher up by the Pirates.  In essence, the Pirates pillaged Cole from us.

Homers For Those Who Can't Yet Do Math

Homeruns by Solarte, Teixeira, Almonte, Gardner, Soriano and McCann this weekend has brought $12 to help the babies who are yet unable to count that high.  Kudos to the Yankees offensive efforts this past weekend.

Brett Gardner 3hr = $6
Alfonso Soriano 6hr = $12
Kelly Johnson 4hr = $8
Carlos Beltran 5hr = $10
Dean Anna 1hr = $2
Brian McCann 6hr = $12
Yangervis Solarte 6hr = $12
Mark Teixeira 11hr = $22
John Ryan Murphy 1hr = $2
Jacoby Ellsubry 1hr = $2
Brian Roberts 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2

Total 50hr = $100

Friday, May 16, 2014

Yankees Salvage Series With a Split

The Good

Our pitching.  Chase Whitley started this game and gave us 4.2 shutout innings, before being pulled for Betances who pitched 2.1 shutout innings, while striking out 6.  That means Betances only recorded one where a hitter was able to put a ball in play.  Soriano went 2-4 and drove in the only run of the game, good enough for a win.

The Bad

As stifled as the Mets were by our pitching staff, so the Yankees were stifled by the Mets pitching staff.  In the end, the one run we scored was enough to win.

The Ugly

Winning yesterday put the Yankees two games above .500.  This isn't the dominance we were expecting when we brought in Ellsbury, Beltran, and McCann to start the season.

Maybe Tonight

No homeruns yesterday, but maybe the Yankees can come through against the Pirates.  Childhood health depends on it.

Brett Gardner 2hr = $4
Alfonso Soriano 5hr = $10
Kelly Johnson 4hr = $8
Carlos Beltran 5hr = $10
Dean Anna 1hr = $2
Brian McCann 5hr = $10
Yangervis Solarte 5hr = $10
Mark Teixeira 10hr = $20
John Ryan Murphy 1hr = $2
Jacoby Ellsubry 1hr = $2
Brian Roberts 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2

Total 44hr = $88

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Tanaka Anchors Team

The Good

Tanaka was outstanding last night.  He pitched a complete game shutout, and even had a hit in the game.  Solarte has stepped up and hit a couple homeruns in this series,which is a welcome sight for this team.

Tanaka's night gave the Yankee bullpen a rest after needing to rely on them heavily in the first couple games of the series.  Now the Yankees stand poised to not be swept, and perhaps even out the series.

The Bad


Despite driving in 7 runs in each of the first two games of the series, the Yankees still lost the games.  Kuroda wasn't awful, but he wasn't great either, and Nuno couldn't pitch out of the 4th.  Injuries are taking their toll, and right now Tanaka is the lone bright spot in a tattered rotation.

The Ugly

The Yankees are a team that can't seem to get anything going.  Injuries are striking both the old and the young, and when they hit well enough to win a game, the pitching doesn't back them up.  It's a mess, but at least it's still early for them to turn it around.

If Only Homeruns Meant Wins

We may have lost the first two games, but the children won't go home empty handed. Since we last gave a game update Teixeira and Solarte each hit 3 homeruns, and Gardner and McCann each hit one against the Mets. 

Brett Gardner 2hr = $4
Alfonso Soriano 5hr = $10
Kelly Johnson 4hr = $8
Carlos Beltran 5hr = $10
Dean Anna 1hr = $2
Brian McCann 5hr = $10
Yangervis Solarte 5hr = $10
Mark Teixeira 10hr = $20
John Ryan Murphy 1hr = $2
Jacoby Ellsubry 1hr = $2
Brian Roberts 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2

Total 44hr = $88

Monday, May 12, 2014

Yankees Announce More Number Retirements

Not long after the Yankees announced that Joe Torre, Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez, and Goose Gossage, would have their numbers retired this season, the Yankees have announced that Scott Brosius, Shane Spencer, and Chili Davis will also have their numbers retired, as the Yankees continue to honor any player whose name fans still remember.

"This is a great day for all New Yorkers," said an overly triumphant Hal Steinbrenner when reached for comment. "Chili Davis was a great champion, as was Brosius. I'm pretty sure Spencer has had some conversations with great champions, and so we just wanted to make sure that we honor important achievements like that."

Steinbrenner explained that every player on a 25-man roster in a year when the Yankees won a championship will eventually have their number retired.

"If you know anything about the Yankees, then you know we never plan for the future," explained Steinbrenner. "We live in the now, and we live in the past. Today, we further cement our commitment to overhyping ourselves—as if that's possible."

Yankees Walk Off Field In Defeat

The Good

Friday's game was exciting.  Tanaka pitched 6.1 innings, allowing 2 runs, and placed the Yankees in position to win, which they did, mostly due to a 3-run homerun from Solarte.  Teixeira hit 2 homeruns this weekend, including a game tying homerun in the 9th inning last night against K-Rod. 

Also good, I don't know if it's just me, but Betances is looking more reliable every day.  He came in relief of Sabathia Saturday and got 2 strikeouts to end the inning, then came into the game on Sunday and pitched 2 scoreless innings where he only allowed 1 hit.

The Bad

Losing on a walk off to Mark Reynolds was tough. The man has led the league in strikeouts for multiple consecutive years, but last night he came through.

The Ugly

Sabathia is down with a knee injury after pitching 5.1 innings and giving up 3 homeruns.  He hasn't been sharp, and although this knee issue I'm sure contributed to some of that, eventually you have to wonder if the last season of work is about what we can expect out of him.  He's been a dominant pitcher for so long, and one can hope that he can figure out how to pitch with the stuff he has, but after a year of being unable to adjust, what is the likelihood that he can suddenly turn around?  For our sake, I hope he can.  The good news is that the Yankees showed remarkable restraint when they extended his contract so we only have him until 2016.

Babies With Rabies Now Have Antiobiotics

Three homeruns over the weekend has contributed $6 towards the Babies With Rabies Fund.  We'll eradicate infant rabies forever!  Thank you Mark Teixeira and Yangervis Solarte.

Brett Gardner 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 5hr = $10
Kelly Johnson 4hr = $8
Carlos Beltran 5hr = $10
Dean Anna 1hr = $2
Brian McCann 4hr = $8
Yangervis Solarte 2hr = $4
Mark Teixeira 7hr = $14
John Ryan Murphy 1hr = $2
Jacoby Ellsubry 1hr = $2
Brian Roberts 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2

Total 36hr = $62

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Yanks Take Series from Angels

The Good

There is still good in them. The Yankees that is. Jeter hit a home run, the same thing he did back when he was in his 20s, so we can assume a return to prime form. Nuno gave us a quality start, going 6.1 with only one earned. Betances continues to be tall.

The Bad

We scored nine runs but only hit one home run. In the shift-ball era, that is not a recipe for success. All balls must be hit 500 feet and in the air. Or else.

The Ugly

According to Mariano Rivera's autobiography written by somebody else, Dustin Pedroia is the greatest baseball player that ever lived. Better than Cano, Rivera, Jeter, Mays, DiMaggio, et cetera.

Who's on First

No one. Because we're talking about home runs fool! Jeter hit one. But only one. Why hasn't he been dropped in the order yet?! It's like they respect his gangster or something.

Brett Gardner 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 5hr = $10
Kelly Johnson 4hr = $8
Carlos Beltran 5hr = $10
Dean Anna 1hr = $2
Brian McCann 4hr = $8
Yangervis Solarte 1hr = $2
Mark Teixeira 5 hr = $10
John Ryan Murphy 1hr = $2
Jacoby Ellsubry 1hr = $2
Brian Roberts 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2

Total 33hr = $56

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Angels Fall to Yankees

The Good

Kuroda, who was on the verge of being DFA'd after the two worst starts in baseball history, showed up with an impressive 7.2 inning, three run (one earned) effort. Brian Roberts hit a home run, prompting everyone in the stadium to think, 'I didn't know he was allowed to do that.' Jeter went 1 for 2. That's a .500 average in case you didn't notice.

The Bad

Solarte committed his second throwing error of the year. When are we going to trade for Eduardo Nunez again?

The Ugly

Mostly your face is ugly, but as far as the game goes, I'd say Beltran's .248 batting average. Time to give Ichiro regular licks guys. The Beltran experiment has ended on May 6th, whether we 'fess up to it or not.

Roberts with the Bail Out

With Obamacare failing everyone, everywhere, our precious children are left to wait for Brian Roberts to get around to hitting a home run just to put $2 towards their healthcare premiums. Roberts also sits on the Obamacare death panels. All of them.

Brett Gardner 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 5hr = $10
Kelly Johnson 4hr = $8
Carlos Beltran 5hr = $10
Dean Anna 1hr = $2
Brian McCann 4hr = $8
Yangervis Solarte 1hr = $2
Mark Teixeira 5 hr = $10
John Ryan Murphy 1hr = $2
Jacoby Ellsubry 1hr = $2
Brian Roberts 1hr = $2

Total 33hr = $56

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Yanks Fall to Angels

The Good

Phelps gave us a good spot start with 5.1 innings of one run ball. Joe Girardi got himself tossed, which was the whole reason we hired him in the first place!

The Bad

Jeter is now batting .250. How much longer will we turn a blind eye to this travesty before we realize our folly and anoint Brendan Ryan the starting shortstop?

The Ugly

Shawn Kelley gave up three earned runs and got himself tossed. Could a 10 game suspension be far behind? Only Joe Torre knows.

The Kids Aren't Alright

Because the Yankees have refused to hit any home runs. Think about that.

Brett Gardner 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 5hr = $10
Kelly Johnson 4hr = $8
Carlos Beltran 5hr = $10
Dean Anna 1hr = $2
Brian McCann 4hr = $8
Yangervis Solarte 1hr = $2
Mark Teixeira 5 hr = $10
John Ryan Murphy 1hr = $2
Jacoby Ellsubry 1hr = $2

Total 33hr = $56

Monday, May 5, 2014

Rays of Hope Only Shine on Tampa

The Good

The Yankee offense suddenly saw a spark.  Between Friday and Saturday, they had scored 14 runs, including 7 hits by Ellsbury and a slew of homeruns by a number of different players.  Teixeira continued his power surge by hitting homeruns on both Friday and Saturday.

Tanaka wasn't his best but still pitched 7 innings with 3 runs so no complaints here.  Alfredo Aceves stepped in for Sabathia and pitched 5.1 scoreless innings, though at that point the damage had been done.

The Bad

The Yankees did not match up well against the Rays.  We dropped the series, because we were outlasted by the Rays in extra innings of Friday, and because Sabathia got shelled on Sunday.  Our losses came down to pitching.  Nuno gave up 4 runs in under 5 innings on Friday, and Sabathia gave up 5 runs in under 4 innings.  Those are going to be tough games to win.

The Ugly

Sabathia was really bad.  3.2 innings, and 5 runs on Sunday.  If this persists in May, what should the Yankees do?

The Babies

Teixeira hit two homeruns, Kelly Johnson, Brian McCann and Alfonso Soriano each hit one, and that leaves us with a weekend of $10 going to help the babies beat the sniffles.

Brett Gardner 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 5hr = $10
Kelly Johnson 4hr = $8
Carlos Beltran 5hr = $10
Dean Anna 1hr = $2
Brian McCann 4hr = $8
Yangervis Solarte 1hr = $2
Mark Teixeira 5 hr = $10
John Ryan Murphy 1hr = $2
Jacoby Ellsubry 1hr = $2

Total 33hr = $56

Friday, May 2, 2014

Well That Didn't Go Well Either

The Good

Kuroda muscled his way through a start, going 6 innings, and giving up 4 runs (3 earned), though the Yankee offense was far too anemic to hit its way out of that deficit.  Ellsbury hit a homerun and McCann singled in a run, but alas Mariners starter Elias was far too dominant for us.

Also good, our bullpen looked sharp.

The Bad

The Yankees had 7 hits, only 1 of which was for extra bases.  Elias was mixing in pitches really well, and the Yankees never looked comfortable.  Elias alone struck out 10 batters.

The Ugly

Cano drove in 2 runs yesterday, which was the difference maker in a 4-2 win for the Mariners.  Though I can't be sure, I suspect he did it out of spite.  Not spite for the Yankees, but spite for fans who booed him despite the fact that the Yankees build a team around players just like Cano.  The Yankees current team building model is to offer large contracts to free agents, outbidding whatever team that player just left.  It just so happens that the Mariners followed this same model, and outbid the Yankees by a long shot. 

Dollars is What I Need

A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down, and a $2 donation to charity helps this loss not feel so bitter.  Kind of.  Ellsbury's contribution to children's health is much appreciated.

Brett Gardner 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 4hr = $8
Kelly Johnson 3hr = $6
Carlos Beltran 5hr = $10
Dean Anna 1hr = $2
Brian McCann 3hr = $6
Yangervis Solarte 1hr = $2
Mark Teixeira 3 hr = $6
John Ryan Murphy 1hr = $2
Jacoby Ellsubry 1hr = $2

Total 23hr = $46