Friday, September 23, 2011

So This is What Hung Over Baseball Looks Like

The Good

It was kind of cool seeing the future of the Yankees yesterday. Well, more likely the future of the Pittsburgh Pirates where half of those guys will likely end up, but still, we're seeing the future of some franchise on the field today. One cool thing was seeing Andrew Brackman pitch. He survived 1.1 innings in releif, which is good I suppose. Jesus Montero went 3-3 with a double and Andrew Jones hit a homerun. What fun!

The Bad

The Yankees were clearly disinterested in playing baseball. Girardi didn't even try. The starting lineup had Nunez, Laird and Golson, with Jones covering in the outfield and Posada playing first base. Then after the game got out of hand, Jeter, Teixeira, and Swisher, the only regulars, got pulled for Dickerson, Pena and Romine. Its smart to rest the regulars once the division is a lock, but it must have been a real challenge for Girardi to find the most sober regulars to plug into his lineup. I'm surprised Swisher made it in.

The Ugly

Bartolo Colon was awful. 7 runs in 3 innings just isn't post season material. I know he wants to figure it out, but the season is over next week. We can't hope that some mechanical adjustments will fix him for the ALDS. BTW, that Moore kid is magical.

A Little Something

Andruw Jones made sure the kids at the Children's Health Fund would be supported despite the blowout loss. His homerun adds two more dollars to the CHF.

Mark Teixeira 37hr = $74
Curtis Granderson 41hr = $82
Russell Martin 17hr = $34
Alex Rodriguez 16hr = $32
Jorge Posada 12hr = $24
Robinson Cano 27hr = $54
Andruw Jones 12hr = $24
Brett Gardner 6hr = $12
Nick Swisher 23hr = $46
Derek Jeter 5hr = $10
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Eduardo Nunez 5hr = $10
Ramiro Pena 1hr = $2
Eric Chavez 2hr = $4
Jesus Montero 3hr = $6
Chris Dickerson 1hr = $2
Total = $424

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Yanks Do A Lot of Clinching, But Not Lame Clinching Like in Boxing

The Good

The Yankees swept the double-header, winning both games by a score of 2-4. The first game guaranteed the Yankees a playoff spot, the second guaranteed them the division. Sabathia spared the bullpen in the second game, going 7.1 innings and allowing only two runs. Good thing, because at that point Girardi had Posada warming up to pitch. Feeling bad that he had to sit Posada back down, Girardi let him pinch hit in the eighth and Posada delivered the division winning single.

The Bad

Hughes missed another start due to back pain and was administered an epidural. Apparently the back pain began shortly after Hughes's water broke.

The Ugly

Joe Maddon used four relief pitchers in the eighth inning in order to give up two runs. That's not very efficient. He didn't really do it to give up the two runs however, he did it to test whether his pitching coach knew all the names of the relievers in the bullpen, which he did by monitoring the bullpen phone. Some might question whether such a test was appropriate when his team is vying for the Wild Card, but Maddon's genius is not to be questioned, like Theo's.

The Middle Infielders

Nunez had a solo shot in the first game and Cano had a solo shot in the second. $4 more for the kids.

Mark Teixeira 37hr = $74
Curtis Granderson 41hr = $82
Russell Martin 17hr = $34
Alex Rodriguez 16hr = $32
Jorge Posada 12hr = $24
Robinson Cano 27hr = $54
Andruw Jones 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 6hr = $12
Nick Swisher 23hr = $46
Derek Jeter 5hr = $10
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Eduardo Nunez 5hr = $10
Ramiro Pena 1hr = $2
Eric Chavez 2hr = $4
Jesus Montero 3hr = $6
Chris Dickerson 1hr = $2
Total = $422

My Guess for Tomorrow:

Cue the "Posada A Great Yankee" stories.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Yanks Beat Rays

The Good

Ivan Nova gave us 7.2 scoreless innings pitching in relief of the rest of the starting rotation. The Yankees scored 5 runs off of Wade Davis.

The Bad

The Yankees scored those 5 runs the old fashioned way, like timely hitting and bunts and $#!%. Nobody wants to see that. Nobody pays $250 per ticket to sit next to a wall that obscures your view to watch small ball. Next time hit some home runs!

The Ugly

After the game, Joe Maddon berated his team for not playing with any heart. One of his players pointed out that this didn't make any sense, as baseball is mainly played with the arms and legs and that, if anything, he should be berating them for not playing with any arms and legs. Hands also play a role. Joe Maddon had no response.

The Rip-off

Not only did the Yankees deprive the overpaying public of any home runs, they deprived the children of any further donations. Why don't they just make that switch to the National League already?!

Mark Teixeira 37hr = $74
Curtis Granderson 41hr = $82
Russell Martin 17hr = $34
Alex Rodriguez 16hr = $32
Jorge Posada 12hr = $24
Robinson Cano 26hr = $52
Andruw Jones 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 6hr = $12
Nick Swisher 23hr = $46
Derek Jeter 5hr = $10
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Eduardo Nunez 4hr = $8
Ramiro Pena 1hr = $2
Eric Chavez 2hr = $4
Jesus Montero 3hr = $6
Chris Dickerson 1hr = $2
Total = $422

Monday, September 19, 2011

Mo Breaks Record, Yanks Break Twins, Twins Break Burnett

The Good

I think the best part of this game was when the Yankee players sent Rivera back to the mound to receive his ovation. Rivera didn't really seem to know what to do, and it's refreshing to see that sort of discomfort with the spotlight from so dominant a professional athlete. Rivera is like the anti-Floyd Mayweather in that his least favorite topic of conversation seems to be himself.

The Bad

I realize it's a day game, but that park should've been fuller when Mo closed it out.

The Ugly

Let's give this one to Burnett, shall we? Though, perhaps Girardi still letting this guy pitch in the rotation is equally ugly. I realize Girardi may want to keep his starters fresh as we approach October, especially the AARP members, but still. Burnett is practically begging to be placed on the bench and he can't possibly be in contention for a postseason roster spot. At least we know Hughes can pitch out of the bullpen, Burnett gives us no such hope. Remember that train wreck I was telling you all about? Girardi seems to be the only one who doesn't see it.

We Should Just Call This 'The Granderson'

Curtis Granderson hit his 41st homer of the year, and is one shy of the Major League leader Jose Bautista. $2 more for the kids.

Mark Teixeira 37hr = $74
Curtis Granderson 41hr = $82
Russell Martin 17hr = $34
Alex Rodriguez 16hr = $32
Jorge Posada 12hr = $24
Robinson Cano 26hr = $52
Andruw Jones 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 6hr = $12
Nick Swisher 23hr = $46
Derek Jeter 5hr = $10
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Eduardo Nunez 4hr = $8
Ramiro Pena 1hr = $2
Eric Chavez 2hr = $4
Jesus Montero 3hr = $6
Chris Dickerson 1hr = $2
Total = $422

Toronto, eh?

The Good

We took the second game with some good hitting from Granderson and A-Rod who each hit a homerun and drove in 5 of the Yankees 7 runs. Proctor finally pitched a scoreless inning, and of course Mariano Rivera tied Trevor Hoffman's 601 saves.

The Bad

We lost two games, the second with our Triple A lineup playing. Not for nothing, but you can't take Granderson and Teixeira out of the same game you play Pena and Dickerson.

The Ugly

We had Sabathia, Colon and Garcia pitching in this series and not a single one pitched a complete 6 innings. Two of them couldn't even qualify for a start because they couldn't lock down the 5th. In total, these three starters gave up 13 runs off 22 hits. I'll accept a down game, but we need these guys sharp for the post season.

A Weekend of Losses Still Benefits the Children

Granderson hit his 40th homerun of the season, while A-Rod showed why he's still a threat even with a messed up thumb with a homerun of his own. Eric Chavez also hit a homerun off of Blue Jays pitcher Ewan McGregor making 3 homeruns for the babies at the Children's Health Fund.

Mark Teixeira 37hr = $74
Curtis Granderson 40hr = $80
Russell Martin 17hr = $34
Alex Rodriguez 16hr = $32
Jorge Posada 12hr = $24
Robinson Cano 26hr = $52
Andruw Jones 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 6hr = $12
Nick Swisher 23hr = $46
Derek Jeter 5hr = $10
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Eduardo Nunez 4hr = $8
Ramiro Pena 1hr = $2
Eric Chavez 2hr = $4
Jesus Montero 3hr = $6
Chris Dickerson 1hr = $2
Total = $420

Friday, September 16, 2011

Stupid Off-Day Post

Not much has happened in the world of all things Yankees since they lost to Seattle. At least I assume not much has happened, I haven't really bothered to check. Mo is still stuck at a pedestrian 600 saves. Any Trevor Hoffman off the street can get 600 saves. Today Mo will begin anew his quest to be something more than average. CC is looking for his 20th win, which will mark just the 20th time CC has won a game in 2011. Not exactly anything to write home about. Or on this blog for that matter. Off day posts are the worst.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Yanks Refuse to Give Rivera Shot at 601

The Good

Nova pitched well enough to win, giving us 7.1 innings of one run ball.

The Bad

The Yankees only hit well enough to lose. Swish had a solo homer in the 7th to tie the game at one apiece, but that was all the Yankees offense could muster against the vaunted Mariner's pitching staff.

The Ugly

Save the starting pitching performances, not much happened in this game. You know what would have made this game way better? Steroids. If everyone was on steroids, this game would've been awesome! Pitchers throwing 200mph. Hitters hitting ground balls out of the park (I know). Final scores nearing the triple digits. Formerly skinny weaklings lumbering around the diamond, now hulking men. It would be a whole team of Captain Americas. The New York Captain Americas. Instead we mustered a single run against one of the worst teams in all of sports, even pseudo-sports like Golf. Thanks a lot, Bud Selig!

The Donations

Swisher's home run was not only the lone contribution to our offense, but to the children as well. For shame!

Mark Teixeira 37hr = $74
Curtis Granderson 39hr = $78
Russell Martin 17hr = $34
Alex Rodriguez 15hr = $30
Jorge Posada 12hr = $24
Robinson Cano 26hr = $52
Andruw Jones 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 6hr = $12
Nick Swisher 23hr = $46
Derek Jeter 5hr = $10
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Eduardo Nunez 4hr = $8
Ramiro Pena 1hr = $2
Eric Chavez 1hr = $2
Jesus Montero 3hr = $6
Chris Dickerson 1hr = $2
Total = $414

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Mariano Saves 600

The Good

For starters, all the credit in the world to AJ Burnett who pitched 6 innings with 2 runs with 11 strikeouts. That was more the AJ Burnett we hoped to have all season, but even against this weak Mariners team it was a welcome sight. Montero went 2-4 and continues to show that he can hit at this level. Soriano-Robertson-Rivera locked down the last three innings including a perfect inning out of Soriano and 5 strikeouts between Robertson and Rivera. Rivera locked his 600th save of his career.

The Bad

The coaching staff came to visit AJ in the 3rd thinking that he was injured, but in reality he was just uncomfortable. "My shirt was tucked in a wierd way. It just didn't feel right. When I conferred with Rothschild and Girardi, they were like 'Why don't you untuck it and then retuck it?' So I did, and when I untucked I realized that my shirt had folded over when I tucked it causing the discomfort. Once it was tucked correctly I could throw strikes, and strikes win ballgames, unless they're players strikes in which case there are no ballgames."

Truly words to live by.

The Ugly

While Mariano was locking his 600th save, the Red Sox were trying to upstage him with Wakefields 200th win. The attempt fell short however because 200 wins is like graduating from college. Everyone in your home will congratulate you, but no one else will care.

But in all seriousness, 200 wins with a knuckleball is an impressive feat. Not 600 saves impressive, but impressive in the way fireflies on a summer's night are impressive.

He Can Hit

I'm talking about Cano, who hit a homerun last night and made sure the kids would not go home empty handed. That's 2 more dollars for the Children's Health Fund.

Mark Teixeira 37hr = $74
Curtis Granderson 39hr = $78
Russell Martin 17hr = $34
Alex Rodriguez 15hr = $30
Jorge Posada 12hr = $24
Robinson Cano 26hr = $52
Andruw Jones 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 6hr = $12
Nick Swisher 22hr = $44
Derek Jeter 5hr = $10
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Eduardo Nunez 4hr = $8
Ramiro Pena 1hr = $2
Eric Chavez 1hr = $2
Jesus Montero 3hr = $6
Chris Dickerson 1hr = $2
Total = $412

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The King Dethroned

The Good

Phil Hughes pitched 6 innings allowing just 1 run. If he can maintain his consistancy he could very well usurp Burnett for a spot on the post season roster. And speaking of usurping, King Felix got rocked to the tune of 6 runs in 6 innings. Teixeira and Dickerson homered, as Dickerson had one of his best games of the season going 2-4 with 2 RBI's and a stolen base. Also good, Austin Romine got his first big league hit.

The Bad

Though Austin Romine got his first big league hit, he has yet to get into his first big league fight. "I don't know when it will come." Explained Romine. "Will I charge the mound? Run in from the dugout? Will I have to throw a punch, or just shove people? I just don't know what my first big league fight will look like."

The Ugly

Scott Proctor pitched in relief of Hughes and gave up 2 runs. Proctor has made 3 appearances with the Yankees and has given up at least a run in each of them. However, since Proctor threw 102.1 innings in releif for us back in '06 he gets a free pass with me.

Would Someone Please Think of the Children?

Dickerson did. As did Teixeira. $4 more for the babies at the Children's Health Fund.

Mark Teixeira 37hr = $74
Curtis Granderson 39hr = $78
Russell Martin 17hr = $34
Alex Rodriguez 15hr = $30
Jorge Posada 12hr = $24
Robinson Cano 24hr = $48
Andruw Jones 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 6hr = $12
Nick Swisher 22hr = $44
Derek Jeter 5hr = $10
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Eduardo Nunez 4hr = $8
Ramiro Pena 1hr = $2
Eric Chavez 1hr = $2
Jesus Montero 3hr = $6
Chris Dickerson 1hr = $2
Total = $408