Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Pass the Peas

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Pass the Peas

2008-07-19 09:14

by Cliff Corcoran

Having started things off right with their first-half ace last night, the Yankees give the ball to the man they hope will be their second-half ace this afternoon, Joba Chamberlain. As a full-fledgedstarter, Joba has a 2.57 ERA in 35 innings with 38 strikeouts and just 32 hits (only five of which have gone for extra bases as opponents are slugging .302 against him). His 4.11 BB/9 remains a small concern, but he didn't walk anyone in his last start, which saw him strike out nine in 6 2/3 innings (108 pitches). The Yankees are 4-2 in Joba's six full-length starts, but Joba is only 1-1, both the result of the fact that Chamberlain has received more than two runs of support just twice in those six outings.

Perhaps concerned about wasting a Justin Duchscherer start by pitching him against Chamberlain, the A's have moved their remaining ace to tomorrow's game and will instead start Sean Gallagher, the pitcher obtained from the Cubs in the Rich Harden deal. Like Joba, Gallagher is a 22-year-old righty who's built like a brick shithouse (both are 6'2" and roughly 230 pounds). Unlike Joba, Gallagher doesn't have overwhelming stuff. Still, there are a lot of things to like about Gallagher. He dominated the Angels in his first AL start (7 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K). In 11 major league starts dating back to May 11 of this year, he has a 4.23 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP, solid numbers for a 22-year-old rookie starter. Even more impressive, he has allowed just five home runs in those 11 starts and none in his four starts at Wrigley Field. Opponents are hitting just .235/.314/.385 against him and he doesn't show much in the way of a platoon split. Perhaps most importantly, Gallagher hasn't had any real disaster starts. His shortest outing after his first start has been 4 2/3 innings, and he's never allowed more than five runs in a game.

Jorge Posada is back behind the plate, clearing room for Jason Giambi at DH and Wilson Betemit, who appears to be Richie Sexson's platoon parter, at first base. The A's, meanwhile, have made a few roster moves that have made my series preview out of date. Bobby Crosby was activated before yesterday's game. He returns to shortstop with Donnie Murphy riding pine and Gregorio Petit getting optioned to Sacramento. Today, first baseman Daric Barton was place on the DL with a strained neck and Wes Bankston was recalled to play first. Finally, it is lefty Lenny DiNardo who will wind up taking Joe Blanton's spot in the rotation, making fellow southpaw Dallas Braden, who gave up Alex Rodriguez's home run yesterday, the replacement for Chad Gaudin in the bullpen.

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Comments (326)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2008-07-19 10:06:18

1. monkeypants

I like the idea of a Betemit-Sexson platoon. If Girardi would use both Gardner and Christian and both Moeller and Molina, this could end up being a clever bench. Not much thump from those four, but there IS the potential to PR early in the game, or even to platoon Christian and Gardner (I know, I know, Gardner's splits, yadayada...I'm just musing) until Damon gets back. Then, one more legitimate PH could make for a pretty decent bench, but would the team either DFA Moeller or be willing to with only 11 pitchers?

2008-07-19 10:09:57

2. monkeypants

OK, I tried to post this before, but something weird happened. So...

2008-07-19 10:10:38

3. monkeypants

1 2 ?????

Sorry about that.

2008-07-19 10:10:43

4. SF Yanks

Other than the first two pitches, Joba has missed pretty badly.

2008-07-19 10:16:17

5. Just fair

Hows about a nice quality win and a solid 8 or 9 from Joba. Let's get this good time train rollin'. : )

2008-07-19 10:19:55

6. SF Yanks

Bobby takes the first strike every time. I can't figure out why the pitcher won't just lay the first one in there.

2008-07-19 10:20:53

7. Mattpat11

I met Mickey Rivers and Oscar Gamble today

2008-07-19 10:22:42

8. SF Yanks

ARod sure gets a lot of swing and misses on fastballs over the plate.

Make that curveballs too.

2008-07-19 10:27:11

9. Chyll Will

Anyone watching YES hear Coney say the manager "Lou Pinella" twice? Did I miss something?

2008-07-19 10:27:55

10. monkeypants

Interesting--Singleton just said that the Yanks have the 4th most 2-out runs in MLB, 2nd most in the AL this season. I had the impression that they scored very few runs with 2 outs, especially since they have had such troubles bating with RISP. Impression over reality, I guess.

2008-07-19 10:28:22

11. rbj

I'm just so glad that Fox & MLB blackout Saturday afternoon games. Who would rather stay inside in a nice & air conditioned room to watch their favorite team when they could be outside in hot & humid weather with tons of mosquitoes.?

2008-07-19 10:28:44

12. Mattpat11

9 Talking about how the A's are easier on young pitchers than someone iike Lou.

2008-07-19 10:29:13

13. monkeypants

6 I used to feel the same about Mattingly, especially later in his career.

2008-07-19 10:38:41

14. Just fair

2 seeing eye singles that barely elude the infielders' mitts make Joba work a bit harder. Man o' Man. Easy gas down the pipe fot the K. Sweet.

2008-07-19 10:41:44

15. Chyll Will

12 Ah, thanks. So used to having to tune out Kay, so his absence has thrown off my hearing...

2008-07-19 10:42:37

16. cult of basebaal

the RIPPER'S slashing!

2008-07-19 10:43:05

17. Chyll Will

Wow, was that an accident? Pinwheels didn't send Cano home??

2008-07-19 10:43:06

18. Just fair

Meachem's clueless.

2008-07-19 10:43:20

19. monkeypants

So THAT time Meacham holds the runner. He obviously received orders...

2008-07-19 10:44:41

20. RIYank

Hey, I thought the previous post was the game thread!

Wow, three consecutive hits. Is our URP-ophobia over?

2008-07-19 10:45:23

21. monkeypants

20 You silly!

2008-07-19 10:46:42

22. Just fair

Is it irrational to hate Youklis even more because he hit the ball that put Damon on the DL?

2008-07-19 10:46:54

23. Chyll Will

20 So far the 'A" stands for "Antidote" ...

2008-07-19 10:47:00

24. cult of basebaal

20 yeah, me too ... doh!

2008-07-19 10:47:19

25. RIYank

Holy smokes.
Our weak sisters are hitting, and we're getting breaks, too!

2008-07-19 10:47:56

26. Chyll Will

Wowzers, he's quick.

2008-07-19 10:48:07

27. monkeypants

You can't stop Brett Gardner...you can only hope to contain him!

Shit, he is fast though. Can a player make a legitimate career exclusively on IF hits?

2008-07-19 10:48:09

28. RIYank

I predict we'll see some walks now, Gallagher's rattled and the ump is calling a tight zone.

2008-07-19 10:48:30

29. Just fair

I've never seen double that barely made into outfield grass.

2008-07-19 10:48:51

30. RIYank

27 If some of them are doubles, yes!

2008-07-19 10:48:51

31. kinbote

0 Great title. The guitar sample on that track is one of De La Soul's most perfect musical moments.

2008-07-19 10:49:29

32. monkeypants

22 Yes.

But the, rooting for one professional team exclusively is probably irrational. Such is sports.

2008-07-19 10:50:28

33. Chyll Will

31 I know, it's so wistful >;)

2008-07-19 10:50:40

34. RIYank

Damn, that was ball four and 28 would have been vindicated.

2008-07-19 10:50:50

35. cult of basebaal

man, gardner's the fastest yankee i've ever seen ... it's a pity he's got like zero percent of being a MLB starter unless he completely overhauls his swing and batting approach ...

2008-07-19 10:52:29

36. Eirias

35 The problem is, one does not overhaul one's swing in the majors. *.A? Yes. MLB? No.

2008-07-19 10:53:12

37. RIYank

Grrrrrr. 2nd and 3rd nobody out with Jeter and Abreu coming up, and this is what we get!

Well, A-Rod can pick them up...

2008-07-19 10:53:17

38. monkeypants

Yikes. OK, time for that 2 out magic that Singleton was talking about.

2008-07-19 10:54:56

39. SF Yanks

How can one of the greatest hitters in the game swing and miss so much? I'll never understand it.

2008-07-19 10:55:19

40. cult of basebaal

36 well, if i were the yanks, when damon comes off the DL, i'd send gardner down to tampa and have the hitting equivalent of nardi contreras break down and rebuild his swing

2008-07-19 10:55:48

41. Eirias

40 We have a hitting equivalent of Nardi Contreras?

2008-07-19 10:56:36

42. Just fair

F@$#ing Horse%$&@. Yeah, 2-0 is far better than 4-0.
DAMN!

2008-07-19 10:57:30

43. RIYank

Well, that wasn't fun at all.

2008-07-19 10:57:42

44. monkeypants

39 Who knows. Babe Ruth swing and missed a lot too. One of my favorite quotes of all time, from Ruth: "I swing big, with everything I've got," Ruth said. "I hit big or I miss big. I like to live as big as I can."

2008-07-19 10:58:02

45. cult of basebaal

jesus, this game has been the best of times and the blurst of times!

2008-07-19 10:58:30

46. RIYank

Jeter and Abreu each struck out on pitches out of the strike zone. A-Rod's was definitely in the zone, though. Amazing.

2008-07-19 10:58:49

47. Chyll Will

41 Yardi?

2008-07-19 11:01:49

48. monkeypants

44 39 As a follow-up, Ruth was first or second in the league in Ks twelve times, and he was in the top 10 every season of his career. Of course in those days you could lead the league with only about 70 or 80 Ks.

2008-07-19 11:02:29

49. SF Yanks

Wow, Joba has more strikeouts than base runners in his career. Is that normal?

2008-07-19 11:02:30

50. cult of basebaal

you know? goose gossage is totally right! joba would be soooooo much better pitching out of the bullpen 4 times a week!

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2008-07-19 11:04:13

51. RIYank

Anyway, Joba's still looking good.

2008-07-19 11:04:37

52. Just fair

3 k's with runners on 2nd and 3rd and now that. boo.

2008-07-19 11:04:41

53. williamnyy23

If Joba ever learns how to be more efficient, he will truly be a bonafide ace. The Joba belongs in the pen campaign seems so silly now.

2008-07-19 11:05:24

54. RIYank

50 It's too bad Goose's talents were wasted as a relief pitcher, when he could have been an analyst.

2008-07-19 11:06:02

55. Chyll Will

50 There's still time to pull a Smoltz move, or maybe he can do an Eckersley...

2008-07-19 11:06:15

56. SF Yanks

48 I know typically homerun hitters strikeout more, but it just seems odd when it pertains to one of the greatest hitters; however, that Babe quote puts things into perspective a tad.

2008-07-19 11:08:28

57. RIYank

Oh yeah. And 'ball three' was definitely in the strike zone, too.

2008-07-19 11:10:26

58. Chyll Will

57 The swing after that is the best way to tell the umpire he was wrong...

2008-07-19 11:11:43

59. OldYanksFan

Joba has no walks and 52 pitches. Not bad, but needs to be better.

2008-07-19 11:12:39

60. Chyll Will

Coney said what i was thinking. Is his pitch that hard to pick up out the glove? Apparently; had no idea what Giambi was looking for...

2008-07-19 11:14:27

61. SF Yanks

59 Wait...what?

2008-07-19 11:15:13

62. cult of basebaal

53 what's so great about the gossage quote ... is that he said it wednesday ... he STILL thinks joba would be more valuable in the pen ...

2008-07-19 11:15:16

63. SF Yanks

I fully welcome Second Half Robbie.

2008-07-19 11:15:54

64. Chyll Will

That was a good hit, Robby. He's flipped the switch...

2008-07-19 11:16:01

65. cult of basebaal

THE RIPPER!!!

2008-07-19 11:19:15

66. Chyll Will

Second Half Melky still needs some work...

2008-07-19 11:19:19

67. williamnyy23

62 Maybe that makes Goose feel more valuable himself? In that case, Joba should be stop pitching altogether and start blogging during the games!

2008-07-19 11:19:20

68. cult of basebaal

FUCKING HACKY.

2008-07-19 11:27:57

69. 3rd gen yankee fan

God I love having good pitchers.

2008-07-19 11:28:30

70. SF Yanks

1-5 hitters: 0 for 9

6-9 hitters: 6 for 7

2008-07-19 11:28:39

71. cult of basebaal

he'd better steal ... and early in the count ... before cap'n has a chance to work his "magic".

2008-07-19 11:30:36

72. Just fair

Why the hell do they not give Garderne a chance to steal for cripes sakes. Oh, and Joba has twice as many strikes and is averaging 16 pitches per inninging. That's preety good.
Wow, another thing I have never seen.

2008-07-19 11:32:06

73. cult of basebaal

NICE recovery by gardner ... smart play to force the obstruction

2008-07-19 11:32:15

74. cult of basebaal

now steal 3rd.

2008-07-19 11:33:10

75. cult of basebaal

DOUBLE. STEAL.

2008-07-19 11:33:43

76. Eirias

What happened with Gardner?

2008-07-19 11:36:18

77. cult of basebaal

76 got picked off, drew the 1st baseman towards second, anticipated the throw from the 1st baseman to the SS (at 2nd), then broke back into the 1st baseman, who didn't get out of the way in time and was charged with obstruction, allowing gardner to go to 2nd.

2008-07-19 11:36:49

78. cult of basebaal

another wasted inning.

2008-07-19 11:42:38

79. williamnyy23

78 This game is a perfect illustration of this team's shortcomings. They simply can't play two good
games in a row.

2008-07-19 11:51:38

80. Eirias

Good job, A-Rod. Now never take a pop-up from Jeter again.

2008-07-19 11:52:02

81. Just fair

I deem this game to be an ass-biter. As in if the boys don't put a few more runs on the board, well, you know....

2008-07-19 11:56:39

82. williamnyy23

Back to the hack attack...90+ games in and this team still has such a poor approach.

2008-07-19 11:56:41

83. Just fair

Melky, get an effin' clue, wouldya!!

2008-07-19 11:57:20

84. cult of basebaal

68. cult of basebaal
FUCKING HACKY.

2008-07-19 12:02:25

85. Chyll Will

Okay, need to either sit Melky for a while or stick him somewhere where his sucky bat won't creep into the minds of the other kiddies around him. Gardner should've been protecting the plate with two strikes, but was trying to walk with two men on.

2008-07-19 12:04:33

86. Just fair

Joba the cat. He must fancy himself an athelete or something. : )

2008-07-19 12:04:52

87. cult of basebaal

85 well, i'm not blaming melky for gardner's at bat ... that's brett's fault and he's been consistently taking that approach ... it's almost as irritating as melky's.

2008-07-19 12:06:12

88. Eirias

What is this guy doing in the rotation?

2008-07-19 12:06:58

89. Chyll Will

87 I'm being facetious, but both of them are like automatic outs, back-to-back right now.

2008-07-19 12:10:56

90. OldYanksFan

IP- H R ER BB K HR PC-ST ERA
6.0 6 1 1- -1- 8 0- 96-62 2.52
Not bad for a kid!

2008-07-19 12:14:30

91. cult of basebaal

90 see, but he could have done that in 6 games of relief, which means you could have won 6 games, instead of only this 1. it's obvious where he's more valuable ...

2008-07-19 12:14:47

92. Just fair

Embree's wearing some white-ass spikes. That's gotta be against a rule or something.

2008-07-19 12:15:05

93. nemecizer

86 That is actually the name of my cat: "Joba the cat".

2008-07-19 12:19:51

94. Just fair

93 Can it pitch? My dog's name is Mickey

2008-07-19 12:21:27

95. Eirias

Take Advantage! T-A-K-E A-D-V-A-N-T-A-G-E!

2008-07-19 12:22:56

96. williamnyy23

This is suc