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Rainy Day? Let Them Play!

2006-04-23 08:28

by Cliff Corcoran

On a cold rainy afternoon in the Bronx, Shawn Chacon returned to the rotation to work his low BABIP magic against the Orioles. Turning in his first solid start of the season, Chacon only threw 57 percent of 111 pitches for strikes over seven innings, struck out just three and walked just as many, but somehow managed to hold the O's to one run on four hits. That means that just four of the 22 balls in play fell for hits, a .182 BABIP.

The Yankee bats, meanwhile, plated single runs against Daniel Cabrera in the third and fourth (the first a lead-off walk by Robinson Cano, yes you read that right, that came around to score, the second a lead-off single by Alex Rodriguez that also came around to score), then broke the game open in the sixth. That inning started with a walk to Sheffield, a Rodriguez single, and Jason Giambi's third walk in as many trips. Hideki Matsui then cracked a bases-loaded double to plate Sheff and Rodriguez and drive Cabrera from the game. After John Halama came on and got Bernie Williams to ground out, Robinson Cano drew his second walk of the game (and the season!), Kelly Stinnett popped out, and Johnny Damon reached on an infield single to Tejada at short that plated Bubba Crosby, who had come on to run for Giambi perhaps because of the weather. Eddy Rodriguez then relieved Halama and started his day by walking Derek Jeter to force in another run.

And that was the ball game. Chacon, Farnsworth and Villone combined to hold the Orioles to a pair of singles (both off Farnsworth) over the remaining three innings and the Yanks won it 6-1.

Today they hope to find another break in the rain to play the rubber game of the series. Jorge Posada will make his second start behind the plate with Randy Johnson on the mound as Johnson looks to rebound from his awful start in Toronto last time out. Bruce Chen has similar things in mind as he was absolutely lit up by the Indians in his last turn, giving up eight runs on eight hits, two of them home runs, and three walks in four innings. Last year, Chen faced Johnson in the Bronx in his first start of the year and handled the Yankees well only to have his bullpen blow the game. After that, the Yankee had his number, dropping 18 runs on him in 10 2/3 innings across their final three meetings. Here's hoping that trend continues today.

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Comments (184)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2006-04-23 09:12:46

1. randym77

Weather.com says "few showers" for NYC today. Hopefully they'll be able to play.

2006-04-23 09:14:09

2. Jeteupthemiddle

I must ask, what is BABIP (something something something In Play?) and what is a good BABIP number?

2006-04-23 09:16:27

3. dtrain

Jete, it's Batting Average on Balls in Play. But I have no idea what a good one is...

2006-04-23 09:17:24

4. randym77

2 See this previous article by Cliff:

http://bronxbanter.baseballtoaster.com/archives/343976.html

2006-04-23 09:25:56

5. Dimelo

Nice piece on Alex and his book 'Stepping Up'.
http://tinyurl.com/hd7sy

2006-04-23 09:30:50

6. Jeteupthemiddle

So you want a BABIP of about .300? I guess I don't get this stat. You would think you would want the batting average of balls put in play to be low. Is this a defense independent thing? Eh. Oh well.

2006-04-23 09:38:39

7. fgasparini

6 JUTM, a pitcher DOES want a low BABIP, just as intuition suggests. What's not intuitive is that MOST pitchers seem to have LITTLE control over BABIP. I other words, Chacon had a surprisingly low number last year, and the fear was that his success was based on a fluke, and that this year he'd be more like every other pitcher.

That is to say, last year's low BABIP is perhaps more likely a result of having 'em hit to fielders all year long than Chacon being such a great pitcher.

However, some pitchers do seem to have consistently low BABIP. Chacon may be one. I do know that BABIP is the subject of a lot of discussion, it's not at the "high OPS=good" stage.

2006-04-23 09:41:41

8. randym77

Andy Phillips is playing 1st, with Giambi DHing. Because "they want to see how many at-bats it will take to make him a contributor off the bench," or something like that.

2006-04-23 09:49:59

9. Jeteupthemiddle

7 Thanks. That makes sense. So you want it low, just not too low because you don't want it to be a fluke.

2006-04-23 10:00:28

10. yankz

Can someone explain how stats are adjusted for park factors? Thanks.

2006-04-23 10:06:17

11. sam2175

Jeteup,

I think most contend that pitchers do not have much control over the BABIP. So, if someone posts lower than average in that department, then that is considered good luck rather than skill. So, going forward, if a pitcher's numbers have been products of such good luck, they are generally expected to level out. But with Chacon's history, it might be a skill for him.

If a groundball pitcher has bad luck (or IF defense, if you may), it can literally kill his stats. The latest person to suffer from this is Kevin Brown, which has resulted in his retirement.

2006-04-23 10:06:27

12. Zack

Looks like a delay

2006-04-23 10:14:13

13. randym77

They said they were starting at 1:30. They want to make sure the weather will allow the game to be played before they send Randy out there.

2006-04-23 10:48:33

14. rsmith51

Alex,

Just out of curiousity what play in high school did you get the lead in?

2006-04-23 10:52:06

15. yankaholic

has randy dropped his arm angle a tinge today?? looks he is just lowering it a tad bit..

2006-04-23 11:02:01

16. Stormer Sports

There's the RJ we all know and love.

2006-04-23 11:09:31

17. Stormer Sports

Giambino!

2006-04-23 11:09:58

18. yankz

Hell yeah!

2006-04-23 11:10:41

19. Marcus

There's the Bruce Chen we all know and love.

2006-04-23 11:10:59

20. Yankee Fan in Chicago

Giambi now has 4 hits of Chen -- 3 of them homers.

2006-04-23 11:12:58

21. Cliff Corcoran

Re: BABIP explanations: I'm hoping that the previous post which I linked the first mention of BABIP to above explains it all sufficiently. In general, if there's a term you're not familiar with and there's a link on first mention, follow the link and you'll likely get your answer. It's one of the benefits of hypertext, you can skip the explaination for those who don't need it and link to it for those who do.

2006-04-23 11:16:02

22. Cliff Corcoran

Andy Phillips just showed up.

2006-04-23 11:16:50

23. yankz

Yahoo Phillips!

2006-04-23 11:16:59

24. Marcus

That must feel good for Andy.

2006-04-23 11:18:22

25. Yankee Fan in Chicago

Someone give that rook a "One of Joe's Guys" official t-shirt please.

2006-04-23 11:18:40

26. Stormer Sports

Way to go Andy!

2006-04-23 11:19:02

27. Stormer Sports

Ooops, then the baserunning bungle.

2006-04-23 11:19:12

28. Yankee Fan in Chicago

Zaun, 3-run bomb off Clement.

2006-04-23 11:19:35

29. Cliff Corcoran

Nice AB by Phillips. He took the first four pitches, strike one was actually a ball outside (he and Matsui can chat about that one), strike two was boarderline on the outside corner. After that second strike, Chen tried to jam him and he fought it off to right center for an RBI single.

2006-04-23 11:19:37

30. yankz

Oh. Crap.

2006-04-23 11:21:15

31. singledd

Does anyone here remember this Blog last April/May. Giambi was a hot topic. Everyone who wanted him gone (and there wew quite a few) raise your hand.

I think Giambi has a shot at MVP. He's not the talent that ARod is, but he steps up more in tough/clutch situations.

Poor Andy Phillips. I think he's so worried about making an impression, he seems to be in a continuous brain cramp. At least he got an RBI hit.

2006-04-23 11:21:24

32. Stormer Sports

And he went back ass first, lol. Oh Andy.

2006-04-23 11:22:22

33. Levy2020

31 I wanted him gone. Miguel Cairo hit better than him and Giambi cheated.

Now he's the sickest hitter in the game and should take the #3 spot so someone can drive in his freakish number of walks.

2006-04-23 11:23:18

34. Dimelo

This umpire has a wide strikezone. At least on balls aways, not so much the inside.

2006-04-23 11:23:30

35. Cliff Corcoran

Singleton and Kaat are ragging on Denny Naegle and his train whistle. Hilarious.

2006-04-23 11:23:33

36. yankaholic

Cano took some time to get going last year too, but he was in every game.. if Joe sticks Andy in 4-5 games together and relaxes him a bit, we can get decent production out of Andy.

2006-04-23 11:25:19

37. Stormer Sports

singledd,

You're right! I never thought Giambi should go. In fact, if anything, I think playing Phillips is unfair to Giambi, certainly not unfair to Andy.

2006-04-23 11:26:12

38. yankz

Does the clutch hit from Phillips overwhelm all the previous K's? And is this really Joe trusting the 1B, or is Cashman calling the shots?

2006-04-23 11:26:35

39. Mattpat11

Did he just walk Chris Gomez?

2006-04-23 11:29:18

40. yankz

And by overwhelm, I mean does it overwhelm all the previous struggles in Joe's eyes.

2006-04-23 11:29:43

41. yankaholic

Most of these calls are Cashman's.. he did Cano too.. Andy can be servicable.. and Giambi should learnt to be a proper DH.. he is not a reliable 1B.

2006-04-23 11:30:24

42. Cliff Corcoran

Phillips has started three of the last four games and just came through with a go-ahead RBI hit. He should settle in nicely if he keeps getting playing time. Interesing, however, that the next game will see the Yanks facing Scott Kazmir. Kazmir's a lefty, so it would make sense to see Phillips get another shot, but Kazmir is also the pitcher who essentially killed his 2005 season by putting him on the path to a 5 K day and Joe Torre's doghouse. You know I'd love to see a rematch, though history could repeat itself.

2006-04-23 11:31:14

43. yankaholic

When u have to throw Home from 1B, do i trust Giambi.. NO.. i donno abt Andy, but he has to have a better arm right??

2006-04-23 11:31:34

44. yankz

Nice AB from the captain.

2006-04-23 11:33:56

45. Stormer Sports

Jete is off to a great start this year! Love him in th 2 hole, right where he belongs.

2006-04-23 11:36:06

46. Cliff Corcoran

Jeter's such a team player, getting himself picked off to make Phillips feel better. What a guy!

43 From what I've seen Phillips is an excellend defensive first baseman. As for his arm, he plays a solid 3B too, which should tell you all you need to know about his throwing.

2006-04-23 11:36:13

47. yankz

Damn you, small ball!

2006-04-23 11:37:35

48. yankz

ENOUGH WITH THE DAMN SMALL BALL!!!

2006-04-23 11:38:07

49. Cliff Corcoran

Love seeing these guys making things happen with all of these hit and runs and steals. If they weren't doing that they would have had just one measly run. Instead they have two outs. Love that small ball!

2006-04-23 11:40:45

50. Bill

That was 3 straight outs on the basepaths if you're scoring at home.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2006-04-23 11:41:20

51. Stormer Sports

Giambi is en fuego. Might be time to move Arod out of the 4 spot.

2006-04-23 11:41:28

52. Marcus

And what's the need for "manufacturing" runs against Bruce Chen? Isn't it just a matter of time before the Yanks send him to the clubhouse with 6 ER on his line? Make him prove that assumption wrong before you start wasting outs.

2006-04-23 11:41:37

53. Cliff Corcoran

Nice day from the DH spot by Giambi! Too bad the Yankees ran themselves out of two runs. That could have been a three-run job with one run already in.

2006-04-23 11:41:56

54. yankaholic

Cliff, thats the point.. we have pretty low production out of DH, eith GOB et al, if we swap Giambi to DH (and he gwts comfy there) an average Andy offense with better defense should help us.. and everytime Giambi bends and reaches to get one from the dirt.. i am afraid of his back..

2006-04-23 11:42:06

55. yankz

Where's your small ball now?!?! Just wasted a grand slam.

Oh, and Giambi owns.

2006-04-23 11:42:24

56. Marcus

Shoulda, coulda, woulda been 6-1 right now.

2006-04-23 11:42:26

57. Cliff Corcoran

52 Nice call, without the two outs on the bases it would be 6 ER right now.

2006-04-23 11:43:19

58. Yankee Fan in Chicago

Well, at least Arod had the good sense not to try and steal a goddamned base with Giambi up.

2006-04-23 11:43:47

59. Simone

Why are these guys trying to steal bases when they are hitting Chen? Enough already!

2006-04-23 11:45:02

60. Cliff Corcoran

54 Hey, a few more days like this from Giambi at DH and I'll be in 100% agreement. But let's see him do it against someone other than Bruce Chen before we get too excited. His 1B/DH splits remain overwhelming and large samples outweigh small ones (which is as obvious as it sounds).

2006-04-23 11:45:23

61. Schteeve

Has Giambi "earned his pinstripes" yet? What's the general concensus?

2006-04-23 11:45:39

62. singledd

MVP! MVP!
I Prefer Giambi 3rd and Shef 5th. This will give us a ton of base runners 1-3. Giambino must have an OBP around .500 by now!

2006-04-23 11:46:47

63. tommyl

Great baserunning choices guys. Nothing like giving away outs with Sheff, A-Rod and Giambi coming to the plate. Its not like those guys are proven hitters or anything.

2006-04-23 11:46:48

64. Schteeve

Giambi's OBP is above .500. his OPS is close to 1.2 i think.

2006-04-23 11:47:05

65. Stormer Sports

singledd,

62 Moving Giambi up in the order makes sense no matter how you slice it, therefore, Joe won't have any part of it.

2006-04-23 11:47:46

66. singledd

Can Phillips play OF? I'd rather he replace Shef and (on occasion) Mats. That would improve our D as much as having him at first. I think Shef would respond more to being DH then Giambi.

2006-04-23 11:48:20

67. singledd

Hey, YOU want to tell Shef he's batting 5th?

2006-04-23 11:49:38

68. Cliff Corcoran

66 Phillips can play the OF, but I don't know if he should. He's always been an infielder (2B, then 3B, now 1B).

2006-04-23 11:49:58

69. yankaholic

The Daily News quoted him as being "afraid" to push one of Arod and Sheff to 5th spot.. AFRAID.. i was surprised he would say that.. it makes so much sense with Giambi at 3, and the Left Right thing top of the order will be so delicious..

2006-04-23 11:51:08

70. Schteeve

Randy's keeping his pitch count pretty low. I think that bodes well.

2006-04-23 11:51:49

71. Mattpat11

69 I'd be afraid of Sheffield as well.

2006-04-23 11:52:27

72. singledd

Cliff... what is better....
Giambi at DH and Andy at first or
Shef at DH and Andy in RF (and occasionally in LF)?

I think Shef is slow to get to balls. I would prefer more speed in the OF, especially if we keep Shef next year.

2006-04-23 11:52:52

73. Stormer Sports

That's because Joe is a players manager, meaning the players run the team. If Sheff doesn't want to move, send him to Washington and have Frank Robinson manage him. Sheff needs to understand how good he's got it and shut his trap. Giambi would give him more RBI opportunities, and that should be plenty to get him to move. It's not like Damon has been sitting out there for Sheff to drive in.

2006-04-23 11:53:25

74. Jeteupthemiddle

how about Melky in right field /end continuing to beat dead horse.

2006-04-23 11:54:29

75. singledd

Melky is not ready yet. MAYBE next year

2006-04-23 11:55:40

76. Schteeve

Stormer, while I agree with your premise that Sheff should move down in the lineup and get over the whole "prestige factor" getting rid of him hurts you more than moving him two or three spots down in the lineup helps you.

2006-04-23 11:55:47

77. Jeteupthemiddle

Well, I was more or less talking about July or August and not like tomorrow.

anyway, I'd rather see Phillips at first and Giambi at DH on any given day. And I really don't mind Giambi batting 5th.

2006-04-23 11:56:18

78. Cliff Corcoran

Andy may have struck out there (two fouls and a foul tip into the catchers glove, all on breaking stuff), but he came up to Motley Crue's "Looks That Kill" He should get a credit for a hit just for that alone.

2006-04-23 11:57:31

79. singledd

Actually, my choice for a speedy OF'er would be Soriano. He's available next year, and the Yankees are his first choice, even as an OF'er. Imagine this lineup with Sori in RF and Shef as DH (and Bernie coaching). Scary!

2006-04-23 11:57:54

80. yankz

78 I've heard many people say he can't hit offspeed stuff. Is this true, or is he just a bit rusty?

2006-04-23 11:58:16

81. Schteeve

How's Sori doing in left this year so far?

2006-04-23 11:59:05

82. Cliff Corcoran

72 Offensively, Sheff at DH and Giambi at 1B will result in the best production from both, but defensively you'd want Andy at 1B, not RF. Having Giambi at 1B and Andy in RF could even be a defensive downgrade from what the Yanks have now given Phillips lack of experience in the outfield. I bet Sheffield's faster than Andy to boot.

2006-04-23 12:00:20

83. Schteeve

82 Sheffield is fast, he just frequently doesn't appear to hustle defensively.

2006-04-23 12:00:22

84. singledd

It's his first year, so it's heard to judge yet... but he is a great athlete and very fast. Unless there is something wrong with his 'fly ball perception', he should be above average.

2006-04-23 12:00:59

85. Cliff Corcoran

80 Dunno, could be. That's a bit of a cliche regarding triple-A power hitters, but Phillips also hit for average in the minors, so I'll believe it when I see it. He didn't miss any of those pitches in his last at-bat, but he didn't hit 'em fair either. Jury's out.

2006-04-23 12:01:00

86. Stormer Sports

I hope this means that the RJ-Posada feud is over.

2006-04-23 12:03:00

87. Cliff Corcoran

86 RJ also pitched really well on opening day with Posada back there. Last year's Posada vs. Flaherty numbers are skewed by Unit's strong September. Take that out and there was really no difference.

2006-04-23 12:05:08

88. Dimelo

Why does everyone want to change this lineup when there really isn't anything wrong with it?

Before today's game he was "only" batting:
.343/3 HR/13 RBI/.383 OBP and slugging right around his 3 year average.

Why should Torre make a change for the sake of making a change? If they can't win with that lineup then that's nobodies fault than their own. Not the manager.

2006-04-23 12:05:13

89. yankz

CAPTAIN!

2006-04-23 12:05:28

90. Stormer Sports

Jete Jete Jete.

Hey Cliff, at least I was right about 1 thing. Jete in the 2 hole is going to be huge for us. He can swing away more often, and we are seeing the result.

2006-04-23 12:05:33

91. Stormer Sports

Jete Jete Jete.

Hey Cliff, at least I was right about 1 thing. Jete in the 2 hole is going to be huge for us. He can swing away more often, and we are seeing the result.

2006-04-23 12:05:36

92. Schteeve

Jeter's having a great year so far. It warms my heart.

2006-04-23 12:05:36

93. yankaholic

Randy-Posada was never a feud, how can Posada be at fault if.. when he calls a slider and Unit cant get it to bite.. thats the Unit's fault.. unless behind the scenes they fought over the "window seats" in the team bus, its all in the mind of Randy.. hes got to work on keeping the slider down, regardless of who is catching..

2006-04-23 12:07:26

94. yankz

92 I know just how you feel.

93 Window seats- hilarious!

2006-04-23 12:07:34

95. Jeteupthemiddle

90 yeah, but Jeter had just as hot of a start as last season. I don't think it has anything to do with him batting in the 2 hole and everything with him being just, you know, good.

2006-04-23 12:07:36

96. singledd

Would ARod feel less pressure with Giambi batting 4th and him 5th? At least that puts Giambi's OBP in front of ARod and gets the L/R thing together.

2006-04-23 12:08:18

97. Stormer Sports

HUH Mike Kaye. I would rather face Arod than Sheffield any day of the week with runners on.

2006-04-23 12:09:43

98. rsmith51

96 I like the idea. Though reigning MVP batting 5th? There is also that clogging bases garbage.

2006-04-23 12:10:24

99. Cliff Corcoran

97 There's "runners on" and then there's the difference between second and third and bases l