Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : By Hook Or By Rook?

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By Hook Or By Rook?

2006-08-27 10:49

by Cliff Corcoran

A pair of rookies face off in Anaheim this afternoon as the Yankees try to salvage the final game of their final west coast swing of the year and avoid being swept by those raggm fraggm Angels.

In his first major league start in Seattle earlier this week, 23-year-old Jeffrey Karstens, who looks like an uglier cross between Gilbert Godfried and Humphrey Bogart (or maybe the old Warner Bros. cartoon characature of Bogey), stayed in the strike zone (66 percent strikes, just two walks) and got 12 of his 15 outs in the air. He also surrendered a pair of home runs, including a moon shot by Richie Sexson. That fly ball tendency could spell disaster against the free-swinging Angels, who had nine extra base hits in yesterday's game.

Opposing Karstens will be 25-year-old lefty Joe Saunders, who has done well in five of his six starts this year including holding the Yankees to three runs on a six hits and a pair of walks over six innings when last these two teams met.

One things' for sure, tomorrow's off day couldn't come soon enough, and whether the Yankees are up by ten or down by twenty, Mariano Rivera should finally see some action today, if for no other reason than he's the most rested man in an exhausted bullpen that finally collapsed in yesterday's ugly loss.

Speaking of exhausted, Jason Giambi, who left yesterday's game due to "body-wide cramps" and dehydration, and Melky Cabrera, who has played every game since late May (!), get the day off, and Robinson Cano gets a day at DH. Nick Green and Bernie Williams, the good one that hits lefties, play the field. Bernie starts in left field for just the fifth time this season. Alex Rodriguez is back in the clean-up spot and Craig Wilson starts at first base against the lefty. Just win this one, boys, and you can go home and rest.

Comments (264)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2006-08-27 12:11:29

1. randym77

1. Johnny Damon CF
2. Derek Jeter SS
3. Bobby Abreu RF
4. Alex Rodriguez 3B
5. Jorge Posada C
6. Robinson Cano DH
7. Bernie Williams LF
8. Craig Wilson 1B
9. Nick Green 2B

Torre seriously considered benching A-Rod today, but decided to leave him in because there's a lefty on the mound.

He also said Jaret will make his next start. Pavano will stay in Columbus.

2006-08-27 12:18:03

2. kdw

On radio pregame Torre said Giambi probably available to pinch hit, Melky more iffy (dental problems, needs root canal and has puffy, sore jaw).

2006-08-27 12:21:03

3. randym77

Yikes. You mean Melky actually had to be sick to get a day off?

I don't get it. Joe gives everyone else a day off just to rest them, including Cano. Is he expecting to rest Melky in September when Matsui comes back?

2006-08-27 12:25:08

4. kdw

I'm guessing that Melky is at the bottom of the list because of age/health. Cano probably would be too if not for the hamstring DL stint. Well at least he'll get some time now, between today and tomorrow. Altho not sure I count a root canal as a day off.

2006-08-27 12:26:58

5. 3rd gen yankee fan

Poor Melky.

2006-08-27 12:32:30

6. randym77

4 Cano got regular days off even before he blew his hamstring.

2006-08-27 12:36:42

7. Max

So what's worse, Melky...(drum roll)... a root canal, or fielding all those hard hit liners to left field, and playing bitch to the Angels one more time? Ba-dum-BUM!

Sorry guys...lame attempt to make light of our current situation and find humor in our sad week on the West Coast.

2006-08-27 12:38:29

8. randym77

Hah! Figgins couldn't get that one.

2006-08-27 12:38:50

9. JL25and3

Cliff, I think Yosemite Sam captures my mood just about perfectly.

2006-08-27 12:41:23

10. randym77

Nice start, Jeet!

2006-08-27 12:43:31

11. mehmattski

Who was asking about what's wrong with Jeter? Good reverse jinx, buddy!

2006-08-27 12:48:08

12. kdw

7 I was just thinking that A-Rod must feel like this season is becoming one long root canal.

2006-08-27 12:49:10

13. Max

13 With no painkillers.

2006-08-27 12:56:24

14. Max

Whoops, I meant 12 -- not the circular reference in 13.

We may need a lot of runs to win, so I hope we don't run ourselves out of too many innings today.

2006-08-27 13:01:35

15. rbj

Well I missed the first inning due to yard work. Typical for a weekend, I miss all the action cause I have things to do. Yard work is now done, but I still have to walk the dog.

2006-08-27 13:05:28

16. rbj

Bernie!

2006-08-27 13:05:54

17. mehmattski

Bernie goes Boom! Man he can still mash lefties, huh?

2006-08-27 13:06:21

18. lenyc

Bernie still got some pop in that bat.

2006-08-27 13:06:27

19. randym77

Bernie goes boom!

2006-08-27 13:07:07

20. Stormer Sports

I know I am beating a dead horse here, but those who believe that Wison, Guiel or anyone else we have on the bench is a better option than Bernie is not very bright.

2006-08-27 13:08:06

21. yankz

20 You'd rather have Bernie face a righty than Guiel?

2006-08-27 13:08:29

22. LI yankee

This ump sucks. I don't know about that one to Wilson, but the pitch to Cano was ball 4.

2006-08-27 13:08:34

23. randym77

Bernie's offense is fine. It's his defense that's horrible.

2006-08-27 13:08:51

24. Stormer Sports

You betcha.

2006-08-27 13:09:13

25. lenyc

Ok I see theump is calling strikes at the toes today..was the pitch before in the same spot?

2006-08-27 13:09:15

26. hensley

I'm starting to think that Bernie should bat right-handed even against righties. Have you ever heard of a switch hitter doing that successfully when they lose the ability to hit from one side of the plate?

2006-08-27 13:09:53

27. yankz

26 I don't know if it counts as successful, but JT Snow stopped batting switch after a while.

2006-08-27 13:11:29

28. yankz

I feel awful for the Braves. Their bullpen is so terrible that they have none other than Wayne Franklin pitching meaningful innings.

2006-08-27 13:12:51

29. LI yankee

25 The first 2 pitches to Bernie were both higher than Cano's and were called balls.

2006-08-27 13:15:11

30. Stormer Sports

Considering that even Bernie is batting .20 points higher than Guiel against righties, I think that's good enough for me.

It's Aaron Guiel for God's sake!

2006-08-27 13:18:19

31. lenyc

This announcer is just a tad too animated...

2006-08-27 13:19:33

32. Mattpat11

Slightly less annoying than the screaming PA announcer is the Squeaky kid.

2006-08-27 13:20:53

33. Coco Loco

Anyone else notice that Karstens's cap is crooked (a la CC Sabathia or Dontrelle Willis). I expect he'll get a lecture about that.

2006-08-27 13:21:49

34. lenyc

Man these announcers cant get over the speed of the Angels..ok its been 2 ininnigs we get it now....

2006-08-27 13:24:02

35. LI yankee

34 Yeah honestly I felt like I was watching a track meet.

2006-08-27 13:25:28

36. lenyc

This is the second game his hat has been crooked, I'm guessing they are not really concerened about the hat more so his pitching. And they way he is pitching today I want that hat crooked... maybe jaret should try it

2006-08-27 13:26:35

37. monkeypants

30 Selective use of stats. Bernie is only slugging .400 v. RHP, and his OBP against RHP = .301

Guiel: OBP v. RHP .368, SLG v. RHP .515

Guiel is flat out a much better hitter v. RHP than Bernie is this year. Yeah, it's Aaron Guiel, for God's sake--and that shows just how far Bernie has fallen.

2006-08-27 13:29:32

38. lenyc

37 Hey man I agree with you guiel destoryed some pitches in that texas series...yeah its texas but he was one of the reasons we killed them

2006-08-27 13:31:00

39. lenyc

AROD ... thank you for getting a hit...lets take baby steps.

2006-08-27 13:35:06

40. lenyc

Cano just doesn't not care to walk...he just wants to hit. The more I watch him play the more i think dude could be a 3K plus hit someday

2006-08-27 13:38:09

41. monkeypants

Now, Bernie batting RH--that's another story!

2006-08-27 13:38:39

42. mehmattski

Oh My! The Angels get haunted by GOB!!!!

2006-08-27 13:39:25

43. randym77

Holy crap. 8-0 in the 3rd. How's that for run support?

2006-08-27 13:40:27

44. no2ss

Who went and replaced old Bernie with the ghost of A-Rod?

2006-08-27 13:40:43

45. Max

43 Sorry for the mild profanity, but I want to score 20 runs on these b***ches. Eight runs isn't enough.

2006-08-27 13:40:59

46. lenyc

Damn, Bernie is no joke today...whoever said he should just hit right handed the rest of the season might be on to something

2006-08-27 13:41:52

47. rbj

Yup. I come in at 2-0, see Bernie's first HR, then go and walk the dog, and come back just after Bernie's second HR.

Let's see, I do have laundry to do and supper to make. . .

2006-08-27 13:42:11

48. lenyc

Bernie is money money money moneeeey....moneeeey

2006-08-27 13:44:12

49. 3rd gen yankee fan

48 House money. :-)

2006-08-27 13:45:27

50. Stormer Sports

Youkilis in Left, Loretta at 1B, a rookie starter, and a rookie at 2B. Francona hasn't a clue what to do with the trash that Theo left by the curb.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2006-08-27 13:47:28

51. Zack

Anyone else's mlb.tv just go down and not recover?

2006-08-27 13:47:36

52. lenyc

I will love to talk smack about Boston but I just want to make sure there out of the playoofs...2004 is way to fresh on my mind to think things can't flip in september...

2006-08-27 13:48:09

53. lenyc

51. my mlb is fine

2006-08-27 13:49:19

54. lenyc

Yeah I guess speed cant kill a hall of fame arm. What happened to the track team?

2006-08-27 13:50:55

55. Travis

Youkilis just lost a ball in the sun. He's a worse outfielder than Manny, if you can believe it.

2006-08-27 13:51:11

56. hensley

50 Youkilis heard you. He just made a terrible error in LF on an easy fly.

2006-08-27 13:51:30

57. Stormer Sports

Oh, things can most certainly flip. Theo and Ownership's chicken shit approach to the trade deadline should lead to a revolt in "small market" Boston.

2006-08-27 13:51:39

58. Zack

Oh, now its back, just in time to see the run score, great...

2006-08-27 13:52:12

59. rbj

So an error to A-Rod on the throw?

2006-08-27 13:52:45

60. Stormer Sports

Just wait and see how bad they become once they let Manny go.

2006-08-27 13:53:37

61. seamus

59 I don't think that was that bad a throw. Green pulled off. I couldn't entirely tell though from that angle.

2006-08-27 13:54:10

62. lenyc

Hmm that was at the toes im suprised it wasn't a strike ump

2006-08-27 13:54:32

63. Stormer Sports

This game is far from over.

2006-08-27 13:54:44

64. Zack

Wow, Bernie has a negative arm...

2006-08-27 13:55:16

65. lenyc

Damn bernies arm...geez

2006-08-27 13:56:46

66. Zack

Who are the Angels' announcers? One of them is trying to explain why Damon is playign CF all wrong...

2006-08-27 13:57:12

67. LI yankee

Jeter almost singlehandedly kept that inning from being a disaster

2006-08-27 13:57:28

68. lenyc

position and height kills...speed

2006-08-27 13:57:40

69. Stormer Sports

Give that boy a gold glove!

Oh and give Chavez one too, God knows they will, even though Beltre is so far and away better, it's downright laughable. I guess if you can get to balls that Chavez can't even sniff, and miss some plays, that counts against you.

2006-08-27 13:58:50

70. lenyc

66. I dont know i think one of them is rex hudler...i think he does lines before the game b/c he is just to damn animated

2006-08-27 13:59:17

71. JL25and3

59 "You can't assume the double play," so they won't give an error. It's a ridiculous rule, but I'm not sure this is the play I'd give an error on, anyway.

2006-08-27 14:00:38

72. Max

45 When I said eight runs isn't enough, I wasn't just speaking karmically. Eight runs won't be enough against this team, unless we use Mo for a four inning save...assuming Villone and Proctor don't give up the house beforehand.

2006-08-27 14:01:19

73. Zack

Ah yes, Hudler, of course, I think I willed him out of my mind. He stinks. really really stinks...Its amazing how many bad announcers there are out there...

2006-08-27 14:01:57

74. Jim Dean

Anyone know if there's any precedent for aging switch-hitter to give up on his weak side?

I know I've seen it but I can't think of a specific instance.

2006-08-27 14:04:57

75. Max

On a more serious note, if Karstens starts bleeding more profusely in the next two innings, who'll be first out of the pen?

2006-08-27 14:06:10

76. Zack

That was a whimpy, yet totally typical Angels hit against us. And man Bernie is a liability in the field...

2006-08-27 14:06:42

77. JL25and3

74 There have definitely been cases where switch-hitters have given up switching, but I can't remember them off the top of my head (and don't have time to research it now). Generally, I think they've been cases where a player wasn't always a switch-hitter; I don't know if htere's ever been a case analogous to Bernie.

2006-08-27 14:07:04

78. lenyc

This pitcher channelling shawn chacon the way heas been on the ropes today.

2006-08-27 14:08:46

79. mehmattski

This just in: Karstens is bad.

2006-08-27 14:09:01

80. rbj

72 Yeah, that's why I was wondering about an error. It could be debatable about that particular throw being an error, but if it was then I don't see why you can't assume an out on the first throw. Really stupid "can't assume a double play" rule.

Crap. Yanks do well when I'm not around. Guess it's time to deal with dinner & laundry.

2006-08-27 14:09:36

81. Simone

Karstens giving it back inning by inning. This is Contreras all over again. No one could give those runs back quicker of Contreras.

2006-08-27 14:10:14

82. LI yankee

"It's almost like a double when he hits a single"

Where did the Angels get this guy?

2006-08-27 14:10:26

83. lenyc

Yes...shawn chacon i mean karstens gets out of the jam

2006-08-27 14:11:56

84. lenyc

82. I'm guessing the same spot the get Joe Morgan, and Tim McCarver

2006-08-27 14:12:00

85. Zack

I wouldn't call Karstens bad...I would call him a kid with a relatively low ceiling who doesn't really belong in the majors yet. Sidney Ponson is bad, Sturtze is bad. Karstens is just not good...

2006-08-27 14:12:45

86. Zack

so, I know we have already scored 8 runs. But we need to score more...

2006-08-27 14:14:43

87. lenyc

posada looks ready to hit it out the yard...let shope he does

2006-08-27 14:14:56

88. lenyc

damn..spoke to soon

2006-08-27 14:20:22

89. mehmattski

"The Yankees are getting a couple of lousy singles here..."

and that's different from the Angels' "track meet" offense you love... how?

2006-08-27 14:20:39

90. no2ss

Ok. I think it's clear. Bernie should be a righthanded batter, and should never, ever play the field.

2006-08-27 14:22:45

91. seamus

89 that is what they say about all yankee ground ball singles. The Angels groundball singles though are about hustle and smarts and all kinds of other all world things.

2006-08-27 14:24:10

92. lenyc

89. Exactly why I cant stand Rex..he is so biased he doesnt even hide it...its like damn did they not earn those singles...why cant they hit singles that are just like doubles to Rex?

2006-08-27 14:27:27

93. Max

Wow, did Karstens really get through that inning with less than ten pitches?

2006-08-27 14:27:34

94. no2ss

Rex isn't just biased, he's clueless and annoying. It's a really impressive combination of incompetence. I can't stand watching games against Anaheim just because of him. I was happy yesterday's game was on FOX with Steve Lyons broadcasting. That's how bad he is. When you'd prefer Steve Lyons to Rex Hudler, it's time for Rex to move on.

2006-08-27 14:28:26

95. lenyc

So why are we not talking about the angels and them picking the wrong t