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The Red Sox: The Rematch
2007-04-27 13:18
by Cliff Corcoran

I know I said last week that I'd do a full breakdown in previewing this series, but frankly, I'm winded. While no one expected the Yankees to win more than on game in Boston last weekend, their being swept in a series that was actually more evenly matched than most anticipated was a bitter pill and their three loses this past week that have pushed their overall slide to six games has even the most optimistic Yankee fans shaking their heads.

The Yankees are languishing in last place with the third worst record in the AL and the fifth-worst in baseball, yet their Pythagorean winning percentage is .562. There are two reasons for that. The first is that the Yankee offense, despite being shut out for the first time all season last night, is still the most productive in baseball, scoring six runs per game. The second is that the Yankee bullpen, which looked like a major strength entering the season, has blown seven saves. Losing close and winning big, that's how a team underperforms it's Pythagorean, and that's exactly what the Yankees have been doing. Only two of the Yankees' 12 loses have been by more than two runs. Think about that. Eight times they've been a bloop and a blast away from tying or winning a game in their final at bat, but eventually lost (two of those close losses were walk-off jobs in Oakland) including five of their current six-game losing streak. On the flip side, three of their eight wins have come in their final at-bat (the two game winners by Alex Rodriguez and Giambi's tie-breaker in extras in Oakland).

That's exhausting baseball, and exhaustion is exactly the problem. The rotation was supposed to shape up before it shredded the bullpen. That didn't happen. The offense is the best in the league but the best isn't good enough to overcome the team's pitching woes. Chien-Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte give the Yankees a powerful 1-2 punch atop the rotation, and both will face the Sox this weekend, but the Yankees have lost four of the five games those two have started because of the strain placed on the bullpen by the rest of the rotation. The pen appeared to get a reprieve with Wednesday night's rain out, but having already soured on Japanese import Kei Igawa, who's been pulled from the rotation, the team asked 20-year-old rookie phenom Phil Hughes to make his major league debut last night and thus needed another 4 2/3 innings from the bullpen. With the pen already exhausted, however, there was no one Joe Torre could turn to as a long man for mop up duty short of Igawa himself, so those 4 2/3 innings saw him burn through four of his seven relievers.

As a result the only fully rested relief arms for tonight's game are Luis Vizcaino, Kyle Farnsworth and Mariano Rivera, who have been the team's worst performers in the early going. Vizcaino was the pitcher most abused in the early going, but there's reason for optimism with Farnsworth and Rivera. Rivera, of course, is Mariano Rivera, and pitched a scoreless inning on Monday, working around a hit to strike out two. Farnsworth, meanwhile, has turned in a scoreless frame in each of his last four outings, allowing just two hits and a walk over that span while striking out three (though three Ks in 4 IP is still a bit low for him).

In other good news, Wang looked like he was in midseason form in his debut on Tuesday, picking up the loss only because of the failures of the bullpen, and Hideki Matsui has also hit the ground running since being activated from the disabled list on Monday going 2 for 7 with a homer and five walks (.583 OBP). It may not seem like it, but the Yankees are a strong team than they were a week ago heading into Boston.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, were merely .500 on the week, dropping a pair at home to the Blue Jays by a combined score of 17-6, but beating the Orioles twice in Baltimore by a combined score of 11-3. The good news is that the Yankees will be facing the guys who pitched against Toronto (Tim Wakefield and Julian Tavarez), and not the ones who faced Baltimore (Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett).

Tonight, they get their second crack at Daisuke Matsuzaka. The Yanks touched Matsuzaka up for six runs in seven innings on Sunday, one of them coming on a Derek Jeter homer over the Green Monster. On the other hand, Matsuzaka struck out seven Yankees and walked just one. Meanwhile, Andy Pettitte excelled against the Sox a week ago tonight, holding them to two runs over 6 1/3 innings, but Andy's peripherals were less impressive than Matsuzaka's. I'm anticipating a pitchers' duel tonight, which should simply add to the exhaustion factor for those of us watching the game, but could be a benefit to the Yankee bullpen.

The Red Sox roster is unchanged from last week, though Coco Crisp has been struggling with an oblique strain, allowing Wily Mo Peña to start in center and do things like hit game-breaking grand slams against Orioles closer Chris Ray (sound familiar?) and strike out ten times in his last five games.

Comments (554)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-04-27 14:09:11
1.   Mattpat11
Abraham still has Crisp in CF. Did anything change within the hour?

And The Stink is in the lineup again.

2007-04-27 14:17:47
2.   Zack
Any feelings on whether or not this game gets played? how does it look over on that side of the near side of the continent?
2007-04-27 14:18:30
3.   Zack
Wow, I wish I could go back and edit my posts. That makes no sense. Rather:
How does it look over on the near side of the continent?
2007-04-27 14:22:08
4.   jkay
2 Overcast right now, chance of on and off drizzle later on.
2007-04-27 14:23:12
5.   Zack
I think we need to start the "Free Josh Phelps" campaign...
2007-04-27 14:24:59
6.   Max Nomad
2 I think the game gets played, if it's not raining too much at game time. The raid shouldn't be too bad during the game, and that might be an advantage, as Dice-K has already mentioned that he is having trouble gripping the MLB ball. Andy is used to pitching outdoors and in rain. I just hope that the extra rest doesn't do him in, being a low in the strikezone groundball guy.
2007-04-27 14:26:01
7.   Mattpat11
5 Its sad that I've gotten the the point where I'm wishing Doug breaks his hand or something.
2007-04-27 14:28:29
8.   Max Nomad
7 Yea, how come the ROYALS got his injury time, instead of the Yanks?
2007-04-27 14:29:37
9.   Max Nomad
7 Also, Shelly Duncan has been hitting well at AAA and been playing some 1B. Any chance we see him up? Is he a good fielder? Cliff?
2007-04-27 14:30:59
10.   Zavo
Trying to look on the brightside of Doug hitting second yesterday, I was thinking that maybe Torre just wants to give him every chance to succeed for about a month, and if he doesn't produce, they will get rid of him (or play Phelps every day).

Then I realized Joe probably thought Minky's situational hitting would work well in the 2 hole and he will continue to send him out there every day no matter how bad it gets.

2007-04-27 14:35:53
11.   Mattpat11
10 I think there is some degree of truth to that. When Torre feels the player(s) he has been given are not good enough, he has a history of sending them out to fail until a move is made.
2007-04-27 14:41:56
12.   C2Coke
"Pitchers' duel." Those are two words I haven't heard in a while. It's about time I get to witness one tonight.
2007-04-27 14:43:27
13.   Mattpat11
12 Hopefully we knock Matsuzaka around again.
2007-04-27 14:53:37
14.   Shaun P
11 I said this in the last thread: Minky is the new Sturtze. Even though Phelps is the only real hitter on the bench right now, the only guy in the lineup worth pinch-hitting for is, of course, Stinky himself. Sigh.

5 I'm on board - who's making the t-shirts? Don't know how much good I'll do, wearing a "Free Josh Phelps!" t-shirt in the middle of Massachusetts, but whatever it takes.

2007-04-27 14:53:48
15.   C2Coke
13 And if someone can just superglue the relievers on the bench (or jam the dugout-bullpen phone), the Yanks will be more than alright with Pettitte on the mound.
2007-04-27 14:57:03
16.   randym77
10 I think Torre put Minky in the two-hole because he's got good numbers against Burnett: 3 for 7, 2 BB. Small sample size, but Torre's never let that stop him.
2007-04-27 15:01:03
17.   jkay
10 Torre is in no position to play political lineup games right now. We all remember Enrique Wilson in the outfield vs. the Mets among Joe's periodic lineup hissy fits.

Torre's job is on the line. Torre has parlayed a 4 run, 8th inning lead vs Boston into a 6 game losing streak. Batting Minky in the 2 hole is not the answer. If Torre thinks it is the answer, he will be gone very soon.

2007-04-27 15:02:49
18.   yankz
10 Don't you mean situational K'ing?
2007-04-27 15:04:51
19.   Zack
Its really masochistic for me: I don't want to watch tonight because I know what will happen, and I'll hate as it happens, yet I won't be able to stop watching.
2007-04-27 15:06:37
20.   JL25and3
3 They'll get this game in. It's pretty much stopped raining, and the forecast is "chance of showers." The radar looks like the rainy system has just about passed through, and then it looks OK.
2007-04-27 15:07:43
21.   JL25and3
18 Wow, that was a joke in Mad Magazine, more decades ago than I'd care to admit - "Switch-striker-outer is more like it!"
2007-04-27 15:07:44
22.   JL25and3
18 Wow, that was a joke in Mad Magazine, more decades ago than I'd care to admit - "Switch-striker-outer is more like it!"
2007-04-27 15:08:27
23.   choirboyzgirl
7 And here I'm just hoping he can get into a little hitting grove.....silly me.
2007-04-27 15:08:43
24.   JL25and3
21, 22 OK, I don't even know how that posted twice. It definitely wasn't worth reading again.
2007-04-27 15:28:13
25.   jayd
17 Torre has the whole year, as well Cashman. Please, it's still April.

All this team needs to take 1st again is average pitching and rest before the playoffs to take the serious.

Hughes was awesome. There's no reason 90 pitches can't take you into the 6th inning and he needs the experience -- he's never pitched in 2a/3a with the bases loaded??? or some such stat I overheard. Perfectly acceptable to carry him through the season.

I guess Roger will come on board although the TRADE is my personal choice. I know Andy is doing great but he really is a #3. We need someone to pair with Wang. I couldn't think of a better pair of mentors for Phil than Andy and Roger. That video comparing Roger and Phil's delivery and follow through was unforgettable.

I don't think Hughes has the giddyap fastball of Clemens but you see why he is compared. What he does have is the smarts and pitching assortment of a Moose or Glavine. Those 3 changeups in a row last night was striking (no pun intended). Posada knows a thing or two for calling that. The season bodes very well.

Phelps will take over. Here's looking at the 1000 run season... I think Joe keeps sending guys out there (Vizcaino, Minky)so that whoever is backing them in the organization will finally say Uncle. That's my pro-Joe theory anyways. It's early yet. Get the crinks out of the system. With Wang, Andy, Moose and Phil, the machine will move into overdrive May June. Then THE TRADE, damnit.

10 of the 11 losses, Yankees blew a lead. What are the chances that happens again this year?

2007-04-27 15:36:33
26.   yankz
25 Given the pen management? Pretty good.
2007-04-27 15:40:51
27.   yankz
I love this kid. Answers honestly, doesn't make excuses.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wT5-W4t3yyg

He's going places.

2007-04-27 15:59:02
28.   Mattpat11
23 The Stink's version of a "groove" still makes him a bad player. The only thing him getting into "groove" ensures is more playing time for Stinky.
2007-04-27 16:04:42
29.   BklynBmr
I know it's bad, but this brings it home: Yanks have 7 blown saves are the only team in MLB without one, courtesy of NESN graphic.
2007-04-27 16:07:44
30.   Cliff Corcoran
When jkay and jayd fight (17 and 25) I get confused.

For what it's worth, Torre in no danger of losing his job, nor are his coaches, really.

2007-04-27 16:10:48
31.   Zack
Nice to have Jeter's arm back!
2007-04-27 16:14:36
32.   LI yankee
The ump looks like he is 5 seconds behind everyone else.
2007-04-27 16:15:06
33.   Benjamin Kabak
32 Yeah. The ump's taking his time with this one.
2007-04-27 16:15:56
34.   Zack
I don't think Kay has stopped to take a breath yet...blah blah blah blah
2007-04-27 16:16:15
35.   Benjamin Kabak
I half expect the ends of Manny's hair to start talking to me. He's beginning to look like a Yip Yip.
2007-04-27 16:17:09
36.   Zack
Good lord, can't we just walk Manny all the time, seeing as its a given anyway that he'll get on...
2007-04-27 16:18:31
37.   LI yankee
Wow if Minky had botched that, this place would self destruct.
2007-04-27 16:19:12
38.   Benjamin Kabak
36 Check out Manny's career totals against the Yanks. They are insane.

http://tinyurl.com/2s6zbb

2007-04-27 16:19:21
39.   Mattpat11
37 No access to a TV right now. what happened?
2007-04-27 16:19:25
40.   yankz
Has anyone been able to find a working proxy for tonight's game?
2007-04-27 16:20:07
41.   Benjamin Kabak
Hah. Al Leiter just owned the gyroball folks.
2007-04-27 16:20:28
42.   Benjamin Kabak
40 For what?
2007-04-27 16:21:11
43.   Zack
39 Fumbled a hard hit grounder to him, but recovered to take the unassisted...
2007-04-27 16:21:12
44.   LI yankee
39 Drew hit it to him, he bobbled it, and barely beat Drew to the bag.
2007-04-27 16:21:44
45.   Benjamin Kabak
Damon's bat is really dragging through the zone.
2007-04-27 16:22:41
46.   yankz
42 New Yorkers on MLB.tv are blacked out, so I need to set up a different IP address, but I can't find one that works.
2007-04-27 16:22:53
47.   Zack
Woah, generous call by the ump there...

Also, Dice K seems to actually hop in his delievery, isn't that a balok if he loses contact witht he rubber?

2007-04-27 16:23:41
48.   Benjamin Kabak
47 He doesn't do it from the stretch.
2007-04-27 16:24:17
49.   Benjamin Kabak
Man, if we had this ump's low strike zone last night, Hughes' final line would have looked MUCH better.
2007-04-27 16:24:35
50.   Zack
Woah, excuse the awful spelling there
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-04-27 16:24:49
51.   Benjamin Kabak
Ok. That 1-1 pitch was a really low. As in at the ankles.
2007-04-27 16:25:21
52.   Zack
This ump is really gonan drive me crazy with this delayed call...the game's not about you, buddy, just do your job
2007-04-27 16:26:49
53.   Vandelay Industries
Andy should take note and get the ball down.
2007-04-27 16:31:22
54.   Zack
Why the hell is YES replaying the 4-HRs?
2007-04-27 16:33:24
55.   Zack
"Past a diving Jeter..."
2007-04-27 16:34:35
56.   Knuckles
I don't think its on YES tonight- my9.
2007-04-27 16:35:17
57.   Knuckles
I don't think its on YES tonight- my9.
2007-04-27 16:36:42
58.   Knuckles
Doh! Double post due to blackberrying the banter tonight.
2007-04-27 16:38:37
59.   Zack
56 Eh, my9, YES, same difference...
2007-04-27 16:40:19
60.   Zack
Hey Joe, let's pinch run for Giambi now!
2007-04-27 16:41:29
61.   BklynBmr
60 I was just thinkin' that...
2007-04-27 16:42:04
62.   LI yankee
This ump is annhilating the Yankee game plan.
2007-04-27 16:43:30
63.   Benjamin Kabak
62 To be far, the ump is calling a terrible strike zone for both teams.
2007-04-27 16:43:53
64.   BklynBmr
62 Yanks are swinging at more first pitches than I expected, but yeah, the calls (and that delay) is annoying...
2007-04-27 16:45:28
65.   Zack
Its all part of the international conspiracy to ensure DK does well... :)
2007-04-27 16:46:32
66.   Zack
Left a leadoff single, lame...
2007-04-27 16:47:49
67.   BklynBmr
Robbie has had a few downright ooogly ABs lately...
2007-04-27 16:51:07
68.   Mattpat11
I just realized that Ortiz is the looker of the top of the Sox order. Thats sort of sad.
2007-04-27 16:51:15
69.   BklynBmr
I have few problems with the NESN announcers, but the overall production is pretty distracting. They'd jam an interview inbetween pitches if they could...
2007-04-27 16:51:59
70.   Mattpat11
I shouldn't have turned the game on.
2007-04-27 16:52:02
71.   Zack
yuck
2007-04-27 16:53:05
72.   BklynBmr
Andy left that pitch belt high right over the middle...
2007-04-27 16:53:16
73.   Zack
Andy is leaving his pitches up, failing to take advantage of the strike zone which goes all the way down to the plate...
2007-04-27 16:54:34
74.   LI yankee
73 He heard you
2007-04-27 16:56:08
75.   Zack
Oh God, Kay, shut up!
2007-04-27 16:56:42
76.   kylepetterson
Someone needs to light a fire under this team. Andy should bean someone. In the dugout. With a wild pitch.
2007-04-27 16:59:15
77.   LI yankee
76 Yeah this is looking very similar to last year's ALDS.
2007-04-27 16:59:58
78.   Benjamin Kabak
Good at bat. My neighbor's dog could put up more of a fight there.
2007-04-27 17:00:22
79.   Mattpat11
Great job Stink.
2007-04-27 17:00:24
80.   Zack
Get kicked out of the game Minky!
2007-04-27 17:01:05
81.   Zack
76 Maybe he could take out Minky?

Oh, you meant one of the Sox...

2007-04-27 17:01:29
82.   Zack
Wow, looks like our offensive hangover is continuing from yesterday
2007-04-27 17:01:42
83.   Simone
At least, Andy is getting Ortiz out which is more than Myers has ever done.
2007-04-27 17:01:49
84.   kylepetterson
76 Someone in our dugout.
2007-04-27 17:02:43
85.   kylepetterson
81 Nah, A-Rod would get upset. Cairo.
2007-04-27 17:03:29
86.   Zack
Seems to be a small horizontal zone and an enourmous vertical one...
2007-04-27 17:03:49
87.   BklynBmr
Just stepped away for a minute and we have a rally going! Sweet!
2007-04-27 17:04:00
88.   Zack
85 Too bad Enrique Wilson ins't around anymore
2007-04-27 17:04:36
89.   LI yankee
This zone has completely changed. What did Minky say?
2007-04-27 17:05:55
90.   Zack
Man, that pitch was very obviosuly going to be a FP right over the plate...swing boys!
2007-04-27 17:05:56
91.   BklynBmr
88 Or that Karim guy...
2007-04-27 17:06:26
92.   kylepetterson
88 He was Mo's friend.
2007-04-27 17:06:38
93.   Mattpat11
Well, we caught a break there. lets take advantage
2007-04-27 17:06:41
94.   Orly Yarly NoWai
91 Who?
2007-04-27 17:07:03
95.   kylepetterson
88 I'm sticking w/ Cairo.
2007-04-27 17:07:53
96.   Mattpat11
I despise baseball.
2007-04-27 17:07:59
97.   LI yankee
F*cking sdwbif
2007-04-27 17:08:49
98.   Zack
Looks like we are heading for a spell of both pitching AND hitting crapitude..
2007-04-27 17:09:18
99.   its430
This home plate ump (Runge) should be shot.

The golden rule of umpiring: don't make it about you.

And what is he doing? Calling an inconsistent strike zone and flourishing it with this delayed call.

Let's hope he joins Joey Crawford by the end of the week on the unemployment line.

2007-04-27 17:09:24
100.   Mattpat11
We need a pool for the next Yankee win. I say May 2.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-04-27 17:09:47
101.   BklynBmr
94 shhhhh... ;-)

Yanks are doing a lot of first pitch swinging and DK is mixing up his first pitch. Let's just do what we do best...

2007-04-27 17:11:18
102.   Mattpat11
101 Lose?
2007-04-27 17:12:11
103.   LI yankee
100 March 31, 2008
2007-04-27 17:12:22
104.   Zack
I think the Yanks are just determined not to give Pettitte a win all season. Or the team...
2007-04-27 17:12:32
105.   BklynBmr
100 I'm thinking sometime during Interleague, just hoping for poor scouting from the opposition...
2007-04-27 17:12:50
106.   Zack
100 Tuesday when Hughes pitches...
2007-04-27 17:13:24
107.   Mattpat11
Pettitte looks good.
2007-04-27 17:14:31
108.   BklynBmr
102 Hey, we're the best last place in baseball. That's keep me going right now...
2007-04-27 17:14:39
109.   LI yankee
In all seriousness though, I still feel good about this game. Just need to get Dice-K's pitch count up a bit. We also just need that one big hit to break open.
2007-04-27 17:15:14
110.   Zack
Can we please reward that awesome inning by Pettitte with some runs?

I would also like to point out that this recent losing streak coincides with our #3 hitter going into a massive slump, only 2 hits a nd a TON of k's...

2007-04-27 17:18:53
111.   Mattpat11
Odd strikezone
2007-04-27 17:19:46
112.   LI yankee
Why aren't we stealing at all?
2007-04-27 17:20:58
113.   BklynBmr
109 I think you're on to something here...

108 I'll try that in English next time.

2007-04-27 17:21:07
114.   Mattpat11
can we take advantage of this?
2007-04-27 17:21:19
115.   OldYanksFan
110 Not to mention a massive slump by our (injured?) leadoff man.
2007-04-27 17:21:24
116.   Simone
Rally time!!!

I just read Klapisch's depressing article on ESPN. Damn, he is a kill joy.

2007-04-27 17:22:16
117.   Zack
That was Hideki's pitch methinks
2007-04-27 17:22:54
118.   Mattpat11
anything but a triple play
2007-04-27 17:23:34
119.   BklynBmr
Only a foot inside...
2007-04-27 17:23:52
120.   Zack
Jesus, this ump is rediculous
2007-04-27 17:23:53
121.   Mattpat11
Could Runge move any slower?
2007-04-27 17:24:47
122.   LI yankee
120 Might as well let him go upstairs and watch the replay.
2007-04-27 17:25:34
123.   BklynBmr
121 That's his act. People come out to see that...
2007-04-27 17:25:35
124.   LI yankee
120 Might as well let him go upstairs and watching the damn replay.
2007-04-27 17:25:57
125.   Chyll Will
121 One hing's for sure... he's definitely not a multi-tasker...
2007-04-27 17:26:24
126.   Mattpat11
123 I see. So He's part of the show.
2007-04-27 17:26:29
127.   OldYanksFan
Some RoidRage in the news:
"...someone who has seen an investigation affidavit indicated that Radomski told investigators -- to paraphrase -- that if they thought the allegations in Jose Canseco's book were explosive, they would be blown away by what Radomski could report"
2007-04-27 17:26:31
128.   BklynBmr
118 Now the triple play is really set up...
2007-04-27 17:26:41
129.   LI yankee
124 Sorry, didn't show up the first time
2007-04-27 17:26:50
130.   Knuckles
Cmon jorgie, find your pitch and chase this bum.
2007-04-27 17:27:05
131.   Mattpat11
Well, the result of this inning should tell us what kind of game we're going to see.
2007-04-27 17:27:25
132.   BklynBmr
126 Any ump under age 50 seems to think so...
2007-04-27 17:27:33
133.   Zack
Holy crap, Torre smiled...
2007-04-27 17:27:44
134.   Chyll Will
Umm, can we score now? Right now??
2007-04-27 17:27:54
135.   LI yankee
113 Well, now we need the big hit
2007-04-27 17:28:05
136.   BklynBmr
Best call of the night, the no-swing on Jorge...
2007-04-27 17:28:34
137.   Chyll Will
Gee, thanks!
2007-04-27 17:28:43
138.   LI yankee
I'll take it
2007-04-27 17:28:56
139.   Zack
NIIICE...I'll take it!
2007-04-27 17:29:07
140.   BklynBmr
135 Don't stop now ;-)
2007-04-27 17:29:13
141.   its430
There's our bloop...

Who's good for a blast?

2007-04-27 17:29:14
142.   Mattpat11
132 Angel Hernandez being example 1.

Whoo!

2007-04-27 17:29:15
143.   Knuckles
Someone tell manny to take the price tag off his do rag.
2007-04-27 17:29:44
144.   BklynBmr
Be selective, Robbie. Selective!
2007-04-27 17:30:54
145.   Chyll Will
Calm down, Robbie. Pretend the bases are empty...
2007-04-27 17:30:55
146.   LI yankee
Cano is swinging for the fences. He never misses this much.
2007-04-27 17:31:08
147.   Mattpat11
Robbie looks awful. I dread this answer, but who is on deck?
2007-04-27 17:31:17
148.   Zack
Man, Robbie has looked bad in seemingly every pitch against dice-k...
2007-04-27 17:31:22
149.   kylepetterson
144 SELECTIIIIIIIIIVVVVVVVEEEEE!!!!!
2007-04-27 17:31:45
150.   Zack
No matter the result of this AB, can we please pinch hit for the next batter?
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2007-04-27 17:32:10
151.   Mattpat11
Hell, just put it in the air
2007-04-27 17:32:13
152.   kylepetterson
150 With Cairo?
2007-04-27 17:32:46
153.   Mattpat11
152 I'd take that trade.
2007-04-27 17:33:01
154.   LI yankee
152 Phelps would be more than adequate.
2007-04-27 17:33:02
155.   Chyll Will
143 That's the tag from either his BBQ grill or his donk...
2007-04-27 17:33:17
156.   Zack
152 Sadly, that would be an improvement...
2007-04-27 17:33:29
157.   Knuckles
Free josh phelps! Free josh phelps! Free josh phelps!
2007-04-27 17:33:41
158.   Mattpat11
Does the Stink have a crutch in his hand?
2007-04-27 17:34:03
159.   BklynBmr
Ouch! That sucked...

142 Angel is the poster child for these punks...

2007-04-27 17:34:14
160.   kylepetterson
Grand Slam. Watch it.
2007-04-27 17:34:14
161.   Zack
Terrible Cano, put the damn ball into the air. And now with auto out, yes, its one of those games...
2007-04-27 17:34:18
162.   Mattpat11
Awful AB. And here comes 4-6-3
2007-04-27 17:34:57
163.   Benjamin Kabak
Dear Doug,

F**k you.

2007-04-27 17:35:10
164.   nick
I'd take a sac fly...
2007-04-27 17:35:18
165.   Zack
JESUS TORRE BENCH HIM!!!!
2007-04-27 17:35:19
166.   Chyll Will
Crapple...
2007-04-27 17:35:23
167.   Mattpat11
WAIVE HIM.
2007-04-27 17:35:35
168.   Benjamin Kabak
Bases loaded, no outs: A team is supposed to score two runs or so. Can someone please get it done here?
2007-04-27 17:35:36
169.   BklynBmr
Huge AB for Minky. He deftly avoided hitting into the DP. I'd start him for another month just because...
2007-04-27 17:35:41
170.   Zack
Yup, one of those games...
2007-04-27 17:35:41
171.   kylepetterson
164 I'm happy with no DP.
2007-04-27 17:36:17
172.   kylepetterson
164 I'm happy with no DP.
2007-04-27 17:36:21
173.   Zack
Oh thanks Kay, show us footage of the 2004 ALCS...That really helps right now...
2007-04-27 17:36:31
174.   kylepetterson
Weird.
2007-04-27 17:36:33
175.   Chyll Will
How about a passed ball... something...
2007-04-27 17:36:35
176.   BklynBmr
Time to snap out of it, Johnny...
2007-04-27 17:37:08
177.   Zack
Wonder how different this inning would be with Phelps batting 8th and Cano 9th...
2007-04-27 17:37:16
178.   Benjamin Kabak
Come on. They have this guy on the ropes. Someone do something.
2007-04-27 17:37:36
179.   Mattpat11
Maybe Damon can walk here. I can sort of accept that.
2007-04-27 17:37:37
180.   Benjamin Kabak
177 Phelps would be batting 9th. There's no reason to drop Cano to 9th.
2007-04-27 17:38:04
181.   Chyll Will
that was a ball...
2007-04-27 17:38:06
182.   Benjamin Kabak
What do we think? Damon strikes out?
2007-04-27 17:38:52
183.   Chyll Will
And that was a HIT!!
2007-04-27 17:39:03
184.   Benjamin Kabak
182 Glad I'm wrong. That was excellent. Excuse me, check swing single. That's what the Yanks need. SOMETHING to get them going.
2007-04-27 17:39:05
185.   LI yankee
HELL YEAH
2007-04-27 17:39:10
186.   kylepetterson
CLUTCH!!!
2007-04-27 17:39:11
187.   Knuckles
Fcking sweet swing johnny. Staying with the pitch.
2007-04-27 17:39:11
188.   Knuckles
Fcking sweet swing johnny. Staying with the pitch.
2007-04-27 17:39:14
189.   Zack
DAMON!!!!!!!!!
2007-04-27 17:39:35
190.   Zack
Let's keep it going Cap!
2007-04-27 17:39:47
191.   BklynBmr
An 'excuse me' but I'll take it. Maybe the worm is starting to turn. Look out, Tampa Bay. We're comin'...
2007-04-27 17:39:48
192.   Mattpat11
I'll take it.
2007-04-27 17:40:01
193.   Simone
Yeah, Johnny D.
2007-04-27 17:40:07
194.   Chyll Will
Dice-K just gave up a hit to a swinging gate... that was almost a mistake by both of them.
2007-04-27 17:40:49
195.   kylepetterson
YEAH!
2007-04-27 17:40:53
196.   Zack
Yay Cap!
2007-04-27 17:40:55
197.   Chyll Will
THAT wasn't a mistake, though. Good to see them back.
2007-04-27 17:40:59
198.   BklynBmr
Torture 'em, Yanks. Torture 'em...
2007-04-27 17:41:15
199.   Mattpat11
This game has improved.
2007-04-27 17:41:21
200.   Zack
Like this taking what he gives us and going with the pitches!
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2007-04-27 17:41:24
201.   its430
Pastadiving Youkilis!
2007-04-27 17:41:27
202.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
Dice-blah.
2007-04-27 17:41:46
203.   BklynBmr
A long ball would be sweet right about now...
2007-04-27 17:41:48
204.   Simone
Yeah, Derek!
2007-04-27 17:41:57
205.   Chyll Will
Now if Bobby gets a hit, Dice craps out.
2007-04-27 17:42:02
206.   Zack
Bobby, keep that bat on your shoulders...
2007-04-27 17:42:30
207.   Zack
mmmm, pasta diving...
2007-04-27 17:42:34
208.   kylepetterson
Guess it's time to wake up Pettitte....
2007-04-27 17:42:41
209.   LI yankee
199 Post of the night
2007-04-27 17:42:49
210.   Zack
Dammit Bobby, I told you not to swing!
2007-04-27 17:43:08
211.   Knuckles
Hope that's it for daisucky. Put some miles on the sox pen now.
2007-04-27 17:43:10
212.   Zack
Abreu really has been brutal this week...
2007-04-27 17:43:22
213.   OldYanksFan
1) Dice-K is very cool and has the goods.
2) We can't complain about bad luck today.
3) The Yankees are teasing us again.
2007-04-27 17:43:35
214.   Chyll Will
201 yummy
2007-04-27 17:43:51
215.   BklynBmr
Give me DoucheK over an URP anytime. Please.
2007-04-27 17:45:25
216.   Mattpat11
Matsuzaka has given up 10 runs in 11 innings against the Yankees.
2007-04-27 17:47:19
217.   Chyll Will
Andy's better with a goatee.
2007-04-27 17:47:37
218.   Knuckles
I fail to see this whole dice is cool thing. What good is cool when you've given up 10 runs against the yanks in 11 innings?
This game is gonna be excrutiatingly long, in a war & peace, yanks vs o's at camden yards kinda way.
2007-04-27 17:47:40
219.   Mattpat11
213 You sound like Joe Morgan. We've scored ten runs in 11 innings against him. We've gotten 20 baserunners He's not been impressive against us.
2007-04-27 17:47:41
220.   Joe H
Thanks Johnny! That could have been the turning point of the season. Imagine how different things will look in the bullpen can hold this thing down?

The cynic in me expects Clueless to let Vizcaino blow it again.

2007-04-27 17:49:09
221.   Zack
This Yankee losing streak has also coincided with a horrifying performance by my fantasy team as well...
2007-04-27 17:49:59
222.   Zack
Crazy strike zone. Went from large, to small
2007-04-27 17:50:34
223.   LI yankee
222 It happened right after Minky argued with him
2007-04-27 17:52:02
224.   Zack
And another past a diving Jeter
2007-04-27 17:52:06
225.   Benjamin Kabak
...Just past the diving reach of Derek Jeter.
2007-04-27 17:52:09
226.   OldYanksFan
Out of desparation, I would sign Roger if he's available, but I hate this 'wait until May' shit. I wish MLB had a rule against this type of procrastination.

And the Sox rally... pastadivingJeter

2007-04-27 17:52:11
227.   JeremyM
222 Minky just brings so much to the team, doesn't he!
2007-04-27 17:52:56
228.   Zack
Well, this sucks again
2007-04-27 17:53:32
229.   nick
you can tell from watching that DK is good: lots of Ks, lots of guys looking bad. you can also tell that our lineup is damn good: baserunners, runs. the law of contradiction is not operating here....
2007-04-27 17:53:36
230.   BklynBmr
C'mon, Andy. Shoot two here...
2007-04-27 17:53:47
231.   Benjamin Kabak
226 So you'd rather have a good April than a good October from Clemens?
2007-04-27 17:53:57
232.   Bob Timmermann
Impartial observer here: but you do folks always take this long for Yankees-Red Sox games?

Are people getting paid OT for this?

2007-04-27 17:54:04
233.   Simone
Andy giving it back.
2007-04-27 17:54:25
234.   Benjamin Kabak
Are you kidding me? Seriously, what happened to this strike zone?
2007-04-27 17:54:29
235.   its430
Argh. when the hell was the last time we induced a double-play ball?

Seems like months ago.

2007-04-27 17:54:32
236.   BklynBmr
Squeezed on ball 3...
2007-04-27 17:54:35
237.   Zack
Come on Andy...
2007-04-27 17:54:55
238.   Benjamin Kabak
232 I hope so. I'm about to claw out my eyeballs over the pace of this game.
2007-04-27 17:55:31
239.   Zack
Yeah, this game sucks again
2007-04-27 17:55:47
240.   JeremyM
237 I guess Andy decided he'd let the bullpen off the hook tonight and blow his own game. Yuck.
2007-04-27 17:55:57
241.   nick
has Manny hit the 3 run bomb yet?
2007-04-27 17:56:52
242.   BklynBmr
232 Yes. And since you're participating here, your IP address has been recorded and you'll be getting a check next week....
2007-04-27 17:57:43
243.   JeremyM
Big strikeout for Andy, one more to get out of this mess.
2007-04-27 17:58:26
244.   Bob Timmermann
242
OK, but I'm bailing out at 10:05 ET when the Dodgers-Padres game starts.
2007-04-27 17:59:13
245.   Zack
Ugh, I can't watch...
2007-04-27 18:00:11
246.   dianagramr
Andy doing his Dice-K impression ...
2007-04-27 18:00:32
247.   Mattpat11
This game sucks
2007-04-27 18:00:33
248.   Chyll Will
Oh no, the bullpen is warming...
2007-04-27 18:00:34
249.   BklynBmr
244 No prob. It'll be pro-rated ;-) By the way, how about 'dem San Francisco Giants?
2007-04-27 18:00:43
250.   Benjamin Kabak
244 Bob, OT doesn't start until 10:05 when the game goes from manageable to unmanageable. We operate on Michael Kay time around here.
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2007-04-27 18:01:03
251.   Knuckles
There's joe, wiping the sleep from his eyes. Someone put some red bull in his green tea. Slip minky a micky while you're at it.
2007-04-27 18:01:06
252.   its430
what is with these fans tonight?

Time for some beat-downs. Where did all these Sox fans come from?

2007-04-27 18:01:09
253.   Zack
Yeah, what the hell, how has Andy suddenly lost the strike zone? Just throw strikes...

"Scott proctor HAS to get up in the BP" according to Kay. Me, I think Andy P HAS to pitch through the 6th, period.

2007-04-27 18:01:30
254.   Benjamin Kabak
Jorge's gotta stop that.
2007-04-27 18:01:34
255.   OldYanksFan
231 No.. I'd rather Roger play by the same rules as everyone else. Will this become a fad? Will there be other aging stars playing partial seasons? Signing in September? I just don't like it.

And we have not hit hard Dice-K today. I don't know if you can count on him to hit 2 batters in an inning or walk the bases loaded on a consistant basis.

Just likes Hughes last night was better then his numbers (ERA anyway) so has been Dice-K. He is in a new country and league. He's not Pedro, but he's very good.

Meanwhile, I haven't seen the numbers, but my guess is Cano has slumped badly in the last 8 games. So over the last week, Damon, Abreu and Can have been of little help.

And now Andy walks in the tying run. Crap.

OMG. Throwing it away! Shit!

2007-04-27 18:01:49
256.   Joe H
Scott Proctor looks ready for his weekly implosion. I like how this is setting up - 7-4 Boston, then A-Rod wins it on another walkoff.
2007-04-27 18:01:55
257.   Bob Timmermann
249
This game is resembling the Dodgers-Giants series. All it needs is Juan Pierre and Russ Ortiz.
2007-04-27 18:02:00
258.   Zack
And why, Joe Torre, would you turn to Proctor, what with his wonderful history of success against the Sox.

Wow, we seriously cannot buy a win...

2007-04-27 18:02:13
259.   Chyll Will
This is bullcrap. Runge needs to get nailed by a foul tip on his foul-tip...
2007-04-27 18:02:35
260.   dianagramr
Is that Bowie's "Station to Station" I hear in the background ...
2007-04-27 18:03:13
261.   Zack
See, the Sox are going to do what we weren't able to do, chase the starting pitcher when hes on the ropes...No Dice K will probably go two more...
2007-04-27 18:03:45
262.   Benjamin Kabak
255 The "rules"? Are these delineated somewhere? You do what's best for the team. If one of the best pitchers of all time figures to be stronger than October by getting ready on his time, that's what you do. The Yanks shouldn't be expecting Clemens to the join the team. Cashman has to construct a rotation that doesn't rely on Pavano and Igawa.

And if Clemens waits until he feels he's ready, so be it. It'll extend the careers of some of the game's top players.

2007-04-27 18:04:16
263.   dianagramr
261
Dice K is used to 140 pitches in a game (albeit every 6 days)
2007-04-27 18:04:55
264.   BklynBmr
259 Couldn't be said better...
2007-04-27 18:05:19
265.   randym77
Andy's fried.
2007-04-27 18:05:29
266.   Simone
This is so sad.
2007-04-27 18:05:51
267.   Joe H
Freefall, anybody?
2007-04-27 18:05:57
268.   Zack
Ok, Joe goes to Proctor, I go to turn off the game. Sorry, I can't watch.
2007-04-27 18:06:33
269.   Benjamin Kabak
Torre's really gotta go easy on the hook with his starting pitching. He has to make these guys get outs. The bullpen's burned and it's April 27. Just let Pettitte pitch to Coco Crisp. Did he not just see what Francona did with Matsuzaka?
2007-04-27 18:07:29
270.   Joe H
I've said it before and I'll say it again - Cashman's head needs to roll for the horrible pitchers he keeps stockpiling. Andy would make a fine #4 starter but thanks to Cash he is our #2.
2007-04-27 18:07:36
271.   Mattpat11
This game sucks
2007-04-27 18:08:00
272.   yankee23
Well according to Gameday, Proctor just replaced himself. Does this mean double trouble?
2007-04-27 18:09:02
273.   Zack
269 Couldn't agree more
2007-04-27 18:09:04
274.   Simone
269 Andy wasn't getting outs. The game is still winnable. Why should Joe wait until it is out of hand to pull Andy?
2007-04-27 18:09:14
275.   Benjamin Kabak
Oh boy! I can't wait to watch 101 Dalmatians on My9 after this game ends.
2007-04-27 18:09:53
276.   jkay
I hear thunder. Pray for rain!
2007-04-27 18:10:19
277.   Benjamin Kabak
274 As I said, the bullpen is burned, and it's only April. Who's going to be pitching next month out of the pen?
2007-04-27 18:10:47
278.   Chyll Will
Well, time to hit the ol' dusty trail...

seriously, I can't watch games like this. I get a pain in my head here, here (and right here...) If we pull this one out later or it becomes a laugher, I won't care nearly as much as I would like. Is it me or do we just fall apart when the ump blows a call?

Poor Gator looks really constipated.

2007-04-27 18:10:58
279.   Simone
270 Cashman does bear responsibility for this rotation, but this didn't happen overnight. This is the price the Yankees pay for years of bad moves and not developing young pitchers.
2007-04-27 18:11:15
280.   BklynBmr
If A-Rod, Giambi and MatsZilla don't push DK this inning...
2007-04-27 18:12:46
281.   Zack
Oh, and whoever was wondering about why so many Sox fans or somesuch: its infinitely easier to get tickets to Yankee stadium...
2007-04-27 18:12:50
282.   Benjamin Kabak
270 Andy wasn't even the number 2 starter on the Astros during his years in Houston. You're spot on there.
2007-04-27 18:13:24
283.   OldYanksFan
Does having 4 of our start 6 injured to start the year hve anything to do with it?

Has it occurred to anyone that sometimes shit happens and no one's to blame?

2007-04-27 18:14:03
284.   nick
278 what call did the ump blow?
2007-04-27 18:14:06
285.   BklynBmr
No. No. No.
2007-04-27 18:14:14
286.   Zack
What I don't get about the griping about Cashman's pitching moves is, what would you rather we did? Yeah, we could have outbid the Sox on Dice K, but come on, thats a lot of money, and besides him, there wasn't jack crap available...
2007-04-27 18:14:31
287.   Joe H
279 Why do people keep letting Cashman off the hook for this joke of a pitching staff? Jaret Wright, Pavano, Javy Vazquez, Farnsworth, and Igawa were his moves, and they have all been horrible.

We can't keep giving him a pass just for calling up Wang/Cano. You have to wonder when the guy will learn to identify decent pitchers.

2007-04-27 18:14:51
288.   Zack
Like I said, we needed to put him away last inning, seen this happen too much
2007-04-27 18:16:08
289.   Orly Yarly NoWai
287 This offseason, who would you have preferred he sign?
2007-04-27 18:16:49
290.   Zack
287 Why do you only show up to bash Cashman?
2007-04-27 18:19:10
291.   Mattpat11
That was a bad inning.
2007-04-27 18:19:39
292.   Joe H
289 I don't know, I didn't suggest the Yankees hire me as their GM. Every year new pitchers come on the scene, either from the minors or comebacks. It's not just about signing the big free agents.

Teams have scouts which are supposed to identify talent. Whoever has been giving the Yankees advice under Cashman is badly underperforming the rest of the league.

2007-04-27 18:19:52
293.   Zack
So, what do you think, 7 IP, 4ER, 4BB, 7K for DM, and ESPN pronounces it dominant?
2007-04-27 18:20:03
294.   LI yankee
287 Who could we sign? Zito? Schmidt? There haven't been any great pitchers on the market.
2007-04-27 18:20:09
295.   Chyll Will
(okay, I'm still here, but I'm not pleased...)

284 Maybe not a blown call, but a floating strike zone. Anyway, they're both pitching mediocre and it's draining to watch...

2007-04-27 18:20:33
296.   Mattpat11
290 He did spend 45 million dollars on a long reliever that we won't even use for long relief.

And pavano.

2007-04-27 18:21:00
297.   LI yankee
292 He's only been in control for about 20 months. He can't just turn around a farm system in that amount of time.
2007-04-27 18:21:04
298.   Joe H
290 I show up to revel in the Yankees winning, but instead I sit here every game and watch Cashman's decisions blow up in our face.

I want to see this team turned around and I don't trust Cashman to do it.

2007-04-27 18:21:19
299.   Zack
292 You do realize that in literally two years cashman has turned around the farm system to one of the worse to, as of today, the 2-4th best? Based almost totally off our pitching depth? And that the free agents available this year were Gil meche, Ted lilly, and Zito?
2007-04-27 18:21:54
300.   nick
people know shit happens and it's no one's fault--$200 million gives us some margin, but injuries take away that margin, and then decisions (bench personnel, bullpen management) start to matter-
Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2007-04-27 18:22:32
301.   Chyll Will
And now I'm not here. Lugo didn't even know he hit a HR... g'night.
2007-04-27 18:23:01
302.   Mattpat11
{297] I think he's show a real inability to evaluate pitching.
2007-04-27 18:23:52
303.   Joe H
Why are we surprised about the injuries? C'mon, our GM expected us to win on the back of Pavano, the aging Mussina and Pettitte, and Kei Igawa??? The fact that we're throwing the AAA pitching staff out there every day should come as a surprise to no one.
2007-04-27 18:23:56
304.   Orly Yarly NoWai
290 You'd rather have, say, Theo Epstein, who traded their versions of Jose Tabata and, say, Chamberlain/Clippard for Beckett?

Maybe Dayton Moore, who spent $55 million on Gil Freakin' Meche?

How about Jim Bowden? You want his sterling track record?

Maybe Bill Bavasi? We could trade two young guys for the worst second baseman in baseball!

2007-04-27 18:24:16
305.   its430
you see what happens Torre? You see what happens? You see what happens when you F*ck your fans in the A**?
2007-04-27 18:25:04
306.   Mattpat11
This team is a fucking waste of my time. The lack of urgency during a 7 game losing streak is astounding.
2007-04-27 18:26:18
307.   its430
Why doesn't Torre get worked up and thrown out tonight? Show SOME life in this game?

He's got the perfect setup with Runge calling the worst game I've seen in a long time.

2007-04-27 18:26:41
308.   Mattpat11
304 I'd like some kind of explanation for wasting 45 million dollars on a relief pitcher.
2007-04-27 18:26:43
309.   Zack
When the hell does Torre realize that Procotr sucks absolute ass against the Sox? I mean, how is it not clear to him yet?
2007-04-27 18:26:50
310.   nick
the hardest thing to find is pitchers who are young enough to be healthy but old enough to be proven--Cash couldn't afford any of those, so he did what he could--it's possible that every one of our pitching gambles this season will come up empty, in which case we'll win 87 games or something....
2007-04-27 18:28:07
311.   Joe H
304 I hate Beckett, but right now that trade doesn't look too bad. Beckett is a very young guy.

Once we get to the point when we're justify Cashman's mistakes by comparing him to the Royals, Nationals, and Mariners, we know we're screwed. That is what we're becoming, folks. Just another team like KC that makes one dumb move after another. The only difference is we can make very expensive dumb moves.

2007-04-27 18:28:16
312.   Orly Yarly NoWai
308 He's young and he's lefthanded. I still think he can be a starter when he adjusts to the ball.
2007-04-27 18:29:16
313.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
292The Yankees have by far the best minor league arms of any team.

See the piece in BP today, where our pitchers are ranked at 638, the nearest rival system is the D'Rays at 458.

Does Cash get credit for that?

2007-04-27 18:30:16
314.   Bob Timmermann
Would you like a Juan Pierre, Brett Tomko, or perhaps a Wilson Betemit? How about a Luis Gonzalez?
2007-04-27 18:30:35
315.   Mattpat11
312 A number 1? 2? 3?

Or did we just spend 45 million dollars on a bullpen arm that may reach the lofty status of "EH" and be our fifth starter?

2007-04-27 18:30:53
316.   Simone
The pitching on the team is simply not good enough to win games right now. Even the loogy isn't doing his job. All we can do is hope that one or two of the starters will go 7 innings eventually.
2007-04-27 18:31:03
317.   Orly Yarly NoWai
311 Really? Trading a very very good position player and a young pitcher for a player who has been on fire recently, but has thrown 200+ innings ONCE?

I really don't think you understand what Cashman's done for the franchise. Over the last two years, we've stockpiled enough pitching prospects that we've gone from the BOTTOM of the rankings to the TOP, while STILL being competitive. The fact that you're saying we're becoming the Royals disturbs me to no end, because it shows that you have ZERO perspective.

2007-04-27 18:31:26
318.   Zack
You guys treat the Pavano deal like Cashman was out there all alone signing him. If you remember, the Sox wanted him just as badly. So I don't see how that makes a good argument. And I would say Cashman's refusual to sign a FA pitcher other than Pettitte showd quite GOOD judgement...

Cashman is trying to rebuild a pitching staff that has, as we all know, gone to shite because of a lot of factors, Cashman being one of them. But, you simply don't rebuild in one year. The team is getting killed right now because our staff is in transition. Next year, with Hughes, Wang, Pettitte, and a few of our AAA guys, we will be in far better shape...

One of our main problems this year had been that Torre hasn't been managing to win OR rest the pen, he's kind of wavering between the two. He either needs to put the best relievers in there when it matters and don't pull starters when they are better options, or he just needs to throw a few sacrificial lambs out there to eat some innings. As of yet, he's done neither, so we are neither winning games OR resting the pen.

2007-04-27 18:32:22
319.   Orly Yarly NoWai
315 Three is his ceiling. Of this free agent class, who would you rather we have gotten?

314 Maybe Betemit, but no thanks to the rest.

2007-04-27 18:32:43
320.   Simone
If only Henn can hold, the Red Sox at 6 runs.
2007-04-27 18:33:19
321.   Zack
311 Wow, you have officially shown yourself to have no clue. I don't even know where to begin there.
2007-04-27 18:33:28
322.   BklynBmr
311 Many thanks. Now that the season is over, I can really focus on the NFL Draft tomorrow, especially the 17th pick in the first round. Anyone on the West Coast interested in Yanks-Giants tickets, three rows over the visitor's dugout? I have no need for 'em now...
2007-04-27 18:33:29
323.   Joe H
318 It's not just that he signed Pavano in 05, it's that he didn't dump him after 06. He could have tried to fill that #4 slot in the rotation with somebody else, which means he effectively signed Carl Pavano not once but twice.
2007-04-27 18:33:41
324.   nick
Perceived lack of urgency is hard to take, but--baseball is not a rah-rah game. It just isn't. You want 9 David Ecksteins? You can have them. Your team's gonna suck.
2007-04-27 18:33:56
325.   MainLineYankee
I think Cashman needs a chaperone the next time he acquires a free agent pitcher.
2007-04-27 18:35:06
326.   Orly Yarly NoWai
323 Sure. Where was he supposed to dump him? Just cut the guy? How does that help us?
2007-04-27 18:35:06
327.   Benjamin Kabak
That was some great pitching Henn v. Ramirez. He didn't give him anything to hit.
2007-04-27 18:36:11
328.   Joe H
Our minor league system pitching is getting thinner by the day. Cashman's boy Humberto is already toast, Ohlendorf isn't exactly lighting it up, and Hughes is already a major leaguer.

My only sympathy for Cashman is that he is effectively trying to rebuild a team that everyone still expects to win it all. I don't know if he can survive that contradiction.

2007-04-27 18:36:16
329.   MainLineYankee
Let's ask Cashman to take a breathalyzer test just before he makes an offer on any free agent pitcher. That should work.
2007-04-27 18:36:21
330.   nick
on the other hand, every time a lefty walks Ortiz with Manny up next, I think that lefty should be beheaded. end result? no more LOOGYs for Joe. it's win-win....
2007-04-27 18:36:28
331.   Mattpat11
318 I don't care who else wanted Pavano. They all should have looked at his career and realized he's awful.
2007-04-27 18:37:40
332.   Simone
Good job, Henn. Now the Yankees need about 6 more runs to win. It is doable. I believe!
2007-04-27 18:38:02
333.   Orly Yarly NoWai
328 Aren't you just a bundle of joy? Yes, Hughes is a major-leaguer. He's also very very young. He'll be around a while.
2007-04-27 18:38:27
334.   MainLineYankee
You're right. Breathalyzer, shmeathalyzer. Tell Cash we want his urine. He must be on drugs.
2007-04-27 18:38:42
335.   Joe H
317 Great young starting pitching is worth taking those risks. Hanley Ramirez is awesome and all, but plenty of losing teams over the years have had some pretty great shortstops, but no pitching.
2007-04-27 18:38:49
336.   Benjamin Kabak
If Torre doesn't pitch hit for Mientkiewicz this inning, he should be dismissed as Yankee manager.

Maybe that's my frustration speaking, but it's getting ridiculous.

2007-04-27 18:38:59
337.   Mattpat11
326 It rids us of Pavano and frees up a roster spot for someone whom might want to contribute.

I would have traded him to the first person who inquired. The idea that we're trying to get equal value for the 40 million dollar so we'll just sit and wait for Pavano to be that good is infuriating.

2007-04-27 18:39:15
338.   nick
328 No, that's just exactly backwards. I pasted the link in the last thread:

http://tinyurl.com/32plfa

try to listen to folks, Joe H....

2007-04-27 18:39:38
339.   BklynBmr
This must be the same home plate used in Fenway. The one with an extra 12" on the right side...
2007-04-27 18:39:39
340.   Zack
328 Not going to bother with that one...
2007-04-27 18:40:13
341.   Mattpat11
The worst is we're going to have to hear how good Matsuzaka was.
2007-04-27 18:40:30
342.   MainLineYankee
Has anyone noticed that Cash is looking good lately? Do you think steroids is the problem?
2007-04-27 18:40:36
343.   Orly Yarly NoWai
328 I feel like I need to address this:

"My only sympathy for Cashman is that he is effectively trying to rebuild a team that everyone still expects to win it all. I don't know if he can survive that contradiction. "

Yes, that's kinda how it works. You don't need to tank to rebuild. That's what made the Braves of the last 15 years great; that's what made the Yankee dynasties great. Being able to rebuild while remaining competitive is important, especially in an environment like today's where the differences between teams are fairly small.

If you want the farm system stripped bare and Steinbrenner running the team, you're more than welcome to it.

2007-04-27 18:41:17
344.   Zack
335 Yeah, except they also traded a good young pitcher too. And, good young SSs with the #'s Hanley is putting up are actually far far far rarer than a SP with the #'s Beckett is...
2007-04-27 18:41:27
345.   Knuckles
328. Using hughes being in the bigs as a reason for a thinner minor league depth is asinine- unless you're a clippers fan instead of a yanks fan.
2007-04-27 18:41:41
346.   MainLineYankee
I say we bring back Stick Michael. The only option left is a full cavity body search of Cash, because I don't know what else we can do to figure out what his problem is.
2007-04-27 18:42:08
347.   Zack
It amazes me that we allowed DM to stay in this game. No excuse for that...
2007-04-27 18:42:34
348.   Orly Yarly NoWai
If you're saying that Josh friggin' Beckett is great, then you're really hitting the Kool-Aid hard.

337 And did anyone inquire? I'm sorry, but I'm not willing to pay him $45 million NOT to pitch for us.

2007-04-27 18:42:37
349.   BklynBmr
328 "Cashman's boy"? You're done...
2007-04-27 18:43:08
350.   MainLineYankee
Maybe his problem is more basic, like male patterned baldness . . .. Just a thought.
Show/Hide Comments 351-400
2007-04-27 18:43:27
351.   Mattpat11
I think the peer pressure argument for the Pavano signing annoys me most.,

"Well everyone else was doing it..."

2007-04-27 18:43:35
352.   Eirias
This is a long game.
2007-04-27 18:44:27
353.   Orly Yarly NoWai
350 And a wonderful one at that, I'm sure.

351 Even the best GMs make mistakes, and Pavano was one of Cashman's. It's certainly not a reason to fire him.

2007-04-27 18:44:34
354.   Simone
347 Isn't long for this game so there is still hope.
2007-04-27 18:44:35
355.   Mattpat11
337 That;s what we're doing anyway. Dump him and let him go somewhere else. He's worthless.
2007-04-27 18:45:06
356.   Mattpat11
Cano should be fined for that. What the fuck was that?
2007-04-27 18:45:20
357.   Orly Yarly NoWai
355 I'm willing to bet that he pitches again at some point this year.
2007-04-27 18:45:31
358.   Benjamin Kabak
347 See 336
2007-04-27 18:46:08
359.   Mattpat11
353 As was Farnsworth, Igawa and Vazquez. I think he needs help evaluating pitching.
2007-04-27 18:46:38
360.   Joe H
343 Yeah, except the Braves had brilliant scouts and even more brilliant coaches. Every year it seems they called up another young stud, or rehabilitated guys like Russ Ortiz, Mike Hampton, and gasp Jaret Wright.

You couldn't make my point any better for me. We need a John Shuerholz, but instead we have an Allaird Baird.

2007-04-27 18:47:07
361.   Simone
This is a rebuilding season for the Yankees. Next year, the starting pitching should be substantially better. For this season, the only thing I fault the Yankees for is not out bidding the Red Sox for Matsuzaka. He would have been a nice piece to put next to Hughes.
2007-04-27 18:47:19
362.   Zack
It also amazes me that down only two runs with or offense, I've already written off the game
2007-04-27 18:47:29
363.   MainLineYankee
I have a 5-year old son. When he does something I don't like, I give him a time-out. Maybe we should give Cashman a time-out. Make him sit in a corner and send him home without his dinner.
2007-04-27 18:48:13
364.   Mattpat11
357 And if he does, it will be poorly. He's an injury prone pitcher that's bad when he pitches.
2007-04-27 18:48:41
365.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
This is turning into friggin lohud over here.

Give it a rest mainline. It's not only wasn't funny when you said it the first time, it hasn't aged well either.

2007-04-27 18:49:01
366.   Zack
360 Or Aaron Small and Brian Bruney and Shaun Chacon and Scott Proctor (until Joe killed him). That argument doesn't work.
2007-04-27 18:49:03
367.   Benjamin Kabak
361 Matsuzaka against the Yanks: 13 IP, 10 ER. That's hardly impressive.
2007-04-27 18:49:35
368.   Orly Yarly NoWai
359

Considering that Farnsworth walked away from extra money and a guaranteed job as the closer to sign here, I can understand why the blinders were on.

Small sample size.

A George move.

360 And every year we traded our best prospects away, because Steinbrenner was the de facto GM. We needed a Turner, and we got a tyrant.

The Braves also happened to have an otherworldly pitching coach.

2007-04-27 18:49:50
369.   debris
321 Beckett +11.2 VORP
Lowell +7.8 VORP

Hanley Ramirez +15.6 VORP
Anibal Sanchez +1.4 VORP

2007-04-27 18:49:51
370.   MainLineYankee
It looks to me that the Yankee strategy tonight is long term: to try to get Dice-K's arm to fall off. Let's hope he throws 200 pitches tonight.
2007-04-27 18:50:03
371.   Zack
Yeah, this thread has once again been hijacked by the cashman haters spweing the same repetative arguments that were old and stale two months ago...Sigh, the downfall of the Yanks seems to be coinciding with the downfall of the Banter :)
2007-04-27 18:50:22
372.   Jim Rice
As a Sox fan, I think Cashman has outperformed Epstein over the last couple of offseasons. The Igawa move was baffling, and seemed reactionary-- like Steinbrenner said, "Then get me some other Japanese pitcher!" And certainly the Yankees could have used Matsuzaka, but I can't blame them for not realizing it would take over 50 million dollars (!) just to negotiate. Otherwise, though, I think Cashman's put the Yankees in a good position to suceed both this year, eventually, and into the future.
2007-04-27 18:50:43
373.   OldYanksFan
Jaret Wright was signed as a #5. He wasn't old and has shown great stuff. It was a gamble that, looking at his numbers, wasn't that horrible. Compare him to other #5s in the AL.
Pavano was offered more by the Sox. If the Sox signed him, you would be bitchin about why we didn't get him.
Javy Vazquez was highly sought after, and just about everyone was VERY pleased when we signed him.
Farnsworth was a gamble. A flake that is both brilliant and horrible. A roll of the dice.
Igawa is undetermined as yet, but my guess is he will be a cost effectibe, Lefty #5. The guy lead the Japanese league in K's 3 times and was MVP once.

315 Iggy, when considering the tax we pay on other players, cost us less then $7m/yr. Compare that to other signings this year. Iggy is actually cost effective. He has pitched 4 games. 2 were bad, I was decent, I was good. It's a little early to give up on the guy, especially he's pitching in a new league and a new country.

It's embasrring to see how many Yankee fans here have a 2 minut attention span.

A great ball player makes out 2 of 3 times. I don't know what a GM is supposted 'to bat', but it ain't 1.000. There are moves made of desperation, moves made of compromise, moves made as an educated gamble (ie: Iggy). Every GM has done Good, Bad and Ugly. That's life.

Listening to all the bitching, blaming and complaining here is getting old. The Red Sox always need fans like that. Consider switching.

2007-04-27 18:50:54
374.   Orly Yarly NoWai
364 But... but... but I thought our current starters were the worst!!1!

HEAD EXPLODES!

2007-04-27 18:50:58
375.   Joe H
The only reason I'm being so hard on Cash is that I don't hear anybody else doing it. I hear Torre and Pavano and Igawa and even Mo getting torched by the fans and press, but nobody is asking questions about who put together this circus.

I'll drop it for now and start praying for another A-Rod walkoff :)

2007-04-27 18:51:18
376.   BklynBmr
363 Thanks for contributing.
2007-04-27 18:51:32
377.   Zack
369 Think you misreferenced the post there, but in either case, exactly, a +15 Vorp!! Lowell was a throw in and is no spring chicken, we were talking about long term.
2007-04-27 18:51:57
378.   Mattpat11
371 The Igawa and Pavano situations got stale two months ago? I thought there were developments in the last couple weeks that showed what awful moves they were. Silly me.
2007-04-27 18:52:41
379.   Benjamin Kabak
I like what I'm seeing from Sean Henn these days.
2007-04-27 18:52:48
380.   Orly Yarly NoWai
369 It's not exactly fair, comparing two full-time major leaguers to one full-timer and a guy in AAA.
2007-04-27 18:53:39
381.   Benjamin Kabak
375 If A-Rod bats in the 9th with a chance for a walk-off, the Yanks and Red Sox will both have scored MANY more runs.
2007-04-27 18:53:46
382.   MainLineYankee
Fritz Peterson could probably be the Yanks' number 2 starter today, and he would be a lot more fun, too.
2007-04-27 18:54:26
383.   Joe H
Zack, my apologies for not reading every comment on this blog over the winter. I think it's fair to start criticizing the off-season moves during the season when they start to pay off.
2007-04-27 18:54:39
384.   Zack
No, the debate about what Cashman should have done thios offseason and why or whynot hes good. It hasn't changed at all. Same old discussion, different faces
2007-04-27 18:55:05
385.   Orly Yarly NoWai
378 Pavano, yes.

Igawa? Small sample size. ZZzzzz...

2007-04-27 18:55:15
386.   BklynBmr
Bottom 7. Can I get a baserunner or two please?
2007-04-27 18:55:22
387.   seamus
I know we have become conditioned to complain. But it is only a two run game. Let's keep our heads on straight.
2007-04-27 18:55:29
388.   Benjamin Kabak
380 Anibal Sanchez isn't in the Marlins starting rotation? In what world?

In fact, Sanchez has NEVER made a start at AAA, and in fact, he took the mound this evening for the Marlins in Philadelphia.

2007-04-27 18:56:19
389.   Mattpat11
368 I can't see why the blinders were on. Shouldn't Cashman have looked at his track record and said "Not very good...."

Igawa is exactly where everyone said he would be when he posted. In the bullpen.

Cashman didn't want Vazquez?

2007-04-27 18:57:06
390.   jayd
and now the soft underbelly of the boston bullpen....
2007-04-27 18:57:28
391.   Simone
367 Does Matsuzaka only pitch against the Yankees? I am pretty sure that all the rest of the games against other teams count also. He is nice pitcher who strikes out a lot of hitters. He could have helped the Yankees win games like he is now helping the Red Sox.
2007-04-27 18:57:40
392.   Joe H
Joe Torre actually uses Sean Henn on a sane relief schedule, which is why he is so good.
2007-04-27 18:59:13
393.   Benjamin Kabak
391 It's too early to judge Matsuzaka but he's struggled against the Yankees (a good offensive team) and did well against some horrible offensive teams (Royals, Mariners). He did well against Toronto as well. I'd like to see him take on some more of the good offensive teams too before we judge him.
2007-04-27 18:59:30
394.   debris
369 I'm fine with the long term. Yes, Hanley is a stud. Yes, Sanchez has a fine arm though he's stinking the joint up this year. However, Lowell has been a valuable addition and Beckett is signed through 2010 at Meche-$1M per year. I'm happy.

By the way, tonight at Pawtucket, Lester goes 5 innings, 3H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K. The only downside is that he can't go on one days rest and we'll have to suffer through at least one more start by Tavarez.

2007-04-27 18:59:50
395.   Benjamin Kabak
I want to throw out a question: Is Derek Jeter a good Captain?
2007-04-27 19:00:44
396.   Joe H
If Abreu hits into a double play right here, I am going to cry.
2007-04-27 19:01:09
397.   MainLineYankee
The miserable pathology sweeping through the Yankees is affecting everyone. A-Rod is 1-12. Does that sound hot to you?
2007-04-27 19:01:50
398.   BklynBmr
391 Same with Pedro. He mastered everyone except us. No one we'd rather see in a game with the season on the line. Theo has served up another one. I'll take it...
2007-04-27 19:01:52
399.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
369 thanx for playing but that's after 3 weeks this season.

how bout a larger sample size -- say last season?:

Then we get Sanchez w/ a 36 vorp and Beckett w/ a 20.

I haven't bothered to scroll thru the position player vorp, but I suspect there's a similar difference btwn Lowell and Ramirez.

Factor in salary and age, and Theo looks even more ridiculous.

2007-04-27 19:03:00
400.   Mattpat11
373 Jaret Wright was a pitcher that had never, and has still yet to throw 200 IP in his career. His run with the Yankees was not some shocking development. And it was not at all acceptable. We spemt 20 nmillion on it.

Carl Pavano was pitcher that had one good year in his career. I never wanted him. We spent 40 million on him.

We spent 45 million on Igawa so that maybe he can reach the level of fifth starter?

Show/Hide Comments 401-450
2007-04-27 19:03:03
401.   Benjamin Kabak
WOULD IT EVER KILL JOE TORRE TO SEND THE RUNNERS?
2007-04-27 19:03:31
402.   Zack
Man, bobby is hurting!
2007-04-27 19:04:19
403.   MainLineYankee
I think a psychological evaluation is in order for Cash.
2007-04-27 19:05:19
404.   BklynBmr
403 Enough.
2007-04-27 19:05:47
405.   OldYanksFan
400 Iggy costs us less then $7m/yr. Who would you have signed for that kind of money? Meche and Lily went for $10m.
2007-04-27 19:06:26
406.   Joe H
I am so happy to see Luis Vizcaino finally getting a chance to pitch!
2007-04-27 19:07:30
407.   Simone
398 I swear, never a good word will be said about Matsuzaka in the comment section of this blog.
2007-04-27 19:07:43
408.   Jim Rice
Theo wasn't around for the Beckett trade, actually. It's not clear he would have okayed it.

He did, however, make the Mirabelli for Meredith/Bard trade (ouch) and the Crisp deal.

2007-04-27 19:09:06
409.   JeremyM
405 Honestly, I'd take Lilly over Igawa for $3 million more. Lilly is capable at times, and he owns the Sox--Igawa is capable for seconds, and owns a pair of socks. Or something.
2007-04-27 19:10:16
410.   Zack
Can we please let Igawa get a half season at least under his belt before we pronounce him DOA?
2007-04-27 19:10:24
411.   Simone
Vizcaino, please find a way to hold the Red Sox.
2007-04-27 19:11:13
412.   OldYanksFan
407 see 213
2007-04-27 19:11:20
413.   Joe H
I'm going to add Vizcaino to the list of Cashman disasters really soon at this rate.
2007-04-27 19:11:32
414.   BklynBmr
407 Wow, lose 6 straight, everyone gets sideways, and the haters come out in force. Not you, but jeez...
2007-04-27 19:11:53
415.   Benjamin Kabak
I'm glad to see Luis Vizcaino hasn't improved since his last outing. That 6.57 ERA sure is an impressive number!
2007-04-27 19:12:06
416.   Simone
So Vizcaino is what the Yankees got for RJ? Right now, that deal isn't looking too good.
2007-04-27 19:13:06
417.   JeremyM
413 Why did Torre bring him in though? 2 runs down is still a winnable game.
2007-04-27 19:14:03
418.   Simone
412 I stand corrected. You are the exception.

One more out Vizcaino.

2007-04-27 19:14:17
419.   Shaun P
409 Let's not forget that Lilly is putting up great numbers in the easier league, where most of the hitters haven't seen him on a regular basis. And that he's 4 years older than Igawa.

Its April 27th. Jason Marquis has a sub-2.00 ERA. Lance Berkman is hitting .237. Manny is hitting around the Mendoza line.

Let's give it some time.

2007-04-27 19:14:21
420.   jayd
shows how much winning is a rhythm. pitching off, offense off, relief spotty. mariano out of whack, appears every 5 days. despite all that, we have our corps guys off to great starts (damon and abreu will come back)

this is painful. vizcaino will put this out of reach, if he's not careful. o9h oh ortiz

2007-04-27 19:14:42
421.   Joe H
I'm glad to see Don Mattingly is being tutored using the "Don't Do What I Do" technique. If he studies Torre well he will be an awesome manager come June.
2007-04-27 19:15:21
422.   Mick S
Getting beat by Lugo and Youkillis...Is this the bizarre-O world? wow!
2007-04-27 19:16:06
423.   Shaun P
414 I think that's why I avoided the comments section all last weekend.
2007-04-27 19:16:23
424.   Joe H
Some April patterns aren't an illusion - for instance, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds are both on pace for 60+ home runs. I'd bet that trend holds up before I bet the Yankees reverse their April trend. I'm not sure whether I'm kidding or not.
2007-04-27 19:19:29
425.   Simone
The Yankees still have a chance to win this game.
2007-04-27 19:20:31
426.   seamus
I thought we talked about being less negative here. I am embarassed by how negative i got earlier this week. but it seems to have returned.
2007-04-27 19:22:07
427.   Yankee Fan in Chicago
416 we got a lot more than Viz for rj -- who shat the bed again in his 1st start for Zon. good riddance. Thanks Cash.

I looked up thevorps from last season re debris for Hanley and Mike Lowell -- 55 for HR and 20 for ML. So yeah, the Sawx really got the better of that deal, what w/ younger cheaper players posting much higher vorps and all.

2007-04-27 19:22:16
428.   OldYanksFan
424 "Some April patterns aren't an illusion". Which I guess means some are. Brilliant statement. Very illuminating. Adds a lot to the conversation.
2007-04-27 19:22:24
429.   manila boy
Looks like the "Cashman sucks" dead horse is being flogged again today.
2007-04-27 19:22:31
430.   Mick S
426 Not too much lately to be positive about. Anyone want to jump on the Utah Jazz bandwagon with me? Maybe just until the Yanks pull out of this nosedive....
2007-04-27 19:25:37
431.   OldYanksFan
426 It's really terrible. The Banter is going down faster then the Yankees. With all the bitching, moaning, criticizing and outright stupidity, there is little room left for intelligent analysis and conversation. It's a shame. This was once a fantastic blog, full of creative, intelligent, understanding fans.
2007-04-27 19:26:14
432.   nick
it just looks bad against the Sox this year--it looks like they have all the match-ups: Okajima bewilders us, they knock our pen around....
2007-04-27 19:26:19
433.   Shaun P
429 Well, the "blame/fire Torre" horse has been killed so many times, its zombie ghost dragged the corpse elsewhere, so the "Cashman sucks" horse was the next logical target.

Minky and Wil Nieves/BUC might as well be glue and dog food, respectively, as those two horses are also beyond dead.

2007-04-27 19:28:47
434.   JeremyM
Cano has to do something here.
2007-04-27 19:29:00
435.   Simone
Cano has got to get this run in here.
2007-04-27 19:29:43
436.   jayd
did i say soft underbelly? i meant heavily muscled gut...
2007-04-27 19:31:27
437.   Simone
Ugh. Only one more inning to win this game.
2007-04-27 19:31:45
438.   BklynBmr
432 Not this year... just so far — in all of 4 games, for cripes sake. Relax.
2007-04-27 19:34:31
439.   JeremyM
I like the use of Mo here.
2007-04-27 19:35:43
440.   Simone
Does Mo look good? If he does, that would be a positive.
2007-04-27 19:35:52
441.   rsmith51
Mariano is going to have to pitch a different role on this team. The bullpen is battered and he is fresh as can be. AND not pitching well. Use him in tie games, Joe. I suggested the other day right before Myers gave up the GS. But that is too way out of the box.
2007-04-27 19:36:45
442.   rsmith51
Lots of positives, but they just can't seem to buy a W.
2007-04-27 19:37:33
443.   rsmith51
How has Minky looked tonight? Terrible as usual? He actually had a walk yesterday.
2007-04-27 19:38:36
444.   rsmith51
I really don't like Varitek, but I don't have a good reason why.
2007-04-27 19:39:04
445.   nick
438 this year, so far...our bullpen was said to be very strong going into the season, far stronger than last year. I fear that this perception was inaccurate. Or that we've killed them already....

439 Mo needs to throw, I agree

2007-04-27 19:39:19
446.   JeremyM
444 Just remember he tried to fight A-Rod while wearing a catcher's mask. That works for me!
2007-04-27 19:39:26
447.   Simone
Is it possible that Mo is secretly injured?
2007-04-27 19:40:19
448.   rsmith51
440 Apparently not. Remember when Mo was automatic?
2007-04-27 19:40:40
449.   Joe H
So much for Jeter, Abreu, and A-Rod coming up to tie it next inning.
2007-04-27 19:40:48
450.   JeremyM
Oi.
Show/Hide Comments 451-500
2007-04-27 19:41:13
451.   rsmith51
Look on the bright side. At least the Yanks didn't have a 1 run lead...
2007-04-27 19:41:16
452.   Benjamin Kabak
447 That's what my money's on.
2007-04-27 19:41:46
453.   Shaun P
441 You're right, at some point, Torre is going to have to let Mo pitch in non-save situations, like tonight. Its the only way to get him work - to keep things like tonight from happening.

All this hate . . . its sad. I try to ignore the haters, because everytime I've ever responded, its just given them a reason to keep spreading their hate. Or beating a dead horse.

2007-04-27 19:43:31
454.   bartap74
Hidden ball trick! Hidden ball trick!
2007-04-27 19:44:04
455.   Benjamin Kabak
Rivera's shoulder's not right. His mechanics are all out of whack. It's starting in his shoulder.
2007-04-27 19:44:31
456.   Joe H
453 Shaun, you can't demand excellence without getting angry when you don't get it. That's what makes us Yankee fans and not Pirate fans.
2007-04-27 19:45:03
457.   BklynBmr
445 I was also encouraged about the pen on paper, but with the starters inability to get out of the 4th inning, no plan will stand up to that for long...

Mo will work through this, too.

We have the division right where we want 'em ;-)

2007-04-27 19:45:33
458.   Benjamin Kabak
Wow. Torre's yanking Rivera.
2007-04-27 19:46:15
459.   JeremyM
I can't believe he just walked Pedroia. Something is wrong.
2007-04-27 19:46:16
460.   Simone
The multiple pick off attempts move usually doesn't end well.
2007-04-27 19:46:17
461.   Shaun P
447 Simone, my guess is that Mo is rusty and that he's pressing. 21 games, and if Mo finishes the 9th, he'll have pitched 7.3 innings. Given his usual DL stint, this pace would have him throw 51.3 innings for the year.

Mo's thrown that few innings just once, in '02, when he missed a month-plus IIRC.

2007-04-27 19:46:19
462.   rsmith51
How often do you see Mo taken out of a game?
2007-04-27 19:46:34
463.   bartap74
This could be a very long season. Can't remember the last time I saw Rivera leave in the middle of an inning.
2007-04-27 19:46:45
464.   Joe H
Jesus H, Torre, let somebody work out of their own damn problems!
2007-04-27 19:47:19
465.   AbbyNormal821
Hey all - I've refrained from posting the entire game, but I guess I'm feeling the same as everyone else and I'm sure it's all been discussed already (or, perhaps not). I'm past the point of frustrated, I am just...stunned, I guess. I know, I know it's "still early", but I feel like there's no, pardon the pun...relief in sight. I'm almost at the point of feeling sorry for them, even though I know I shouldn't - they're professionals, but man, this is killin' me! When is this boat going to turn around and head for calmer waters????
2007-04-27 19:47:21
466.   Simone
I'm convinced that Mo is secretly injured. If not, he had declined overnight and I find that impossible to believe.
2007-04-27 19:47:38
467.   JeremyM
Please tell me he wasn't booed.
2007-04-27 19:47:49
468.   Joe H
I'm starting to think Cashman's biggest blunder of them all was talking George out of firing Torre last season.
2007-04-27 19:48:48
469.   BklynBmr
467 I heard scattered, subdued cheers on the NESN feed, no boos...
2007-04-27 19:49:31
470.   Simone
461 Shaun P, I like your Mo rusty theory better so it must be true.
2007-04-27 19:49:34
471.   Joe H
Another Mike Myers horror show coming right up.
2007-04-27 19:50:54
472.   BklynBmr
If we lose this game, and The Boss does not sell the team to the Dolans tomorrow, we're doomed. Face it.
2007-04-27 19:52:47
473.   AbbyNormal821
What was the last long losing streak they had? Was in in '05?
2007-04-27 19:52:56
474.   Shaun P
465 I'm frustrated too, but the Yanks have gone through plenty of stretches like this over the year. The difference is, we aren't waiting for Dave LaPoint or Tim Leary, Mel Hall or Kevin Maas, to bail them out. The Yanks do have talent, too much to play .400 ball the whole year.

Long story short (too late!) - I don't know when it will turn around AbbyN, but it will.

2007-04-27 19:53:17
475.   Bob Timmermann
I believe Rivera was knocked out of the box the last time on April 5, 2005 at home against the Red Sox.
- R. Sanchez at shortstop
- M. Rivera relieved T. Sturtze
- B. Mueller walked
- M. Bellhorn singled to right, B. Mueller to second
- J. Damon singled to right, B. Mueller to third, M. Bellhorn to second
- T. Nixon struck out swinging
- M. Ramirez safe at first on third baseman A. Rodriguez's fielding error, B. Mueller scored, M. Bellhorn to third, J. Damon to second
- D. Ortiz grounded out to pitcher, M. Bellhorn scored, J. Damon to third, M. Ramirez to second
- D. McCarty walked
- E. Renteria singled to shallow left center, J. Damon and M. Ramirez scored, D. McCarty to second
- D. Mirabelli walked, D. McCarty to third, E. Renteria to second
- F. Rodriguez relieved M. Rivera
- D. McCarty scored, E. Renteria to third, D. Mirabelli to second on wild pitch
- B. Mueller struck out looking
2007-04-27 19:53:53
476.   rsmith51
What was the Yankees' record in 2005, 18-30? Until the Yanks get to that point, I am not worried. I have a lot of confidence in this team.
2007-04-27 19:53:57
477.   Simone
I said all along the Yankees needed 6 more runs to win the game.
2007-04-27 19:54:35
478.   nemecizer
I am starting to get really worried. I know it's early, but Mo is just not Mo these days.

And Meyers just walked in a run.

2007-04-27 19:55:15
479.   Simone
Okay, I was definitely wrong about the 6 runs.
2007-04-27 19:55:17
480.   OldYanksFan
465 How many times have the Stro's or A's been 'totally out of it' at the ASB, only to come back and win the division? Or come close? It looks shitty now, but this is a team that can win 23 games in a month.

We have have to simply wait for the world to normalize. I mean, how many HR's can we give up to Lugo in one lifetime?

Its not even 11-18 yet.

2007-04-27 19:55:21
481.   WeMissPaulie
Man, this is awful. I am really sad - not only are they losing, but they're losing to the Sox. Double whammy.

I honestly think this will come around, seriously Mo needs work and they need to break out of ths slump. But I cant watch.

Something has to be done to generate a spark on this team - Joe has to shut the locker room to the media and do something TONIGHT!

2 out of 3?

2007-04-27 19:55:22
482.   nemecizer
We are getting killed out there. This isn't good. I know it's only April, but am I wrong to start panicking?
2007-04-27 19:55:25
483.   AbbyNormal821
477 I'm prayin' right along w/ya, chica!
2007-04-27 19:55:47
484.   AbbyNormal821
...or maybe 7 runs!
2007-04-27 19:56:20
485.   JeremyM
Mo's ERA is now over 12. Yikes.
2007-04-27 19:56:32
486.   AbbyNormal821
481 I'm still all for a team bitch-slapping!
2007-04-27 19:56:54
487.   Simone
or possibly 8 runs.
2007-04-27 19:57:34
488.   Shaun P
Bklyn, I know you too well. =) I remember when we were pulling for Cano to be ROY (Rob ROY!). 472 had /sarcasm tags all over it.

If Cashman is going to shake things up, the first thing I think he'll do it send Myers packing. Maybe even to the DL. And then add a full arm to the pen, maybe Britton or Villone, though I'd try Bean out. You figure if anyone has a rubber arm, and the ability to throw lots of innings, it's Bean.

Or, have TWO long men in the pen - say Igawa and Rasner. I don't know if Torre would use them, but it might help the pen a bit.

2007-04-27 19:58:15
489.   Simone
485 Damn, I didn't think that was possible for Mo.
2007-04-27 19:59:10
490.   Simone
Pineiro is a reliever now?
2007-04-27 19:59:43
491.   Benjamin Kabak
This is nuts. Giving Mientkiewicz another f*cking at bat is nuts.
2007-04-27 20:00:01
492.   Joe H
How can you be optimistic at this point? Even at full health, our pitching after Wang is 3rd rate. We need another miracle, just like we got miracles in 05 from guys like Small and Chacon. The roster as it stands now is not going to recover.
2007-04-27 20:00:03
493.   BklynBmr
What was that Monty Python flick where the cart was being pulled down the street, packed with bodies, and the driver was shouting "Give us your dead, give us your dead"?

People would come out of their houses with bodies and throw them on the cart. A few of them weren't dead.

Sounds like this place tonight...

2007-04-27 20:00:53
494.   rsmith51
491 He is not hitting because he isn't batting enough not because he sucks.
2007-04-27 20:01:00
495.   jayd
"It's really terrible. The Banter is going down faster then the Yankees. With all the bitching, moaning, criticizing and outright stupidity, there is little room left for intelligent analysis and conversation. It's a shame. This was once a fantastic blog, full of creative, intelligent, understanding fans. "

I think on an evening like this, old yanks fan, you need to cut us a small break....

The great teams overcome adversity. this is a great team.

Either that or Dustin Pedroia is an all star....

2007-04-27 20:01:05
496.   Simone
I really wish that Doug M had kept that damn ball.
2007-04-27 20:01:12
497.   AbbyNormal821
ah, i remember the days when the Yanks used get killed in a game and then come back the next day and do the killin!
Good times, good times!
2007-04-27 20:01:32
498.   Shaun P
489 Small sample sizes do all sorts of weird things.

If there's anyone to start a rally against, it Joel Pineiro.

Because Papelbon was already up, and then sat down, I'm guessing he's unavailable. Okajima and Timlin are already out. The rest of the Sox 'pen options make me salivate.

OK, why pinch hit with Melky here? He's been pressing all month.

2007-04-27 20:02:08
499.   OldYanksFan
I wonder how Guidry feels about the way Joe handles the BP? How Cashman feels? Do his people support him? I don't like what he's doing, but ya got to feel for him. No matter who pitches, including Mo, is shitting all over themselves. Maybe he figures if he brings in 6 guys, ONE might show signs of life.

I don't care how well, or badly, you manage a BP. When you're dealing with a double digit ERA, there's not much you can do.

2007-04-27 20:02:26
500.   Benjamin Kabak
494 Of course. How could I forget.
Show/Hide Comments 501-550
2007-04-27 20:02:30
501.   Bama Yankee
493 Here you go:
http://www.blisshouse.com/images/Bring_Out_Your_Dead.jpg
2007-04-27 20:02:43
502.   bartap74
Scrabble does what he does best. Again.
2007-04-27 20:02:45
503.   Shaun P
493 Was it Holy Grail?

I'm also glad to see Melky take a walk. Go Melky!

2007-04-27 20:02:51
504.   AbbyNormal821
Man, what I'd give for a psycho rally right about now!
2007-04-27 20:03:00
505.   Simone
Okay, Derek start a rally.
2007-04-27 20:03:07
506.   Joe H
The optimists on this thread are blinded by our all-star offense. This team has great hitters, but there is nothing even remotely "great" or even "good" about this pitching staff.

I don't like being a miser but some of you guys with your rose colored glasses are hilarious!

2007-04-27 20:03:07
507.   JeremyM
494 He's started almost every game.

Remember that bad loss in 05, where afterwards they removed Womack from starting at second and inserted Cano? I wish they had someone who could do that at first this year.

2007-04-27 20:03:54
508.   bartap74
I think Steve Balboni is available.
2007-04-27 20:04:26
509.   rsmith51
498 If you insist on playing Minky regularly. Pinch hitting Melky is not an issue. Down by 7, who really cares?
2007-04-27 20:04:27
510.   BklynBmr
501 Thanks, 'Bama! Perfect...
2007-04-27 20:04:47
511.   Simone
497 I don't know when, but those days will return.
2007-04-27 20:04:54
512.   rsmith51
509 I guess I care as I am still watching the game.
2007-04-27 20:05:22
513.   AbbyNormal821
AAAAAAAAAARRRRGH!!!
2007-04-27 20:06:03
514.   Simone
Where is Ken when we need him?
2007-04-27 20:06:05
515.   Bama Yankee
510 Here's another:
http://www.mwscomp.com/movies/grail/grail-02.htm
2007-04-27 20:06:34
516.   OldYanksFan
I saw 'Spamalot' on 'Broadway in Boston'. Best, funniest show I've even seen.
2007-04-27 20:06:36
517.   rsmith51
507 I forgot my sarcasm tags. Minky is worse than I ever thought he would be. And I thought he would be the worst 1B in the league.
2007-04-27 20:07:38
518.   Simone
Whoever is starting tomorrow has got to give this team a complete game shut out. It is the only change to win.
2007-04-27 20:08:29
519.   rsmith51
I predict the Yankees hold the Red Sox to less than 6 runs for each of the next 2 games. Hopefully that will amount to wins.
2007-04-27 20:08:34
520.   OldYanksFan
It's still not as bad as getting swept by the royals.
2007-04-27 20:09:18
521.   Shaun P
509 Actually, I'm totally against Minky playing regularly. I just don't see what the value was in giving Melky an AB there, when he's been pressing so much.

I'm glad he walked, though.

2007-04-27 20:09:39
522.   AbbyNormal821
520 True dat!
2007-04-27 20:09:45
523.   JeremyM
517 Cool, I was a little worried about you:)

I actually thought he would have a Brosius in 98 season, so what do I know?

Man, this stinks. Eyebrows Karstens will get em tomorrow though.

2007-04-27 20:10:22
524.   Shaun P
520 Or when the Yanks lost the entire season series against the A's. 1990, right?
2007-04-27 20:10:39
525.   Simone
Karstens!!! Urrr, I still believe.
2007-04-27 20:11:27
526.   cult of basebaal
Man, whatever pictures Mxznwtcnxhctz has of Torre must make goatse look like a 5 year old's b-day party
2007-04-27 20:13:25
527.   BklynBmr
488 I remember that well, Shaun P! ;-)

I can't argue with you on those pen moves, especally Meyers. Maybe Mo's troubles will get Joe off his butt and into a little creative thinking here. We knew the offense (and Alex) would not sustain an 8 or 10 run attack every night, so guys need to step up now, and hopefully with deft moves from the bench.

We take the next two games and 10-13 is managable, all things considered.

Snap out of it, Yanks!

2007-04-27 20:14:12
528.   Mike T
Can our team win a %#@*& game?

Unbelievable.

2007-04-27 20:15:34
529.   BklynBmr
515 LOL! Why does that thread sound so familiar? ;-p
2007-04-27 20:15:48
530.   Mattpat11
Well, the team has broken me. I'm going to the nats game tomorrow. The Yankees can do whatever the hell they want. No need to get worked up over a team that doesn't give shit.
2007-04-27 20:17:35
531.   Just fair
Stop the train, I wanna get off. Oh wait, it wrecked about a week ago. At least us upstaters can take solace in the Sabres, for now. But it's just not the same. At least Wakefield never pitches the Yanks tough. Where's my sarcasm icon? Hey Abreu, whatever MCI gave you, give it back. Holy frustration.
2007-04-27 20:18:46
532.   Shaun P
527 I just can't get down on all this, you know? I've seen the Yanks do a lot worse. Talent almost always wins out, and the Yanks have lots of talent.

Let's go Yanks!

2007-04-27 20:21:44
533.   Mattpat11
I always thought terrible baseball players were supposed to bring "passion" to teams with good players. Thats why Podsednik has a job.

We got Mientkiewicz. Why is there no passion?

2007-04-27 20:22:46
534.   Bama Yankee
529 That did read like one of our game threads, didn't it?

I'm just as bummed as everyone else, but I say that this is "only a flesh wound". Wait, that might be a bad Python quote to use since that knight ended up with no arms or legs... oh, well... ;-)

Anyway, goodnight all and let's go Yankees!

2007-04-27 20:25:27
535.   vockins
I predict the Yanks get swept again. There's no way Karstens wins tomorrow with the bullpen in this state. Forget it.
2007-04-27 20:45:11
536.   jayd
535 You're forgetting tavarez vs wang. With the offense pressing, wakefield is perfect for the sox tomorrow, but wake can have his flat outings. and karstens could step up. the sawks are like lyndon johnson's mexican race horse (he was likening the horse to richard nixon): jumps to a huge lead on the first nine laps and then runs the last lap backwards. never forget the sawks native ability of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. if any team is capable of coming out with their panties over their heads, it's the beantowners...
2007-04-27 20:53:56
537.   Orly Yarly NoWai
At the moment, I'm absolutely fed up with this blog. I love Alex and Cliff. I love the guest posters. I'm grateful to Alex, Cliff and Ken for giving us a place to discuss the games. I love the old-school commenters.

But this is ridiculous. We're quickly devolving into the LoHud comment section. After less than one month of the season, we're hearing so much doom and gloom that I wonder why the team hasn't just folded. I said last season that A-Rod would come around, and I'm saying this year that the Yankees will do the same. There's no way that I'm the only person who thinks the Yankees will pick it up, but it feels like it.

There's nothing wrong with a healthy degree of skepticism regarding our front office. There's nothing inherently wrong with second-guessing. When it comes from people who absolutely refuse to listen to any sort of reason, I get upset.

This was still a good day. I don't need the Yankees to win to guarantee my happiness. I got to watch the Yanks play baseball, and that's good enough.

2007-04-27 20:59:44
538.   rabid stan
Look at it this way, if the Yanks cough up every game remaining in April, all they'll need to do is average four games over .500 in each of the remaining months to get to 93 wins.

Then again, 536, a horse that starts the race going backwards doesn't finish any better.

2007-04-27 21:12:55
539.   Max Nomad
Damn, I just got here. Why does it seem like every loss or bad game there is some strange new person commenting on how it's the end of the Yankees. I wonder if ESPN is secretly planting the same guy with different screennames over and over to subvert the Banter?

Chip up, boys and girls, it's early.

2007-04-27 21:19:56
540.   Mattpat11
93 wins misses the playoffs in the American League.
2007-04-27 21:21:33
541.   Mattpat11
*East
2007-04-27 21:38:21
542.   randym77
It's April. Way too early to panic. Maybe we won't win 110 games, like this mathematician predicted:

http://www.livescience.com/othernews/070404_baseball_math.html

But we're better than our record, and over the long season, the cream will rise to the top. It happened last year, it'll happen this year.

2007-04-27 22:30:20
543.   Chyll Will
539 Don't worry about it, Nomad. I attribute it to the law of attraction; you create your own reality, and what it is that you think will attract the same type of energy to create it. Simply put, losers come with losing. Just stay focused on what you want and it will eventually manifest. I'm not worried about this team, win or lose, because I know that some of the pieces are missing. I imagine this club is a lot more together spiritually than they have been the last several years, so the losing is sweeping the entire team. Like someone suggested in another thread, if the pieces are all there and you're still losing, then you worry.

Look at it another way: the 2004 came back from near disaster and did the impossible. If this team has that kind of moxie going for them, this will be a helluva season. Bad things happen that no one controls, so I have no reason to cry about this. I get frustrated, but what can I do? Frustration won't help the team, either. Perhaps we're reading Torre's calmness as reckless disregard, but how many of us would trade him for Lou Pinella in this same situation? Do you think kicking and screaming at grown men is gonna make them play better? Maybe if they were immature to begin with, but I don't see that.

Who could do better under these circumstances; your rotation is torn to shreads, your bullpen for lack of better options is disintegrated, and now the bats are falling flat (naturally, you're gonna feel discouraged if your pitchers keep giving up leads you just created for them) We can't win every day and we haven't won them all. The best thing the team can do for itself right now is heal. I'm more discouraged by the condition some of these guys are in (and likely the cause of the mass injuries) than by the losses. If everyone were hitting all cylinders before the game started, you'd have more than a few Alexes in this lineup. Little issues lead to big troubles.

Anyway, I think I'll take a vacation and figure out how to keep me and my roommate fed this weekend. Acquiring food stamps is a purposefully discouraging process in 311Land, but that's probably a topic for another blog (Catfish Stew? The Juice?) Good night, all and stop kvetching; it's a blasted game, not war zzzzz...

2007-04-27 22:34:16
544.   Chyll Will
543 "the 2004 came back from near disaster and did the impossible."

And apparently I still find it impossible to mention who did what that year, but we all know zzzzz...

2007-04-27 22:46:33
545.   Chyll Will
One last thing... reiterating a point I made about Torre under the circumstances, give the man the full compliment of players he expected and see what he does, then talk about keeping him or firing him. Nobody wins when most of your staff can only go four innings and your bullpen is forced to make up the difference. What, is he supposed to forfeit the game when his starter craps out after 3+ because he needs to save the bullpen for a rainy day? If last week's storm didn't tell you anything, and all these washouts we've been seeing all over isn't a viable metaphor, then nothing is.

Yep. That should do fine. If a starter blows the lead after four innings and has to come out, the Yanks should instead forfeit the game or throw Mo and/or Farnsense out there for as long as they can so they can get work. That way the bullpen is not overtaxed and the healing can begin zzzzz...

2007-04-27 23:08:10
546.   Zack
Rather than comment on the game, heres my contribution:
Pete A. had this to say: Minky isn't playing tomorrow!
"The news for now is that Jason Giambi will play first base tomorrow, Melky Cabrera will be the center fielder and Johnny Damon the DH."

I assume its to just get JD some rest, but man oh man, Josh Phelps really must have run over TOrre's dog or something. I mean, the guys hitting right about .300 with an almost .400 obp, and has seemingly contributed in every game he's been a part of...

I've said it before: FREE JOSH PHELPS!

There...

Soooo, was there a game tonight? Somehow, it seems that I lost about 4 hours tonight right around when the Yankees should have played. huh. I'll just assume there wasn't a game...

2007-04-27 23:19:23
547.   BklynBmr
537 Post of the Day/Night! I was thinking craigslist.org's Sports Forum is the direction the 'banter' has been inching to over the last week, but maybe that's a little harsh. Unfortunately for Pete A., LoHud is probably the better analogy.

The sky is not falling. While the obvious venom is what is it is, and some of our micro-managing is definitely worthy of debate, the general tone here is getting way too fatalistic way too early.

532,542 — thank you...

The bats wake up Saturday!

2007-04-27 23:36:31
548.   Vandelay Industries
546

Good! I have been saying that all year. A twenty-three million dollar DH? I don't dislike Doug M., nor do I think he is to blame for any of this mess. However, he has limited late game deefensive value, and that is when he should be used. It is ridiculous that he has been playing the majority of games at 1B. Sure the lineup shouldnt need him, but we need every run we can get these days. Giambi and Phelps should have been sharing 1B/DH all season. It makes no sense to play it any other way. I just dont get it. If Phelps bombs, well, then you know you have to go in another direction. Torre about killed me last year by dragging the corpse of Andy Phillips out there every day for no reason. Now, he refuses to even give Phelps a shot. Torre has never used our defensive subs at 1B this way before. Giambi is more than capable of playing 1B platooning with Phelps.

2007-04-28 00:45:01
549.   yankz
God dammit. Games like this make me wonder if it's all worth it. I mean, the past six years have ended in huge heartbreak. Sometimes I wish I could quit baseball, but I know I can't. I was at an awesome birthday party for a beautiful girl, and all I could think about was 7.

I could've stomached another loss, because I don't think Pettitte will pitch like that again. But what killed me was the look Mo had after being yanked in the 9th. I'm sure this has been discussed, but I can't even remember Mo being yanked like that. His face, to me, was a man reconsidering his arm, his season, his stuff. For the first time in the decade+ that I've been watching him, I thought Mariano looked worried.

And if Mariano Rivera is worried, I'm freaking out. That look made me leap from "calm and confident about the season" to "neurotic" in one second.

Please remind me I'm overreacting.

2007-04-28 01:07:18
550.   yankz
Oh, and comparing this place to LoHud's comment sections is a joke. People here have started to worry after seven straight losses, ones where every aspect of the pitching and managing, and several of the hitting, has been terrible. It's not like people are making baseless claims after one tough loss. There are reasonable arguments. It's clear that something has to change. Comparing people who realize that to the nitwits over at that other blog is, ironically, insulting.

I'm one of the worried ones. I'm asking you to please tell me why I shouldn't be. Thanks.

Show/Hide Comments 551-600
2007-04-28 04:47:12
551.   manila boy
It's okay to be worried. Our team is sucking right now. It's the sky-is-falling proclamations, dead-horse flogging, and snarkiness that's annoying.

There's lots to be concerned about, but it's April. I don't think I'm wearing blinders. There's time to turn things around, and this team has done so before. Yes, every loss counts, but if there's a team that can rebound from a bad start its ours.

Go Yanks!

2007-04-28 05:26:09
552.   randym77
Yeah, the look on Mo's face was kind of sobering. Never seen him look that way before.

But I'm confident he'll bounce back. The last few years, he's always rusty at the beginning of the season. Probably because he no longer throws in the off-season. He's rustier than usual, because he hasn't been used much.

The Yanks are struggling now due to injuries. They won't be injured all season. And the Sox and other teams will have their injury problems. Things will even out over the season.

2007-04-28 06:20:39
553.   manila boy
534 The Monty Python reference cracked me up. Thanks!

Hmm, we optimists could probably sing "Always look on the bright side of life" while whistling merrily. Oh, wait, they didn't end up too good either.

Okay, another inappropriate Monty Python reference.

2007-04-28 07:39:15
554.   OldYanksFan
It is not necessary to talk about our pitching stats... we all know they are worse then ugly. However, our offense has taken a serious hit over the last week. Currently:
ARod and Giambi have OPS over .900
Posada's OPS is over .800
Jeter is right at .800
Damon, Cano and Abreu (ABREU) are all around .700
Minky makes Womack look like Bonds, but Melky is ever worse.
Cairo and Nieves haven't had a hit yet.

I'm not happy, but can live with the 4 stooges (Minky, Melky, Miggy and Willy) doing nothing, but between Jetes, JD, Bobby and Robby, we are off .500 pts in OPS.

There are yearly totals. The numbers over the last 8 games or so are much, much worse.

Not to excuse the pitching, but injuries, poor BP management and Mo NOT being Mo, are part of the problem. But our offense drying up?

Joe and Cash will get the blame, but we only have four guys functioning out of 25. I guess the good news is it can't get a hell of a lot worse.

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