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Series Wrap: vs. White Sox
2007-08-03 08:01
by Cliff Corcoran

Offense: Let's see, 16 runs and a franchise-record eight homers in the first game, then overcoming an 8-0 deficit in a single inning in the finale. That alone would be plenty, but they scored eight runs and smacked another five homers on Wednesday to average 11 runs and five homers per game for the series. Sick. Sicker? The Yankees have scored seven or more runs in their last six home games.

Studs:

Jorge Posada 8 for 15, 2 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R
Robinson Cano 4 for 12, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, BB, HBP
Bobby Abreu 6 for 11, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB, SB, CS
Hideki Matsui 4 for 12, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB
Johnny Damon 4 for 8, HR, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB
Shelley Duncan 2 for 4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB
Wilson Betemit 1 for 2, HR, 3 RBI, R, BB, K

Duds:

Alex Rodriguez 2 for 14, RBI, R, SB, K
Andy Phillips 2 for 11, RBI, 3 R, SacB, K
Derek Jeter 2 for 10, HR, RBI, 2 R, 2 K
Melky Cabrera, 3 for 14, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, K

Miguel Cairo appeared twice as a defensive replacement, but did not come to bat. Jose Molina went 0 for 1 in relief of Posada in the finale.

Rotation: Excellent starts by Mike Mussina (6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 6 K) and Andy Pettitte (7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K), and a complete and utter disaster by Roger Clemens in the finale (1 2/3 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K). See my Fungoes piece on Clemens over at SI.com.

Bullpen: Same story as the rotation. First two games: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K. Finale: 7 1/3 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 7 K, 3 HR.

The Good:

Ron Villone allowed just a single and a walk while striking out three over two innings in the finale. Sean Henn struck out two in a perfect inning to finish that game and also pitched around a single for a scoreless six-pitch inning in the opener. Brian Bruney struck out one in a scoreless inning on Wednesday throwing nine of his 13 pitches for strikes. Luis Vizcaino pitched around a double for a scoreless inning of his own in that game.

The Bad:

Kyle Farnsworth responded to the boos from his home crowd with a perfect eight-pitch inning on Tuesday night, but gave up a two-run home run to Jermaine Dye on Thursday afternoon. Jeff Karstens first major league pitch since his leg was broken by a comebacker came with two out and the bases loaded in the historic second inning of yesterday's game. He got out of that jam without doing further damage and his offense staged an improbable rally to tie the game at 8-8, but he couldn't hold things there allowing three runs on five hits (including a two-run homer by Dye) over the next three innings. It's tough to be too hard on Karstens who was put in a tough spot in his first game since coming off the DL, but with Proctor gone, Farnsworth needs company in "The Bad" section.

Conclusion: Even a merely poor outing from Clemens could have led to a sweep. Fortunately, Phil Hughes is returning on Saturday to further strengthen the starting five. Overall an excellent performance. The offense continues to spread things around, Derek Jeter got some rest in the finale, Alex Rodriguez looks to be coming around, making good contact and finally getting a pair of hits in the finale, and Shelley Duncan and Wilson Betemit just might conspire to force Miguel Cairo off the roster when Jason Giambi rejoins the team next week after all (though I won't hold my breath).

Comments
2007-08-03 09:34:29
1.   RZG
Farnsworth gave up solo shots to Konerko and Dye in his inning.
2007-08-03 09:38:37
2.   YankeeInMichigan
I don't have any problem with being hard on Karstens. The guy just cannot pitch to power hitters.
2007-08-03 09:48:27
3.   Zack
Can we just skip tonight and move right to tomorrow? It's a good thing its the Wanger going tonight or I would be really really impatient. I haven't been this excited for a Yankees game since:
insert Family Guy random moment)

Note: in reality, I would say since the last time Hughes started, but its much more fun to say something else....

2007-08-03 09:58:51
4.   pistolpete
I have relatives coming over on Saturday, and I'm really debating just DVR'ing the game & not watching it live. I want to be able to sit down later that day, alone, and appreciate each & every pitch.
2007-08-03 10:03:37
5.   Shaun P
At least you guys have the option of watching Saturday's game! Those of us with EI but without MLB.tv are stuck, thanks to FOX. Sigh.

Is MLB.tv still offering that free 5-day trial? And will the "secret formula" work with it in trial mode?

BTW: BP Postseason Odds

AL Wildcard
Yanks 33.20941 (-6.2005)
Indians 25.50305
Tigers 17.9045
Twins 5.05845
M's 7.90201
Jays 2.91528
Red Sox 2.47305
Angels 3.90907

AL East
Red Sox 96.77194
Yanks 3.05737

Boy, a sweep would be nice . . .

2007-08-03 10:10:23
6.   williamnyy23
Another dreaded Friday game...the Yankees are 5-12 on Fridays. At home, they are 3-6 and two wins were by one run.
2007-08-03 10:11:50
7.   Cliff Corcoran
4 Honestly, I do that with 90% of the games now.
2007-08-03 10:13:02
8.   jedi
I read somewhere that the yanks demoted Joba Fett to Double A. Can anyone confirm and explain why they did that?
2007-08-03 10:15:45
9.   Zack
8 It was just for a game, various reports about passport issues etc. Word is he is back in AAA.

7 4 Do either of you know if you can dvr EI games? I have mlb.tv this year but would much prefer to watch games on my tv, but if i can't dvr them, there ain't much point...

2007-08-03 10:19:47
10.   Cliff Corcoran
9 If you have a DVR you should be able to record any program that comes over your cable or dish service, but I don't have EI so I can't confirm.

Meanwhile, SI's posted my Clemens piece, direct link fixed above.

2007-08-03 10:25:02
11.   Schteeve
9 You can DVR anything you have access to so if you susscribe to IE and you have a DVR, you should be all set.
2007-08-03 10:25:09
12.   Andre
9 Yes, you can DVR EI games. I believe the only things you CAN'T DVR are on-demand and pay per view.
2007-08-03 10:26:23
13.   standuptriple
9 I had EI last year w/Comcast and I had no DVR restrictions other than space constraints. 3 hour HD games (almost a sure thing when Yanks are invovled) tend to use a lot of capacity.
2007-08-03 10:32:12
14.   Schteeve
10 Nice piece on Clemens. I was thinking this morning that even if the Yankees pull this rabbit out of the hat and make the postseason, I'm not sure they will go very far, because the starting pitching is suspect as hell.

Clemens, Pettitte and Mussina are all high wire acts these days. For some reason, and this just might be my cloudy perception, I feel like Pettitte has this odd ability to pitch better when he's in trouble. Which is why his ERA is better than his peripherals would suggest. Maybe he does something different with men on base. Who knows, maybe I'm full of beans.

But I don't have much faith in Moose and Clemens, to go toe to toe with a number 2 or three starter on a playoff team.

I have a lot of confidence in Wang obviously, but Wang will likely start when the opponent's ace starts. And if the Yankees offense gets shut down, or even contained, Wang has no margin for error. So you can't say he's a lock to win every post season start.

All this leads me to believe that Phil Hughes is going to be the most important pitcher on the Yankees if they make the post season at all. How he pitches could really shape the Yankees future over the next few months.

2007-08-03 10:33:23
15.   JL25and3
I'm going to be there tomorrow, and I can't remember the last time I've looked forward to a game with this much excitement. Of course, it'll totally suck if he gets rocked...
2007-08-03 10:40:07
16.   SF Yanks
9 You can definitely DVR EI games. I have EI and I record each game whether I'm there or not just in case something special happens and I want to re-watch it. Also it turns a 3 hour game into a 2 hour game. Well, with the Yanks its 4 into 3.
2007-08-03 10:41:05
17.   SF Yanks
Check this out. It's pretty accurate although a bit exaggerated. Funny too.

http://tinyurl.com/ypjfuu

2007-08-03 10:41:25
18.   RIYank
8 He was in New York (getting a passport) and they just thought it would be simpler to shuttle him up to Binghampton for the AA game, rather than having to get him to Ottawa for the AAA game.

I would pay to see Farnsworth's face the first time Joba steps into the clubhouse. Someone should play the "High Noon" music.

2007-08-03 10:44:22
19.   Schteeve
17 When I read comments on YouTube, I realize just how doomed humanity is.
2007-08-03 10:53:26
20.   SF Yanks
19 Ha, what do you mean, just the ignorance of some people?
2007-08-03 10:58:59
21.   Cliff Corcoran
17 That guy also has a clip of 1980s stances that's fantastic for those who remember.
2007-08-03 11:03:57
22.   Ben
(17.)Holy crap that's a funny link. The best part was the Leyritz tap dance to first.
2007-08-03 11:05:29
23.   SF Yanks
21 Where'd you find it Cliff, I can't find it?
2007-08-03 11:07:19
24.   NJYankee41
14 The possibility of Torre using Moose as the 4th starter in the playoffs over Hughes scares me. You know with Moose's vetereness. And I can't imagine in a million years Moose coming in relief. Out of all the things that throws him off this would be a real doozy.
2007-08-03 11:09:11
25.   SF Yanks
22 He has Giambi's swing down pretty good, not the stance but the swing. That's the thing about him, he has the swings down better then the actual stances. And yeah that little stutter step was entertaining as is the other ways he manages to walk 2 feet after swinging.
2007-08-03 11:11:38
26.   JL25and3
Apropos of nothing: did anyone else notice that White Sox 2b Danny Richar joins Edwar Ramirez on the "No D" team?
2007-08-03 11:13:23
27.   NJYankee41
17 I've been entertaining people with that bit since I was 10. I had a really good Wade Boggs. But I'm much too reserved to make a video of it.
2007-08-03 11:17:13
28.   SF Yanks
27 Yeah when I was a kid, my brother and I would sit in the backyard for hours doing stances. It went like this: very simply, I would make a stance and he had to guess who it was and vice versa. I had Darryl Strawberry's down to a T and probably still do.
2007-08-03 11:21:00
29.   JohnnyC
26 Considering his diminishing range, the No D team should include Erek Jeter.
2007-08-03 11:23:10
30.   NJYankee41
28 The worst was when you knew you had a good one, but the person couldn't get it right. Darryl was one of the few I had a hard time with. I couldn't get his signature follow through quite right.
2007-08-03 11:23:43
31.   pistolpete
17 One stance I really didn't buy was Mattingly's. I used to emulate Donnie's stance and swing during countless wiffleball games growing up, and IMO he misses the mark.

Donnie always went into a mini-crouch right before he let fly, and in his later years he added a leg kick that we actually saw a couple of Yankees adopt during Don's time as the hitting coach.

I also don't recall him being that twitchy. Or maybe the guy was just speeding things up to get as many Yankees in the video as he could, who knows.

2007-08-03 11:24:47
32.   Raf
24 You don't have to wait a million years, you just have to go back 4 years to game 7, 2003 ALCS. Moose relieved for Clemens.
2007-08-03 11:26:09
33.   Yu-Hsing Chen
I suggest we actually make the playoffs first before worring about what we do in it.

It's not like every team in the playoff have 4 aces or anything. (and the Cardinals last year basically had 1 good pitcher 2 ok pitcher, and the all mighty Jeff Weaver )

The Angels probably will go
Lacky / Escobar / Weaver / ? Colon or Saunder or Santana

Weaver actually is just decent this year, Escobar is really really good, Lacky is good. and whoever they start in the 4th is terrible. (Saunders is alright though. but he actually have the worest stuff of the 3) if we can even get to one of Escobar or Lackey we should pull it out, of course, i don't like our chancse against the Angels even if they trott out 4 terrible pitcher :P

the Tiger staff is Verlander / Bonderman .. and questionmarks beyond that. Verlander is good, Bonderman is good but was also smacked around in a couple of games. but the rest is just very iffy (either kids like Tata and Miller or the almight Kenny Rogers , Nate Robertson is just pedestrian this year.) of course, this time Rogers will throw 100 mph heat and doctor the ball to the point where it has a life of it's own and strike out 27 yankees !

The Indian rotation is Sabtiah / Carmona / Lee / Byrd / Westbrook , Sabatiah is awsome, Carmona is good but beatable, and the rest is just asking to get hammered.

Boston's staff is Beckett / Matsuzaka / Schilling / Lester / Wakefield . none of them are truely unbeatable, Beckett is very good this year but still i think we can get to him. Matsuzaka uses too many pitches too often against really good hitting teams. Schilling is as much of a shell as Moose, and i'd tip my hat to them if Lester /Wakefield beats us.

So it's not like they are trotting out killer rotations or anything, but for now, lets just worry about actually getting there, sweeping the Royals woudl be a nice start.

Oh and they REALLY should just give 1B to a Betemit / Duncan platoon , Phillips is due for another collasps if you look at his overall numbers, Shelley's actually translated his power and walk to the bigs in limited sample, Phillips has not, that makes Phillips a clear AAAA bench guy at best while there's hope for Shelley. I would be ok if they don't DFA Cairo (i don't have much confidence in 6'3 230 Betemit playing middle infield ..) but if they keep Cairo, Phillips should clearly be the odd man out.

2007-08-03 11:32:36
34.   NJYankee41
32 Good call. I did forget about that game. He did well. The difference this year would be him getting replaced by another pitcher who is probably a better choice. You can be a little fussy when your really good, but now that he isn't as good those annoyances turn into struggles on the mound. I can't imagine him responding very well to being put into the bullpen from the start of the playoffs for a young inexperienced pitcher like Hughes. I hope I'm wrong of course.
2007-08-03 11:38:19
35.   Raf
34 Unless Hughes is outstanding, I don't see him getting a start over Moose. Especially if Hughes reaches his innings quota by playoff time.

Remember, Torre will take it slow with the young guys; Wang should've started gm 4 last year against the Tigers, but Torre decided against it, for the good of Wang's career.

2007-08-03 11:40:22
36.   NJYankee41
33 Thats part of the fun. We should talk about making the playoffs. And its a bit ironic that you said we should make the playoffs before we worry about what we do in it and then you go into a detailed evaluation of how we will fare against each potential opposition's pitching in the playoffs.
2007-08-03 11:42:12
37.   cult of basebaal
man ... it's too bad ichiro! resigned with seattle ... i would have loved to see how he would have handled the NY media

http://www.slate.com/id/2171520/

2007-08-03 11:53:48
38.   tommyl
I'm not so sure on DVRing EI. I had Comcast last year in Philly and tried to DVR a few games, but the system would freeze. I called them and they told me there was a block on, and you could not DVR those channels. I yelled for a bit but it did me no good.
2007-08-03 11:58:29
39.   pistolpete
38 EI might count as a PPV-type situation then. If Comcast says you can't DVR those channels, that is.
2007-08-03 12:03:56
40.   Tarheel
I DVR EI games all the time on Time Warner....except for the last 3 days when the whole damn EI system has been down in my area. I have yelled, too, about this....but all I get is "we know there is a problem and are working on it". They did give me a $21 credit, though!!
2007-08-03 12:26:44
41.   Zack
38 That's what I had heard. I have Cox, so I guess before next season I will just call them to find out. No biggie

15 I'm jealous. I'd love to watch Prince Philip pitch live, but who knows when I'll get that chance. Tomorrow to watch on mlb.tv I think I'll have to be located somewhere "around the globe"

2007-08-03 12:26:47
42.   Max
17 That was funny -- not always accurate, but funny in a cartoonish way. I agree the follow-throughs are actually more accurate and more entertaining in most cases. Shef and Tino were pretty weak, but some of the others (Giambi, Damon, Jeter, ARod) were entertaining.

19 Youtube commenters are a particularly nasty subspecies of insecure teen boys, though PeteAbe commenters are starting to descend to that level (especially when Pete isn't around to do cleanup).

2007-08-03 12:33:30
43.   Schteeve
19 The comments over at LoHud are worthless.
2007-08-03 13:27:26
44.   cult of basebaal
lineup is in:

Damon LF
Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Duncan RF
Cano 2B
Phillips 1B
Molina C

hope melky brought his running shoes ... though shelley can't be any worse than abreu at going back on balls ...

2007-08-03 13:38:13
45.   williamnyy23
44 I'm sure Shelley isn't afraid of the wall. In fact, I'd bet if he stays out there long enough, at some point he'll run through it.
2007-08-03 14:23:51
46.   Zack
44 Awesome lineup. I like that Abreu is resting b//c of bad #s against Perez and that Duncan is playing RF, it actually shows some creativity! And Jeter batting 3rd will hopefully help A-Rod? Who knows...

Is it Saturday yet?

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