Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Okay, now things get serious. Going 20-8 against the cupcakes was a lot of fun, but now the Yankees face a twenty-game stretch in which 17 games come against contenders (with the other three coming against the Orioles, the only cupcake team to win a series from them over that last 28 games). Of those 17 games against contenders, 14 of them come against teams the Yankees are chasing for a playoff spot including this weekend's opponent the Cleveland Indians.
This weekend's series, which will conclude the season set between the two teams, was supposed to be a battle for Wild Card supremacy, but a few things have gotten in the way in recent days. To begin with, the Indians aren't technically in the Wild Card picture anymore as they slipped past the freefalling Tigers to reclaim the AL Central lead a week ago. What's more, it's those pesky Mariners, who I remain convinced are all smoke and mirrors, not the Tigers, that hold the Wild Card lead entering tonight's action. In fact, the Yankees are in a perfect tie with the Tigers this afternoon, both one game behind the M's and a game and a half behind Cleveland. That's a four-team cluster that could be completely rearranged come Sunday evening as the M's visit Chicago, the Tigers host the A's, and the Yanks and Tribe to battle in Cleveland.
The Yankees and Indians last met in April, just nine games into the Tribe's snow-shortened season. The Yankees won the first two games of that series by a combined score of 19-5 behind Chase Wright's major league debut in the opener and what would prove to be Kei Igawa's best start of the season. The Yankees sent Darrell Rasner to the hill in the finale to complete their rookie troika, but Rasner was inexplicably pulled in the fifth and Luis Vizcaino coughed up four runs in the seventh. The Yanks entered the bottom of the ninth trailing 6-2 and facing Indians closer Joe Borowski. Borowski retired the first two batters, but Josh Phelps cracked a solo home run to keep the Yankees alive and bring them within three. Jorge Posada singled. Johnny Damon walked. Jeter singled Posada home. Abreu singled Damon home. And Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer to win the game 8-6.
Curiously the Indians were a better team then than they are now, while the Yankees were far worse. For the Yankees, the changes are obvious from the players they're putting on the field. Simply compare this weekend's starters--Phil Hughes, Mike Mussina, and Andy Pettitte--to the trio of Wright, Igawa, and Rasner that started the April series. For the Indians it's more about their level of play. After posting a .635 winning percentage in April and May combined, the Tribe has gone 32-31 (.508) since, including a 15-18 record over their last ten series.
One reason Cleveland has been scuffling has been a lack of offense. Over those last ten series they've averaged just 4.18 runs per game. Now they enter this weekend's series with DH Travis Hafner nursing a knee he injured sliding into second on Tuesday night. Hafner was removed from the following night's game, hasn't played since and likely won't play tonight. Then again, Hafner, who's hit just .234/.335/.388 since June 1, was already part of the problem. The Indians will likely replace him in the lineup with one of their platoon outfielders (see roster below) or by shifting Victor Martinez to DH and having Kelly Shoppach catch.
Less of a problem has been the Indians' pitching, particularly tonight's starter Fausto Carmona, who has turned in a quality start in 18 of 22 appearances and his last seven straight. Over those last seven starts, the groundballing Carmona has gone 5-2 with a 1.68 ERA and just one home run allowed. That's further evidence of how much the offense has been struggling as Carmona has lost his last two starts by scores of 3-1 and 1-0. Carmona also started that wild series finale in the Bronx back in April, holding the Yankees to two runs (one of them on a Jason Giambi solo homer) on a walk and six hits over six innings.
Phil Hughes was in triple-A back then, but he'll be on the mound in Cleveland tonight looking to build his stamina. After throwing 91 pitches in his final rehab start, Hughes threw 92 pitches in his last start against the Royals, but appeared to tire around 70. Jose Molina will catch Hughes as Jorge Posada has a stiff neck. Wilson Betemit gets the start at first base. Despite that April homer, Giambi is not in the lineup, rather Damon gets the start at DH.
Cleveland Indians
2007 Record: 65-50 (.565)
2007 Pythagorean Record: 64-51 (.553)
Manager: Eric Wedge
General Manager: Mark Shapiro
Home Ballpark (2007 Park Factors): Jacobs Field (97/98)
Who's Replacing Whom?
Kenny Lofton replaces David Dellucci (DL)
Franklin Gutierrez (minors) replaces Andy Marte (minors)
Asdrubal Cabrera (minors) replaces Mike Rouse (minors)
Chris Gomez replaces Jeremy Sowers (minors)
Rafael Perez (minors) replaces Fernando Cabrera
Edward Mujica (minors) replaces Jason Davis
25-man Roster:
1B – Ryan Garko (R)
2B – Josh Barfield (R)
SS – Jhonny Peralta (R)
3B – Casey Blake (R)
C – Victor Martinez (S)
RF – Trot Nixon (L)
CF – Grady Sizemore (L)
LF – Kenny Lofton (L)
DH – Travis Hafner (L)
Bench:
R - Franklin Gutierrez (OF)
R - Jason Michaels (OF)
R - Chris Gomez (IF)
S - Asdrubal Cabrera (IF)
R - Kelly Shoppach (C)
Rotation:
L - C.C. Sabathia
R - Fausto Carmona
R - Paul Byrd
R - Jake Westbrook
Bullpen:
R - Joe Borowski
R - Rafael Betancourt
L - Aaron Fultz
R - Tom Mastny
L - Rafael Perez
R - Roberto Hernandez
R - Edward Mujica
R - Jensen Lewis
60-day DL: L - David Dellucci (OF)
Typical Lineup:
L - Grady Sizemore (CF)
L - Kenny Lofton (LF)*
R - Casey Blake (3B)
S - Victor Martinez (C)
L - Travis Hafner (DH)
R - Ryan Garko (1B)
L - Trot Nixon (RF)*
R - Jhonny Peralta (SS)
R - Josh Barfield (2B)
*Corner outfielders Lofton and Nixon are in strict righty/lefty platoons with Jason Michaels and Franklin Gutierrez respectively. The typical Cleveland batting order against lefties has Michals and Gutierrez batting seventh and eighth with everyone from Blake through Garko moving up a spot.
That's just plain bullshit.
Arod is in.
Unfortunately, there isn't much anyone but Selig and the Rules Committee can do about it. The rule was was written to automatically suspend the pitcher who hits a batter after warnings have been issued. The only way it could be different would be if the Umpire Crew had issued warnings prior to the game, then Towers would have been out when he threw behind Arod and that would have been the end of it. The problem is that the Umpires have no clue what they are doing in this area. Remember what happened to Lilly earlier this season? Had that same Umpire been behind the plate, Towers would have been ejected and it wouldn't have ever gotten out of hand.
Rizzuto used to tell stories about the good old days, and it seemed from his telling that it was guys like him, batting low in the order, who got beaned more often. The opposing pitcher wouldn't bean Jeter or A-Rod and bring up the middle of the order, so Cano or Phillips would get dusted.
As for today, why not start Giambi at 1B, with Jorge sitting?
I don't like the Cleveland announcers.
http://www.rotoauthority.com/2005/08/how_major_leagu.html
If the Yankees do pull him back, they can't trade him to anyone else for 30 days.
My wish for the 2nd inning: 2 runs, then an 8 pitching bottom half.
Urgh.
14 A lot of $? Guy's only making what 4 mil? That's peanuts by mlb standards.
AND the run scores!
Him: "You're a Jets fan?"
Me: "Excuse me?"
Him: "You're a Jets fan!"
Me: "Yeah."
Him: "Me, too. Jets fan for 25 years."
Me: "Oh... um, sorry?"
73 True, true, but Nagy doesn't even pronounce his name right...
Meanwhile, Franchise is dealing.
Man, Hughes is just nasty tonight. Is that "slurve" thing his change?
Way to bail him out, Phil!
Meanwhile the C&C boys continue to rake.
I'm happy to see that we're hitting well against a Good Pitcher after all.
And, more important, philthy!
If any one else saw that Molson commercial, that's one good reason why I don't drink. Don't know what they be puttin' in that beer to have stuff growing on the floor when it spills...
You have to wait this guy out, take pitches, take walks and force him to throw the ball over the plate. Even after a walk, he's still the same. Walks don't phase him. Very cool. I've watched him get Ks on three swings, where none of the pitches were strikes.
Detroit with a grand slam. Behind 8-6 now after 5. Sox down 1-0 after 5.
Donnie needs to grow his mustache back; he looks a lot like Felix Unger without it.
That breaking pitch is absolutely unhittable.
This is the worst line-up we've had in quite a while, I just noticed.
Joba warming--Hughes for six, Joba for two, and then Mo for the ninth sounds like a tasty three course meal.
Our 21 year old pitchers are schooling a division leading team.
I'm not positive, but I seem to remember one of his rehab starts had a backwards GO/FO ratio too.
Joba, polarizing the ball against opponents' bats!
Shoulda PH Duncan for Damon here.
This is a really good game. I was worried about this game, maybe because of the Toronto blow-out.
I did not think I would see something like that at the beginning of the year. But God bless the new era.
(ahem) excuse me...
God, I love these kids.
I'd be scared to drink that stuff if that happened for real... but I would pour it out by my subway stop.
227 "Go crazy everybody, go crazy!"
I hope Farnsworth comes in. That way, he can't pitch tomorrow.
I think Joe didn't trust Mattingly, so he just gave him the formula card and made him promise to follow it.
They just showed Bedard on the bench. His eyes were wet. A beautiful game gone to shit.
261 Donnie wants to keep his managerial WP at 1.000 so he gets the job next year.
Mo doesn't want to be outdone.
Let's go White Sox. We want to be looking at a tie for the wild card, even if we can't pick up a game on the Sawx.
This game was Sa-Weeet!!
Night fellers - Go ChiSox!
Joba = Nelson
Viz = Stanton
Mo = Mo
Think that formula will work in the playoffs?
Yummy!
Hughes = Cone?
270 It's a conspiracy, OYF, from the commish's office, the O's and E@#$. They're all in on it. So relax; the truth will set you free >;)
Double
Single
BB
Ground out
Double
Gag-me out.
Sox up 5-4.
Eric Gagne, 0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER
me like Joba better
It's just a damn shame that we couldn't afford to get some really good bullpen help at the trading deadline. Theo really out-bargained Cashman for that Texas closer.
Just like he did for that FL starter awhile back. How's that Hanley Ramirez kid doing? Out of baseball or something? or about leading in VORP in the NL?
Single
Tied! 5-5
Okajima gives it up!!!
But, if Baltimore wins, that makes it all the sweeter! And even if Boston wins, how delightful for Gagne to spit the bit like that.
Yeah, the Baltimore pen is showing its true colors. Jim Hoey. But then again, Julio Lugo. I'd say the odds are about even, Batman.
I guess everyone here is watching or listening, huh?
Man on 3rd, ONE out!
Sox lose.
Detroit loses.
Cleveland loses.
fait accompli!
TWO great games tonight! I'll sleep well, as soon as I come down off this high.
A DEVASTATING loss.
Down by one, being 2 hit, and score 5 in the 8th... only to see the GREATEST BP ON EARTH blow it.
Devastating.
I feel terrible.
Except the truth is, it will all be about the Patriots.
What 2 New York baseball teams have the exact same record?
He says he was surrounded by screaming Sox fans, which was making the situation unbearable in the eighth, but wonderful in the ninth. I haven't heard from him since the game ended, but I figure he's in seventh heaven now. And I filled him in (via his Blackberry) on the Yankee game.
Well, wasn't THAT a perfect night. NOW I can go to bed! Well, after some Wii time that is...
The tie-breakers are only for situations where both teams would make the play-offs (one getting the WC and the other winning the division).
I remember thinking when we were down 14 games that I just wanted to see the young aces in waiting come up and pitch, Hughes, Chamberlain and Kennedy, and see that there was hope for the future. But to see our young pitchers dominate and to be tied for the wild card lead, I couldn't have imagined.
Jeter busted out of his slump, Melk man continued his hit streak and Joba and Hughes dominate. Couldn't ask for more.
Now if Cash can make a waiver wire deal to get a veteran bullpen arm so Joe doesn't burn Joba out, we're in good shape.
Although, I considered letting Worthless start the ninth so we could get Mo a save.
My thoughts exactly.
I call it the Pavano Theorem.
What are the odds that Farns is on waivers?
Ummm....
Come on everybody. The Padres are smart to get in on Igawa now because he is bound to find his control. Right everyone! Riiight! (waving hands, encouraging the group)
But if/when he passes through waivers, we'd be free to make a trade. And maybe we could swallow some of that salary, if some team was willing to give up a player -- or possibly we could take a player that another team considered over-priced. Juan Pierre! jk,jk.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xgWy6F5rnUI
And Phenom:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MzkNFEr0QwI
Mancrush doubling
360 ,361 What do you mean "percentage" points? it's one permillage point.
"On August 10, 1977, the Yankees were 5 games out in the AL East."
Thanks to Boston's loss last night, on August 10, 2007, the Yankees were 5 games out in the AL East.
Deja vu all over again??? Dare to dream, friends!
There are two 21 year-olds in MLB. Two of them pitched for the Yankees last night. (Phil said: "That's a pretty cool thing.")
Joba's got the line down. "Just trying to get the ball over the plate and make 'em swing, keep us in the game, and get the ball to Mo..."
General Manager Brian Cashman would not comment on the report, which cited major league sources, because baseball officials are not allowed to disclose information about waivers. Asked whether he may trade Igawa, Cashman said, 'He might be taking Tuesday's start.'"
OK... I'm putting on my football gear to be prepared for the beating about my head and shoulders I'm about to get.
The $26m posting fee is gone. Right now, we own Iggy for $20m/5. $4m per year. IIRC, in Japan, Iggy was considered a better pitcher then Okajima. Oki is pitching WAY over his head, but at worst, he appears effective. But Iggy has been terrible.
While we have a bunch of talented kids in the wings, between injury and disappointment, you can never have too much pitching. Next year we have 1 slot to fill (or maybe 2 if Andy packs it in) and 2 or 3 slots in 2009. We also have a BP that only has one pitcher we will keep... Mo.
As long as Iggy is in the minors, he doesn't cost us a 'slot' in the starting 25.
Conclusion: If Cash can get something decent in return, dump him.
But if not, it may be worth a year to see if he can contribute. We know the guy has decent stuff, but his 'style' does not work in MLB. I certainly won't miss him if he's gone, but from a purely business perspective, and keeping Japanese business in mind, and a buddy for Matsui, I don't think GIVING him away is smart.
Maybe it's location. Maybe it's another pitch. Maybe it's just his head... or the sunglasses. He may be one adjustment away from league average. Who knows, maybe slightly better. He can be an innings eating. Maybe a long man out of the BP.
A trade for something in return? Do it! Just dump him to be rid of him? I'm not so sure.
Wang Pettitte Hughes Chamberlain is looking like a strong top 4, but another lefty would be sweet. I'm curious as to what they will do with Mussina next year. Plus with Kennedy waiting just off stage right, the Yankees staff is in good position. The As had their big three, do the Yankees have their big 5?
399 "I'm for trading him, but only if we get value in return."
I agree. IF we get value. But simply dumping him seems to be a 'knee-jerk' move.
Personally, I think it's partially an ego thing. The guy was a stud in Japan and a Dud over here. Demoted to the minors. The Japanese are very big on 'duty' and 'honor'. I think he is both humbled and embarassed.
Remember the other Matsui? Total Dud for the Mets. Kazuo is now starting for Colorado, with a .300 BA (OKish) and a .780ish OPS. (Yes, It's Colorado, but still...)
Hedging your bets on whether Iggy gets better should be left to someone who actually needs him (apparently, SD). We only need him for one game, if that. If his stocks rise after that, all the better. If not, he only takes up space and you waste a chance to stock up on position prospects (or chips to get some).
I think the simple thing with Iggy is: if we trade him to SD, he's in another league so if he somehow gets "good," it won't really matter as much, PLUS, we have more than enough pitching depth to cover. So much, in fact, that Cashman will probably need to make a trade in the off season to free up some AAA spots. I suspect some combo of Karstens/Rasner/White/Clippard/Wright/
DeSalvo/Marquez to be traded in a package for, well, something, no? All of those guys PLUS Horne/Kennedy/Sanchez can't pitch at AAA and probably won't get much out of AA. At most the big league club can carry 3 or 4 of them, but thats pushing it...
I'm assuming that the Yankees would call someone up (maybe a bullpen arm) for those 4 games and then replace that someone with a starter for Tuesday. I haven't seen one word about this, and I've been looking around for it.
So I'm asking who is filling that roster spot for the other 4 games roger misses.
I still think Igawa can be fixed. His stuff is good and location can be repaired, especially since he was a control pitcher in Japan.
Maybe they aren't announcing who the pitcher taking Clemens spot is because they're trying to keep the hoopla down when yet another big time pitching prospect gets the start.
"Catcher Jorge Posada did not start Friday because of a sore neck. Posada has been uncomfortable for a few days, but the condition did not improve as much as hoped.
Joe Torre said that first baseman Andy Phillips was nursing a knee injury after catching his spikes in a seam in the artificial turf in Toronto this week."
Hafner looks to out for the next 2 games, although he can PH.
I agree that Iggy has very little upside and we are pitching rich now. But unlike Farns, he is not hurting the team, and while $4m is not peanuts, it's not a great burden.
Also, if he manages to string together a few decent games in the future, he actually becomes decent trade bait.
I don't care that much, I just don't think there is any good reason to simply give him away.
Prove me wrong Brian.
I know, it's been said before, I felt like saying it again.
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