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Kansas City Royals
2008-04-08 10:38
by Cliff Corcoran

Kansas City Royals

2007 Record: 69-93 (.426)
2007 Pythagorean Record: 73-89 (.452)

Manager: Trey Hillman
General Manager: Dayton Moore

Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): Kauffman Stadium (103/104)

Who's Replacing Whom:

Jose Guillen replaces Emil Brown and Shane Costa (minors)
Alberto Callaspo replaces Jason Smith
Miguel Olivo replaces Jason LaRue
Billy Butler takes over Mike Sweeney's playing time
Ross Gload takes over the playing time of Ryan Shealy (minors)
Zack Greinke takes over the starts of Kyle Davies (minors)
John Bale takes over the starts of Odalis Perez and Billy Buckner
Brett Tomko replaces Jorge de la Rosa (minors) and Scott Elarton
Joakim Soria takes over Octavio Dotel's save opportunities
Yasuhiko Yabuta replaces David Riske
Ron Mahay replaces John Bale's relief innings
Ramon Ramirez replaces Joel Peralta (minors)
Hideo Nomo replaces Brandon Duckworth (minors)

25-man Roster:

1B - Ross Gload (L)
2B - Mark Grudzielanek (R)
SS - Tony Peña Jr. (R)
3B - Alex Gordon (L)
C - John Buck (R)
RF - Jose Guillen (R)
CF - Joey Gathright (L)
LF - Mark Teahen (L)
DH - Billy Butler (R)

Bench:

R - Esteban German (IF)
S - Alberto Callaspo (IF)
R - Miguel Olivo (C)
L - David DeJesus* (OF)

Rotation:

R - Gil Meche
R - Brian Bannister
R - Zack Greinke
L - John Bale
R - Brett Tomko

Bullpen:

R - Joakim Soria
R - Leo Nuñez
R - Yasuhiko Yabuta
L - Ron Mahay
L - Jimmy Gobble
R - Ramon Ramirez
R - Hideo Nomo

15-day DL: R - Luke Hudson

*DeJesus sprained his ankle on Opening Day and hasn't played since.

Lineup:

L - Joey Gathright (CF)
R - Mark Grudzielanek (2B)
L - Alex Gordon (3B)
R - Jose Guillen (RF)
R - Billy Butler (DH)
L - Mark Teahen (LF)
L - Ross Gload (1B)
R - John Buck (C)
R - Tony Peña Jr. (SS)

For all the talk about how the Royals are finally headed in the right direction under the stewardship of Dayton Moore, and they are, only two teams in all of baseball lost more games than Kansas City last year (Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh). This year the Royals are off to a solid 4-2 start under new manager Trey Hillman, but their season-opening three-game sweep of the Tigers looks less impressive now that Detroit is 0-6. As much as the Royals do indeed seem to be making smarter decisions--hiring highly-regarded first-time manager Hillman out of the Japanese leagues rather than going with another retread such as Buddy Bell, giving their top prospects an opportunity to succeed in the majors as soon as they're ready, putting players in roles in which they can succeed rather than hoping they'll become something they aren't--there's still not a lot here. Only two teams (the Expos/Nationals and Brewers) have had longer playoff droughts than the Royals, who haven't participated in the postseason since their championship season of 1985, and I only see a handful of players on the above roster who are likely to be a part of the next Royals' playoff team.

Twenty-four-year-old third baseman Alex Gordon and 22-year-old DH Billy Butler are already hitting in the heart of the lineup and are the offensive core around which the Royals hope to build. Zack Greinke, who starts against Ian Kennedy tomorrow, is still just 24 and, after missing nearly all of 2006 due to emotional problems, posted a 2.26 ERA with 69 Ks over his final 71 2/3 innings of last season, which encompassed 26 relief outings and seven starts. Closer Joakim Soria, a Rule 5 jackpot from a year ago, is also just 24 and posted a 2.48 ERA while striking out 75 in 69 innings last year. If the Royals do return to the postseason in the first half of the next decade, these are the players who will get them there.

Players with an outside chance to participate in the next Kansas City playoff berth are staring pitchers Gil Meche, who is in year two of his five-year deal, and 27-year-old Brian Bannister, who faces Phil Hughes in this afternoon's home opener, reliever Leo Nuñez, who at 24 is hoping to emerge as Soria's fireballing setup man, and 25-year-old second baseman-in-waiting Alberto Callaspo, who is a career .317/.370/.437 hitter in the minor leagues, but is on his third organization in four years.

The rest of the above roster is here just to keep things afloat, the fans interested, and perhaps allow the team to win enough to convince a few free agents to sign on for the coming seasons. The good news is the eight players I mentioned above are all quite compelling. Bannister, who is surely the least talented of the bunch, may actually be the most interesting. From his player comment in Baseball Prospectus 2008:

Bannister is a cum laude graduate of USC . . . While on the DL with the Mets in 2006, he made several appearances on the Mets' post-game show as an analyst, even though he had made all of eight career major league appearances. He owns a photography studio and his work has appeared in the New York Times. In Gil Meche's words "I have never met a guy as smart as him in baseball."

The comment goes on to say that "intelligence may have split the atom and put a man on the moon, but it can't sustain a .264 BABIP," meaning that batting averages on balls in play naturally correct toward the league average (about .300), thus Bannister is set up for a fall after his hit-lucky debut season with the Royals.

Here's where Bannister really gets interesting: he's out to prove BP wrong about that. As first discussed in part three of this January interview with Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors, Bannister not only knows what BABIP is and what his 2007 mark suggests for his performance this season, but he's digging deeper into his own stats in order to find a way to sustain that abnormally low BABIP. From that interview:

Because I don't have enough of a sample size yet (service time), I don't claim to be able to beat the .300 average year in and year out at the Major League level. However, I also don't feel that every pitcher is hopelessly bound to that .300 number for his career if he takes some steps to improve his odds--which is what pitching is all about.

Bannister continues in considerable detail to say that he believes the key to his success is getting ahead in the count and forcing batters to swing at his curveball in two-strike counts.

One might think that by having stated his strategy so plainly, Bannister might have undermined his own efforts by letting hitters know what he's up to, but the Tigers didn't appear to have been tipped off in his first start. They managed just two hits and no walks against him over seven innings. Bannister faced 22 batters in that game and his first pitch to 15 of them was either a strike or put in play (the one time that first pitch was put in play, it was a fly out). He got to 0-2 or 1-2 counts 11 times, and retired the batter on that pitch five times (two by strikeout, three on balls in play). The two hits he allowed came on 2-1 and 1-1 counts. Tigers' skipper Jim Leyland raved about Bannister's location after the game.

Yankees approach today thus becomes clear: Be aggressive and look for that curve when you fall behind in the count. Incidentally, the Yanks broke Bannister in his only prior start against them, which took place last September in the Bronx. They scored seven runs on seven hits and three walks in his five innings in that game. Included among those hits were a pair of homers by Alex Rodriguez and a third by Johnny Damon. In that game, Bannister threw first-pitch strikes to 14 of the 24 men he faced, but only seven of those men were retired (including one first-pitch fly out). All three homers came in 3-1 counts.

As for Phil Hughes, his only previous start against the Royals came at the Stadium in his first outing after coming off the DL last August. He was hit pretty hard in that game, but that was likely to happen regardless of the opponent. Hughes was sharp in his season debut against the Blue Jays last week, getting 11 of his 18 outs via groundball or strikeout, allowing just five baserunners in six innings, and needing just 87 pitches to get through six full. Here's hoping he builds on that today and gets the win for his efforts. Weather permitting, of course.

Jason Giambi is back at first base today, and Shelley Duncan is back on the bench having served his suspension. Wilson Betemit starts at shortstop with Robinson Cano moving into the number-two spot in the lineup. The hot-hitting Hideki Matsui remains in the fifth spot despite Giambi's return, and Jorge Posada is back behind the plate and hitting sixth.

Comments (336)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-04-08 11:42:18
1.   JL25and3
[/i]
2008-04-08 11:43:32
2.   JL25and3
Darn. Fixed already.

I had seen that interview, and thought it was great. It's rare to hear a ballplayer think and speak as clearly as that.

2008-04-08 11:44:08
3.   cult of basebaal
YAY!

also ... today is the first day i'm working from home AND have MLB.tv ... so ... i'll be watching the game AND getting paid

DOUBLE YAY!!!

2008-04-08 11:51:55
4.   ms october
thanks cliff - these beginning of the series write-ups are great and very handy.

for those hoping for robby in the 2 hole, wish granted.

and more shout-outs for alex - today in buster olney's chat:

Craig, Seattle: Very copout-ish. Yes or no, bloggers as a whole aren't any worse than writers? There's a bunch of crap from both groups, but there are still smart, interesting, though-provoking work from each as well, and lumping all bloggers into a group of guys sitting in their underwear in mom's basement is as ignorant as it gets.

Buster Olney: Craig: Cop out? On what? I like good writing. I have all of Bill james's books, I think Roger Angell's stuff on baseball is excellent, I enjoy Alex Belth's stuff... I don't get the obsession with defining each group like it's a species, and I think that there's way too much brain power spent worrying about crap like that. "Is he really a blogger, or not?" Who cares? I just enjoy good work.

2008-04-08 11:56:17
5.   Sliced Bread
oh, I was very much enjoying Cliff's compelling, and thorough preview until I hit the dreaded words, "weather permitting."
Let's go weather! clap, clap, clap-clap-clap

re: the Royals, I sorta look forward to the Yanks re-newing their rivarly with K.C. from back in the day, one of these years. But this evening, I'm more looking forward to a strong start by Big Shoes Hughes, and a lotta noise from the Yankee bats.

2008-04-08 12:05:57
6.   Rob Middletown CT
Cano's been hitting the ball hard and hasn't had much to show for it. I think he ropes some doubles today. Come on, Robbie!

I hope Betemit can make contact today.

2008-04-08 12:20:04
7.   Zack
I have both Gordon and Butler on my fantasy team, which kind of scares me in some ways, but both of them can flat out rake. Butler in that Travis Hafner/Cecil Fielder not so slim kind of way...
2008-04-08 12:34:34
8.   SF Yanks
Wow, if it wasn't for Cliff I would have missed this game. I did not know it was an afternoon game. Imagine you are waiting 4 hours for a game to start then Boom! you only have one hour to go. It's a beautiful thing...that is, of course...if the game gets played!! Anyone living in Kansas who has some info?
2008-04-08 12:35:50
9.   SF Yanks
I thought the Yanks bats were cold... what's up with Detroit's?
2008-04-08 12:39:31
10.   OldYanksFan
Boston looks like they will keep Detroit's 'perfect' record intact.

Last year, the AL had an OPS of .760.
So far, only 4 of 14 AL teams have an OPS of .760 or above, so it appears nobody is enjoying the cold weather.

Detroit is 10th in OPS, we are 9th.

2008-04-08 12:41:56
11.   Cliff Corcoran
From Pete Abe: "Joe Girardi told us that Jeter will not play in this series and the hope is that he will be able to play "sometime" in the Boston series.

They're going forward with Betemit at SS and haven't discussed the idea of using A-Rod."

2008-04-08 12:47:12
12.   Sliced Bread
11 I imagine there had to be some discussion, even something as short as this:

Cashman: A-Rod to short... a possibility, no, yes, maybe?
Girardi: Who tells Jeets?
(awkward silence)
Cashman: Betemit it is then.
Girardi: Right.
Cashman: and we didn't discuss this.
Girardi: Discuss what?
Cashman: Precisely.

2008-04-08 12:48:02
13.   thelarmis
3 cult - did you get a new gig in January? is your email addy still active?

i really enjoyed the 3-part Bannister Q&A at mlbtraderumors this offseason. in fact, the only reading i enjoyed more was our own Alex Belth's amazing piece on Ray Negro. that was just awesome! the yahoo article on Banny was cool, too. that said, i sure hope a-rod hits 2 more bombs off him today : )

2008-04-08 12:49:58
14.   tommyl
12 LOL. Never go against the family again.
2008-04-08 12:49:59
15.   Rob Middletown CT
Heh. I really hope not, but yeah, one gets that feeling...

So Jeter figures to be out for ~5 games. During one of the (if not THE) most difficult parts of the season for the Yanks. Oof.

Contact, Wilson. Contact.

2008-04-08 12:51:13
16.   tommyl
13 I'd throw some of Cliff's work in too. His spring training preview and analysis and nearly every single series profile and wrap is just incredible writing and analysis.

Also the Lesson of Stevie Hearsay is still one of the best pieces I've ever read on baseball.

2008-04-08 12:52:25
17.   thelarmis
11 12 huh, nomaas linked a NY Post article from George King today. it said the following:

GM Brian Cashman, asked this morning if Rodriguez was a candidate to fill in for Jeter, said, "Oh, yeah. We talked about that this winter, if (time Jeter would miss) would be extensive. It wouldn't be a short-term thing."

Cashman, speaking from his office in New York, said he hadn't talked to Rodriguez about moving to shortstop, but said manager Joe Girardi has.

http://tinyurl.com/5qkuvg

2008-04-08 12:52:49
18.   Mattpat11
I'm ready for a fine outing from Prince Phillip and his offense.
2008-04-08 12:53:49
19.   thelarmis
16 well, of course, that goes without saying! i was just talking about a coupla specific pieces this offseason. cliff's team profiles are my very favorite things to read in-season! : )
2008-04-08 12:55:02
20.   tommyl
Once the game starts I'll be vanished from here. DVRing it to watch after my beer league soccer game tonight!
2008-04-08 12:59:16
21.   Zack
Wow, for "the greatest offense in the history of baseball," those sure are some ugly ugly averages...

Nothing like a return to the cozy confines of Fenway to spark the Sox offense.

Did anyone else notice all the Sox players bitching about the Japan trip, yet nobody but NoMaas has taken Theo to task for his comments about Moose?

2008-04-08 13:00:00
22.   tommyl
21 I feel bad for NoMaas. Without Torre around, they've lost their muse.
2008-04-08 13:01:04
23.   Mattpat11
21 I expect a Theo radio interview where he calls the Sox bitchers and bad apples
2008-04-08 13:02:06
24.   Rob Middletown CT
Indeed. Mike & the Mad Dog should invite him in.
2008-04-08 13:02:16
25.   Zack
22 Hey, they can continue to bash Torre if they want. Case in point, Proctor has appeared in 3 games and pitched 4 innings to an almost 10 ERA :)
2008-04-08 13:02:41
26.   cult of basebaal
13 hey eric! no ... they changed their mind and decided to keep me ... even better, i'm going to be able to work from home ... save on gas AND laundry!
2008-04-08 13:03:05
27.   Zack
24 They'd probably spend their time asking him to conclude that Joba MUST be the 8th inning guy...
2008-04-08 13:03:08
28.   cult of basebaal
anyway ... let's get this one started!
2008-04-08 13:06:23
29.   tommyl
25 And played Juan Pierre over Ethier and Kemp. Now that is shooting yourself in the foot. Someone should tell him that Juan Pierre is not actually Bernie Williams or Ruben Sierra.
2008-04-08 13:06:56
30.   mehmattski
Oh goodie, FSN Kansas City!

I'm a big Bannister fan for the reasons already discussed. Not today though. I wouldn't mind a 3-0 Yankees win though.

2008-04-08 13:08:31
31.   tommyl
30 You mean a 1-0 Yankees win, with the run coming off an A-Rod solo shot in the 9th to back up a perfect game by Hughes isn't good enough? ;)
2008-04-08 13:09:44
32.   thelarmis
26 nice, stuart, congrats on the job! does that mean you'll visit atlanta again this summer on a business trip? if you have the same email addy, i'll send you one soon, catch you up on things...

toaster is slow and all funky looking. happened to pete abe's blog too, so it may very well be my little laptop...

2008-04-08 13:10:13
33.   rbj
Nerts, 4:10 start, looks like I'll be missing most of this game. Be a shame if Hughes threw a no hitter.
2008-04-08 13:12:59
34.   Zack
hmm, the KC feed is quite crappy quality...
2008-04-08 13:13:18
35.   Mattpat11
Where was ball 3?
2008-04-08 13:13:22
36.   mehmattski
Well, so much for that pinpoint control and getting ahead of hitters for Bannister...
2008-04-08 13:14:51
37.   Sliced Bread
34 yeah, what the fuzz?
2008-04-08 13:15:31
38.   Zack
Well, theres that 2 strike curve ball. So much for that
2008-04-08 13:15:52
39.   cult of basebaal
32 not sure, things are still very much in flux, things are odd when your company cuts 50% of the workforce but then gives anyone who's left 4 bonuses in a year ... anyway shoot me an email and we'll catch up off line ...

meanwhile, robbie continues his lousy start

2008-04-08 13:17:11
40.   Mattpat11
Dang
2008-04-08 13:17:29
41.   Yankees Brasil
This offense...
2008-04-08 13:20:56
42.   Zack
Hughes doesn't seem to have control at this early stage
2008-04-08 13:21:03
43.   OldYanksFan
Cano always seems to be on the verge of hitting .350.
Cano always seems to be on the verge of hitting .250.
2008-04-08 13:22:10
44.   Zack
Ugh
2008-04-08 13:22:21
45.   mehmattski
It should be noted that the temperature at first pitch is actually colder today than Hughes' first start in the Bronx.
2008-04-08 13:23:05
46.   Yankees Brasil
Horrible throw Jorge, ugly.
2008-04-08 13:24:16
47.   Zack
This has the potential to be a very annoying first run...
2008-04-08 13:24:51
48.   Zack
Hughes does seem to blow on his hands more than others--granted hes gotten two damn cold starts--but it really must bother him.
2008-04-08 13:26:49
49.   mehmattski
Phil is all over the place today. Get it together, kid!
2008-04-08 13:27:16
50.   Rob Middletown CT
Come on, Phil.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-04-08 13:27:59
51.   Yankees Brasil
This ump has a really tight strike zone.
2008-04-08 13:28:27
52.   Zack
Nice curve by Hughes
2008-04-08 13:28:38
53.   Zack
Or perhaps, maybe just a lucky curve
2008-04-08 13:29:35
54.   mehmattski
53 Other than the one he threw for a strike, the curve has not been there so far today. Neither has the fastball control, either...
2008-04-08 13:30:14
55.   Shaun P
Hmm, Mark Wegner so far calls a much better strike zone than any of the Barksdale bunch from the TB series. 1st pitch to Butler was a strike over the weekend.
2008-04-08 13:30:29
56.   Shaun P
Hmm, Mark Wegner so far calls a much better strike zone than any of the Barksdale bunch from the TB series. 1st pitch to Butler was a strike over the weekend.
2008-04-08 13:30:31
57.   Zack
Woah, talk about small strike zones
2008-04-08 13:31:23
58.   Zack
Ok, those last two pitches seem like they should have been reversed...The first looked like more of a strike than the 2nd
2008-04-08 13:31:35
59.   mehmattski
Phil even missed his spot on the strikeout pitch to Butler.
2008-04-08 13:31:35
60.   Shaun P
That a way, Hughes! (sorry for the double post, no clue what happened; I only hit submit once)
2008-04-08 13:32:17
61.   Rob Middletown CT
Well, he didn't let it become a bad inning. Gave up 1 run, but worked out of it. Hopefully his command improves as the game goes on.

GameCenter is clocking him at 91-92 on the fastball.

2008-04-08 13:33:33
62.   Mattpat11
All things considered, not bad.
2008-04-08 13:34:52
63.   Yankees Brasil
Phil didn't get that call.
2008-04-08 13:37:12
64.   SF Yanks
Keep fouling em off Matti, make em throw.
2008-04-08 13:38:00
65.   Rob Middletown CT
Damn.
2008-04-08 13:38:07
66.   Shaun P
63 Yeesh, that last pitch to A-Rod was definitely out of the zone. Only 'bad' call I've seen so far (according to Gameday).
2008-04-08 13:38:11
67.   Mattpat11
That ball looked like a potential double, but then started moving like it was underwater
2008-04-08 13:38:50
68.   Rob Middletown CT
Did Jorge just take two 89mph fastballs down the middle?
2008-04-08 13:39:15
69.   Yankees Brasil
That's it Jorge, nice hit.
2008-04-08 13:39:22
70.   Mattpat11
The first hit of the game always makes me feel good. No matter what else happens, at least we aren't no hit.
2008-04-08 13:39:22
71.   Rob Middletown CT
Ah, I see. He was waiting for the 86mph one. Silly me.
2008-04-08 13:40:36
72.   Shaun P
66 Scratch that - first pitch to Posada, same place, again a strike.

We'll never find out, but I wonder how well Gameday's data and the Questec system match up?

2008-04-08 13:42:01
73.   Rob Middletown CT
Right, then. So, like I was saying before. Contact, Wilson! Make contact.
2008-04-08 13:42:34
74.   Mattpat11
Speedsters on base there.
2008-04-08 13:42:43
75.   Zack
Woah, Jorge, how about a slide there? Nice hit, Wilson!
2008-04-08 13:42:59
76.   SF Yanks
Ohhh Posada... what was that? I'll still take it though.
2008-04-08 13:43:02
77.   Mattpat11
What an awkward play
2008-04-08 13:43:32
78.   Yankees Brasil
What about a little slide Jorge? Nice anyways.
2008-04-08 13:43:43
79.   Shaun P
73 Ask and ye shall receive!
2008-04-08 13:44:03
80.   Rob Middletown CT
What happened?
2008-04-08 13:44:10
81.   Zack
Clearly the weather is not the pitcher's friend...
2008-04-08 13:44:30
82.   Rob Middletown CT
Sweet! Basehit here, Melky! Basehit!
2008-04-08 13:45:02
83.   Mattpat11
Come on Johnny
2008-04-08 13:45:17
84.   Shaun P
Bannister's lost the plate; I hope Damon goes up there with that in mind.
2008-04-08 13:45:33
85.   Rob Middletown CT
Or not. I'll take the 4-pitch walk, though. Ok, Sampson. Get a hit.
2008-04-08 13:45:45
86.   Zack
80 If you are referring to the Jorge play, the throw was slow and up the line, but Jorge had slowed down I guess expecting no play at all, and the catcher was able to get the throw and make it back to the plate almost in time to tag Jorge, who sort of tapped his foot on the plate in an awkward tiptoe...
2008-04-08 13:46:33
87.   cult of basebaal
damn that 2nd pitch looked nice on gameday
2008-04-08 13:46:37
88.   Rob Middletown CT
Oh, thanks. All I have is the dry "single to right, Posada scores..."
2008-04-08 13:46:37
89.   SF Yanks
At the very least, they made Bannister throw a ton of pitches.
2008-04-08 13:46:40
90.   Mattpat11
86 Everyone involved was sort of awkward.
2008-04-08 13:47:34
91.   Mattpat11
That was ball four
2008-04-08 13:48:05
92.   Mattpat11
So was that.

I'll take it.

2008-04-08 13:48:34
93.   SF Yanks
Blow it open Robbie.
2008-04-08 13:48:57
94.   Rob Middletown CT
Cano with another opportunity to figure out how to hit with the bases loaded...
2008-04-08 13:49:01
95.   Shaun P
87 The 4th one looked like a ball, but the 2nd one looked like a strike on Gameday, as did that last one!

OK Cano - sit and wait for a nice meaty fastball to drive. Another ball!

2008-04-08 13:49:11
96.   Mattpat11
low strike call there
2008-04-08 13:49:45
97.   SF Yanks
52 pitches...
2008-04-08 13:50:17
98.   Mattpat11
bullpen warming
2008-04-08 13:50:34
99.   Shaun P
97 I wonder how KC's front end of the pen is this year? We're going to find out soon at this rate.
2008-04-08 13:50:56
100.   SF Yanks
Right down the pipe.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-04-08 13:51:12
101.   Zack
Wow, Bannister just totally lost the plate that inning and we failed to take advantage. Now a long layoff and crap weather for Phil, lets see how he responds...
2008-04-08 13:51:13
102.   Rob Middletown CT
Please tell me he at least swung at a strike?
2008-04-08 13:51:14
103.   Mattpat11
oof.
2008-04-08 13:52:11
104.   Mattpat11
102 Looked like it was a strike to me.
2008-04-08 13:52:20
105.   Zack
Wow, Detroit really sucks
2008-04-08 13:52:29
106.   Yankees Brasil
We should have got a litle more out of this inning.
2008-04-08 13:52:49
107.   Rob Middletown CT
Thanks. Baby steps (better than last year, when it would have been a wild swing at a pitch that was eye-high).
2008-04-08 13:53:15
108.   Shaun P
102 Yes, the pitch he struck out on. Ugh. Still, 54 pitches for Bannister through 2 innings, 27 strikes. And the middle of the order up for the 3rd . . .
2008-04-08 13:53:20
109.   Mattpat11
Why is singleton surprised that Kennedy is pitching tomorrow?
2008-04-08 13:53:32
110.   Zack
Hey, are team might suck, but we've got a really big HD screen! Come to Kansas City!
2008-04-08 13:54:04
111.   Rob Middletown CT
Yeah, the three guys who are hitting. Hopefully Phil can get them up quickly.
2008-04-08 13:54:22
112.   Zack
Oh good grief.
2008-04-08 13:54:27
113.   Mattpat11
Oh Bobby.
2008-04-08 13:54:38
114.   SF Yanks
Very nice Abre-oops!
2008-04-08 13:54:38
115.   mehmattski
Geez, Bobby, get your body in front of the ball. I learned that in second grade.
2008-04-08 13:54:44
116.   Yankees Brasil
Bobby, so careless.
2008-04-08 13:55:19
117.   Rob Middletown CT
Ok, how exactly do I hyperlink to someone's post like you all do? For some reason, I can't figure it out.
2008-04-08 13:55:45
118.   Rob Middletown CT
Oy. That's EXACTLY what Phil needs, Bobby. Well done.
2008-04-08 13:55:51
119.   Zack
117 Put it in brackets...
2008-04-08 13:55:54
120.   Mattpat11
117 [the number]
2008-04-08 13:56:21
121.   Zack
Yeah, team not really helping Phil out very much in the field his two starts
2008-04-08 13:56:51
122.   Rob Middletown CT
[119, 120] Silly me. I was trying these instead. Dunno where I got that idea.

Thanks.

2008-04-08 13:56:55
123.   SF Yanks
So if the run scores on a single, is it considered an earned run because of Abreoop's error?
2008-04-08 13:57:09
124.   Shaun P
A K would be useful here . . .
2008-04-08 13:57:09
125.   Rob Middletown CT
Bah. I am so smart. SMRT.
2008-04-08 13:57:45
126.   SF Yanks
or a sac fly?
2008-04-08 13:58:15
127.   OldYanksFan
I like that Giambi is aggressive, but that's not the first time he took Cano's ball.
2008-04-08 13:58:20
128.   Zack
Is the wind just forcing everything into slow mo? Every throw and ball hit to the outfield seems to be pushing through molasses...
2008-04-08 13:58:45
129.   Rob Middletown CT
Well, Gameday says 2ER for Phil. Yay, Yankee defense!
2008-04-08 13:59:06
130.   SF Yanks
123 126 The answer is no.
2008-04-08 13:59:08
131.   Shaun P
Crud.

123 Since it was a sac fly, and Gordon wouldn't have been on 3rd if not for Abreu's error, my guess is its unearned.

2008-04-08 13:59:16
132.   Zack
Perhaps the Yanks could take some lessons from the Royals on getting runners home in scoring position...
2008-04-08 13:59:42
133.   SF Yanks
129 I have 1ER on gameday.
2008-04-08 13:59:49
134.   OldYanksFan
Did Bobby get an error? If so, is the run UNearned (so far)?
2008-04-08 13:59:53
135.   mehmattski
126 It's an unearned run, because the runner would, likely, not have been at third base without the error. A single would have been more iffy, and would have depended on what else happened in the inning.

Man, earned run average is pretty stupid...

2008-04-08 14:00:35
136.   Rob Middletown CT
Don't walk Tony Pena. Please.
2008-04-08 14:00:36
137.   Mattpat11
Don't walk Tony Pena.
2008-04-08 14:00:37
138.   dianagramr
Tigers are REALLY in trouble .... Polanco's record errorless streak ended today at 186 games and 911 total chances.

Sound the alarms.

2008-04-08 14:01:17
139.   Zack
Is Coney doing the game with Singleton? How is he, I'm stuck with the KC feed?
2008-04-08 14:01:19
140.   Shaun P
135 Yep. Try explaining it to someone who hasn't been a baseball fan since they were a little kid.

Wins by a pitcher seem even dumber in that situation. My wife still can't get over how stupid wins are.

2008-04-08 14:01:31
141.   Rob Middletown CT
Goddamnit.
2008-04-08 14:01:32
142.   Mattpat11
ohforchristsakes
2008-04-08 14:01:56
143.   Zack
I would hazzard a guess that neither pitcher is enjoying the weather very much
2008-04-08 14:02:29
144.   dianagramr
Tigers are REALLY in trouble .... Polanco's record errorless streak ended today at 186 games and 911 total chances.

Sound the alarms.

2008-04-08 14:02:49
145.   Zack
I always found it frustrating that a pitcher could lose a game despite not giving up any ERs...

Oh good lord, this team is NOT helping out the pitcher today!

2008-04-08 14:02:58
146.   Mattpat11
keystone kops.
2008-04-08 14:03:03
147.   dianagramr
144

oops .... sorry bout the double-post ...

2008-04-08 14:03:11
148.   SF Yanks
Geez...US... Christ! Catch the effing ball!
2008-04-08 14:03:47
149.   mehmattski
140 Ironically, it was sports writers who invented stats like ERA and RBI, to give a better estimate of how players had performed. Today's mainstream sportswriters, on the other hand, are intent on mostly ignoring more accurate measurements of performance.
2008-04-08 14:04:25
150.   Rob Middletown CT
Sigh.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2008-04-08 14:04:35
151.   Yankees Brasil
That was strike three. And oh my God betemit what is wrong with you? When you finally get a hit you gotta do something wrong on the field to compensate?
2008-04-08 14:05:27
152.   SF Yanks
This is extremely frustrating, and it's only the 2nd inning.
2008-04-08 14:05:49
153.   Zack
This has the makings of an ugly, early BP game. Neither pitcher can control any of their pitches right now...
2008-04-08 14:06:35
154.   Yankees Brasil
Hughes is not even close with his pitches right now.
2008-04-08 14:06:36
155.   Shaun P
So much for Tony Pena taking home the DiSar this year.

C'mon Phil, settle down!

2008-04-08 14:06:50
156.   pistolpete
Jesus Hughes is working WAY too hard.
2008-04-08 14:06:51
157.   Mattpat11
Grudzielanek is going to have 2000 hits?
2008-04-08 14:07:16
158.   OldYanksFan
ESPN has the run as UNearned.
During the 7th inning stretch at Fenway, God Bless America is sung by Steve Tyle (with a few harp riffs). What? Is Kate Smith dead or something?

If Kate Smith weren't already dead, my guess is there are millions by now, who would like to kill her. Yankees REALLY need to do something their 7th inning stretch.

2008-04-08 14:07:38
159.   Rob Middletown CT
Well, I'm off home. I get to listen to this unfolding gem on the radio for a while. Yay.
2008-04-08 14:07:46
160.   Shaun P
A mound visit - please tell me Eiland is going out to the mound. Or Posada. Or one of the IFs. Please.
2008-04-08 14:08:58
161.   Zack
160 It was a coaching visit, if you were worried about a trainer visit...
2008-04-08 14:09:29
162.   Yankees Brasil
We will be lucky if Phil gets us to the 5th
2008-04-08 14:09:32
163.   SF Yanks
Phil needs to stick with the off-speed stuff right now, he cannot locate his fastball at all. Nor did he locate that curve very well...
2008-04-08 14:09:40
164.   pistolpete
Just.

End.

This.

Already.

2008-04-08 14:10:38
165.   dianagramr
158

Sox had Buckner, who let the famous ball get through his legs, throw out the opening pitch. So it figures that Tyler, who seems to know something about "between the legs", gets to sing during the 7th inning stretch ...

2008-04-08 14:10:47
166.   SF Yanks
Just like Bannister's inning...
2008-04-08 14:10:50
167.   Zack
Wow, was that freaking lucky
2008-04-08 14:10:52
168.   pistolpete
K!
2008-04-08 14:11:21
169.   Mattpat11
That was ball four too. Good thing he swung
2008-04-08 14:11:43
170.   Yankees Brasil
Phew. Thank you Teahen
2008-04-08 14:13:05
171.   OldYanksFan
I guess that run is Earned now.
2008-04-08 14:13:49
172.   OldYanksFan
Phil has balls. Refused to give in with a fat pitch there.
2008-04-08 14:15:15
173.   OldYanksFan
Just reported that after this game, Japan will name a province after Dice-K.
2008-04-08 14:15:50
174.   mehmattski
171 Yep, all the walks means that Gordon "would have scored anyway." What a dumb way to measure pitching success.
2008-04-08 14:16:33
175.   Zack
Oh geez, now the announcer is saying that A-Rod can't hit in the PS.
2008-04-08 14:16:35
176.   SF Yanks
171 That's stupid. I wonder why.
2008-04-08 14:16:46
177.   Eirias
Oh Abreu... he is really taking the phrase "contract year" to heart, no?
2008-04-08 14:17:01
178.   Mattpat11
172 Thats one way of looking at it.
2008-04-08 14:17:34
179.   Zack
Wow was that call? This ump has a looooow strike zone and a rather eratic one. Sometimes its tiny, sometimes its huge
2008-04-08 14:17:41
180.   Mattpat11
176 would have scored anyway.
2008-04-08 14:17:48
181.   Yankees Brasil
That's BS again. Phil didn't get calls like that.
2008-04-08 14:17:56
182.   Knuckles
Can't hit w/ the bat on your shoulders...
2008-04-08 14:18:27
183.   Mattpat11
179 The low strike has been called all day. Its probably the only thing consistent.
2008-04-08 14:19:33
184.   mehmattski
183 The issue wasn't that it was low, it's that it was not over the plate.
2008-04-08 14:20:52
185.   Yankees Brasil
183 On Damon's 2nd BB, there were 2 pitches just like that that were called balls (balls 2 and 4)
2008-04-08 14:21:35
186.   Mattpat11
Kay would have started his HR call, despite the CF always having his sights on it.
2008-04-08 14:21:44
187.   OldYanksFan
The pitch was outside as the catcher 'pulled' it in a bit. If the catcher knows it's a strike, he doesn't move his glove after he catches it.
2008-04-08 14:21:53
188.   SF Yanks
184 I thought it was both low AND outside. If not one then the other.
2008-04-08 14:22:32
189.   OldYanksFan
Don't make the 3rd out at 3rd! Bobby?
2008-04-08 14:22:55
190.   Zack
I don't have a problem with a big or small strike zone per se, but when it seems to be all over the place, and swings from really really big to really really small seemingly at will, that pisses me off...
2008-04-08 14:23:27
191.   Yankees Brasil
Once again, no hits with runners in scoring position. This is frustrating.
2008-04-08 14:25:12
192.   SF Yanks
Alright Phil, lets have an efficient inning. Good start.
2008-04-08 14:25:26
193.   Zack
Well, Hughes seems to have Guillen figured out
2008-04-08 14:26:56
194.   Zack
The Royals announcers keep saying that Hughes throws a cut fastball, which as far as I know, he doesn't.
2008-04-08 14:28:37
195.   SF Yanks
Phil needs to mix in his slider and changeup more. Too many fastballs IMO.
2008-04-08 14:29:21
196.   Zack
Wow, that GB just died in the grass
2008-04-08 14:30:03
197.   OldYanksFan
Well, the (about to win the WS) Tigers are now 0-7. While I don't expect to see them finish with a team OPS of around .650, they currently have a team ERA over 5. How much better will that get?
2008-04-08 14:30:06
198.   Yankees Brasil
Nice changeup there.
2008-04-08 14:31:32
199.   Yankees Brasil
Another nice changeup!
2008-04-08 14:32:38
200.   Yankees Brasil
Now if only he could control his curve..
Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2008-04-08 14:32:59
201.   Zack
This game is almost more painful than the Kennedy game. Its not like either team is really crushing the ball--between the wind and timely pitching/bad hitting, this game is just brutal to watch
2008-04-08 14:34:10
202.   Mattpat11
This game is boring as hell.
2008-04-08 14:35:08
203.   SF Yanks
201 Agreed.
2008-04-08 14:35:26
204.   Yankees Brasil
Who's our long man again?
2008-04-08 14:35:49
205.   Zack
Something about two outs in this game means the pitcher suddenly loses control?
2008-04-08 14:36:32
206.   cult of basebaal
man the Phil Hughes Experience is a bit off the rails today
2008-04-08 14:37:01
207.   Zack
Well, he didn't walk Pena this time...

Once again, another torturous inning for both teams

2008-04-08 14:37:20
208.   SF Yanks
Oh thank the lord. I thought that was a for sure 2 run hit.
2008-04-08 14:37:21
209.   Mattpat11
whoo.
2008-04-08 14:37:45
210.   mehmattski
Thanks, Melky.

Combined, 21 runners left on base, through three innings. Eww.

2008-04-08 14:38:06
211.   OldYanksFan
Cold weather and off his game, Phil is struggling. However, this is good life experience for Phil... toughing it out under bad circumstances. And it is somehow still a tied game.
2008-04-08 14:38:39
212.   SF Yanks
Phils at 80 pitches. Does he come out for the 4th? (That's even tough to type)
2008-04-08 14:43:53
213.   Zack
Ok Phil, now you do that!
2008-04-08 14:44:23
214.   Shaun P
212 My guess is yes, with Ohlendorf warming in the pen at the first sign of trouble.
2008-04-08 14:45:15
215.   cult of basebaal
oh joy ... another lovely inning
2008-04-08 14:46:55
216.   OldYanksFan
This game has ARod walkoff HR written all over it.
2008-04-08 14:48:30
217.   Zack
Oh for the love of God. That has to be some record for pathetic attempts at a pitchout
2008-04-08 14:48:42
218.   Mattpat11
Has Wilson caught a ball yet?
2008-04-08 14:48:55
219.   Zack
Joey Gathright is not nearly a good enough player to warrant this
2008-04-08 14:49:54
220.   SF Yanks
My eyes are starting to bleed.
2008-04-08 14:49:56
221.   OldYanksFan
Runner had a HHHUUUGGGEEE jump. No chance.
2008-04-08 14:50:49
222.   Zack
I'm sorry, but Rusty Kuntz is a great great name...
2008-04-08 14:51:36
223.   Zack
This game is headed for official "most annoying game of the year" ranking...
2008-04-08 14:51:41
224.   SF Yanks
I don't want to see Phil throw one more ball for at least a week.
2008-04-08 14:52:07
225.   Mattpat11
That was not in any way a good outing.
2008-04-08 14:52:48
226.   williamnyy23
Very disappointing start for Hughes, especially coming on the heels of Kennedy's poor outing. Not only was the outcome less than pretty, but Hughes stuff looked very ordinary.
2008-04-08 14:53:06
227.   Shaun P
So, I guess KC is going to be running a lot this series, hmm? At least until Pettitte pitches on Thursday . . .

OK Princeton Dorf, time for some outs.

2008-04-08 14:53:43
228.   SF Yanks
Painful on all accounts. I was doing good before the game, now I'm tired and annoyed.
2008-04-08 14:53:56
229.   Yankees Brasil
Gathright: 2 for 2, 3 SB, 2R

Yankees pitching, always a pleasure to face it.

2008-04-08 14:54:16
230.   Shaun P
223 If you didn't know the opponent, you'd think this was a game against Baltimore. Not least because the game is 2 hours old and we aren't through the 4th inning yet!
2008-04-08 14:54:44
231.   Mattpat11
Throw fucking strikes.
2008-04-08 14:56:40
232.   Mattpat11
Well, that closes Hughes' line

3IP 6H 4BB 3R 2K

2008-04-08 14:57:04
233.   Zack
226 I'm not worried. I'll chalk this one up to the weather, especially since Bannister who is a control pitcher was having the same problems. Both of Hughes' starts haven't been above 48 degrees, which is ridiculous.

Unfortunately, there are just going to be games like this for the kids.

Nice work by Rock and Rollendorf...

2008-04-08 14:57:46
234.   Shaun P
231 Or get them to swing at balls.

Nicely done, Ohlendorf!

Now, if the Yanks can just get some offense going . . .

2008-04-08 14:58:32
235.   Zack
Oh gosh those just for men commercials are creepy
2008-04-08 14:58:58
236.   SF Yanks
A win will better my mood however...
2008-04-08 15:00:04
237.   SF Yanks
Loooowwwww...Ugh!
2008-04-08 15:02:28
238.   Zack
i can't watch anymore of this garbage...
2008-04-08 15:02:31
239.   mehmattski
Phil Hughes threw that pitch approximately 20 times today, and I doubt it was ever called a strike. Ugh to the extreme.
2008-04-08 15:02:31
240.   Mattpat11
Is A-Rod trying to prove a point?
2008-04-08 15:02:49
241.   Yankees Brasil
According to gameday, that was a ball.
2008-04-08 15:02:56
242.   Shaun P
Alright, I'm calling BS. That's the third time today that A-Rod has been called out on strikes on an inside pitch no where over the plate. WTF?!
2008-04-08 15:03:38
243.   Shaun P
239 Yep. This ump (Mark Wegner) is something else.
2008-04-08 15:04:00
244.   SF Yanks
228 !
2008-04-08 15:04:14
245.   Mattpat11
Yankees go down without a fight.
2008-04-08 15:04:52
246.   Mattpat11
243 Well, we showed him.
2008-04-08 15:06:57
247.   mehmattski
246 What, exactly, would you suggest? Not only was that pitch not a strike in the traditional view of the strike zone, but it consistently has been called a ball today. Should A-Rod swing at pitches that are out of the strike zone? That doesn't seem like a winning strategy.
2008-04-08 15:09:41
248.   Mattpat11
247 I suggest we take the pitch, guarantee a strike out, and walk off in a huff.

Thats how you score runs.

2008-04-08 15:09:54
249.   Yankees Brasil
Well, we'll get them tomorrow, hopefully.
2008-04-08 15:10:21
250.   mehmattski
248 I suggest you take a look at your logic chip. It's broken.
Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2008-04-08 15:12:05
251.   SF Yanks
I'm done watching this piece...
2008-04-08 15:12:26
252.   williamnyy23
That throw by Damon was a joke...the Yankees are being embarrassed in this game.
2008-04-08 15:12:44
253.   Yankees Brasil
This is just dumb baseball. Why would Damon try to throw to home plate? Did he think he could get the runner? Why not throw it to second base?
2008-04-08 15:16:19
254.   williamnyy23
I am sure a few people will cite the early morning flight into KC, but this game has been so poorly played. You can list at least 5-6 plays that are flat out inexusable.
2008-04-08 15:16:22
255.   Mattpat11
250 So be it. Like I said, we showed him.

I also don't believe this conspiracy that he only called that pitch for Bannister. The three or four times today that Phil Hughes actually hit his spots, he got the call.

2008-04-08 15:17:27
256.   Yankees Brasil
What's that? Gathright out? Didn't know that could happen.
2008-04-08 15:18:22
257.   cult of basebaal
sweet fancy jesus ... i go for a short walk and come back to this?!?!?!?!
2008-04-08 15:24:09
258.   Yankees Brasil
It doesn't matter who the crappy pitcher is, we can't put any offense together.
2008-04-08 15:29:09
259.   Yankees Brasil
Way to go Johnny! You've walked a couple of times today, why would you even consider taking more pitches huh?
2008-04-08 15:29:34
260.   OldYanksFan
255 That pitch is unhittable. ARod could take a dozen swings. If its outside, you can at least lunge for it, but low/inside, under the hands, out of the strike zone?

No way. You can't swing at that. Maybe the ump has a moment of not seeing double. Maybe he has a rule about only calling out a guy on bad pitches once a game. Whatever. Nothing ARod could do there but watch.

2008-04-08 15:31:32
261.   Mattpat11
Hey look. Wilson caught a throw.
2008-04-08 15:32:36
262.   SF Yanks
Silver lining anyone? I'm stumped.
2008-04-08 15:33:53
263.   Mattpat11
260 I agree. Don't try. Take it three times, strikeout three times, and storm off three times.

STICK IT TO THE MAN.

2008-04-08 15:34:18
264.   joe in boston
If this has already been mentioned - I apologize ... but anyone else notice the Yanks NOT being patient at the plate this year ??
2008-04-08 15:34:34
265.   Mattpat11
262 Wilson finally caught a throw.
2008-04-08 15:35:37
266.   Mattpat11
264 They went 0-2 repeatedly on flat fastballs right down the middle against Sonnanstine.
2008-04-08 15:37:02
267.   mehmattski
264 I agree with you. Jeter was especially impatient, seeing like 2.5 pitches/PA before he got injured. The Yankees are a team built around patience and working counts. Not surprising to see them struggle when they deviate from their strength.

Other fans, like mattpat, seem to think that the Yankees are being TOO patient, and that they should swing at any pitch with two strikes, even if it is miles off the plate. Anything, even a double play grounder, is better than striking out swinging!!!!!11!!one!!

2008-04-08 15:37:30
268.   joe in boston
266 ok, sorry - I just got in and turned the game on to see Damon swing at the first pitch ....
2008-04-08 15:37:45
269.   Eirias
Alright Yankees, now would be a good time to assuage the ravening fury I am experiencing while watching this game.
2008-04-08 15:38:29
270.   joe in boston
I always liked the old approach to work the pitcher - get to the bullpen, let the ondeck batter see these pitches, etc
2008-04-08 15:38:40
271.   Mattpat11
268 That was friday.
2008-04-08 15:39:08
272.   mehmattski
267 And by swinging, I clearly mean looking. Striking out looking should be punished with immediate release. Players should have clauses in their contracts allowing them to be voided should they ever strike out looking. Swinging at pitches outside the strike zone is guaranteed to result in a home run, every time.
2008-04-08 15:40:11
273.   Mattpat11
267 I said I agree with you. I'd much rather the hitter not swing at the pitch the umpire keeps calling a strike if he thinks he can prove a point.
2008-04-08 15:40:29
274.   SF Yanks
265 Sweet. I was thinking along the lines of no longer having expectations because they can't hit good OR bad pitching.
2008-04-08 15:42:04
275.   Mattpat11
Oh, good, my next favorite sure to succeed strategy. SIT BREAKING BALL! Nothing can possibly go wrong when you sit breaking ball.
2008-04-08 15:43:06
276.   SF Yanks
Wow, sarcasm bleeding from all directions on the Banter!
2008-04-08 15:46:21
277.   SF Yanks
I swear, ARod has a 4 strikeout game once a year. Get it out of your system now and don't tease us with three K's. Then we have to do this all over again.
2008-04-08 15:46:45
278.   Mattpat11
276 I'm serious. What could possibly go wrong sitting breaking ball? I mean, its not like the guy might throw the hard stuff or anything.
2008-04-08 15:47:35
279.   SF Yanks
FTR, I know ARod has been squeezed today. I'm only kidding (partially).
2008-04-08 15:48:14
280.   weeping for brunnhilde
Whoa, was there some big news today or what?

279 comments already??

In April?

Wow.

2008-04-08 15:48:45
281.   weeping for brunnhilde
Oh my God, the game's on now!

Damn it!

Who knew?

2008-04-08 15:48:54
282.   Just fair
The peak is going to look mighty good after this valley. Sweet jeebus this is ugly.
2008-04-08 15:49:30
283.   Yankees Brasil
If this game was at the Stadium, I think we would've heard some boos.
2008-04-08 15:50:42
284.   Mattpat11
280

The umpires have an agenda against Phil Hughes and Alex Rodriguez.

Also, Wilson Betemit caught a throw.

And now we're sitting breaking ball.

2008-04-08 15:51:14
285.   weeping for brunnhilde
Sigh.

Would someone be so kind as to bring me up to speed re: Hughes?

2008-04-08 15:52:16
286.   cult of basebaal
ok ... i'm like popeye ... i can't stands no more

i think i'd rather do the dishes than watch anymore of this

see ya tomorrow for IPK

2008-04-08 15:52:30
287.   mehmattski
273 You mean the pitch the umpire keeps calling a ball, right? The inside pitch to A-Rod was called a ball many times:

Pitches 1 and 3 to Jose Guillen, first inning
Pitch 1 to John Buck, 3rd inning
Pitch 1 to John Buck, 5th inning

In contrast, I could only find the following times it was called a strike:
Pitch 2 to Grudzeilanek, 4th inning
Pitch 3 to A-Rod, 5th inning

So it wasn't consistently called anything, all game. A-Rod is the only right handed hitter on the Yankees, so he could only have been going based on what he was seeing while in the field, and what he saw was pitches being called both strikes AND balls in that area.

2008-04-08 15:52:51
288.   Mattpat11
285 Awful.
2008-04-08 15:54:49
289.   Eirias
Mattpat11, mehmattski, a question. I've missed the first few threads due to class, so, is this the first big fight we've had this year on BB, logic chips and all? Because now I know the season is in full swing and it makes me rather happy, in a selfish kind of way.
2008-04-08 15:55:58
290.   mehmattski
285 Couldn't locate his fastball (which was sitting between 89 and 92), and his curveball had no bite. The changeup looked good two out of the three times he threw it.
2008-04-08 15:56:44
291.   SF Yanks
289 I'll go with Yes.
2008-04-08 15:58:48
292.   williamnyy23
This is the text book game on what can go wrong for the 2008 Yankees. Hopefully, we don't see too many more of them.
2008-04-08 15:58:50
293.   Mattpat11
what the hell was that?
2008-04-08 15:59:12
294.   SF Yanks
It would take an awful lot to beat this game on the frustration/mind numbing/pitiful/disgusting meter.
2008-04-08 16:00:19
295.   weeping for brunnhilde
290 Eh, that happens.

He'll get 'em next time.

I hope no one's alarmed...

2008-04-08 16:00:58
296.   Mattpat11
289 I get pissy when I see the Yankees start playing like the Keystone Kops. This game is boring as hell to begin with, and I'm seeing them drop balls, miss throws, forget to throw, strike out repeatedly on the same pitch, and sit breaking pitch.
2008-04-08 16:02:00
297.   mehmattski
I thought of another weakness in the plan to put Betemit in for Jeter at shortstop. He's awful as a right handed hitter. But when the Yankees are against a lefty, there's no one to replace him at short. If, instead, A-Rod played short and Betemit played third, Ensberg could platoon with him.

I suppose if Ensberg were ever to pinch hit for Betemit, A-Rod could move over to short for an inning. But what about strong lefty starters?

2008-04-08 16:03:52
298.   williamnyy23
This is kind of a last gasp inning...Soria is approaching lights out.
2008-04-08 16:03:53
299.   SF Yanks
I think I found the silver lining: Eventually it will start turning around. Right? If they can do decent without hitting, imagine what they can do when they DO start hitting. Yeah, I'll go with that one.
2008-04-08 16:06:03
300.   weeping for brunnhilde
Ah, two more K for Betemit, I see...
Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2008-04-08 16:07:03
301.   Yankees Brasil
10th K for Royals pitching. Our offense is THAT good!!
2008-04-08 16:07:05
302.   SF Yanks
I think I found the silver lining: Eventually this will turn around. Right? If they can do decent WITHOUT hitting, imagine what they can do when they DO start hitting. Yeah, I'll go with that one.
2008-04-08 16:07:50
303.   SF Yanks
299 302 Whoops.
2008-04-08 16:08:26
304.   williamnyy23
Looks like this game turned on Cano swinging through an 87mph fastball with the bases loaded in the 2nd. What a shame that Robby still can't figure out April.
2008-04-08 16:08:31
305.   weeping for brunnhilde
Make it three.

Sorry, that's just insupportable, as we say in French.

2008-04-08 16:09:09
306.   Mattpat11
Christ help meif Jeter misses much time. I can't watch that every day.
2008-04-08 16:10:27
307.   Eirias
303 Doubly true.
2008-04-08 16:10:41
308.   SF Yanks
Paging Miguel Cairo... Miguel Cairo please report to the front office.
2008-04-08 16:10:42
309.   weeping for brunnhilde
304 wince

That must have been painful to watch.

2008-04-08 16:10:54
310.   Mattpat11
LETS GO HAWK
2008-04-08 16:11:23
311.   yankee23
Ok, just saw the box. What's up with Hughes? Was it just the 3 earned and 87 pitches through 3? Obviously the offense has shown up...
2008-04-08 16:12:12
312.   mehmattski
304 His career OPS in May is even worse.
2008-04-08 16:12:46
313.   Mattpat11
311 Bad game.
2008-04-08 16:13:10
314.   mehmattski
311 see 290
2008-04-08 16:14:20
315.   SF Yanks
312 Yikes!
2008-04-08 16:16:30
316.   Mattpat11
Molina is going to kill Giambi.
2008-04-08 16:16:33
317.   SF Yanks
Giambi looks like a lost boy out there.
2008-04-08 16:19:33
318.   Mattpat11
There ya go Hawk.
2008-04-08 16:21:29
319.   mehmattski
302 Here's some data to support your silver lining. Currently the Yankees BABIP (Batting Average on Balls in Play, doesn't include strikeouts or homers) is just .285. Now, that's not tremendously below average, but keep in mind it's driven way up by Abreu (.500), Matsui (.438), and A-Rod (.389). Everyone else is down around .230 or lower. Most of that is law of averages type of stuff, and you should see many of these return towards .300 and the Yankees' offense will improve.
2008-04-08 16:26:35
320.   Mattpat11
miserable game.
2008-04-08 16:27:17
321.   Just fair
2 steps forward, 1 step back. BULLOCKS.
2008-04-08 16:27:40
322.   SF Yanks
319 Sounds good to me. I'll take it.
2008-04-08 16:34:13
323.   Mattpat11
322 We cal also hope today's "effort" was a result of exhaustion.
2008-04-08 16:34:36
324.   Zack
Honestly, would it kill this team to start out even lukewarm? Last year it was the pitching, then the hitting, then both. This year the offense can't hit its way out of AAA. They're not hitting for power, not taking walks, not, well, hitting at all.

I had to turn this game off in the 5th, it was simply unwatchable.

2008-04-08 16:44:20
325.   Zack
And I officially nominate this game for either worst game of the year, or at the very least most frustrating/annoying/insufferable/odiously unmanageable. And its only April 8th.
2008-04-08 16:46:56
326.   yankeemonkey
325 Perhaps they've got it out of their system early on?

Desperately looking for silver lining...

2008-04-08 17:03:37
327.   SF Yanks
325 In 294 I had the following:

"It would take an awful lot to beat this game on the frustration/mindnumbing/pitiful/disgusting meter. "

Great minds?

2008-04-08 17:24:39
328.   cult of basebaal
good news continues ... posada to get MRI on "dead" shoulder ... lovely
2008-04-08 19:03:04
329.   tommyl
328 Gonzo pulled from AAA game too. Posada and Jeter to the DL maybe?
2008-04-08 19:23:06
330.   tommyl
328 Yeah, this is not a good Yankee day. Sigh. Po and Jeter being out for any extended period would be really bad. Like, hello Toronto Blue Jays bad.
2008-04-08 19:29:07
331.   Mattpat11
329 UGH
2008-04-08 19:59:27
332.   Yu-Hsing Chen
Tigers 0-7 , wow.
2008-04-08 20:51:11
333.   tommyl
On the plus side, we're 4-4 and its not like those guys were hitting all that much anyways. If the pitching can hold up (hello IPK, I'm looking at you tomorrow), we might be able to tread water. With this brutal April schedule (I get the Pope's visit screwed things up, but no off days? at all?) I think we shoot for .500 or a few games above, then reload for May.
2008-04-08 21:16:26
334.   Andre
Don't know if it's true, but supposedly Doc Ellis pitched a no hitter while on LSD?!?! http://tinyurl.com/8eqpn

Kinda makes Boomer Wells' hangover story a little lame.

2008-04-08 22:34:05
335.   Zack
Posters around the interwebs are freaking out about Hughes and his velocity. I swear, I am going to kill these people. You would think that a) he didn't pitch well his first start b) it was the middle of the season and he had 15 starts under his belt c) throwing 92 somehow makes all the difference compared to 91, and d) velocity ws his biggest problem today.

Hughes has NO command of anything today. Why in the world would he try to push his velocity if he can't control it at 91?

There are a lot of freak out, reactionary moronic johnny come lately fans out there these days.

2008-04-08 22:51:03
336.   SF Yanks
335 It's funny you mention that because when I use to pitch I found when I was losing my control, sometimes I had to just rifle it to hit my spots. Often times the slower I threw the more command I lost. This probably in no way relates to Hughes, but some food for thought I suppose.

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