Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Everything is cool. The Yankees aren't scoring any runs and I haven't had a tantrum...yet. I watched the end of yesterday's game and saw Alex Rodriguez strike out for the fourth time. He was caught looking in his first three at bats against B. Banny, and fell behind the count quickly his fourth time up. Then he fouled off a few pitches and laid off another couple of sliders just off the plate. I had a great feeling that he was going to hit the ball hard. That something good was about to happen. I generally don't feel that way about him, which says more about me as a nervous fan of my hometown team, than it does about Rodriguez. But he eventually chased a ball out of the zone and went down swinging.
Someone is going to pay and soon. With our heroes Jeter and Posada* hurting, it's up to the rest of the boys to get the lead out. That's easier said than done, particularly with Mr. Grienke on the hill for the Royals tonight. Here's hoping Ian Kennedy comes through with a nice effort.
Let's Go Yan-Kees.
According to Will Carroll at BP:
The Yankees got more bad news than just the Captain's injury this week, as Posada had more problems with his shoulder. He couldn't complete a game behind the plate, and now his swing is even more affected by the pain, eliminating DHing as an alternative option. Worse, Peter Abraham is reporting that Posada says his arm feels "dead," noting that the problem is at the back of the shoulder. The Yankees will send Posada for imaging and tests, and have made the call for a replacement, fueling speculation that he's headed to the DL. It's too early to put a real expectation on how long he'll be out, though it's not too early for some pundits to already start pinging Brian Cashman for re-signing an older catcher. I'd remind them that this is a new injury and that Posada wasn't showing this issue in spring training. Posada actually points to an awkward throw that he made on April 1 as the root cause of this injury.
That put me in a foul mood. I said some silly things. Loudly.
And here's hoping for a much better outing for IPK tonight.
Damon DH
Cano 2B
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui LF
Giambi 1B
Molina C
Cabrera CF
Gonzalez SS
Kennedy RHP
No DL for Posada or Jeter. Still no word on who got sent down for AG.
And I kind of think Miggy Cairo is AG's upside. Cairo at least had that one good year.
Gonzo hit: .247/.300/.362 in AAA last year.
They are also the same age (25). I don't think there's much of a comparison. Gonzo clearly projects as a future UIF or all glove, no stick SS. He is not Derek Jeter Jr.
I agree with Cliff, the whole point of Betemit is that he's a plus bat as a UIF. If you're not going to use him as such, what's the point?
UPDATE, 6:51 p.m.: Stunning news from Joe Girardi. It seems that Ensberg injured his left ankle on Monday. This was probably news to Ensberg until he was told about it today. The Yankees will announce their move after BP but that's what it'll be, Ensberg placed on the 15-day disabled list.
So Jose Molina will catch with Jorge Posada his "hopefully we don't have to use him" backup.
http://saberscouting.com/2008/04/09/phil-hughes-mechanics-whats-the-deal/
Is anyone else getting a still shot of Shea on SNY, instead of the actual game? I've got sound, but no picture.
I hope Ian has a better outing than the last one. I haven't watched the archived game yet, but I'm sure it was all about location. Hopefully the HP ump this time around knows what a strike-zone is. Yesterday was atrocious for everyone. I felt bad for Alex because he K'd on balls twice. I mean, he's Alex Rodriguez! Doesn't baseball code say that his veteran presence + excellent knowledge of the strike zone mean that he gets the calls?
Hopefully DJ will be back by Saturday then. I don't look forward to a Sox series with no Jeter and no Po.
Through 7 games:
Runs Scored: 15
Runs Allowed: 44
The situation could be much worse, my fellow Banterers.
22 Also, I know clutch stats are meaningless, but both of Betemit's hits this year have come with me on and he hit .339/.440/.596 with men on base last year.
Cliff, I didn't know you made the team. Congrats! And can you get me one of Jeter's castoffs?
In addition, SS-Rodriguez,3B-Ensberg is still better than SS-Gonzales,3B-Rodriguez. Just sayin'.
Just announced by Singleton on pregame.
The plan backfired since the rain held off and both pitchers entered the game in the third and pitched through light rain...
who's with me?!
punches self in face
I just realized who is going to take Kennedy's spot.
It will go further south when the I-Word is on the team tomorrow.
What the hell's going on?
The only bright spot with Bruney starting is that it shows Girardi et al will use the BP more flexibly. Hopefully that means the obsession with carrying a designated long man has been overcome. We'll know more about how different things are (or are not) this year if Igawa gets called up.
Phew
Ummmm, no. Good try though!
Christ, its the 9th game of the season and I'm this nervous already?
punches self in face
Turns out it's going to rain and they didn't want to waste his start. Who knew? Not Pete I guess :-)
Call the game
Nuff sed.
Still, its better than watching Kei Igawa pitch, no?
Looks like I picked the wrong game to stop crystal meth.
http://tinyurl.com/6flfof
I know what you mean, though, get some long work to start to stretch Joba.
Well .... Tiki Barber retired ... what did you expect?
Oh ... THOSE Giants!
Did you guys see that?
So b/c our offense is so offensive, they are managing to burn through our BP despite the impending doom rain.
But hey .... it would be great .... he'd get the call ... trip coming out the bullpen doorway, and sprain an ankle!
C'mon now, bats!
wow
There's something surreal about it...
Butler scares me in this inning...I really hope this isn't going to be a 5 inning loss.
.103 .278 .207 .485 (and 0-3 tonight)
And is that Farnsworth?
Wtf?
I've never seen anything like this before.
It's fucking opposite day.
punches self in face
If Jeter is only out for a couple of days, why trade 10 days of Duncan for two days of Gonzalez? You suffer with two days of Betemit, I would think.
Sorry, I'm beating the very dead horse. But it's tough to stay engaged with this game for some reason.
Japan, Mexico, China... now MLB is continuing its international inroads by playing their first game in Bizzaro World.
I said to the spouse, "He's going to strike out."
And so he did.
Can't we all just cancel the game now and pretend it was a bad dream?
So?
Oh look I found some words.
I don't even quite know why.
This is all just too disorienting. It's one thing to not hit, it's another to not hit during opposite day. Too, too jarring.
Book this goon a one-way to Scranton already!
...Why?
My timing is horrible. There's the run that will let the umps call this one. Standing water in the infield, huh? What a mess.
Let's win this fucking baseball game.
No more sideshow. I'm going to sit down and focus instead of taking potshots and we're going to win.
This is our bloody baseball game!
I like Molina.
I'm still flummoxed that they sent Duncan down to call up AG. WTF? They'll play without a real BUC, but they can't live with Betemit's glove at SS, especially given his bat? Bah.
punches self in face
this is starting to hurt, so I'll stop...
Jim Dean would be so proud, I think.
Though if 2 months ago we could've signed up for 5 inning on 1 run ball from the BP 'spot starting' a game, we'd take it, poopy-head annoying Farns notwithstanding. So get the last out, and lets move along.
You've yet to throw a slider for a strike this inning. Do you think that maybe means something?
Kind regards,
Bronx Banter
only sometimes... like when they hit it 450 feet.
I think this is the game where me, Cashman, Girardi, and the other two? Farnswacker supporters surrender our fanclub cards to the proper authorities.
Not good.
When?
And I was actually feeling mildly optimistic until that hit.
We'll get 'em back.
We're winning this baseball game.
Really.
Either way, can someone break down the rationale for me?
(Robby should never be allowed to bat with runners on, btw. Maybe he should be a lead off guy...)
Please don't mock us.
Won't any of you help... please?
As long as the boys start hitting.... Cano! that's a bit more like my boy. I'm all with whoever said they get annoyed with Cano struggling - it's cosmically imbalanced.
Or have Pettitte start, as scheduled, and bring IPK for a long stint if needed?
Dammit Bobby - that is NOT how hope comes to life!
I'm so, so confused.
Really, please eat the money. Please!! Farnsworth just has no clue on how to harness his stuff, it's painful to watch
I'll be curious to see how this kind of inventiveness unfolds. Man, 180 degrees different from Torre.
By the way, I wonder how Chris Britton feels?
400 Scott Patterson, too.
IPK is starting to worry me.
Oh my God.
I can't take it.
I just can't take it.
Man, 'Sui fucked that up...
Thank God I can watch the Sox in (hopefully) a losing effort.
I have a bad feeling about this.
Please, let's not let this game spiral out of control, let alone the next couple of weeks.
Suck it up, guys, and don't embarrass yourselves out there!
Fight back!
Please.
Please?
PLEASE, IPK!
Perhaps not.
415 Dude, "warranty info, and operating instructions", that's priceless. LOL!
Oh, man, I'm glad I missed that.
Good job.
Let's get two more now and roar back.
Thank you, Melky.
Man, that scared me.
Ok, one more, Ian, one more!
Well done, IPK. One more, dude, one more out.
Nice pitching, Ian.
(I really like this Ian, btw., things really could have gotten out of hand, but he got the job done. That's really impressive.)
Over there? Good. Burn 'em; they suck.
But, you know, she's a kind of a looker so who are we to judge, right?
All the best, 'Sui!
Love those popups!
Love 'em!
Atta boy, Jason!
The lunatic is on the grass.
Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs
Got to keep the loonies on the path.
ding ding .... we have a winner!
At least there are no midges...
When is Mariano going to pitch?
Please.
(God, I could just scream.)
Oh, God, at least we can still laugh.
Yeah, I thought I'd imagined that.
najai morgan?
My guess is either Fred Lewis or Rajai Davis is playing, too.
474 Man, I should have TiVo'd this game for that line alone! How long 'til it hits the 'net?
But I always remind my boy that at least they have Rowand and Zito! And for cheap!
THAT would explain why he didn't start warming up again till the 5th inning. He needed time to recover for another go at it! :-)
I was a teenager at the time, so you bet I remember it. ;) (No offense, Mattpat)
Nice pitch, IPK! Well done!
must... move... pillow...
need... air... breathe...
C'mon bats!
Priceless!
Wait, there's a guy on base, but there aren't two outs. Is that allowed?
Is there a Yankee game tonight?
Oh look, it's Johnny "too little, too late" Damon.
Well then.
oh, good a fucking double play.
we now rejoin the asphyxiation alreay in progr... what? Damon! It... is... alive!
No idea why you don't hit Betemit there...this is Girardi's first game with some glaring errors.
Christ. looks like the 'under' on the DP wins.... is this a record setting GIDP pace or what?!!
Right now-- ROBBIE SUCKS.
Oh, and Farnsworth doing what he does best - give up runs.
My lord, imagine what it will be like tomorrow - game starts 8:10 PM EDT, and its travel day for the umps too.
Oh well, single - heh
545 And lose the fluffer...
Sorry...can't help myself.
Yesssss!!
Another one, Jason!
You see how high that thing went?
Man, that's gotta count for at least three!
Four, actually, if you invoke the old popout on the first pitch, no fucking around rule.
"You're a big baby. You're not invited to showtime anymore."
G'nite.
Whew, nothing like watching a nice, crisp baseball game!
I was serious, he got up there and did his best, fouled off a couple.
Or maybe I'm imagining things, but didn't some Kansas City series figure into the slop fest last April?
Did we get swept there or something?
...lock the door, and throw away the key... there's someone in my head, but it's not me...
580 I am not impressed with Girardi today. Not with the roster move; failing to pinch hit for AG; and especially failing to pinch hit Ensberg for Giambi vs a LHP. That's exactly the situation to use Ensberg.
So what if Hillman goes to a righty? He's just burned his only available lefty reliever (I assume Mahay is unavailable tonight), and unless he's bringing in Soria - which he wouldn't - its not like the other guys are unbeatable either.
Still, its early, but I expected more out of Joe G.
:)
Why not just bring back Miguel Cairo, for crying out loud?
With regards to Ensberg, what is the point of having him on the roster? Is there a clause in Giambi's contract that he can't be pinch-hit for?
Not a good game for Girardi...
Joe, Bob Lorenz looks like he can hit better than Giambi. Could he play first?
"I don't think our approach is bad, we're just not getting the results."
--Joe
Good head on his shoulders.
Goddamn.
Not that I have a problem building up Giambi's confidence. But why does the same logic not apply to Betemit? Because Giambi was once a league MVP? Why should Betemit, the starting BUIF, ride the bench when the starting SS is out? Because he botched a couple of throws? In a game were the entire team made some pretty poor plays with the gloves?
I'm cranky, but I'm hopeful. Andy is due for a good start, right?
Of course, Kyle's been having this problem, off and on, for years now . . .
Another whole season of this.
Yippie.
vs RHP as LH: 810 PA, .266/.345/.460
vs LHP as RH: 231 PA, .232/.281/.351
That's as extreme as it gets. Betemit better not play tomorrow, that would be a mistake. I do like Ensberg at first though.
http://tinyurl.com/44r4j6
he does however, kill lefties, Abreu / Giambi / Damon would have some serious trouble with him. though Abreu's been on fire and Giambi seem to be doing better than his # suggest . I'd sit Damon and play Ensberg at first.
Alberto isn't much of a bat, though with the way Betemit's been struggling might as well play the man with the awsome glove. plus he can't suck much more than Betemit's career line against lefties anyway
I'm with OYF, the cagey veteran. Of course April games count but of course April is always filled with weirdness, both weather-related and player-related.
Yes, the Yanks were terrible last night and have been at bat almost all year so far. Do the panic-buttoneers here really think they'll spend 6 months not hitting? That yelling and shredding garments will cause Hitting to Happen?
Or are we ready for the Fire Sale of Overpaid Veterans? (I'm in an all-caps mood, it seems.) The pitching was fine on a terrible night. Farnsworth is what he is, unreliable, but my bet is we live with him in 5th/6th/7th inning roles for awhile, so it is going to matter if the coaches can keep/restore his confidence. Same for LaTroy the Burning Man.
I'm amused to see the first embers of Fire Joe Girardi show up so soon after rapturous 'Girardi Ball' posts. We're beginning to sound like the worst caricatures of impatient baseball fans. Consider Boston, the Tigers, Cleveland.
April is strange. Accept it as one accepts the universe. Do not urge the signing of Mike Piazza. Dump not on Damon. Say 'Ommm' a few times.
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