Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
It won't be a beauty contest tonight when Aaron Small and Seth McClung face off in the final game of the year between the Yankees and Devil Rays (and, yes, I just accidentally wrote "Red Sox"--sure feels like it), but McClung, who has made just one relief appearance and no starts against the Yankees this year, sure will be a welcome change from the endless parade of Hendricksons and Fossums the Bombers have seen in this match-up.
McClung, a burly 24-year-old in his first full season, is a hard cat to figure. His last four starts have alternated between quality wins (including an eight-inning gem in Toronto in his penultimate effort), and disaster loses (a total of three innings pitched in two starts, including just two in a rematch against the Blue Jays his last time out). The bad news is that means McClung is "due" for a quality win this time out. The good news is that he's had difficulty harnessing his stuff and a patient Yankee offense (like the one that made Mark Hendrickson throw 113 pitches in five innings last night) could wear him out quickly.
Like McClung, Small will be making his first start against the Devil Rays this year after facing them once out of the bullpen. Unlike McClung, Small has been nothing if not reliable for the Yankees this year. The four runs he allowed against the Red Sox in 6 1/3 innings in his last start were the most he's allowed in any outing this year, and one of those scored after Joe Torre had pulled him from the game. Prior to that he had thrown fourteen scorless innings.
Small's success may be a fluke, but there's no reason why that fluke has to come to an end prior to next season, as Tom Zachary's 1929 campaign demonstrates (a point Steven Goldman likely didn't realize he was making). The Yankees certainly hope Small's coin stays balanced on its side, as any loss at this point in the season will feel like a catastrophic one, especially if it comes at the hands of these blasted Devil Rays in the final confrontation of the year.
Oh, and don't look now, but the Yankees have the fifth-best record in baseball (behind the Cardinals, White and Red Sox, and Indians). It sure would be a shame to see the Yankees sit home this October with a better record than both western division winners. Unfortunately, there are a number of ways that could happen, but none of them can occur if the Yankees keep winning.
Aaron Small, I turn it over to you.
[If] the Yanks win the East and, by a miraculous chance, the Indians win the Central and the White Sox are the Wild Card . . . I think that's the Yankees dream scenario. Let Cleveland and the AL West winner - I'm guessing A's - kill each other while we crush the White Sox, and the Red Sox watch on TV.
Meanwhile, here's to A-Rod hitting second and Giambi hitting 3rd again tonight. That lineup seems to make everyone more patient, for whatever reason. Go Small!
It's often injuries that are the big difference at the end of the season. Hopefully, the Yankees have gotten theirs out of the way already.
I'd just as soon the Sox stumble to the finish and put enough of a hurting on the Indians to keep them within reach of the Yankees.
Chill man, it's the second inning. We will come back, Arod is going to be huge, I can feel it.
And jeez, what is it with all the 1st pitch swings?
Maybe they should save him the trouble, grab the ball and see if they can throw it for a base hit, I know how concerned they are that McClung might tire, they must like him.
Clemens throws more pitches than this clown.
I'm grouchy because it feels like we will lose tonight, thus missing a chance to pick up a half game on idle Cleveland...
Fuck that!!! We're fucking winning tonight boys!!! Where is the faith ???
Stop playing like you're late for a party!
I think they're catching onto this guy.
Come on, we're freakin' winning this damn game.
Form of, LOB!
The ump warned both sides.
At least they drove this stiff's pitch count up slightly. Hold the fort, Small.
Crud.
I think Big Red there is getting tired.
Come on Guys!
It's freaking Gibson in the Body of Cano!
Two days in a row!
McClung is losing it. Keep the pressure on, A-Rod!
"Old guy" A-rod comes through.
And hey, it was "old guys" the bases were loaded with.
Check the score.
5-1....... SHIT!!!!!!!!
Man on second... ops Bernie walks.
A quick single to Posada.
I call up this site, take a quick look, back to gameday and HOLY SHIT....
A SLAM!!
We're back.
And.............. AROD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow!
Jetes
Bernie
Sheff
Giambi
ARod
Matsui
Posada
Crosby
Cano
Now we need to capitalize here, got that Jorgie?
The batting order is perfect! I still have not a clue why Joe changed it at the beginning of the year.
Next two innings are crucial...going to be a real tightrope pitching wise.
And Boston's still down 0-3, top of the 6th.
He's got it hands down, who the hell else can they give it to?
Please please please Joe, do not put Cano back at number 2, leave well enough fucking alone for a change, can you, for a few days for Christ's sake?
Meanwhile, I'm glad to see Small coming out to at least start the 7th - only 79 pitches so far, and he looks sharp now.
I agree, but playing in NY as a Rookie has got to count for something, that, coupled with Igucji's "rookie" status, should be plenty!
I would hope not. The guy's only hope for a ML career is to be a slap hitter.
BTW Kay, shut up before you jinx us, and someone makes an error!
I think we need Bubba in center, for the good of the team.
Embree in, prove us wrong.
It's worse than that. He's 29.
He is the best CFer they have though.
More runs please.
Is it the "playoffs" or not Joe, if you say it, God Damn well mean it!
Sorry to ba all over Joe but sheesh, take care of Tomorrow, Tomorrow.
thank Jesus!
That is not good.
Shhhhhhhh
Couldn't Sierra sit on his ankle or something?
OK Mo, we need you for 4 again . . . not sure I would do this. Munson is not exactly a threat, and if we score a bunch in the top of the 9th, do you risk taking Mo out knowing both he and Gordon are done?
Alex, did your gut know Perez was going to come up?
Goose Gossage is laughing at you.
I might have some fingernails left if the Yankees had scored a little more when they had a chance.
Ah, me of little faith.
Still, there are three more big outs left before we can get too happy here.
Meanwhile, Oakland's lead now 4-2, but they got out of the inning. I'd like them to score some runs, too.
Ok guys some insurance please.
Aaarghhh! as the kite ate the tree.
STUD!
Bubba, Cano, Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
Maybe Boston is the only team in MLB that wishes they had Alan Embree right now!
6-2, Oaktown.
A pair of triples in the ninth? Cano salami and a single shy of the cycle? Hubba Bubba?
ynks4life, it will be a save for Mo because of the situation when he was brought in in the eighth.
Bkln, I f-ing love "Ca-yes!" So wonderful and awful at the same time.
So . . . check out the 2005 Yankees stepping up!
Also, not sure if anyone cares but our minor league team just took their championship - Staten Island Yankees. I say this only to point out that the minors are starting to bubble again.
Bubba was just trying to do the right thing, running as hard as he could towards second, he was sent by Joe, ease up.
AROD-RIVERA . . . either could win the MVP over Ortiz.
Colon, Pashaw!!!!!!
Tampa fails to become the first team to put a 12 spot on Torre since he started managing the Yankees.
I would love to see Shawn and Randy eat up some serious innings this weekend...Mo and Flash are not going to have arms left by the end of September at this rate.
Now the A's need to bring the heat to the Bosox this weekend and evidence their lack of pitching. I think if they play smart they can take 3 of 4, and that would be huge for the Yanks.
If Baastin somehow gets nudged out, we are hands down the most dangerous lineup in the playoffs. Hopefully not only on paper, but in the box scores. We have some very interesting baseball coming up, my brothers.
Bottom of the 9th at Fenway, Street on the mound...
But we won so enjoy the victory!!!
Go A's !!!!
I'll drink a few tequilas to the Bronx Banter community's health tonight!
ynks4life, you did say it man, lets hope they keep this winning streak all the way to the title.
randym, I could have sworn the team had one more day off, but damn, looks like you're right. Even the Red Sox have a day off next week, though they'll have played 30 (!) straight days by that point.
1.5 and charging!
I think it will be fun to see an above .500 Devil Rays team, vockins. That would (hopefully) mean they played well against Boston, too!
Viva Mexico, tocho - happy Independence Day to you and your wonderful country!
See you all tomorrow night.
Times article said that after tonight, Cano is hitting over .450 in September!! Wow, talk about a nice boost!
Not bad for a depleted, exausted, drained, empty, talentless . . . farm system.
Suck on that Gammons! How is that buff Red Sox farm system, that middle relief is outstanding!
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/story/346960p-296090c.html
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