Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
I covered the significance of tonight's game in yesterday's pre-game post, but there are two corrections that need to be made to what I said yesterday.
The first is that, while the Yankees will indeed erase the half-game in the standings between themselves and the Red Sox for better or worse tonight, they will not do so with regard to the Indians until Monday as Cleveland opens a four-game series in Kansas City tonight, but will be off on Monday. Of course, the Yankees hope that half game with Cleveland is a moot point as, with a half-game lead in the AL East entering tonight's game, their focus is entirely on winning the division, as well it should be as they still trail the Indians by a half game and the White Sox by three.
The other correction is that Joe Torre appears to have backed off his six-man rotation idea. Last night the YES announcers reported that Aaron Small would be the odd man out, but on today's Mike & the Mad Dog show on WFAN, Torre claimed not to have made up his mind yet, though the choice does appear to be between Small and Chien-Ming Wang, one of whom will start thus Sunday against the Blue Jays and, barring a disaster outing in that game, will return to the hill in Game One of the season-ending showdown with the Red Sox.
Assuming that Torre goes with Wang, who I think is not only the no-brainer choice between the two, but the Yankees second best starter at the moment (behind only Randy Johnson), this is how the rotation would project over the remainder of the year.
Thu 9/22 v Bal: Mussina
Fri 9/23 v Tor: Chacon
Sat 9/24 v Tor: Wright
Sun 9/25 v Tor: Wang
Mon 9/26 @ Bal: Johnson
Tue 9/27 @ Bal: Mussina
Wed 9/28 @ Bal: Chacon
Thu 9/29 @ Bal: Wright
Fri 9/30 @ Bos: Wang v. Wells
Sat 10/1 @ Bos: Johnson v. Schilling
Sun 10/2 @ Bos: Mussina v. Wakefield
Of course, having Small and Leiter in the bullpen gives Torre the option of using either one in place of Wright (should he struggle this Saturday) or Mussina (should he tank tonight and/or Tuesday), or of using either or both in tandem with the starter listed above to complete a must-win game (as if there are any that aren't at this point). After all, if the season does wind up coming down to that final game on October 2nd, the starting assignment is merely a formality. Any sign of struggle and the hook comes out and everybody, perhaps even the previous day's starter, will be available to pitch.
In other news, Jason Giambi will sit tonight due to the sore back that drove him from yesterday's game in the middle innings. Tino Martinez, who walked and doubled in two plate appearances in relief of Giambi last night, will start at first base. Bernie's back in center after last night's day off. Matt Lawton, who went 2 for 3 last night with a two-run dinger that accounted for all of the Yankees runs last night, will start in right in place of Bubba Crosby (also 2 for 3 last night) against the left-handed Bruce Chen.
Speaking of Chen, he was bounced to the bullpen after a few rough outings in July, but quickly returned to the rotation and has turned in eight quality start in his nine outings since doing so, the one exception being an start against Cleveland in which he allowed just one earned run in five innings. Since returning to the rotation he's posted a 1.84 ERA with a 0.92 WHIP.
Mike Mussina, meanwhile, will likely be on a short leash with Al Leiter ready to come in as a second-leg starter if need be. So that's your match-up, Chen against Mike Mussina on 23 days rest for a guaranteed half-game swing in the AL East race. Gulp. Here's hoping the first-place Yankees, the hottest team in baseball right now (yes, they're even a game better than the Indians over the last ten games), finds a way to pull this out and go a full-game up on the reeling Red Sox.
But I sure hope no one hits one like that in RF.
And it looks like Moose is gonna need some run support tonight.
Am I getting a slow feed? I'm seeing Moose ok through 1.2, including a 3-pitch K, and (importantly) few pitches.
This message brought to you by Sarcasm International.
But sorry, we can't tell the truth about him.
Sorry about those guys who keyed your car, Rich.
Moose is throwing hard, but I dunno...I think his location is off more than usual.
Hey how many times does a guy make a great play then bat second in the next inning?
Sorry, I'm talking too much aren't I?
Somebody's got to pick up the slack with Stormer away.
Some runs...
Cliff, it contains the damage, but does not undo the earlier damage. A DP would have erased both baserunners, and he would have been out of the inning when Mora was out.
This is why Sterling is annoying. Jeter is the one responsible for the one run that got in, and he continues to blow him for the defensive play he made later for the DP later in the inning, when the damage was already done by his previous error.
IMO, the Yankees should be looking for young talent. Jeter's too old to move to the outfield. A-Rod and the oft-injured Koskie are about his age. We need young blood. Is there any more where Cano came from?
Who will be the Yankees' CF, and how much will the Yankees have to surrender in prospects and/or salary?
It's not merely Koskie and A-Rod v. A-Rod and Jeter.
Jeter would be a great CFer. He has speed, and is great a catching fly balls.
I demand a rally.
Damn! Now that's why we need A-Rod at 3rd.
Man, he's hot these days.
Man, this year, he is getting better as the season winds down.
Bubba's already 29, he's not going to become a starter at his age.
Oh, and there's that run I called for. Just 0.84 to go!
They will either overpay for Juan Pierre and his .320 OBP, or overpay Damon, or overpay the Twins for Hunter.
See your point about Chen. I guess he is indeed pitching well, he K's 7.
Tino steals a base? Lopez must have one of the worst arms.
And yes, Tino just stole a base.
Leiter's warming.
Mussina has some luck when he pitches well.
Props to Torre. He had a conviction about Moose pitching today, and it turned out to be correct.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=250819104
Props to Joe & Mel for taking the chance on him. I was unsure, but a healthy Moose in September is a mighty fine thing.
Think he'll pitch the seventh?
Dude, is Chen a magician or what? How is he slipping that mediocre fastball by guys? Gee-zus. Let's go, don't want to let this one slip away.
I second 83. Now Tejada boots one.
A-Rod up, Cano on base, now is his turn to turn it on. We can forget his earlier K that way.
I honestly keep waiting for Chen to unleash an eephus. Maybe this is how Moose can last until he's 40 - throw slow, slower, and really slow.
I kinda miss Stormer and his Manifestos. Gives me something to amuse me while I wait for gamecast to catch up.
I guess he's not washed up after all!!!!!
Man, he wins the game for us today.
Damn, I wish he got along better with the Big Unit. It's gonna hurt, having him out every time Randy's in.
Pass the salt for my crow.
Yahoo Sports is up to date:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=250922110
don't waste your time with gamecast.
.154 .267 .154 .421
Cliff and Alex rule.
Its a whole 'nother story for the playoffs, though.
Let's go, Cap'n!
I'm kind of hoping the WSox fall out and Cleveland takes them out of the WC. I would rather face the WSox over either the Tribe or Boston, but Boston or Cleveland will be better games and more fun to watch. I think Cleveland is a better team than the White Sox. It will be hard to knock the White Sox out, but I think they'll leave quick if they make it in.
Or to find out just how black a black hole can be.
15 or 20 should do it. Maybe.
Now this is more like it. Keep going, guys. We don't want Torre even thinking of putting Flash in.
I don't like seeing Wang in the pen, good thing it's his throw day. He'd better be starting on Sunday.
I like the way this is playing out also because the Orioles' best relievers have barely broken a sweat this series. Assuming the Birds can actually give our divisional rivals some trouble at home this weekend, Ray and Ryan will be fresh.
Also, don't you love non-sequitors?
.340 .453 .528 .981
139, About relievers, Joe has to be thinking:
"I dont know if this bunch scares the opponents, they sure scare the hell out of me."
But props to Leiter.
The Senator is having problems. Alex, did you stop cussin' at him?
BTW, Kitty better be right that Mo is just stretching out a bit.
He swung.
v. Left: .247 .307 .333 .641
v. Right: .297 .430 .457 .886
It's hard to figure Torre out.
Get off the mound, ya old bastid.
And for calling our most recent runs "insurance runs". They weren't insurance runs, they were runs to pump our lead up to the point that our bullpen could show off just how much they suck.
Ungood. Can someone get some outs please?
Well, actually I do. Not again!
Thank goodness.
Good gosh, people.
But I guess this means Flash has to come in.
Unless the Yankees score about 30 runs in the 8th...
Matt, a pitcher with these minor league stats deserves a shot given the available alternatives:
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/B/colter-bean.shtml
There was no reason to leave Leiter in that long. Sigh.
Sturtze better come out to start the 8th. No way Gordon can pitch two full innings - and I won't even say the rest.
Numbers, too. Too tense to count myself.
Bean has pitched a total of 2 innings in the big leagues. That's no record to judge him on.
Further, minor league stats DO translate to the majors. Bean's minor league numbers clearly suggest he could succeed in the bigs.
And like Rich said: how could he POSSIBLY be worse than what we've got now?
BTW, please ignore what I said above 200 - since its already the 8th, Gordon can pitch 1 inning. My bad.
This isnt Wang or Cano climbing up the ranks through AAA. This is a man whos stalled in each level of the minors for several years
Meanwhile, KC has taken a 6-5 lead over Cleveland. I'm not sure if I should cheer or not.
Well, we specialize in 1 run games. I just hope we still win.
We do win!
Whew! First place Yan-keeeees!
these games are too stressful for me.
BTW, Orioles - THAT'S how you cover first base. Just pay attention, folks, you'll see how its done.
Full game lead, baby. Break out the brooms - time to get Toronto!
But a win's a win, and that half-game is gone. Game lead in the division. Let's do no worse than holding that lead by the time the homestand is over.
If it wasn't so infuriating/harrowing it would be comic. (Guess I picked the wrong week to quit smoking.) However, the good news is that they won.
The pen could suck, blow leads and they could be losing these games. So long as they pull out the victory in the long run, they are just driving our collective blood pressure up and that's all.
By the way, Gordon's hustle getting over to first to retire that speedster for the second out turned out to be a pivotal play. Saved the tie right there.
Give a chance to Anderson, DeSalvo, Bean if he is around, Cox if he is progressing well, DePaula, Steve White, Henn, anyone that can throw strikes. Sturtze and Gordon, thanks for your Yankee tenure, you had been valuable at times. The rest, well, good luck finding jobs elsewhere.
1)make the playoffs (obviously)
2)Red Sox miss the playoffs entirely
3)play the White Sox in the first round
Also, Sheff already uses the Theme to Shaft for his (I think third) at-bat music.
Finally, minor league stats translate to major league performance, directly. The only thing you have to watch out for are park and league factors. The key stat for mL pitchers is K/BB ratio. Bean's is excellent, as was Lilly's, as was Halsey's, as was Wang's. The only catch on Bean is that he's no longer young (now 28), but that's the fault of the Yankee front office, he should have been installed in the pen last summer.
Also, it's got to really wear on the offense that even when they pile up runs, they simply can't take a break and have to sweat out 3 or 4 tense innings at the end (when a starter can't go past 5 or 6).
But yeah, as long as we can actually pull these out, it's nothing but crazy stress and crankiness in the end.
Unfortunately, given current trend lines, it seems more likely we'll get the Tribe in the first round (if we can survive the final ten games).
If nothing else, this is how the 'other half' has been living for most of the past decade — in a pennant race. A good bud of mine always busts my ass about wanting a nice, neat 10 game lead every year. He says "As a baseball fan, how could you not enjoy a good pennant race?"
Since he grew up a Tigers fan in Detroit, I remind him that my pennant fever usually begins in the Divisional Series — absolutely freaked by even the slightest prospect that a Texas Rangers team could have knocked off the '98 Yanks in a short, opening round series.
This has been one helluva year so far, I'm exhausted just getting to this point. The next ten days are going to be gut-wrenching. Then, if we're lucky, the real pressure will begin. I'm postponing my decision to quit smoking until all of this sorted out. Good luck on that tip, Alex ;-)
Now let's run the table!
Central winner vs. West winner
East winner vs. Wild Card
For the Yanks to play the White Sox in the ALDS, the Sox would have to lose the division to the Tribe, but hold on to the Wild Card, then it would be (we hope):
Yanks v. Chisox
Angels v. Indians
So actually, root for the Indians and White Sox to win, and the Indians to win head-to-head and the Yanks to pull out the division and you'll get your wish.
Before the Cleveland game is over....we are currently the 3rd best team in the majors. 4th if the Tribe finishes off the Royals.
Comment #2:
It's firmly Autumn in northern Japan today. The leaves haven't started changing, but the weather is New Englandish. Cool and crisp. Watching the Yanks down the stretch matches the weather!
Comment #3:
Our pitching seems sorted out right now. We might see an occasional blip from a 3-5 starter, but I think Mussina and Johnson are locked in. The pen will be alright. You have to think that we'll get solid long relief from Small and Gordon/Rivera will be tough. The question is about who Joe's match up lefty will be in the end and who we'll trust with the 7th if needed. Sturtze is shaky.
I go with Johnson, Mussina, Wang, Wright, Chacon as starters. Small as long man. Sturtze, Gordon, and Rivera as 7-8-9. My match up lefty might have to be Embree for now, and maybe in a big game later you have to go to the Big Unit.
Off topic: Are you into MMA competition? Pride, K-1, etc? If so, have you attended any events?
2. We found out Leiter's useless trying to hold a lead in the pen. Idon't know why he goes to Joe and tell him he can do it if it ends up the same old shit. What makes it great is we confirmed his uselessness without losing a game though it was obviously touch and go.
2. Unfortunately I don't think we're in that great a shape to get into the post season. cleveland continues to feast on KC as suspected and is pretty much as hot as we are. Beating the Sox will still be tough and now the WC is not opening up for us. I'm not saying we're going to lose but we pull off a very difficult 4 game sweep to add to our streak and we still have no breathing room. We're not going to win every game going forward, we're not one of those A's teams that pulled things like that off. If we make the post-season one way or the other it will be a tremendous accomplishment. Hope we can pull it off.
It's kind of a glorified tough man contest, with a little pro wrestling showmanship built in. I forget the Japanese guy's name who bought the rights to k-1 a couple of years ago, but he tried to fire things up by introducing the wrestling rant to the sport and the colorful intros, etc....
I'm not into it. I like my sports unfiltered and raw. Let the fight itself carry my interest or it's not worth it to me. The NBA turns me off for all the flash and extra-curricular crap that they have to throw in to get people to watch their watered-down league.
The little K-1 I've seen is okay, but it's really just huge monsters pummeling each other. I'd rather watch legit Muy Thai.
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1127451145286840.xml&coll=1
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.