Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
The Yanks got smoked down in Baltimore to the tune of 9-4, but didn't lose any ground in the standings as the Red Sox continued to find new ways to lose last night in Boston. Gilbert Bogie was the one bright spot for the Bombers. Miguel Tejada made a marvelous catch in left field. Otherwise, it was a snoozer. Today gives a late afternoon game, 4:30 start. I kind of dig late afternoon games, particularly because of the way the light moves over the field. It presents a different beauty for fans--and different challenges for the players, subtle as they may be. Especially now that it's getting to be the autumn, the light is unlike it would have been in April or May. I love it. Maybe you can watch the game eating the last of the good local tomatoes or corn. Should be a relaxing day for a game. The sticks are going to break out. What can I say, but let's go Yanks, man.
Cliff here with some notes about the most compelling pitching match-up of this series . . .
Twenty-two-year-old rookie Adam Loewen has faced the Yankees more than any other team in his young career. This afternoon he'll make his fourth start against the Bombers. He's had as many as two starts against just two other teams, Toronto and Oakland. The Blue Jays have smacked Loewen around for twelve runs in eleven innings, while the A's have scored five in ten innings against the lefty despite picking up just three hits (the reason: ten walks).
Against the Yankees, however, Loewen has a 2.65 ERA, struck out 17 and allowed just 11 hits in 17 innings. He has, however, walked 12 Yankees thus far. There are two things to consider here. First, that performance isn't that out of line with how Loewen has performed against the A's (10 IP, 3 H, 10 BB, 12 K). Second, here's what Loewen has done over his last four starts (which admitedly include one game each against the A's and Yanks): 23 2/3 IP, 19 H, 9 R, 0 HR, 9 BB, 21 K, 3.42 ERA, while his best start in that string actually came against the Twins (8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K).
As for Wang, he's totally off the charts at this point, having now thrown 35 2/3 more innings than his previous career high, a 23 percent increase that just keeps growing. With Mike Mussina pushed back to Tuesday due to some shoulder soreness after his comeback start (Jaret Wright will start in his place tomorrow), Wang tempting fate every time out, and Randy Johnson being, well, a 42-year-old with a bad back and a bum knee, I cannot figure out why Joe Torre refuses to take advantage of the Yankees lead in the division by keeping either Rasner or Karstens, both of whom pitched well, in the rotation. Myself, I'd like to see Rasner in next year's opening day rotation, and possibly even as the fourth starter in the playoffs, but there's little to no chance of either happening if he doesn't get a few more looks down the stretch.
Regardless, this dreary series won't get much more exciting than this afternoon's contest, so enjoy it while you can.
Then there's Giambi. LoHud is reporting Giambi will see a doctor today. His wrist. He won't be in the lineup today, either.
Karstens looked relatively solid, again.
7 Yeah, I always thought Joe was about 'riding the hot hand' - if Karstens has a strong September and Wright or Lidle continue to get bombed, that's just plain hard-headedness on Torre's part.
I am concerned about our health, hitting and mental attitude going into the PS.
My guess is we're playing Minn. in the ALDS. The National League teams, White Sox, Oakland and Detroit don't worry me, but Minn., with a healthy Loriano does... and Loriano looks to be back shortly. It would bet better for us if Minn beats Detroit, but I dont think that's happening.
162 games is a lot to play only to be eliminated by Minn. in 5. With Santana and Loriano, it will be like facing a Lefthanded Pedro 3, or maybe even 4 times.
The year Arizona won it all they had a weak team.... except for Unit and Schill. 2 big guys are tough to beat in the PS.
Right now, our games are a preview of the PS team we will field. This is what I'm looking at.
You may be right about the difficulties of facing Minnesota, but the 2001 Diamondbacks aren't really the best comparison.
I'm heading down to the Yard now. But I wanted to let you know that Operation Worm Burner will likely be a bust. I guess they ban all banners except between inning because they "obstruct the views of fans". I explain to the Lord of the section last night that the placards wouldn't be blocking anyone because they would be affixed to the facade. I was told they would still have to be taken down.
I'll give it a shot but don't try too hard looking.
Lesss-go Yank-ees!
Peace.
Jim
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14741510/
Great team with better chemistry than they've had in awhile, but also vulnerable, old, and fragile.
They think the WS winner will be either the Yankees, the Mets, or the Tigers.
Johnny Damon DH
Melky Cabrera LF
Derek Jeter SS
Jorge Posada C
Bernie Williams CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Craig Wilson 1B
Kevin Thompson RF
Nick Green 3B
Brian Roberts 2B
Melvin Mora 3B
Nick Markakis RF
Miguel Tejada SS
Jay Gibbons DH
Kevin Millar 1B
David Newhan CF
Raul Chavez C
Brandon Fahey LF
18 I can see the need to rest Giambi, and probably give Damon a break, but A-Rod out too? Eek.
Giambi's wrist is bothering him, so he's out.
Abreu is getting a day off, perhaps because he's 0 for 11.
But...does Joe still not trust KT in CF? I know he's no Bubba Crosby, but surely he's a better option than Bernie? Or did he just decide he'd rather have KT's arm in RF than his legs in CF?
But we've won with worse line-ups.
I think A-Rod's chompin' into some bad MD crabcakes! ;-P
I am going back to sleep.
We scored a run off Loewen!
Eat it Canadia!
Last I heard, Bubba was in Manhattan. Probably packing up his stuff to go back to Houston:
http://tinyurl.com/h7cl2
(Scroll down past the Mo stuff.)
At least he handled it with class, unlike some of the guys we've cut, who've gotten all whiny (Kelly Stinnett and Buddy Groom come to mind).
Everybody knows Bonds has come down to earth and is having a bad year.
He only has an OPS of 1.000
http://tinyurl.com/lqkqu
I'm not watching live, was that run-scoring single a GOB single?
;-)
JEEZ, LOUISE!
I guess the Yanks didn't listen to Alex and forgot to break the sticks out today.
Double Duty Proctor and Spinal Tap Farnsworth.
Should 'STF' stick for Farnsworth?
(and that Rocky Road in the freezer from last night does not constitute a meal!)
EEEEEWWW!
Nice pitch, Meat.
Don't choke, Kyle.
And Jeter finishes. Whew.
It's Miller time.
And the magic number os 13!
I shouldn't enjoy this as much as I do.
Current standings: http://tinyurl.com/fakjr
(typing this in between bites of my salmon-skin roll!)
Brian Boehringer is pitching well for Toledo.
183 Abby, get off the computer and enjoy your sushi.
Close your eyes, Luke Hudson. Let the Force flow through you...
Wow, the Sox get three walks, a single and a home run in that inning, but net only two runs.
I was at that game where Penn gave up all those runs. Eric Chavez hit a double play ball up the middle which would have ended the inning without a run being scored. But it skipped off Penn's glove, and then the wheels fell off.
Maybe we'll have another Battle of the Horrible Bullpens.
Joe Mauer isn't playing today, I see. Too bad, no chance for him to go 0 for 6, like I was hoping.
Klutch, Papi. Just klutch.
;-)
That said, hold it down KC! Take it to the 12th!
Oh! Crisp interfered — bad call!
...you're right - even if KC loses, they have exhausted the Saaawx.
here we go, yo!
so whatsa, what's the scenario!
<hee heeeee!)
GO ROYALS!
KC scores this inning, I can feel it...
Ohhh, it's getting ugly in Beantown...emphasis on 'bean'.
KC is my new 2nd favorite team!
"What can we say - I guess we just tip our hats to the Royals and call them our daddies"
;-P
GO KC!!!!
Apologies, ladies — feel free to substitute names '-)
11 in the loss column! Magic# is 14, no?
Apologies, ladies — feel free to substitute names '-)
11 in the loss column! Magic# is 14, no?
This is a good night!
(Sorry for the double post...)
Red Sox people (media, fans, management) have been crying injury a lot when discussing their August/September collapse, but let's face it, they had their whole team together in all these KC games (the August sweep and now) and the injuries were only one of the factors in their disasterous fall.
They had their prized young "ace" Josh Beckett on the mound tonight with Manny and Ortiz and Hinske and Youkilis and Crisp, etc....all playing. They're really far back in the wild card, but at the start of the day there was still reason to win every game on the schedule. There was still a glimmer. Minny won, Chicago won, and they HAD to win to stay in it. They didn't show up two days in a row against the dregs of the AL.
They just plain stink.
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