Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
The good news about last night's loss to the Tigers was that it came in the game with the least favorable pitching matchup for the Yankees. In a way, it reminded me of the team's 14-4 loss to the Devil Rays in the opening game of a four-game series in the Bronx four weeks ago. Mike Mussina got torched in that game (4 2/3 IP, 6 R), and then the Yankees torched the Devil Rays over the remaining three games.
Indeed, tonight's matchup favors the Yankees quite a bit. Nate Robertson is 1-3 with a 6.39 ERA over his last five starts, while Andy Pettitte has recovered from his stumble just before the All-Star Break to go 5-1 with a 3.15 ERA in seven post-break starts. Five of those seven have been quality starts and the only two that weren't saw Pettitte fall just one out short. The biggest difference between the two of late has been extra base hits. Opposing hitters have hit just one home run and slugged just .352 against Pettitte over those last seven games while hitting four jacks off Robertson in his last five and slugging .557 against the bespectacled Bengal. Altogether, 41 percent of Robertson's hits allowed over that span have gone for extra bases, while just 23 percent of Pettitte's have.
Finally some roster notes on the Tigers. Remember in yesterday's preview when I said "Monroe has been so bad . . . that he appears to be losing his job." I meant his job as the starting left fielder. Turns out, he just lost his job as a Detroit Tiger, getting designated for assignment this afternoon so that the Tigers could call up top prospect Camron Maybin. Maybin, a 20-year-old righty-hitting outfielder, is a classic five-tool prospect who was the organization's minor league player of the year while in low-A ball last year, but this might be a little too much too soon. Maybin just hit double-A this month and comes to the majors with just six games above A-ball under his belt. Of course he went 8 for 20 with four homers in those six games, but it's still just six games. He also struck out 83 times in 83 games in high-A and six more times in those six games in double-A. Nonetheless, he'll make his major league debut in left field at Yankee Stadium tonight in a game with playoff implications. But no pressure, kid.
Less exciting is the swap of right-hitting backup infielders Omar Infante and Ramon Santiago. A lot less exciting.
Meanwhile, Joe Torre seems unconcerned about Robertson's left-handedness and rather fierce platoon splits. Torre's keeping Bobby Abreu in the lineup, starting Jason Giambi at DH, and giving Melky Cabrera a day of rest, which puts Johnny Damon in center field. Save for Abreu, who should be platooning with Shelley Duncan, there's really nothing wrong with that lineup. Andy Phillips starts at first over Duncan as well, but with the groundballing Pettitte on the mound, that's legit, too.
we cater to all the denominators, here!!!
i'll be recording.
that is, if they get a game in.
Go Yankees! For God's sake!
I couldn't agree more.
I'm impressed. Cash seems to know exactly what is happening around him, and made his decisions based on his future game plan. He addresses all of Mike's questions head-on, and seemed very straight. He mentioned Britton a couple of times as someone who might help this team, so he's on the radar. Maybe there is still an issue that we are not aware of.
LETS GO YAN-KEES!
Cash is no moron. You may disagree with moves he makes, but the guy is very shrewd and knowledgeable. More importantly, he's willing to adjust. I'd say his remaining flaw is not quite knowing when to just cut bait on someone.
I think:)
Meanwhile, leadoff single by Papi at the Fens in the 7th. Surely the Halos should think about a pitching change. Shields could get 6 outs, no?
Crap, even as I typed that Nancy doubles to put the tying run in scoring position.
i think brandon webb is now at 40 consecutive scoreless innings...
Q: Any ink about how Sheff is reacting to the boos? (Been crazy busy, no time for recreational reading)...
Sigh.
willits making gagne work.
DJ is crapping the bed...
LETS GO YAN-KEES!
179 These games give me a queasy feeling.
It's not where he is standing! It's whether the ball is in fair territory.
Sox coming up w/ 7-8-9
Say what? Halos retake the lead? Guess the games, let alone the season take time to play out, huh?
Great play by Matsui.
K-Rod don't you dare scare this up.
Robertson is at 105 pitches
I can't sound too much like Phillips because I think the Yankees will win the Wild Card (although that doesn't mean I am not anxious for every win). Just because I think Boston has a favorable schedule and isn't likely to implode doesn't mean I think the Yankees are dead.
My God, they called up a 20-year old with 8 games in AA? I'm really out of the loop today. I know the Yanks rushed Joba, but it seems like there's so much more to learn for an outfielder than a stud pitcher with dynamic stuff.
Clearly, I was wrong. Now, I think even the division is a viable objective. I've never been more glad to be wrong.
Sorry about the abus de langage, but I am loving this.
Return to civility starting .... >now<
Something I just noticed, but hadn't realized is that he had two bad outings just before the trade. He finished with two 1 inning saves before going to boston, but it does make you wonder if he just needs a long rest.
Why is Viz up?
who's in for the 9th - joba or someone like farns or villone?
plus, we'll have edwar, Mo, Viz, etc... tomorrow if Cham,berlain finishes tonight.
Giambi has massive power.
Go Sox!
My boy Andy has had a pretty good night. Roll Tide, indeed.
1 inning, he can work again sunday
regarding gagne, since i'm 1/2way through the top of the 9th in that game on TiVo, he doesn't seem to have any confidence or command of his offspeed stuff ... at this point he's thrown close to 30pitches in the inning and almost all of them have been fastballs ... maybe 2 curves that weren't close and only 1 changeup ... without his offspeed stuff, he's just not finishing guys off, though his command of the fastball still seems sound, on the cabrera single that tied the game, he hit varitek's target perfectly ...
yay! joba time!!!
"Dad, I thought you said we had good seats for tonight?"
"Sorry, son I thought that PFL meant Professional Field Level not Planes Flying Low."
"Now I'll never catch a foul ball."
"Thanks Jason Giambi!"
Sheff hit it nice, but that's what happens when you throw 98mph...it bites back a little bit.
Slow down Joba!
I'm diggin' the crowd treatment of Sheff. He's earned it...
Go Joba!
296 great points on joba, per usual, cult!
go pale hose! (down 3-0 now)
bama, you're getting your lines stepped on a lot lately! hey, are you anywhere near Montgomery? i'm performing there in 2 weeks...
With EDSP gone, it only makes sense, right?!?!!?
I kid, I kid. I heart Joba too - and I really dislike that dumb Steve Phillips.
4 games again!
"The Yankees continue to say they haven't ruled out the idea of phenom Joba Chamberlain's heading back to the rotation next year. But one scout says that if they want Chamberlain to make an impact in the big leagues anytime soon, that's a lousy idea. "I saw him twice [in the minor leagues] this year, and he wasn't ready to pitch in the big leagues as a starter," the scout said."
i love the bullshit in that paragraph, from start to finish ... where do they find these people?
for comparison, here's the scouting take on joba from a scout (from rosenthal's column):
Mammoth physical presence. Chop off his head and he looks like an advanced aged Roger Clemens. Athleticism in delivery exudes even though he's a big man. Good delivery. Powerful arm. Consistently hit 95-99 on the radar gun for seven innings as a starting pitcher. Fastball can be straight up in zone. Nasty when down and located. Two types of breaking balls. Slider and curve are defined. Close to being wipeout type breaking balls and coupled with the heat they intrigue. Solid changeup that he neglects. Should throw more. Delicate touch on changeup. Verlander-ish-type stuff. Small health concerns. Missed some time earlier in the year. If it all fell apart for this kid he's Jon Broxton. That's a happy soft landing.
Really, really good to have Jason back.
He's doing exactly what he should be doing, and what people have been saying he should do. It's time to recognize that.
Mariners up on Chicagi 5-0. I hate to be the I told you so, but I told you so. When exactly is it that they are going to fade as predicted by many? July? August? September? I say again, I hope I am very wrong about them, but I like their chances.
This is going to be quite a stretch run for the Yankees. Great win tonight, but I am beginning to think that taking the division is a llong shot, unless Beckett and Matsuzaka go to dinner in the same cab and get rear ended by a bus.
Andy proves to be the Yankees stopper once again circa 1996. There isn't anyone else I'd rather have out there for us in a must win game at home. Clemens going tomorrow! Let's go get them! I am also sending good thoughts to FOX in hopes I don't have to watch the Cardinals instead of the Yankees. The DVR reads Yankees vs. Detroit, but it's toyed with me before.
That being said, Bobby Abreu is really growing on me. He costs a fortune, but I hope they pick up the option, and keep a deep bench instead of throwing Duncan or Damon out there.
Or maybe Stark just interviewed some kid shooting for his Eagle Badge?
Oh, and only 1 K for Joba? Send him back down.
Silly question. Anyone have any information on what or whom Joba is "praying" to, if that is even the correct vernacular? I am too tired to do the research on Native American spirituality. I am not at all religious and have strong distaste for all the sky pointing and God this and God that in sports. I'd like to think if there was a God, he or she or it wouldn't give two shits what happens in a baseball game or for that matter, that I just typed "shit."
I am interested, and if anyone knows what Joba might be up to, I'd appreciate the knowledge.
Meanwhile, they're a mere plus 6 in runs scored vs runs given up, scarcely the mark of a great team, or even a very good one.
Meanwhile, their schedule looks much tougher than ours. Aside from the current Sox series, 7 vs Texas, and 3 vs TB, they have to play 3 at Minny, 7 vs LAA, 5 vs Cleveland, a 9-game road trip vs Toronto, us, and Detroit, and 6 v. Oakland
Best case scenario for them is us tanking the rest of August and they're opening up a lead, but I don't see that happening.
Oakland could be key, but they've won 7 of 10 and might be putting their typical 2nd 1/2 surge togehter, which would be very good news for us and bad news for Seattle.
As for their schedule, I respectfully disagree. The Twins, Cleveland, Oakland and Toronoto are hardly what they could be. The numbers tell me that Seattle will miss, but with every live game I watch here on the west coast, I like their chances more and more. What's more, we have had opportunities to put some distance between them and us, but we haven't. I wish I didn't have to work so much, this is going to be a run to remember, no matter how it ends.
Seattle has a good offense? they have exactly 1 player who's above average for his position (Ichiro!) everyone else either hover around average ( SS , C , LF , RF ) or are utter disastors (1B, DH, 2B)
they manage to be middle of the road in scoring, (well amoung last in the playoff hopefuls, and considering their overall individual numbers, it says a lot about the ability of Ichiro) and while their BP have been awsome, their SP? ...not so much. a good bullpen can't make up for everything. Seattle is due for some games where their SP either gets bombed or their offense can't score a lick. granted that Adam Jones help to make their lineup better, and Richie Sexson is finally showing a little sign of life. but still. the chance for us NOT overtaking them is ridiculasly low.
And why do you assume we would catch them overnight or won't catch them is beyond me. Yankee were 1.5 games behind them on August the first (so yes we still caught 1 game despite losing 3 strait before that) and we were 7.5 games behind them on July the 1st. hell, on 7/17 we were 4.5 games behind them.
are you oblivious to the fact that the Yankees have litterally bombed up the ladder in a month's time, where NO ONE in the AL played anywhere near their level?
341 Last year, we were behind for most of the season, and until the 5 game sweep of the Sox, our position was tenuous. Then the Sox collapsed. So even though the final standings weren't close, it really was 'close' for most of the year. JD had a lot to do with our getting back into the race. I was against the trade because of the 4 years, but I don't think having Melky was enough to prevent us from trying to get an impact OFer. Time will tell if Melky ultimately has as good/better career then JD.
346 So you DONT believe that the Pathag record of a team is a good indicator of their talent and final standing?
349 Thank you for some sanity. Look at what Minn. did last September. There is a dark horse almost every year in MLB. It seems few people here understand what a 162 season is. Our team, as is, is basically now going head-2-head with Seattle for a WC spot. We have a pretty easy Sept. schedule. You don't think the odds are in our favor? With Hughes, Joba, Giambi, Edwar and many other talents we didn't have earlier in the year?
Is there ANYONE here who honestly believed at the ASB that we would be in this position in the standings on this date?
Is there ANYONE here who honestly believed that our current lineup would be in place instead of the one we had at the ASB?
Is there ANYONE here, considering our record and roster, who honestly thinks things could have gone any better since the ASB?
Hey... I'm scared SHITLESS at the idea that we won't make the PS. But we gotta be realistic. We are sittin' pretty!
For this year, it has been so great being able to switch in Damon and now Duncan into the outfield and rotate Matsui, Cabrera, and Abreu rest days.
Of course Betemit has given us the same thing in the infield - opportunities to rest Cano, Jeter, Arod without going house money.
I'm enjoying this and so long as we continue to take care of business we'll make the playoffs.
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