Thank you to the NHL for scheduling Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals for Saturday and not tonight. If it was tonight, I don't think I'd make it to the second intermission. From the NBA Finals game on Tuesday night to Game 4 Wednesday night back to NBA Finals Game 7 last night, that's a lot of late nights and 4-hour text marathons with everybody I know who's been watching. Waking up early to write game recaps about some of the puke we've seen on the baseball diamond this week doesn't make things any easier. I need me a nap and I needed it yesterday. If I'm still in the office by the team this post goes up later, I have failed myself as a cubicle monkey and a human being. Now onto the links!
- On Monday, Chad Jennings of LoHud had the real meat and potatoes from the Cashman conference call, with detailed quotes about Teix, Youkilis, and the trade market.
- Mike Axisa of RAB touched on the positive trend in Dellin Betances' performance since being converted back to the bullpen in Triple-A.
- On Tuesday, el duque of It Is High... was back with his always snarky and almost always spot on dose of perspective on the current lay of the Yankee land.
- On Wednesday, Derek Albin of Pinstripe Pundits started looking at realistic trade options for the Yankees as the deadline starts to appear in the distance.
- Mark Feinsand of The Daily News hopped in the way back machine with Brian Cashman and got Cash's explanation on the "Girardi-over-Mattingly" managerial hire.
- On Thursday, William Juliano of The Captain's Blog analyzed the Yankees' performance against their Pythagorean expectation now that they have an even run differential and saw bad things in their future.
- Rob Abruzzese of Bronx Baseball Daily ranked Don Mattingly's top 10 Yankee moments, fitting for his return to New York earlier this week.
- Walter Peck of NoMaas wasn't all that thrilled with the Yankees' promotional selections for the All Star Game. You mean Ichiro doesn't deserve to be there??
- On Friday, Michael Eder of IIATMS/TYA pondered the possibility of David Phelps maintaining his high K rate. That has always stuck out to me more than anything about Phelps. He was never a high K guy in the upper levels of the Minors.
Tanya Bondurant of Pinstriped Bible wondered if Michael Pineda could take Phil Hughes' rotation spot. Yes, Tanya. Yes he could and yes he will.
- SG of RLYW compared the lineup's actual performance to its projected performance to show how badly they've been underproducing. If you want to take that as a sign that things will turn around, be my guest.
This week's jam is "Tomorrow Never Knows" by The Beatles. Good tune to unwind to after a long, tiring week.
Enjoy your weekends, everybody.
Friday, June 21, 2013
This Offense Is Offensive
(Originally published at IIATMS/TYA)
There's no need to sugarcoat it anymore. It's a scientific fact at this point, why try holding out hope that it's going to turn around? This offense sucks. It sucks and it sucks hard. Whether you want to blame ownership, Cashman, or both, we can all be unified in agreement that this performance from the lineup night in and night out is just pathetic. Each game brings a new low, and the numbers and anecdotes to prove it are starting to get frightening. Reid Brignac isn't OPSing CC's playing weight. Vernon Wells may have inadvertently started the takeover of the machines. Francisco Cervelli is the team wOBA leader right now, by a wide margin, and he hasn't played a game since April 26th. Alberto Gonzalez is statistically the team's best offensive shortstop.
There's no need to sugarcoat it anymore. It's a scientific fact at this point, why try holding out hope that it's going to turn around? This offense sucks. It sucks and it sucks hard. Whether you want to blame ownership, Cashman, or both, we can all be unified in agreement that this performance from the lineup night in and night out is just pathetic. Each game brings a new low, and the numbers and anecdotes to prove it are starting to get frightening. Reid Brignac isn't OPSing CC's playing weight. Vernon Wells may have inadvertently started the takeover of the machines. Francisco Cervelli is the team wOBA leader right now, by a wide margin, and he hasn't played a game since April 26th. Alberto Gonzalez is statistically the team's best offensive shortstop.
What's Up With Andy?
Andy Pettitte turned in another ho-hum performance last night, giving up 5 ER on 9 hits in 6.2 innings of work. Since coming off the DL, he's posted a 4.91 ERA in 25.2 IP, with 30 hits allowed in those innings. Like CC, he's been much more hittable since coming off the DL, but why? Is the back still bothering him? Has he lost some of his stuff because of it?
Hard to say. Pettitte's FIP for June is just 2.66, a full 2 runs lower than his ERA. He's walked fewer batters on average than he did in April or May, and there's nothing in his June contact splits to suggest he's getting knocked around the park by opposing hitters. He's got a .341 BABIP against this month, so there could just be some bad luck in play here.
The Yankees need more from Andy, there's no doubting that. But to turn his June struggles into a bigger story might be a bit premature based on his overall statistical and PitchF/X profile. The only thing that stands out to me is a slight trend in him leaving his cutter up in the zone a bit, and even that is registering him a better whiff rate on the pitch than he had in the first 2 months. If Andy's back is still giving him problems, there's really not much other than the ERA to support it. It could just be a case of him needing a few breaks to go his way.
Hard to say. Pettitte's FIP for June is just 2.66, a full 2 runs lower than his ERA. He's walked fewer batters on average than he did in April or May, and there's nothing in his June contact splits to suggest he's getting knocked around the park by opposing hitters. He's got a .341 BABIP against this month, so there could just be some bad luck in play here.
The Yankees need more from Andy, there's no doubting that. But to turn his June struggles into a bigger story might be a bit premature based on his overall statistical and PitchF/X profile. The only thing that stands out to me is a slight trend in him leaving his cutter up in the zone a bit, and even that is registering him a better whiff rate on the pitch than he had in the first 2 months. If Andy's back is still giving him problems, there's really not much other than the ERA to support it. It could just be a case of him needing a few breaks to go his way.
Game 72 Wrap-Up: TB 8 NYY 3
(Courtesy of the AP)
The Yankees got back to normal last night after a rough road trip and a hectic 1-day doubleheader series against their old rival. They were at home, they had Andy Pettitte on the mound, and they were facing AL East rival Tampa Bay, who's slowly been creeping up on the Yanks as they've floundered recently. Tampa had their own big time lefty on the mound in Matt Moore, who'd already dominated the Yankee lineup twice in his 2 previous starts against New York this season. How would he fair a third time? Did you really have to ask?
Game Notes:
- Andy struggled with his fastball command early, and it cost him 3 runs on 6 hits. He was able to limit damage and keep his pitch count down, but the Rays hitters were making him pay for every mistake.
- Predictably, the Yankee offense didn't get much going against Moore. Brett Gardner led off the game with a solid single, and from there Moore faced the minimum number of hitters through 4 innings.
- The offense generated runs in the 6th the only ways they seem to know how these days: luck (Moore lost the zone and walked 2 then threw a wild pitch), station-to-station baseball, and productive outs (Robinson Cano sac fly, Travis Hafner RBI groundout). It worked and got them within a run, 4-3.
- Pettitte, after righting the ship in the 4th and 5th innings, couldn't respond to the offensive support. He gave up a solo HR to Evan Longoria in the 6th and back-to-back doubles with 2 outs in the 7th to end his night with 5 Tampa runs on the board.
- It got no better when the game got the bullpen. Joba Chamberlain and Boone Logan combined to give up 4 ER in less than 2 innings to really put the game out of reach.
- Very fitting ending in the bottom of the 9th. Yanks put 2 runners on as a tease and Chris Stewart grounds into a game-ending double play. Balls.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Do You Hear That, Phil?
(Courtesy of Getty Images)
(Originally published at IIATMS/TYA)
Do you? You should listen to it a little closer. That's the sound of Michael Pineda coming. That's the sound of your rotation spot disappearing in about a month, and possibly a nice chunk of your upcoming free agent money with it. Take a look around, buddy. You're the weak link in the rotation, and the truth is you have been since the minute Ivan got DL'd. You're sitting with a 5.09/4.43/4.41 split now, with just as many bad starts than good this season after another Phil Hughes 101 clinic last night- missing in the strike zone with fastballs, inconsistency with the offspeed stuff, no ability at all to put hitters away with 2 strikes. It's all just getting old, dude. You're waking up today coming off another stinker and Pineda is pitching again tonight down in Tampa.
And guess what? This time the Yankees won't shuffle guys around and roll out the red carpet for you in the bullpen. They don't need to do that this time. Things are just fine in the 'pen. Maybe you'll get put on the phantom DL with more shoulder fatigue. Maybe you'll get sent down to Triple-A to hang out with Ivan. Maybe you will get sent out to the bullpen, to be Adam Warren's caddy and D-Rob's sock washer. It doesn't really matter anymore. What matters is that your act has gotten tired and Pineda is on his way. He's coming and he's not coming just to be a placeholder for Andy's back. He's coming for your job.
Game 71 Wrap-Up: LAD 6 NYY 0
(Courtesy of Getty Images)
Things were looking good for the Yankees last night after they won the day game of the doubleheader. Then the lineup remembered that they're mostly crummy hitters and Bad Phil Hughes showed up. Pretty simple really. Not much to this one.
Game Notes:
- Bad Phil.
- Bad Phil.
- More Bad Phil.
- Adam Warren HR.
- No offense.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Game 70 Wrap-Up: NYY 6 LAD 4
(Courtesy of Getty Images)
It was delayed by a day, but Donnie Baseball finally made his return to Yankee Stadium today and even with a less than desired early crowd for a day/night doubleheader still got a nice tribute and a few opportunities to deservedly doff his cap to the fans. His Dodgers were also making their first visit to The Stadium in way too long, and all of it was getting packed into 1 day. After last night's rainout, the Yankees juggled their rotation a touch and gave Hiroki Kuroda the day start against impressive rookie Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Game Notes:
- The Yankee offense got back to executing smallball in the bottom of the 2nd, getting 2 singles from Thomas Neal and Ichiro to set the table and a sac bunt by David Adams to move them over. Lyle Overbay came through with a 2-run double right after and it was a 2-0 game.
- Efficient start for Kuroda, and effective too despite the 5 hits in 4 innings. He was sinker/slider heavy and locating well to get a ton of groundball contact. He had to work around a 2nd and 3rd/0 outs situation in the top of the 4th, but did so successfully thanks to a nice defensive play on his part to start a lineout DP.
- Things got back to normal offensively in the bottom of the 5th. The Yanks loaded the bases with 1 out only to have Vernon Wells strike out and Neal ground out to let Ryu off the hook and keep it a 2-run game.
- Ichiro quickly made up for that blown opportunity by leading off the bottom of the 6th with a HR. As underwhelming as he's been this year, he's been one of the better hitters for the last few weeks.
- Kuroda continued to cruise through 6 before getting into trouble again after putting the first 2 runners on in the 7th. His pitches started coming in a bit higher in the zone and the Dodgers took advantage. Kuroda failed to make it out of the inning after a Jerry Hairston RBI single, but he left with the lead intact.
- The Yanks extended that lead in the bottom half on some hilariously awful defensive errors and another Ichiro hit, then Preston Claiborne almost gave it back in the 8th. D-Rob and Mo came in to lock things down and preserve the win.
Expectations For Zoilo In A Mixed Bag Season Of Rookies
(Courtesy of the AP)
(Originally published at IIATMS/TYA)
The Year of The Rookie continued yesterday when the Yankees recalled Adam Warren to replace Teix on the active roster and reportedly prepared to call up Zoilo Almonte as the latest attempted shake up/boost/slight upgrade/marginal improvement/whatever to the scuffling lineup. While a corresponding roster move to make room for Zoilo hasn't been announced yet - smart money would be on Chris Bootcheck - chances are high that we'll see him in the lineup either today or tonight as the Yanks play a doubleheader without the benefit of the 26th man.
The End Of The Youkilis Era
It started with another day off, it continued with another DL trip, and it might have just ended yesterday with the announcement that he was going to need surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back. The battle between Kevin Youkilis and his back has been waged, and Youkilis has lost. You can check the calendar if you want, but the 10-12 week estimated timeframe for his recovery all but ends a Yankee career that was snuffed out almost as quickly as it started.
As it is, Youkilis will end his Yankee career with a .219/.305/.343 batting line in 118 plate appearances. It wasn't the production anybody hoped for, least of all Youkilis himself, but it's a testament to the grit and desire and passion for the game Youkilis had. He wore the pinstripes with pride, although usually in a stiff and uncomfortable looking posture, and honored the # 36 like no Yankee had since Freddy Garcia. He'll make a cool $12 million this year - $1 mil for every run he scored, 1.5 for every RBI, or 6 for every HR - and no man, woman, or child could say that every cent of it wasn't well earned.
Kevin Youkilis wasn't a Yankee for very long. He joined them later in his career, when his flame had started to burn a little fainter. It's a flame we'll never forget though, and a flame that will burn on in time for the rest of Yankee history. Now somebody hit the music.
As it is, Youkilis will end his Yankee career with a .219/.305/.343 batting line in 118 plate appearances. It wasn't the production anybody hoped for, least of all Youkilis himself, but it's a testament to the grit and desire and passion for the game Youkilis had. He wore the pinstripes with pride, although usually in a stiff and uncomfortable looking posture, and honored the # 36 like no Yankee had since Freddy Garcia. He'll make a cool $12 million this year - $1 mil for every run he scored, 1.5 for every RBI, or 6 for every HR - and no man, woman, or child could say that every cent of it wasn't well earned.
Kevin Youkilis wasn't a Yankee for very long. He joined them later in his career, when his flame had started to burn a little fainter. It's a flame we'll never forget though, and a flame that will burn on in time for the rest of Yankee history. Now somebody hit the music.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
What's Going On Behind The Scenes In Yankeeland?
(Courtesy of Ron Antonelli/NY Daily News)
(Originally published at IIATMS/TYA)
Cash had a lot to say to the media yesterday. Unsurprisingly, the bulk of it was about injuries. While the news on A-Rod and Michael Pineda was both positive, it was what Cash said about Mark Teixeira that stood out. When asked about Kevin Long's statement over the weekend that Teix hadn't seemed right since coming off the DL, Cash pulled off the impressive feat of going both on the defensive and the offensive, saying that Long had never said anything like that in any internal discussions and calling it "alarming" that Long would then say that to reporters. When pressed further to comment on whether he was angry with Long, Cash summed up his feelings with this statement:
“I think some people are better with the microphone than others.”
Boom, roasted! I don't care if you like Cash or not, that's a good line. What I do care about is the fact that it's another example of Cash publicly airing out his people, something that's never been a part of his playbook and has come as a bit of a surprise to me this season.
Teix Back To The DL
Cash strongly hinted at it on his conference call yesterday and now it sounds like the Yankees are making it official today. Via Sweeny Murti, they will put Mark Teixeira back on the DL today for right wrist inflammation and recall Adam Warren from Triple-A to take his spot on the active roster. Murti also speculates that Zoilo Almonte could be called up in another attempt to find some offense. After losing Teix's bat again, this wouldn't be a bad move.
If we're following the Jose Bautista path from 2012 with this wrist injury, the initial diagnosis was strike 1. This setback and return DL trip is strike 2. Even if Teix comes back from this inflammation to play a few games, it still appears like he's right on track to get strike 3 and season-ending surgery at some point.
If we're following the Jose Bautista path from 2012 with this wrist injury, the initial diagnosis was strike 1. This setback and return DL trip is strike 2. Even if Teix comes back from this inflammation to play a few games, it still appears like he's right on track to get strike 3 and season-ending surgery at some point.
Yanks Get Aggressive With Minor League Promotions, But Not Too Aggressive
(Do you, Raffy. Do you. Courtesy of MiLB.com)
I have no evidence to back this claim up other than my own memory, but it seems like the Yankees have been on the cautious side recently when it comes to promoting their top prospects. They didn't rush Jesus Montero, Dellin Betances, or Manny Banuelos, aren't rushing guys like Gary Sanchez and Mason Williams now, and didn't give any indication they were going to be anything but patient with Ty Hensley and Austin Aune. In the past few days, however, they've executed a small series of Minor League promotions that seem to be coming a bit earlier than usual. I can't recall there being many promotions for top prospects before the MiL All Star Games in the last few years. These recent moves could signal a slight change in philosophy when it comes to development and promotion.
How Big Of An Ovation Does Mattingly Get Tonight?
Probably not as big as CM Punk in Chicago - kinda hard to beat that in an open-air baseball stadium that's only a third full when the game starts - but I bet it'll be pretty close tonight when Donnie Baseball returns to Yankee Stadium. Personally I was a little young to really be a big Don Mattingly fan. I caught him at the end of his career, when his health had started to betray him and the transition was being made to the Core Four dynasty. But if you know anything about Yankee history, you know that Mattingly was and is one of the most beloved players in team history. He was Derek Jeter before Derek Jeter was Derek Jeter.
I could care less about any of the talk about him returning as future manager or coach. His track record on the coaching side of Major League baseball isn't all that stellar and I think Joe is still the better man for the job. For nostalgia and fan history's sake though, it will be cool to see Mattingly back in Yankee Stadium tonight. He'll get a huge reaction from the crowd and he deserves it.
A Batch Of Good Injury News
The bulk of Cash's conference call yesterday afternoon was spent updating the media on the litany of injuries the Yankees are still dealing with. Outside of his wishy-washy statement on Teix and whether or not his wrist setback will send him back to the DL, it was all pretty positive. How's that for a change of pace, huh?
Derek Jeter- Has been taking all kinds of batting practice (cage, tee, soft toss) and has started taking groundballs with some lateral movement.
Eduardo Nunez- Started hitting off a tee and taking groundballs again.
Alex Rodriguez- Started running the bases at 75% over the weekend with no issues, and is scheduled to face live pitching for the first time today in Tampa.
Francisco Cervelli- Has been doing catching and throwing drills but is still at least a week away from starting to swing a bat again.
Curtis Granderson- Scheduled to get the pin removed from his broken hand this Thursday. Will probably be re-evaluated then to determine next steps.
Derek Jeter- Has been taking all kinds of batting practice (cage, tee, soft toss) and has started taking groundballs with some lateral movement.
Eduardo Nunez- Started hitting off a tee and taking groundballs again.
Alex Rodriguez- Started running the bases at 75% over the weekend with no issues, and is scheduled to face live pitching for the first time today in Tampa.
Francisco Cervelli- Has been doing catching and throwing drills but is still at least a week away from starting to swing a bat again.
Curtis Granderson- Scheduled to get the pin removed from his broken hand this Thursday. Will probably be re-evaluated then to determine next steps.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Previewing The Short Season Leagues: Staten Island
The short season leagues kick off this week in the Minors, bringing the Yankee farm system up to full song for the 2013 season. In case you missed it, Stacey Gotsulias took a trip to Media Day for the Staten Island Yankees and got to talk to some of their coaches about the upcoming season and I highly recommend you check that out as a way to get up to speed on what's in store for that club this year. After the jump, there's a quick primer on what and who you should be looking at on the field.
Keeping The Good Ship Yankee Afloat
(Originally published at IIATMS/TYA)
The Yankees picked up a win yesterday afternoon, salvaging a small piece of pride from this West Coast trip and giving themselves something to build on for the next homestand. As was the case during their recent losing streak, they won in rather frustrating fashion, getting out early and coasting through 8 innings before watching their bullpen aces almost give away a 6-run lead in the 9th. Had they lost that game we'd be looking at a threat level red meltdown this morning, so it was nice to avoid that. It's also nice to know that, despite the brutal offensive performance and continued injury problems, the Yanks come home just 2 games back in the loss column in the AL East and tied for the 2nd Wild Card spot.
The "just tread water until the regulars come back" plan has fallen apart rapidly with the return trips to the DL for C-Grand and Kevin Youkilis and Teix's latest setback with his wrist, and now the Yanks are looking at Francisco Cervelli as the new earliest guy back sometime after the All Star Break. They're going to have to keep trying to find a way to win with the roster as presently constructed, which will be no small task if the last few weeks are any indication. Here are a few things that need to happen to keep them competitive and in the hunt.
The Yankees picked up a win yesterday afternoon, salvaging a small piece of pride from this West Coast trip and giving themselves something to build on for the next homestand. As was the case during their recent losing streak, they won in rather frustrating fashion, getting out early and coasting through 8 innings before watching their bullpen aces almost give away a 6-run lead in the 9th. Had they lost that game we'd be looking at a threat level red meltdown this morning, so it was nice to avoid that. It's also nice to know that, despite the brutal offensive performance and continued injury problems, the Yanks come home just 2 games back in the loss column in the AL East and tied for the 2nd Wild Card spot.
The "just tread water until the regulars come back" plan has fallen apart rapidly with the return trips to the DL for C-Grand and Kevin Youkilis and Teix's latest setback with his wrist, and now the Yanks are looking at Francisco Cervelli as the new earliest guy back sometime after the All Star Break. They're going to have to keep trying to find a way to win with the roster as presently constructed, which will be no small task if the last few weeks are any indication. Here are a few things that need to happen to keep them competitive and in the hunt.
Game 69 Wrap-Up: NYY 6 LAA 5
(Courtesy of the AP)
There was a time when CC Sabathia on the mound during a tough stretch meant things were going to start to turn around. With the struggles he's had this season, that's no longer nearly the certainty it used to be and that was bad news for the Yankees coming into the game. Their offense has been laughably bad in the last week plus and there was no reason to have confidence in the lineup's ability to pick up CC should he not have his A-game. Luckily for them he did, and luckily for him he actually got some run support for a change.
Game Notes:
- Another opportunity was squandered in the top of the 1st after a Brett Gardner leadoff double and Ichiro walk were stranded by the 3-5 hitters. No excuse for Robinson Cano not putting a ball in play and bringing in at least 1 run.
- Gardner was in the middle of another leadoff rally in the 3rd and this time the Yanks came through on a big 2-out, 3-run homer by Travis Hafner, just his 3rd since May 20th. Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay, and Jayson Nix all followed up with hits and the Yanks had a 5-0 lead for CC.
- He made the lead stand up and then some through 5 innings. His 4-seamer had great life and he worked from ahead in the count consistently to generate a lot of groundball outs.
- The offense went quiet for a while after the 3rd, but they scratched out an extra insurance run in the top of the 8th. Cano doubled to start the inning, moved to third on a Hafner groundout, and scored on a Wells sac fly to make it 6-0.
- CC continued his excellence through the 8th before running out of gas in the bottom of the 9th. Excellent outing for him, just what the team needed at a time like this and the type of stopper start we're used to seeing from him.
- Joe went to his bullpen aces after CC and they damn near gagged the game away. D-Rob gave up a hit and a walk to load the bases before leaving and by the time Mo closed out the game it was 6-5 with the bases still loaded. Even when they win these days they do it sloppily, but it's better than losing again.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
It Ain't Too Hard To Figure Out...
Yankee Offense in April- .261/.330/.432, 120 R, 36 HR, 16-10 Record
Yankee Offense in May- .233/.286/.376, 102 R, 27 HR, 15-13 Record
Yankee Offense in June- .212/.283/.305, 42 R, 8 HR, 6-8 Record
You can't win games if you don't score runs, no matter how good your starting pitching is. And you can't score runs if you don't hit. The Yankees haven't hit worth a lick since the start of May. They haven't hit when they've had good pitching and they haven't hit when they've had bad pitching. Injuries are certainly a part of it, there's no denying that. Injuries or no injuries though, a sub-.600 team OPS for the month of June is unacceptable. Going 3 straight strikeouts with a runner on 3rd and nobody out is unacceptable. It's time to sack up and start swinging the sticks better.
Yankee Offense in May- .233/.286/.376, 102 R, 27 HR, 15-13 Record
Yankee Offense in June- .212/.283/.305, 42 R, 8 HR, 6-8 Record
You can't win games if you don't score runs, no matter how good your starting pitching is. And you can't score runs if you don't hit. The Yankees haven't hit worth a lick since the start of May. They haven't hit when they've had good pitching and they haven't hit when they've had bad pitching. Injuries are certainly a part of it, there's no denying that. Injuries or no injuries though, a sub-.600 team OPS for the month of June is unacceptable. Going 3 straight strikeouts with a runner on 3rd and nobody out is unacceptable. It's time to sack up and start swinging the sticks better.
Evidence Not Adding Up To Good News For Teix (Updated)
(Courtesy of the AP)
We don't know anything about the condition of Mark Teixeira's wrist after he left last night's game early other than the "aggravated" title the team is officially putting on it. Teix hadn't looked good at the plate this week. He was just as big a void in the middle of the batting as major slumpers like Vernon Wells or Travis Hafner, and his early exist last night brought many of our concerns about the health of his right wrist into the realm of reality. He's going to get checked out today by team doctors, but even that does little to inspire hope that the wrist is OK given all the damning evidence surrounding the situation.
Game 68 Wrap-Up: LAA 6 NYY 2
(Don't be bummed, Reid. You just suck. Courtesy of Getty Images)
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and those were the measures Joe took when putting together yesterday's lineup. He had Travis Hafner on the bench against a right-handed starter and Lyle Overbay in his place at DH. He had David Adams on the bench after Adams was the only hitter to drive in a run the day before. He had Thomas Neal starting against a righty and playing the outfield after initially saying Neal was only going to be used as a DH against lefties. The offensive struggles seem to be getting to Joe just as much as they are the rest of the team, and things only got more desperate when Mark Teixeira left early last night because of his wrist. Oh, and the losing streak continued.
Game Notes:
- Familiar start to this one. Yankees went down in order in the first 2 innings at the dish while starter David Phelps was up and down in giving up 3 hits and a solo HR to Erick Aybar to give Anaheim the early lead.
- The offense managed to string a couple hits together with 2 outs in the 3rd to take the lead. Brett Gardner tripled in Chris Stewart and scored on Jayson Nix's RBI double. Rare to see a 2-out rally like that these days.
- The lead didn't last long. Phelps gave it back in the bottom half when he walked Mike Trout and gave up a 2-out RBI single to Albert Pujols. Phelps also had to wriggle off the hook in the 4th after giving up 2 leadoff hits, but he kept the game at 2-2 through 5.
-Phelps couldn't do it again in the 6th after walking Mark Trumbo to lead off the inning. Erick Aybar singled him home to regain the lead for the Angels, but a slick 3-6-1 double play turn by David Adams (who entered for Teix) and Reid Brignac ended the threat and the inning.
- Ichiro Suzuki tried to do it on his own in the top of the 7th, getting on with a bunt single and stealing 2nd and 3rd base. He stayed right there as the hard-hitting trio of Neal, Brignac, and Stewart stranded him with 3 straight strikeouts.
- Shawn Kelley made a mess of things in the bottom of the inning in relief of Phelps, so did Joba in the 8th, and the offense went down with nary a whimper in the late innings. 5th straight loss and another one in pathetic fashion.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Teixeira Leaves Tonight's Game With Wrist Problem
File this as another one in the "Totally Saw This Coming" injury files for the 2013 season. Mark Teixeira left tonight's game in the 4th inning with an apparent injury/re-injury to his right wrist. He was replaced by David Adams at first base in the bottom of the inning and during the in-game interview on FOX, Joe Girardi said that Teix didn't "have the snap in his swing" he usually does and that he would give Teix the next couple days off.
There was always a less than 100% chance that the DL stint and extended rest/rehab plan for Teix's injury wouldn't work. The nature of that tendon sheath injury is to linger, and this setback puts Teix on a similar path that Jose Bautista was on when he suffered the same injury last season. Save for a few early homers, Teix hadn't been doing much with the bat since coming back at the end of May. Guess we'll just have to see what the next few days bring.
** UPDATE 9:04 PM- Teix will fly back to New York to be examined by team doctors tomorrow. That doesn't sound good at all. **
There was always a less than 100% chance that the DL stint and extended rest/rehab plan for Teix's injury wouldn't work. The nature of that tendon sheath injury is to linger, and this setback puts Teix on a similar path that Jose Bautista was on when he suffered the same injury last season. Save for a few early homers, Teix hadn't been doing much with the bat since coming back at the end of May. Guess we'll just have to see what the next few days bring.
** UPDATE 9:04 PM- Teix will fly back to New York to be examined by team doctors tomorrow. That doesn't sound good at all. **
Pineda Strong In His Second Rehab Start
Michael Pineda made his second rehab start yesterday, a simulated game at the team's Tampa complex, and came through it very well. He pitched the equivalent of 5.2 scoreless innings with just 3 hits and a walk given up and 5 strikeouts. He threw 74 pitches, a slight increase from his first start, and although I haven't read any reports or tweets on his velocity it's safe to assume it was in that same low-to-mid 90s range it's been for the past few weeks.
There was some talk earlier in the week about this start taking place with Double-A Trenton while High-A had their All Star Game this weekend, but the team decided they wanted this second start to be in a controlled environment. Pineda didn't report problems with the shoulder, so I expect we'll see him with High-A Tampa or Trenton again this week with a pitch limit around 80. Another small step in the right direction.
There was some talk earlier in the week about this start taking place with Double-A Trenton while High-A had their All Star Game this weekend, but the team decided they wanted this second start to be in a controlled environment. Pineda didn't report problems with the shoulder, so I expect we'll see him with High-A Tampa or Trenton again this week with a pitch limit around 80. Another small step in the right direction.
Game 67 Wrap-Up: LAA 5 NYY 2
Same stuff different day for the Yankees last night. They didn't hit, at all, and they gave up the bulk of their runs with 2 outs. Another sloppy, lifeless loss as they continue to fall apart at the seams.
Game Notes:
- Andy Pettitte gave up a run in the bottom of the 1st on 3 hits, another in the 4th, another in the 6th, and another in the 7th. He wasn't sharp at all with 2 strikes and couldn't put guys away when he needed to.
- The Yankees got their runs on a bases loaded, 2-out, 2-run single by David Adams in the 4th. It was the only inning in which they scored a run. Naturally.
- The middle of the order got a few hits here and there, none that mattered, and as a team the Yankee lineup was 1-6 with RISP and left 7 on base. Sigh.
- Chris Bootcheck joined Thomas Neal in making his Yankee debut and he was predictably awful in his 1 inning of work. Nothing else worth saying about last night. Just more bad baseball.
Game Notes:
- Andy Pettitte gave up a run in the bottom of the 1st on 3 hits, another in the 4th, another in the 6th, and another in the 7th. He wasn't sharp at all with 2 strikes and couldn't put guys away when he needed to.
- The Yankees got their runs on a bases loaded, 2-out, 2-run single by David Adams in the 4th. It was the only inning in which they scored a run. Naturally.
- The middle of the order got a few hits here and there, none that mattered, and as a team the Yankee lineup was 1-6 with RISP and left 7 on base. Sigh.
- Chris Bootcheck joined Thomas Neal in making his Yankee debut and he was predictably awful in his 1 inning of work. Nothing else worth saying about last night. Just more bad baseball.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Youkilis Back To The DL
Multiple beat writers are tweeting it. Kevin Youkilis will go back on the DL because of his back, specifically a lumbar strain. He's been an empty husk of himself since returning to the lineup 2 weeks ago, and this will get David Adams back on the field. I think somebody around the blogosphere basically predicted that this was going to happen earlier this week. Oh yeah. If this isn't the first toll of the bell for Youkilis' career, I don't know what is.
Friday Afternoon Linkapalooza: 6/14/13
It's a near riot in Yankeeland right now. Everybody just losing their shit over the sweep in Oakland and the 17 straight scoreless frame the offense put up yesterday. I'll be honest, I was shaking my head and throwing out a fair share of mothereffs watching the MLB Gamecast on my computer yesterday, and 2-3 years ago the entirety of this blog's content today would have been cursing everybody and everything. But when I woke up this morning, I really wasn't all that upset. I had no desire to write anything about the meaning of yesterday's game other than it was another loss. I expected Vernon Wells to suck, I expected Ichiro to suck. I hoped for a rebound from Youkilis and abandoned all that hope the minute he hurt his back. I expected Hafner to be hurt by now, so the fact that he's not and not producing really doesn't cause me any anger. When you look at what the offense has/hasn't done this week, and consider everything that went into creating this situation, what else did you expect?
- On Monday, Rob Abruzzese of Bronx Baseball Daily mused on the growing importance of Alex Rodriguez now that Youkilis is starting to look shot.
- On Tuesday, Matt Bove of The Greedy Pinstripes wondered what kind of impact A-Rod is still capable of making when he does return.
- Rich Kaufman of Bronx Pinstripes pointed out the surprising offensive performance from Chris Stewart this season. It's still not great, but the guy is hitting better than he ever has.
- SG of RLYW used projections and linear weights to put the Yankees' season in perspective. I doubt anybody will feel better today reading that, but it's good to keep in mind that they've outperformed expectations.
- On Wednesday, SJK of NoMaas showed just how bad the 2 multi-year deals the Yankees did add this offseason look right now. This probably needs a "NSFW" label after last night's game.
- El duque of It Is High... commented on the crumbling Yankee offense. He was ahead of the curve I guess.
- Chad Jennings of LoHud got some great quotes from Brett Gardner on his offensive performance this season and his inconsistency on the basepaths.
- On Thursday, Jason Cohen of Pinstriped Bible looked at the huge dip in power from the offense since April and also at the lack of immediate upgrade options.
- On Friday, Mike Axisa of RAB unleashed a rant on the state of the Yankees after their 18-inning loss. Arguable points aside, I think there's something in there that any and every Yankee fan can relate to and agree with.
- In response to Axisa's rant, Mike Eder of IIATMS/TYA unveiled his way out there possible explanation for the Steinbrenners' recent decisions and offseason execution. It's out there, but it does make sense.
- William Juliano of The Captain's Blog pondered Hal and Cash's willingness to admit their plan has started to fall apart and go with a Plan B. Is there even a Plan B?
- Brian D. of Yankees Fans Unite made his case for trading Hughes and Joba now. I doubt the Yankees would get anything back that could help them immediately, and that's what they would really need to go through with that plan, but keep an eye on this idea for later in the season.
This afternoon's Friday Jam is "Bloody Knuckles" by High On Fire. If you're still pissed about last night, throw this on and go hit a heavy bag or something. You'll feel a little better when it's over. Maybe.
Enjoy your weekends, everybody.
- On Monday, Rob Abruzzese of Bronx Baseball Daily mused on the growing importance of Alex Rodriguez now that Youkilis is starting to look shot.
- On Tuesday, Matt Bove of The Greedy Pinstripes wondered what kind of impact A-Rod is still capable of making when he does return.
- Rich Kaufman of Bronx Pinstripes pointed out the surprising offensive performance from Chris Stewart this season. It's still not great, but the guy is hitting better than he ever has.
- SG of RLYW used projections and linear weights to put the Yankees' season in perspective. I doubt anybody will feel better today reading that, but it's good to keep in mind that they've outperformed expectations.
- On Wednesday, SJK of NoMaas showed just how bad the 2 multi-year deals the Yankees did add this offseason look right now. This probably needs a "NSFW" label after last night's game.
- El duque of It Is High... commented on the crumbling Yankee offense. He was ahead of the curve I guess.
- Chad Jennings of LoHud got some great quotes from Brett Gardner on his offensive performance this season and his inconsistency on the basepaths.
- On Thursday, Jason Cohen of Pinstriped Bible looked at the huge dip in power from the offense since April and also at the lack of immediate upgrade options.
- On Friday, Mike Axisa of RAB unleashed a rant on the state of the Yankees after their 18-inning loss. Arguable points aside, I think there's something in there that any and every Yankee fan can relate to and agree with.
- In response to Axisa's rant, Mike Eder of IIATMS/TYA unveiled his way out there possible explanation for the Steinbrenners' recent decisions and offseason execution. It's out there, but it does make sense.
- William Juliano of The Captain's Blog pondered Hal and Cash's willingness to admit their plan has started to fall apart and go with a Plan B. Is there even a Plan B?
- Brian D. of Yankees Fans Unite made his case for trading Hughes and Joba now. I doubt the Yankees would get anything back that could help them immediately, and that's what they would really need to go through with that plan, but keep an eye on this idea for later in the season.
This afternoon's Friday Jam is "Bloody Knuckles" by High On Fire. If you're still pissed about last night, throw this on and go hit a heavy bag or something. You'll feel a little better when it's over. Maybe.
Enjoy your weekends, everybody.
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