Putting the (bird)house in order
Hello from Baltimore, where the Yankees have shot up the East Coast and are ready to complete the regular season in a three-game weekend series at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
With the Wild Card already secured and Boston’s magic number for the AL East sticking at two, all that’s left for the Yankees to do is get their house in order for the playoffs. It looks as though the Yankees’ travel itinerary will include a flight to Cleveland next week for the AL Division Series.
Phil Hughes pitched at perhaps his sharpest all season last night, but still isn’t guaranteed a spot on the playoff roster — in part because tonight’s starter, Mike Mussina, has been a completely different pitcher in September. All we know as of yet is that Chien-Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte will start the first two games of the ALDS, but not necessarily in that order (though probably, considering Pettitte will throw 50 to 60 pitches tomorrow).
A lot of it still hinges on Roger Clemens’ balky left hamstring, which will be put through its paces Monday after the Yankees have already returned to New York. At least the Yankees found out last night that using Joba Chamberlain in back-to-back games isn’t the end of the world and that he could do it in a playoff series. The verdict isn’t final yet but Chamberlain seemed confident he’d wake up feeling fine.
Probables for the Orioles series
Tonight: Mike Mussina (11-10, 4.96) vs. Jon Leicester (2-3, 6.51)
Saturday: Andy Pettitte (14-9, 3.81) vs. Daniel Cabrera (9-17, 5.36)
Sunday: (Matt DeSalvo? Kei Igawa? Ron Guidry? etc.) vs. Brian Burres (6-7, 5.66)
Bryan Hoch
Let’s put Guidry on the bump. I bet he could still find the strike zone.
Xcel Sport
Sorry about the above post,
Guidry or Igawa????????? I’ll take Gator, at least he wont walk in a dozen runs!!
Chaz I read your post about asking people if they actually played baseball? As if to KNOW baseball you have to play it, well that is garbage. I remember stepping in to a softball batting cage and getting popped in the hand, and I said to myself “Forget this “bleep”. I had more fun playing soccer, but I still know baseball dude, so don’t go there. You still haven’t conviced me that Don would be the better manager, and I have Matt S. on my side, and I have learned a lot from him, so there, I’m still sticking my tongue at you, but I still think your’e pretty cool.
Oh and I have to give it up for the Philly fans, they went ape, last night, they actually got me into it, I love that passion, especially the passion for WINNING, I love it.
Woah! Jeterstar, I wasn’t asking that question so I could rip on people who don’t play!!! I was asking so we could talk about playing the game. Jesus. Look at the posts from myself and others before and after I asked. We were talking about copying players’ stances and stuff. Also, you might want to check the post where I complimented you and the rest of the girls for being knowledgable and insightful fans.
Well, no, you don’t necessarily have to play baseball in order to understand the draw. You can still memorize names, stats, facts, rules, etc. But I think it definitely helps when coming down to understanding the finer details of the game, such as recognizing pitches, knowing what tweaks can and should be made to the mechanics of a pitch or swing, fully understanding the decisions of managers (which I doubt anyone but a coaching staff has enough GAME experience to do), and how injuries really effect the players’ performances. I’m not saying that it makes any difference, that you’re less of a baseball fan if you don’t play, or that you know less than someone who has played ball. Just having played baseball definitely helps you get a deeper understanding of the game. But, if you devote yourself (as you clearly do, Jeterstar) to 162 baseball games every season, then chances are you can bypass the playing part of it.
Posted by: chazbedlam@cableone.net | September 26, 2007 04:30 PM
And if anyone’s played professional ball, like a complete season of being on the field with players either in the majors or on their way, I would most likely not pit my knowledge against their’s.
Question…are the Yanks still going to be playing for the Division in this series? I was pretty comfortable with the Wild Card, but then after the S-u-x collapse last night (way to go Twinnies!) should we be pulling for the sweep against the Orioles?? And another 3 game S-u-x collapase??
Alright that’s what I thought Chaz, hahaha just kidding, I have a New Yorker’s mentality sometimes, and I’m ready for the weekend, I have a game to coach tomorrow and then its party time, I need to blow off a little steam, I always get soooo high strung around this time of year.
Isn’t the Sox’s magic number 2, as of this morning? So with a Sox’s win and a Yankee loss, the Sox clinch the east. I guess the Yankees still have a shot, not very sure though.
Matt,
I think it’s going to be a “it happens if it happens” kind of thing. We have a good chance of getting a sweep of the birds even with our scrub lineup. I think the division is more in Boston’s hands than ours. We need to rest some of our guys. They are pretty banged up.
Let’s hope we can take 2 of 3 while Boston loses 2 of 3. A tie in the standings gives us the division title.
They can’t clinch with a tie. If we finish with the same win/loss record, we win. We beat them in the season series 10-8.
We have a better chance than most of both resting our starters, AND getting the title. Not bad really.
Oh and Vater I totally get what your’e saying about the mechanics of swings and pitches and the behind the scenes stuff, that’s what my dad is for, he’s an ex-baseball player( jr high and high school and college) and ex softball player and life long Yankee fan, he teaches me something new about baseball mechanics every day.
And Matt S., I read your post from yesterday and I understand that you really wanted to win the division, like most Yankee fans you don’t settle for second best, I love that, but I remember you and I were both down in the dumps in June and early July, you talked me from jumping off a cliff, and I hoped I helped you keep a little faith. And you talked me out of some wacked out trades and moves I wanted to make! So I am just pumped that the Yankees made it in period, I just hope they kick some butt and take some names in the postseason, I need a ring!
I agree let’s bring back Louisiana Lightning back for Sunday’s game.Guidry can still get things done.
jeterstar,
Thanks for that last post. I have to admit, I wasn’t as excited about making the playoffs after the Yanks beat Tampa the other night. Maybe it was because I was so angry, and frustrated Karstens gave up that game winning home run the night before. I’m just soooooo sick of the garbage that the Yanks trot out to the mound almost every night. I guess I was getting tired of reading some posts from some people ( no one specific ) about winning the WC and who this team should play after winning the WC. Heck, we’re still in the race for the division, why are we even talking about the WC. Like I said, I guess it’s the competitor in me, I’m just not used to settling for second best. However after seeing the Red Sox lose last night, and the Yankees win my spirits are a little up today, more than they have been over the past several days. I”m still not pinning my hopes on a team like the Twins to beat Boston, but I haven’t given up hope altogether. Once again, thanks jeterstar.
Did you guys see Nolan Ryan throw out that first pitch the other day? He’s still clocking in in the high 80′s! I don’t think Guidry is much older than Nolan and….
Even if Boston wins and we lose we are not out of it. We win the East with a tie or better. All the pressure is on Boston right now.
One other thing, you did help me keep faith, thank you for that, if I hadn’t I would probably just be concentrating on my sorry Dolphins. UUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!! What a mess they are.
Why not pitch Guidry tonight, he could probably outpitch DeSalvo, and Igawawful with one arm tide behind his back.
Your welcome Matt S. and I have learned alot from you!!Don’t the Phins play Alanta on Sunday, Matt S? I think that you guys might be able to get a win under your belt finally! Alright have a good weekend, Matt S. and good luck on Sunday with the Phins!
I think it’s nice to think about the division title as kind of a bonus this year, Matt. If we win it, that is awesome. If we don’t we’re still in. I want that division title, but I want rested starters and a fresh lineup for the playoffs even more. Look at the other 3 teams in the AL. They are running out their best players and killing it, trying to get the best record for all the perks that come with it. Who is going to have the most rested lineup come October 1? That would be the Yankees. Let them fight for the chicken scraps, we’ll be ready for em when the dust settles.
hey folks relax, i sense an urgency to win win win. yeah i’m all for that, but the team is notlooking for how we enter, as long as we enter healthy and with fresh minds. let the b-squad play the birds, let the numbers rest where they may. were in. so no more she said that and he said this. ask yourself, if we win the div who we play, california angles? lets go in this way casue we get the tribe to build our OCTOber momentum on. i played HS ball, and tipped my elbow like amttingly as well, and i think i know baseball, but i think the people who ball the best are scouts, i mean good scouts, they know everything, there the gate keepers for so many kids. i talked to a scout once before and it was like talking to a search engine about ball. i mentioned a player and he pulled out like ten flaws each. and i mention all-stars in the league. its funny how they see things. try it for yourself, ask a scout what.
jeterstar,
The Dolphins actually play the Raiders this Sunday, quite possibly the one team who is worse than they are. Have a good one jeterstar.
chaz, redsox,
I hear what you guys are saying, and completely agree with you guys. It is more important to rest these guys, and make sure everyone stays healthy for the playoffs. I just want that darned title!!!!!!
The coaching staff is not seriously considering leaving Kennedy and Hughes off the playoff roster are they? I can understand not making them starters. But, not using them out of the bullpen and sticking with the world class T U R D S in our middle relief core is playoff suicide. Why throw Bruney, or anyone else besides Viz/Joba/Rivera for that matter, over Ian or Phil? Anyone else wanna have a take on this?
I can’t see any other playoff pitching roster other than this one:
Rotation
Wang
Pettite
Moose
Clemens (Hughes if Clemens can’t go)
RP’s
Kennedy
Hughes (Clemens if nec.)
Ohlendorf
Setup:
Viscaino
Joba
Closer:
Rivera
This looks like a no brainer roster to me, and it looks (on paper) to be strong like bull.
Taking only 11 pitchers also gives us a chance to bring a guy to pinch run when we need it.
I tell you what, everyone. I will get behind whatever coaching changes you guys want to see happen if either Bruney, Britton, Ramirez, Clippard, DeSalvo, Henn, or Farnsworth make the playoff roster. If they get in a game, it means that we are not going to win.
chaz,
Highly doubtful that will happen. I agree with your pitchers, but I like Veras a little more. Plus, he has pitched a little more, and has had a little more success in the minors than Ohlendorf. Eveerything else looks like a no-brainer. You watch, with our luck Torre will go with Farnsworth, and Karstens as his set-up men. LOL!!!!!
Matt,
I value your knowledge of baseball, but if you ever make a joke like that again, I will never respond to another one of your posts! SHHHHHHH! Torre might hear you and go ahead with it.
I didn’t think of Veras. Him instead of Ohelndorf? I’m good with that.
Sorry.Obviously we posted at the same time. Would happen to know what Guidry’s status is for Sunday, I wouldn’t mind seeing him pitch just one more time!!
chaz,
Meant to say:
Would you happen to know Guidry’s status for Sunday?
I heard he’s feeling good. He threw a bullpen session today, and Torre tells me that he’s never looked better.
Did you notice that I didn’t even mention Karstens in that post? I will smash my TV with a sledgehammer if I see that loser on the bump.
We need to work out a trade:
Karstens
Henn
Farnsworth
for
A tic tac.
go yankees, or should i say the b-bombers tear up on the birds. i will post again on monday with a season end review/analysis. i hope my email address happens for the next three days straight. talk to ya in october.
chaz,
IF I made that deal with you, you would still come out miles ahead. At least you will get something useful out of it.
If I see Karstens or any of those other no-talent bums on the hill again this season, I’ll puke up a lung!!!!
Let’s all chill! We’re IN, and hungry! It could be alot worse… We could be Met fans.lol
Sorry, Gator fans. Sunday’s starter looks like Sean Henn.
GOD HELP US!!!!!!!!!
I would still like Guidry to start just tosee how much of a difference there is between him and the garbage we have.
Hey all — Greetings from Jill in Seattle. To answer the earlier question about are the Yanks going for the WC or 1st place, I would say that it looks like Torre is just rotating in and out, and if they happen to win, it’s a bonus.
Now it will be interesting to see what happens on Sunday if they have a chance to take 1st place. Will they throw out Sean “I keep laying eggs” Henn?
The Yank’s are the same as any other AL team,no pitching (bullpen). I have been a Yank’s fan forever, 1950. The Yank’s win on determination and this team has just that and no other team in the AL has it. The Yank’s will win!!
The real Moose is on the mound tonight. I would rather see one of the youngsters on the mound in the playoffs. Moose is done!!! What else needs to be said about him? He is who we have seen all year.
Boy is this bullpen horse$hit!!! Anymore questions about Ramirez? He wrote his own obituary tonight.
rdcolson,
I have to agree with you about Mussina. He had a couple of good outings back-to-back, but it can’t hide the fact that at this time in his career he is nothing more than an average pitcher. IT really concerns me as this team heads into the postseason. Which pitcher are we going to get, the Mussina of old or the Messina of today. The only thing this team can do is keep him at the tail end of the rotation or put him in the bullpen, and let Hughes or Kennedy take his spot. My guess is that Torre will keep him in the tail end of the rotation because of his loyalty to his vets.
matt,
I am afraid that Torre’s loyalty is going to be the undoing of the team. If Mussina starts a game and gets in trouble early it will kill this already suspect bullpen. Hughes has pitched well the last few weeks.
rdcolson,
The good news about that is, that this team won’t be entering the playoffs with the same pen. You won’t be seeing the same garbage that you have been seeing the past couple of weeks. The bullpen will probably consist of Rivera, Chamberlain, and Vizcaino, and Hughes, Kennedy, and maybe Veras in the pen as well, if the rotation is going to consist of Wang, Pettitte, Clemens, and Mussina. That is if Clemens can be healthy in time for the playoffs, if not expect to see Hughes in the rotation.
rdcolson,
You’re right about Torre too.
I hope I am wrong but Farnsworth better not be anywhere near the field!!!! I am sure that Ted williams is celebrating in a cooler somewhere in the southwest!!
Pitch the kids and rest the regulars the next two games because these games mean nothing. Maybe have Farns pitch 3 innings so that we can blow out his back once and for all. I am out for the night.
I’ll drop dead from surprise if I see Farnsworth on the roster. You will see a lot of minor leaguers playing the last two games of the season.