10/4 @ Cleveland - CC shuts Jacko up

[TheKilo]

Aaaaaaand go.

[Gom]

You should let us start the thread Kilo. It isn't even game day yet.

[TheKilo]

You should let us start the thread Kilo. It isn't even game day yet.

Bitch please you started jumped in and took my gamethread when we swept you in April.

[Gom]

Yes, but I apologized for it, and never started another game thread. If we face each other in the ALCS, I'm gonna hijack one of the game threads for this debacle. War, I tell you. War.

[riverside sluggers]

Chien-Ming Wang (**4 games vs Cleveland, 2-2 with a 6.00 ERA---**Career at Jacobs Field in 2 games, 0-2 with an 11.70 ERA)
Grady Sizemore, 4 for 11 (.364 avg) Double, HR, RBI, 2 Ks
Asdrubal Cabrera, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) HR, RBI, Walk
Travis Hafner, 1 for 8 (.125 avg) 4 Walks
Victor Martinez, 4 for 12 (.333 avg) Double, HR, 4 RBIs, K
Ryan Garko, 2 for 3 (.667 avg) RBI
Jhonny Peralta, 3 for 8 (.375 avg) 2 Doubles, RBI, Walk
Kenny Lofton, 3 for 6 (.500 avg) 3 RBIs, K, SB
Franklin Gutierrez, 1 for 4 (.250 avg) Double, Walk, 2 Ks
Casey Blake, 1 for 5 (.200 avg) K
///
Chris Gomez, 1 for 3 (.333 avg)
Kelly Shoppach, 0 for 2
Trot Nixon, 1 for 13 (.077 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, 4 Walks, K


C.C. Sabathia (**9 games vs New York, 2-7 with a 7.01 ERA---**Career at Jacobs Field in 107 games, 44-35 with a 3.90 ERA)
Johnny Damon, 4 for 16 (.250 avg) HR, 2 RBIs, Walk, 2 Ks, SB
Derek Jeter, 12 for 25 (.480 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 RBIs, 2 Walks, 4 Ks, SB
Bobby Abreu, 2 for 4 (.500 avg) Double, RBI, 3 Walks, 2 SBs
Alex Rodriguez, 7 for 18 (.389 avg) 3 Doubles, 3 RBIs, 4 Walks, 4 Ks
Jorge Posada, 3 for 16 (.188 avg) Double, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 5 Walks, 3 Ks
Hideki Matsui, 0 for 12, Walk, 2 Ks
Robinson Cano, 1 for 1 (1.000 avg) HR, RBI, Walk
Melky Cabrera, 0 for 2
Doug Mientkiewicz, 5 for 23 (.217 avg) Double, 4 Walks, 2 Ks
///
Shelley Duncan, 1 for 1 (1.000 avg)
Jason Giambi, 2 for 11 (.182 avg) 4 RBIs, 3 Walks, K
Jose Molina, 0 for 8, 2 Ks

**Wang this season on the road in 15 games, 9-4 with a 5.47 ERA

**Sabathia this season at home in 20 games, 12-4 with a 3.21 ERA

[jacksonianmarch]

Sabathia has had a very poor history against us, but he was a different pitcher back then. He has much more control now, so it should be fun. Just need one of the first two. We'll see what happens.

BTW, Duncan is not starting. It was announced yesterday that Matsui is playing DH unless there has been a change obviously.

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

Sabathia has had a very poor history against us, but he was a different pitcher back then. He has much more control now, so it should be fun. Just need one of the first two. We'll see what happens.

BTW, Duncan is not starting. It was announced yesterday that Matsui is playing DH unless there has been a change obviously.

Right you are:

http://yankees.lohudblogs.com/2007/10/03/torre-announces-lineup-for-game-1/

[Mr Crunchy]

lets hope its a looooooooong 5 game series where each team has the bullpen pushed to the limit...im hoping the yanks in 5

i dont want to the big lefty

[26 to 6]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but its 10/4, right? October is the 10th month of the year.

Tonight should be interesting. I wouldn't be surprised to see C.C. have a good-to-great start tonight. Heres hoping that if we do fall tonight, we can take it despite.

[riverside sluggers]

Lineups have been updated

[TedWilliams101]

Another replay argument brewing.

[See Red]

Another replay argument brewing.

What happened, I missed it?

[See Red]

Sabathia looks awful.

edit: Only gave up one run but the Yankees did some damage. 33 pitches, I believe, through one.

[Coco's Disciples]

Wang hits Sizemore on the first pitch.

[See Red]

Tied game. Hopefully getting out of the inning with minimal damage and his team coming back to, at least, tie the game will settle Sabathia down a little.

[jacksonianmarch]

this is gonna be a LOOOONG game

[Thumper]

If Sabathia can hold throught atleast 6 with good run support, that may be able to make up for Cleveland's bullpen.

[jacksonianmarch]

CC isnt locating and Wang is leaving everything up. FUCK!

[Coco's Disciples]

3-1 Indians after 1.

[Thumper]

3-1 Tribe! Have the Yankees stalled out already?!

[redsoxrules]

cleveland should be still batting, cant give outs to the yanks

[redsoxrules]

CC.. can you do me a favor and stop sucking and return to regular season form

[jacksonianmarch]

49 pitches through 2. One more turn of this rotation and CC may be on the pine. Wang just needs to hold em here and stop sucking.

[See Red]

"Yankees suck!" chant :lol:

[jacksonianmarch]

Wang gets through the second unscathed. Big inning ahead for the yanks

[TedWilliams101]

CC's gota pull it together.

[yankeessuck013]

That first step is a doozie jeter.

[das11209]

Wow - I love Derek Jeter ballet on strike 3 - way better than J.D.Drew, Looks like CC is getting it under control.

[jacksonianmarch]

67 through 3. Might be an early night for him. Same could be said for Wang.

[See Red]

4-1.

How's the Indians bullpen before you get to Borowski?

[Thumper]

Cabrera goes yah'd

[redsoxrules]

cabrera goes deep 4-1

[Thumper]

Fuck Cano.

[redsoxrules]

Fuck CC throw strikes

[redsoxrules]

big first out there....

[See Red]

4-3, bases juiced for the Yankees, one out...

Come on, CC...

Wow. Came back from 3-0 to K Posada. Out of the inning. Very nice!

[redsoxrules]

what a shitty showing for CC , but their still winning

[Coco's Disciples]

Yikes, neither pitcher has been on their game whatsoever.

[See Red]

Luckily Wang has sucked too... 6-3 Cleveland. Martinez destroyed that ball.

[redsoxrules]

Martinez ! 6-3 indians

[MANNYHOF24]

Wow, this is the last time Jacko will be cocky. Way to look over the Indians.

[redsoxrules]

soooo , jacko what do you think now about wang starting game 1 now?

[See Red]

Wow, this is the last time Jacko will be cocky. Way to look over the Indians.

I bet it's not.

[Coco's Disciples]

Craig Sager looks ridiculous.

[redsoxrules]

LOL wang

[jacksonianmarch]

we better bring it tomorrow. Wang had nothing and Torre refused to see it. I hate Joe Torre.

[See Red]

Craig Sager looks ridiculous.

That suit's a little more tasteful than usual.

7-3! Kenny Lofton!

[Mr Crunchy]

Wow, this is the last time Jacko will be cocky. Way to look over the Indians.

i dont think so sir
he'll be bringing it soon

which one of these aces is getting the cy instead of beckett??
bwahahahahahaha

im looking forward to 5 games and 100 runs scored

[redsoxrules]

we better bring it tomorrow. Wang had nothing and Torre refused to see it. I hate Joe Torre.

wang should have started game 3 , like we said all along . IMO that's a really big mistake on torre's part

[jacksonianmarch]

we can come back on the Indians. Giving them a free run decreases those chances.

[ORS]

Dusseldorf doing his part. Pile on.

[zackredsox]

9-3 Cleveland

[See Red]

9-3! Fuck yes! Yankees are in some deep trouble.

[ORS]

What a meatball. Keep this guy in for the top of the order.

[Coco's Disciples]

Wow.

[riverside sluggers]

Damn I left the house for half an hour... Indians lead 9-3 and its just the bottom of the 5th inning

[ORS]

Here comes the Tribe's strength, the 3 headed setup crew. They still need to pile on for Borowski in the 9th, however.

[ORS]

Nasty. More runs.

[Manny Goes Boom]

i dont think so sir
he'll be bringing it soon

which one of these aces is getting the cy instead of beckett??
bwahahahahahaha

im looking forward to 5 games and 100 runs scored

:lol: HAHA! That would be awesome.

[See Red]

Love this!

[ORS]

Dorf on Baseball!!!

[zackredsox]

10-3 Cleveland

[ORS]

Eeebursher hoosker doosker duuu, Dorf Dorf Dorf.

http://thehurricanewatch.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/swedishchef2.jpg

[See Red]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

What the hell?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[zackredsox]

KENNY!!! 11-3

[See Red]

Kenny Lofton is incredible!

Funny they show the Lofton DHL commercial right after he hits the two run double.

[ORS]

Sweedish chef, man, from the muppets. Love me some Dorf.

[riverside sluggers]

Boom 11-3, Let the good times roll

[See Red]

Sweedish chef, man, from the muppets. Love me some Dorf.

My muppet knowledge is limited beyond the Muppet Babies, to be honest.

[Mr Crunchy]

i watch baseball every nite between 7pm and 1am most every nite and i see almost all the yanks games in bits and pieces
i dont remember seeing herr obermueller but i suspect the yanks long for the stability of kei igawa and the dude who had his leg broke by the liner

wow he sucks and this isnt the place to test a kids stuff

[riverside sluggers]

My muppet knowledge is limited beyond the Muppet Babies, to be honest.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=sY_Yf4zz-yo

I loved the Muppet Show as a kid, Swedish Chef was a must see :D

[Taliesin]

yay

with hopeful trepidation. I don't screw w/ the baseball gods.

[See Red]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=sY_Yf4zz-yo

I loved the Muppet Show as a kid, Swedish Chef was a must see :D

:lol:

Hilarious!

[zackredsox]

Perez is awsome. Made Damon look like an idiot.

[ANiMAL]

This announcer is so biased towards the indians, it is pretty funny.

[See Red]

This announcer is so biased towards the indians, it is pretty funny.

Chip Caray? I haven't noticed. I love Tony Gwynn, though -- funny voice and all.

[Mr Crunchy]

my darling jamie
how are you on this steamy,sultry evening??

good nite to watch the sunrise while destroying the suspension of the 94 neon if i may be so bold as to say so....

as far as jacko goes
win lose or draw he'll be here for the haul
ive been studying him since the nomar trade and i find him simply fascinating
he has mellowed,on here anyways,and has become a decent member of this esteemed panel while being a die hard supporter of the hated enemy.

his sense of entitlement is due to his being a fan during the salad days of 96-00 and he has had to endure the most miserable of collapses since agons 100footer beat them in 01

yet he comes at you with hope and sincere love of his game and team like a puppy on porkchops
the annoying prick has come a long way in civility and i am glad hes here
he and maybe 3 other yank fans came back to take their lumps on the old herald forum and there were probably 25 of those cocksuckers posting up till game 7

on 11-1 whether the yanks sox or cubs win he will be busting balls about the free agents theyre getting and how they have it all together to win again in 08

i cant get too mad at that kind of tenacity although i hope he is shitting green with ulcer leakage tonite

[See Red]

my darling jamie
how are you on this steamy,sultry evening??

good nite to watch the sunrise while destroying the suspension of the 94 neon if i may be so bold as to say so....

:lol: :lol:

Huh?

[Taliesin]

I'm fine this beautiful evening SPH. Love is in the air and threatening to doom me for it's beauty and pain. How lucky. How difficult.

I admire the tenacity and recognize it. Don't mistake the consistent, frankly sarcastic remarks to our dear old friend to be anything less than love taps to a worthy adversary who has proven his mettle over many years.

[yankeessuck013]

save some runs for tomorrow.

[Mr Crunchy]

:lol: :lol:

Huh?

that chick taliesin is in love with me due to my unbending support for the causes of the proletariat and the workers who toil in the american gulags my brother redman

shes a closet stalinist and a baseball encyclopedia
as well as a 15 on the 1-10 scale of attraction and hotness

[See Red]

that chick taliesin is in love with me due to my unbending support for the causes of the proletariat and the workers who toil in the american gulags my brother redman

shes a closet stalinist and a baseball encyclopedia
as well as a 15 on the 1-10 scale of attraction and hotness

A 15, eh? I'd need to judge for myself but she does have quite the way with words.

I need to try that line about watching the sunrise while destroying the suspension of a '94 Neon, though. That's for sure.

[riverside sluggers]

Cmon 1 out to go!

[Mr Crunchy]

damon scored and set the tone but wang failed miserably

[zackredsox]

Yankees lose. They sucked. Cleveland up 1-0 in series.

[Mr Crunchy]

and there goes game 1
nice effort by sabby after stinking the jake out with no command
arod again mia
its only 1 game but a nice way to start it up

[jacksonianmarch]

We won game 1 the past 2 seasons and got shit to show for it. Not too worried. Sabathia looked awful, but unfortunately, Wang looks awfuller (I know, not a word). The mission when you start on the road is to split the first two games and home field swings your way. Tonight's game means nothing really, tomorrow nights game is the big one. What I do like is the fact that we got the beatdown over with early. This team responds to being blown out. We'll see what we are made of with Pettitte on the hill and our lineup ready for the sinkerballing rookie.

[schillingouttheks]

We won game 1 the past 2 seasons and got shit to show for it. Not too worried. Sabathia looked awful, but unfortunately, Wang looks awfuller (I know, not a word). The mission when you start on the road is to split the first two games and home field swings your way. Tonight's game means nothing really, tomorrow nights game is the big one. What I do like is the fact that we got the beatdown over with early. This team responds to being blown out. We'll see what we are made of with Pettitte on the hill and our lineup ready for the sinkerballing rookie.

Tonight's game meant nothing? Jacko, what are you on?

[zackredsox]

We won game 1 the past 2 seasons and got shit to show for it. Not too worried. Sabathia looked awful, but unfortunately, Wang looks awfuller (I know, not a word). The mission when you start on the road is to split the first two games and home field swings your way. Tonight's game means nothing really, tomorrow nights game is the big one. What I do like is the fact that we got the beatdown over with early. This team responds to being blown out. We'll see what we are made of with Pettitte on the hill and our lineup ready for the sinkerballing rookie.

If tonights game ment nothing then why was you suposed to be ace starting?

[schillingouttheks]

If tonights game ment nothing then why was you suposed to be ace starting?

Uh, what?

[zackredsox]

Uh, what?

If this game ment nothing than why was the yankees ace wang starting?

better?

[Coco's Disciples]

Obviously it means something, but if the Yankees win Game 2, as Jacko has been saying for a while, they're still in a very good position, making it a 3 game series w/ homefield.

[Mr Crunchy]

1 game
thats all it is
1 game
but arod will be the toast of the ny press tomorrow along with the pathetic efforts of wang and the pen

petitte will be tuffer tomm
that is a given

[jacksonianmarch]

Consistency. I stated the same thing about the angels in the other thread. This is truly how I feel. After watching my team bow out of the playoffs in the ALDS with home field 3 of the last 5 seasons, I know what I am talking about.

In a 7 game series, it is much harder to carry momentum. You start out on the road and if luck shines upon you and you split the first 2, then you need to sweep them at your place in 3 games to keep your home field advantage per se. Any loss in those 3 games gives home field back to the opposing team. And with all 4 of these playoff teams, home field is where it is at. In a 5 game series, if you split the first 2, you have the chance to win the series with only 2 victories at home, which is much easier to do than win 3. Get my point? There is a reason why there is a famous saying about the playoffs.

"A series doesnt truly start until a home team loses". This is true almost to a T. Boston and Cleveland held serve in the first game. It means more to them than it does to the away team. Now being up 2-0 and pushing the other team to the brink with 3 to play is certainly a precarious situation and one that needs to be avoided. But dropping back 0-1 while losing on the road isnt that big of a deal. We'll see how tomorrow plays out.

[jacksonianmarch]

Obviously it means something, but if the Yankees win Game 2, as Jacko has been saying for a while, they're still in a very good position, making it a 3 game series w/ homefield.

exactly my point

[See Red]

To say you're still in good shape is a rosy outlook -- just look at who this game means more to. Game two means FAR more to the Yankees than it does to the Indians, no matter how you break down the home field advantage.

[jacksonianmarch]

Game 1 means far more to the home team.

Game 2 means a lot for both teams. For Cleveland it means taking charge of the series. For the Yankees it means taking back homefield with the series shortened to 3 games. Even if the yankees lose tomorrow, the indians need to prove they can beat us on our home field. I have a high suspicion that the Indians want nothing to do with a game 5, regardless of the venue. They want this thing done in NY.

For us, we respond after blowouts. This team seems to have a much tougher time recovering from tough losses. But after blowouts, we get very angry and go on a long winning streak. I expect a torching of the kid tomorrow night and with Clemens and a rested Moose waiting for Byrd and ???, I like our chances.

[jacksonianmarch]

and it isnt a rosy outlook. Last yr I was celebrating our game 1 victory thinking we had a date with the ALCS. Then the Tigers landed the deathblow and reverse dickpunched us into the offseason. I have maintained that the lower seed has the advantage in the short series, and I think this is the reason. Game 1 is out of our favor, yest we still have the chance to go home with the series tied and home field in our grasp. It should be interesting.

[Gom]

I just got home. We got smoked. We had a chance to steal that game, and shit the bed. Again. This is getting annoying. Oh well, at least we don't have to wait a full day in between to play.

[Taliesin]

This is humble Jacko as opposed to smarmy Jacko and suicidal Jacko.

The Three Faces of Jacko as it were.

[See Red]

and it isnt a rosy outlook. Last yr I was celebrating our game 1 victory thinking we had a date with the ALCS. Then the Tigers landed the deathblow and reverse dickpunched us into the offseason. I have maintained that the lower seed has the advantage in the short series, and I think this is the reason. Game 1 is out of our favor, yest we still have the chance to go home with the series tied and home field in our grasp. It should be interesting.

And then all Cleveland has to do is split in New York to host game five. Why's that any less likely to happen than New York splitting in Cleveland? Especially in this case when Cleveland has the best 1-2 in the League.

You're on the road, playing a team that just beat you 12-3, against a guy who's ERA was 3.01 and while it's not an elimination game, it may just be do or die -- you have question marks pitching in game's 3 and 4 and another question mark in a possible decisive game five. And the Yankees have the advantage?! The Yankees better score early because if they fall behind and that crowd really gets into it they're done for.

The Indians don't have to prove that they can beat you in New York... the Yankees have to prove that they can win in Cleveland. If they can't do it... it's over, no matter how well the Yankees do in the Stadium.

Keep this in mind Jacko, C.C. Sabathia struggled a great deal and you chased him, the possible Cy Young winner, from the game early and you still managed only three.

Also, I'm conveniently ignoring Byrd's numbers against the Yankees this year to tell you that Byrd's Road ERA is 3.51. :D

[riverside sluggers]

As I said before Jacko, Sox were the 2nd best road team in the majors (1st in the American League). Plus game 4 is being pitched by the best road pitcher in baseball, that being Josh Beckett. This is their series for the taking. Just because 2 games are coming up in Anaheim, doesnt take away the fact that they are the favorites

Indians/Yankees I def see as a more gritty to the wire type series, game 5 (maybe 4), extra innings, all that jazz

[TheKilo]

we better bring it tomorrow. Wang had nothing and Torre refused to see it. I hate Joe Torre.

Excuse me, I thought Wang was "spectacular" in the postseason?

[TheKilo]

I'll ignore Jacko's comment that tonight's game meant nothing, seeing as the Yanks had the "spectacular" Chien Ming Wang starting.

My question is...

If you're gonna burn Phil Hughes for multiple innings, why do it when it's 12-3 as opposed to when Dusseldorf came in at 7-3?

[Gom]

We got smoked. I'm depressed. If I had a girlfriend, I'd throw her down the stairs. Instead, I'll punch Jacko if I see him.

[See Red]

We got smoked. I'm depressed. If I had a girlfriend, I'd throw her down the stairs. Instead, I'll punch Jacko if I see him.

:lol: :lol:

... I usually just avoid watching the ESPN when my teams lose...

[yankeessuck013]

I think my yankee friend said it best:


Josh Beckett showed yesterday why he's an ace. Chien-Ming Wang went out tonight and pitched like an absolute chump.

[example1]

Game 1 means far more to the home team.

Game 2 means a lot for both teams. For Cleveland it means taking charge of the series. For the Yankees it means taking back homefield with the series shortened to 3 games. Even if the yankees lose tomorrow, the indians need to prove they can beat us on our home field. I have a high suspicion that the Indians want nothing to do with a game 5, regardless of the venue. They want this thing done in NY.

Game 2 always means a lot, particularly since Game 1 is invariably over by then and Game 2 is the only game the teams are playing. You're right that the Yanks get homefield if they can win tomorrow, but the same is true if Cleveland is able to win one in NY. It really just comes down to playing the freaking game on the field; each day the game starts over and you simply can't predict what will happen in terms of who wins each particular game.

I still feel that the Yankees will win this series. They did what they needed to do against C.C. tonight, despite everyone crowning CC the savior and Clevelend the two-headed monster. I need to see Carmona for more than one good season, and Sabathia when the game is on the line to know if they really are as good as their records/statistics indicate. They are both PHENOMENAL talents, huge arms and very dangerous. However, we've all watched Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka struggle A LOT against this team. EVERY pitcher struggles against the Yankees more often than not. Sabathia walked 6 and none of them scored. We've all watched Sox games where they are able to get on base but just not able to get the runs in, or having the pen not be able to stop the bleeding. Don't expect the baseball gods to be receptive to 6 walks and no runs the next time around.

Statistically, one has to believe that A-Rod will explode one of these games. He's simply too good to stay dormant for such an extended period. If I remember correctly, Manny Ramirez was a NOTORIOUSLY big playoff choker. Despite hitting above .300 in his last SIX playoff series, he has a career post-season average of .258 in 310 ABs. (The big playoff hit that seemed to turn it all around was a HR off of Barry Zito in game 5 of the 2003 series, with Pedro on the mound for the Sox. The announcers talked about Manny "showboating" for standing and watching his HR; in the same breath moments earlier they had been talking about how he was not a good "playoff" hitter, that he doesn't come through in the "clutch".) The discussion about "clutch" is, and will continue to be rampant. When A-Rod produces the Yankees are a very different team.



For us, we respond after blowouts. This team seems to have a much tougher time recovering from tough losses. But after blowouts, we get very angry and go on a long winning streak. I expect a torching of the kid tomorrow night and with Clemens and a rested Moose waiting for Byrd and ???, I like our chances.

I was watching tonights game hoping for a close game, especially as Cleveland was pulling away. I don't think the Yankees "respond" after blowouts, but they certainly aren't bothered by them. It gives them a chance to get that nights game out of the way, to see it as an anomaly--because this Yankees team is too good to lose like that and they all know that. Pettitte will be tough tomorrow, but this team is missing the same thing we've all been saying for a long time: an ace.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

This was the first time I got to see Phil Hughes pitch and I wasn't impressed.

[BSN07]

Hey Jacko, still take Wang over Beckett?

Wang is a good pitcher, but Beckett is an Ace.

Wang's biggest issue last night was that he was leaving everything up and was wild to boot.

[jacksonianmarch]

This was the first time I got to see Phil Hughes pitch and I wasn't impressed.

He is missing about 2mph on his fastball and all of the location on his curve. I have seen him with my own eyes 3 times, and the kid is better than this. Since his injury, he's been a 90-92 mph guy with inconsistent stuff. He's usually 92-94 with sharp stuff. Expect something different after a full offseason and full recovery.

[jacksonianmarch]

Game 2 always means a lot, particularly since Game 1 is invariably over by then and Game 2 is the only game the teams are playing. You're right that the Yanks get homefield if they can win tomorrow, but the same is true if Cleveland is able to win one in NY. It really just comes down to playing the freaking game on the field; each day the game starts over and you simply can't predict what will happen in terms of who wins each particular game.

I still feel that the Yankees will win this series. They did what they needed to do against C.C. tonight, despite everyone crowning CC the savior and Clevelend the two-headed monster. I need to see Carmona for more than one good season, and Sabathia when the game is on the line to know if they really are as good as their records/statistics indicate. They are both PHENOMENAL talents, huge arms and very dangerous. However, we've all watched Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka struggle A LOT against this team. EVERY pitcher struggles against the Yankees more often than not. Sabathia walked 6 and none of them scored. We've all watched Sox games where they are able to get on base but just not able to get the runs in, or having the pen not be able to stop the bleeding. Don't expect the baseball gods to be receptive to 6 walks and no runs the next time around.

Statistically, one has to believe that A-Rod will explode one of these games. He's simply too good to stay dormant for such an extended period. If I remember correctly, Manny Ramirez was a NOTORIOUSLY big playoff choker. Despite hitting above .300 in his last SIX playoff series, he has a career post-season average of .258 in 310 ABs. (The big playoff hit that seemed to turn it all around was a HR off of Barry Zito in game 5 of the 2003 series, with Pedro on the mound for the Sox. The announcers talked about Manny "showboating" for standing and watching his HR; in the same breath moments earlier they had been talking about how he was not a good "playoff" hitter, that he doesn't come through in the "clutch".) The discussion about "clutch" is, and will continue to be rampant. When A-Rod produces the Yankees are a very different team.



I was watching tonights game hoping for a close game, especially as Cleveland was pulling away. I don't think the Yankees "respond" after blowouts, but they certainly aren't bothered by them. It gives them a chance to get that nights game out of the way, to see it as an anomaly--because this Yankees team is too good to lose like that and they all know that. Pettitte will be tough tomorrow, but this team is missing the same thing we've all been saying for a long time: an ace.

ARod had 3 atbats when the game was still on the line. He walked twice (once intentional) and popped out. If he hit 2 homers the rest of the way while we were down by 9, he'd be called a pileon guy. If he doesnt hit, then he sucks in the playoffs. He did his job last night and kept the big innings going. It was Posada and Matsui who just didnt come to hit last night, and it killed a couple rallies.

In terms of blowouts, it seems that every time this team is embarassed, they respond in a big way. But to contrast, a tough loss lingers. For example, we lost 16-0 to the Tigers prior to our series with you guys in late August, and we swept you. In September, you guys beat us 10-1, and we came back to take the last game of the series and then sweep Baltimore. It is what this team does. In contrast, when we had a 6-2 lead with Mo on the hill, and you guys came back to beat us, that was the start of a 7 game losing streak. There are other examples, but this is how the team under Torre has played. If embarrassed, will respond. We'll see if they stick to that.

[Mr Crunchy]

ahh good morning mj how are you??
wang reminded us what the definition of an ace is.....
and isnt
those 2 guys who started last nite arent
how does ny lose that fucking game with sabby walking the entire lineup?
amazing futility out there when it mattered.

how long before torre moves arod down in the order?

i think i'll headover to the ny papers
nothing pumps my gnads more than reading about the yanks failures as written by the likes of little joel sherman and iron mike lupica

at least theyre not the knicks

[ORS]

The whole, "they really bounce back from an embarrassment" stuff is really funny. No chance that has something to do with selective memory? Look over the gamelogs. They have some good streaks and some bad streaks after shellackings, with both examples in the 1st half and 2nd half. It's a big fat pile of wishful thinking.

The better pitcher wins tonight's game. Not the team with a higher COR.

[TheKilo]

He is missing about 2mph on his fastball and all of the location on his curve. I have seen him with my own eyes 3 times, and the kid is better than this. Since his injury, he's been a 90-92 mph guy with inconsistent stuff. He's usually 92-94 with sharp stuff. Expect something different after a full offseason and full recovery.

He's not as spectacular as Wang is yet, right?

[jacksonianmarch]

one game, that is all it is. We'll see tonight.

[redsoxrules]

He's not as spectacular as Wang is yet, right?

:lol:

[ARod2212]

Those 19 games Wang won this year mean nothing. The 19 he won last year, nothing either. He's not an ace, end of conversation. He got bombed in ONE playoff game! Can't you see how important that is?!

Yes, Beckett had an absolutely phenomenal start, and Wang was awful, but let's not just go and judge their merits on one game of the ALDS. Beckett impressed the hell out of me, and I'm interested in seeing what he can do the rest of the playoffs.

Wang was disappointing, but he's had starts like this before, and they're outliers. He lasted at least 6 innings in 27 of 30 starts, and 5 2/3 in 29 out of 30.

His sinker didn't bite, so he had a bad outing. I'm not quite ready to give up on him. I want Wang with the ball in Game 4 at the Stadium.


And come on, A-Rod was on base 2/4 of his plate appearances. Don't start with that.

[BoSox21]

Yes, Beckett had an absolutely phenomenal start, and Wang was awful, but let's not just go and judge their merits on one game of the ALDS. Beckett impressed the hell out of me, and I'm interested in seeing what he can do the rest of the playoffs.

ok. you feel like factoring in 2003 as well then? im sure you remember it well...

[VA Sox Fan]

And come on, A-Rod was on base 2/4 of his plate appearances. Don't start with that.

2 walks, one intentional

[TheKilo]

one game, that is all it is. We'll see tonight.

Excuse me, the SSS you used to call Wang "spectacular" in the postseason got a little bigger last night.