No Way!

    If you watched last night's Yankee game, (7-5 loss) A.J. Burnett showed once again that he is completely unreliable. Now I was an early Burnett supporter, he won game 2 of the World Series last year when the Yanks were down 0-1. I've brought that point up to people countless times, however time and time again Burnett has been underperforming. In the playoffs you cannot expect to win when your starter goes 2 and a third giving up 7 runs in the process (Burnett did that last night.) Even with the Yankee offense, they're going to be facing other team's best pitchers at all times, your starter must keep you in the game. I think A.J. Burnett has never actually learned to "pitch." He has been a "thrower" his whole career, relying on his electric stuff, which just isn't as electric anymore. Early in his career he was able to get by with his 97 mph fastball and nasty breaking stuff. The guy has never had control. You combine bad location with his stuff being less electric, major league hitters are going to take advantage and that's just what's been happening. That is what has led him to 10-15 with an ERA in the 5s.
    Having said that, Phil Hughes looks to be the best bet at the second spot in the playoff rotation behind Carsten Charles Sabathia. Mr. Hughes won the second most games on the team, 17 to this point, and he has been pitching much better as of late. Mr. Pettitte is a lock for the third spot being the crafty bulldog veteran that he is. Will he be the Pettitte we all know and love, or the elderly looking Pettitte that the Red Sox tagged for 7 runs last Friday night? The average Yankee fan has to believe in the first one.
    Let's face it, the Yanks have question marks with their starting pitching. I would say their bullpen has a good thing going with Logan against lefties, Chamberlain/Robertson in the 7th, Kerry "I do not surrender runs, in fact I'm just going to K you" Woods in the 8th, and then Mo in the 9th. However, Mo has not been his automatic self since that series in Texas where he hit Francoeur to bring in the winning run. The weird thing about Rivera is that his control hasn't been on point which has been a staple in his career. It is Mo, he'll turn it around right? Hopefully he'll get a couple redemption chances before the postseason starts in just over a week from now.
     The Yankees have 5 games to play, two more against Toronto, (CC going tonight) and three up in Boston to close it out. At this point the Yanks' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 1; any combination of a Yankee win and a Red Sox loss, and are a half game behind Tampa who lost last night to those pesky Baltimore Orioles in last night's action. The Rays play two more against Baltimore, and finish the season in Kansas City. Based on how things play out, the Yanks can either be opening at home against Texas next Wednesday, or going to Minnesota to battle the Twins. Who do you want to see? I know my answer.

I'm/We're Baaaaaaack!

    So as I sit here on Lil Wayne's birthday with headphones around my ears listening to his new goods, I've also realized how long its been since I've gone in via blogspot. I've been pursuing the dream of being a broadcaster which I'll someday fulfill, and the computer gets infected like a (Rutgers?) college student..get it..aha.. So once my computer is finished having surgery for the eighth and hopefully final time, we'll be in this b!+c# daily.
    What a horrific sports weekend it was if you happen to like the Yanks, Rutgers football, Giants football, or Tozzi and Associates (T&A) softball team. All of these squads caught some L's this weekend. Quick review; T&A loses 12-4, ( I happen to be hitting .667 with 1 HR and 5 rbi however that's nor here nor there) Yanks lose Friday, Saturday to the hated Red Sox, finally salvage one last night but not before the immortal Mariano Rivera blows yet another save, something that Yankee fans haven't been accustomed to worry about, really ever. Giants play one of those games where if you are a fan, you wana hurt something, someone, or just straight up have nothing to say because its hard to fathom that many mistakes made at the professional level. Rutgers can hang with the big boys, but without an offense it will be hard to make noise in a competitive Big East. To make matters worse, The Carmelo-to-Nets deal was in limbo, but from what I've heard talks have indeed picked back up, we'll monitor that day-to-day. The cherry on top was watching the Jets beat the Dolphins (in between commercials for yanks/sox.)
    As far as what went wrong in each game...Friday the Yanks experienced a nightmarish start by usually sure-handed Andy Pettitte in a game where they trailed 10-1, before a homerun barrage that would still fall short, losing 10-8. Besides Pettitte's misfortunes, Joe Girardi loves to throw in the towel early in the regular season, so he'll bring in relief pitchers like Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre, (who are supposed to be used in 10-1 games and not 0-0 or 4-3 games which has been the case lately) and young prospects who haven't proven much, in this case Jonathan Albaladejo. Jonny A, i'll say because I would rather not type in his last name, botched a toss by Mark Teixiera that would've gotten the Yanks out of the inning, a 3 run homer follows, and that's the game right there. Saturday, the Yanks started Ivan Nova, Sox started Jon Lester. Nova did not have his good stuff on this day, and of course Lester did as he normally does. That explains Saturday in a nutshell.
    While this is all going on, I'm at the Rutgers/UNC game. A lot of people did not expect Rutgers to even hang with a tough North Carolina team who has had their way with Rutgers in the past. However, despite Rutgers' poor performance in the first two games, Rutgers showed resiliance, and a tough mentality on defense. Tom Savage made a couple nice throws, however he threw picks in bad spots, which was almost forshadowing for the Giants game which would play the next game. Mohammed Sanu was featured in just about every play whether he was throwing the football, running it, or catching it. The Rutgers running game never could get going, even with pretty stellar play from a rather young front line. San San Te missed a field goal that ended up being crucial in a 17-13 defeat. If he makes the chip-shot field goal, Rutgers has a chance to win the game, with just a field goal. Coach Schiano might want to think about playing D'Antwan Williams, troublesome or not, he is the best running back on this football team, and the running game can really assist QB Tom Savage.
    As for the Giants, who knows. Too many problems externally, and internally. So many penalties for a Coughlin-coached team, don't understand it. Penalties and turnovers in really big spots, whether it was the Titans side of the field, or the Giants side of the field, two touchdows, or at least field goals were given away by fumbles and interceptions, a chop block in the Giants own endzone called for a safety which lead to a Titans score, that's all one needs to know. I've always liked Coughlin, but you have to wonder what's going on when the number one point of his is discipline, and there is none. Bill Cowher? I guess that will be assessed after the season, give Mr. Coughlin one more chance. Giants are 1-2 and they will be facing Chicago at home next week.

Stop The Whining

    Thursday, July 8th marked the first day free agents could officially signed with their respective squads. It also was the same day LeBron James would have an hour long special on ESPN to "benefit charity" and what not, something I've never seen before, but I guess it's something fit for a king. Somehow Jim Gray got that interview, haven't seen him anywhere marquee since Tyson went all crazy on him after the Lennox Lewis fight. "All praise to Allah!"
    However, after LeBron said, "I decided I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and play with the Miami Heat." The whole nation seemed to just start hating on somebody who has been easily the most exciting basketball player to watch play a game in this decade. We all know why Cleveland is sour grapes, but for anyone else to be upset with LeBron James doesn't even make sense. Everyone always brings up "legacy." Legacy isn't something a player necessarily worries about at 25 years old. Legacy is something one looks back on. After LeBron's career is over in Miami, he might be looking back on some crazy hardware. This was a basketball decision. He just wants to win championships. How about that all three of these guys are taking less money to play with each other. Although they have already made fortunes and are still with endorsements, it isn't all too common in this day and age. If you ever have seen his documentary, you know he's all about playing with the same group of competitors for years and winning championships. Even though he was off the charts in high school, LeBron played with some exceptionally talented players for the high school level, and they won, alot. This could be a similar story, just elevated to the NBA level.
   If Bron chose the Bulls that would have been about basketball as well, however LeBron said himself he just liked the fit with the Heat better, yeah, Wade and Bosh are his boys, and they are nearly as dynamic as King James himself. I'd like to live in South Beach myself. If he went to the Knicks, it wasn't about basketball, they suck. If it was the Nets, it would have been to be a mentor for young players under Mikhail and Jay-Z who would've made him unreal money in the process. It just shows you LeBron was worried about what the final score is after the final buzzer sounds than a clothing line, or what his fragrance might smell like from a new LeBron line of cologne. If he went to Cleveland it would've been a legacy decision, and to me, that is a little more egotistic than what people think it to be. People must remember, Cleveland drafted him, he played for them. He brought them to a Finals single-handed, and gave that area of the country 7 exciting years, making the snippy little boy (owner) Dan Gilbert a whole lot of cheddar in the process. That's a whole other animal. That's just not professional, bottom-line. LeBron was going to do at the end of the day what made him happy, and rightfully so. Because we've been watching his life like "The Truman Show" ever since the Sports Illustrated where he was tagged "The Chosen One" was issued, we think we know what's best for him and the NBA. And the only reason I'm mad, I'm a Nets fan, and the Miami Heat are going to be in our grill for years to come.

NBA Offseason; Up in the Air like a Jump-Ball

    With the 2010 NBA Draft looming, just one day away now, the offseason hot stove is starting to ignite. With the historic amount of top-tier free agents available this summer, it has been said by many people that this draft this just the calm before the storm. Many people's focus, not just mine, is what the New Jersey (for now) Nets are going to do. The Nets are in limbo more than any other team, however they have the most to work with. Having already shipped off a favorite of mine, Chris Douglas-Roberts to Milwaukee for a future second round pick, (Nets will have 2 first round, and 2 second round picks in the next couple drafts) the third domino has fallen, and now things are going to start happening. (First domino; the Prokhorov takeover, second domino, the hiring of head coach Avery Johnson.)
    Mock drafts have had the Nets scooping up Georgia Tech power forward Derrick Favors ever since the draft lottery took place, not to mention the Nets getting absolutely screwed in that after a lowly 12 win season. It is what it is though, but now the Nets are interested in a couple different guys. I'm not sure if its just Rod Thorn playing poker with other teams, or he honestly doesn't know who to get. The options for the Nets besides Favors are Demarcus Cousins, Wesley Johnson, and Greg Monroe. The Nets are high on all of these guys, however Cousins skill set just says center, and with the Nets already delighted with Brook Lopez, chances are they're going to let somebody else have the big man. Wesley Johnson plays the position the Nets might need depending on where they play Terrence Williams, small forward. Wes had a ridiculous 1st team AP All-American season at Syracuse last year, however he is about to be 23 so you may not see too much more production considering he will have to make these same plays in a tougher league. Greg Monroe will be a good pro, but i do not think the Nets will reach for him at number 3.
    What you could see is the Nets actually trade the pick and move down and get someone like Monroe. Having said that there is also speculation that Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets is actually on the trade market. The Nets have been the team associated with those rumors, a proposed trade could be the pick, Devin Harris, for Chris Paul. We'll surely see what happens, what I would like to see happen, LEBRON JAMES! If the Nets get Lebron it almost doesn't matter what else happens they will be a perennial one seed, however you have to prepare for life without LeBron. This lineup would be fine with me...Devin Harris at point guard, Terrence Williams at shooting guard, Rudy Gay at small forward, (restricted free agent) either Amare Stoudemire/David Lee/Carlos Boozer/or Chris Bosh (unrestricted free agents) at power forward, and of course Brook Lopez at center, with whoever they draft coming off of the bench along side Courtney Lee and Kris Humphries.
    If Evan Turner somehow doesn't go top 2 considering the recent departure of Sammy Dalembert going from the Sixers to the Kings, Philly could end up wanting Cousins or Favors. Just imagine Devin Harris with T-Will and Evan Turner on the wings....or LEBRON JAMES!
 

Yank'd; The Will to Win

    A starting pitcher who had lost his last 11 consecutive starts, was a solid inning away from qualifying for a win, not to mention a straight shut down of the New York Yankees. Justin Masterson, who we all know from coming up with the Boston Red Sox and not doing a bad job in the process. However he was the main piece involved in the Victor Martinez trade. Masterson has good stuff but has just struggled with a team who can't even win games in the AL Central, which is a rather weak division. However, today seemed to be Masterson's day, inducing ground balls with his sinker which would dive down and in to right-handed batters. The 7th inning came around, and while Cleveland had a 3-0 lead over Yanks' starter A.J. Burnett, the Yanks did what they are known for.
    Swisher, who just simply does not want May to end, hit a hard line drive single to center to lead it off. Masterson would then walk Juan Miranda. After the 1st and 2nd with 0 outs situation for Masterson, he struck out the pinch hitting Cervelli. That was a big out, however Derek Jeter was next up, and he made it happen. Jeter delivered with a 2 strike, 2 run single, which made the Yanks minus 1. 3-2 Indians, for Curtis Granderson. The Grandy-Man turned on an inside fastball off of lefthander Tony Sipp, and belted it down into the right field corner. The Yanks had 2nd and 3rd, and two outs for Mark Teixeira. Tex had been up and down, but if there was ever an appropriate time for him to break out, it was right then and there. Marky Tex launched a ball towards the left/centerfield gap which reached the audience with ease. The Yanks took a 5-3 lead with that 3-run gamechanger, and never looked back winning the game 7-3. Mariano Rivera even came in, in a non-save situation. The Yanks needed a for-sure win, and what does MO do, he locks it down.

Tough One to Swallow

    These blog posts are pretty scattered and I apologize to my followers for that, i know i have quite a bit of notoriety, however I live some kind of lifestyle. Sometimes no matter what I have scheduled, i must get down to brass tax and talk about what's going on, on the field. First, my prayers go out to Cleveland Indians starting pitcher David Huff after being hit in the left side of the head off of an Alex Rodriguez comebacker in the bottom of the 3rd. The CAT scan was negative but he'll remain at Columbia Presbyterian with his family and for further evaluations. After my own father had something similar happen in his playing days it is something to worry about, but let's hope he's ok. Having said that, there are a couple of baseball issues that were raised in this 4 hour and 22 minute debacle.
    The Yanks hit, C.C. pitched mediocre, but logged enough innings to qualify for a win and he only gave up 4. Everybody enjoying a hot summer Memorial Day weekend baseball game at Yankee Stadium including viewers at home and the players on the field all thought it was lock-down after a 10-4 lead was in tact. The game was where the Yanks wanted it, but the lead just evaporated after C.C. left the game. Girardi mixed and matched like he always loves to do, but it really did not work out in his favor this time. David Robertson, who has been up and down this year was not very effective, and then on top of that, he leaves the game with a lower back strain. Hopefully he'll be alright, but you have to wonder if this injury stemmed from the ball Mauer hit in Minnesota that ricocheted off of him. They then brought in Sergio Mitre who didn't get it done. After Mitre, it was Marte for 3 pitches, who did his job. That's where Girardi got cute bringing in Joba Chamberlain with a 10-6 lead and he did not fair well at all. Joba would give up 4 runs on 4 hits, and gave the Indians a 12-10 lead! Then Russel Branyan hit a towering homer of Chad Gaudin in the 8th. The Yanks would get one back in the 9th off of an rbi double by Derek Jeter. The Yanks would lose 13-11 to Cleveland in a game that featured 412 total pitches. Not how the Yanks and there fans thought this one would play out.

Back to Earth..For Now

    It appears Francisco Cervelli and Brett Gardner are indeed human after all. After unbelievably hot starts to the season by the rookie catcher and second year outfielder, both have tapered off quite dramatically. With the excruciatingly high number of injuries on this team, the youth and reserves need to play at a high level day in and day out. However, back-up players are not used to carrying as much weight as these guys have had to do. While I'm sure Cervelli and Gardner will pick it back up sooner or later, its pretty unlikely they will do it at the pace they were before.
    At this rate, the Yanks are still able to win around 96 games, (and in the AL East that could still only be second place) but they are going to have to get back to doing what they did throughout April, and that's pitching well, as well as getting runners in scoring position with less than 2 outs across the plate. The Yankees have indeed had a tough schedule thus far. Only 4 out of 10 different opponents they have played have losing records (Angels, Orioles, Mets, White Sox.) The Mets and Angels are definitely better than there records show as well and are both still tough to play on the road. Plus the Yanks have already played multiple series' against Boston, Tampa Bay, and are now getting ready to square up against the Minnesota Twins for the 4th, 5th, and 6th time of the year over the next 3 days.
    The Yanks will then return home and face the Indians for 4 games and the Orioles for 3, should be a favorable homestand. The month of June should be good to the Yankees, getting guys back from injury and facing only 3 teams with winning records as of now. With Curtis Granderson's resurgance in sights, I think all Yankee fans will not take him for granted after we've had to fill his spot with the likes of Randy Winn against right handed pitchers and minor league infielder Kevin Russo against left handers. The Yanks need big Tex to get back to what he's been doing for most of this month and Robby Cano to get back to what he was doing all of April, getting rbi's, but remember it always starts with good pitching..