Deep Breath...If I were to get on the lap top last night and type something up I would have probably said this is my last blog, this makes me sick, and I've made bad calls. My Yankee confidence has completely got in the way of the clear picture. Texas has outplayed the Yankees all series long, and backing one beating by another last night. The Yanks took a 10-3 loss last night after A.J. Burnett nearly missed qualifying for win. The Yanks had a 3-2 lead, and weird things just started happening. The minute Lance Berkman's homerun in the second inning was reversed into just a long strike, you just got a bad feeling that things weren't going to go the Yanks' way.
The Yankees failed in a bottom of the 4th rally, the same rally in which Mark Teixeira pulled his hamstring, and is now out for the entire postseason. After the Yanks put a goose egg up in an inning where they really could have pulled away, and a superstar injury, you could just see it in their faces that they were beaten, yet they still had a 3-2 lead. In the top of the 5th, A.J. Burnett had 2 outs, and a runner on second. After a managers' choice to intentional walk a David Murphy who has stung the Yanks in the past, Bengie Molina homered on the first pitch he saw from Burnett. This put the Rangers up 5-3, and they would never look back.
Now during the intentional walk of Murphy, A.J. Burnett almost threw a pitch away, and that right there should have been the indicator. This year, none of us had ever seen A.J. recover after looking shaky, so why would this situation be any different? It seems to me like Girardi wanted Burnett to qualify for a win, and prove he made the right move. Besides the bad managerial decisions, the Yankees just simply aren't hitting, and the Rangers are making all the plays. Whether it's in the field or at the dish, the Rangers are doing it when it counts. Normally, it is the Yankees who catch all of these breaks, and get lucky. This is unfamiliar territory for the Yankee team being down 3-1 in the ALCS. Can they flip the switch?
CC Sabathia faces off against C.J. Wilson in possibly the final game at Yankee Stadium this year, where fans decide to threaten A-Rod, bobble foul balls, and leave early. Now this is a game where you must believe CC is going to go out there and do what he does best, giving the team a chance to win. Still, on the other side, Wilson isn't a bad pitcher. You will know right away what kind of swag, if any, the Yanks have. Game starts in 25 minutes. Let's believe in this thing, one game at a time, and don't even think about Cliff Lee waiting at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully my next article will be talking about how tired the Yanks got from scoring 100 runs today.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Yanks Face 2-1 Deficit
It's safe to say the predicition I made was a bad one, (4-2 Yanks, reality 8-0 Rangers) and I let the Yankee fan in me take over a little too much. It's also safe to say Cliff Lee is the most dominant pitcher baseball has seen since Pedro Martinez. There are plenty of good pitchers out there, however Cliff Lee can dominant a game in a different way. You could tell just from the swings New York took, that they were so off balance. Nobody knew how to approach him. If you take the patient approach, he's already 0-2 on you. If you take the aggressive mindset, all you're doing is lowering his pitch count. Just to think if this series does go 7 games, this team will have to face him on the road. Yanks better win 3 straight.
It was a game were the Yankees trailed before some people even got a chance to flip the game on. Top 1st, Josh Hamilton, the natural, took a pretty good curveball of the end of his bat from Pettitte out of the yard after Michael Young wore him out after finally getting a 3-2 single. It was a shame for Pettitte, because those would be the only 2 runs he would surrender, and you knew he was going to bear down. But you also knew it was going to be hard to get runs. The Yankees didn't have a baserunner until the 5th inning last night, struck out 13 times against Lee, and the one inning they had a shot with a runner on second, (Gardner) Jeter fans on a high fastball. Swisher then would move the runner over to third but with now 2 away, and Tex (0-11 in the series) fails to come through, again. The Yankees blew their chance at putting a run on the board which would have made it a fathomable game to win. Their only chance last night was getting to the Texas bullpen prematurely, or at least seeing Neftali Feliz in the 9th inning down just 2, instead of 8. They might have had a shot, which is where the question of leaving Wood in for a second inning arises. However Logan and Robertson normally do their job in that situation, so you can't hate Girardi for that.
Bottom line the New York Yankees need to hit the baseball. Tonight they see Tommy Hunter who is one of those regular season pitchers who the Yanks normally tattoo for 8 or 9 runs. A.J. Burnett is scheduled to start for the Yanks, yet another reason to hit the ball, because Texas will most likely hit too. Tonight I'm seeing more of an 8-6 type of ballgame, with defense and bullpen being the x factors. As a baseball fan, not even a Yankee fan, I do see the Yanks evening the series at 2 games a piece, and quieting all the critics. With a Yankee win, it becomes a best of 3 series, with the first game being the first matchup, CC Sabathia, and C.J. Wilson. Then, let the fun begin, again.
It was a game were the Yankees trailed before some people even got a chance to flip the game on. Top 1st, Josh Hamilton, the natural, took a pretty good curveball of the end of his bat from Pettitte out of the yard after Michael Young wore him out after finally getting a 3-2 single. It was a shame for Pettitte, because those would be the only 2 runs he would surrender, and you knew he was going to bear down. But you also knew it was going to be hard to get runs. The Yankees didn't have a baserunner until the 5th inning last night, struck out 13 times against Lee, and the one inning they had a shot with a runner on second, (Gardner) Jeter fans on a high fastball. Swisher then would move the runner over to third but with now 2 away, and Tex (0-11 in the series) fails to come through, again. The Yankees blew their chance at putting a run on the board which would have made it a fathomable game to win. Their only chance last night was getting to the Texas bullpen prematurely, or at least seeing Neftali Feliz in the 9th inning down just 2, instead of 8. They might have had a shot, which is where the question of leaving Wood in for a second inning arises. However Logan and Robertson normally do their job in that situation, so you can't hate Girardi for that.
Bottom line the New York Yankees need to hit the baseball. Tonight they see Tommy Hunter who is one of those regular season pitchers who the Yanks normally tattoo for 8 or 9 runs. A.J. Burnett is scheduled to start for the Yanks, yet another reason to hit the ball, because Texas will most likely hit too. Tonight I'm seeing more of an 8-6 type of ballgame, with defense and bullpen being the x factors. As a baseball fan, not even a Yankee fan, I do see the Yanks evening the series at 2 games a piece, and quieting all the critics. With a Yankee win, it becomes a best of 3 series, with the first game being the first matchup, CC Sabathia, and C.J. Wilson. Then, let the fun begin, again.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Giants Good Enough
Yesterday, the New York Football Giants took on the Detroit Lions at New Meadowlands Stadium. The Detroit Lions proved to be a worthy opponent, however they lost their 24th straight on the road, and the Giants were proud to be apart of that streak. The Giants won this game 28-20, by running the football very well, making good throws when they needed to, not turning the ball over, and playing clutch defense. They got timely turnovers. However, it seemed as though Detroit came to New Jersey with a much better gameplan than the last two teams who faced the G-Men did. They keyed in on the Giants' stud wideout Hakeem Nicks, and kind of just took him out of the game. This made the Giants go to Mario Manningham and Steve Smith, but to the Lions' credit, they made other people try and beat them. On the offensive end for Detroit, they threw a lot of underneath passes, being they knew the Giants have a good pash rush, and run defense. To Detroits credit, with their second string quarterback getting hurt early in this game, Drew Stanton played his heart out and made some plays for Detroit.
Detroit's offense converted on many third down attempts and made the Giants defense stay on the field, longer then they would've in previous weeks. This simply kept them in the ballgame. Although the Giants seemed like they had the game in the bag a number of teams, the Lions stayed resiliant as they have in games this season, and kept Giants fans from leaving the stadium prematurely. The Lions may be 1-5, however they are a threat to any team out there, and if you don't play solid football the day you play Detroit, they will beat you. As a Giants fan, I am not disheartened by an 8 point when with a 9 point spread, I'm proud they got the job at hand done. The Giants are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles at 4-2 and at the head of the NFC East. Next week Big Blue will face the poor Cowboys. Those 1-4 Cowboys will be looking for a way to get their season back on track, it will be the Giants' job to go into big D and step on their necks.
Detroit's offense converted on many third down attempts and made the Giants defense stay on the field, longer then they would've in previous weeks. This simply kept them in the ballgame. Although the Giants seemed like they had the game in the bag a number of teams, the Lions stayed resiliant as they have in games this season, and kept Giants fans from leaving the stadium prematurely. The Lions may be 1-5, however they are a threat to any team out there, and if you don't play solid football the day you play Detroit, they will beat you. As a Giants fan, I am not disheartened by an 8 point when with a 9 point spread, I'm proud they got the job at hand done. The Giants are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles at 4-2 and at the head of the NFC East. Next week Big Blue will face the poor Cowboys. Those 1-4 Cowboys will be looking for a way to get their season back on track, it will be the Giants' job to go into big D and step on their necks.
Win One for Freddy
After the first two games have come and gone, the Yanks and Rangers travel back to New York where the next three games will be played. If the Yanks defend their homefield, they could be punching their tickets to their second World Series in 2 years. However they will have to get past the old rival Cliff Lee tonight. New York will have some things to honor while they play out the rest of their playoff games. Classic superfan, Freddy "Sez" Schuman died at 85 yesterday of a heart attack. Freddy was a beloved war veteran who brought homeade signs with cute phrases about the Yanks, and the fans would bang on his shamrock frying pan for good luck. I've grown up banging on that frying pan, and the last time I got to hit some metal, was after game 6 of last year's World Series, the clincher. Freddy will be missed greatly from the fan prospective, and in a year where Bob Sheppard, George Steinbrenner, and Ralph Houk died, this just happens to be another great person in the Yankee culture to pass away.
The first two games were wild, the first one being much more so than the second. The number one thing game one showed me was that a Yankee rally can start at any point in the lineup, and in any inning. Why are the Yankees the best offensive team? Balance. When you got a thick middle of the order like they do, with guys like Posada, Granderson, and Gardner finishing it off, you're in good shape. Gardner turns the lineup over like a mofo, and in game one, he did just that. Sliding head first into first base on a tough chopper that he beat out and starting the 5-run outburst that would change the outcome of game one, making it a 6-5 victory.
Game two was brutal in many aspects, basically, game one without a comeback. The Yanks still put some men on, and Robbie struck some good swings on pitches, and the Rangers were shaking and sweating, however the Yanks lost 7-2. That's how you know the Rangers are still shook in some light. Although the Yanks missed a chance to go up 2-0 and put this Texas team on the ropes with Colby Lewis going for them, and Phil Hughes going for NY, they still have the homefield advantage for the rest of the series, and it just seemed like the Rangers did everything they possibly could to win that game, and they still felt like they weren't safe.
Now tonight will be the battle of a couple left-handed pitchers with pretty marquee names. Andy Pettitte for the Yanks and of course Uncle Cliff Lee for the Rangers. The Yanks have not had a great history against Cliff Lee, and Lee has had a great postseason career. At the same time, Pettitte is virtually unbeatable at home and in the playoffs, so something has to give here. Most people may think Pettitte, but he is a solid as a rock in this setting, this is what everybody will remember him doing when it is all said and done, he wins games just like these. Cliff Lee is due for a subpar outing, he is a human being right? First ALCS home game, Mr. Pettite on the hill, Lee due for a bad outing, and the Yanks won't lose two in a row. Yanks win tonight beyond everyones love for Cliff Lee, 4-2.
The first two games were wild, the first one being much more so than the second. The number one thing game one showed me was that a Yankee rally can start at any point in the lineup, and in any inning. Why are the Yankees the best offensive team? Balance. When you got a thick middle of the order like they do, with guys like Posada, Granderson, and Gardner finishing it off, you're in good shape. Gardner turns the lineup over like a mofo, and in game one, he did just that. Sliding head first into first base on a tough chopper that he beat out and starting the 5-run outburst that would change the outcome of game one, making it a 6-5 victory.
Game two was brutal in many aspects, basically, game one without a comeback. The Yanks still put some men on, and Robbie struck some good swings on pitches, and the Rangers were shaking and sweating, however the Yanks lost 7-2. That's how you know the Rangers are still shook in some light. Although the Yanks missed a chance to go up 2-0 and put this Texas team on the ropes with Colby Lewis going for them, and Phil Hughes going for NY, they still have the homefield advantage for the rest of the series, and it just seemed like the Rangers did everything they possibly could to win that game, and they still felt like they weren't safe.
Now tonight will be the battle of a couple left-handed pitchers with pretty marquee names. Andy Pettitte for the Yanks and of course Uncle Cliff Lee for the Rangers. The Yanks have not had a great history against Cliff Lee, and Lee has had a great postseason career. At the same time, Pettitte is virtually unbeatable at home and in the playoffs, so something has to give here. Most people may think Pettitte, but he is a solid as a rock in this setting, this is what everybody will remember him doing when it is all said and done, he wins games just like these. Cliff Lee is due for a subpar outing, he is a human being right? First ALCS home game, Mr. Pettite on the hill, Lee due for a bad outing, and the Yanks won't lose two in a row. Yanks win tonight beyond everyones love for Cliff Lee, 4-2.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Texas It Is; CC vs C.J. First
During the season every time the Yanks faced off against Texas, I felt a playoff matchup coming in the future. The last time the Yankees went to Texas it was ugly, and that series set the tone for the entire month of September. In that series, the Yanks were swept away by the Rangers losing two games in walk-off fashion, Rivera losing one, and Cliff Lee dominating the last game of that series. Now those games really did have playoff-type atmosphere, but this is a different month, and a different season. The Yankees showed they knew the difference against Minnesota.
The big thing people look into in any playoff series is pitching. This series is obviously no different, but even more important. Both of these offenses can rely on a 3-run homer, but they can also get stolen bases, and play small ball equally good. The Yanks and Texas both won games in "small ball" fashion the the first round. That's what makes this such a good matchup. Because the Rangers had to throw Cliff Lee in game 5 to survive the first round, he will not be able to pitch game 1 or game 2, (both in Texas) advantage Yankees.
The Yanks will be on the road for the first two ballgames of the series, and the matchups will be CC Sabathia for the Yanks, squaring off against C.J. Wilson. Then it becomes either Andy Pettitte versus Colby Lewis, or Phil Hughes versus Colby Lewis. It will be interesting to see which way they go, because Pettitte and Hughes both pitch well on the road, and both love the hot weather in Texas. If it were up to me, I would keep it just how they had it last series, Pettitte then Hughes, it did work out. (Game 3 the Yanks face Cliff Lee.) Now it becomes either A.J. Burnett, that's right A.J. Bumett, or Sabathia in game 4 on short rest. This all depends on how the series has gone by that point. Tommy Hunter is the Rangers fourth starter, and we're all licking our chops for him. If it is CC on short rest in game 4, A.J. moves to the 5th game, and in that case, hopefully the Yanks sweep, however I predict Yanks in 6. Here are the possible pitching matchups laid out as nice and neat as possible for ya. Another "pre-series" article will be written before the start of the series.
Game 1
Sabathia vs. Wilson (in Texas)
Game 2
Pettitte/Hughes vs. Lewis (in Texas)
Game 3
Hughes/Pettitte vs. Lee (in New York)
Game 4
*Sabathia/Burnett vs. Hunter (in New York)
Game 5
Burnett/Sabathia vs. Wilson (in New York)
Game 6
Pettitte/Hughes vs. Lewis (in Texas)
Game 7
Hughes/Pettitte/*Sabathia vs. Lee (in Texas)
Bold=my preferred method
*=short rest
This all depends on if they decide to throw Sabathia on short rest. If CC goes to work on short rest in the 4th game, he'll be available to do it again in game 7. However they likely won't pitch Sabathia three times in this series. Personally, I don't have a problem with the veteran Andy Pettitte pitching a game 7 if he needs to. The Yankees clearly have a deeper pitching staff than the Rangers, from judging the possible matchups, it's easy to tell. While the Yankees really only have one question mark, (A.J. Burnett, maybe its a double ??) Texas has at least two (Lewis and Hunter.)
The Yankees need to win this series before the 7th game so they can limit the times they see Texas', and maybe baseball's best postseason pitcher, Cliff Lee. Other than Uncle Cliff, their rotation doesn't scare me too much. Who's ready?
The big thing people look into in any playoff series is pitching. This series is obviously no different, but even more important. Both of these offenses can rely on a 3-run homer, but they can also get stolen bases, and play small ball equally good. The Yanks and Texas both won games in "small ball" fashion the the first round. That's what makes this such a good matchup. Because the Rangers had to throw Cliff Lee in game 5 to survive the first round, he will not be able to pitch game 1 or game 2, (both in Texas) advantage Yankees.
The Yanks will be on the road for the first two ballgames of the series, and the matchups will be CC Sabathia for the Yanks, squaring off against C.J. Wilson. Then it becomes either Andy Pettitte versus Colby Lewis, or Phil Hughes versus Colby Lewis. It will be interesting to see which way they go, because Pettitte and Hughes both pitch well on the road, and both love the hot weather in Texas. If it were up to me, I would keep it just how they had it last series, Pettitte then Hughes, it did work out. (Game 3 the Yanks face Cliff Lee.) Now it becomes either A.J. Burnett, that's right A.J. Bumett, or Sabathia in game 4 on short rest. This all depends on how the series has gone by that point. Tommy Hunter is the Rangers fourth starter, and we're all licking our chops for him. If it is CC on short rest in game 4, A.J. moves to the 5th game, and in that case, hopefully the Yanks sweep, however I predict Yanks in 6. Here are the possible pitching matchups laid out as nice and neat as possible for ya. Another "pre-series" article will be written before the start of the series.
Game 1
Sabathia vs. Wilson (in Texas)
Game 2
Pettitte/Hughes vs. Lewis (in Texas)
Game 3
Hughes/Pettitte vs. Lee (in New York)
Game 4
*Sabathia/Burnett vs. Hunter (in New York)
Game 5
Burnett/Sabathia vs. Wilson (in New York)
Game 6
Pettitte/Hughes vs. Lewis (in Texas)
Game 7
Hughes/Pettitte/*Sabathia vs. Lee (in Texas)
Bold=my preferred method
*=short rest
This all depends on if they decide to throw Sabathia on short rest. If CC goes to work on short rest in the 4th game, he'll be available to do it again in game 7. However they likely won't pitch Sabathia three times in this series. Personally, I don't have a problem with the veteran Andy Pettitte pitching a game 7 if he needs to. The Yankees clearly have a deeper pitching staff than the Rangers, from judging the possible matchups, it's easy to tell. While the Yankees really only have one question mark, (A.J. Burnett, maybe its a double ??) Texas has at least two (Lewis and Hunter.)
The Yankees need to win this series before the 7th game so they can limit the times they see Texas', and maybe baseball's best postseason pitcher, Cliff Lee. Other than Uncle Cliff, their rotation doesn't scare me too much. Who's ready?
Monday, October 11, 2010
Giants Have Number One Defense in the NFL
5 games into the NFL season the Giants have already been through a lot. From an embarrassing Sunday night loss to Eli's brother, to a loss to the Titans that included self inflicted wounds, all the way to Tiki Barber saying Tom Coughlin lost the team and there aren't any leaders. So the Giants are 0-5 right? Oh no, those are the 49ers. The Giants are 3-2 and tied for 1st place in the NFC East with the Redskins (of course Green Bay couldn't help us out and just beat the Skins) and Eagles. However the Giants have started to really roll after a 17-3 destruction of Bears offensive linemen and quarterbacks, and a 34-10 manhandling of the Houston Texans who people were ready to proclaim AFC South champs.
Most people, like myself, figured the Giants would put up a dud performance after making everyone believers after the Chicago wooping. However the Giants backed up one great performance by another one, and this time on the road against in my opinion, a better team. Hakim Nicks had one of those superstar games catching 12 balls for over 100 yards (second straight week) and a couple of touchdowns. The defense had sacks, turnovers, solid tackles, and the only touchdown they gave up was set up by an Eli Manning interception. Now the Giants have the best defense in the NFL when its comes to total yards given up per game as well as passing yards given up per game. (6th in rushing.) If ya'll don't trust me, here you are. http://www.nfl.com/stats/team
The Giants have Detroit at home next week, who are coming off of a 44-6 victory over the Rams. This would be the type of game the old Giants could lose, after two convincing wins and then putting up a clunker against a bad team. However I trust the Giants that they won't lose the the Detroit Lions who haven't won a road game in years. They have a good offense, but the way the Giants defense has been playing, it shouldn't be a problem.
Most people, like myself, figured the Giants would put up a dud performance after making everyone believers after the Chicago wooping. However the Giants backed up one great performance by another one, and this time on the road against in my opinion, a better team. Hakim Nicks had one of those superstar games catching 12 balls for over 100 yards (second straight week) and a couple of touchdowns. The defense had sacks, turnovers, solid tackles, and the only touchdown they gave up was set up by an Eli Manning interception. Now the Giants have the best defense in the NFL when its comes to total yards given up per game as well as passing yards given up per game. (6th in rushing.) If ya'll don't trust me, here you are. http://www.nfl.com/stats/team
The Giants have Detroit at home next week, who are coming off of a 44-6 victory over the Rams. This would be the type of game the old Giants could lose, after two convincing wins and then putting up a clunker against a bad team. However I trust the Giants that they won't lose the the Detroit Lions who haven't won a road game in years. They have a good offense, but the way the Giants defense has been playing, it shouldn't be a problem.
Yanks Go In....To the ALCS
Of the 58 pitches Brian Duensing threw Saturday night, the Yankees swung and missed at NONE of them. We can all marvel and then realize that it was just the TWINS, but the Yanks are a force. Behind Sabathia, Pettitte, and Hughes, they are so hard to beat. Each start got even progressively better than the other. Sabthia gave up 4, Andy gave up 2, while Hughes threw 99 pitches over 7 shut out innings. It is good to see the Yanks are getting some length from their starters, so they can shorten the game with a solid bullpen.
Yanks now can watch football, and other playoff baseball until the start of the ALCS which is Friday. Tomorrow night they will find out if they are going to be facing Texas or Tampa. Because this series went 5 games, (I called it going back to Tampa after 2-0) Cliff Lee or David Price will not start game 1 on short rest, so right there its advatage Yankees. I'll have more for ya ALCS-wise once we find out who we are playing.
Yanks now can watch football, and other playoff baseball until the start of the ALCS which is Friday. Tomorrow night they will find out if they are going to be facing Texas or Tampa. Because this series went 5 games, (I called it going back to Tampa after 2-0) Cliff Lee or David Price will not start game 1 on short rest, so right there its advatage Yankees. I'll have more for ya ALCS-wise once we find out who we are playing.
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