Posts tagged ‘Lance Berkman’

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September 30, 2010

Projecting Yankees 25 Man Playoff Roster

by Jamie Insalaco

Now that the Yankees have clinched a playoff berth, I can have some fun and speculate on the Yankees 25 man playoff roster and talk about how I would use them if I were managing the Yankees.

Round 1 – best of 5 against the Minnesota Twins. I don’t feel the Yankees need to use 4 starting pitchers in this series, so I left AJ Burnett off the roster. For the best of 7 rounds, I dropped a backup outfielder (this could also be a relief pitcher in that 25th spot) and put Burnett back on there.

  1. CC Sabathia

    • game 1 starter
  2. Andy Pettitte
    • game 2 starter
  3. Phil Hughes
    • game 3 starter (AJ Burnett isn’t really giving me a choice here)
  4. Mariano Rivera
    • closer.  Mo saves: for he is the power, the kingdom, and the glory, forever and ever…
  5. Kerry Wood
    • primary setup man
  6. Joba Chamberlain
    • RH RP – comes into the game at the beginning of innings (preferably)
  7. David Robertson
    • RH RP – the fireman, comes into tough situations in the middle of innings to deliver us from evil with Ks
  8. Boone Logan
    • LH RP – primary lefty out of the pen to get the big bat out in the biggest match up situation
  9. Royce Ring
    • LH RP – extra match up lefty, used early in the game – especially useful against all those Twins left handed bats; if the Yankees don’t get the Twins at some point, maybe you fill this spot with another backup outfielder
  10. Sergio Mitre
    • emergency long man; Mitre has decent numbers out of the pen this year.  Javier Vazquez’s sample size for relief outings is too small and Chad Gaudin’s numbers stink.
  11. Jorge Posada
    • starting catcher
  12. Mark Teixeira
    • starting 1B
  13. Robinson Cano
    • starting 2B
  14. Derek Jeter
    • starting SS
  15. Alex Rodriguez
    • starting 3B
  16. Brett Gardner
    • starting LF
  17. Curtis Granderson
    • starting CF
  18. Nick Swisher
    • starting RF
  19. Austin Kearns
    • 4th outfielder
  20. Ramiro Pena
    • pinch runner/backup infielder for every position but 1B, unless absolutely necessary; haven’t seen him play there
  21. Francisco Cervelli
    • backup catcher, not an awful option for punch runner, but then we’re out of catchers, so only in a game ending situation
  22. Lance Berkman
    • DH/PH against right RHP, backup 1B
  23. Marcus Thames
    • DH/PH against LHP, emergency outfielder
  24. Eduardo Nunez
    • pinch runner, emergency middle infielder.  I went with Nunez over Juan Miranda because with Berkman and Thames, I feel like the Yankees bench has enough bats, and I don’t have a ton of faith in Miranda’s bat, anyway.  Besides, Nunez can play more than one position and has speed, which I’d like to have off the bench, say in the 8th inning after Posada walks…
  25. ALDC:  Colin Curtis/Greg Golson/Kevin Russo //  ALCS/WS:  A.J. Burnett, 4 starter
    • I haven’t seen enough of these guys to decide who’d be the most valuable as a pinch runner and/or as a backup outfielder; in fact, I considered putting a reliever in this spot, but who?  I like Ivan Nova a lot, but let’s face it, he’s a kid and has hardly an MLB experience
    • I know, I know – nobody wants to see Burnett in the playoffs.  Sorry, folks – you’re going to have to get over that.  If the Yankees make it passed the first round, Burnett is going to start.  Experience counts in the playoffs, and really, when it’s all on the line, who would you rather have out there?  Vazquez?  Gaudin?  Nova?  Mitre?  In your heart of hearts, you know Burnett and his 95 MPH fastball and nasty curve ball are the way to go.  All starters will be on a short leash, anyway, so at the first sign of trouble, Joe Girardi will more than likely go get him anyway – or anyone else

That’s the way I see it. I know some folks want to give Nova a chance, but I think that’s asking too much, too soon of an inexperienced kid. It’d be a bold move, and I don’t see someone as calculating as Girardi doing it. Joe Torre wouldn’t even consider it; he loves his veterans.

Wild Card or AL East Division winners, it’s all the same. The Yankees are in the dance, so they’ve got a chance. This is what we wait all year for, and we’ve had the opportunity to watch October baseball for 15 out the last 16 years, and it never gets old. No matter what happens, this has been a great year. Let’s see if they can go all the way and get number 28! I’m predicting a rematch of last year’s World Series and despite Philly looking a little better than last year (although I don’t know who they have in their bullpen), I’m also predicting the same outcome.

LET’S GO YANKEES!

NOTE:
Nice job by David Price for calling out his fan base – it might not have been the best business decision for the Rays organization, but they have a good team and it deserves it’s fan’s support. If they can’t get it, they should move – I’m sure Las Vegas would welcome them with open arms.
An even better job by the Rays for giving away thousands of free tickets in the wake of Price-Gate. Maybe they can win the fans over yet

Check out my post at The Fowl Balls on Mariano Rivera’s tough outings in September.

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September 22, 2010

5 spot, Hughes and short handed pen beat Rays

by Jamie Insalaco

I’ll spare you the recap; I’m just going to assume you watched, listened or followed the game – here’s the box score and the Game Day. Here’s what bugged me about last night’s Yankees vs Rays contest:

Phil Hughes came out to pitch the seventh inning despite being over 100 pitches. I know the Yankees bullpen was short handed last night, but Hughes is on an innings limit to protect his arm – it seems contrary to skip him a time or two in the rotation and then leave him out there last night, but what do I know. I would also think that, since Javier Vazquez was one of the few available relievers last night, he would be better suited to starting the inning rather than coming in with a runner on base, which he allowed to score.

Joe Girardi continues to manage in such a way that protects his team for the playoffs. Sure, he’d like to win every game, but he didn’t run Mariano Rivera out there last night, and that tells you all you need to know.

Lance Berkman was interviewed by Susan Waldmen after the game; he said something to the effect of games in the National League being over when the home team puts up a five spot in the first inning. He also mentioned that the two and a half hour game just didn’t happen in the American League because the offenses are too good, and he’s right – Tampa had 8 hits and 2 walks, so they were no strangers to the base paths last night. Berkman also mentioned that since the games were longer, his eating schedule wasn’t what it used to be, and by the end of the game, he’d worked up quite the appetite. I guess his body’s clock hasn’t adjusted to being a Yankee yet.

Derek Jeter had two hits last night and his average has ticked up to .265. It’s too late for him to reach his usual numbers, but it doesn’t matter. I think he’ll hit in the post season and the Yankees will resign him for something like 4 or 5 years at $20+ million per year, so it’s Jeter’s 2010 campaign discussion is purely academic.

The Yankees are at 92 wins. I picked them to win 100 games this year and with 11 games left, I’m not sure I can pick them to go 8-3 against Tampa Bay, Boston and Toronto. Oh and those Blue Jay games are AT THE ROGERS CENTRE. BOOOOOOOO.

Also, the NY Times post another article about the George Steinbrenner monument, just as I did. They’ve actually interviewed folks, and most people seem to agree that it’s just too big. To have your say, vote your mind here.

Tonight we’ll see AJ Burnett face off against Wade Davis. Which AJ will show up is anybody’s guess.

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September 8, 2010

Yankees lose series to Os

by Jamie Insalaco

"What a revolting development this is."

I guess the Yankees had to lose a series eventually, and they had to lose a series to the Orioles eventually, but it still hurts.

I missed the top of the first, so I’m not sure if CC Sabathia was getting his butt kicked or if he stunk. His innings afterward were either great or awful; there didn’t seem to be a third direction. The offense, on the other hand, just couldn’t get things to go there way; no matter what happened, something bad would happen to counter act. Curtis Granderson hit a bloop single to center, but Jorge Posada couldn’t advance to second and ended up getting thrown out, and Lance Berkman wasn’t able to score. A-Rod hit the stuffing out of the ball, but the run wasn’t able to score… It was a frustrating game all around.

Today, Ivan Nova will try to salvage the last game of the series before the off day against Brad Bergesen. I shudder at the prospect of getting swept by the Orioles, who have the best record in the AL East since Buck Showalter took over. Still, they’re not that good and the Yankees need to win this game.

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September 2, 2010

Yankee fans grab brooms after AJ's redemption

by Jamie Insalaco

AJ Burnett turned in a line of 6 IP, 6 hits, 3 R (ER), 2 BB, 8 Ks (wow), and 1 HR. Not spectacular when it takes 100 pitches to get through 6 innings, but the strike outs were impressive. He was throwing a breaking ball in the low 80s… I guess that’s what he usually throws, but something seemed different about it last night.

I don’t want to get too excited about Burnett’s performance against the lowly offense of the Oakland Athletics, but he got through 6 and didn’t get hammered, and after his awful August, that’s good enough. But the bottom line is Burnett is not coming out the rotation unless he’s hurt. He makes too much money.

Speaking of the rotation, Javier Vazquez is going back into the rotation and Dustin Moseley is going back to the bullpen. It’s hard to argue this logic, given the current trends of both pitchers, but I long for the day when Andy Pettitte returns from injury. Nobody adjusts on the fly like Pettitte. Still, Moseley will join Chad Guadin and Sergio Mitre, who have served invaluable rolls as long men as the starting rotation has struggled.

What an awesome job by the Yankees bullpen. If its not a long man pitching 4 innings in relief, it’s the short guys kicking butt. Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan, Kerry Wood and Mariano Rivera combined to protect the 1 run lead over 3 innings. That’s pitching. If the Yankees get their rotation figured out, they’re going to be all but unbeatable in the playoffs. But that’s a pretty big if!

The Yankees left 9 men on base. Yeesh. After the second inning, they never scored again. Mark Teixeira continues to swing a hot bat, and fresh from the DL, Lance Berkman joined Teix with a double of his own. Derek Jeter got his first hit of the series, so he’s 1-12 so far this time against the As. My boy Curtis Granderson went 2-4 as he continues to try and improve his 2010 numbers, but it’s probably too late for that.

What can I say about the As? They stink. I don’t know if they’re kids and the big bad Yankees scare them or what, but from what I’ve seen this season, they just don’t play very well. Cliff Pennington has been a menace over at short stop this series, whether he’s missing the first basemen by a lot (leave the pivot-360-jump-throw to Jeter, buddy) or kicking the ball, he just reinforces the fact that Oakland is fielding a team of kids who just aren’t ready to compete at this level. The As overall defense and offense are pretty stinky, and their much heralded starting rotation isn’t very good away from home, as any sabermetrically minded Yankees blog will illustrate to you. I know the As came into this series over .500, but playing Seattle and Los Angeles 30 times a year will do that. Today they’ll have to deal with CC Sabthia, going for his 19 win of the season.

Good luck with that.

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August 19, 2010

Yankees send Lance Berkman to the DL for ankle injury

by Jamie Insalaco

If you didn’t see Lance Berkman roll his ankle when stepping on a fielder’s foot on first base, well, that’s what landed him on the DL a few days later. The Yankees have called up Eduardo Nunez, much to my surprise. He’s listed as a short stop, but I’m betting he’s going to get some time at 3rd base while A-Rod is recovering from his own leg issue. Nunez is having a decent year with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees at AAA, hitting .284 with 4 homers and 50 RBIs – oh and 23 bases stolen, so he must have speed. I assumed the Yankees would call up Juan Miranda, who has seen time with the Yankees as a DH and is sporting a .307 average with 13 homers. But again, I think Nunez is going to take time from Ramiro Pena and another Yankee will DH – probably a combination of A-Rod, Marcus Thames and Jorge Posada. But lets see how the line up card looks tonight…

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August 10, 2010

Yankees split series with Red Sox

by Jamie Insalaco

I hate to say I told so, but, I did. It sucks being right.

But not that hard. It’s too bad the Yankees didn’t sweep the Red Sox, but then, with Jon Lester pitching one game, I never expected them to. Once they lost the Friday game, taking 3 of 4 was all but impossible as not only would they had to of beaten Lester yesterday (which is impossible, because, again, cancer can’t beat that guy), but also win 3 games in a row against the same team, which I’m sure is nearly a statistical impossibility. Nearly.

So it’s almost like the series never happened, accept a few games ticked off the schedule. The Yankees are still 6 games ahead of the Red Sox and 1.5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays. I’ll take that. And with the Texas Rangers coming in, its time to turn the page. Last time the Yankees and the Walker Texas Rangers faced off, the Yankees swept them… by winning 3 games in a row… yeah. Oh, and Cliff Lee will be starting for the Rangers this series, and perhaps we’ll see him again when the two teams battle in September. Joy. I haven’t seen the Rangers since the last time they were in the Bronx and I’m curious to learn if they figured out how to field since then. They sure were sloppy in that series. But, the Rangers are not to be dismissed, despite the last series they played against the Yankees – they’re near the top in both pitching and hitting categories this year, so it’s time to battle.

Oh, and I heard it was Joe Buck who was insistently calling A-Rod when he turned his back and was struck in the leg with a ball during batting practice by Lance Berkman before FOX saturday baseball, which is one of the worst damnations every put on man, by the way. I also heard Mr. Buck has denied this while speeding away in a National Car Rental: it was his choice. He also said something about buying the Avatar on DVD and Blu Ray…

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August 9, 2010

Yankees lead four game series 2-1

by Jamie Insalaco

I wrote about this series making or breaking the Boston Red Sox’s season before it started, but maybe the situation isn’t as dire for the Red Sox as I thought.

The Red Sox arrived in the Bronx trailing the AL East leaders by 6 games and are now 7 games behind the pace and 4 games behind the wild card leaders. The Tampa Bay Rays are going through a tough streak and have two starting pitchers getting their shoulders examined with about 50 games left to play in the season for everybody, with about 6 games left with both the Yankees and the Rays, so it’s still a bit early to call it quits the Red Sox. But make no mistake: they are running out of time, yet even a 3-1 series defeat won’t put the Red Sox in the ground for good.

In the Sunday night ESPN game of death (I call it this because it starts too late here on the east coast at 8 PM and I don’t feel the Yankees ever play particularly well in these games), AJ Burnett was scratched from his start due to back spasms. Hopefully, he won’t miss any significant time, but between his 2010 performance and Dustin Mosely’s, maybe its not such a bad thing to let Burnett relax for a while. What the Yankees really need is to get Andy Pettitte back at full strength. But back to Mosely, he was awesome last night: economical, accurate, and displaying cat-like reflexes on and off the mound. He got into a little trouble and was lifted during a taxing 7th inning, but the bullpen managed to hold it together. Joe Girardi wasn’t kidding around, either: He used Mariano Rivera to get the last out of the game; the tying run was in the hole, so it wasn’t a save situation, but Mo needed some work and Girardi didn’t want to let them back in the game. On the other side, Josh Beckett was showing pretty much what he’s shown all year – sometimes, he just doesn’t know where the ball is going, and it’s frustrating him. Tim Wakefield was effective in relief; he’s a huge bullpen saver for them. Mark Teixeira hit a home run in the bleachers that people should write songs about, and Lance Berkman had 3 hits in one game – that’s 1 more hit than he’s had since he came to the Yankees. It all adds up to a 7-2 Yankees victory.

The Red Sox are beat up, and the Yankees aren’t exactly 100%, but then, few teams are. Today we’ll see Phil Hughes do battle with Jon Lester, a young man who is literally more powerful than cancer. Can you imagine what is must be like to have to face a guy with a plus fastball who also whipped cancer’s ass? As a hitter, you think you scare Jon Lester? Non-Hodgkin lymphoma doesn’t scare Jon Lester, so good luck – you’re going to need it. I’m predicting a four game split here; due respect to Phil Hughes, but Lester is better – than pretty much everybody.

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August 6, 2010

Four games that will make or break the Red Sox season

by Jamie Insalaco
jonathan papelbon

(This face.)

The Boston Red Sox are currently 6 games behind the New York Yankees and 5.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays, and if the Red Sox want to make the playoffs this year, they’d better get serious in a hurry. Not that I mind the Red Sox missing the playoffs, but then, what’s the fun of riding a roller coaster without a few loops? Or goatees?

And speaking of attaching steel wool to your face, Kevin Youkilis has a thumb injury (I have a joke for how Youkilis injured that thumb involving Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon and that face Pap makes when he comes set right before he delivers the pitch, but I’ll spare you) that will sideline him for the rest of the year. It’s just another injury on a team that’s been plagued by them all season long. The subtraction of Youkilis and the addition of new Yankee Lance Berkman might tip the scales in the Yankees favor for good. Not that I’m forgetting about the Rays, but one thing at at time.

The Red Sox have scored the second most runs so far this year, only led by the Yankees (576 to 561), but without Youkilis, who I regard as their best Yankee-killer, I’m not sure what they can do. When you take into account the Yankees vs Red Sox runs allowed numbers (442 to 496), it’s easy to get excited about the Yankees chances in these four games.

If the Red Sox want to win this series, they’re going to have pitch their backsides off, and I just don’t think they can do it. The Yankees have seen all of their starters already this year, and they haven’t really struggled to produce runs against any of them. On the other hand, the Yankees are starting Dustin Mosely in game 4 on Monday. While the Yankees had Thursday off, the Red Sox were finishing up a 4 game set with the Indians, so they must be tired, and I wonder how fresh their bullpen is.

Conditions seem right for the Yankees to take 3 of 4 – if they get it done, the Red Sox are probably finished for the 2010 season. If they split, the Red Sox may have some faint hope, but I’m wondering where their offense is going to come from, and I’m just not sure if their pitching is good enough.  Ultimately, I believe only a series win will keep the Red Sox playoff hopes alive – and happily for Yankees fans, I don’t like their chances.

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