Jamie Insalaco
The Detroit Tigers will send Rick Porcello to the mound tonight to face the Yankees in a game that will most likely decide who wins this three game series. Porcello is a sinker ball pitcher who can’t get that pitch to work this season and has an ERA over 5. In his last start, he gave up three runs in six innings to the Minnesota Twins, the only American League team that has not yet recorded their 20th win, so the Yankee hitters need to go to work tonight and it done.
May 23, 2012
The Yankees Won a Game!
The Yankees won a game! Hit the music!
But really, it was more of the same, just a different result. Check out these numbers from offense’s 3 run triumph against the guy with a 6+ ERA.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Swisher; Ibanez 2.
GIDP: Teixeira, Jeter.
Team RISP: 2-for-7.
Team LOB: 5.
A quick shout out to Phil Hughes, who continues to make liars out of all of us who said he didn’t have what it takes to be a starting pitcher. 6 IP and 2 ER? I’ll sign up for that every time out. Great work by the bullpen, too – holds all around, except for Soriano, who escpaed thanks to a great throw by A-Rod and an equally great stretch by Mark Teixeira to keep the game from being knotted at 3.
Tune in again tomorrow night for more offensive shenanigans – same Yankee time, same Yankee channel!
November 29, 2011
Derek Jeter Sculpture at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
I’m sure you’ve already heard, but the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory has unveiled a Derek Jeter sculpture, or statue, or whatever. Sorry, this sat in my inbox for nearly two months and I’m just now getting to it. The press release is below… if it says what the sculpture is made out of, I don’t see it. The thing has a weird look… is he wood, or maybe wax? I can’t tell. Also, it doesn’t look much like Jeter, although I do think they sorta got his expression right, if that makes any sense.
I’ve never been the Louisville Slugger facility, and this isn’t really motivating me to change that. In fact, the whole thing is sorta weird. Now, the museum has four statues: Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Ken Griffey, Jr. and Derek Jeter… that’s a Cooky Quartet if I ever heard of one. Griffey was a great player (though often injured) and Jeter has obviously amassed a career that few could boast, but I would never say either of them are on an even playing field with Ted Williams and Babe Frigging Ruth. It boggles the mind!
Anyway, here’s the press release.
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Unveils Derek Jeter Sculpture
Museum will honor Yankee Captain with “Derek Jeter Day” on Saturday
Louisville, KY (October 12, 2011) — Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory added another superstar to its roster Wednesday as it unveiled a lifelike sculpture of Derek Jeter, team captain of the New York Yankees and future baseball Hall of Famer.
To welcome the new sculpture, the museum will celebrate “Derek Jeter Day” this Saturday, honoring the Yankee Captain. As part of the celebration, a game used Derek Jeter bat will be added to the museum’s Hold a Piece of History exhibit, allowing guests to hold a bat actually used by Jeter. Guests will also receive Jeter mini bats at the conclusion of each factory tour, while supplies last.
In addition, for “Derek Jeter Day” the museum will offer a special $2 admission in recognition of Jeter’s #2 jersey. Proceeds from Saturday’s ticket sales will be donated to Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation.
“We are thrilled to feature Derek Jeter in the museum,” said Anne Jewell, Executive Director at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. “Jeter is a baseball rockstar, an ambassador for the game and a huge fan favorite. We’re proud to include him in our lineup of baseball greats and we know our guests will love it. ”
Jeter, the longtime Yankees shortstop, joins elite company as he is just the fourth person honored with a statue at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. The only other player sculptures in the museum are baseball legends Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Ken Griffey, Jr.
“It’s a true honor to be recognized in this way by Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory,” said Derek Jeter. “Louisville Slugger is synonymous with baseball. I’ve used the same bat model (P72) throughout my career and it’s a privilege to have such a tribute in this great museum devoted to the skill and history of hitting,” he said.
Since his major league debut in 1995, Jeter has been one of baseball’s most popular figures and is currently the all-time New York Yankees hit leader. He has been selected as an All-Star 12 times, won the Silver Slugger award four times and earned the Gold Glove award on five occasions. He won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1996 and helped the Yankees win the World Series the same year.
Jeter was also an integral part of World Series championship-winning teams in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009. He is the only player in history to win both the All-Star Game MVP Award and the World Series MVP Award in the same year. He has served as the Yankees’ team captain since 2003 and collected his 3,000th career hit earlier this season.
The sculpture unveiling coincides with Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory’s 15th Anniversary Year. In May, the museum welcomed its record 3-millionth guest. With 234,771 visitors last year, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory broke its attendance record in 2010; a record unmatched since the museum opened for its first full year in 1997.
Earlier this year, the museum unveiled its newly renovated, 3,000-square-foot Museum Store, which was designed with a fresh layout to bring a feel of the museum to the store that offers hundreds of gifts, apparel and collectibles.
Also new in 2011, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory announced that its factory is now producing bats year round on Saturdays, and for the first time ever also producing bats during tours on Sundays and holidays, enabling visitors to view bat production on every tour.
Follow Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory on Facebook for more information.
About the Turn 2 Foundation
The Turn 2 Foundation was created during Derek Jeter’s 1996 rookie season with a goal to create and support signature programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and “TURN 2” healthy lifestyles. Through these ventures, the Foundation strives to create outlets that promote and reward academic excellence, leadership development and positive behavior so that children of these programs grow safely and successfully into adulthood and become the leaders of tomorrow.
About Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory:
Experience history-in-the-making as you stroll through the factory where world-famous Louisville Slugger bats are created. Award-winning factory tour, newly renovated galleries with interactive exhibits, historic memorabilia, the World’s Biggest Bat, and more. Create a Louisville Slugger bat with your very own name on it, just like the pros. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, 800 West Main Street, is open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sundays 12 noon – 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (60+), $5 children (6-12), and free for children 5 and under. For more information, log on to sluggermuseum.com or call 502-588-7228.
November 28, 2011
Bringing Freddy Back To The Fold Indicates Yankees Rotation Plans
Now that the Yankees have agreed to a one year deal with Freddy Garcia, I think Brian Cashman’s plan for rebuilding the rotation (his top off season priority) has become evidently clear.
The current roster currently has five starters under contract: indisputable ace C.C. Sabathia, rookie sensation Ivan Nova, "Look out, I don’t know where it’s going," aka A.J. Burnett, "He came into Spring Training a little out of shape last year," and former 19 game winner Phil Hughes and the aforementioned Garcia. So there’s your rotation right there…
Or, maybe not. Hughes and Garcia aren’t exactly a guaranteed picture of health and you never know when Burnett’s tendency to pitch like Charlie Sheen in Major League before he gets the glasses is going to get so out of hand that he can’t pitch anymore, so there are going to be chances for the kids down on the farm to make their case.
But what this early off season move by Cashman truly indicates is that the Yankees are not interested in dumping piles of money on C.J. Wilson or Yu Darvish, and I tend to agree with that logic. Wilson’s short career as a starter doesn’t warrant the dollars he wants and Darvish has never pitched in the majors, and I think Kei Igawa has left a bad taste in the Yankees months. Now that’s not to say that they won’t snatch either (or both) of these guys up if they are able to be had at a below market price, but otherwise, I wouldn’t start stitching their names onto the back of Yankee jerseys.
It’s trade or bust for adding another starter to the Yankees rotation.
If the Yankees can work out a reasonable deal for someone like John Danks, Gio Gonzalez or Jair Jurrjens, then they’ll do it. Maybe they’re willing to part with some of their many catching or pitching prospects that their minor league system is currently awash with to make a deal for one of these guys, but otherwise, the Yankees are going 2008 style and waiting on the better 2009 free agent class – or, in this case, the 2012-13 free agent class.
This is a tentative list, but there are some attractive names here – proven commodities that are better risk/value for the dollar than Darvish or Wilson. Besides, do the Yankees really need a third starting pitcher with initials for a first name?
Free Agent Starting Pitchers in 2012-2013 Off Season
Scott Baker
Joe Blanton
Matt Cain
Fausto Carmona
Kevin Correia
John Danks
Jorge De La Rosa
R.A. Dickey
Scott Feldman
Gavin Floyd
Zack Greinke
Jeremy Guthrie
Cole Hamels
Dan Haren
Tim Hudson
Colby Lewis
Francisco Liriano
Kyle Lohse
Derek Lowe
Shaun Marcum
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Brandon McCarthy
Brett Myers
Carl Pavano
Jake Peavy
Anibal Sanchez
Jonathan Sanchez
Ervin Santana
Joe Saunders
James Shields
Jake Westbrook
Randy Wolf
Carlos Zambrano
October 4, 2011
Have Faith in Burnett & Yankees
I think we’re all feeling the pressure here in Yankeeland – the season potentially comes down to this elimination game. And A.J. Burnett is starting. Why is it that people only ask themselves deep questions or turn to prayer in times like these?
But cheer up – it’s not so bad. It’s really pitching that has killed the Yankees in their two losses to the Tigers – giving up 5 runs is too many, while scoring 3 or 4 ought to be enough to win – the Yankees shouldn’t have to score 9 runs to win a playoff game. There are two good things about tonight’s elimination game: it’s all hands on deck, so all relievers are available and Burnett’s numbers earlier in games aren’t that bad.
Consider: in the first three innings of games, hitters are hitting Burnett around .200 and in the first five innings of games, hitters are hitting him around .215. According to River Ave Blues, the Burnett gets hit to the tune of a .900 OPS the third time hitters see him and a 918 OPS in the sixth inning. There’s no reason for hitters to see Burnett a third time or for him to appear in the 6th inning.
Now those numbers through the first three and fist five inning aren’t astounding, but they’re not terrible (like Burnett’s ERA) and tonight, the Yankees don’t need six or even five innings from A.J. – four should be plenty. If A.J. Burnett can give the Yankees 4 innings of 0, 1 or 2 run ball, they ought to be able to hand the game over to some combination of Phil Hughes, Corey Wade and (God help us) Boone Logan to get through sixth – and from there, the three headed monster takes over.
Keep in mind, this plan doesn’t take extra innings into account, so that’s a concern – but if the Yankee bats can do their part and scratch out 3 or 4 runs (they did against Justin Verlander’s triple digit fast balls with nothing from the middle of the line up), then this series should be headed back to the Bronx.
Nevertheless – feel free to stop off and pray at your local house of worship on the way home tonight!
October 3, 2011
Yankees @ Tigers in Swing Game
PREDICTION: Whoever wins tonight’s game will win the series.
After rain on Friday, additional rain on Saturday and ending yesterday’s game with (Surprise!) more rain, it’s pretty exciting to check the weather in Detroit and see no rain in tonight’s forecast. But at this point, I’ll believe it when I see it.
After Ivan Nova and Robinson Cano finished things off in game one, we experienced the sadness of game two. While the strike zone seemed fairly large for lefties, the righties seem to enjoy a slightly closer to normal strike zone – something that did not benefit the Yankees line up laden with switch and left handed hitter as they faced a right handed pitcher. Finally, the Yankees got some business done late in the game, but it was too late.
Now the Yankees head to Detroit for game 3, the series tied at 1 game a piece. This one is for all the marbles – C.C. Sabathia vs Justin Verlander is about as epic as it gets, and whoever has the most success holding down the opposing offense is probably going to be the MVP of the series – assuming they do it in their own typical, dominant fashion and the game isn’t a slug fest. Given that A.J. Burnett is going to start game four, it’s hard to imagine the Yankees winning that game, so they really have to win tonight. Besides, even if A.J. wasn’t pitching tomorrow, the Yankees would be facing elimination on the road, which is never a good thing.
So this is it for the Yankees as the season comes down to one game tonight – win now and force a game five or lose tonight and face elimination tomorrow, on the road, with A.J. Burnett on the mound – a game that will have an all but certain conclusion.
September 30, 2011
PREDICTION: Yankees win ALDS against Tigers in 4 or 5 games
I know this isn’t the most definitive prediction ever, but this is the best I can do with the information I have.
Justin Verlander (vs. Sabathia), Doug Fister (vs. Ivan Nova) and Max Scherzer (vs. Sweaty Feddy Garcia) will start the first three games against the Yankees. However, the Tigers’ 25 man roster also includes Rick Porcello and Brad Penny, who are the team’s other two starters. Whether Tigers manager Jim Leyland plans on using one of these guys in a potential game 4 or bringing Verlander back on short rest (which is the way Joe Girardi plans on using C.C. Sabathia), I don’t know – so that leaves my predicting powers a conditionally restricted.
CONDITIONAL PREDICTIONS:
If Verlander pitches games 1 and not game 4, I say Yankees in four.
If Verlander pitches games 1 and game 4, I say Yankees in five.
September 30, 2011
Yankees 25 Man 2011 Playoff Roster Speculation
Now that regular season baseball is over, it’s time to cut the Yankees roster back to size. Here is who I expect to make the cut:
- A.J. Burnett
- Phil Hughes
- Boone Logan
- Hector Noesi or Luis Ayala
- Mariano Rivera
- David Robertson
- Rafael Soriano
- Cory Wade
- Ivan Nova
- Freddy Garcia
- CC Sabathia
- Russell Martin
- Austin Romine
- Robinson Cano
- Eric Chavez
- Derek Jeter
- Eduardo Nunez
- Alex Rodriguez
- Mark Teixeira
- Chris Dickerson
- Brett Gardner
- Curtis Granderson
- Andruw Jones
- Nick Swisher
- Jorge Posada
No Jesus
Given that the Detroit Tigers don’t have a left handed starter and I’m assuming that Francisco Cervelli is still hurt, I imagine it will be Austin Romine who is the back up catcher in the ALDS. He’s the superior catcher and Andruw Jones will be the left handed bat off the bench.
Bartolo Colon
Since the Yankees have decided to go with three starters in the first round (and probably will for the duration of the post season, should they advance), I don’t see any spot for Colon on the team. His velocity is down, and understandably so after an increased workload this season. I hope we can get him back for next year.
Hector Noesi or Luis Ayala
Well, one of these guys is going to be on the roster, but which? I tend to lean toward Ayala, who is older and more experienced rather than the young Noesi, who might have better stuff. It’s a tough call and you can’t go wrong either way because if either of these guys are in the game, it’s probably over anyway.
Bullpen
I see the Yankees carrying 8 relievers and 11 pitchers total. With Hughes and Burnett moving tot he pen… well, it’s pretty serious down there. Obviously, we’ll see the usual 3 headed monster combination of Soriano, Robertson and Rivera in the 7th, 8th and 9th, but I suppose Logan will be available to face Detroit’s Alex Avila, who is really their only lefty bat to speak of. So like you wold expect in any playoff game, starters will be on a short leash as Girardi can go to Phil Hughes for an inning (or maybe more, but I wouldn’t) of that sweet 95 MPH stuff he brandishes when he’s not starting. Shoot, even A.J. Burnett is good the first time through the order, so I don’t have any problem with him coming in for an inning and firing off the good stuff. Ideally, we get 6 strong innings out of our starters and don’t have to worry about this, but the combination of the three headed monster backed up by Hughes really ought to be enough to hold down a lead.
Let’s go Yankees!!!
September 30, 2011
Season Over
Are you ready for some baseball? That doesn’t start until after 830? What a delight for us on the east coast!
Yep, it all starts here: the chase for a 28th World Series Championship begins in the Bronx tonight as the Yankees meet the Tigers in game 1 of the ALDS, featuring a match up of titans in the persons of Justin Verlander and C.C. Sabathia.
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, C.C. Sabathia’s numbers from August until the close of the season concern me a bit, particularly when looking at his hits to innings pitched and his WHIP. Hopefully, the extra rest he’s received in the last week will bring him out of the box firing, but my understanding is that Sabathia is not particularly successful on extra rest, but we’ll have to hope for the best. So besides worrying about C.C. getting his butt kicked, we have to worry about Justin Verlander, too.
Verlander has faced the Yankees twice this year:
March 31: 6 IP, 3 hits, 3 runs, 3 ER, 1 homer, 4 BB, 8 Ks
May 2: 6 IP, 8 hits, 3 runs, 3 ER, 4 BB, 8 Ks
In the early goings of the season, Verlander wasn’t exactly setting the world on fire… as opposed to June and July, when he was. Maybe he likes the warm weather… He’s not going to get much of that tonight when it rains ALL GAME LONG!
June: 6 wins in 6 starts, 0.92 ERA, 2 complete games, 49 IP, 29 hits, 5 runs, 5 ER, 3 homers, 3 hit batters, 6 walks, 0 IBB, 54 Ks
July: 4 wins and 2 loses in 6 starts, 1.99 ERA, 45.1 IP, 33 hits, 14 runs, 10 ER, 2 HR, 0 hit batters, 7 BB, 0 IBB, 48 Ks
Verlander was just good in August with a 3.12 ERA in August and better in September with a 2.55 ERA, but not dominating the planet earth like he had in June and July. Still, he wasn’t exactly facing the Yankees and the Red Sox in those months, and thanks to some inter-league in June, he got to throw 7 IP of 1 run ball against the Mets.
Weather permitting, we’ll find out whether it’s the opponent, just getting stronger in the middle of the year or the weather itself that makes Verlander so dominant.
His amazing arsenal of pitches probably helps.
September 29, 2011
Season Over
Whew! That was the most exciting night in baseball I can recall when the Yankees had absolutely nothing at stake.
Completing the Sweep
I predicted it yesterday and it came to pass. The Yankees stuck to the plan and got in the work for everyone they wanted to and shelved the guys they wanted to rest. You might say it’s unfair to the Red Sox, but the Yankees first duty is to get themselves ready for the playoffs and the BoSox have no one to blame for the fact that they’re headed for the golf course but themselves.
The Harder They Fall
Again, I predicted it yesterday and it came to pass. The Red Sox just didn’t have enough left – or rather, Jonathan Papelbon didn’t have enough left after the Orioles worked him over hard on Tuesday night and put on great at bats last night. Again, The Red Sox have no one to blame but themselves – but what else can you say after a 6-20 September?
Be careful What You Wish For
I think it’s an easy bet to pick the Texas Rangers over the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round, but you never know. Tampa has mostly Boston’s ineptitude to thank for their playoff spot (and the Yankees, who were getting their house in order for October), but they might surprise us and take the Rangers down. Assuming the Yankees can navigate Justin Verlander, it could make for an interesting ALCS, bu we’re a long way’s off for that.
Facing Verlander
Brrr… Justin Verlander in a short series. This is why I wanted the Yankees to face the Rangers in the first round, but here we stand. On the other hand, if the Yankees can win game one, that puts Detroit in a pretty serious hole.
I Bet You Didn’t Know
A.J. Burnett is second to only C.C. Sabathia in team strike out totals with 173. Sabathia had 230 and Bartolo Colon is third with 135, so there is obviously a lot of separation between the Yankees strike out leaders.
