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New York Yankees: Are the bats the problem?

Posted by on 16 May 2012, 3:44 am

Cano - Cano - Cano don't you know?

After watching CC Sabathia struggle and the Yankees lose pathetically, 5-2, to the Baltimore Orioles last night I realized that the pitching was not the problem here.

Even with a bad start, Sabathia allowed four runs to score but the Yankee hitters can easily beat that number; and this reminded me of a something MLB veteran Andy Van Slyke once said:

“Every season has its peaks and valleys. What you have to try to do is eliminate the Grand Canyon.”

Now, the Yankees have not quite hit Grand Canyon level but the ups and downs are now a recurring theme.

While injuries have become a viable problem, it is not an excuse for the level of doubt but the staggering offense is.

The Yankees bats are arguably are the best in the Bigs, on paper. Up and down the order is supposed to be feared but for some reason the vibe is not coming across like it has in seasons past.

And other than Brett Gardner, the batting order is relatively healthy minus Mark Teixeira’s chest infection, which could very well be whooping-cough, and still they can’t seem to hit a stride.

So, what is the problem with the offense?

Multiple times this season the Yankees bats looked to be breaking out, only to be blanked the very next night; and usually by a pitcher they have not seen much of, or at all.

The Yankees beat Mariners King Felix but not Kevin Millwood; and they lose to the Rays Jeff Neimann but not aces David Price or James Shields. They get blanked by Orioles Jake Arrieta (2-4; 5.21 ERA) for eight innings but beat reining MVP and CY Young winner Tigers Justin Verlander. Catch my drift?

Actually finding a reason as what is happening here probably has a lot has to do with experience, or lack-of, if anything. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Are the bats the problem?’ »

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New York Yankees: Wounded but winning

Posted by on 15 May 2012, 12:39 am
Mark Teixeira swings at a pitch during a game ...

Mark Teixeira swings at a pitch during a game between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles on August 28, 2011 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As if there weren’t enough already, the New York Yankees suffered even more injuries during their big, 8-5 win against the Baltimore Orioles last night.

The wounded Bombers are literally dropping like flies, and it is going to make it tough for skipper Joe Girardi to give Mark Teixeira, who was hacking up a lung after his big two-run homer, a much-needed day off.

So, here is a quick list of the Yankees latest casualties with the most updated DL list from MLB.com.

-       Starting pitcher Ivan Nova had to leave the mound in Camden Yard and was diagnosed with a bruise and a sprain of his right ankle but MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch did report the x-rays came back negative. I presume that means Nova didn’t really damage anything but he is obviously still hurt.

-       Lefty reliever Clay Rapada faced two batters, and finished his outing but had to be helped to the locker-room, as he has a viral infection.

-       DH/LF Raul Ibanez got hit with a pitch in the right elbow but still managed to get on first due to a defensive error but was immediately replaced with a pinch runner. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Wounded but winning’ »

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Yankees vs. Orioles: You need to beat the birds

Posted by on 14 May 2012, 5:00 pm

The New York Yankees are in Baltimore to face the first-place Orioles for two quick games starting tonight.

New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles April 24...

New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles April 24, 2011 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The O’s have been playing some great baseball lately but the Yankees have won four of the six times the two AL East rivals have faced each other.

Can the Orioles make the playoffs for the first time since 1997?

Well, I know Orioles fans have ripped me lately for not ranking them higher in my weekly power rankings. But until I see Buck and his birds sustain the top spot all the way to the All-Star break, I am not convinced this the O’s pitching can last that long.

For now, the Yankees can use these two games to jump up in the divisional standings but it won’t be easy as the O’s would love to tie up their season record vs. New York by winning both games.

PITCHING MATCH-UPS:

Ivan Nova vs. Jason Hammel

This game favors Hammel, but not by much.

Both team’s bats have had success against the other’s pitcher. Hammel’s is coming off an injury, and missed his last start but has a 4-1 record with a 2.08 ERA on the season. Hammel’s one loss was against New York but Hiroki Kuroda was on the hill for the Yankees and he blanked the O’s.

Nova has been so-so vs. Baltimore, but the O’s do have a .330 batting average against him. In his two starts this season vs. the O’s, Nova is 1-1 and has given up four homers. Nova looked better in his last start and will be looking to continue that tonight.

This game will be decided by to the offenses….and I think the Yankees are looking to make a statement. Continue reading ‘Yankees vs. Orioles: You need to beat the birds’ »

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New York Yankees: Are you going to sink or swim?

Posted by on 7 May 2012, 3:17 am

Nick Swisher - 'roll call'

SUNDAY SUMMARY:

The New York Yankees wrapped up the four game series in Kansas City with a 10-4 win, splitting the series 2-2 with the Royals.

Phil Hughes got the win, and he did pitch better but reality is the Yankee bats were really responsible for the win yesterday.

As Ibanez and Granderson each had a RBI; followed by Cano’s much-needed grand slam and Swisher’s solo shot both in the third; and finally A-Rod joined the party with a three-run bomb in the eighth.

It was great to see Cano break out of his slump, as that was only his second shot on the season but hopefully a sign of good things to come.

The Captain’s hot bat showed zero signs of slowing down, hitting a double off the first pitch thrown in the game and had a successful bunt in the third. Teixeira also helped out by drawing two walks in the game.

REALITY BITES:

The excuse of ‘it still early in the season’ has about worn its welcome but even more so for teams who live in the AL East.

Reality bites and it will sooner than you think if the Yankees don’t get the ball rolling here. They sit at 15-13 on the season, fourth in the division and four games back of the 19-9 Orioles. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Are you going to sink or swim?’ »

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New York Yankees: Are you loving David Phelps

Posted by on 11 April 2012, 12:50 am

The New York Yankeesgot there second win of the 2012 season, but it was far from pretty as leaving 12 runners on base is just not going to cut it.

Derek Jeter is playing better than ever!!

I could easily rant about all the Yankees missed opportunities in the 5-hour, 12-inning win vs. the Orioles but I was so impressed by someone not named Derek Jeter.

And that would be pitcher David Phelps, who has thrown 3 innings with five strikeouts in his two appearances this season.

The 25-year old righty had a great spring posting a 2.08 ERA over 17+ innings pitched. That earned Phelps the annual James P. Dawson Award given to the top rookie in camp, along with a spot on the 25-man roster as a long-reliever.

Phelps was a starter in the minors and that might be why he got overlooked because the Yankees have better options.

Even though Phelps doesn’t have lights out stuff to be a top starter, he certainly has displayed how effective he can be out of the bullpen.

Phelps has terrific command of his two and four-seam fastball, and he also has a sinker-slider combination that has improved. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Are you loving David Phelps’ »

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Yankees got a win but there are still issues

Posted by on 10 April 2012, 1:26 am

Yankees finally got a win in 2012....

The New York Yankees finally got their first win, down in Baltimore beating the Orioles 6-2.

No doubt that a win was needed because New York fans had hit panic, yesterday.

Even my doorman, who never fails to have the Yankee game on the radio, said he could not listen after this past weekend.

Well, now that those three long, losing days are history Yankee fans will sleep well tonight but before I do I have to tell you the good, the bad and the ugly.

THE GOOD

1) Ivan Nova looked great tonight, and after posting an 8.06 ERA in Spring Training there was plenty of reason heading into the game that the Yankees were about to get a fourth loss.

Nova threw seven solid innings, giving up two runs, striking out seven and walking none. As the game went on, Nova got better and looked like his old self again. His breaking ball was so nasty, and I believe Nova will only get better as the season goes on.

2) Derek Jeter is playing like it is 1998, and that is totally fine by me.

Jeter went 4-4, scored in the first inning off Mark Teixeira’s single, and had a run-scoring double in the fourth inning. And I must say, the Captain looked as good as ever.

Just in case you hadn’t heard this fact from a Yankee fan yet, 1998 was the last time the Yankees started a season 0-3 but went on to win the World Series.

3) David Robertson is insane, as he loves to stir up trouble but never seems to get caught.

After striking out two Orioles, Robertson gave up two hits and looked like he was about to walk a third to the load the bases but in true Houdini form came back from a 2-0 count and struck him out.

THE BAD

I really like Joe Girardi, always have but he has managed to make me question his moves more in the last four days than in the last four years.

Specifically, why is he resting guys in the first four games of the season? Continue reading ‘Yankees got a win but there are still issues’ »

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2012 MLB Team Preview: Baltimore Orioles

Posted by on 4 April 2012, 10:24 pm

Baltimore Orioles logo.

Since 2008 the Baltimore Orioles have been the bottom feeders of the toughest division in baseball, the AL East.

Last season the O’s finished with a 69-93 record, which marked the franchise’s 14th consecutive losing season.

The O’s did end 2011 on a positive note, winning 11 of their last 18 games and eliminated the Red Sox from the post season by beating Boston on the last day of the regular season.

So, will is another long season at Camden Yard in 2012?

Let’s take a look…

THE POSITIVES:

In 2011 the O’s bats were not so bad finishing fourth in homers (191), and 10th in slugging (.413). The line-up has some serious power with Mark Reynolds, Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy, who combined for 92 homers in 2011. Reynolds led with 37 bombs, but he struck out 196 times and posted a .221 batting average. Shockingly, last season was Reynolds lowest strikeout number in the last four seasons, as it was 15 less than 2010 and if he can cut off 20 more in 2012 it could do wonders for the line-up.

Skipper Buck Showalter is entering his second full season in Baltimore after taking over mid-2010 and he is perfect for the job.  Schowalter no nonsense guy and he is good at getting the most out of young talent. He reminds me of a better version of Rex Ryan and the players respect him. Schowalter holds everyone accountable and he brought a needed sense of urgency for winning to an Orioles clubhouse who gave up way too easily.

THE NEGATIVES:  Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Team Preview: Baltimore Orioles’ »

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