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New York Yankees: Garcia and Hughes nightmare continues

Posted by on 29 April 2012, 2:29 am

Following his last disastrous start, New York Yankees pitcher Freddy Garciahad another horrendous outing; as he gave up six earned runs

GARCIA - HUGHES

in less than two innings to the Detroit Tigers, who eventually won the second game of this three game set, 7-5.

Once again skipper Joe Girardi had to go to the bullpen in the second inning, just like he had to do three days earlier down in Texas when Phil Hughes couldn’t get the job done vs. the Rangers.

Following the Tigers win, the media asked Girardi, for the second time this week, what he was going to do about tonight’s starter, and he said, “I like to sleep on things before I really do a lot of stuff.”   

This is where I got confused because what exactly does Girardi need to sleep on?

All I keep wondering is what was Girardi thinking prior to this series?

When you think about it, no one is supposed to beat Justin Verlander as losing is to him is almost expected. So how do you feel good about starting Garcia in the second game with Verlander starting the first in a three game set?

Logically you would think the Yankees skipper is deciding how to replace both starters and dreaming of…whom to bring up from the minors? Giving David Phelps a go? And when exactly will Andy Pettitte be ready?

Enough time has been spent on Garcia and Hughes because reality is both need to go now, and there is no need to sleep on it unless you want nightmares.

Facts are Garcia is totally useless; and Hughes is as close to useless you can be. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Garcia and Hughes nightmare continues’ »

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New York Yankees: 2 possibilities to fix Hughes issue

Posted by on 28 April 2012, 3:37 am

Phil Hughes - crackling picture - 2010

With the news that prize acquisition Michael Pineda might never see the lights in Yankee Stadium from the pitcher’s mound, at least not this season, does leave the team in a bit of a pickle.

Less than a week ago, Pineda was still going to play a big part in the 2012 season.

Personally knowing that Pineda was coming, made enduring each Phil Hughes start somewhat tolerable, and I am sure many Yankee fans felt the same way.

Now that Pineda is out, fans will hang their hopes on veteran Andy Pettitte’s return but knowing the Yankees he will replace Freddy Garcia.

Like Hughes, Garcia has been terrible too but the Yankees seem willing to excuse Hughes because he won 18-games in 2010. I guess the fact that Garcia won 12 games and the team won 15 out of his 25 starts in 2011 doesn’t factor in at all; or that Garcia has experience.

Regardless, Hughes is a problem and will remain one until the Yankees wake-up and smell the coffee.

Hopefully skipper Joe Girardi and GM Brian Cashman will start believing that 2010 was Hughes’ exception before it is too late.

Now, the Yankees have other options but they will have to go out of their comfort zone to actually carry them out. Hey, you never know what can happen until you try right?

Here are two options that the Yankees already have, but this would entail sending Hughes to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre because he can convince the Yankees from down there of why he should still be in the rotation. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: 2 possibilities to fix Hughes issue’ »

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New York Yankees: Can you not lose to Verlander please

Posted by on 27 April 2012, 4:19 pm

Coming home after losing the last two games of a road trip is never a good feeling.

Justin Verlander

Returning to face the 2011 MVP and CY Young award winner Justin Verlander makes that losing feeling never go away.

That is the New York Yankees reality today, as they finished their road trip 3-3 and now have to host the Detroit Tigers for a three game set.

You would think that facing Verlander was enough, but Yankee fans will now get to relive the 2011 ALDS Game 5 because Ivan Nova will take the hill for New York.

Any Yankees fan that watched the Tigers eliminate the Yankees last October remembers the game like it was yesterday.

I was there that night at Yankee Stadium, just like I will be there tonight; in the same seats, with the same hope but this time I expect a different ending.

The odds are certainly in Verlander’s favor; as he has held the active Yankee hitters to a .193 average, with 64 strikeouts in 223 at-bats.

The Captain is the only Yankee who has had some success against Verlander, as he has a .364 batting average against him, with 12 hits and four walks but no RBIs. That is because there was no Yankee on base to drive in; nor was any Yankee able to drive him in. So, the Captain became another LOB stat instead.

Personally, I cannot stomach, watching the Tigers closer Valverde do his celebration dance on the mound again, and I am sure the Yankees feel the same.

The Yankees did beat Verlander and his Tigers, 6-3 on Opening Day last season but having CC Sabathia on the hill that afternoon was certainly a huge help.

So, the Yankees will have to be as close to perfect as possible and I believe that they can.

PREDICTION: YANKEES BEAT TIGERS 5-3. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Can you not lose to Verlander please’ »

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2012 MLB Power Rankings – Week 3

Posted by on 27 April 2012, 3:12 am

Wow….can you believe we are only a month into the 2012 MLB season? 

There have been ups and downs…

Numerous injuries to pitchers…

The witnessing of  historical feats, both good and bad….

And the too old playing like they are too young.

It has been insane.

Can’t think of a greater time to be a baseball fan.

To steal a quote from the great Walt Whitman:

I see great things in baseball. It’s our game — the American game. It will take our people out of doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair those losses, and be a blessing to us.

Here are my power rankings for week #3: Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Power Rankings – Week 3’ »

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New York Yankees: You Hughes you lose

Posted by on 26 April 2012, 4:19 am

Who has had enough of Phil Hughes?

Photograph of Phil Hughes taken on April 29, 2...

Photograph of Phil Hughes taken on April 29, 2008 at Yankee Stadium. 04:50, 1 May 2008 . . Mandalatv . . 1,272×954 (691 KB) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hughes proved once again, vs. Rangers, to be a liability on the mound. But this doesn’t seem to faze skipper Joe Girardi as he told Mark Feinstein of the NY Daily News this after the game:Well, the New York Yankees certainly have not, which is a real concern.

 “We believe he can do it and I know he believes he can do it. But right now, sometimes the ball’s running back a little, he’s leaving the curveball up, the cutter’s sometimes not getting to where he wants to so it is frustrating. But you’ve got to keep working at it.”

And if you were wondering whether Hughes’ rotation spot was in jeopardy, Girardi clearly stated:

“Our plans are to send (Hughes) out there again. He’s got to keep working at it. We’ve got to try to find a way to get it right.”

Hughes is one lucky guy, as most teams with other options would definitely use them because it is not like things could get any worse.

Even in his earlier start against the Twins, Hughes was mediocre at best. He did manage to pitch five whole innings, and get a W courtesy of the Yankee bats scoring seven runs.

In case you forgot, here is what Hughes has done in his four starts this season (stats are courtesy of mlb.com):

All stats courtesy of mlb.com.

Does anybody know how many more games Hughes has to screw up for the Yankees to take him out of the starting rotation? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: You Hughes you lose’ »

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New York Yankees got some bad news

Posted by on 25 April 2012, 9:51 pm
Michael Pineda

Michael Pineda (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Yankees biggest off-season news was trading top prospects Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi to the Mariners for phenom pitcher Michael Pineda.

Pineda has yet to pitch for the Yankees, as he showed up to Spring Training overweight and out-of-shape.

The Yankees thought that starting on the 15-day DL would give Pineda time to build up his arm strength but he had to stop during first rehab because of pain.

Now, it has been confirmed via tweet by MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch that Pineda has a right shoulder anterior labral tear, which requires surgery and he will miss the entire 2012 season. The surgery is scheduled for May 1.

Well, this does not come as a surprise because Pineda had two DL stints in the minors both relating to arm discomfort.

Something seems awfully suspicious here, not sure what yet but when I figure it out I will let you know. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees got some bad news’ »

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New York Yankees: Latest on Brett Gardner’s elbow

Posted by on 24 April 2012, 2:46 pm
Brett Gardner makes a outstretched catch durin...

Brett Gardner makes a outstretched catch during a game between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles on April 24, 2011. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The New York Yankees have been noticeably without out-fielding speedster Brett Gardner for the last week.

Gardner made a dynamic, diving catch last Tuesday night, which resulted in him injuring his right arm and being put on the 15-day DL immediately following an MRI that revealed it was bruise and strained elbow.

According to skipper Joe Girardi the elbow was good news, as at first glance it was thought to be his wrist.

“We thought it was his wrist at first, which came up a little bit sore but he landed right [on his elbow] and it got tucked under. The big thing is that we don’t have a setback — that the first time he swings, he doesn’t feel it.”

The latest update is that Gardner feels good and he hopes to back on the field immediately following his DL stint on May 3, when the Bombers will be in Kansas City to fact the Royals for four games.

As usual, Girardi is more optimistic about rushing the 2011 AL stolen base leader (49) back as he told MLB.com’s Jason Mastrodonato:

“My thought is he will [be ready],” Girardi said. “If it takes a few more days, it takes a few more days.”

Gardner started doing some throwing and running yesterday down in Arlington, and has had no issues. And the NY Post reported that Gardner won’t take until this Friday when the team is back in New York.

Veterans Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones have filled the void in left field with no significant issues as of yet, but everyone knows that Gardner is irreplaceable.

So far this season, Gardner is posting a .321 batting average, with two doubles, three RBIs, five walks and two steals.

Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Latest on Brett Gardner’s elbow’ »

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