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New York Yankees: Remember Pitcher Ian Kennedy, Let Me Help

Posted by on 26 April 2011, 1:02 am

After watching the New York Yankees bats waste a great outing from AJ Burnett in a 3-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox in the first of a four game set, I turned to the MLB Network to see what else was happening in baseball.

First came the phone-in from White Sox pitcher Phil Humber and some well-deserved congratulations for stunning the Yankees, getting the White Sox a much needed win. This was Humber’s sixth start in his career and the first time he went past six innings ever, as he had a no-hitter through seven until A-rod broke it up.

This is a typical performance from the Yankees, who are known to get beaten by pitchers they have never faced before, a theme that was repeated over and over by the MLB Network’s round table.

I almost changed the channel after the tenth Brian Wilson beard commercial, but I held out once I heard Arizona Diamondback and ex-New York Yankee Ian Kennedy was flanking the Philadelphia Phillies was coming up LIVE.

Kennedy was part of the Yankees trio of Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, and tonight he posted his first complete game shutout tonight against the Phillies.

What is even more gratifying is that Cliff Lee was the opposing pitcher, but I am not done yet. Kennedy became a dad this past Sunday morning at 2:04am and it took the new dad 2 hours and 4 minutes to get the win. Kennedy still has that wicked change-up that seems to be clocking in in the low 90’s.

Goodness, maybe the Yankees let the wrong one of the trio go? Considering Chamberlain is about to hang up his gloves and call it a career; while Hughes is getting an MRI as his dead arm is still well…. dead.

Congratulations to Kennedy, his family and the Diamondbacks for shutting down the predicted 2011 World Series Champions.

Quick note: This is regarding Wilson’s beard; after getting embarrassed by the Atlanta Braves in your own house, don’t you think it is time to shave that thing off. I presume Wilson’s extra paycheck is coming from the beard, but the Giants are not winning. You would think a four game sweep by a team that you beat in the playoffs last season would be enough of a reason to grab that BIC, because no one is fearing much except Timmy Lincecum, who might not even like baseball that much.

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2011 MLB Season: Cashman A Genius? Best Pitching Not In Philly? Red Sox Suck?

Posted by on 23 April 2011, 2:12 pm

Yes…you read the title right, as 2011 is proving to be the craziest season in years.

Everything that is NOT suppose to happen is already happening.

Not that everything can’t change because the season is still in its baby stages and trust me nothing will stay as is. Still, the first three weeks are mind-boggling with dramatic walk-offs, sensational pitching and home-runs galore.

It seems as if EVERY team has come to win this season. Teams that are supposed October locks and players that are not supposed to good anymore are proving all of us baseball nuts to be fools.

Here are the 5 biggest shocks that are now baseball realities (the order is for number not ranking purposes):

  1. The Philadelphia Phillies starting rotation does not feature the best one-two punch in baseball. Phillies Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are no slouches but they don’t compare to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim aces Jered Weaver and Dan Haren. The Halos tandem have a combined 9-0 record in nine starts and have 66 strikeouts. While the Phillies duo have a combined 53 innings pitched, with 52 strikeouts and a win-loss record of 4-2 in eight starts. The Halos #1 and #2 cost around $20 million combined; compared to the Phillies paying $31 million, with $20 million for Halladay alone, who is worth every penny. That is a lot more money to not be on top.
  2. The competition in the AL Central is no doubt about as good as it gets, but who thought that it would be the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals fighting it out for the first place? As the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins are barely keeping their head above water. Can everyone agree now that Twins Joe Mauer is the biggest overpaid bust in baseball? Mauer is on the DL for the millionth time in his career and his 2009 MVP season sure seems more and more like a fluke.
  3. Picked by every expert, except my favorite ESPN Skip Baylor, to run away with the AL East the Boston Red Sox are proving that buying players doesn’t guarantee anything. You think GM Theo Epstein would have learned this by watching their rival Yankees fail at this many times. Boston didn’t win two World Series in the past decade with this formula. Still, don’t complete write them off the Red Sox cause they will get better.
  4. New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman’s off-season was considered a disaster after missing out on ace Cliff Lee. In an attempt to make up for Lee, Cashman inked every over-the-mound veteran, with an injury history, bad attitude or all three. To put it mildly, Yankee fans were not happy, but now they are in awe of their genius GM who has put together an All-Star back-up plan to come in for the already aging starting All-Stars. You forget how much baseball experience is now in that Yankee locker room, as the amount of awards won on this roaster alone could fill an entire stadium. Don’t think the Yankees are going anywhere just yet because champions know how to win championships.
  5. The Mets have hit rock bottom…NOT! You wonder what else could go wrong at this point, but it is almost a guarantee now that the Mets will find it. The team is at the bottom of not only the NL West but is the worst team in baseball with a 5-13 record. The explanation that “The Mets have all the talent and they are not this bad” is getting old because it is about time they start to prove it. This team needs to do figure itself out or the players need to start to play for all nine innings, not seven or eight. Also, respecting David Wright might do wonders as he is the franchise’s player and deserves better. No one thought that things could really get any worse and the fans are starting to hate the game of baseball now.

 

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Lady Knows Best: Predicting 2011 MLB Season Winners And Losers

Posted by on 30 March 2011, 4:02 am

With baseball fans counting down the hours till Opening Day, it is time to predict how the 2011 MLB Season will look when it’s all said and done.

Predictions divided per the six divisions, listed in order of finish and the eight postseason teams (including the wildcards) will be highlighted.

If only I were a psychic….here is this lady’s prognosis:

AMERICAN LEAGUE:

East:

*New York Yankees 97-65
*Boston Red Sox 97-65
Tampa Bay Rays 89-73
Baltimore Orioles 84-78
Toronto Blue Jays 83-79

Central:

Chicago White Sox 90-72
Detroit Tigers 89-73
Minnesota Twins 87-75
Kansas City Royals 74-88
Cleveland Indians 64-98

West:

Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim 87-75
Oakland A’s 82-80
Texas Rangers 80-82
Seattle Mariners 64-98

*NYY wins tiebreaker in Boston 5-3

NATIONAL LEAGUE:

East:

Philadelphia Phillies 95-67
Atlanta Braves 90-72
Washington Nationals 80-82
Florida Marlins 79-83
New York Mets 78-84 Continue reading ‘Lady Knows Best: Predicting 2011 MLB Season Winners And Losers’ »

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2011 MLB Team Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

Posted by on 23 March 2011, 7:27 pm

Over the past four seasons, the Philadelphia Phillies have easily been one of the top three teams across Major League Baseball.

In that time the Phillies have been the NL Champions three times, the 2008 World Series Champs, went back to World Series again in 2009 and made the post season in 2010. Also, the team won 97 games last year, which was the most in baseball.

This ball-club is clearly popular favorite with fans, in Vegas and with players because everyone seems to want to a piece of the Phillies. This off-season proved that after Cliff Lee chose the Phanatic over the Yankee pinstripes.

The pressure is on for this team in 2011, can they live up to the World Series or bust position they’ve put themselves in?

Let’s take a look at the Philadelphia Phillies heading into the season.

The Positives:

Pitching. There is no better rotation heading into 2011 across baseball.

Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels (and Joe Blanton) almost seems surreal, but then you realize this is reality in Philadelphia and that is nuts. Each of the names already so respected in the league by itself, that it would be no surprise if they went down historically as the best starting rotation ever. Just think about the fact that Blanton is the team’s fifth starter and anywhere else he would easily be a #2 or #3 guy.

SS Jimmy Rollins talents shine when the spotlight is on him and this season it is glaring in his face, as Rollins is in a contract year. Last year was an utter disappointment, as he played in just 88 games, posting just eight home-runs, 41 RBIs and a career low .243 batting average. Rollins showed up this Spring in incredible shape and is healthy as can be, so expect those numbers to shoot up big time because he knows that at 32-years-old, this will be his last big contract.

If the team ever needs a pick-me-up, the Phillies fans will surely give them that extra motivation. Citizens Bank Park will be packed without question for every home game, as the fans are nuts for this team.

It doesn’t hurt that the Phillies are managed by one of the best skippers in the game Charlie Manual. Manual is one cool customer and the players literally worship him.

The Negatives:

All-star 2B Chase Utley’s injury situation keeps looking more grim with each passing day. The latest confirmed by MLB Trade Rumors is the worst news yet, as the Phillies have signed Mets throwaway Luis Castillo. Castillo got kicked to the curb by NY’s other team a week ago, despite having to eat $6 million owed just to get him to leave.

This is the Mets, who financially are in serious hot water, presumably wouldn’t waste money unless the situation was dire. Same reason the Phillies went out and grabbed Castillo, desperation because Utley knee must be really bad. It is embarrassing for the Phillies, as Utley must have felt his knee had a problem during the off-season. Utley has yet to play in a game this spring. YIKES!

It would be impossible for the ‘fab four’ to throw for nine innings every start, but my bet is they will try. Handing the ball to Brad Lidge after working eight shutout innings does not reassure a win at all. Lidge hasn’t been the same since 2008 and a closer has to be consistent. Lidge has been flirting with biceps tendonitis this spring but he did pitch an inning in a minor league game and it went well. Lidge has to get back to his World Series Championship form so the starting rotations efforts aren’t a total waste.

I have said from the moment Jayson Werth was not re-signed that the team would seriously regret it. This I still firmly believe as Werth was their only power right hitter. Werth really carried the team in 2010 when Utley, Rollins and Ryan Howard were all on the DL.

Werth still preformed pretty much knowing he was a goner at the end of the season.

How did he know this? Continue reading ‘2011 MLB Team Preview: Philadelphia Phillies’ »

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New York Yankees: Cliff Lee’s Just Not That Into You

Posted by on 12 March 2011, 2:06 am

First off let’s make one thing clear, Cliff Lee is not some kind of hero.

As everyone knows, Lee was the most coveted free agent on the market this off-season and he choose to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies over the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers.

This past Thursday, Lee made some bold and stupid comments during a radio interview on CBS Philadelphia 610WIP Sports Radio about what factored in the process, who came in second and third and why Philly will win him multiple rings.

Click on link below to listen to Lee’s interview:

Cliff Lee talks with Angelo Cataldi – March 10, 2011

WHY LEE NEEDS TO GET FACTS STRAIGHT:

Look, I could really go into details about this entire interview but those would be more opinions vs. opinions.

What I could not let slip by was how Lee answered this question below, with my reasons for being angry following.

601WIP SPORTS RADIO: “Who finished second?’

LEE: “Texas probably finished second to be honest with you. Just as far as the quality of the team and the chance to win a World Series ring, I think they’re a better team. That’s just my opinion. The Yankees can do anything at any moment to improve and they’re not afraid to go do things. That was part of the decision making process too, but I felt like with what the Red Sox had done and it seems like some of the Yankee guys are getting older, but I liked the Rangers.”

I guess Lee didn’t realize that Philadelphia is the oldest club in all of baseball with an average of 28.7 years old, while the Yankees average is an almost a year younger. Ooooppps.

What did the Red Sox do that puts them ahead of New York?

Boston filled holes where the Yankees were better. Starting with matching Mark Teixeira by getting Adrian Gonzalez and than signing Carl Crawford to make the outfield as good as the Yankees trio Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher.

So, could someone tell me what Lee is referring too in his answer?

Pitching-wise both Boston and New York have unsettling back ends of their rotations. The Yankees have the best bullpen in baseball with Soriano, Mariano, Feliciano, Joba and Robertson. The Red Sox have a solid group in relief too, but not as good because closer Jonathan Papelbon still remains a question after not being dominate the last two seasons.

Hitting-wise both the Red Sox and Yankees have heavy hitting line-ups that ooze with talent. Is one better than the other is too hard to tell because both can be equally as lethal.

Oh and maybe Lee didn’t know that the Yankees have some of the best young pitching prospects in baseball. If they continue developing at this rate, the youngsters will bring many more rings to the Bronx.

Regarding Texas as being a better team than New York is ridiculous. Lee cannot be basing this on one series where the Yankees played like crap. Look it is no excuse as a game is a game, but fact is New York lost the 2010 ALCS.

So, could someone please explain who is giving Lee his facts? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Cliff Lee’s Just Not That Into You’ »

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Yankees 2011 Non-Roster Spring Training Invitees List

Posted by on 14 February 2011, 1:40 pm

The 2011 Spring Training camps are starting this week, and the New York Yankees pitchers and catchers have their first workout tomorrow.

The Yankees have serious holes to fill and decision to make before Opening Day on March 31st.

Here is the list of non-roster invitees attending Yankees camp who are fighting for a coveted spot on on the 25-man roaster and a chance to play up in the Bronx.

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Jumping The Gun: 7 MLB Headlines You Might Be Reading At 2011 All-Star Break

Posted by on 29 January 2011, 12:53 am

Every MLB season, the All-Star break is viewed as the halfway point of the 162 games season. Even with still a lot of baseball to play, this is the time when a team’s reputation and attitude have been backed by enough play on the field.

At this point, there are the obvious observations that only a miracle could change, but there are many more what if’s than anything.

Now, I have gotten way ahead of myself, in predicting seven headlines that fans might be reading at this 2011 season’s half-time. The headlines, in no specific order, are the forecasts, while the summaries below give the present reasons why each lead could be future news.

1. New York Mess: Finally Cleaning Up The Mets

No one from the fans to the players expect much out the New York Mets until 2012. Still, Citi-Field’s atmosphere certainly feels different, with a new GM and Skipper.

Even without Santana, the Mets have the pieces and it’s about time the puzzle started coming together.

The team should be more relaxed, respectful and the players’ natural competitiveness to win, as that’s what pro athletes like to do, could actually do just that. My bet is 2011 will be a nice surprise for Mets

fans, to finally get some genuine hope.

2. Twins, White Sox, Tigers – AL Central Looks To Be A Fight To The Finish

The AL Central will be a tight three-team race that should continue till the end. This division did have to have a tiebreaker back in 2009, when the Tigers lost to the Twins in a literal baseball dual.

Definitely throw the White Sox back in mix for 2011. If the AL Central didn’t house the Royals and Indians, it could rival the AL East for toughest division.

3. Perfection Or Bust: Philadelphia Phillies Aiming For Better Second Half

The moment the Phillies signed Cliff Lee expectations soared in Philadelphia.

Now, the 2011 season is a World Series or bust situation. Lee came to win; the Phillies broke the bank to get Lee in order to win; which makes leading the NL East at the All-Star break by a half-game completely

unacceptable. Phillies should only lose every fifth game and they might have to start to if they get behind the Marlins and Mets.

The Phillies should effortlessly win a minimum of 98 games or else the Lee signing will look like a failure. Lucky for Philly fans the team always plays better post-All-Star break.

4. Jeter Still Finished? No Way As The New York Yankee Captain Is Proving Everybody Wrong

I can guarantee what a bad idea mocking the Yankee Captain’s ability was this off-season. Jeter wills and hard work is going to shut-up his detractors in 2011.

Hopefully, Jeter will earn the well overdue respect from all who have criticized this man’s every move.

Jeter is moving all right, but it isn’t away from shortstop, as Jeter has taken his off-season workout up a few notches. He is already in Tampa, and amped-up for the start of Spring Training.

5. Giants Are Struggling Out In San Francisco

The Reigning Champs felt so good in 2010, that they did nothing in the off-season. Why mess up a good thing?

Well, reality bites and the Giants will realize that winning the World Series once is just good timing, but repeating is what makes a team truly worth keeping together. It is presumable that their young pitchers will have growing pains as a group. The bats can’t not score runs like last year, but Posey and Huff have to lead the way. Also, Cody Ross will prove to be a postseason fluke or a legit player??

Lucky the NL West is home to D-backs, Padres who pose no threat this season. Still, Giants are not in the clear as the Colorado Rockies have the complete package, while the Dodgers will either be much better than expected, or embarrassingly awful.

6. For What It’s Werth: The Phillies Miss Jayson’s Clutch Hitting Continue reading ‘Jumping The Gun: 7 MLB Headlines You Might Be Reading At 2011 All-Star Break’ »

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