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New York Yankees: Finally good news but more bad too

Posted by on 30 April 2012, 2:35 am
Yankees at Orioles August 28, 2011

Yankees at Orioles August 28, 2011 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In retrospect the New York Yankees survived an injury-riddled week, ending on a high with a 2-1 series win against the Tigers.

What happened?

Well, which do you want to hear first?

Kidding her is the bad news first, followed by the better or most improved news….

A WEEK FROM HELL:

The New York Yankees have had a rough week.

-        The latest came yesterday, in the Yankees 6-2 win vs. the Tigers. Nick Swisher got taken out in the second inning, and the MRI confirmed he has a low-grade hamstring strain. The Yankees said he will miss a few games, and that a DL stint has not been ruled out yet, so keep fingers crossed.

-        So with Brett Gardner on 15-day DL still that means Andruw Jones and Raul Ibanez will be on either side of Curtis Granderson in the outfield until further notice.

-        The worst news came mid-last week when the Yankees got news that their big off-season pitching acquisition, Michael Pineda would be out for the entire 2012 season. Pineda has an anterior labral tear in his right shoulder and surgery is scheduled for tomorrow in New York.

No one could have anticipated Pineda was this injured. Hearing from Kurt Schilling and Al Leiter, who both came back from this same injury, brought a little comfort. Leiter made a point of stating how much work it takes to come back from and since no one knows how committed a player Pineda is leaves the possibility Yankee fans might never see him in the Bronx. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Finally good news but more bad too’ »

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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: 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: 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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Yankees vs Rangers: Whose hitters are hotter?

Posted by on 23 April 2012, 4:36 pm
Alex Rodriguez sharing his thoughts on a calle...

Alex Rodriguez sharing his thoughts on a called strike. Photograph by Googie Man (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Even though the 2012 MLB season is still so young, the media has labeled the Rangers as the best team in baseball.

This is not surprising, as the sports media has a certain love for the Rangers and always gives them the benefit of the doubt.

Currently, the Yankees, also dubbed the evil empire, are in Arlington to face the hottest team in baseball and I have yet to see anyone picking them to win the series.

See most baseball experts and even fans have deemed the Yankees as too old; attest their high home-run numbers to the small confines of Yankee Stadium; and blame what is in skipper Joe Girardi’s binder for every lose.

It boggles my mind why the Rangers seem to get a pass on everything, as Rangers Ballpark is a batter’s dream; their skipper Ron Washington’s decisions have lost them two World Series in a row; and give Josh Hamilton praise but rip Alex Rodriguez for everything.

So, when I went to look at the two teams batting stats for the season I was shocked because I thought the Rangers would be so far ahead of New York but that is not the case.

And as the saying goes…. stats don’t (and can’t) lie.

So, here are the 2012 batting stats for the Rangers and Yankees with the AL league average on the bottom.

Please keep in mind that the Yankees have 38 less at-bats than the Rangers due to a rain out yesterday.

And also, opponents and other factors in a team’s performance are not taken into account. Continue reading ‘Yankees vs Rangers: Whose hitters are hotter?’ »

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Yankees Sabathia vs. Rangers Holland

Posted by on 23 April 2012, 2:49 am

Rangers vs. Yankees - 2010 ALCS - Yankee Stadium

The New York Yankees didn’t get to go for the sweep up in Boston, as it hasn’t stopped raining here in the Northeast since late Saturday night.

So, the team heads to Texas to face the red-hot Rangers in a three-game set that promises to be a dogfight.

These are two of the best teams in the American League and it is a must-watch series for all serious baseball fans.

With CC Sabathia’s scheduled start in Fenway being a wash, the Yankees ace will instead open the series at Rangers Ballpark vs. Derek Holland.

Let’s breakdown this match-up:

Vs. Derek Holland:

So far in 2012, Holland is 2-0 over three starts, posting a 3.10 ERA and has pitched no less than 6 innings in each. He has given up 2 homers, seven earned runs, and six walks; while striking out 20 of the 79 total batters he has faced.

These numbers are solid but you have to take into account that his last two starts were against the offensively anemic Mariners and a severely troubled Red Sox team.

Holland’s first start, where he got a no-decision, was against the White Sox and he didn’t get through the sixth inning and gave up three runs and three walks. The Rangers also lost the game 3-4.

The active Yankees bats have a combined .326 average against Holland, but the real trouble could come from Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter. Continue reading ‘Yankees Sabathia vs. Rangers Holland’ »

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