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It’s Pitching Match-Up Deja Vu: Yankees-Rays And A Pair Of Aces

Posted by on 23 September 2010, 6:38 pm

The New York Yankees lost the third game to the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday night, with a final score of 7-2.

The Yankees lead this four-game set, 2-1, with a goal to win the final and take the series.

The Rays’ best, and only shot is to spilt the series, creeping up on the AL East leading Yankees to just a half-game.

Clearly with nine games remaining after this series wraps up, nothing is set in stone in the AL East.

The Yankees have a tough schedule—playing the Red Sox six times and then the last three in Toronto against the Blue Jays.

The Rays, not so much, face two bottom feeders teams in the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners sans King Felix and the Baltimore Orioles.

There is not a better face-off than CC Sabathia vs. David Price, which was proved 10 days ago in a literal pitcher’s duel.

Both starter lefties threw eight scoreless innings, allowing five base runners each and ended up with almost identical pitch counts, CC with 119 and Price with 114 respectively.

Price fanned 11 Yankees in a row in the first five innings; Sabathia started his fanning in the third, and finished off 12 Rays in order by the end of the seventh.

I can’t say one out pitched the other that Monday night at Tropicana Field, but I can swear both were incredible.

The Rays won that game with a score of 1-0. The run earned on an 11th inning walk-off home run hit by Reid Brignac.

Let me clarify the Rays out played the Yankees for the win. As for Price and Sabathia, no baseball fan is questioning whether either did their jobs because all you can say is those two are Cy Young aces.

Sabathia is back home, and the Yankee fans will be his biggest weapons against the Rays. Fans are in playoff mode in New York; just ask any Yankee player how great it is to be back in the Bronx.

PREDICTION:

Yankees win 3-1. Sabathia wins his 21st start.

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Think You Got Problems? Top Three Biggest Losers In MLB

Posted by on 16 August 2010, 3:21 pm

The 2010 MLB season is in the home stretch, as contending teams battle for a coveted playoff spot and the possibility of going to the World Series.

It would be impossible to name the fate of teams still in the hunt. There is a lot of baseball to be played and anything can happen.

That doesn’t mean that, for a few teams, the 2010 season isn’t already in the toilet. Here, in order from bad to worst, are baseball ‘s top three biggest losers:

3) BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Here it is, plain and simple: the Baltimore Orioles should be better than 41-77 and 31.5 games out of first place in the AL East. Blaming failures on location is not going to fly, because the O’s are at the bottom of all 30 MLB teams.

Just look at the Rays, who have far less money, history, and fans than the O’s. Who would rather call dumpy Tropicana Field a home dome, instead of gorgeous Camden Yards? The Rays would happily switch stadiums with the O’s at a moment’s notice.

Where are all these superhero prospects the Orioles supposedly have? I have heard about the depth of the O’s farm system for at least four seasons, but pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg was on the Nationals the last time I checked.

The Orioles’ core of Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Brian Roberts is a solid group of talent. The pitching—not so much. O’s fans are waiting for their young pitchers to debut and claim that, in time, the O’s will win again. Guess the plan of embarrassing themselves in the meantime is working out better than expected.

There is light at the end of this tunnel and it started the day Buck Showalter was hired as the team’s skipper. Maybe owner Peter Angelos is finally listening, because hiring Showalter gives fans a reason to cheer again.

Though Showalter has been on the job for only a few weeks, Baltimore has already shown a huge improvement. Sorry to say O’s fans, but it may be next year before the team gets back to the “The Oriole Way” again.

2) NEW YORK METS

Coming in a close second and, with no surprise, is the New York Mets. The Mets have owned a spot on the “Biggest Losers” list since 2007, as the drama is never-ending in Queens.

The three problems with the Amazin’s are as follows: Continue reading ‘Think You Got Problems? Top Three Biggest Losers In MLB’ »

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New York Yankees Week From Hell Ends With the Los Angeles Angels

Posted by on 20 July 2010, 2:53 am

After saying good-bye to two prolific men, the New York Yankees ended the weekend placing ace Andy Pettitte on the DL.

Pettitte will be gone for five weeks with a grade one tear in his left hamstring. This digs the dagger even deeper as the Seattle Mariners played the reigning champs like fools by trading Cliff Lee to the Texas Rangers.

The Yankees got used by Seattle, who got more bang for Lee with the Bombers in the mix. Well, nothing good comes from dwelling in the baseball past, but this wound is still fresh after such a long week.

The Angels are in town today for a quick two games in the Bronx. These Halos have a history of reeking havoc on the Yankees, but the reality is these Angels are coming with broken wings.

Losing All-Star 1B Kenny Morales for the season was the biggest blow to a team dealing with a lot of injuries already. The latest victim was SP Scott Kazmir, who Yankee fans might remember. Kennedy was slated to start on tonight against his old buddy Phil Hughes.

With Kazmir on the DL, the Angels have yet to confirm who will take the mound, leaving Wednesday afternoon in question as well.

Yankees Javier Vazquez will take the mound against an Angel pitcher TBA. I have seen both Jared Weaver and Joel Pineiro as the probable pitcher, but both official teams sites list the Angels as TBA. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Week From Hell Ends With the Los Angeles Angels’ »

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MLB’s Half-Time Who’s Hot And Who’s Not

Posted by on 12 July 2010, 1:51 am

The All-Star break is upon us, which means half the MLB season is over.

Still, there is a lot of baseball to play and the second half looks to be even more drama-filled than ever.

Division races are no longer an AL East only feature, as each division is still up for grabs. It looks to be a second-half for the books and baseball fans should be elated.

Let’s look how each division at the halfway point, starting with the American League:

AL EAST:

The New York Yankees have the best record in baseball for the first time since 2004. The Yankees know that means nothing when you share the division with the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox. The Yankees are not just getting by anymore, they are playing really well just earlier than normal. Tex and Arod are on fire which is plain out lethal.

The young and talented Rays are only two games behind the Yankees. The Rays will visit the Bronx immediately following the All-Star break. It doesn’t get easier with series against the Twins, Tigers and Yankees again, with the O’s and Indians somewhere in between. This will be a telling test for the Rays.

The Red Sox are hurting, literally hanging just five games off New York’s pace. Pedoria, Ellsbury, Martinez, Bucholtz and Beckett to name just five of the 11 active players on the DL, a team’s worst nightmare. No pity party for the Red Sox is needed as this team’s experience will keep them in the running, so don’t think it’s over in Boston ever.

Toronto Blue Jays are falling fast after a nice start, again.

Do I even need to mention the Baltimore Orioles? Camedon Yard is a sad place and the O’s are on pace to post the worst record in franchise history. The O’s are improving ending the half with a sweep, so as usual the O’s will cause a headache in the division, as usual. Continue reading ‘MLB’s Half-Time Who’s Hot And Who’s Not’ »

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Lady Loves Pinstripes Presents: Cliff Lee “The Trade”

Posted by on 9 July 2010, 12:46 pm

Lebron, Lebron, Lebron….find me anyone who isn’t sick of hearing that name.

ESPN was almost unwatchable because plugging “The Decision” starring Lebron James was on 24/7.

Lebron is no Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter or Kobe Bryant professionally. He may never be considering he nicknamed himself ‘King James’ in high school.

Lebron, the brand was something the NBA desperately needed after there were no Jordans’, Birds’, Clydes’ or Magics’ left. Still, he lacked grace on the court and made me think maybe Jordan took ballet classes or something.

The problem or difference with Lebron is he thinks he is king, but of what himself?

Any pro-athlete that can’t shake hands after a loss in the playoffs, or follow up with the media who helped them get fame needs a reality check. That sends a message that Lebron is bigger than basketball.

Post-airing of “The Decision” the self-proclaimed King James did prove he is the most entitled athlete without a title. Continue reading ‘Lady Loves Pinstripes Presents: Cliff Lee “The Trade”’ »

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Pitching Drama Of The Week AJ Burnett Vs Brett Cecil

Posted by on 2 July 2010, 2:20 am

On Thursday afternoon, the New York Yankees avoided getting swept by the Seattle Mariners.  

Yankees ace CC Sabathia lead the team in the 4-2 win over the last place team in the AL West.  

Arod sealed the deal with a two run a-bomb. It was really in the bottom of the 8th inning, not the 9th inning but who really cares. Arod doesn’t seem to think it mattered, and he was right.  

Over the July 4th weekend (Happy Birthday America!) the Yankees face the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays are the team that is known for starting out hot, but always find there way back to fourth place in the AL East.    

The Blue Jays can play baseball and proved it for over two months without Roy Halladay. Toronto just offers no fan support.    

They play in a stadium that only fills when the Red Sox or Yankees are in town. It doesn’t motivate when a team goes into a slump. There is no booing or heckling from 30-40,000 fans to encourage players to want to turn things around.  

That is the only excuse left for the Blue Jays. Fans are essential and that is consistently what the Blue Jays don’t have.    

Ironically, the Yankees latest problem is ex-Blue Jay AJ Burnett, who will open up the series in the Bronx.  Continue reading ‘Pitching Drama Of The Week AJ Burnett Vs Brett Cecil’ »

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New York Yankees Are Complete Losers Again

Posted by on 1 July 2010, 1:41 am

How are the Seattle Mariners in last place?

The Mariners have the best one-two punch on the mound with Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez. Add players like Ichiro Suzuki, Milton Bradley, Chrome Figgins, Jose Lopez, and that makes a valid, post-season contending ball-club.

The group the New York Yankees have faced the last two nights is not the Mariners who are 13.5 games out in the AL West.

Not only did Lee pitch a complete game in Tuesday’s win, his teammate King Felix followed his lead by going all nine innings to defeat the reigning World Champions, again.

The King ruled more like a dictator against such a tough Yankees line-up. Allowing only two hits, walked three and fanned 11 Yankee bats, who each resembled a deer in headlights. The Yankees did not score a single run.

The Mariners bats certainly did not slack-off because of who was on the mound. They complimented the pitching. Scoring seven runs on both nights against starters Phil Hughes, Javier Vazquez and the Yankees weakest link (aka. the bullpen) is a tremendous deal.

Tuesday night, the Mariners had 12 hits off Hughes. Ichiro and Johnson had two RBIs a piece and Gutierrez hit one home-run. Mariners over Yankees 7-4. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Are Complete Losers Again’ »

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