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New York Yankees: Falling Asleep Watching The Red Sox Sweep

Posted by on 10 June 2011, 5:37 am

Getting swept is not fun for any team that. Doing it at your home ballpark, in front of your fans makes it sting a lot more.

Add the above to the culprits are your team’s biggest rivals, and what is even worse…this is not the first time, but the second time it has happened in four weeks.

Now, picture you are a player on that losing team. The embarrassment and shame must be overwhelming; especially because of the disappointment you see all over the fans faces.

Well, the above is the New York Yankees reality. As I can only imagine the players must be beside themselves, as the Boston Red Sox made fools of them once again.

As a fan, after the first loss on Tuesday I kept the faith, only to watch things get worse on Wednesday night.

Following the second loss of this series, fifth in a row if you include the last sweep, it felt like the Yankee team was playing like they had lost the fight before the bell.

Unlike the Red Sox who came ready to battle. After starting their season 0-7, my hat is off to Boston for leaving New York two games ahead of the Yankees in the AL East standings.

So, what happened to the Yankees?

1.Sloppy throws and miscommunication on the bases can’t happen. First place teams, like the Yankees were just two days ago certainly are no exception. The Yankees just had to win one of the three games to keep them at least tied with Boston, but obviously they couldn’t even handle that.

2.Don’t blame the pitching, as the Yankees didn’t hit…. again! I don’t care how many runs scored with Burnett on the mound because the Bombers should have crushed Tim Wakefield, but instead they went flat. The line-up is a mess; Cano and A-rod have been useless for way to long. Tex is in a slump, and without Granderson the Yankees would be in serious trouble. It is nice to see Jeter hitting again, but the 3000th hit needs to come when the team is winning or else it will lose some of its luster, at least in the eyes of the Yankee fans. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Falling Asleep Watching The Red Sox Sweep’ »

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New York Yankees: Time To Send The Red Sox Back To Boston In Second Place

Posted by on 9 June 2011, 2:20 pm

The Boston Red Sox have officially knocked the New York Yankees out of first place in the AL East, as they jump ahead by one game.

In order to get there, the Red Sox had to beat the Yankees seven out of the eight times they have played this season.

Wow, sounds like the Red Sox owe the Yankees a dinner?

Well that I can promise will not be happening anytime soon, but the last time Boston swept through the Bronx it was in the middle of a six-game losing streak for the Yankees, so it needs to end ASAP.

Certainly looks like it, but before that happens let me break down three facts that have bothered me, as all this was really avoidable:

  1. Just imagine if the Yankees had not dropped all seven games and pretend they lost six to Boston, would things be different? Yes because the two teams would be tied for first place, so losing six or five games not seven could have kept the Yankees in first, alone.
  2. Fact is neither team is better than the other this season that is until they face each other. and the Yankees looked shell-shocked. On paper, the Yankees have not gotten even close to their full potential with their bats just look at their .251 batting average. Cano and A-Rod are bound or more like have to get hot, when is the question. When they do add that to Granderson and Teixeira, better watch-out!
  3. Yes, looking at the past two games the Yankees pitching struggled, but so has the Red Sox. On Tuesday night, the 2010 CY Young candidate and Boston ace Jon Lester pitched horrifically. So did Freddy Garcia, but the difference is the Red Sox bats took advantage of the weakness instead of letting it set the tone. This is something the Yankees don’t do against any other team but Boston, so this is getting in the players heads. What worries me even more is that 44-year-old journeyman Tim Wakefield stayed in the game for six innings, as he got the best of the Yankee hitters and the win. No offense to Wakefield, but this iced the cake and losing this game is just unacceptable when the result is first or second place.

Huuummmmm…. does this whole scenario sound a tad familiar?

Yes, as this tune has played in Yankee Universe back in 2009, but is the above that kind of déjà vu?

Guess the best thing to do is hope it plays out the same way, but even with the odds against this theory there is no harm in having a little faith.

Thus far the only connection to two seasons ago is the look of distress on the Yankee players’ faces when they play the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.

Whether they can utilize the losses, add it to the utter embarrassment and translate it into anger is what needs to happen next. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Time To Send The Red Sox Back To Boston In Second Place’ »

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New York Yankees: Can CC Sabathia Beat Josh Beckett? Please.

Posted by on 9 June 2011, 4:31 am

Returning home is supposed to be a good thing, right?

At least I thought so, especially when your home is called Yankee Stadium.

Well, someone might want to send that memo to Yankees skipper Joe Girardi so he can inform his players.

Preferably before Thursday night, as the Boston Red Sox will be looking to sweep the Yankees after winning the first two games 6-4 an 11-5 respectively.

One thing is for sure; the Red Sox certainly look right at home in the Bronx, as they have a 7-1 record against New York so far in 2011 and have own five in row as the visitors.

NYY CC Sabathia (8-1, 2.80 ERA) vs. BOS Josh Beckett (5-0, 2.01 ERA)

The two aces, CC Sabathia and Josh Becket will take the hill in the closing game Thursday night.

Beckett is back to his winning ways this season, as the Yankees and Sabathia have fallen victim the two times they have faced him.

How bad was the thrashing Beckett gave the Yankees in just two starts?

Well, he posts a 1.92 ERA, allowing zero runs to score, while striking out 19, issuing just three walks, six hits, and has pitched over 14 innings. Basically, the definition of a Boston fan’s wet dream and Beckett did it twice.

Career-wise, Sabathia is an overall better pitcher than Beckett but this season the Yankees seem to cave at the sight of the Red Sox.

Scary to think that the team has the most RBIs and home-runs in all of baseball but can’t muster up enough power to beat Tim Wakefield. To me, the above translates into Sabathia having to be perfect.

Look, we know this is why Sabathia is the team’s ace, but without any run support against this Red Sox line-up, the Yankees will not be putting one on the left side Thursday night. This is almost a guarantee if the Yankees continue to play like this, even with the dominating Sabathia on the mound.

MY PREDICTION:

The Red Sox sweep the Yankees, winning this game 6-2.

As much as I want to choose the Yankees to win this game, the confidence is not there and why should it be?

I do not think Boston is a superior team overall, but against the Yankees they certainly look like it.

No matter if there were actually two Big Papi jerseys buried under the new Stadium, the Yankees look of panic against the Red Sox is very unnerving to watch.

I don’t care what the Yankees reason is because whatever damage is already done. So the time is now, and I mean Thursday night now, to finally cease this Boston bullshit.

A team cannot behave in this manner in front of their own fans, in their own home, against their biggest rivals. It is unacceptable and pathetic from a Yankees team this talented.

Please know that I have no problem with the Yankees proving me wrong here, while getting back into a first place tie with a win, but right now the odds are not in favor of that happening.

“Every hitter likes fastballs, just like everybody likes ice cream.  But you don’t like it when someone’s stuffing it into you by the gallon.  That’s what it feels like when Nolan Ryan’s thrown balls by you.” ~Reggie Jackson

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Yankees vs. Red Sox: Burnett To Square Off Against Wakefield

Posted by on 8 June 2011, 2:15 am

It was a blisteringly hot day in New York on Tuesday, and by game time, the evening provided no relief.

It did not stop Yankee fans from packing into the Stadium. A well-deserved welcome home for their first-place team from a successful road trip, and hoping to cheer the Yankee players to victory as they open a three-game set against the Boston Red Sox.

Plain and simple, this was not the Yankees night as it started the moment Freddy Garcia threw his first pitch, a home-run off the bat of Jacoby Ellsbury.

Finally getting threw a half an inning; the Yankees got a turn at the plate, only to watch the team’s best player Mark Teixeira take one in the knee from Boston ace Jon Lester. Tex fell down in utter agony, as Yankee fans hearts sank watching baseball’s best first baseman get carried off the field.

So not only did the Yankees lose the game 6-4 to the Red Sox, and have to endure Tex getting injured; now they share the top spot in the AL East with their rivals. A first place that the Yankees were in sole possession of just hours ago.

NYY AJ Burnett (6-3, 3.86 ERA) vs. BOS Tim Wakefield (2-1, 4.40 ERA):

Now, Yankees Universe will look to the arm of AJ Burnett for some reprieve and a needed pick-me-up on Wednesday night.

Burnett has the advantage on the mound facing the oldest active MLB player, 44-year-old knuckle-baller Tim Wakefield. Wakefield has emerged as the emergency rotation filler, due to holes left by injuries and he has adapted to the role very well considering his prime was almost two decades ago.

Wakefield has made five spot starts for Boston, and three times it resulted in team wins. Wakefield has been more effective coming out of the bullpen, but over his five starts he has only given up three home-runs, seven doubles, 14 earned runs, walked eight and posts 28.5 innings pitching in total.

Not so great, but Wakefield is a hit or miss, but without his knuckleball that 70-73 mph fastball offers zippo refuge.

Skipper Terry Francona is not expecting milestones from Wakefield, but if he can eat six innings like he did in his last three outings that is just perfect enough for the Red Sox’s potent offense to win.

The Yankees will be looking to shutdown Boston’s bats to make Wakefield’s job harder and this was something that Burnett used to do to perfection as a Toronto Blue Jay. It was the selling point that yielded the Yankees to ink Burnett, as his success within the AL East was undeniable and specifically vs. the Red Sox.

Well, Burnett came into this season with less accountability than Wakefield. Through hard work and a desire, Burnett worked his butt off during the odd-season and he has without question righted himself mentally.

In 2001, Burnett has pitched 74.2 innings in 12 starts,

Out of every line-up in baseball, the Red Sox have the best odds of pushing the ‘new’ Burnett over the edge. Right now, that one disastrous, game changing inning that Burnett was renowned for has not reared it’s ugly head yet this season. Continue reading ‘Yankees vs. Red Sox: Burnett To Square Off Against Wakefield’ »

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New York Yankees: Boston Massacre To Begin As Red Sox Are In Town

Posted by on 7 June 2011, 2:19 am

It is no secret that the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox did not look like themselves up until now; because as of a month ago both ball-clubs fans shared the same serious concern.

Well it seems that both veteran-filled roasters just needed some added time to warm-up and the AL East is starting to look like it always does.

So with that said, Yankee fans are looking for nothing less than a Boston massacre this week, as the Red Sox are back in town and have owned the Bombers winning five of six games so far in 2011.

With both teams decisively playing first-rate baseball, there will be no excuse for losing this time. This pertains more so for the Yankees, who start the three-game set a game ahead of Boston in the AL East standings.

Also, Yankee Universe remembers the Red Sox brought their brooms the last time they visited the Bronx, which was only back on May 13th. Leaving a wound that is still very fresh for anyone who wears the pinstripes, but especially for the fans who seem to take this even more seriously than the players.

Not to say the Yankee players would tolerate another series loss at the hands of Big Sloppy Papi and his prick closer Papelbon in their own house, again.

Even more so, the Stadium will be rocking with Yankee fans cheering on their team who is finally home from a very fruitful 6-3-road trip.

The pitching schedule is as follows:

TUESDAY, June 7, 2011, 7:05 PM EST

Freddy Garcia (4-4, 3.34 ERA) vs. Jon Lester (7-2, 3.94 ERA)

WEDNESDAY, June 8, 2011, 7:05 PM EST

AJ Burnett (6-3, 3.86 ERA) vs. Tim Wakefield (2-1, 4.40 ERA)

THURSDAY, June 9, 2011, 7:05 PM EST

CC Sabathia (7-3, 2.80 ERA) vs. Josh Beckett (4-2, 2.01 ERA)

(Look for ladylovespinstripes.com individual pitching previews for each game to follow.)

MY SERIES THOUGHTS AND PREDICTION: Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Boston Massacre To Begin As Red Sox Are In Town’ »

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Reviewing Top Three American League East Teams

Posted by on 28 June 2010, 5:37 am

The AL East is proving itself worthy of it’s reputation as the toughest division in baseball.

It is difficult to imagine the post-season will be without either the Yankees, Red Sox or Rays, who have each have won the ALCS the last three seasons. (2007-BRS; 2008-TBR; 2009-NYY)

Let’s take a look at this three-headed-beast:
 Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox were counted out way too soon, as they have been on a leap to get back into the AL East race. The crucial difference has been Boston’s middle line-up is finally hot , as Big Papi, Victor Martinez and Marcus Scutaro are taking some pressure of Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia.

The Red Sox have missed the rapid lead-off bat of center-fielder Jacob Ellsbury. Ellsbury has only played for nine games this season due to broken ribs. He is set to return after the All-Star Break, which will only help the Red Sox get better.

The greatest surprise is the pitching rotation, sans ace Josh Beckett, who’s been plagued by a bad back for a few seasons. John Lester has filled in as the team’s ace, with solid starts by Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Lackey, Tim Wakefield and the pleasant surprise of Clay Buchholz, who leads the team with a 2.45 ERA.

Buchholz left during his last start after hyper-extending his left knee but is said to be fine. Boston has gotten solid outings from the Boston bullpen, and closer Jonathan Papelbaum has been substantial, but he cannot give up back-to-back saves like he did in Colorado anymore.

J.D. Drew is back since being on the DL since June 18th, but the Red Sox recent luck has not fared regarding injuries. All-star second-baseman Dustin Pedroia was placed on the 15-day DL with a fracture of the navicular bone in his left foot, which is typically a minimum six-week recovery. This is a monumental loss as Pedroia is the best player, both athletically and emotionally on the team.

Add Victor Martinez  to the injury list, but not the DL yet as the catcher took two foul tips off his left thumb. Martinez says it is just pain and plans not to miss any time, but will know more after he gets checked out.

Terry Francona is saying all his prayers before bed tonight.

The replacements players like Bill Hall , Darnell McDonald and Daniel Neva are getting the job done, but Youks and Big Papi have to take this team on their shoulders right now.

One thing is for sure it’s doubtful anyone will ever question GM Theo Epstein again.

Tampa Bay Rays

Heading down south to Tampa Bay, home of the Rays who finally proved that their human by losing. The problem is their also developing and can’t seem to grasp the concept of defeat. It took them an entire season after losing the World Series in 2008 for the Rays to stop pouting, so Joe Madden needs to get attitudes in control now. Continue reading ‘Reviewing Top Three American League East Teams’ »

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Pitching Preview: Champion New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies Game 3

Posted by on 14 June 2010, 11:30 pm

Pitching Preview: Champs vs. Phillies Game 3 will be looking at a pair of veterans on Thursday’s match-up, in this 2009 World Series revival between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees.

Game 3:

Southpaws’ Andy Pettitte vs. Jamie Moyer, is a battle of the veterans. They are two of only three active pitchers to throw for 3000 innings (#3 Tim Wakefield – Red Sox). That is a joint of 6000+ innings between the two.

Considering Moyer has been in the majors for 24 seasons, and is 47 years young is incredible to begin with. Moyer allows Yankee fans to dream that their ace Pettitte could be around for 10 more seasons. Hey, you can always dream and you never know.

 

Jamie Moyer is a risk. At times he looks 47 years old, but he still has thrown a few electric games this season that make him look brilliant. Moyer’s ERA is 5.03, but to be fair the Phillies bats have been dead lately so he gets no help. For oldest starter in the majors, Moyer has defied odds already. He has already thrown two complete games and one shutout in 2010. Against, the Red Sox he got killed last week and I predict the Yankees will do the same. Moyer pitches better in day games and in Citizens Bank Park, so that is two strikes against his odds already. The third is the Yankees hitters are the most patient in baseball, and don’t swing for strikes from off-speed pitches. Unfortunately, Moyer’s biggest strength this season is his off-speed pitched, but he won’t be confusing the Yankees to swing. Continue reading ‘Pitching Preview: Champion New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies Game 3’ »

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