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New York Yankees: Bartolo Colon’s Debut Shut Me Up

Posted by on 21 April 2011, 12:32 am
Toronto Skydome (Rogers Centre), NY Yankees vs...

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What year is it…2011?

Well, you could have fooled me as it sure felt like 2005 up at the Roger Centre in Toronto tonight, watching New York Yankees pitcher Bartolo Colon throw a gem in his first start filling in for Phil Hughes who is still on the DL with a dead-arm.

After losing a heartbreaker the night before in the bottom of the 10th inning, Colon led his new Yankee teammates to a well needed win. It came as a surprise, but not a shock after the impressive numbers Colon had in Spring Training.

Colon exhibited such an aura of confidence that you would have never guessed it was his first start on a Major League mound since July 24, 2009. He allowed seven hits and two runs over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out seven batters in the tough and hard-hitting Blue Jays line-up, while walking just two. At one point he sent 12 Blue Jays down in a row.

More proof that GM Brian Cashman knows what he is doing, as when Yankees bench coach Tony Pena suggested Colon, Cashman didn’t listen, he acted immediately.

Cashman got such grief, me included before the 2011 season started and all the while he was just doing his job and well I might add.

Looking forward to watching Colon in his next start because after tonight he certainly earned another start on the bump.

Hey, it is about time the low-risk/high-reward actually worked for the Yankees.

The odds were in the ball-clubs favor, as Cashman probably learned after his first few failures of taking on older talent in hopes of a re-birth.

So, could the 37-year-old Colon be turning back into a pitching machine?

As isn’t the never-ending mystery of sports why fans love it in the first place?

Darn right it is….

My advice to Hughes is you better get to work and wake-up that arm because you spot is not guaranteed after the show Colon put on in Toronto tonight.

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New York Yankees: Pitching Test For AJ Burnett Vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Posted by on 19 April 2011, 7:07 am

The New York Yankees are up in Toronto to play a quick two-games against their AL East Division rival Blue Jays.

The Bombers left New York after taking two of three games from the Texas Rangers, who they had not seen since the 2010 ALCS, so the team is feeling pretty confident right now.

For the Blue Jays, coming home was not nearly as sweet following a tough, 3-7-road trip.

With both teams having good reason behind taking the first game, let’s look at Tuesday night’s match-up on the mound.

AJ BURNETT, NYY:

In the first game on Tuesday night, the Yankees will send AJ Burnett to the bump at the Roger Centre, a very familiar place for the ex-Blue Jay.

Unfortunately any fond Canadian memories are long gone for Burnett, as his spectacular month of April could come crashing down if history dictates anything.

In 2010 Burnett’s last start against the Blue Jays he got pulled after 2.1 innings of crap, allowing two homeruns, seven earned runs, a walk, a strikeout and he managed to hit one of the 16 total batters he faced.

The Yankees have lost to the Jays the last four times Burnett started the game, two of which were in Toronto.

This could certainly end Burnett’s 3-0 April winning streak, as Burnett is known to start off every season hot only to fall on his face. This is the ideal situation for past-disasters, so this is a big test for Burnett to earn some real trust back.

Burnett is up against a Jays-team that is 4-2 at home, with nine homeruns so far this season.

It comes as no shock that slugger Jose Bautista is responsible for two of the long balls. Bautista has continued right where he left off last season hitting .455 thus far.

In his nine at-bats against Burnett, Bautista is hitting .444, with four hits, one double, two homeruns, six RBIs, drawn two walks and struck out twice.

Pretty sure Burnett will be watching out for Bautista, who might not be ready for Burnett’s resurrected change-up. This change-up proved dominate against the Orioles just day ago and Burnett claimed he has not thrown this pitch in over 12 years. It is certainly a nice addition to his wicked curveball and mid-90’s fastball.

KYLE DRABEK, TOR:

Toronto will counter with 23-year-old righty Kyle Drabek, who has pitching in his blood, as his dad is former CY Young winner Doug Drabek.

So far in his first three starts Drabek has been phenomenal posting a 1.93 ERA, with 17 strikeouts in just shy of 19 innings pitched. Drabek’s only real issue is the 11 walks he has allowed, which could potentially be a real problem facing the patient Yankees line-up. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Pitching Test For AJ Burnett Vs. Toronto Blue Jays’ »

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2011 New York Yankees: Media Baiting The Bombers Right Into Winning No. 28

Posted by on 30 January 2011, 10:24 pm

It’s September 17, 2011, the New York Yankees are playing a Saturday afternoon game up in Toronto, the second of a three game set against the Blue Jays.

Including this game, there are just 10 games left in the regular season.

The Yankees, who are leading 4-1 in the bottom of the eighth, are about to clinch the AL East.

Shocking to say the least, as no one predicted the Bombers to even be wildcard contenders. Unquestionably, this was not supposed to be happening.

I mean the Yankees were old, outdated, yesterday’s stars and age was supposed to come before beauty in 2011.

These statements were specified as facts that Yankee fans were told to deal with it back in April.

Why?

Well, because the 2011 World Series was going to be between the Phillies and Red Sox. PERIOD.

The Yankees were assumed to be building a nursing home in October, not playing in it.

How could they win, with a below average shortstop, an overrated third baseman, a declining guy at first and a pitching staff that only had one certified ace.

So let’s say after clinching, the Yankees finished the 2011 season posting 103 wins. Continued onto the World Series, a rematch against the Phillies and the outcome was like déjà vu.

I can promise the players would jump onto the field at Yankee stadium as if this was their first championship, not the franchise’s 28th. Continue reading ‘2011 New York Yankees: Media Baiting The Bombers Right Into Winning No. 28’ »

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New York Yankees: Dustin Moseley Can’t Beat theToronto Blue Jays Alone

Posted by on 24 August 2010, 10:15 am

After losing the first game 2-3, the New York Yankees need to win Tuesday night against the Blue Jays at Rogers Center.

The Tampa Bay Rays have caught up to tie in the standings, and the Boston Red Sox are still very much alive.

Translation…. inter-division games can kill a team’s chances for playoff berth, so the Yankees cannot lose this series for starters.

The Blue Jays are making things difficult against all AL East teams. Toronto is not making the playoffs this season, but in any other division my bet is circumstances would be different.

In all honesty, handing the ball to RHP Dustin Moseley is risky because he brings no stability on the mound.

Moseley has fared better because Yankees bats have backed him by scoring runs. This will be essential once again, as Moseley is no match for the homerun hitting Blue Jays.

Toronto’s Jose Bautista has demolished the Yankees in 2010, hitting six homers and 12 RBIs with a .511 on-base percentage. Against Moseley, the slugger is 0 and 4, striking-out once and walked one time as well.

Still, Moseley in his last start against Toronto he gave up nine hits, five earned runs, two homeruns, walked one, managed two strikeouts and a game ERA of 6.14.

Moseley has made five starts since Andy Pettitte hit the DL, pitched 29 innings, allowing 16 earned runs, seven homeruns, with 14 strikeouts and 10 walks. Problem is Moseley has only had three strikeouts, while allowing four homeruns and eight hits in his latest two outings.

The Blue Jays are countering with LHP Mark Rzepczynski, who is even more inexperienced than Moseley, making his fifth start for Toronto.

Rzepczynski is 1-1 over four starts in 2010. He mirrors Moseley with an ERA 4.76.

On the season, in Rzepczynski 22.2 innings pitched he’s allowed 12 earned runs, two homeruns, but has struck-out 19 batters.

His last start was awful, as Rzepczynski has zero strikeouts, giving up 5 hits, with three runs scoring before getting pulled in the fourth inning.

Yankees need to watch for Rzepczynski’s change-up, as that is his strongest pitch but only if he can execute it.

PREDICTION:

Yankees need to run on base-pads against Blue Jays catcher Jose Molina. This is not easy, but the Yankees know Molina and the Blue Jays don’t focus on runners as much as they should.

With Derek Jeter back in line-up, the Yankees will win 6-1.

Moseley will get the win over Rzepczynski, but this is a close call.

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Perturbed In Pinsrtipes

Posted by on 17 December 2009, 1:57 am
English: Hideki Matsui

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Have you heard the news today?

Roy Halladay and John Lackey have new places to call home, as two of baseball’s top free agents current deals leaked all around the news today.

That was HUGE.

There was one thing definitely missing from the sizzling MLB hot stove today?

That would be the Yankees.

For once Cashman and company were not in the mix of doing anything at all, signing no one and actually letting players freely be swept away.

For many Yankee fans, complete confusion is starting to set in.

What the hell are we doing allowing Hideki Matsui to sign for one season at $6.5 million with the Angels?

The Yankees could have, and should have offered the MVP of the World Series at least that.

The Angels line-up just got better and even more popular.

In addition to Matsui’s undeniably clutch batting, the entire Japanese press follows their icon wherever he goes. Matsui also has huge fan base that come to the ballpark and Los Angeles will experience his Godzilla-like effects immediately.

I was very sad to learn of Hideki Matsui’s departure today.

My utter respect for him as a player, but even more so as a person will stay in my heart.

No matter what uniform Matsui wears, Yankee Universe will always cheer for our Godzilla. Continue reading ‘Perturbed In Pinsrtipes’ »

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The Good, The Bad, The Yankees

Posted by on 13 August 2009, 3:37 am

The Yankees continue to win. Proven again by winning two of three against the Toronto Blue Jays after sweeping the Boston Red Sox the four games before this series.

The Yankees look good. As with any team, there are still things that need to continue to be productive along with areas that need to improve or change. This involves the managers and the GM expertise in keeping the team in the best position to win; so decisions are crucial.

The Red Sox just swept the Detroit Tigers. If anyone pretends that it does not send a message that Boston is still a good baseball team is crazy.

Try and remember that Boston swept the Yanks twice already this season but the Bombers continued to win against other teams.

And I am trying to be negative with my statements. The minute I stop thinking like this or more importantly the Yankees do, the Red Sox will be on our tails faster than I can say ‘ah-oh’.

That means the Yankees have to win and take every game as seriously as if they are playing the Red Sox every game. It will be tough and exhausting to say the least.

Pitching tends to dominate baseball talk regarding how that position can be the difference maker. I agree with that but with the Yankees I think the bats are the difference.

AJ Burnett and CC Sabathia have to be consistent along with Petite is a solid three starters to have. Mitre is a disaster and no need to say much more as his last starts explain it.

Joba is a problem. Mainly because you don’t know what Joba is on the mound. I think his inconsistency is like the slumps teams have all season and it is frustrating because he can be as good as anyone.

Joba’s main issue is the babying the Yankees are doing to this young man. His innings limit in the infamous “Joba Rules” is rumored at 160. He is already at 121.2 innings this season and his starts are mapped out for the rest of the season. Now Joba will have eight days rest till he will take the mound again, the whole thing seems to be ridiculous. Why can’t the Yankees just let Joba be Joba?

Young arms need some consideration, I get it but this seems like a strict parent who’s kid actually gets into more trouble down the road. What other pitcher has had this kind of treatment? And if so, was it successful?

Thus far, Joba has been just alright. He has three lights-out performances going deep in the game and it was like striking the pot of gold for a second. Other than that the “rules” seem to be getting broken and not getting the results.

And innings seem to be the less important a number than the actual number of pitches Joba throws in an inning or a game.

The conclusion is Mitre is bye-bye or at least presume a loss that day and Joba is fading to the bullpen, slowly but inevitably. Maybe not till the end of the regular season but what are the Yanks going to do if after that?

This is why the bats are so critical and hitting will be the difference for this team. So, home team advantage is kind of a must as the new stadium in the Bronx seems to be a hitters paradise.

With basically two and a half (Petite being the half) work-horse starters in place, is just not going to work in the long run. Hughes to Mo being so dominate cements that tandem as untouchable but you have to get to them first. Again, that puts a lot of pressure on the hitters.

Moving Hughes would be insanity reaching a new high for Cashman and Girardi. Joba could be treated like pitcher, excuse like a major league pitcher and just go out every fifth day, like everyone else.

I was at the game on Tuesday when Joba was on the mound against Toronto and it was a mess. Hope Joba gave some thanks to the bats for cleaning it up for him, again. And with it being a team win it almost gets Joba’s performance issues overlooked.

The Yankees mangers and GM need to figure out if this is the best option for the team. Remember this is the Yankees team, where Joba is just one of the team’s members.

It’s time to let Joba grow-up once and for all.

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Joe Girardi’s Secrets: How The Yanks Took A Halladay

Posted by on 5 August 2009, 9:17 am

The Rogers Centre was at full capacity tonight up in Toronto. The fans looking relieved, confirming it was just a nightmare, as Roy Halladay, the best pitcher in baseball, walked onto the Blue Jays mound once again. Toronto’s ace looked like a goner before the trade deadline but the cost for Roy’s arm was just to high a price, even for the Yankees.

Halladay is so dynamite that if any opposing team’s starter has got to be basically perfect. It is inevitable that hitters will not be able to produce against Halladay, so in preparing for a game like tonight’s the idea of how to win has got to be under this assumption.

And that is exactly why Joe Girardi is such levelheaded manager. Not afraid to humbly admitted that the Yanks had to give it everything and anything to beat this individual ace.

It is refreshing that Girardi tells it like it is no. No matter who the player, the treatment has now consistently been shown to be equal. Not one guy gets treated any differently, which is a huge part of the comradeship that has formed.

The definition of “team” is what Girardi has accomplished in his last season and a half. That is no small feet with the amount of all-stars with huge paychecks the Yanks have. Then having to fill a hero’s shoes in Torre, only to have that same man he once called his skipper sell the team out for all to read about didn’t make the new Joe’s job any easier.

Girardi is now in sync with the players and it has shown in the determination to win over and over again. Beating Halladay was just another full blown example of what is happening and Girardi is responsible for the team’s success.

Along with our skipper, the players are so proud of their team to let that go.

This was seen tonight but the outstanding job done by Andy Petite who pitched seven plus solid innings. Commanding the plate with his cutter, Petite struck out Alex Rios for his sixth strike out and that was in the bottom of the seventh. Continue reading ‘Joe Girardi’s Secrets: How The Yanks Took A Halladay’ »

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