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New York Yankees: In Defense Of A-rod Part Deux

Posted by on 22 October 2011, 3:33 am
Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees at Amer...

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October 6, 2011 – It was the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Yankee stadium scoreboard read 3-2. With two out already posted, the fate of the season lied in the bat of baseball’s richest, three-time MVP New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez.

That was the calm before the storm in Game 5 of the ALDS, as Detroit Tigers Jose Valverde went on to strikeout A-rod, as Yankee fans couldn’t even muster the strength to boo.

That was the second time A-rod struck out in key spots that Thursday night, as well as the second season he would shoulder the majority of the blame for the Yankees early October exit.

If I were A-rod, I would have tried to run out the side door and avoid the counterattack that was about to in the Yankees clubhouse. Instead A-rod faced the media head-on and made no excuses:

“When you have opportunities like that, we talk about keeping momentum going, even if it’s a sac fly to at least get one run in there,” Rodriguez said. “I didn’t get the job done.”

He went on to say:

“It’s devastating. This is going to hurt for a long time. This one stings, especially at home.”

Now, fast-forward to the top of the ninth in Game 2 of the 2011 World Series.

With no outs, the Cardinals were trying to hold a one-run lead, until Texas Rangers Elvis Andrus hit a line drive into center-field.

The single moved teammate Ian Kinsler from second to third-base, and just as Andrus was about to comfortable on first base, the unthinkable happened.

Cardinals fist baseman, Albert Pujols missed a textbook cut-off throw from the centerfield, and Andrus took off to second base, now leaving the Rangers with two runners in scoring position. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: In Defense Of A-rod Part Deux’ »

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2011 WS Rangers vs. Cardinals: Impartial Prediction

Posted by on 19 October 2011, 2:35 am

The battle for the title of 2011 World Series Champion starts tonight, as the St. Louis Cardinals will duke it out with the Texas Rangers in a match-up that you won’t want to miss.

The only sure thing is the one team will be crowned the champs, while the other will join the long list of World Series meltdowns.

Before getting to my prediction, read my posts about the good, the bad and the ugly about both the RANGERS and the CARDINALS. (Click on team name to read previews.) Click HERE for TV schedule for all World Series games.

So, who do think has the upper hand in this battle royal?

MY 2011 WORLD SERIES PREDICTION:

On paper the Rangers have a slight edge over the Cardinals, but neither team has an overwhelming advantage over the other.

Both teams have gotten sub-par performances in the postseason thus far from their starting pitchers, so look for the team whose rotation steps it up to play a big part of the series.

Looking at the regular season numbers, the Rangers have better starting rotation, but not as much vs. the Cardinals. See, the strength of the Cardinals hitters is the long-ball and the Rangers starters have given up 16 of the team’s 20 home-runs this postseason, with six off Rangers ace CJ Wilson. Wilson only gave up 16 homers in the regular season, so they need a big start from him in Game 1.

The Cardinals fate hangs on the Game 1 performance of ace Chris Carpenter, who is now suffering from elbow soreness but says he is good to go, but what else is he going to say.

Since Game 1 is in St. Louis, it gives the Cardinals home field advantage to start this World Series. The Cardinals are slightly better defensively than Texas, and have a better bench.

While the Rangers have the edge in their starting rotation, as they feature three lefties, which could make it tougher for the Cardinals righty dominate bats to get going. This is pending on at least two of the three lefties kicking it up a notch. Continue reading ‘2011 WS Rangers vs. Cardinals: Impartial Prediction’ »

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2011 WS Preview: St. Louis Cardinals

Posted by on 18 October 2011, 8:33 am
Tony La Russa

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The 2011 World Series kicks off on Wednesday night, with the St. Louis Cardinals hosting the Texas Rangers to start this best of seven series.

Which team has the advantage?

I have watched both teams throughout this postseason and they match up well. So instead of going stat crazy, below are my cut and dry observations of the St. Louis Cardinals.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS:

The Good:

There is no denying that something special is going on in St. Louis. Remember the Cardinals were not supposed to be here. Actually the Cardinals were not supposed to make the post season, beat the Phillies or the Brewers either but this team continually defies the odds. Regardless that the Cardinals have the best player on earth, Albert Pujols, it is a total team effort in St. Louis and this team is hot. And when a team continually believes in themselves when no one else does, that is a team that will be hard to beat.

Also, the over-managing by skipper Tony La Russa has worked on all cylinders this post season. The sometimes-irritating La Russa is now baseball’s Einstein. The mixing and matching of his bullpen, after not one St. Louis starter in the ALCS pitched five innings, was beyond impressive. Not to mention his unconventional genius of carrying eight relievers just to make sure St. Louis didn’t get blown out by the bats of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. La Russa has been this team’s MVP this post season.

The Bad:

Thus far, the Cardinals starting pitching has gotten away with doing the bare minimum this post season because the bullpen has saved their behinds, and quite well. Still, the bullpen cannot be the Cardinals crutch, which means the starters have to contribute at least five innings because the relievers could easily run out of steam. This could be the difference maker as the Rangers hard-hitting bats can easily knock out any starter. Also, the Cardinals had a regular season record of 65-42 when a starting pitcher threw six or more innings. Continue reading ‘2011 WS Preview: St. Louis Cardinals’ »

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2011 World Series: Rangers vs. Cardinals Game Schedule

Posted by on 17 October 2011, 12:39 am

 

2011 World Series Schedule
Series Date Match-Up Network Air Time (ET)
Game One Wednesday, October 19 Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals FOX TBA
Game Two Thursday, October 20 Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals FOX TBA
Game Three Saturday, October 22 St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Rangers FOX TBA
Game Four Sunday, October 23 St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Rangers FOX TBA
Game Five* Monday, October 24 St. Louis Cardinals at Texas Rangers FOX TBA
Game Six* Wednesday, October 26 Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals FOX TBA
Game Seven* Thursday, October 27 Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals FOX TBA
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New York Yankees Are Out So Who To Root For In Postseason

Posted by on 11 October 2011, 4:06 am

Everyone is well aware that the 2011 New York Yankees season is over; to be precise it concluded last Thursday in a heart wrenching ALDS Game 5 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

The 3-2 loss was about the worst thing I have ever saw at Yankee Stadium. It felt like a little of New York City’s heart broke that night and to say the fans didn’t do their job would be a crime, as the Stadium was as electric and more filled than the 2009 World Series…no joke.

Well, onward and upward as the postseason keeps moving forward with the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers.

Not sure how many New York, or East Coast viewers will be tuning into watch both Championship Series, but as a baseball fan you can bet that I plan to watch until the last out of the World Series.

My problem is that I have no answer for this one question that I have been asked about 20 times over the last three days by everyone from my Mom to the guy at Starbucks.

“Who do you want to win the 2011 World Series? You know since the Yankees lost.”

It is a legitimate question, but please note this does not entail me cheering for another team at all. Only which team would I not throw my remote at the TV with if they were to win.

For me no matter the sport, if my team is not in the championship there is usually one team that I wouldn’t mind winning a title. This has never been the easiest choice in the past, so why is it almost impossible this time?

Maybe because out of the four remaining postseason teams, somehow, individually have an aspect that bothers the hell out of me; and in turn, I just can’t commit.

MilwaukeeBrewers:

If you don’t know who T-Plush is by now, please accept my apology in advance.

T-Plush is short for Tony Plush, which is the self-appointed “name on the field” or his “gentleman’s name” of the outspoken, outfielder Nyjer Morgan.

Morgan annoys the hell out of me because his antics are so ridiculous that it takes away from his talent. Morgan has been known to start trouble for no reason with opposing teams, flicks off fans, and looks for trouble too much.

I get the love/hate thing Brewers fans have with T-Plush because he does come through in the clutch, followed by shouting some f-bombs in his post game interviews that I guess are amusing. Still, the day Tony Plush ran his mouth at Cardinals Albert Pujols was arrogance gone overboard. Funny thing is now look who his Brewers NLCS opponents are…guess Nyjer needs a tall glass of Shut-the Plush-Up.

Texas Rangers:

I have stuck to the theory that the Rangers are so overrated and get thrown bones left and right from ESPN, MLB Network etc. Excuses, and more excuses for a team that plays in the AL West. The Rangers will come back down to earth once the Angels get Kendry Morales back in 2012, and considering 37 of their 2011 wins were against the Mariners, A’s and Indians speaks volumes. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Are Out So Who To Root For In Postseason’ »

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New York Yankees: Postseason Deja Vu

Posted by on 24 September 2011, 11:29 pm

Assuming that most people reading this are baseball fans, but just in case the New York Yankees clinched a postseason and winning the AL East Division this past Wednesday.

As fantastic as the news was, it also let New York fans relax because the Yankees are expected to be playing in October and at the start of this season things were not as secure as usual.

Contending for the World Series is no easy task, but considering the Yankees were not playoff heavy favorites, safeguarding a spot with seven regular season games left is dumbfounded. There are many responsible for the team’s success from GM Brian Cashman to skipper Joe Girardi, to obviously the heart and determination of the players themselves.

Still, there are concerns but I am not referring to who the starting rotation will be for the cutthroat five-game ALDS series; or whether catcher Russell Martin will start all postseason games. What worries me is the timing.

Looking back at last season, the Yankees secured the Wild Card on September 27th, with five games left to play; and it took all of those games to decide the AL East division winner.

In the end the Tampa Bay Rays finished a game up on the Yankees. The fight for the AL East went to the last out of the regular season, which didn’t allow either team time to breathe before being thrown into the playoffs on October 6th.

The Yankees swept the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS without even a hitch and the idea of repeating as champs, or at least another meeting with the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series started to seem inevitable.

The ALDS wrapped up on October 9th with a sweep of the Minnesota Twins and the Yankees were rolling right along. That perfect momentum that any athlete will tell you plays a huge reason was brought to a screeching halt. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Postseason Deja Vu’ »

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New York Yankees: Not Enough To Trust Phil Hughes

Posted by on 3 August 2011, 2:53 am

Location was the word New York Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes used about a zillion times following his first good start this season.

The Bombers beat-up on the Chicago White Sox for the second night in a row, but the 6-0 win only went lasted six innings due to rain.

What almost superseded the game itself was the fact that the Yankees are running a six-man rotation and Hughes was pitching for his spot. Hughes has been pretty much ineffective or on the DL since the 2010 All-Star Break.

Without question, Hughes pitched well vs. the White Sox. No doubt, this was his best start since but that was not too hard.

Still the question remains, was Tuesday night’s performance enough for you to trust Hughes again?

My answer would be no because you have to look at the bigger picture in this situation, and here are my four reasons why:

  1. It would be ludicrous to let one adequate start wipe Hughes’ slate clean. Reality is that Hughes has been a mess for so long that tonight’s win against the White Sox should be viewed as a fluke until proven otherwise.
  2. Winning 18 games in 2010 is an easy number to cling too, but realize Hughes got some major help from the Yankee bats who averaged 6.75 in run support. That number was the highest across the majors last season. A 18 game winning pitcher does not normally post a 4.19 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP unless he has had some help. There is nothing wrong with a pitcher getting some wins due to run support, but what about in the playoffs or in late September when that becomes almost obsolete?
  3. In the post game, Hughes said that once he saw 94 and 95 mph on the radar gun in the first inning against Chicago his confidence went up. This kid needs to stop focusing so much on his fastball’s speed because it cannot dictate his performance. Hughes needs to consistently win, which entails learning how to win without depending so much on his fastball’s velocity or else he will have a short shelf life.
  4. This is the nitty-gritty part of the baseball season, as games really matter in August and September. Skipper Joe Girardi tends to give guys multiple chances to prove themselves worthy. Hughes has had proven success coming out of the bullpen and due to the timing that is where he should be. Not forever, just for the rest of the 2011 season and then start a clean slate for next year. When Hughes moved to the bullpen in 2009, his dominance was a vital turning point that led the Yankees to winning the World Series. That is a fact.

So, looking at both sides of this argument you cannot deny that Hughes looked great against the White Sox. He threw first strike pitches to 14 of 19 batters, didn’t allow a walk and struck out four.

This positive start was almost mandatory for Hughes, as it was what needed to happen. For me, it proved that Hughes can have good stuff; at least once in a while. Hughes still has a lot of work to do, but this is not the right time for this kind-of drama.

This Hughes situation will not be fixed after one almost great start, as he doesn’t even know what he is capable of and that is never a good sign.

Please note that I am not insinuating Hughes as un-fixable, not even close. This is unfortunately just not the right time, as it is totally unfitting.

Just mark my word, if this charade continues it will cost the Yankees games they can’t afford down the stretch and I would hate to see it cripple them in getting to October.

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