N.Y. Yankees: Mother Nature Throws Aaron Boone a Change-Up

From the desk of: BLAME CARLOS MAY

GAME CALLED

AMERICAN LEAGUE 

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME FOUR

Houston Astros

vs.

New York Yankees

Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone, and Mother Nature walk into a bar ...

Aaron Boone's (potential) plan to bullpen his way through game four knowing Thursday would be a travel day is compromised by Mother Nature.  Wednesday's rain-out means the remainder of the ALCS must be played out on consecutive days.  While Aaron Boone gets to pitch his starters on normal rest, he now must act with far more prudence when giving them the hook.  With only four chances to win three games, the spotlight is fixed on Aaron Boone and how efficiently and effectively he utilizes his bullpen going forward.

After six games the bullpen already has more innings pitched than Yankees starters.  Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, and Luis Severino, have each made two post-season starts.  They've collectively yielded seven runs through 26.1 innings pitched for a 2.41 ERA, but only average 4.1 innings per start.  Even if you take away Paxton's 2.1 inning effort in game two, the Yankees top three still only average five innings at best.  To date, only Masahiro Tanaka has pitched into the sixth.  Meanwhile the bullpen boasts a 2.23 ERA through 28.2 innings pitched.

Adam Ottavino has appeared in all six playoff games; Zack Britton and Tommy Kahnle are next in with five appearances each.  Meanwhile J.A. Happ has been nothing short of a liability.  It's no wonder Aaron Boone has only called his name twice through six games.  Makes me wonder which left-hander Boone will trust more in a big situation: C.C. Sabathia or J.A. Happ.

On a related front, Brian Cashman's failure to land a pitcher at the trade deadline was just about coming to pass when the rains hit early Wednesday afternoon.  Had Wednesday's game been played and the Yankees lost, Cashman would surely have been brought to task.  He escapes that criticism, for now, with help from Mother Nature.

But, boy, she really did stick it to Aaron Boone.

N.Y. Yankees: Champagne Won't Make Pitching Issues Go Away

From the desk of: BLAME CARLOS MAY

NEW YORK YANKEES

Clinch A.L. East Division Title With 100th Victory of the Season;

Second Straight 100 Win Season

• 19th A.L. East Title Since 1969 Division Play *including '94 strike
• Tenth A.L. East Title of New Millennium
• First A.L. East Title Since 2012

CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Congratulations are in order for a tremendous 40-man effort put forth by the New York Yankees.  They not only set a modern record for incurring the most injuries, but persevere through them en route to their second straight 100 win season.  In the latest example, for every game catcher Gary Sanchez misses Austin Romine steps in and rakes.  Miguel Andujar who?  It's been that kind of season.  Lest we forget only now are Giancarlo Stanton and Luis Severino returning after missing virtually the entire season, respectively.

I know Aaron Boone's naysayers have little to say, if anything at all.  This year's regular season performance douses any lingering suspicion or doubt.  He's proven beyond all question the Yankees are being expertly managed.  In fact, the man is a mental savage both in and out of the dugout.  It's in his blood.  Umpires know to beware.

Unlike the Yankees did last year with Boston there was no team this season capable of similarly trolling them in return.  Boston won the division with 108 victories, and of course went on win the World Series, but the second place Yankees applied sufficient pressure with 100 victories of their own.  Having already clinched, the Yankees presently own an eight game lead over Tampa and a 20 game lead over the third place Red Sox.  This year baseball will crown a new champion.

In the meantime the race for league's best record continues.  The Yankees have 102 victories with five game left, while the Houston Astros have 101 victories with seven games left in their season.  Bronx lost three of seven in their regular season series against the Astros.

Aaron's savages are number one in runs scored; Houston is third.  A 32-run difference is noteworthy.  Look no further than the dreaded solo home run.  The Yankees are third in total bases and slugging but first with 294 home runs.  The Astros are third with 271 home runs, but second in total bases and first in slugging.  The Yankees (.833) are also second to Houston (.849) in OPS.

On the mound Houston (3.71) is third in ERA, while the Yankees (4.31) rank sixth.  The Yankees lead the league with fifty saves; Houston's 43 saves rank fourth.  The Astros lead the league in both strikeouts and average against; the Yankees are fourth in strikeouts and fifth in average against.

Of course this makes no mention of the Twins, Indians, Rays, or Athletics ...

We all know you can never have enough pitching ... unless you're Brian Cashman.  For reasons known to him, he makes no transactions by the trade deadline aimed at bolstering the pitching staff.  Fast-forward: with one week left in the regular season the Yankees are suddenly down a starting pitcher.  Therefore a post-season rotation of Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, and J.A. Happ, is all but confirmed.  Tanaka offers the most length, 5.2 innings per start.  Paxton and Happ average 5.1 innings per start.

• On Saturday James Paxton wins his tenth straight decision.  He strikes out seven through six scoreless innings pitched.  After going 0-3 with two no decisions in July, he has since allowed just 15 earned through 60.1 innings for a 2.24 ERA with 69 strikeouts.  More recently he has allowed just one earned run over his last three starts and 24.2 innings pitched.  His 4.72 ERA back on July 26 has since been shaved down to a 3.73 mark.  In fact, he is presently the only pitcher among the Yankees starters with an ERA below four.

Said another way, the Yankees bullpen begins factoring into the game no later than the sixth.  C.C. Sabathia stands a chance of playing a greater role than originally anticipated.  If the Yankees are in need of left-handed relief in the fifth or sixth innings ... who knows.  But we know short series post-season baseball is made for bullpens to either stand or fall.  And therein lies the Yankees strength.

The rest remains to be determined.

N.Y. Yankees: The Curse of Bucky F. Dent

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Red Sox win ALDS 3-1

I - BOS 5; NYY 4

II - NYY 6; BOS 2

III - BOS 16; NYY 1

IV - BOS 4; NYY 3

New York Yankees: The Curse of Bucky Effin Dent?

• Date: Monday, Oct. 2, 1978.
• Setting: Late afternoon, Fenway Park, Boston.
• Condition: Yankees and Red Sox finish the season tied necessitating regular season game #163 in order to decide the A.L. East title.  The winner moves on to the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals.

The Red Sox take an early lead on Carl Yastrzemski's second inning home off Ron Guidry.  Jim Rice drives home a run with a hit in the sixth giving Boston a 2-0 lead.  Mike Torrez pitches six scoreless innings, but with two outs in the seventh, he surrenders consecutive base hits to Chris Chambliss and Roy White.  Into the batter's box steps shortstop Bucky Dent.  He is 0 for 2 on the day with a fly to right and a pop-up to short.  Dent takes Torrez' first offering for a ball, then fouls the second pitch off his left foot.  The game is delayed as Dent receives attention from trainer Gene Monahan.  Dent also switches bats, then finally steps back in.  With the count at one ball and one strike, Mike Torrez delivers a fastball square over the plate ...

Here is Yankees WPIX announcer Bill White's call:

"Deep to left ... Yastrzemski will not get - It's a home run!  A three run home run for Bucky Dent!  And the Yankees now lead it 3-2!  Bucky Dent has just hit his fifth home run of the year, into the screen!  And look at that Yankees bench, led by Bob Lemon."

Catcher Thurman Munson shortly thereafter doubles home the Yankees fourth run of the inning.  However, it is Reggie Jackson's eighth inning home run to straight away center field which proves most pivotal, as Yastrzemski and Fred Lynn help the Red Sox rally for two runs off Goose Gossage in the bottom half of the frame, but no more.  Gossage closes out Boston in the ninth, and the Yankees clinch the A.L. East title.  They go on to defeat the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS, then for a second successive World Series defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That historic one-game playoff takes place forty years ago.  Twenty-six years later the Yankees invite Bucky Dent to throw a ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium during the 2004 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.  We all know what happens next.  The Curse of the Bambino if finally and forever broken.  Fourteen years later, the Yankees again invite Bucky Dent to throw out the first pitch prior to the start of Game Four of this year's ALDS. 

I have a saying: Once is an occurrence; twice is a coincidence; three times is a trend.

Just saying ...

Now for the ALDS that was.

Dave Dombrowski is a highly regarded executive.  He develops a reputation towards the latter part of his tenure with Detroit for spending like a drunken sailor and receives criticism for leaving the Tigers in a state of financial crisis.  When in truth he operates according to the mission statement handed him by Mike Illich during the late great owner's latter years of life.  But there's also a case to be made for Dombrowski's continuing fiscal folly with the Red Sox.  Releasing Edgar Renteria ($$$) is merely one example that hardly scratches the surface.  However, owner John Henry appears copacetic with the state of his economy, and his team.

Once the Red Sox are eliminated by the Astros in last season's ALDS, Dombrowski fires manager John Farrell with haste and immediately requests permission to speak with and ultimately interview Houston's bench coach Alex Cora while the Astros are still in the midst of their post-season run.

With regards to modern analytics, the Red Sox recognize its value and embrace baseball's newest evolutionary mutation with three arms.  Like most managers these days, Alex Cora is handed reams of information.  Dombrowski, however, leaves its application in Cora's hands to manage as he sees fit, or deems necessary.

Unlike Dombrowski who very early set his sights on Alex Cora, Brian Cashman informs Joe Girardi his contract will not be renewed, but then remains strangely idle.  Meanwhile, other available, and (to varying degrees) desirable candidates begin finding employment elsewhere.  Aaron Boone's name is presented to Brian Cashman as a late, unexpected, and obviously inexperienced candidate.  But the two are far from being strangers.  According to most reports Boone overwhelms the Yankees general manager and is hired on the spot.  I would argue, though, Aaron Boone isn't signed until December - two months after the World Series ends - when the market for managers had already thinned considerably.

Unlike Alex Cora, Aaron Boone is beholden to a far more restrictive operating procedure.  Brian Cashman is addicted to analytics, and has on numerous occasions appeared on sports radio making no bones about it: he wants his manager(s) adhering with strict compliance to information provided by the front office's expansive analytics department.  For both Joe Girardi and Aaron Boone, deviation was/is not an option.

Despite a most disappointing outcome I still believe this is one of general manager Brian Cashman's finest seasons on record, if not his best.  He put one dynasty to bed, and is in the process of potentially building another.  He's done everything a fan base could ask for: revitalizing the farm system; graduating new major league talent and legitimate stars; making subtle and well received transactions; following through with off-season maneuvering; and procuring reinforcements by the trade-deadline.  Then there are his boss' requirements.  Cashman not only satisfies Hal Steinbrenner's desire for being under the salary tax threshold, but has the Yankees supremely positioned to spend big money again on free agency.

All that being said, the manner in which this team sets their on field priorities and go about the game of baseball - losing this year's ALDS included - fall on the general manager for what I believe is his flawed application of analytics driven baseball.  Additionally, by parting ways with Joe Girardi and his ilk, Cashman shifts away (IMO) from demanding player accountability.

Cashman once mandated that Joe Girardi follow a script set forth by his Ivy League info squad, and presently demands Aaron Boone follows suit.  Outside of Boone being more affable with players and the media, there is no philosophical difference to speak of from one manager to the next.  There's no change with regard to in-game approach.  In fact, what's new is actually old.  I would argue Yankee analytics are just a 21st century cover of Earl Weaver's school of thought: reliance on strong pitching and three run home runs.  Problem is, the Yankees in the ALDS got neither.  Thus, in this results driven business Aaron Boone fails to elevate last year's band of overachievers to the next level.  Despite a 100-win season, they effectively take one step backwards.

Aside from Masahiro Tanaka, the trio of J.A. Happ, Luis Severino, and C.C. Sabathia all struggle mightily.  Boone, however, appears unprepared to negotiate three early exits.  Thus his failure to act in a timely manner ultimately contributes rather considerably in all three Yankees losses.  There's something to be said for all-hands-on-deck.  In Monday's Game Three at Yankees Stadium, Mookie Betts hit Luis Severino's very first offering of the game 405 feet to straight away center.  The bullpen should have began stirring right then.  After all, the Yankees main strength in both quality and depth is their bullpen.  Instead, Boone plays right into Alex Cora's hands.

Otherwise, a general lack of execution should be blamed on players.  After all, Aaron Boone is just doing what he's told.

Alex Cora brings his bench coaching experience and a share of Houston's World Series winning sensibilities to Boston where one of his first acts is to let his new team know just how bad they've been, and exactly what they're going to do in order to change it.  He inaugurates sweeping changes to the extent both Houston and Boston rank top two in most key statistical categories.  Under Cora, the Red Sox win a franchise record 108 games.  He stresses throughout each and every game to play aggressively.  The ALDS proves no less differently.  Many of his positional moves are in conflict with analytical directives.  Not to mention he twice gambles with Rick Porcello and Chris Sale in relief.  And there's the rub.  Alex Cora abandons the book and goes for the kill.  If Chris Sale blows Game Four, he loses him for a decisive Game Five.  Rick Pocello is scheduled to pitch Game Three.  Instead, he becomes one of the heroes of Game One.  His relief appearance necessitates Nathan Eovaldi pitching Game Three, who winds up tossing a gem.  And that's how Alex Cora circumvents his precarious bullpen bridge to Craig Kimbrel.

From bench coach and friends to being opponents and adversaries, Alex Cora now faces A.J.Hinch; Grasshopper versus Sensei.

N.Y. Yankees: Bronx Bummer Leave Bombers on Brink

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Red Sox lead series 2-1

I - BOS 5; NYY 4

II - NYY 6; BOS 2

III - BOS 16; NYY 1

GAME THREE

RED SOX   16

YANKEES    1

FINAL

Boston Red Sox Hand Bronx Bombers Worst Defeat in Franchise Post-Season History.

Featured prominently across the front of Boston's warm-up jersey reads their post-season mantra: Do Damage.  Monday at Yankee Stadium the Red Sox do just that, handing the Bronx Bombers their worst post-season defeat in their 115-year history, and pushing them to the brink of elimination.

Already lost upon Bomber fans' collective memory is Gary Sanchez becoming the first Yankee catcher to hit multiple home runs in one playoff game, or that Aaron Judge becomes the first Yankee since Reggie Jackson to homer in three consecutive playoff games.  With one more loss in this ALDS, all fans will remember is a 100-win regular season spiraling counter-clockwise down the toilet; rookie manager Aaron Boone's failure to get out of the first round a year after Joe Girardi leads them within one game of the World Series; and something a little closer to their heart, getting eliminated yet again by the rival Red Sox in their own yard.  Nothing short of two straight victories changes that narrative now.

This much, however, for the moment remains true as ever: the Yankees live and die by the home run.  Through two Yankees losses, they total just one home run - an Aaron Judge blast in the ninth inning of Game One.  In their Game Two victory, Judge hit his second of the series, and Gary Sanchez adds two.  From a Red Sox perspective, they trade home runs in Game One, and win; get out homered in Game Two and lose; then hit one home run versus zero for the Yankees in Game Three, and win.

Boston had already scored 14 runs on 17 hits before Brock Holt's two-run jolt in the ninth.  As an aside, he becomes MLB's first player to hit for the cycle in a post-season game.  Cycling back, the Yankees have hit four home runs versus Boston's three, but the Red Sox have now out-hit the Yankees 31-23, and outscored them 23-11, through three games of the ALDS.

Luis Severino's very first offering of the game clocked in at 95-mph.  Leading off for Boston, Mookie Betts hits said pitch 405 feet away to the base of the center field wall for a very long out.  After which, the route is on.  Severino faces 18 batters through three innings, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and two walks, with two strikeouts.  The Yankees bullpen (Austin Romine aside) allows eight more runs on ten hits and five walks, with just two strikeouts.

In a tale of two acquisitions, the Yankees acquire J.A. Happ, who through his career has pitched very effectively against the Red Sox.  In Game One, Boston knocks him out of the box after just two innings upon allowing five earned runs on four hits and a walk.  In turn, the Red Sox acquire Nathan Eovaldi, a one-time Yankee, whom likewise has a reputation for pitching well against his former club.  In Game Three at Yankee Stadium, Eovaldi pitches a gem, allowing just one earned run on five hits, no walks, with five strikeouts, through seven full innings pitched.  In the seventh he pops the radar gun at 100-mph.

With another victory on Tuesday, the Red Sox clinch a trip to the ALCS, but not before making a complete mess of the visiting locker room at Yankee Stadium for a second time this season.  If you're the Yankees, there's all the motivation you need.

Game Four features C.C. Sabathia versus Rick Porcello.

Sabathia last pitched twelve days ago against Tampa, in which he pitches five scoreless innings of one hit ball, with no walks and five strikeouts before being ejected.  Sabathia is afforded a similar break coming out of the all-star break, when he goes two full weeks between starts.  Upon his return, he allows two earned runs on six hits and two walks, with eight strikeouts against Kansas City.  Over his last five starts, however, C.C. has allowed 13 earned runs over 21.2 innings pitched for a 5.51 ERA.

In Rick Porcello's last start against the Yankees on Aug. 3, he tosses a one-hit complete game victory at Yankee Stadium.  Porcello's last appearance against the Yankees comes in relief, when he records two game critical outs on 15 pitches in the eighth inning of Game One at Fenway.

Should the Yankees win, another match-up between J.A. Happ and Chris Sale awaits in Game Five.

Subway Series: The Best and Worst City Has to Offer

From the desks of:

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Heading in Opposite Directions

SUBWAY SERIES

New York Metropolitans

vs.

New York Highlanders

FROM

THE HOUSE THAT GEORGE BUILT

BRONX

With a 39-55 record, playing meaningful games in September is out of the question.  Instead, the Mets head into the second-half tied with the Miami Marlins for last place in the N.L. East.  On a macro level, they need to go 42-26 over the final 68 games of the season just to break even.  On a micro level, anything short of playing .500 baseball from here on out will guarantee them a second straight 90-loss season.  Meanwhile, the non-waiver trade deadline is fast approaching and the Mets have no general manager to speak of.  I suspect John Ricco is merely playing the role of front man, and that Jeff Wilpon is firmly in charge with Omar Minaya mentoring him.  As such, I'm also inclined to believe J.P. Ricciardi, as someone brought into the fold by Sandy Alderson, will not be sticking around beyond this season and already has one foot out the door.  Said another way, the Mets organizational situation is dire, their condition is critical.

At least they catch a break this weekend ...

The Mets will not be facing C.C. Sabathia nor Luis Severino whom pitched in the All-Star Game.  Giving Sabathia an extended vacation is a smart move by the Yankees.  With 18 starts to date, Sabathia is 7-6 with a very respectable 3.51 ERA, and 1.27 WHiP.  He has allowed 98 hits and fanned 77 batters in exactly 100 innings pitched.  He is the Yankees stopper; his forte is preventing losing streaks.  General manager Brian Cashman is under pressure to add another starting pitcher by the deadline, which is exactly why keeping C.C. fresh and in functioning order is in the Yankees best interest.

Otherwise, the Bronx Bombers are living up to their moniker leading the American League in home runs and team slugging en route to a stellar 62-33 record.  Yet, despite their best efforts they remain in second place 4.5 games back of the relentless Boston Red Sox who lead the circuit in total bases, team average, and runs scored.  There has never been a regular season in which both the Yankees and Red Sox each won 100 games.  After 115 years in the circuit together, this might finally be the one.  It's no wonder, then, why minions of the Evil Empire are up in arms faced with potentially having to play a one-game Wild Card playoff.

N.Y. Yankees: Bronx Bombers Go Boom

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Greg Bird Rounds Bases After Hitting Fourth Inning Home Run

GAME ONE FINAL

Red Sox    1

Yankees     8

New York Yankees: Bombers Earn Slim Percentage Points First Place Lead Over Red Sox.

I was in attendance for Friday night's series opener between the Boston Red Sox and Bronx Bombers, and can testify to the high voltage coursing through Yankee Stadium's veins.

Starter C.C. Sabathia set the tone early by retiring the Red Sox in order to start the game.

In the bottom of the second, the young Yanks inflicted early damage against Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez.  Batting fifth, second baseman Gleyber Torres led-off with a triple off the center field wall.  Next up, third baseman Miguel Andujar blooped a hit where they aint, driving home Torres with the game's first run.

The Yankees then flexed their muscle in the fourth.  After Giancarlo Stanton drew a lead-off walk, Didi Gregorious struck a double to deep center.  Stanton would soon score on a sac-fly by Gleyber Torres.  After which, Miguel Andujar deposited a Eduardo Rodriguez offering into the left field seats for a two-run home run.  Greg Bird made it back-to-back home runs with an opposite field launch to left giving the Yankees a 5-0 lead.

With one out and Greg Bird on first base in the bottom of the seventh, Aaron Judge hit his 21st home run of the season.  And in the eighth, Greg Bird capped off the scoring with his second home run of the game, giving the Yankees an 8-1 final margin of victory.

C.C. Sabathia pitched very well in earning his fifth victory of the season.  He threw 97 pitches through seven full innings pitched, with 62 (64%) going for strikes.  He limited the Red Sox to just one run on six hits and a walk, while fanning five.

Relievers Chad Green and Chasen Shreve each contributed an inning of no hit scoreless ball, with three strikeouts.

GAME TWO MATCH-UP

Chris Sale

vs.

Sonny Gray

C.C. Sabathia deals in second inning.

YANKEES MUSEUM

N.Y. Yankees: Brian Cashman Reclaims The High Ground

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

I Think We Need A Bigger Park

New York Yankees: Brian Cashman acquires outfield slugger Giancarlo Stanton along with $30 million dollars from Derek Jeter Miami Marlins in exchange for Starlin Castro, prospects, and a complimentary bag of NYC bagels.

I left off in my previous post saying ... 

Make no mistake.  The energy of the old Evil Empire is not dead.  

It is merely being transformed.  This is Brian Cashman's New Bronx Order.

😲

When you think about it, the Death Star Bronx County is indeed the logical landing spot, but only because Sith Lord Brian Cashman made it so.

Cashman had already started whittling down payroll since before Derek Jeter's retirement.  And as luck would have it, the Empire Yankees wound up being the lone team presently capable of absorbing Giancarlo's mega contract in which he is still owed $295 million dollars.

Derek Jeter's options were clearly limited due to Stanton's full no-trade clause, making it no wonder Jeter also kicked in $30 million as part of the trade agreement.

Even more amazing is the fact the Yankees are able to accommodate the balance of their $265 million obligation, and still satisfy Emperor Hal Steinbrenner's desire for being under the luxury tax.

Giancarlo Stanton, the 2017 National League MVP, batted .281 with a .376 OBP.  He led all of baseball with 59 home runs and 132 RBI, and led the National League with a .631 slugging average.

Aaron Judge, the 2017 American League Rookie of the Year, slashed .284/.422/.627, and led the A.L. with 52 home runs, 128 runs scored, 127 walks, drove in 114 runs, and finished second in voting for American League MVP.

Combined, they hit 111 home runs and posted 246 RBI in 2017 (with 371 strikeouts in 1,139 regular season at-bats for a rate of 32.5 percent.., just saying).

With a line-up also featuring Didi Gregorious, Gary Sanchez, Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, et al, you can forget about Mos Isley Cantina Coors Field, as Yankee Stadium suddenly becomes the nation's wretched hive of scum and villainy largest pinball machine.

Perhaps the Yankees should consider installing overhead netting in order to protect the Judge's Chamber and Bleacher Creatures, or at the very least make them all wear Storm Trooper helmets.

There's no denying Christmas arrived early for Yankee droids fans.  What an absolutely stunning off-season this has been for Yankees brass as well, between the hiring of new Imperial Guard field manager Aaron Boone, and now this.

But wait, there's more.  As Brian Cashman continues expressing his desire to rule the galaxy sign a starting pitcher, be it resigning C.C. Sabathia, or otherwise.

In fact, he foresees it.

Upon the conclusion of a whirlwind week in December, Brian Cashman has no doubt seized the attention of every member of the Senate general manager in baseball.  Every front office, field manager, Jedi, and player, from Los Angeles to Houston, Anaheim to Chicago, from Boston, and closer to home in Tatooine Queens, realize the Sith Yankees have once more altered the landscape of baseball.

R2 says the chances of A.L. East survival are 3,720 ... to one.

Here we go again.

N.Y. Yankees: Hal Steinbrenner Backs His General Manager

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

First stop ... Roosevelt Avenue, Queens

Next stop ... River Avenue, Bronx

SUBWAY SERIES

New York Yankees

vs.

New York Mets

Series tied 1-1

I - NYY 6; NYM 5*

II - NYM 7 ; NYY 1

Game Three @ BRONX

Game Four @ BRONX

*10 innings

New York Yankees: The dreams and hopes of a whole generation of seven year olds ... ruined.  But in time, they'll understand.

A famous New York football coach once said, "You are what your record says you are."

The New York Yankees entered this year's Subway Series with a par 52-52 record.

Meanwhile, after posting a 15-7 record in April, the Mets have played below .500 baseball since.   There's hope, though.  After Sunday's victory over the Colorado Rockies, the Mets finished 13-13 for the month of July, and entered Monday's Subway Series opener with a 54-50 season record.

The teams, however, couldn't be headed in more opposite directions.  The Mets are struggling, but are nonetheless attempting to defend their National League title, while the Yankees have officially entered rebuilding mode.

Monday's numerous non-waiver trade deadline transactions confirmed that.

If you ask me, Hal Steinbrenner played this one correctly.  I began the season thinking Brian Cashman needed to be fired, and the only thing saving his employment was Hal's perceived lack of baseball experience on my part.

I still do not think Hal is prepared to move forward without Cashman, but having them operating on the same page of music trumps all ... to include Randy Levine.

*  *  *  The PHANTOM MENACE  *  *  *

The law of diminished returns caught up with the Yankees.  It happens.  But one must first recognize the situation for what it is.

It was indeed becoming painfully evident Randy Levine and Brian Cashman were on divergent paths with regards to the present state of the Yankees, and the club's future.  Now Cashman gets to be general manager, and do general manager stuff.  For a change, the Yankees will cultivate their own farm system instead of relying on 28 other team's developmental efforts.

He gets to rebuild a team a la Gene Michael, instead of just writing checks for other team's all-stars and jacking up YES ratings.

In fact, Brian Cashman has already done well to quietly reinvigorate a long dormant system.  The Yankees AAA affiliate (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders) presently owns the best record in the International League.  Their AA affiliate (Trenton Thunder) owns a 68-40 record, and their New York-Penn League affiliate (Staten Island Yankees) are just 1.5 games out of first place with a 24-19 record.

Then consider Cashman's transactions:

• Top relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller were traded to the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians, respectively, for a clutch of highly touted prospects.

• Carlos Beltran was traded to the Texas Rangers for likewise highly touted Dillon Tate, among others.

• Ivan Nova was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for ... it doesn't matter (two players to be named later is a steal). 

Then consider Mark Teixeira's contract will come off the books after this off-season, while C.C. Sabathia has a vested $25 million dollar option for next season with a $5 million dollar buyout which I fully expect the Yankees to explore.

Alex Rodriguez' contract will finally expire after the 2017 season, but I have a strong belief the Yankees just may eat that money too.

That leaves Jacoby Ellsbury's pact as the lone remaining albatross to resolve.

There's certainly something to be said for winning.  Brian Cashman doled out nearly a half billion dollars to purchase the 2009 World Series.  Well worth it for the Core Four - without a doubt.

The Yankees have been paying an onerous price ever since.

But there's good news.  Better days are not that far away.


Head-Butting Mr. Met is next...

N.Y. Yankees: BoSox Visit Bronx Aiming to Rub Salt in Bombers' Wounds

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Attention passengers. this train is presently being held up in the station due to sick Yankees fans.  Please be patient through this wait for help to arrive.  We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause.  If and when Hal Steinbrenner hires a qualified baseball person needed for searching out a new general manager for the team, we'll let you know.  

Otherwise, thank you for your patronage.  

That is all.

New York Yankees: Joe Girardi didn't flip the buffet table last week in Boston, opting instead for getting ejected from Thursday's latest lack-luster episode in Baltimore.

"Hey Joe, think about where you're going with that book in your hand.."

Sing to the music of Jimmy Hendrix ~ Hit it!

I'm not advocating Joe Girardi quit (because I do not think Brian Cashman would fire him), but if Hal does not start exerting greater power within his organization, i.e., over Brian Cashman, then  maybe Joe should con$ider an e$cape plan out of thi$ old Hou$e of continued idol wor$hip.

Just a though ... but obviously not practical.  The media would never let him live down quitting the Yankees before his contract expires after 2017 ~ key word being, Before!

*         *         *         *         *         *         *         *         *

Losing in extra innings is never pleasant, especially on the road and losing series after series against their division leading rivals (Orioles and Red Sox) in their ballparks - much less being firmly anchored in last place of the A.L. East.

Thursday night, the Yankees managed just 4 hits in 10 innings.  Their lead-off batter went 0 for 4 with no walks and a strikeout.  Their 3-4-5 hitters combined to go 1 for 11, with 3 strikeouts.  We all know who they are.  And lower down the batting order, the Yankees continue getting rarely seen hits from the once highly thought of Didi Gregorius.

Most teams (maybe even 29 other MLB member clubs) can usually shake off such an extra inning loss in May and just move on ... unless you're Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees, that is, where cost vs. production levels have never been more divergent over the previous two decades of Bronx County baseball than right now.

Last week, the on-field condition called for reactive measures as prescribed by David Cone and Ken Singleton during last Saturday's telecast against the Red Sox.  Problem is they wanted Joe Girardi to flip the buffet table.  That's fine, but in truth, Girardi is an innocent party to this all.  He is provided players of the general manager's choosing, then simply follows said general manager's bidding to the letter, as written in the Brian Cashman Binder of Baseball (bullpen maneuvering aside, because Joe is good at that).

After the Red Sox completed their series sweep of the Bombers last Sunday at Fenway, Dr. Frankenstein Brian Cashman rightfully took it upon himself to address the media with full intent of expressing his great displeasure regarding his team's monstrously poor play throughout the start to this season, and threatening them with potential changes if they do not get things turned around, and soon.

Shudder to think....

After Boston, the Yankees then moved on to Baltimore where they lost 2 of 3 games to the Orioles, and wound up placing both Alex Rodriguez on the disabled list for a pulled hamstring, and more recently C.C. Sabathia for a groin.  It's worth noting A-Rod wielded the lone productive bat against the Red Sox, with actual, genuine, meaningful home runs, while C.C. threw 7 strong innings against the Orioles.

Circling back ... if the Yankees performance was problematic last week, then what's this week's appropriate level of escalation.., dire?

Beaten and battered, the Bombers are back in the Bronx where, this time, they'll host the first place Boston Red Sox.  If you remember, it was Boston's sweep of the Yankees last weekend that propelled the Sawx into first place to begin with, then ensured the A.L East remains a tight race by bowing out in Baltimore.

Friday night, this vicious cycle potentially starts all over again.  Some might call that spiraling out of control.  I don't know...

But, all things are as they were then, only tonight Yankee fans get to see it in person.

Podcast: My Subway Series Preview with Yanks Go Yard

Ricky Keeler of 

YanksGoYard.com

invited me on their podcast to preview this weekend's

 SUBWAY SERIES

A complete breakdown of this weekend's pitching match-ups:

9/18 - Game One; Masahiro Tanaka vs. Steven Matz

9/19 - Game Two; Michael Pineda vs. Noah Syndergaard

9/20 - Game Three; C.C. Sabathia vs. Matt Harvey

Plus:

Am I surprised how the Mets pulled away in the N.L. East?

What has Yoenis Cespedes' impact been on the line-up, 

and does he deserve N.L. MVP consideration?

My assessment of the Matt Harvey situation, key players to watch this upcoming series, 

and my one major concern regarding the Mets potentially reaching the World Series.

Lastly, based on a scale of 1 to 10, 

the chances of these teams meeting again in the World Series...

Of course, I couldn't help but drag ownership into the conversation, 

this time for the right reasons.

Here's the (BlogTalkRadio) Link:

Yanks Go Yard: Subway Series Preview Show

Mets vs. Yankees


Thanks Ricky, had a blast!

N.Y. Mets ~ Resiliency Still No Equalizer Against Mets' Bullpen

From the desks of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and   BLAME CARLOS MAY

YANKEES WIN QUEENS SUBWAY SERIES 2-1

I  -  NYM 6; NYY 4

II  -  NYY 4; NYM 3

III  -  NYY 6; NYM 5

NEW YORK METS:  Bullpen Situation Becoming Critical.


In the opening game of the Roosevelt Avenue showdown, the Mets jumped on Andy Pettitte early and often, then held on for a win.  But in Game Two, the bullpen faltered, and the Mets let one get away.  The feature match-up between C.C. Sabathia and R.A. Dickey would decide the Queens stop of the Subway Series on Sunday night.


R.A. Dickey retired the Yankees on nine pitches to begin the game.  C.C. Sabathia retired the first two batters, then surrendered a single to David Wright.  That extended Wright's hitting streak to fourteen games.  David then stole second base.  When the throw down to second got away, Wright to advance to third.  But C.C. struck out Scott Hairston to end the inning.  However, the Mets made the Yankees ace throw twenty-three pitches.


Then the night took on the feeling of one of those games.  Right on cue, the game got away from both starters and into the bullpen they went.  The Yankees pulled away.  Then the Mets scrapped back.  But in the eighth, Miguel Batista surrendered a go-ahead home run to Robinson Cano.  Series over.  The Yankees win two games to one.


Miguel Batista threw one bad pitch Sunday.  But with this bullpen, it is still one pitch too many.  The Mets just can't continue to blow games like this.  Not if they plan on being a legitimate contender.  And therein lies the tipping point amongst Mets fans.


Indeed, the Mets bullpen strikes again.  Realistically speaking, where will the help come from?  And what team won't be looking for relief pitching at the trade deadline?  Right now, the only solution available for the Mets is Jenrry Mejia, who continues to work out of the bullpen in Buffalo.  It's only a matter of time now, before he's on the big club for good.


Just to be clear, I am against bringing Jenrry Mejia up this season.  In 2012, I am more interested in development than contending for a Wild Card.  But I can't speak for all Met fans.  But truth is, Jenrry has the most experience out of the young pitchers under consideration for promotion, and seems the logical choice to join the Mets' pen.  Apparently, his promotion was always part of the plan anyway.  Even then, like many roster moves the Mets have made recently, injury, or bare bottom necessity, have hastened the Mets' decisions.  Repeated implosions by the bullpen, will hasten Jenrry's promotion as well.


This season is still fun.  The last two games haven't shattered that for me, but they have certainly highlighted the Mets two most major flaws, their bullpen and defense.  Buffalo can help with the former, but in a limited capacity.  The defensive lapses in Chicago Monday night were somewhat foreshadowed by Coach Terry.  So it's best if the Mets just move on, and try again tomorrow.




Mike.BTB

SUBWAY SERIES II ~ Citi Field Showdown

From the desks of: 

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

The Battle For Bragging Rites

Fourth of July Weekend

SUBWAY SERIES

Bronx vs. Queens

New York Mets:  Stand Or Fall..

It's time for the Mets to play better at home.  The Flushing Fighters are back from a good road trip; an outstanding road trip.  And it's time for them to control their House.  This series has aligned itself nicely for the Mets to start tonight against the Yankees of all teams. 


July is upon us.  That means hard, cold decisions will have to be made before the month expires.  The Mets have avoided being broken up for at least two weeks now.  The clock is still ticking though.  In the mean time, they've seemingly done everything they can to convince the minds of those in the Front Office that this team is worth keeping together; if only for another three months.





So, Here's To Living In The Moment:

OK; - So we lost the last game to Detroit...  I promise you, this isn't me speaking in hind-sight; but Mike Pelfrey's style versus the Tiger line-up is a really bad match-up for the Mets.  I believe his start could have been worse. 


But the Mets have done well to get to this point.  After a loss, now we have to start the next two to three game burst of wins.  That's the way it needs to be done.  It's the way they've been getting it done.  They may have lost Thursday, but it was the Mets' third series win in a row against good teams.  Win two; lose one - that's manageable in the short term.  When you project that, it's fun to think of the possibilities.


From a Met point of view, the starting rotation couldn't have been set-up any better for this weekend's Subway Series against the Yankees.  Mike Pelfrey won't be facing the Yankees, which, for Met Fans, is a good thing.  And C.C. Sabathia will also miss the series as both pitchers threw on Thursday.  For Met Fans, not facing C.C. is also a good thing.


The Mets will have their three most consistent pitchers throwing against the Yankees.  Jon Niese; Dillon Gee; and R.A. Dickey will all take their turns at the visiting cross town rivals.  Those three must carry the Mets if they are to be carried at all.


I do think the Mets will rough up the Yankee pitchers they'll be starting against us this series.   Nova; Garcia; and Colon?   Bring it!   I'll take my chances against them any day. But it all goes back to the pitching.   The Mets starters, helped along the way with some timely hitting, must carry the club.


And Subway Series specific, it would be nice to jump out early against the Yankees' starters.   It's their bullpen I'm more concerned with.   I don't want to have to play catch-up against their reliever corps.  And YES! - I do have a realistic expectation for the Mets winning this series.


At the mid-point of the 2011 season, I think there's a distinct possibility the Mets recent surge in hitting is more indicative of the Mets being a well-adjusted bunch that has finally meshed, than just being a freakish and transient phenomenon and a team that will not be able to over-come the loss of Wright; Ike; (and Johan).  I stated the other day, there is something to be said for entering mid-season form.  Maybe the Mets are hitting their own personal stride, with the line-up they are working with.  This line-up has now been a relative constant for much of May and June.  That's a huge positive and maybe that's why they are hitting so well together lately.  Additionally, Terry Collins should be commended for his juggling act in handling catcher; third base; and first base.


Last season, the return of Carlos Beltran turned out to be more disruptive than the Mets bargained for.  Many of the call-ups and some of the remaining regulars found a zone together and rose as high as eleven games over .500 in July.  But I still believe as I did when he returned to the line-up last season, Carlos Beltran did more harm to the offensive chemistry than good.  In truth, it had nothing to do with Beltran.  The matter rested more as to what the line-up became in his absence and how they played once they were left for a time to gel.


With respect to Carlos Beltran this year, he's been busting it since Opening Day.  There is no issue with him today.  He's a 2011 constant.  My point merely was to point out, with the lengthy absence of Ike and Wright this season, the line-up has grown on one-another over that time.  They've adapted and have over-come the setbacks and the results are being displayed on the field and with their bats.  That's my feel.


The fact is the Mets have proven their ability to string together hits, and manufacture runs in the absence of the long ball.  They still had ten hits in their last loss to Detroit; seven against Verlander.  Detroit aside, they aren't dinking and dunking their way towards wins.  They're hitting the ball solidly and running the bases smartly.  They also have shown they can score late in games and mount comebacks.




This is shaping up to be one hell of series.  Both teams have an awful lot to play for.  For the Mets, they need to stay above .500; - not at, or falling below that level.  The Yankees are not without their problems, and no matter what they do, they'll never be able to shake the Red Sox.  Therefore, look forward to a tightly contested series.


I'm breaking out for the weekend, and this was my post for the series.


Let's Go Mets!!!

TONIGHT

THE N.Y.C. SUBWAY SERIES RESUMES

"Old School"

The Bronx Bombers

New York Yankees

vs.

The Flushing Fighters

NEW YORK METS

From the Willets Point Stop on the 7 Train

FLUSHING, NYC

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!

Have a safe and happy holiday everyone!

Mike.BTB

4x4 Yanks-Red Sox

The Starting Front Four of the Red Sox vs. the Yankees:
(eh..hem - allow me SoxNation)


Evil Empire

vs.

RedSoxNation

C.C. Sabathia
Josh Beckett

A.J. Burnett
John Lackey

Javier Vasquez
Jon Lester

Andy Pettitte
Dice-K Matsuzaka


The ACE - Both are aces. I give the edge to Beckett. Two rings to one. Both won rings with their present team. Beckett closed out the Yankees in 2003 with the Marlins. C.C. wasn't enough to get the Brewers to a W.S. Make your own call when he was in Cleveland. Fugeddabou'th stats. I think it's fair.

Two Spot - Burnett, when he's on, he's really on. When he's off, he's befuddling to watch. He's been a headcase with respect to his catchers, but NYC seems agreeable enough with him. Lackey is a bulldog and more consistent on a game to game basis. I watched A.J. throw his arms in the air after surrendering a HR and yelling aloud "Why did I throw that pitch?!", somewhat showing up his catcher Posada. We all watched Lackey yelling at his manager, "This is my game skip!" in the ALCS. What say you?
EDGE? It's close, almost a wash. It's Lackey by a nose.

Three Spot - Let's not waist too much time with this. Vasquez didn't do too well here, literally, since he went to the All-Star game for the Bombers in his first stint. Foolishly, they wanted Randy Johnson instead. He has improved somewhat since then. He has nice strikeout numbers since those days. But currently he's a really good aquisition for the Bombers, giving up Melkey and a bag of balls.
....(say this fast, for effect)> LesterIsBetterNuff'Ced!!!
Edge - Jon Lester.

Four Spot - Dice-K? Hmmmm. Tough call. Versus all Andy Pettitte has done, key word here being "has", it's Andy. C'mon SoxNation it's true, today. But what does Andy really have left. At least we think there is still a promising future for Dice-K. Don't we? Last year was a nice Swan Song for Andy. Is there anything left? Perhaps. Now-Now Yankee fans, if I pit Andy against Jon Lester instead of Vasquez, Andy looses to Lester. There's way too much ahead of Lester and Andy's career is in the rear view mirror. So, does it matter?

The Verdict - three rounds to one.....TheNATION has a better starting rotation than theEMPIRE. The Brooklyn Trolley Blogger has spoken.


P.S. What comes after the four spot is another matter. The Sox have Buchholz, while the Highlanders continue to mismanage Joba and Hughes, and seem about ready to delete Wang. Is Wakefield still able to flutter a knuckler or is he retired for good?

The Hot Stove is a-burnin' folks.