1268 replies to this topic

[Kilgore A. Trout]

Soooo, it's open season for all other posters with regard to idiotic posts?

I hope so. Otherwise I am so screwed.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I knew I could count on you folks.

[E5 Yaz]

This pretty much clinches it:

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=4616770

[Mystic Merlin]

I blame this entire season on rembrat.

[5belongstoGeorge]

Here here. Let's try to keep the idiocy to a minimum folks, even if the unthinkable happens.

You're aware there are MFY fans posting here, aren't you?

Anyway, a poor outing by A.J. could effect his fragile psyche for years to come. We have that going for us, which is nice.

Edited by 5belongstoGeorge, 02 November 2009 - 02:46 PM.

[ocelittle]

Quick question...

Has any closer done their job against the Yankees this post season? I can't think of one game where the closer came in and shut them down in a save situation...

[Foulkey Reese]

Quick question...

Has any closer done their job against the Yankees this post season? I can't think of one game where the closer came in and shut them down in a save situation...

Nathan, Fuentes, and Lidge have all spit the bit. Add Papelbon to the mix and we've had a tough month with closers.

[E5 Yaz]

Nathan, Fuentes, and Lidge have all spit the bit. Add Papelbon to the mix and we've had a tough month with closers.

Street and Broxton as well

[The Smart Dope]

Add Ryan Franklin to the mix, although that was Holliday's blown save. It still counts, of course.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

All this just means Rivera's due to blow one....right?

[Foulkey Reese]

All this just means Rivera's due to blow one....right?

Hopefully three....

[Bada Bing]

I blame this entire season on rembrat.

With Messrs Henry and Epstein a close second.

[SemperFidelisSox]

So the Yankees are gonna have Gardner, Molina and the pitcher hitting 7-8-9?

Lee will strike out 14.

[cheesypoofs]

This pretty much clinches it:

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=4616770

In his heart, Jimmy Rollins believes.

[I am an Idiot]

Throw us a bone, Clifford.

[jon abbey]

Not only am I guaranteeing a Philly win tonight, I am also starting the following game threads, bitch!

This series might have turned out totally differently if you'd taken the ball for game 2 as I requested then, PUSSY.

[jon abbey]

Quick question...

Has any closer done their job against the Yankees this post season? I can't think of one game where the closer came in and shut them down in a save situation...

Fuentes got a save in game 5 of the ALCS in a one run game. He actually had a nice postseason besides the terrible two strike pitch to A-Rod, that was the only hit he allowed in five appearances.

[Bada Bing]

Fuentes got a save in game 5 of the ALCS in a one run game. He actually had a nice postseason besides the terrible two strike pitch to A-Rod, that was the only hit he allowed in five appearances.

That homerun is on Mr. Scioscia. As it's been well documented the Yankees had AAA hitters behind Rodriguez.

[SemperFidelisSox]

I'm looking forward to seeing Steinbrenner accept the trophy from Selig after they win just to see what he says or does. Will he try to eat it? Call Bud Selig 'Mommy'? Die right on the spot? Get your DVR ready.

[jon abbey]

I'm looking forward to seeing Steinbrenner accept the trophy from Selig after they win just to see what he says or does. Will he try to eat it? Call Bud Selig 'Mommy'? Die right on the spot? Get your DVR ready.

Pretty sure it would be Hal, not George.

[brs3]

If Burnett implodes..is Andy in game 6 on 3 days rest? CC in game 7 on 3 days rest?

[jon abbey]

If Burnett implodes..is Andy in game 6 on 3 days rest? CC in game 7 on 3 days rest?

Yep and yep. Still hoping Girardi will reconsider, even though there's virtually no chance of that.

[God's Cop]

If Burnett implodes..is Andy in game 6 on 3 days rest? CC in game 7 on 3 days rest?

Indeed.

[brs3]

I hope Burnett implodes.

He won't...but wouldn't it be something if he imploded early, and the bullpen gets torn up as well. Would give the Phils at least a little momentum going back to the Bronx.

This is why I hate baseball. I get my hopes up, just to see them dashed.

[cheesypoofs]

Pretty sure it would be Hal, not George.

Has Hank been seen at all this PS? Hal and the daughters have been very visible but as far as I can see, Hank's been MIA like Rosemary from a Kennedy Christmas card. Not that I'm complaining, mind - just wondering.

[Bada Bing]

Essentialy the Yankees have won a world series with 4 pitchers. The 3 starters and Rivera.

[futureman]

Cliff Lee is about 40 IP over his previous career high. Hopefully that catches up to him tonight.

[Spacemans Bong]

Essentialy the Yankees have won a world series with 4 pitchers. The 3 starters and Rivera.

This is a good rule of thumb for future postseason managers. AVOID USING YOUR SHITTY PITCHERS. It's astonishing how Grady II over on the other side is trying to find ways to work Brad Lidge and Joe Blanton into the World Series while Girardi is showing how it's done, trying to maximize the number of innings his actually good pitchers throw.

[luckysox]

I'm not ready for the gray cold of winter, indoor sports or men with full pads on trying to kill each other and calling it sport. Help me Obi Wan LeeNobi, you're my only hope.

[jon abbey]

This is a good rule of thumb for future postseason managers. AVOID USING YOUR SHITTY PITCHERS. It's astonishing how Grady II over on the other side is trying to find ways to work Brad Lidge and Joe Blanton into the World Series while Girardi is showing how it's done, trying to maximize the number of innings his actually good pitchers throw.

Of course, the question is what kind of effect does that have on them in subsequent years. I'm not sure this will be a big issue for NY, but I definitely think it was one for Cole Hamels this year, as an example.

[SemperFidelisSox]

Essentialy the Yankees have won a world series with 4 pitchers. The 3 starters and Rivera.

I think you need a great bullpen to get to the postseason, but I don't think you necessarily need one to win a championship once you're there. A great closer and power arms in the rotation that can go deep into games and on short rest is really all you need in most cases, as the Yankees have proved during this run.

[luckysox]

Think AProd will get hit tonight?

Edited by luckysox, 02 November 2009 - 04:20 PM.

[Bada Bing]

I think you need a great bullpen to get to the postseason, but I don't think you necessarily need one to win a championship once you're there. A great closer and power arms in the rotation that can go deep into games and on short rest is really all you need in most cases, as the Yankees have proved during this run.

I agree with your premise. Although this Phillies bullpen was awful the entire season and they got to a world series.

I think Spacemans point is a valid one, once you get to the post-season, don't try and get too cute, use your horses.

[curly2]

Of course, the question is what kind of effect does that have on them in subsequent years. I'm not sure this will be a big issue for NY, but I definitely think it was one for Cole Hamels this year, as an example.

Keith Foulke is Exhibit A on that, although every Red Sox fan will tell you it's worth it.

Having said that, when Rivera throws as few pitches as he does, I don't understand why they don't use him more. Chances are they would be going for No. 28 tonight and not No. 27 if Torre had pitched him in a tie on the road in Game 4 in 2003, instead of using Jeff Weaver, who had a 5.99 ERA and hadn't pitched at all in the postseason up to then.

With the chance to take a 3-1 lead on a young team that might have given up after that and had already used his own closer, you let Rivera throw two scoreless innings on 24 pitches or so and give your team a chance to win it. Instead Torre wouldn't violate By The Book Rule No. 1 that your closer can't pitch in a tie on the road.

[PawsnSox]

Not to nitpick, but after the performance he treated us to earlier in the series, he deserves to be called by his correct name (silly though it may be):


Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee

Really -- would a Clifford have made the behind the back catch?

[God's Cop]

Jeter
Damon
Tex
Centaur
Swisher
Cano
Gardner
Molina
Burnett

[The Smart Dope]

Jeter
Damon
Tex
Centaur
Swisher
Cano
Gardner
Molina
Burnett

We're going back to New York; what an atrocity the lineup is. But, hey, you know; lightning could always strike, and somehow the Yankees would win tonight. That would be the best example known to baseball of AL/NL disparity, if it happens. I see no reason it happens, though. That would be the epic fail of all epic fails. Cliff Lee is going to have a field day.

Who wants to start Wednesday's game thread?

[brs3]

We're going back to New York; what an atrocity the lineup is. But, hey, you know; lightning could always strike, and somehow the Yankees would win tonight. That would be the best example known to baseball of AL/NL disparity, if it happens. I see no reason it happens, though. That would be the epic fail of all epic fails. Cliff Lee is going to have a field day.

Who wants to start Wednesday's game thread?

I don't think this world series is a good example of the disparity at all between AL/NL teams. Both teams have had good pitching, timely hitting, and players capitalizing on errors by the other team. The MFY obviously have figured out the lineup(at least Ryan Howard), but if the MFY win this game, I could see it being due to continued sloppy play by the Phillies, which isn't a definitive example of AL/NL comparisons, IMO.

[Al Zarilla]

Keith Foulke is Exhibit A on that, although every Red Sox fan will tell you it's worth it.

Having said that, when Rivera throws as few pitches as he does, I don't understand why they don't use him more. Chances are they would be going for No. 28 tonight and not No. 27 if Torre had pitched him in a tie on the road in Game 4 in 2003, instead of using Jeff Weaver, who had a 5.99 ERA and hadn't pitched at all in the postseason up to then.

With the chance to take a 3-1 lead on a young team that might have given up after that and had already used his own closer, you let Rivera throw two scoreless innings on 24 pitches or so and give your team a chance to win it. Instead Torre wouldn't violate By The Book Rule No. 1 that your closer can't pitch in a tie on the road.

Rivera threw 39 pitches in last Thursday's game. He's just a freak. Never has one player in any sport done so much with, don't want to say so little, so how about with so few weapons.

[Hello]

I'm very much ok with Burnett pitching on short rest. The Yankees may still lose against Lee, but I think Burnett on short rest is the Yankees best chance of a win tonight.

I think using Gaudin would be a "oh we don't care about this game, so just hit against this dude" kind of move. I'd rather avoid that.

[The Smart Dope]

I don't think this world series is a good example of the disparity at all between AL/NL teams.

Neither do I. I was unclear. I meant to say that if the Phillies lose tonight, specifically, against tonight's Yankee lineup, it might be a good example of AL vs. NL. I mean, really, if Lee loses to what the Yanks are putting out there tonight, just wow. It could be sloppy play or the Philly bullpen, but, I'm talking extremely specifically: If the Yankees lineup, as it stands now, does well enough to win against Lee tonight, and Lee alone. Then, I feel, it is a good example of AL/NL quality.

Edited by The Smart Dope, 02 November 2009 - 05:37 PM.

[brs3]

<br />Neither do I. I was unclear. I meant to say that if the Phillies lose tonight, specifically, against tonight's Yankee lineup, it might be a good example of AL vs. NL. I mean, really, if Lee loses to what the Yanks are putting out there tonight, just wow. It could be sloppy play or the Philly bullpen, but, I'm talking extremely specifically: If the Yankees lineup, as it stands now, does well enough to win against Lee tonight, and Lee alone. Then, I feel, it is a good example of AL/NL quality.<br />

Taken into context with Lee's last start, I don't think it's going to stack up well. A good lineup in an AL park gets shut down, but a shitty lineup in an NL park is a good example? I don't think so.

Edited by brs3, 02 November 2009 - 05:44 PM.

[jon abbey]

Yankees have asked MLB if they can replace Melky on the roster, they expect an answer by 6 PM. Having Cervelli available would give them more flexibility replacing Molina tonight, but on the other hand, they might want Pena or Guzman so they could PH for Gardner if necessary (otherwise it's Damon or Swisher in CF, yikes). Can Hairston play CF?

[jon abbey]

Pena replaces Melky.

[The Smart Dope]

Can Hairston play CF?

Yes- 5 games this year, with a SSS UZR of -0.9. Granted, only 32 innings logged there this year, but, if need be, I'm glad to say that he can.

[BucketOBalls]

This is a good rule of thumb for future postseason managers. AVOID USING YOUR SHITTY PITCHERS. It's astonishing how Grady II over on the other side is trying to find ways to work Brad Lidge and Joe Blanton into the World Series while Girardi is showing how it's done, trying to maximize the number of innings his actually good pitchers throw.

Of course there is plenty of times using guys on short rest has come back to bit a manager also. You just need to know the guys involved. Lee has never pitched on short rest in his ML career. I can understand not wanting to make the experiment now. (And it's not like Blanton was the problem. )


Oh course, there is no sane reason to stick Brad Lidge in a WS game unless you had already used every other pitcher available. And that might include position players. At least he won't be available tonight.

Edited by BucketOBalls, 02 November 2009 - 05:51 PM.

[SemperFidelisSox]

I think you'll see about 30% effort from the Yankees tonight.

[jon abbey]

I think you'll see about 30% effort from the Yankees tonight.

I disagree, they're trying to end it now with Burnett going. They might get stomped, but I don't think it'd be because they let down.

[SemperFidelisSox]

I disagree, they're trying to end it now with Burnett going. They might get stomped, but I don't think it'd be because they let down.

I can see them packing it in early if Lee is on and they fall behind.

[E5 Yaz]

Essentialy the Yankees have won a world series with 4 pitchers. The 3 starters and Rivera.

This isn't unheard of; it goes against recent trends, but it's not unusual