1235 replies to this topic

[jon abbey]

Fister vs. Nova, round 2. NY lineup will be the same, DET will move Kelly to 3B and Ordonez to RF, otherwise the same (I think).

Bullpens:

NY: everyone is available, it's CC's throw day, so he could maybe go an inning if needed. Rivera and Robertson are well rested, Hughes and Soriano also should be in fine shape.

DET: Leyland said again today that he will not use Verlander, everyone else should be fine. Benoit and Valverde are pretty well rested again.

NY has not been great at deciding games in recent years, but this is their first one since 2005 when they lost to the Angels. The last one they won involved a guy named Grady, it's been a while.

[jon abbey]

Runner-up thread title was 'All the Marbles':

[TheoShmeo]

C'mon, Detroit, go ahead and Fister.

[Wingack]

An appropriate song for tonight:



If the Yankees win tonight "Champagne Supernova" might be the backpage headline for the Post.

[Bucknahs Bum Ankle]

If the Yankees win tonight "Champagne Supernova" might be the backpage headline for the Post.

And if they lose it might be, "Agony of Da Fister".

[AMS25]

Ah, but what seems so sweet to some may give off a stench to others...... Yep, it's back to the Toilet.

[86spike]

Come on Fister, give em the ol':

[abty]

Yankees are home, a guy named fister is starting, Verlander is banned from pitching and a fresh Valverde will be eagerly awaiting a chance to put on more baserunners. Go Texas.

[Bucknahs Bum Ankle]

I love it that all the Yankees fans I work with are starting to get cocky again. The schadenfreude potential always rises with their confidence level.

[terrynever]

I love it that all the Yankees fans I work with are starting to get cocky again. The schadenfreude potential always rises with their confidence level.

How do they display their cockiness? Just curious. I used to work with a Yankees fan (now retired) in Pawtucket who would wear his apparel in the office during good times. But living in New England, I've learned to stay under the radar. No bumper stickers, no window decals, no smack talking in local bars when the games are on. That's a sure way to find a fight.

[Bucknahs Bum Ankle]

Just lots of talking it up, feeling good about tonight's game, etc. Same people who were conspicuously quiet all day Tuesday.

Edit: Of course where I work is closer to Yankees territory so they're not really putting themselves out there or anything.

Edited by Bucknahs Bum Ankle, 06 October 2011 - 11:02 AM.

[greek_gawd_of_walks]

V-Mart hits a go ahead, pop up homer in the 8th. But Valverde still pitches the ninth. He has to blow a save in this series, right? He's downright awful.

Best bet is Texas replicating the ALCS from last year.

[rembrat]

If the Yankees are going to win, I request that they score 8 in the 1st inning. That way I can get back to my Thursday lineup of shows. Thanks.

[Foulkey Reese]

So Verlander has to be available out of the pen, right?

[terrynever]

If the Yankees are going to win, I request that they score 8 in the 1st inning. That way I can get back to my Thursday lineup of shows. Thanks.

That's my idea of a perfect game. Big lead early, coast home. I hope to be watching The Mentalist by 10 p.m. tonight, in my fondest dreams, of course. Reality is, Nova struggles early, Yanks get to Fister, bullpens decide it. It's nice to have last ABs.

[brs3]

Let us rejoice, as today may be Yankee Elimination Day!

[terrynever]

Let us rejoice, as today may be Yankee Elimination Day!

What will you do for laughs if the Yankees win?

[Brickowski]

Reality is, Nova struggles early, Yanks get to Fister, bullpens decide it. It's nice to have last ABs.

Yes, they've seen Nova now and will be more prepared for what he throws. But Fister will also have to keep the ball in the park. The Yankees have more left-handed power than the Tigers do.

[Foulkey Reese]

This is sheer insanity.

Buster_ESPN Buster Olney
Verlander says he double-checked with Leyland today before throwing in the bullpen, to make sure he won't be needed to pitch today.

Buster Olney
Buster_ESPN Buster Olney
And Verlander's bullpen session, after long-tossing, lasted 56 pitches.

Buster_ESPN Buster Olney
Leyland was emphatic in telling Verlander no when the righthander asked about if he would be needed for relief today.

Edited by Foulkey Reese, 06 October 2011 - 02:39 PM.

[SemperFidelisSox]

Leyland isn't having a great series. All the failed bunt attempts, sticking with Avila and Betimit way too long, and now not even willing to use Verlander for an inning in a Game 5.

[Bucknahs Bum Ankle]

This is sheer insanity.

Wow! I hope this game goes 13 innings just to completely expose Leyland's idiocy over this.

[jon abbey]

Yeah, that's hard to understand, if he was going to throw a bullpen anyway.

[Foulkey Reese]

Even if you really want to stay away from him you can't have him emptying out the tank before the game starts. I can't remember a short series like this where I've thought less of the managerial decisions. If I was a Tigers fan I would want Leyland fired if they lose.

[jon abbey]

I can't remember a short series like this where I've thought less of the managerial decisions.

Ron Gardenhire is offended by this.

[johnmd20]

Ron Gardenhire is offended by this.

This decision seems worse than anything Ronnie did.

[yeomen]

If the Yankees are going to win, I request that they score 8 in the 1st inning. That way I can get back to my Thursday lineup of shows. Thanks.

Very Curious to hear what exactly these are.

[terrynever]

Put yourself in Leyland's shoes. Maybe he thinks he can win this game without Verlander. Then he has his ace perfectly lined up for the ALCS opener, which I imagine is Saturday night. Maybe he trusts his bullpen. It's possible he has been down this road with Verlander before and doesn't like to mess with his crown jewel of the franchise. If I'm the owner of the Tigers, I would agree with my manager.

As baseball fans, though, I can see how the decision might seem odd.

[rembrat]

Very Curious to hear what exactly these are.

8 Community
8:30 Parks & Rec
9 The Office
9:30 surfing web on phone
10 Jersey Shore
11 Its Always Sunny in Philly
11:30 The League (Archer when its back)

Then I'm pooped out.

[findguapo]

Jim Bowden is predicting the Yankees win... That makes Y.E.D. much more likely!

[abty]

The idea is that Verlander's arm is too valuable to risk. It's a move that focuses on his long term future. Leyland won't be short of time to think about his long term future after tonight. I will want to kill small furry things when Valverde fulfills his 'density' and George McFly's all over this beautiful lead they are destined to tease us with.

Edited by abty, 06 October 2011 - 04:32 PM.

[SemperFidelisSox]

The Tigers are 8-17 in their last 25 games with Ted Barrett behind the plate.

[InsideTheParker]

The idea is that Verlander's arm is too valuable to risk. It's a move that focuses on his long term future. Leyland won't be short of time to think about his long term future after tonight. I will want to kill small furry things when Valverde fulfills his 'density' and George McFly's all over this beautiful lead they are destined to tease us with.

I'm assuming the Ys win and that way I get to be pleasantly surprised if they don't. I recommend this approach.

[greek_gawd_of_walks]

When Leyland draws a line in the sand, he won't cross it, even if he can't remember why.

Leyland has had a rough series.

Edited by greek_gawd_of_walks, 06 October 2011 - 05:14 PM.

[rembrat]

I feel like a lot of people would have been killing Jim if he trotted out Verlander today. Either way a manager catches hell.

[TheoShmeo]

Even if you really want to stay away from him you can't have him emptying out the tank before the game starts. I can't remember a short series like this where I've thought less of the managerial decisions. If I was a Tigers fan I would want Leyland fired if they lose.

Is a 7-game series in October, 2003 a "short" series?

[AMS25]

If the Yankees are going to win, I request that they score 8 in the 1st inning. That way I can get back to my Thursday lineup of shows. Thanks.

If the Tigers are going to win, I request that they score 10 in the 1st inning. That way, I can go to bed at a reasonable hour and not worry too much about Valverde. (Must get up at 5:00 am for work.) I fell asleep last night, half-way through that mildly interesting Diamondbacks-Brewers game.

[Grunherz54]

Margin of victory for the Yankees' two wins = 15 runs
Margin of victory for the Tigers' two wins = 3 runs

Here's hoping for a 1960 World Series redux. Maybe Don Kelly will do The Maz...

[jon abbey]

Scherzer is Detroit's long guy tonight, he's on three days rest.

[Phranchise]

I feel like a lot of people would have been killing Jim if he trotted out Verlander today. Either way a manager catches hell.

Really? So why isn't anyone killing Girardi for saying CC IS available?

[Pandemonium67]

I'm assuming the Ys win and that way I get to be pleasantly surprised if they don't. I recommend this approach.

Sage advice. My other strategy will be to switch to the Oregon-Cal game on ESPN whenever the wanks get guys on base, so I don't have to see them score.

[jon abbey]

David Cone threw out the first pitch.

[rembrat]

Really? So why isn't anyone killing Girardi for saying CC IS available?

I think Verlander threw a bit more than CC last time out and because everyone here would probably welcome CC into this game given his last outing.

[greek_gawd_of_walks]

Be nice if Jackson didn't suck for a night.

[aichtal]

Struck him out twice.

[rembrat]

I swear to god watching hitters chase that mediocre slider in the dirt is pissing me off.

[jon abbey]

Leyland=genius.

[rembrat]

Like I said, mediocre slider.

[hikeeba]

In play, run(s)

[aichtal]

Nova thought they weren't going to swing at that stuff down the middle I guess.

[ThePrideofShiner]

Of course.

Get Hughes up.