New York Yankees Series Recap #4 (vs Indians)

Yankees tie series 2-2

The first ever series at the New Yankee Stadium, and the Yankees just barely squeak by with a draw. They blew the first game in the late innings, got rocked in game three, but pulled out two character wins in the even games of this series. Chien-Ming Wang was blasted by the Indians in game three (third time in as many starts), and was then blasted by Johnny Damon in the press afterward. He didn’t question Wang’s ability to try, but he sure wasn’t nice about the facts. Wang has lost three games for the Yankees, made the bullpen’s lives harder, and the team cannot go on with such performances every five days.

Game one felt great at first for Yankees fans. Paul O’neil in the booth, Bernie Williams playing guitar on the field, Babe Ruth’s bat being passed around the team’s dug out, and even a Yankee with the first homerun in the stadium’s young history. Once Joes Veras entered the game, and to a worse extent Damaso Marte, they just gave the entire game away in the seventh. Veras has been inconsistent so far this season, in fact everyone in the bullpen has been shady at some point in 2009, but I expect more from players during the grand opening of the new Yankee Stadium. Jorge brought his A-game, where was everyone else?

Game two wasn’t exactly a dominant performance from the Yankees, but they manage five homeruns (all solo shots), and one of which was a game winner by the Captain, Derek Jeter. That game was exciting until the end, and it was the first win by the Yankees in their new home ball park, rightfully saved by the “Right hand of God” Mariano Rivera. It was nice to hear “Enter Sandman” for the first time at the new stadium, and it all worked out, despite giving up two hits. When a team hits five home runs, you rarely see a score as low as 6-5, but that’s how it shook out on Friday.

Saturday’s game was probably a mess, but I missed the beginning due to the New York Rangers second playoff game (2-0). By the time I had a chance to turn the game on, Wang was pulled already, and I wasn’t going to let the 12th game of a 162 game season ruin my playoff celebration. Yes, Wang is sucking, but I don’t need to listen to Joe Buck and Tim McCarver to find that out. I hope all the Yankee haters out there got their fill with this ridiculous game three loss because I doubt we’ll be seeing many more. Perhaps Wang needs to be sent down to work his mechanics out, and the Yankees can bring Phil Hughes up while we wait that out.

Hot

Getting it going…

Mark Teixeria: Received a shot to numb the pain in his injured wrist, and has nothing but good things to show for it. He hit multiple homeruns, and has an RBI in every game since his shot (prior to game 2 of this series). Not only that, but he mad a tremendous play at first base in today’s game on a shot from Victor Martinez. Best play I’ve seen a Yankees player make at first base since the championship years with Tino Martinez.

Nick Swisher: Dude has reached base in literally every single Yankees game this season. What more do I have to say? He started the rally that busted the Yankees game wide open in the finale with double after going 0-3 on the day.

Robinson Cano: Batting a ridiculous .388, which is a far cry from where he was at this time last season, Robinson is doing his best to help carry the offense until A-rod returns. He’s been solid at second, turning some nice double plays, and overall being just as consistent as Jeter is on the left side. When his confidence is up he’s a hard out, so let’s hope this carries throughout the season.

Brian Bruney: Since his first appearance he’s been lights out. He’s definitely the current set-up man to Mariano Rivera, and this is the second straight season he’s look great to start the year. Let’s hope no year ending injury comes up to bite Bruney like it did last year. It’s crazy how much weight he’s lost over the last two seasons, dude used to look like Moes Manuel from HBO’s Deadwood.

Pruitt Taylor Vince, who I think Bruney used to resemble

NOT

Chien-Ming Wang: 0-3 with a 34.50 ERA. It’s going to take at least 4 complete scoreless games for him to bring his ERA anywhere near respectability. Still could bounce back, but it’s not looking great.

Way to point out the obvious…

Johnny Damon: Dude’s arm is the reason game 2 was as close as it was, and now he’s talking jive about another Yankee? How about you don’t throw like a seven year old girl, and focus on that, instead of other people’s problems? Also, if you’re going to talk shit, you better not go 0-3 the next day, which Johnny Damon did. STFU and play baseball douche.

Yankees Series W/L/D Record: 2-1-1

By the way, I feel like a bigot having to put Indians into my title… Change your racist ways American sports… I’m looking at you Indians, Redskins, and to a much lesser extent, Braves.

Yankees Series Recap #3 (@Rays) and The New York Rangers Win Game 1

Best Shortstop ever?

Yankees Win Series 2-1

Where to begin? I guess with game one. Wang was shelled, the whole team looked flat, and Nick Swisher struck someone out. Swisher has played practically every single position on the Yankees already, and they’re only nine games into the seasons. He’s a mad man, dives for balls, cracks himself up, and does work every chance he gets, a true Yankee. Jason Giambi should watch tape of the last nine games to see what Swisher has that he doesn’t, which is apparently a lot.

Game two saw A.J. Burnett pitching eight innings, but giving up hits in only one of those innings, and winning the ball game. He struck out nine, and two of which were Evan Longoria, who stuck out a third time again Brian Bruney. Bruney threw ten pitches in the bottom of the ninth inning, and came away with three strike outs. That’s what I call doing work. Jeter hit a big ninth inning homerun to increase the game between the two teams, and gave Mariano Rivera an extra day off by doing so.

Game three was pretty much another pitcher’s duel. Andy P brought another great game (7.1 innings), but sadly didn’t get the win. The Yankees on the other hand did get the win, on another ninth inning hit from Derek Jeter. He’s been on his game this season, and already has seven rbi’s. The best part about Jeter is that he can be the leadoff man, the guy in the two hole, basically anywhere in the batting order, and he’ll produce. He’s been my favorite athlete since 1996, and he just keeps on amazing me. Can’t wait to see this lineup when A-rod comes back.

The Yankees finally have the starting pitching to compliment their bullpen, and they’re getting timely hits. I know it’s only nine games into the season, but they’re already proving to be a much improved team. I can’t wait to see them open the new stadium tomorrow against Cleavland. Cliff Lee (0-2) will be starting, and hopefully he doesn’t get it going until after he plays NYY.

HOT

9 strikeouts in 8 innings

Derek Jeter, Brian Bruney, A. J. Burnett, Mariano Rivera, Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano, etc: Winning this series was a team effort, so I don’t want to even break it down player by player this time. Even Cody Ransom did some good with his hit in the 9th inning of today’s game.

NOT

Chien-Ming Wang: 0-2? I’m not worried about it, you shouldn’t be worried about it…

New York Yankees Series W/L Record: 2-1

Alex Ovechkin isn’t the only one who can celebrate excessively

New York Rangers open the Playoffs with a win in Washington: Chris Drury didn’t play, Sean Avery stuffed Mike Green into the bench area, Ryan Callahan was everywhere (hit two posts, and knocked Ovechkin on his ass), and the King showed why I have the utmost confidence in this team. The Rangers took the Capitals best game, and came away with a victory on the road without their captain. If that doesn’t boost their confidence, nothing will.

Game two is on Saturday, and I hope the Rangers don’t let up a bit. They skated until they were all too tired to skate anymore, and that’s exactly why the NHL puts rest days between games. I love Torts’ system, and his high pressure mentality. I’d also like to say the Scott Gomez played his best period as a New York Ranger in the second period of this game. He was shooting from everywhere, maintaining puck control, and I can swear I even saw him throw the body once.

Great game, can’t wait until Saturday!

Yankees Series Recap #2 (@Royals)

Yankees win series 2-1

Over-management cost the Yankees a sweep in this series. Sure, maybe Tex is injured (maybe), Jorge needed a rest, and Johnny Damon hasn’t been much of a factor either way, but under no circumstances should Phil Coke ever inherit a runner in an 8th inning during a 1-run ballgame. NEVER! Joe Girardi f’d up, and while I’m sure Joe G would admit that, I’m still posting it as a fact in my mind. Coke has been the worst part of the bullpen in this short year, and I don’t care if you perhaps want to give him a confidence boost by showing him you trust his stuff in this situation. This isn’t the Florida Marlins, and the Yankees play to win every game. Learn that now because Torre knew this from the get go, and that’s why he had a bullpen of three guys with about 100 appearances each. If it works, keep it going.

The rest of the series was rather pleasant from a Yankees standpoint. Andy Pettitte went seven innings in game one, gave up a mere three hits, and 1 run on a 2b by Mike Jacobs. The Yankees scored four times that game, and Mariano “Mo” Rivera achieved his first save in his second appearance, but first save opportunity. Derek Jeter didn’t have a hit, but grounded out for an RBI, and stole two bases with his thirty-seven year old legs. I still think he’s going to end of being the Chris Chelios of Baseball, by going well into his forties, but maintaining a high level of quality play.

It’s nice having multiple lefties again

Game two saw the pitching performance we’d all expected from C. C. Sabathia, which saw the Hefty Lefty achieve his first strikeout of the season against Kansas City’s lead-off batter (that cereal named guy). Sabathia found his way two outs into the eighth before Joe Girardi pulled him. He could have gone the distance, but Joe Girardi likes to have something to do, so he went to the bullpen. Mark Teixeira sat out his first game as a Yankee with a wrist injury (missed game three also). This wasn’t a factor due to Nick Swisher’s hot bat, quality glove, and overall charisma that he’s been supplying the team with this young season. Jose Veras finished the job on the mound, and the Yankees were above .500 for a handful of hours.

HOT

Yankees Pitching Staff (sans Phil Coke): Three starting performances that I’d take under any circumstances, a bullpen who was going strong for 5+ innings of work in the series, until Jose Vera was pulled five pitches into his Easter appearance. I’m still in awe of C. C.’s performance on Saturday, that’s the kind of pitching championships are made of. He and Andy P both managed six strikeouts against the Royals, Joba had five. I’m hoping for a bounce back performance from the Wanger (Chien-Ming Wang) against the Rays tomorrow.

Swisher and Nady (who has a hit in all 5 games he’s played)

Nick Swisher: Had an OBP of at least .545 in all three games against Kansas City. He also added four RBI in the first two games, and touched home in all three games (3 times in game 2). He makes the pick at first, and is seemingly comfortable in every position they put him in. Swisher may end up being the steal of free agency, and he’s the only player whose contract I haven’t heard any of the haters complain about. Go figure. Every World Series team needs a Tino Martinez or Paul O’Neil, and Swisher seems to be able to fill in as either whenever necessary.

Jorge Posada: I questioned his plate work in the first series on the Mykey and Ghost Show on Friday, and Jorge came back in a big way. He called the best two games of the season so far, and most importantly C. C.’s 2nd, and most majestic start. Jorge also contributed five RBI in his two games against Kansas City. The roles have been reversed for Jorge and Jose Molina in regards to series 1 and 2, but I feel the Yankees got three solid games behind the plate this go around (instead of the 1 in Baltimore).

Step Your Game Up

Phil Coke? Really Joe G?

Joe Girardi: I’ve already said most of my piece on this, but I just want to make sure everyone knows I mean it. Last year everyone let Joe G slide for his lackluster team performance, but if he doesn’t make the playoffs this year, he’s done. Also, if you keep making moves like that you’ll always be Joe G instead of just Joe, like Torre was.

Cody Ransom: Again you’re here? Zero hits in the Kansas City series (only 1 all season). The rest of the team is making things happen, but Cody Ransom is like a blank spot on a Mad Lib. Guess it won’t matter if A-rod returns before the end of April. Will Yankees Stadium boo Cody on opening day? All signs point to yes. If he kills himself a (Devil) Ray or two on this fisihing trip to Tampa, all will be forgiven.

Phil Coke: You ruined Easter.

Yankees 2009 Series W/L Record: 1-1

Yankees Series Recap #1 (@Orioles)

Yankees lose series 2-1

New York Yankees:I believe a game by game analysis is a little tedious for the 162 game baseball season, so I’m going to try a format of series recaps instead. I’m sure some games will warrant a post on their own, but for the most part, this is what I’m going to try to go with for the rest of the season.

The Yankees started the series of sluggish (to say the least), and ended up scoring more runs in game three (11) than they had the first two games combined (10). Starting pitching was certainly a weakness the first two go arounds, but the lack of timely offense was just as big of a problem. In game three the tables turned in a big way, and the NYY lived up to their spring training dominance. A.J. Burnett went into the sixth (5.1 innings), which is further than the last two starters, and gave up only two runs on seven hits. Wang and C.C. only gave up nine and eight hits, respectively, but the damage was much worse on the scoreboard. Bases on balls were the undoing the first two days of the season, but today Burnett only gave up one such case. Great game from him.

The Yankees’ relief was top notch in this series, giving up 4 runs in 11.2 innings of work, all of which were conceded in game one. Bruney may not be the best set up man, but if his early 2008 were any indication, I’ll be satisfied with his work in the long run. It was also nice seeing Mariano Rivera dominate in his one inning of work, since he wasn’t exactly lights out in non-save situations last season. He’s still my favorite player to watch throw a baseball, so sneaking him into the last inning of the first series of they year is something I appreciate a great deal. Thanks Joe (Girardi)!

Despite my constant bickering about his play, Xavier Nady is one of only two Yankees players with a hit in every game this season, the other being Robinson Cano. Perhaps I give him a hard time because he’s wearing my favorite number (22), but I just don’t have any faith in his defense, at all. Nick Swisher, who seems to be the most energetic Yankee this season, is someone I could see taking over right field at some point this season. Teixeira bounced back today, after a couple poor performances at the plate, and gave the Yankees the lead with his 4th inning home-run. The book on him says he’s a slow starter, but I’ll take a two-run homer every three games with a big fat smile on my face. It would add up to 54 jacks, if he kept such a pace.

Now to take a look at the players who had the best and worst of this series…

Hot

1. Derek Jeter: Batting .385 (even after going 0-4 in game 3), he’s certainly taking the lead-off job, and making the best of it. Can’t wait to see more of this experiment.

2. Nick Swisher: He’s reached base as a pinch hitter in the first two games (2b in game 1, and BB in game 2), and went 3/5 with 5 rbi’s in his first game as a New York Yankees starter. His also an interesting personality, and one to surely watch out for as the season progresses.

3. Robinson Cano: After a sluggish first half in 2008, it’s nice to see Robinson Cano coming out with a vengeance in this first series. He’s already got three walks in this young season, and that’s supposed to be his weakness. An OBP of .643, and a batting average of .545 are numbers I couldn’t have even dreamed up for the second baseman in this series. Hopefully he can maintain some of this heat for the rest of the way.

4. A.J. Burnett: Averaging more than a strikeout per inning is exactly the kind of thing you want to see, and Burnett didn’t disappoint with six in 5.1 innings. Not giving up multiple freebies is something to be proud of, especially after the last two starters walked eight combined. Can’t wait to see more of him in a Yankees uniform.

5. Jose Veras: Two innings pitched over the last two games, zero hits/walks/bases/runs allowed, and two strikeouts. He was great the majority of last season, and I expect a lot of the same from him this season.

Step Your Game Up

1. C.C. Sabathia: Not one strikeout to go with his atrocious numbers in game one this season.

2. Chien-Ming Wang: Started game two with a groundball out, and then left the ball up the rest of the way. The ball seemed to reach the outfield more times in his game two start, than his first five starts last season. He’s also coming off surgery, so I’m expecting improvement as the season progresses.

3. Cody Ransom: Reached base twice this series (1 hit, 1 walk), and was rather forgettable in the field. For a guy with less than a month to make a case for himself as a utility player before A-Rod comes back, he doesn’t seem to be playing with any urgency.

4. Hideki Matsui: Someone I expected a lot more from. His opening day homer gave me hope, but he didn’t do much else in the first two games of the series. If you’re going to take a valuable roster spot on this team, you need to produce more than one hit in ten at-bats, especially when you’re Designated Hitter. That’s like being all-time quarterback in a pick-up football game, and throwing 9 interceptions to one touchdown. Unlike Teixeira, Matsui doesn’t have great defense to fall back on.

2009 Series W/L Record: 0-1

Wang Again

Chien-Ming Wang has first bullpen session since injury: What a difference having him all season would have made.  The Yankees truest ace. All that hype about DiceBB’s gyroball before coming to the states, and all that time Wang was throwin the real deal. His stuff moves at a high speed with a lot of torque, who doesn’t love it?

Phil Hughes, Doing Work:: .90 ERA in the AZ Fall league… That’s a step in the right direction.

I know I’ve promised season grades for all the Yankees, and they are still coming. Just a minor hitch with a friend who will be contributing to the article. Work swamps even the best of people. Hopefully the Rangers pull this game out against the Wings.