Back for the Attack!

Well, after a bit of a break as I was traveling for work (an unable to see every game… shucks) I have returned!  Not much time to catch you all up, so I really have to direct you to any of the blogs on my roll off to the right…  However, there are a few things that need to be mentioned:

Departures:  Both Brian Bruney and Jorge Posada are on the DL.  Bruney tore a ligament in his foot and will require surgery.  Jorgie’s shoulder isn’t healing the way it should…  He’s had an MRI, but it doesn’t show the reason he’s still ailing.  He’s arrived in Birmingham, AL for more tests today, and the Yankees will start without him on the roster for the first time 1996.  We’ll miss you, Jorgie – get well soon!

Arrivals:  With Moeller having been designated for assignment and not yet clearing waivers, Chris Stewart got the call to back up Molina.  He’s only played in 23 major league games, so he’s clearly untested, but let’s hope the luck we’ve had with back-ups carries on.  Jon Albaladejo, Chris Britton, and Shelley Duncan have joined him on the roster to fill up the team.

What I’ve missed:  Too much to list, but let’s go hope last nights 1-0 victory in a pitchers’ duel between Sabathia and Wang gives us the momentum needed to fight off the tribe tonight!

Game two, Yanks at Orioles

I’m trying to wrap my head around this line-up… GI Joe is 19 for 19 at starting the game with different line-ups.

Damon LF
Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Rodriguez DH
Posada 1B
Matsui RF
Ensberg 3B
Cano 2B
Molina C

The one at PeteAbe’s site had some typos, so I stole this from Larry at Replacement Level Yankees Weblog. Abreu and Giambi both get to start the game on the bench eatin’ sunflower seeds and BS-ing with the coaches and other pine-jockies. Good to see Molina behind the plate, though having him batting 9th almost doesn’t make sense considering he’s got a 9 game hitting streak in games he’s started.

Don’t hold out a lot of hope for live blogging as I’m still fiddling with my desktop to try and get it running at max performance. I’ll keep you updated on the important stuff, though.

Top o’ the first: Screwy start for the Yanks as Damon drew a walk but Melky lined one right to shortstop. Damon hustled back to the bag to beat the throw but tripped, fell off the bag, and was tagged out… Jeter followed with a three-bagger, A-Rod got an infield single to the pitcher but couldn’t score Jeter, then Posada grounded to short to end the inning.

Bottom half: Kennedy got into trouble (as he is wont to do in the first inning) by loading the bases on a single and two walks, but Melky bailed him out with a great catch in center to end the threat.

Bottom 2nd: Orioles score after a pair of one-out doubles, the second one up the line past Posada. Kennedy got a nice pick-off at second, but Roberts (who walked) stole second on a bad throw by Molina. Kennedy gets a strike out to end the inning. Kennedy’s throw 60 pitches through two innings.

Bottom 3rd: Kennedy gets a quick K but Millar’s solo homer makes it 2-0 Orioles. Two walks, pop out, and two RBI double later and it is 4-0 O’s. Girardi lifts IPK, Ohlendorf comes in. Frackitall.

Ohlendorf’s line looks like 3.1 IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, 1BB, 3Ks. Good outing but he got gassed at the end. Traber in relief now.

Traber pitched one inning and allowed a hit and a walk but no runs. Nice outing for Billy. Jobamania will take over in the bottom of the 8th.

First pitch from Joba: 98 mph and swing and a miss. Welcome back! Strike out swining, then ground out off of Joba’s foot (ouch, but nice play) before giving up a walk. Another strike out, inning over.

End of game: 6-0 Orioles.  Seriously, you can’t even score ONE *&^%$$@#$#% RUN?  Have you ever been in a relationship where the other person was just taking advantage of your forgiveness?  Welcome to 2008 Yankees baseball.

Red Sox at Yankees: Rivalry Game 4 Preview!

Your New York Yankees starting lineup:

Melky Cabrera CF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui LF
Jorge Posada DH
Jason Giambi 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Chad Moeller C

Damon will sit to allow Matsui and Cabrera to play outfield tonight and Posada to DH.  PeteAbe says Posada may be ready to catch tomorrow.  In some fantastic news from Nebraska (If you don’t love that state, you’re wrong), Harlan Chamberlain is doing “significantly better[!]“  No word on Joba’s return, but take your time, Joba – you know we’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready to come back.  No word on Molina, but Moeller will probably stick around until he’s 100%.

Can Wang repeat his amazing outing from last Friday?  Will Buchholz “buchhle” under the pressure?  Stay tuned for more!

Jackie Robinson Day! Yanks – Rays Deuce!

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Moeller C

Will be the Yankee lineup tonight. Live updates will be limited as I’m working on repairing my desktop and blogging / watching from my laptop. Or my work’s laptop. Whatever.

Andy Pettitte vs. Edwin Jackson! Pettitte had a good start last time and picked up a W against Kansas City last week, but he lost the duel to Jackson in New York in his first start. Jackson has been a great so far this season, 2-0 with a miniscule 0.64 ERA. Can the Yankee hitters keep up the fire, or will Jackson again douse their hopes to power out of the slump? Stay tuned as the quest continues!

Pregame info for Yanks at Rays

Line up looks different…

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Ensberg 1B
Cabrera CF
Moeller C
Gonzalez 2B

1-5 is back to normal, but there are some important changes.  Cano will take the night off to get his head right, which is a good move.  Take some time and relax, Robby, we’ll be here for you when you get back.  Gonzalez will start at second for his first time ever – could be interesting.  Moeller has come up from AAA to replaced Molina as a backup for Posada, who still isn’t throwing.  Jeter is healthy enough to play short, or so he says.  Chamberlain has been placed on the bereavement list and Albaladejo is also up from AAA.  Once again, get well soon, Harlan.  Speed seems to be the key for tonight’s game as pretty much everyone (Moeller being the exception) in the lineup has some ability on the basepath.  Let’s just hope they can get on.

Kennedy vs. Sonnanstine on the hill.  Kennedy is coming off of two non-stellar outings in cold weather while Sonny-boy has given up 4 runs in 6 innings both of his starts this season including against NY.  Ohlendorf will most likely not be available after throwing three innings last night.  The Tampa Ray Bay rotation doesn’t look so hot with both Kazmir and Garza on the DL, but the Yankees will still face Edwin Jackson tomorrow who is 2-0 with 1 ER in 14 IP.

YANKEES
Johnny Damon CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui LF
Jorge Posada DH
Jason Giambi 1B
Jose Molina C
Alberto Gonzalez SS

RED SOX
Jacoby Ellsbury LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
J.D. Drew RF
Manny Ramirez DH
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Sean Casey 1B
Jason Varitek C
Coco Crisp CF
Julio Lugo SS

Pitching:  Phil Hughes (RHP, 0-1, 5.00 ERA) vs. Dice-K (RHP, 2-0, 1.47 ERA)

The Phranchies’s first start against the Red Sox will come against Dice-K who has been red hot so far this season.  Notable lineup changes include Melky sitting, Cano moving back to the 2 spot, and David Ortiz sitting out for the Red Sox.  Manny will DH and Ellsbury will play left with Coco in center.  Sad to see the easy out sitting.  Weather will be cold tonight with temperatures dipping into the 30s.  Stick around for the live blog!

Yanks – Sox Game Two Preview

As we eagerly anticipate the start of the game, let’s take a look at the Yankee lineup (courtesy of Peter Abraham at LoHud Yankee’s Blog)

Johnny Damon LF
Melky Cabrera CF
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Jorge Posada DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Jose Molina C
Alberto Gonzalez SS

Cano bumped down to #7 with the return of Damon to lead off bumping Melky down to #2.  Matsui will take a break and the outfield returns to normal while Posada will DH and A-Rod settles back to the clean-up slot.  Jeter, as reported, will not start.

Moose has been beaten up by the Red Sox in the past but is coming off of a strong start against Tampa where he gave up only one run over 6.  New York has punished Beckett in the past as well, but he’s coming off of a rotten loss at Toronto where he gave up 5 in 4.2.  The Yankees also beat up on Boston’s bullpen last night while their own pen got a well deserved break as Wang took the whole game himself.  I have a feeling we’re in for another good match up tonight.

Into the Storm

Thoughts on last night’s game and thoughts about tonight’s game in this post.  First, out with the old – Girardi decided to shake things up with the lineup and give some players a rest headed into the big series this weekend as well as try to tip things in his favor against the lefty Bale.

Pettitte started and even with the 22 minute rain delay to disrupt his rhythm he threw a beauty.  One run and five hits in 6.2 innings before Joba-Mo-Let’s Go shut down the Royals to end the series.  Chamberlain put two on in the 8th before striking out Jose Guillen to get out of trouble.  Rivera came on in a non-save situation after the two home runs in the top of the inning made it 6-1 but still worked a scoreless 9th for his first non-save of the season.  So far we’ve been spoiled with solid pitching out of the bullpen (with a few exceptions).

The offense did in fact come through as a result of the shakeup.  In fact, the only Yankee to not get a hit was Cano, who at least reached on a walk.  The line-up shake-up included dropping Cano to seventh until he figures out which end of the bat to swing and putting Cabrera in the two hole, which paid off to the tune of a homer and an RBI base hit.  A-Rod moved up to third in the order and Posada hit clean up as the DH.  A-Rod worked a walk, drove in Damon on a fielder’s choice, and homered himself in for a pretty decent night.  Posada went 2-4 with a walk, single and a run, and a solo jack for his own well played evening.  Morgan Ensberg hit twice and scored, proving he can contribute more than just a glove to the game.  Bale is certainly not the toughest pitcher we’ve faced, but its always good to see that the offense can in fact win some games.

Tonight’s match up in Boston will be CMW vs. Clay Buchholz.  Buchholz has never faced the Yankees and had a mediocre debut against Toronto where he pitched 5 innings and gave up 4 runs, 3 earned but also struck out seven.  Wang has plenty of experience against Boston, but not all of it has been good.  The two powerhouses of the line up, Ramirez and Ortiz, are both hitting .500 or better against Wang with a pair of homers each.  Wang has worked on his slider and his change up instead of relying solely on his sinker to record outs since the last time he faced the Red Sox, so perhaps he can keep the hitters guessing.  So far this season he’s been absolutely electric, giving up two runs in 13 innings and holding batters to .208 against him. Also noteworthy:  Ortiz is batting an anemic .083 this season.

Red Cross Medical Watch:  Jeter will most likely not start tonight.  He’ll test his legs out around the bases to see how the quad feels before Girardi will let him back into the lineup.  Posada will test his shoulder with some long toss before the decision on him will be made.  He hit .341 vs. righties last season, giving him an edge over Matsui (.290) and Damon (.267) for the DH position if Giambi plays first and he’s not behind the plate.  There’s no reason to believe that Abreu will not be in the line up and in right.

The Red Sox are having some issues with injuries themselves, as Mike Lowell will sit out the series on the 15 day DL.  Youkilis moves from first to third and Sean Casey will handle first.  Reliever Mike Timlin is also out with a contusion on his right index finger.

With both teams coming off victories (Sox over Tigers 12-6 last night), which team will win the fight to keep the momentum?  Find out tonight at 7:05!

Thoughts on the Mud Bowl

More than the sky was cryin’ last night as the Yankees dropped to 4-5 on a rainy, 8 inning shutout thrown by Zack Greinke.  GI Joe played role-reversal with the bullpen and starting pitcher, figuring that the rain would shut the game down and Kennedy would only throw a few innings.  As it turned out, Kennedy only tossed 3 innings, giving up 2 runs but also striking out three.  His ERA looks more like a shoe size right now, but his control was better and he was throwing the strikes that eluded him in his last start.  He would have gone more than 3 innings had the weather not fouled things up for sure.

The real difficulty last night came from failure by the Yankees to see the ball, hit the ball, and run around the bases.  No Yankee base runner made it past second base and the Yankees grounded into 3 double plays.  They also left seven on base and failed to move Molina from second to third with no outs in the third.  Molina’s no speedster, obviously, but a grounder to the right side is all it takes.

Red Cross Medical Watch:  Jeter appears to still be on track for a Friday return, but Girardi will watch him closely.  “You have to be careful you don’t bring him back too early because you don’t want it to become a six-week injury,” said Joe G.  Posada’s MRI did not show anything more serious than a sprain, which will likely keep him from going on the DL.  Jorgie has never been on the DL in his major league career – quite a feat.  He’ll be available to swing the bat tonight but will probably not return behind the plate until this weekend.

With those two down, Alberto Gonzalez and Jose Molina will likely start tonight’s game – if there is indeed a game.  There’s a flood warning for the Kansas City area and tonight’s forecast doesn’t look promising.  “Scattered thunderstorms, some strong early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Storms may produce large hail and strong winds. Low 43F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60%,” according to weather.com.

If there is a game, Pettitte will try for his first win of the season after giving a decent if not sparkling effort in his first start.  Check back later for line-up and more good stuff!

Yanks – Rays IV: The Quest for a Tie

Yesterday’s 2-0 victory means the Yanks are hoping for a sister-kissin’ series tie in four games against the Tampa Ray Bays (or something like that).  Tonight’s pitching match-up:  Mike Mussina, who is 7-1, 1.96 against TB as a Yankee vs. Jason Hammel, 1-1 in four starts with a 6.41 ERA against New York.

Versus Hammel, the Yankees’ offense has done some damage in the past.  Damon (3 for 8 and a walk) and Abreu (3 for 9 plus 3 walks) have proven they can get on base and A-Rod’s proven he can drive them in (also 3 for 9 with two homers and 6 RBI).  Cano is also 3 for 8 with a dinger, and the rest of the order’s averages are pretty average against the right hander.

Moose has overpowered the Devil Rays in the past, but (as previously mentioned), the Devil-less Rays are almost a whole new ball club.  BJ Upton seems to have Mussina figured out; he’s 5-10 with a homer against the aged veteran.  Crawford has made Moose pay a few times, hitting .304 with two triples.  The rest of the line-up (those that have faced Moose, anyways) are a combined 13 for 75 (.173 for you math majors) with a bucket full of strike outs. Carlos Peña accounts for only two of those hits and 5 of the Ks.

No word on whether Giambi will be in the line-up tonight, but Duncan’s finishing up his suspension today and will be back in the mix tomorrow.  If Giambi’s out, the Yankee bench will consist of only Betemit or Ensberg (whoever doesn’t play first) and Molina.  Action starts at 7:05 on ESPN2 and YES!  Live blogging is likely, depending on how late I get out of work and get back from the gym.

Mike Mussina white-board watch:  “Joe’s back!  Hide the chicken wings!”