Encouraging signs

[jacksonianmarch]

I was impressed with last night's victory. Prior to the game, I thought we'd just smash this retread SP and get a good pitching performance from Sabathia to take it. Well, it didnt turn out that way. We got just enough off Tallet and Matsui got just enough on the ball from Carlson (pride of Berlin, CT). But regardless, after getting embarassed in our house, losing 5 straight, things are starting to look up.

 

Starting with the offense. NY is 8th in the bigs in runs scored, 8th in OBP, 2nd in SLG, and 4th in OPS. Well, ladi da right? Well, not exactly. Coming into this yr, there was significant concern over Swisher, Matsui, Cano, Melky and Posada returning to form. Well, all of them have to this point. Posada's OPS is .987, Swisher's is .949, Cabrera's is .911, Cano's is .848, and Matsui's is .822. Now, I dont expect them all to stay that high. But the fact that we are hitting so well without much contribution from Teixeira (.757) or ARod (.566) is telling. If we can keep some semblance of the production above when Tex and ARod start hitting like they know how, this team will be an offensive juggernaut.

 

Second, the starters have started to hit their stride, sans Hughes. I feel bad for Phil. He comes out, dominates, sets an expectation, then lays 2 eggs out there in a row. He is not ready yet, IMO and hopefully he just doesnt get killed out there tonight. Other than him, Pettitte, Burnett, CC, and Joba have all gone 6+ in their last start and over the last 5 starts from this quartet, they have gone 35.2IP. Thats impressive. If CC, Pettitte, and Burnett continue to spin 6-7+IP performances, this team will be in great shape. And with Wang rounding back into form and set for arrival in 6 days, this rotation is ready to give length.

 

Third, our bullpen is starting to round into a semblance of form, sort of. Mo is back to being Mo. Phil Coke has stepped in as the setup man. Aceves has stepped in as the long man. And Bruney has been throwing without pain. Thats about it. Alby, Edwar, Veras and Co. seem to continue to have trouble. If Marte and Bruney come back healthy, this bullpen has a chance to be solid. If not, then we'll need the starters to continue to give length, so the ball can be handed right to Coke or Mo. And right now, they have thrown 7.1IP of scoreless relief over the last 4 games, so maybe a semblance of hope is coming.

[ORS]

You got over your gag reflex a long time ago didn't you?

[TheKilo]

You got over your gag reflex a long time ago didn't you?

 

Bahahahaha

[Keeper]

You got over your gag reflex a long time ago didn't you?

 

[jacksonianmarch]

You got over your gag reflex a long time ago didn't you?

 

who's gagging now?

[yankees228]

who's gagging now?

 

Long way to go.

[Gom]

Anyone can win in the playoffs. We all know that.

 

The AL East race is finished. As it stands now, the Rangers are the favorite to win the wildcard in my mind. I think the Red Sox have a slight edge in talent, but the Rangers have by far the easier schedule.

[yankees228]

lol

[schillingouttheks]

who's gagging now?

 

You completely changed the way in which the gagging comment was used. Thus, insult failed.

[a700hitter]

Anyone can win in the playoffs. We all know that.

 

The AL East race is finished. As it stands now, the Rangers are the favorite to win the wildcard in my mind. I think the Red Sox have a slight edge in talent, but the Rangers have by far the easier schedule.

I guess you are praying for a return to the old days where the Yankees steamrolled an inferior Texas team in the playoffs. Don't count on it. We'll be there as the WC and the Yanks will have to go through the red Sox or the Angels to get to the World Series.

[Cocos Disciples]

lol indeed

[jacksonianmarch]

I guess you are praying for a return to the old days where the Yankees steamrolled an inferior Texas team in the playoffs. Don't count on it. We'll be there as the WC and the Yanks will have to go through the red Sox or the Angels to get to the World Series.

 

Home field and a 7 game series, and I think we take both the sox and the angels. Every time we lost to the Angels, they had the better pen and rotation AND it was a 5 game series. This yr, we have the better pen and rotation and if we run into them, it will be in a 7 gamer

[a700hitter]

Home field and a 7 game series' date=' and I think we take both the sox and the angels. Every time we lost to the Angels, they had the better pen and rotation AND it was a 5 game series. This yr, we have the better pen and rotation and if we run into them, it will be in a 7 gamer[/quote']I am very familiar with the cockiness of yankee fans.

[schillingouttheks]

I guess you are praying for a return to the old days where the Yankees steamrolled an inferior Texas team in the playoffs. Don't count on it. We'll be there as the WC and the Yanks will have to go through the red Sox or the Angels to get to the World Series.

 

I think this is the most optimistic I've ever seen you.

[jacksonianmarch]

There are some dumbass cocky yankee fans who are cocky for the sake of being an *******. Then, there are the rest of us, who start feeling really good about the team when it is pretty obvious that they are the best team in the game. THats the level we are at right now

[Spudboy]

Anyone can win in the playoffs. We all know that.

 

The AL East race is finished. As it stands now, the Rangers are the favorite to win the wildcard in my mind. I think the Red Sox have a slight edge in talent, but the Rangers have by far the easier schedule.

 

Common sense post from Gom?

 

Well, yes. The Yankees are clearly the best team in the ALE. Texas is built to win (at least short term). The Sox are playing near .500 ball and will be on the outside looking in come October.

 

Big deal.

[Dipre]

There are some dumbass cocky yankee fans who are cocky for the sake of being an *******. Then' date=' there are the rest of us, who start feeling really good about the team when it is pretty obvious that they are the best team in the game. THats the level we are at right now[/quote']

 

This is a description of yourself.

[jacksonianmarch]

you obviously arent very smart or observant. No wonder why you are panhandling with a law degree

[Dipre]

Ah, i struck a vein.

 

My job here is done.

[a700hitter]

There are some dumbass cocky yankee fans who are cocky for the sake of being an *******. Then' date=' there are the rest of us, who start feeling really good about the team when it is pretty obvious that they are the best team in the game. THats the level we are at right now[/quote']The Yanks play Texas three games in the last week of August. So, the Yanks will either help the Sox in their Wild Card chase, or cut their lead over us. Four games out in the loss column on September 1st is where I want to be. I think they can make a run at them in September if they get to 4 games.

[Christian Snyder]

There are some dumbass cocky yankee fans who are cocky for the sake of being an *******. Then' date=' there are the rest of us, who start feeling really good about the team when it is pretty obvious that they are the best team in the game. THats the level we are at right now[/b']

I thought the Dodgers were the best team in the game?:harhar:

[Gom]

I guess you are praying for a return to the old days where the Yankees steamrolled an inferior Texas team in the playoffs. Don't count on it. We'll be there as the WC and the Yanks will have to go through the red Sox or the Angels to get to the World Series.

 

As of today, my friend, you are on the outside looking in. I do admit though, that your team scares me a lot more than the Rangers do. Which is why I hope the only way the Red Sox get to the playoffs is to buy a ticket.

[jacksonianmarch]

I thought the Dodgers were the best team in the game?:harhar:

 

yankees surpassed them awhile ago

[jacksonianmarch]

The Yanks play Texas three games in the last week of August. So' date=' the Yanks will either help the Sox in their Wild Card chase, or cut their lead over us. Four games out in the loss column on September 1st is where I want to be. I think they can make a run at them in September if they get to 4 games.[/quote']

 

the only way the sox make a run is if they get healthy, something that they dont appear to be doing with Wakey still having calf problems and DiceK disappearing off the radar for 09. With the Red Sox currently operating with 2 aces a #5 and 2 guys who are really new to the major leagues, I am not scared. Not at all.

[TheKilo]

the only way the sox make a run is if they get healthy' date=' something that they dont appear to be doing with Wakey still having calf problems and DiceK disappearing off the radar for 09. With the Red Sox currently operating with 2 aces a #5 and 2 guys who are really new to the major leagues, I am not scared. Not at all.[/quote']

 

Is Joba, Mitre, and Pettitte that much better than Buchholz, Penny, and Wakefield?

 

Let me say that I think the division race is over but I do think the Sox can beat the Yankees in a 7 game series as I still think Lester/Beckett is better than AJ/CC.

[jacksonianmarch]

Joba, Pettitte and Mitre are better than Buchholz, Penny and Tazawa. And if you remove Tazawa and put in a hobbled wakefield, I still think ours is better. And one must remember, the pitching matchups are significantly influenced by the lineup opposing them. I think CC and AJ can neutralize and beat Beckett and Lester in the playoffs mostly because our lineup is much, much better than yours.

[TheKilo]

Beckett's the best pitcher of the bunch and Lester being a lefty will be very effective against that lineup.

 

Look, I'd give you the advantage but I also think it's much closer than you are positing here.