New York Yankees Gameday Thread

[jacksonianmarch]

well, goodnight all

[yankees228]

Picks up again Tuesday night.

[Keeper]

You guys have every right to swoon over your team, but goddamn the last few pages have been sickening to read.

[Gom]

You guys have every right to swoon over your team' date=' but goddamn the last few pages have been sickening to read.[/quote']

 

Depends on perspective.

 

What impresses me the most is that we won every series from Boston, Tampa, Anaheim, and Texas.

 

These are four of the top five or six teams in the AL.

 

What happens when we start playing the Royals, Orioles, and Blue Jays?

[Chamomile]

Depends on perspective.

 

What impresses me the most is that we won every series from Boston, Tampa, Anaheim, and Texas.

 

These are four of the top five or six teams in the AL.

 

What happens when we start playing the Royals, Orioles, and Blue Jays?

 

When a team's going well, they can beat anyone and when a teams' going badly, they can't be even the worst teams. One of the great truths in baseball is that a teams' never as good as they look when they're going well and they're never as bad as they look when they're going badly. A simple statistical look at the Yankees makes it pretty obvious that they're playing well above their ability to begin the season. People don't track the standings in April for a reason.

[yankees228]

When a team's going well' date=' they can beat anyone and when a teams' going badly, they can't be even the worst teams. One of the great truths in baseball is that a teams' never as good as they look when they're going well and they're never as bad as they look when they're going badly. A simple statistical look at the Yankees makes it pretty obvious that they're playing well above their ability to begin the season. People don't track the standings in April for a reason.[/quote']

 

They'll slump, undoubtedly, but they're not, as you put it, 'playing well above their ability'. The bullpen hasn't been spectacular, and has some room for improvement. Cano and Posada will cool off, but A-Rod and Teixeira will heat up. Sabathia will remain relatively consistent, with a bad start from time to time (like his first outing). Burnett will have his bad starts (like his first one), and then he'll have his good starts (next two games). Pettitte will cool off, but Vazquez should rebound.

 

Are they as good as the 1998 team? Absolutely not. But they're off to a good start, and they're not exactly clicking on all cylinders, which is the picture you're trying to paint. If healthy, I'm confident that this team wins 100 games, and anything more than that is gravy.

[Chamomile]

They'll slump, undoubtedly, but they're not, as you put it, 'playing well above their ability'. The bullpen hasn't been spectacular, and has some room for improvement. Cano and Posada will cool off, but A-Rod and Teixeira will heat up. Sabathia will remain relatively consistent, with a bad start from time to time (like his first outing). Burnett will have his bad starts (like his first one), and then he'll have his good starts (next two games). Pettitte will cool off, but Vazquez should rebound.

 

Are they as good as the 1998 team? Absolutely not. But they're off to a good start, and they're not exactly clicking on all cylinders, which is the picture you're trying to paint. If healthy, I'm confident that this team wins 100 games, and anything more than that is gravy.

 

At any point in the year, fans can point out hitters are who could doing better. At no point in the season, will at 9 hitters be going full blast. The same could be said about the pitching. But like I said, a quick look at the statistics demonstrates that the Yankees are playing above their ability. They're soring 5.75 runs per game, they have a team ERA of 3.63 and they have a .990 fielding percentage. It's highly unlikely that they sustain any of those levels of production. They'll come back down to earth, just like every unbeatable April team. The Orioles have gotten off to hotter starts lately.

[yankees228]

At any point in the year' date=' fans can point out hitters are who could doing better. At no point in the season, will at 9 hitters be going full blast. The same could be said about the pitching. But like I said, a quick look at the statistics demonstrates that the Yankees are playing above their ability. They're soring 5.75 runs per game, they have a team ERA of 3.63 and they have a .990 fielding percentage. It's highly unlikely that they sustain any of those levels of production. They'll come back down to earth, just like every unbeatable April team. The Orioles have gotten off to hotter starts lately.[/quote']

 

I think it's possible that they continue to score runs at a relatively similar rate (last year they averaged 5.6 runs per game). Also, obviously their fielding percentage will take a hit, but one of the most overlooked aspects of this team is its defense, which has really improved over the last couple years.

 

The reason I point to the hitters struggling is that it's not just any hitters struggling, it's the two best hitters on the team. Generally, I agree with you, you can always point out hitters who could do better, but it's a bit different when it's your three and four hitters (especially when those hitters are Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez).

 

On the whole, the pitching will take a hit, and they're not going to win 115 games, or anything like that. But again, this team is good, and at times this year they'll play like this, and at other times they won't. They're hardly playing well over their heads right now, as you've insinuated, and they should win right around 100 games if they remain relatively healthy.

 

Once again, just to clarify, they're not going to continue to win games at a 75% clip, but these first few weeks are a clear indication that this is a very talented and capable team.

 

Lastly, if you think there is a parallel between any kind of hot start that the Orioles have gotten off to in recent years, and the hot start for the 2010 Yankees, then there is no point in furthering this discussion.

[Chamomile]

I think it's possible that they continue to score runs at a relatively similar rate (last year they averaged 5.6 runs per game). Also, obviously their fielding percentage will take a hit, but one of the most overlooked aspects of this team is its defense, which has really improved over the last couple years.

 

The reason I point to the hitters struggling is that it's not just any hitters struggling, it's the two best hitters on the team. Generally, I agree with you, you can always point out hitters who could do better, but it's a bit different when it's your three and four hitters (especially when those hitters are Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez).

 

On the whole, the pitching will take a hit, and they're not going to win 115 games, or anything like that. But again, this team is good, and at times this year they'll play like this, and at other times they won't. They're hardly playing well over their heads right now, as you've insinuated, and they should win right around 100 games if they remain relatively healthy.

 

Once again, just to clarify, they're not going to continue to win games at a 75% clip, but these first few weeks are a clear indication that this is a very talented and capable team.

 

Lastly, if you think there is a parallel between any kind of hot start that the Orioles have gotten off to in recent years, and the hot start for the 2010 Yankees, then there is no point in furthering this discussion.

 

Like I said, at any point in the season you could say "well so-and-so" isn't hitting but at the same time, you can't expect Jeter and Cano to have an OPS above 1.000 the rest of the year and Granderson won't have a .958 OPS. 5.7 runs per game is a pretty high estimation of what the Yankees offense is capable of.

 

The defense really hasn't improved much. They improved their LF defense, and that's it. And to be honest, Jeter's looked a lot like the Jeter of 2000-2008, and not like the 2009 Jeter who had the best defensive year of his career.

 

And like you said, the pitching will take a hit as well.

 

The Yankees are a good team, but like I said, they're not this good. They're definitely going to cool off from their current pace. Only a fool would judge a team by their April performance.

[yankees228]

Like I said, at any point in the season you could say "well so-and-so" isn't hitting but at the same time, you can't expect Jeter and Cano to have an OPS above 1.000 the rest of the year and Granderson won't have a .958 OPS. 5.7 runs per game is a pretty high estimation of what the Yankees offense is capable of.

 

The defense really hasn't improved much. They improved their LF defense, and that's it. And to be honest, Jeter's looked a lot like the Jeter of 2000-2008, and not like the 2009 Jeter who had the best defensive year of his career.

 

And like you said, the pitching will take a hit as well.

 

The Yankees are a good team, but like I said, they're not this good. They're definitely going to cool off from their current pace. Only a fool would judge a team by their April performance.

 

We'll have to agree to disagree about the offense. I think it's worth noting when a team, no matter how they're producing overall, doesn't have its top two hitters performing. Based on how they performed last year, and who they have on their current roster, I don't think that averaging 5.5 (or so) runs per game is unrealistic.

 

As for the defense, I'm not just talking about going into this year. Over the last few years, the Yankees have made a concentrated effort to improve defensively, and I think they've succeeded. In my estimation, outside of the catching position, they're either average or above average at every position on the diamond.

 

Additionally, I haven't noticed a change in Jeter's fielding. There was one ball, in the ninth inning of the last game of the series against the Angels, that he probably should have gotten, but the ball stayed down when he expected to it come up to him. Other than that, with the exception of one poor throw in Boston, he has looked very similar to last year in my estimation.

 

Thing is, I'm not judging them by what they've done so far in twelve games. I'm judging them by what the players on their roster are capable of, and I'm encouraged by what I've seen so far. I'm confident that this is a 100 win team, if healthy. Would you care to dispute that?

[Chamomile]

We'll have to agree to disagree about the offense. I think it's worth noting when a team, no matter how they're producing overall, doesn't have its top two hitters performing. Based on how they performed last year, and who they have on their current roster, I don't think that averaging 5.5 (or so) runs per game is unrealistic.

 

As for the defense, I'm not just talking about going into this year. Over the last few years, the Yankees have made a concentrated effort to improve defensively, and I think they've succeeded. In my estimation, outside of the catching position, they're either average or above average at every position on the diamond.

 

Additionally, I haven't noticed a change in Jeter's fielding. There was one ball, in the ninth inning of the last game of the series against the Angels, that he probably should have gotten, but the ball stayed down when he expected to it come up to him. Other than that, with the exception of one poor throw in Boston, he has looked very similar to last year in my estimation.

 

Thing is, I'm not judging them by what they've done so far in twelve games. I'm judging them by what the players on their roster are capable of, and I'm encouraged by what I've seen so far. I'm confident that this is a 100 win team, if healthy. Would you care to dispute that?

 

Let's not mince words. You don't honestly expect the Yankees to score more than 5.7 runs a game this year, do you? Jeter and Cano having 1.000 OPS' offsets Teixeira's poor start.

 

As for the defense, A-Rod, Cano and Swisher are all below average defensive players and Jeter's been well below average most of his career.

 

I agree, they should be judged by their career abilities, not tiny sample sizes. They may be capable of 5.7 runs per game if everything goes right for their offense. But it's impossible for them to maintain their current level of pitching and defense this year.

[yankees228]

Let's not mince words. You don't honestly expect the Yankees to score more than 5.7 runs a game this year, do you? Jeter and Cano having 1.000 OPS' offsets Teixeira's poor start.

 

As for the defense, A-Rod, Cano and Swisher are all below average defensive players and Jeter's been well below average most of his career.

 

I agree, they should be judged by their career abilities, not tiny sample sizes. They may be capable of 5.7 runs per game if everything goes right for their offense. But it's impossible for them to maintain their current level of pitching and defense this year.

 

Where did I say I expected them to score more than 5.7 runs per game? I said based on their totals last year, and their career capabilities, I don't think it's unrealistic for them to average around 5.5 runs per game. They might average less, but I do feel, for the reasons mentioned above, that it's a realistic possibility.

 

As for the defense, I'll address each player one by one. Jeter was average in 2008, and good last year. Based on his start this year, and based on the past two years, I expect his solid defense to continue. In my opinion, Jeter is a very different defensive player now than he was before 2008.

 

A-Rod is finally healthy, and I think he can contribute an above average year at third base. It's a small sampling, but his range was his downfall last year, and it looks excellent so far this year.

 

While the numbers suggest Cano was well below average last year, based on watching him play everyday, this is something I disagree with. It's nothing more than a subjective opinion, but I think Cano is average defensively (right now), with the potential to far exceed that.

 

Swisher was just below average last year, and in the small right field at NYS, I expect similar results. He's hardly spectacular, and he looks foolish at times, but he's hardly a liability out there that some people make him out to be.

 

Once again, they won't maintain their current level of pitching, just like they won't continue to win seventy five percent of their games. I've said this numerous times already, but I guess it's worth repeating. I've only been making two general points in this debate. The first is that they're not far exceeding their capabilities so far this year. They're exceeding them, just based on their winning percentage, but it's hardly an enormous leap from what they're capable of. The second point is that this team is quite good, and if they stay healthy, they should be a 100 win team, and one of the best in baseball.

[Chamomile]

Where did I say I expected them to score more than 5.7 runs per game? I said based on their totals last year, and their career capabilities, I don't think it's unrealistic for them to average around 5.5 runs per game. They might average less, but I do feel, for the reasons mentioned above, that it's a realistic possibility.

 

As for the defense, I'll address each player one by one. Jeter was average in 2008, and good last year. Based on his start this year, and based on the past two years, I expect his solid defense to continue. In my opinion, Jeter is a very different defensive player now than he was before 2008.

 

A-Rod is finally healthy, and I think he can contribute an above average year at third base. It's a small sampling, but his range was his downfall last year, and it looks excellent so far this year.

 

While the numbers suggest Cano was well below average last year, based on watching him play everyday, this is something I disagree with. It's nothing more than a subjective opinion, but I think Cano is average defensively (right now), with the potential to far exceed that.

 

Swisher was just below average last year, and in the small right field at NYS, I expect similar results. He's hardly spectacular, and he looks foolish at times, but he's hardly a liability out there that some people make him out to be.

 

Once again, they won't maintain their current level of pitching, just like they won't continue to win seventy five percent of their games. I've said this numerous times already, but I guess it's worth repeating. I've only been making two general points in this debate. The first is that they're not far exceeding their capabilities so far this year. They're exceeding them, just based on their winning percentage, but it's hardly an enormous leap from what they're capable of. The second point is that this team is quite good, and if they stay healthy, they should be a 100 win team, and one of the best in baseball.

 

I guess we agree to disagree then. From what I've seen, Cano was a poor defensive player and Jeter has been a poor defensive player this year. The Yankees were well below average team last year and figure to be again this year. And we've both agreed that there's no way they can maintain their current level of pitching. It's hard to argue that they aren't far exceeding their capabilities pitching wise and defensively if you look at the stats, which has been my point all along.

 

The Yankees will be a good team, but as for declaring them a 100 win team in April, I think we both know better. Virtually every team in baseball goes through a stretch where they play as well as the Yankees have played so far. It's a 162 game season, not a 15 game season, every team has ups and downs.

[jacksonianmarch]

How is 5.7 a high estimation? They averaged 5.6 per game last yr, got younger and have ARod for the whole season.

[Chamomile]

How is 5.7 a high estimation? They averaged 5.6 per game last yr' date=' got younger and have ARod for the whole season.[/quote']

 

Being younger doesn't mean you'll score more runs. Damon, Matsui and Melky probably provided more offensive production than the Yankees will get out of Granderson, Johnson and Gardner and the Yankees have a lot of older players who are good candidates for regression. If things go well for the Yankees, they could score 5.7 runs per game but they definitely aren't going to keep pitching or playing defense so well.

[jacksonianmarch]

Well, they brought 3 runs home in the first. Vazquez is finally locating, but f*** his fastball has gone to s***. He is topping off at 90 on the YES gun

[jacksonianmarch]

Javy has the bad combo of disappearing stuff and bad location. There has to be a major mechanical issue in Javy's windup or there has to be an injury. Seriously, he usually throws 90-93, he is barely breaking 90.

[jacksonianmarch]

We need about 9 runs to win this game

[jacksonianmarch]

Maybe he's starting to settle in. FB in the 90s now, slider actually breaking.

[jacksonianmarch]

Gonzalez hasnt been that bad. The "hit" from Posada should have been an error and led to all 3 runs. Otherwise, he has been in control. BUT, once again, this Yankee offense is gonna get him out of the game early. He just finished 4IP and has 84 pitches. We'll be into the pen in the 6th. Love this offense

[Chamomile]

We need about 9 runs to win this game

 

Eh, Oakland will be lucky to score 4 runs. They're batting .252/.321/.362 as a team.

[yankees228]

Javy seems like he's getting squeezed a bit.

[yankees228]

Well Javy is going to give up some home runs, but instead of them both being solo shots, the Yankees' defense let Javy down a bit.

 

What went from being a laugher is now a three run game, and the Yankees need to figure out how to get eleven outs from their bullpen.

[Chamomile]

Well Javy is going to give up some home runs, but instead of them both being solo shots, the Yankees' defense let Javy down a bit.

 

What went from being a laugher is now a three run game, and the Yankees need to figure out how to get eleven outs from their bullpen.

 

He got lucky with some great plays on balls early in the game when he was struggling and was unfortunate with a bloop single that landed in between Cano and Granderson ahead of a home run. Overall, another poor outing - 6 hits, 3 walks and 3 runs in 5.1. innings. He didn't get lit up like he did in his other starts, but that's to be expected against one of the worst offensive teams in baseball.

[yankees228]

He got lucky with some great plays on balls early in the game when he was struggling and was unfortunate with a bloop single that landed in between Cano and Granderson ahead of a home run. Overall' date=' another poor outing - 6 hits, 3 walks and 3 runs in 5.1. innings. He didn't get lit up like he did in his other starts, but that's to be expected against one of the worst offensive teams in baseball.[/quote']

 

Overall I agree, but there were some positives that he can take with him from this start. In the latter half of it, he seemed to be locating his fastball better, which was a huge problem in his first two starts. He also probably had a better slider than he has had in his first two starts, but he didn't have the same caliber changeup.

[Chamomile]

Overall I agree' date=' but there were some positives that he can take with him from this start. In the latter half of it, he seemed to be locating his fastball better, which was a huge problem in his first two starts. He also probably had a better slider than he has had in his first two starts, but he didn't have the same caliber changeup.[/quote']

 

From what I've seen in his other starts, he'll look great for a few innings or two, then get bombed. He's always been a guy that gave up a lot of hits and home runs, but in the NL he had the benefit of rally killers every time through the lineup. I'm curious to see if he improves on his velocity or if at 34 now, he's going to continue to average an 89 mph fastball. Most pitchers have their normal velocity at this point in the season.

[yankees228]

I think Joe waited a batter too long here. Logan hasn't been great all night, going to a lot of long counts, but he became too obsessed with matching up the lefties. He didn't go to his best, and now the margin for error is becoming slimmer and slimmer. Big spot here for Joba, and a great chance for Oakland to get back into this game.

[yankees228]

Definitely pleased about the win last night, but more specifically, Joba and A-Rod.

 

Joba looked great last night, hitting 96 with his fastball, and throwing a good, sharp slider. If he manages to regain his 2007 form, which seems like a possibility, the back end of that bullpen is going to be an absolute force. When you couple that with their other relievers, I'm confident that the 2010 Yankees' bullpen will be able to repeat the successes of the 2009 Yankees' bullpen in the second half. It seemed to turn their season around last year, and it might be the difference from the start this year.

 

As for A-Rod, it's not just the home run, but the three walks. A-Rod seems absolutely locked in right now, easily taking pitches out of the strike zone, and rarely check swinging. Considering the Yankees' success the last few years has seemed to directly correlate with A-Rod's success, this is a very good sign.

[yankees228]

Javy has the bad combo of disappearing stuff and bad location. There has to be a major mechanical issue in Javy's windup or there has to be an injury. Seriously' date=' he usually throws 90-93, he is barely breaking 90.[/quote']

 

Javy said he's dealing with mechanical problems.

[jacksonianmarch]

Javy got some of his stuff back last night. Granted 9 runners in 5+IP isn't good, but some good things came about

 

1. After 2 innings, his velocity jumped from 87 to 90-92. Also, his location improved.

2. His slider looked better

 

his problems arose from nibbling and early control problems