yankees228

Yeah, it's going to take them awhile to get used to the system. I thought the Giants defense played alright. They kind of laid back in the second half, didn't blitz too much, and just contained the Skins. That's not going to work against other teams. I feel like the Giants realized early that the Skins had nothing tonight and just coasted. Good game, but there is definitely a lot of work to be done. Oh, and Jacko, I thought the season was over?

He said on his postgame interview that he's fine.

Alex Rodriguez has played in 8 postseason series (I'm not counting his two ABs in 1995). The following are his slugging percentages in those series... .563 .308 .773 .737 .516 (NYY-BOS ALCS) .200 .071 .467 The first three were before the Yankees acquired A-Rod. I understand you referring to his signing this year, but that is not quite pitcher status. And I've said this so many times but I'll say it again...Alex Rodriguez is not the reason the Yankees have lost in the postseason. Not to mention that you're contradicting yourself because you just said that pitching wins in the postseason, yet you're bashing Cashman for his signing of A-Rod, a position player. Before you respond, just remember, you're bashing Brian Cashman for signing someone that could go down as the greatest player ever.

BoSox 21, the only thing you're proving to me is the team that pitches the best during the playoffs wins. Isn't that obvious? The team that performs the best in October is probably going to have the most wins in October. However, the team that goes into October with the best players does not always win because a particular team gets hot. In 2006 the Cardinals pitchers probably pitched better than any staff in October, but that doesn't mean they were the best staff. The fact that you're using the 2006 Cardinals to support your argument that the playoffs are NOT a crapshoot is laughable. They are one of the best examples to prove that the playoffs are a crapshoot. In the 2003 postseason the Yankees outscored the Marlins 21-17. Overall the Yankees pitched better. Again, if pitching wins in the postseason then how did the Athletics (when they had Mulder, Hudson, and Zito) not even manage to win a single postseason series?

So basically you're saying that those short postseason series display how good a certain team is more than a 162 game regular season? The Yankees rotation in 2003 was Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, and David Wells with Mariano Rivera as their closer. That's pretty good if you ask me. The Oakland A's pitching rotation in 2001 and 2002 had Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and Barry Zito. Not too bad. They didn't make it out of the first round. Yes, all of the recent world series winners, with the exception of the Angels had very good pitching during the postseason. However, you proved my point when you said guys on the Cardinals rotation transformed into really good pitchers. It's luck. Those guys aren't that good, they just had one good month. Jeff Weaver Anthony Reyes Jose Contreras Jon Garland Freddy Garcia Carl Pavano These are all guys that vastly exceeding expectations when October rolled around. That's why it's a crapshoot. EDIT: And BoSox, do a little research and tell me how many games Jason Marquis started for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2006 playoffs.

Astounding lack of success? He has made the playoffs every single year. He has won more than 90 games every single year. He has won the division every single year besides last year. That doesn't sound like an astounding lack of success to me. The playoffs are a crap shoot. A lot of things need to go right for a team to win the World Series. Those things haven't gone right for the Yankees in recent years. He should be judged more on the 162 game regular season than the best out of 5 (or 7) postseason series.

Gom, don't say stuff like he took over a World Series and led them to a third place finish. He took over the team in 1998. The third place finish is going to occur in 2008. Between those years he finished in first place every year up until last year, when he won the wild card. As for the draft, I agree, Cashman has done poorly in the draft. But, in my opinion, he makes up for it in other areas. Gom, I think your opinion is being skewed too much by the events of this year. Yes, he should have made the trade for Santana, but one very poor move (or lack thereof) does not make him a bad GM. After making the postseason every year, albeit with a huge payroll, I think he deserves some respect.

Yeah Gom, because the draft is everything... It's not like he's acquired the players necessary to make the playoffs every year prior to this one or anything like that...

How exactly did he break down this year? You have no idea if his injury is at all related to his workload.

Why do you say that?

Yeah I think it was tied 1-1 and Pauley made an error with two outs and Rudy Saenez walked in the go ahead run.

Do you honestly think that other players are distracted by A-Rod's failures in big situations?

Agreed ORS, Glennon is awful. I would have just given the job to Tyrod Taylor this year, instead of red-shirting him.

Yeah BoSox21, common man, you have to realize that Beckett is just not gritty enough. If he's got a broken elbow he should find a way to pitch, let alone some numbness.

Ugh, you're right. It sucks to have .967 career OPS on your team.

This wouldn't come into play if they're tied for the wild card.

Yeah, I know. I was just adding onto it, because you guys were discussing balls and strikes and it hadn't been mentioned.

I'm not defending the Yankee fans, but even when he's slumping they almost always cheer him when he comes up to the plate. If they wanted him to fail I don't think they'd do that.