Gom

You wouldn't have said any different when we were 8.5 games out of the wild card. Ya never know.

Those are my predictions. The prediction I wrote was by Accuscore.

He's no Phil Hughes though. *******.

Agreed.

I believe in the naked eye as well as statistics. Statistics are a great precursor, and I'd be lost without them. However, he has no statistics, just minor league numbers, which to me, are highly flawed. Until I have a decent statistical base, I look for things in a player. I noticed that Abreu is not stepping in the bucket as much, and guess what? He starts hitting better. Now, unlike some people, I don't think that it is my observation that made him hit better, just probably one of the major factors that influenced an improvement. For pitchers, when at home, I watch for how much the catcher moves his glove. In other words, how well he hits his spots. A catcher can set up low and outside, and the pitcher totally misses, goes up and in, and the batter swings right through it. Bad pitch, good result. However, I know he's gonna get rocked sooner rather than later. When watching Hughes, he has piss poor control. So I'm not sold on this kids press clippings. I was impressed with Kennedy today, he got a little rattled when Arod dropped a pop up a Tee Ball player should have caught, but other than that, his location was exceptional for a rookie. He pitched better than that bum Hughes has all season in any of his starts, save for the Texas one.

I hope you are right. I wasn't debating whether or not you've seen him, I was asking. I had never seen him pitch until he came up here. He may be good, and I hope so. We just don't have time for him to learn right now. You can learn in spring training and the first two months. Not when you are 2 games in front of the Mariners and 4.5 back of the Red Sox. Put up, or go home. If he stinks it up in his next start, it's time for him to go. Do you agree?

With the Yankees gaining a measure of revenge against the Devil Rays, the Yankees have trimmed the AL East gap to 4.5 games. A loss by the putrid Sox puts the Yankees within serious striking distance at four games. Accuscore puts the Sox as 70% favorites to win the game.

14 1/2 games out, yeah, I admit, I didn't think they would do it. The Wild Card, yes, I did think they could do it. I doubted it, but I thought they could. If anyone told me when they were 14.5 games out that they would be five games out on September 1st, I would have wanted to know the name of their drug dealer. I never gave up on my team, just their chances. Big difference. I love the Yankees, and always will. Did they surprise me? Absolutely. Now on to the division....

Hopefully for Hughes next turn. Jacko, good location, decent breaking stuff, below average fastball. Holy s***, a quality start from a rookie who isn't overrated. I still hate Hughes.

We may not have a better record than the Red Sox, this is true. However, I think that right now, we are the best team in baseball [along with the Angels, I can't make up my mind who's better]. We had a bad start with injuries, and our record is worse than our run scored differential would predict. After that three game sweep of you guys in the Bronx, is there any team out there you would want to face less than us in the post-season. I worry about the Angels at this point, not you. The division race is really of little consequence to me, I want to win simply to avoid the Angels.

Jacko...seriously, what have you SEEN from this kid that you like so far? I don't pay all that attention to the minors because I don't watch them, and I believe what I see. Now maybe you have access to watching the minors where I don't, but I don't believe press clippings or scouting reports as much as you do. They are subjective. I haven't SEEN anything I like from this kid. His fastball is subpar, he has zero control of his breaking pitches [although they do have a nasty bite to them], and his command is non-existant. Seriously, what impresses you about him? His press clippings? I've watched every one of his starts, and I don't see anything that makes me think he will be dominant.

Good day for the Red Sox. Even though we both lost, every game off the schedule in which we don't cut the lead simply decreases our chances.

Is there any doubt whatsoever to this question? While Chamberlain is the first pitcher since 1900 to have a zero era and strike out a batter in every inning he has pitched in since he came up [that streak ended after he got ejected in the finale of our sweep of the Sox], Hughes has been outright atrocious. We should have traded this guy when his stock was high. We have a future Jaret Wright on our hands.

I notice that Jacko hasn't commented on this game, considering the object of his man-crush is pitching. PHILIP HUGHES f***ING SUCKS. His fastball was low 90's, his control was terrible, I have about as much control over my breaking pitches as he does. He got bitch-slapped by a AAAA team in the Devil Rays. Way to keep the hot streak going, you piece of s***. We should have traded this guy for Teixeira. He is simply not a good pitcher, and I don't see what Jacko is in love with. He is just sub-par with EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HIS PITCHES. At this point, I'm not sure who I'd rather have in the rotation, Hughes or Mussina. At least Mussina pitched well earlier in this season. Hughes had one good game against Texas. Other than that, he has been ABYSMAL. He averages barely 5 innings a start, he burns out the pen, he gives up at least 4 runs in every 5 inning stint. Remind you of anyone? This years version of Jaret Wright. It's not only that he loses, but he blows out the pen trying to salvage his pathetic performance. Send him back to A ball. I hate this f***ing guy. Future All-Star my ass. Think we can try to peddle him off for Santana now? I love how Jacko wouldn't trade this guy for any of the top 20 pitchers in baseball, save for Johan. He is pathetic.

Dude, I didn't think they would do it. I never stopped rooting for them, I never will stop rooting for them, but blind devotion to my team and logic do not always coexist. P.S. I gave up in May.

Chamberlain has been suspended two games for throwing at Youkilis. Oh well..he wasn't available today anyways. He should appeal the suspension, throw two innings, and then he would rest anyways, lol.

A sweep is in the cards. Orioles sweep Red Sox, scoring 217 runs in the three game set. Wait and see.

The only way he hits Youk is if Youk jumps up trying to head the pitch, ala soccer. I agree. You go up there twice, it's time for the Irish Spring. I completely agree, for once, with ORS on this point. Jacko, you read the same thing I read from the NY Post. I will admit, I'm a little jaded, I'm not a Hughes fan. If this guy turns it on, then yes, I will love him. So far, his clippings are a shitload better than his arm. P.S. If Chamberlain is tubby, then Schilling is an orca. I LOVE IT!

I don't care. This is the thread for winning the East. I started the Wild Card thread, and I'm a superstitious freak. Plus, what's this board if not for fun? I don't think they'll do it, but why the hell not? If we put some distance between us and the Mariners, why not this thread. Ya gotta believe.

He may pass my inspection. To be determined.

Now.... Call me crazy. Call me insane. However... After being behind by 14 1/2 games on May 29th....8 games back before the start of play on August 28th....we have closed the gap to 5 games. Can we do it? Yes. Will we do it? I doubt it. However, optimism and love of my team will outweigh reason here. The Red Sox may be in first place, but they're chasing the Yankees now. As it stands now.... August 30th: Yanks trail Red Sox by 5 games.

Lofton walks with the bases loaded, Guardians win... After 2,333 views, 198 posts...and an unbelievable run.... WE NOW OWN THE WILDCARD!