Friday, August 8, 2014

Rogers Wins Spot Start Over Indians

Esmil Rogers gave up just one earned run in 5 innings and Carlos Beltran drove in five tonight as the Yankees continued their great week with a 10-6 win over the Indians.

In this one's top of the first, interestingly, Rogers surrendered that trip around the bases, giving Cleveland the early lead.

Still, since the Yanks answered with five of their own off Trevor Bauer (3 1/3 IP, 5 ER) in their half of the frame when Beltran knocked in Derek Jeter, Chase Headley walked with the bases loaded, the Stephen Drew/Martin Prado duo connected on a pair of RBI singles, and Jason Kipnis committed a throwing error Rogers was able to collect the W, the second time he's done so in the last six days.

No, his four-hit, three-strikeout outing wasn't perfect, but thanks to a big grand slam from Beltran followed by another run-scoring error by the Indians in the bottom of the sixth that made it 10-2 it did in fact count, with the later struggles of Shawn Kelley also proving irrelevant due to #36's offensive outburst.

Granted, Kelley's troubles pretty much forced Joe Girardi to bring Dellin Betances in for the top of the ninth, something no New Yorker wanted to see. 

Nonetheless, since Betances only had to throw 13 pitches in that at-bat you have wonder how much him being used actually matters, as that total obviously isn't a lot.

Brian McCann W/ A Possible Concussion


Brian McCann was lifted for pinch hitter Francisco Cervelli in the sixth inning after the Yankees took a 9-2 lead. It was thought, and reported by the YES Network, that McCann was being taken out to get a half a day of rest but now McCann may have a concussion. Hopefully the Yankees won't be without McCann for any time, even the seven day DL, because he is a big part of this hot streak by the Yankees. Stay tuned but one thing we do know Joe Girardi will "give him a day" tomorrow.

Brendan Ryan and Ichiro Suzuki Get Placed On Waivers


The New York Yankees have placed both Brendan Ryan and Ichiro Suzuki on revocable waivers today. Neither player is killing the baseball but still have some value in the field and on the base paths so one or both could be claimed. If one or both were claimed you have to wonder if the Yankees would pull a Matt Thornton and give them to the team that claimed them. One can hope I guess.

Ichiro is batting .276/.324/.321 in his age 40 season while Ryan is batting .214/.263/.257 in his age 32 season.

8/8 Open Yankees Game Thread vs. Cleveland Indians


Welcome to this Friday night open thread for game between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees will host the Indians in the first of three games this weekend at Yankee Stadium before heading back out on the road. The Yankees will send Esmil Rogers to the mound tonight to face off with the Indians Trevor Bauer. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Remember to grab some Yankees tickets off the blog for any of the games this weekend before heading to Baltimore on Monday. Also follow us on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes and like our page on Facebook by searching for The Greedy Pinstripes.

It's a Friday night, it's an open thread, and you don't have anything to do. You should leave some comments today. Enjoy the game Yankees family and enjoy the rest of your evening. Go Yankees!

Cleveland Indians Expected To Be Good This Season


8/8 Yankees Game Preview vs. Cleveland Indians


The New York Yankees will host the Cleveland Indians this weekend in a three game set at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees will send Esmil Rogers to the mound to face off with Trevor Bauer for the Indians. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Rogers is making his first start for the Yankees replacing David Phelps in the rotation. Rogers pitched three scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday and should be good for five or six innings tonight. Rogers better make the best of this situation as it is seems more and more likely that Michael Pineda will come off the disabled list to replace Phelps in his next start.

Bauer is coming off a start in which he allowed three runs with four walks and four strikeouts in 7.1 innings against the Texas Rangers last time out. Since July 1st Bauer is 2-2 with a 3.98 ERA.

Get your Yankees tickets for tonight's game right here on the blog and snag a Yankees t-shirt as a part of the giveaway at the stadium tonight. We offer the tickets for all Yankees games without the bulky shipping costs or hidden fees like those other sites so get a pair now. 

Go Yankees!!

ICYMI: Bryan Mitchell, Come On Down


It is definitely a small world and I don’t believe in coincidences, I’ve said that a few times on this blog before, and it’s definitely not a coincidence that the Yankees decided to hold on to Bryan Mitchell at the trading deadline. The Seattle Mariners were prepared to trade second overall pick Dustin Ackley to New York for the Triple-A right hander but the Yankees declined. Instead the Yankees traded catcher Peter O’Brien to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Martin Prado and the rest is history. David Phelps left Sunday night’s game with elbow inflammation and he had reportedly been dealing with the inflammation for three starts or so before leaving the game. Coincidence? Probably not, the Yankees knew they may need Mitchell sooner or later.

Mitchell may be in line to join the revolving door that has been the Yankees pitching staff this season as David Phelps is being placed on the 15 day DL. It is worth mentioning that Phelps pitched two stellar stars with the aforementioned inflammation and had a great start going in Texas in the start against Yu Darvish before losing his grip halfway through the game. The Yankees sent Phelps for an MRI and an evaluation and the ulnar collateral ligament is intact so there is always that bit of good news. Phelps will be out at least a month with the injury, two weeks of rest and two weeks of rehab, and the Yankees have yet to announce a starter for this Friday. Why not Mitchell?

The Yankees are hoping this is a quick two week rest and two week rehab program but if this goes how any of the other injuries we have had this season I am not holding my breath. The Yankees season may be over anyway as Phelps has been one of the Yankees best starters this season since Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, and Michael Pineda have gone down. I’m not trying to be pessimistic and honestly I am generally an optimistic kind of guy but I also deal in realism and this hurts the Yankees chances realistically.


Stay tuned… 

Nick's Picks: Weekend Series vs Indians 8/8-8/10

Coming off a momentous series victory vs the Tigers, the Yankees look to keep pushing forward to October. This three game series with the Indians will be no different, because one thing you realize being a baseball fan is; you cannot predict it. Each game is more important than the next moving forward and it is key to finish up at the very least a series win at home heading into Monday's clash with the Orioles in Camden Yards. 

Tonight the Indians send to the hill Trevor Bauer, as the Yankees counter with newly acquired Esmil Rogers. Bauer has been looking good as of late, pitching quality starts in five of his last six outings since July 8th. The rookie right-hander looks to beat the Yankees for the second time this year and keep pace with the Yankees for the second Wild Card spot. 


Since I will be away this weekend I figured it best to make my picks for throughout the series instead of before each game. The Yankees cannot afford to come out of the gates thinking about last series. Good thoughts or bad, they need to start with a clean slate mentality for each game. Beat Bauer tonight and hope to gain ground. A lot of stars got to rest up during yesterday's thriller against the Tigers, including the bullpen. Some rest this series too would bode well heading into Monday with a chance to gain on the AL East leading Orioles. Picking this far ahead might be tricky but you can never predict what will happen. 


Top Pitcher: You have to look at my pick from yesterday for the top pitcher in tonight's game. Esmil Rogers is looking to be another quality pickup from Brian Cashman, and I look for him to duel Bauer most of the night and racking up six strikeouts and one run over 6 2/3-innings. 

Saturday will be a huge battle between McCarthy and Kluber. Corey Kluber has pitched terrific this season, a lone bright spot in the Indian pitching staff. Do not forget that McCarthy out-pitched Cy Young stud Max Scherzer on Monday so he could handle the pressure. I feel the bullpen will step up huge in this game and Betances will come through to nail down a late inning victory for the Yankees with a three strikeout inning. 

Sunday looks to be Kuroda's time to makeup that game against David Price. Look for Kuroda to battle strong and hopefully give the Yankees some innings without getting tired. I see him lasting seven strong with five strikeouts and giving up two runs. Hopefully Girardi keeps a close look at that binder and yanks Kuroda before it gets too late. 

Top Hitter: With the Yankees having not a whole lot of experience against Bauer, I can see some of the lefties stepping up in this game. Look for a hot Chase Headley to handle the bat well against Bauer and maybe connect on a few that drive in runs. I see him going 2-4 with a double and two RBI's. 



Saturday against Kluber will be even more daunting as the team has not faced him too often with Stephen Drew having faced him the most. I see Brett Gardner setting the pace in this game and doing what he does best; get on base. Gardner is going to get the ball rolling on Saturday by going 3-5 with a double and two singles and scoring two runs. 

Sunday looks to be up in the air for Cleveland's pitcher so I too will take a shot in the dark. Let's go with Prado doing some work going 2-4 and hitting a homerun in the game while driving in three runs. 

Clutch performer: Tonight is going to be a great game from the lefties and you cannot go wrong with McCann stepping in and finding a good pitch to drive. He has been hot as of late with the long ball and I can see him putting one out against Bauer. Look for McCann to provide a boost with a two run blast. 

Saturday I think the defense is going to have to step up huge. Countless games have shown us that Chase Headley is masterful on the diamond and Saturday every hit will matter. I see Headley saving the day with some amazing stops and runs saving dives at the hot corner to steal one away from the tribe. 

Sunday will be all Derek Jeter's time to shine. Look for the Captain to step up at the plate and in the field to lead the team to victory by scoring and saving runs. Maybe channeling some Jeter of old and laying down a nice sacrifice bunt or two. 


This series is going to be crucial for the Yankees and the Indians as their playoff hopes are in jeopardy with each passing game. I predict the Yankees to walk away with a series sweep against the Indians to prepare themselves for a showdown in Baltimore and be within reach of taking the lead. Let's go Yankees and hopefully we can come out strong each night. Those are my picks for the series, but remember YCPB. 



 













Pineda Will "Likely" Start Wednesday in Baltimore

Injured Yankees Pitcher Michael Pineda seems to have a return date.

According to Roger Rubin of The New York Daily News, Pineda will "likely" start Wednesday's series finale in Baltimore, in which the Orioles will send their ace, Chris Tillman, to the mound.

Now technically, New York has already decided that Pineda will throw the contest, as recently-acquired reliever Esmil Rogers obviously isn't a long-term solution. 

Still, since the 25-year-old right-hander could suffer a setback this evening we can't call this news an absolute truth yet, even if that is painful to admit.

Pineda, playing in his first full season with the Yanks this year after missing all of 2012 and 2013 with shoulder injuries, went 2-2 with a 1.83 ERA in April before going down, pretty likable numbers when your rotation's always a mystery.

Granted, in his last outing in Boston he struggled mightily before being ejected, but considering he still threw a pair of 6-frame, one-run ball games prior to that as well as a scoreless eighteen out performance against the Cubs his coming back would definitely be welcome in the Bronx, where the current group of Brandon McCarthy, Shane Greene, Chris Capuano, and Hiroki Kuroda's somehow doing well.

David Robertson Will Not Return On A Discount

The Yankees had a shot at signing David Robertson to an extension at a discounted rate last offseason, but passed. But now, according to D-Rob himself, they'll have to pay market value to retain their new closer.

During an interview with George King of the NY Post, Robertson said "this offseason I probably would have gone for a discount, although I wasn't a closer," then later added "[a contract offer] would have to be a legit offer at this point of the year."

David said he wasn't surprised by a lack of an extension offer, as he understands that's how the team works. Outside of Brett Gardner, the Yankees are known for not doing contract extensions.

While many fans are fine with the team letting David Robertson go in free agency, as Dellin Betances looks like he could step into the closer role, I want the Yankees to bring D-Rob back. Sure... the Yankees have another guy that could likely be a good closer, there would still be a big hole that needs to be filled in the bullpen. And while it's rare that a good to great closer gets traded, they also don't come cheap in free agency. Besides, just because somebody has success as a player on one team, that doesn't mean success will come on another.

ICYMI: Meet a Prospect Esmil Rogers


Esmil Rogers is the latest arm to be thrown into the revolving door that is the Yankees bullpen. The Yankees acquired Rogers off waivers on July 31st from the Toronto Blue Jays. Scott Sizemore was released to give Rogers a 40 man roster spot and Zoilo Almonte was optioned back to Triple-A to make room on the 25 man roster for Rogers. Rogers is now a right handed option for Joe Girardi out of his bullpen so we might as well get to know him. This is Meet a Prospect, the Esmil Roger edition.

Esmil Antonio Rogers was born on August 14, 1985 in the Dominican Republic. Rogers was signed as a amateur free agent in 2003 by the Colorado Rockies and wouldn't begin his professional career until he reached rookie league ball in 2006. Rogers was not long for the minor leagues as he was promoted to the big leagues for the Rockies in September of 2009 and made his major league debut on September 12, 2009. Rogers spent his 2010 season in Colorado as well and pitched in 28 games, eight of them being starts, going 2-3 with a 6.13 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. Rogers was a start in Colorado in 2011 as well after he replaced Ubaldo Jimenez in the starting rotation and went 3-1 with a 6.33 ERA in April. Rogers would join Jimenez in Cleveland in 2012 when the Rockies traded him to the Indians for cash considerations after Rogers was designated for assignment. Rogers had a 0-2 record with an 8.06 ERA with Colorado in 2012 and went to Cleveland looking for a new start.

Rogers was well improved in Cleveland after getting out of Coors Field and went 3-1 with a 3.06 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 53 innings and 44 games with the Indians. Rogers opened eyes up in Toronto and was traded to the Blue Jays in the offseason before the 2013 season for Mike Aviles and Yan Gomes. The first time Rogers would face his old team in Colorado he took a no hitter into the sixth inning and left the game with an 8-2 lead after 6.2 innings. After the game Rogers ERA was lowered to 1.71 and continued to have a great season for Toronto. Rogers pitched with Toronto until this season when he was designated for assignment after starting the 2014 season with a 6.97 ERA in 16 appearances. He cleared waivers and accepted his Triple-A assignment only to be designated again on July 27 without making another appearance with the team.

The Yankees claimed him and acquired Rogers on July 31st to be a part of their bullpen and hoping that another change of scenery will help the right hander. Welcome to New York Esmil, make us proud.

Blame Mark Teixeira For Not Getting Mike Trout

I am sure by now many Yankees fans have already heard the story but since Jon Heyman of CBS brought it up again I figured that I would too. The Yankees signed Mark Teixeira to a free agent contract before the 2009 season and gave up the 25th overall pick in the MLB Draft to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Yankees still held the 29th pick in the draft and felt comfortable forfeiting the pick to get Teixeira to join Nick Swisher, CC Sabathia, and AJ Burnett on the team. The move worked in the short term as the Yankees won the 2009 World Series but it's hard not to think of what could have been.

The Yankees were primed to pick Trout 29th overall if he fell that far but instead drafted Slade Heathcott with the pick. Slade has had an injury riddled Yankees career much like Teixeira has and Trout has been easily the best player in all of the major leagues since bursting onto the scene. Imagine an outfield with Trout, Brett Gardner, and just for fun Jacoby Ellsbury. Oh, what could have been.

Hindsight is 20/20 and I realize that and I'm not calling for a mulligan or bashing Brian Cashman or anything like that, just feeling nostalgic I guess. The Yankees will survive and we can always sign him about three or four years past his prime anyway like we always do.


Quick Hit: Possible September Call Ups For Yankees


Here is a short list of possible September call ups for the Yankees next month. To be a September call up obviously you must be on the 40 man roster, not that players cannot be added after the fact so keep that in mind when you read this list. It's also a total guess at it, anyway I digress, but here you go with the list:


100% coming up:

Jacob Lindgren - LHP
Zoilo Almonte - OF
Zelous Wheeler - INF
John Ryan Murphy - C

Maybe coming up:

Ramon Flores - OF
Austin Romine - C
Jose Ramirez - RHP
Bryan Mitchell - RHP

Not likely to come up:

Slade Heathcott - OF (DL)
Gary Sanchez - C
Preston Claiborne - RHP
Jose Campos - RHP
Manny Banuelos - LHP

Jose Pirela or Kyle Roller may be added to the 40 man roster as they both seem major league ready but that would be pure speculation at this point. Lindgren could easily help out the bullpen right now and Zoilo, Zelous, and Murphy helps New York on the bench. Heathcott, Campos, and Banuelos are hurt or still technically rehabbing injuries and are also unlikely to come up.

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/8: The New Yankee Stadium


The 2000 edition of the New York Yankees consistently showed a ton of heart and a never say die attitude. This was on display once again on this day in 2000 when the Yankees went into the bottom of the ninth inning down 3-2 to the Oakland Athletics with the Oakland closer Jason Isringhausen on the mound. Isringhausen would throw just two pitches on this day allowing a home run to Bernie Williams on the first pitch he saw and another home run to David Justice on the first pitch he saw. Just like that the Yankees went from being down 3-2 to walking off with a 4-3 victory in the Bronx.

Also on this day in 1972 the Yankees put to sleep the rumors that the Yankees may be leaving Yankee Stadium as they signed a new 30 year lease to play in the "new" Yankee Stadium starting in 1976. The Yankees would honor the 50th birthday of Yankee Stadium in 1973 and would play their home games in the Mets Shea Stadium for the next two seasons while the House that Ruth Built was remodeled.

Finally on this day in 1970 the Yankees held Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium where Casey Stengel was honored before the game. The Yankees honored Stengel by retiring his #37 uniform number since he led the team to seven World Series championships during his 12 year tenure with the Yankees from 1949-1960.