Thursday, September 4, 2014

Yankees Rally For Two Home Runs in Ninth; Steal Rubber Game From Red Sox

Chris Capuano gave up 4 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings and the offense didn't reach second in innings 4-9, but since Mark Teixeira and Chase Headley both took Koji Uehera deep in the ninth the Yankees found a way to beat the Red Sox tonight, 5-4, in the rubber game at The Stadium.

For just about every at-bat in this one, contrary to what that final score suggests, the Yanks couldn't do anything against Brandon Workman (6 IP, 3 ER), only putting up a trio in the bottom of the third when Derek Jeter doubled home a pair and Carlos Beltran got him in with a single. 

So, after a couple of home runs by David Ortiz as well as wall-scraper by Brock Holt New York trailed 4-3 for a good amount of time this evening, an annoying misfortune that almost made the bullpen's perfect 4 2/3 frames irrelevant.

I guess you could say that didn't happen.

Yep, after the bats didn't do anything for five straight turns the aforementioned Teixeira/Headley duo randomly hit balls into the right field seats in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Yanks a much-needed W. 

No, it wasn't perfect, but like I just said, it was pretty needed, something that is arguably the case with every Yankees contest from now on.

Yankees Intend To Offer Cashman a Contract for 2015


The New York Yankees have announced that the team plans to offer general manager Brian Cashman a new contract after the season is up. This just cements the fact that Hal Steinbrenner does not watch the games and has no clue what is going on day to day with the team.

Now before I get ahead of myself a lot can be read into that statement. The Yankees offered Joe Torre a contract before the 2008 season but it was widely thought of as a slap in the face to Torre. Also Cashman could decide to move on to another team where he doesn't have management making the bulk of his decisions for him.

Either way I wouldn't exactly be happy if Brian Cashman is brought back for the 2015 season and beyond.

Nick's Picks 2.0: Red Sox VS Yankees 9/4/14

What a huge and an important victory last night. We need to keep this going right into this series finale against Boston tonight. With a series against the Royals looming right after tonight's game, a series loss at home against the Red Sox will not sit well in that clubhouse. Tonight we have Chris Capuano against Brandon Workman and Capuano needs to pitch like a champ. We need this and hopefully my picks might come to fruition by predicting a huge night for the Yankees.

Breakout Hitter: Ellsbury is going to have a huge night against the struggling Workman. A righty with a 1-8 record and close to 5.00 ERA means good things for the Yankees lefties. Look for Ellsbury to hit a double and a homerun tonight and drive in four runs. Ellsbury is going to be 3-5 and ready to mash tonight.


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Best Pitching Performance: The bullpen is going to bring out a few bright spots at the end of the game to make sure no Red Sox comeback ruins the night. I would say that Betances is going to be the pitcher tonight, as he comes in for one inning, and blows away three straight hitters. He is going to be as dominant as he was last night.

Simply Clutch: Running with the theme of the lefties, tonight I think that McCann is going to be the clutch hitter. The lefty catcher has been seeing the ball really well of late and honestly I think he is ready to do some damage. Look for McCann to have a big hit somewhere in the game, extra bases, and driving in at least two. McCann is going to hit when the team needs it.



I know that this is going to sneak in there as the game is starting right now, but this series is heading in the right direction as last nights game was dominant. The Yankees know how much this game means with bigger series looming and I predict a 6-2 win tonight. Let's go Yankees! Remember YCPB!

9/4 Yankees Open Thread vs. Boston Red Sox


Welcome to the last open thread for a game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in Yankee Stadium this season. The Yankees will send Chris Capuano to the mound tonight to face off with Brandon Workman for the Red Sox. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Get your Yankees tickets here on the blog as New York gets prepared to say good bye to Derek Jeter this Sunday. Also be sure to follow us on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes and like our page on Facebook by searching for The Greedy Pinstripes.

It's an open thread so talk about whatever you'd like, especially the Yankees. Enjoy the game Yankees family and enjoy the rest of your evening. As always, go Yankees!

McCann Heating Up For Yankees Could Get Them Into the Playoffs

In last night's win over the Red Sox, it's fair to say Yankees Catcher Brian McCann had one of his best games of the season.

Facing a rookie pitcher in Boston's Anthony Ranaudo, McCann impressively went 4-for-4 with a two-run home run and three singles, leading the Yanks to an easy 5-1 win. 

Indeed, McCann played great yesterday, a fact that's a little strange considering the way he looked back in late June. Remember, at that time the Yanks were in the middle of a 2-9 stretch, one McCann definetely contributed to yet doesn't seem to care about anymore.

“It seems like it was a long, long time ago,” McCann said. “I feel like I’ve put a couple good months together. That’s the plan. It’s such a long season. It took me a little bit longer this year to get going with the bat than normal.”

Yep, that part's true. During that awful two week period, McCann was hitting in the .220s, although since July 1 he has improved, batting .285 to keep New York in the pennant race.

“I know there’s a month left and we’re fighting for a playoff spot," McCann said. "Stats are out the window at this point. It hasn’t been the season offensively I’ve hoped for, but at the same time we have a month to win games.”

Let's hope that thought process spreads around the clubhouse soon.

(Quotes via the New York Post)

9/4 Yankees Game Preview vs. Boston Red Sox


The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will finish up their three game set this week at Yankee Stadium tonight in the finale of their set. The Yankees will send Chris Capuano to the mound to face off with the Red Sox Brandon Workman in a game New York absolutely must win if they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Yankees have to beat the teams they are supposed to beat and play tough against everyone else if they plan to make it to the postseason this year and that includes beating teams like the Red Sox. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Capuano is fresh off his first win in a Yankees uniform last time out and is looking to start a personal winning streak with his second consecutive victory for the Bombers. Capuano threw 6.1 innings last time out and allowed just three runs against the Toronto Blue Jays to snap a personal 12 decision winless streak.

Workman will be making his first start since coming back from the minor leagues tonight. Workman was sent down after getting knocked around by the Seattle Mariners in his last start allowing 10 hits and seven runs in 3.2 innings.

Time is running out on the Yankees 2014 season and Derek Jeter's career so get your Yankees tickets off the blog while you still can. You won't see another Derek Jeter ever so take advantage now, CLICK ME. 

Go Yankees!!

Thinking About 2015: Derek Jeter's Replacement


The New York Yankees season is winding down and so is the career of the great Derek Jeter. Much like this season when New York had to replace closer Mariano Rivera and starting pitcher Andy Pettitte the Yankees will have a huge hole at the shortstop position to fill in 2015. Many analysts have speculated that the Yankees would hand the reigns to JJ Hardy of the Baltimore Orioles via free agency but I have to disagree. Hardy hits home runs but would command a contract that the Yankees are unlikely to consider, enter Asdrubal Cabrera in his place.

I personally called for an Asdrubal trade before the July 31st trading deadline so he could learn and play second base for the team. The Washington Nationals were reading my material that day and pounced on the shortstop and plugged him in at second base with great results. While Cabrera is nothing more than a stop gap and not the solution long term at short I would like to see him in the fold and in pinstripes when the 2015 season begins. 

Cabrera hit .246/.305/.386 with nine home runs and 40 RBI before the trade to Washington and has hit .235/.333/.429 with four home runs and 12 RBI. This production has come from a bottom the order type hitter and would instantly make him one of the best offensive producers if he were on the Yankees this season. Jeter has a -0.1 WAR this season and Cabrera has a 1.1 WAR, let that sink in for you. 

Cabrera is only 28 years old (will be 29 in November), a switch hitter, and adequate enough with both the glove and the bat to get the job done in New York in my opinion. This falls under that "makes too much sense to happen" category for the Yankees. 

Playoff Teams Beat The Teams They Are Supposed To Beat


One common theme across every playoff team this season, Wild Card or division winner, will be that the team that makes the playoffs tend to beat the teams they are supposed to beat. I'm talking about the weaker teams in the league record wise including the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers specifically for the American League. The Yankees, using this methodologically, are not a playoff team in 2014.

Let's take a look at the Yankees record against these "weaker" teams around the league and you can see what I mean. I wrote this last night and didn't feel like getting mad and disgusted last night so I skipped the game with Boston so you will have to account for that on your own.

Here's the list:

Houston Astros: 2-4
Boston Red Sox: 8-6
Chicago White Sox: 5-2
Cleveland Indians: 3-4
Minnesota Twins: 4-3
New York Mets: 2-2
Tampa Bay Rays: 5-8
Texas Rangers: 4-3
Toronto Blue Jays: 8-7

The record against the Astros and White Sox are pretty decent but with the team that Boston has fielded for much of this season this should look much different. Scraping by against the Indians, Twins, Mets, and Blue Jays tells the story of this .500 team. Having a losing record to a team that was once 18 games under .500 this season is downright despicable and why this team will not be making the postseason in 2014.

Can't Predict Baseball: No Hits, No K's, No Runs, No Days Off


You know it's true what they say Suzyn, you really can't predict baseball. Take for instance the 1906 Chicago Cubs who were surpassed today by the New York Yankees, seen in the "This Day In Yankees History post", as the quickest team to ever reach 100 wins. New York did it five days earlier than the Cubs on the calendar but the Cubs had a staggering 100-32 record when they accomplished the feat.

Also take for instance when the Philadelphia Phillies set a National League record for consecutive games without being shutout with the teams 151st straight game. This comes nowhere near the American League record held by the New York Yankees with 308 straight games scoring at least one run.

Also keep in mind the time that Sam Jones no hit the Athletics in 1923 on this day at Shibe Park. Jones did not strike out a single Philadelphia batter in the game, a feat that would not be matched again until 1969 when Ken Holtzman accomplished it.

We mentioned this earlier but on this day in 1993 a guy with one arm threw a no hitter in Major League Baseball in Jim Abbott. Enough said Yankees fans.

Finally on this day in 1906 the New York Highlanders, formerly the Baltimore Orioles and soon to be the New York Yankees, beat the Boston Americans 1-0 to finally earn a day off. The Highlanders completed a grueling five consecutive double headers in six days trip and swept them all going 10-0 during the streak.

The Daily Dozen - 9/3/14

The Daily Dozen - September 3, 2014 Edition
(Twelve Takeaways from Last Night's Game vs. the Last Place Red Sox)

1. Comparing Jeter and Ortiz.  For some reason ESPN felt it necessary to compare the great Derek Jeter to David Ortiz.  Not really sure why...they don't play a similar game, they aren't both retiring, and they aren't both Captains of their teams.  Derek Jeter didn't reportedly used steroids either.  But here were those comparitive stats: Jeter had 2,643 starts at Shortstop (the most in MLB history), Ortiz has 1,742 games started at DH (also the most).  Do you really "start" at DH? Jeter had 3,446 hits (6th all-time) coming into the game and Ortiz had 461 home runs (most by a DH all-time).  Jeter had 158 playoff games (most all-time) vs. Ortiz' 82 (2nd among active players).  Jeter had 5 World Series titles to Ortiz' 3 rings.

2. The Yankees started the game 5 back of a playoff spot behind the Detroit Tigers. The chances of ending Jeter's career in the postseason look to be dwindling.  The Yanks need to go on a very hot streak to continue the Jeter-love-fest.

3. Was it just me or were there a TON of empty seats in Yankee Stadium last night? The official box score said there were 40,007 in attendance.  Could have fooled me.

4. Hiroki Kuroda has 4 straight years of 11+ wins in a season.  He had 9 coming into the game (and now 10).  When did 11 game win seasons begin to be something to celebrate?  The more impressive stat is that he has gone 42 straight starts with 90+ pitches.  He also tied his season high with 8 strikeouts in the game.

5. Double steal fiasco.  There have been so many base running errors this season.  I'm not sure if it's just being over aggressive or if the base coaches are terrible, but I am seriously getting sick of promising innings being ended due to outs on the basepaths.

6. Brian McCann hits bomb #17.  This opened up the scoring for the Yankees in the 2nd inning as he put a deep ball into the right field stands.  I'm beginning to think this arrangement with the new catcher will work out just fine.  He seems to finally be adjusting to New York.  Hell, he can hit .200 all year as long as he rakes against Boston!

(Courtesy of Jeff Quagliata's Twitter feed)

7. Two of the nine starters for Boston's 2013 World Series team now play for the Yankees.  Pretty interesting fact there.  Boston is definitely a different team without Ellsbury although I'm sure they will tell everyone that Jackie Bradley, Jr. is the future of the franchise.  Maybe two more of the players from the 2013 Championship team will soon join the Yankees in Lester and Ortiz...you never know!

8. Okay...more on McCann.  He went 4 for 4 as shown above.  He also got nailed in the junk behind the plate.  Anyone remember a week ago when Cervelli got nailed in the same spot?  The Yankees won that game and Francisco had a big hit.  Maybe someone should hit the catcher before the game EVERY game just to make sure they get production that night...
These stats will make you go nuts!

9. Gardner needed to become more of a power hitter.  It's the only way to make up for his atrocious base running.  With his speed, he should be in the 60-70 stolen bases per year...not getting thrown out in a double steal...ugh.

10. Dellin Betances.  He recorded 240 outs coming into the game with 120 of those coming as strikeouts.  He recorded 2 more out of 3 outs total to give him 122 for the season, only 8 away from tying Rivera's franchise record for a relief pitcher.

11. I know the Yankees "gave up" Kelly Johnson for Stephen Drew.  What I'm getting at here is that they shouldn't have even given up a bucket of base balls for him.  Worthless.  Hopefully he changes my mind next season?

12. David Robertson puts a Golden Sombrero on Craig.  Man, how's that trade working out for the Red Sox?  Allen Craig looks lost at the plate.  His 4 strikeouts were added to by 8 additional Ks on the night by the Boston players.  They suck!

Martin Prado Needs To Be In The Yankees Lineup Tonight


The New York Yankees are in the middle of a pennant race and arguably their best and hottest hitter over the past couple weeks Martin Prado is out with a "mild, mild" hamstring strain. Whatever happened to the good ole days when players played through nagging little mild injuries at this point in the season when no one was 100% except for Carl Pavano?Does Joe Girardi not realize that this is it, one more month and we're done for seven long months? Does he even care?

Listen, I'm all for protecting players and giving them days off when they need them and all that jazz but come on. We're in the middle of a freaking pennant race. Jacoby Ellsbury doesn't need a day off, Brett Gardner doesn't need a day off, and we can't survive with many more off days by Prado.

Hopefully Joe is listening, the training staff does their job today, and Prado is back in the lineup tonight in the Bronx or it may be season over, officially. 

Quick Hit: Ivan Nova Begins Throwing Program


Ivan Nova has been throwing for close to two weeks since Tommy John surgery including 25 soft tosses yesterday at Yankee Stadium. Nova claims that his elbow is tight, which is expected, but that it feels better than expected. It doesn't feel like Nova should be throwing already but this is great news as it gives Nova all winter long to work through this injury.

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/4: 1998 Yankees Quickest Ever To 100 Wins


The 1998 New York Yankees squad was deemed by many as the greatest team ever assembled in this great sport of Major League Baseball. On this day in 1998 the Yankees entered the record books when they became the quickest team ever to reach the 100 win plateau. The Yankees 11-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox bested the 1906 Chicago Cubs and 1954 Cleveland Indians by five days. Although the Cubs in 1906 started the season 100-32 which was far better than the Yankees record.

Also on this day in 1993 Jim Abbott, the Yankees starting pitcher that was born with only one hand, throws a no hitter to beat the California Angels by the score of 4-0. Abbott was the first Yankees pitcher to throw a no hitter in the decade even though he was born without a right hand. Indians leadoff hitter Kenny Lofton was loudly booed by the Yankee Stadium crowd for fouling off a bunt attempt in his last at bat.

Finally on this day in 1991 Major League Baseball votes to eliminate the distinction between the number of games played in a league's schedule when it comes to the all time single season home run marl. The vote takes away the asterisk that kept Roger Maris from the top spot and bumped Babe Ruth to the second hole with 60 home runs in a season.