Game Thread: 2018 MLB All-Star Game

And just like that it is game time here inside Nationals Park between the American League All-Stars and the National League All-Stars. Congratulations to all players, managers, and coaches involved with a special bit of congratulations to the players representing the New York Yankees; Gleyber Torres, Luis Severino, Aroldis Chapman and Aaron Judge.

Enjoy the game and get out healthy. Go American League and go Yankees!!

Game Preview: 2018 MLB All Star Game

Tonight inside Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals, the 2018 MLB All-Star Game will take place between the American League and the National League. With nothing but bragging rights and a few extra dollars added to the paycheck for the winner on the line tonight I don’t expect the same flare and drama that we have seen in years past, and I am totally okay with that. Here are the complete rosters for both squads, let’s get to it, weather permitting, here in Washington!

National League Starters                                                              American League Starters

Wilson Contreras – C – CHC                                                         Wilson Ramos – C - TB   

Freddie Freeman – 1B – ATL                                                        Jose Abreu – 1B - CHW

Javier Baez – 2B – CHC                                                                   Jose Altuve – 2B - HOU

Brandon Crawford – SS – SFG                                                      Manny Machado – SS - BAL

Nolan Arenado – 3B – COL                                                            Jose Ramirez – 3B - CLE

Nick Markakis – RF – ATL                                                               Aaron Judge – RF – NYY

Matt Kemp – LF – LAD                                                                    Mookie Betts – LF - BOS

Bryce Harper – CF – WAS                                                              Mike Trout – CF – LAA

DH – TBA                                                                                             J.D. Martinez – DH - BOS

National League Reserves                                                            American League Reserves

Buster Posey – C – SFG                                                                  Salvador Perez – C - KC

J.T. Realmuto – C – MIA                                                                 Mitch Moreland – 1B - BOS

Joey Votto – 1B – CIN                                                                     Gleyber Torres – 2B - NYY

Paul Goldschmidt – 1B – ARI                                                        Francisco Lindor – SS - CLE

Scooter Gennett – 2B – CIN                                                         Alex Bregman – 3B- HOU

Ozzie Albies – 2B – ATL                                                                  Michael Brantley – OF - CLE

Trevor Story – SS – COL                                                                  George Springer – OF - HOU

Eugenio Suarez – 3B – CIN                                                            Mitch Haniger – OF - SEA

Lorenzo Cain – OF – MIL                                                                Shin-Soo Choo – DH - TEX

Christian Yelich – OF – MIL                                                           Nelson Cruz – DH - SEA

Charlie Blackmon – OF – COL                                                       Jedd Lowrie – 2B - OAK

Yadier Molina – C – STL                                                                  Jean Segura – SS - SEA

Jesus Aguilar – 1B – MIL                                                                Yan Gomes – C - CLE

National League Pitchers                                                             American League Pitchers

Max Scherzer – SP – WAS                                                             Justin Verlander – SP - HOU

Jacob deGrom – SP – NYM                                                           Corey Kluber – SP - CLE

Jon Lester – SP – CHC                                                                      Chris Sale – SP - BOS

Aaron Nola – SP – PHI                                                                     Luis Severino – SP - NYY

Patrick Corbin – SP – ARI                                                               Gerrit Cole – SP - HOU

Mike Foltynewicz – SP – ATL                                                        Jose Berrios – SP - MIN

Miles Mikolas – SP – STL                                                                JA Happ – SP - TOR

Josh Hader – RP – MIL                                                                    Trevor Bauer – SP - CLE

Kenley Jansen – RP – LAD                                                              Edwin Diaz – RP - SEA

Sean Doolittle – RP – WAS                                                            Aroldis Chapman – RP – NYY

Brad Hand – RP – SD                                                                       Joe Jimenez – RP - DET

Felipe Vazquez – RP – PIT                                                             Craig Kimbrel – RP - BOS

Zack Greinke – SP – ARI                                                                 Blake Treinen – RP - OAK

Jeremy Jeffress – RP – MIL                                                            Charlie Morton – SP - HOU

Ross Stripling – RP – LAD                                                               Blake Snell – SP - TB

Both leagues will employ the designated hitter, even in the National League park, enjoy the game.

Hello… All-Star Break

Good morning everyone and welcome to the All-Star Break. Last night we watched the American League and the National League go head-to-head in the 2018 Home Run Derby, and tonight we watch as these two league’s face off in the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. With nothing but bragging rights and a few thousand dollars at stake let’s see how the game unfolds tonight inside Washington’s Nationals Park. Enjoy the game!

And to you my baby, I love you and you are an absolute All-Star in my books. You always have been, and you always will be.

So it Seems… My Thoughts on the Yankees First Half

The New York Yankees didn’t exactly finish the first half of the season strong losing 15 of their last 26 games heading into the break. There is limping into the break and then there’s getting drug kicking and screaming into the break… and then there’s what the Yankees did. They were terrible but this can be turned around. There’s too much youth, aggression and talent not to.

The Yankees will be fine. They will either continue the youth movement if they feel too far out of contention and move contracts like Chase Headley and Brett Gardner or they will use a few prospects (Tyler Wade, Billy McKinney and Jorge Mateo most notably) to acquire what they feel the team needs to compete in 2017. I’m not ready to wave the white flag yet, not by a long shot.

Aaron Judge is awesome and Gary Sanchez hasn’t really fully awoken just yet. The best part is that there’s more reinforcements on the way from Triple-A. Clint Frazier was only the beginning. Wait until Chance Adams comes up. This is going to be a fun summer in Yankee-land, playoffs or not.

Stick to the plan and succeed. Hey you. I love you. Kari Ann Burch I love you.

So it Seems the Rest & Recovery is Coming

Rest, relaxation and letting those little nagging injuries and swollen body parts is key. The good news is rest is coming. Let those aching and swollen body parts rest up and recover because tomorrow is another day, another day filled with cardio and the very best kind of exercise. Baseball of course…

So as we head into these final two games before the All-Star break remember to rest up, relax and clear your head for the second half. Brace yourselves, the second half is coming. Enjoy your Saturday and your weekend, especially you. Hey you, and I love you. 

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Milwaukee Brewers 7/6

The New York Yankees and the Milwaukee Brewers are just about ready to kick off their three-game set this weekend in the Bronx. In the opener of the series the Yankees will send Jordan Montgomery to the mound to face off with Junior Guerra for the Brewers. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV. You can also follow along on the radio and in your cars by tuning into the WFAN broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

You want to win these games, and frankly the Yankees need to win these games, but I think it may be more important to get everyone rested up and keep everyone healthy going into the break. These three games are important but the entire second half may be more important if you ask me, or anyone else for that matter.

Follow us on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes and enjoy the game. Go Yankees!!

Matt Holliday and What Is the Epstein-Barr Virus?

The New York Yankees designated hitter Matt Holliday has been out of the Yankees lineup since late June due to an illness that completed sapped the right-hander of his energy. In its wake were body aches and general fatigue and for what felt like the longest time neither the Yankees or Holliday had any idea what was going on. Finally Holliday and the team have some piece of mind at least knowing what is ailing Holliday, it is the Epstein-Barr virus. What is the Epstein-Barr Virus?

According to WebMD the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is “Epstein-Barr is the virus that causes mononucleosis. You might know this disease better by its nickname, "mono." It's also called the "kissing disease" because of one way you can spread it to someone else. Even though Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) isn't a household name, you've probably been infected without knowing it. Lots of people carry the virus but don't get sick.”

So basically it seems as if Matt Holliday has mono. The Yankees will have to monitor the way he feels as he will feel fatigue for possibly months after having the virus but the good news is that the virus is treatable. The virus is beatable. Holliday will be fine and that’s great news for the Yankees because New York needs Holliday back now more than ever. At the time of Holliday being placed on the disabled list the right-handed DH was hitting .262 with 15 home runs, 47 RBI and had a .877 OPS in 68 games. Holliday was eligible to come off the disabled list yesterday and may join the team as soon as this weekend, although I would think the Yankees would be cautious and give him the All-Star break to rest and recover just to be sure.

Get well soon Matt and get your butt back on the field. We need you!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Milwaukee Brewers 7/6

The final series before the All-Star break is always fun for whatever reason. Maybe it’s because we all know a break is coming, the Home Run Derby is on deck and the All-Star Game will be here before we know it next Tuesday on Fox. Or maybe because we see a lot of unconventional lineups and defensive moves as managers give their players their optimal rest for the second half push.  No matter which way you look at it these games tend to be pretty fun and this series between the New York Yankees and the Milwaukee Brewers should be no exception. Imagine this, Eric Thames and Aaron Judge both launching bombs out of Yankee Stadium on a nice summer day. Now stop imagining this because it is about to become a reality here in just a few short hours. In the opener of the three-game set the Yankees will send Jordan Montgomery to the mound to face off with Junior Guerra but let’s be real, all eyes will be on the opposing offenses and the launching pad that will be home plate inside Yankee Stadium.

Montgomery had a great month of June posting a perfect 4-0 record in five starts with a 2.59 ERA keeping the Yankees head above water for much of the month. Montgomery wasn’t sharp in his last start against the Houston Astros though allowing three runs in 5.1 innings of work. Montgomery will have to pitch much better to lead the Yankees to a victory tonight in the Bronx.

Guerra was not sharp in his last start either against the Miami Marlins giving up four runs in 4.0 innings of work in a 10-3 loss for Milwaukee. Guerra worried the Brewers in his last start as he saw his fastball velocity dip to below 90 MPH on average, although manager Craig Counsell did note that Guerra was working more on his offspeed pitches in the start.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV. You can also follow along on the radio and in your cars by tuning into John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN. Enjoy the game and as always, go Yankees!

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians 8/5

The New York Yankees are set to kick off a three-game set here in a few minutes with the Cleveland Indians inside Yankee Stadium. These two teams met right before the All-Star break back before Andrew Miller was wearing a Cleveland Indians uniform and back when quite a few players around the league were wearing Yankees uniforms and the Yankees took three-of-four from the Indians in Cleveland leaving many to wonder if the team would buy rather than sell before the deadline. The team obviously sold and now they welcome those same, well not really the same I guess as they’ve improved some through trades, to the Bronx. In the first game of the three-game weekend set the Yankees will send Michael Pineda to the mound to square off with Josh Tomlin. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.

See any of these games with the Indians live and catch Andrew Miller one last time in the Bronx this season by clicking the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog. Also be sure to grab a TGP T-shirt while you’re at it by clicking the link also located at the top of the blog.

Follow along during this game and every game all season long by either liking us on Facebook or by giving our Twitter account @GreedyStripes a follow. Michael Pineda, will we see Big Mike or Michael Piñata? Stay tuned and Go Yankees!!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians 8/5

The annual Subway Series is in the books for another year and now the Bronx Bombers remain home inside Yankee Stadium to play host to the team they beat up on to close out the first half of the 2016 season, the Cleveland Indians. Despite the Yankees selling off many of their expiring contracts, key bullpen pieces and their best hitter in the lineup New York has done well in spite of the roster gutting and has continued to put out more victories than losses leaving you to wonder if the youth movement that is sure to come could provide a spark to the team overall. The Yankees will find out tonight as they welcome the American League Central’s best team to town in the Indians. Michael Pineda will take the mound for New York as the Indians send Josh Tomlin to the mound to oppose him.

Pineda has actually never made a start against the Cleveland Indians in his career despite pitching his entire career for either the Yankees or the Seattle Mariners, both American League teams like the Cleveland Indians. Pineda had a rocky month of July where he gave up 15 runs in three starts but had two other starts where he allowed just one run in each of them. Which Pineda will we see tonight? I don’t think even he knows at this point.

Tomlin heads into this start against the Yankees fresh off a dominating performance against the Oakland Athletics last time out. In that start Tomlin threw seven innings of two-run ball to snag a victory and improve his July record to 2-2 and his July ERA to 3.73 in five starts.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV. This is a totally different Yankees squad than the team that took three-of-four from Cleveland to close out the first half but the team is still playing some of their best baseball they have played all season long. While Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller are gone Adam Warren and Tyler Clippard have stepped right in and done well while Gary Sanchez has shown the Yankees thus far why they call him EL Gary Sanchez. I feel good about this series and I don’t know why. I’m an eternal optimist, sue me. Go Yankees!

Weekly Prospects Check In: Jorge Mateo

Jorge Mateo returned from his two week suspension on Wednesday as he continues to search for what else he could possibly do to earn a promotion to Double-A Trenton. Mateo was suspended just before the All-Star break and the XM Futures Game for a violation of team policy which we all presumed and assumed meant that he spouted off at the mouth because he was frustrated that he wasn’t called up yet. At least that would coincide with the report from George A. King that stated Mateo was frustrated that he hadn’t received the promotion yet.

So Mateo is back and here are his stats he hopes to see transferred to the Trenton Thunder very soon: 

Year	Age	Tm	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2016	21	Tampa	77	345	47	83	9	6	36	26	25	75	.266	.322	.404	.725

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

The Korean Baseball Organization Holds a “Bunt Derby”

Okay so without ranting and raving too much about the All-Star Game, the fact that it “counts” now and dictates which team will have home-field advantage in the World Series and the subsequent popularity fan vote that comes attached to that I think the Korean Baseball Organization could have something that could help spice up All-Star Game week in Major League Baseball. A bunt derby.

Yes you read that correctly, a bunt derby. The NBA has a skills competition and such before the three point shootout and the dunk contest, why not a bunt derby in MLB? Watching Giancarlo Stanton hit 61 home runs out of Petco Park was awesome but watching someone try to lay down a bunt on a scoring field that is designed like a dartboard sounds enticing as well. It would take a bit of skill and precision, not that hitting home runs doesn’t, and I think this is an idea MLB should look into. I think the fans would love it personally.

Even if just for a year or two to try it out. I’ve always wanted a skills competition added to MLB All-Star week. See who could run the bases the quickest. See who could call their shots and try to hit targets in the outfield or over the fence for points. See who could throw the ball from the outfield into a barrel at home plate, fun stuff like that. A bunt derby though, I never thought of that one. Good call KBO, good call.

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles 7/19

The New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles will continue their four game series tonight inside Yankee Stadium with the second game of the series. The Yankees will welcome Nathan Eovaldi back to the starting rotation tonight after a quick trip to the bullpen to presumably get his head screwed back on straight while the Baltimore Orioles will counter with Vance Worley.

Eovaldi returns to the Yankees starting rotation tonight after just two relief appearances in the bullpen. That may not be a good thing for New York because the last time Eovaldi saw Baltimore they tagged him for eight hits and five runs in 5.1 innings. Before heading to the bullpen Eovaldi posted a 9.20 ERA so he almost has to be better now than he has been. Right?

Worley will get a spot start inside Yankee stadium tonight after pitching 1.2 innings of relief on Sunday. Showalter held him back with the intent of pitching him tonight in the Bronx due in large part to his 2.87 ERA this season.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV. Let’s see what other little tricks and schemes Buck Showalter has up his sleeve for this one. It seems like he is always up to something and it usually is never a good sign for New York. See the fact that he held back Kevin Gausman to start against New York because of his career numbers as just a small example of this. Either way I’m rooting for the Yankees in spite of him. Go Yankees!

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox 7/15

Yankee Stadium is filling up, the pitchers are in the bullpen taking their warm up tosses, the offense is wrapping their bats and preparing their gloves. Baseball returns to the league tonight and baseball returns to the Bronx as well as the New York Yankees play host to the second place Boston Red Sox tonight in the first of a three-game weekend set. In the first game after the All-Star break the Yankees will send Michael Pineda to the mound to face off against Steven Wright for the Red Sox. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11, MLB Network and MLB TV.

The Yankees are home for much of the month of July and also spend two games across town in Queens against the New York Mets so be sure to click the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog to get your seats now before they are all gone. Also you want to look the part just in case the YES Network cameras catch you so also click the TGP T-Shirts link also at the top of the blog to grab a Jacoby Ellsbury milk carton shirt for stealing home twice this season or any of the other great shirts on the site brought to you by our friends over at BreakingT.

Follow along during this game and all season long with us on Twitter by giving @GreedyStripes a follow and also “like” us on Facebook. We’re a social bunch and we enjoy interacting with you not for any other reason other than because you’re Yankees fans. We’re family. Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox 7/15

We’re back and it feels so good. Baseball returns to your living rooms and the Bronx tonight as the New York Yankees begin a brutal second half schedule with the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox are in a dog fight with the Baltimore Orioles at the top of the American League East while the Yankees are still treading water around the .500 mark while searching for an identity this season. In the contest tonight the Yankees will send Michael Pineda to the mound to square off with the Red Sox starter Steven Wright.

Pineda bounced back in a big way during the month of June and will look to keep the good times rolling here in July. His first start of July against the Chicago White Sox did not go according to plan after allowing five runs on five hits in six innings of work but the Yankees right-hander will look to turn things

Wright will make the first start of the second half for the Red Sox after having an All-Star worth first half for Boston. Wright allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 17 first half starts including one gem inside Yankee Stadium on May 8. Wright pitched a complete game and frustrated the Yankees offense all night long in a victory for Boston in the matchup.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the WPIX Channel 11, MLB Network and MLB TV. As we looked at earlier and said previously in this post this is the beginning of an absolutely horrendous schedule for the Yankees that will bring a lot of tough teams to the Bronx. This month will undoubtedly set the tone for the remainder of the season and maybe for a couple seasons to come as well. No pressure New York but everyone is watching to see if you fold or you continue to fight like the team did before the All-Star break in Cleveland. Go Yankees. 

One More Day Until Baseball Open Thread

Ladies and gentleman baseball returns to the Bronx this time tomorrow night as the New York Yankees play host to the Boston Red Sox. I hope the team has recharged the batteries, worked on some things, healed some nagging injuries and are prepared mentally to focus because tomorrow night begins a tough stretch for the Yankees in the schedule with games with the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants to name a few. If the team needs to “declare” themselves to Brian Cashman this should be the stretch that does it either way in my opinion.

Anyway we’ll worry about that tomorrow night, tonight we chill and catch Pokemon. Enjoy the final off night of the All Star break and prepare for the second half push that comes right around every trading deadline every season. This is about to get interesting I think. Have a great night everyone. 

Yankees “One More Off Day” Yankee Stadium Music Recommendation

The New York Yankees are off one more day before returning home to the Bronx tomorrow night to play host to David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox inside Yankee Stadium. Yankee Stadium, the home of the Yankees and the place to hear some differing genres in music when players step up to the plate and enter the game from the bullpen. Players like Brian McCann, the Yankees catcher and a personal favorite of mine.

Every time McCann stands up at the plate in Yankee stadium “Till I Collapse” by Eminem blares in the Yankee Stadium speakers. Enjoy the last day off of the All Star break. 

Yankees Off Day Yankee Stadium Music Recommendation

The New York Yankees are off today and there isn’t much going on so how about a music recommendation for your drive home, while you’re cooking dinner, while you’re just chilling at work or just because? Sounds good to me too so this evening we’ll check in with and listen to the music that Didi Gregorius hears every time he steps up to the plate inside Yankee Stadium.

The name of the song is “Notorious Big” by Notorious BIG. Enjoy.

2016 Home Run Derby Open Thread

Ladies and gentleman I believe, in my personal opinion anyway, it is time for the best part of the entire All-Star break. The Home Run Derby. The derby is revamped once again for the 2016 season with a new bracket style competition that I predicted earlier in the day and it should be another awesome night of back, back, back, back, back, back gone's!

Who ya got? Put it down below in the comments section and live tweet it with us @GreedyStripes.

2016 MLB Home Run Derby Rules

This post is from 2015 but it works. Rules are the same, bracket is the same. Just the player names are different. Enjoy.

2015 Gillette HR Derby presented by Head & Shoulders introduces new format, featuring brackets & timed rounds. pic.twitter.com/e3sFa1qxBp

— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) June 28, 2015