Rangers @ Yankees 8/13/12

Yankees win 8-2

David Phelps first career win as a starter

Derek Lowe 4 shut out IP and a save

Swisher Slam

Yankees Win

Tonight the Yankees will begin hosting the first of a four game set at home against the AL West leading Texas Rangers. Tonight on the mound  for the Yankees, in place of CC Sabathia, will be rookie David Phelps. Facing off against the Yankees is newly acquired Ryan Dempster for the Texas Rangers. Derek Lowe will be in uniform today and available out of the bullpen in long relief. Ryoto Igarashi will be sent back down to AAA to make room for Derek on the 25 man roster. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on ESPN 2 and YES Network.

Lineups

Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Eric Chavez 3B
Curtis Granderson CF
Russell Martin C
Raul Ibanez LF
Ichiro Suzuki RF

Go Yankees!!

Exclusive Interview With Angelo Gumbs

Today's exclusive interview for The Greedy Pinstripes is Charleston Riverdogs 2B and Greedy Pinstripes follower on Twitter, @GreedyStripes, Mr. Angelo Gumbs. I think Angelo may be the most underrated prospect that we have in our entire minor league system because all the guy has done since we drafted him at age 17 is play hard and impress on both sides of the ball. Follow Mr Gumbs on twitter @AGumbs21.

The Greedy Pinstripes: Was your dream as a child always to be a baseball player? If not then what did you want to be when you grew up?

Angelo Gumbs: I had three dreams when I was a child baseball art and animals, but at the age of 4 years old I promised my mother I would be a professional baseball player. 

TGP: What team did you root for growing up as a kid?

AG: I had no favorite teams 

TGP: Favorite player(s) growing up?

AG: favorite players such as all time great Garret Anderson, Gary Sheffield, David Eckstein, and since the third grade I have always admired Roberto Clemente. 

TGP: Your biggest inspiration when it came to baseball?

AG: My biggest inspiration playing baseball was my great grandfather George Osmond Fahie who I had always strived to be great for so he can watch me play one day but unfortunately he passed before all this, but at times I feel his presence and know he's here with me. 

TGP: Favorite moment as a Yankees prospect?

AG: My favorite moment as a Yankee prospect was seeing all the hard work I put in come together this season and I feel as though it was just a little sample of more to come as I see and feel my self getting bigger and better. 

TGP: How awesome was it winning the NYPL Staten Island Championship last season?

AG: It was an indescribable feeling, but the drive of my son Andruw's birth made it all worth it and feel that much better to bring a ring home to him. 

TGP: Getting drafted at only 17 and without a true position must have been tough and/or scary for you I would think, was it?

AG: It was a little tough 

TGP: Do you like playing 2B or would you rather play another position?

AG: my prime position out of high school was center field and I found my self asking to be moved to the outfield at times, but I stuck threw it and now I see my self as a better second baseman than out fielder, and I love everything about playing second base turning double plays is awesome and there are alot more challenges that make it fun.  

TGP: Do you feel over shadowed and over looked when you put up great numbers on both side of the ball and do not get mentioned as much as guys like Mason Williams and Tyler Austin?

AG: Those guys have showed what they have consistently these past few years so I would think they would be mentioned more, and I'm not focused on that because either way all of our goals are to get to the big leagues but I feel confident that the work I'm putting in will class me along with players who carry those names. 

TGP: We did an interview with Tyler and we love the guy here. How is he off the field?

AG: He's a good guy and an even better teammate on and off the field always looking to help someone or just relax and have a good time, we found ourselves playing each other alot in games of PGA world tour on our time off the field in charleston so I'm sure your views on him are very similar to mine. 

TGP: Who was the best prospect in the Yankees system that you ever played with?

AG: Mason Williams. 

TGP: Do you keep in touch with any other current or former Yankees prospects or coaches?

AG: I stay in touch with Taylor Morton Mason Williams Connor Mullee our old hitting coordinator J Ro and our defensive coordinator Torre Tyson. 

TGP: Hardest part of being a prospect?

AG: The hardest part of being a prospect is just putting in work to be better I'll never be satisfied no matter what any one says I still will strive to be better. 

TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone?

AG: Justin Upton. (We need that number to set up an interview, lol)

TGP: Most embarrassing song/artist in your ipod?

AG: Weird Al. 

I want to thank you Angelo for taking the time out of your schedule and life to do this interview for us. We appreciate everything that you do on and off the field and I do not think I speak only for myself when I say that we cannot wait for your arrival in New York. You are a special talent and a special person and the stereotypical Yankee. Keep up the great work and, again, we appreciate the interview!

Happy 28th Birthday Boone Logan

Happy 28th Birthday to Yankees left handed reliever Boone Logan. He is the only thing worth a damn we got for giving up Arodys Vizcaino in the Javier Vazquez and Melky Cabrera trade. He has been a rock for the Yankees bullpen ever since that trade so have a great day Boone! 

David Phelps Appreciation Post

David Phelps has been the best that we could have ever asked for this season. Whether he is starting, mopping up games, setting up, middle relief, cleaning toilets, or dominating the minor leagues he has done what he has been asked and done it well. For a guy that many, NOT myself included, had behind guys like Adam Warren, Dellin Betances, and Manny Banuelos (well maybe him) he has done a ton in many peoples opinions towards changing their minds. Let's look at what Mr. Phelps, no relation to that swimmer guy, has done for the Yankees in various roles this season.

Phelps will be starting tonight in place of recently DL'd CC Sabathia against the Texas Rangers and recently acquired Ryan Dempster.

2-3 Win/Loss Record

52  IP 

9.69 K/9 

1.04 HR/9

87.7 LOB %

43.2 GB %

2.42 ERA

3.70 FIP

0.6 WAR 

1 HOLD

3 STARTS / 19 RELIEF APP

1.13 WHIP

.208 BAA

David has been the "go to, get stuff done" kind of guy that everyone likes to have around. The best part about it is that he has always had a smile on his face doing it. He has had a roller coaster of a rookie season for the Yankees but if it ends with a ring then I do not think you will hear him complain, or anyone for that matter, too awfully loud. Thank you David now let us get this kid a ring!

Yankees @ Blue Jays 8/12/12

UPDATE:

With the Yankees down 7-0 in the 5th the sweep looks unlikely

Casey McGehee puts the Yankees on the board while continuing his extra base hit barrage 7-1 Jays

Derek Jeter home run makes it 10-2 Jays

Robinson Cano 2 run home run makes it 10-4 Jays

Jayson Nix rbi double makes it 10-5 Jays

Derek Jeter rbi double makes it 10-6

Nick Swisher rbi single makes it 10-7

Yankees comeback comes up short as Jays win 10-7

The Yankees wrap up their three game set in Toronto against the Blue Jays this afternoon in the rubber match of the series looking for a series sweep. This is the 10th consecutive game we have played in 10 days which is part of a 20 games in 20 days stretch. We're at the halfway point so it is all downhill from here. We can make this road trip look a whole lot better with a sweep this afternoon in Toronto. On the mound for the Yankees will be Phil Hughes and he will be facing off against former Astro's and Phillies lefty J.A. Happ. The game will be televised at 1:05 pm ET on YES.

Lineups

Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Robinson Cano DH
Andruw Jones LF
Curtis Granderson CF
Casey McGehee 3B
Russell Martin C
Jayson Nix 2B

Go Yankees!!

Raul Ibanez Appreciation Post

I am not going to lie I was one of the many that had fond memories of Johnny Damon as a Yankee. Fond memories of that walk off weekend against the Twins, fond memories of Derek Jeter batting second in a lineup, and fond memories of another great club house guy. When I heard we were going after 40 year old Raul Ibanez over Johnny Damon, who is slowly approaching 3000 hits, I was honestly confused and appalled by it. Boy was I wrong...

Clutch hit after clutch hit and stepping up when we needed him most in the abscence of Brett Gardner I think we got everything we could have ever wanted  from him AND Johnny Damon wrapped up in one player, Raul Ibanez. Let's look at this great season that Raul, You're So Cool, is having:




.247 AVG
15 HR
51 RBI
71 H
.309 OBP
.469 SLG
.330 wOBA
0.8 WAR
0 Errors



Raul I admit it I was wrong and I apologize. I fell into the signing a player more for their name and previous accolades then I did the stats (even though Johnny Damon's splits vs RHP were better... just saying ) and situations. When used properly there is still a ton left in that tank and I am glad that your tank has been here in New York with us. Now let's get you a ring!

Time Again For Some Righteous Tunes

Some people are ready to jump off the edge, regardless of what I said earlier about not doing so. Well I think those Yankee fans are selling the team a bit short. Hence tonight's musical selection from the band, Less Than Jake. In the immortal words of Lindsay Lohan, enjoy...

Is Losing CC For 15 Days THAT Bad?

CC Sabathia, as we all know by now, is going to the 15 day DL because of soreness in his left throwing elbow. I am assuming that David Phelps is going to start in place of the big man. He is eligible to come off the DL on August 23rd so let us look at who we face in between then and now.

First and foremost the Yankees will be facing Ryan Dempster and the Texas Rangers on Monday. I think Ryan Dempster is going to get bombed in the American League so I hope our offense makes me look right. This does not worry me as much to be completely honest if the offense makes me look like psycho psychic.





The next start will be against the Boston Red Sox at home on Saturday the 18th. Josh Beckett is scheduled to make that start but you never can tell if he will make the start the way his back and blisters like to get all worked up. The Sox are in 4th place and clinging to a 2nd wild card spot.






We luck out being off on Thursday August 23rd or I would think that CC would miss yet another start. If everything goes well I think CC could be back starting on Friday August 24th against the Cleveland Indians on the road.






Things could be a whole lot worse. I am not overly concerned since he has pitched, and pitched effectively, since the elbow stiffness started. If this keeps him fresh and keeps him healthy for when it matters I do not think losing CC for 2 starts, albeit "important" starts against good teams, is going to really sink us whatsoever. Get healthy CC!

Yankees Acquire Derek Lowe

According to Marc Carig's twitter, among other tweets, the Yankees have acquired Derek Lowe off the scrap heap. MLB Trade Rumors is now reporting this too. Now River Avenue Blues is reporting it so this bad dream is now a reality unfortunately.

Apparently the Yankees believe that Derek Lowe throws enough strikes and ground balls to replace CC Sabathia, not David Phelps, for the next two starts.

UPDATE: Joel Sherman, on twitter, is reporting that he was signed because he is willing to pitch out of the pen. David Phelps will in fact be starting Monday in place of CC Sabathia on Monday.

The Yankees will call up Ryoto Igarashi to be in the bullpen tomorrow until Lowe gets here on Monday.

CC Sabathia Going On The 15-Day DL

It doesn't sound like anything to be worried about, so you fans can step back from the edge of the cliff/bridge/"high place". CC went for an MRI on August 5th and it came back clean. Yeah that was "August 5th", and he started on August 8th. So you can tell it's nothing big, since the Yankees are famous for being overly careful with possible injuries.

That's why CC only went 103 pitches in his start on the 3rd, and then only 94 pitches on his start 5 days later. Girardi wanted to be careful and make sure he was okay instead of pushing Sabathia like he normally would.

Originally, as you probably heard, the idea was just to have CC skip his start on Monday, but they decided to "wipe it out" (Girardi's words) this way. I'm sure the current win streak, and the team seemingly turning things around, had a big affect on this decision.