Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Miguel Cabrera Officially Wins The Triple Crown


Not Yankees related but a huge congratulations goes out to the Tigers Miguel Cabrera on winning the first triple crown in the MLB in over 50 seasons. This is something that is rarely ever done and in my opinion will never be done again. I do not want to get into the MVP discussion I just want to let this sink in for a night that I was a witness to something that is truly historic. Congratulations Miggy! Now break a leg! No seriously... do it.

.330 BA
44 HR
139 RBIS
1 AL Central title

Congratulations To The 2012 New York Yankees


The Yankees have officially clinched their 18th American League East division title tonight when the Rays beat the Orioles. The Yankees, with this win, clinch home field advantage through the American League playoffs and a #1 seed. The Yankees know that their season has just begun and this means nothing, to some, if they do not win the World Series but for a night none of that matters. I've said it at the bottom of all 162 game threads and I'll say it one more time.... Go Yankees!!

Yankees @ Red Sox 10/3/12

Curtis Granderson 3 run home run puts the Yankees up 3-1
Cano two run home run makes it 5-1
Cano hits another two run home run to make it 7-1 Yanks
Cano two rbi single makes it 9-1
Granderson's 43rd home run makes it 10-2 Yankees
Swisher rbi single makes it 13-2
Mark Teixeira sac fly makes it 14-2 


I've got to say it is a little bittersweet to be sitting here on game 162 typing out my 162nd game thread for the blog but nothing an AL East title can't fix. The Yankees go into the last game of the season controlling their own destiny in many ways. If they win tonight do they not only become a 95 game winner, which a month ago seemed like the biggest stretch in history, but also would clinch an AL East divisional title. Also they would clinch a #1 seed and would sit and wait to play the winner of the wild card game. The Yankees will send Hiroki Kuroda to the mound to try and finish this season out on a high. The Red Sox will send Saiduke Matsuzaka to try and play spoiler. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on YES.

Lineups

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


Go Yankees!!

Postseason Bullpen

How many pitchers should the Yankees carry in the American League Divisional series?

Pick me!

I think the answer to that is fairly simple... they should only carry 11 pitchers. I don't see any reason to carry a 12th pitcher, because they really shouldn't be needed. Heck, I'm not even sure a 12th pitcher is needed in the ALCS or World Series. Especially with the bullpen the Yankees could bring with them, as it would carry two pitchers that could go three or more innings.

The way I see it, 10 of those 11 spots are set. The rotation will consist of four men... Sabathia, Pettitte, Kuroda, and Hughes. The bullpen will then have these 6 guys... Soriano (closer), Robertson (set-up), Chamberlain (righty), Logan (lefty), Rapada (lefty), and Phelps (long-man).

You're probably asking yourself, "so who is that other guy that can go 'three or more innings'"? Well, the team actually has three pitchers that could fill that spot.

Oh, man, I don't know.

Freddy Garcia is the first possibility. Sweaty's ERA has been an unimpressive 5.25 this year, to go along with a WHIP of 1.382. Even though he's walked a few more hitters than normal this season (BB/9 of 3.0 this season, opposed to a career mark of 2.8), Freddy has struck out quite a few more (7.3 K/9 as opposed to under 6 in each of the last 3 seasons). Even if we lower the sample size things don't look any better, since in the last 28 days (3 games against 32 batters) his batting line against is .267/.353/.667.

Then there's Derek Lowe. Since Derek debuted with the Yankees on August 13th against the Rangers, putting up a very nice line of 4IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 4K, his ERA and WHIP have been 3.04 and 1.268, respectively. And in his last 9 appearances, having faced 51 batters, Lowe's triple-slash against is also an impressive .149/.216/.149. One thing I noticed is that there's nothing totally out of the ordinary in terms of strikeouts, walks, or BABIP against. He's striking out less hitters than he has in his career (5.3 K/9 with the Yanks this season, versus 5.8 K/9 in his career), walking only slightly less hitters (2.3 BB/9 vs. 2.7), and his BABIP against is .289 vs. a career mark of .301.

And finally we come to Ivan Nova. It's insane that this is a guy that was thought to be entrenched in the middle of the rotation, thanks to a 2011 in which he had 16 wins with a 3.70 ERA. But thanks to an ERA this season of 5.02 and WHIP of 1.468... here we are. And it's not that he's striking out less hitters, or walking more of them. He's actually walking just as many hitters as last season (3.0 BB/9 in 2012, 3.1 BB/9 in 2011), while striking out a lot more (6.6 K/9 in 2012, 8.1 K/9 in 2012). The issue is more balls are being hit into play (.333 BABIP this year, .284 last), which hurts more when his line drive percentage against is significantly higher (22% this year, 17% last). And his triple-slash against of .283/.356/.547 in his last 3 starts doesn't help.

So the choice for that last bullpen spot is obvious to me... Derek Lowe.

"Hey, Cervelli, am I doing this 'fist pump' thing right?"

No Fox Black-Outs On Saturdays

For those of us that live outside of the tri-state area, and therefore get MLB.tv to watch our beloved Bombers, some good news came out earlier today.

Along with MLB getting a heck of a lot more money for games rights from Fox (about $50 million per year per team, rather than $23.72 million), national black-outs for Saturday games will be lifted. So no matter who Fox is broadcasting nationally, you'll be able to see the Yankees on your computers/smartphones/tablets on Saturdays.

If there is any bad from this, it's that it won't take affect until 2014. So we still have the black-outs for 2013. Unless I'm reading it wrong, then please correct me.

You can get more information regarding this here.

This Day In Yankees History 10/3/12


Yankees, along with the Reds, Braves, and Indians, win the first ever wild card and divisional series games.

Open Letter To The Yankees On Game 162

Dear New York Yankees:

I have been a fan of your organization for what seems like my entire 26 year (and counting) life and have always supported by coming out to the stadium, buying the merchandise, watching on TV, etc etc etc. I have not asked for much (well if you do not count the 2009 off season where I begged Brian Cashman to "Get Greedy" and sign Manny Ramirez to complete the Swisher, AJ, CC, Teixeira signing sprees and thus influenced us to make and name this blog) and I will continue to not ask for much, especially if it is unrealistic. I did not expect to be comfortable on game 162 because nothing has come easy for this team this season especially since August. I actually sort of expected a 163rd game but I hate to even say that out loud, but I digress. All I ask is that you go out and play hard tomorrow, do not get yourselves out, and do not let the binder ruin us one last time. Just win today..... please?

Your biggest fan

The Greedy Pinstripes

Yankees Magic Number

and it all comes down to this....

Zoilo Almonte Headed To Dominican Winter League


Zoilo Almonte will be making his second consecutive trip down to his homeland in the Dominican Republic this winter for winter ball. These leagues will start by the end of the month so Zoilo will get some work in before heading back to AAA next season.