Saturday, October 6, 2012

Yankees & Orioles Announce Game 2 Starters


The Yankees and Orioles both announced their game 2 starters for the ALDS recently. The Yankees were torn because they wanted to split up the left handers in CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte but they also took into account that the workload on Hiroki Kuroda has been much more then he has ever faced and his stats are much better at home. The Yankees declined to split up the lefties and will start Andy Pettitte in game 2 against Wei Yin Chen, the Yankees killer, in Baltimore. Hiroki Kuroda will get some extra rest and start at home for game 3 and will be followed by Phil Hughes for game 4 at home. If a game 5 is necessary we will see CC Sabathia on three days rest.

Andruw Jones Left Off ALDS Roster


Andruw Jones told reporters today that he will not be on the ALDS roster, halle freaking lujah. He even was quoted as saying "I didn't deserve to be" so at least he isn't stupid or ignorant to go along with fat, lazy, slow, useless, and incompetent at the plate, on the base paths, and in the field. I think the more and more we see these reports the more that I believe Jayson Nix is healthy and will get the last spot in the bench.

Game 1 Pitching Match Up Set


The Yankees and Orioles start their 5 game American League Championship series tomorrow Sunday 10/7/12 against the Baltimore Orioles in Oriole Park in Camden Yards. The Yankees will send the big man, the horse, the ace to the mound in CC Sabathia to try and start the series off with a win. The Orioles finally announced that they would send out Jason Hammell to go against us Sunday. Hammell has been a walking wounded this season, especially after the all star break so we do not really know what to expect from this guy. He has only thrown 8.2 IP since the All Star break and has not pitched since September 11th. On paper this sounds like a very winnable game but then again on paper the Baltimore Orioles are barely an average team and not a wild card winner. You can't predict baseball.

Yankees Will Draft 29th In 2013 MLB Draft


The Yankees found out their draft position in next year's first year player's draft and it will be a familiar place over the last 15+ years. The Yankees will draft 29th overall in the 2013 draft because of having the third best record in the majors in 2012 behind the Nationals and Reds. A compensation pick that goes to the Pirates for failing to sign their first rounder in 2012 Mark Appell pushes everyone back so there will be 31 picks in the first round. In 2012 the slot recommendation was $1.625 million so it should rise a little bit for 2013.

The Yankees could add three more compensation picks if they offer qualifying offers in the $13-14 million range to impending free agents Hiroki Kuroda, Nick Swisher, and Rafael Soriano if he opts out. I do expect one or two of them to re sign with the Yankees but that is for another post I guess.

Casey McGehee Will Not Be On ALDS Roster


We heard reports come down the wire that the last playoff roster spot would come down to Casey McGehee and Andruw Jones. As many of you know this really hurts my brain to read that Girardi reported that Casey McGehee would not be added to the roster which, by default, seems like Andruw Jones will be on the roster. Casey McGehee should get the call over Andruw Jones anyway just based on stats, the way they play the game, etc but it is also worth noting that in an absolute emergency Casey has catching experience... Andruw Jones has Dunkin' Donuts experience.

For all the optimists out there though Jayson Nix was seen taking batting practice in a simulated game off of Adam Warren and David Aardsma. If he is healthy and close enough I think, and pray, he may get the spot over both of them. One can only hope...