Capuano, McCann Come Through Big in 5-1 Win Over Tigers

Chris Capuano gave up no earned runs in 6 2/3 innings and the Chase Headley/Brian McCann duo hit a pair of solo home runs tonight as the Yankees beat the Tigers, 5-1, in a wild one in the Bronx.

For most of this contest, surprisingly, the Yanks trailed after a Derek Jeter error in the top of the first led to a Miguel Cabrera sac fly, with that misplay keeping the score 1-0 past the halfway point.

Still, due to a solo shot from Headley in the fifth and another one from McCann in the seventh New York did eventually find a way to best Justin Verlander (7 IP, 2 ER), keeping them just one game behind the Blue Jays for the second and final wild card spot.

Yes, in the top of the eighth Stephen Drew bobbled and threw away a Victor Martinez grounder to put men on the corners, but since Adam Warren still found a way to escape that jam and the Yankees rallied for three more in the bottom of the frame (Mark Teixeira - RBI Single, McCann - RBI Fielder's Choice, Andrew Romine - Throwing Error; Teixeira left after scoring with an apparent hand injury) that negative didn't end up proving relevant, a fact Detroit's offense must be pretty disappointed about.

The Daily Dozen - August 5, 2014

The Daily Dozen - August 5th, 2014 Edition
(Twelve Takeaways from LAST Night's Game--since I was tired and wanted to go to bed)

1. Going into this series I predicted Detroit would take 3 of 4 from the Yankees.  If you ever get the chance to check out our Mega Prediction Page...do so...sometimes it can be downright amusing.  I predicted the Yankees would only win the game started by Justin Verlander, which shows just how great their pitching staff really is.  Don't get me wrong, I WANT the Yankees to win every game...but that isn't likely...and if I have to predict them losing every game to have them win, then I will gladly come in last place in the Prediction Game.

I hope this doesn't end up true...

2. Both McCann and Prado hit solo home runs last night.  Man, Martin Prado is already paying dividends isn't he?  He also added his first double as a Yankee in the game.

3. David Price vs. Hiroki Kuroda has the making of a playoff matchup.  Game 7 even.  Both pitchers went deep into the game and did what they were supposed to giving their team a chance to win.  You know, what you would expect during a Playoff Game.  The Yankees are effectively in a playoff situation every night.  Neither got the win, but Price pitched 8-2/3 in his Tiger debut with 10 Ks.

4. Brendan Ryan bobbled a catch in the top of the 5th.  And then he promptly turned it into a barehanded catch.  Good job by Ryan, but then again...I think both Roberts and Drew would have made the play without the bobble.  Kinsler would have made mincemeat of it.

Oops... (Photo Credit: MLB.com and YES Network)

5. Miguel Cabrera has been virtually silent this series.  That doesn't bode well for the last 2 games, because he is the offensive juggernaut to end all juggernauts.  He's 1 for 8 so far with 3 strikeouts and 0 RBI.  Victor Martinez on the other hand is 4 for 8 but has only 1 RBI...and that was in last night's game.

6. I said virtually because Derek Jeter STOLE a hit from Cabrera last night.  Check out this video if you dare! Oh wait...the video I wanted to load isn't available in this country...you'll just have to imagine Jeter jumping up and to his right snagging a sure-fire line drive single or double from Miggy.

7. So the Tigers have a guy named Andrew Romine.  He hit a solo home run last night.  You guessed it, he's the older brother of Yankees prospect Austin Romine.  It would have been cool to see them play against each other, but then McCann wouldn't have had his home run.
 
Andrew....meet Austin (Photo Credits to ESPN.com)

8. Apparently the Yankees are back to not being able to score after the 5th inning.  It's frustrating and downright shameful to be honest.  How can a team with so much talent...a virtual All-Star lineup be void of late game heroics? Oy vey...

9. Dellin Betance continues his dominance.  He added 2 more Ks in the 8th inning and of course didn't pitch in the 9th.  Way to go Binder!  Should have been a 2 inning performance for him to give the Yankees the best chance of winning.

10. Chase Headley's defense in the 9th inning.  He saved the ballgame, at least until they lost it in the 12th.  Does anyone miss A-Rod? No? Honestly...I do, but Mr. Headley has proven that he can be a force to be reckoned with both defensively and offensively.  So he can stay....for now.

11. I had flashbacks to a playoff game in Northeast Ohio when Joba stepped onto the mound.  But this time there were no Mayflies and Joba had a beard.  Oh...and of course he plunked the Captain.  Jerk!  I was at that playoff game versus the Indians...and it sucked!

Shoo fly!

12. The Yankees have now played 16 straight games that were decided by 2 runs or less.  This explains why I have had such persistent heartburn the last few weeks.  No...for real.

8/6 Yankees Open Game Thread vs. Detroit Tigers

Welcome to tonight’s open thread for the game between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers. We have seen some great pitching this series and nothing leads me to believe that tonight won’t be the same in the Bronx. The Yankees will send Chris Capuano to the mound to face off with the Tigers Justin Verlander. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Remember to grab a cheap pair of Yankees tickets for tonight’s game or any game this home stand right here on the blog through our friends at Ticket Monster. Also be sure to follow us on twitter by following @GreedyStripes and like our page on Facebook by searching for The Greedy Pinstripes to chat with us during the games.

It’s an open thread so use the comments section of the site to chat about whatever you would like during the game. Enjoy the game Yankees family, hopefully we get another victory, and enjoy the rest of your evening. Go Yankees!

Phillies Byrd & Hamels Claimed, Papelbon Clears

Marlon Byrd and Cole Hamels have been claimed on revocable waivers and Jonathan Papelbon has cleared waivers. The Phillies have 48.5 hours to work out deals for Byrd and Hamels with the teams that claimed them. They can always give the players to the claiming teams for the contract or pull the players back. Papelbon can be traded to any team for the remainder of the season.

Just as a reminder Hamels has the Red Sox, Angels, Nationals, Dodgers, Cardinals, Braves, Yankees, Padres, and Rangers on his no trade list. Byrd can block deals to the Royals, Mariners, Blue Jays, and Rays. Papelbon also has a limited no trade clause but has stated he is more than willing to waive it to play with a contender this season and next.

Hamels is owed $90 million through the 2018 season. Byrd is owed $8 million for the 2015 season and has an easily attainable vesting option for 2016 also for $8 million. Papelbon is owed $13 million in 2015 and also has an easily attainable vesting option for 2016 as well.

It's unclear whether the Yankees claimed either of these players or if they would be interested in Papelbon but I guess we will find out in a couple days. Just as a reminder the National League gets first dibs on the claiming order in reverse order according to worst record to best before the American League gets a shot so I find it unlikely that New York claimed Hamels, but maybe Byrd fell to them. Either way, stay tuned.

The Yankees Hit Home Runs Off Justin Verlander

Actually the Yankees have hit two in each of their last two games against Verlander... just saying. Verlander still wins though. Two words. Kate. Upton.

8/6 Yankees Game Preview vs. Detroit Tigers

The New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers will play in the third game of a four game set tonight at Yankee Stadium in yet another pitcher’s duel. The Tigers will send their third consecutive AL Cy Young Award winner to the mound tonight in Justin Verlander and he will face off with Chris Capuano for the Yankees. Capuano has pitched well since coming over from the Colorado Rockies in a July trade and has helped solidify a Yankees rotation in ruins. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Capuano will be making his third start as a member of the New York Yankees as the team looks for their first win in one of his starts this season. The Yankees are 0-2 in games that Capuano starts after the Boston Red Sox knocked Capuano around for four runs and eight hits over 6.1 innings in his last start. 

Verlander may be the Tigers pitcher that is struggling the most this season which really puts that rotation into perspective when you consider that the right hander still has 10 wins on the season. Verlander does not enjoy pitching in Yankee Stadium and has given up seven home runs over 31 innings in five career starts in the house that George Steinbrenner built. 

Get your Yankees tickets for tonight’s game in Yankee Stadium, the game tomorrow with Shane Greene and Rick Porcello, or any gamethis weekend with the Indians coming to town right here on the blog. We don’tcharge those annoying fees and we don’t make you pay for the shipping costseither. We really have a unique and beneficial set up here for you guys to takeadvantage of for the rest of the season so buy now while you still can.

Go Yankees!!

Girardi Not Concerned About Yanks Blowing Lead to Tigers

When Martin Prado homered off David Price in yesterday's fifth inning, it was safe to say that the Yankees were in a good position to win.

The currently 58-54 team, who presently trail the Blue Jays by just one game in the AL Wild Card Standings, were up 3-1 with a dominant pitcher on the mound, seemingly clinching their fourth consecutive victory. 

Nonetheless, since Hiroki Kuroda fell apart late in his outing and Matt Daly gave up a run in the top of the twelfth the Yanks did eventually lose, an unfortunate happening that apparently doesn't bother Manager Joe Girardi, who said after the contest concluded that New York still gave it their all in the defeat. 

“Our guys gave everything that they had,” Girardi told The Journal News. “We fought them for 12 innings, and we ended up losing 4-3 and it’s a tough loss, but we’ll bounce back. Guys understand that. You go through games like this and you have to bounce back.”

In tonight's third game against the Tigers, interestingly, the Yankees will send Chris Capuano to the mound to face off with Justin Verlander, a matchup that admittedly doesn't look too preferable.

Still, considering the usually-dominant Verlander's struggled this season it is possible that the Yanks will somehow find a way to emerge victorious, something that'd probably be huge for Capuano's confidence. 

The Pro and Cons of a Qualifying Offer for David Robertson

Many worried about what the New York Yankees would do with their bullpen when the great Mariano Rivera retired and that has been answered in a big way, they will hand the ball to David Robertson. Robertson saved his 30^th game of the season Monday night saving a gem for Brandon McCarthy as he continues to add dollars to his next contract after the 2014 season. Robertson is set to be a free agent after this year which is leading many to believe that the Yankees will offer the right hander a qualifying offer for next season if they don’t extend him first. This like any other deal has its advantages and disadvantages for the team.

The qualifying offer is rumored to be right at or slightly above $15 million for the 2015 season on a one year deal. If Robertson were to accept the offer the Yankees would get a cost friendly and team friendly closer in 2015 with little to no risk for the future. Robertson also gets a healthy raise and a chance to prove that this was not just a one year fluke and he can be a great closer going forward. If Robertson declines the Yankees would get a high draft pick as compensation and can plug Dellin Betances into the role next season and plug the 7^th or 8^th inning up with a veteran in the offseason.

The disadvantages could be that Robertson takes the qualifying offer personally and does not want to come back. The Yankees have already broken their long unwritten rule of negotiating deals before the current deal is up when they extended Brett Gardner this winter and Robertson may be asking why he isn’t next. If Robertson accepts the offer and has another stellar season as the back end of the bullpen he will undoubtedly want a raise on that $15 million making him a pretty expensive bullpen arm. Also the Yankees could easily move Betances up to the 9^th inning, Adam Warren up to the 8^th inning, and Shawn Kelley to the 7^th inning but that still leaves a huge gaping hole in the Yankees bullpen for next season. You can fill that via free agency but you also deal with the devil you know (Robertson) vs. the devil you don’t (Free agent) which is huge when considering coming to New York.

The Yankees are taking a huge risk by not extending Robertson now and waiting until the end of the season to negotiate. This will either work out in the Yankees favor or will backfire heavily. I do believe that Robertson loves being a Yankee and loves being in New York which may fetch the team a home town discount but we all were saying that last season as well with Robinson Cano. Nobody wants that fiasco again, do we?

Assistant GM Billy Eppler Still In The Fold

The assistant general manager to Brian Cashman was recruited hot and heavy by the San Diego Padres for their vacant GM job but Billy Eppler is still in the fold for the Yankees and the Padres instead hired Texas Rangers assistant GM A.J. Preller.

Eppler will be in the fold for the Yankees this offseason unless something goes awry from now until then as Cashman is a free agent after this season. If New York, or Cashman for that matter, decides that the two sides need to be broken up. Eppler may be the next GM of the New York Yankees, stay tuned.

POLL: Robertson & The Yankees All Time Saves Record

Just a quick poll to get your Wednesday started right. Does anyone think that David Robertson could approach Mariano Rivera’s Yankees single season saves record of 53 in 2004? Can he beat Rafael Soriano’s 42 saves in 2012 in a partial season for New York? Can he pass John Wetteland’s 43 saves in 1996? Vote in the poll and shoot us your answer in the comments section of the site. Thank you

  

How Many Saves Will David Robertson Finish 2014 With?
	Passes Mariano Rivera’s 53 saves in 2004
	Passes John Wetteland’s 43 saves in 1996
	Passes Rafael Soriano’s 42 saves in 2012
	Saves 30-40 games in 2014
	What’s a save?
pollcode.com free polls

Chase Headley Has Been Just What The Doctor Ordered

Chase Headley has been just what the doctor ordered in New York. Headley came over from the San Diego Padres and immediately helped with an infield defense that was severely lacking. Headley took over the hot corner and has played Gold Glove defense over there replacing the revolving door of Kelly Johnson, Yangervis Solarte, and others. Headley also played first base out of necessity on Monday in place of the dizzy Mark Teixeira and filled in admirably. Headley actually almost looked comfortable over at first base and could be a legitimate backup for Teixeira with the addition of Martin Prado.

Headley played shortstop in college and could back up for Derek Jeter at short or Stephen Drew at second if need be in a pinch. Headley came up as a left fielder in spacious San Diego and could easily translate into an outfielder in New York if need be as well. Headley has not excelled with the bat like some would have hoped for but his presence alone helps.

Headley is a switch hitter that along with Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira brings us closer to the glory days of when it was such a headache to matchup with the Yankees because of the numerous switch hitters. Headley can get it done with the bat and genuinely looks like he wants to be here, and that counts for a lot in my book. Headley adds versatility, flexibility, professionalism, and may be just what the doctor ordered for 2014 and beyond for the New York Yankees. 

Quick Hit: Jacob Lindgren Promoted To Double-A Trenton

Prior to Wednesday's ballgame against the Altoona Curve, the Trenton Thunder, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, have a trio of roster moves to announce. Reliever Nick Rumbelow was transferred to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre Monday and right-hander Jacob Lindgren was promoted from High-A Tampa Tuesday.

 

Lindgren was the first selection made by the Yankees in the 2014 amateur draft. The former Mississippi State Bulldog was selected 55th overall and has appeared 11 times across Yankees affiliates this season and compiled a 0.68 ERA. After one appearance with the GCL Yankees, Lindgren struck out 11 batters in 5.0 innings with Single-A Charleston. When his performance earned him a promotion on July 17th to High-A Tampa, Lindgren struck out 17 batters in 7.1 innings and allowed just three hits and four walks.

 

Rumbelow, a former 7th round selection in 2013, appeared seven times with the Thunder this season. In 7.1 innings he allowed just three earned runs (3.68 ERA) and struck out 15 batters. The former LSU Tiger is 5-1 with a 2.11 ERA in 42.2 combined innings with Charleston, Tampa and Trenton this season.

Also on-the-move, C Kyle Higashioka, who has not appearaed in a game with the Thunder this season due to injury, has been transferred to Tampa's roster.

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/6: Hank Aaron Passes The Babe

We all know this is a New York Yankees website but we pay respect when respect is due which is why we honor the Braves slugger Hank Aaron today. On this day in 1972 Hank Aaron passed the great Yankees legend Babe Ruth for the most home runs hit with one team. Aaron hit his 660th and 661st career home run with the Braves to pass the Babe.

The Yankees also traded away Bucky Dent four years after becoming Bucky "F'in" Dent and Armando Benitez for Jeff Nelson on this day but really today belongs to Hammerin' Hank.