Saturday, August 16, 2014

The Daily Dozen - August 16, 2014

The Daily Dozen - August 16th, 2014 Edition
(Twelve Takeaways from Today's Game vs. the Devil Rays)

1. The Yankees have had 51 games started this year by a Rookie.  Is there any wonder that they are only 3 games above .500?  In all actuality, they have pitched rather brilliantly and have showed poise under the spotlight.  If only their offense would respond to well pitched games.
"No sweat dude!" (Photo Credit: USAToday.com)

2. This game was a very pivotal game for the Yankees.  A win would ensure that they leave New York South with at least a 1 game lead over the Devil Rays.  A loss would put them in a tie with the Devil Rays and likely 9 games behind the Orioles and 5 games out of the 2nd Wild Card spot with only 41 games left to play.  Not good odds.

3. Martin Prado hits a 2-run home run in the 2nd.  This home run was the first hit of the game off of the newly acquired Drew Smyly.  I bet he wasn't "smyling" after that one as he gave up a 2 run lead to the Yankees! (wocka, wocka, wocka!)  Prado's home run was his 7th of the season.
Classic T-Shirt by Kenny Durkin...well played sir!

4. The Yankees only had 3 hits through 5 innings.  Those 3 hits were by the 7-8-9 hitters in the lineup.  I'm not going to say that the heart of the lineup has been bad lately, but...wait...yeah, that's what I'm saying...absolutely not clutch lately.

5. Sigh.  Jacoby Ellsbury's pathetic attempt at a bunt in the 6th inning left my speechless.  Really?  A pop-up to the catcher?  Really?

6. Drew Smyly came over to the Rays in the David Price trade.  Let's take a look at their lines since the deal, shall we?


The top numbers are that of Mr. Smyly.  He is 1-1 with 20 IP, 14 hits, 5 ER, 1 HR, has 19 Ks, and has pitched over 100 pitches in each game.  The bottom numbers are Mr. Price's.  He is currently pitching through 2 innings tonight against Seattle and hasn't given up a run, but in the first 2 games for the Tigers he has 0 decisions, has pitched 14.2 innings, given up 13 hits, 7 ER, 3 HRs, has 16 Ks, and has pitched 112 pitches in each game.  What an even swap, huh?

7. Evan Longoria has 26 home runs against the Yankees since 2008.  That is the most in the majors.  He also leads the majors with 74 RBI in that span against the Yankees.  Good thing he didn't add to those stats in tonight's game!

8. The Rays have left more men on base than any other team in baseball.  At least that's what I heard during the Fox Sports 1 broadcast.  By the eye test, I would have said that the Yankees led easily in that category.  According to TeamRankings.com the Yankees are actually right in the middle of the pack in LOB with 14.38 per game.  The Devil Rays have left 15.48 per game, by far the most in the majors.
Chart Courtesy of TeamRankings.com

9. Singles, singles, singles.  No, it's not an advertisment for Match.com...base hits got to Shane Greene in the 6th inning as his fastball started coming up in the zone (i.e. not sinking anymore) at around 80 pitches thrown. He left the game in the 7th after his defense failed him at 102 pitches and 10 strikeouts (a career high).  Shane Greene definitely deserved to win this game!

10. I hate the defensive shift.  What I can't stand even more is that the hitters haven't adjusted to the shift yet.  As of tonight's game the following teams had used the shift the most in the majors:  Houston Astros - 1288 shifts, New York Yankees - 851, Tampa Bay Devil Rays - 659.  Joe Madden...this is all your fault!

11. Did anyone see Yunel Escobar's face when Betances unleashed his slider?  I mean what do you do when you are getting pounded by 99 mph fastballs and then he sends an 84 mph slider in there?  This is what you do...
"Are you freaking kidding me...?"

12. Guess who has the most hits versus the Devil Rays all-time?  You guessed it El Capitan, Mr. Derek #Re2pect Jeter!  With his game winning RBI single in the 9th he now has 315 hits.  The next closest you ask? Alex Rodriguez with 212, followed by Ortiz (208), Damon (198), and Cano (188).

Jeter's Late Single Backs Up Greene's Great Start in 3-2 Win Over Rays

Shane Greene gave up just 2 earned runs in 6+ innings and Derek Jeter hit a go-ahead single in the top of the ninth today as the Yankees finally ended their five-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over the Rays. 

For most of this one, as expected, Greene and the Yanks led 2-0, an advantage built in the second when Martin Prado took Tampa Bay Starter Drew Smyly deep to left with a man on second.

Nonetheless, after a trio of Rays hits plated a run in the bottom of the sixth and a Chase Headley mental error on an infield chopper led to another crossing of home in the seventh the contest was even, appearing to kill the Yanks' confidence. 

Fortunately, as you can see by that final score, that wouldn't prove to be the case, with an infield knock by Brett Gardner, a throw into the Tampa dugout, and the aforementioned single by Jeter off Jake McGee in the ninth re-giving New York the lead, something they'd never lose thanks to a perfect last at-bat by the always-reliable David Robertson.

Still, since that defensive meltdown cost Greene the W you can't help but be a little dissapointed in the way this afternoon's ballgame played out, as it probably shouldn't have needed the late rally it did. 

8/16 Yankees Open Game Thread vs. Tampa Bay Rays


Welcome to the Saturday afternoon edition of the Yankees open thread for the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees are looking to keep their playoff hopes alive while the Rays look to be spoilers. New York will send Shane Greene to the mound to face off with the Rays Drew Smyly. The game will be played at 4:10 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, Fox Sports 1, MLB TV, and heard on the radio with WFAN.

It’s Derek Jeter’s final season and he and the Yankees arecoming home next week so get your Yankees tickets now to see the home teamlive. Also be sure to follow us on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes and Like our page on Facebook by searching for The Greedy Pinstripes.


It’s an open thread and the dreaded Saturday afternoon game so we should have plenty to talk about. Leave us a comment in the comments section and chat it up with your fellow Yankees fans. Enjoy the day Yankees family and enjoy the rest of your afternoon and weekend. Go Yankees!

Tampa Bay Rays Suck, Period.


Tanaka Pain Free After 25 Pitch Bullpen Session


The biggest test that Masahiro Tanaka is likely to take this season regarding the rehab of his partially torn ulnar collateral ligament happened today and Tanaka passed with flying colors. Tanaka feels pain free today, although tomorrow is another true test when he wakes up in the morning, after throwing 25 fastballs off the mound. Tanaka hopes to throw curveballs next time out and hopes to ramp up his pitches a little after admitting he was not throwing 100%. Great news.

8/16 Yankees Game Preview vs. Tampa Bay Rays


The New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays will continue their three game set this afternoon as the two teams face off in Tropicana Field. The Yankees will send Shane Greene to the mound looking to continue his stellar rookie season and he will face off with the Rays Drew Smyly. The game will be played at 4:10 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, Fox Sports 1, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Greene has made six starts this season and coming off a start in which he allowed just five hits against the Detroit Tigers as he took a shut out into the ninth inning. Greene was not able to finish off the shutout but has some extra rest today which should keep him sharp. 

Smyly was brought to Tampa in the David Price trade with the Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers and makes his first start in a Rays uniform against the New York Yankees. Smyly held down the Texas Rangers in his last start pitching 7.2 innings allowing only three hits and no runs. 



Go Yankees!

Chase Whitley Is Still A Yankee & I Don't Know Why


I am beyond frustrated with the Yankees and Joe Girardi's bullpen management lately. What the hell is going on? Going into last night's game Chase Whitley had a 9.43 ERA since the All Star Break but, as much as I personally disliked the guy, we let the Washington Nationals have Matt Thornton for free. What?

Chase Whitley is worn down and well past his innings limit this season, it's obvious to everyone but Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman right now. STOP USING HIM. Demote Whitley and call up that left handed specialist we heard so much about when Thornton was let go.

Bring me Tyler Webb, bring me Jacob Lindgren, bring me Manny Banuelos, bring me Pat Venditte, just for the love of Christ and everything that is holy please stop using Whitley. That is all.

Gardner: "We're Running Out of Time"

Since there's still 42 games left in the season, it'd be unfair to say the Yankees' 2014 campaign's over.

At times over the last month, as we all know, they've acted unbeatable, with good examples coming against the Reds and Rangers and later the Red Sox and Tigers.

Nonetheless, not winning for a week obviously isn't something that'll help their playoff chances, a fact the team's best hitter, Brett Gardner, acknowledged yesterday, telling The Journal News' Chad Jennings after the Yanks were shutout by the Rays that "we're running out of time."

“We’re running out of time,” Gardner said. “Every day that goes by and we don’t win, it makes us one step closer to being home at the end of September.”

Following last night's embrassing loss to below-.500 Tampa Bay, interestingly, New York is now 4 1/2 games behind the Mariners in the wild card standings, a number that isn't too great to see. 

Still, due to the fact that their schedule next week consists of likable home sets versus the Astros and White Sox hope is definitely alive right now in the Bronx, with the Yankees' effort in those series likely the only thing we should be worried about.

Yankees "Major Players" for Rusney Castillo

Joel Sherman used his Twitter feed to give us all some more information regarding Rusney Castillo, the Cuban outfielder that the Yankees would apparently like to play second base.

Rusney and his representatives are mulling over offers from various teams, and could make a decision next week. Some of the teams interested in Castillo are in a hurry to sign him, as a player must be on the roster by August 31st in order to be eligible for the postseason. Not to mention that teams would likely want a player to get some at bats in the minors first, and the minor league season ends in a few weeks.

I did find it interesting that Sherman included the Yankees among the non-contenders. Not because it isn't true, but because the Yankees are rarely not looked at as postseason contenders. 

Charleston RiverDogs Release 2015 Schedule


RiverDogs Release 2015 Schedule
A dozen Saturday and Sunday games highlight slate of 70 home dates

CHARLESTON, SC – Although the Charleston RiverDogs have another  home stand in which to entertain its many fans, the club is already making plans for the 2015 season as it releases next year’s 70-game home schedule.
The highlight of the ’15 campaign in which the organization will mark their 19th season in Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park and the 22nd as RiverDogs is hosting a dozen Saturday and Sunday games, 10 Friday outings and nine games on the other nights.

The excitement and fanfare of Opening Night (April 9) and an Independence Day celebration (July 4) are annual top dates and great opportunities to enjoy the fun-filled experience that is widely known as RiverDogs Baseball.
August will be the busiest month at Riley Park as the RiverDogs play at home 17 times, while July features 16 dates and June sees 13.

The season begins with a seven-game homestand (April 9-15) as the RiverDogs host the Lexington Legends of the Northern Division for four games and then the Augusta GreenJackets for three. The club will then venture to Savannah and Augusta before returning home April 23 with a four-game block against the Sand Gnats.

The ‘15 schedule also features nine games on MondayTuesdayWednesday and Thursday nights, and 11 games in April and May. There will be two games in early September.

RiverDogs fans will become familiar with Asheville the most as they come to Riley Park for a total of 12 games – including a five-game homestand late in the season -- while Rome and Augusta come to Riley Park for 10 games each. The RiverDogs will also host Kannapolis in a five-game block in early July.

“Even though the summer is officially not yet over, we release our schedule early because we know that our fans like to plan ahead, and many are already scheduling activities for the Summer of 2015,” said General Manager Dave Echols. “We have a great schedule for ’15, and we’re already in the planning stages for great promotions, food and fun that fans have come to know as the ‘RiverDogs Baseball Experience.’”

To view the entire schedule, please refer to http://atmilb.com/1m2a4RW.

Quick Hit: The Return of Brian McCann


Brian McCann has been on the seven day concussion disabled list and is eligible to return today. Manager Joe Girardi has already said that the team will activate McCann today just in time for the second game with the Tampa Bay Rays. While McCann has struggled this season his presence alone changes the whole dynamic of the Yankees lineup and should be welcomed back with open arms.

Austin Romine was called up to replace McCann and after not getting into a single game will head back down to Scranton to be the everyday catcher there. Romine will get the bulk of the starts with the RailRiders since John Ryan Murphy was added to the disabled list himself last week leaving the Yankees uncomfortably thin at the catcher position.


I may be in the minority, well there is no “may” about it, but I think McCann leads the charge that I called for yesterday here on the blog as the Yankees begin a run. It may be just enough of a run to break all our hearts but this team is too good and too talented to stay this bad all season long. Call it a hunch. 

Masahiro Tanaka To Throw 25 Pitch Bullpen Today

As reported yesterday Masahiro Tanaka will throw a 25 pitch bullpen session today as he gets on the mound for the first time since partially tearing his ulnar collateral ligament. This will be the true test for Tanaka for whether he will be able to come back and contribute this season or not. If Tanaka comes through the 25 pitches off a mound without any pain or stiffness then the possibility is still there. If not, Tommy John surgery becomes more and more likely. This is a big day and a big step for Yankees fans and Tanaka.

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/16: Derek Jeter Enters The Record Books


Derek Jeter's name is littered all over the Major League Baseball history books and the history books of the New York Yankees and etched another record for the books on this day in 2009. Jeter went 3-4 on this day and passed Luis Aparicio for the most hits ever compiled by a major league shortstop. Jeter's 2,674th hit passed Aparicio for the record in a 10-3 loss in Seattle.