Thursday, August 31, 2017

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox 8/31


And just like that it is game time between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Tonight marks the first of four games in this series and may mark the final four times that we see these two teams face off head-to-head. The postseason is not guaranteed for either team and there are no guarantees that these two teams could face each other in the postseason so this may be the final four times the rivalry gets renewed here in 2017. In the opener of the huge four-game set the Yankees will send CC Sabathia to the mound on an extra day of rest to face off with Eduardo Rodriguez for the Red Sox. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11, MLB Network and MLB TV. You can also follow along in your cars and on the radio by tuning into the WFAN broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Follow us on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes and enjoy the game. Need a win, get a huge win. Go Yankees!!!!


Would Brian Cashman Really Head to Miami in 2018?


Here we stand on August 31st with the trade deadline now past and the rumor mill has already begun for the 2018 offseason. That’s typical in baseball but this story kind of hits close to home as some publications are already speculating that the Yankees GM Brian Cashman may be done in pinstripes after the season. Cashman, who is set to be a free agent at the end of the year, is speculated to be joining the Miami Marlins who were recently bought by a group headed by former Yankees legend Derek Jeter in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past six months or so but this begs the question, Cashman wouldn’t really leave New York for Miami…. Would he?

Honestly I can’t see Cashman bolting from the Yankees to go anywhere, let alone the Miami Marlins. Why? Giancarlo Stanton. That contract is moveable, sure, but that contract is going to hinder the Marlins ability to spend for a long, long time. Cashman, in his own defense, has been great lately with his handling of prospects and in trading for young, cheap and controllable players but at the end of the day Cashman has always and will always look to bail himself out with the big money grab of a veteran player or a key piece. That just simply, and I am obviously speculating here, won’t be the case down in Miami. The Miami Marlins will never have the payroll that the Los Angeles Dodgers or the New York Yankees have. The market would never support it, the attendance would never support it and I doubt the group headed by Jeter could support it.

Cashman finally has the power and the ability to basically make trades at will here in the Bronx. Sure, he has a spending limit but his spending limit here is much higher than it would be anywhere else in the league with the obvious exception of the Los Angeles Dodgers so why would he want to go anywhere else? Cashman has a young team brewing here with plenty of star power and has a Top 5 – Top 10 farm system to boot because of recent developmental changes and philosophies in the system which begin and end with the man handing out the checks and trading, or in this case not trading, the Yankees prospects. Cashman has fought for a long time for this kind of team, this kind of farm system and this kind of control over it and I simply can’t see Cashman moving on from it now.


The only way I can see Cashman leaving is if he gets a huge pay raise and promotion much like the Tampa Bay Rays executive Andrew Friedman a few years back. If Jeter were to offer President of Baseball Operations to Cashman and full control over the team… then maybe… but if it were just to be a GM I think Cashman will be back in the Bronx for the 2018 season, and I’m okay with that. 

Yankees to Honor Fairfield American Little League Baseball Team Tomorrow!


Tomorrow night before the New York Yankees and Yankee Stadium play host to their biggest rivals in the Boston Red Sox the organization will honor one of our own. The team will welcome the Fairfield American Little League baseball team to Yankee Stadium to honor them after their impressive run through the 2017 Little League World Series. The players from the team will be able to take the players on the field with them during the National Anthem at 7:05 pm ET tomorrow night.

The Fairfield American community can purchase a limited number of tickets for $45 and then those within the community will be given a unique link to invite friends after purchasing their tickets. Everyone in the Fairfield American community will be sitting in Section 130 of the stadium.

What an awesome gesture by the New York Yankees, especially to do so while hosting the team whose executive once donned New York the “Evil Empire.” Sounds pretty evil to me, huh? Kudos to the Yankees for doing this!


Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox 8/31


The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will face off for the final four times during the 2017 regular season tonight and into the weekend so let’s get pumped, let’s get excited and let’s steal this division away from them. Rivalry renewed ladies and gentleman and there’s a whole lot riding on this four-game series. In the opener of the series the Yankees will send CC Sabathia to the mound to square off with Eduardo Rodriguez for the Red Sox. A battle of the lefties commences here in just a few short hours.




Sabathia has made two starts since coming off the disabled list with right knee pain and has allowed just three runs in 13 innings of work. This will mark the first time Sabathia has faced his former and original team this season and the 12th time the southpaw has seen him throughout his career.




Rodriguez on the other hand hasn’t been impressive since coming off the disabled list posting a 0-2 record with a 5.08 ERA in eight starts for Boston. Rodriguez has been tough inside Yankee Stadium though throughout his career posting a career 2-1 record and 1.38 ERA in four starts so the Bronx may be just what the doctor ordered for the man they call E-Rod.




The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11, MLB Network and MLB TV. You can also follow along in your cars and on the radio by tuning into the WFAN broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. Say what you will about Mr. and Ms. Baseball and their telecast but it always seems that no matter your opinion on them you always miss them when they are gone. We have less than 30 games to go during this regular season and I’m already starting to miss them if I’m being honest. Need a win, get a win. Especially against these Boston Red Sox. Go Yankees!!!


Are Playoff Chances Being Swept Away?...

Credit:  Corey Sipkin-NY Post
Game 1 - Indians 2, Yankees 1...

The Yankees continued their struggles with runners in scoring position and lost another one run game.  Sadly, these games against the Cleveland Indians are showing the Yankees are not postseason-worthy or if they do make the play-offs, it will be a short stay.  I'd love for the Yankees to make me eat these words.

The first inning is generally a good litmus test for the starting pitcher.  By my account, Yankees starter Jaime Garcia failed.  Francisco Lindor led off the game with a single to right center.  Excuse me a moment...Jaime Garcia, you suck!...okay, I'm back.  Lindor stole second, and then advanced to third when Jose Ramirez singled to left past a diving Didi Gregorius.  Lindor came home to score the first run when Garcia's pitch got past Gary Sanchez (here we go again).  It was El Gary's thirteenth passed ball this season.  Ramirez moved up to second.  Yandy Diaz (who?) then singled to center (another unsuccessful dive by Didi) which scored Ramirez.  The Indians had the early 2-0 lead.  

Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

The Yankees had something going in the bottom of the 2nd but couldn't produce.  Chase Headley led off with a walk.  After Greg Bird popped out to the shortstop (Lindor), Todd Frazier singled to left to put runners at the corners with just the one out.  Unfortunately, neither Jacoby Ellsbury nor Ronald Torreyes could move the runners against Indians starter Trevor Bauer.  Another failed RISP opportunity which has been a common theme the second half.  

The Yankees picked up their first run in the bottom of the 3rd before the ugly RISP monster raised its head again.  Aaron Hicks worked a walk with one out.  A ground out by Gary Sanchez pushed Hicksie to second.  Doing his best "Bradley Zimmer" impersonation, Hicks advanced to third on a wild pitch by Bauer that got away from catcher Roberto Perez.  Didi Gregorius must have been unaware there was a runner in scoring position because he doubled to left to score A-A-Ron.  Another wild pitch by Bauer moved Didi 90 feet away from home plate, but Chase Headley, realizing there WAS a runner in scoring position, struck out to end the inning.

Jaime Garcia ended up making it through five innings with just the two first inning runs scored against him (only one earned), but you know what?  He still sucks.  The Tribe had runners in scoring position every inning against him except for the 3-up, 3-down 2nd inning.  Luck was his friend this day...not talent.  He walked the first batter (Carlos Santana) to start the 6th inning which caused Manager Joe Girardi to make the call to the bullpen.  Exit He Who Sucks, Enter Chad Green.  For a bullpen that has been leaky recently, Green just quietly goes about his business.  Two strikeouts and Santana caught stealing second sent the game to the bottom of the 6th.  No drama...thanks Greeny!

Green struck out the side in the 7th but allowed a lead-off double in the 8th to the pesky Jose Ramirez.  He struck out the next two batters before Girardi gave him the hook and brought in Tommy Kahnle.  Kahnle induced Carlos Santana to pop out to third to end the inning.  I can't say enough great things about the job that Chad Green has done this year.  He hasn't been perfect, but all things considered, he is most of the time.  For this outing, he ended up with 7 strikeouts for 2 2/3 innings of work and just the one hit.  I never thought I'd say that Green is a better reliever (right now) than Aroldis Chapman.  For his effort, according to MLB.com, Green became the first player in history to record seven strikeouts in a game when facing eight or fewer batters.  

The last Yankees reliever who was this dominant was Ron Davis, who struck out eight of nine on May 4, 1981 against the then-California Angels in Anaheim. The Yankees won that game, 4-2, with Davis picking up the save in relief of Gene Nelson. 



Meanwhile, the Yankees couldn't muster anything against Bauer and reliever Tyler Olson.  Ronald Torreyes made it to second in the bottom of the 7th but that would be as far as he would get.  That was the last opportunity the Yankees would get as relievers Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen slammed the door over the final two innings.  Aaron Judge striking out to end the game seemed to represent how the second half has gone for the Yankees.  This was a very disappointing loss.  

With the loss, the Yankees (70-61) fell 4 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox before the start of the second game of the double-header.  They moved closer to the third place Baltimore Orioles than they are from the top.  If the O's keep winning, they'll soon be making noise in the Wild Card Standings and potentially for second place in the AL East.  

Game 2 - Indians 9, Yankees 1...

Perhaps I should have been kinder toward Jaime Garcia.  If he failed the first inning test for me, Jordan Montgomery stunk the place up.  I always want to see the game's first batter retired for home games, but it was not to be for this double-header in either game.  Like the first game, Francisco Lindor led off with a single to center.  The second batter, Austin Jackson, walked.  Surprisingly, Jose Ramirez, who has proven to be a Yankee killer, struck out swinging.  But it didn't stop the next few batters from celebrating batting practice against Montgomery.  

Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

Edwin Encarnacion got the party started with a single to center to score Lindor. Austin Jackson advanced to third on the hit and subsequent throw. A double to left by Carlos Santana brought Jackson home.  Encarnacion moved to third. Yandy Diaz (who is this guy and why does he keep scorching us?) singled to left, scoring both Encarnacion and Santana.  Brandon Guyer got the fifth hit of the inning off Montgomery with a single to left.  Diaz moved to second.  Yan Gomes struck out for the second out. A wild pitch sent Diaz to third.  Erik Gonzalez walked to load the bases, but fortunately, Francisco Lindor, coming to bat for the second time in the inning, struck out swinging to finally end the first inning disaster.  The Indians led, 4-0, before the Yankees could even pick up a bat.

The Yankees' half of the inning started promising.  Brett Gardner led off and reached on an infield single.  So far, so good.  Starlin Castro followed by hitting into a double play.  End of smiley face.  A fly out by Gary Sanchez and it gave the illusion that it would be another long day for the Yankee hitters (which ultimately proved to be true).  

The Yankees scratched out a run in the bottom of the 2nd.  Aaron Judge led off with an infield single.  Aaron Hicks stroked a one-out single to left, Judge to second.  Greg Bird singled to right which brought Judge around to score with Hicks moving to second.  4-1, Indians.  Ronald Torreyes hit into a fielder's choice which erased Bird at second so the Yankees had runners at the corners with two outs.  But Austin Romine continued the RISP struggles when he grounded out to third.

Credit Jordan Montgomery for recovering from the devastating first inning.  He held the Indians in check from the second inning through the fourth.  Unfortunately, the Yankees just couldn't get their offense untracked.  Monty was gone when the 5th inning rolled around, having thrown 92 pitches.  Lefty Chasen Shreve replaced Monty to start the 5th.  Sadly, Shreve's recent struggles continued as Edwin Encarnacion took him deep into the left field stands for a solo home run.  If you are slumping, just trying hitting against Shreve.  You're guaranteed to bust out in a big way.  Carlos Santana followed with a grounder to short, but the throw from Didi Gregorius took Greg Bird off the base to allow Santana to reach first safely.  Fortunately, Shreve retired the next 3 Indians to end the inning but I can't say I am too confident in the pitcher at the moment.

In the top of the 6th, with the still not-so-reliable Shreve on the mound, Erik Gonzalez led off with a double to left field.  After Francisco Lindor grounded out, Austin Jackson doubled to center to score Gonzalez.  The Tribe had increased their lead to 6-1.  Joe Girardi pulled Shreve (wasn't too sorry to see him go) and brought in Caleb Smith.  Smith got out of the 6th, but he wasn't so lucky in the 7th.  After a Yandy Diaz walk, Yan Gomes smashed a two-run homer off Smith to right.  

Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

Smith ended up taking one for the team and finished the game to spare the other bullpen arms for Boston.  He allowed one more homer in the 8th when Francisco Lindor blasted a solo shot to left.  Not a pretty performance but at this point, it didn't really matter anymore.

The Indians took the 8-run lead into the bottom of the 9th.  With former Yankee Zach McAllister on the mound and in the 'too little, too late' department, Greg Bird unloaded a three-run bomb to right-center.  It was meaningless for this game but hopefully it is a sign that Bird's bat is coming around for the weekend series.  The Indians walked off the field with the 9-4 victory and the double-header sweep.  

Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

The three-game downward spiral for the Yankees (70-62) dropped them 5 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox after pulling within 2 1/2 games just 48 hours previously.  The Baltimore Orioles won their seventh game in a row to draw within 2 1/2 games of the Yankees in both the AL East and the Wild Card standings.  At this point, the Yankees hold a very slight edge for the Wild Card  (one game ahead of the Minnesota Twins) and playing like they intend to bow out completely.  

Credit:  Getty Images

Things do not get any easier...

Next Up:  Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York...

The Yankees and Red Sox resume their great rivalry today with a four-game set at 161st and River.  The Yankees can make some noise in the AL East by winning this series.  At the very least, they need to hold their own with at least a split to avoid slipping further behind the Red Sox.

Here are the scheduled pitching match-ups:

TODAY
Red Sox:  Eduardo Rodriguez (4-4, 4.19 ERA)
Yankees:  CC Sabathia (10-5, 3.82 ERA)

FRIDAY
Red Sox:  Doug Fister (3-7, 4.53 ERA)
Yankees:  Sonny Gray (8-8, 3.26 ERA)

SATURDAY
Red Sox:  Drew Pomeranz (14-4, 3.23 ERA)
Yankees:  Masahiro Tanaka (10-10, 4.69 ERA)

SUNDAY
Red Sox:  Chris Sale (15-6, 2.77 ERA)
Yankees:  Luis Severino (11-6, 3.14 ERA)

Odds & Ends...

The Yankees will be sending six players to the Arizona Fall League this year. You may recall that Gleyber Torres had tremendous success there last year (AFL Most Valuable Player).  He's not going this year as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery, but we'll be closely watching the six prospects who will be there.  OF Estevan Florial and LHP Justus Sheffield lead the pack.  They'll be joined by RHP Dillon Tate (who has really reinvigorated his prospect status this year), 1B Chris Gittens, SS Thairo Estrada, and SS Kyle Holder.  I'd love to see Florial dominate this year like Torres did last year.  That might be a tall order for the youngster but I am looking forward to seeing what the latest crop of Baby Bombers will bring.  

After yesterday's double-header, the Yankees optioned LHP Jordan Montgomery (the 26th man) and LHP Caleb Smith to Triple A.  No immediate word who will fill Smith's spot on the active roster.  The obvious move is the activation of DH Matt Holliday from the 10-day DL but we'll find out before today's game.  

Have a great Thursday!  Time to make a statement against the Red Sox and bring silence to the RSN!  Go Yankees!

My Thoughts on the Yankees Arizona Fall League Participants for 2017


The New York Yankees are sending some heavy hitters to the Arizona Fall League this winter and as a self-professed prospect humper, trademark pending, I am so damn excited for it. The Yankees organization announced that they would be sending one of their top outfield prospects Estevan Florial to the Scottsdale Scorpions as well as Justus Sheffield, Dillon Tate, Thairo Estrada, Chris Gittens and Kyle Holder. All these rosters are preliminary and subject to change and the Yankees have a couple extra slots they could add some players to, usually pitchers are the late additions to the team.

Florial was the subject of trade rumors this summer as the Oakland Athletics were asking for the 19-year old left-handed hitting outfielder in the Sonny Gray deal so the fact that he is still with the team and getting a chance to play for the Scorpions and represent the Yankees excites me. Florial represented Team World in the All-Star Game Futures Game this season and is currently the Yankees 4th best prospect according to MLB.com. Florial hit well in A-Ball splitting time with the Charleston Riverdogs and the Tampa Yankees and with his inclusion in the AFL the lefty may be on the fast track to the Major Leagues. See Gleyber Torres and the rocket he road to Triple-A after his breakout AFL campaign in 2016 before scoffing at that statement.

Right behind Florial on the MLB.com Yankees prospects rankings is Sheffield and the lefty starting pitcher will be right behind Florial as well as his teammate down in Scottsdale. The Yankees likely want to give Sheffield some additional innings since the southpaw is currently rehabbing an oblique injury with the Gulf Coast Yankees but the team also likely wants to see what Sheffield can do against some advanced talent. Sheffield pitched 90.1 innings in Double-A this season before the injury and is slated to be in Triple-A as soon as the beginning of next season with his current progression. Sheffield may be the top Yankees pitching prospect in terms of projectability and if he isn’t he is right behind Chance Adams and Freicer Perez.

The Yankees have some 40 man roster decisions to make this offseason before the Rule 5 Draft which likely explains why Estrada, Holder and Gittens are on the roster this winter. It isn’t uncommon for teams to get an extended look at prospects they deem to be “on the bubble” in terms of 40 man roster protection so expect Estrada, Holder and Gittens to get extended looks, especially Estrada. It seems unlikely that any team would take Gittens or Holder at this point, although Holder’s defense and versatility could fit well with a rebuilding team in the National League like the San Diego Padres, but in my opinion Estrada would be chosen in the first round if left unprotected.

So what are my thoughts on this cast of Yankees players heading down to Arizona? I love the roster. I am so looking forward to seeing Sheffield pitch, Florial play the outfield, Dillon Tate make his second consecutive appearance and continue his climb back to being a top prospect in Major League Baseball and I look forward to watching the trio of Yankees infielders making progress as well. I’m a prospect humper, what did you expect me to say about this roster? Who wouldn’t want to see Tate, Sheffield and Florial on a big stage? It’s a no-brainer. Enjoy your day Yankees family.


For your information here is how each team is made up in the Arizona Fall League:


AFL club
MLB clubs
CLE, CWS, LA, PHI, PIT
ATL, BOS, SD, SEA, TOR
ARI, BAL, COL, MIA, MIL
KC, MIN, STL, TB, TEX
CIN, LAA, NYM, NYY, SF
CHC, DET, HOU, OAK, WSH

So it Seems… August 31st Trade Deadline Day


Good morning everyone and happy August 31st trade deadline day. While this deadline day is nothing compared to the July 31st trade deadline day it is still a rather big deal nonetheless. Any player acquired today or before today obviously is eligible for postseason play with their new team while any player acquired after the trade deadline, because yes teams can trade up until the final day of the season if they would like, are not eligible for postseason play in 2017. Will the Yankees acquire anyone? It honestly seems very unlikely at this point and if they did it may be a third catcher for the month of September but probably nothing more than that. Don’t get too excited about today Yankees family because it is looking like it’s going to be just another day in the Bronx.


Every day with you is special though. HEY YOU. I love you!

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/31: Indians 22 Yankees 0


The New York Yankees have had a very storied history including a ton of blowouts on both sides of the ball but none bigger than the whooping the Cleveland Indians put on the New York Yankees on this day in 2004. This actually tied the largest shutout margin in the history of Major League Baseball, but set the record in Yankees history, when the Indians beat the Yankees 22-0 in Yankee Stadium. The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs by the same margin way back in 1975 at Wrigley Field to set the original record.

Also on this day in Yankees getting clobbered history Omar Vizquel had six hits in that same 2004 game. Vizquel would become the first player in the 81 year history of Yankee Stadium to get six hits in one game.

Finally on this day in 1997 Don Mattingly Day was held at Yankee Stadium where his #23 jersey was retired in Monument Park. Mattingly was the Yankees captain from 1991 to 1995 and becomes the first Yankee to have his uniform number retired without reaching the World Series.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

American League Wild Card Strength of Schedules


The American League Wild Card chase may go down as one of the most entertaining, the most confusing and one of the best playoff hunts in the history of North American sports. There are eight-or-nine teams depending on who you ask vying for just two spots in the American League and this one looks like it will go down to the absolute wire and the last weekend of the season. I wonder if Major League Baseball is prepared for tie breaker after tie breaker and possible outcome after possible outcome. I guess there’s only one way to find out, watch until the very last pitch is thrown during the 2017 regular season. Until then all we can do is look at the strength of schedules, for what they are worth anyway since any team can beat any team on any given night in MLB, and analyze which teams have the best shot on paper of reaching the 2017 postseason.

I have included home games, away games and number of days off left for each time and I have also bolded the series that I believe this team could win. Could win, not will win. You can’t predict baseball.




New York Yankees

4 games vs. Boston Red Sox
3 games @ Baltimore Orioles
3 games @ Texas Rangers
3 games @ Tampa Bay Rays
4 games vs. Baltimore Orioles
3 games vs. Minnesota Twins
3 games @ Toronto Blue Jays
1 game vs. Kansas City Royals
3 games vs. Tampa Bay Rays
3 games vs. Toronto Blue Jays


2 days off
18 home games
12 away games




Minnesota Twins

1 game vs. Chicago White Sox
3 games vs. Kansas City Royals
3 games @ Tampa Bay Rays
4 games @ Kansas City Royals
2 games vs. San Diego Padres
4 games vs. Toronto Blue Jays
3 games @ New York Yankees
4 games @ Detroit Tigers
3 games @ Cleveland Indians
3 games @ Detroit Tigers


2 days off
10 home games
20 away games




Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

3 games @ Texas Rangers
3 games @ Oakland Athletics
3 games @ Seattle Mariners
3 games vs. Houston Astros
3 games vs. Texas Rangers
3 games vs. Cleveland Indians
3 games @ Houston Astros
4 games @ Chicago White Sox
3 games vs. Seattle Mariners


4 days off
12 home games
16 away games




Baltimore Orioles

4 games vs. Toronto Blue Jays
3 games vs. New York Yankees
3 games @ Cleveland Indians
3 games @ Toronto Blue Jays
4 games @ New York Yankees
3 games vs. Boston Red Sox
4 games vs. Tampa Bay Rays
2 games @ Pittsburgh Pirates
3 games @ Tampa Bay Rays


3 days off
14 home games
15 away games




Seattle Mariners

3 games vs. Oakland Athletics
3 games vs. Houston Astros
3 games vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
4 games @ Texas Rangers
3 games @ Houston Astros
3 games vs. Texas Rangers
3 games vs. Cleveland Indians
3 games @ Oakland Athletics
3 games @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim


4 days off
15 home games
13 away games




Tampa Bay Rays

3 games @ Chicago White Sox
3 games vs. Minnesota Twins
3 games @ Boston Red Sox
3 games vs. New York Yankees
3 games vs. Boston Red Sox
2 games vs. Chicago Cubs
4 games @ Baltimore Orioles
3 games @ New York Yankees
3 games vs. Baltimore Orioles


5 days off
14 home games
13 away games




Kansas City Royals

3 games @ Minnesota Twins
3 games @ Detroit Tigers
4 games vs. Minnesota Twins
3 games vs. Chicago White Sox
4 games @ Cleveland Indians
3 games @ Toronto Blue Jays
3 games @ Chicago White Sox
1 game @ New York Yankees
3 games vs. Detroit Tigers
3 games vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

2 days off
13 home games
17 away games




Texas Rangers

1 game @ Houston Astros
3 games vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
3 games @ Atlanta Braves
3 games vs. New York Yankees
4 games vs. Seattle Mariners
3 games @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
3 games @ Seattle Mariners
3 games @ Oakland Athletics
3 games vs. Houston Astros
4 games vs. Oakland Athletics


2 days off
17 home games
13 away games




Toronto Blue Jays

4 games @ Baltimore Orioles
3 games @ Boston Red Sox
3 games vs. Detroit Tigers
3 games vs. Baltimore Orioles
4 games @ Minnesota Twins
3 games vs. Kansas City Royals
3 games vs. New York Yankees
3 games @ Boston Red Sox
3 games @ New York Yankees


3 days off
12 home games
17 away games




Who do you have making the 2017 American League Card Playoffs? Personally, homer alert, I have the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels on Anaheim squaring off inside Yankee Stadium when all the dust has settled but who knows what will go down. The great thing about baseball is that you can’t predict baseball. Stay tuned and have a great rest of the evening. Also keep in mind that some games are still playing today or set to be played. I have not included those in this post and all schedules laid out in this post begin tomorrow, 8/31.


Fine I’ll Say It, Jaime Garcia Sucks


When the New York Yankees sent Zack Littell and Dietrich Enns to the Minnesota Twins for left-handed starting pitcher Jaime Garcia I have to admit that I was a bit underwhelmed. I have to admit that I understood the logic behind the deal, the Twins were paying Garcia’s entire salary basically while the Yankees cleared a bit of their 40 man roster and Rule 5 Draft logjam while acquiring a veteran starter with playoff and postseason experience. The deal allowed the Yankees to limit the innings on Jordan Montgomery, which I also get, and the team improved their bullpen on paper making Garcia’s starts on the mound presumably less important and shorter. The problem is, and no one else is saying it just yet, Jaime Garcia sucks. There, I said it.

The good news is, as I alluded to, that Garcia is not only a rental but a rental on another team’s dime. The even better news is that we are two days away from September call ups meaning that reinforcements could potentially be on the way for New York. Chance Adams may be added to the 40 man roster this September and if he is then he will all but be called up to the Major Leagues after the Triple-A season ends, congrats to the RailRiders by the way for winning their division and clinching a postseason spot for the third consecutive season. Adams was on the mound when the team clinched their division title as the righty pushed his career minor league record to 31-6 with a 2.23 ERA. Roster jam and all Adams has very little to nothing left to prove down in the minor leagues and the Yankees need to realize that.


Jordan Montgomery will also be back at the Major League level after rosters expand and after the RailRiders season ends just in case the Yankees need some innings, although I know the team wants to limit his innings as much as they can. If Adams doesn’t come up I could totally see Montgomery making some starts down the stretch including the series finale against Boston over this coming weekend instead of Garcia leaving Jaime as the long reliever in the bullpen. That’s what the Yankees should do anyway, whether they do it or not is anyone’s guess. I guess you’ll just have to stay tuned to find out. One thing is for certain though, Jaime Garcia sucks. 

So it Seems… We Took a Long Weekend


Good morning everyone. Call of the search parties, I’m here and I am alive. Work has been absolutely crazy lately as I work in the heating and air conditioning field. I barely had time to write anything for Friday and Saturday, very little for Sunday and Monday and nothing for yesterday. It’s been crazy and so have these games the Yankees have been playing. Taking two-of-three from Seattle was nice but that Friday night game was so winnable, it hurts. Sweeping would have been extremely helpful with Cleveland coming to town, that series ends this afternoon, and the Red Sox series for the weekend. Oh well, the playoffs are in sight and the August 31st trade deadline is tomorrow!


I haven’t done this in what feels like forever. HEY YOU!! I LOVE YOU!!

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/30: A Rod Hits 40 Home Runs




The New York Yankees are also well known as the Bronx Bombers but in their long storied history they have only had two right handed batters that have ever hit 40 home runs in a single season, Joe DiMaggio and Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez joined DiMaggio, who hit 46 home runs in 1937, on this day in 2005.

Also on this day in 1961 a computer named Casey was used to predict the chances that Yankees outfielder Roger Maris would surpass Babe Ruth's single season home run record of 60 within 154 games. The IBM 1481 predicted that Maris had a 55% chance of hitting 61 home runs in 154 games to establish the new mark for home runs but ultimately Maris hit his 61st home run in the Yankees 161st game of the season.

Finally on this day in 1939 the Yankees Atley Donald throws a recorded 94.7 MPH pitch to establish a new record for the fastest fastball in Major League Baseball history. Donald would also win 12 straight games that year to set an AL record for most consecutive victories by a rookie starting pitcher.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Tonight's Game Has Been Postponed...


Yankees-Indians rained out...

Tonight's game versus the Cleveland Indians, postponed due to rain, has been re-scheduled as a single admission double-header for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30th, beginning at 1:00 pm ET.

Jaime Garcia will be the Game 1 starter and Jordan Montgomery, scratched from tonight's RailRiders game, will start Game 2.  They'll oppose Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin.  Monty's appearance allows CC Sabathia to start the first game of the upcoming four games series with the Boston Red Sox.  The move pits Luis Severino against Chris Sale on Sunday night.  Sonny Gray and Masahiro Tanaka will pitch on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

No word yet regarding a roster move for Montgomery but I have to believe that LHP Caleb Smith will be the odd man out and Scranton-bound.  Or they make no move if Montgomery serves as the 26th man for the double-header.

Manager Joe Girardi has said that Aaron Judge will start at least one of the games tomorrow.  He had not been scheduled to start today's game.  

Update:  The Cleveland Indians have opted to keep Josh Tomlin on the DL for one more day so Ryan Merritt (1-0, 3.76 ERA in 4 games and 3 starts) will face Jordan Montgomery in the second game of the double-header.

IL North Division Champs...

Congratulations to the Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders for winning the 2017 International League North Division!  

Credit:  Fred Adams-for Times Leader

The RailRiders beat the second place Rochester Red Wings (Twins) on Monday night to clinch the division.  Bryan Mitchell was the winning pitcher.  Jake Cave, Mason Williams and Cito Culver all homered to back Mitchell and two relievers enroute to the 5-3 victory.  The Yankees will have to get creative with the 40-man roster in September but I am hopeful that we'll see Mr Cave bring his show to the Bronx.

Credit:  Fred Adams-for Times Leader

The division crown is the third consecutive for the RailRiders and the ninth in twelve years.  The Governor's Cup play-offs begin September 6th.

We'll try this again tomorrow.  Enjoy your evening!

Yanks Get Klubered by the Indians...

Credit:  Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Indians 6, Yankees 2...

In a potential play-off barometer, the Yankees showed they are not quite ready to compete with the big boys.  The Tribe used four home runs to turn back the Yankees on Monday night.

This was destined to be a low scoring game for the Yankees with AL Cy Young contender Corey Kluber on the mound.  The hope was that Luis Severino would be able to make him pitch-for-pitch.  Unfortunately, it didn't happen.  The top six hitters in the Yankees lineup went combined 0-for-22 with seven strikeouts and Aaron Judge wasn't even in the lineup.  

After Luis Severino cruised through the game's first two hitters, Jose Ramirez took him deep to right center for a quick 1-0 lead. Sevy had tried to challenge Ramirez on a full count and lost.  


Credit:  Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd when Chase Headley led off with a homer to right. "There it goes...see ya!" (courtesy of Michael Kay).


Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

Gary Sanchez showed off his powerful arm in the top of the 4th.  After Jose Ramirez walked and stole second.  A subsequent Sevy pitch got away from Sanchez.  Ramirez broke for third.  Sanchez grabbed the ball and fired it to third.  Todd Frazier cleanly applied the tag as the runner was sliding into the base for the out.  Sevy walked the next two batters before striking out Carlos Santana to end in the inning, but if Sanchez hadn't made that play on Ramirez, it could have been much worse.

Todd Frazier put the Yankees ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the 5th.  Jacoby Ellsbury doubled to left with two outs, a high fly which bounced on the warning track to the wall.  Frazier's single past diving shortstop Francisco Lindor into  left field scored Ellsbury.  Frazier took second on the throw but he was left stranded when Brett Gardner struck out.

In the top of the 6th, Jose Ramirez clubbed his second home run of the night off Severino, a solo shot deep into the second deck in right field.  The game was tied again.

The Indians got the separation they needed in the 7th inning.  With one out, Carlos Santana took Sevy deep to the second deck in right to give the Indians a 3-2 lead.  


Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

The next batter, Bradley Zimmer, singled to center.  Sevy struck out Yan Gomes for the second out, but that would be all for the Yankees' ace.  Joe Girardi made the call to the bullpen and brought in Adam Warren.  With Giovanny Urshela at the plate, Zimmer stole second and got up and raced to third when Starlin Castro failed to catch the throw from Gary Sanchez for an error.  A wild pitch by Warren got past Sanchez and allowed Zimmer to run home for the Tribe's fourth run.  Urshela ended up grounding out after watching The Zimmer Show on the bases. 

Meanwhile, the Yankees couldn't muster anything against the dominant Corey Kluber.  


Credit:  Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

In the top of the 8th, the Indians added to their lead when Austin Jackson belted a solo homer to left.  The Yankees challenged the call when replay showed the ball hit the hands of a fan in the first row and bounced back onto the field but the HR decision was upheld.  5-2, Indians.


Credit:  Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Chasen Shreve replaced Warren in the top of the 9th.  Like Warren, Shreve has looked very hittable in his last few outings and the trend continued.  After striking out Jay Bruce, Shreve walked Carlos Santana.  Big mistake.  Bradley Zimmer hit a liner to the center field wall for a double to score Santana.  Zimmer later reached third on a wild pitch but he was unable to score this time.  The Indians didn't need the run with the four-run lead heading into the bottom of the 9th.

Indians closer Cody Allen came on in relief of Corey Kluber and set the Yankees down in order, striking out Starlin Castro to end the game.

The Yankees (70-60) lost ground in the AL East with the loss.  The Boston Red Sox held off the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-5, so the Yankees are now 3 1/2 games out of first.  The Baltimore Orioles won their fifth consecutive game, 7-6 over the Seattle Mariners, to move within 4 1/2 games of the Yankees.  The Tampa Bay Rays, 12-0 victors over the Kansas City Royals, are 5 1/2 games behind New York.  The Minnesota Twins had the night off so they were able to shave a half-game off the Wild Card Standings and trail the Yankees by 3 games.

I can't say that I am very excited about the prospect of pitching Jaime Garcia tonight against Cleveland in a must-win situation.  No, it's not the end of the world if the Yankees lose but I'd feel so much better about the team's chances if Jordan Montgomery was the starter (despite the innings cap).  I hope I'm wrong and that Garcia delivers his best performance in Pinstripes. 

Severino (11-6) looked very strong early, but the three home runs were too much for him.  He finished with 6 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and four runs (three earned) with 108 pitches thrown.  He walked three and struck out nine.  With Corey Kluber holding the Yankees to three hits and two runs over eight innings, Sevy didn't have a chance.

Odds & Ends...

Manager Joe Girardi has announced that right fielder Aaron Judge will take a seat for several games in an attempt to help the young slugger break out of his slump.  It always makes me think of Mark Grace's infamous slumpbuster quote about finding the most hideous looking member of the opposite sex and taking one for the team.  Hopefully Judge doesn't have to go to those extremes to find his first half swing.


Credit:  Phil Long-Associated Press

Another candidate for the "have a seat" approach is Aroldis Chapman.  The Yankees need an effective Chapman in September.  If that means some time away from the team to clear his head, so be it.  I think Chapman's problems are more mental than physical.  He did have a MRI on Sunday but the results came back clear.  I want to see him reclaim his closer's job so whatever it takes to get him back to elite status.

Have a great Tuesday!  It's a wonderful day for a win!  Go Yankees!

Monday, August 28, 2017

Masa & The Game of Errors...

Credit:  Noah K Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees 10, Mariners 1…

Okay, the ugliness was isolated to the first inning, for the most part, but the Yankees came out on the right side and coasted to the easy victory over the Seattle Mariners.  I would love to have one of these kind of games against the Boston Red Sox but we’re never so lucky.

The top of the first inning didn’t start out very well as it took Masahiro Tanaka a few batters before he could find his groove.  After Jean Segura lined out directly to Aaron Judge in right to start the game, Yonder Alonso singled to left and advanced to second when left fielder Aaron Hicks was unable to field the ball cleanly.  Error on Hicks.  Robinson Cano, making his first start in the series after sitting out two games with hamstring tightness, singled to left in front of Aaron Hicks and Jacoby Ellsbury (“you get it”…“no, no, after you”).  Alonso moved to third.  Nelson Cruz was next and he smacked a double to the left field wall, scoring Alonso.  Cano advanced to third.  Fortunately, from there, Tanaka found his pitches.  He struck out Kyle Seager and then got out of the inning with only one run scored when Mitch Haniger flied out to right center.  It could have been much worse but Tanaka was able to  limit the damage.  


Credit:  Corey Sipkin-NY Post

In the bottom of the 1st, Tanaka was rewarded for his effort.  Aaron Hicks led off against Mariners starter Andrew Albers and popped out to short.  Starlin Castro followed with a double over the head of right fielder Mitch Haniger.  The Baseball Gods decided to smile upon the home team at this point.  Gary Sanchez singled to left and Ben Gamel ran up on the ball and missed it with his glove.  By the time center fielder Guillermo Heredia had retrieved the ball and threw it to the infield, Castro had scored and Sanchez was standing on second.  The game was tied.  After Aaron Judge walked, Didi Gregorius hit a fly to shallow left.  With the trio of Ben Gamel, Guillermo Heredia and Jean Segura converging, no one called for the ball and it fell in.  The error was charged to Segura and the bases were loaded.  For the Mariners, the nightmare continued.  Chase Headley hit a grounder to third that Kyle Seager bobbled and dropped.  Sanchez scored and Headley was safe at first.  The bases were still loaded.  Todd Frazier struck out for the second out.  It brought Jacoby Ellsbury to the plate.  Ells lined a double to left.  Ben Gamel retrieved the ball and threw it into Jean Segura at short who dropped the ball and momentarily lost sight of it.  Judge and Gregorius scored.  Headley, seeing the opportunity when Segura dropped the ball, broke for home.  Segura’s throw bounced past the catcher as Headley scored and Ellsbury took third.  Ronald Torreyes hit a grounder to third and then beat out the throw from Seager.  Ellsbury scored and it was 6-1 Yankees.  Aaron Hicks, who had started the inning with a pop out, flied out to center to end the inning.  Alas, all good things must end.  The Mariners were charged a total of five errors in the inning.


Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

Manager Joe Girardi’s day was over before the Mariners starter was out of the game.  With one out and Jean Segura at first in the top of the 3rd, Robinson Cano hit a grounder to first baseman Chase Headley who threw to Didi Gregorius at second for the force out.  However, the Yankees were unable to turn the inning-ending double play when Segura ran out of the base path and obstructed the view of Gregorius to first which caused an errant throw.  Girardi came flying out, demanding an explanation and got tossed for his inquisitive approach.  He received a standing ovation as he walked off the field.  Fortunately, Tanaka struck out Nelson Cruz to avoid any damage, but Girardi got to watch the rest of the game on TV like the rest of us who weren’t fortunate enough to be at Yankee Stadium.

Credit:  Jim McIsaac-Getty Images

In the bottom of the 3rd, the Yankees added to their lead.  Ronald Torreyes, singled to center for his second hit of the game with two outs.  Aaron Hicks lined a single to right, moving Toe to second.  Starlin Castro singled with a blooper to center to score Toe and the Yankees were up 7-1.  

Credit:  Corey Sipkin-NY Post

Todd Frazier committed the game’s seventh error, and the second by the Yankees, to open the top of the 6th when he was unable to field a grounder hit by Nelson Cruz.  Tanaka struck out the next two batters and got Ben Gamel to ground out to first to leave Cruz stranded at first.  No harm, no foul.  

In the bottom of the 6th with Andrew Albers still pitching for the Mariners, Starlin Castro led off with a soft line drive to center.  After Gary Sanchez walked, the Mariners made a pitching change to bring in reliever Dan Altavilla.  A wild pitch allowed the runners to move to second and third.  Aaron Judge walked to load the bases.  After Didi Gregorius struck out, Chase Headley hit a sacrifice fly to center.  Castro scored but Gary Sanchez was caught between second and third on the throw back into the infield and the Mariners were able to complete the double play.  However, the run counted and it was 8-1 Yankees.

After Masahiro Tanaka cruised through the Mariners in a three-up, three-down top of the 7th, the Yankees made more noise in the bottom of the inning.  Todd Frazier led off with a walk and moved to second when Jacoby Ellsbury singled on a roller to right.  Ronald Torreyes, with his third hit of the game, lined a single to left and the bases were loaded.  After Aaron Hicks popped out (infield fly rule invoked), Greg Bird pinch-hit for Starlin Castro.  Bird singled to right between the two infield defenders, scoring both Frazier and Ellsbury.  The Yankees now led 10-1.  


Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

Caleb Smith took over for Tanaka in the 8th and retired the six batters he faced over the final two innings.  Danny Valencia, the game’s final batter, took Smith deep with Aaron Judge’s back nearly to the wall, but the ball landed in Judge’s glove for the final out.  Game over.  The Yankees win!

The Yankees (70-59) were able to pick up another game on Boston as the Red Sox fell to the Baltimore Orioles, 2-1.  The Yankees now trail the Red Sox by only 2 1/2 games.  Oh, if only the Yankees could have scored more runs Friday night.  The O’s finally reached .500 with their sweep of the Red Sox and continue to trail the Yankees by 5 1/2 games.  The Tampa Bay Rays won in extra innings over the St Louis Cardinals, 3-2, so they remain 6 1/2 games back of the Yankees.  No change in the Wild Card Standings as the Minnesota Twins beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-2, behind three homers by Byron Buxton to remain 3 1/2 games behind New York.  

I was worried going into this game given Masahiro Tanaka’s weird split of pitching much better at night than during daytime games.  But after the bumpy start, he settled down and gave the Yankees an ace-like performance.  Tanaka (10-10) went seven strong innings, holding the Mariners to the one run on six hits.  He walked one batter but more importantly did not give up any homers.  He struck out ten.  Nice job by Caleb Smith in saving the bullpen for the Cleveland Indians.  

Starlin Castro was 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.  Ronald Torreyes was 3-for-4, with a single RBI and a run scored.  The Yankee offense finished with 15 hits but surprisingly no home runs.  No matter, it was a very solid win and good momentum for the week ahead.

Next Up:  Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY…

The Yankees begin a very difficult week that starts with the Indians and ends with the Boston Red Sox.  Every game is important at this stage of the season.  The Indians come into this series a little banged up.  They have a total of nine players on the DL, including LHP Andrew Miller, RHP Danny Salazar, OF Lonnie Chisenhall, OF Michael Brantley and 2B Jason Kipnis.  The Indians have a comfortable 6 1/2 game lead in the AL Central over the Minnesota Twins.  

Here are the scheduled pitching match-ups:

MONDAY 
Indians:  Corey Kluber (12-4, 2.65 ERA)
Yankees:  Luis Severino (11-5, 3.10 ERA)

TUESDAY
Indians:  Trevor Bauer (13-8, 4.59 ERA)
Yankees:  Jaime Garcia (1-1, 5.47 ERA)

WEDNESDAY
Indians:  Josh Tomlin (7-9, 5.38 ERA)
Yankees:  CC Sabathia (10-5, 3.82 ERA)

This will be a tough series.  Admittedly, I wish Jordan Montgomery was here with the big league club and pitching on Tuesday night. Jaime Garcia does not inspire much confidence and certainly not when he’s facing a very tough Trevor Bauer.  I hope Caleb Smith is prepared to pitch that day.  

Have a great Monday!  I know that Corey Kluber will be tough but let’s make it three-in-a-row!  Go Yankees!