Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 8/19

Here we go ladies and gentleman as the New York Yankees get set to kick off a three-game weekend set in sunny California with the first game coming here in just a few minutes. The Yankees will send their ace and their stopper to the mound tonight in Masahiro Tanaka needing him to be just that, the ace and the stopper of a mini two-game losing streak. Meanwhile the Angels will counter with a guy that has not kept the Yankees up at night in fear lately the night before his starts in Jered Weaver. The game will be played at 10:05 pm ET inside Angels Stadium of Anaheim and can be seen locally on Fox Sports One and of course on MLB TV.

The Yankees are in LAA all weekend before traveling to Safeco Field to begin another west coast series on Monday with the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees return home soon so click the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog to get your seats now in preparation for their return. Also don’t forget the TGP T-Shirts link also located at the top of the blog for your Jacoby Ellsbury milk carton shirt or any of the other great shirts brought to you by our friends and partners at Breaking T.

Follow along with us during this game and every game this season by either liking us on Facebook or by giving @GreedyStripes a follow on Twitter. Happy Tanaka Day ladies and gentleman. Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 8/19

The New York Yankees made the trip across the country to the beautiful state of California to take on the team that doesn’t know what part of California they want to be affiliated with, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Orange County of Disney World of the Golden Gate Bridge. In all seriousness though the Yankees begin a series with Mike Trout and the Angels tonight at possibly the perfect time for New York as Los Angeles has really struggled over the past two-to-three weeks losing many, many games. Will the Yankees continue to hand the Angels “L’s” or will they fall into the trap? The man donned with the mission to do the former and not the latter for the Yankees is Masahiro Tanaka while the Angels will counter with Jered Weaver looking for a victory of his own.

Tanaka has won each of his last two starts for the Yankees while striking out eight opposing batters in each of those two victories. Tanaka looks to make that three in a row tonight in Los Angeles as he also looks to end the Yankees mini two-game losing streak.

Weaver on the other hand was not great in his last start or the two starts prior to that as well. In fact Weaver has lost each of his last three decisions including a five run and 10 hits allowed effort last time out against the Cleveland Indians. Yeah, more like that tonight Jered please.

The game will be played at 10:05 pm ET inside Angel Stadium of Anaheim and can be seen on Fox Sports One and MLB TV. Thank goodness this is a Friday game because I’ve been sick all week and the thought of staying up until 1:00 am or even 2:00 am on a weekday doesn’t really excite me like it used to. I’ll do what I have to do to root for my boys though, believe that. Go Yankees!

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6/8

The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are set to face off in the Bronx tonight for the third time in their four game set this week. HOPE Week is in full effect and the Yankees are continuing their attempt and climb back into the race in the AL East Division. Tonight the man donned with the task of getting the Yankees out of this funk is Nathan Eovaldi who has not lost a start in over two months while the Angels counter with a man who has had a problem pitching to the Yankees in the past in Jered Weaver. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV.

The Yankees home stand is almost over and so is HOPE Week so if you want to see the team before they head out onto the road again click the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog. Also if you want to interact with us or follow along as we live tweet every Yankees game this season you can follow us on Twitter by giving @GreedyStripes a follow or you can find us on Facebook.

Eovaldi vs. Weaver. This should be fun (unless you’re batting inside the stadium tonight). Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6/8

The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim face off tonight in the third of a big four game set this week at the Bronx with yet another good pitching matchup. The Yankees fans wait every fifth day to see tonight’s starter take the mound and tonight the wait is over as New York sends Nathan Eovaldi to the mound to face off with the Angels ace Jered Weaver. I see a lot of broken bats, a lot of frustration and a lot of strikeouts tonight between those two.

Eovaldi did see a five-start winning streak snapped in his last start against the Baltimore Orioles but the Yankees stud right-handed still has an eight-start unbeaten streak to protect tonight in the Bronx. In his last start Eovaldi allowed five runs to score in 5.1 innings of work but was fortunate enough to take a no-decision and not a loss.

Weaver heads into his start tonight fresh off a start against the Pittsburgh Pirates in his last start where he only allowed two runs in six innings of work. In the start Weaver gave up six hits and allowed just one walk to qualify for his sixth quality start of the season. Weaver has not had great success against the Yankees though posting a 5.83 ERA in 15 career starts against them.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV. One more game after tonight’s contest between these two clubs and Mike Trout can take his big bat and stingy glove elsewhere to torment another team. Thank goodness. Let’s get out of here with another big win. Go Yankees!

ICYMI: Are the Yankees & Angels Now Trade Partners Again?

Just a quick hit and a little bit of me thinking out loud here. The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were thought to be potential trade partners for much of the winter with zero trades getting done when all the ink was dry. Are these two teams potentially trade partners again just a few weeks into their spring training schedules?


All winter long many of the fans wondered if the Angels would part with some of their young starting pitching to acquire the Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner. The Angels were looking for some outfield help to replace the traded Josh Hamilton and were able to find it elsewhere leaving Gardner back in the Bronx presumably for another season. Now the Yankees, who looked for starting pitching much of the winter, may have an extra starter or two on their hands while the Angels are stuck looking for at least one heading into the season.


The Angels have already lost a pair of starters this spring in Jered Weaver, who is dealing with chronic neck pain, and C.J. Wilson, who is struggling with his shoulder after injuring it last season. There is no word on when Weaver will continue throwing this spring but all signs point to Wilson being on the disabled list on Opening Day 2016 so is it time to make a deal?


The Yankees seem extremely impressed with what Luis Cessa has been able to do this spring and it almost seems like the ultimate “hype him up and sell him high” scenario that Brian Cashman is becoming known for. Would the Angels GM, and former Yankees assistant GM, Billy Eppler bite on Cessa or would he rather a commodity that he is already familiar with. A commodity like Ivan Nova or Bryan Mitchell perhaps?


I don’t pretend to know what the state of the Angels system is, their strengths and weaknesses, but if New York could turn Cessa into a nice prospect or two that would go a long way in making the Justin Wilson trade not hurt so bad. If the Yankees could sell even higher on Nova, who has also looked great this spring by the way, and fetch two or three starting prospects in his contract year then even better. If not then it may be another season without the postseason for the Angels and frankly, either would suit me just fine.

Are the Yankees & Angels Now Trade Partners Again?

Just a quick hit and a little bit of me thinking out loud here. The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were thought to be potential trade partners for much of the winter with zero trades getting done when all the ink was dry. Are these two teams potentially trade partners again just a few weeks into their spring training schedules?

All winter long many of the fans wondered if the Angels would part with some of their young starting pitching to acquire the Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner. The Angels were looking for some outfield help to replace the traded Josh Hamilton and were able to find it elsewhere leaving Gardner back in the Bronx presumably for another season. Now the Yankees, who looked for starting pitching much of the winter, may have an extra starter or two on their hands while the Angels are stuck looking for at least one heading into the season.

The Angels have already lost a pair of starters this spring in Jered Weaver, who is dealing with chronic neck pain, and C.J. Wilson, who is struggling with his shoulder after injuring it last season. There is no word on when Weaver will continue throwing this spring but all signs point to Wilson being on the disabled list on Opening Day 2016 so is it time to make a deal?

The Yankees seem extremely impressed with what Luis Cessa has been able to do this spring and it almost seems like the ultimate “hype him up and sell him high” scenario that Brian Cashman is becoming known for. Would the Angels GM, and former Yankees assistant GM, Billy Eppler bite on Cessa or would he rather a commodity that he is already familiar with. A commodity like Ivan Nova or Bryan Mitchell perhaps?

I don’t pretend to know what the state of the Angels system is, their strengths and weaknesses, but if New York could turn Cessa into a nice prospect or two that would go a long way in making the Justin Wilson trade not hurt so bad. If the Yankees could sell even higher on Nova, who has also looked great this spring by the way, and fetch two or three starting prospects in his contract year then even better. If not then it may be another season without the postseason for the Angels and frankly, either would suit me just fine. 

Fantasy Baseball: Who are the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are one of those confusing teams right now that you’re not quite sure if they are all-in in terms of making the postseason and winning a World Series or if the team is just wasting away Mike Trout’s best years and prime with mediocre ball clubs weighed down by large contracts. This LA of A team is paying Josh Hamilton to essentially play for their AL West rivals in the Texas Rangers and it’s keeping the team out of the deep end of the free agency water and away from potential bats like Yoenis Cespedes. Either the team is confident in what they have, they truly are more worried about going over the luxury tax than putting the best team out there on the field for 162 games or they believe in the young guys on the team that you are unlikely to have heard much of. Well until today when I explain how those same guys can help you win the later rounds of your fantasy baseball draft and win you your league. You’re welcome. 

If Trout is there first overall you should probably take him and he shouldn’t go any farther than 2^nd, this much you should know, but the names of Andrelton Simmons, Kole Calhoun and Garrett Richards you may not. Rather than tell you that Albert Pujols is still one of the better first baseman in the league and to stay away from most, if not all, of the Angels pitching staff I would rather focus on the players that are going to win your draft. 

We’ll start with Simmons and your first warning of the day. Simmons is a glove-first type shortstop that will give you very little in terms of offensive prowess. He’ll likely hit low in the lineup and not get many chances to drive in runs or make a huge impact offensively. He’s there for defense and defense doesn’t win your league. If you just desperately need a shortstop then he will work in a pickle but I wouldn’t reach too high for him personally. 

Speaking of defensive only shortstops while the fantasy owners won’t appreciate Simmons much his pitching staff will, especially the staff ace Garrett Richards. Richards is a ground ball inducing pitcher that strikes out enough batters to survive. Richards K numbers should improve as he matures and grows into his body and he should only be helped by a potent offense behind him and a much improved middle infield defense. He may be worth taking in the middle rounds when most of your top notch aces are already off the boards. 

Kole Calhoun is an outfielder that a lot of people don’t talk about when they should. Calhoun is obviously overshadowed by Mike Trout in the Angels outfield and the fact that he plays on the west coast doesn’t help him much in terms of media but Calhoun quietly had a nice 2015 campaign. Last season Calhoun hit 26 home runs and knocked in 83 RBI at the top of the Angels order. Calhoun doesn’t steal bags and he may be destined for a platoon role sooner rather than later but if you need runs scored, RBI and home run then he may be a steal in the later rounds. 

Game Thread: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim @ New York Yankees 6/5

The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim begin a three game series this weekend at the Bronx tonight with what could become a great pitching matchup. The Yankees will send Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Nathan Eovaldi to the mound to face off with the Angels starter Jered Weaver. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV.

Get your Yankees tickets for tonight’s game or any game this series or home stand right here on the blog by clicking the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog. If you can’t make it live then join me on Twitter as @GreedyStripes makes his triumphant return to the Twitterverse tonight since the game isn’t being played in the middle of the night, I’m stoked.

Remember when the Angels were a thorn in the sides of Joe Torre’s Yankees? Yeah I don’t want to remember it either, let’s beat them tonight shall we? Go Yankees!

Girardi, Kelley ejected as Yankees fall to Angels, 4-1

David Phelps threw 5.1 innings of one-run ball and Shawn Kelley followed him by giving up another three last night as the Yankees dropped the opener of this three-game set to the Angels, 4-1. In this one, the Yanks pitching staff was overall pretty good, surrendering just one trip around the bases through the first seven frames, but in the bottom of the eighth everything started to fall apart for them, as Kelley gave up those 3 runs before he and Manager Joe Girardi were ejected for arguing balls and strikes.

Anyway, the Bombers offense, again, couldn't do anything yesterday, collecting just one run against Jered Weaver in his 8 innings of work. That trip around the bases, unsurprisingly, came thanks to the red-hot Mark Teixeira, who singled home Derek Jeter (2-for-4 with a single, double, double play) in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 1. 

Besides those guys, Pinstripes Seventh-inning man Adam Warren also played pretty well in this loss, tossing 1.2 frames of shutout relief. The first hitter he faced in that time, Albert Pujols, actually hit a single to put men on the corners with just one out, but after that #43 really got to work, inducing a foulout and a groundout to end the threat.

Looking Back At My 2013 Cy Young Award Predictions

2013 Predictions : Cy Young

The 2013 season is right around the corner and I wanted to take a stab at predicting who I think will win the American League and National League Cy Young Awards. Since my psychic ability is about as good as the economy these days I would not put much stock into these predictions as they are merely for fun but here goes anyway.

The winner of the Cy Young Award in the American League will be Jered Weaver. Jered will have an insane amount of run support with Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, and company behind him, the defense is always going to be good on a Mike Scoscia team and a team that includes Mike Trout, and the bullpen should be pretty strong as well. I can Jered Weaver winning as many as 22 games next season for the Halos.

Finished 11-8 3.27 ERA 1.140 WHIP

The winner of the Cy Young Award in the National League will be Adam Wainwright. He showed a lot of little glimpses of coming back healthy from Tommy John surgery last season and I fully expect him to build on that in 2013. With a great bullpen behind him and the usual Cardinals lineup I can see Adam Wainwright pushing for 20 wins again in 2013. I know it is probably not the popular pick like a Stephen Strasburgh but that is my prediction and I'm sticking to it.

Finished 18-9 3.01 ERA 1.079 WHIP

Wrong and wrong again, again by a lot. I am glad I do not play the lottery or do any kind of sports betting because I could not afford the domain and the hosting for this site. I suck, there I said it. Jered Weaver did not come close to my expectations although Adam Wainwright had a great comeback 2013 season. Wainwright is a finalist for the award in the National League so we will see if he nails it down tonight at 6:00 pm ET on MLB Network.