Sign Hanley Ramirez's Get Well Soon Card

Everyone sign Hanley Ramirez's "Get Well Soon" card below. Once we receive a few signatures I'll send it to him or something. Yeah.

Wading for Gleyber...

Credit: MiLB.com

 The Gleyber Torres Watch is on…

I’ve seen conflicting reports about the calculation of MLB Service Time. After earlier reports that today could be the day, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic clarified today is the first day that prospects not on the 40-man roster can be called up to ensure an extra year of control. According to Ken, players on the 40-man roster need to wait 20 days. So, the earliest Gleyber could show up for the Yankees would be next Thursday at home against the Toronto Blue Jays. Regardless of whether it is next week or in a couple of weeks, the Gleyber Torres Era will soon officially begin.

With no offense to Tyler Wade (since he currently has none), I am ready to move on from Wade as the team’s second baseman. I have no doubt Wade will be a legitimate big leaguer and he was fun to watch in Spring Training, but he has not done anything in the regular season to excite me. I know, he battled the flu and it’s been friggin’ cold in New York and Boston. But second base belongs to Gleyber. I’d rather take my lumps with Gleyber at the position than taking lumps for the future utility-man. 

Photo Credit: New York Post (Charles Wenzelberg) 

Through yesterday’s game, Gleyber Torres is the hottest hitter for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. His batting line is .370/.379/.556 with .935. He has one home run and six RBI’s in seven games. Sure, it’s early and these numbers are not sustainable nor do they automatically translate to potential MLB numbers. Nevertheless, this is a very talented young man (as we all know) who has mastered his current level. Onward and upward. Soon, young Grasshopper. He’s already snatched the pebble from his master’s hand.

Wade is easily the weakest hitter, right now, on the Yankees. His line is .097/.176/.161 with .338 OPS, no homers, and three RBI’s in 10 games. Like Gleyber’s numbers, these are not sustainable (in Wade’s case, they will get better). Between Torres and Wade, give me Gleyber every day. I am tired of Wading. It’s Gleyber’s Time.

Photo Credit: AP (Lynne Sladky) - The Future Star

Like the entire Yankees Universe, I was very disappointed to lose two of three games in Boston. I am convinced the Yankees are the better team, but right now, the Red Sox are playing better. The season is still very young. The Yankees have only played 13 of 162 games and they have 16 games remaining against the hated Red Sox. The season is not lost on Friday the 13^th of April. 

I don’t really want to give a play-by-play of the brawl on Wednesday night, but after watching the replay of Tyler Austin sliding into second base (repeatedly, thanks to ESPN and others), I am firmly convinced Austin did not have the intent to harm. Yes, his foot caught Brock Holt’s leg but when you slow down the replay to say that Austin intentionally tried to take out Holt, it’s grossly unfair. The actual play happened very fast with no time to react. Austin was trying hard to get to second and his mind was more focused on the right foot sliding in. It’s unfortunate that Holt was unintentionally the recipient of cleats on his lower leg/ankle but it was a genuine baseball play with proper determination by Austin. 

Photo Credit: Boston Globe - Austin sliding into 2B

As much as I dislike Joe Kelly and how he baited Austin after hitting him with the pitch, Red Sox manager Alex Cora infuriated me the most with his ‘get back in your box’ gesture to Yankees third base coach Phil Nevin. Cora showed himself to be a punk.

Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports (Kim Klement) - "Piece of S**t"

I was glad Gary Sanchez held back this time to avoid a potential suspension. His bat is starting to heat up so it’s not one we want or can afford to lose. Nice job by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton for trying to control the situation. Those are definitely two guys that you’d want on your side in a bar room right. 

MLB handed down suspensions and fines yesterday. Joe Kelly (six games) and Tyler Austin (five games) received suspensions. Both are expected to appeal. The fines included Phil Nevin, Alex (“Piece of S**t”) Cora, CC Sabathia, Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts, and Marco Hernandez. I do not know the amount of the fines but I appreciate Nevin and Sabathia for their roles in defending the Yankees. 

Photo Credit: AP (Winslow Townson) - Yankees coaches Marcus Thames and Phil Nevin

I wish the Yankees could have left Boston yesterday with a win. Admittedly, I am concerned about Sonny Gray. Unlike the opposing pitcher (Rick Porcello), Gray did not bring his “A” game. Or as Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media said, “Sonny is not grayt”. Time and again, Gray has proven he gets into trouble when he nibbles instead of attacks hitters. So there he was nibbling last night and the team paid for it with a loss. At least Aaron Judge broke up the no-hitter and Gary Sanchez ruined the shutout, but I would have preferred to win two of three from Boston. Or really just winning the game after the fight would have been the best case scenario.

I really thought this season would show the return of Gray to top of the rotation dominance. He has had time to adjust to life in the Bronx and he’s healthy. Yet, against Boston, it feels like we’re throwing Jose Contreras out there again.  He is 1-5 with a 5.97 ERA against the Red Sox, and 0-3 with a 7.13 ERA at Fenway Park.  He's dangerously encroaching into 'Sonny Gray Sucks' territory. I really hope warmer weather brings out the true Sonny Gray.  At the moment, I am deeply missing James Kaprielian, Jorge Mateo and Dustin Fowler. Gray has the power to change my line of thinking. Next start would be a great time to start in more ways than one. We know that Gray can pitch exceedingly well. He just needs to show it in Pinstripes.

Photo Credit: AP (Winslow Townson) - A Bad Shade of Gray

No game is ever easy but the Yankees need to take advantage of the next five games. They play three games in Detroit, starting tonight, and then return to the Bronx on Monday for a two-game set against Giancarlo Stanton’s old team, the Miami Marlins. Win these games. If the Yankees can get on a roll, they should have good momentum heading into the four-game series next Thursday with the Blue Jays. It is the start of a brutal stretch that includes the Blue Jays (currently the second place team in the AL East), the Minnesota Twins (co-leaders of the AL Central), the Los Angeles Angels (the AL West leaders), and the Houston Astros (the defending World Series champions). These games are immediately followed with match-ups against the Cleveland Indians (the other co-leaders of the AL Central) and the next showdown against the Boston Red Sox, this time at Yankee Stadium. We’ll have a very good idea about the strength and resolve of the 2018 Yankees by the final game against the Red Sox on Thursday, May 10^th.

For the upcoming series starting tonight at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan against the Tigers, here are the scheduled pitching matchups:

Friday the 13^th, 7:10 ET

Yankees:  Jordan Montgomery (0-0, 4.82 ERA)

Tigers:  Mike Fiers (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Saturday, April 14^th at 1:10 ET

Yankees:  TBA (expected to be Domingo German or Luis Cessa)

Tigers:  Francisco Liriano (1-1, 2.13 ERA)

Sunday, April 15^th at 1:10 ET

Yankees:  Luis Severino (2-1, 3.50 ERA)

Tigers:  Matthew Boyd (0-1, 1.38 ERA)

The Yankees currently have two players in DFA limbo. Jace Peterson, who was designated to make room for Shane Robinson, and Robinson, who was DFA’d for the activation of Aaron Hicks. Neither player figures in future plans so regardless of whether they clear waivers and are sent outright to Triple A, traded away or handed their walking papers, we appreciate their brief contributions. Best of luck in their future endeavors.

I’ll borrow a few words from TGP’s Daniel Burch. We need a win; let’s get a win.

Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox 4/29

Rivalry Renewed! We hope so anyway as the New York Yankees make the trip north to Fenway Park to face off against the Boston Red Sox in a three-game weekend set. The Yankees bats have gone cold and the pitching is being held on by the thread, or the bullpen, but these big series with their biggest rivals usually tend to bring out the best in both teams. The Yankees need a shot in the arm right now and me personally I’ll take it from any direction I can get it from including this series this weekend. In the first game of the set the Yankees will send their ace Masahiro Tanaka to the mound to face off against the Red Sox starter Henry Owens.

Tanaka will head into Fenway Park tonight to make his fifth start of the young 2016 season and will look to continue the trend of looking better and stronger in each start he makes. Tanaka has allowed just two earned runs in each of his previous four starts and you have to think two runs against this Boston lineup tonight would be good enough to get the Yankees a victory, especially with the lanky left-hander Henry Owens on the mound for the Red Sox.

Owens is making his second start of the season tonight in the absence of Joe Kelly and will look to turn around his misfortune against the Yankees as well. Owens made two starts against New York last season going 0-2 with a 13.50 ERA. Owens will also look to improve on his Fenway Park record that sits at just 2-2 with a 5.00 ERA.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside of Fenway Park and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV. The Yankees went almost two full months before they lost their first series in 2015 but they are singing a much different tune here thus far in 2016. It’s never too early nor is it too late to turn things around but it needs to happen now. I know I keep saying that but I am going to hold onto hope as long as I mathematically can.

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox 5/3

For the third time already this season the New York Yankees will be showcased on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball and for the second time already this season the Boston Red Sox will be joining them. Rivalry Renewed! Tonight the Yankees will send Adam Warren to the mound to face off against Joe Kelly for the Red Sox in the 8:05 pm ET game that will be on ESPN as a part of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. In case you were wondering the last time these two teams met on Sunday Night Baseball John Kruk was quieted and Curt Schilling became a Yankees supporter in a victory for New York, how about a second one tonight?

The Yankees play the Toronto Blue Jays tomorrow night inside the Rogers Centre so hopefully the team can play a Rob Manfred Special tonight and get out of Boston before the clock turns to midnight. Get your Yankees tickets for that series or for the next series at Yankee Stadium against the Baltimore Orioles right here on the blog using our Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog. If you can't make it live then jump on Twitter (@GreedyStripes) and/or the comments section to finish off a great sports weekend with us and the Yankees. Go Yankees!

Jacoby Ellsbury is ready, Joe Kelly is ready, the Yankees are ready, are you ready?

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox 5/3

The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox have played two games already this series and these games have certainly lived up to the hype that is the Yankees and Red Sox rivalry. On Friday night we all watched a pitchers duel between CC Sabathia and Justin Masterson which was aided by strong defense on both sides and on Saturday afternoon we watched both Nathan Eovaldi and Wade Miley come out of the gates pitching well. We all saw as Alex Rodriguez tied Willie Mays with his 660th home run of his career and with the first two games being played well by both teams I expect nothing less than another instant classic tonight inside Fenway Park. Tonight the Yankees will send Adam Warren to the mound to face off against the Red Sox right hander Joe Kelly. The game will be played at 8:05 pm ET and can be seen on ESPN as a part of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.

• Warren has only been a starting pitcher full time for about a month in the major leagues but has still yet to complete six innings in his career. Warren has made spot starts in his career for New York after being a starting pitcher in the minor leagues and came close to finishing out six innings in his last start against the Tampa Bay Rays. Last time out Warren allowed one run on five hits with six K's in 5.2 innings. Whether Warren gets six innings tonight or not is less important than if he can keep his team close enough to come from behind and win it with the bullpen like they have so many times already this season. 

• Kelly  has dominated the Yankees already once this season on a Saturday afternoon game in the Bronx and is fresh off a 10 strikeout performance against the Toronto Blue Jays in his last start. Kelly lasted just six innings and did allow five runs in the contest pushing his average K's per nine innings to 10.65 on the season, the highest mark of his young career. 

Will the Yankees see the Kelly that dominated them on a Saturday afternoon or will they see the Kelly that allows a lot of hits, runs and home runs in his career? Will Warren hold a strong Red Sox offense down like he did last time out against the Rays or will he allow a ton of runs like he did in his last start against the Detroit Tigers? Only one way to find out Yankees family, tune in tonight on ESPN. You bring the popcorn and I'll bring the headphones, go Yankees!

Recap: Red Sox 8, Yankees 4

Joe Kelly had a dominant first start of the season, surrendering just one run in seven innings as the Red Sox easily beat the Yankees, 8-4, in a Saturday matinee at Yankee Stadium. 

Warren Solid: Adam Warren lasted just 5 1/3 innings for the Yankees in this one, but did limit the Red Sox to two runs (one earned) during that period. He gave up just five hits while walking two and striking out one on the afternoon -- impressively inducing a couple of double plays from Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

Holt's Four-Hit Day: Warren had a tough time dealing with center fielder Brock Holt, however, as did just about all of the Yankees' pitching staff. Holt, the only man on either roster who didn't appear in Friday's 19-inning affair, went 4-for-5 with three singles against a trio of Pinstripe hurlers -- driving in three runs in the eighth with a well-struck double off Matt Tracy.

Defensive Struggles: Alex Rodriguez dropped a low but catchable throw to first in the second, soon resulting in an early unearned run to put the Red Sox up 1-0. Chase Headley then pulled A-Rod off the bag with a wide delivering in the eighth -- eventually handing the visitors three more undeserved to make it 8-1.

Offensive Struggles: The Yankees' bats crossed home in the second on a Didi Gregorius sac fly, but were otherwise quiet in Kelly's seven frames. Indeed, Kelly retired each of the last 17 Yankees he faced in the contest -- though New York did show some life in the eighth when Chris Young hit a three-run homer. 

Bullpen Struggles: With the Yankees still down just 2-1 going into the seventh, Justin Wilson and Chris Martin combined to allow three runs on two hits and a walk -- the big blow coming on a two-run double to center from the aforementioned Pedroia. Batting with two men on and one out in the turn, Pedroia plated a pair with a deep fly ball over Young's head -- essentially sealing Boston's victory.

Next Up: The Yankees will look to avoid being swept in this series when they host the Red Sox again on Sunday -- beginning at 8:05 p.m. ET and airing live on ESPN. Masahiro Tanaka is expected to start for the Yankees in his second outing of the young season -- Tanaka hoping to bounce back following a disappointing Opening Day versus the Blue Jays. 

The Daily Dozen: April 11th Edition

The Daily Dozen: April 11, 2015 Edition

Twelve Takeaways from Today's Game

1. 19 Inning Hangover.  The Yankees looked like a team that was hungover today.  Boston had the same amount of sleep as New York (likely less in fact), but seemed ready to play.  Their regulars (Pedroia, Napoli, Bogaerts, Sandoval) played while Ellsbury, Beltran, Teixeira, and McCann sat out for the Yankees.  I know it was a 6 hour, 49 minute game last night and this morning, but starting the season 1-4 can't be helpful.  However, coming into the game the Yankees were hitting .199 as a team with only 13 runs scored...and that was with the extra 11 innings.

2. Alex Rodriguez at First Base.  I've heard that the experiment during Spring Training went well and he played the position adequately.  It didn't work out too well for the Yankees today, but I'm not sure the experiment should be stopped.  He wasn't exactly helped by the infielders.  Gregorius sent a nice sinker ball in the 2nd that led to the first Boston run.  A-Rod looked fine fielding the ball as the first play of the game went right to him (as per normal thanks to the baseball Gods).

3. Chase Headley, A-Rod's replacement at Third.  Made a great barehanded play in the 2nd inning that was all for naught as Gardner got Yankee Stadium sunned on what should have been a routine fly ball out.  Watch Headley's play HERE.

4. Harold Reynolds Surprised.  HR was surprised that the Yankees fans reacted positively to Alex Rodriguez in his first game this year and during the 1st at-bat today after his error at 1st.  I don't understand why he is surprised.  The Yankees NEED Alex Rodriguez because they really have no other choice.  What other offense will there be?

5. If the Yankees withhold bonuses from A-Rod, it would be shameful.  As if the Yankees didn't really know what was going on in A-Rod's life and his career leading up to not only one but TWO record contracts...part of that last contract was $6 million bonuses as he reaches each of the next 5 home run milestones...the first being tying Willie Mays at 660 Home Runs.  The Yankees organization claims that because of his 2014 suspension and the Biogenesis Scandal that A-Rod is no longer marketable.  Well, he's surely more marketable than Carlos Beltran or any of the other players currently on the roster.  "Pay the man his money..."

"Check, check, check...."

6. Joe Kelly..the Wild Man.  Kelly was very wild in the 2nd inning and couldn't seem to find home plate.  His wildness allowed the Yankees to strike right back.  However, the Yankees were not very patient the rest of the game frequently swinging early in the count.  Let's see...the Red Sox depleted their bullpen in a 19 inning game, but we'll go ahead and help out the starting pitcher any chance we can....arrrghh.

7.  Boston Red Sox Love Fest.  I had been under the impression that all out love for the SAAAAHX was reserved by ESPN.  This is no longer true as the crew of Joe Buck / Harold Reynolds / Tom Verducci couldn't say more positive things about Boston during their FS1 broadcast.  Interestingly, when Alex Rodriguez steps to the plate, it's all about controversy...when Ortiz comes up, nothing...At least be freaking consistent!

8. NAVA, the Yankee Killer?  Daniel Nava had 2 RBI by the 4th inning, the only ones for the Red Sox.  According to Joe Buck..."Nava is a fighter and just won't take no for an answer..." (See lovefest above).  Jeff Quagliata of YES astutely pointed out that Nava was 6 for 11 against Warren...me thinks maybe they should have walked him??

9. You can't spell Dustin Pedroia without DP.  Peddy grounded into TWO double plays before hitting a 2-run double in the 7th to provide Boston with a convincing lead.  You also can't spell Pedroia without P.E.D....just saying...naaaah...he's clean!

10. What a catch by Allen Craig!  Craig was a great pickup by the Red Sox by trading away John Lackey to the Cardinals.  Defense wins Championships...the Yankees who supposedly have such a great defense are giving away games with their errors, lack of awareness, and positioning (see the defensive alignment of the outfield in today's game for reference).

11. The vaunted 7-8-9 of the Yankees.  Boy...we are in for an offensive show this season if the 7-8-9 used today by the Binder holds...John Ryan Murphy, Didi Gregorius, and Gregorio Petit.  Do you think Didi and Petit are related somehow?  Anywho...they were a combined 1 for 8 today and made some pretty bad defensive mistakes.

12. Adam Warren finished with a career best 98 pitches.  He actually had a quality start with a final line of 5-1/3 innings, 1 ER, 5 hits, 2 walks, and 1 strikeout.  More impressive was his 60 strikes out of the 98 pitches.  Warren probably feels a bit like Pineda right about now.  Kelly on the other hand, aided by the previously mentioned lack of patience by Yankee hitters, pitched 7 innings with 1 ER, 2 walks, and 8 strikeouts and got the coveted win in Yankee Stadium.

"How about a little offensive support guys?"

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox 4/11

It’s game time once again as these two teams play their second game head to head in less than 24 hours. In a day game after a night game you can expect more than a few regulars sitting this game out initially as Adam Warren faces off with Joe Kelly in the contest. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on Fox Sports 1, the YES Network and MLB TV.

Get your Yankees tickets for this series, including the Masahiro Tanaka start tomorrow in the series finale, or any Yankees game home or away right here on the blog through our friends at Ticket Monster. Ticket Monster offers the same tickets, not the cheap print offs, for a lower price through our partnership with The Greedy Pinstripes without the annoying shipping costs or bulky fees. If you’re more of the stay at home and not spend $10 on a beer type then jump on the comments section or give us a follow on Twitter (@GreedyStripes) to chat during the game. We try and live tweet each and every game we can and always have something going on in the comments section of the site.

Jump on and chat as the Yankees look for another victory this season. Go Yankees!!!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox 4/11

The second game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will take place in a couple of hours after these two teams played last night in the Bronx. Last night we watched as Nathan Eovaldi and Wade Miley got their first tastes of the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry and this afternoon we have a pair of now veterans to the rivalry. Adam Warren will make the start for the Yankees who won the team’s fifth starter spot out of spring training and will be facing off with Joe Kelly for the Red Sox. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on Fox Sports 1, the YES Network and MLB TV.

Warren won the Yankees 5th starter spot this spring after winning a competition between himself, Chase Whitley and Esmil Rogers after Chris Capuano went down to a quad injury. Warren posted a 2.70 ERA in 16.2 IP this spring after being used exclusively as a reliever in 2014. This will be Warren's fourth career start with the Yankees and his first in the Yankees and Red Sox rivalry.

Kelly started the season on the disabled list and will be activated before the game this afternoon for the Red Sox. Kelly suffered right biceps issues this spring which delayed his season but he is healthy enough to bump the original starter Steven Wright back to the bullpen. 

The Yankees and Red Sox rivalry is always fun to watch because even if one team is bad that season they still both tend to bring their “A” games to the field against each other. I expect no different today as the power house offense of the Boston Red Sox faces off with the pitching and defense first minded Yankees in the Bronx. It’s going to be a fun game to watch but it’s going to be even more fun if the Yankees pull out a victory, so let’s go Yankees!

Greene Struggles Mightily as Yankees Drop Third Straight to Red Sox

Shane Greene gave up 6 earned runs in 2 2/3 innings and Brett Gardner got ejected in the fifth for arguing the strikezone tonight as the Yankees continue to labor with a 9-4 loss to the Red Sox.

For the Yanks, dissapointingly, the defeat was their third consecutive, dropping them to just 70-66 on the season despite the fact they won seven of their previous nine before Saturday.

And yes, this evening's contest was as bad as its score suggests. 

After the Yoenis Cespedes-led Sox put up a pair in their half of the first, Daniel Nava drove a three-run shot into the right-field seats in the third, making it 5-0 before Xander Boegarts tacked on another blast of his own.

At that point, down 6-0 early, it was clear things weren't going New York's way, a fact that seemed to force Joe Girardi to take Greene out.

No, the excitement didn't necessarily end there, but since a duo of homers by Martin Prado and Brian McCann as well as a walk by Francisco Cervelli and a single by Derek Jeter were all New York's offense could muster against Joe Kelly (6 2/3 IP, 3 ER) on the night the Yankees did obviously fall in the end, an annoyance that has unfortunately become common lately.