Preview: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels 4/25

The New York Yankees will host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this weekend at Yankee Stadium for a three game set. The Yankees will send Hiroki Kuroda to the mound to face off with CJ Wilson for the Angels tonight. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, on the computer with MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Hiroki Kuroda struggled a little with his command and effectivness last time out against the Tampa Bay Rays in a Yankees loss. Kuroda pitched 5.2 IP and allowed seven hits and three runs on 99 pitches. Kuroda struggled with command all night long but only walked two and struck out two. Kuroda will look to improve on that last start tonight against the Angels.

CJ Wilson struggled in his last outing against the Detroit Tigers giving up four runs, albeit only three of them earned, on seven hits and three walks in only five innings pitched. Wilson is a bit of a Yankee killer though, especially at Yankee Stadium, sporting a career 2.58 ERA in 38.1 IP in New York.

Go Yankees!!

Angels @ Yankees Series Preview April 25th-27th

Angels come to town for a 3 game set

This will be the first of 2 3-game sets the Bombers will face the Angels this year. They also play the Halos at Anaheim in a little over 2 weeks. As you and your dog surely know, they have the best player in the game: Mike Trout. The Angels used to give the Yankees all sorts of fits, but that is just not the case anymore, winning only 7 of 22 games in the new Yankee Stadium.

What have they done lately?

The Angels have just split the first 6 games of their 9 game road trip, dropping 2-3 to the Tigers and winning 2-3 against the Nationals. They were a 4 run blown save courtesy of Ernesto Frieri away from sweeping the Nationals. The Angels have an odd record at 10-11 but own a +17 run differential, which is 2nd in the league.  

Offense:

The Angels may have the best player in the game, but they will be missing Josh Hamilton for this series. He broke his wrist sliding into first base a while back. He was off to a very hot start, sporting a .444/.545/.741. They are also missing Kole Calhoun. Good thing we won't be seeing him. Other than that: The Halos are one of the very best offensive teams in the game so far, averaging 5.1 runs a game. Albert Pujols is off to an amazing start with 8 home runs. He's still not the old Albert, but this version is pretty dang good (171 WRC+). Mike Trout is doing Mike Trout things with his (172 WRC+). 

Pitching Rotation:

CJ Wilson vs Hiroki Kuroda

CJ Wilson has probably been the most undeserving hated guy in the big contract spectrum. He's been a reliable workhouse for the Halos when they don't really have many. He comes into this start sporting a 4.21 ERA with a 3.94 FIP. Righties have gotten to him a little more than the lefties this year, which is completely normal. The guy is normally tough on lefties. He has 5 pitches, a low 90's fastball, upper 80's cutter, mid 80's change-up, low 80's slider, upper 70's curveball. He had a very rough start in his first start this year against the Mariners. Been pretty solid since.

Hector Santiago vs Vidal Nuno

Santiago is one of the 2 young lefties in the Angels rotation. He was a part of the 3 team deal that sent Mark Trumbo to the Diamondbacks. He has a 3.68 ERA (4.17 FIP). Santiago, as usual, has a very good strike-out rate (8.19 K/9 and a 21.1 K%) and a walk rate (4.91 BB/9 and  12.6 BB%). He has a pretty low grounder rate at 29.5%. Santiago has a very odd pitch mix, something people like to call a # and a half mix. In his case it's a 3 and a half. He'll use a low 90's 4 and 2 seam fastballs to set up his low 80's change. The half I was referring to is a low 70's screwball he'll use on rare occasion. 

Garrett Richards vs Masahiro Tanaka

Richards, 25, is the 5th starter for the Angels and by all accounts is pitching the best thus far. He has a 2.52 ERA (2.92 FIP) in his first four starts with a very strike out rate (8.64 K/9 and 24.2 K%) along with a stellar groundball rate (51.7%). While those starts are really good, Richards has a problem with the control bug, it has plagued him for most of his career. This year: (5.04 BB/9 and 14.1 BB%). He's essentially a two pitch pitcher, relying on the mid 90's fastball and a mid 80's slider. He'll throw a few curveballs a game, but not many if at all. He's allowed 2 runs combined in 3 of his 4 starts, the other start he got roughed up by the Athletics. 

Bullpen Status:

With the Angels having an off day yesterday, they are about as rested as one could think. Even with Frieri blowing the 4 run lead on Wednesday, he is still the closer (8.80 FIP). RHP Joe Smith (2.33 FIP) and RHP Kevin Jepsen (3.57 FIP) are the primary set up guys. The Halos really only have one lefty reliever in Nick Marrone, and have used him sparingly (0.69 FIP).

The rest of the Halos bullpen, is quite interesting to say the least. RHP Yosnan Herrera last appeared in a big league game in 2008 before being called up a few weeks ago (4.03 FIP). RHP Fernando Salas (4.58 FIP) is a former closer for the Cardinals back in 2011, but back problems have hurt him the past few years. Michael Kohn is just your middle of the run middle reliever with a (3.71 FIP).

Is Masahiro Tanaka Vulnerable To The Home Run?

Masahiro Tanaka has made four Major League starts since coming over from Japan to the New York Yankees and are we finally starting to see what we can expect from the 25 year old right hander? We all know about the stats he put up in Japan, 24-0 with a minuscule ERA, but over here it's a whole new ball game. Tanaka has proven that he can make major league hitters look silly with that split finger fastball while racking up strikeouts this season but has Tanaka become vulnerable to the home run ball? For a guy who plays his home games in Yankee Stadium I sure hope not.

Tanaka's debut in the states was against the Toronto Blue Jays and promptly gave up a home run to the first batter he faced in Melky Cabrera. In his second start Tanaka gave up a big three run home to the Baltimore Orioles Jonathan Schoop. Tanaka completely shut down the Chicago Cubs but really I think I could at this point, at least over a few innings, and I threw in the 90 MPH range when I was 13 years old. Tanaka had a true test against the Boston Red Sox and gave up back to back home runs to David Ortiz and Mike Napoli thus begging the question, is this becoming a trend?

Tanaka has great stats including a 3-0 record with a 2.15 ERA, 35 strike outs to only two walks, an ERA+ of 189, and a WHIP of 0.818. Tanaka does have a HR/9 ratio of 1.2 though and this is very concerning. I remember all of us were ready to run Phil Hughes out of town for his home run tendencies last season and the seasons prior and his HR/9 ratio was 1.5 in 2013. Take away those eight shut out innings against the Cubs and these numbers would look even worse.

I'm not comparing the two I am just saying this is something we need to keep a close eye on and monitor before it gets out of hand. Tanaka is great and is definitely the real deal but I worry about his home run numbers in a home run friendly Yankee Stadium. Hopefully I am not the only one, but maybe I am.

First Month: Masahiro Tanaka 2014 vs. Yu Darvish 2012

When the news broke that Masahiro Tanaka was going to be posted the Yu Darvish comparisons began almost immediately. Long story short obviously the New York Yankees paid the $20 million posting fee and retained Tanaka's services for seven seasons, not including the opt out clause. From the beginning almost everyone across the board said that while Tanaka was good he was playing second fiddle to Yu Darvish. Let's compare the first month of Masahiro Tanaka and his four starts for the Yankees this season to Yu Darvish's five stars in his first month with the Texas Rangers. 

Darvish's April of 2012 included five starts, 33 IP, 33 strikeouts, 17 walks, a 2.18 ERA, and a 4-0 record to begin his major league career. 

Tanaka's April of 2014 includes four starts, 29.1 IP, 35 strikeouts, two walks, a 2.15 ERA, and a 3-0 record to begin his major league career.

As you can see these two have very similar numbers aside from Tanaka's control and command is much better. While I do not expect Tanaka to challenge Carlos Silva's nine walks in a season in 2005 but the 24-0 record is still attainable. I kid, maybe.  

Quick Hit: Don't Pitch To Albert Pujols

Do not, I repeat, do not pitch to Albert Pujols. Just don't do it if you want to win these three very winnable games against the Angels at home this weekend. Josh Hamilton is out of the lineup and Pujols has no protection hitting behind him once again, sound familiar St. Louis Cardinals fans? If I am the Yankees I think I would rather attack Howie Kendrick, Yankee killer and all, than a red hot Pujols right now.

The Angels are coming off a great series against the Washington Nationals and Pujols is hot after joining the 500 home run club. You don't need a binder to see this, don't pitch to Pujols this weekend and try to keep Mike Trout off the basepaths. Oh and score more runs then the Angels do, then the Yankees sweep.

Sounds easy enough, now just do it. Happy Friday everybody, have a great day.

Tyler Austin Headed To The AA Disabled List

The Trenton Thunder, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, announce outfielder Tyler Austin has been placed on the Disabled List Thursday morning with a lower body injury.

Austin, the No. 17 prospect in the Yankees system, is batting .250 on the season in 14 games played and most recently went 0-for-2 Wednesday night in right field with 2 BB, 2 SB, RBI and R. In his last four games, Austin had been 5-for-14 (.357), 3 BB, 3 RBI, 5 R. 

With Austin being placed on the DL, RHP Joel De La Cruz was transferred back to the Thunder roster prior to Thursday’s 10:35 a.m. first pitch. De La Cruz, 24, who was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent in 2010, is expected to be the starting pitcher Thursday morning. De La Cruz has a 2-1 record and a 2.95 ERA with nine strikeouts and four walks over 18.1 IP in his first season in Double-A.

In his most recent start, April 17 against the Erie SeaWolves, De La Cruz tossed 5.2 innings of shutout ball on six hits and two walks.

Claiborne & Anna Down, Billings & Greene Up

My apologies for being late to this party, I was at the hospital with my mother in law all night last night so I am a little behind. Just to get you caught up in case you missed it Shane Greene and Bruce Billings have been called up to the Yankees bullpen. To make room on the 25 man roster Dean Anna and Preston Claiborne have been sent down. To make a 40 man roster spot for Billings the Yankees added Ivan Nova to the 60 day DL. Caught up?

Trenton Thunder Game Recap 4/24

Roller's Blast Not Enough in 4-1 Loss to Akron

Akron starter Kyle Davies struck out nine over six and ⅔ innings to lead the RubberDucks to a 4-1 victory over the Thunder on Thursday afternoon at ARM & HAMMER Park.

The former Atlanta Brave and Kansas City Royal allowed only one run, a solo home run by Kyle Roller, on his way to his second win of the season. Shawn Armstrong, Giovanni Soto and Jordan Cooper combined with Davies to strike out 14 batters.

The Thunder earned just four baserunners over the first six innings before Kyle Roller broke up the shutout with a solo home run to right center.

Roller now has five home runs in his first nine games in 2014. He tied the league lead with Altoona's Stetson Allie with his shot to left-center. Roller finished 2-for-4 and has nine extra base hits in nine games this season.

Joel De La Cruz suffered his second loss of the season as he allowed four runs in five innings. Akron scored the first two runs of the game on a two-run double off the bat of Justin Toole in the second inning and Francisco Lindor drove in two more with a triple in the fifth inning; he went 3-for-4.

Jairo Heredia and Pat Venditte combined to throw four shutout innings of relief, allowing just one hit and four strikeouts.

The Thunder embark on a seven game road trip beginning in Portland on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. The Thunder will start LHP Matt Tracy (3-0, 2.20), the Sea Dogs will counter with RHP Mike Augliera (2-1, 3.79). Listen live on 91.3 WTSR and TrentonThunder.com beginning at 5:45 p.m.

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder. The original article can be seen HERE. 

Charleston Riverdogs Game Recap 4/24

Smith Strikes Out 13 Shorebirds in RiverDogs Rout

Southpaw Caleb Smith quiets Delmarva with record-setting outing, backed by consistent offense

SALISBURY, MD - A career-high 13 strikeouts from Caleb Smith in six shutout innings highlighted a 6-0 Charleston RiverDogs win over the Delmarva Shorebirds on Thursday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in South Atlantic League action. Smith's 13 strikeouts is the highest total by any RiverDogs pitcher since Charleston became a New York Yankees affiliate in 2005.

After its first shutout of the season, Charleston is now 11-9 overall and 3-1 during this seven-game road trip. Delmarva's record drops to 9-11 following its fourth loss in its last five games.

Charleston scored early and often against Delmarva, but Smith was even more efficient. The southpaw struck out at least two Shorebirds in each frame, including three strikeouts in the fifth inning. Smith allowed just three hits and also retired eight straight batters in a stretch from the end of the first inning into the fourth. Smith also has 11.1 consecutive scoreless innings pitched, the best RiverDogs streak at any point this year.

The RiverDogs started their offense with back-to-back hits against Delmarva's Mitch Horacek before putting across the game's first run. Abiatal Avelino doubled and reached third base on a Jose Rosario single. Avelino scored on a double play off the bat of Aaron Judge, giving Charleston a 1-0 advantage in the first inning.

An early RiverDogs lead grew to 4-0 during the second inning. Gosuke Katoh's bases-loaded double scored Michael O'Neill and Miguel Andujar for a three-run lead. On the next pitch, Kale Sumner came in after a passed ball.

Charleston added runs in the third and fourth for a 6-0 advantage. With the bases loaded, Sumner's sacrifice fly brought in Judge during the third. In the fourth, Mikeson Oliberto collected a leadoff triple and was driven in by a single from Rosario.

Smith moved up to 2-1 after earning the victory in a record-setting appearance. Horacek was the losing pitcher for Delmarva, falling to 0-2. Jordan Cote followed Smith with three shutout innings to finish the game and claimed the first save of his professional career.

COMING UP: Game two of this four-game series is scheduled for 7:05pm on Friday evening. Charleston RHP Rookie Davis (2-0, 2.75 ERA) will pitch against Delmarva RHP Sebastian Vader (1-1, 2.84 ERA). Starting on Tuesday, April 29, the RiverDogs will host a seven-game homestand at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. Harris Teeter 2-for-$20 Date Night Tuesday, presented by Nash FM 96.9, offers a great deal with two tickets, two tacos, two fountain drinks, and one nacho tray for just $20 for couples that show their VIC Card at the box office. Tickets may be purchased at the Riley Park Box Office, (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or on-line at www.riverdogs.com. If fans cannot make it to the ballpark, they are encouraged to tune in to all the action this year both home and away worldwide onwww.riverdogs.com and locally on 1250 WTMA, the new radio home for RiverDogs baseball.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/1iiSN9F

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs. The original article can be seen HERE. 

This Day In New York Yankees History 4/25

On this day in 1904 Jack Chesbro and the New York Highlanders hand the Washington Senators their eight straight loss, making the Sens 0-8 to start the season, when New York won 4-1. Chesbro picked up his first of his record 41 wins he will get that season. Insane by today's standards.

On this day in 1933 Yankees rookie pitcher Russ Van Atta goes 4-4 and shuts out the Washington Senators 16-0 in his Major League debut. Kid seems like a keeper to me.

On this day in 1933 the benches cleared at Griffith Stadium between the New York Yankees and the Washington Senators. Yankee outfielder Ben Chapman spikes Buddy Myer and then responds by punching the Senators Jewish second baseman and hurling anti Semitic remarks at the injured infielder. This was an ugly brawl that lasted 20 minutes and spread into the stands with over 300 fans getting into the action. Suspensions and fines followed for the players involvement.

On this day in 1999 the New York Yankees unveiled their fifth monument in Monument Park when a plaque honoring Joe DiMaggio was placed there. Joe D died the month prior at age 84 and joined Miller Huggins, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, and Mickey Mantle in Monument Park.