Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Chicago Cubs 5/6

Ladies and gentleman we are in for a treat tonight as the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs are back at it again inside Wrigley Field. This time these two teams will be playing under the lights though as Wrigley hosts these two historic MLB teams for a primetime matchup. With such a great matchup comes great responsibility and the two pitchers shouldered with such pressure are Jordan Montgomery for the Yankees, the rookie, and Brett Anderson for the Cubs, the veteran. This should be another fun one in the Windy City.

Montgomery has been just what the Yankees needed out of him since making his MLB debut with the team last month. Montgomery keeps the Yankees in every game and gives his teammates a chance to win and that was on display in his last start as well against the Baltimore Orioles. In the start Montgomery allowed three runs in five innings of work keeping the Yankees around long enough for Aaron Judge and company to bash the team to victory.

Anderson did not keep his team in the game and did not give Chicago a chance to win the game last time out lasting just 1.1 innings while giving up seven runs on seven hits. In Anderson’s defense he was dealing with heavy winds and rain during his last start but either way I’ll take that kind of production out of him once again tonight in Chicago.

The game will be played at 7:15 pm ET inside Wrigley Field and can be seen on FOX. I’m not sure how this will affect MLB TV but I’d venture to say the game will be blacked out everywhere but on FOX. You can also follow along on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Enjoy the game and as always Go Yankees!

It’s Bird, it’s a Plane, no, it’s Gardyman!…

Credit:  David Banks/USA TODAY Sports

It is frustrating when the Yankees lose games they should have won so there was satisfaction with Friday afternoon’s stunning victory over the Chicago Cubs, 3-2, thanks to a ninth inning two-out, two-strike three-run home run by Brett Gardner.  The Yankees had their chances early in the game, but seemed to self-sabotage every attempt to push runs across the plate.  

The Yankees were fortunate that Cubs closer Wade Davis was unavailable after pitching in the three preceding games for the Northsiders.  Davis is currently 2-0 with an 0.00 ERA in 13 1/3 innings.  He has 15 strikeouts and has only given up four hits and walks.  His WHIP is a paltry 0.60.  I’ve read a few Chicago articles that think the Cubs upgraded the closing position with the addition of Wade Davis (a bit of a slam against Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman).  But with Davis unavailable, the Cubs were forced to turn to former closer, Hector Rondon, who had been displaced last July when Chapman arrived.  

Honestly, it didn’t feel like Gardner was going to emerge from the day victorious.  After he reached two strikes, he fouled off a couple of Rondon pitches to stay alive.  It felt like Rondon just needed to put one in the outside corner to earn his first save of the season.  Instead, he left the pitch in the exact spot that he shouldn’t have…low and inside.  That’s all Gardner needed to deposit the pitch in the outfield bleachers.  

The Gardner home run put the game in the hands of former Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman.  It wasn’t pretty when the first batter, Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, reached second base as a result of a Chase Headley error.  With the game-tying run on second and no outs, Chapman retired the next three batters which included a swinging third strike by Cubs powerful second baseman Javier Baez to end the game.

Hats off to Michael Pineda.  I know that he gave up two home runs, but he could’ve folded like a cheap suit as he has in years past.  He held the Cubs to only two runs on the solo homers and only three hits overall in six innings of work.  He struck out six and walked only one.  It was a quality start and there’s no way the Yankees could have staged the improbable comeback if not for Pineda’s efforts.  

The win moved the Yankees to 18-9.  They precariously remain in sole possession of first place in the AL East by a half-game over the Baltimore Orioles.  The Orioles beat the Chicago White Sox 4-2 despite starting pitcher Wade Miley being hit by successive line drives 12 pitches into the game that forced his departure.  

Aroldis Chapman received his World Series ring prior to the start of the game.  It was good to see him receive recognition for his contributions for helping to bring the first World Series championship to Chicago for the Cubs in 108 years.  People tend to remember the game-tying home run that a weary Chapman gave up in Game 7 but the Cubs would not have been in the World Series if not for #54.  

Credit:  Tannen Maury/EPA

Adam Warren also received his World Series ring as a member of the 2016 Cubs, but he chose a private ceremony (he wanted the spotlight on the Yankees closer since Chapman was part of the post-season team that won the World Series plus he didn't feel right wearing Yankees gear with a Cubs ring...'Attaboy, Adam!).  

It was also a fun day for former Cubs shortstop/second baseman Starlin Castro.  He received a standing ovation as the Cubs played his walk-up music when he came up to bat for the first time.  There’s no doubt it was an emotional day for Castro who remains appreciative of the Cubs for giving him his first opportunity in Major League Baseball.  

Credit:  Getty Images

Gary Sanchez was activated before the game and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout.  Kyle Higashioka was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/WilkesBarre after failing to record in a hit in 18 at-bats.  I had really been hoping that he could have gotten that first one out of the way before heading back to Eastern Pennsylvania.  

Have a great Saturday!  Sounds like it may be a cold, windy night in Chicago.  Hopefully it will be a memorable evening for the Baby Bombers in the Windy City.  

Austin Romine Almost Has to Be Traded Now, Doesn’t He?

The New York Yankees and their fans had to feel at least a twinge of certain and impending doom when they learned that their catcher and star player Gary Sanchez would be heading to the disabled list with a biceps strain, I know I felt it anyway. Somehow, someway the New York Yankees have been resilient and have somehow improved without Sanchez under the combination of Austin Romine and Kyle Higashioka begging the question, does Austin Romine have to be traded now? I mean he almost does, doesn’t he? Or maybe that’s just me.

Romine didn’t just keep the Yankees heads above water during the Sanchez disabled list stint but he actually performed pretty damn well not only behind the plate but at the dish as well. The Yankees have gone 16-5 with Romine as their everyday starting catcher and Romine himself has compiled a .316 batting average with timely hits, home runs and RBI. In short Romine showed that he can handle the everyday catching duties at the Major League level. That’s good, the problem is that Higashioka was pretty damn impressive for the Yankees as well. Higashioka has options and Romine doesn’t so a trade isn’t imminent but it almost makes sense to move Romine now for prospects or as a part of a deal for something the team needs later on in the season. At least to me.

Romine has done well for the Yankees and to me, and this is a fan’s perspective obviously, I’d like to see him earn a shot to be a starter somewhere because I feel like he’s earned it. I feel like Higashioka has earned the right to be the Yankees backup catcher. I could be premature a bit in my thinking on both admittedly but that is how I feel. Romine is 28-years old and out of minor league options so the time is now for him and that “now” is not going to come with the Yankees. Not as long as Gary Sanchez is on the team and healthy. I’d miss him, I love him as a player, but I’d wish him well with the thought process that he is finally getting the opportunity to live out his dreams as a starter.

So could Romine be the next John Ryan Murphy and fetch the Yankees something useful in a trade? I honestly think it should happen, whether it will happens remains to be seen. Stay tuned.

So it Seems We’re Really Okay

Before the start of the 2017 regular season while I was looking around on Twitter, Facebook and here on the blog you generally had your same cast of characters. The eternally optimistic crowd that had this person and that person exceeding expectations leading the Yankees to the postseason, this is me. Then you had the eternally pessimistic crowd who had the team losing 100 of their first 105 games while being mathematically eliminated from the postseason by June 1^st, that’s definitely not me but there are quite a few of these people floating around the internet. Then you have the crowd that is just along for the ride. I’m far too passionate to be just along for the ride but this week I was tested and I came out of it knowing one thing, we really are okay.

The Yankees are okay and better than most expected and life just keeps on getting better all the time. Sure we get thrown the occasional curve ball and the far-too-often fastball that knocks you on your butt but it’s those jabs and punches that defines us. It is those that makes us what we are… and we are pretty damn great. Hey you. Have a great Saturday everyone. 

This Day in New York Yankees History 5/6: “I’ll Be Seeing You Guys Real Soon”

On this day in 2007 Roger Clemens announced that he would be coming back for another season and that it would be with the New York Yankees. Clemens agreed to a one year deal worth $28 million, which prorated down to a little more than half that. This would be the richest deal in the history of the game for a pitcher. Clemens made the announcement in the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium in owner George Steinbrenner's press box.

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Chicago Cubs 5/5

Afternoon baseball in Chicago is about as American as it gets but having the New York Yankees join those Chicago Cubs on a Friday afternoon inside Wrigley Field… well that’s just awesome and I don’t care who you are. The Yankees and the Cubs kick off their three-game weekend set this afternoon with a stellar pitching matchup that pits Michael Pineda for New York against Kyle Hendricks for Chicago. The game will be played at 2:20 pm ET inside Wrigley Field and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV. You can also follow along with the game at work like I am or in your cars by tuning into WFAN.

Follow us on Twitter by giving @GreedyStripes a follow. Enjoy the game and Go Yankees!

Yankees Statistical Leaders Through 26 Games

It’s hard to believe but before this afternoon’s game with the Chicago Cubs the New York Yankees have already played in a whopping 26 games this season. Aaron Judge has 13 home runs in those 26 games and the Yankees are riding high at the top of the American League East Division. Whether the team can keep up the pace and whether Judge can hit more home runs than Barry Bonds did in 2001, 73 which is a single-season record and a record that Judge is on pace to match or surpass, is a discussion for another day. Instead we’ll just focus on the statistical leaders for the major categories for New York this season as we wait for first pitch inside Wrigley Field here in just a couple hours. Enjoy.

The Yankees Offense

At Bats:

Starlin Castro leads the team with 105 at-bats.

Games:

Starlin Castro has played in all 26 games thus far this season.

Hits:

It’s the Starlin Castro show ladies and gentleman as he also leads the team with 38 hits.

Doubles:

Chase Headley has ended up on second base eight times already after taking his turn at the dish.

Home Runs:

Aaron Judge leads the world and the universe right now with 13 home runs.

RBI:

A lot of home runs equate to a lot of RBI generally and Judge leads the team with 27 of them.

Batting Average:

Starlin Castro one more time with a .362 average.

The Yankees Pitching

Wins:

Masahiro Tanaka has four wins. Happy Tanaka Day.

Losses:

Luis Severino is the only Yankees pitcher in the bullpen or rotation with two losses. Everyone else has either none or just one loss.

ERA:

Starters: Michael Pineda 3.14.

Bullpen: Chasen Shreve 0.00 in three games and Adam Warren 0.63 in eight games.

Strikeouts:

Starters: Michael Pineda 37 K’s.

Bullpen: Dellin Betances has 17 K’s in a third of the innings Pineda has.

Saves:

Aroldis Chapman has six saves. No brainer here though.

Shutouts:

Masahiro Tanaka has the Yankees only shutout this season thus far.

I Left My Heart In San Fran…I mean, Chicago!…

Credit:  Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune

ChiTown is spreading the love for our second baseman, Starlin Castro.  From comments by Cubs manager Joe Maddon “He was a great teammate here” to current Cubs players like Anthony Rizzo “He played hard and played every day”, the warm accolades about Castro are overflowing in the Chicago papers.  As Rizzo went on to say, “He was here for a while and part of this two-year run.  But I’m sure he was pulling for us.  I’m sure it would have been great for him to be a part of it, too, but I think a little part of him was.”

The Cubs will honor Castro before today’s game at Wrigley Field as a thank you for his contributions while a long-time member of the Cubs organization.  From the 2010 to 2015 seasons, Castro played in 891 games and batted .281/.321/.404.  He hit 62 home runs with 363 RBI’s and 75 stolen bases. 

I am sure that it will be tough for Castro to watch Adam Warren and Aroldis Chapman accept their World Series rings from Cubs President Theo Epstein and Maddon, considering he was part of the rebuilding effort that led to the championship run.  He played six seasons in Chicago’s North Side, while you could piece together only one season collectively for Warren and Chapman (if you include Warren’s time in the minors). 

Credit:  Jonathan Danie/Getty Images

I fully expect a loud and rousing ovation for Castro when he comes to bat for the first time today.  He has always said the right things about his time in Chicago and I don’t think I really understood before how willing Castro was to accept the position change from shortstop to second base during his final months as a Cub.  It had to have been a huge letdown but he didn’t complain or argue.  He embraced the change and has continued to improve as a second baseman.  

I am very happy that he’ll be recognized by the city of Chicago and Cubs fans.  But of course, once the first pitch is thrown, he is a Yankee and his job will be to beat the Cubs.

While three Yankees will be having fun reminiscing, one Yankee returns to the field of his arch-rival.  With so many years in St Louis as a member of the Cardinals, Wrigley Field is like a Yankee setting foot on Fenway Park turf for Matt Holliday.  He’ll have no trouble going to war when the games begin.  

Credit:  Getty Images

It will also be interesting to see how Chapman does.  I don’t expect any spillover from his negative comments about his handling by Joe Maddon in the World Series (the two have apparently talked and mended fences since then, plus Chapman was right).  I think Aroldis will be a pro when he takes the mound.  He played a huge role in getting the Cubs to the World Series and certainly deserves the ring he’ll receive.

Credit:  Jon Durr/Getty Images

I forgot to mention Yankees manager Joe Girardi as this is a homecoming for him too.  A Chicagoland native, he is also a former Cub (1989-1992, 2000-2002).  I am sure that he’ll have fun visiting with friends and family.  When I think of Girardi and the Cubs, it always reminds me of a very tragic day.  On June 22, 2002, Girardi, then the Cubs catcher, took the microphone to speak to the Wrigley Field crowd moments after a game with the Cardinals was scheduled to begin.  A very emotional Girardi spoke the words “I thank you for your patience.  We regret to inform you because of a tragedy in the Cardinals family, the Commissioner has cancelled the game today.  I ask you to say a prayer for the St Louis Cardinals family.”  The crowd was silenced.  The name had not yet been released but we subsequently found out that Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile had been found dead (heart disease) in his hotel room. I have always admired Girardi for how he handled the situation that day even though he didn’t know Kile.  

Among the Coaching Staff, Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild was the long-time pitching coach for the Cubs prior to his arrival in New York (from 2002 to 2010).  Bullpen coach Mike Harkey played for the Cubs in 1988 and 1990-1993.  

Here are the pitching match-ups for the Yankees-Cubs series:

FRIDAY

NYY:  Michael Pineda (3-1, 3.14 ERA)

CHC:  Kyle Hendricks (2-1, 4.18 ERA)

SATURDAY

NYY:  Jordan Montgomery (1-1, 4.15 ERA)

CHC:  Brett Anderson (2-1, 6.23 ERA)

SUNDAY

NYY:  Luis Severino (2-2, 3.86 ERA)

CHC:  Jon Lester (1-1, 3.67 ERA)

Gary Sanchez is expected to be activated before today’s game.  He is the one guy capable of stealing ratings away from The Aaron Judge Show.  It’s going to be so much fun watching those two in the lineup together again.  It’s an awesome time to be a Yankees fan!

Credit:  Seth Wenig/AP

Have a great Friday!  Let’s show the World Champions that we can play this game!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Chicago Cubs 5/5

How’s this for a historic matchup? The New York Yankees are fresh off their off day yesterday and heading to the Windy City of Chicago to take on the Chicago Cubs in a three-game set inside Wrigley Field. In the first matchup of the series these two teams will send possibly their best starters thus far this season to kick things off as the Yankees send Michael Pineda to the mound to square off against Kyle Hendricks for the Cubs.

Pineda pitched well once again in his last start against the Baltimore Orioles allowing two unearned runs in 5.1 innings of work walking one batter and striking out eight. Pineda is back to being the high strikeout and low walk guy the Yankees traded for all those years ago striking out 37 batters this far this season to just four walks in 28.2 innings pitched.

Hendricks faces his second consecutive American League East team tonight after making his last start against the Boston Red Sox. In that start Hendricks lasted six innings allowing just three hits including a Hanley Ramirez two-run home run. More of those please.

The game will be played at 2:20 pm ET inside Wrigley Field and can be seen on the YES Network in New York, MLB Network nationally, CSN-C in Chicago and on MLB TV wherever you are your device are. You can also follow along on the radio the old fashioned way with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Enjoy the game and as always, Go Yankees!

My Second Trip to AT&T Field to Watch the Chattanooga Lookouts

So you all may or may not remember, or you may be new to the blog so if so… welcome, but last year my son Evan won an annual award from his school for being the Most Improved Student. What you get for this besides the obvious learning ramifications is a free ticket and food at the Chattanooga Lookouts AT&T Field. Well Evan won again this year so we made our second trip to Chattanooga on Wednesday night to watch the Lookouts take on the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

Last year Evan’s little brother, Hayden, was a little too young to attend the game but this time around he made the trip with us for his first baseball game. Boy did Hayden have a good time. The chants, the mascots, the game and of course the hot dogs and ice cream he was a huge fan of. Plus at Minor League games the kids can be kids and aren’t confined to a small, cramped seat surrounded by thousands of people. It was nice and the boys had a great time. Evan almost caught a foul ball too but he missed it by about 10 feet, maybe next time kid!

It really is a great time. They have lots of things to keep you entertained in-between innings and such and the atmosphere is just nice. I love it there. I loved seeing old Yankees in new places like Angelo Gumbs, Matt Tracy, Nik Turley, Eric Jagielo and others along with new faces that I had never seen before. Nick Gordon was the starting second baseman for the Lookouts and Paul Clemens started the game which was cool to see live.

It was just a really enjoyable experience and I fully recommend it for anyone who is in the neighborhood. Next time though it’s going to be with you. Hey you. I love you.