Pineda's six scoreless frames lead Yankees to second win over Cubs

Michael Pineda gave up no runs in 6 innings and David Phelps, Matt Thornton, and Adam Warren combined for 3 more frames of relief tonight as the Yankees shut out the Cubs for the second time in 9 hours, 2-0. In this start, Pineda really only got into trouble twice, in the fifth and sixth when he allowed one and two guys on respectively, obviously getting out of both jams uninjured.

Anyway, the Yanks offense again struggled in this one, scoring just twice despite collecting 12 hits. Those two runs, surprisingly, each involved recently called-up 3B Scott Sizemore, who scored on a single by Gardner in the fourth before driving in Soriano with a one-base knock of his own in the next frame. Nothing amazing, but still, definitely something productive. 

Besides those guys, OFs Carlos Beltran and Ichiro Suzuki also played pretty well this evening, as each went 2-for-4. Neither of them scored or drove in runs, but really, does that matter? I mean, they still did okay, didn't they?

Game Thread: Yankees vs. Cubs 4/16 Game Two

The New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs will finish their double header and quick two game interleague series tonight at Yankee Stadium. The pitching matchup is Michael Pineda for the Yankees fresh off Pine Tar Gate and Travis Wood for the Cubs. The game can be seen on television at 7:05 pm ET on MY9, MLB Network, on the computer with MLB TV, and on the radio with WFAN. This is the last game of the Yankees home stand before they head out on the road to face the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox so a win would be nice for the home crowd.

You can keep the discussion going during this game and every game by following us on twitter by following @GreedyStripes or by dropping us a line in our growing comments section of the site. You can also buy your Yankees Tickets for this game and every Yankees game right here on the blog in our navigation bar. I encourage everyone to try out our Mega Prediction Game, also found on the navigation bar, where you wager points on whether the Yankees will win or lose every night.

Enjoy the game Yankees family and enjoy the rest of your night.

Shane Greene Called Up As 26th Man

Contrary to info I gave you yesterday, there is a 26th man for the second game. RHP Shane Greene for NYY and LHP Zac Rosscup for CHI.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) April 16, 2014

As you may or may not know when teams have a double header they are allowed to call up a 26th man on the roster as long as they are on the 40 man roster obviously and the Yankees are calling Shane Greene back up for tonight's game. Greene was up last week for the Yankees to help with a depleted bullpen and was left to rot without making an appearance. The Cubs are calling up Zac Rosscup for tonight's game.

New York Yankees Injury Update 4/16

I had to type out a whole lot of these last year so hopefully we won't have to do much of it this season, but we will today. The Yankees have a couple guys on the disabled list or hurting and here are the updates on them:

Derek Jeter has technically missed three games in a row after missing the first game of the double header with the Cubs but is expected to be in the night cap game. I don't think the Yankees would be playing him if he wasn't okay, especially after last season, so that is encouraging.

Brian Roberts has back spasms and is taking medication for the ailment. Roberts is said to be feeling much better and could play tonight if need be but manager Joe Girardi would like to stay away from him if at all possible.

Mark Teixeira is eligible to come off the disabled list this Sunday. This Sunday the Yankees are playing on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays. Teixeira is down in Tampa at the Yankees minor league complex working out and taking batting practice. Coincidence? I hope not.

David Robertson is scheduled to throw off a mound tomorrow while trying to work back from a groin injury. This will be the first time he has thrown off a mound since the injury. D Rob is eligible to come off the disabled list next Tuesday.

Michael Pineda & The Real Pine Tar Gate Explanation

You had to know this was coming... I could have chosen from a million of them, haters were out in swarms after Michael Pineda's last start. Haters gonna hate I guess, this one was funny though I cannot deny it.

Tanaka's gem helps Yankees shutout Cubs, 3-0

Masahiro Tanaka threw 8 shutout innings and Shawn Kelley followed him by getting the last three outs today as the Yankees won the first game of this day-night doubleheader over the Cubs, 3-0. In this one, Tanaka was nearly unhittable, giving up just 2 hits while striking out 10, improving his 2014 record to a nice 2-0. 

Anyway, the Yanks offense struggled this afternoon, collecting just 5 hits, but in the end that didn't matter, as they still were able to scrape across three runs thanks to a Solo Home Run from Carlos Beltran, a Sac Fly from Dean Anna, and a confusing RBI Groundout from Jacoby Ellsbury. On that play, Ellsbury, along with the Cubs defense, seemed to think the ball was foul, but according to the empires that wasn't the case, allowing the speedy Brett Gardner to score from third. 

Besides those guys, Pinstripes Catcher Brian McCann also contributed to this W, going 1-for-4 with a run in the bottom of the fourth. 

Preview: New York Yankees vs. Chicago Cubs 4/16 Game Two

The New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs are back at it today at Yankee Stadium in the night cap of their split double header. The Yankees will send Michael Pineda, presumably with a clean hand, to the mound to face off with Travis Wood for the Cubs. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on MY9, MLB Network, on the computer with MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

All the talk will be about Pineda and the "dirt" that was on his right pitching hand. Everyone will ignore that the Red Sox did not make a stink about it or that he pitched well after the gunk magically disappeared. The first time Pineda throws a ball or gives up a hit or a home run ESPN will be all over Pineda for being a cheater, right it down. Pineda shut down ESPN's beloved Boston Red Sox in his last start striking out seven in six plus innings of one run ball. Pineda looks to do it against the Cubs tonight.

Wood is a left handed pitcher who is coming off a career high nine strikeout game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in his last start. Wood has never pitched at Yankee Stadium, old or new, so this will be a first for him. With Wood being a lefty I expect Scott Sizemore, Alfonso Soriano, Derek Jeter, Yangervis Solarte, and possibly John Ryan Murphy getting starts as they are right handed. Hopefully the Yankees can jump on Wood... no pun.... early and often and get out of town with a victory.

Go Yankees!!

Good Glove or Big hitter?

With the pitchers we need (ground ball types) and have, why do I keep hearing we need this infielder or that guy, they have good offensive numbers and can play the Infield.

If memory serves me correct, we won 22 WS with a good glove and without a prolific offensive hitter at SS.
With a HoF hitter at SS, we have 5 WS in 20 years.
Since our first WS win in 1923 to 1995 we have won a WS on an avg. of every 3.37 year.
Since 1995 to this date we have won a WS game every 4 years.

The Yankees need ground ball pitchers in Yankee stadium right? Well, one must decide, protect the pitching or try out hitting the other team!
My opinion is, get the best defensive SS, let the others take care of the heavy lifting. Getting a .250+ good glove can save the team a lot of runs and with ground ball pitchers on the mound...and, you can keep your pitchers happy!

Saving a run means one has to only score 1 more then the other team so...as defense is a very huge part in any game! And I am a big proponent of defense, one has to remember...defense is only a small part of the game, one has to score runs to win also. We have a team that will score enough to win lower scoring games but once it gets in the 5+ runs per a game it is ?????

When we get everyone back from injuries, things will change but, for now...it is, what it is. Find a way to win is the name of these games...as always!

Game Thread: Yankees vs. Cubs 4/16 Game One

The New York Yankees will play their first interleague game of the season today as they host the Chicago Cubs at Yankee Stadium in the first game of a day and night double header. The Yankees are quickly piling up with injuries and look to ride the wave until everyone gets healthy and back into action. The Cubs are still the Cubs so the Yankees have that working for them. The pitching matchup is Masahiro Tanaka for the Yankees, Happy Tanaka Day and Happy Jackie Robinson Day, and Jason Hammel for the Cubs. The game can be seen on the YES Network at 1:05 pm ET, or you can watch it on your computer with MLB TV, or you can listen on the radio with WFAN.

You can buy all your Yankees tickets right here on the blog by clicking Yankees Tickets on the navigation bar for this game and all Yankees games, home or away. Join the discussion by following us on twitter, @greedystripes, or by dropping us a line in our comments section on the site. Don't forget to join the mega prediction game as well where you wager points on whether the Yankees will win or lose all 162 games this season.

Enjoy the game Yankees family and enjoy the rest of your night.

Masahiro Tanaka Still Wants Red Sox Blood.... Meme

Masahiro Tanaka wants Boston Red Sox blood but he just missed starting against the Yankees biggest rivals last weekend and will miss them again next week by a game as well. You have to wonder if this was the real reason Joe Girardi and company had Tanaka start the fourth game of the season and not the third. Maybe I am over thinking this, I tend to that as well, who knows. For a seven year deal and $175 million, including the posting fee, you figured New York would want their shiny new toy against the Red Sox but maybe they are saving him for later in the season when the games are more important.