Amusing pix yesterday of the rookies dressed as the Wizard of Oz. I've seen a variety of rookie "costumes", which has become a ritual all around baseball, but that was pretty clever. They went all out.
As for actual baseball, the Yankees need just one win (or one Detroit Tigers loss) in the next six days to clinch a playoff spot. Quite the turnaround from earlier in the season. Amazing that the Yankees are likely to clinch making the postseason before the Mets do.
The rest of the playoff picture remains foggy. Although we know the other three teams will be the Red Sox, Indians and Angels, they are all within one game of one another, record-wise. So the team to get home-field advantage and face the wild card club is very much up in the air.
Comments (51)
Should have had Kyle Farnsworth dress up as the Tin Man. No heart!!!!!
I believe a major reason for the Yanks "sleep walking" thru that game yesterday was Torre's comment the day before. He stated that "getting set up for the playoffs was much more important than winning the division". Until Torre said that, every player had been "busting tail" every game. This team is now getting mentally and physically ready for the playoffs. Until next week, I expect to see much of what we saw yesterday. Guys just "playing out the string", trying to get and or stay healthy. They are merely following Torre's lead.
Hey Kat, why your concern with the Mets? We will see who goes farther in the playoffs. My money is on the Mets.
The more amazing story to me is how a team with a $200 million dollar payroll and an all star at every position falls that far behind to begin with. With that payroll, they should have made a comeback and should never have been that far behind to begin with. Guess Torre is a "genius" again. LOL
No concern with Mets. Just interesting, considering how much better the Mets looked back when the teams actually played one another.
I agree with that Roy, but I'd like to wrap this puppy up first, then sleepwalk for the rest of the week. :-)
I wonder how many Yankee haters will moan and groan if the Yanks lose tonight and Detroit loses. They'll say that the Yanks "backed in" to the post season.
Yeah, like going 69-40 since May 29th means that we backed in.
Those costumes are hilarious! All they needed were some pillow cases and they could have hit the South Bronx in a trick-or-treat excursion before boarding the plane.
I didn't like the story on Kennedy in today's paper. He may be shut down for the rest of the season.
Well, I guess that it's a good thing as he's done his part. Get him rested up for ST.
We didn't play well the first half of the season because most of our starters were on the DL. Blame that on the 200 million payroll.
Since may 29th, we're 69-40 or some numbers close to that. I may be off by a game or 2.
What's your excuse for that pathetic team in Flushing? Why have the Phillies beaten your a$$ 8 straight times? What excuse can you give for not locking up a spot in the post season by now?
Especially in that pathetic division known as the NL east?
Why?
because the Mets $uck, that's why!
Hey, maybe all of the guys here on the Yankee blog should pay a trip over to your side of the fence and torment you for the rest of the season and the post season.
That is, if you make it.
"The Phillies are coming, the Phillies are coming".
Playoffs:
NL
D-backs vs Phillies
Mets Vs Cubs
AL
Indians vs Yanks
Red Sox vs Angels
NLCS
Phillies vs Cubs
ALCS
Yanks vs Angels
World Series
Yanks vs Cubs
Yanks win in 7
Great point Roy! This is what I mean about lack of "LEADERSHIP". It's also why our relief pitchers can only pitch 1 inning per week, etc. They are babied and coddled and the bar is ALWAYS set WAY BELOW where it should be. This type of attitude creates an atmosphere for underachievment, which is exactly what we have mastered the last few years!
Mickey,
You'e a funny monkey!
Yanks lose in the first round in a 3-0 Cleveland sweep. (if you even get in! The Tigers are gear'in up for a HUGE run!)
Tampa Bay will take Tornoto's lead and cause you all fits down at the Trop! Kazmir is definitely a no-brain-win for Tampa!
Some classy pics from the Yanks rooks:
http://flickr.com/photos/goddam/sets/72157602149248305/
And some not so classly pics of the Pirates rooks:
http://www.gaslampball.com/story/2007/9/22/145944/970
Anything on the Mets?
Anyone who thinks there is an "if" to the Yanks making the postseason clearly ate paint chips as a child, was dropped on their head, AND had their mother drink through pregnancy. Despite all that, they still might be smarter than the average Sox fan.
How 'bout giving credit to the opposing pitcher once in awhile, instead of blaming the Yankees for lack of effort. The rookie did everything right, as he did recently against Boston as well. Constantly pitching ahead in the count, keeping the Yanks off balance with off speed stuff, & staying away from the middle of the plate. No big fat fastballs behind in the count. Well pitched games have stifled Yankee bats all year, even by "off-brand named" guys. The Yankees make a living off high pitch counts & hitting ahead in the count.
If pitching was only about throwing hard, our bullpen wouldn't suck so bad!
The Yankees have been the best team in Baseball since the infamous A-Rod ha-ha game in spite of the horrendous start, & if we can get anything out of the pen from someone not named Joba, Mo, or Viz in the playoffs, we can do some damage. I'm hoping Hughes & Kennedy(if not hurt) can help us out.
Also A-Rod must break out BEFORE the playoffs start, or my gut tells me the pressure will be too great for him.
Sully, question is, do YOU want to face Sabbathia and Carmona?
ANA is something like 54-27 @ home. While CLE is not that far off, Id much rather face CLE than ANA at home.
Second, Sabbathia and Carmona are not considered experience playoff pitchers. As a matter of fact, Carmona is practically a rookie. does that make their stuff hittable? certainly not. But Lackey, Escabar and even Weaver have more playoff experience than Sabbathia and Carmona.
Third, the playoff experience is a whole new ballgame. (Just ask A-rod). However, ANA can adapt and handle the pressure with the group of vets they have, and the fact that they have been in playoffs consistently the past 5-7 years. CLE has not been in the dance since '01. Their inexperience and youth, as beneficial as that can be, can also be a deterent.
My point - let Sox battle ANA, and travel. Yanks can handle CLE, and their pitching staff.
but dont get me wrong, both CLE and ANA are very formidable teams and can beat anyone.
I have been saying this for years, but it really sucks that after 162 marathon, the first round comes down to a best of five. Seems stupid to me when it's well known that a hot pitcher can take over a series and win 2 or 3 games by himself. That makes cleveland, with 2 really good starters (and not much else) very dangerous. That said, we handled them this year pretty easily, including the first sweep when we were playing bad ball. That has to be in their heads, gotta be....
CC Sabathia earned me $300.00 and a "Championship"as my top earner in Fantasy. I know that means nothing in the context of real life baseball but I'll say the guy is pretty f%$King good and lest we all forget!!
1. WE HAVE NOT FACED HIM
2. HE'S LEFT HANDED!!
HELLO!!! LEFT HANDED!!!
How well did it go for us this year when Abreu/Damon/Matsui/Cano faced a moderately talented pitcher from the left side??
That said I'd still rather play the Indians with Borowski than mess with Anaheim and K-Rod.
HORRIFIED BY THE NEWS THAT KENNEDY WILL NOT BE A PART OF OUR POST SEASON!!
WHAT IT ONLY TAKES MUSSINA 2 STARTS TO TURN BACK INTO A PRINCE??
HORSES$%T!!!
I'd feel far more comfortable with Kennedy and if not than atleast he should be in the pen with Hughes...ATLEAST KENNEDY HAS 3 PITCHES!!
Why did we bring him up did he save the wildcard? I don't know but I find this very disturbing!!
I would prefer the Indians based on our play with them this season and a 6-0 recored. As for the LAA, I'm not overly concerned about them. They have that substance on their team to hit when needed and play great baseball of the fundamental variety. They are my second choice of the two.
And to HYD, I appreciate the website for Yankee rookie pictures.
Again, gentlemen. The Yanks do not want to "dance" with Sabathia and Carmona in a best of 5. The Angels don't have a #2 starter near the pitcher Carmona is, and Sabathia is far more "dominating" than Lackey. The combination of Sabathia and Carmona in a 5 game series, is akin to Randy Johnson and Schilling.
Larry... how many time have the Yankees faced Sabathia this year?
That would be zero times
Sully, strange enough, but the Yanks have missed CC for two full years now. That, with a team that struggles against lefties, is not a good combination. I am not picking Cleveland because I want them, rather, the lesser of two evils if you will. Carmona has proven jack sh*t against us (or against any team in the playoffs for that matter). Only an idiot would compare that duo to Schilling & Johnson, two surefire first ballot hall of famers....
Roy I'm also worried about the indians in a short series and seeing Sabathia and Carmona twice but the Angels at their place is literally like cryptonite to us. Let the Redsox go mess with those A-Holes.
We have to beat up on Carmona or wear him out somehow get into their pen cause I don't expect to beat Sabbathia if he's "On."
He's a LEFTY!! LOL
either way, both teams have excellent starting pithers.
i feel as though yankees would benefit against sabbathia and carmona.
lackey has the experience and escabar is no slack either. plus, weaver and santana are more effective than westbrook and byrd.
CLE is much less of a hostile place to play than ANA.
again, you are facing the lesser of two evils. let the red sox travel and go into ANA with their crowd and home record this year. yanks dont match up well against ANA.
ESPN just announced that Clemens was "scratched" from tonight's start, and will not pitch in this series. This is cause for concern, especially if he can't pitch in the playoffs, and Mussina starts in his place.
not sure why everyone is so high on carmona. he started this year on fire, with some great stuff. his record is very respectable. but, hes a first year player in the playoffs. he, by no means, should be compared to johnson and/or schilling.
the RETURN of IGAWA!
An AL starter with over 200 innings and an ERA of just over 3.00 is much more than "very respectable". Carmona is the best #2 starter in the playoffs.
The Indians, besides Borowski actually have a pretty good 'pen, while Anaheim's has struggled a bit. I'm worried about our Yanks' starting pitching before I get worried about who they are facing. They need Wang and Pettitte to be HUGE in either series.
Lackey- Escobar =
Sabathia-Carmona
It just doesn't matter to me, if the Yanks do their part we don't have to worry at all.
Is it too late to make Joba a starter again for the playoffs? hahahaha
Looks like I'll be rooting for the Twins to beat the Tigers tonight.
I hate you Igawa.
Most you guys are just "spooked" by the Angels. Remember, the Angels no longer have "The Molina Factor" in their favor. The Yanks now have that advantage.
We are rightfully "spooked" by the Angels. They play the type of baseball that we have trouble matching up against.
Small ball, move runners along, steal bases, take the extra base.
We do have Melky, who has a hell of an arm and keeps runners honest.
Did I mention the Angels also have a really good defense.
Which will make our offense have to really earn their runs.
Igawa will strike out 10 tonight and the Yanks will win 8-0. We won't need help from the Twinkies! Banzai!
Besides, Rocket needs the rest. Refueling for take-off! Let's Go Yankees!!!
How 'bout dat Das Haagan!
What are the Angels holes or weaknesses right now? I'd say it's a starter from number 3 on and the bullpen is not as quality as it used to be as Shields has been so bad of late that he may not even make the post season roster. He and K-Rod used to eat the Yankees up.
I do think if the Yankees drew them in the first round and beat them, their confidence would be sky freakin' high and would carry over to the rest of the playoffs. However, it looks to me like the Yanks will be playing the Indians and facing CC at least twice in the series and you know what? I don't care. If the Yanks are good enough to win, they will have to beat good teams. Sooner or later you have to pay the piper.
It's funny, but I don't think there are any teams out there right now thinking "I hope we get the Yankees in round 1" (not even Anaheim). Our boys needs a little swagger.
I agree Jim A
I do not care who we face, as long as we prepare and get ready this week.
The best 4 teams in baseball are playing in the AL right now. It is not going to be easy to get through the AL because all 4 teams can win if they play up to their potential.
I wait with anticipation for October every year and now it is under a week away.
Bring it on.
Jim A-hole... Holes are a subject you know something about but stop repeating what we have all read.
I know things are slow in Virginia but this has been in the NY newspapers for the last week.
Anon,
Grow a pair of balls and use the name you normally post under.
What has been in the NY paper for a week?
It amazes me how cowardly and weak people can be when it comes to posting on an internet message board. A place where no matter what you say a person could not do anything but verbally assault back.
This message board would be a hell of lot better if you had to register a Username.
So people couldn't rip on people with a fake or Anonymous name.
This is probably the best 4 team crop of AL playoff teams since 2001 when you had 2 teams with 100+ wins (the Mariners and the A's) the eventual AL Champ Yankees and a solid 91 win Indians team that took the Mariners 5 games in the opening round
McCarthy,
I don't mind the occasional moron that does that, but obviously the one ripping me is different as they know I live in VA, so they've been around a while. Sites like this give a lot of people courage they wouldn't normally have huh? Pretty funny though.
Back to baseball: I'm with you, my October ulcers are starting to warm up!
Sully,
All that and watch the Rockies win the WS! hahaha
The AL teams will wear each other out and make it easy for the NL...gosh, I hope not.
Trying to think which would be the biggest nightmare for FOX
I guess Anaheim/San Diego and Anaheim/Arizona would be the two worst in terms of ratings
Anaheim/Colorado would be right up there
FOX is sacrificing cows for it to be Yankees/Cubs or Red Sox/Cubs or possibly Red Sox/Mets
Indians/Cubs would have some intrigue (could a team actually WIN that match up)
But Angels vs anyone other than Cubs or Mets would mean hari kari in the FOX studio... and I don't mean the former Cubs announcer
Best 4 team crop Sully?
I can understand 3 teams, but how can there be 4 good teams with the Red Sox in it?
Wouldn't it be ironic if IGAWA wins the clincher tonight?
Sake for everyone!
ha ha, John G
You got that joke, didn't you! :-)
Seriously Sully, I agree with you. The AL playoffs are going to be real fun to watch with these 4 teams in it. Anyone of them can do it.
Not sure what to make of the NL though.
Must be a slow day at the bath house for the Skull Kid and the Stump Hound.
BBBEEEEEYYYYYAAAAATTTTTCCCCHHHHHH!
{SMACK}{SMACK}
Sully, As I have mentioned many times before and it gets me in trouble with some of our stat/accountant guys. I watch the games. I know who hits who and why.
I believe that the Yankees when everything is considered will match up better against Cleveland and the Red Sox. C.C. has not pitched against the Yankees, true but I feel confident that the Yankee bats are alive and well this year. Last year was a total letdown against Detroit with a lineup in some respects was back in ST.
The Angels have many offensive tools, superb D and good enough pitching to go all the way. They concern me more than any other team in the playoffs. I still would prefer Indians then Red Sox's. We shall see! The game is played between the lines and stats are relevant but do not show the entire picture.
How important is Veritek to the Sox's but his offensive stats are not wildly impressive but his mind is and how he controls a game.
Agreed on many levels, Larry M.
I think Sabathia should be the Cy Young award winner this year (this coming from a Sox fan and a Beckett fan) and he would pitch twice against the Yankees.
I don't think it is a good match up... but then again there aren't any easy match ups.
Best take your chances with whomever and see who is still standing