On the Yankees beat

If Duncan's in the line-up, Abreu should be benched. Abreu is MISERABLE against lefties and Duncan is the better right fielder with a pretty good arm. Keep Minky at first.

AP is reporting that Ohlendorf and Veras could both make the post season roster and Farnsworth could be left off.

BTW I hate MLB. TBS is carrying the games but the station is not on Hi-Def unless you have Direct TV.

I don't agree with this, Veras over Farns? Farns is not that bad jesus.

Pitching and defense are paramount now. I would go with the "glove" of Doug M. at 1B. Defense has hurt the Yanks badly the last couple of playoffs.

WE GOTTA PLAY 3 F%$KING DAY GAMES!!!!!!

I'M F%*KING PISSED!!!

NOT FAIR TOTAL HORSESH%T THEY KNOW DAMN WELL WE SUCK IN DAY GAMES!!

CHip

That's not true. Both Cablevision and Timewarner cable are going to have them in HD...Just announced on M Maddog

If I remember correctly you live in manhattan too? So you should be cool.

Duncan is a better fielder than Abreu? Where was I when Duncan became a good fielder?

"Giambi is not expected to start." Thank Heavens for small favors...But I agree with Roy that Mientiewicz should start. Looked to me like he flat-out won that job during the last three weeks of the season.

And Chris: Farnsworth is just plain awful. He really *is* that bad.

Does anyone know when the yanks are opening? Thurs at 3:30?

Michael:

I'm listening to the webcast of WFAN so I'm a little behind. They just made the announcement.

The three day games aren't really a problem (Friday at 5 sucks) but the other two day games are Sunday and Monday - Monday is a holiday.

Yankee Broadcast team is going to suck: Chip Carrey, Tony Gwynn and Bob Brenley.

Duncan is erratic at first. Some good plays, mostly using his height to stretch out, but also failing to make routine plays. Scary.

Pack Leader

Agreed on the broadcast team. I usually can't stand Michael Kay and then I watch a game on ESPN or Fox and I want to tear my ears off.

With regard to the "Day Games"-I worry about our players in day games it could be my own unfounded supersticion-(sorry for that spelling) but I really feel we lose (day games) on an irregular par with other teams...I could be crazy

Oh and this Shelly Duncan against a Cy Young Candidate is absurd. I don't care which side of the plate he bats from that's overrated in my oppinion anyway...

Shelly will go o for sabbathia. That's my guarantee.

I like shelly just as much as the next guy but common...

He's not received regular AB's since being brought up and against some lefty other than the one who should arguably be the Cy Young I'd be onboard but I just don't think a "Lefty/Righty" matchup carries as much weight as some may think when put into the context of a CC type talent.

Veras and Ohlendorf earned this. They outpitched the other contenders for bullpen positions. I think using Shelley Duncan is a good move. Sabathia is tough on lefties.

Duncan gets attention for exuberance but attention seems to his main thing. He told three different stories about the 'playing on his birthday' scenario. Doesn't matter which was fact. Just matters that he changed it to suit every interviewer. Looks like a short-term Yankee.

I'm really eager to see how A-Rod does this postseason.

I wonder how much his upcoming contract could be effected by success or by failure. No doubt Boras will use success as leverage saying he's "turned the corner" but if A-Rod doesn't improve on his postseason batting avg. (something like 4-41?) then does he take a big pay cut?

He's finally seemed comfortable and clutch this year, I wonder if that translates to the postseason.

The only time I ever really remember him looking comfortable at the plate was the '04 Division Series. I was at the game against the Twins when he doubled home the winning run off Joe Nathan. I think it was Game 2. Either way, that's the last time I remember thinking "I can't believe he actually got a big postseason hit."

Look, I appreciate A-Rod as probably the greatest baseball player of our generation but I just hate the dude's me-first attitude and his psychological inferiority in clutch situations. This year he's been unreal in the clutch and I hope that it continues in the playoffs.

Chuckie... did you watch any New York Yankees games this year?

Exactly how many clutch hits and homers did he have to hit in order to have you think he might be hitting in the clutch.

Look, I know that the only thing that counts is October... but off the top of my head I can think of 6 games that he won singlehandedly for the Yankees this year.

Imagine if the Yankees had 6 fewer wins this year! There'd be a 3 way tie for the Wild Card.

If he is not the unanimous MVP there should be a Senate investigation.

As for a "pay cut"... um, the bidding will START at $28 million a year

WE GOTTA PLAY 3 F%$KING DAY GAMES!!!!!!

I'M F%*KING PISSED!!!

NOT FAIR TOTAL HORSESH%T THEY KNOW DAMN WELL WE SUCK IN DAY GAMES!!

Posted by: Michael PTRS | October 1, 2007 4:02 PM

###########################

You need help , I would hate to see how you would react with a "real" problem.

Yankees handed a disadvantage in the playoffs not a 'real' problem on a Yankees blog?

Pass the kleenex.

Chuck

Eager? Sure if you mean completely petrified and anxious...HAH

I agree that he has been incredible this year and most notably-"in the ninth inning!!" His Ninth inning stats this year were something akin to a superhero!!

THat said I'm petrified that if he does fail to maintain his "regular season form" we'll no doubt lose him.

If he has another awful postseason there's NO CHANCE he stays and while I'll be hoping with crossed fingers I'm not sure anything short of a late inning homerun will suffice. He'll be vilified unmercifully and unfairly IMO.

Whatever like I said...I hope for the best and am cautiously optimistic.

I think you're right about the day games but most of them are day games after night games, these are just day games after day games, so maybe there will be less of a fatigue effect.

Problem I have, more than the timing of the games, is that Wang's starting 2 road games (potentially) and his road ERA is 2 runs higher than at the Stadium.

I think the best way to take the Tribe out of this series is to fall behind to CC in Game 1, then come back against Borowski to win. It would be a stomach punch type of game. A wasted quality outing by their ace, showing their closer is vulnerable. The Indians are a young team, it might be enough to get them to fold up.

LOL

Sorry but Day Games are admittedly a very serious paranoia for me...

Sully,

I apologize if I wasn't clear but I did say he was "unreal" this year. I can think of more than 6 games he singlehandedly won for us. Sure he's MVP and if not for him, we wouldn't be here but we won't go anywhere without him.

But did you watch any of the past two postseasons? I believe that A-Rod was phenominal in those regular seasons as well.

My point is, he has three hits in two years in the playoffs.

At playoff time, it's a different game.

If he hits another .071 this postseason, I'll bet it takes a few million off the asking price.

Yankees were going to be stuck playing day games as soon as the Mets/Phillies were out of WC contention.

Yankees/Indians is the only series that doesn't involve western teams so to get those audiences those games have to start later.

I'm happier playing day games than having to wait until 10:30 pm for first pitch.

Wait a second! The Yankees play almost EVERY game in prime time for 12 straight seasons and one year they are asked to play in the day and it is a conspiracy?

How about the A's last year playing at 10AM California time or the Red Sox and Mets playing at 10:30 PM East Coast time?

Play a few day games and win them...

Just as an aside, could you imagine the venom from Rick Keyes if the Yankees made the WS against the Cubs and Ted Lilly pitched a clinching game for Chicago? Lets all agree this can't happen ok.

CHip

I've been hearing for days that Wang would be starting game four at HOme what changed?

You are all wrong as I am superior to you all. I am above reproach and answer to no man. So you all might as well get used to it as I view you as my bi@tches , you inferior fops!

Btw, did I mention I inherited a 50 acre woodlot? All i had to do is off a relative that didn't bow to my greatness!

MichaelPTRS ,

I think you and Dr. Phil should sit down and have a nice bout of therapy. Baseball isn't real life and conspiracies are usually for the insane. Just trying to help not point out a fault.

Michael:

The Red Sox took the longer series. Had the Indians finished with the best record they would have taken the longer series meaning the top two starters would also have been able to pitch games 4 and 5. Because of the way this series is staggered you need 4 starters instead of 3.

It will go Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday. So if Wang were starting game 4 it would be on short rest. I only see that happening if the Yankees are down 2 games to 1.

Therapy appointment book closed for the next four months -- maxed out due to overload of bereaved Mets fans.

Kleenex is my best offer.

Why do I have the feeling Casual didn't really write that?

Pack Leader

LOL!!

Now the Mets are gone I was actually really hoping for that exact scenario...However not initially seeing the Rick Keyes factor I may have to reconsider and hope for a Yankees/Diamondbacks series.

Sully,

Because Cas doesn't know what "reproach" means.

Rudimentary, my dear Watson -- er, Sully. Cas doesn't talk about superiority, just demonstrates it from time to time. Casually.

Someone just emailed Michael Kay and told him that Clemens had a great simulated game today. His hammy seems fine.

The Red Sox announced their starters for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim based in Orange County next to the 57 Freeway" series:
Game 1 - Beckett
game 2 - Matsuzaka
game 3 - Schilling

Girardi's picks: Yanks/Red Sox.

I'm rooting for Yankees vs. Rockies. That would be a fun series on so many levels. Put the Yankee lineup in Coors field...

Not sure we'd survive Anthony and Rick Keyes' relentless Lilly-crazed hysteria

You mean the place where we got swept Chip? LOL

Don't kill me! I'm just having some fun with you.

Right now, my focus is on the Hakowis, no one else.

What was the bigger choke job?
2004 Yankees blow 3-0 ALCS lead to Boston
80%
80% [ 12 ]
2007 Mets blow 7-game lead to Phillies with 17 to play
20%
20% [ 3 ]

"Quote from Mets Fan"

Err... The Yankees were raping the Sox that series. Even beat their ass*s down in Game 3. Our collapse was somewhat expected.

Met fans need SOMETHING to feel good about today, don't they?

It sure as hell ain't their team!

CHip

I'd agree if I wasn't still haunted by what happened to our freshly "born again hard" yankees who went into Colorado expected to score 20 runs per game and got embarrassed...

But between that and what I can only imagine would be the fallout from a series with the cubs...IE the Rick Keyes aftermath...

I guess it's a no-brainer

Beat the Mets, beat the Mets.
Step right up and beat the Mets.
Bring the kiddies, bring the wife.
Guaranteed to have the time of your life,
because the Mets are always dropping the ball,
letting those homers go over the wall.
East side, west side, all around this town,
The new York Mets are second class, in NEW YORK TOWN.

Thank you very much.

Meet the Mess
Meet the Mess
Our ballclub is second best

Pissed away a hefty lead
Lost first place
With some incredible speed

Because the bullpen
took a nosedive
No one of the starters
Could give more than five

Inept, suspect
play that makes the Knicks look good
We’ll make the record books this year
Not like we should

Meet the Mess
Meet the Mess

When they’ll win next
Is anyone’s guess

Crucial errors, mental gaffes
Make fans in the Bronx all heartily laugh

Because pitching needs just were not addressed
Over-hyped prospects not well assessed
Omar, Willie, Peterson and Wilpon, too
If we fail to make the dance
It’s All on you

Oh the Nationals and the Phillies
And the Padres and the Cards
Where do they go?
To beat the Mets!

And the pitchers from the scrap heap
Or brought in from off the street…
Where do they go?
To beat the Mets!

‘Cause the fans all stew on the orange and blue
Because our players don’t man up
At the most important time frame
When competition’s tough

So give ‘em all hell!
Give the trigger a tug!
Let ‘em know they’re turnin’ you to drink and drugs!

Come on and meet the Mess
Meet the Mess
Playing down to teams
So talentless

Offense gone without a trace
It’s a joke we’re even still in first place
Because the Mets are really hittin’ that wall
Booting those grounders, losing fly balls

Three more games left
Mercifully, it’ll be done soon
Because the Mets have blown their chance this year
With their late swoon

With their….
Late…
Swooooooooooooooooooooon.

The games aren't that early:

Thu 6:30 pm
Fri 5 pm
Sun 6:30 pm
Mon 6 pm
Wed 5 pm

There's only one word coming from the mouths of met players right about now:

FOUR

Wait a second!
I just saw the schedule

The earliest start time 5 PM.
That's not a day game!

Where's the schedule Sully?

The schedule was just posted by Kat..see new post.

Or go to MLB.com

Let us find it our hearts to not do unto those Met's fans as which would be done to us...

I ask for your patience and restraint when dealing with the rogue irrational mets fans for atleast a few days..

My friends and fellow members of the Pinstipe Parish...We must not succumb to the temptation to kick our delusional fellow New YOrk fans when they are down we should instead offer unto those what they would never offer unto us and ask for their hand in friendship.

Forgive them their sins against the Stripes...

Forgive them their silly Reyes to Jeter comparisons...

Forgive them their arrogant proclamations of taking back the city from it's rightful owners...

Forgive them my children...

I SEE THE LIGHT REVEREND!!!

HALLALUJAH!!!

Johnathan G.

Bless you my son.

LOL

Duncan is going to DH because Matsui just had his knee drained and he would be hitting off of a "tough" lefty in Sabathia. Not the way to test a recently drained knee! After Game 1, I expect to see Godzilla back at DH for Game 2. Abreu is going to play in right and is a better fielder than Duncan, even though he has a fear of the wall. Who are these imbeciles who think Duncan is an All Star defensive outfielder? Shelly has a good arm and decent speed. Thats it! Abreu gets the nod over Shelly in right, no contest. Shelly is on this team for one reason - HITTING! And Menky will be starting at 1st base. Who else are you gonna put there? C'mon, you gotta watch SOME of the games before blogging!