Who do you like in this one? Joba Chamberlain or Josh Beckett? Beckett's obviously got the experience edge, but there are things about Joba that remind me of Beckett when he came up with the Marlins a few years ago. Very good, hard-throwing, successful at a young age, uber-confident.
Here are a few matchups for the Yankees to love or hate tonight.
vs. Beckett
Hate
Bobby Abreu, lifetime 11-of-59 (.186), two homers, five RBIs, 19 walks, 20 Ks
Jason Giambi, 5-of-27 (.185), two homers, seven RBIs, seven BB, seven Ks
Love
Robinson Cano 9-of-27 (.333), one homer, five RBIs, four BBs, three Ks
Derek Jeter 12-of-38 (.316), one homer, three RBIs, one BB, six Ks
Alex Rodriguez 9-of-31 (.290), one homer, seven RBIs, five BBs, six Ks
Joba's really got too little history against the Red Sox to have love-hate matchups. He hasn't faced any batter more than five times and has never faced Manny Ramirez. Though who knows if he'll have to face Manny tonight, since he missed Boston's last game with a sore knee.
Comments (14)
I'll be back Monday morning when the Yankees are 6 out to see how everybody is doing. There's nothing to like about any of these matchups this weekend.
Boston is going to show NY why they are the World Champs!!!!!!
Boston has the upper hand with Josh, but it will be interesting to see what Joba can do on the road in a hostile Fenway. This will be one of many tests for the young stud, pass or fail..I cant wait to see!!!
Love it when Bosox fans start to panic.
Listen Gerty, you ain't seen nothin' yet!
Lets Go Yankees!!!
I worry about Joba's control tonight as he will be fired up and Josh Beckett isn't a great cure for sick bats.
I'm going to start drinking very early....
Um yeah....Becketts career ERA against the Yankees is over 5. Yankees have always hit Beckett well in his time as a Red Sox. I am not worried at all.
Jim - you got it, Joba needs to learn to harness that energy. Once he really learns how to control his fire, he'll be that #1 many predicted. For now though, he does get too pumped up and tries to throw the ball through the catcher. If he can take that energy and use it for good ( Im starting to make him sould like Anakin Skywalker ), he'll be untouchable. This is a great test for him, the Fenway crowd is going to be foaming at the mouth. The 1st inning will be very important for him. Also, watch his reaction and how he deals with giving up a HR or a RBI hit. If he comes back and continues to throw strikes, Ill be thrilled!!!! If he tries to pump up and throw harder, the pitches will be up out of the zone...and then it'll be time to start throwing back shots Jim.
sully, what about money for japanese players, like $51.1million as starters, you against that?
I see Gerty the Troll is back at it again. What a loser. Maybe after the Yankees put the broom to these imbeciles the troll will go back under the limestone from whence it came.
Even trolls will take a beatdown! Lets Go Yankees!
Down with the Troll RS Nation. Next stop - Devil Rays.
I know we expect a lot out of Joba because he's Joba - but don't forget, tonight is just his seventh major league start with no pitch count limitations.
Also, he's got a 17:1 K-to-BB ratio over his last two outings.
So he is getting better with his energy and control. But he's still learning. And he's going to be one bad mother once he really learns how to pitch.
But the problem with the Yanks is that they haven't been giving Joba any run support.
He's compiled a 2.41 ERA with 1.34 WHIP over his last 7 starts and has just a 1-1 record to show for it.
I find that appalling considering they've given Ponson a lot of run support in his short time with the club.
Joba has done his job. The offense hasn't done theirs.
I saw this on USA Today's website and thought I would pass it along:
The Mariners have reportedly asked the Yankees for Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner in a deal for Jarrod Washburn.
Apparently, they're also not looking to be saddled with Kei Igawa's contract. The Mariners have plenty of money, so they can hold out for an offer they like rather than simply dump Washburn's contract. However, this is a guy who is 22-38 with a 4.55 ERA over the last three years despite working in a pitcher's park. He wouldn't make the $10 million he's due next year if he were a free agent.
Source: SI.com
Gardner and Cabrera, and they won't take Igawa? I say hell no!
Igawa's not a MLB pitcher, we can't fool anybody into taking him.
The Mariners can keep Washburn.
It would be one thing if his contract expired at the end of he season, but he would be guaranteed a spot in next season's rotation as well if they make this deal.
And if they won't take Igawa, the Yanks have no reason to pull the trigger on such a deal.
Washburn becomes dead weight on this team next season if he doesn't pitch well.
Forget it.
I have been a big advocate for the Yanks obtaining Washburn, but if these are the demands - they can keep 'em. We could always bring up Kennedy. Can't be much worse. I was hoping for an additional lefty on the staff, but if they won't take Igawa.....
bye,bye Washburn.
Joba has 10 K's tonight. Yanks big, 8 -0.
You heard it here 1st!
Lets Go Yankees! (and Royals)
Gardner and Igawa in my books for Washburn. I don't believe that we can give up Melky at this stage for a pitcher like Washburn with his contract. Igawa will be 1/2 his salary. I like Christain as a RH bat with very good speed. He seems to have a head on his shoulders. Have I given up on Gardner yes and no. It has been said that he takes time at each level to conquer the level. He hasn't had a good run at it. But what disturbs me is he seems overmatched with fastballs and breaking pitches of quality. He doesn't appear to have the bat speed and his ability to wait on pitches and run the count up is putting him in a very defensive position at the plate. Thus, .1++ BA. Is a quicK assessment but one which will not go away in the near future.
Lets Go Yanks 2 of 3 wold be just fine.