Are we sensing a pattern here?
The Cards come to NYC in a nosedive, mired at .500 and fading from the NL playoff race. We win game one and prepare to take the series, maybe even sweep a decidedly weaker team.
And then we provide answers to these existential questions:
Will Warren?
No, he won't.
Mark Leiter?
I give him a D.
Phil Bickford?
To the rim.
Ten takeaways from yesterday's farce:
1. When Soto and Judge together go 2-for-9, we lose. Nothing else matters. We simply lose.
2. Will Warren has gone from being walloped in Scranton to being walloped in NYC, a tough year that might lead to better things in 2025. But I sense he's thrown enough pitches this season.
3. The most important rehabbing Yankee is Clarke Schmidt. The month of September is no time to be using the bullpen option every fifth day.
4. That Alex Verdugo is suddenly playing well begs a question: Is this happening because he is finally being threatened with replacement? If so, maybe Boone's unwavering support might have been better tempered with a jolt of criticism.
5. The Martian homered yesterday for Scranton. He went 2-4. It's time to bring him up. There is no reason to play Verdugo in LF.
6. Holy crap, if he keeps hitting, Austin Wells could be the AL Rookie of the Year. In the last 30 days, he's leads all AL catchers in hitting (.324) and HRs (well, actually, he's tied, with five.)
7. Lately, our best hitter lately has been - gulp - Anthony Volpe. (.326 over last 15 days.) Our best months came with Volpe leading off. Just sayin...
8. I cannot escape the feeling that Oswaldo Cabrera, at least from the left side, has finally figured out MLB pitching. It doesn't show in his average. But he's hit a lot of line drives, right at people. I really hope Cashman doesn't trade him next winter.
9. So long, Ben Rice. Go to Scranton and start catching again.
10. Today, it's Nasty Nestor. We could lose another series to a cupcake. But the key to the rotation remains Gerrit Cole. He must step up.
All fair points Duque, Never been a fan of Warren’s, based on what little I saw of him in S/T. Consider the fact that with all the young pitching we’ve sent away the last few years, no one wanted Warren. His chief skill seems to be staying healthy, nothing much beyond that.
ReplyDeleteNo official word yet on who’s being added to the roster, although Rizzo seems a sure bet.
If they don't bring up The Martian, they are not interested in winning a championship...
ReplyDeleteI’ve been taking ground balls at first in hopes that Boone would play me there a few times down the stretch but I’m concerned because no one from the team has reached out to me yet. They have video of that dynamic back handed stab I made on a blistering shot down the line, plus my representative wrote up a wonderful eight page, single spaced essay on all the ways I could help out the team. (I even “altered” my name to Alphonzo Alonzo Average). When that phone rings you’allz will be the first to know!
ReplyDeleteWatch out, the last time the Yanks had a ROY type catcher was with Gary Sanchez. Don't want history to repeat itself.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Yankee PR Dept:
ReplyDeletePrior to today’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
•Returned INF Anthony Rizzo (#48) from his rehab assignment and reinstated him from the 60-day injured list.
•Recalled RHP Ron Marinaccio (#97), RHP Scott Effross (#59) and OF Duke Ellis (#70) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
•Designated LHP Josh Maciejewski for assignment.
No Martian.
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ReplyDeleteFucking awful…
ReplyDeleteInfuriating. So whoever it was who said they want him win ROY next year was right. I don't get it. Well, all the more reason why they're going to be fried when they let Soto walk.
ReplyDeleteAlso - thanks to Doug’s keen eyes - we should all be on a Volpe Yips watch. Beware the double clutch. Also - why hasn’t YES introduced a Verdugo rash cam? Come on now……it’s what we all want to see!
ReplyDeleteNo Martian! That is insulting. They are beyond the pale in assholery.
ReplyDeleteLOL @ Duke Ellis. So, BaBoone was once again a lying sack of shit when he said they were worried about bringing up Dominguez and not finding enough playing time for him, thereby stifling his development. Now they bring up an inferior Ellis to sit on the bench. He needs no more delopment, He's proven himself at every level. His overall scouting number is 60 which is above average. For comparison sake, although Juan Soto's highest number was 55 (hitting), his overall score was just 45! Probably because he was much farther advanced for his age like The Martian is and that makes it harder for scouts to evaluate future talent. What a fucked up organization the Yankees are. I'm so tired of the Bloated Front Office and the owner and everyone in-between!
ReplyDeleteNo Martian, no peace.
ReplyDeleteCertainly not Cheapskate Hal and Genius Cashman. Buffoon Boone is just the puppet.
ReplyDeleteTo me it’s more about adding a year of team control to JD’s contract.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a real possibility that Soto leaves this winter. They will need a replacement, why not let Dominguez get his feet wet now? Even if Soto is signed, you know that’s less money little stein will spend elsewhere, increasing the value of low-cost options like Dominguez. Or is Verdugo just too valuable to sit?
But hey - we have pinch-runner extraordinaire Duke (make me jealous) Ellis.
That 0-4 with a bad defensive play in Williamsport really cost him.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI just heard that Ellis is so fast, he can steal third from first base. The only problem has been that the pitcher tags him out as he crosses the mound.
ReplyDeleteIt's about off season Soto negotiations. The idea of the Martian is leverage. "Walk then. We're fine". If the Martian plays for a month and stinks, no leverage. Soto says "I'll tack on another 100 million because you have nothing else". The Martian's shitty game in Williamsport really spooked Cashbrenner.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Ellis is a speedster. But look at It this way: He's been cut from every team because he's very one-dimension al. As we all know, the Yankees management has no monopoly on baseball accumen. Then why would even the Mariners cut the guy when they're in a close race to make the playoffs (beating the Astros for the division) by using him in the same manner?
ReplyDeleteBoone on JD decision
ReplyDelete“..Certainly in the conversation and will remain in the conversation moving forward … he’s starting to play well. Tough call right now, but doesn’t mean it won’t change in a couple days, in a week, two weeks. Important for him to continue to play right now.”
Boone on Verdugo
“…Hopefully it’s him really getting going, because he’s really capable. I do think he’s been a little unlucky this year. You scratch underneath and it’s in line with what he’s done most of his career, as far as contact quality. He can really defend in left. If he can get it going, talking about length to the lineup, he certainly can provide that.”
Ever the great equivocator.
Rizzo è tornato
ReplyDeleteTorres, 2B
Soto, RF
Judge, CF
Wells, C
Stanton, DH
Chisholm Jr., 3B
Rizzo, 1B
Volpe, SS
Verdugo, LF
Nobody calls guys "junk pitchers" anymore. I think Nestor qualifies. Now, all he has to do is get out of the first inning.
ReplyDeleteGood play by Vertigo.
ReplyDeleteSoto should be at second. A little lackadaisical in the running department.
ReplyDeleteAwful execution by Soto/Judge there
ReplyDeleteSoto ran like he thought it was 2 outs…
ReplyDeleteSoto completely butchered that play, after jogging into second to end the inning. Does he need a nap or something?
ReplyDeleteGiancarlo!!!
ReplyDeleteJazz is fun to watch…
ReplyDeleteJazzed on that Jazzy move
ReplyDeleteSoto is not a good defensive player.
ReplyDeleteStanton is not a bad offensive player.
Jazzing it up!
ReplyDeleteGood hair, too
ReplyDeleteThank God we’re playing Verdugo! Can’t get enough ground-outs to 2B with him barely jogging to First.
ReplyDeleteWe are so lucky to have him.
ReplyDeleteCough.
Nasty sure is. Cripes.
ReplyDeleteVerdugo is such an asshole.
ReplyDeleteKay and O'Neill apologizing for Verdugo, saying it's such a "strange game." I wonder if they'll still be saying that when they're down 10-2 later. "Golly gee willickers--such a weird game!"
ReplyDeleteWatching Mikalos , he looks like he’s got nothing, but the Yanks can’t hit him, look sluggish. Again.
ReplyDeleteWhere’s my fork….I’ve got something to stick it in
ReplyDeleteThis is a result of bad karma for not bringing up the Martian. Also, Nestor siting on the bench looked like a kid whose dad forgot to pick him up after practice.
ReplyDeleteNobody beats the Rizzzzzzzz
ReplyDeleteGleyber
ReplyDeleteSoto needs to get it done here
ReplyDeleteThis is getting kinda interesting.
ReplyDeleteSoto double play- sheesh
ReplyDeleteYuck
ReplyDeleteRizzo looks good.
ReplyDeleteVolpe got lucky there.
ReplyDeleteOmg. Vertigo.
ReplyDeleteJazz is very good when he’s very good. Nice that Rizzo’s bat is working too
ReplyDeleteNow if Gleyber can just stay out of a double play...
ReplyDeleteCome on Gleybrrrr
ReplyDeleteWhat a strange game…
ReplyDeleteThat sorta worked
ReplyDeleteRanger has become Paul O
ReplyDeleteNice catch. The bastard.
ReplyDeleteActually, this has been a sloppy game for both teams
ReplyDeleteIt's almost four o'clock. Not too early to have a drink. My wife is starting chemo this week and she shouldn't drink, so I'll stop, too. Won't be easy!
ReplyDeleteBest to you both JM!
ReplyDeleteYou could have a drink for both of you…just to get through this game. Thoughts are with you….
ReplyDeleteCousins wilder than a psychopath’s dream. No way our BP holds.
ReplyDeleteThanks, gentlemen. Lifting a glass in your direction(s).
ReplyDeleteSoto is a terrible defender. Wow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a horror show…
ReplyDeleteWatching a LL game…
ReplyDeleteJesus. Bozos. Pathetic.
ReplyDeleteYour Yankees have gone down the plug-hole
ReplyDeleteYour Yankees have gone down the plug
The poor little team was so skinny and thin
It should have played in a jug
Your yankees are ever so happy
They won't need callups any more
Your Yankees have gone down the plughole
Lost and gone like before.'
Stanton is hot.
ReplyDeleteJazz should lead off every game. He'd get more pitches to hit.
ReplyDeleteWell should bat 4th and play nearly every day.
Cortes is busting our collective balls every 5 days.
And CashBrain is so fuckin' inept that he can't find enough relievers to fill out a roster. It's incredible. Half the players in the league are relief pitchers, and yet CashBrain collects these dung heaps.
Fuch him. Fuck him so very much.
Win for GM.
ReplyDeleteAnd remember, Winnie--we traded pitching as part of the kitchen sink required to land Soto, who will leave before next year.
ReplyDeleteAwful BP that will kill us in the postseason if nothing else does.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. September 1st, and STILL playing like these are spring training games. EXCEPT that we won't give our top youngster a chance. Absurd.
ReplyDeleteYanks go down without a protest in the 9th…Our Generational Hitter batting .169 in his last 15 games. Also exposed as a sub-par OF, even in our tiny RF. Maybe we shouldn’t re-sign him, use that $$$ to create a new bullpen. Think of it, - there isn’t one reliever out there I’d want on my staff.
ReplyDeleteI know it’s been asked a million times, but how the fuck does cashman still have a job?
Give it your best shot A/A
Deletebecause his boss doesn't give a crap
DeleteI remember. I drink to forget, but I still keep remembering.
ReplyDeleteWinny - the forgetting comes later…..you’ll see
DeleteTEAM OF THE CENTURY... you know it and I know it. Brian is an imposter who SHOULD have imposter syndrome, but thinks he's a genius. At this point, what other boss would tolerate a loser like Brian Cashman?
ReplyDeleteI heard something or other from a broadcaster the other day (I am sorry to not cite chapter + verse) that the Yankees have had a bunch of sold-out games at home -- in a row. I think the number was 15 (?).
ReplyDeleteThe specifics do not matter. If attendance is Great and sales of food at the games is good (despite the prices) and sales of NYY-branded merchandise are steady (again, with high prices).....what more do you want Hal to expect?
ESPN has a page with MLB attendance in 2024. NYYs are 2nd (to Dodgers) with an average (over 66 home games) of better than 41,000 per game. Even NYY road attendance is great (they rank 3rd).
Assuming Brian reports to Hal regularly,, doncha think these numbers LEAD the report? And the # of wins/losses (etc.) might be in there, but around paragraph 17?
JoeFOB - absolutely. In fact, the money is ALL that Hal cares about. THAT, and plausible deniability, as in, "Look at how much we spent" and "We made him an incredible offer" and "I grew up poor and am still paying off the stadium that my daddy bought with our own money." Oops...forget that last one. Any, as long as it APPEARS that Hal is trying to win and they are making money, we're good to go here. If the Yankees fail, so much the better for Hal - in private, at least - because it means revenge against the man and team that stole his childhood.
ReplyDelete