Watch Detroit, not Seattle

by stusviews on Sep 6, 2007 3:54 PM EDT Comment 47 comments

While both Seattle and Detroit trail the Yanks by three games, they are worlds apart. I think Seattle's season effectively ended this week as they needed to take at least two of three from the Yankees. The Tigers meanwhile got Rogers back last night and are playing better of late. I don't think they will catch the Yanks but it wouldn't surprise me to see them make us sweat.

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Both are now 3 games back

The Tigers are undoubtedly a much bigger threat to the Yankees post-season chances, so I'm hoping for a miracle and a Mariners sweep!

Maybe King Felix could win his start and the M's could steal one of the other games.

Hard to expect greatness from a team that has now lost 11 of 12.

by anaconda on Sep 6, 2007 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

God

does the White Sox bullpen and team suck.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Sep 6, 2007 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No kidding

by anaconda on Sep 6, 2007 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very, very true

Especially with the Gambler and Zumaya back. Seattle is done.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 6, 2007 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha,

who would have ever though 10 years ago that a team had good futuer with Rogers back.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Sep 6, 2007 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude heaved on my mother ...

My mom saw Kenny Rogers in Georgia a few years back, right in the middle of a set he hurled. My dad said it was like sitting in the front row at Sea World. My mom got smoked by Roger's hurl.

Oh, wait. We're talking about the pitcher. Sorry. Both suck.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Sep 6, 2007 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, we need to beat both

But both have tougher schedules than we do.

We need to win most of our games, say 16 of 22. Then all will be fine. It won't matter who won these games.

For the record, I think you're right. Tigers have the better team; Mariners have the tougher schedule. Still I do not want a sweep. Let them go 2-1 so each team adds losses.

The Opera ain't over til the fat lady sings

by Cbeck3 on Sep 6, 2007 8:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yanks

going 16-6 is not likely

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Sep 6, 2007 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Impossible really

A trip to Fenway and Moose getting starts pretty much precludes that from happening.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 6, 2007 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is about rooting

for my team.

Your pessimism isn't going to stop me.

We're in a good position to make the playoffs. You wanted to be a seller at trade deadline.

I'm going to root for them to win 22 straight, then 3 playoff sweeps.

78 + 16 = 94. Hard but not impossible, it is .727. They kind of need to do it, or approach it.

Can they stagger along and hope the other teams collapse?

Let's see where they end up.

The Opera ain't over til the fat lady sings

by Cbeck3 on Sep 6, 2007 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand your eternal optimism

Just pointing out that your scenario is virtually impossible. On Opening Day next year, you can post about all the reasons why the Yanks might go 162-0 if you want, but that is about as likely to happen as your torrid prediction for the end of this season.

For the record, I still think that they should have been sellers at the deadline, but that ship has sailed. If you aren't going to win a ring, I don't really see the point in getting the wild card just to get your ass handed to you. (I am not trying to rehash this debate from July, just clarifying an earlier position).

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 7:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

If Cleveland can catch Anaheim (they got killed last night but maybe the Tribe can win a couple this weekend if Vlad stays out of the lineup), then I think the Yankees would actually be the favorites to advance to the World Series.

They are more than capable of going through Cleveland and whoever survives LAA-Boston.

If they have to get through both LAA and Boston, that might be a problem, but it would be nowhere near impossible to get it done.

The 8th and 9th innings are now secure.

The best player in the world has never looked better, and he bats fourth for NY.

Their top two starters are better this year than they have been since 2003.

This is a team built for the playoffs, and they will not be easy for anyone to deal with.

by matthaggs on Sep 7, 2007 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you

misunderstood him on that one. We obviously all want the Yanks to be 162-0 or 16-6 down the stretch. Its just not likely when they play Boston 3 times, Baltimore (4-8), and TB (got asses handed to them this weekend)

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Sep 7, 2007 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

for the assist ReLaunch. Hoping that something happens is different than discussing the possibilities of it happening. For example, I HOPE my wife stops buying my kids every toy under the sun and/or stops giving the interior decorator a blank check. Sadly, I know there is no POSSIBILITY of either happening.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jscape and I were

talking about this the other day. He offered an opinion that the post season was simply a crapshoot because all of the series were to short.

Baseball has a long season, and I think the best way to sort teams in rankings is not with our playoff system but rather with the the regular season record.

Who here honestly thinks that St. Louis was the best team in the major leagues last year?

I believe that if we can get to the postseason anything can happen. If a former yankee who has been given up on by our organization and the Angels organization (for his own little brother) can come out and pitch like an ace, anything can happen.

If the yankees from the all star break show up to the postseason I think we have a chance at a ring. If the yankees who played in Colorado show up we have a chance to go home in the first round.

I have no doubt that after losing two games someone around here will make a diary post that says I told you so we should have sold at teh trade deadline. I'm so glad we didn't sell slappy mcreserve when he value was high... etc.

I guess the root of my post is this? What is more impressive 39 division titles or pennants or the world series rings? Each ring represents a week or two of good baseball, a postseason appearance is the result of a great season.

Eleven wins in October...

by Edwantsacracker on Sep 7, 2007 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. If only the Yanks were

three games out of the Wild Card they'd be in a perfect spot to win this thing.

Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier. The cigars taste better. The trees are greener. --Billy Martin

by garp on Sep 6, 2007 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

No matter how many times I read this, I am still unable to identify how it is at all responsive to my post.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 7:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You talk like Detroit is in the driver's seat.

Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier. The cigars taste better. The trees are greener. --Billy Martin

by garp on Sep 7, 2007 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still not responsive to my points

He talked about the Yanks going 16-6. I pointed out why I don't think that is realistic. Since they don't play the Tigers, any discussion of Detroit on that issue is irrelevant.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was simply pointing out that you

think it is more "realistic" that Detroit will overtake the Yankees than the Yankees winning the Wildcard despite them having a 3 game advantage late in the season. Unlike you, I do not think that the Yankees suck this year. The fact that they have a better record than Detroit this late in the season might indicate that they are at least just as good. I forget, though, that you do not believe that winning actual games is a true indication of how good a team is.

Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier. The cigars taste better. The trees are greener. --Billy Martin

by garp on Sep 7, 2007 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still not sure

what Detroit has to do with whether or not the Yanks can go 16-6 down the stretch.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uhm...nothing? But Detroit is not

going to do that either so who cares?

Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier. The cigars taste better. The trees are greener. --Billy Martin

by garp on Sep 7, 2007 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope

they don't but I can't see them continuing to play as bad as they have been.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Sep 7, 2007 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which has been my point all along

I said I don't think the Yanks can go 16-6 down the stretch. Your reply referenced Detroit, who is not on the Yanks' remaining schedule. Your reply could have stated "but fish can't ride bicycles" and it would have been equally responsive to the discussion.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry. I did not realize that pointing

out your eternal pessimism and incessant boosterism of teams with worse records was off limits.

Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier. The cigars taste better. The trees are greener. --Billy Martin

by garp on Sep 7, 2007 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not off limits

Just not relevant to the discussion. Usually when you reply to one's point, it somehow references or incorporates by reference the actual discussion.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since when is your pessimism about

the Yankees not relevant to any discussion you have. If it weren't for the pessimism, you wouldn't say anything at all.

Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier. The cigars taste better. The trees are greener. --Billy Martin

by garp on Sep 7, 2007 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fish can't ride bicycles

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't say anyting about your sexual

orientation so I am not sure why you are repeating that quote. Interesting, though, that your first instinct is to state unequivocally that you do not need a man. I fear that there are shades of Sen. Craig in that statement.

Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier. The cigars taste better. The trees are greener. --Billy Martin

by garp on Sep 7, 2007 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is actually an inside joke at our office

My paralegal uses the term all the time. Feel free to insert a nonsensical phrase of your liking, any of which would be equally non-responsive to the discussion at hand.

Oh, and I was just tapping my foot. I have no idea what you are talking about.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I find this entire

exchange amusing, although I don't know what either of you are talking about.

by chrisNYY on Sep 7, 2007 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lohud posted the remaining schedules

of SEA, DET, and MIN. Seattle's is by far the toughest and the Yanks is probably the easiest. The only problem is that they have played very poorly against TB and BAL so it might not be as easy as it looks. I just hope Sheff's shoulder explodes (for multiple reasons).

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 7:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually my hope for 16-6

was thought out. I looked at the schedules. Ours is easy, the fact we have lost games to TB and The Orioles is no excuse to lose more.

We are ahead in the Wild Card and the schedule favors us. We hope to be OK there, but we are far from safe.

I have not given up on catching Boston yet. The 16-6 with sweep would put us in a position to catch them if they stumble.

Last night didn't help.

Still if we play well and cannot catch the RSox the games we win will stand us in good stead for the WC.

The only playoff contender we have games left with is Boston. If we do not sweep them, the chase is over. If we do then we trail them by the same 3 Detroit and Seatle trail us. This is hard, but not impossible.

As Edwantsacracker said, I actually like our chances in the playoffs.

The Opera ain't over til the fat lady sings

by Cbeck3 on Sep 7, 2007 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

The Yanks are in a very strong position to get the wild card. I just don't see 16 out of 22 down the stretch happening, especially with a heavy road schedule and in light of the way the Yanks have played against those "easy" teams.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the yanks sweep Boston

and win every other series they'll be in that neighborhood.

KC 2-1
Tor 2-1
Boston 3-0
Bal 2-1
Tor 3-1
TB 2-1
Bal 2-1 = 16-6

Not impossible.

The Opera ain't over til the fat lady sings

by Cbeck3 on Sep 7, 2007 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand how they can get there

just don't think it will happen.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not realistic.

Sweeping boston again? Actually winning 2 series against Baltimore after losing 8 of the first 12? I would like it, but doubt it

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Sep 7, 2007 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget that

the White Sox also play the Royals this month. Oh wait, that doesn't have anything to do with the Yanks's final month either.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Sep 7, 2007 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think out

the situation you presented, the best possible/realistic way they will finish out is 14-8.
KC 2-1
Tor 2-1
Boston 2-1
Bal 2-1
Tor 2-2
TB 2-1
Bal 2-1

And its pushing it to say they will take 4 out of 6 from the O's

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Sep 7, 2007 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baltimore

has taken a nose dive straight into the dumper after that brief "we like our new manager" phase they were in.

And Bedard is likely done for the year, so 4 of 6 is by no means a stretch.

by matthaggs on Sep 7, 2007 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its not

like Bedard pitched in all the 8 games they have lost against them. Its not like the O's were a .500 team when they were kicking the Yanks earlier in the year.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Sep 7, 2007 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

but if he pitched two of the remaining 6 games, the Yanks would be hard pressed to win them.

Now he's pitching 0 of the remaining 6 games, so the Yanks will likely bash his replacement.

Earlier in the year there were guys like Igawa on the mound. This version of the Yanks will blow the O's off the field, unless Cabrera has his head on straight for a start or two, which is always a crapshoot.

by matthaggs on Sep 7, 2007 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You forget that

the Yanks were just in Baltimore and had Wang, Pettitte, and Clemens pitch and only won once. They also didn't throw any scrubs when the O's were up here. And they still lost 4 out of 6 in those 2 series.

Enough of the excuses on why they sucked agains them in April. They sucked against them in July and August also.

Pride, Power, Cocktease

by ReLaunch on Sep 7, 2007 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs