A not so unique take on Yankee season

by tnredneckyankeesfan on Aug 11, 2008 10:27 AM EDT Comment 12 comments

Some thoughts by Scott Miller on CBS Sportsline.com

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10926838

However you score the bouncing ball, the Yanks are taking on water and time is running out, and there is a direct correlation between the disappearance of Kennedy and Hughes this summer and the Yanks being in very real danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

After 13 consecutive Octobers, tying Atlanta's major league record at 14 this season is looking exceptionally problematical, what with Tampa Bay refusing to wilt, Boston owning better overall pitching (and in Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, better young pitching, especially) and the Yankees banged-up and pitching-thin.

His main point was that IPK and Hughes have ZERO wins and it is already second full week of August. Clearly, the indication from non Yankee fans is the decision to rely on the two youngsters has backfired.

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As a Sox fan, I would take Hughes or Kennedy over how Bucholz has worked out so far.

I realize he is supposed to be the best prospect we have, but I just don’t see it. He seems to struggle with the fact that their are hitters who can still hit him even if he throws something that nobody has hit before.

by bdalebs on Aug 11, 2008 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

...

Clearly Kennedy is not ready for the Majors. He pitches outstanding in the minors and gets beat up every time he comes up. I don’t even know what to do about him.

Hughes has been hurt all season, how could you get a win. Once he rehabs I believe he will be himself and dominate like Lester has this season.

by Fluke on Aug 11, 2008 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

I meant in the future. And there is no way we would trade Lester for anything other than something that would make our team like a video game roster.

by bdalebs on Aug 11, 2008 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

IPK

Kennedy’s problems are between his ears. He’s got good stuff, but he doesn’t trust it. He can be very successful in the Majors, but right now he has absolutely no confidence. When I played back in the day, we had a guy who had great stuff—far better than anyone on our staff, but he got lit up at the first sign of stress. After sending him down several times (even to AA), he went to a sports psychologist who turned him around. I believe he went on to pitch 15 very successful years in the bigs.

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

by Ronster22 on Aug 11, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

he needs to work

on his breaking pitches. when he got into trouble in anaheim, he quickly reverted to fastball-changeup. he had no confidence in his curve/slider. a well thrown curve probably gets him out of that jam.

by Travis G on Aug 11, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes

I read that and heard that from Joe too. Command of a curveball is just one pitch. Many is the night a pitcher doesn’t have his full arsenal. Look at Mussina last start. He admitted he didn’t have his good stuff.

I agree he needs better command, but he needs heart and strength of character to improvise when things aren’t going well. I watched the start, and in addition to not haveing a curve, he was missing his spots with his fastball and his change.

In my opinion the changeup is his most important pitch. It keeps hitters off the fastball. As we all saw that fateful night, he wasn’t doing that either.

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

by Ronster22 on Aug 12, 2008 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Bucholz?

He has positively sucked this year!

I’d be alittle careful about touting the great Bucholz just yet. Sure he pitched a gem, and landed a Penthouse Pet, but he certainly isn’t winning right now.

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

by Ronster22 on Aug 11, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

Buchholz' ERA this year

is 6.32. his WHIP is 1.734.

he was considered by some a better prospect than Joba. for reference, Joba’s year: 2.63 ERA, 1.258 WHIP. and still people KILL the Yankees for their ‘over-hyped’ prospects while Boston seems to get a free pass.

by Travis G on Aug 11, 2008 4:40 PM EDT reply actions

Ummm...most Sox fans right now would probably say that Buch isn't worth the almost automatic loss every fifth game.

I said that Hughes and Kennedy have looked better so far than Buch, even with the no hitter. People still regard Buch as a potential Cy Young, but many Sox fans are struggling to accept him as our future ace.

Don't question my choice of teams, or I will have to go all troll on you.

by bdalebs on Aug 11, 2008 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

It May have backfired this year

There are still games to play, especially games against Boston, so I’m a long way from writing this season off.

And even if it backfires this year, it’s the right philosophy and approach for the long haul. The Red Sox missed the playoffs in 2006, then won it all in 2007.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Aug 11, 2008 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

I can agree

to the point that it remains to be seen long term whether these two can become mainstays of the rotation.

"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel

by tnredneckyankeesfan on Aug 12, 2008 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Ugh

The losing streaks just keep on coming (AND getting LONGER!) not to mention we keep slipping further and further away in “games back.” To say that this has been a frustrating season, is an understatement to say the least! I just keep praying for the “post-season Gods” to have mercy and hoping for a better season next year after Girardi and the Yanks have had adequate time to get to know eachother.

by kentuckygirl0724 on Aug 12, 2008 12:30 PM EDT reply actions