'Kudos & Wet Willies' series review

by Ed Valentine on Oct 12, 2009 9:44 AM EDT in Analysis Comment 19 comments

More photos » by Charlie Neibergall - AP

The New York Yankees celebrate after defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-1 in Game 3 of the American League division baseball series Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, in Minneapolis. The Yankees swept the series.

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Now that our New York Yankees have dispatched the Minnesota Twins in the American League Division Series it's time for a quick 'Kudos & Wet Willies' style review of the festivities.

There will, of course, be lots of 'Kudos' and only a couple of 'Wet Willies,' so let's get to it.

Kudos to ...

Alex Rodriguez: How can I not start here? The guy was amazing in the last three games, with huge, game-changing hits in each one. You can make an argument that the Yankees don't win any of those games without A-Rod's contribution. This is the kind of playoff performance we have hoped for from Rodriguez for years. So far, it's been worth waiting for.
Yankee Starting Pitchers: CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte were all brilliant in their respective outings. Let's hope that continues.
Derek Jeter: The Captain played like he always does when the post-season rolls around. A .400 average, clutch hits that always put him in the middle of rallies, huge game-changing defensive plays. What more can you say?
Joba Chamberlain: Clearly, Joba is more comfortable coming out of the bullpen. Chamberlain, the Phils and Mo is a devastating late-inning bullpen. When the Yankees need a fourth starter against Anaheim, it has to be Chad Gaudin and not Chamberlain.
Mariano Rivera: Three games without allowing a run, extending his career-long post-season brilliance. Sunday night he shattered the bat of Joe Mauer, the game's best hitter, for the most important out of the game.
Jorge Posada: Yeah, the passed balls in Game 1 were annoying, but Posada's bat was huge in the last two games. Argue about his defense, but he is still critical to this team's success.

Wet Willies to ...

Phil Hughes: He never exactly imploded during the series, but he was an adventure. Last night bad Twins base-running and heads-up Yankee defense bailed him out. Hughes posted a 9.00 ERA in the series, and surrendered five hits in two innings. You have to wonder if Hughes and Chamberlain will switch roles at some point.
Johnny Damon and Nick Swisher: I will lump them in together, since they both hit .083 in the division series. Last night they combined for seven strikeouts. Damon, in particular, looks lost at the plate. If these guys continue to struggle, you have to think Brett Gardner or Jerry Hairston will get a start or two somewhere along the way.
The Metrodome: I've always hated the place. Thank God the Yankees put all of baseball out of its misery by closing the dump nicknamed the 'Baggy-Dome' down.

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Comments

Given our record there, I’m going to miss the Metrodome.

by Solomon96 on Oct 12, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

i had to actually sit and think before i could remember any games the Yankees actually lost in that place.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Oct 12, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

David Robertson feels left out =(

In game 2, he miraculously pitched out of a jam in the biggest game of his brief career.

by Scooby Snacks on Oct 12, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Ah ...

Well, that’s one I left out. He belongs in there.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 12, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Phil Cuzzi should have gotten a pie in the face from AJ

by Solomon96 on Oct 12, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Way to be non-controversial

What does Joe G get? :D Hehe, that could spark a comment (or hundred).

by pkyankeefan on Oct 12, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why? You want to stir something up? Sure, you could question his removing Pettitte last night. But, pretty much every manager in the league with that bullpen would have done the same thing. Joe G. is not an issue.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 12, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heh

I was joking (honestly).

Lets get the ALCS started already. This is getting boring.

by pkyankeefan on Oct 12, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really

The Twins are so ……… yesterday!

by GrandEd on Oct 12, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shocking Oversight

A wet willie for Marte. ’nuff said.

by d_c_guy on Oct 12, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Marte?

LOL!! Hard to give a guy who pitched to two hitters a ‘WW.’ Even if he didn’t get either of ’em out.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 12, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i still say he deserves it

"Hey, you F*?ked up! You trusted us!"

by GTWYankee on Oct 12, 2009 10:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't really belong on the Kudos list, but

Mark Teixeira picked a great time to hit his first walk-off HR of his career.

by ROCNation on Oct 12, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He's never removing Damon or Swisher from the lineup

they’re doing terrible right now, but you don’t take two great hitters in that lineup out because they had a bad three games. They had great seasons.

I’m not sure if they will pick it up (sure hope they do), but I’m 100% sure that both will be in the lineup for every postseason game.

Also, you’re not going to hate the Metrodome if the Yankees have to play the Twins in the playoffs next year in 20 degree snowy weather. Thats one of the reasons I hope the Rockies don’t get to the WS. The Yanks could really be affected by that awful weather.

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 12, 2009 3:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

In the post-season

You play the guys who you think can win that night. Yes, they both had great seasons, but you have to do what is best to win each and every playoff game. Maybe playing them is best, maybe it won’t be.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 12, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with that

but do you honestly believe that Brett Gardner or Jerry Hairston Jr. will be a bigger hitting threat than Johnny Damon? Maybe if it was a little closer in talent, but those guys are not nearly as good as Damon.

That being said, I could see Gardner or Hairston playing for Melky if he doesn’t pick it up. Melky had a pretty bad series too. Both his hits were infield singles.

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 12, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs