Around the Yankee Universe, 06.09.09
by Ed Valentine on Jun 9, 2009 8:10 AM EDT
in New York Yankees News
Email
PrintOur New York Yankees head to Boston tonight for a critical -- yes, critical even in June -- series with those annoying Boston Red Sox. The Yankees are in first place in the American League East, but they are 0-5 against Boston. To me, they need to win a couple of these games in Fenway.
The Yankees clearly understand that they have to win some games against the Red Sox.
"We know those five games definitely did not go the way we would like," said Johnny Damon, who has seen this rivalry from both sides. "It's time to win some games against them."
The Yankees are clearly playing better than they were during those early-season matchups.
The Yankees are a Major League-best 20-9 since Rodriguez came back on May 8, three days after Boston whooped it up in the visiting clubhouse of the new Bronx ballpark. New York has not lost consecutive games over that span. ...
"I think we're playing a lot better, and we also have Big Al back, which is really nice," manager Joe Girardi said. "We are a different team. We've found ways to win games. It seemed like earlier we were finding ways to lose games, so this is much different."
Now let's look at some of the other stories making news around the Yankee Universe.
- OK, so I suppose after Phil Hughes' outstanding inning Monday night we will be hearing ridiculous 'leave Hughes in the bullpen' arguments. He was impressive, with his fastball topping out at 96 -- which I don't think we have seen him reach before as a starter. Let's just be happy that -- until he gets another opportunity in the rotation -- we know Hughes can be an asset in the bullpen. Here is what Girardi had to say.
"He threw all of his pitches, he threw a cutter, he threw some curveballs, he mixed in all his pitches," Girardi said. "I think he approached it the right way. He had all his pitches going. ...
"We feel really good about his stuff. He's throwing the ball pretty well for us. I'm not going to be afraid to use him at any time."
- There were five more home runs hit Monday at what the Associated Press calls "baseball's $1.5 billion bandbox." MLB.com has decided to have a little fun with the home runs, posting a daily Yankee Stadium HR Watch, complete with home run totals and video of each home run. 'Kudos' to UmpBump for the find. Speaking of the home runs, this is what Rays Manager Joe Maddon said after Monday's 5-3 loss.
"I just think we didn’t hit enough balls to right-center. There’s a conveyor-belt effect out there," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It’s kind of like a jet stream."
- Pete Abe has a really nice Q&A with CC Sabathia. The questions are reader-submitted.
- Mark Feinsand reports that Xavier Nady might rejoin the Yankees next week.
- Mariano Rivera has pitched three days in a row and is probably not available tonight.
31 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Hughes..
..looked good out of the pen last night. I would have liked to have seen Girardi stick with him for the eighth- but it all worked out in the end. I don’t really like Coke in the eighth inning in a tight game- but again, it all worked out so whatever.
Pena was due up first in the 8th
and had gone 2-3 with 2 HR and 2 BB vs. Hughes. vs. Coke, he was 1-3 with a HR (but also a K).
You mean this guy?
Blind devotion.
by ProfessorBigelow on Jun 9, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
tonight
Tonight’s game will probably be the difference in the series. Wednesday’s pitching matchup (Wang v. Wakefield) favors them, Thursday’s (CC v. Penny) favors us. So AJ’s has to out-duel Beckett. Let’s hope he’s motivated to avenge that ugly 16-11 game.
by long time listener on Jun 9, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions
So did the Boston Herald, but for the Sox.
Not that I was expecting impartiality, but the Herald’s capsule review of the series predicted a series sweep for the Sox.
As if I needed more incentive to root for Yanks tonight….
swing game
I agree with “long time”, tonight’s game is the swing game, CC should beat Penny on Thursday, and this is the better match up of the other two games. I’m sure AJ wants to avenge blowing the 6 run lead he had the last time.
This is not the same team
that’s gone 0-6 against the Sox. Physically, there’s no doubt that this team stacks up well. Now it’s just a matter of focusing on the 90% of the game that’s half mental, to quote my favorite philosopher.
Maddon is a whiner
our offense and your offense play on the same field
if you lose then that means that we played better than you
it’s that simple
No argument there
As for the ballpark, though, I would say that neither Damon’s ball nor Jeter’s ball were actually hit well enough that they should have been home runs. The ball just gets up in that alley and does not come down, for whatever reason. You could tell by the look on Damon’s face he didn’t think he had hit the ball that well.
by Ed Valentine on Jun 9, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Probably right
Damon’s was the only truly questionable one last night. I looked at it again, and Jeter’s ball was legit.
by Ed Valentine on Jun 9, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Isn't that what is meant by the term "home field advantage" anyway?
No one whines about all those ground ball outs that scoot over the turf past the infielders and turn into singles at the Metrodome. It’s part of the game. Maddon and his fans need to get over it.
sometimes
i mean i remember against the Twins one of Denard Spans home run barely crossed the fence
but like i said in a previous post
both offenses get to play in the same ballpark, if we win we just performed better
Sick of the Homerun jokes...
by every media person Tv or Newspaper. It’s getting really old. Boston has been playing in a little league ball park for years and no makes jokes about how short their right field is.
No kidding
I was at the Sox game Saturday and Ortiz hit his 2nd HR of the season all of 305 feet. Tell me that’s not a joke and its been that way for the life of the stadium (although admittedly its actually rare to hit HRs around Pesky Pole).
That's why I really find it
funny on how Red Sux fans think this stadium is a joke.
I mean if this stadium makes it to 100 years old and is still a joke, THEN ITS A JOKE.
Fenway Park has been a joke since its existence with that big stupid wall out there. I know the argument is that it turns HR/2B into singles, but it actually turns more OUTS into singles. ANd that 302 in RF is a joke too.
true
I’ve been against Swisher for while. I love all the numbers except the K’s and low BA. If he kept the rest and upped the BA to around 275-280 and decreased the K’s?, much less of a gripe IMO.
Still the guy has been an absolute STEAL! Id love to see what Nady does, tho I really can’t see him replacing Swisher. Id think Nady would be the ideal DH or LF against lefties tho.
I think the Yanks need to look into a deal tho with one of these OF. Don’t know who tho cuz Nady seems like the logical one but coming off an injury I doubt anyone wants him.
sure, it'd be nice
if Swisher hit more and cut down his Ks, but it would also be nice if DJ hit for more power. but that’s Swisher’s game. OBP and SLG are better than BA, which is why Swisher’s been a better hitter this year than DJ.
Nady
Question is, can he throw? He has to play some in the outfield since Matsui really can’t. So, he has to be able to throw. My assumption would be he would replace Berroa at this point, but you never really know for sure.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Five tips for Showtime’s second season of ‘The Franchise,’ featuring the Miami Marlins
- The 10 best things about being a Detroit Tigers fan
- Surprise! A’s finally end the Yoenis Cespedes derby with $36 million deal for Cuban star
- The time Whitney Houston sang to Jim Bowden
- Pitchers and catchers! Mariners get early start in Arizona
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
