The Blue Jays are good? Who knew?
by Ed Valentine on Jun 4, 2010 8:30 AM EDT
in New York Yankees News
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PrintOur New York Yankees are in Toronto tonight to face the surprisingly un-terrible (yes, I know I'm taking liberties with the English language) Toronto Blue Jays.
The Jays are 31-24, just 3.5 games back of the Yanks in the AL East and 5.5 out of first place. So, how has this happened?
Well, SB Nation's Bluebird Banter has just come out with a report card on the team's season to date, and it gives you a pretty good idea which players have been carrying the team.
What I want to know is what has gotten into Vernon Wells? The Toronto center fielder was mediocre last season (.260, 15 home runs, 66 RBI). This year, though, he is hitting .306 and already has 13 homers and 37 RBI.
I guess we get to begin finding out what this Toronto team is all about tonight. How is it, by the way, that the Yanks have played Boston and Baltimore a gazillion times already this season and tonight will be the first time they see the Blue Jays? The schedule is a mess.
- Yankee players say Commissioner Bud Selig was right not to overturn the blown call that coast Detroit's Armando Galarraga a perfect game. I would agree. It happened, and it can't be undone. By the way, Derek Jeter had some praise for umpire Jim Joyce.
- Minors To Majors wants to see Scranton Wilkes-Barre's Mark Melancon in the Yankee bullpen. Me, too. I know Melancon (4.87 ERA, 1.45 WHIP in 15 career big-league games) has not been lights out in the few chances he has gotten in the Bronx. But, the Yanks have not truly given the 25-year-old right-hander an extended opportunity to settle in and prove himself and I don't really get it. I mean, he is a highly-regarded prospect and he has to be a better option than Chad Gaudin, Boone Logan and maybe even Sergio Mitre or Chan Ho Park. Doesn't he?
- Curtis Granderson is 10-for-24 (.417) since returning from the disabled list. The Yankee offense needed the shot in the arm it is getting from the returns of Granderson and DH (catcher held hostage?) Jorge Posada.
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Aren't the Jays
3 and 1/2 games back of the Yankes. Difference of 4 in the loss column and 3 in the win column = 3.5 GB?
"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel
by tnredneckyankeesfan on Jun 4, 2010 8:42 AM EDT reply actions
You are correct, and at the end of this 3-game series, they will
either be 6 1/2, 4 1/2, 2 1/2, or 1/2 games back, depending on whether the Yanks will all 3, 2, 1 or 0.
I have
said the Blue Jays will do their annual swoon by July, and at this point are non-terrible, since they are on a pace for about 300 HR’s (like tthat’s going to happen). Melancon,
haven’t been excited by what I have seen, not his numbers, as much as their is no late life on his fastball, and at 92 MPH? Just looks more like a 88 MPH, hope I am wrong about him.
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
Can Melancon
be used as a long reliever? I know they only resigned Gaudin to fill in for Ace. It is looking like Ace may be out a long time, possibly even for the rest of the season.
"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel
by tnredneckyankeesfan on Jun 4, 2010 8:52 AM EDT reply actions
He could
but like them or not, Gaudin & Mitre bring versatlity, long relief & spot starters.
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
Yes,
Gaudin had a couple og good spot starts late last season when they were experimenting with the final aberations of the Joba Rules.
"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel
by tnredneckyankeesfan on Jun 4, 2010 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, but
I think they are “repetitive.” They are both long-reliever/spot starter types and I’m not sure you need two of those.
Perhaps 2 spot-starter/long-relievers is too many
But what if Javy and Andy had both needed to miss starts in the same cycle? Sure they could have messed around with the other 3 starters going on short rest, but having 2 guys to fill in for them would keep from breaking CC, AJ, and Phil’s rhythms
That's true
Without Ace, I would rather have 2 guys with versatlity and at least some track record
at he big league level. At 25, Melancon would not be in the highly regarded category anymore, really not that young for pitchers.
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
Melancon
Has been called a future closer. But last year and again this year Girardi seems unwilling to really give him an extended shot.
This is the Yankees
He is unwillling because I believe they as an organization (obviously Cash incliuded) have not been impressed enough, how I feel as well. I think when he was originally drafted, perception was “future closer”, now not so much I believe.
I mean Robertson moved ahead of him in the pecking order, and he is younger.
More life and ooomph on his fasball, and a better curve or breaking ball for sure.
Another organization, he might be up in the bigs?
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
Should be an interesting series
any division game is usually tougher. Even the usually Orioles are, but they’re just a mess right now. They probably turn it around a bit once Trembley’s gone.
I think the Jays are for real. I’ve always liked their pitching, tho Dustin McGowan seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. Vernon Wells is back to normal now. And Aaron Hill isn’t even hitting and he’ll turn it around.
This is a real test for both teams. Will the Jays assert themselves (as much as they can in an early June series…) or will the Yanks put them in their place (ditto…). Looks like they get the back of their rotation too (and miss Romero), so they aren’t gonna get their best pitcher.
"What's your plan?? Rob Fort Knox on elephant back? That's the dumbest thing I ever heard....."
Just checked
Romero vs. Pettitte in game two? Javy vs. Morrow in game three. By the way, what the hell is
a LOGGY? Sounds like a woodsman to me (LOL).
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
yea..I looked at the calender and misplaced 6/30 for 5/30
Romero pitched Sunday, so they get him Saturday now since the Jays had off Thursday.
LOOGY is lefty one out guy
"What's your plan?? Rob Fort Knox on elephant back? That's the dumbest thing I ever heard....."
Never heard
of that expression until I saw you bring it up here on PA! McGowan was an up and coming pitcher, a few years ago before Romero. They had Doc, McGowan, Marcum, Litsch. So they have two young pitchers trying to battle back, and oh yeah, Gustavo Chacin. I just happened to see his name on a roster a couple weeks ago, think he is with Colorado?
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
by Great Gatsby on Jun 4, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Will be interesting
to see if Javy can continue his improvement against a (at least at this time) contending team.
"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel
by tnredneckyankeesfan on Jun 4, 2010 9:04 AM EDT reply actions
I was looking forward to this series until you reminded me of that.
by designatedquitter on Jun 4, 2010 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
If it's our 5th starter vs their 5th starter maybe it won't be too bad.
"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel
by tnredneckyankeesfan on Jun 4, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, 11 to 9 games are always exciting.
by designatedquitter on Jun 4, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
as are 3-2 games
"What's your plan?? Rob Fort Knox on elephant back? That's the dumbest thing I ever heard....."
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 4, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Any game the Yanks score at least 1 more run that the opponent is good for me
"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel
by tnredneckyankeesfan on Jun 4, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Wells
Was recovering from a wrist injury. He is healthy and a very good hitter. It is Bautista and the quality of their pitching that surprises me.
Jays fan here.
First of all, thank you for coming to Toronto, perhaps the Sky Dome Rogers Centre will top 30K fans for the first time since opening day. The fanbase is so used to the annual swoon that it appears instead of getting the annual stomach punch, its better to just stay away.
After watching the first 1/3 of the season it is weird team. Last time I checked Jays had 9 batters in the top 34 in AL Hr’s and were leading 25/27 innings against the Rays but the lack of a bona fide closer, cost us 2 games. Why I do think we are a good team would be the depth of the lineup. Aaron Hill and Adam Lind were our undesputed Allstars last year and have started horribly. Guys like Jose Freaking Bautista, Alex Gonzalez, Fred Lewis and even John Buck have picked up the slack while Vernon is quietly having another good year (He has one every other year for some reason). While I don’t think the Bautistas in the world can maintain this pace (50 HRS 150 RBIS?!?!?), I have to assume Lind and Hill will right whatever went wrong. They are too good to struggle this bad.
Add to this, we have a solid, not spectacular rotation. Romero and Marcum were 2 and 4 in AL FIP last I checked and tonights started Cecil has had a nice season. Morrow who is Sundays starter is fantastically inconsistant. He’ll hit 98 on the gun and go 5 no hit innings before letting 29,123,446 runs in the 6th. Yes Cito would let him out there that long. He got himself into trouble, he better get himself out.
Anyways guys, looking forward to a fun series.
Nothing would make me happier than beating AJ tonight.
I realize I'm late to the party but...I'm on Twitter.
Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.
by craig in calgary on Jun 4, 2010 11:53 AM EDT reply actions
what is wrong with Hill?
are pitchers just figuring him out? He’s hurt? Or is he just hitting it hard and right at people (the Yanks 1B likes doing this).
Bautista seems to have maintained his September from last year into this year. I thought he’d be good just by those few games they played the Yanks at the end there, but damn. What a find he is.
"What's your plan?? Rob Fort Knox on elephant back? That's the dumbest thing I ever heard....."
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 4, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Started slow...got hurt....just starting to now turn it around.
He very much has a tendancy to hit it right at people. Last year he hit 36 HR’s and about 35 of them were line drive lazers over the fence. This year his line drives seem to be right at people. That being said, he is 6 for his last 13 so we are hoping he is starting to turn the corner.
Bautista is a polarizing guy over at our blog. He’s either your favourite Blue Jay of all time, or an overrated overachieving utility player who should be traded while the going is good. (I am the former)
I realize I'm late to the party but...I'm on Twitter.
Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.
by craig in calgary on Jun 4, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Perfect.
Hill heating up in time to face the Yanks……figures.
I can see how Bautista is that way given his age. I don’t think he’s overachieving..I mean, who the hell knows what his problem’s been all these years, tho playing in Pittsburgh could explain it.
Tho trading him probably isn’t a bad idea, of course only if the Jays fall off by the deadline and he’s still going good…which, who knows to both of those?
"What's your plan?? Rob Fort Knox on elephant back? That's the dumbest thing I ever heard....."
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 4, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
That is the biggest argument at BBB
He MUST be overachieving because he’s never put up these numbers before.
My argument was always been, he’s never had a chance to being primarily a utility man on the worst team in professional sports.
The issue is there might not be much room for him on the team. Travis Snider is our Great White Hope™ and he’ll occupy RF for the next 10 years when he returns from injury which leaves Bautista at a logjam at 3B/1B/DH and he’d certainly be easier to move than Edwin (E5) Encarnacion or Lyle Overbay.
Speaking of Encarnacion, wait till you see him play 3rd. Its a comedy of errors over there…and he’ll either hit 7 HR’s this series or go 0/12. There is absolutely no middle ground. In a series VS Arizona, he went 6/11 with 5HR’s and 8RBI’s. He’s had 2 hits in the 10 games since.
I realize I'm late to the party but...I'm on Twitter.
Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.
by craig in calgary on Jun 4, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I said
here the other night on a game thread, I believe the strike in’ 94 hurt baseball in Toronto.
Obviously, it hurt Montreal, case closed…Do you agree with my assessment about the strike in
’94 hurting baseball up there?
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
Probably
In 92 and 93 the Jays had 4M+ in attendance every year and again in 94 the team was obviously still playing good ball (being defending WS champs) and had good attendance number.
When the strike or lockout or whatever the hell happened came and went, the fans just never came back the way the once did. Obviously not being in the playoffs since 1993 hasn’t helped but Toronto is a hockey town first and foremost and unless the Jays are winning, they don’t support the team. As much as it makes me sick to say, the Blue Jays fanbase are very much a bandwagon fanbase.
I realize I'm late to the party but...I'm on Twitter.
Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.
by craig in calgary on Jun 4, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep
first and foremost a hockey town, and speaking of fanbases since you are not far from the Motor City, that has also now a hockey town. All of 17,000 for the perfect game that wasn’t.
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
Oops
actually you’re in Calgary, meant Toronto below.
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
Melancon has been awful in AAA recently
I agree, though, that they need to give him a real shot. That doesn’t mean getting tossed out there in mop-up duty for a couple of innings, then getting sent right back down. I’m talking about a couple of outings, including maybe some key 6th or 7th inning spots. It would help, though, if he was better in the time that they did use him.
by long time listener on Jun 4, 2010 1:47 PM EDT reply actions
True, 'Long Time'
If he wants a ‘real’ shot one of these days he has to come up, pitch two lights out mop-up innings and make Girardi notice.
I dont know who to root for this series
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by bestbostonsports on Jun 4, 2010 2:22 PM EDT reply actions
Root
for the Celts to wake up, didn’t watch the last quarter…"Sheed with a Sheed like bonehead technical, simply a moron. Of course you know who to root for in this series?
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
UGH that sucked
They needa defend Pau better
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by bestbostonsports on Jun 4, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Lakers.
celtics would be lucky to win 2 games. Lakers big guys are too good. Pau, Odom, Bynum. Artest and Kobe play great defense..
and this is completely objective. I hate the NBA
I believe in the Church of Baseball
by Frank Campagnola on Jun 4, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I can say I'll actually be """rooting"" for the Lakers
I hope both teams lose, but that’s not possible. Boston must lose, always..any sport. So, Fakers it is.
"What's your plan?? Rob Fort Knox on elephant back? That's the dumbest thing I ever heard....."
ok dude
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by bestbostonsports on Jun 4, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
My sentiments exactly Free
if both of them losing was an option, that would just be heavenly.
I'm Lord Duggan and I approve this message.
Talk to Cervelli
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
+1 ka-gillion, fa-fillion
I hate Boston Creme donuts, I hate Boston baked beans, I can’t stand Cheers, Ben Affleck’s lame, but damned if I don’t love that Sam Adams beer.
baked beans
and boston creme donuts are actually pretty good. Actually….there’s a ton in NE, aside from the stinky sports teams, that’s actually pretty damn good.
Clam Chowder…err…Clam Chowdah is incredible. You can even see your arteries bulge with cholesterol when you eat it
"What's your plan?? Rob Fort Knox on elephant back? That's the dumbest thing I ever heard....."
Wish
we had Krispy Kreme out “in the Hills”, but we don’t!
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
they have em at 7-11
…but there’s no friggin 7-11 here!
"What's your plan?? Rob Fort Knox on elephant back? That's the dumbest thing I ever heard....."
Krispy Kreme is one of the positives of here, definitely.
It was even started here. Pretty cool.
We don’t have 7-11s though, we have Sheetz.
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jun 4, 2010 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
boston creme donuts…. meh
i do like chowder
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
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by bestbostonsports on Jun 4, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Do you matriculate
in Beantown, BU? Northeastern? Or the “Heights”?
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
huh?
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
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by bestbostonsports on Jun 4, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
as in college?
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
what about it?
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by bestbostonsports on Jun 4, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Asking
if you attend one of the schools I mentioned or possibly another?
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
none of those
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
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by bestbostonsports on Jun 4, 2010 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Never heard
of the word matriculate, thought most college students knew that word, lol!
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
Gasol
needs a new hairstylist, looks like a bird’s nest above his head. Waiting for an egg to fall out, but he can play, and doesn’t look soft anymore either.
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
Gasol and his continual whining, flopping, crying to refs,
and unnecessary screaming after every routine play he makes still fall under “soft” in my book.
I'm Lord Duggan and I approve this message.
ugh i hate him
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by bestbostonsports on Jun 4, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Punked KG last night though
"Here, if you have a milkshake, and I have a milkshake, and I have a straw. There it is, that's a straw, you see? You watching?. And my straw reaches acroooooooss the room, and starts to drink your milkshake... I... drink... your... milkshake!"-Daniel Plainview
by yankee come lately on Jun 4, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
oh yeah
ugh
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by bestbostonsports on Jun 4, 2010 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes he does
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
and i love it
its called bias
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by bestbostonsports on Jun 4, 2010 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
That bothers me too and I'm a Lakers fan
however, his postseason performance so far is definitely winning me over. He’s been terrific so far and doesn’t seem soft on the court anymore at least.
He’s definitely still a whiner, and gets too upset over every routine foul called on him though, and I wish he’d STOP doing that. But keep playing great basketball.
I don't hate him
but he could have won at least an Emmy last night, if not an Academy Award. Of course
Garnett was MIA the whole game too.
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
"I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Stay thirsty my friends."
The Blue Jays aren't sticking around
especially without Halladay. They just don’t have enough talent. They have gotten to this point by a combination of luck and some really hot starts by key players. Last year they got off to a hot start too, remember? And they fell right where they usually are by the end. I’m not taking the Blue Jays seriously unless they are still in a position like this in August. You never know though. The Rays surprised me.
I’m very pleased with the way Curtis Granderson has been playing lately. He’s helping one of my VERY injured PA fantasy teams (funny, I was in first place before 4 of my players went on the DL), and he’s helping the Yanks as well. I have to say though, I get really upset every time I see Austin Jackson do well. I want the guy to succeed, but every time I see it I get more doubts about the trade, the same doubts I had when they first made the trade. I was convinced eventually that Jackson was getting more hype than he deserved, but he’s starting to rub me back the other way. Numbers speak for themselves. He’s an outstanding defender, he’s hitting like .350, and he’s a line drive machine who I think will eventually develop power eventually. I want him back in the Yankees system. I just hope it works out for the Yanks. Keep it up Curtis.
This should hopefully be a good series. I wonder if those two UMPS are still there behind home plate.
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jun 4, 2010 4:19 PM EDT reply actions
I love those guys :)
Yankees all day.
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby
"If you're not doing it right, you're doing it wrong. And there's no in between." ~Mark "Lunch" McKenzie
Quit changing the score :)
I realize I'm late to the party but...I'm on Twitter.
Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.
by craig in calgary on Jun 4, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Hahaha, awesome!
I hope they are still there. They’re great. It’s good to have fans like that at a game.
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jun 4, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
havent seen them in a while
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by bestbostonsports on Jun 4, 2010 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Calling pitches
The one area Girardi does not match Torre is in calling the game. If he wanted to really overmanage, he would call all of the pitches for Posada, Cervelli. This might have done some to alleviate the tension between A.J., Joba and Jorge last year. It still drives me nuts to see some pitchers, most recently Javy, wave off pitches only to suffer for it moments later.
Did anybody read the little sidebar on the front page?
Dave Eiland is taking an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons.
GGBG is sitting tonight and Grandy tomorrow, so looks like Thames will be there both nights.
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jun 4, 2010 6:25 PM EDT reply actions
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