The poor start seems to be behind the Yankees, and they now are in a fairly good spot to make a big move.
The Yankees are only 5-5 in their last 10, but over the last 3 weeks or so they have made up a good amount of ground.
They sit 5.5 out of first in the east and 5 out of the wildcard.
They also have a big month of July to look forward to. In July they play 18 games at home and only 7 on the road.
They'll host both Boston and Tampa Bay who are currently both ahead of the Yankees in the east.
They'll also host both Oakland and Minnesota, who are ahead of them in the wild card.
They are in a position to make up a lot of ground in the next 30 days or so.
Showing posts with label Wild Card. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wild Card. Show all posts
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Yankees vs. Indians Preview
Well it definitely was an exciting regular season. Or at least, exciting in retrospect... After all, it wasn't very exciting back in April and May.
Now the real fun begins. The pose season. I'm looking forward to the anxiousness, the pacing around the room, the tension and the emotion.
So the Yankees play the Indians. What does this mean? Well it means the Yankees have to go up against a couple of pitchers who could very well finish 1 and 2 in the CY Young voting. In a 5 game series, C.C Sabathia will likely be scheduled to pitch twice, first in game 1, and probably in game 5. Because of that, the majority of the experts seem to favor the Indians, though I have seen quite a few pick the Yankees.
When writing this preview, I tried to decide how much of it I wanted to dedicate to statistics. Did I want to list out batter vs pitcher comparisons and rattle off number after number? I'm sure we've all seen the stats and that we all know the Yankees haven't faced C.C since 2004.. I'm sure we all know the Yankees are 6-0 against the Tribe this year, etc, etc..
In the end, I've decided not to list all these stats. I feel that numbers lie when it comes to the post season. The post season is a whole different season. Yes, a lot of things will stay the same. Certain patterns we've seen and certain player tendencies will not change. But some things will. Every post season, we all see a multitude of things that don't add up to what we've been told.
Things happen that the 'experts' didn't predict.. Things happen that completely go against all the stats. So yes, I could list off each teams stats. I could give you their regular season clutch hitting numbers, or how they pitch with men in scoring position, and who knows, maybe those numbers will carry over to the post season.. But I really think history tells us otherwise.
All that long winded talk aside, of course I'm picking the Yankees. Here near Boston, all I have been hearing is how bad the Yankees pitching is. It's the same thing I've heard for years. Just like I've always heard them say 'The Yankees have no farm system'.
So, just as the 'Yankees have no farm system' proved to be wrong, I believe the idea that the Yankees have no pitching will be proved wrong as well.
I also just have a feeling about this team. There's a chemistry on this team that has been absent in years past. They have a winning attitude that was lacking in past seasons.
There is also the myth that this Yankee team is just on a streak at the end of the season, and that they're playing above themselves. Well, here's something that a lot of the 'experts' as well as the people here in Boston are missing... The Yankees have won 73 of their last 112 games. That's a .652 winning percentage.. That, simply, is consistent winning baseball. That is what the Yankees play.
There is an aura around this team. They're having fun and they're winning. This is the Yankees year. Anyone over looking the Yankees and counting them out for whatever reason will be in for a big shock.
So, I'll turn the TV on, and I'll be nervous, excited and anxious. I'll be perfectly still, and ill pace around the room. But somewhere inside I'll know that in the end, it's all going to be worth it.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
There Will Be Yankee baseball In October!
Oh how many people counted the Yankees out?
How many people were just so thrilled that they could belittle and bash the Yankees?
How many writers and 'experts' counted this team out?
None of it matters now. The Yankees fought back, and fought back hard and they're now on their way to their 13th post season in a row.
It's been quite a season so far, and it's far from over.
Lets go Yankees!
How many people were just so thrilled that they could belittle and bash the Yankees?
How many writers and 'experts' counted this team out?
None of it matters now. The Yankees fought back, and fought back hard and they're now on their way to their 13th post season in a row.
It's been quite a season so far, and it's far from over.
Lets go Yankees!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
1
The Yankees are now 1 game from clinching a spot in the post season.
In honor of that, I'm going to list a few tracks from the Beatles album 'The Beatles 1', as they relate to the Yankees.
A few things about this album:
It was realized in November of 2000. Just after the Yankees finished winning the World Series...
How many songs are on this album? 27.
What championship are the Yankees winning this year? #27.
1. Love Me Do
There's a lyric in this song that goes "Ill always be true", so this is dedicated to all the fans who didn't jump of the wagon in April and May
2. From Me to You
"If there's anything I can do, just call on me".. Does this remind anyone else of Rivera?
3. Can't Buy Me Love
This ones dedicated to the rookies who have stepped up and outplayed the high-priced players on the Yankees.. Carl Pavano anyone?
4. A Hard Days Night
There's a lyric in this song that goes "When I'm home, everything seems to be right".. And that's the truth for the Yankees, who are 52-29 at home this season. The second most wins at home by any team in the league.
5. Help!
"I need somebody, Help! Not just anybody".. This reminded me of Roger Clemens.. Before he signed, the Yankees pitching staff really needed help, and Clemens was the person most Yankee fans wanted to see.
6. Yesterday
Looking back to the beginning of the season, we saw a season that looked lost, but now we're fighting for the best record in the league.
7. Hello Goodbye
Hello there Carl Pavano! What? You're hurt again? Ok, goodbye...
8. Let it Be
This is dedicated to Brian Cashman, who for the most part left the Yankee team in tact this season. He could have dismantled it before the trade deadline, traded away prospects for aging players like in years past.. He could have sent Ian Kennedy and Melky to Texas for Gagne.. Instead, he let things stand, and after the all star break the Yankees took off.
9. The Long and Winding Road
This ones pretty easy right? If this doesn't describe this season, I don't know what does. Twists and turns, ups and downs, valleys, peaks, etc.. It's been a strange journey for Yankee fans, but I know this is a season I won't soon forget..
If anyone can think of any other songs that relate, feel free to comment!
Monday, September 24, 2007
And Around The Turn They Come
7 games remain in the 2007 MLB regular season. The Yankees magic number sits at 2, which means a Yankee win coupled with a Tigers loss will guarantee the Yankees a play off spot.
They do still sit 1.5 games back in the division.. That half game will be decided today as the Yankees play a makeup game and the Red Sox are off.
But don't get caught up to much in the division race. The Yankees are 3 games into a 10 game stretch that ends when the regular season ends.. Look for Torre to try and get his guys some regular rest once the Yankees clinch the wild card.
There's been a lot of debate about whether or not the Yankees should push for the division title, but that debate as been between the fans. The Yankees will focus on making the playoffs and setting up their pitching staff for the first round. The Yankees have cut the Red Sox lead by 13 games. Even if they don't catch them, that's still pretty amazing.
Lets hope the Yankees clinch tonight. It all starts at 1:00PM with the makeup game. If the Yankees win, all eyes will be on Detroit's match up with Minnesota..
Lets hope tonight we're celebrating another Yankee trip to the postseason.
They do still sit 1.5 games back in the division.. That half game will be decided today as the Yankees play a makeup game and the Red Sox are off.
But don't get caught up to much in the division race. The Yankees are 3 games into a 10 game stretch that ends when the regular season ends.. Look for Torre to try and get his guys some regular rest once the Yankees clinch the wild card.
There's been a lot of debate about whether or not the Yankees should push for the division title, but that debate as been between the fans. The Yankees will focus on making the playoffs and setting up their pitching staff for the first round. The Yankees have cut the Red Sox lead by 13 games. Even if they don't catch them, that's still pretty amazing.
Lets hope the Yankees clinch tonight. It all starts at 1:00PM with the makeup game. If the Yankees win, all eyes will be on Detroit's match up with Minnesota..
Lets hope tonight we're celebrating another Yankee trip to the postseason.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Work left to do
Well the Yankees are flying high right now, and we fans are soaking it all in.
But, there is still work to do. The Yankees magic number sits at 5. They are a very solid 5.5 games up on the Tigers, but they are not in the playoffs just yet.
It's great fun to be right on the Red Sox heels, especially around here where panic is taking over the streets. But the Yankees need to finish off the wild card and clinch a spot in the playoffs.
They now go to play the Blue Jays, who throw out their best pitching rotation at the Yankees.
The Yankees will make the playoffs, but it's easy to focus to much on the post season and such before that happens. All the talk about resting players and such can't really come into play until the Yankees have actually clinched a spot. Then the debate about chasing the division title can really kick in.
I suffered from heavy Yankee baseball withdrawals yesterday so I'm looking forward to tonight's game.
Go Yankees!
But, there is still work to do. The Yankees magic number sits at 5. They are a very solid 5.5 games up on the Tigers, but they are not in the playoffs just yet.
It's great fun to be right on the Red Sox heels, especially around here where panic is taking over the streets. But the Yankees need to finish off the wild card and clinch a spot in the playoffs.
They now go to play the Blue Jays, who throw out their best pitching rotation at the Yankees.
The Yankees will make the playoffs, but it's easy to focus to much on the post season and such before that happens. All the talk about resting players and such can't really come into play until the Yankees have actually clinched a spot. Then the debate about chasing the division title can really kick in.
I suffered from heavy Yankee baseball withdrawals yesterday so I'm looking forward to tonight's game.
Go Yankees!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Looking Back at This Weekend
If you couldn't tell, this weekend felt a lot like October. The weather has changed, the wind has picked up and the leafs are looking like they're ready to turn into the colors of the fall. Saturday and Sunday the tempratures dipped into the 40's...
And of course, its only fitting that the first signs of the fall happen just as the Yankees and Red Sox play their last series of the regular season.
Fridays game started slow. You could tell the Yankees were tired. According to ESPN, the Yankees didn't get into Boston until 3:30am that day. At 7-2 going into the 8th, it seemed like it was over. I'll admit, after Giambi hit his homerun all I could say was "Great, a solo shot. That helps". Of course I was wrong in being sarcastic, as it did help and the Yankees pulled off a great come from behind win.
Saturday, I was at an annual celebration in Boston held by Samuel Adams fittingly called Oktoberfest. Yes, there I was, at 5:00PM, relaxing with friends and listening to some live music. Of course it would have been a little more fun if the band didn't stop playing every 10 minutes to give updates on the score of the game. I think there were more 'Yankee suck' chants at this event then there normally are at the games themselves.
And of course, last nights game was also great. The temperatures dipped again, it was chilly but there was still that electricity in the air. The Yankees put runners on second and third with Damon stepping up. The last thing I expected from him was to swing at the first pitch. And I was disappointed until I remembered who was up next. We all know what happened. Jeter hit a "no-doubter" way back into the seats over the green monster.
Then, as the bottom of the ninth came around, we all became slightly sick to our stomach. Close calls, a line drive and some walks.. Suddenly the bases are loaded for Bostons hero. Then he hits a looper, and we all watch as Cano, Melky, Abreu and Jeter rush towards shallow center field. In years passed these little loopers have killed the Yankees and Mariano.. But not tonight. Ortiz hit under it to much. It stayed in the air long enough for New Yorks hero to get there and put the game in the books.
The Yankees are 10-8 against the Red Sox now. They would own the tie-breaker, but catching the Sox does seem unlikely. Then again, anything can happen...
Detroit is putting the pressure on the Yankees though, as they have now gone 8-2 over their last 10 games. They now go play Cleveland in what will be the Central divisions biggest series of the season.
The Yankees need to focus on bearing Baltimore, who they are somehow only 4-8 ageist this year. There's only 13 games remaining. It's going to come down to the wire. This is exciting. This is what being a baseball fan is all about.
Go Yankees!
And of course, its only fitting that the first signs of the fall happen just as the Yankees and Red Sox play their last series of the regular season.
Fridays game started slow. You could tell the Yankees were tired. According to ESPN, the Yankees didn't get into Boston until 3:30am that day. At 7-2 going into the 8th, it seemed like it was over. I'll admit, after Giambi hit his homerun all I could say was "Great, a solo shot. That helps". Of course I was wrong in being sarcastic, as it did help and the Yankees pulled off a great come from behind win.
Saturday, I was at an annual celebration in Boston held by Samuel Adams fittingly called Oktoberfest. Yes, there I was, at 5:00PM, relaxing with friends and listening to some live music. Of course it would have been a little more fun if the band didn't stop playing every 10 minutes to give updates on the score of the game. I think there were more 'Yankee suck' chants at this event then there normally are at the games themselves.
And of course, last nights game was also great. The temperatures dipped again, it was chilly but there was still that electricity in the air. The Yankees put runners on second and third with Damon stepping up. The last thing I expected from him was to swing at the first pitch. And I was disappointed until I remembered who was up next. We all know what happened. Jeter hit a "no-doubter" way back into the seats over the green monster.
Then, as the bottom of the ninth came around, we all became slightly sick to our stomach. Close calls, a line drive and some walks.. Suddenly the bases are loaded for Bostons hero. Then he hits a looper, and we all watch as Cano, Melky, Abreu and Jeter rush towards shallow center field. In years passed these little loopers have killed the Yankees and Mariano.. But not tonight. Ortiz hit under it to much. It stayed in the air long enough for New Yorks hero to get there and put the game in the books.
The Yankees are 10-8 against the Red Sox now. They would own the tie-breaker, but catching the Sox does seem unlikely. Then again, anything can happen...
Detroit is putting the pressure on the Yankees though, as they have now gone 8-2 over their last 10 games. They now go play Cleveland in what will be the Central divisions biggest series of the season.
The Yankees need to focus on bearing Baltimore, who they are somehow only 4-8 ageist this year. There's only 13 games remaining. It's going to come down to the wire. This is exciting. This is what being a baseball fan is all about.
Go Yankees!
Friday, September 14, 2007
The Last Thrill of this Roller Coaster
The Yankees enter Boston today for a 3 game set with the Red Sox. It's the last real high energy series of the year.
This year has been a roller coaster ride. They started started as low as they could go, started winning and rising up, only to come crashing down. As fans, we've had highs and lows and we've had ups and downs. Now the Yankees find themselves 5.5 games back in the East with 16 games remaining..
They also find themselves up 3.5 over Detroit.
Now, another series against Boston. It's not the end of this roller coaster, because the Yankees finish the season against Baltimore, Toronto and Tampa Bay, and it is important not to overlook those games..
But it is the last, exciting, no-body-knows-whats-going-to-happen twist in this roller coaster ride we call the 2007 season.
These three games have an aura around them. Here in Boston there is a palpable sense of unease (especially after last nights hammer drop on Bill Belichick). But there is also still that 5.5 game lead that they feel is going nowhere. To your face they give the Yankees no chance at winning this series, but talking to them, you sense doubt.
This has the feeling a movie right before its climax. There is the feeling like this weekend will decide everything. It's in the air.
So the roller coaster car slowly approaches the last thrill of the ride, and we as fans sit back and wait to see where it will bring us..
Now lets go Yankees!
This year has been a roller coaster ride. They started started as low as they could go, started winning and rising up, only to come crashing down. As fans, we've had highs and lows and we've had ups and downs. Now the Yankees find themselves 5.5 games back in the East with 16 games remaining..
They also find themselves up 3.5 over Detroit.
Now, another series against Boston. It's not the end of this roller coaster, because the Yankees finish the season against Baltimore, Toronto and Tampa Bay, and it is important not to overlook those games..
But it is the last, exciting, no-body-knows-whats-going-to-happen twist in this roller coaster ride we call the 2007 season.
These three games have an aura around them. Here in Boston there is a palpable sense of unease (especially after last nights hammer drop on Bill Belichick). But there is also still that 5.5 game lead that they feel is going nowhere. To your face they give the Yankees no chance at winning this series, but talking to them, you sense doubt.
This has the feeling a movie right before its climax. There is the feeling like this weekend will decide everything. It's in the air.
So the roller coaster car slowly approaches the last thrill of the ride, and we as fans sit back and wait to see where it will bring us..
Now lets go Yankees!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Off Day
The Yankees were obviously off last night, but there wasn't a lack of things to follow.
There were 3 games that were of immediate importance to the Yankees last night.
Oakland beat up on Seattle 9-3, so that wasn't very exciting..
But the D-rays at Sox and the Toronto at Detroit games were pretty thrilling..
Tampa managed to shut out the Sox, striking out 13 of them in the process. The game was a nail biter. The Sox came in 5.5 games up on the Yankees. Now, they sit at 5 games up.. Which is the same number of games they were up on the Yankees in 2005.
Chew on that, it's delicious.
Detroit meanwhile, managed to pull some late inning heroics by scoring 4 in the ninth... In this game, Blue Jays starter Roy Halladay threw 123 pitches in 8.2 innings, but apparently didn't have enough to get that last out. Either did reliever Casey Janssen, who gave up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. So Detroit now sits 3.5 games behind the Yankees in the wild card.
The Yankees have 19 games remaining, the Tigers have 18.
Over on the football field there was this tid bit of news, that football fans should have already heard about and find a bit interesting..
And of course every ones thoughts are with Kevin Everett and his family..
Lastly, today is the 6 year anniversary of the September 11th attacks. It sure doesn't seem like 6 years ago. I can remember that whole day incredibly clearly, even though so much has happened in the world since. Here's hoping for peace...
There were 3 games that were of immediate importance to the Yankees last night.
Oakland beat up on Seattle 9-3, so that wasn't very exciting..
But the D-rays at Sox and the Toronto at Detroit games were pretty thrilling..
Tampa managed to shut out the Sox, striking out 13 of them in the process. The game was a nail biter. The Sox came in 5.5 games up on the Yankees. Now, they sit at 5 games up.. Which is the same number of games they were up on the Yankees in 2005.
Chew on that, it's delicious.
Detroit meanwhile, managed to pull some late inning heroics by scoring 4 in the ninth... In this game, Blue Jays starter Roy Halladay threw 123 pitches in 8.2 innings, but apparently didn't have enough to get that last out. Either did reliever Casey Janssen, who gave up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. So Detroit now sits 3.5 games behind the Yankees in the wild card.
The Yankees have 19 games remaining, the Tigers have 18.
Over on the football field there was this tid bit of news, that football fans should have already heard about and find a bit interesting..
And of course every ones thoughts are with Kevin Everett and his family..
Lastly, today is the 6 year anniversary of the September 11th attacks. It sure doesn't seem like 6 years ago. I can remember that whole day incredibly clearly, even though so much has happened in the world since. Here's hoping for peace...
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