The Yankees Win

“The Yankees win” was heard round the world when the NY Yankees won their 27^th title in 2009. The big three acquisitions prior to the season, CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Mark Teixeira, were keys to the Yankees playoff success. When spring training opened to third baseman Alex Rodriguez’ steroid scandal and the Yankees struggled in the beginning of the season, many called for manager Joe Girardi’s head and changes to be made because the team just wasn’t good. However the Yankees got hot and the same people who were bashing them were saying that they were the best team.

The top three in the starting rotation were strong with Sabathia, Burnett, and veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte. Joba Chamberlain was also solid but management is concerned about his workload. Due to former 19-game winner Chien-Ming Wang’s struggles and injuries, the fifth spot on the staff was ever-changing.

The bullpen was also a constant shuttle with Triple-A Scranton. However by the end of the season, young arms such as Phil Hughes, Phil Coke, Dave Robertson, and Alfredo Aceves (along with Chamberlain) solidified the bullpen in front of closer Mariano Rivera.

While A-Rod was out with a hip injury at the beginning of the season, the offense struggled. Once he returned, every piece fell into place. The captain Derek Jeter thrived in the leadoff spot putting up MVP numbers while playing Gold Glove caliber defense at shortstop. Rightfielder Nick Swisher, outfielder Melky Cabrera, DH Hideki Matsui, and second baseman Robinson Cano were clutch, constantly winning games late. With injuries to both catchers (starter Jorge Posada and backup Jose Molina) at the same time, rookie Francisco Cervelli stepped in and thrived (.298 in 42 games).

Burnett's pie-in-the-face

Swisher and Burnett brought a new attitude to the usually stuffy Yankees, with the pie-in-the-face becoming a signature Burnett move. This offseason has been a busy one, though GM Brian Cashman has made blockbuster trades rather than spending big money on the free agent market. The blockbuster trades have depleted the minor league system a bit, with top prospect Austin Jackson, pitcher Ian Kennedy, and lefty reliever Michael Dunn being dealt away. The bullpen has also taken a hit with lefty Phil Coke and righty Brian Bruney being traded away too. It’s a disappointing season if the Yankees do not win a World Series so Girardi has a lot to do in 2010 with free agents Matsui and Damon gone and a bullpen under renovation. Here’s their wish list:

1. Re-sign Andy Pettitte: Pettitte has always been an integral part of the Yankees. That is why re-signing him was a priority. Having Pettitte, a seasoned veteran, takes the pressure off of some of the other pitchers. GM Brian Cashman signed Pettitte to a one-year deal.
2. 

   Curtis Granderson

   An outfielder: With Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, and Xavier Nady as free agents, the returning outfielders consisted of Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner, and Nick Swisher (none of them with a lot of power). So Cashman pulled the trigger on acquiring All-Star centerfielder Curtis Granderson from the Detroit Tigers. Granderson struggled badly last season against left-handed pitchers (and overall) despite hitting for power (.249 overall with 30 homeruns but just .183 against lefties with just 2 homeruns). His defense also suffered in 2009. Hopefully the pressure will be off (he was the face of a struggling city and offense in Detroit) and he can relax and have fun. Unfortunately they had to give up their top prospect, centerfielder Austin Jackson to get Granderson. They did receive LA Dodgers outfielder Jamie Hoffman in the Rule V draft, who is considered the Dodgers (and now Yankees) best defensive outfielder. He could help off the bench.

3. A starting pitcher: The Yankees have three spots set with Sabathia, Burnett, and Pettitte. However the last two spots were up in the air. Cashman filled one of those spots by trading for former Yankee and current Atlanta Brave Javier Vazquez. Vazquez was dominant in 2009 with the Braves and garnered CY Young votes (15-10 with a 2.87 ERA in 32 starts with 44 BB/ 238 Ks). The last spot will be filled by either Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes, with the other going to the back end of the bullpen. Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre will be given a chance at beating out Hughes or Chamberlain for the final spot, as Gaudin pitched well when he joined the Yanks (2-0 with a 3.43 ERA). If anyone struggles in spring training or during the 2010 season, don’t look for the Yankees to sit back and wait for something to happen (they will probably make a deal or call someone up from the minors). Two in-house candidates are Romulo Sanchez and Ivan Nova, who both pitched well in the minors in 2009.
4. A leftfielder: Johnny Damon played solid in his years with the Yankees, as he was a huge reason why they won the World Series. As a free agent, both sides are far apart on money and years. With Granderson in center, left field figured to be manned by Cabrera and Gardner. However to get Javier Vazquez in a trade with the Braves, it cost them Cabrera. So now the Yankees are short on outfielders at both the big league level and in the minors. Many believe Damon may re-sign, but the Yankees still need another outfielder.
5. A DH: Many talked about this opening as being a good thing to get the bench players time on the field by having the stars DH. Matsui was the main reason the Yankees won the World Series (he won MVP), but he signed with the LA Angels. There seemed to be hope for former Cuban prospect Juan Miranda as he has been stuck in Triple-A Scranton. Unfortunately for him, the Yankees signed oft-injured Nick Johnson, who always hits and gets on base when healthy. The former Yankee will slide into the 2 hole to bat in front of Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. The DH spot may be best for Johnson to limit his time on the field and hopefully limit the injuries.

Tags:

AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Brett Gardner, Chad Gaudin, Curtis Granderson, Derek Jeter, Francisco Cervelli, Hideki Matsui, Jamie Hoffman, Javier Vazquez, Joba Chamberlain, Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, Nick Johnson, Nick Swisher, NY Yankees, Phil Hughes

The 2009 NY Yankees Parade

As the Yankees celebrate their 27th World Series title by parading around Manhattan, let’s look back to how the Yankees won the World Series by defeating the defending world champion Philadelphia Phillies.

*Starting pitching: Many questioned manager Joe Girardi’s decision to remain with the 3-man rotation, even with the pitchers having to pitch on short rest after their first start in the series. When AJ Burnett could not get out of the third inning in Game 5, Yankees fans and the media groaned about the 3-man rotation. However, this was the only poor start the Yankees had during the entire series. Outside of Cliff Lee for the Phillies, the Yankees rotation out pitched the Phillies. CC Sabathia and Burnett proved worth the cost as they pitched brilliantly in the playoffs and the World Series, both of their first times in the World Series.

* Mariano Rivera: Rivera could be the best postseason pitcher ever. His career postseason numbers are ridiculous (8-1, with a 0.74 ERA and 39 saves in 88 games) and every team wishes they had someone as reliable as him. In Games 3 and 4 combined, Rivera threw just 13 pitches to get five outs against the Phillies. If that’s not a dominant closer, I don’t know what is.

* The bullpen: Everyone questioned both teams’ bullpens heading into the World Series, but the Yankees bullpen was just a bit better. Despite losing Game 5, the Yankees bullpen pitched 6 innings and gave up just 2 runs, with Dave Robertson and Alfredo Aceves pitching 2 shutout innings a piece. Despite giving up the game-tying homerun in Game 4, Joba Chamberlain pitched well, giving up just that one run. Throughout the World Series, lefty Damaso Marte shutdown the Phillies left-handed bats, without giving up a hit. He also struck out Chase Utley and Ryan Howard on just 6 pitches. If that’s not dominant, I don’t know what is.

Hideki Matsui waves to the crowd during the parade

*Hideki Matsui: Matsui carried the Yankees in Game 6 (3-for-4 with 6 RBIs which tied a World Series record for most RBIs in a single game) and thus was awarded the World Series MVP. But it just wasn’t Game 6. Matsui was Pedro Martinez’ nemesis in both Games 2 and 6. He went 8-for-13 overall in the series with 3 homeruns and 8 RBIs. It didn’t matter who was pitching, a left-hander or a right-hander, Matsui was raking.

*Johnny Damon: Damon struggled in the ALDS and many were concerned about his production. Damon proved all of the doubters wrong by being clutch throughout the World Series. Damon’s numbers were 8-for-22 with 2 doubles, 3 walks, 4 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases, none bigger than the two he stole off of Brad Lidge in Game 4. His Game 4 at-bat against Lidge was classic as he battled to reach base and rattle Lidge, leading to the Yankees winning and taking a commanding 3-1 series lead.

The Yankees finally proved that spending money can equate to a World Series championship. Many feel that they should make it back to the World Series again next season, along with the Phillies to battle it out once again.

Tags:

AJ Burnett, CC Sabathia, Damaso Marte, Dave Robertson, Hideki Matsui, Joba Chamberlain, Johnny Damon, Mariano Rivera, NY Yankees, World Series

Phillies shake hands following the Game 5 victory

Phillies 8, Yankees 6: Jimmy Rollins’ prediction of the Philadelphia Phillies winning in five games will not come true, but at least the Phillies seem to be back in the series after being down 3 games to 1. As a baseball fan, I have been hoping for a seven-game series since the teams were set. It has the potential to be a battle to the very end.

However, Game 5 did not start out well for the Phillies or their ace starter Cliff Lee. The Yankees scored first in the top of the first, capped by an RBI double from Alex Rodriguez. The Phillies returned the favor in the bottom of the inning, capped by the 3-run homerun by Chase Utley with no one out. In this game, unlike in his Game 2 start, the wild AJ Burnett appeared early and often. In the third inning, Burnett walked both Utley and Ryan Howard, leading to an RBI single back up the middle by Jayson Werth and an RBI single from Raul Ibanez, giving the Phillies a 5-1 lead and ending Burnett’s night. So much for Burnett’s stellar history of pitching on short rest (4-0, with a 2.33 ERA).

Brett Gardner crashes into wall to make the catch

Dave Robertson came in to give the Yankees two shutout innings, followed by Alfredo Aceves. Werth ripped a pitch from Aceves to center into the quirky crevices of Citizens Bank Park. Werth was running as if he hit another HR because he crushed it, but centerfielder Brett Gardner made a great running catch while crashing into the wall. Aceves then gave the Yankees 2 shutout innings before handing the ball over to lefty Phil Coke. Coke however could not keep the Phillies offense off of the scoreboard (specifically the left-handed hitters). Utley homered again on a 3-2 pitch, tying Hall-of-Famer Reggie Jackson for the most homeruns in a single World Series with 5. Ibanez came up with 2 outs and blasted a homerun off a second deck billboard, increasing the Phillies lead to 8-2.

Ryan Madson reacts to saving Game 5

The Yankees finally chased Lee from the game on a 2-run double by A-Rod. Lee wasn’t his dominant self as he struggled with his command (3 walks), yet kept the Yankees from taking control of the game. Heading into the ninth, the Phillies held an 8-5 lead and manager Charlie Manuel handed the ball over to Ryan Madson, rather then closer Brad Lidge, to close out the game. No matter who closes out the games for the Phillies, it is a nail-biting experience for fans. Madson quickly got into trouble as Jorge Posada and pinch-hitter Hideki Matsui ripped him for hits putting runners at first and second with nobody out and the captain Derek Jeter stepped to the plate as the tying run. The moans and groans could again be heard at Citizens Bank Park. Jeter could not get the clutch hit, as he grounded into a double play, though Posada scored to make the game 8-6. After Damon got another hit (he reached base 4 times in the game), Madson bared down and struck out Mark Teixeira to end the game, sending the nervous Philly fans into a state of euphoria. There will be a Game 6 in the Bronx on Wednesday night.

Tags:

AJ Burnett, Alfredo Aceves, Brett Gardner, Chase Utley, Cliff Lee, Dave Robertson, Jayson Werth, Phil Coke, Phillies, Raul Ibanez, Ryan Madson, World Series Game 5, Yankees

Another World Series in Philadelphia Phillies means rain in the forecast. Unlike last year, at least the temperatures are warm and not freezing. Game 3 was still set to begin on-time, despite the darkening clouds and rain incoming on the radar. As many of the Phillies players’ stated, the real World Series begins now, meaning the Philly fans are going to be electric, like nothing the Yankees have ever seen. Game 3 pits the Yankees Andy Pettitte against the Phillies Cole Hamels. Pettitte is hoping to increase his all-time postseason wins to 17, which would continue to put him in first place in that category. However, Pettitte isn’t averaging more than seven innings in a postseason start, so that means manager Joe Girardi will need to use more than closer Mariano Rivera out of the bullpen. It will be interesting to see how Pettitte approaches the Phillies lineup with the two switch-hitters at the top (Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino) and the lefties after them (Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Raul Ibanez). I suspect Howard will not see many fastballs. Hamels was last year’s NLCS and World Series MVP, though in 2009, he has not been very consistent. The Phillies need Hamels to pitch like he did in 2008 for them to be successful in Game 3. Hamels will need to keep the Yankees hitters adjusting and off-balance all night to be successful. The key to this game will be Pettitte versus the Phillies running attack and the Phillies Jayson Werth. Werth has one of the best batting averages against left-handed pitching over the last two years.

The Phillies have announced their Game 4 starter as Joe Blanton and the Yankees are leaning towards the three-man rotation, meaning Game 1 starter CC Sabathia would pitch in Game 4. Blanton had been the Phillies most consistent starter throughout the 2009 season. Blanton pitched mostly out of the bullpen so far this postseason, though he made the Game 4 start in the NLCS against the Dodgers. Many of the Yankee hitters are familiar with Blanton from his days with the Oakland A’s. Sabathia was good in his first start of the World Series, but was out-pitched by his former teammate. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts his game plan and how the Phillies hitters adjust to him. A key to Game 4 is how long Blanton goes in the game. It could be a game that is determined by the bullpens. Another key will be Carlos Ruiz. It will be Blanton’s first go-round against the Yankees in the playoffs and he’ll need to rely on Ruiz. Ruiz will also need to be big at the plate to turn the lineup over to the speed and power.

Game 5, and the final World Series game in Philly, has the Phillies sending Game 1 starter Cliff Lee probably up against Yankees Game 2 starter AJ Burnett. Will Burnett be just as dominant as he was in Game 2 or will his wild side re-emerge? The Phillies hitters need to adjust and jump on the fastball early in the count. How will the Yankees hitters react to seeing Lee a second time? A key will be Yankees catcher Jose Molina. He will need to keep Burnett’s emotions in check and to keep everything in the dirt in front of him. Molina will also need to produce at the plate or he may be the first move Girardi makes in terms of pinch-hitting. However, Girardi could go with Jorge Posada as the catcher to get more offense, but it would be sacrificing defense and stability with Burnett.

It will be interesting to see if Girardi gets Hideki Matsui some playing time in the outfield with the 3 games in Philly. He has been one of the Yankees best hitters of late (3-for-6 in the World Series so far) and I find it hard to believe that Girardi would only get him 3 at-bats as a pinch-hitter in the 3 games. We will find out how good of a manager Girardi really is as he’ll have to manage pinch-hitters and game situations, along with double-switches.

Tags:

AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Carlos Ruiz, CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Hideki Matsui, Jayson Werth, Joe Blanton, Joe Girardi, Jose Molina, Phillies, World Series, Yankees

Yankees 3, Phillies 1: The game began with Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performing their hit song (and Derek Jeter’s entrance song) and most felt this was an omen that the Yankees would win. This was a game many felt would be high scoring with the bullpens battling it out, myself included. However both starting pitchers pitched gems like their Game 1 counterparts. The veteran for the Phillies, Pedro Martinez, entered the field to the expected “Who’s your daddy?” chants. He fed off the hostile crowd to, for the most part, dominate the potent Yankee lineup, a lineup most expected would kill the Phillies pitching. So far, that hasn’t happened. The Yankees are hitting .222, with the red-hot Alex Rodriguez going completely cold, 0-for-8 with six strikeouts. Pedro made just two mistakes, two sole homeruns by Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui, before being taken out in the seventh. Watching Pedro take the mound in the seventh, it reminded me of the 2003 playoffs when he was with Boston and manager Grady Little left him in the game too long (and got fired soon following). With double-barreled action in the Phillies bullpen, manager Charlie Manuel decided to stay with Pedro to start the seventh and it backfired as he gave up back-to-back hits, leading to another run.

Yankees starter AJ Burnett avoided the big wild inning, throwing first pitch strikes to 22 of the 26 batters he faced. Burnett’s curveball was working throughout the night, making the Phillies hitters look silly. He gave manager Joe Girardi seven solid innings, allowing him to go to closer Mariano Rivera for another six out save. Rivera looked hittable in Game 2, especially in the eighth inning when the Phillies had two men on and only one out. Manuel decided not to send the speedy runners (Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino) on a 3-2 count and the batter, Chase Utley, grounded into a double-play to end the inning. Utley meanwhile, extended his consecutive on-base streak in postseason games to 27 with a walk in the 3rd inning, continuing to add on to his Major League Baseball record.

Has Girardi completely lost faith in his entire bullpen? I’m not sure Girardi can continue to go to Rivera for six out saves, especially if he continues to throw close to 40 pitches an outing. We will see as the World Series continues.

Neither team is tearing the cover off of the baseball and both teams RBI machines have cooled off. I mentioned A-Rod earlier, but Ryan Howard went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts last night against the combination of Burnett and Rivera and never looked comfortable at the plate. Unlike in Game 1, Burnett only showed the fastball on the first pitch to most of the hitters and they were taking it for a strike, trying to be patient and run up Burnett’s pitch-count. That approach never really worked. The Phillies struck out 15 times in Game 2, yet only lost 3-1.

The Phillies left Yankee Stadium with a split, something they did last year in the World Series against Tampa Bay and something they just did in this year’s NLCS. They left smiling, with all of the confidence that they have retaken home-field advantage and can win three straight to celebrate in Philadelphia behind their wild and raucous fans. The Phillies have lost just one postseason game at home in the past two years (11-1).

Tags:

AJ Burnett, Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, Mariano Rivera, Mark Teixeira, NY Yankees, Pedro Martinez, Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan Howard, World Series Game 2