A.J. Looks good in final tuneup

The New York Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays by the score of 5-2 today. A.J. Burnett made his final tuneup start before the regular season. He looked pretty good pitching 4 2/3 innings giving up 5 hits and 2 runs. He walked 2 and also struck out 2. Royce Ring struck out the only batter he faced as he is trying to make the team as a second lefty. It is a fierce battle between him and Boone Logan. Chan Ho Park pitched another perfect inning with a strikeout and Dave Robertson pitched a scoreless inning giving up a hit. Joba Chamberlain pitched a scoreless inning with a walk and 2 strikeouts. Curtis Granderson had 2 hits off of lefties today, it looks like he has worked out some of his issues this spring against lefties and is ready for the season. Brett Gardner had a hit, Nick Johnson had a hit, rbi and walk. Mark Teixeira had a couple of hits and Robinson Cano was 2-2 with 2 rbi. I guess the 5th spot is agreeing with him as he has been tearing it up all spring. Nick Swisher was 2-3 and Ramiro Pena had a double and rbi. The Yankees appear to be ready for Opening Night in Boston on Sunday. The Yankees will take on the Baltimore Orioles tomorrow afternoon at 1:00PM on the yes network and ESPN and then have their final tuneup on Saturday afternoon against the Yankees minor leaguers.

Wang not done yet?

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe had a interesting note on his blog today. It said that about 15 teams have inquired about Chien-Ming Wang, he is scheduled to see Dr. Andrews on Jan 4th to get a update on his timeframe. His agent keeps saying he will be ready by May but who knows. The interesting thing about the note was that it said the Yankees were maybe going to match what anyone offers him, hoping to keep him around so just maybe he will come back after all. If the Yankees could bring him back and he ends up being healthy and productive somewhere close to what he used to be well then the Yankees have found their 4th starter and can have Hughes or Joba as the 5th and the other in the bullpen which most likely would be Joba. I actually think the Yankees might be better off doing this then signing a pitcher, they also have Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre as guys they could use. I also noticed that opening day which now has been switched to opening night on ESPN 2 is also Easter. The Yankees will be up in Fenway Park. The schedule also has them playing Tuesday and Wednesday, moving the days up. On a day like this with all the snow lets remember there are only 60 days until pitchers and catchers.

Yanks lose another series

The Yankees lost again to a team they shouldn't be losing too. If Luis Castillo didn't drop a popup they would have now lost 4 series in a row and three straight to National League teams that they are better then. They have not hit at all and I understand not hitting Josh Johnson yesterday but the rest of these pitchers they shouldn't have so much trouble with, I really wonder if someone is going to do something, at least come out and say something or just continue to be complacent. Kevin Long is a awful hitting coach in my mind and I think it is time for a change, I don't understand how you surround a young manager with a hitting and pitching coach with no experience, part of the reason Joe Torre was so successful is because he had Mel Stottlemyre and Don Zimmer surrounding him. I am waiting for Hank or Hal to come out and say something but I don't think that is going to happen, but if the Yankees don't get this turned around quick they will be in trouble as Boston has not built a 4 game lead in the division and the Yankees are now tied with the Angels for the wildcard and only 2 on Toronto and 3 on Tampa Bay. The Yankees rallied late and cut the lead to 6-5 but after just walking Johnny Damon to make it 1st and 3rd Derek Jeter swung at the first pitch and grounded out to short ending the game. CC Sabathia was pulled in the second inning after coming up with tightness in his biceps, it doesn't appear to be serious and he expects to make his next start on Friday against the Mets. The problem started right there as the Yankees had to use their bullpen for a long time today and after Aceves pitched well Brett Tomko didn't and gave up 3 runs on 2 homeruns and Dave Robertson gave up a single to score a run and another run scored on Melky Cabrera's throwing error. The Yankees have tomorrow off and will try and win a series in Atlanta starting on Tuesday with Chien-Ming Wang on the mound.

Yanks lose to Rangers

The New York Yankees lost to the Texas Rangers tonight 4-2. Andy Pettitte got the start and gave up 3 runs in the first inning, they probably only would have had one if Andy's leg didn't get in the way of a double play ball and lead to a couple of extra runs. Andy labored and got through 5 but only gave up one more run and kept the team in it. Brett Tomko came out of the bullpen for 3 great innings giving up a single and a bunt single to the first 2 guys he saw then retiring the next 9 in order. Dave Robertson pitched a scoreless ninth. The offense was stymied by Scott Feldman tonight though who pitched very well going 6 1/3 innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits. The Yankees had a couple of chances early but couldn't get the big hit. A-rod had the bases loaded one out in the fourth but grounded into a double play to end the inning. He also came up with a runner on third and one out and struck out. He did have a rbi single in the first though and the only other run was a Posada solo homerun. The Yankees will look to get their hitting shoes back on in a Thursday matinee rubber match with Chien-Ming Wang getting the start against Brandon McCarthy. The big news of the day was that Wang is back in the rotation and Hughes is in the bullpen with everyone else getting pushed back a day. Wang can throw about 80 pitches tomorrow and we will see how he does. I think this was the right move because Wang is a starter and you can't just leave him out in the pen to rot. Phil Hughes could be used in a variety of ways out of the pen but they didn't say how they would use him yet, I guess tomorrow you could see him follow Wang since he will probably only throw 4 or 5 innings. It will be interesting but they did say longterm Hughes will remain a starter and he said he is fine with that as long as he goes back to starting eventually. I was supposed to go to tonights game but I thought for sure it would be rained out and of course it wasn't which was upsetting LOL but I will pick up another game when they come back home after the Boston trip.

Yanks lose finale of homestand

The Yankees lost to the Phillies today by the score of 4-3, they had more ninth inning magic but couldn't win it this time. CC Sabathia pitched a solid game going 8 innings allowing 3 runs, the turning point of the game was when Brett Gardner dove for a ball and missed it and it turned into a run with 2 outs and then another run after that. I really thought with CC pitching the way he was just keep it in front of you and let it be first and third two outs. Mo pitched a scoreless inning as well as Jose Veras. The Yankees came from behind again in the ninth off of Brad Lidge who is clearly not the same guy he was last year and I wonder if he can get that back after these past two games. The Yankees best chance to win it was in the tenth when the had first and second no outs and Mark Teixeira hit into a double play and then they walked A-rod with a man on third and Pena lined out to center. The Yankees also had Johnny Damon thrown out at home earlier in the game in a nice play by the Philly defense. Cole Hamels was pretty dominant himself really silencing the Yankee bats for 7 innings. Big Tex had a couple of hits again one being a broken bat homerun to leftfield. Hideki Matsui continues to slump having a bad day going 0-4. A-rod was 0-3 with a walk. Derek Jeter went 3-5 and so did Melky Cabrera. Robinson Cano was 1-4 and his hit was big as it was to leadoff the ninth. Francisco Cervelli was 1-3. The Yankees now head to Texas to start a 7 game roadtrip, 3 in Texas and 4 in Cleveland before returning home. The Yankees are 1 game behind Boston for first place in the AL East which is amazing since they are 0-5 against Boston this year.

Joba gets first win

Joba Chamberlain was sharp tonight pitching 7 strong innings and the Yankees had another big inning. Joba pitched 7 innings giving up 1 run on 3 hits with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts he was also hitting 93-95 on the gun which is a great sign as his velocity has been up his last two starts and this was the best that he has looked. The Yankees had a 7 run fourth inning today and that was all they needed although it got interesting at the end. Nick Swisher hit two homeruns, one from each side of the plate becoming the 10th Yankee to do that. Hideki Matsui walked 3 times and had a double as he continues to get better. Robinson Cano extended his hitting streak to 16 games. Melky Cabrera had another hit and Ramiro Pena had a hit. Johnny Damon had 2 hits and a RBI. The game got interesting in the ninth as Jon Albaladejo gave up a couple of runs and left with 2 runners on and 2 outs. Mariano Rivera who didn't appear to be completely warmed up came in and gave up a 3 run homerun to Curtis Granderson before getting Polanco to pop out to second to end the game. The Yankees ended the roadtrip on a high winning the last two games behind two young guns after a miserable weekend in Boston. The Yankees now come home and begin a 8 game homestand tomorrow with Anaheim and then Boston and Tampa Bay come in. I forgot to mention also it was Joe Girardi's 100th win as manager of the Yankees, I like that he said he would like to do that in a year.

Yanks can't avoid Sweep

The Yankees had a terrible weekend in Boston getting swept by the hated Red Sox. The Yankees had a 4-2 lead in the ninth with two outs on Friday when MO blew the save giving up a 2 run homer to Jason Bay to tie the game and it just seemed to snowball from there. Yesterday the Yankees had a 6-0 lead and A.J. Burnett just could not hold it and the pen got roughed up and tonight the Yankees couldn't get anything going and lost 4-1. The Yankees are a mess right now but they were playing good before this weekend other then the games Chien-Ming Wang pitched. The starters need to start getting more consistent and then the bullpen will be in better shape and can be in more defined roles. The offense is the same old thing, yeah they can score runs but they don't do the little things, they strand too many runners and right now third base and CF are automatic outs and Big Tex isn't playing the way he eventually will. The Yankees just need to go out to Detroit have a good series and get back on track, they will get A-rod back in a couple of weeks and that will help as they do need him. The bright side of tonights game was Mark Melancon who pitched two shutout innings, he was very impressive in the seventh getting them out 1-2-3 on I belive 5 pitches. His second inning was shaky as he loaded the bases with no outs but showed a lot of poise by getting a groundout to third which got the force at home then a strikeout and groundout to get out of trouble. I believe him and Dave Robertson will evolve into late inning guys they can trust and the more experience the better for them.

Pitching Matchups for Weekend in Boston

Friday- Joba Chamberlain vs Jon Lester Saturday- A.J. Burnett vs Josh Beckett Sunday-Andy Pettite vs Justin Masterson Friday pits two struggling young pitchers, lets see if Youkilis and Joba have anymore issues. Big Papi already fired a warning at Joba saying don't throw at anyone, you have to ea learn respect around the leauge. Saturday is a great matchup of former teammates and Sunday it would seem the Yankees have the advantage although Masterson has been pitching well, should be a fun weekend in Boston as both teams are tied with each other.

Yanks win wild one

The New York Yankees outlasted the Oakland Athletics today by a score of nine to seven. Melky Cabrera hit a walkoff homerun in the fourteenth inning to send the Yankeees into their off day happy. CC Sabathia got the start and struggled but the boxscore looks worse then it was. He pitched 6 2/3 innings giving up seven runs on six hits, 6 runs were earned. He gave up four walks and had two strikeouts. His main problem has been his control but he will get it together. The best thing he does though is give the Yanks some length. The bullpen was outstanding in this game, Phil Coke got out the one guy he faced. Jon Albaladejo and Mariano Rivera pitched scoreless innings each. Damaso Marte pitched 1/3 of an inning with one walk and strikeout, Edwar Ramirez pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings giving up a hit and walk. Jose Veras was the star today, he had been struggling but he pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings today giving up only a walk, he had four strikeouts. The offense was led by Melky Cabreras two homeruns, Johnny Damon was three for five with two walks. Mark Teixera, Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada each had two hits. Cano, Matsui, Teixera and Swisher each had a rbi. The offense seemed enemic though after the seventh inning until Melky hit the walkoff homerun. This was really a wild and crazy game, wierd plays and all, exciting win though. The Yankees really needed to win this game heading into Fenway, the Red Sox won their sixth in a row earlier and are gunning for their seventh in a row tonight. The Yankees really are playing well other then the games Wang pitches. Chien-Ming Wang will pitch tomorrow in Tampa and we will see what happens but unless he just dominates I see him going on the DL and Phil Hughes getting called up. I will try and post the matchups for the Boston Series later. Derek Jeter played in his 1000th game today so congratulations to him. Jorge Posada caught all fourteen innings and threw out a guy in extra innings so that was a good day for him. I wonder if Melky Cabrera will get the start on Friday in CF?? I know I would play him and see if he keeps hitting. If you haven't checked out Kim Jones blog please do, it is a must read. She does a great job not only on the YES network but with the blog as well. The link is http://kimberlyjones.mlblogs.com/

Baseball Predictions

The baseball season started tonight and it is time for the season predictions. AL East AL Central AL West Yankees Minnesota Anaheim Boston Cleveland Oakland Tampa K.C Texas Baltimore Chicago Seattle Toronto Detroit NL East NL Central NL West Philadelphia Chicago Los Angeles Mets St Louis Arizona Atlanta Cincinatti San Francisco Florida Milwaukee Colorado Washington Pittsburgh San Diego Houston I am going to go with the Yankees over the Red Sox in the ALCS and the Dodgers over the Cubs in the NLCS The Yankees will defeat Joe Torre and the Dodgers in the World Series Houston