2014 Official Major League Baseball Thread

[EagerBeaver]

Yankees Shake Up Lineup

There is no reason to panic from an 0-2 start (the 1998 Yankees started 1-4, then went 113-44 the rest of the regular season), but in an effort to shake things up, Joe Girardi has made some changes.

Here is what he has done: Gardner in center, Ellsbury benched, Soriano in LF, Beltran has been inserted as DH, Suzuki in RF, Solarte is at 3rd (after getting 2 at bats last night) because Johnson will likely start all 3 games in Toronto. Cervelli is catching tonight.

Here is my take: Ellsbury is probably not 100% or perhaps he thought so. But he is also being rested due to a tough lefty Oberholtzer being started tonight. Oberholtzer is a bit nasty on lefties.

The real strength of the Yankees team and where they outshine every other team in baseball is the #3-#5 spots in their rotation. Most teams have crap starting for them at those spots, but the Yankees have 3 guys who look like top of the rotation pitchers. And we have not even started their turn in the rotation.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Rothschild just went out to the mound and yelled at Nova in a very one-side conversation. On the very next pitch Nova induced an inning-ending double play to get out of trouble- bases loaded. That was amazing. I don't know what Larry said but it was yelled, and it worked.

 

[daydreamer41]

Boyz,



I enjoyed your countdown of every game last year right up to the 162nd game saying it was too early to know how the Sox would do, as well as your predictions throughout the playoffs that the Sox had no chance to win the World Series for 2013. Still think so???

I said it last year and I will say it this year, Merlot. The 2013 Red Sox winning the WS was a FLUKE, DUMB LUCK, etc.

It would be a nice change if people forgot rivalry more often and replaced it with honest assessment. Why is it some Yankees fans are totally incapable of speaking honestly. Almost two weeks ago one Yankees fan called up WEEI saying he was very happy to have Ellsbury because he is better than Cano. OMG. In 2011 the comparison would have been close, but otherwise no Yankees fan in his right mind would say Ellsbury was a better producer than Cano based on hitting.

So far the Yankees hitting has resembled last year in this tiny sampling, an inability to produce runs much of the time. Yeah, we know it's only the second game. Sure the Houston pitcher was ON last night, but it's still hard not to smirk about them losing two in a row to a team that was so bad last year.

It so peaceful here with Red Sox fans, isn't it? Two games and you're repeating your mindless mantras.

Cheers,

Merlot

Drink one for us, Merlot.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Tanaka Time!

Hey guys and especially you Blue Jays fans, tonight is "Tanaka Time" in Toronto. Get ready for the very first Ta-knockout of the season! The Jays have never seen a split-fingered fastball like this guy throws.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Solarte is Player of Game

Last night's Yankees Player of the Game: Yangervis Solarte: http://www.pinstripealley.com/yanke.../3/30/5561506/yangervis-solarte-yankees-bench

The switch hitting Venezualan utility man had 3 hits, went 3-3, added a walk and 2 runs and also had a brilliant defensive play at 3rd base. It appears to me that Girardi is very enamored with Solarte and will platoon him at 3rd base with Johnson until Brendan Ryan comes off the DL. I think the Yankees want a long look at Solarte because they feel he has a better bat than the punchless Ryan. However it is possible that the Yankees will keep both and let Dean Anna go.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I watched part of the Yankees/Astros game last night & i've concluded that the Astros gave that game away. The turning point was in the 7th inning when a pop-up in the infield with two outs wasn't caught. The Yankees were lucky...very lucky....to escape Houston with a win.

 

[Doc Holliday]

McGowan's Moment

Hey guys and especially you Yankees fans, tonight is "McGowan's Moment" in Toronto. Hard-lucked Dustin McGowan is healthy for once & gets to pitch in the Jays' opener. Get ready for the Yankees' third loss of the season! It's been a long time since the Yankees haven't seen a slider like this guy throws. His stuff is sick!

I have a feeling that the Jays will have a sushi fest tonight!

 

[EagerBeaver]

Why is the NY-Toronto game being delayed? Doesn't Toronto have a roof to keep out bad weather?

 

[daydreamer41]

Why is the NY-Toronto game being delayed? Doesn't Toronto have a roof to keep out bad weather?

It says on the ESPN website:

THE START OF THE GAME IS BEING DELAYED DUE TO CEREMONIES.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Why is the NY-Toronto game being delayed? Doesn't Toronto have a roof to keep out bad weather?

Opening game ceremonies. Several medal-winning Olympians were in attendance for the ceremonies, including both Dufour-Lapointe sisters. Roy "Doc" Halladay threw the first pitch. He seems to have lost some weight & reminded me how he looked when he was first called up by the Jays about 15 years ago.

Looks like your guy Tanaka got quite an awakening in his introduction to MLB hitters!!! First batter, Melky Cabrera: HOMERUN!!!!!!!!!!

Tanaka has pitched his entire life against minor league batters, which is practically what the Japanese league is. He'll soon come to the realization that his junk may not be up to par against major league baseball hitters.

Looks like Texeira is heading to the DL once again. Is this guy made out of glass or what???

p.s. I've heard people saying Tanaka may be a cross between Dice-K & Darvish, but the Japanese pitcher he actually reminds me the most is the late Hideki Irabu, who pitched for the Yankees & Expos. He committed suicide after learning that the Expos were leaving Montreal.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Tanaka looks filthy, he just needs to trust his stuff more and stop throwing the 93mph fastball down broadway. That plus he is probably got a million butterfly's floating around in his stomach tonight.

 

[EagerBeaver]

He made a bad pitch to Cabrera, but has 4 Ks through 2 innings. Teixeira looked like he pulled a hamstring.

 

[EagerBeaver]

First successful challenge of the year by Girardi. It will be interesting to see how many of these challenges are actually successful.

 

[lgna69xxx]

And it led to 2 more runs, now that was really a Successful Challenge!

First successful challenge of the year by Girardi. It will be interesting to see how many of these challenges are actually successful.

 

[EagerBeaver]

And it led to 2 more runs, now that was really a Successful Challenge!

And knocked McGowan out of the game in the 3rd inning forcing the Jays to use up their sorry ass bullpen sooner than they wanted to.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Ta-Knockout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tanaka solid!!!!!!!!!!!! Very good performance!!!

7 innings, 6 hits, 2 ER, 8Ks, 2.57 ERA, 97 pitches

 

[smuler]

Meanwhile, the more important story out of NY

Lucas Duda has beaten out Ike Davis in the battle of AAA first baseman In Queens....:thumb:

Duda responds with 2 homeruns

It's all downhill from here....


Best Regards

Smuler

 

[smuler]

Stanton hits one over the bar :

http://mlb.si.com/2014/04/04/video-giancarlo-stanton-home-run-miami-marlins-san-diego-padres/


Best Regards

Smuler

 

[EagerBeaver]

Smuler,

Stanton's latest tape measure blast was estimated to be 484 feet.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Giancarlo has been one of my favorite players since coming into the league just a few seasons ago. This guy if healthy can put up massive numbers at the plate. He would look great in pinstripes.