The Official MERB 2010 Baseball Thread.

[Jman47]

Hello all,



Pretty poor. Looking at the last 4 starts he's averaging 5 innings, 8.25 hits, 5.75 runs, 5.75 ER, giving up .269 BA, and a 10.35 ERA. YIKES! Where he was decent in May he's terrible in June. If he's been known to have some sort of physical strain or injury during this time the Yankees can take solace that there's a reason for his sorry performances. If not, they've got a chronically volcanic pitcher who can blow up any time, and has been doing so for about three weeks straight. Many good pitchers blow up once or twice during a season, even against poor teams like the now 28-43 Diamondbacks. But the consistency in bad outings is what's troubling...for the Yankees.



Pray that he's injured. The alternative isn't pretty, and "be afraid. Be very afraid".

Oh God, Burnett pitching...again.

Cheers,

Merlot

Hello Merlot,

Thats funny...my reaction when AJ is slated to pitch is exactly the opposite...I say...

Have fun,

Jman

 

[lgna69xxx]

Another outstanding performance tonight by Andy "Cy Young" Pettite, going 7 strong innings, 2er and 7 k's to improve to 9-2. looks like Girardi will have a tough choice between Andy P and Phil Hughes, as to who will start the Allstar game.


Arod goes deep, adds another 3 rbis to raise his season total to 48 and "Dont ya Know" MVP Robbie Cano actually got his 50th rbi tonight, and Big Tex got another 2 hits (thanks rumples, thanks jman, the jinx is working!, and sorry joet, you may have been replaced, heh heh)

Yanks also gained a game on both the Rays and sox as both lost ....

 

[Joe.t]

Jonathan(Smash)Papelbon, has a nice ring to it.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100623&content_id=11494004&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

 

[lgna69xxx]

Lackey once again was lit up like a christmas tree, guess money cant buy everything.. meanwhile Mo Rivera showed the complete opposite of what papelbon did, and showed why he is STILL the best closer in the game and of all time...

Granderson looking good the last couple weeks, another 3 hits tonight, as well Arod 2 more rbi's , man he got to 50 quietly, and Big Tex another .333 night (1-3) thanks rumples, thanks jman, and again joet, sorry bro!

One guy was doing this

while apparently this guy had other things on his mind

Jonathan(Smash)Papelbon, has a nice ring to it.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100623&content_id=11494004&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

 

[Special K]

Lackey once again was lit up like a christmas tree, guess money cant buy everything.. meanwhile Mo Rivera showed the complete opposite of what papelbon did, and showed why he is STILL the best closer in the game and of all time...

Granderson looking good the last couple weeks, another 3 hits tonight, as well Arod 2 more rbi's , man he got to 50 quietly, and Big Tex another .333 night (1-3) thanks rumples, thanks jman, and again joet, sorry bro!

Kinda like Javier Vazquez was again tonight! Between Javy and AJ both giving up 5+ runs each outing it won't be long before the Sox take over the top spot.

Maybe you didn't watch the game but it took big MO 40 pitches to barely escape with a W after loading the bases in the bottom of the 10th with no out. He's far from unhittable, that's for sure! Go ahead and gloat though Iggy, it's cool. There's still 90 games left to go in the season and a ton of ups and downs. By the way, your boy Tex, didn't he choke with the go ahead run in scoring position in the 9th? Yea, he did again.

 

[EagerBeaver]

SK,

Rivera's WHIP of 0.65 is the lowest of his career (his career WHIP is 1.00), and his ERA of 1.03 is lowest of his career, despite 9 other seasons of sub 2.0 ERAs. They allowed him to throw 40 pitches last night due to the off day today, but he still finished pop up, pop up, strike out, and there are very few relievers who can do that with bases loaded and nobody out, let alone do it consistently. It's because he has the control that a lot of other relievers do not have, as is evidenced by his WHIP, but also tremendous late movement on his pitches despite decreased velocity. The WHIP does not lie in his case. He is not being hit and and he is not walking too many guys. He has also saved 16 out of 17 opportunities.

The Yankees are in 1st place by 2.5 games with a number of their key guys not performing particularly well. I would say things look good for them if they stay healthy.

 

[lgna69xxx]

dont let anyone fool ya Beav, ANY team and ANY FAN in their right mind would want Mo as their closer, lol... i am just so glad Rivera never broke out into riverdance after multiple WS Championships !

SK,

Rivera's WHIP of 0.65 is the lowest of his career (his career WHIP is 1.00), and his ERA of 1.03 is lowest of his career, despite 9 other seasons of sub 2.0 ERAs. They allowed him to throw 40 pitches last night due to the off day today, but he still finished pop up, pop up, strike out, and there are very few relievers who can do that with bases loaded and nobody out, let alone do it consistently. It's because he has the control that a lot of other relievers do not have, as is evidenced by his WHIP, but also tremendous late movement on his pitches despite decreased velocity. The WHIP does not lie in his case. He is not being hit and and he is not walking too many guys. He has also saved 16 out of 17 opportunities.

The Yankees are in 1st place by 2.5 games with a number of their key guys not performing particularly well. I would say things look good for them if they stay healthy.

 

[Merlot]

Hello all,

Lackey once again was lit up like a christmas tree, guess money cant buy everything.. meanwhile Mo Rivera showed the complete opposite of what papelbon did, and showed why he is STILL the best closer in the game and of all time...

Maybe you didn't watch the game but it took big MO 40 pitches to barely escape with a W after loading the bases in the bottom of the 10th with no out. He's far from unhittable, that's for sure! Go ahead and gloat though Iggy, it's cool. There's still 90 games left to go in the season and a ton of ups and downs. By the way, your boy Tex, didn't he choke with the go ahead run in scoring position in the 9th? Yea, he did again.

I thought Lester would beat this team, but it looks like the Rockies' pitching is up for this series against the Red Sox. Since this is our first time back to Colorado since 2007 they must still be pissed at this:

Obviously the Rockies are taking out their monumental embarrassment from 2007 on the Sox. After all, what's worst than getting swept in the World Series? Answer: having the opposition in their grave with a 3-0 games lead then being put in that grave by being beaten 4 straight and not even getting to the World Series.

Yeah, I know I love to bring this up. Did a New York paper say: "WORST POSTSEASON COLLAPSE IN BASEBALL HISTORY" (actually all in caps) Your soooooo welcome...lol.

meanwhile Mo Rivera...showed why he is STILL the best closer in the game and of all time...

If he is still who he was that includes the infrequent habit of BLOWING the biggest games and BLOWING Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS. No one on the Yankees side was more key to the Red Sox 2004 ALCS victory than Mo Rivera!!! Many thanks again to Mo from Red Sox Nation.

Love you Mo bro.


Cheerio,

Merlot

 

[Joe.t]

i am just so glad Rivera never broke out into riverdance after multiple WS Championships !

That's because he's not gay, not that I have anything against gays, infact I would love to have Youkilis playing for the Yankees.

 

[Jman47]

That's because he's not gay, not that I have anything against gays, infact I would love to have Youkilis playing for the Yankees.

And why say anything when a picture is worth 1,000 words...here's a thou...

Some things never change...segway to my signature...

Have fun,

Jman


PS Hey EB, wasn't that an insurmountable 8.5 game lead a little while ago!? And face it...if you were honest, you have to admit ole Mo has lost his "automatic" edge...

And yup, the Sox blew the game (1 game)...but what you pinstriped morons totally forgot was they lit up the NL's best (probably the All Star starter) for 6 runs in 5 2/3....

SK...absolutely spot on as usual...

 

[lgna69xxx]

yea i guess if having a era of 1.03 so far this season, which by the way is the best of his amazing career, but he is also 40, then yea, guess he might not be 100% automatic anymore,(99% is still pretty darn good eh?) but then again, i think Yankees fans will take "ole Mo" over the "Dancing Queen" anyday, Bwa..ah..ah.. ah...ahahahahahaah!

for your viewing pleasure bro....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctzIEjjOfd4

if you were honest, you have to admit ole Mo has lost his "automatic" edge...
..

 

[lgna69xxx]

well, lets hope that doesnt ever happen, i will take Big Tex anyday, he may not have a high batting average but even a slump for him means almost 50 rbis in less than half a season, and his defense is among the best of all first basemen in the game. imagine once he gets hot and starts to hit.

That's because he's not gay, not that I have anything against gays, infact I would love to have Youkilis playing for the Yankees.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

The Yankees are in 1st place by 2.5 games with a number of their key guys not performing particularly well. I would say things look good for them if they stay healthy.

One guy underperforming, Beav. Teixeria. Meanwhile, Cano, Cervelli, and Gardner are all significantly over performing, though Cervelli has returned to Earth to some degree. Don't say A-Rod, who is 35 and chronically injured. He's still a good player, but his days among the elite are now just a memory.

Meanwhile, the Sox have played the entire season without Beckett and Ellsbury, both of whom will be back for the second half. The only player on the Sox who can be said to be overperforming might be Beltre.

 

[EagerBeaver]

One guy underperforming, Beav. Teixeria.

This is simply not true. As you have recently pointed out, Burnett is in a terrible slump, and has underperformed. Jeter, A-Rod, Joba Chamberlain, Dave Robertson, Javy Vazquez, have all largely underperformed to various degrees. CC Sabathia has been OK, but not dominant as he can be for stretches and possibly will be in the second half. I think Curtis Granderson has also been okay and is capable of performing better than he has. His overall stats against lefties are not good, but he has had some good at bats against good lefties and I think he is going to improve a lot.

The Yankees team has not really gelled and if they do, nobody is going to beat them. The Red Sox have overachieved offensively, the truth is that their lineup is not as good as it was in past years and is not nearly as good as the Yankees is, and over 162 games it will show. Their pitching probably will be better second half than it was first half, and that may keep them close, but it is the totality of the team, not just one facet, that makes the team. The Yankees have a very complete team, with the exception that they are a little low on outfield depth (which is very fixable) and probably need one more consistent and reliable guy in the bullpen (also very fixable). These are not big issues. They are resolvable issues and for someone like Brian Cashman, they are fucking peonic problems that barely scratch the the surface of his mind. It's not like he will be asked to rebuild the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

[Special K]

Oh boy, I can't wait to hear Rumples response to this one! LMAO!!

 

[Merlot]

Whew all,

Pedroia leads Red Sox past Rockies

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Dustin-Pedroia-powers-Boston-Red-Sox-past-Colorado-Rockies

DENVER (AP)

Dustin Pedroia hit three home runs, including a tiebreaking shot off Huston Street in the 10th inning, and went 5 for 5 with five RBIs to lift the Boston Red Sox over the Colorado Rockies 13-11 in a wild game Thursday night that lasted nearly five hours.

Boston averted a three-game sweep in a rematch of the 2007 World Series and bailed out closer Jonathan Papelbon after he squandered a late lead at Coors Field for the second straight night.

"That was a crazy game," Pedroia said. "It was mentally draining. I'm just happy we won."

continued...

Well, Matsuzaka wasn't great, but he did a decent job. It sure wasn't his fault for the collapse that almost happened. The middle relief and Papelbon has totally sucked...sucked...sucked against Colorado. Looking at these three games we should have swept the Rockies...again.

This is simply not true. As you have recently pointed out, Burnett is in a terrible slump, and has underperformed. Jeter, A-Rod, Joba Chamberlain, Dave Robertson, Javy Vazquez, have all largely underperformed to various degrees. CC Sabathia has been OK, but not dominant as he can be for stretches and possibly will be in the second half. I think Curtis Granderson has also been okay and is capable of performing better than he has. His overall stats against lefties are not good, but he has had some good at bats against good lefties and I think he is going to improve a lot.

The Yankees team has not really gelled and if they do, nobody is going to beat them. The Red Sox have overachieved offensively, the truth is that their lineup is not as good as it was in past years and is not nearly as good as the Yankees is, and over 162 games it will show. Their pitching probably will be better second half than it was first half, and that may keep them close, but it is the totality of the team, not just one facet, that makes the team. The Yankees have a very complete team, with the exception that they are a little low on outfield depth (which is very fixable) and probably need one more consistent and reliable guy in the bullpen (also very fixable). These are not big issues. They are resolvable issues and for someone like Brian Cashman, they are fucking peonic problems that barely scratch the the surface of his mind. It's not like he will be asked to rebuild the Brooklyn Bridge.

Joba and AJ have always had temperament issues and have always been prone to collapse. Vasquez has always had trouble in the American League. A-Rod become the player he would have been and has come a bit closer to Earth without "HELP". Sabathia's fairly young has gotten him past that over-weight physique, but it will be a problem and a bigger problem as the years pass, and it might be starting to show up now. Maybe Jeter is just aging a bit. Your stars are aging and losing a step, including Mo. Last year they over-achieved through an extremely lucky run of consistent good health. Now reality is setting in.

So when are you and Cashman going to make this official. You sound like Joe.t and his love for Cano, Rodriguez, Teixeira ...well ...every Yankee ...lol. Cashman is certainly no genius. The cure is simply Yankee CASH not Cashman's pseudo-genius. There is no genius in outspending everyone else outrageously for the best talent available. Do you really think there was any team GM who couldn't see that Rdoriguez, Sabathia, and Teixeira were the best available...at the time? The difference was obscene CASH!

The Red Sox have middle relief problems regarding consistency, and Papelbon's mistakes have been costly lately. They may have over-achieved considering several key players have had long absences, but they will only be better when those players return. The key to offense has been the contributions of Ortiz, making everyone else more effective, and Martinez has not only gotten a hot bat of late but has become at least a passable defensive catcher whose getting better. But the fact is we have some damn good players and others who fill their role well, and often come through in the clutch.

Oh boy, I can't wait to hear Rumples response to this one! LMAO!!

It's sure has to be more fun to see than watching Iggy kiss his fellow Yankee fans' butt.

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[lgna69xxx]

why should he respond? Beav is SPOT ON! (as usual)

Oh boy, I can't wait to hear Rumples response to this one! LMAO!!

 

[Jman47]

This is simply not true. As you have recently pointed out, Burnett is in a terrible slump, and has underperformed. Jeter, A-Rod, Joba Chamberlain, Dave Robertson, Javy Vazquez, have all largely underperformed to various degrees. CC Sabathia has been OK, but not dominant as he can be for stretches and possibly will be in the second half. I think Curtis Granderson has also been okay and is capable of performing better than he has. His overall stats against lefties are not good, but he has had some good at bats against good lefties and I think he is going to improve a lot.

The Yankees team has not really gelled and if they do, nobody is going to beat them. The Red Sox have overachieved offensively, the truth is that their lineup is not as good as it was in past years and is not nearly as good as the Yankees is, and over 162 games it will show. Their pitching probably will be better second half than it was first half, and that may keep them close, but it is the totality of the team, not just one facet, that makes the team. The Yankees have a very complete team, with the exception that they are a little low on outfield depth (which is very fixable) and probably need one more consistent and reliable guy in the bullpen (also very fixable). These are not big issues. They are resolvable issues and for someone like Brian Cashman, they are fucking peonic problems that barely scratch the the surface of his mind. It's not like he will be asked to rebuild the Brooklyn Bridge.

Hello Beav,

Frankly it's good to see you back at the pen. I have been absent myself allot lately but that was in part due to the lack of intellectual challenge here in the thread. I will refrain on much of my commentary for now relative to your comments, because frankly I'd love to see what Rumples has to say...LOL. However, I did want to immortalize your comments because come September...I may want to reflect heavily on them. I may comment more in a day or so...'cause I can site many things that were wrong when the sky was falling in Boston back in April that are astronomically right now with no signs of letting up...not to mention all of the potential upsides that are lurking.

However, I wanted to mention one thing...seems to be a point I made a year ago in the BB thread...the Yankees have always had problems gelling as a team...its the price you pay when you assemble too many large ego's in one place. Chemistry and team work are what makes a winner...and frankly, thats what I see on the Red Sox right now...should be fun the rest of the season. Remember...it's a 162 game marathon...and it looks like some of the Yankee sprinters and past 'roid users are starting to show signs not only of age but also possibly of 'roid abuse.

Have fun,

Jman

PS Hey Merlot...I think it's stupid shit™ ... LOL

PPS Hey Mo...don't worry about that guy on first...he doesn't mean anything...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Dave Roberts as you battle Lymphoma...you will always be remembered in the Nation...

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

You know, Beav, you've spouted some awfully stupid shit through your pinstriped colored glasses over the years, but this wins the prize.

One by one:

Burnett: In his case, it's not called a slump. It's called inconsistent. Inconsistency is the hallmark of his career.

Jeter: His power is up, his average is down. Last year was the anomaly on a career path trending down, normal for his age. He's having a better year than 2008.

Rodriguez: Already discussed. 35, chronic hip injury. What do you expect? A career on the downswing. Good thing they only owe him $198,000,000.

Robertson: Relievers are notoriously unreliable, otherwise they'd be starters. Robertson was a non-prospect who had a remarkably good year last year. Last year was the surprise, not this.

Chamberlain: Million dollar arm, ten cent head. He sucks and will likely be pitching elsewhere next year if they can get anything for him.

Sabathia: Pitching better than his career norms. You're again full of shit Beav.

Granderson: .250 hitter in Detroit. What, did you think Yankee pride was going to turn him into a star?

As for Cashburn, and his pea-brain, (I notice that you misspelled pea), it took this classic underachiever $2 billion to buy a championship. He sucks, which is why he needs to trade Chamberlain. He needs to be the top suckee in NYC.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Just re-read your bullshit post again, Beav. Name one Red Sox hitter, not named Beltre, who is overachieving. Careful here, i'll be back with facts.