Opening Day 2009 at the New Yankee Stadium, the starting pitcher is --

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yu_Darvish

You don’t think the yanks will be once bitten, twice shy?

I have no idea. But I’m sure Hankenstein does.

Darvish is like a rock star in Japan, so the revenue, even though only from a starting pitcher going once every five days, could be enormous. Far ahead that of Matsuzaka.

Yeah, the Yanks will definitely make a big push for Darvish. The Red Sox could bid a crazy amount, just knowing that whatever they bid, the Yanks will beat it.

By the by, I prefer the listed record for the Yankees.

And obviously, it being a secret bid, the Red Sox would NOT do as I just mentioned.

I don’t think the posting for Darvish will be that much more than it was for Matsuzaka. Only difference will be that there won’t be a team that almsot doubles the next closest bid.

What the Yankees really need is more bad luck on line drives.

That opening half inning sucked.

Hey!  We made Jackson throw 18 pitches that inning!

I’m into the small victories.

yeah well, bad luck is one thing getting K’d isn’t so much luck.

Walding has decided to jinx Wang right off the bat - “Wang has only allowed one home run all year.”

Boy do I love Wang.

I think as a general statement it can be said that we all greatly enjoy Wang on a regular basis.

You betcha by golly wow.

gameday is having some issues did Wang walk Upton?

But there’s something really special about our Wang, that you don’t see in many men.

I liked that half inning better.

BoSox up three on Baltimore in the first.

there it is, never mind.

Upton walked.  Pena K’d looking.

Clog ‘em, Giambi!

"I’m not a stat guy and I’m proud of it!”

We know, Sterling, we know you’re proud of your ignorance.

Baseclogger does his thing in an unusual fashion.

Base by base - 2008 Yankee baseball.

Prove me wrong, Cano!

Melky!

apparently Beckett won the Cy Young last year. Hmm, don’t remember that happening. But if the MLB front page says it, it must be true.

How embarrassing must if feel for Ensburg to lose his job to the AG?

Brian- I think the money makes up for it.

Holy shit, it really says that. How embarrassing for THEM.

They tried their best to get a DP.

C’mon, AG!!

Un-fucking-believable.

I hate everything.

Silly WOE.

The giant sucking sound is is fine voice already tonight.

if it weren’t so depressing this would be hilarious.

What’s with the control?!

Helluva 3-2 pitch, Wang.

That’s the double play I like to see.

At least Molina can’t GDP when he’s leading off the inning.

I love it when Wang whips out his...double play ball.

don’t doubt Molina, he in THE Molino, holder of prowess, he can do anything.

What’s the over under on number of weeks before Giambi’s BA cracks .200?

What was that, three pitches?

See ball, hit ball

37 pitches through 3 for Jackson.  Awesome.

What’s the over/under on number of runs the yankees score in this four game series?  5?

I think it will come out someday that Jeter is playing with a dislocated eyeball or something.

i’ll take the under.

Stop fucking around, Wang! It’s freakin’ Jason Bartlett!!

See! Just go after the guy!

I was surprised to see Cliff Floyd in the game. I thought he was dead.  Like, ashes in an urn dead.

Great, the Yankees’ offense is shitty as usual, but now Wang is looking shaky. I’m sure he’ll manage to get by without getting hit too badly, but he’s unlikely to pitch a shutout, which apparently is what he needs to do.

This is ungood.

it also seems unlikely he’s going to get deep into the game. Not a good thing.

I was surprised to see Cliff Floyd in the game. I thought he was dead.  Like, ashes in an urn dead.

Sippin’ scotch with Big Russ?

Wang is looking shaky with 3 BB, so the TB announcer’s advice to Upton: jump on him early. Result: fly ouy, a long way, yes, but a fly out nonetheless. Definitely don’t make him throw strikes or anything.

Jonathan- If I was Tim Russert, I probably would have just frown at him for a full minute before replying.

Whoa, that strike call was pretty f’n generous.

Giambi is gonna have an OBP higher than .350 with a BA lower than .200. So weird.

Baseclogger, pumping up his ISOs.

Holy shit, it really says that. How embarrassing for THEM.

Yeah, see, this is why I think all the Beckett hype has gotten out of control.

Melky definitely wouldn’t have struck out if Jason hadn’t been standing on first looking all cloggish.

Best part about that headline is that Beckett just gave up a 4 spot in the 3rd.

Beckett has allowed 8 hits through 3 IP…

... to Baltimore.

Also, Cy Beckett tonight (so far): 3 IP, 8(!) H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 3, K, 1 HR

0-2 count and he gives him that.

And because I love doing this:

I’m disappointed that Josh has caught Moose in IP, but Moose has the ERA lead back! Woohoo!

Ballgame?

Game over?

Forfeit now, save the pen.

Wow, we’re an optimistic bunch.

Giambi will hit for the cycle plus a walk, so the game’s not over.

Giambi will hit for the cycle plus a walk,

On his PSP?

You gotta give me the triple.

Rilke, that doesn’t sound like you...has someone taken over your keyboard?

I’m not sure I really believe there _are_ real triples, or anyway not many.

If Giambi hits a triple I’ll eat every one of my shoes, including all three pairs of my spikes.

[73] Attempted jocularity through demotic lexicon.

"Attempted jocularity through demotic lexicon”

I love it when you attempt to climb down from your ivory tower.

When was the last time this team won in a stress-free blowout fashion?

last year?

Seattle.

Which wasn’t THAT long ago - it just feels that way.

This is just so damn painful.

Well, it’s A triple.

Gorgeous.

That was such a dumb play, Hinske. Thank you. We’ll take it.

Okay, so how do they not score this inning? Line drive hits a bird, deflects to the third baseman who tags out Jeter?

Now how won’t they score?

I’m not sure I really believe there _are_ real triples, or anyway not many.

Does that put Jeter’s SLG over .400?

Walk Abreu, and he can get out of it with a GIDP.

Jonathan, I request the hurling smiley.

Okay, so how do they not score this inning? Line drive hits a bird, deflects to the third baseman who tags out Jeter?

Even in an indoor stadium the Yankee would find a way.

Some interesting minor league news today: Kevin Whelan was activated in Tampa and pitched a scoreless inning. JB Cox was promoted to Scranton. To fill his spot, Mark Melancon was promoted to Trenton.

"What Abreu should do here is sit on a fastball”

So he whiffs on a sinker.

This is so dreadful.

Why did Jeter not score on that groundout?

If the Yankees don’t score here I’m going to dinner. Of course if they do I’m going to dinner anyways. I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m hungry and I’m going to dinner.

They were playing the infield in to cut off the run.

Derek: steal home please.

You gotta be kidding me.

I’d say unbelievable, but we all know that’d be a lie.

The Moirae give, the Moirae take away.  (translation into the American for fgas: real fucking funny, fate.)

fuck! I’m going to dinner.

ditto.

::puke::

Jonathan, I request the hurling smiley.

Seems appropriate after that inning.

Thank you, kind sir.

Anyone remember the last Yankee dinger?

Oh right, Jeter and Betemit both homered on Saturday.

2 runs please?  That would be fantastic.  I can’t wait to have ARod back…

Yeah, next week can’t get here fast enough. Imagining A-Rod batting clean-up...it is a good thought.

Holy crap he has 2 hits.

Come on, Melky - show off that newfound power!

Fuck. That should be a double.

Holy crap he has 2 hits.

double oops

If this doesn’t work - I give up.

Come on, Robbie!! Blast one!

Sweet fixed it myself - now I don’t feel as bad.

Back to the game...the Yankees really want to hit into double plays.

For some reason when someone messes with the italics, it doesn’t get fixed on my browser when it’s fixed for other people it seems like.

"The Moirae give, the Moirae take away.  (translation into the American for fgas: real fucking funny, fate.)”

I don’t get your fancy long latinate words, like “fucking.”

I think I mentioned it last time Jackson was pitching well against the Yankees. It is easy to forget, but at one point, Jackson was probably THE top pitching prospect in all of baseball. So it’s not THAT surprising to see him pitch well.

I actually don’t think I’d pinch-hit Shelley here. I’d let the AG take a shot.

Come on lucky bloop single.

Is there any pitcher who doesn’t look like an ace against us these days? When Hughes comes back he should rehab against the Yankees as a moral booster.

Aw, fuck. Strong Mad is the hitter? When we need a single? That’s who we’re going with? What the hell?

Odds on Yankees scoring .001

Is there any pitcher who doesn’t look like an ace against us these days?

Erik Bedard. Felix Hernandez. Carlos Silva.

Alright one more wild pitch!

I agree with you, Lynch.

127:how true

Runner at third. Bump that up to .002

Wow. That not-a-double by Giambi really hurt (I mean, the not being a double part (if we don’t score)).

AG could have done that.

I really don’t get pinch-hitting for him when, as John mentioned, all we needed was a single and AG is actually batting near .300!

I called that. Sadly, very sadly, I said, he’s gonna go down looking after the WP.

Giambi hit a double, he would’ve make it easily. Fuck, we just can’t score.

He would not have made it easily. He’s slow and the fielder fielded it quickly.

Girardi should have put Moeller into the 8th spot and Ensberg in the 9th spot.

Erik Bedard. Felix Hernandez. Carlos Silva

Fair enough, but that seems like an eternity ago.

WOE.

That said, yeah, extremely frustrating. I’m still pissed about the idea of pinch-hitting Duncan there. What’s the thought process? With a runner on first, fine, but otherwise, it was a runner on second with a .188 hitter or a .290 hitter (small sample size, of course), and they decided to go with the .188 hitter?

Last year when the Yankees were bad they at least gave you a few thrills losing 9-8, terrible in close or extra innings games.  This team, at least sans Arod and Po, is just plain BORING.

130:Bedard was unlucky and looked like an ace against us.  I had a bet that he would give up less then 2 runs if he went at least 6 and I was very unlucky to lose that bet.

This team is so boring that they deserve Seling and Waldman

Predictable. I think Strong Mad, other than *maybe* (and it’s a big *maybe*) Giambi, is the last player you would choose to put at the plate when what you need/want is a single. And he can’t even play third base, so it’s even worse. I mean, if you have to play Ensberg, why not have him hit? As a bonus, you would get a player who has actually hit Major League pitching before!

Seriously, Duncan has one “skill”: every now and then he gets lucky and runs into a fastball with that take-no-prisoners swing of his. It’s that *last* thing you need when you’re down a run with a man on second.

Girardi should have put Moeller into the 8th spot and Ensberg in the 9th spot.

Sterling has to realize the Yankees have a short supply of hitters on the 40-man roster, that’s why the bench is so short.

Yeah, I know Duncan was Shane Spencer 2.0 last season, but enough is enough, the guy kinda stinks.

Shields is probably anxious to get his first no-hitter tomorrow.

Abreu-Matsui-Giambi in the ninth is as good of a shot as the Yanks will get.

I guess if the Yankees pinch hit for Molina here then they got an extra inning of his defense in exchange for losing one player...maybe that is worth it.

So I doubt we’ll do better then split the next two against TB and then have to deal with Santana and Perez over the weekend.  The season could get late early.

Yeah, bebop, but the Yanks can still seriously win this game. Even this shitty offense can score A run, right?

Seriously, why is Molina hitting here?

When the AG hit into the DP after Cano’s near DP I realized that it was time to surf the channels

Perez

I know it feels like everyone is an ace against the Yanks right now, but are we seriously worried about Oliver Perez (more than other pitchers, I mean)?

BC takes two to win-that’s asking a l

Wang’s not going to invite the guys to his birthday party.

Perez is a lefty - he is going to annihilate this Yankees offense.

I know it feels like everyone is an ace against the Yanks right now, but are we seriously worried about Oliver Perez (more than other pitchers, I mean)?

With all the lefties in the lineup, I sorta am.

If this is a typical Yankee game, Jeter’ll get on, and maybe Abreu before Matsui pops up.

And then Giambi will get a lead-off walk before a pop up and then a GIDP.

Well good - it’s atypical to the point where the Yanks are actually sorta set up for the ninth.

Abreu-Matsui-Giambi is as good of a shot as they’ll get.

Oliver Perez blows.

But the Yankee offense blows more.  I foresee 2+ no-hitters by the end of this week.

BoSox have ‘em loaded with no outs in the 7th with Manny up.

And Manny grounded into a double play home to first - no runs scored. Wow.

Joba vs. Longoria is an interesting matchup.

Baltimore got out of it without a run scoring, still lead 5-3 in the middle of the 7th.

And fuck, we really don’t need a bad Joba appearance.

Yeah, BoSox have bases loaded, no out for Manny in the 7th, down two runs. Jim Johnson gets ahead of Manny 0-2, Manny fouls off five pitches, works in a couple of balls, and then on the 10th pitch hits in to the 1-2-3 double play. Lowell then flies out.

That’s epic shit right there. I shoulda tuned in, but I was so scared that Manny would crush the pitch as soon as I did, that I stayed away.

So, Cliff Floyd, still not dead.

For crissakes, Joba! Throw fucking strikes.

I see Joba is reprising the role normally played by Krazy Kyle.  I’d rather he didn’t.

I think the Yankee suckness has infected Joba.

Odds Joba is hiding an injury?

Molina has to make that play.

Please catch the baseball.

Or I guess Molina knew what was coming.

Since the Yankees aren’t going to score anyhow, it doesn’t matter if Joba give up no runs or ten runs. 

Or a DP is nice too.

Wow. An optimal outcome. Shocking.

Don’t celebrate too hard, Joba.

Ha!

I dunno what’s up with Joba, but it sure doesn’t seem like typical Joba.

Did Joba pump his fist and scream “Fuck you, Goose and Mike and Mad Dog!” as he walked off the field?

Wow.

Thank you, Hideki.

GODZILLA!!!!

Fukkin A.

FUCK YES!!!

Matsui!  Wahooo!  Oh that feels good.

I haz another one now, please?

I can has runs plz?

We are so predictable.

I think gameday is broken - it claims Yankees just tied the score off Percival.

OH YES!!!! HI-FUCKING-DE-FUCKING-KI MA-FUCKING-TSU-FUCKING-I!!!!!!!!!!

GOD FUCKING ZILLA!!!!

Wang hates Matsui so much right now.

The key was that there was no one on base.

Meh.  They’re just delaying the inevitable.

Wang hates Matsui so much right now.

Please tell me the Yankees aren’t prepared to bring in the Farns if this game remains tied.

You mean Girardi’s BFF Farnsy?

I think I’d swap Melky and Cano in the lineup.

Mo last pitched on the 10th. You have to pitch him here no matter what.

And yes, I know it’d make three four lefties in a row, but eh, Melky has been annoying me.

Jeter might have the Maxim women, but Matsui has the power of the WIFE!

Yeah, in the midst of a terrible stretch of games, the Yanks are going to place their fate in the hands of Farnsworth?

It’s idiotic.

Hell, I’d sooner send Joba out there, and Joba looks iffy.

Is Gameday right about how far out of the zone Cano is going?

Man, they still sorta suck, don’t they?

And they’re going to let Farnsworth pitch the 9th. So freakin’ dumb. Let Mo pitch two innings and THEN you let Farnsworth pitch. Which scenario is more likely to result in a win? Seriously, it’s a no-brainer.

Another lineout for Cano?  Jeez.

This may get bad. Mendoza would be nice here.

About this inning, I do not have a good feeling.

Farnsworth remembers Navarro hitting that game-winning dinger last year.

Sure, put the game-winning run on base, Farnsy.

Maybe they should swap Giambi and Abreu in the batting order the next couple of games.

Jonathan- Well, giving up a HR isn’t optimial either.

Oh man, this is extremely scary. Iwamura is a guy you totally can see getting a single off of Farnsworth.

Ozzieball?
REALLY?
Against Farnsworth?

I can say only this to defend the decision to pitch Farnsworth:

Based on some research I’ve done (since the debate here at RLYW), a one run lead in the bottom of the ninth or later is the most critical situation for a pitcher, assuming you are bringing the pitcher in only to start the inning. Therefore, if you think it is highly likely that you will score only one run at some point *and* you will not pitch Mo for two innings, then it makes sense to hold Mo back.

Even with the way our offense is going, I do not think that the likelihood of scoring exactly one run is so high that you don’t use Mo here. And if not Mo, perhaps not Krazy Kyle. *sigh*

By the by, Sterling is nuts - a bunt was totally normal there - he’s acting like it is a controversial move.

Maybe the crazy-Girardi-logic is that the Yankees are not going to score in the 10th with Ensberg-Molina-Damon so he figures he’ll save Mo for the 10th and 11th.  Yeah, that almost makes sense.

Brian- It is against Farnsworth.

*and* you will not pitch Mo for two innings, then it makes sense to hold Mo back.

In any event, he got out of it! </