On the bright side, that 42% WE is about the same chance Philly had 24 hours ago, and look where they are now!  A win tonight and the Yankees are right back in it.

Also, if I’m not mistaken, the Yankees have a better percentage chance to win the WS today than they did even after the sweep of Minnesota.

‘Ugh’ is the best way to describe this feeling. Lee has been unhittable, so this isn’t too difficult for me to swallow. But the fact that they had just a poor showing all around kind of sucks. Thank goodness for a game today.

Hughes ducked the media apparently.

LoHud:

Phil Hughes, in particular, has struggled and Hughes seemed to be upset with plate ump Gerry Davis as he walked off the mound. “I think he was trying to be too fine,” Eiland said of Hughes. “Instead of just attacking, he was trying to be too fine. Instead of being in attack mode, he was pitching maybe – I’ll stop short of timid – but he was trying to be too fine.”

Later, Eiland did use the word “timidness” in describing how several of his young relievers may have been handling their first World Series appearances.

It’s part of the maturation process. They’ll step up, as will AJ and the offense.

I was wondering about where good Hughes has gone, so I checked his IP total. He’s at 110 IP (including time at SWB). He went 105.1 in 2008 and 141 in 2007. So while this isn’t uncharted territory, it’s the first time he’s put up a lot of innings as a reliever, it’s a little more than he pitched last year, and it’s gotta be the longest season of his career (in terms of the calendar). It seems to me that he’s lost a 1 or 2 mph on his fastball, and certainly some control. I wouldn’t think it’s unreasonable to chalk it up to fatigue. That said, if it ain’t workin’, Girardi needs to find something that does work.

Marte perhaps?

Robertson also pitched well enough so as not to lose Girardi’s confidence.

I think if I’m Joe, I put Hinske in LF tonight.  Does anyone know a good place to get Batter vs. Pitcher stats so we can see his numbers against Pedro?  Swisher has looked completely lost.

*LF = RF

No way do you change the lineup, IMO. This team has won you 110 games and is 4 away from the World Series. You don’t hit the panic button after Cliff Lee makes you look stupid. You go after Pedro tonight and you take it one game at a time.

[8 & 9] I think I’d rather start Gardner and CF and Melky in RF (if you take Swisher out).  Hinkse hasn’t seen live pitching in a few weeks, and really isn’t that good defensively.  If Hinkse doesn’t hit, he has no value.  Gardner at least has other value if he isn’t hitting.

[10] I don’t think it’s pushing the panic button - Swisher hasn’t looked good at the plate in a month.

At this point, I would stick with Swisher.

Say what you want about Swisher, but he’s done a Q&A with MLB.com after every single postseason game, despite his incredible suckitude. Better than running and hiding.

Ok, I know we’ve said this before but it’s really time for people not named A-Rod, Jeter, Posada, and maybe Matsui to start hitting.  Everyone else has been hitting worse then we all feared Gardner might back in spring training only without the speed and defense. 

[11] - I agree but at the same time a 162 game seasons worth of data means a hell of a lot more than the 10 post-season games so far.  If it were up to me I’d be sticking with my best until it’s over.

We need some good Bam Bam Funkhouser mojo tonight. Or some magic loogie.

[12] I agree, but you’re not going to find a pot of gold at the end of the Eric Hinske or Jerry Hairston rainbow. 1-9, this is the team.

Yea, I feel like you really can’t justify using Hinske. In 30 career AB against Pedro, he’s hit .267/.303/.367. Not exactly killing it. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

It’s definitely broke though. Just there’s nothing to fix it with.

The way to fix it is for the guys who have performed all year to snap out of it and perform now. The way to do that is to put them in the lineup and let them get their 3 or 4 AB’s. That’s all you can do.

I still believe Swisher will be fine.  The whole team looked awful against Lee last night.  Veras happens. 

If nothing else, even if Pedro pitches well the Yankees will likely see the Philly bullpen.  They don’t need a total gem from A.J. tonight, he just needs to keep them in the game.

I remain optimistic.

The other thing you can do is call into Mike Francessa and ask for Girardi to be fired, I guess.

I’m calling Girardi and asking for Fransesser to be fired.
We’ll be fine tonight.

To quote a philosopher: “It’s not like it’s the end of the world.”

Let’s just watch the game, and have some fun, and complain, and hope the Yankee bats break out. After all, they broke a streak of scoreless 18 innings in the WS last night in the ninth. Maybe they will get lucky and score a few tonight.

[15]  I *did* mention IF you replace Swisher.  I’m fine starting him.  But if Girardi feels he should give Swisher the day off (for whatever reason), I think it makes more sense to go with Gardner than Hinske.

[25] - Yeah, I was agree with your Gardner point and then I was talking about the situation in general.  Sorry if I wasn’t more clear.

Let’s go Yankees.

Does anyone besides me think the posters on this board have started apologizing to each other too much?

Really? You guys actually have confidence with AJ starting game 2 down 0-1? I sure don’t. As long as the bats can wake up, it might not matter, but we’ve been waiting for that for awhile, and it sure doesn’t look like its going to happen. Yeah, Lee looked great last night, but this isn’t the same Yankees offense from the regular season, its an offense that has been putrid all postseason. So if Pedro looks great tonight, do we heap all the praise on him too, or do we start to acknowledge that perhaps it is time to panic, just a little?

Does anyone besides me think the posters on this board have started apologizing to each other too much?

Sorry.

[28] No, shut up jerk.

[28] Go Farns yourself.

Oh, and go Yankees!  Tonight we dine in hell.  Or something.

Does anyone besides me think the posters on this board have started apologizing to each other too much?

Your stupid!

Let’s go skankees. Fuck you all. Not apologizing.

I will not apologize for my relentless pessimism! I am sorry about what we all had to watch last night though.

Just give swisher the damn day off, he hasn’t done jack squat all PS. During the regular season Girardi wasn’t afraid to swap guys out. Do it now.

Is this the apology thread? Or is it the collective “Pharns you” thread?

I was at the game last night. Easily the worst WS game I’ve attended.

Tonight I’d hope to go with the same recipe as ALCS game 6: AJ + Joba/Marte in the 7th + Mo in the 8th (if Yanks have a lead).

[28] Last nights game was particularly chippy, reminiscent of early this year or late last year. It was game 1 of the World Series, but damn.

Not that I helped any.

The banner ads are beginning to not make sense. On the bottom I have Yankees Al champs gear, totally reasonable. On the side baseball stuff, again reasonable. On the top, LSU styled checks! I’m a Yankee fan, living in Los Angeles, clearly I would have some relation ship with Louisiana State University?

ESPN pointed out that in 11 of the last 12 WS the team that won the first game won the series so SG’s win probability is off by quite a lot.  Also teams that 2/3 of their team’s offense are WOE to Absolute Zero Sub WOE have lost every World Series.

[26] No prob.  Just wanted to make sure *I* was clear.  Definitely, no need to apologize!

Or is it the collective “Pharns you” thread?

I think it is the, “lash out at others to deal with baseball-insecurity thread”.  This thread really isn’t for me; at least until the Yankees face elimination.

clearly I would have some relation ship with Louisiana State University

Isn’t “LA” the two-letter code for Louisinia?

[44] I don’t want to <strike>hear</strike> read your sass!

I’m getting the same two ads, Clay.  It’s all because of your (LA). 
Couldn’t someone make their name “Victoria’s Secret” or something?

Geaux Yankees?

Who lashed out at someone else? Besides souleater, which was yesterday. And when did you climb atop such a high horse, Mike?

All of the ads are LSU ads now.  Thanks a lot.  It’s like pouring salt on last night’s wounds.

Francesa has jumped ship on Swisher and has even suggested starting Hairston (10-27 v. Pedro) if Girardi doesn’t want to go with Gardner.

Again, I’d stick with Swish for now.

Gardner tonight?  Though apparently Hairston has good numbers against Pedro and Girardi just might consult his book.

50 beats 51 in a photo but I had the exacta

Aren’t all these numbers against Pedro from 5+ years ago?

Stick with the best lineup. The one that includes Swisher.

Who lashed out at someone else?

No one.  At least, not seriously.  My joke was ineffective.

And when did you climb atop such a high horse, Mike?

I don’t have a horse, but I’ve been adding to my soap-box for years now…

If the Girardi starts, say, Gardner, and the Yankees end up down 3-0 in the 3rd inning, he will almost definitely pinch hit with Swisher. Why even bother? Start Swisher. He breaks out tonight.

Oh, my b. Sorry Mike!

Oh wait, I mean…go Big Unit yourself, Mike.

Prediction: Swisher won’t break out tonight. I think mine is far more likely, j.

Oh wait, I mean…go Big Unit yourself, Mike.

That’s more like it!

Prediction: Swisher will K-twice, walk, and get a bloop-hit late in the game before Gardner runs for him.

[56] I haven’t read this book, but I believe in the potency of the concept.

bloop-hit

and/or be safe on a dropped third strike.

Lee was a buzz saw last night.  It happens…I’m glad they let him finish the game, because it got his pitch count up and hopefully will make him less effective if he comes back on three days rest.  While I’m not worried yet, I’d say I’m “annoyed”, a two-step downgrade from yesterday’s pre-game state of “comfortable”.  They lose tonight, I go to “worried”.  They win, I upgrade to “neutral”.  Who says you can’t control your emotions?

1) hysterical
2) worried
3) annoyed
4) neutral
5) comfortable
4) optimistic
5) ecstatic

Rich, I haven’t read it either, but it reminds me of this Dave Chappelle bit (bad language):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6KQTi9QjdQ

[61] Nice. Point taken, and if this was something that involved your life directly, I wouldn’t have brought that up (even though it was partially meant to be tongue in cheek), but this is more like a collective karma thing. Anyway, I hear ya.

Regardless, I can get behind *hoping* Swish starts hitting.

[61] I’m hankering for some meatloaf and mash potato now.

[63] How about knowing that it is more likely that Swish starts hitting than Hinske or Hairston or Gardner contribute more than he does?

[63] How about knowing that it is more likely that Swish starts hitting than Hinske or Hairston or Gardner contribute more than he does?

How is trying to stretch a single but getting thrown out at second contributing, that’s what I’m forecasting.

Not that you want to hear from Sox fans, but last night reminded me a lot of the 86 WS, when Bruce Hurst went to Shea and shut down the Mets. It was great but what killed the Sox, besides karma and ghosts and other mythical bullshit, was that we went back to Fenway and got schooled for two games. Tonight is not do-or-die, it’s just a game to decide how important the next one is. 1-1 should be plenty comfortable; 0-2 would be big pressure, but still a long way from over.

I wonder if the high pitch count puts Lee in position for game 5 instead of 4?

Gardner also improves the D but whatever Girardi does is sort of a Sophie’s Choice.

Did some fools actually boo Arod last night?

So a friend from Europe showed up unexpectedly yesterday so I missed most of the game while shopping/cooking/entertaining.  Was there anything positive to take away, or should I just go about suppressing all knowledge of the loss as usual?

[69] Now we know why we lost!

Was there anything positive to take away, or should I just go about suppressing all knowledge of the loss as usual?

1) CC clearly didn’t have his best stuff but still went 7 and the only two runs he let up were HR to one of the 5 best players in the NL
2) Jeter got 3 hits
3) Marte continued to look good
4) Since it can’t get worse, tonight should be better

Ah Jeter was good, CC held Phils in check wo his best stuff and Manuel let Lee throw 120+ pitches with a 5 run lead that might hurt him in the future.  Slim Pickens.

Guys, you could’ve put a lineup of Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby, Cal Ripken Jr., George Brett, Barry Bonds, Ty Cobb, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, and Josh Gibson all in their primes up against Cliff Lee last night, and he’d have plowed through them like a buzz saw. He had one of those games elite pitchers sometimes have where their shit just doesn’t smell. (Cf. Carl Hubbell in the 1934 All-Star Game.)

Shit happens, move on, and become Pedro’s Daddy tonight.

if we’re going to become pedro’s daddy, doesn’t that kind of make the yankees their own granddad at this point?

I think Swishers body is starting to fade right out of this picture!

Marte didn’t actually look especially good, he got the two worst strike calls in the game in his favor and then Kd a batter he should have walked.

Yeah, Lee was amazing.  I’ve never seen a pitcher without obviously dominating stuff so routinely make good hitters in hitters’ counts look stupid. 

Frustrating, as his stuff on TV just doesn’t look that dominating, except for the change…

As long as the bats can wake up, it might not matter, but we’ve been waiting for that for awhile, and it sure doesn’t look like its going to happen.

Didn’t they score ten runs three games ago?  Didn’t they have a six run inning two games ago?

I’ve never seen a pitcher without obviously dominating stuff so routinely make good hitters in hitters’ counts look stupid.

Pinpoint control and command is the most dominating stuff there is.  He didn’t throw a pitch in the middle of the strike zone all night, and he probably only threw a half a dozen or so that didn’t go pretty much exactly where he wanted them to.  And besides, he was ahead of everybody all game long.  How many good hitters counts were there?

[few positives snipped]

Thanks.  I was certainly perplexed why Lee finished the game - not only because he’s now tired, but also because at least one guy from the bullpen could have gotten a little work and his feet wet.

“and he’d have plowed through them like a buzz saw”

How does one know this?  He was hitting his spots all around and outside the zone with multiple pitches?  He had very good movement/velocity/separation?  He didn’t miss at all in the zone?  Sadly I don’t pick up on this kind of stuff watching a game.

Didn’t they get shut doewn by Pavano and Blackburn, Lackey and Saunders(once)?  Except for Jeter, Arod and Melky the offense has underperformed throughout the playoffs.  And Tex and Swish have really underperformed.

[78] Oops, should have refreshed and read before posting.

Lee’s curve seemed pretty dominating at times.

“And besides, he was ahead of everybody all game long.”

I read somewhere he threw ~50% first-pitch balls.

I think that lineup on a good day could have squeaked out more than one unearned last night.

at one point he threw ball 1 to six straight guys, and there were lots of 2-1 counts, 2-0 counts—that was my point:  normally you think a performance where the pitcher dominates via command as involving jumping ahead of everybody.  Lee could get behind and still make guys look silly.  I do think he almost never missed in the zone. 

also, I think I/we just underestimate the power of the elite changeup.  I was taught to believe that a changeup meant very little without a top fastball; Lee’s fastball never exceeds 92 and I don’t see crazy Madduxian late movement or anything.  but nobody hit it hard all night.

Ok, let’s call Swish Wendy Wheelchair for tonight, and see if that shames him into performing better.

[79] Realizing that nobody wants to hear this, I will nonetheless point out that Blackburn, Lackey and Saunders are very good pitchers.  And Lee is even better than very good, and also on an incredible run right now.  It is to be expected that hitters will under-perform in the post-season, because they are facing better pitchers and managers generally won’t allow games to get to garbage time.

As for Pavano, there’s the whole blind squirrel thing, but we already did that one to death.

I read somewhere he threw ~50% first-pitch balls.

Really?  He only threw 42 balls all night, and he faced 32 batters.  I suppose that it could be true that he threw 17 first pitch balls, but it would surprise me.  But anyway, 1-0 is not what I usually think of when somebody says “good hitters count.”  I don’t remember a whole lot of 2-0 or 3-1 counts last night.  Then again, I was fighting a losing battle against a migraine, so who knows?

[83] Which one?  The 2009 Yankees, or that Ruth-Gehrig-Mays-Cobb-Gibson thing?

I think I/we just underestimate the power of the elite changeup.  I was taught to believe that a changeup meant very little without a top fastball…

Yeah, I think a lot of us were taught that, and a lot of us were taught wrong.

Hairston and Molina in tonight.  Genius I tells ya.

[89] Did you hear a line up or sumtin’?

At least Gardner upgrade your outfield D.  From what I’ve seen of Hairston he’s not very good in LF and his lifetime OPS+ 85 is underwhelming to say the least.
Hairston/Melky/Molina hitting 7/8/9 the rest of the team better be en fuego.

Hairston and Molina in tonight.  Genius I tells ya.

Now I’m fighting a migraine too.  I don’t give a crap about Hairston’s 10-for-27 or whatever against pre-2004 or whatever Pedro.  He’s the 7th best outfielder on the roster.

(90)Girardi is having press conferece on FAN

16/32 first-pitch balls, if anyone actually cares.

Is Alex batting eighth yet?

FWIW, I went back and counted: 14 first pitch balls (44%) and seven 2-0 counts.

I support the AAAA players against the AAAA teams strategy in interleague, but this is the world series..

Maybe I counted wrong.

If Hairston’s in for Swisher, he’s got to be in right, not left.  Right?

I could accept Hinske or Gardner or Swisher but not Hairston.  Will he be 09 Enique Wilson?  And I thought after AJ’s last start Posada would get the start.

Francessa pointed out Chan Ho Park is 2 for 2 lifetime against AJ maybe he should DH

The Yankee lineup. I thought in particular Tex looked off and not just because he was getting Lee’d. Obviously subjective of course.