CC To The Rescue Again!!
Yesterday I mistakenly said that Phil Hughes was going to pitch. He's pitching today and I will stand by what I said that it might just be the biggest game of the year so far. But Saturday CC Sabathia showed why he is the Yankees most valuable player this year as he shut down the Blue Jays to snap a 2 game losing streak with a 4-1 win. In his last seven starts, Sabathia is 7-0 with a 1.68 ERA. Yesterday's win makes CC the first 14 game winner in the big leagues.
Where would the Yanks be without Sabathia. He is stopped losing streaks many times this year. The only hiccups he has had was with the Red Sox. If the Yanks were able to get another top end starter it would be a great 1-2 punch with Sabathia. It is imperative that Cashman make a move. If he doesn't, a Cy Young season from CC will have gone to waste.
The Clock Strikes 12 For Garcia & Colon
When the Yankees signed Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia to minor league contracts it was a flyer worth taking on 2 aging 30-somethings. From the beginning of the season to the All-Star break, it looked like Brian Cashman had truly found bargains at the Dollar Store. Unfortunately, as with Cinderella, the clock as struck 12 and it looks like this fairy tale is coming to an end as Freddy Garcia coughed up 6 runs in 5 innings and the Yanks dropped their second straight to the Blue Jays by the score of 7-1. The Pinstripers didn't lose any ground as the Red Sox lost to the Rays 9-6.
The last two nights have been very painful as both pitchers looked awful, Colon more so than Garcia. The team has also played terrible behind them but its hardly the reason why the Yanks have lost 2 since they have been outscored 22-8. We all know that in order to be successful in post season baseball you need good pitching and what the Yankees have received the last two nights won't cut it now let alone in October. Today may be the biggest game of the second half as Phil Hughes will start for the Yankees. A good start from Hughes would certainly calm the nerves of Yankee fans and probably mean that the Yanks would only need to be looking for one starter, as they could also bring up Ivan Nova. Hughes really has an opportunity to step up in the rotation and there is no question he has the ability to do it.
While the Yankees will anxiously await to see how Hughes performs this afternoon, they have scouts in different major league ball parks looking at starting pitchers. According to George King of the NY Post, the Yanks have scouts watching Matt Garza, Anibal Sanchez, Jeremy Guthrie, Francisco Liriano, Ubaldo Jimenez and Heath Bell. There are a number of teams that are looking at Jimenez who has picked up his game the last 4 starts and is only 27 years old. King indicates that the Rockies are looking for high end prospects and the Yanks have them to deal. This is a clear indication that the Yankee high command realize that they need to do something to upgrade the rotation if they are to be playing baseball in October. Garza certainly knows what it takes to pitch in the NL East but Jimenez might be the best of the group. However, either Garza or Jimenez would be great to see in Yankee pinstripes. Cashman can't be timid as both the Red Sox and Tigers are in the hunt for pitching. The next couple of weeks will be real interesting!!!!
Colon Trouble, Clemens & Ohio, Are You Kidding Me!!!!
For his second straight start, Bartolo Colon got rocked as the Yankees started the second half of the season with a 16-7 drubbing at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays. Many had considered Colon as the Yankees second best pitcher in the first half of the season. However, since coming back from his hamstring injury Colon pitched well in his first start against the Mets but then has been hit hard by the Rays and the Jays. The Yanks rolled the dice on Colon and for the first half they came up looking good. But the last two starts have been snake eyes and there's concern that Colon may not be totally comfortable with the hamstring. At his age and his weight, this can be a big problem.
The Yankees cannot afford to give Colon too much time here to right himself. With Ivan Nova down in Scranton ready for the call up, a determination needs to be made quickly. The Yankees don't owe Colon anything. They gave him a chance and he took advantage of it. However, there was no guarantee that he would produce the entire season. In fact, the Yanks knew that was a concern before the season started. If Colon is not right they need to call Nova up and let the kid pitch. Suddenly the two biggest keys to the Yankees post season hopes rest on the two young arms of Ivan Nova and Phil Hughes.
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Yesterday the judge in the Roger Clemens trial declared a mistrial as a result of the prosecution providing evidence to the jury that the judge rules as inadmissable. Its being reported that there will probably be a new trial sometime in the fall. The whole thing is ridiculous. On his part, Clemens has been a bull head and as a result the government is not going to let up. As far as the government goes, there is nothing else you can be pursuing??? Clemens isn't the first person to lie to Congress and his lie hasn't harmed anyone except himself. Here's hoping reason can prevail and a deal can be made to end this whole thing now!!!
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http://www.cleveland.com/hssports/blog/index.ssf/2011/07/ohios_high_school_football_coa.html
When I read the article above I was flabbergasted. Ohio high school football coaches are talking about honoring Jim Tressel in the season openers throughout Ohio. What a message to send to the high school kids they are coaching: cheat and lie because it doesn't matter as long as you win. What a freaking disgrace. If you want to know what's wrong with amateur athletics this says it all.
CC Does It Again!!!!
What a gem!!! When the Yankees needed it they received a pitching masterpiece from CC Sabathia as he outdueled James Shields leading the Yanks to a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Sabathia was in total control on Sunday closing the game out with a 98 mph fastball striking out Elliot Johnson. Shields pitched very well also as the Yanks only run came on an error by Shields, whose attempt to pick off Robinson Cano landed in left field allowing Cano to score.
As the Yanks head into the break, they find themselves 1 game behind the Red Sox. They also know that for the next 4-6 weeks they will be without ARod has he will be having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today. This was the right move since the Yanks will need him in September and hopefully the playoffs. This will mean that others will have to step up. One thing is for sure: if the Yankees can get the same type of pitching that Sabathia provided yesterday losing ARod for a month won't be that big a deal.
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Make sure to check out Tuesday's Thoughts tomorrow as I will have more to say about ESPN's defense of the ASG, the NBA and NFL lockouts and other tidbits.
The Captain, ARod & All Star Game Nonsense
Yesterday Derek Jeter put another item on his Yankee resume' with a 5 hit day that had him reach the 3,000 hit plateau with a home run and then a game winning RBI single that led the Yankees to a 5-4 win over the Rays. Jeter's home run in the 3rd inning was hit number 3,000 and the Stadium erupted. What a class move by Casey Kotchman as he tipped his cap as Jeter rounded first base during his home run trot.
There has been so much criticism of Jeter leading up to yesterday. His skills are diminshing. He doesn't deserve to bat lead off. When will they move him from shortstop. His hits are not Jeterian and are hits of a declining ballplayer. But yesterday, the Captain showed that there is still some gas left in the tank. We have followed a career of a Yankee icon. One that will take awhile for us to see again. So instead of criticizing and questioning, how about enjoying what could be the last time that we see such a player in pinstripes again.
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The news on the MRI of Alex Rodrieguez right knee was not good: a slight meniscus tear that requires surgery. ARod can either play through it or have arthroscopic surgery that would sideline him for at least a month. While the Yankees will definitely suffer without him in the lineup, at ARod's age I think if he doesn't have the surgery he will be a shadow of himself in September when they will really need him. In my opinion, he needs to have the surgery.
This will be a tough decision. Brian Cashman may now need to make a move to get a stop gap veteran to play third. The other option is to go with Eduardo Nunez. Certainly they can start with Nunez after the All-Star break and see how it goes. If it doesn't work then they can move on a trade. If ARod is out, then others will have to step up. Derek Jeter's game yesterday may be an indication that the Captain is ready. They will need him and Swisher and Cano and Texiera and Posada to carry the load.
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Yesterday on Twitter, Buster Olney called out those players, specifically Rivera, Jeter & ARod , who are pulling out of the All-Star Game. Then Karl Ravitch chimed in to agree with his talking head teammate from ESPN. These guys should wake up. If I'm a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers, NY Yankees or Atlanta Braves do I want to have Ryan Braun, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, ARod or Chipper Jones risk further injury thus hurting their team's chances to play in October to play in an exhibition game???
What Olney and Ravitch don't understand is that the ASG is a joke and it was made a joke by interleague play. In addition, its a joke because you can go on the internet and vote 25 times for your all-star favorites. Bud Selig knows its a joke because he tried to make it mean something by having home field advantage determined by which league wins the exhibition game. Going one step further, Selig wanted all players who were on the all-star teams to wear special all-star hats yesterday and today to highlight Tuesday's game. The Yankees elected not to because they are a team and as a result no one should be given a special designation over team members. The Rays followed suit.
The only reason why Selig does this is because he knows the game has lost its luster. The only reason why Olney and Ravitch are all concerned is because they are MLB mouthpieces. If Youkilis, Ortiz and Pedroia declined to play would the ESPN dynamic duo have said anything??? Probably not. What I also find interesting is that I never hear any of the NFL talking heads on ESPN criticize the boat load of NFL players who take a pass on the Pro Bowl. In fact, that game is after the season so there is no concern that a team's chances to make the playoffs may be impacted in an injury that takes place in the Pro Bowl.
Selig, Olney and Ravitch want to go back to when the Baseball ASG meant something, when it was an event to see the best players from both leagues play each other. Back then the only time you see NL stars play AL stars was at the ASG and the World Series. Not anymore because of interleague. You can't want to claim to be traditionalists when you've destroyed that. The Baseball ASG will never be the same no matter what Selig and Company try to do and the reason for that lies in what they see when they shave in the morning.
Yankees Go Home & Browns Interest In Pryor??
The Yankees closed out their road trip to Cleveland with a lackluster 5-3 loss to the Indians, losing their first series since the debacle in the Bronx against the Red Sox. Coupled with Boston's win last night, the Yanks are just 1/2 game ahead of their blood rivals. Justin Masterson looked like Bob Feller last night as he held the Yankees to only 3 hits and no runs over 8 innings. One of those 3 hits was a double by Derek Jeter which sets the Captain up to get three hits over four games to get to 3,000 hits at home against the Rays starting tonight.
After a rough 1st inning, Phil Hughes settled down and allowed only 2 runs over five innings. His fastball was clocked consistently between 90 and 92 which was an improvement over earlier this year. Hughes may have only given up one run if Russell Martin had made a better throw to third base. However, the throw was wide of ARod and the ball went into left field allowing the Tribe to score their second run. In looking at the pitcher's work over the five innings, the Yankees have to be somewhat hopeful. It seemed that what got him in trouble was pitch location and that I think can be corrected.
With Tampa coming to the Bronx, the Yankees need to bounce back. I really believe that ARod needs a day off. He made a great play in the field saving Boone Logan and kept the game at 2-0 however he looked bad at the plate. I wonder if it makes sense for ARod to participate in the All-Star Game. If it were up to me, he would take a pass on it.
One good thing going into the Tampa series, Mariano Rivera will be good to go.
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There had been some rumblings coming out of Northeast Ohio that the Cleveland Browns might be interested in selecting Terrell Pryor in the supplemental draft when that takes place. In my opinion, this is nothing more than Ohio State nonsense. Pryor in no way shape or form fits in with the new West Coast offense system that is being put in place by the Browns. In addition, Pryor is an unfinished product at quarterback. He could have used another year in college at QB however that was not going to happen because he was in up to his eyeballs on the Buckeye tattoo scandal.
Bringing Pryor in would also be planting the seeds for another quarterback controversy which seems to have been a hallmark of the Browns since they have come back into the league. The team needs to find out what they have in Colt McCoy without the distraction of Ohio State product Terrell Pryor being on the bench. I've never been impressed with Pryor as a quarterback, though he did look good in his bowl appearance last year. I don't see the Browns messing with Pryor. One thing I have found while following the Browns, there are many in Northeast Ohio who want the Browns to take any Buckeye star that's out there. Hopefully, that won't happen with Pryor.
Yanks Win, Phil Is Up & More Farve Nonsense
CC Sabathia showed Indians fans what they missed by shutting down the Tribe last night as the Yankees defeated the Indians 9-2. Curtis Granderson belted 2 home runs and Derek Jeter inched closer to 3,000 with two hits moving him to 2,996. Once again this morning, both major NY dailies questioned Jeter's ability to remain in the leadoff position and whether we will ever see the old Jeter again. Incredible. Joe Girardi is saying he may give Jeter the night off today as to not over do it with 4 games coming up against Tampa. I'm kind of thinking he may need to also give ARod a night off soon as its being reported that Alex's right knee is barking. Not to mention Mariano Rivera's right elbow. The All-Star break will be badly needed.
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Tonight may be one of the biggest night's in determining the Yankees playoff hopes as Phil Hughes heads to the mound against the Indians. Hughes has looked really good in his last 2 rehab starts and it is hopeful that the young 25 year old can regain the form that made him an all-star last year. A return to form Hughes can certainly stabilize the Yankee rotation and would relieve the need to get another starter.
I like Phil Hughes. I remember in 2007 when he came in to relieve Roger Clemens in Game 3 against the Indians to hold the fort to allow the Yankees to come back and win the only game they did in that series. He's a tough kid and loves being a Yankee. Here's hoping Phil has a good game tonight at Progressive Field.
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Yesterday on the web site, Pro Football Talk, it was reported that Brett Farve is considering another comeback. Are you kidding me??? Farve is an egomaniac. Who the hell does he think he is to think that he can still play football. The NFL and the football media can do us all a favor: ignore the old bastard.
Connolly??? Colon Keeps It Going
The Maple Leafs, having lost out on Brad Richards, signed Tim Connolly to a two year deal at $4.75 million per year. Richards went to the Rangers in spite of the fact that the Leafs actually offered him more money per year, however the Leafs contract was only for 5 years while I believe the Rangers deal was for 8 years.
Every pundit that I have read indicate that the Connolly signing was a good move despite his injury history. I don't see it. If you look at Connolly's career it is average at best, one filled with promise but not production. His best year was in the 2009-2010 season when he played the most games (73) in his career scoring 17 goals and 48 assists. Last year in 68 games he scored 13 goals and had 23 assists. Hardly the stats of a first line center.
I think the Leafs should have tried to make a trade and maybe they still will do that. Dave Nonis indicated that there may be some other moves. I certainly hope so otherwise I think that before the end of the season Tim Connolly will be out for some period of time and the Leafs will be relying on one of the kids to fill the role.
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Bartolo Colon continues to impress as he looked masterful in his return from the disabled list by shutting down the Mets as the Yankees won game two of the Subway Series at Citi Field. Brian Cashman rolled the dice based on Tony Pena's winter observations of Colon down in the Dominican and it has paid off big time for the Yankees. Today the Pinstripers look to sweep their cross town rivals as Freddy Garcia faces R.A. Dickey, the same guy who confounded the Yanks with his knuckleball at the Stadium leading the Mets to a 2-1 victory back in May.
Yanks Hop Into 1st
Unbelievably, the Yankees in spite of injuries and a weakened, duct taped pitching staff is one half game in first place this morning as a result of their 8-3 win Saturday and Boston's 6-4 loss to Pittsburgh. Despite Boston's torrid June prior to hitting the Steel City, the Yankees have been able to keep up with their arch rivals. Not to mention the fact that the Red Sox hold an 8-1 series lead this season over the Pinstripers. If the Yanks had won 4 of the 9 games they would be 3 1/2 games up.
When you look at the season so far, both teams have flaws and injuries to deal with. The flaws are in both of their pitching staffs. Whichever team is able to stabilize their rotation and bullpen will probably win the division with the loser being the wild card. But one has to wonder what would happen in October when you will be facing another team whose pitching staff may be more consistent. Just look at what happened last year with Texas. And while we focus on what Boston and New York will do at the trade deadline, what happens if a Detroit for example is able to get a top pitcher to team up with Justin Verlander similar to what Texas did last year with Cliff Lee?? Verlander, Felix Hernandez and Max Scherzer.....mmmmm. I'm not suggesting Hernandez is available, particularly with the Mariners in the hunt for the AL West crown but you get where I'm going with this.
Time will tell and as we head into July things will certainly heat up.
Yanks 4-2 On Road and Big Time For The Leafs
The New York Yankees split yesterday's doubleheader with the Cincinnati Reds ending their Midwest road trip with a 4-2 record and pulling 1/2 game behind the Boston Red Sox. Since being swept by the Red Sox at home for the second time this year, the Yanks over their last 13 games are 10-3. They now head home where they will be hosting the Rockies with Jason Giambi and then the Milwaukee Brewers. The Yanks will need to take care of business before heading to Citi Field for a weekend series against the Mets July 1-3. They then head to Cleveland for a series against the Indians that begins on July 4th before heading home to take on the Rays before the All-Star break.
Over these next 15 games, the Pinstripers need to go 11-4. Over this same time period, the Red Sox hit the road against the Pirates, Phillies and Astros before heading home to take on the Blue Jays and Orioles. Beyond the Phillies and possibly the Pirates, the other teams could be cannon fodder for the Red Sox so the Yankees will need to be on their game. After the All-Star Game, rumors will be flying as we approach the July 31st trade deadline. For the Yankees we should also know more about Phil Hughes and Rafael Soriano. It's going to get interesting.
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Friday will be Round 1 of the NHL Entry Draft and it will officially begin the most important time for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they begin to prepare for the 2011-12 season. As I have stated many times, this off season will be the biggest one yet for Brian Burke and his management team as they try to get the Leafs back into the post season and be a legitimate Cup contender. With two first round picks, a high second round pick, plenty of money to spend under the newly increased salary cap, Burke is in a position to make some moves that could achieve these goals.
One thing is for sure, the Leaf GM and President will not be afraid to make a move to improve his hockey club. In my opinion, he has done a great job in adding young talent and putting on the ice a team that captured the imagination of many starving Leaf hockey fans from February through the end of last season. With the coaching changes that recently took place, its clear that Burke & Company are expecting playoff hockey next April. However, in order to accomplish that Burke will need to push the right buttons beginning on Friday.
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