Results tagged ‘ Orioles ’
That’s What I’m Talking About!: Yanks vs. O’s 4/8/2009
If you watched today’s game on the YES Network, you will know that line in the title of this entry was said by A.J. Burnett after Johnny Damon went into the crowd to catch a foul ball for the first out of the game. A big win. Not that 0-3 is anything tough to overcome in a 162-game season, but it should settle down the team, the new players, the fans, and the media (Well, at least until tomorrow night).
Burnett looked great in the first couple of innings, and overall had a solid outing. The biggest pitch of the game was obviously the 3-2 slider he threw to Aubrey Huff with the bases loaded and two outs in the third inning. It stopped the O’s from putting up another big inning early and got the Yanks going on offense. Burnett had some control issues, and seemed to struggle a bit with the bottom of the Baltimore lineup, but he did what he needed to do to get himself and the Yanks their first win of the season, so, great job. The bullpen, for the second straight night, was fantastic: 3 2/3 innings of no hits and no runs. Plus, we got a Mariano Rivera appearance and he looked like Mo, which is all a Yankees fan needs to see.
The big player on offense today was obviously Nick Swisher, who got the start in right as Xavier Nady DH’d for Hideki Matsui, who had the day off. This is exactly the role I’d like to see Swisher in this season, coming in as a pinch-hitter like he did in the first two games and making a start when one of the outfielders needs a rest. His homer just snuck over the wall (the ball was certainly carrying in Oriole Park today), and he had two big hits down both the right-field and left-field lines. Great game by Swish (five RBIs), and it’s obvious the team responds to the hyper-active energy he brings to a franchise that really isn’t known for hyper-activity.
Mark Teixeira was the other offensive star, following his RBI double Wednesday night with a 2-for-5 game with his first homer — which was a bomb — as a Yankee. This offense looked surprisngly solid with both Jorge Posada and Matsui on the bench, and it should really be a strong one once A-Rod gets back at the end of the month.
So, the Yanks are tied with Boston in the bottom of the AL East cellar (Do it cellar dwellars!) with the Rays, O’s and Blue Jays at the top. A nice win, and hopefully Andy Pettitte can get off to a good start against the Royals (a solid young team) tomorrow in Kansas City.
Also, congrats to Ramiro Pena (I hear he’s a big fan of this blog) on his first Major League hit.
Mr. Wang returns to Baltimore: Yanks vs. O’s 4/8/2009
Do it 0-2!
Well, in Chien-Ming Wang’s first regular-season start since his injury last June, the flat-sinker pitcher showed up, and, not surprisingly, he got rocked. That’s usually how it works. When Wang’s sinker is up, he loses. When Wang’s sinker his down, he wins.
Even in his scoreless second and third innings, you could tell Wang still wasn’t right. Then the fourth inning came and he couldn’t get anyone out. A bad start, but it was also his first in almost a year, so, while I’m disappointed in the results, it’s at least good to see that he’s healthy.
Also, the bullpen was able to follow Wang’s stinker with 4 1/3 innings of hitless, scoreless ball to keep the team in the game for that late attempt at a comeback, so at least there was a positive sign with the pitchers there.
New O’s pitcher Kenji Uehara shut the Yanks down in his Major League debut. He didn’t have flashy stuff, but threw strikes (only one walk, and that was to Derek Jeter to leadoff the game) and was able to keep the Yankees off balance for the most part all game. The offense once again scored some runs off the O’s bullpen, but it was too little too late.
Mark Texeira recorded his first hit, an RBI double in the ninth, so hopefully that settles him down for today’s game. And Cody Ransom (who, and I know this is what he is, looks like a Triple-A player out there, so far) just missed a two-run homer. Jeter hit his first homer of the season, a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth.
Today, A.J. Burnett makes his first start against the O’s to avoid the sweep. Hopefully he gets the job done. I don’t panic early, butit would be nice to get that first win on the board.
Opening Day! Final predictions
After Derek Lowe dominated (and man, he dominated) the World Series champs on Sunday night, it’s time for Opening Day, weather permitting.
So, as CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira get their first regular-season action as members of the New York Yankees, let’s do a quick preview of the MLB.
AL East:
1. Yankees: Yes, I am biased. However, with this rotation, Rivera still being Rivera, and the big bats of Tex and, eventually, A-Rod in the middle of the lineup, the Yanks will return to the top of the division and return to the playoffs.
2. Red Sox: A pretty loaded rotation, when and if Smoltz can return. Jon Lester is the scariest pitcher on this team (for this Yankees fan at least), Dice-K’s the most frusturating (but successful). Lineup built around Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis, two great players, but it will be interesting to see how this offense performs in its first full season post-Manny. Great bullpen with the addition of Takashi Saito.
3. Rays: Youth is king, but I think they might take a step back. Then again, this division will likely go down to the wire, so, while these three will almost definitely be the top three in the division, it wouldn’t surprise (but, oh yes, it would disappoint) me to see this order flipped either
4. O’s: I like Baltimore, but they’re a few years away from fighting for the top three spots.
5. Jays: They finished strong last year, but now it’s just Doc.
AL Central:
1. Royals: My sleeper! Although I keep hearing other people pick them as a sleeper, so I don’t feel so special anymore. There’s also a strong possibility they finish in last.
2. Twins: As long as Mauer’s healthy.
3. Indians: You do realize Carl Pavano could start one of the first three regular-season games at the new Yankee Stadium. I’m sure he’ll get a warm reception.
4. Tigers: Once again, great hitting, zero pitching.
5. White Sox: This looks like a rebuilding year in Chicago.
AL West:
1. Texas Rangers: My backup sleeper.
2. Angels: If their pitching can get healthy they’ll be in OK shape, but this offense is getting OLD (I realize the irony of saying this as a Yankees fan)
3. A’s: Too many young pitchers, and another old offense.
4. Mariners: Happy to see Griffey return, and they’ll be better than last year, but I think it’s another season in the basement.
NL East:
1. Phillies: I don’t really like their starting pitching at all outside of Cole Hamels (If he’s healthy), but they have Jimmy Rollins/Chase Utley/Ryan Howard and a solid bullpen.
2. Mets: Outside of the amazing Johan Santana, I don’t like this rotation at all either. I mean, Big Pelf as the No. 2 starter? He was much improved last season, but I think the Mets are asking too much of him, then you have Oliver Perez (inconsistent), John Maine (returning from injury) and Livan Hernandez (eater of innings). Yes, the bullpen is much improved, but I just don’t like their starters (Outside of Johan) at all. And, right now, I take the Philly trio over Jose Reyes/David Wright/Carlos Beltran, because they got it done last year.
3. Braves: I honestly considered sticking the Braves at No. 1. Good rotation, Chipper (if he can stay on the field) and Brian McCann are powerhouses on offense. This division should be interesting.
4. Marlins: Good, but young, rotation. Hanley Ramirez. I could see them in the mix for this division, but I’m sticking them here.
5. Nationals: I think they’ll be improved, especially (of course) on offense with the addition of Adam Dunn, but no pitching at all.
NL Central:
1. Cubs: This is the only division I feel confident in picking the winner. Which means it will likely be wrong. But they have too much offense and starting pitching not to win this division.
2. Cardinals: Because they have Albert Pujols and somehow are always in it.
3. Astros: Again, you can never count out Houston either. Good offense, but not much pitching after Roy Oswalt.
4. Reds: They’re a sexy pick with their young stars, but I think they’re at least a year away.
5. Pirates: Because they’re the Pirates.
NL West:
1. Giants: I know people think the Dodgers are a lock, but they have a weak, super weak, rotation. The Giants have little by way of offense, but I like their starting pitching the best in the division.
2. D-backs: They’re like the Giants and Dodgers combined. Better offense than the Giants, but slightly worse pitching. Better pitching than the Dodgers, but weaker offense. I think that’s enough for No. 2.
3. Dodgers: Great offense, and they have Manny, but the ace of this staff is Chad Billinglsey. No thanks.
4. Rockies: I like Chris Ianetta.
5. Padres: Poor Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez.
So:
AL: Yanks, Royals, Rangers; Wild Card: Red Sox
NL: Phillies, Cubs, Giants; Wild Card: Mets
World Series: Yankees vs. Cubs (Yanks win, of course)
How wrong will these predictions be? Oh Lord, I can already hear the baseball gods laughing.
Enjoy Opening Day!
briancougar
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