Results tagged ‘ Royals ’
The blog equivalent of a doubleheader
This blog will combine Friday and Saturday’s games as, well, it was the weekend. I don’t have the time or ability to post on Friday nights. Here’s an example of why that would be a terrible idea:
“Friday….Pettttittee throwin the ditty diapers strikezone control off the world. Swisher the mans an amazins man…………………..”
See, that’s just no professional.
So, with a clear head, let’s take a quick look at the wins on Friday and Saturday.
If the Yankees would have put up anything less than four runs against Ponson I would have been upset. Sidney Ponson (a Yankee Legend of course, see first post from last year) is a pitcher who pounds the zone, and the Yankees put out a lineup that had six straight lefties batting right in the heart of it. And they got the job done. Ponson battled, he gave the Royals six innings after the Yanks had him on the ropes a few times, but the Yankees, behind Jorge Posada and Nick Swisher, were able to get enough runs for Andy Pettitte, who did not need many on Friday night.
Pettitte was simply awesome. Him and Posada immediately got in a groove, all his pitches were working, and he kept the weak Royals offense off-balance all game. As I stated in my rotation preview, I wasn’t sure if Pettitte’s struggles last year were due to health issues or was the case of an older pitcher with diminished stuff, but against the Royals (who are not scoring runs this season. And this was before Jose Guillen got hurt) he looked healthy and dominant. And, don’t forget, he’s the fourth starter on this team. Which brings me to the ace…
CC Sabathia followed Pettitte’s Friday dominance with some Saturday dominance of his own. Completely the polar opposite of his Opening Day start, be it less pressure (debatable) or the minor mechanical fix Dave Eiland had him make in his bullpen session, he had every pitch working, especially his fastball, which was hitting the mid-90s right away. Again, this wasn’t much of an offense, but CC dominated and went deep into the game (I loved that he wanted to stay out there in the eighth. I know the pitch-count worries, but someone, I think it was Tom Seaver, has brought up the fact that an easy 100-plus pitch outing can feel like a breeze compared to an 80-pitch outing where a ptichers is struggling in and out of jams all day. CC was breezing, so I’m not concerned with him pitching deep into a game with a six-run lead). He earned his first win as a Yankee, and now should expect a warm reception at Thursday’s home opener.
The other star of the game was, again, Nick Swisher…who’s honestly been a featured player in his three starts this season. I still want Xavier Nady as the starting right fielder (he did have two hits Saturday) as Swisher can play all three outfield positions, first, and DH, but, as long as this hot streak continues, Swisher better (and I’m sure, will) be in the starting lineup.
So, after the first two poor starts, this team (Outside of Cody Ransom. Again, he’s a Triple-A player keeping third warm for A-Rod, but he’s had one hit, a few fielding gaffs, and somehow got stranded off second on a grounder hit to short to get picked off. I’m not at all worried because he’s not expected to be around long-term, but he’s looking like a career Minor Leaguer) is in fine form. I will be missing today’s (well, likely most of it) debut of Joba Joba Joba, but hopefully they can get the winning streak to four with a sweep of Gil Meche and the Royals.
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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