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Post by mredsox89 on Apr 2, 2013 13:48:45 GMT -5
The thing with the Yankees is that everyone has been saying this was going to happen for the last 5 years. They had guys signed to 5+ year deals AFTER their prime. But I don't think anyone thought they would all start to melt down and get hurt this quickly. But when you look at the combination of Tex, CC, Jeter and A-rod, you knew this was coming. But I think everyone assumed they would be able to buy their way through the tough stretch. But for the first time, they're actually looking long term even if it means sacrificing in the short term
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Post by James Dunne on Apr 2, 2013 13:51:53 GMT -5
Sabathia's traditionally been a slow starter. This was his fifth opening day start, and he's only had a quality start in one of them. The velocity numbers don't look good, but I'm not ready to write a guy off who has been good for so long based on one clunker of an opening day start. My feeling is still that Sabathia is the least of the Yankee worries.
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Post by charliezink16 on Apr 2, 2013 13:54:52 GMT -5
www.fangraphs.com/pitchfxo.aspx?playerid=404&position=P&pitch=FAInteresting to look at Sabbathia's FB velocities. He's never had a start averaging 90 mph until yesterday. I only saw him throw one 91 yesterday, mostly 88-89 when I was looking. It might ramp up a bit going forward, but it certainly looks like a it's trending downward overall. Some of it might be due to the injury last year, but it's definitely something to watch going forward. Sabbathia with an 89 mph fastball looked pretty hittable even though he managed to limit the damage. If that continues, New York is in huge trouble. Still has 5 years and 119m left on his contract. Yikes. I think many of us on this board expected the Yanks rotation to struggle this season due to regression from last year. Prime candidates to regress are obviously Sabathia (who's decreased velo may be a sign of it), Kuroda (doubtful he repeats last years success at 38), Pettitte (age 41 season). IMO, Hughes, Nova, and Phelps need to break out this year if the Yanks have any hopes of not finishing 5th.
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Post by joshv02 on Apr 2, 2013 14:43:32 GMT -5
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Post by jrffam05 on Apr 2, 2013 15:28:41 GMT -5
i know we can't expect Drew to stay on the bench after he's fully recovered, but man do i love the thought of watching Iglesias, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Bradley and Victorino play behind those pitchers. I really like Iglesias with his new approach. I don't think he will be a great hitter, but he only really has to be average. I think about it, what if Iglesias was playing against us durring Victorino's 2 RBI single. In my eyes he ends that inning and changes the game. His hits yesterday were lucky, but it is a noticeable difference from what we saw of him last year at the plate.
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Post by sarasoxer on Apr 2, 2013 15:55:27 GMT -5
i know we can't expect Drew to stay on the bench after he's fully recovered, but man do i love the thought of watching Iglesias, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Bradley and Victorino play behind those pitchers. I really like Iglesias with his new approach. I don't think he will be a great hitter, but he only really has to be average. I think about it, what if Iglesias was playing against us durring Victorino's 2 RBI single. In my eyes he ends that inning and changes the game. His hits yesterday were lucky, but it is a noticeable difference from what we saw of him last year at the plate. The one handed tapper to third when he was way out in front of a breaking ball was lucky. His bunt base hit was skillful and opportunistic. The one in the short-stop hole would certainly have been a hit in its own right had there not been a runner on first. Bradley's jump from first and the ball placement gave just enough leeway for Bradley to beat the throw. Iglesias will take it. I'm not sure that a healthy Jeter would even have gotten to the ball so I'm giving Iglesias credit for that one too. Most have probably noticed that Iglesias hit the ball with much more authority this spring. I don't think we will see a repeat of last year from him at the plate and a quantum leap is possible. A little more patience, a little better recognition of breaking balls and when they might be thrown, and I think that he will be serviceable at the dish.
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Post by bluechip on Apr 3, 2013 10:24:46 GMT -5
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Post by mattpicard on Apr 3, 2013 14:47:38 GMT -5
Lineups for game 2:
Jacoby Ellsbury CF Daniel Nava DH Dustin Pedroia 2B Mike Napoli 1B Jarrod Saltalamacchia C Will Middlebrooks 3B Shane Victorino RF Jackie Bradley LF Jose Iglesias SS
Clay Buchholz P
Brett Gardner CF Ichiro Suzuki RF Robinson Cano 2B Kevin Youkilis 3B Travis Hafner DH Vernon Wells LF Lyle Overbay 1B Eduardo Nunez SS Chris Stewart C
Hiroki Kuroda P
Glad to see Nava in the 2-hole. I hope Pedroia's injury doesn't affect his performance much, especially with him taking on a big role in the 3-hole. Rest of the lineup looks good, except I cringe seeing Salty hitting 5th. Hopefully he retains some of that patience he showed on Monday. 2 for 11 against Kuroda in his career with a homer.
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Post by grandsalami on Apr 3, 2013 16:54:53 GMT -5
Lineups for game 2: Glad to see Nava in the 2-hole. I hope Pedroia's injury doesn't affect his performance much, especially with him taking on a big role in the 3-hole. Rest of the lineup looks good, except I cringe seeing Salty hitting 5th. Hopefully he retains some of that patience he showed on Monday. 2 for 11 against Kuroda in his career with a homer. Alex Speier @alexspeier 1m Farrell says Sox envision Ortiz returning, barring setback, to the majors in the 3rd week of April. Is there a Sox regular season dicussion thread? I cant seem to find one, and the ST one is lock (obv)
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Post by gregblossersbelly on Apr 3, 2013 16:58:13 GMT -5
Pete Abe reporting Stephen Drew will do a 4 day rehab in Portland and be ready for home opener. Papi getting ready to get ab's and might be ready the 3rd week of April. Fingers crossed.
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Post by GyIantosca on Apr 3, 2013 17:29:52 GMT -5
Call me a hater I will own it, but it's about time this is happening to the MFY'S. I mean come on a closer who's 40 and untouchable stuff. A shortstop who suppose to be a young man's postion by the way and Jeter is what 38? Arod who gets linked to every questionable doctor around. Finally Posada is gone after catching forever. Petite who is still on the staff after admitting to hgh use in the past. Finally MLB is testing for this drug. Every other baseball team has transitioned except for these guys. The only argument is they play in a school yard. Which to me is a disgrace. Well that's my Yankee's rant. I am sure I missed a couple of others. I have no proof on Jeter but it fits my argument.
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Post by jmei on Apr 3, 2013 17:39:54 GMT -5
Is there a Sox regular season dicussion thread? I cant seem to find one, and the ST one is lock (obv) We try not to have one because larger pieces of news deserve their own thread and smaller pieces of news rarely generate enough discussion to be worth cobbling together in some sort of frankenthread. Little bits and pieces of news usually get posted in the Series threads and are welcome there, though.
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Post by pedroelgrande on Apr 3, 2013 18:29:05 GMT -5
Nice play by WMB. Pitching and defense baby!! Pennant here we come!!
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Post by mredsox89 on Apr 3, 2013 18:40:10 GMT -5
Did Kuroda really just throw his bare hand up to try to stop the Victorino line drive? I'm listening to the WEEI call at work. Supposedly he's looked miserable and uncomfortable all night
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Post by bjb406 on Apr 3, 2013 18:40:23 GMT -5
kuroda, please do that every time
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Post by pedroelgrande on Apr 3, 2013 18:45:25 GMT -5
Did Kuroda really just throw his bare hand up to try to stop the Victorino line drive? I'm listening to the WEEI call at work. Supposedly he's looked miserable and uncomfortable all night Yes he did. To me it seemed like it was more reactionary trying to cover his head/face than him trying to grab it. And yes Kuroda has looked pedestrian early.
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Post by fenwaythehardway on Apr 3, 2013 18:48:14 GMT -5
Did Kuroda really just throw his bare hand up to try to stop the Victorino line drive? I'm listening to the WEEI call at work. Supposedly he's looked miserable and uncomfortable all night Yes. It was odd. Also, pretty much everyone looks miserable and uncomfortable. Not a great night for baseball.
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Post by bjb406 on Apr 3, 2013 18:51:08 GMT -5
something tells me that HBP wasn't intentional
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Post by Don Caballero on Apr 3, 2013 19:02:54 GMT -5
Boy, Pedey looked CLUELESS this past AB.
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Post by wskeleton76 on Apr 3, 2013 19:08:25 GMT -5
Defense and quick tempo work well.
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Post by ozebaseball on Apr 3, 2013 19:14:17 GMT -5
Salty has looked A LOT better so far this year (yeah I know). Nothing to do with the results, but his patience is getting him better pitches to hit and he's sitting on pitches he was waving at in the past.
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Post by jt44 on Apr 3, 2013 19:16:32 GMT -5
So far WMB looking rough in his ABs tonight.
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Post by mjammz on Apr 3, 2013 19:17:24 GMT -5
Will Middlebrooks has not looked good early on, he really struggled in Spring Training too. He is the one player I have felt uneasy about entering the season.
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Post by soxfan06 on Apr 3, 2013 19:19:51 GMT -5
So far WMB looks like the 22 year old Rookie and Bradley looks like the vet.
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Post by pedroelgrande on Apr 3, 2013 19:20:39 GMT -5
And there it is. JBJ's first big league hit.
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