12/18/24
September 05, 2012
We Have a Race in the American League East: Recalling the Red Sox of 2011 the Yankees' 10 game divisional lead is now history. Tied with Baltimore and only a game and a half ahead of Tampa Bay, the Yankees start a critical 4 game series with the Orioles Thursday.
Hal Steinbrenner is frustrated, some blame injuries, and hitting coach Kevin Long believes bunting more might help.
If the Steinbrenners were students of recent clubhouse gastronomic history, they'd check the clubhouse for evidence of copious Sabretts and Rheingold.
Showalter sez: if you see any, leave 'em right where ya found 'em and let nature take its course.
posted by beaverboard at 05:19 PM on September 05, 2012
Hahaha
Come on now, let's leave the fandom behind.
If A-Rod goes on a hot streak, and the pitching starts to come around, I'd still pick them over the Orioles. But I'd be scared of Tampa. If they hadn't recently gone 1-6 they'd be in first by now.
posted by justgary at 05:21 PM on September 05, 2012
I love the AL East. It will especially be nice to see the Yankees continue their slide. This story does make me nervous because I don't want to get too excited and then see the Yankees turn it around.
posted by bperk at 05:25 PM on September 05, 2012
This story does make me nervous because I don't want to get too excited and then see the Yankees turn it around.
Yep. I'm not a Yankees fan, but they're talented and could easily make a run. Not going to jinx myself.
As a baseball fan, this is awesome.
posted by justgary at 05:36 PM on September 05, 2012
Meta-discussion moved to Locker Room.
posted by rcade at 05:58 PM on September 05, 2012
How to blow a ten-game lead in 48 days
posted by justgary at 06:05 PM on September 05, 2012
Baltimore Orioles, 76-59, .563, Runs scored 581, Runs Against 600,
How does this happen? Next best record with a negative run differential is the last place, 66-71, Seattle Mariners.
posted by tron7 at 06:10 PM on September 05, 2012
Baltimore Orioles, 76-59, .563, Runs scored 581, Runs Against 600,
How does this happen?
That's why I would be more afraid of the Rays.
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Struggling Yanks hold team meeting
posted by justgary at 07:34 PM on September 05, 2012
Hate to say it, but with Nova out, Pettitte having to shut it down, and Sabathia struggling with his health and effectiveness, the Yanks just don't have the pitching to go anyplace. Freddy Garcia? God help us.
If Tex can get healthy, Granderson doesn't wind up being hampered, and A-Rod can get on track a bit, they can still win the division. And if the Orioles stay this hot all September, they deserve to make it in.
posted by dyams at 08:31 PM on September 05, 2012
Yeah, as I said in another thread (that was going in a direction predictable of every thread where the Yankees are mentioned, so I didn't bother to go back), I don't think the Yankees have everything they'd need to go deep in the playoffs.
I'd cheer to see the Orioles playing like a decent ball team once again, since I have fond memories of the AL East in the '70s.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:53 PM on September 05, 2012
And I forgot about Cano, who's now injured. Without all these players available, the Yankees have an uphill climb on their hands.
posted by dyams at 09:53 PM on September 05, 2012
I figured this was a year the Yankees would roll into the playoffs and do some damage. There's still time to regroup, but those pitching concerns make me wonder how far they can go.
posted by rcade at 10:54 AM on September 06, 2012
The pre and early-season Yankees were frightening; Pineda, Kuroda and Pettite added to Sabathia and a variety of starters who'd perhaps be 3 or 4 guys on a bunch of teams? Robertson and Soriano to Rivera in the pen? It was hard not to think of them as a favourite. They had depth, experience and a powerful offence.
The Yankees have some tough off-season questions to answer too; Rivera wants to come back, but Robertson is going to get $4-5M in arbitration and Soriano is getting $14M next year. Do you want $30M invested in three guys in your pen, especially when your rotation needs significant work?
Hughes is also up for arbitration, and you have Kuroda, Swisher and a few others up for FA. Do you bring them back? The Yankees always find a way, and their farm system is always stocked with attractive prospects to lure a high-priced guy from another team, but the pitching just isn't out there right now. Grienke would never survive, Dempster I think would be a big gamble and next year, you have Cano and Granderson up for grabs.
The Yanks and Sox with legitimate, fundamental questions and the Orioles and Rays chugging along. I'm a Sox fan, but the underdog in me thinks this is kind of a cool time for the AL East.
posted by dfleming at 12:35 PM on September 06, 2012
I'd personally love to see that payroll start bunting more.