Aug
9
The Kennedy Conundrum
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Ian Kennedy is one of the top prospects in baseball right now. He has played extraordinarily throughout his career at all levels. All levels except one. In his “second chance” in the bigs, Kennedy failed miserably, lasting under three innings. The Angels’ batters were all over him and he wasn’t able to catch a break. It is still early in his career and he will certainly have more shots at proving himself, but sadly when -if- he breaks through is unknown.
For the Yankees this is devastating news, as we really needed him to do well in place of Joba. Hopefully this was just a one night thing, but looking at Kennedy’s performances thus far this year, we can’t count on it. Currently, we are still in third place, but are now 7 games behind Tampa. With the season flying by, we really need to pick it up and start winning soon if we want to make the playoffs. Joba did tell reporters recently that he plans on being back later this month, but until then we really need Rasner, Kennedy, and Ponson to pretty well as a unit.
Even after the outcome of this season is decided, the Kennedy question will still exists (unless he is able to make a quick turnaround of course.) How long will it be until we see IPK develop into a major league pitcher?
Aug
7
What’s next for the Yankees?
Filed Under Bosox, NYCurve.com, Speculation | Leave a Comment
It has been quite a road for the Yanks thus far this season, with a plethora of big happenings, both good and bad. The team continues to fight on in the death match with the Red Sox and Rays, but the injury bug just won’t go away. Combine that with the reliance on young guys and you can really see that the Yanks have been through a lot. First it was the struggles of Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, as they continue to try and find their place in the bigs. Then it was Chien-Ming Wang getting hurt while base running, and after that Posada and Matsui leaving a void in the lineup after sustaining injuries.
The Yankees, as always, didn’t give up as they continued to stay in it with the likes of Darrell Rasner, Dan Giese, and Sidney Ponson stepping up when needed. Brian Cashman responded with a couple of deadline moves, bringing in good replacements for Posada and Matsui with Ivan Rodriguez and Xavier Nady as well as extra bullpen help in Damaso Marte. Yet, the injury bug still didn’t care. It has bit again and Pudge is now out, again leaving the Yanks without a good-hitting catcher. Joba has also been struck, having been placed on the 15-day deal and putting even more pressure on the iffy rotation.
Yet, the Yankees will continue on. We really have no other choice. Andy Pettitte will likely continue to play consistently and Mike Mussina looks like he can keep this up. But, after that it’s still a mess. Perhaps Sidney Ponson will be able to keep up this run, but it’ll have to be something we hold our breath with. Same goes for Giese and whoever the other starter will end up being (for now its Kennedy, but I don’t know how long that will last; hopefully he can surprise us.) Let’s just hope that this group can keep us in it until Joba comes back, if he does this season.
Jul
1
Yesterday kick-started a very important span for our division, with a series between the Red Sox and Rays. After that series the BoSox will play our Yankees in a four-game series and after that the Bombers will go on to play the Rays for a two-game stint. The coming 8 days may have a huge impact on the division in terms of who will go on to win it as well as who will get second place (which will most probably be the wild card.) The Rays are currently in the best situation, sitting atop the division with a 1.5 game lead on Boston. If Tampa can continue to pull through this week may be where they really set themselves apart from the rest of us. The Red Sox can also reclaim their lead atop the division if they win a few games, but it won’t be enough to give them much breathing room over the Rays (or Yankees.)
Let’s hope that things go another way and the Yankees end up dominating in the combined six games against our division rivals. A good run can certainly put us right there with them at the top, in what will be an even closer three-team fight.
If any team falls behind in the next week and a half they will still have a shot at getting back to the top, but it will be harder. Just keep in mind that all three teams will be playing each other again, so it won’t be the end of the world for anyone if they lose. It sure would be nice to see the Yanks get to second place though…
Jun
26
Joba Shuts Up Critics
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Joba Chamberlain effectively shut up all of his critics after another good performance as starter for the Yankees. Who said that moving him to the rotation would be a bad idea? There were plenty, but for now all we will hear from them on the issue is silence. Joba has effectively transitioned to the starting role and I think even his harshest critics now realize that this kid is really something spectacular. And the dominance is only beginning…
Last night’s game was the first in which the Nebraska native didn’t have a pitch count limitation. Without the restriction he will have one less thing on his mind and he will be able to concentrate more on doing what he does best: pitching well. The match against the Pirates also helped Joba get his first win as a starter, another hurdle which he no longer needs to be questioned or worried about.
In his five starts for the Yankees, Joba has been phenomenal, with a 2.03 ERA since he moved up and 26 Ks in 25 innings pitched. He has regularly hit 99 mph on the radar gun and his control seems to be back after a shaky first couple of starts. That’s really a small issue though, considering that it takes time for relievers to ease into a starting role, and such issues are ordinary. As time passes we can expect Chamberlain to get even more comfortable, but I don’t know if the stats can really get any better because they have already been simply amazing. His bb/ip ratio is sure to go down, the only reason it being a bit high is because of the aforementioned transitional side-effects.
Simply put, Joba Chamberlain is going to be one heck of a pitcher for the Yankees. We all knew it would happen, but seeing it actually happen is a lot more than just speculating about it. For the Yankees he will be a potent weapon and for our opponents a nightmare. We are on the verge of an exciting era in Yankee baseball. I for one can’t wait for his future starts.
Jun
24
Only 4.5 Games Back
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Yes, that’s right, at this moment the Yankees are only 4.5 games behind division leaders, Boston. The Red Sox lost to the D’ Backs last night and the Yankees had an off day so we moved up by .5 game. We are only 3.5 games behind the Rays for second place.
The Yankees will start a series against the Pirates tonight, so we should win atleast a couple of games against them. Meanwhile, the Red Sox still have two games left against potent Arizona, who’s pitching continues to dominate. This bodes well for the Yankees because the BoSox are bound to lose atleast one more (hopefully) and if the Yanks can keep playing well we will be able to bring the standings even closer.
Tampa will start a three-game series against state-rivals, the Marlins, tonight. The fish have been playing well thus far this season, but I wouldn’t count on them beating the Rays (although it still is possible) due to the lack of pitching. At this point I am not really worried about the Rays though because as long as the Yankees keep winning we will be fine.
The point of this post was just to show that in the past two weeks a lot has changed for the Bombers and good things are coming. Just keep having faith and remember that it’s never over ’til it’s over, atleast for the Yankees.
May
13
Topsy-Turvy League
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Is this still the MLB? It really hasn’t seemed like it so far this season. We are almost a fourth of the season through and the Rays are in second place in the AL East! Even more surprising is that the Marlins, the team that basically sold all its hope is currently leading its division by more than two games. Oh yea, and the Mariners who were supposed to be one of the better teams this year is currently in last place, with a record of 15-25. I thought I was done, but wait! The Tigers, who spent a load of cash this offseason are also last, with a 16-22 record. Some critics expected them to be the top team in the MLB for god’s sake! Their division rivals, the Indians are fairing so well either with a .500 record. Back in the reigning NL champions, the Rockies are 15-23 and only one game from being tied with the worst record in the majors. And then of course there are our Yankees, who aren’t boding so well thus far either. All I can say to all this is wow, just wow.
If you had predicted that we would be hear 40 games in then you really are a genius because I don’t think anyone else saw this. Now the end-of-season standings probably won’t be like this, but for some teams they just might be. I hate to say it, but the Rays really have a chance to keep up this style of play because their young pitchers are just throwing phenomenally. Let’s just hope that our guys can start pulling something together like they did last season.
Our sluggers should start hitting soon and I think the pitching staff will have some bright moments in the near-future as well with Darrell Rasner stepping up nicely and Moose and Wang doing good. Pettitte is bound to start being clutch soon enough and that just leaves one more spot. It is currently filled by Kei Igawa, but I’m not expecting much from him. Hopefully IPK or Hughes will be back soon with their troubles behind them. We can definetely pull through, especially when the Rays’ young guys start making mistakes.
Ok, back to the speculation on which teams will end in the other direction come October… The Marlins are not going to last. The only reason they are doing this well is because of an offensive surge and as we all know offense can’t carry a team. On the defensive side of the ball their guys have been making too many mistakes and it will eventually catch up to them.
As for the other NL team, the Rockies, I think they will end the season out of the playoffs. I expect them to start rebouding soon enough and they’ll probably finish above .500, but I don’t see a playoff berth happening. It is pretty clear that the D’ Backs are taking the division and looking at the way the Cubs, Cardinals, and Astros are playing, the Rockies will have a tough time squeezing out the wildcard. You also have to remember that the Mets, Braves, and Phillies will remain contenders for playoff spots until late as well. I just don’t see it happening for Colorado again, sorry Todd Helton.
Now, back to the AL. In the Central I think we will be seeing the Indians take it again. Their pitching and defense is great and they have much of the same dominant team as last year. The Tigers on the other hand don’t. They have upgraded their bats and starting pitching, but neglected relief and without a good bullpen they aren’t going to get far.
In the AL West, the Mariners currently sit 8.5 games behind divison leader Oakland! Billy Beane has done a terrific job with managing the team and I think this could be the year they make it back to the playoffs (notice I said I think it could be, not I think it will be). I’m not putting my money on them just yet though because the Angels as always are also a very strong team, especially with new addition Torri Hunter. I really don’t know who will take the division, but I do believe that the Mariners will have a tough time getting ahead of both the A’s and Angels. I would still give them a chance, but it will be tough to overtake Oakland and Anaheim, and I really don’t think the wildcard is going to the West. It would be great to see a neck-in-neck battle between the three in September.
The surprising start is bound to make things most exciting, especially during the end of the season. Some great baseball is ahead of us…
What do you think about my predictions? Do you agree or disagree and why? Please comment, I would love to hear all of your opinions.