Month: October 2017

Young Yanks Blast Their Way To The ALDS

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

yankees wild card

Shock.

Resiliency.

Awe.

Apparently these are the 3 stages of watching the Yankees.

Yankees’ fans across the globe spent the first 20 minutes of Tuesday night’s AL Wild Card Game picking their jaws up from the floor. A leadoff home run by Brian Dozier stunned the capacity crowd at Yankee stadium. Luis Severino, making his postseason debut, quickly returned to the mound, looking to work past the early blunder. Little did he know, the ensuing Joe Mauer pop-out would be the only out he’d record.

Walk.

2-run home run.

Single.

Double.

Not your ideal outing.

Yankees’ manager, Joe Girardi, turned to Chad Green to play the part of savior, with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 1 out. Girardi most likely mumbled, “Good luck pal!” under his breath as he left the mound. Bringing in a relief pitcher in this scenario is like a general stranding his last soldier on an island when there was clearly time to rescue him.

Many are applauding Girardi for pulling Severino so quickly. I’m sorry, I thought applause was meant for exemplary action?? Not only was pulling Severino the only move, it was a move made 1 batter too late.

But Dave, it worked!! Why are you killing Girardi for a decision that worked?? Just because I can make a shot from half-court, doesn’t mean it was a good decision. In a 1-game elimination format, there is no tomorrow. Anyone watching Severino pitch could see he didn’t have it Tuesday night. This is not about feelings or emotions. It’s not about taxing the bullpen. It’s do or die. Win or go play golf. While the Yankees can put up numbers in a hurry, a 5-run deficit is not the same as a 3-run deficit.

While there were many enormous moments in Tuesday night’s game, none was bigger than Green striking out Byron Buxton and Jason Castro to shut the door on the top of the 1st inning.

Chad Green was the MVP of Tuesday night’s game.

Green re-energized the crowd, but Didi Gregorious re-defined energy in the bottom of the 1st inning. The crowd erupted the instant Didi connected with a 3-run home run that soared into the cool, Bronx air. It was an incredible moment that won’t soon be forgotten. Brett Gardner would put the Yankees ahead 4-3 in the bottom of the 2nd inning with a home run of his own. After the Twins evened the score at 4 in the top of the 3rd inning, it was all Yankees the rest of the way.

With the Yankees already up 5-4, Aaron Judge did what Aaron Judge does, he sent a ball into the bleachers. A ball that reached the bleachers in 3.72 seconds!! This put the Yankees up 7-4. And the Twins wanted to make sure Aroldis Chapman didn’t get a save, so they walked in a run, bringing the final score to 8-4.

While Chad Green stalled the Twins rally at the biggest moment of the game, the entire Yankees’ bullpen was the MVP of this game. David Robertson was phenomenal, providing 3 and 1/3 scoreless innings. He handed the baton to Tommy Kahnle who gave the Yanks 2 and 1/3 scoreless innings of his own. And in the last leg of the relay race, Aroldis Chapman struck out 3 in a scoreless 9th inning.

Game over.

Now, the Yankees head to Cleveland to take on the Indians (AL’s Best Record). Game 1 of the AL Division Series (Best-of-5) will start @ 7:30 P.M. EST on Thursday.

Let’s Go Yankees!!!!

 

Did you stay awake for last night’s game?? Who will win the ALDS?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.

 

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

Do Or Die In The Bronx!!

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 4 Comments

2017-AL-Wild-Card-preview-Upstart-Minnesota-Twins-New-York-Yankees-set-for-wild-card-game_f

It’s do or die! Win or go home! All or nothing! This one’s for all the marbl….Well, you get it. Tonight, the New York Yankees (91-71) will host the Minnesota Twins (85-77) in the American League Wild Card Game. In this 1-game elimination format, tonight’s winner will take on the Cleveland Indians in the Division Series.

Don’t worry, my prediction is coming. First I must let my inner Lewis Black out….

I HATE THE 1-GAME WILD CARD FORMAT!!!!

I know, I know, hate is a very strong word, but when applicable, I’ll throw it out there. This format pins 2 teams against each other in a 1-game, winner take all format. This works in the NFL for a multitude of reasons, but there’s no place for it in a sport like baseball. In MLB, the regular season consists of 162 games. The majority of teams and players go through slumps as well as hot streaks, but generally regress to the mean.

Baseball is a game of series’. Best-of-3 or 4 in the regular season, best-of-5 or 7 in the postseason. The point is, any team, on any given day, can win a baseball game. The San Francisco Giants had the worst record in MLB this season (64-98), while the Los Angeles Dodgers had the best record (104-58). The Giants beat the Dodgers 8 times!! However, they played each other 19 times (being in the same division), and the better team prevailed over time. I’m not suggesting every postseason series be best-of-7. I live in reality, and I’m aware of the logistics of travel and playing baseball in November, but this has to change. At the bare minimum, give me a best-of-3 series.

Oh yeah, there’s a game to talk about….

The Yankees are better than the Twins in every conceivable way, but all it takes is 1 pitching gem from Ervin Santana, and the Yankees’ season is over. That won’t happen tonight. Seemingly everyone on the Yankees’ roster contributed to their 91-win season, including Luis Severino (who will take the hill tonight), however no one was more vital to the Yankees’ success than Aaron Judge. Judge is the runaway AL Rookie of the Year, and is in a 2-man race for AL MVP (Jose Altuve).

The question asked of Judge, isn’t if he has the skill set, rather, can he handle the pressure??

There will be no bigger test than tonight.

The regular season in New York inherently shines brightly, however, the spotlight shines brightest in October (or November), in the Bronx. We are going to learn a lot about Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Luis Severino this evening. Will they fall or take this talented Yankees’ team to new heights??

I know who MLB is rooting for. I’m not a biased Yankees’ fan, but ratings are ratings. No one, outside of Minnesota and Cleveland, would tune in to that ALDS. There’s a reason why the Yankees’ hat travels more than any other.

Luis Severino will parlay his successful regular season into a quality start: 6 innings, 5 hits, 3 earned runs, 7 k’s, and 1 walk. Girardi will then go through his robotic 7th, 8th, and 9th inning moves; Robertson, Betances, Chapman. If, on the odd chance Dave is wrong, and Severino gets in early trouble, Girardi will either bring in another starter, or get the ball to Tommy Kahnle or Chad Green. This game will be a microcosm of Aaron Judge’s season. Expect him to draw a walk, strikeout, and hit a baseball really, really far….

Prediction: Yankees 8, Twins 4

Tune in to ESPN tonight @ 8:00 P.M. EST to catch the action.

Who do you think will win?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.

 

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

The Jets Win — Again?

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

jets suck

This is the most conflicted season Jets’ fans have ever had. Should Jets’ fans be rooting for their team to lose?? Should they be happy when they win??

Being a fan sounds simple. Root for your team to win every game. Be happy when they win. Be sad when they lose. Well, being a Jets’ fan is never simple. Trust me.

The 2017, New York Jets’ roster was constructed in a way to lose games on purpose. This phenomenon is known as ‘Tanking’. The purpose of ‘Tanking’ is to sacrifice the present, to secure the best draft pick possible. This process, while painful, can produce a championship level roster in the future. Fans, players, coaches, and experts alike are torn on the subject (and whether it works).

Personally, I’m on board with ‘Tanking’. As a lifelong Jets’ fan, I’ve experienced more sorrow, despair, and misery than any human should. The Jets’ organization has a systematic defect that needs to be reset (or thrown in the bottom of ocean). Either way. Either way’s fine.

In today’s NFL, it is nearly impossible to succeed without a franchise quarterback. With a plethora of potential star quarterbacks in the upcoming draft, this is an ideal season to ‘Tank’. Only problem is, in typical Jets’ fashion, they can’t even lose right.

Jets’ Current Record: 2-2 (same as the Patriots)

With 2 wins, the Jets have already exceeded expectations. They’ve won 2 games in a row, against the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars, and will head to Cleveland to take on the hapless Browns next week. Yes, the Jets could be 3-2, but that doesn’t mean a top-5 pick in the NFL Draft is out of reach. Prior to the start of the season, I saw 4 winnable games on their schedule (Dolphins, Jaguars, Browns, and Bills). I assumed they’d win half of those games and finish 2-14. So far no good, but it’s a long season.

Injuries haven’t piled up yet, most notably for Josh McCown (who has a propensity of getting hurt). And their tough schedule hasn’t set-in yet. Don’t worry Jets’ fans, the Jets have a lot of losing left to get out of their system this year.

Speaking of losing, how bad are the Miami Dolphins?!?! They just got out shutout by the worst defense in the history of mankind (the New Orleans Saints). And if not for a garbage-time touchdown against the Jets in Week 3, the Dolphins would have been shutout in consecutive weeks. How are you enjoying that $10 million Jay Cutler?? Is it treating you nicely?? Did you sew those $100’s together to make a blanket to help you sleep at night?? Man, I bet the Dolphins want a mulligan on that one.

As for the rest of the AFC East, the Patriots lost their 2nd game, at home, proving they have the worst defense in the NFL. On the brighter side of things, the Buffalo Bills have sole possession of 1st place for the 1st time since Week 2 of the 2014 season (although they haven’t won the AFC East since 1995). I’d say they’re due….but I still like the Patriots chances.

Expect this division to straighten itself out over the next 2 months. Until then, Jets and Bills’ fans can enjoy their winning streaks….

 

How do you feel about the Jets winning games?? Are you happy or sad?? Let your emotions out in the comment section below.

 

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!