You Couldn’t Manage A Worse Game If You Tried!!

October 9, 2017 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

girardi idiot

The ALDS between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians has not been for the faint of heart. For Yankees’ fans, the past 72 hours have been an emotional roller coaster. Roller coasters usually make me throw up. We’ll start our ride on Friday night, in Cleveland, for Game 2 of the ALDS.

Game 2 – The Most Poorly Managed Game I’ve Ever Seen!!

“Hi Yankees lineup.”

“Hi Kluber Mountain.”

“Good luck!”

The Yankees faced the unenviable task of stepping into the batter’s box against Corey Kluber. Mr. Kluber is the front-runner for the AL Cy Young Award, and has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past 4 years. On the hill for the Yankees, 37 year old CC Sabathia. The Yankees surprisingly got to Kluber early and often. Gary Sanchez kicked things off with a 2-run home run in the 1st inning, and Aaron Hicks and Greg Bird followed suit with home runs of their own, blowing the lead open to 8-3 in the 5th inning.

This is the part where riders must keep all arms and legs inside the roller coaster and should hold on to their hats….

CC Sabathia gave the Yankees exactly what the doctor ordered, a gritty, road-start. After giving up 3 early runs, CC settled in, retiring 12 of 13 batters before being pulled by Joe Girardi in the 6th inning. This was the 1st of a multitude of mistakes by Girardi. CC Sabathia was dealing, and had only thrown 77 pitches. Yanking CC was down right STUPID (knowing your bullpen is already taxed)!!

If that was Girardi’s only mistake, the Yankees may have escaped from Cleveland with a victory. Silly me. Girardi brought in Chad Green. Despite retiring the 1st batter, anyone with eyeballs could see Green didn’t have his usual command (he threw 41 pitches on Tuesday). He promptly gave up a double to Yan Gomes, bringing runners to 2nd and 3rd. Then, with a 2-strike count, Lonnie Chisenhall was awarded 1st base after allegedly being hit by a pitch. All replays available, clearly showed the ball glanced off the knob of Chisenhall’s bat, and landed in Gary Sanchez’s glove. Joe Girardi inexplicably DID NOT challenge this call!!

This is the part where I lose my mind….

There is no valid excuse in the world for Girardi to not challenge this play. Forget that every replay known to man showed Chisenhall wasn’t hit. Forget that Chisenhall showed ZERO reaction as if he’d been hit. Forget that Gary Sanchez, your catcher, is adamantly pleading with you to challenge the play. Forget that you “didn’t get” your preferred super slo-mo replay. Forget tha….you got the picture??

The point is, this was the biggest moment, of the most important game, of the year. I don’t care if Girardi was on the toilet and didn’t see the play, there was NO RISK, and he should have challenged the play sight unseen.

And the worst part, was Girardi’s post-game pile of horse manure. I don’t have the heart, or stomach, to go through Girardi lying to my face again, so click here to see the worst post-game press conference in the history of sports.

Anyway, back to the bases loaded jam we go. Girardi wrongly left Green in, who promptly served up a grand slam to Francisco Lindor. AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Just like that, 8-3 became 8-7. Girardi then handed the ball to David Robertson, who threw 52 pitches on Tuesday. After getting 1 and 1/3 scoreless innings from Robertson, Girardi greedily sent Robertson out to the mound in the 8th inning. Enter Jay Bruce….A lead-off, solo shot tied the game at 8. AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

You know what else didn’t help?? The Yankees stranded runners in scoring position in the 9th, 10th, and 11th innings, while going scoreless for a span of 8 innings. You know what else REALLY didn’t help?!?! Ronald Torreyes getting picked off on 2nd base, by the catcher, with 0 outs in the 11th inning. How’d that happen you ask….

Todd Frazier reached 2nd base on a throwing error. Torreyes came in to pinch-run for Frazier. And to the shock and dismay of Yankees’ fans everywhere, Torreyes (who had 1 job), was caught drifting off 2nd base by Yan Gomes. Gomes made a spectacular throw, from home, on his knees to get Torreyes, but WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GOING?!?! Unbelievable!!

And lastly, Girardi’s final mistake of the evening, leaving Betances in for a 3rd inning (11th, 12th, and 13th). Joe, stop asking players to do things they’ve never done before. In as close to a must-win situation as possible, everyone not scheduled to pitch in Game 3 should have been available. A fresh Luis Severino, Jaime Garcia, or Jordan Montgomery would have been better options than Betances in a 3rd consecutive inning. It wasn’t Betances’ fault, but who doesn’t love a 9-8 loss in 13 innings?!?!

THIS WAS THE MOST POORLY MANAGED GAME I’VE EVER SEEN — EVER!!!!

Now, rather then being tied 1-1, heading back to New York, the Yankees found themselves down 2-0 heading into Sunday Night’s Game 3.

Stay tuned for a recap of Sunday Night’s Game 3 and a preview of Monday Night’s Game 4.

Have you ever seen a more poorly managed baseball game in your life?? If so, please enlighten me in the comment section below.

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Young Yanks Blast Their Way To The ALDS

October 4, 2017 ~ 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.

Do Or Die In The Bronx!!

October 3, 2017October 3, 2017 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 4 Comments

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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.

Will The Real Masahiro Tanaka Please Stand Up

June 7, 2017 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 4 Comments

tanaka

There is something wrong with Masahiro Tanaka. Entering an important 3-game series with the Boston Red Sox, Tanaka took the hill on Tuesday night. He has been, how do you say this, less than stellar so far this season. I’m being wayyyy to nice..HE’S PITCHING LIKE POOP!! That’s better. Tanaka’s struggles continued last night. He gave up 5 earned runs in just 5 innings, serving up 3 home runs. Chad Green and the Yankees’ bullpen gave their team a chance, holding the Red Sox to those 5 runs. The Yankees scratched and clawed their way back into the game, losing 5-4. Red Sox closer, Craig Kimbrel, recorded a 4-out save (his 17th of the season), and the Yankees’ lead in the American League East is now just 1 lonely game.

Let’s take a deeper look at Tanaka’s first 12 starts of the season. I’m going to hit you with some stats and numbers now, so dust off those thinking caps and slap ’em on….

He is the owner of a shiny, brand spankin’ new E.R.A of 6.55. He is averaging just over 5 innings per start and has now given up 17 home runs in just 66 innings. Not exactly a recipe for success. With all the question marks surrounding the Yankees’ starting rotation to begin the season, Tanaka was supposed to be the anchor. The rock. The immovable object. Yeah, not so much. In the first game of the year, Tanaka was shelled to the tune of 7 runs in 2 and 2/3 innings. And he has now given up 5 or more runs in 4 of his last 5 starts. Yikes!!

The question is: Is this the real Masahiro Tanaka or will this be just an ugly blip on the radar?? As a Yankees fan, I’m hoping for the latter, but I’m not sure. If you believe Tanaka’s 3-year MLB track record is enough to prove he will ‘right the ship’, then I’ll have what you’re having. You can check out his career stats here. If you’re too lazy to click there, here is a quick overview of Tanaka’s stats. Entering this season, Tanaka had an impressive E.R.A. of just over 3.00 and sported a W.H.I.P. (Walks + Hits / Innings Pitched) around 1.00. He had struck out just over 8 batters per 9 innings, and had won at least 12 games every year. Those numbers represent the ace of your pitching staff. Not the guy who’s being outpitched by 36-year old, C.C. Sabathia.

The Yankees first 55 games have shown they are contenders. The young roster is filled with exciting offensive talent, their bullpen is fantastic, and their starting rotation as a whole has exceeded expectations. The 2nd question is: How long can they continue to run this version of Masahiro Tanaka out to the mound every 5 days?? I’m also not sure of the right answer here, but I have an idea. If I were the Yankees, I would put Masahiro Tanaka on the fake disabled list. I’d have the trainer conjure an elbow injury out of thin air, and I’d place Tanaka on the 10-day disabled list. This could give him time to get his mind right and focus on pitching deeper into games and deeper into the season. IF the Yankees are going to make the playoffs, Masahiro Tanaka needs to pitch better. Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez can only bail out their pitchers so many times before the well runs dry.

Will Masahiro Tanaka turn his season around?? Will the Yankees make the playoffs?? Give me your opinion in the comment section below.

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