QUITE FRANKLY: Joe's Gotta Know Better

The Yankees blew a huge game on Thursday afternoon and I'm not so sure we can blame the offense for this one. I have to place blame on Joe Girardi. I have to second guess a move he made last night that impacted today's loss.

Last night while everyone focused on the 8 runs and 9 straight hits in the 3rd inning off of David Price, I was left scratching my head as Girardi elected to bring in Dellin Betances with the score 8-3 in the 9th. Now, Betances had the previous 3 days off so he was well rested BUT why bring him in when you might need him the following day for multiple innings or in successive days? The Yankees are at a point where every game is crucial, especially Thursday's game with the Detroit Tigers, a team that's in front of them in the Wild Card race. I knew the move would come back to bite the Yankees today, I just knew it.

With the score tied at 2, going into the bottom of the 9th inning, Girardi could've gone with Betances for another inning OR his closer David Robertson who hasn't pitched since Sunday. Joe did neither and went with Shawn Kelley. While good at times, he's not the guy I want out there with the game and "season" on the line. If Betances doesn't pitch last night, he easily stays in for the 9th. Ok, so he didn't, but why not bring in your most trusted guy in the bullpen to a game you NEEDED to win? Robertson is well rested and you could've used him for 2 innings if need be. If you're in the 11th and then need to use your second tier relievers, then do so, but use your "A" squad when you have so much at stake.

 Girardi said it “wasn’t a consideration” to use Dellin Betances for two innings tonight, and he indicated that it had nothing to do with using Betances last night. “You feel good about (Kelley) on the mound, especially the way he’s been throwing the baseball,” Girardi said. Kelley’s past five games leading into this one: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

Kelley gives up a double to Victor Martinez to lead off the 9th. He allows another runner to get on base and proceeds to strike the next two guys out. And after all that hard work and maneuvering and strategy, on one pitch, the game, the series, and ANY positive momentum the Yanks could've had is all GONE. When a team has lost two of three in a tight wild card race, a one-run loss feels like rock bottom.
“That’s about as bad as I’ve felt walking off a mound in my career,” Shawn Kelley said. 

I'm emphasizing a lot tonight because that was how important this game and series was. Giradi mismanaged this one, a time he could ill afford to do so. So the Yanks leave town dropping a game in the Wild Card instead of gaining one. The Yanks head into Toronto answering questions of "what now" and "what ifs" instead of keeping the focus on the positive momentum they had to begin the week. The window is closing on the 2014 season and there is very little room for error. On Thursday afternoon, Brian McCann came within inches of hitting his 2nd go-ahead 3-run homerun of the week and putting the Yankees ahead for good, but almost doesn't count because Giradi failed in planning for a win.
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Yanks Mc-Can Make Their Way To A Playoff Spot


The Yankees can hit with runners in scoring position. Well, during their current 4 game winning streak they are. Better at bats have resulted in better results. Those results are finishing a homestand 4-2 after dropping the first two to the not so lowly Astros.

In the process the Yankees have gained ground for that second Wild Card spot and currently sit 3 games out with 3 games against the Tigers coming this week. I asked ESPN NY's Ryan Ruocco and Don LaGreca for their thoughts on this run.

 
I couldn't agree more with both. In Ryan's case, I can relate because I have had this love-hate relationship with this team all season, more so in the last month since Tanaka went down with his elbow injury. In LaGreca's response, he's absolutely right. The Yanks have a huge week coming up. They have a makeup game against the red-hot Kansas City Royals on Monday and then have 3 against the Detriot Tigers, the team in front of them in the Wild Card standings.

My thoughts are, if the Yanks can go at LEAST 4-3 next week and gain a game or two in the Wild Card, then that makes Masahiro Tanaka's return must see tv. He might be the last shot of adrenaline this team needs going down the stretch.

Brian McCann hit a HUGE 3-run walkoff homerun on Sunday to complete the sweep of the Chicago White Sox. He looked pumped going around the bases. Hopefully this is the wakeup call for his underachieving season. Martin Prado has been hot his last 10 games, maybe he continues his tear and it infects the rest of the lineup. Ichiro had a clutch 2 run single on Sunday to give the Yankees the lead in the 6th, maybe that gets him going. Brett Gardner, the Yankees most consistent hitter all year has been quiet lately, can he get things going again? He missed Sunday's game after fouling a ball off his ankle Saturday. He's going to be a key component going down the stretch, the Yanks need him healthy and back to be the backbone of the lineup.

There's still a lot of questions left for this team with 34 games left to go. But none, at this moment are bigger than these next 7. The Yanks are going to face James Shields, Rick Porcello, David Price and Justin Verlander this week. Another run of CY Young caliber pitchers. That's another test for the Bombers, the question is, will be the last? or will it be just another obstacle on the way to October baseball? The only thing known for now, is that the Yankees are going into one of the must crucial weeks of the season with a lot of momentum on their side. Good vibes in the Bronx right now, lets hope they return to the Bronx with them.
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Joe Torre Day

Here are some pictures from Joe Torre Day today at Yankee Stadium. I'll have my thoughts on Joe on Monday with an article on his time in Pinstripes.

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#TBT: Joe Torre

Joe Torre will be honored on Saturday by the Yankees. He will receive a plaque for Monument Park and have his no. 6 retired. The picture above was taken moments after the Yanks won their last championship under Torre in 2000 after defeating the Mets in 5 games. Well deserved Mr. Torre.
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Yanks Avoid Sweep, Gain Ground in Wild Card

The Yankees were hitting .136 (8-for-59) with runners in scoring position in their previous nine games, seven of which they lost.


They didn't need to worry about that today as Brandon McCarthy pitched a complete game shutout against the Astros. The Yankees avoid the three game sweep and gain ground on the Tigers for the second wild card spot.


The Yankees have not scored more than 4 runs in the last 10 games. That's still VERY worrisome for me. Until I see a spark of offense from this team, I'm not sold on them making it to the playoffs. Nice 3-0 win today at the Stadium, but can't help to think how much better it would have been had the Yanks done their job and win the first 2 games of the series. For now...it's just a win in a disappointing season.
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Desperation Leads to More Frustration

Joe Girardi felt it, the Yankee offense felt it. Michael Pineda didn't for 6 innings, but much like this latest stretch, he fell victim of the Yankees desperation.

Girardi ran Pineda out for the 7th inning in a game he HAD to win. He couldn't use his late inning weapons of Dellin Betances and David Robertson. Who by the way, also have faltered in the crucial of times in the last week. Pineda reached his pitch limit through 6 innings but Girardi so desperate for a win, ran him out there for the 7th. I immediately thought back to Betances in Baltimore last week. Betances was lights out through 2 innings of relief but Giradi pushed the envelope and tried to get a 3rd straight flawless inning. He was playing with fire...he got burned. Betances served up a game tying home run and the Yanks lost a game they desperately needed. Tonight, Pineda walked the only man he faced in the 7th. That run came around to score the tying run. The walk also was the beginning of a four run 7th inning for the Astros and gave them a 5-2 lead.

The Yankees never recovered. They never recovered because they can't hit with runners in scoring position. That's it. There's nothing else to look at, second guess, or judge. The Yankee offense is TERRIBLE. A day after going 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position, they go 1 for 8 and left 10 men on base tonight. The fact that this team can't hit with men on base is baffling. It's frustrating, it BS, it's pathetic. At this point..it doesn't matter anymore. The Yankees are trying to get themselves to a 1-game playoff that they will go in the underdog, no matter who's on the other side. That's because, this team can't hit. If they can't beat the Astros, what makes you think they beat a playoff ready team in a winner take all game? What happens in that game, when the game is on the line and there's runners on base? If the Yankees are tensing up now, what happens when the SEASON is on the line? Nothing...that's the answer. Count down to Sept. 7th, because Derek Jeter Day at Yankee Stadium will be the only special moment for the rest of the season. Such a shame....the Captain deserves better than that.
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Derek Jeter Ice Bucket Challenge



Derek Jeter Ice Bucket Challenge
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