Yanks Roll Over in Game 6, Rangers Head To The Series

I don't have much to say about that pathetic performance by the Yankees, not only in last night's embarrassment but the entire ALCS. Well, I do, but I don't want to go over it now. The wound is still too fresh and I might call someone a gutless bitch or something.

But like I said a few days ago, only Robinson Cano (Maybe Pettitte, Mo, Wood and Berkman, too.) doesn't deserve blame for this one. Although Cano was also invisible last night. Most of the decisions Joe Girardi made this October left me and my other fans I've spoken too shaking their heads. I'm starting to wish the Cubs job was still open.

Here's a statistical look at the disastrous ALCS for the Yanks. It should give you a good idea of what went wrong---everything!

Offense:
Rangers: .303/.378/.512, 9 SB
Yankees: .201/.300/.370, 2 SB

Pitching:
Rangers: 3.06 ERA, 1.47 WHIP
Yankees: 6.58 ERA, 1.19 WHIP

Anyway, expect an offseason of chance, because that's what happens when the Yankees don't win. Cashman is already looking ahead:

“It’s not something that’s on my mind right now. We’ll deal with that stuff this winter, and winter is upon us. Now we’ll start that whole process of assessing what our needs are, begin negotiating with the guys to try to bring those guys back, and then look at the trade and free agent market.”

The Game 6 Lineup, A Chat Reminder, And Some Music From Rocky

There will be a live chat on the blog tonight starting at 8PM. As always, it will be in the game thread and run through the end of tonight's game -- hopefully a Yankees win. Here are then nine that Joe Girardi is sending out there:

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Lance Berkman 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada C
Marcus Thames DH
Brett Gardner CF

... And now, a little inspiration:

Don't Ask Nick Swisher About Cliff Lee

First from Andrew Marchand:

With the Yankees facing Texas Rangers starter Colby Lewis in Game 6, Swisher did not take kindly to a reporter asking teammates a couple lockers down about Lee.

"You guys are talking about Cliff Lee?" said Swisher out loud in a room full of reporters. "[Expletive], who cares?"

As he walked off, Swisher said, "I can't wait to hit against his [behind]."

Later, when asked about saying this out loud with reporters present, Swisher cut off a question when the words "Cliff Lee" were uttered.

"I'm not talking about Cliff Lee," Swisher said. "I don't give a [expletive]."

But that wasn't the first time Swisher got upset over questions about Lee. There was also this from Wallace Matthews:

After last Saturday's Game 2 here, Swisher was deluged with questions about Lee in advance of his Game 3 start at Yankee Stadium. After the waves of reporters had dispersed, I overheard Swisher say to one of my colleagues, "If one more guy asks me about Cliff Lee, I'm gonna punch him right in the (bleeping) mouth.''

Since I've never been able to pass up an invitation like that, I immediately walked over to Swisher and asked, "So what about Cliff Lee?''

Swisher wheeled around with murder in his eyes, and then stopped and laughed. "Please, ask me about him after the game,'' he said, "Ok, bro?''

He's got a big mouth, but at least the dude is honest. I can't really blame him either. It must be very annoying to be asked about the same guy 100 times, then lose to him and go over all the same questions a few days later. I know I would be about ready to punch someone.

Lupica to A-Rod: Step Up

From Mike Lupica:

The Yankees showed up on Wednesday in Game 5, they did, hundred percent. Now they have to do it again in Texas, or they become another big, bad Yankee team of this decade that got hit somewhere before the World Series and never recovered.

You know who is supposed to show up Friday night for Game 6? Alex Rodriguez. So far he has three hits in the series and only one of them - two-RBI single that Michael Young should have made a play on, eighth inning of Game 1 - has mattered. There have been times when he seemed perfectly happy to take a walk, leave it to Cano when Cano was still hitting behind him.

This game Friday night, then in Game 7 if the Yankees make it, would be a good time for A-Rod to remind us that October and November of 2009 actually happened.

Cano isn't supposed to have to carry this offense on his own. Carrying an offense is supposed to be Rodriguez's job description. Rodriguez got his numbers this season, the way he always does in the end, got to 30 home runs and 125 RBI, even hitting just .270. Friday night he is the one who's supposed to hit the ball over the fence, do something to get his team to Cliff Lee. This is the night when big Yankees show up, make the kind of swing A-Rod made against the Twins in the last postseason, the Angels, the Phillies.

It is a good thing he did knock in those two runs in the Game 1 rally, or this October would remind people, exactly, of the ones when he looked like the easiest out on the team.

He's not the only one in the order who hasn't shown enough stick. Derek Jeter has hits, but has struck out six times. Mark Teixeira was 0-for-14 before he got hurt. Nick Swisher is .105. Maybe the home run that Swisher hit in Game 5 is the start of something for him. He is another Yankee who has to know that you are ultimately judged around here on how you play when the team is trying to get those 11 wins in the postseason that Reggie Jackson is always talking about.

But the one home run that Swisher has is one more than Rodriguez has. Cano has four. Josh Hamilton has four. Rodriguez still hasn't hit one out. Friday night would be a good time.

When Ron Washington was asked about the way Cano and Hamilton have gotten after it, almost like they have gotten after each other, the Rangers' manager said, "Those two guys are two guys who are difference makers." The difference maker for the Yankees one year ago was Rodriguez. Time for him to do it again.

If the Yankees don't move on to the World Series it will not be A-Rod's fault. That said, this is one of those rare occasions when I agree with Lupica. It is time for A-Rod--along with a few others--to step up their game and get this team back to the Fall Classic. Cano can't and shouldn't have to do it all himself.

If Called Upon, CC Ready To Provide Relief

From Ed Price:

After Thursday's workout at Rangers Ballpark, the Yankees ace said he will be in the bullpen for Game 6. The Yankees trail the Rangers three games to two.

"I can probably throw 45 pitches (or) 50 tomorrow," Sabathia said.

...

"Let's see how he feels tomorrow," manager Joe Girardi said, "but our plan is that he will be available for us."

Heading To Texas

Yanks win 7-2. CC goes six, allowing just 2 runs on 11 hits, walked none, and struck out 7. Game 6 is Friday, Phil Hughes vs. Colby Lewis.

ALCS Game 5: Yankees vs. Rangers - Send this thing back to Texas!

Game 5

Yankees vs. Rangers

Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY
Game Time: 4:07 p.m.
TV: TBS | Radio: WCBS 880

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (1-3)
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Marcus Thames DH
Lance Berkman 1B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Brett Gardner LF

Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia (1-0, 7.20 ERA)

RANGERS (3-1)
Elvis Andrus SS
Michael Young 3B
Josh Hamilton CF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Nelson Cruz LF
Ian Kinsler 2B
Jeff Francoeur RF
Matt Treanor C
Mitch Moreland 1B

Pitching: LHP C.J. Wilson (1-0, 2.03 ERA)

Today's Lineup: Let's Send This Back To Texas

Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Marcus Thames DH
Lance Berkman 1B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Brett Gardner LF

Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia

Tex Done, Eduardo Nunez On His Way

It is confirmed, Mark Teixeira is done for the remainder of the playoffs with a Grade II strain of the right hamstring. He will need 6-8 weeks to recover and will be ready to go for the 2011 season.

Eduardo Nunez has been called up to take his place on the roster.

Yanks Lose Again, Now On Brink of Elimination

With the Yankees leading 3-2 with two men on and nobody out in the 5th, Mark Teixeira grounded into a fielder's choice and pulled his hamstring and was forced to leave the game. I guess it was a sign of things to come because from that point on this game was a complete disaster for the Yankees.

An inning later, Bengie Molina gave the Rangers the lead for good when he took A.J. Burnett deep for a three-run homer. Texas then pulled away from there as the Yanks bullpen was a mess for a second night in a row. By the time the dust settled, the Yankees had lost 10-3, and are now one loss away from a very long winter.

Blame can and should be shared by all, from Joe Girardi on down. The only player on this roster who has done his job has been Robinson Cano, otherwise everyone else has been complete garbage.

Maybe this team has a miracle comeback in them--I hope they do--but after watching these last three games I just don't think it's in the cards. This team hardly looks like the defending world champs. But if they are going to comeback, it's going to start with CC tomorrow. Time to step up big fella. Nobody else has.

ALCS Game 4: Yankees vs. Rangers

**** LIVE CHAT AT BOTTOM OF POST *****

Game 4

Yankees vs. Rangers

Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY
Game Time: 8:07 p.m.
TV: TBS | Radio: WCBS 880

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (1-2)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Lance Berkman DH
Brett Gardner LF
Francisco Cervelli C

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

RANGERS (2-1)
Elvis Andrus SS
Michael Young 3B
Josh Hamilton CF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Nelson Cruz RF
Ian Kinsler 2B
David Murphy LF
Bengie Molina C
Mitch Moreland 1B

Pitching: RHP Tommy Hunter (0-1, 4.50 ERA)

***SIH LIVE GAME CHAT***

Game 4 Lineup and a Chat Reminder

Here's tonight's lineup:

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Lance Berkman DH
Brett Gardner LF
Francisco Cervelli C

And as the title suggests there will be a live game chat on the blog tonight starting at 8PM. See you there.

Do you think Girardi should have used Mo?

First, let me get my opinion out of the way and say that I do think Mo should have come in last night in the 9th. It was 2-0, the Yankees still had a chance to win the game, and Mo hasn't pitched since Friday.

Anyway, here's Rob Neyer with another take:

If you're playing a computer game, you bring in Rivera to keep the game close. Absolutely. A game this important, a lineup this potent ... You bring in Rivera, if only to force Cliff Lee to throw another dozen or more pitches. Or put some mileage on Neftali Feliz's arm.

In the real world, though? For better or worse, managers don't like to ask relief pitchers (or anyone else) to do things they've never done before, or haven't (at the least) been asked about doing. Pitch two innings in October? Sure. Rivera's done that 27 times since taking over as the Yankees' closer in 1997.

Pitching while the Yankees are behind, though? Actually, I was surprised to discover that Rivera entered two games last October in which the Yankees were losing: Game 2 of the Division Series, and Game 5 of the ALCS. In both cases, the Yankees were behind by one run and two runners were on base. Which is to say, in both cases the situation was more dire -- in more need of Rivera's singular talents -- than it was Monday night against the Rangers.

Still, the situations weren't that different ... except for this. After Game 2 of the Division Series last year, the Yankees had a scheduled day off. After Game 5 of the ALCS last year, the Yankees had two scheduled days off (an idea so brilliant that even MLB realized it was idiotic). Point being, Joe Girardi didn't have to worry about tomorrow because there wasn't any tomorrow.

This time, there was a tomorrow. Two tomorrows. You want to guess how many times in 2010 Rivera has pitched on three straight days?

Zero. He hasn't done it, not even once.

Who cares?

Why does it matter what he has or hasn't done during this year's regular season? Mo only had one two-inning outing in the 2009 regular season and zero outings of more than two innings, but that didn't stop Girardi from using him for two innings twice last October, and one time for 2.1 innings. This is October, you do what you have to do to win.

To me it was a pretty easy decision; get Mo in the game, keep the score at 2-0 and take a crack at their Feliz.

What do you think? Should Girardi have gone to Mo?

Well, He Lived Up To The Hype

8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 13 K

.... Don't worry, folks. It'll be easier next year when he's wearing pinstripes.

ALCS Game 3: Yankees vs. Rangers (Live Game Chat Starts @ 8PM)

***** LIVE CHAT AT BOTTOM OF POST *****

Game 3

Yankees vs. Rangers

Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY
Game Time: 8:07 p.m.
TV: TBS | Radio: WCBS 880

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (1-1)
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Marcus Thames DH
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Brett Gardner LF

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (1-0, 2.57 ERA)

RANGERS (1-1)
Elvis Andrus SS
Michael Young 3B
Josh Hamilton CF
Vlad Guerrero DH
Nelson Cruz LF
Ian Kinsler 2B
Jeff Francoeur RF
Bengie Molina C
Mitch Moreland 1B

Pitching: LHP Cliff Lee (2-0, 1.13 ERA)

***SIH LIVE GAME CHAT***

Tonight's Lineup vs. Lee

Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Marcus Thames DH
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Brett Gardner LF

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte

Here's the schedule for the game 3 festivities.

Yanks Confident As They Head Into Game 3

Apparently, the Yankees must not have read all these articles about how unbeatable Lee is..

"We've faced a lot of pitchers throughout the years that have had great reputations. Reputation doesn't win games," Derek Jeter said Sunday on the eve of Monday night's Game 3 at the Stadium. "You still have to go out there and pitch." (source: NY Daily News)

"I don't understand ," Swisher said. "Andy Pettitte, this guy is the leader almost in the postseason in everything. To have a guy like that on the mound, the confidence we have in him, the experience he has, it definitely plays a role. It's crazy. It's funny how people say things." (source: NY Daily News)

"(Lee) is 6-0 or whatever it may be, but when you look at the guy next to me, he has like 250 (postseason) innings. When (Lee) gets to 250 innings, you can say a lot more things," reliever Joba Chamberlain said. "You respect the fact that he's very talented and very good, but we also have a guy going who's had a lot of success." (source: NY Daily News)

“(Lee) has to beat the best ever to pitch in the postseason,” Joba Chamberlain said. “Cliff Lee is good, but this guy next to us is the best.” (source: NY Post)

“I’ll put Andy Pettitte up against anyone in the playoffs,” Mark Teixeira said. “Andy’s used to pressure. He’s been in so many big games throughout career.” (source: NY Post)

“I really think he could care less who [Andy] is pitching against,” Lance Berkman said of Pettitte, whose 19 postseason wins are tops all-time. “There is a lot that has been made of Cliff Lee, and rightly so because he has been so dominant in the postseason, but he is a human being. He’s not a robot. He is susceptible to a rough start like everyone else. I feel like we have the right guy on the mound, and we will see what happens.” (source: NY Post)

“Let’s not forget that we have a pretty good guy on the mound, too,” Girardi said. “(Pettitte) has won a lot of post-season games and has won a lot of clinchers in his career. I can go back to catching him in 1998 when he won the clincher against San Diego. He’s been doing it a long time.” (source: LoHud)

Like I said, they're pretty confident..... Are you?

The Rotation Remains The Same

Via Marc Carig:

Girardi: Yanks stayin in rotation. "We believe in AJ."

Have I mentioned that game 3 is huge? 

I'm not feeling too good about the Yanks being down 2-1 and Burnett the only thing between the Yankees and a 3-1 deficit.


I still believe there's a chance Girardi changes his mind if that is indeed what the Yankees are facing. Hopefully, they win tomorrow and this isn't an issue.

Hughes Hammered As Rangers Tie Things Up

Phil Hughes had nothing today as the Rangers knocked him around for 7 runs on 10 hits over just 4 innings. I'm not sure why Joe Girardi left him in there so long, but this isn't exactly the first time we've seen him do that with a starter. Although it might be the first time we've seen it happen in a playoff game.

Anyway, the Yankees got the split on the road, which is usually what you're looking for in these types of series, and now head home with a huge game three on the horizon. It will be Andy Pettitte vs. Cliff Lee in that one at the stadium on Monday. What are your thoughts as the series heads back to the Bronx?

ALCS Game 2: Yankees @ Rangers (Live Chat Starts @ 4PM)

***** LIVE CHAT AT BOTTOM OF POST *****

Game 2

Yankees vs. Rangers

Rangers Ballpark - Arlington, TX
Game Time: 4:07 p.m.
TV: TBS | Radio: WCBS 880

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (1-0)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada C
Lance Berkman DH
Brett Gardner LF

Pitching: RHP Phil Hughes (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

RANGERS (0-1)
Elvis Andrus SS
Michael Young 3B
Josh Hamilton CF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Nelson Cruz RF
Ian Kinsler 2B
David Murphy LF
Bengie Molina C
Mitch Moreland 1B

Pitching: RHP Colby Lewis (0-0, 0.00)

***SIH Live Game Chat***