Is This The End of A-Rod?

For the second consecutive season, Alex Rodriguez went down swinging to end the Yankees' postseason run. Last year it was in Texas against Neftali Feliz; last night it was at home and against big mouth Jose Valverde.

What happened last night was A-Rod's season in a nutshell - he had a couple good at-bats, clawing and battling fouling off some tough pitches; but ultimately striking out three times and walking once.

Rodriguez, now 36, played just 99 games during the regular season, and while he hit for average, hovering around .290 for the majority of his games, he couldn't hit a home run if it was placed on a tee. His power dropped considerably and only hit 16 home runs. Most people will take that from a third baseman, but this is A-Rod - who still has about $150 million and 6 years left on his gigantic contract.

While everyone is talking about CC possibly opting out, or Jorge playing his final game, the A-Rod and his contract are the elephant in the room. Not just that A-Rod isn't playing well, or up to his standard and contract, but that he's still on the team for six more seasons.

Yeah, you heard me. A-Rod in my opinion should not be on the Yankees, and should not be making a nickel of his $275 million. The Yankees did fine with Eduardo Nunez and Eric Chavez platooning in Rodriguez's absence, and they actually played better WITHOUT him, than with him.

Don't get me wrong, I still have confidence left in A-Rod. If he can drop 10-15 pounds, get back to being 100% healthy, he still can be a good threat in the Yanks' lineup and can maybe hit 20-25 home runs next season. But at the end of the day, A-Rod is an aging star well past his prime, his steroid years are catching up to him, and his contract is quickly turning into possibly, one of the worst of all-time.

A-Rod, it's time to prove that you still have something left. Because right now, you really do look like a 36-year old third baseman. Not Alex Rodriguez, the great and immortal future Hall-of-Famer.

And That's That

Talk about a game of missed opportunities. All they needed was one big hit and they'd be preparing for the ALCS right now, but sadly, that hit just never came. Instead they fell 3-2 to the Tigers and now face another long winter.

I've seen and heard many complaints over the last few hours, many of which are warranted, but in the end this was a game where the Yanks clearly beat themselves, squandering chance after chances and ultimately coming up just one run short. Here is a great breakdown of their lack of clutch hitting tonight via friend of the blog SteveB:

Inning 2-
Teixeira hits a double with one out.
Swisher hits a grounder to SS (ahead of the runner) for an out and no advance.
Posada called out on strikes.

Inning 3-
Granderson walks, putting runners on first & second, two out.
In a long at-bat, Cano flies out to CF.

Inning 4-
Posada singles to load up the bases, one out.
Martin pops out to 1B, Gardner pops out to 3B.

Inning 7-
Cano singles to load the bases, one out.
Arod strikes out swinging.
Teixeira manages a walk to score one run.
Swisher strikes out swinging.

Awful.

2-for-9 with RISP, 11 men left of base, and from a team that wasn't that great in the clutch all year I can't say I'm surprise. It's terribly disappointing, but not a surprise at all.

ALDS Game 5: Yankees vs. Tigers

First Pitch: 8:07 PM | TV: TBS | Radio: WCBS
YANKEES (2-2)
Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Nick Swisher, RF
Jorge Posada, DH
Russell Martin, C
Brett Gardner, LF

Pitching: RHP Ivan Nova

TIGERS (2-2)
Austin Jackson, CF
Don Kelly, 3B
Delmon Young, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Alex Avila, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Ramon Santiago, 2B

Pitching: RHP Doug Fister

Video: Yankees Playoff Mix

(hat-tip to TYA)

CC Available in Relief Tomorrow, Verlander is Not

Quotes From Nova on Game 5

Nova's Pregame Pep Talk For AJ

From Kimberley A. Martin:

A.J. Burnett reached into the small compartment at the top of his locker and grabbed his iPhone, eager to show off the text message that had meant so much.

The majority of Yankee Universe had all but given up on him, but as he stood alone in the corner of the visitors' clubhouse at Comerica Park just after midnight Wednesday, he spoke of one person in particular who gave him all the advice he needed for his big day.

Ivan Nova.

"I'll tell you exactly what he said," Burnett, dressed in a dark gray suit and burgundy dress shirt, told Newsday after the Yankees' 10-1 pasting of the Tigers in ALDS Game 4. "He owed me too, because I texted him all year. He said, 'I trust you and I believe in you, so let's get this series to New York, brother.'"

...

"I just told him to have fun," Nova continued, adding that he was one of Burnett's biggest cheerleaders in the dugout. "I texted him last night: We've got to take the series back to New York and you don't have to put no pressure on yourself. Just enjoy and relax and have fun. If it's working for me, it's got to be working for him."

Burnett said he couldn't help but be deeply touched by his teammate's gesture.

"You get goose bumps. Immediately, you know?" said Burnett. "[Nova's] got this thing where he wins baseballs, when he does good, from Chad [Bohling]. So he always wants to earn the baseball. So I told him, 'I said I want my pelota,' " Burnett said, referring to the Spanish word for "ball."

"It feels good. He didn't have to send me that text, you know? He calls me big brother for a reason, I guess."

What a great kid. Nova continues to show wisdom far beyond his years.

The Plays That Saved The Season

Back To The Bronx We Go

So, how's the prediction looking now, Jose?

With their backs against the wall, A.J. Burnett and the Yankees came through in a huge way, beating the Tigers 10-1 on Tuesday to force a do-or-die game 5 on Thursday at The Stadium.

There was a lot that led to this huge win for the Yanks; solid pitching from AJ, clutch hitting, and good relief work. But there was nothing was more important than Curtis Granderson's spectacular play in the first inning to save A.J. Burnett and the Yankees from almost certain defeat.

Burnett was walkinng the ballpark and looked lost on the mound and the Tigers had the bases loaded with two out for Don Kelly. Kelly then hammered a 1-0 fastball deep to center. Granderson, who initially took a step in, had to back track and leap to make a lunging grab saving at least three runs.

Had the ball fallen in the Tigers would have had a commanding lead, Burnett might have been done (Wade was warming), and we'd almost certainly be talking about a disappointing end to the 2011 season for the Yanks. Instead, Burnett got out of the inning, eventually settling down and pitching 5.2 innings of one-run ball, Derek Jeter started the Yankees off with a two-run double in the 3rd propelling the Yankees offense to a 10-run 13-hit outburst, and now we're headed to a game 5.

But that season-saving play wasn't it for Granderson on the night. In the 5th, he came through with a big RBI double extending the Yanks lead to 3-1 at the time. Detroit had just cut the Yanks lead to 2-1 when Victor Martinez hit a solo shot off Burnett in the 4th--Burnett's lone blemish after his shaky first. Granderson also made another highlight reel play in the bottom of the 5th, robbing Jhonny Peralta of extra bases and probably and RBI with a diving grab in left-center.

Back to Burnett, who I'm sure shocked most of you with his performance. I know I'm shocked. He had good stuff, and most importantly, command of it. This is the guy we've been waiting for all year and to be honest, he couldn't have picked a better time to show up. If the Yanks can win game 5 and go on to the ALCS, Burnett, I assume, will have a starting spot in the rotation--one he most certainly deserves after today.

Some other notes:

- Jesus Montero went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored in his first two postseason at-bats.
- Rafael Soriano had a solid 1.1 innings of work after his rough outing on Monday.
- Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez actually got hits.
- So did Nick Swisher.

Just an overall great win for the Yanks who have to be feeling good about themselves as they board that plane back to NY.

Game 5 is Thursday in the Bronx with a rematch of game 1 (part 2), Ivan Nova vs. Doug Fister.

ALDS Game 4: Yankees @ Tigers

First Pitch: 8:37 PM | TV: TBS | Radio: WCBS
YANKEES (1-2)
Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Nick Swisher, RF
Jorge Posada, DH
Russell Martin, C
Brett Gardner, LF

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett

TIGERS (2-1)
Austin Jackson, CF
Ramon Santiago, 2B
Delmon Young, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Don Kelly, RF
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Alex Avila, C
Wilson Betemit, 3B

Pitching: RHP Rick Porcello

Graphic of the Day

Courtesy of Flickr, and a tip of the hat to FanGraphs.

Burnett On His Pivotal Game 4 Start

From Rick Carpiniello:

"I look at it as a chance to get my team a win ... a very big one," Burnett said. "I had good games, bad games during the season. You can say the same thing about the postseason, but you can't count me out. I'm going to bring everything I've got, and just let A.J. loose out there.

"Like I said, it's an important game. It's going to be more important depending on the outcome (of Game 3), but I can't do anything to change the season. But I can help my team to win. I'm going to do that the best I can."

Confidence has never been the issue with Burnett, and he said as much.

"Believe it or not, I have pretty good confidence every start," he said. "I try to go out and believe I can throw a no-hitter. Even last year when I couldn't get out of the first inning, I took the mound the next start with belief. And I did so this year. If I don't do that, then I don't make it where I am now. I don't have the few good starts towards the end (of the season) if I don't stay that way."

His history includes Game 2 of the 2009 World Series in which he held Philadelphia to one run on four hits in seven innings.

He said he would probably watch the video of that outing Monday night.

"More than likely," Burnett said. "I do have it on the computer. I haven't watched in a while, probably not since last year. I watch a lot of video. That would definitely be a good one to watch, for sure."

A.J. wasn't great, but was solid in his two starts against the Tigers during the regular season, going 1-1, with a 3.75 ERA. In 14.2 innings, he allowed 5 earned runs on 9 hits, walked 5 and struck out 14.

• April 5 vs. DET (first start of '11): 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
• May 5 @ DET: 7 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K - The Yankees committed three errors on the day.

Burnett also has some very good career numbers against the Tigers' biggest offensive threats:

BATTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Miguel Cabrera	14	3	2	0	0	2	0	1	.214	.214	.357	.571
Victor Martinez	27	7	2	0	1	3	6	4	.259	.412	.444	.856
Magglio Ordonez	14	3	1	0	1	2	3	3	.214	.353	.500	.853
Jhonny Peralta	13	3	1	0	1	6	1	4	.231	.267	.538	.805
Delmon Young	14	3	1	0	0	0	1	5	.214	.267	.286	.552

I'm still not too confident, but at least there are a few things in his favor.

Also, it wouldn't hurt AJ and the Yankees if A-Rod and Tex decided to show up. It's not too easy to score runs and win when two of your run producers are a combined 1-for-21.

AJ, It's Time For Another One of These Performances

Burnett's excellent start against the Phillies in game 2 of '09 was probably the most important game for the Yankees during their run to #27 in 09. After tonight's disappointing 5-4 loss to the Tigers, the Yanks will need something similar from AJ tomorrow if they're going to prove Valverde wrong and bring this series back to the Bronx for game 5 on Thursday.

The thought of the season riding on the inconsistent right arm of Burnett is enough to make any Yankees fan feel a bit queasy, but at least he's done it before, and done it on the biggest, most pressure packed stage in the sport. And the memory of that success is what A.J. needs to take with him to the mound if the Yanks hope to continue their quest for 28.

In would make for a great story: the beleaguered starting pitcher who just barely snuck onto the postseason roster comes up huge in game 4 with the Yankees back's against the walls.

Believe me, I don't expect that outcome, but I'm certainly hoping for it. I'm not ready for this season to end yet. Hopefully, the Yankees aren't either.

ALDS Game 3: Yankees @ Tigers

First Pitch: 8:37 PM | TV: TBS | Radio: WCBS
YANKEES (1-1)
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada DH
Russell Martin C
Brett Gardner LF

Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia (0-0, 4.50 in ALDS)

TIGERS (1-1)
Austin Jackson CF
Ramon Santiago 2B
Delmon Young LF
Miguel Cabrera 1B
Victor Martinez DH
Magglio Ordonez RF
Jhonny Peralta SS
Alex Avila C
Brandon Inge 3B

Pitching: RHP Justin Verlander (0-0, 9.00 ERA in ALDS)

Valverde: "The series is not coming back to New York" (Updated)

(Updated 10:05 AM) Here's another quote from this yutz:

“It’s over for the Yankees. No more. One hundred percent. I want it over, because I want my team in the second round.” … ”Is this a prediction, or your hope?” Valverde was asked by a reporter. Valverde reached out and good-naturedly put his hand on the shoulder of the reporter and said, “What do you think?”

***Original Post****

Here's some bulletin board material via Ian Begley:

After closing out the Detroit Tigers' win over the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the ALDS on Sunday, closer Jose Valverde believes the Tigers are a lock to win the series.

"I think the series will finish in our house," Valverde told ESPN Deportes' Enrique Rojas and other outlets. "They have a good team, but the series is not (coming) back to New York."

...

"We have a big advantage," Valverde said. "We have Verlander ready for tomorrow. In the bullpen, we are ready."

Hey Jose, remember Jimmy Rollins?

Hopefully the Yankees respond to this with a nice six-spot in the top of the 1st tomorrow.

Andy's Back in The Bronx

From Kristie Ackert:

Andy Pettitte was back at Yankee Stadium Saturday afternoon. The former Yankee pitcher is going to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Sunday's Game 2 and his wife, Laura, will sing the national anthem.

...

"I miss it, whenever you get around the environment I miss it," Pettitte said. "There's no doubt I miss pitching, I just I don't think I will ever not miss it. Yeah, I do."

Pettitte also was clear that he just does not have the desire to pitch anymore.

"It would take God making a miracle for me to have that desire again," Pettitte said.

Video: Cano's Slam

Robinson Cano set a Yankees division series record last night, knocking in six RBI. Four came on this swing, a grand slam homer in the 6th to put the game away for the Yanks.

CC To Pitch Game 3 (only)

From Ken Rosenthal:

New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia wants to start as often as possible against the Detroit Tigers in the AL Division Series.

He will pitch only once, starting Game 3 in Detroit against Tigers ace Justin Verlander on Monday.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman ruled out on Saturday morning the possibility of Sabathia starting Game 2 on Sunday and then coming back to pitch Game 5 on three days rest, if necessary.

“We don’t think that's fair to him,” Cashman said. “If we want the real CC Sabathia, I don’t think you’re going to see that pitcher if you do that. No matter how much will and intestinal fortitude you have, I don’t think you’ll get that pitcher that day if you do that.”

Here's the Tigers plans, via the NY Post:

So the plan after Doug Fister picks up Game 1 tonight and Max Scherzer goes in Game 2 tomorrow, is to use Verlander in Game 3 Monday.

After that, if necessary, it's Rick Porcello in Game 4 and then back to Fister for Game 5, if necessary.

Yankees ALDS Roster

Here is the Yankees 25-man roster they will be going with vs. the Tigers:

Pitchers:
Luis Ayala RHP
A.J. Burnett RHP
Freddy Garcia RHP
Phil Hughes RHP
Boone Logan LHP
Ivan Nova RHP
Mariano Rivera RHP
David Robertson RHP
CC Sabathia LHP
Rafael Soriano RHP
Cory Wade RHP

Position Players:
Russell Martin C
Jesus Montero C
Jorge Posada DH
Robinson Cano INF
Eric Chavez INF
Derek Jeter INF
Eduardo Nunez INF
Alex Rodriguez INF
Mark Teixeira INF
Chris Dickerson OF
Brett Gardner OF
Curtis Granderson OF
Andruw Jones OF
Nick Swisher OF/1B

ALDS Roster Notes

Complete rosters have not been released yet, but there were a few updates throughout the day:

- Jorge Posada will be the Yankees DH in the ALDS (at least vs. righties):

Posada said Girardi informed him on Thursday morning that he would be starting as the team's DH in Game 1 on Friday night.

"Our intent is to use Jorgie as our DH," Girardi said. "We will go with that, and you just play it out."

- Girardi said that Jesus Montero will be healthy enough to play. “I saw him today. He’s fine. He got hit on the outside of the last two fingers. He’ll have a bruise, but I saw it. There wasn’t really any swelling. He’s okay."

- Girardi also said that A-Rod is fine, will play tomorrow, and he expects him to play third throughout the playoffs.

- Chris Dickerson is on the ALDS roster.

- Raul Valdez and Aaron Laffey are not, so Boone Logan will be the Yankees only lefty in the pen.

- Umpires for Yankees-Tigers: Gerry Davis (crew chief) Tony Randazzo, Eric Cooper, Dan Iassogna, Ted Barrett and Bill Welke.