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Anti-Yankee Machine

We'll get to Jimmy Rollins tomorrow (I hope) but for tonight, I would like to  focus on how everyone says Eric Wedge should be starting CC Sabathia vs. the Yankees on short rest.

Howard Bryant's lead story at ESPN.com says so, Rob Neyer says so, and the guy that Neyer links to says so, as well.

Somebody by the name of Chris Ruddick actually goes into print saying,

Mark my words he [Byrd] is going to get destroyed tonight
and that
If the Indians blow this series, this decision tonight will be the reason why.

I think of 2004 when the Astros went back to St. Louis with the momentum after Jeff Kent's three-run shot won Game Five of the NLCS.

We had Clemens, and we had Pete Munro, and I for one thought that you had to give your best pitcher his rest, and that's how I feel now.  

Back in '04, Garner chose to give Roger his full rest, and start Munro in Game Six.  

What happened was the Astros nearly won Game Six despite Munro, then Clemens lost Game Seven.

But what that says to me is not that you should start your good pitchers on three days.  What it says is that you should have better number four starters.

Sometimes you're fucked no matter which way you go, and if the Indians don't win this series, it won't be because Eric Wedge is stupid, it'll be because the Indians' pitching staff wasn't deep enough.

Also thought this was interesting, in which Jay Jaffe is pretty convincing in making his case that Chien Ming Wang has a real advantage when pitching at the Stadium.

Conventional wisdom says that a sinkerballer is the pitcher least affected by pitching on short rest, that a little tiredness in the bones helps the sinker drop.  I certainly remember such a thing being said back in the heyday of Astro middle reliever Juan Agosto.

Pinto over at Baseball Musings ain't so sure this is gonna help Wang, though, because "Wang throws his hard," meaning his sinkerball presumably.  Pinto also is one of the few who have been willing to go into print saying that Wedge is making the right move with Byrd, or more to thepoint, with Sabathia on full rest in Gamefiveifnecessary.

One of the few, along with me.


Go Injuns!

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Roger Clemens Done
TBS reported Yankees have removed Roger Clemens from the roster. He cannot play any in this series against Cleveland or in the next one against Boston (if Yankees get that far). He's probably done for the season.  I personally doubt he'll return in 2008. I also doubt there'll be the almost daily will-he won't-he speculation over the winter, either.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 6:39 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Clemens Toast
Stick a fork in him he's done, finished, through at Faber, expelled.
Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You think "Clemen's Toast"
will be on the menu at Roger's restaurant?
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

1-0, No outs, top of the first
Nice start for Cleveland.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 6:40 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Wang Find His Sinker Sinking
over the fence, Sizemore a leadoff home run.

Indians will need all the runs they can get if the naysayers are to be believed.

Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 6:40 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Ron Darling gave a stat on the pregame show...
that the starters coming back on short rest have around a 6.50 ERA.  I don't have any stats to back that up, but I found it interesting.

by TexSkins on Oct 8, 2007 6:42 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

2-0 Cleveland
Yankees coming to bat in the bottom of the first.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 6:53 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Paul Byrd was 15-8 on the season
He's no slouch. Where do those "experts" get off criticizing his starting?
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 6:56 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I mean
Where do those "experts" get off criticizing his starting . . .
if you don't count Jeter's hit in the first?
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

What I really meant was
Where do those "experts" get off criticizing his starting . . .

if you don't count Jeter's hit in the first . . .

and overlook Abreu's sharp single that followed Jeter's hit?

It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thank goodness for A-Rod.
Byrd needed that strikeout. A-Rod is Cleveland's MVP this series.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Byrd is lucky
Carlos Lee does not play left field for Cleveland. Othewise, the Yankees would still be batting.

As it is, it's 2-0 Indians going to the second.

It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Haven't seen much of Byrd...
but the most persuasive argument I have seen against starting him is that lefthanded hitters have pounded him for something like a .340 BA this season...with similar splits in previous seasons, which doesn't match up well with a Yankees team that will have 6 very good lefthanded hitters in the lineup.

by clack on Oct 8, 2007 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I noticed the Yankees were left-handeded heavy
with five lefties and one switch hitter. I cannot remember who was which. I wonder how righties  and lefties did inteh first. Jeter and Abreu singled. The 1,4 and 5 batters made outs.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Watching Byrd
while pulling against the Yankees is gonna gve me heartburn.

While I like the idea that he's not gonna walk anybody in the patient Yankees lineup, man, he's got nothing on his pitches.

Mistakes will land in New Jersey.

Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Byrd Wriggles Away
in the bottom of the first, and A-Rod upholds his reputation a little bit
Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 7:06 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Paging Jay Jaffe
The world is laughing at you
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 7:10 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Wang done...
bring on the Moose.

by TexSkins on Oct 8, 2007 7:18 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Wang's no Rocket
Roger made it to the third. Wang could not get an out in the second.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 7:23 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

4-0 Indians
Time for Byrd watching
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 7:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Canadian Sailors?
If flying ants in Cleveland are Canadian Soldiers, is rain in New York Canadian sailors?
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 7:45 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

4-1
after two innings???? This may be a marathon. The first two innings took over 70 minutes to play.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 7:58 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Byrd's Act Excruciating To Watch
Indians lead, but need to play add-on big-time.

Byrd can't continue to wriggle off the hook, especially if he's walking people. . . . .

Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 8:19 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Mussina No Phil Hughes
Indians lead by five, I hope it's enough.
Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 8:30 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

6-1, Bottom 4...
and just a shade under 2 hours.

5+ hour game, anyone?

by TexSkins on Oct 8, 2007 8:34 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Eric Wedge Is A Better Man Than I
Stays with Byrd, when I'd be running for Jensen Lewis like my life depended on it.

Damon misses a huge fat coconut in the fourth with one on and pops to right, then Jeter turns on one and lines hard to third to end the inning.

TV guys are saying Wedge is a genius and Byrd has pitched great, but they're not watching what I'm watching, doesn't seem to me.

Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 8:41 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Byrd did his job
He leaves in the sixth after giving up a lead off homerun. Indians lead 6-2. All those guys rastro told us about who said Byrd should not start were wrong. Here's a reminder how this thread started:

[E]veryone says Eric Wedge should be starting CC Sabathia vs. the Yankees on short rest.

Howard Bryant's lead story at ESPN.com says so, Rob Neyer says so, and the guy that Neyer links to says so, as well.

Somebody by the name of Chris Ruddick actually goes into print saying,

Mark my words he [Byrd] is going to get destroyed tonight

It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 9:16 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Indians reliver Perez
not doing so well. Yankees on the corners  - only one out.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

A Double Play
and suddenly Perez is an effective reliever!
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This Just In
He was pretty effective back in Cleveland, so you had the idea he could make a pitch, all it took was one, and Derek did the rest.

I'll allow myself a cautious whoo-hoo!

Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Captain Clutch Strikes Again
and the Yankees have seen their best chance get away--Byrd is out of the game.

I loved Sabathia back in Cleveland, but Wedge hits the jackpot here in New York.

Some of it was luck, but as they say, luck is the residue of design

Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 9:23 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

The great Derek Jeter and A-Rod
Post Season 2007 Stats (3 1/2 games)

-------AB / AVG. / R / RBI ---- TB / SO / GIDP
A-Rod- 13 / .231 / 1 / 0 --
-- 3 / 6 / 0
Jeter--- 16 / .188 / 0 / 1 ---- 3 / 4 / 3

Adam Everett: OPS'ing .900 Since the All Star Break

by entropic soul on Oct 8, 2007 9:29 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I Was Wondering
how many k's A-Rod was up to.

I know he's managed three singles, but I'm gonna love it as I read all the articles roasting him tomorrow.

Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ex-Astro Ron Villone Out
and Kyle Farnsworth in.

Talk about a guy who'd been left for dead:  I'd forgotten Farnsworth was even on the team.

Remember ca. 2001, 2002, before the Prior hysteria, I remember Cubs fans telling us that Farnsworth was gonna define the Cubs bullpen for the decade.

I think it was Mike Mordecai changed all that.

Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 9:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Kenny Lofton and Reggie Sanders
Random thought - Lofton and Sanders have a habit of being on winning teams that make the playoffs. Assuming both are available in the off-season and both are still quality players next year (and Lofton looks good to me), maybe the Astros should go for them instead of some high-priced center fielder.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 9:33 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

That's thinking outside of the box...
:p
Adam Everett: OPS'ing .900 Since the All Star Break

by entropic soul on Oct 8, 2007 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Reggie Sanders?
I thought he was with the Royals?

by clack on Oct 8, 2007 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Reggie Sanders is with the Royals
but he has a record of being on teams that make the playoffs (Royals notwithstanding):

 Prior to the 2006 postseason, Reggie Sanders had been a staple of the new millenium's playoffs (only missing out in 2003 when he grabbed a million dollar paycheck and produced this line for the Pirates - .285/31 HR/87 RBI/15 SB). Reggie has had his moments for the Braves, Diamondbacks, Giants, and Cardinals over the last 5 postseasons, even grabbing a ring in 2001 with Arizona (Cards fans might also remember his 10 RBI NLDS against the Padres last year).

It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 11:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah, but
the Royals proved that it takes more than Reggie Sanders to make the playoffs.

by littlevisigoth on Oct 9, 2007 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's why you get Kenny Lofton, too
Seriously, they have the temperament and know what to do on a daily basis to get to the playoffs.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 9, 2007 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

A-Rod finally showed up
Homerun makes the score 6-3 in the seventh
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 9:47 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Outs by player, A-Rod/Jeter
Rough analysis....

At this point on the game, the Yankees have had 103 outs in the series. That divides up to roughly 11 outs per line-up spot. So far A-Rod has made 10 of those outs. That's ok. Derek Jeter on the other hand has made 16 outs...13 himself and 3 more with his 3 GIDPs. If you add the error he made in the last game  to give the Indians and extra out, then he's worth 17 outs.

Adam Everett: OPS'ing .900 Since the All Star Break

by entropic soul on Oct 8, 2007 9:53 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

You Just *Think* Of It As An Error
don't think it was officially an error, unless they've wisely changed the scoring.
Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 9, 2007 3:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, everyone knows it was an error
...except the scorebooks.

Yes, it wasn't technically an error, but we all saw it.

Adam Everett: OPS'ing .900 Since the All Star Break

by entropic soul on Oct 9, 2007 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Back to Being Scared
Joe Borowski enters.
Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 10:35 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Jeter Burked
for the first out in the ninth.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 10:35 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Ex-Astro farmhand Bobby Abreu
homers to make it 6-4.

Yankees not dead yet.

It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hip Hip Jorge --
Posada almost homers but it's barely foul; or as we say back home - strike two.

Strike out

It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm So Glad
Jorge Posada didn't homer.
Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I love how...
we've made Burke a verb.

And as soon as I read that, I knew everything I needed to know about Jeter's at bat.

by TexSkins on Oct 8, 2007 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

so is that a pop out
to the right side, or a bleeder straight to the second baseman?

by littlevisigoth on Oct 9, 2007 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Burke
v.

A weak pop out (to second base for right handers, to short for lefties) usually on either a pitch right down the middle or a pitch so far out of the zone that even Vlad wouldn't swing.

The act usually follows a terrible at bat or comes on the first pitch.

See also: off the hands, off the end of the bat, choke job

by TexSkins on Oct 9, 2007 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Burked in Foul Territory
a variation of "burke", often called the same name because of having the same origin. Often denoted "to third" or "to first" for precision.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 9, 2007 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Indians win 6-4
Bring on the slow-footed Red Sox.
It's Playoff Time

by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 8, 2007 10:42 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

If It Were Game Hero
and not Player of the Game, I'd give it to Eric Wedge for having the brass balls not only to go with Paul Byrd in the first place, but to stay with him through 5-plus.
Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

now they get
their two best starters in Fenway on full rest

by littlevisigoth on Oct 9, 2007 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yay Indians!
Now I can honestly say I would have no problem with any of the remaining field were they to win it all.
Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 10:46 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

But Go Rockies!!
Adam Everett: OPS'ing .900 Since the All Star Break

by entropic soul on Oct 8, 2007 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, Sure
Go Rockies.
Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 9, 2007 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well,
they are giving a playoff share to the family of the coach killed by a baseball.... So, that's nice at least. Plus THEY ARE THE FEEL GOOD TEAM OF THE SUMMER! (or Fall)
Adam Everett: OPS'ing .900 Since the All Star Break

by entropic soul on Oct 9, 2007 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tell Us How You Really Feel

Whoo-Hoo!

Yankees Lose!

 Yankees Lose!


Postseason wouldn't have felt right without it . . . .

Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Oct 8, 2007 10:55 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I like this line...
from the NY Post: the scene right after Posada made the last out...

"Cashman approached Steinbrenner and said, 'I am sorry, Boss.' Steinbrenner didn't respond."

by clack on Oct 9, 2007 9:50 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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