Yankees' playoffs 2005

[ndebord]

What a blowout: 10-1 and all the weaknesses of the Yankee pitching staff surfaced...once again. <SIGH>

But, on the bright side, the Yankees finally have their lefthanded specialist. Leiter finished the game by striking out the 2 batters he faced. So the pitching matchups are dependent upon what Mussina shows Tuesday. Small and Wright can go to the bullpen. Leiter as the lefthanded specialist and that leaves Johnson, Mussina, Chacon and Wang as the four starters you need in the post-season. With Small as the spot starter. I don't like it, because Small is the lucky charm of this Yankee team imo (yes I'm very superstitous), but I don't think they'll pull Chacon (who also can relieve) out of the starting lineup.

The key to this first series against the Angels is Mussina. He needs to be sharp for the Yankees to win. A 1-2 punch of Johnson and Mussina pitching well would be a pretty good omen.

[Mike Landi]

I agree. Musina needs to be on-game Tuesday. The Angles have always given us trouble, throughout the entire Torre tenure. They are the only team with a winning record against the Torre-Yankees.

Today's game did not look like the Yankees were playing 100%. More like the "prevent defense" in baseball. As in, don't get hurt! (and wouldn't you know it, Jeter got hurt.)

[ndebord]

I agree. Musina needs to be on-game Tuesday. The Angles have always given us trouble, throughout the entire Torre tenure. They are the only team with a winning record against the Torre-Yankees.

Today's game did not look like the Yankees were playing 100%. More like the "prevent defense" in baseball. As in, don't get hurt! (and wouldn't you know it, Jeter got hurt.)

Mike,

Sunday's game hurt. The Angels have homefield advantage, in part thanks to Buck, who pulled his starting lineup by the 4th Inniing (I think) so the Angels would win the game and beat out the Yankees by one game for home advantage. Always knew he was a snake.

[Mike Landi]

Sunday's game hurt. The Angels have homefield advantage, in part thanks to Buck, who pulled his starting lineup by the 4th Inniing (I think) so the Angels would win the game and beat out the Yankees by one game for home advantage. Always knew he was a snake.

That was low on Buck's part, but we lost the game. If we had won the game, it would not have mattered. The Yanks are at fault first, but Buck threw a parting shot at us.

In any case, we have to go win in LA.

I hope Moose is on tonight...

[chm]

Don't you mean the Angels' playoffs 2005? ; )

The American League team that worries me most is the White Sox.

Are the Red Sox out of it altogether now? Not even a wild card? I forget. They're pretty formidable.

Looking forward to tonight's game.

Carolyn

[Judy G. Russell]

Are the Red Sox out of it altogether now?They're playing the White Sox right now in Boston -- if they lose this game (and the score at the moment is 4-3 Chicago) they're out.

Looking forward to tonight's game.Don't bank on it. It's raining pretty hard right now. I don't see how they can play in this.

[Wayne Scott]

What a blowout: 10-1 and all the weaknesses of the Yankee pitching staff surfaced...once again. <SIGH>

But, on the bright side, the Yankees finally have their lefthanded specialist. Leiter finished the game by striking out the 2 batters he faced. So the pitching matchups are dependent upon what Mussina shows Tuesday. Small and Wright can go to the bullpen. Leiter as the lefthanded specialist and that leaves Johnson, Mussina, Chacon and Wang as the four starters you need in the post-season. With Small as the spot starter. I don't like it, because Small is the lucky charm of this Yankee team imo (yes I'm very superstitous), but I don't think they'll pull Chacon (who also can relieve) out of the starting lineup.

The key to this first series against the Angels is Mussina. He needs to be sharp for the Yankees to win. A 1-2 punch of Johnson and Mussina pitching well would be a pretty good omen.
GO ANGELS!
As of right now, the Angels lead the pinstripes 2 games to 1.

[Judy G. Russell]

As of right now, the Angels lead the pinstripes 2 games to 1.And they certainly showed they're a first class team -- seeing the opportunities (a/k/a a top-flight pitcher suffering total melt down) and jumping on them. It wouldn't surprise me at all (it would disappoint me, but not surprise me) if the Angels took game four today.

[Mike Landi]

It's raining pretty hard right now. I don't see how they can play in this.

I wish they had not played. The Big Unit was a Big Pinata!

[Mike Landi]

It wouldn't surprise me at all (it would disappoint me, but not surprise me) if the Angels took game four today.

At least it won't happen today...rainout!

Now, tomorrow we will see how much pressure Shawn Chacon can handle. Randy couldn't handle a Little League team yesterday.

[chm]

I wish they had not played. The Big Unit was a Big Pinata!
Yeah, even Johnson said he would have booed himself if he had to buy a ticket.

What a relief that he was so little trouble for the Angels.

BTW, why do they call Randy Johnson "The Big Unit"? (It almost sounds obscene.) Yes, I do know he's 6'10", so that would explain the "big."

Carolyn

[chm]

I've got my two red Angels pennants on display now in my windows.

GREAT game yesterday! Not only did the Angels beat the Yanks, but the game itself was good baseball. I love games where the score's close and the lead goes back and forth until the end. Makes for suspense.

I was so looking forward to this afternoon's game. Did my chores, wore myself out, and was just about to lie down, relax, and enjoy the game. And, then, no game. : (

Oh well, I'll live. Tomorrow's another day. I hope the game doesn't rain out again.

It's 2002 all over again. : )

Carolyn, down the road from Anaheim Stadium, in OC

[Judy G. Russell]

I wish they had not played. The Big Unit was a Big Pinata!All through the first inning I kept hoping for the skies to open up. Failing that, I kept hoping for a sink hole under the pitcher's mound...

[Judy G. Russell]

Well, just look at it this way... no matter what happens in this series, we'll still end up having done better than Boston...

[ndebord]

And they certainly showed they're a first class team -- seeing the opportunities (a/k/a a top-flight pitcher suffering total melt down) and jumping on them. It wouldn't surprise me at all (it would disappoint me, but not surprise me) if the Angels took game four today.

Judy,

I'm still bent out of shape that Wang lost game 2. As for the Big Eunuch coming up short, not unsurprising, considering his track record this year.

SIGH

Thanks, or no thanks to the rainout it is now up to Chacon on Sunday!

[Mike Landi]

All through the first inning I kept hoping for the skies to open up. Failing that, I kept hoping for a sink hole under the pitcher's mound...

ROFL! and <wince!>

I was encouraged when we took the lead...for a half inning.

[Mike Landi]

Well, just look at it this way... no matter what happens in this series, we'll still end up having done better than Boston...

A winning season, at the least. <g>

[Judy G. Russell]

Hey, as far as I was concerned, anything was better than losing 5-0!!

[Judy G. Russell]

And Division champs... and NOT having been swept in the playoffs... and...

[Judy G. Russell]

Thanks, or no thanks to the rainout it is now up to Chacon on Sunday!And Chacon really doesn't have the experience. That alone is why the White Sox went with El Duque in Boston... and he came through BIG time.

[ndebord]

And Chacon really doesn't have the experience. That alone is why the White Sox went with El Duque in Boston... and he came through BIG time.

Judy,

El Duque, as good as he can be, only did 3 innings in relief. Contrereas, to the contrary (groan) is really good now.

As for Chacon, he just passes the feel good premise for me.

[Judy G. Russell]

As for Chacon, he just passes the feel good premise for me.Do you have your magic $5 riding on him?????

[ndebord]

Do you have your magic $5 riding on him?????

Judy,

For sure, you mean I didn't have my 5 buck bet in with Wayne on this one? (Darn!)

<g>

[ndebord]

Judy,

Aack... Z-Rod (as in Zilch), Frogzilla... The Yankees fall 5-3. In the end, it
was the hitters who failed them and some homefield breaks for the opposing
team. The Angels move on.

<sigh>

[Judy G. Russell]

Sigh indeed... oh well... how 'bout them Giants anyway?

[Mike Landi]

how 'bout them Giants anyway?

Big game Sunday. Giants/Cowboys!

[ndebord]

Big game Sunday. Giants/Cowboys!

Mike & Judy,

Ahh, errr, oh well..Go Tuna!

<g,d&r>

[Judy G. Russell]

We part company over that one, Pardner. I like Parcells, but loathe the Cowboys. I couldn't root for them even if they were playing the Redskins, and that's saying a LOT.

[Judy G. Russell]

GO BIG BLUE!

[Wayne Scott]

I've got my two red Angels pennants on display now in my windows.

GREAT game yesterday! Not only did the Angels beat the Yanks, but the game itself was good baseball. I love games where the score's close and the lead goes back and forth until the end. Makes for suspense.

I was so looking forward to this afternoon's game. Did my chores, wore myself out, and was just about to lie down, relax, and enjoy the game. And, then, no game. : (

Oh well, I'll live. Tomorrow's another day. I hope the game doesn't rain out again.

It's 2002 all over again. : )

Carolyn, down the road from Anaheim Stadium, in OC
Carolyn: We Californios have to stick together to combat the effete northeast faction.

Now all together:

GO ANGELS!

[Mike Landi]

Mike & Judy,

Ahh, errr, oh well..Go Tuna!

<g,d&r>

No #$%@! way! The Tuna may be good, but he is a defector and a mercenary.

GO BIG BLUE! Harpoon the Tuna and beat the Cowboys!

[ndebord]

We part company over that one, Pardner. I like Parcells, but loathe the Cowboys. I couldn't root for them even if they were playing the Redskins, and that's saying a LOT.

Judy,

Don't much care where Bill Parcells lays his hat. He is the best coach of his generation and it should be an interesting game between Dallas and the Giants because of him!

<g>

[Judy G. Russell]

I have to agree with you about Parcells' talent as a coach. One of the best ever.

[chm]

Carolyn: We Californios have to stick together to combat the effete northeast faction.

Now all together:

GO ANGELS!
I know.

However, I am greatly humbled and dismayed about a news report yesterday which listed California as #46 on a ranking of state stupidity. At least I can claim Illinois for my K-12 (and some college) - but what about my children, grandchildren, the people I am around on the street (most of whom don't even speak English)? California has got to get its education act together! Whatever happened to Arnold, The Great Advocate for Education, anyway? Of late, he's the Great Advocate for Arnold. Bleeping special election! I just got my sample ballot.

Now, as for the Yankees, I have a preference for underdogs just on principle, anyway. (I am also a Cubs fan.)

GO ANGELS!

I have one problem with this series in that I also do kinda like the White Sox, the team of my childhood in the suburbs of Chicago. Meaning this series can't be that much of a disappointment either way, so, unfortunately, I am less excited about it.

Even so, can you believe that my daughter Jennifer phoned after that tainted Sox win for the sole purpose of gloating? I'm glad I wasn't the one to pick up the phone.

Carolyn

[Judy G. Russell]

GO ANGELS!Er... what's happening to Lackey tonight? Melt down?

[Bill Hirst]

Er... what's happening to Lackey tonight? Melt down?
I think it was more Garland's pitching that helped the Sox win. The Angels need to wrap it up before he gets another chance on the mound.

[Judy G. Russell]

Garland was fantastic. But Lackey is usually better than last night.

[Bill Hirst]

3-0 in the top of the first. It could be a loooong night.

[Judy G. Russell]

It's 6-2 in the sixth and still painful. And I don't suppose I need to mention that other game today. Roger Clemens looked good (sob).

[ndebord]

3-0 in the top of the first. It could be a loooong night.


Bill,

It's 6-2 in the 8th and it is asking a lot for the rookie Santana to replace a Cy Young candidate. The angels are a very good team, but short on starting pitching, a strength for these White Sox I'm afraid.