AJ, Joba and starting pitching

[ndebord]

Well, AJ was more than decent last night... 12 Ks, but the bats went silent and Girardi did the inexplicable once again. He put Coke in for a full inning and that was that. The good news? Molina was behind the plate for AJ and they were in tune, which makes you wonder how many of the losses AJ recently suffered through would have been different if Molina had been behind the plate. On that note, Tuesday is the day that Cervelli gets called up from Scranton... and Posada? Bruised knuckle on his left hand and he won't be catching anytime soon.

As for Joba? Sheesh... A young pitcher... guess he is the new incarnation of Moose... pitch him on an irregular schedule and Katie bar the door. (Is it too late to put him back into the bullpen and put Hughes into the starting rotation?)

And a penny saved is a penny earned, as in Brad Penny may be coming to the Yankees for 100,000 bucks. His control has stunk in the 2nd half of the season, but he throws a 97 mph four seamer and a 92 mph two seamer that sinks but he has been unable to throw the latter for strikes most of the year. He needs a 3rd pitch and doesn't have one and his control stinks.

[Judy G. Russell]

And then Mitre goes out and pitches a game like he pitched today.

Go figger.

[ndebord]

And then Mitre goes out and pitches a game like he pitched today.

Go figger.

Judy,

That is as heavy a sinker as Wang threw... and he is just one year removed from Tommy John surgery... perhaps there is more here than seemed apparent to the eye.

[Judy G. Russell]

perhaps there is more here than seemed apparent to the eye.Let's see if he can do it more than once...

[ndebord]

Let's see if he can do it more than once...

Judy,

He's up against Toronto (Ramero) on the 3rd... then we'll see.

[Mike Landi]

Judy,

He's up against Toronto (Ramero) on the 3rd... then we'll see.
I'd like to see Mitre do that again. Maybe he wants to stay a Yankee? :)

[ndebord]

I'd like to see Mitre do that again. Maybe he wants to stay a Yankee? :)

Mike,

Mitre likes Joe Girardi who showed confidence in him down in FL. As for Joba, 3 innings is interesting, but it definitely eats up the bullpen. Posada is back and that means he gets to catch AJ once again (I sure hope not.)

Today would be the last day to bring up Cervelli so he could play in the postseason. Doesn't look like they'll do it, which means Molina and Posada. SIGH.

[Mike Landi]

Mike,

Mitre likes Joe Girardi who showed confidence in him down in FL. As for Joba, 3 innings is interesting, but it definitely eats up the bullpen. Posada is back and that means he gets to catch AJ once again (I sure hope not.)

Today would be the last day to bring up Cervelli so he could play in the postseason. Doesn't look like they'll do it, which means Molina and Posada. SIGH.
I really wonder about the new 'Joba Rules'. I've tried to understand all of the kid glove treatment, but this constant changing of his schedule must drive him nuts.

[ndebord]

I really wonder about the new 'Joba Rules'. I've tried to understand all of the kid glove treatment, but this constant changing of his schedule must drive him nuts.


Mike,

Well, perhaps the new, new Joba Rules will do the trick. He'll get four days rest and only pitch 3 or 4 innings in the rest of his starts until the post season. in this way, he will get on a regular schedule and perhaps regain his form.

Caveat: it will eat up the bullpen, which was most apparent tonight, when Andy pitched 8 innings (a first since sometime in 2008) and Bruney flunked in the 9th forcing Mo to finish off. Joba Rules ate up the bullpen last night and so Girardi had little to choose from except Bruney, who continues to underwhelm... sure wish he could get back to where he was before the injury.


P.S. Boston was off, so the lead is up to 6 1/2 for the moment.

[Mike Landi]

Mike,

Well, perhaps the new, new Joba Rules will do the trick. He'll get four days rest and only pitch 3 or 4 innings in the rest of his starts until the post season. in this way, he will get on a regular schedule and perhaps regain his form.

Caveat: it will eat up the bullpen, which was most apparent tonight, when Andy pitched 8 innings (a first since sometime in 2008) and Bruney flunked in the 9th forcing Mo to finish off. Joba Rules ate up the bullpen last night and so Girardi had little to choose from except Bruney, who continues to underwhelm... sure wish he could get back to where he was before the injury.


P.S. Boston was off, so the lead is up to 6 1/2 for the moment.
I was rooting for Andy last night. My boys and I were watching the game. I kept explaining that perfect games are very difficult to get...and then Hariston flubbed the ground ball.

I felt worse for Hariston than Andy....

[ndebord]

I was rooting for Andy last night. My boys and I were watching the game. I kept explaining that perfect games are very difficult to get...and then Hariston flubbed the ground ball.

I felt worse for Hariston than Andy....

Mike,

I feel far worse for Andy... because he is unlikely to ever get the chance again. Having said that, Hairston is the new Buckner...

Meanwhile, Posada is catching AJ tonight who has already given up 3 runs in 3 innings. Girardi, it seems, is politcally correct. It is OK for his ace CC to get his own catcher, but not his No. 2 pitcher???? It is more than clear that AJ and Posada are not on the same page (forgetting my dislike of Posada behind the plate altogther)


P.S. Make that 5.1 innings and 6 runs... but the Yankees win 9-6. SIGH

[Judy G. Russell]

Boston was off, so the lead is up to 6 1/2 for the moment.And it's 7.5 now!!

[ndebord]

And it's 7.5 now!!

Judy,

Yes it is and Hughes is looking better and better as the setup man to Mo and his replacement for the next few days while Mo sits and rests his groin.

P.S. Look for this kid Dunn to get in a few games... he has electric stuff and is a leftie too.

[Judy G. Russell]

Look for this kid Dunn to get in a few games... he has electric stuff and is a leftie too.Dunn? Dunn? I keep having to look up these guys. I mean, Chad Gaudin? Who the heck is he???

[ndebord]

Dunn? Dunn? I keep having to look up these guys. I mean, Chad Gaudin? Who the heck is he???

Judy,

Only 26 and when he came up, the youngest pitcher (I think) in the majors. But he hasn't made it big... tonight he was only so-so... good for 3 innings and then the sky fell in... the great news? the relief corp was outstanding and that includes Bruney who (finally) threw a scoreless inning.

[ndebord]

Dunn? Dunn? I keep having to look up these guys. I mean, Chad Gaudin? Who the heck is he???

Judy,

You'd better hope Chad Gaudin is good, 'cause AJ stinks, Mitre is worse and Joba is lost in space.... It could be very iffy for the Yankees in the play-offs. That leaves the starting rotation's top 2 as CC and Andy. As for Sergio Mitre... ouch... 11 runs in 4 1/3 innings today as Toronto blew us out 14-8. And Gaudin???? Not so impressive this far either.

Perhaps Ace as a possible spot starter? I guess what I'm saying is AJ needs to get his act together and Girardi needs to get off his high horse and use Molina instead of Posada with him. This experiment of forcing AJ to use Posada because Posada is such a great hitter ain't working out so well.

[Mike Landi]

Judy,

You'd better hope Chad Gaudin is good, 'cause AJ stinks, Mitre is worse and Joba is lost in space.... It could be very iffy for the Yankees in the play-offs. That leaves the starting rotation's top 2 as CC and Andy. As for Sergio Mitre... ouch... 11 runs in 4 1/3 innings today as Toronto blew us out 14-8. And Gaudin???? Not so impressive this far either.

Perhaps Ace as a possible spot starter? I guess what I'm saying is AJ needs to get his act together and Girardi needs to get off his high horse and use Molina instead of Posada with him. This experiment of forcing AJ to use Posada because Posada is such a great hitter ain't working out so well.
Mitre looked terrible today. We got our butts beat....good!

Wake up Yankees! You are not as good as the record currently shows. The starting pitching is suspect.

[ndebord]

Mitre looked terrible today. We got our butts beat....good!

Wake up Yankees! You are not as good as the record currently shows. The starting pitching is suspect.

Mike,

You need 1 ace and 2 good pitchers to survive in the playoff format. You can get by with 2 aces as shown in 2001 when we lost because of Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson, but one ace, one aging No. 2??? And your No. 3 is struggling terribly (AJ) and your No. 4 is young and inconsistent (at best) and your No. 5 is 2 no-name pitchers???

Can Ace pitch four or five innings? He was a starter until being moved into the pen this year? I doubt they'll do this, but the other choices are equally scary to me.

[Judy G. Russell]

The starting pitching is suspect.Suspect? SUSPECT??? You go with understatement often??

[Mike Landi]

Suspect? SUSPECT??? You go with understatement often??
:)

This afternoon, the #1 looks the part.

[ndebord]

:)

This afternoon, the #1 looks the part.

Now this is heaven in terms of starting pitching: CC goes 7 innings, one run and Hughes and Rivera close it out with scoreless innings and the Yankees win 4-1.

P.S. Game 2 of today's doublheader and AJ was outstanding. Six innings, one run, and oh yes, one little niggling detail: Molina caught the game. Yankees won 11-1.

[Judy G. Russell]

:)

This afternoon, the #1 looks the part.And this evening even AJ looked good. Great games, both. And we now have a NINE game lead.

[Mike Landi]

And this evening even AJ looked good. Great games, both. And we now have a NINE game lead.
I think that the talk of AJ being the #3 starter got AJ to bear down and concentrate. He was a little off in the first inning and then he got on track and mowed down the Rays. When AJ's on, he's very good.

[ndebord]

I think that the talk of AJ being the #3 starter got AJ to bear down and concentrate. He was a little off in the first inning and then he got on track and mowed down the Rays. When AJ's on, he's very good.

Mike,

That's part of it of course... but I really think having Molina behind the plate made all the difference. Molina is a smart catcher who knows how to call a game and AJ is not the brightest pitcher in the game... he needs someone who can help him intelligently use his stuff in a game. I think Girardi finally woke up and realized that he had to use his defensive catcher with his top 2 starters. (I like Andy for No. 2, but his stuff isn't what it once was. He is pitching great, but he is pitching great for his age... IF he keeps it up, then we have 3 great pitchers for the playoffs! And Andy works well with Posada, so there's a sop for Posada's well-known pride.

P.S. Up tonight is Chad Gaudin, instead of Sergio Mitre, who has pitched his way out of the starting lineup. We'll see if this guy is any better.

[ndebord]

And this evening even AJ looked good. Great games, both. And we now have a NINE game lead.

Judy,

Oh yes... how sweet it is. Nine full games up!

[Mike Landi]

Mike,

That's part of it of course... but I really think having Molina behind the plate made all the difference. Molina is a smart catcher who knows how to call a game and AJ is not the brightest pitcher in the game... he needs someone who can help him intelligently use his stuff in a game. I think Girardi finally woke up and realized that he had to use his defensive catcher with his top 2 starters. (I like Andy for No. 2, but his stuff isn't what it once was. He is pitching great, but he is pitching great for his age... IF he keeps it up, then we have 3 great pitchers for the playoffs! And Andy works well with Posada, so there's a sop for Posada's well-known pride.

P.S. Up tonight is Chad Gaudin, instead of Sergio Mitre, who has pitched his way out of the starting lineup. We'll see if this guy is any better.
I think Molina caught because Posada caught game 1. AJ was hitting the target yesterday. That made a difference. Posada caught CC and CC did just fine.

As for tonight, Gaudin is making a heck of an argument for the post season. His command is excellent. (and I think some catcher named George or some such is catching. :) )

[ndebord]

I think Molina caught because Posada caught game 1. AJ was hitting the target yesterday. That made a difference. Posada caught CC and CC did just fine.

As for tonight, Gaudin is making a heck of an argument for the post season. His command is excellent. (and I think some catcher named George or some such is catching. :) )

Mike,

CC and Molina have been hooked up in most games. To change for the doubleheader and reverse catchers just means (to me) that Girardi had had enough of forcing AJ and Posada together.

[Judy G. Russell]

Oh yes... how sweet it is. Nine full games up!And we're still there! Now I just hope Jeter gets his four hits and can relax a bit.

[ndebord]

And we're still there! Now I just hope Jeter gets his four hits and can relax a bit.

Judy,

He's trying to do it at home and pressing... this very long set with Tampa will be over and then Baltimore... He's not going to be able to wait until he gets on the road, unfortunately for his mental state.

And Chad Gaudin! Pitched a great game.

[Judy G. Russell]

He's trying to do it at home and pressing... this very long set with Tampa will be over and then Baltimore... Well, he only needs one more (maybe not tomorrow night -- it's supposed to rain) to break the record -- three last night tied it!

[ndebord]

Well, he only needs one more (maybe not tomorrow night -- it's supposed to rain) to break the record -- three last night tied it!

Judy,

And yes, he started it was a bunt! What a player is Jeter! And for the fans. What a treat. A night to celebrate the tie and a night to celebrate breaking the record. WOW! Now if only the rain will hold off.

[Judy G. Russell]

And yes, he started it was a bunt! What a player is Jeter! And for the fans. What a treat. A night to celebrate the tie and a night to celebrate breaking the record. WOW! Now if only the rain will hold off.I swear, if the forecast wasn't so awful, I'd go scalp me a ticket just for the chance to be there. Love Jeter, always have. (And he's cute, too.)

[ndebord]

I swear, if the forecast wasn't so awful, I'd go scalp me a ticket just for the chance to be there. Love Jeter, always have. (And he's cute, too.)

Judy,

Hey, he ain't taken... (cougar!) <g,d&r>

I'd scalp one too... particularly if it looks like they'll force the game in regardless!

[ndebord]

I swear, if the forecast wasn't so awful, I'd go scalp me a ticket just for the chance to be there. Love Jeter, always have. (And he's cute, too.)

Judy,

Oh My God! I just realized... starting tonight... Petitte and Posada and playing of course will be Jeter and Mo. It's the four amigos from 1996 still on the team and going together to break Gehrig's record tonight!

<VBG>

[Judy G. Russell]

Hey, he ain't taken... (cougar!) <g,d&r>He's young enough to be my son. Sigh...

I'd scalp one too... particularly if it looks like they'll force the game in regardless!I dunno... I'm looking at the rain come down sideways outside my office window.

[ndebord]

He's young enough to be my son. Sigh...

I dunno... I'm looking at the rain come down sideways outside my office window.

Judy,

Last I looked they're still calling it a "rain delay."

[Judy G. Russell]

Last I looked they're still calling it a "rain delay."I wish they had called that game. And today's too. What the heck -- this is NOT the time to do a meltdown and NOT against the Orioles!!

[ndebord]

I wish they had called that game. And today's too. What the heck -- this is NOT the time to do a meltdown and NOT against the Orioles!!

Judy,

As it stands right now, it's CC, then Andy and pray for rain in a short series. <whimper>

[Judy G. Russell]

As it stands right now, it's CC, then Andy and pray for rain in a short series. <whimper>I can't believe how bad AJ has been.

[ndebord]

I can't believe how bad AJ has been.

Judy,

As bad as he has been, he only had one bad inning and did pitch 7 innings. Molina has helped, but he is definitely not right and that is problematic for the playoffs. The good news? CC won again tonight. The bad news? Boston won a doubleheader, meaning only back 7 games.

Right now, the Yankees do not have the best pitching for the post season. Hitting? Hit or miss... feast or famine... explosion or, oh well, you get the point.

And relief pitching.... well CC went 7, Hughes 1 and all was well until the 8th, when Bruney (once again) made everyone nervous by getting the first two outs, then walked the next 2 and Edgar Ramirez got the last out... shudder in a close game, but this was a 13-3 blowout, but tomorrow is another day and it brings the Angels to town and Joba... shudder No. 2 is pitching.



SIGH

[Judy G. Russell]

Right now, the Yankees do not have the best pitching for the post season.Understatement...

[ndebord]

Understatement...

Judy,

Boston has managed to bring up 2 pitchers in the last two years: buckholtz (sp) this year and Lester.


We've brought up Joba. Hughes should be a starter and Joba a relief pitcher, unless he turns it around. AJ? We should have picked up someone off the waiver wires or perhaps Mitre or Guidin (sp) will prove to be better than they've shown so far.

[Judy G. Russell]

Boston has managed to bring up 2 pitchers in the last two yearsAnd the real hitch isn't just this year... it's that some of our folks are getting old. Mariano... Pettite...

[ndebord]

And the real hitch isn't just this year... it's that some of our folks are getting old. Mariano... Pettite...

Judy,

What a difference a night makes... We beat those pesky Angels and we did it with a double steal and Gardner (thank God he's back from the DL) was right in the heart of it. We out-hustled the Angels!!!!!

And Joba... what can I say? A work in progress and the new, new, new Joba Rules just may be working (knocking on wood). Four innings, 67 pitches, 1 run and he is stretching out a bit... three starts left and 18 innings by their count left in his tank. And by then, let's hope he can do 6 innings in the playoffs, which, btw, 7 games to clinch a playoff spot and 12 to clinch the division. And we have homefield advantage at this point in the offseason!

So, if Molina was correct in his aftergame comments I found after AJ's last start, Burnett is better than he has been and just needs to concentrate to avoid mistakes: read the guy's no longer a total mess and there's hope at the end of the rainbow.

What I saw last night is this team is a hungry and proud team and that is a change from recent years.

<VBG>

[Mike Landi]

Judy,

What a difference a night makes... We beat those pesky Angels and we did it with a double steal and Gardner (thank God he's back from the DL) was right in the heart of it. We out-hustled the Angels!!!!!

And Joba... what can I say? A work in progress and the new, new, new Joba Rules just may be working (knocking on wood). Four innings, 67 pitches, 1 run and he is stretching out a bit... three starts left and 18 innings by their count left in his tank. And by then, let's hope he can do 6 innings in the playoffs, which, btw, 7 games to clinch a playoff spot and 12 to clinch the division. And we have homefield advantage at this point in the offseason!

So, if Molina was correct in his aftergame comments I found after AJ's last start, Burnett is better than he has been and just needs to concentrate to avoid mistakes: read the guy's no longer a total mess and there's hope at the end of the rainbow.

What I saw last night is this team is a hungry and proud team and that is a change from recent years.

<VBG>
I thought Joba looked better last night. He does seem to be a pitcher that needs regular work between starts and a predictable start schedule. Hughes looks very good. He got into and out of trouble (relatively, one run given up with bases loaded and no outs.) He is starting to look like a confident pitcher.

I fault AJ for his concentration and preparation. I don't care who is catching, the pitcher needs to make pitches. AJ looks unprepared sometimes...until his job is threatened. Then, he bares down and pitches well.

It was good to see Gardner in the game last night, but that steal was lucky. If the third baseman had a little more hustle, Gardner would have been out. I'm worried about our last trip to Anaheim. Three games with the Angles sounds like going 1-2 at best.

[ndebord]

I thought Joba looked better last night. He does seem to be a pitcher that needs regular work between starts and a predictable start schedule. Hughes looks very good. He got into and out of trouble (relatively, one run given up with bases loaded and no outs.) He is starting to look like a confident pitcher.

I fault AJ for his concentration and preparation. I don't care who is catching, the pitcher needs to make pitches. AJ looks unprepared sometimes...until his job is threatened. Then, he bares down and pitches well.

It was good to see Gardner in the game last night, but that steal was lucky. If the third baseman had a little more hustle, Gardner would have been out. I'm worried about our last trip to Anaheim. Three games with the Angles sounds like going 1-2 at best.

Mike,

Aj is not the brightest bulb on the planet and some pitchers need a first-rate battery mate to thrive... he to my mind is one of those and that means either Molina or Cervelli, not, nada, never, verbotten Posada...

As for Gardner, the Yankees need more of his mold. To that mind they brought up a speedster to finish off the season (not the playoffs), a guy named Freddy Guzman, outfielder. Next year you could have both Gardner and Jackson (Austin) in the outfield, with Cabrera and Swisher splitting time, or perhaps rotating all four.

[ndebord]

And the real hitch isn't just this year... it's that some of our folks are getting old. Mariano... Pettite...

Judy,

Forget the pitching... look at the effort tonight in a 5-4 win in the 9th. Read the stats:

Bottom 9th: NY Yankees
- B. Gardner singled to shallow center
- B. Gardner stole second
- D. Jeter grounded out to shortstop, B. Gardner to third
- F. Cervelli singled to shallow left, B. Gardner scored

What have I been saying all along? The young guys are the sparkplugs and it was Gardner, singling, stealing second, Jeter's out puts him on 3rrd and Cervelli... singled and Gardner scored the winning run.

Yes... that's the kind of ballplaying I want to see.

And oh yes, Gaudin went 5 2/3 and gave up 3 runs. I think we have our 5th starter and it ain't Sergio Mitre.

[Judy G. Russell]

I'm worried about our last trip to Anaheim. Three games with the Angles sounds like going 1-2 at best.Especially after the way we played Baltimore and the way we're playing Toronto...

[Judy G. Russell]

What have I been saying all along? The young guys are the sparkplugs and it was Gardner, singling, stealing second, Jeter's out puts him on 3rrd and Cervelli... singled and Gardner scored the winning run. Yes... that's the kind of ballplaying I want to see.I'd rather see a few all out blow-outs as we ramp up for October! (But I'll surely settle for exactly this kind of playing. You're right: definitely youthful hustle.)

[ndebord]

Especially after the way we played Baltimore and the way we're playing Toronto...

Judy,

And the way the Angels are playing Bostron... scheesh... last night the Angels had a one run lead in the 9th and blew it, losing 9-8.

[Judy G. Russell]

And the way the Angels are playing Bostron... scheesh... last night the Angels had a one run lead in the 9th and blew it, losing 9-8.Well, at least they came around tonight and beat the Beantowners.

[ndebord]

Well, at least they came around tonight and beat the Beantowners.

Judy,

Yes they did and I saw the You Tube video on Nick Green's at bat the night before... the former Yankee was out twice... the umps blew it big time. The Angels should have won that game 8-7.

[Judy G. Russell]

the umps blew it big time. The Angels should have won that game 8-7.There have been a few calls this year that have made me totally shake my head in disbelief.

[ndebord]

There have been a few calls this year that have made me totally shake my head in disbelief.

Judy,

I can't remember where I saw (or heard) it, but there was commentary about how Umps have injected themselves into the games, as though they were players too. Self-indulgent imo, but hey, perhaps it is a cultural phase.

[Judy G. Russell]

there was commentary about how Umps have injected themselves into the games, as though they were players too. Self-indulgent imo, but hey, perhaps it is a cultural phase.I dunno... but I have never seen as many "huh?????" calls as this year.

[ndebord]

I dunno... but I have never seen as many "huh?????" calls as this year.

Judy,

Forgetting the calls... Beantown now has 4... count them, four good pitchers going into the playoffs (Lester, Beckett, Dice-K and Buckholz). We "maybe" have 3: CC, AJ, Andy.

Right now, we're in danger of losing playoff advantage and if we keep losing, the series against Boston can mean the difference between winning the division and being the wildcard team. Yikes! And if we go wildcard, then we get to play the Angels instead of Detroit. Double Yikes!!

The good news? Andy seems fine, which means 3 pitchers (we hope) ready for the playoffs. We can't say squat about Joba. it is beginning to look like leaving him in relief was a better idea and putting Hughes back into the rotation a great idea, even if he has clicked as a relief pitcher. Note: Hughes can't do back to back relief starts, his arm ain't like Mo's.

Bruney? Yikes.

[Mike Landi]

Judy,

Forgetting the calls... Beantown now has 4... count them, four good pitchers going into the playoffs (Lester, Beckett, Dice-K and Buckholz). We "maybe" have 3: CC, AJ, Andy.

Right now, we're in danger of losing playoff advantage and if we keep losing, the series against Boston can mean the difference between winning the division and being the wildcard team. Yikes! And if we go wildcard, then we get to play the Angels instead of Detroit. Double Yikes!!

The good news? Andy seems fine, which means 3 pitchers (we hope) ready for the playoffs. We can't say squat about Joba. it is beginning to look like leaving him in relief was a better idea and putting Hughes back into the rotation a great idea, even if he has clicked as a relief pitcher. Note: Hughes can't do back to back relief starts, his arm ain't like Mo's.

Bruney? Yikes.
We have a "China Doll" for a pitching staff. It looks good when it is being admired from afar, but under stress it cracks.

One solid pitcher (CC), one unstable (AJ), one old and failing (Andy) and a wild card (Joba). The playoffs will be a problem. Anaheim and Boston appear to have better pitching.

[ndebord]

We have a "China Doll" for a pitching staff. It looks good when it is being admired from afar, but under stress it cracks.

One solid pitcher (CC), one unstable (AJ), one old and failing (Andy) and a wild card (Joba). The playoffs will be a problem. Anaheim and Boston appear to have better pitching.

Mike,

Yet, despite my fears, baseball is a fickle game. Boston has just lost 2 straight to KC!!!

And Andy is back... AJ will be fine (fingers crossed and just so long as Girardi is smart enough to let Molina be his catcher) and CC is lights out.

Joba? Well, Joba who? The No. 4 starter for the New York Yankees is going to be Gaudin, who will give you 4 to 6 innings and then the bullpen can do its thing. Robertson will be back soon and Bruney can darn well sulk on the bench unless he pulls off a miracle in the next few games. Mitre? Mitre who?

(You could say that the picks that Cashmen went for were a 50/50 shot in the dark and one out of two is good: Gaudin (only 26!).

[Judy G. Russell]

Yikes.A good word for the whole messy situation. We're in the playoffs as of tonight, but it looks like it's gonna be because Texas lost...

[Judy G. Russell]

Anaheim and Boston appear to have better pitching.Appear to??? That's optimistic, isn't it?

[Judy G. Russell]

A good word for the whole messy situation. We're in the playoffs as of tonight, but it looks like it's gonna be because Texas lost...Okay. I take it back. We won, Boston lost and the Rangers lost. We're in under our own power.

[ndebord]

Okay. I take it back. We won, Boston lost and the Rangers lost. We're in under our own power.

Judy,

What a nail bitter... I stayed up to see it on the internet. The Angels were scary and we survived errors by the usual suspects: 8th inning we lost the lead on Cano's fielding error which let a runner get to first, who promptly stole second and moved to third on Posada's throwing error to 2nd... tied up a game which should not have been that close (earlier on Gaudin was pulled for Ace after 4 2/3's innings and a five to two lead.... by the time he left it was 5-4 and it was time for the errors.

Hughes was magnificient and Mo too! And for that matter, for 4 2/3's innings, Gaudin was more than decent. Probably should not have been pulled and let to pitch to one more batter to possibly get a win.

[Judy G. Russell]

What a nail bitter... I stayed up to see it on the internet.This weekend will be the real nail-biter time. We have GOT to take this series... the team's confidence needs a win in this series.

[Mike Landi]

This weekend will be the real nail-biter time. We have GOT to take this series... the team's confidence needs a win in this series.
Boy are you right. I am not comfortable with the team going into the playoffs. I'd like to see us dominate Boston this weekend just for the confidence boost. I think our starting pitching is our Achilles Heel.

[ndebord]

Boy are you right. I am not comfortable with the team going into the playoffs. I'd like to see us dominate Boston this weekend just for the confidence boost. I think our starting pitching is our Achilles Heel.

Mike,

IF (and it is a big IF) Girardi's seeing sense and using Molina with AJ has borne solid fruit and IF Andy's wing is OK, we have 3 solid pitchers going in to the playoffs (forgetting this little mini-series). Boston has 4 solid pitchers. I predict Gaudin as the 4th starter if we get to the second round. Don't know what to say about Joba except that his personality seems to be more suited to relief than starting (as they said in the Tabs yesterday, the great starting pitchers are even-keeled in their approach).

P.S.

I think I'm beginning to like being wrong... Joba was good tonight... gave up 2 homeruns in 6 innings and left with a 6-3 lead... this is good stuff and the team looks like a well-oiled machine. Three games to go for the division!

[Judy G. Russell]

I'd like to see us dominate Boston this weekend just for the confidence boost.So far so good on that score!

[Judy G. Russell]

I think I'm beginning to like being wrong... Joba was good tonight... gave up 2 homeruns in 6 innings and left with a 6-3 lead... this is good stuff and the team looks like a well-oiled machine. Three games to go for the division!He really did look pretty good tonight. Now if he could just be good CONSISTENTLY.