Maybe the NYY should throw today's game against Seattle if the Mariner's promise to let the Yanks have Hernandez. It currently is going that way. The Yanks need Hernandez and Seattle could certainly use a win.:wink2: -- Al
I see the Mariners took my idea and won 9-2. Now, Hernendez can just walk across the field and change uniforms....:rolleyes2: -- Al
Good points. I'm just concerned about the Yanks getting to the WS. Don't know if they can handle the Sox pitching or the Sox offense with what pitching they currently have. The Sox have owned them so far this season. -- Al
Sounds like its neither of our team's year. The Rangers got a lot better at the trade deadline, and you're right, nobody wants to get Verlander twice in a short series. Looks like the Phillies or the Giants are going to get the Rangers in the fall classic. At least your team has the excuse of injuries to an otherwise excellent pitching rotation. Other than CC, what was Cashman thinking going into this season? Looks like plans A through Z were Cliff Lee, and once he gave Cashman the thumbs down, the Yanks were a 200 million dollar team without any chance of winning the title.
-- Al
Last night's game between the NYY's and the ChiSox has finally convinced me that Mr. Inconsistent (aka A.J. Burnett), has no business pitching for NY in the post season. Actually, he has no business pitching in a regular season game, either. The Yanks gave Burnett a 13-1 lead after 3 innings. All Burnett had to do was cruise to an easy win and save the bullpen a few innings work in the bargain. Burnett was so bad that he couldn't even get through the fifth inning, couldn't last long enough to even qualify for what should have been the easiest win he would ever achieve. Burnett gave up 5 runs in the 4th to make the score 13-6 after 4. OK, not sharp but still ahead. Things just went to Hades in the 5th. Burnett got 1 out and was lifted as Chicago scored another run with more on base. After 4.1 innings, Burnett left the game having given up 7 runs on 13 hits. Fortunately for NY the bullpen was up to the task and shut down Chicago the rest of the way with NY winning in a laugher 18-7. To be handed a 13-1 lead and not be able to last long enough to win the game (much less finish it, as any Class A pitcher could) is an embarrassment of the highest order to someone who is supposed to be a top-flight professional pitcher. Burnett should give his salary back and apologize to the NYY's and their fans. Before coming to the Yanks 2 1/2 seasons ago, Burnett had been a decent pitcher with a lifetime record of 87-76. With NY he is a sad 31-33 with a terrible 4.60 ERA. This being accomplished while with a play-off contender that scores tons of runs. I can't explain his collapse unless its another case of not being able to perform in the spotlight of NY. At any rate, I rank his performances as gutless. If a pitcher can't rack up wins when pitching for the Yanks, its time to change careers or at least get the heck out of Dodge and try elsewhere.
He hangs at least 2 meatballs that get hit out in every start, usually with men on base. He is especially terrible in innings after the Yankees have scored runs. I can't remember the last time he had a shut down inning after a Yankee rally. He is useless to the Yankees, and should be waived. If any body were stupid enough to put in a claim for him, the Yankees could dump his ridiculously overpriced contract (thanks Cashman!).Good idea, Louis. Stick AJ in the back of the bullpen somewhere, deactivate him for the playoffs and go with the 5 that are left. Even Hughes looked good the other night. I would feel a little better about the NYY starting rotation if AJ weren't anywhere near it. Beginning to think that CC and 5-6 solid innings from the others could get the job done if the offense doesn't get shut down in a short series. -- AlAl,
I agree with you 100%. Burnett is a head case. I am tired of hearing about how great his stuff is.
If Girardi had any say in it, I am pretty sure it would be A.J. who gets pulled out of the rotation to reduce it back from six to five. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure Cashman will make Girardi keep running him out there every fifth day, so he doesn't look as bad as he did with signing Pavano.