6.16.07 - NYM @ NYY: All Pregame Info & Discussion

[TheBamTino24]

The odds were certainly slim that the Yankees would end this Subway Series winners of 12 straight and the Mets would go home losers of 8 straight. Those streaks ended last night, so now the Yankees need to focus on winning the series the hard way - the back two games.

Oliver Perez again dominated the Bronx Bombers in a 2-0 Mets victory. Perez threw 7.2 masterfull innings at Shea Stadium earlier in May where he limited the Yankee offense to just 2 runs: both of which came on 1 pitch - a Hideki Matsui 2R HR. With his team in dire need of the one thing that halts a losing streak - an outstanding start - Perez delivered 7.1 innings of shutout baseball. He is now 2-0 against NYY this year, with a 1.20 ERA over 15 IP. Roger Clemens threw a very good 6.1 IP, 2 ER of his own, but undeservedly received the loss.

When a pitcher completely shuts down a team for the second straight time, it is more than just good fortune. Usually this Yankee offense can wear out pitchers like Perez who fail to demonstrate they can consistently command their pitches. But what makes Perez so tough on them, and different from other pitchers with poor command - a Doug Davis of Arizona for example - is that his raw "stuff" is sensational. When your patient, he can whisper 94 MPH fastballs on the black or buckle the legs of Matsui and Bobby Abreu with outstanding breaking pitches. As the game goes on he settles in and has the Yankees completely off balance; "wild in the strike zone," as Jorge Posada remarked.

Certainly Oliver Perez should be getting more accolades today than the Yankees get criticism.

NYY had 2 opportunities last night - with 2 on and 1 out in the 2nd and 2 on and nobody out in the 4th. After navigating those messes with the help of his defense, Perez settled in and coasted.

Rookie RH Tyler Clippard (3-1, 5.32) will start today against the Mets veteran LH Tom Glavine (5-4, 4.15).

Since throwing a gem against the Mets last month (6 IP, 1 ER), Clippard has been struggling greatly with his command. He's walked 11 in the 17.2 IP since and has failed to register a single out in the 6th inning. With Kei Igawa pitching very well in Scranton, another start against the Mets could bookend Clippard's stint with New York should it not go well.

Glavine's last start in Detroit - 9 ER and 11 hits in 4.1 IP - was one of the worst of his career, and jumped his ERA from 3.36 to 4.15. Otherwise, Glavine has been the prototypical QS machine, throwing 10 quality starts of his other 13. Glavine is a soft thrower who relies on location and effective change-ups to win. LH hitters actually fare better against him because they can feast on that change-up angle better than RH hitters.

Clippard vs. NYM:

HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Carlos Delgado	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000	.000	.000	.000
Carlos Beltran	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Jose Reyes	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000
David Wright	3	1	0	0	1	1	0	1	.333	.333	1.333	1.667
Shawn Green	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	.500	.500	1.000	1.500
Paul Lo Duca	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.500	.500	.500	1.000
Endy Chavez	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.333	.000	.333
Damion Easley	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000	.500	.000	.500
John Maine	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	1.000	.000	1.000
Totals	19	3	1	0	1	1	3	6	.158	.273	.368	.641

Glavine vs. NYY:

HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Bobby Abreu	70	16	3	0	1	12	7	6	.229	.299	.314	.613
Derek Jeter	28	9	0	0	2	4	2	3	.321	.367	.536	.902
Jorge Posada	12	4	0	0	0	1	3	0	.333	.467	.333	.800
Jason Giambi	10	4	0	0	0	1	2	3	.400	.500	.400	.900
Hideki Matsui	10	6	0	0	0	1	1	1	.600	.636	.600	1.236
Johnny Damon	8	4	0	0	0	1	1	0	.500	.600	.500	1.100
Robinson Cano	8	3	1	0	1	3	1	0	.375	.444	.875	1.319
Alex Rodriguez	7	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	.143	.333	.143	.476
Andy Pettitte	5	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000	.167	.000	.167
Miguel Cairo	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.333	.333	.333	.667
Doug Mientkiewicz	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.250	.000	.250
Josh Phelps	3	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.667	.667	.667	1.333
Melky Cabrera	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Carl Pavano	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000	.000	.000	.000
Mike Myers	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Luis Vizcaino	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000
Totals	174	50	4	0	4	23	21	17	.287	.367	.379	.747

[Toaderly]

Whether T-Clipp does well or not today, I feel he's shown the potential to be a great MLB pitcher in the future. However, it would be great if he'd do a repeat of his first outing today. It would also be great if the Yankee offense shows up slamming on Glavine.

[webassign]

Please, 7.2 masterful innings? The Yankees kept shooting htemselves in the foot by swinging at ball 4 and giving him outs instead of taking walks.

[TheBamTino24]

Whether T-Clipp does well or not today, I feel he's shown the potential to be a great MLB pitcher in the future. However, it would be great if he'd do a repeat of his first outing today. It would also be great if the Yankee offense shows up slamming on Glavine.

I agree about Clippard. I like what I see from him with regard to his composure and aggressiveness. But his 5+ walks per 9 is disgusting. He must be having trouble adjusting because I think his career minors mark was 2.3/9 or something close.

Please, 7.2 masterful innings? The Yankees kept shooting htemselves in the foot by swinging at ball 4 and giving him outs instead of taking walks.

That's because he had them completely fooled. You don't make Abreu, Matsui, even Posada look like complete crap because you have nothing. When you throw into the 8th inning and give up 2 runs on 1 pitch, that's a great job.

Then you follow that up with 7.1 innings of shutout ball against the same team? Very impressive on Perez's part. But I figured people would want to blame the Yankees more than credit someone else, and that's your right.

[webassign]

That's because he had them completely fooled. When you throw into the 8th inning and give up 2 runs on 1 pitch, that's a great job.

Then you follow that up with 7.1 innings of shutout ball against the same team? Very impressive on Perez's part.

I wasn't talking about his previous outing, just this one. Last night to me was more of the Yankees getting back into their offenseive funk than Perez shutting us down. Cano, Melky, Phelps, and even Abreu a little bit, all looked like their worthless April and May forms.

[b_joseph]

Perez was great yesterday, but hopefully we take out some frustration on Glavine.

Damon and Jeter both have good numbers against him, so hopefully if Clipp can put up a bagel to start. We can jump on Glavine early and not let him wiggle out of trouble like he did back in Shea.


Winning streaks are great, but they dont show you how good a team is. Sweeping the weekend after a tough loss in game 1?? Now that will show you how good a team is!!!

[TheBamTino24]

I wasn't talking about his previous outing, just this one. Last night to me was more of the Yankees getting back into their offenseive funk than Perez shutting us down. Cano, Melky, Phelps, and even Abreu a little bit, all looked like their worthless April and May forms.

We'll see what happens. I'm hoping it was just Perez having our number this year. But if those this becomes a prolonged issue again, you'll be right.

[GraniteYankee]

Whether T-Clipp does well or not today, I feel he's shown the potential to be a great MLB pitcher in the future. However, it would be great if he'd do a repeat of his first outing today. It would also be great if the Yankee offense shows up slamming on Glavine.

I like Clip and believe he will be a mainstay for years to come, but I don't see potential greatness coming from him, probably ceiling is a #3 - I hope I am dead wrong, of course.

[Toaderly]

I agree about Clippard. I like what I see from him with regard to his composure and aggressiveness. But his 5+ walks per 9 is disgusting. He must be having trouble adjusting because I think his career minors mark was 2.3/9 or something close.

I think it's just more of the reality of the situation coming to form - facing MLB lineups v. MiLB lineups. But, again, I feel he will, in time, be a great pitcher.

That's because he had them completely fooled. You don't make Abreu, Matsui, even Posada look like complete crap because you have nothing. When you throw into the 8th inning and give up 2 runs on 1 pitch, that's a great job.

Then you follow that up with 7.1 innings of shutout ball against the same team? Very impressive on Perez's part. But I figured people would want to blame the Yankees more than credit someone else, and that's your right.

I can agree with both arguments. Perez pitched well and our guys didn't show up at the plate as they had the past nine games. Of course, Perez may be a step above Arizona's and Pittsburgh's pitching staff but I haven't looked at the stats to make a true comparison, nor will I. Yesterday was yesterday. All they can do is play the game today.

[FingersCrossed]

I hope Clippard has straightened up his command issue a bit. Once he gets his walk rate down to his minor record, he'll have no trouble going a full 6.
He's going to be under a lot of pressure. For himself and for the team. My heart goes out for him. I truly hope he can rise to the occasion with lots of help from his teammates.

Let's go Yankees. Help the rookie help you!

[hardrain]

Please, 7.2 masterful innings? The Yankees kept shooting htemselves in the foot by swinging at ball 4 and giving him outs instead of taking walks.

Absolutely true, but then again, Perez and LaDuca saw that and realized they didn't even need strikes to get the Yanks out.

[yanksphan]

Please, 7.2 masterful innings? The Yankees kept shooting htemselves in the foot by swinging at ball 4 and giving him outs instead of taking walks.

If he can get the supposed best or most patient offense in baseball to keep swinging at ball 4 - wouldn't you call that masterful?

If it were Santana on the mound, we'd all just write it off as a Santana being Santana and dominating us. Not sure why you're so unwilling to give Perez the credit he deserves. He came out ready and did his thing.

[YASS]

Absolutely true, but then again, Perez and LaDuca saw that and realized they didn't even need strikes to get the Yanks out.

I didn't see much of the game so I can't comment specifically, but ... don't most swinging Ks come on pitches that wind up being out of the strike zone? Pitchers often try to get batters to chase with two strike counts, and they often succeed. When they do, batters usually look bad.

Was something different going on last night?

[ymike673]

Please, 7.2 masterful innings? The Yankees kept shooting htemselves in the foot by swinging at ball 4 and giving him outs instead of taking walks.

Perez held the Yankees hitless from the 3rd to the 8th inning. I would call that masterful. He beat us the same way at Shea last month.

[ymike673]

I thought last night game would be the toughest game for the Yankees to win and I was right. But I expect victories today and tomorrow night. If Clippard can hold the Mets to 4 runs or less the Yankees should win. And Proctor and Rivera are well rested so we only really need 6 good innings out of Clippard.

[bostonyankeefan]

I didn't see much of the game so I can't comment specifically, but ... don't most swinging Ks come on pitches that wind up being out of the strike zone? Pitchers often try to get batters to chase with two strike counts, and they often succeed. When they do, batters usually look bad.

Was something different going on last night?

It was more than strikeouts. I watched most of the game (thank you EI for working out something with My9), and Yankee batters were swinging at pitches out of the strike zone when ahead in the count as well, with Melky and Cano as the prime examples. A few times ball four was turned into an out. It happens. Overall, Perez pitched a good game. Can't take that away from him.

[yanksphan]

I didn't see much of the game so I can't comment specifically, but ... don't most swinging Ks come on pitches that wind up being out of the strike zone? Pitchers often try to get batters to chase with two strike counts, and they often succeed. When they do, batters usually look bad.

Was something different going on last night?

Nope. People just refuse to believe that Perez can sometimes be a dominating pitcher.

Perhaps not his stuff so much, but I have to believe he's somewhat deceptive in regards to his delivery (tall lanky lefty).

[JeffWeaverFan]

TClip has to pitch a good game. I do think we'll hit Glavine, but Clippard is going to have to pitch like he did the first time around for us to win this game. Fact is, we have to continue to win every series from here on out, so this is a big game for us.

[hardrain]

Yep - absolutley huge game...the game after a big winning streak ends is also key...
gotta get that bad taste gone from last night.

[hardrain]

Damon back today....from LoHud

YANKEES
Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Matsui LF
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Cairo 1B
Clippard RHP

METS tbd

[frostdude1]

Have a good feeling about this one ... T-Clip just needs to give us 6 solid innings and hopefully the offense is back after one night rest

[NewEraYanks2527]

Gotta come out and get some runs off of Glavine early, make him work and get him out of the game and get into that middle part of the Mets bullpen. Hopefully Clippard can have a repeat performance of his last time out against the Mets.

[knickfan23]

Glavine will give us a chance in the first 3 innings. If we get to him then, we can pile it on as the game rolls on. If not, he will be tough today. Gotta give Clip some support.

I'm going to miss the game today. My first missed Subway Series game in 5 years. Hold it down for me and hopefully we have a win to talk about later today.

For those with MLBTV, I have provided you with the info for today. Just look at the bottom of the sig. I wont be able to answer PM's until tomorrow.

[JDPNYY]

Can we have a first baseman please?

Please?

[aeromac76]

Perez was big time last night, simple as that..
Gotta tip your cap, Clemens and the pen did their jobs, but Perez held us down. I do not blame the offense, Ollie had it going last night and sometimes you just get beat..

We did, next game..

[Toaderly]

Glavine will give us a chance in the first 3 innings. If we get to him then, we can pile it on as the game rolls on. If not, he will be tough today. Gotta give Clip some support.

I'm going to miss the game today. My first missed Subway Series game in 5 years. Hold it down for me and hopefully we have a win to talk about later today.

For those with MLBTV, I have provided you with the info for today. Just look at the bottom of the sig. I wont be able to answer PM's until tomorrow.

You'll be missed, Knickfan. Hopefully, you'll get a chance to catch the score during your day.

[hardrain]

Can we have a first baseman please?

Please?

I'm free today....

[ppa79]

I am watching Yankees batting practice and saw Jorge's wife's low cut dress

WOW!!!!!!!

[TheMick@ND]

Is this game not available on MLb.tv

[Michael®]

Blacked out.

Oh, well. It's probably for the best.

Do they plan on getting Jose Reyes once this weekend and/or throwing out a would-be base stealer, or this going to be a freakin' three-day merry-go-round from first to home.