10.8.07 - ALDS Game 4, CLE @ NYY: All Pregame Info & Discussion

[TheBamTino24]

The day started with George Steinbrenner publically putting Joe Torre’s job on the line. The game started with Roger Clemens re-aggravating his hamstring and putting the Yankees into a 2-0 hole by the 3rd inning. With 2 outs in the 3rd, it was Phil Hughes who came on in relief of Clemens, allowing an inherited runner score, but absolutely dominating the Indians over the next 3.2 IP.

Hughes’ masterful relief performance provided the Yankees with an opportunity to comeback. And despite the day’s unsettling tone, the chance of elimination, and the in-game deficit, the Yankees responded. The resilient effort blew open the doors for Johnny Damon’s 3R HR in the 5th, and a 4-run outburst in the 6th. Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera closed out the 8-4 victory to end an eventful day and extend New York’s season at least another day.

We have a pulse.

Heading into Game 4:

• Johnny Damon, Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, and Robinson Cano all had multi-hit games. Matsui, the target of criticism all week, went 2 for 2 with 2 walks and 3 runs scored. The 2 hits for Rodriguez were his first in a postseason game for NYY since 2004.

• Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada went a combined 1 for 7 with 3 GIDP. The duo is now 2 for 22 in the series.

• Hughes, Chamberlain, Cano, and Melky Cabrera (RBI single) again proved how valuable the younger players have been to the 2007 Yankees. They are not in the postseason at all without their contributions.

• Chamberlain threw 38 pitches in the “must-win.” With NYY, his season-high total for consecutive nights is 34. He should be eligible for an out – maybe even an inning – tonight if need be. Mariano Rivera threw just 10 pitches. He should be available for 2.

Chien-Ming Wang (19-7, 3.70) will take the mound at Yankee Stadium on just 3 days’ rest for Game 4. Wang was hammered by the Indians for 9 hits and 8 ER over just 4.2 IP. He also allowed a staggering 4 walks and registered just 5 groundouts. It was the worst start of his career.

Wang was a completely different pitcher in The Bronx this season. In 16 GS he went 10-4, 2.75 over 111.1 IP. Wang yielded just 96 hits, 6 HR, and 30 walks (2.4/9) against 60 strikeouts (4.9/5) with a 2.71 GO:AO and 1.13 WHIP.

Facing Wang will be Cleveland veteran RH Paul Byrd (15-8, 4.59). Byrd made 31 starts for the Indians this season, and threw 2 shutouts. Spanning 192.1 IP, he was tagged for 27 HR, 239 hits, though he walked just 28 (3.6/9) with 88 strikeouts (4.5/9). Byrd posted a 1.39 WHIP and 0.87 GO:AO. Opponents hit .301 against him with a .329 OBP and .473 SLG. LH hit .322/.345/.459 against Byrd with RH at .280/.311/.487.

Byrd ended September by being lit up for 44 hits, 6 HR, and 22 ER (6.83 ERA) over his final 29 IP (5 GS). However, on the season, he was a much better pitcher on the road with a 3.51 ERA (97.1 IP) than at home 5.68 (95 IP). Byrd was scorched by the Yankees for 7 ER on 7 hits and 2 IP at Jacobs Field on August 11th.

Wang vs. CLE:

HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Trot Nixon	13	1	1	0	0	2	4	1	.077	.294	.154	.448
Victor Martinez	9	2	1	0	0	2	0	1	.222	.222	.333	.556
Grady Sizemore	9	3	1	0	1	1	0	1	.333	.333	.778	1.111
Travis Hafner	6	1	0	0	0	0	3	0	.167	.444	.167	.611
Jhonny Peralta	6	2	1	0	0	1	0	0	.333	.333	.500	.833
Kenny Lofton	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.333	.500	.333	.833
Chris Gomez	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.333	.333	.333	.667
Casey Blake	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.333	.333	.333	.667
Franklin Gutierrez	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	2	.333	.333	.667	1.000
Kelly Shoppach	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Totals	57	13	5	0	1	6	8	5	.228	.323	.368	.691

Byrd vs. NYY:

HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Derek Jeter	27	11	3	1	0	3	1	7	.407	.429	.593	1.021
Johnny Damon	19	3	1	0	0	2	1	0	.158	.200	.211	.411
Doug Mientkiewicz	19	6	3	1	0	5	2	2	.316	.381	.579	.960
Jorge Posada	18	3	2	0	0	2	2	2	.167	.250	.278	.528
Alex Rodriguez	15	4	0	0	1	4	1	6	.267	.353	.467	.820
Jason Giambi	14	3	0	0	1	1	2	3	.214	.313	.429	.741
Robinson Cano	8	2	1	0	1	1	0	1	.250	.250	.750	1.000
Bobby Abreu	5	2	0	0	0	2	2	0	.400	.571	.400	.971
Hideki Matsui	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.200	.200	.200	.400
Andy Phillips	5	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	.200	.333	.200	.533
Melky Cabrera	5	3	0	0	1	6	1	0	.600	.571	1.200	1.771
Wilson Betemit	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	.250	.250	.500	.750
Mike Mussina	3	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.333	.333	.333	.667
Jose Molina	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.333	.500	.333	.833
Andy Pettitte	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.500	.000	.500
Totals	151	42	11	2	4	27	14	24	.278	.345	.457	.802

I was very critical of Torre all week for sticking with Matsui. But Matsui had a strong game last night and even legged out an infield single, so I will gladly eat my words for Game 3:

LF Damon
SS Jeter
RF Abreu
3B Rodriguez
DH Matsui
C Posada
2B Cano
1B Mientkiewicz
CF Cabrera

[JeffWeaverFan]

Gotta put Mientkiewicz or Betemit at 1st for defensive reasons.

[justinvarnes]

Dammit! I KNEW Joe should have started Mussina...

[ICEBERG18]

Must score early and first.

[BRNXBMRS]

Wang is the guy I want on the mound at home tonight. Doug M should be a nobrainer at 1b.

[Janttje]

Lets go Yankees.. Time to tie the series..

[ynkefan23]

I'm going and can't wait!
Go Yanks!

[YanksFan1992]

Time to send it back to Cleveland!

Let's go Yanks!

[Since95]

On the Road I would start Mientkiewicz, but at home you gotta give Giambi at least 2 AB's against Byrd.

[NavyTim]

Nice job TBT - - any mention of weather - will this one be done in 3.5 hours ?

[stephsamps]

On the Road I would start Mientkiewicz, but at home you gotta give Giambi at least 2 AB's against Byrd.

Why? Doug has better numbers against Byrd and offers MUCH better D with Wanger on the mound. Giambi hasn't exactly been hitting the cover off the ball lately either.

[BRNXBMRS]

On the Road I would start Mientkiewicz, but at home you gotta give Giambi at least 2 AB's against Byrd.

Pitching & defense wins, Giambi cant do neither.

[justinvarnes]

Nice job TBT - - any mention of weather - will this one be done in 3.5 hours ?

Hourly Weather Forecast for Bronx, NY - weather.com


Looks like an occasional storm, but nothing heavy. chance of rain 30% and the "isolated T-Storms" is basically in every hour, so although we may see a dealy, it looks like they'll have no problem getting the game in....at least according to weather.com

"Widely scattered showers or a thunderstorm this evening. Then partly cloudy. Low 68F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%."

That doesn't sound too ominous to me. (knocks on wood)

[NavyTim]

Hourly Weather Forecast for Bronx, NY - weather.com


Looks like an occasional storm, but nothing heavy. chance of rain 30% and the "isolated T-Storms" is basically in every hour, so although we may see a dealy, it looks like they'll have no problem getting the game in....at least according to weather.com

"Widely scattered showers or a thunderstorm this evening. Then partly cloudy. Low 68F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%."

That doesn't sound too ominous to me. (knocks on wood)

Rain delay = MLB can do

Bug Delay = MLB no can do

[JSG]

nice sendup and lineup. i think you gotta go with dougie M for D with the wanger on the mound, especially given his pretty strong #s vs byrd. agree matsui and also probably go back to him @ #5. posada had a hit but has struggled this series, so that probably makes sense. and you kinda feel might matsui might build off of last game and really break out. would tho flip dougie M and melky.

[hongchihkuo]

Wang needs to pitch tonight at least as well as he did way back on 6/13/06 (outdueling Byrd and Carmona with help from Cano, Myers(!), Farnsworth(!), and Rivera). Hopefully he can throw a full nine (instead of only 7 1/3) shutout innings to redeem himself after game 1.

[TheBamTino24]

Good find there. I think Cano hit the HR in the 1-0 NYY win.

[ZIM 2002]

I'd take 7 from Wang and 2 from Mo!

[BringBackBernie!]

I'd take 7 from Wang and 2 from Mo!

Same. Save Joba. Cleveland's going to have Sabbathia to start game 5 and Carmona in relief. We need Joba out there.

[JSG]

Same. Save Joba. Cleveland's going to have Sabbathia to start game 5 and Carmona in relief. We need Joba out there.

absolutely. a batter or two max in an emergency, but we figure to need him for 2 in a game 5.

[I Heart Jeter]

Huh, I would have expected our hitters to have loftier number against Byrd...

Our advantage in this game lasts as long as the starting pitching. I think Cleveland has the bullpen advantage, especially since Joba is likely unavailable (or if he is "available" I suspect he won't be as effective)

[ksison]

pitching wins in the postseason.. we need an absolute gem from Wang tonight

[JfromJersey]

I would be shocked if Jeter doesn't break out tonight.

[BroadwayBomber55]

Gotta win tonight Yankees. Put more pressure on the Indians shoulders with a win tonight in Game 4.

Chien-Ming Wang needs to continue to stay poised, throw quality strikes, especially quality first pitch strikes, be economical with your pitches, and make the sinker very devastating in order for him to ground and pound the Indians into hamburger meat. In 7 home starts since the All-Star Break, Wang is 4-1 with a 2.64 ERA, .244 BAA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 2.65 GB/FB ratio. Wang is also 6-1 in 9 Night Game starts since the All-Star Break with a 4.18 ERA, .281 BBA, 1.36 WHIP, and 2.33 GB/FB ratio.

The Yankees offense did come alive in Game 3 and they need to duplicate that in Game 4 tonight. In 15 of Wang starts since the All-Star Break, the Yankees are 12-0 when they score 7+ runs, 3-0 when they scored 5 to 6 runs, and 0-3 when they score 4 or less.

If A-Rod, Jo-Po, Hideki Matsui continue swinging the stick like they did in Game 3, the Yankees have a shot of forcing a Game 5 back in Cleveland. Even though, A-Rod, Posada, and Matsui didn't drive in a run in Game 3 and have yet to get an RBI in the series, they were still productive. Why? A-Rod, Jo-Po, and Godzilla, were setting the table and extending rallies for the other hitters like Robinson Cano with his 2-run single and Johnny Damon's 3 run HR by getting on base. A-Rod, Jo-Po, and Godzilla went 5 for 9 with 5 runs scored and 3 BB.

DJ is having a rough series so far. In order for him to break out of his funk, DJ needs to think right-center and right-field. He does have pretty good numbers against Paul Byrd lifetime.

In order for the Yankees to be successful against Byrd, take his breaking pitches the other way and to the gaps. Don't chase his screwball. Sit on his pitches and find the holes for base hits by poking, pecking, and clobbering them.

As for the Yankee defense, as usual, continue to stay alert, on your toes, read and get to the ball very quickly, and make all the plays.

As for the lineup, I like it with the players in there, but I also flip Melky and Doug.

LF Damon
SS Jeter
RF Abreu
3B Rodriguez
DH Matsui
C Posada
2B Cano
CF Cabrera
1B Mientkiewicz

Same drill as in Game 3, nothing changes for Game 4 tonight, Yankees. Stay poised and cool as a cucumber, steady as a rock, patient as a saint, and fighting back with everything you got until you win. Keep throwing everything at the Indians and I mean, the full yard sale.

[frostdude1]

soooooooo pumped up for this game

[shotz]

GO YANKEES!!!!!

[Torre Must Go]

Just win today. That's it. Just win the game.

[BroadwayBomber55]

Just win today. That's it. Just win the game.

Win the game and keep taking the pressure off your shoulders and place it on the Indians shoulders.

[THEBOSS84]

I just read that Shopach is Byrd's personal catcher and that Garko willbe benched so Martinez can play 1st.

[Bambino22]

Im feeling good about Wang redeeming himself tonight.

[Yanks3]

Here comes Wang:








LETS GO YANKEES!!!!

[Yankees Pride]

Wang for 5 or 6 than Mussina for 2 than Mo for 1 or 2. I think that could be very effective.

[knickfan23]

Handoff game tonight.

Wang to Rivera. Thats it.

Yanks need to take the lead early to put the Indians on their heels. Eliminate the possibilty of Perez and Betancourt from being a factor.

Just get me to Wednesday.

One inch at a time.

[Bern baby Bern!]

Anybody know what time the gates open?? Want to get there early.. Yankees taking bp? what time does thats start?

[BonusCantos]

Send this thing back to Cleveland.

[stazsanity]

our season will go as far was wang's right arm can guide it- we will score some runs against byrd for him to work with...quite simply: if he keeps the ball down in the zone, we'll be boarding a plane to cleveland at night's end. if he doesn't- it'll be scapegoat time.

LETS GO YANKEES!

[TheBamTino24]

Personally, I'm not concerned about the 3 days' rest thing. At 27 years old, 6'3" 225 LB pitcher, he should be fine. And he only threw 94 pitches last time out. And in the past 17 days he's thrown a grand total of 188 pitches and 10.2 IP considering he had that longer layoff before his Game 1 start.

I'm not worried about him from that perspective at all. Whether not he can actually be effective is on him, not the rest, IMHO.

[JeterForPresident]

Isn't the argument that sinkerballers can be better when "tired" or more worn out? I know many blamed the fact Wang hadn't pitched for a while before game 1 as the reason he was getting everything up. Perhaps on short rest, he might be more effective. Being home in Yankee Stadium shouldn't hurt either.

[TheBamTino24]

This is Wang's big moment.

I know he pitched well in Game 2 of the 2005 ALDS and Game 1 of the 2006 ALDS, but this is the game where he can really come up big for this organization. This is the one you do not forget.

[Bern baby Bern!]

Isn't the argument that sinkerballers can be better when "tired" or more worn out? I know many blamed the fact Wang hadn't pitched for a while before game 1 as the reason he was getting everything up. Perhaps on short rest, he might be more effective. Being home in Yankee Stadium shouldn't hurt either.

yea torre said that as well i believe, having a tired arm helps sinker ball pitchers. If you're too strong you tend to overthrow and keep your pitches up. Pettite also hates pitching even with 5 days rest, it ruins his routine and he too says he cant pitch if he is too strong.

[stazsanity]

i also think the posada is going to have a huge game tonight- i find it hard to believe after the season he's had with the huge hits and fine job behind the plate that he'll go down like this- 1 for the series with a ton of runners left in scoring positions and a couple of huge double plays.

[Brooklyn Yankee Fan]

I'm comfortable with Wang going tonight. He's pitching at home, and we all know how well does when pitching at Yankee Stadium. I'd have Mussina ready to go early on in case Wang doesn't pitch well tonight. This game is do or die, just like last night, and I think Wang will come through tonight, redeeming himself from his outing in Game 1.

The offense showed up last night, and it was about time. Hopefully they are still around in the Bronx and give Wang run support early on off of Byrd, someone who they should be hitting. You need the runs, so offense is key. DH, I'd put Matsui again, and then at 1b I still think you need Mientkeiwicz because his defense is important with a pitcher like Wang on the mound. Depending on the score throughout the game, then I would switch Doug and Giambi, so you have Giambi's bat in the lineup.

Either way, tonight is a crucial game. If we lose, we go home. If we win, we go back to Cleveland. But one game at a time I say.

Let's Go Yankees!

[TheBamTino24]

At Neyer's blog today (ESPN Insider access required), he considers the 1,000 simulations of the series conducted by Diamond Mind (see the story on the simuluations here). Neyer notes that Paul Byrd got shellacked in the simulations, compiling a 6.75 ERA over hundreds of starts. Neyer writes:

See, Paul Byrd is a right-handed pitcher, and not a particularly good one. The Yankees destroy right-handed pitching. Against lefties -- and by the way, Sabathia is a lefty -- the Yankees are quite mortal; against left-handed pitchers this season, they slugged .427, just four points higher than league average.
Against right-handers, though?

.487

Against left-handed pitchers, the Yankees are Michael Cuddyer; against right-handed pitchers, the Yankees are Nick Markakis. So who do you want to face?

http://blog.nj.com/yankees/2007/10/neyer.html

[trentonthunder]

I smell a blowout tonight. I think we score over 10 against them.
Byrd will not last long. Cleveland will throw in the towel, saving all their
big guns for game 5. Cleveland here we come !!!!

[TheBamTino24]

I smell a blowout tonight. I think we score over 10 against them.
Byrd will not last long. Cleveland will throw in the towel, saving all their
big guns for game 5. Cleveland here we come !!!!

Question will be does Wedge let it get to that point?

[dmb8021]

M&MD and YES had the lineups up, but I was not quick enough to type them out. Hopefully someone else was though. I do know Garko isn't playing, Martinez is playing 1st, and Shoppach is catching Byrd tonight.

[trentonthunder]

Question will be does Wedge let it get to that point?

I believe so. Smart managers know it's easier to win at home then on the road.
He also knows he'll have a rested Sabathia, Carmona and crew ready for a home game. Most MLB teams have much better records at home then on the road.

[trentonthunder]

M&MD and YES had the lineups up, but I was not quick enough to type them out. Hopefully someone else was though. I do know Garko isn't playing, Martinez is playing 1st, and Shoppach is catching Byrd tonight.

In other words, Cleveland is throwing in the towel on this game. Not suprised.
If they get lucky, then they'll feel fortunate. But I believe they are more concerned about game 5 then they are about game 4.

[ilko]

It won't be easy. A lot of you guys underestimate Byrd. For Cleveland's manager to pick him over Sabathia, he obviously knows something we don't.

Let's hope our pitching is good! Wang is not known to last into the late innings and that's a problem. If he can do 5 1/3 on 3 days rest, that will be good in my book.

[R.V.47]

I hope that the yankee hitters dont get to over anxious against Byrd. Hes gonna make them put the ball in play but try to keep them off balanced. If they get to aggressive they play right into his hands. I know it will be easier to beat him then Sabathia or Carmona in game 5 but I refuse to overlook Byrd and I hope the hitters arent either. You dont have a career as long as hes had without having some success.