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

[TheBamTino24]

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.

Shoppach his Byrd's personal catcher. It's the standard Byrd lineup. It's not Wedge throwing up his hands and letting everyone play, Little League style.

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.

Maybe, although I doubt Byrd has something revolutionary to offer tonight. Remember, Torre started Jaret Wright in Detroit last year instead of Chien-Ming Wang on 3 days' rest. It's not unprecedented.

[I Heart Jeter]

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.

If you look at the 19 Games that Wang has won, he has averaged close to 7 innings per start.

[Jetfanmack]

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.

I do think we are underestimating Byrd, seeing as I went to the Byrd vs RJ game in the playoffs when he was with the Angels where we were supposed to kill them and lost. However, it makes perfect sense for Wedge to start Byrd. Byrd wins, then CC and Fausto go games 1 and 2 in the ALCS. Byrd loses, then he has CC and Fausto both on full rest ready to be unleashed in game 5, and he would also have one available to be the ace in the ALCS. We don't have that luxury, seeing as we MUST win this game.

[TheBamTino24]

I do think we are underestimating Byrd, seeing as I went to the Byrd vs RJ game in the playoffs when he was with the Angels where we were supposed to kill them and lost.

We crushed Byrd in that game. Too bad they lit up Jonnson as well.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...00510070.shtml

[Jetfanmack]

We crushed Byrd in that game. Too bad they lit up Jonnson as well.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...00510070.shtml

I stand corrected. I just remember being down 5-0 early, and Byrd shutting us down, which he did for 3 innings, and RJ being lit up.

[HibachiGil0]

Go Yankees!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yankeesnumber1]

Cant wait for this game!!!

The only thing that makes me nervous is if its a close game and Wang needs to come out....who does just put in? Veras? Farnsy?

[Huktonfonix]

Anybody got the lineup?

[dmb8021]

Yankees

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

Indians

sizemore
cabrera
hafner
martinez
peralta
guttierez
lofton
blake
shoppach

[Snatch Catch]

I'm starting to get very anxious. Everything feels good and right at this moment, but we all know how in a couple of hours it can all be taken away by Canadian Soldiers, lucky plays, or cold hitting.

[Martini6196]

Arod is going yard tonight and the Yankees will win 9-5.

[justinvarnes]

Yeah, I've had a good feeling about things ever since saturday afternoon. I just kind of got this feeling of calm that the Yanks were beaten by 2 great pitchers and now it was their time to show how deep their team is, pitcihgn and otherwise. They showed that last night, and tonight they will have another chance to do just that.

Whatever the result, it was nice to see the bats come alive for a change.

and MAN was it awesome to see Damon do FOR us what he did AGAINST us. During that AB I said out loud (to the TV which of course was litening intently...) "OK, Johnny, this is what we signed you for."

[justinvarnes]

P.S. I like the lineup. I like Posada getting another chance to come through behind A-Rod. He looked better last night.

And I like Mientkiewicz at 1B.

[guboogi]

If I could make one change in the lineup, it would be to bat Cano ahead of Matsui. I know Matsui came through yesterday, but while it was a positive sign, I'm not convinced he's fully out of his slump. Cano is simply a better hitter at this point.

[Huktonfonix]

If I could make one change in the lineup, it would be to bat Cano ahead of Matsui. I know Matsui came through yesterday, but while it was a positive sign, I'm not convinced he's fully out of his slump. Cano is simply a better hitter at this point.

Matsui is a much more selective hitter than Cano. I like him where he is.

[justinvarnes]

If I could make one change in the lineup, it would be to bat Cano ahead of Matsui. I know Matsui came through yesterday, but while it was a positive sign, I'm not convinced he's fully out of his slump. Cano is simply a better hitter at this point.

Agreed. But Joe always has his players' feelings on his mind and while that can be a bad thing alot of times, I could see him wanting to "reward" Matsui's performance last night and not make him feel worse by batting him below Cano.

That being said, I still think I'd bat Cano higher, but I can see his thinking there. Also, I like the guys with patience hitting in FRONT of Cano, not behind him...though robbie showed great patience last night!

[Kulish29]

Doug M. vs. Paul Byrd:

6-19, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 5 RBI, 2 walks, 2 K's, .316 AVG, .381 OBP, .579 SLG, .960 OPS

[bennyc64]

Where did that lineup come from?

[justinvarnes]

Doug M. vs. Paul Byrd:

6-19, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 5 RBI, 2 walks, 2 K's, .316 AVG, .381 OBP, .579 SLG, .960 OPS

Sure, he can mash, but how's his defense?

[knickfan23]

If the Yanks lose to Frasier Crane, I'll tip my cap and commend him for a performance well done.

[MunsonNY15]

M&MD had some shots earlier of the guys arriving at the Stadium. Dougie was wearing a Mike Eruzione 1980 Olympic hockey team jersey!

Go Yankees!
Heidi

[MunsonNY15]

If the Yanks lose to Frasier Crane, I'll tip my cap and commend him for a performance well done.

Heidi

[justinvarnes]

If the Yanks lose to Frasier Crane, I'll tip my cap and commend him for a performance well done.

One thing I thought was cool was he said all the right things on the postgame last night. He praised the fans and the ballpark and said he was excited to pitch, but would have been cool with CC going. He just struck me as a real good guy. I'm gonna feel a little bad when the Yanks tear him apart.

[JSG]

Cant wait for this game!!!

The only thing that makes me nervous is if its a close game and Wang needs to come out....who does just put in? Veras? Farnsy?

this is the $64K terror Q that all hope byrd mashing renders moot. if it's close it likely depends on when wanger exits and who has the lead. moose also may be an option out of the pen. KF is an unknown crap shoot and viz still doesn't look right for the last month since his sore shoulder. so pray for runs so we can rest the back end A team for wednesday .............

[metalyank]

Let's go. Just win baby!

And for the worrywarts about Wang coming out early, be positive. Wang will come out when he's done.

[johnnyyankee]

Agreed. But Joe always has his players' feelings on his mind and while that can be a bad thing alot of times, I could see him wanting to "reward" Matsui's performance last night and not make him feel worse by batting him below Cano.

That being said, I still think I'd bat Cano higher, but I can see his thinking there. Also, I like the guys with patience hitting in FRONT of Cano, not behind him...though robbie showed great patience last night!

Not when he batted Arod 8th....

[OldYankeeFan]

Agreed. But Joe always has his players' feelings on his mind and while that can be a bad thing alot of times, I could see him wanting to "reward" Matsui's performance last night and not make him feel worse by batting him below Cano.

That being said, I still think I'd bat Cano higher, but I can see his thinking there. Also, I like the guys with patience hitting in FRONT of Cano, not behind him...though robbie showed great patience last night!

And I never like to see a young guy moved up during the playoffs. Robby is comfortable where he is and I wouldn't want to put more pressure on him. Regular season first and then the playoffs I'm ok with. Besides I'd rather see Matsui walked to get to Cano than Cano walked to get to Matsui.

[Big Daddy]

We need Wang to keep us in the game and rock solid D tonight. Let's do it...ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[justinvarnes]

Not when he batted Arod 8th....

last year was the worst managing in the postseason I've ever seen from Torre. It seems he's learned form his mistakes. I think he truly panicked last year, and that's not his way.

He hasn't been perfect this postseason either, but he's done a much better job than last year. Ugh.

[TheBamTino24]

this is the $64K terror Q that all hope byrd mashing renders moot. if it's close it likely depends on when wanger exits and who has the lead. moose also may be an option out of the pen. KF is an unknown crap shoot and viz still doesn't look right for the last month since his sore shoulder. so pray for runs so we can rest the back end A team for wednesday .............

Surprisingly, I'd go to Farnsworth. I actually was looking for Farnsworth over Vizcaino for the 11th the other night, especially when he came out to the mound to talk to Vizcaino with 2-out. I was hoping for Farnsworth vs. Hafner.

His stuff is worth the risk, IMHO.

You'll see Rivera for 1+ if need be.

[Snatch Catch]

To be honest, Byrd always looked like Chris Benoit to me.

[yanksphan]

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.

freakin classic.

[MunsonNY15]

For those in the NYC area: how's the weather looking? I read there is a chance of showers.

Heidi

[JSG]

Surprisingly, I'd go to Farnsworth. I actually was looking for Farnsworth over Vizcaino for the 11th the other night, especially when he came out to the mound to talk to Vizcaino with 2-out. I was hoping for Farnsworth vs. Hafner.

His stuff is worth the risk, IMHO.

You'll see Rivera for 1+ if need be.

i think you have to as well. viz has just looked so bad the last month you have to figure he is still not back from the sore shoulder. if he's anywhere close he's in there last nite in the 8th and no joba for 2X last nite. re game 2 -- assuming we fast forward to the 11th !! -- i was thinking the same thing. viz was just throwing BP up there and jorge clearly went out there to say look just throw a FB for a strike and hope it got mashed right at someone. at least w KF you have a shot -- and at this point i'm not sure how to quantify it -- that he will show up with his good stuff and maybe even be dominant.

i hope we have enough of a lead tonite that joe feels comfortable giving KF some air. i really want to rest joba for a game 5 and tho joe sez joba can do an inning tonite he really looked gassed and i would like to avoid it. i think we will make it to a game 5, but with a rested sabathia + carmona, we will be pitching uphill and will likely need our full complement.

PS torre right now on MMD.

[Snatch Catch]

Sun's out in midtown.

[jeterismyhomeboy]

For those in the NYC area: how's the weather looking? I read there is a chance of showers.

Heidi

It's mostly sunny here in Brooklyn. There's a little bit of a cloud haze to the north and west, but otherwise, it looks pretty good. Definitely doesn't look like a chance of a storm. But I hedge my bets due to karma over talking about weather.

[justinvarnes]

For those in the NYC area: how's the weather looking? I read there is a chance of showers.

Heidi

Weather.com still says the same thing: partly cloudy with isolated T-storms. 30% chance of rain.

Radar is completely clear at the moment.

To me that means that although it may rain some, they should have NO problem getting the game in.

[justinvarnes]

Torre just said the decision was between Ramirez and Villone, so it seems like Kennedy wasn't ready to come back yet.

He also said that the main thing about Wang getting the ball tonight was due to his road splits and his short BP side session the other day.

[MunsonNY15]

Torre just said the decision was between Ramirez and Villone, so it seems like Kennedy wasn't ready to come back yet.

He also said that the main thing about Wang getting the ball tonight was due to his road splits and his short BP side session the other day.

And he also said that he thought Joba could give them an inning tonight.

Heidi

[JeterForPresident]

And he also said that he thought Joba could give them an inning tonight.

Heidi

Good to hear. Obviously that means the powers that be feel Joba can handle it. I wouldn't worry about his arm or any injuries.

[R.V.47]

Good to hear. Obviously that means the powers that be feel Joba can handle it. I wouldn't worry about his arm or any injuries.

I wonder if there was no off day tomorrow if Torre wouldve managed Joba a little differently.

[JeterForPresident]

I wonder if there was no off day tomorrow if Torre wouldve managed Joba a little differently.

We won't ever know. I also have faith in the brass and Contreras, the architect of the "Joba Rules". If they thought something Torre is doing was going to cause serious damage to Joba, obviously they won't sit back and watch.

[R.V.47]

We won't ever know. I also have faith in the brass and Contreras, the architect of the "Joba Rules". If they thought something Torre is doing was going to cause serious damage to Joba, obviously they won't sit back and watch.

Yea thats a good point that Nardi or Cashman would probably say something if they thought it was a problem. I just dont wanna end up with a Brad Lidge type situation for Joba.

[JeterForPresident]

Yea thats a good point that Nardi or Cashman would probably say something if they thought it was a problem. I just dont wanna end up with a Brad Lidge type situation for Joba.

His arm is definitely tired, and even an inning tonight might be a lot to ask of him. I just don't think it is a long lasting effect. I think it is normal fatigue as he isn't used to doing this kind of thing. If we can win this thing, come the ALCS, things should normal and balance themselves out, we will have some life again, instead of playing with our backs to the wall.

[wow]

Latest radar shows a batch of thunderstorms (a few severe warned) moving Southeastward from Southern NY State. Right now it looks like these storms will move just north of the bronx, but additional development cant be ruled out.

[rodney27nyg]

Where did that lineup come from?

Heaven.

[R.V.47]

Latest radar shows a batch of thunderstorms (a few severe warned) moving Southeastward from Southern NY State. Right now it looks like these storms will move just north of the bronx, but additional development cant be ruled out.

Rain always seems to show up just in time the past few years to wash away any momentum we have so this sucks.

[wow]

Rain always seems to show up just in time the past few years to wash away any momentum we have so this sucks.

I wouldn't worry about it at this point. I'm a weather geek (going into college for meteorology) so I'll update you guys if the situation really bears watching.

[R.V.47]

I wouldn't worry about it at this point. I'm a weather geek (going into college for meteorology) so I'll update you guys if the situation really bears watching.

Thanks, good stuff. Its pretty amazing though that the last 3 post seasons theres been rainouts following yankee wins and we always come out looking bad after them while the other team looks refreshed, 2004 especially.

[wow]

Thanks, good stuff. Its pretty amazing though that the last 3 post seasons theres been rainouts following yankee wins and we always come out looking bad after them while the other team looks refreshed, 2004 especially.

It's absolutely ridiculous. I think we'll make it through at least a few innings tonight. I'm really on high hopes for tonights game. The Indians starting Byrd is a huge mistake for them. Wedge is hoping beyond hope for a win so he has his rotation set up for the ALCS. You play to win the game in front of you and not the next series. Just ask Lou Pinella if he still thinks pulling Zambrano after 85 pitches was smart.