4.25.08 - NYY @ CLE: All Pregame Info & Discussion

[TheBamTino24]

Phil Hughes’ outing was cut short by rain last night, but in the 2 innings he did pitch, he threw 15 strikes in 23 pitches, including getting a first pitch strike against every batter he faced. Ultimately the bullpen forfeited the Yankees’ early 3-0 lead, and the modest 3-game winning streak was snapped.

Joba Chamberlain took the loss in relief, his first as a Major Leaguer, after allowing 2 hits in the 9th inning after getting 2 strikes on each hitter.

The road trip continues tonight in Cleveland as Andy Pettitte (3-1, 2.45) takes the mound against Indians’ RH Paul Byrd (0-2, 4.43).

Pettitte has been incredible over his past three starts. He has pitched into the 7th inning each time, allowing 18 hits and just 4 ER in 20.2 IP with 11 strikeouts, 5 walks and a 1.50 GO:AO.

Byrd has also excelled of late. In his past two starts against Boston and Minnesota, he’s thrown at least 6 innings, and has surrendered just 1 earned run on 12 hits in 13 IP. Also impressive is the fact that Byrd did not walk a single batter in either game. He struck out 9 batters in the 13 IP (6.2/9), and has a 0.93 GO:AO, both ratios that are well above his career numbers.

Byrd vs. New York:

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
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
Chad Moeller	6	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	.167	.167	.167	.333
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
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	133	36	8	1	4	22	11	23	.271	.333	.436	.769

Pettitte vs. Cleveland:

HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Jason Michaels	8	3	1	0	0	1	1	3	.375	.400	.500	.900
Jamey Carroll	7	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.125	.000	.125
Victor Martinez	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
Casey Blake	5	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.200	.333	.200	.533
Jhonny Peralta	5	2	1	1	0	2	1	0	.400	.500	1.000	1.500
Grady Sizemore	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.333	.500	.333	.833
Ryan Garko	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
Franklin Gutierrez	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
Asdrubal Cabrera	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
Paul Byrd	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Totals	45	12	2	1	0	3	5	9	.267	.333	.356	.689

[Ynkcpt23]

Phil Hughes’ outing was cut short by rain last night, but in the 2 innings he did pitch, he threw 15 strikes in 23 pitches, including getting a first pitch strike against every batter he faced. Ultimately the bullpen forfeited the Yankees’ early 3-0 lead, and the modest 3-game winning streak was snapped.

Joba Chamberlain took the loss in relief, his first as a Major Leaguer, after allowing 2 hits in the 9th inning after getting 2 strikes on each hitter.

The road trip continues tonight in Cleveland as Andy Pettitte (3-1, 2.45) takes the mound against Indians’ RH Paul Byrd (0-2, 4.43).

Pettitte has been incredible over his past three starts. He has pitched into the 7th inning each time, allowing 18 hits and just 4 ER in 20.2 IP with 11 strikeouts, 5 walks and a 1.50 GO:AO.

Byrd has also excelled of late. In his past two starts against Boston and Minnesota, he’s thrown at least 6 innings, and has surrendered just 1 earned run on 12 hits in 13 IP. Also impressive is the fact that Byrd did not walk a single batter in either game. He struck out 9 batters in the 13 IP (6.2/9), and has a 0.93 GO:AO, both ratios that are well above his career numbers.

Byrd vs. New York:

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
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
Chad Moeller	6	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	.167	.167	.167	.333
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
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	133	36	8	1	4	22	11	23	.271	.333	.436	.769

Pettitte vs. Cleveland:

HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Jason Michaels	8	3	1	0	0	1	1	3	.375	.400	.500	.900
Jamey Carroll	7	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.125	.000	.125
Victor Martinez	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
Casey Blake	5	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.200	.333	.200	.533
Jhonny Peralta	5	2	1	1	0	2	1	0	.400	.500	1.000	1.500
Grady Sizemore	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.333	.500	.333	.833
Ryan Garko	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
Franklin Gutierrez	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
Asdrubal Cabrera	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.333	.333	.333	.667
Paul Byrd	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Totals	45	12	2	1	0	3	5	9	.267	.333	.356	.689

Dang, TBT, you are all over it today--you get your coffee earlier than usual???

Pettitte vs. Byrd. Boy would I love to score early and often against that softball tosser. I still can't believe we lost in the Div. Series to these guys. Let's get 'em tonight Yanks!!! power!

[Mark19]

This would be a great opportunity for Cano to finally start contributing. I'm starting to believe that maybe the lack of Larry Bowa yelling at him is really hurting his focus.

[THEBOSS84]

This would be a great opportunity for Cano to finally start contributing. I'm starting to believe that maybe the lack of Larry Bowa yelling at him is really hurting his focus.

So why did he suck last April?

[I Heart Jeter]

It's payback time...
also we need to continue winning series, and there's no better way than to win game 1. Go Yanks!

[TheBamTino24]

So why did he suck last April?

Cano last April (23 G, 89 AB):

BA	OBA	Slug%	OPS	SB%	AB/HR
.270	.320	.337	.657	33.33	89.00

Cano's awful stretch came in the middle of May last year: .200/.222/.347 from May 3-29, a span of 25 games and 95 AB.

[Yankee Tripper]

Mother nature taketh - forcing Phil out after only 2 IP but she also givith raining out Cle on Wednesday. Because of the DH yesterday we'll miss Carmona & Lee and with Westbrook on the DL we'll miss 3 of Cleveland's top 4 starters even though we are playing them in a 4 game set.

[BRNXBMRS]

The offense looks like it is beginning to wake up from its month long slumber, the Yanks need a big one from Andy tonight.

LETS GO YANKEES

[THEBOSS84]

The offense looks like it is beginning to wake up from its month long slumber, the Yanks need a big one from Andy tonight.

Man, if I got $.25 for every time we as Yankee fans need to say this....

[randy06]

lets go yanks!

[J-Rod13]

what are the pitching matchups for the whole series?

[Yankee Tripper]

Pettitte - Byrd
Kennedy - Sowers
Wang - Sabathia
Moose - Carmona (guess I was wrong looks like they are bringging him back on 3 days)

[THEBOSS84]

Pettitte - Byrd
Kennedy - Sowers
Wang - Sabathia
Moose - Carmona (guess I was wrong looks like they are bringging him back on 3 days)

No I read somewhere that Laffey is going to start a game in this series, so I'll take it that it'll be vs. Moose.

[Bob420]

Cano will get hot and get 2-3 hits a game for a stretch and all will be forgotten. When he starts to hit, he really gets them in bunches.

[Yankee Tripper]

No I read somewhere that Laffey is going to start a game in this series, so I'll take it that it'll be vs. Moose.

could be - I got mine from ESPN but somethimes they are slow to fix changes a few days out.

[shotz]

Are they bringing the team Entomologist with them this time??

[BRNXBMRS]

Man, if I got $.25 for every time we as Yankee fans need to say this....

0.25 is a lot, I was thinking 0.01 and I can retire.

[TheBamTino24]

Cano will get hot and get 2-3 hits a game for a stretch and all will be forgotten. When he starts to hit, he really gets them in bunches.

I agree, but he's making a huge hole to climb out of, stats wise.

.159/.213/.227 with 1 HR and 5 RBI through 89 AB...in the words of John Sterling, "WHOOOOA!"

[R.V.47]

Big series. Id really like to end this road trip on a high note with 3 of 4 here.

[justtxyank]

I agree, but he's making a huge hole to climb out of, stats wise.

.159/.213/.227 with 1 HR and 5 RBI through 89 AB...in the words of John Sterling, "WHOOOOA!"

He's going to have to go on an unbelievable tear to have great numbers this year. Respectable is still not a problem, but great would require a phenomenal stretch.

[elsupremo2]

No I read somewhere that Laffey is going to start a game in this series, so I'll take it that it'll be vs. Moose.

From Pete Abe's blog:

Tonight: Andy Pettitte (3-1, 2.45) vs. Paul Byrd (0-2, 4.43)
Tomorrow: Ian Kennedy (0-2, 9.64) vs. Jeremy Sowers (0-0, 0.00)
Sunday: Chien-Ming Wang (4-0, 3.94) vs. C.C. Sabathia (1-3, 10.13)
Monday: Mike Mussina (1-3, 5.75) vs. Aaron Laffey (0-0, 0.00)

[Ynkcpt23]

Are they bringing the team Entomologist with them this time??

Does this mean they might stop airing that truly idiotic Baseball Tonight ad? Starring that Caveman Kruk?

[R.V.47]

From Pete Abe's blog:

Tonight: Andy Pettitte (3-1, 2.45) vs. Paul Byrd (0-2, 4.43)
Tomorrow: Ian Kennedy (0-2, 9.64) vs. Jeremy Sowers (0-0, 0.00)
Sunday: Chien-Ming Wang (4-0, 3.94) vs. C.C. Sabathia (1-3, 10.13)
Monday: Mike Mussina (1-3, 5.75) vs. Aaron Laffey (0-0, 0.00)

I could see us having trouble with Sowers, soft throwing lefty, What is the deal with Laffey?

[shotz]

somethings going to happen. the conditions are right for them things to come out of the ground again. i dont want to see this.

[sahara]

Pettitte vs. Byrd: The HGH Classic.

[THEBOSS84]

I could see us having trouble with Sowers, soft throwing lefty, What is the deal with Laffey?

I agree, the Sowers matchup looks scary.

[Yankee Tripper]

Sowers was awful last year, couldn't miss any bats. Was lucky on BABIP the year before. I see this kid having a short MLB career.

Laffey is a lefty, middle-of-the-road 3/4/5 type MLB starter. Filled in well last year for Cleveland mostly as spot starter. Is likely holding a place in the Indian rotation until Miller is ready to step in, could be in Cleveland's rotation plans next year depending on CC and how many spots they need to fill.

[Bob420]

He's going to have to go on an unbelievable tear to have great numbers this year. Respectable is still not a problem, but great would require a phenomenal stretch.

Depends on what you mean by respectable and great. He has shown that he can hit close to .400 for a month. .381 Sept 2005, .398 in June of 2006, .373 Sep 2006, .385 July 2007. One month like that makes up for a pretty bad April.

If Jeter can turn a 30 for 158 start in 2004 into a .292 season with 23HR, Cano certainly can.

I think he will settle in around .300 with 20 HR.

[justtxyank]

Depends on what you mean by respectable and great. He has shown that he can hit close to .400 for a month. .381 Sept 2005, .398 in June of 2006, .373 Sep 2006, .385 July 2007. One month like that makes up for a pretty bad April.

If Jeter can turn a 30 for 158 start in 2004 into a .292 season with 23HR, Cano certainly can.

I think he will settle in around .300 with 20 HR.

Well by respectable I'm saying .280-.300. By great I was meaning something like .320+, an improvement over last year.

I figure he's nearly batted under .200 for 100 at bats now. Based on a 600 at bat season he'd like have to hit somewhere around .325 the rest of the way (after 100 at bats) to get over .300 for the season. That's doable, but it will require a great stretch.

To be more precise, if he finishes his first 100 at bats at an even .200 (which is unlikely at this point but work with me), a perfect .320 over the last 500 at bats gets him to an even .300. .320 is a big number.

[Bob420]

I guess if .300 is respectable, then I agree. Probably won't hit much higher than that. But I think that is more than respectable.

Hitters are streaky. That's why you generally don't look at avg on a month to month basis. Is .320 a big number over the course of a season? It's big but not huge. However, .320 is not a big number for 2 months or even 3 months.

Cano is at 15 for 88 right now. Say he has a good game and goes 5 for his next 12. Making easy numbers to work with. 20 for 100 for a .200 avg is terrible. It is not that unlikely that he goes 35 for 100 or .350 or better for at least 1 month this year. Those 2 months are now .275. It wouldn't be that hard for him to bring .275 up to .300 over the remaining 4 months.

He will have to get hot but he always does and when he does, he gets really hot.

2005

May .253
Jun .310
Jul .319
Aug .207
Sep .381

2 worst months hit .226 in approx 200 AB's

2006

Apr .316
May .275
Jun .398
Aug .351
Sep .373

2007

Apr .270
May .260
Jun .279
Jul .385
Aug .301
Sep .333

hit .269 over 3 months in approx 300 AB.


I am not saying it is guaranteed that he will hit .300 but it think there is a good chance we see 2 months of .330-.350 over the summer.

[JohnnyDamonfan]

I think we can take 3 out of 4 here. I'm happy Carmona isn't pitching against us. With Moose on the mound Carmona would probably have been some trouble for us.

[justtxyank]

Hitters are streaky. That's why you generally don't look at avg on a month to month basis. Is .320 a big number over the course of a season? It's big but not huge. However, .320 is not a big number for 2 months or even 3 months.

Cano is at 15 for 88 right now. Say he has a good game and goes 5 for his next 12. Making easy numbers to work with. 20 for 100 for a .200 avg is terrible. It is not that unlikely that he goes 35 for 100 or .350 or better for at least 1 month this year. Those 2 months are now .275. It wouldn't be that hard for him to bring .275 up to .300 over the remaining 4 months.

He will have to get hot but he always does and when he does, he gets really hot.

Sure, but that only gets him to .300. I said that he could certainly do that still without a problem if he performs well. My point was that bad stretch over 100 at bats will make it difficult to have a great year, like MVP type year as was predicted by many. I am in no way doubting he will finish this season respectably.

[smckdwn989]

anyone know of any bullpen moves made by cashman and girardi?

[Bob420]

Sure, but that only gets him to .300. I said that he could certainly do that still without a problem if he performs well. My point was that bad stretch over 100 at bats will make it difficult to have a great year, like MVP type year as was predicted by many. I am in no way doubting he will finish this season respectably.

Gotcha. I agree. MVP type numbers are out of reach. I still think .300 with 20-25 HR's is within reach. I guess it is a good thing that we think .300 with 20+ HR out of a 2B is respectable!

[YanksFan1992]

We'll get back on track today, as Im sure Andy will put together another great outing.

[effdamets]

Today is the day they start another winning streak!

Let's Go Yankees!

[tdel23]

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui LF
Posada C
Giambi 3B
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Pettitte LHP


RHPs Chris Britton and Jon Albaladejo are here and available. … No word on the second move but it seems likely Ross Ohlendorf will be sent down. … A-Rod tested his leg running football pass routes in the outfield (part of his routine) and looked fine.

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/

[teknetic]

Has Pete ever wrote out the lineup card without a typo?

[Yankee Tripper]

Has Pete ever wrote out the lineup card without a typo?

Maybe it's softball and they are letting us have a rover tonight. BUt it'll still tough to get guys out with no 1B.

[NYDCYankee]

From Pete Abe's blog:

Tonight: Andy Pettitte (3-1, 2.45) vs. Paul Byrd (0-2, 4.43)
Tomorrow: Ian Kennedy (0-2, 9.64) vs. Jeremy Sowers (0-0, 0.00)
Sunday: Chien-Ming Wang (4-0, 3.94) vs. C.C. Sabathia (1-3, 10.13)
Monday: Mike Mussina (1-3, 5.75) vs. Aaron Laffey (0-0, 0.00)

Shelley Duncan MUST come up to face these 3 lefties.

[THEBOSS84]

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui LF
Posada C
Giambi 3B
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Pettitte LHP

This is by far my ideal/favorite lineup.

[DiMaggio5CF]

This is by far my ideal/favorite lineup.

I'd prefer it if they moved Cano to LF and Abreu to 3B.

Maybe slide Melky into 3B just for good measure.

[MunsonNY15]

This is by far my ideal/favorite lineup.

Me too, provided Damon is in LF and Matsui is the DH. I'm not sure who's really in LF tonight since Pete's lineup says both Damon and Mastui, but I like Damon out there over Matsui since Johnny seems to cover more area. But hey, with both of them out there tonight they should get to everything.

Heidi

[jeterismyhomeboy]

This is by far my ideal/favorite lineup.

Nothing like two LF. There's no way the ball is dropping in out there!

[smckdwn989]

Nothing like two LF. There's no way the ball is dropping in out there!

two third base men too... talk about playing righties to pull...

[a-RobinsonCano-Fan]

and to think all Cleveland's power comes from the left side too...