5.15.08 - NYY @ TB: All Pregame Info & Discussion

[TheBamTino24]

The Yankees' offense continues to sputter, but last night scoring just 2 runs was enough to earn a victory. Paced by another great effort by Mike Mussina (6.1 IP, 1 ER 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K), who is now 6-3, 3.99, and quality relief pitching from Ross Ohlendorf, Joba Chamberlain, and Mariano Rivera, the Yankees broke a 2-game slide.

Ian Kennedy (0-2, 8.37) makes his return to the NYY rotation this afternoon and tries to earn the Yankees a split of this 4-game series in Florida. Opposing Kennedy will be LH Scott Kazmir (1-1, 2.70).

A large portion of Kennedy's struggles at the MLB level this year can be attributed to his awful control. He's walked 20 batters in just 23.2 IP (7.6/9). The lack of control has also manifested itself with a .457 SLG against Kennedy. However, in his 2 appearances for AAA Scranton, Kennedy threw 8.1 IP and did not walk a single batter.

Kennedy had his best outing of 2008 for NYY in Florida back in April. He allowed 3 ER over 6 IP and received a ND.

Kazmir has made just 2 starts for TB this season since returning from injury. In his last outing, he dominated the Angels over 6 IP by allowing just 3 hits, 3 walks, and 6 strikeouts. He threw 108 pitches in those 6 innings.

Kazmir vs. New York:

HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Johnny Damon	24	6	1	1	0	5	6	5	.250	.375	.375	.750
Hideki Matsui	20	4	0	0	1	2	3	5	.200	.304	.350	.654
Derek Jeter	20	2	0	0	1	2	1	6	.100	.217	.250	.467
Alex Rodriguez	18	2	0	0	0	0	4	5	.111	.273	.111	.384
Jorge Posada	17	8	2	0	1	5	2	4	.471	.500	.765	1.265
Jason Giambi	13	2	0	0	0	2	1	6	.154	.214	.154	.368
Robinson Cano	11	1	0	0	0	1	0	6	.091	.091	.091	.182
Bobby Abreu	9	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	.333	.333	.333	.667
Melky Cabrera	7	3	1	0	0	0	0	2	.429	.429	.571	1.000
Jose Molina	6	1	0	0	0	0	1	3	.167	.286	.167	.452
Wilson Betemit	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000
Shelley Duncan	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000
Alberto Gonzalez	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.500	.500	.500	1.000
Totals	152	33	4	1	3	17	18	46	.217	.303	.316	.619

Kennedy vs. Tampa Bay:

HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Carlos Pena	7	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000	.125	.000	.125
Carl Crawford	7	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	.286	.250	.286	.536
B.J. Upton	6	3	0	0	1	2	2	0	.500	.625	1.000	1.625
Akinori Iwamura	6	1	0	0	0	0	2	2	.167	.375	.167	.542
Eric Hinske	4	2	1	0	0	1	0	0	.500	.500	.750	1.250
Jason Bartlett	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.250	.250	.250	.500
Shawn Riggans	4	2	1	0	0	3	0	0	.500	.500	.750	1.250
Jonny Gomes	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000	.000	.000	.000
Evan Longoria	2	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	.500	.667	1.000	1.667
Cliff Floyd	1	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	1.000	1.000	1.000	2.000
Dioner Navarro	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Totals	45	13	3	0	1	8	7	8	.289	.377	.422	.800

[Ynkcpt23]

Wow, TBT, you are on the ball today! I've barely gotten my eyes cleared and you're already talking about the game tonight!!!

Good win last night. Still dealing with the anemic offense, but stellar pitching by Moose and just enough hitting.

How about we try something new tonight and score a bunch of runs early? You know, as a little welcome back for Mr. Kennedy. He could use the backing I'm sure...

Give 'em hell !!

[THEBOSS84]

This is going to be another tough day for the offense...Posada has by far the best #s off of Kazmir, which stinks.

[YanksFanTillDeath]

baby steps boys... back to 500 today and lets hope Ian gives us 6 solid innings...

LETS GO YANKS!!!!!

[YanksFanTillDeath]

Wow, TBT, you are on the ball today! I've barely gotten my eyes cleared and you're already talking about the game tonight!!!

Good win last night. Still dealing with the anemic offense, but stellar pitching by Moose and just enough hitting.

How about we try something new tonight and score a bunch of runs early? You know, as a little welcome back for Mr. Kennedy. He could use the backing I'm sure...

Give 'em hell !!

Boy wake up is a Late Day Game

[Hobie]

Ugh...Kazmir.

[Janttje]

Hope Kennedy can give us a solid outing. Lets go Yanks!

[sweet_lou_14]

If we win today -- and I think that's going to be tough -- we'll be 2.5 games out of first place despite some truly dreadful baseball.

It will feel, frankly, like we dodged a bullet.

[yankswn23]

Okay we win today we are 2.5 game back after a miserable start and not having AROD and Posoda in the lineup and Missing Jeter as well for weeks, combine that with a injury of hughes and a crappy start for Kennedy, this team is poised to turn it around after a bashing by the mouth of Hank and a closed meeting with Girardi. I think the anemic offense of the Yankees has also a lot to say about the pitching in the AL this year has been very good. I predict after we get into first place we will be there for a loooong time. With Arod and Posoda soon coming back and Interleague play where the Yankees shine we should be in for some good baseball leading into the All Star break

[Yankees1962]

Just remember this is a 4:00 p.m. game!

[Martini6196]

I can't see the Yankees scoring a lot of runs today. With Arod and Posada out this lineup's best hitters are all lefty's besides Jeter.

[R.V.47]

Another chance to get back to that magical 500 mark.

[Yankees1962]

I can't see the Yankees scoring a lot of runs today. With Arod and Posada out this lineup's best hitters are all lefty's besides Jeter.

You're probably right, but you never know in baseball.

[THEBOSS84]

Hopefully today is the day that Shelley realizes he's on the team to hit lefties. Giambi will definitely be on the bench with those horrendous #'s vs Kazmir.

[TheInfallibleOne]

why do i remember us manhandling kazmir on a regular basis and the sox being completely dominated by him every time?

[BRNXBMRS]

It sure would be sweet if the yanks can get hot going into the Muts series. Wake up the bats.

[sweet_lou_14]

why do i remember us manhandling kazmir on a regular basis and the sox being completely dominated by him every time?

I think we've played well and won games started by him, even when we haven't hung the L directly on him.

I'll happily take a win against their bullpen. If Kennedy can keep it close, and we can make Kazmir throw a lot of pitches, we can win this.

[TheInfallibleOne]

I think we've played well and won games started by him, even when we haven't hung the L directly on him.

I'll happily take a win against their bullpen. If Kennedy can keep it close, and we can make Kazmir throw a lot of pitches, we can win this.

alone he sports a 3.00 ERA against us, but doesnt have the wins to show for it.

against boston he sports a 2.84 IIRC but is 6-6

[BronxBombersMRP]

Interested to see what Kennedy does today. If Igawa wasn't so terrible he may have stayed in AAA for few more starts. Hopefully his eight innings pitched there helped clear his head a bit, and he can give a good outing today.

[Mark19]

Sheesh, Kazmir, Santana and Perez three days in a row. These guys will be begging for mercy. It is the perfect storm of tough lefties. We simply cannot win if 'lefty-killers' like Ensberg and Duncan fail to produce.

[Yankee Tripper]

I have Kazim pitching for my FBB team tonight. Since I lead the league in Ls, and not in a good way, I'm confident the Yanks will win.

[EvanJ]

Giambi will definitely be on the bench with those horrendous #'s vs Kazmir.

Nope.

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/

YANKEES
Damon LF
Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Giambi DH
Duncan RF
Ensberg 1B
Cano 2B
Gonzalez 3B
Molina C

[THEBOSS84]

Nope.

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/

YANKEES
Damon LF
Cabrera CF
Jeter SS
Giambi DH
Duncan RF
Ensberg 1B
Cano 2B
Gonzalez 3B
Molina C

Damnnn .368 OPS against him

[Yankee Tripper]

Curious lineup. Surprised Moller isn't cathing we could go for a full punt. How knows maybe this will be the day we bust out. Somehow I doubt that though.

[Yankee Tripper]

Damnnn .368 OPS against him

The generals were due!

[Bob420]

I would guess that he didn't last more than 5 or so innings in his starts against the Yankees even with his 3.00 era. The Yankees of old used to make him throw tons of pitches even if they weren't hitting him.

[bronxburning]

We will be so lucky if we can win today and split the series. The offense has to wake up at some point. They have to be patient agains Kazmir. Take some pitches for goodness sake.

[frostdude1]

Good pitching matchup

[shotz]

Ian is going to have a great game.

[BRNXBMRS]

Ian is going to have a great game.

Cant do any worse that Kei.

[ShaneTravis]

Well, extra credit goes to Joe for another creative lineup.

Dear Morgan and Duncan, please hit this lefty.

[NYSITH]

Id rather have Matsui in the lineup than Giambi against the tough lefty. Matsui has been decent this year against left handed pitching and hes the most consistant hitter on the team.

[Ynkcpt23]

Boy wake up is a Late Day Game

OK Capt. Grumpy, didn't realize it was a 4:10 game--please forgive me my grievous mistake.

[YanksFanTillDeath]

OK Capt. Grumpy, didn't realize it was a 4:10 game--please forgive me my grievous mistake.

is all good...

[Ynkcpt23]

Id rather have Matsui in the lineup than Giambi against the tough lefty. Matsui has been decent this year against left handed pitching and hes the most consistant hitter on the team.

Me too!!! What the hell, man, Giambi has been miserable against lefties this year, let him take a day off...pinch hit if we need him late in the game...

[THEBOSS84]

Me too!!! What the hell, man, Giambi has been miserable against lefties this year, let him take a day off...pinch hit if we need him late in the game...

Yeah I just don't get it.

[YanksFan1992]

Hopefully I'll be home for the 7th.

Let's go Yanks and let's get to within 2 and a half games of first place (which I was hoping we would/will be after Sunday's game against the Mets).

[YESSIR!]

Yeah I just don't get it.

Two of our most productive hitters, Abreu and Matsui, are out of the lineup? I sure as hell don't get it - at least play Hideki for chrissakes.

[Jasbro]

Is Joe G. trying to make Ian feel like he's still in Scranton with this lineup?

[Yankee Tripper]

Is Joe G. trying to make Ian feel like he's still in Scranton with this lineup?

He pitched better there, maybe it'll work.

[YESSIR!]

Is Joe G. trying to make Ian feel like he's still in Scranton with this lineup?

Apparently. It seems to be the "throw every mediocre righty you have at the tough lefty, in lieu of the more experienced and statistically better hitting LH batter" approach. This is Kazmir's third game back, and if I were Joe, I'd throw my best 9 at the guy regardless of where they bat (with the possible exception of DH'ing shelley for Giambi).

[Ynkcpt23]

Apparently. It seems to be the "throw every mediocre righty you have at the tough lefty, in lieu of the more experienced and statistically better hitting LH batter" approach. This is Kazmir's third game back, and if I were Joe, I'd throw my best 9 at the guy regardless of where they bat (with the possible exception of DH'ing shelley for Giambi).

Completely agree. W/O A-Rod and Po, we just need the best bats available, minus Giambi in this situation.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Maybe he knows something we don't??

[stazsanity]

i haven't once spoken against girardi yet this year- and don't get me wrong, i completely see the merit in trying to stir things up with what has been a comotose offensive effort in florida... but benching our only two consistent offensive threats is asking for a shutout. just asking for it.

[themgmt]

It's not really Giambi over Matsui... it's Ensberg over Matsui. Giambi would just slide into first, and Matsui would DH.

[effdamets]

Can the Yankee hitters please try to group some hits together tonight? And they may want to try to start a rally before there are two outs.

Let's Go Yankees!!!!!!!

[Ynkcpt23]

Can the Yankee hitters please try to group some hits together tonight? And they may want to try to start a rally before there are two outs.

Let's Go Yankees!!!!!!!

Great suggestion...think they're listening to us?

[CallOfTheCrow]

If the Yanks lose but Kennedy pitches a good game, I'll consider it a small victory.

[effdamets]

Great suggestion...think they're listening to us?

I'm not directing this to the Yankees per say... It's more of, well... a prayer!

[YESSIR!]

If the Yanks lose but Kennedy pitches a good game, I'll consider it a small victory.

Agreed. I'm really pulling for Ian this evening...

[CT-Yankee]

Pulling for Ian too - just had a tough inning tho in the third. Top of the 4th now, you think we can have a hit, please....??
Today's lineup is making me crazy!