2009 ALCS: Yankees Vs Angels {merged}

[parkerstrong]

I think it will be a tough series, but I also think the Yankees have a much better chance against the Angels in a 7-game series than they would in a five-game series.

Regarding the Joba/Gaudin debate . . .

Pitching wins these series, and that leads me to say that Chad Gaudin cannot start a game. But I cannot confidently say that Joba Chamberlain is a better gamble as a starter than Gaudin. Using Joba in relief makes the bullpen so much stronger and longer. If Gaudin goes 5, and knows that he's only going that long so he can go max-effort, I feel like I can get through the sixth with Robertson, seventh with Joba, eighth with Hughes, and ninth with Rivera with Coke and Marte mixed in as needed. Of course, if the Yankees are down 2-1 after three games, I don't think you can send either one to the mound and you have to go back to Sabathia on short rest.

So this series is going to be tough. I can definitely see some scenarios in which the Angels win it. But the Yankees should and, I think, will win the series.

I think the Yankees have a better chance having Guadin/Aceves pitch game 4 with Joba in the pen the whole series than have Joba pitch game 4 with Guadin in the pen....the difference between Joba/Guadin as a starter isnt that big, while the difference between Joba/Guadin from the bullpen is immense. Joba should be a starting pitcher next year, but I want him in the pen for this series.

[diogenes]

There's nothing to beat power pitching in the post season and this is where the series will be won or lost, I think. If C.C. and A.J. are on their games, Pettite and the bullpen are more than enough to close the series in 6 games, at worst.

[YankeesFanJS]

I think the Yankees have a better chance having Guadin/Aceves pitch game 4 with Joba in the pen the whole series than have Joba pitch game 4 with Guadin in the pen....the difference between Joba/Guadin as a starter isnt that big, while the difference between Joba/Guadin from the bullpen is immense. Joba should be a starting pitcher next year, but I want him in the pen for this series.

With Gaudin, you know what you're going to get IMO...Joba is a bit like Burnett where he can just explode for an inning (usually the first or second inning).

Just like everything else in baseball though, a lot depends on the situation...making that decision when you're 3-0 is a heck of a lot different than 2-1 or 1-2

[gill2k]

Yankees in 5. 6 at the most. Abreu alone can't stop us. Yanks got way too many weapons, both pitching and hitting.

[R.V.47]

With Gaudin, you know what you're going to get IMO...Joba is a bit like Burnett where he just explode for an inning (usually the first or second inning).

Just like everything else in baseball though, a lot depends on the situation...making that decision when you're 3-0 is a heck of a lot different than 2-1 or 1-2

Since when is Gaudin this reliable consistent pitcher? You have just as little an idea of what your going to get from him than with Joba. The difference is though is that Joba always has the potential to dominate because of his stuff.

[YankeesFanJS]

Since when is Gaudin this reliable consistent pitcher? You have just as little an idea of what your going to get from him than with Joba. The difference is though is that Joba always has the potential to dominate because of his stuff.

I'm not saying Gaudin is better than Joba...not even close. But with him, he tends to deliver the same type of performance each game, not bad, not good, just average.

His last four starts:

IP H ER BB K
6.2 4 2 2 5
4.2 6 2 2 3
5.2 7 3 1 2
6.0 6 1 2 6

Pretty consistent, and through in a 1.1 inning relief appearance with 1 hit, no runs, and 2K's at the end of the season and he looks like a decent guy to throw out there, IMHO

[bcom33]

I don't know about everyone else...but I just fully realized that we are ONE SERIES AWAY from the World Series. It feels pretty damn good.

[yankeeman61]

TBS was already playing it up last night, as if the Angels somehow deserve to win more because of Adenhart.

I'm not sure if anyone remembers, but FOX beat the crap out of the Gene Autry angle in 2002 and he had died 4 years earlier. ("The Angels trying their best to win one for The Singing Cowboy..." *cue Gene Autry song as we go to commercial*).

Scioscia's a mastermind, Bobby Abreu is the greatest leader in baseball today, and God wants the Angels to win.

I predict all of these media-types pulling for the Angels are going to be quite disappointed. Can't wait for the reaction. Should be similar to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHoxl...eature=related

[delv]

I predict all of these media-types pulling for the Angels are going to be quite disappointed. Can't wait for the reaction. Should be similar to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHoxl...eature=related

WTF

[YankeesFanJS]

I predict all of these media-types pulling for the Angels are going to be quite disappointed. Can't wait for the reaction. Should be similar to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHoxl...eature=related

HAHA! Priceless!!!

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

Including stolen base attempts -- according to Bill James Online -- the Angels finished the season with a net gain of 96 bases, tops in the American League.

However, that's due almost entirely to their non-steal baserunning. The Angels did steal 148 bases, third-most in the league. But they were also caught stealing 63 times, which was No. 1 in the league. Their 70 percent success rate was just the 11th highest in the league. It was their other baserunning that really set them apart, as their net gain of 74 bases was the best in the majors.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sweetspot

Found this to be interesting. Their basestealing actually hurt them (I believe you need to steal bases at a clip of 72-73% or better to actually help your offense) but their baserunning actually made them tops in the league. I guess taking the extra base, going 1st to 3rd, ect... they are very good at.

[Abe Frohman]

I'm SICK, absolutely SICK of this Adenhart crap. I completely understand, he passed away
and it is a tragedy but could they stop mentioning it every 5 seconds ? I want to absolutely
annihilate these jerks. Utter hatred for this team. On top of the fact that they suck, i mos
def won't be able to listen to Buck mention Adenhart after every Angel RBI and Strikeout.

[YankeesFanJS]

On top of the fact that they suck, i mos
def won't be able to listen to Buck mention Adenhart after every Angel RBI and Strikeout.

man, i completely forgot about every game being on Fox so he'll be calling them....BRUTAL!!!!

[justtxyank]

I hate the Nick Adenhart angle personally. I feel for his family and the teammates who were close to him, but the angle that this makes them the divine choice drives me crazy.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

We should counter with Nick Swisher's grandmother and Posada's son.

[YankeesFanJS]

We should counter with Nick Swisher's grandmother and Posada's son.

wait for Buck to mention Swish every time he looks to the sky before a pitch

[Panamaniac42]

I hate the Nick Adenhart angle personally. I feel for his family and the teammates who were close to him, but the angle that this makes them the divine choice drives me crazy.

[DonnieTinoTex]

Let's read the Angels their final eulogy of the season. I'm tired of that mickey mouse franchise and all their motivational gimmicks.

Rally Monkey
Thundersticks
Disney
Fake fans

and now...An over-dramatic played-out remembrance of a brief teammate

[DEADSOX]

We need to take the first 2 home games.

[DEADSOX]

We should counter with Nick Swisher's grandmother and Posada's son.

[Pinstriped2]

I hate the Nick Adenhart angle personally. I feel for his family and the teammates who were close to him, but the angle that this makes them the divine choice drives me crazy.

Agreed, it's very very sad for the Adenhart family, but if a tragic death(s) makes a team the divine choice, then the Yankees should have won in 2001 after 9/11. Nothing is pre-ordained.

[pleasepassthesoup]

This is where grinding it out down the stretch to lock-up homefield comes in to play and where the mental burden that was lifted by proving they could beat the Angels becomes huge. I say Yanks in 7. It won't be easy and AJ has to find a way to limit the walks, but I think we have the slightly better team.

[MooseDaGun]

Agreed, it's very very sad for the Adenhart family, but if a tragic death(s) makes a team the divine choice, then the Yankees should have won in 2001 after 9/11. Nothing is pre-ordained.

Agreed.

(this is actually an edit of an incorrect statement I made in this area)

[pleasepassthesoup]

I'm SICK, absolutely SICK of this Adenhart crap. I completely understand, he passed away
and it is a tragedy but could they stop mentioning it every 5 seconds ? I want to absolutely
annihilate these jerks. Utter hatred for this team. On top of the fact that they suck, i mos
def won't be able to listen to Buck mention Adenhart after every Angel RBI and Strikeout.

I hate it, but for a different reason. I think it's horrible that the media is completely exploiting this poor kid's tragic death. A talented young man was cut down before he ever got a chance to live his life and the media is exploiting it to drum up interest from the casual fan to increase ratings. It's sickening. Let it be about baseball.

[b_joseph]

What was it like back when Thurmans tragedy came about?

Was it like how the Angels this year are being covered?? Modern media being the exception ofcourse.

[gold23]

Agreed, it's very very sad for the Adenhart family, but if a tragic death(s) makes a team the divine choice, then the Yankees should have won in 2001 after 9/11. Nothing is pre-ordained.

Not to mention 1979

[Pinstriped2]

I hate it, but for a different reason. I think it's horrible that the media is completely exploiting this poor kid's tragic death. A talented young man was cut down before he ever got a chance to live his life and the media is exploiting it to drum up interest from the casual fan to increase ratings. It's sickening. Let it be about baseball.

So true. That "Beyond Baseball" commercial that they seem to show non-stop is a perfect example of that.

[BxBomber44]

just have to win. plain and simple.

[OldYankeeFan]

man, i completely forgot about every game being on Fox so he'll be calling them....BRUTAL!!!!

Yep, between getting pissed off at what is being said and the intensity of the game itself, I am completely exhausted by games end. I tried using the radio broadcast and mute the TV but they don't sync up as they are off by 5 seconds or so.

I think I'll just go to a loud sports bar to drown them out.

[kan_t]

To me they are the two best teams in the major league.

I will be very shock if ALCS ends in 5 games or less.

Hopefully the Yankees win it out.

[kan_t]

Rotations:
All things considered EQUAL.

Bullpens: Slight edge to Yanks for coverage in 8th & 9th innings.
Mo >>>> Fuentes.

Starting Nine:
Fielding: Angels
Batting: Yanks

Coaching: Slight edge for Angels due to back ground of experience in previous playoffs.

Bench: Yankees due to Hinske, Hairston Jr., & Brett Gardner.

Conclusion:
The series could go either way. However, the Yankees handle them 3 out of 4 in September. Looks good for the Bronx Bombers!!!

Disagreed. Angels' bench should be at least equal to the Yankees. We have one huge advantage in bullpen mainly because of Mo. After that, everything is close.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

What are you basing fielding on?

[Yankee Tripper]

Better to look position by position and I agree with JVIS bobby mcgee is smoking dope when he says angels D > Yankees D

C Posada/Molina - Napoli/Mathis - remarkably similar. Napoli is a power hitting offense first C who loses starts due to his poor D and questionable game calling skills - sound farmiliar? I guess I'd go slight edge Yanks

1B - Tex - Morales - Morales had a breakthough year and was pretty close offesively to Tex but based on longer history and superior glove edge Yanks

2B - Cano - Kendrick/Izturis edge Yanks (though Kendrick kills the Yanks)

SS - Jeter - Aybar - come on edge Yanks

3B - A-Rod - Figgans - edge Yanks, and not that close though Figgans is better defensively and pesky against the Yanks

LF - Damon - Rivera - slight edge Yanks (I'd give a bigger edge to the Yanks if Damon wasn't so clold the past 6 weeks.)

CF - Melky/Gardner - Hunter - big edge Angels

RF - Swisher - Abreu - good debate here. I'm going to say edge Yanks based on defense, I'll call it even based on offense.

DH - Matsui - Vlad - Vlad came on in the 2nd half but he's not what he once was and Matsui had one of his best seasons ever for the Yanks, slight edge Yanks.

SP 1 - CC v Lackey - edge Yanks though Lackey can be tough - much closer than against the Twins.

SP2 - AJ v Weaver - edge Angels Weaver simply had a better yeat.

SP 3 - Andy v Kazmir - wow which Kazmir will show up the guy who sucked for Tampa, the guy who dominated late for the Angels or the guy who strugged in Fenway - since Kaz is a wild card I'll say even.

SP 4 - CC/Gaudin v Saunders/Lackey - Just depends how the teams go though I'd rank them CC > Lackey > Saunders > Gaudin

Closer - Mo - Fuestes - huge edge Yanks
setup - Hughes - Jepsen - edge Yanks
rest of pen (Joba, D-rob, Coke, Aceves, Gaudin Bruney/Marte) - (Oilver, Bulger, Santana, ???) - edge Yanks

Bench (Molina, Gabera, Hinske, Hairston Jr, Cervelli) - (Izturiz, Mathis, Matthews, Willits, ?) - even

[YankeesFanJS]

Better to look position by position and I agree with JVIS bobby mcgee is smoking dope when he says angels D > Yankees D

C Posada/Molina - Napoli/Mathis - remarkably similar. Napoli is a power hitting offense first C who loses starts due to his poor D and questionable game calling skills - sound farmiliar? I guess I'd go slight edge Yanks

1B - Tex - Morales - Morales had a breakthough year and was pretty close offesively to Tex but based on longer history and superior glove edge Yanks

2B - Cano - Kendrick/Izturis edge Yanks (though Kendrick kills the Yanks)

SS - Jeter - Aybar - come on edge Yanks

3B - A-Rod - Figgans - edge Yanks, and not that close though Figgans is better defensively and pesky against the Yanks

LF - Damon - Rivera - slight edge Yanks (I'd give a bigger edge to the Yanks if Damon wasn't so clold the past 6 weeks.)

CF - Melky/Gardner - Hunter - big edge Angels

RF - Swisher - Abreu - good debate here. I'm going to say edge Yanks based on defense, I'll call it even based on offense.

DH - Matsui - Vlad - Vlad came on in the 2nd half but he's not what he once was and Matsui had one of his best seasons ever for the Yanks, slight edge Yanks.

SP 1 - CC v Lackey - edge Yanks though Lackey can be tough - much closer than against the Twins.

SP2 - AJ v Weaver - edge Angels Weaver simply had a better yeat.

SP 3 - Andy v Kazmir - wow which Kazmir will show up the guy who sucked for Tampa, the guy who dominated late for the Angels or the guy who strugged in Fenway - since Kaz is a wild card I'll say even.

SP 4 - CC/Gaudin v Saunders/Lackey - Just depends how the teams go though I'd rank them CC > Lackey > Saunders > Gaudin

Closer - Mo - Fuestes - huge edge Yanks
setup - Hughes - Jepsen - edge Yanks
rest of pen (Joba, D-rob, Coke, Aceves, Gaudin Bruney/Marte) - (Oilver, Bulger, Santana, ???) - edge Yanks

Bench (Molina, Gabera, Hinske, Hairston Jr, Cervelli) - (Izturiz, Mathis, Matthews, Willits, ?) - even

I don't necessarily agree with all of your points, but nice thorough analysis!

[R.V.47]

I hate it, but for a different reason. I think it's horrible that the media is completely exploiting this poor kid's tragic death. A talented young man was cut down before he ever got a chance to live his life and the media is exploiting it to drum up interest from the casual fan to increase ratings. It's sickening. Let it be about baseball.

There always has to be a human interest story unfortunately. But Im more annoyed at how the Angels are being perceived as this upstart, gritty bunch of blue collar guys. They may not be the yankees, but they have some guys making money on that team, even the yankees wouldnt sign a guy to a 5 year 55 mill deal and then bench him the next year only to sign someone else for more money. Plus, they made a run at CC and Tex but Tex wanted the east coast and they didnt pony up enough cash for CC.

[DaSh 1s]

Better to look position by position and I agree with JVIS bobby mcgee is smoking dope when he says angels D > Yankees D

C Posada/Molina - Napoli/Mathis - remarkably similar. Napoli is a power hitting offense first C who loses starts due to his poor D and questionable game calling skills - sound farmiliar? I guess I'd go slight edge Yanks

1B - Tex - Morales - Morales had a breakthough year and was pretty close offesively to Tex but based on longer history and superior glove edge Yanks

2B - Cano - Kendrick/Izturis edge Yanks (though Kendrick kills the Yanks)

SS - Jeter - Aybar - come on edge Yanks

3B - A-Rod - Figgans - edge Yanks, and not that close though Figgans is better defensively and pesky against the Yanks

LF - Damon - Rivera - slight edge Yanks (I'd give a bigger edge to the Yanks if Damon wasn't so clold the past 6 weeks.)

CF - Melky/Gardner - Hunter - big edge Angels

RF - Swisher - Abreu - good debate here. I'm going to say edge Yanks based on defense, I'll call it even based on offense.

DH - Matsui - Vlad - Vlad came on in the 2nd half but he's not what he once was and Matsui had one of his best seasons ever for the Yanks, slight edge Yanks.

SP 1 - CC v Lackey - edge Yanks though Lackey can be tough - much closer than against the Twins.

SP2 - AJ v Weaver - edge Angels Weaver simply had a better yeat.

SP 3 - Andy v Kazmir - wow which Kazmir will show up the guy who sucked for Tampa, the guy who dominated late for the Angels or the guy who strugged in Fenway - since Kaz is a wild card I'll say even.

SP 4 - CC/Gaudin v Saunders/Lackey - Just depends how the teams go though I'd rank them CC > Lackey > Saunders > Gaudin

Closer - Mo - Fuestes - huge edge Yanks
setup - Hughes - Jepsen - edge Yanks
rest of pen (Joba, D-rob, Coke, Aceves, Gaudin Bruney/Marte) - (Oilver, Bulger, Santana, ???) - edge Yanks

Bench (Molina, Gabera, Hinske, Hairston Jr, Cervelli) - (Izturiz, Mathis, Matthews, Willits, ?) - even

Walkoffs/Rally Monkey - Edge Angels.... That damn monkey is a one man wrecking crew

[Yankee Tripper]

The monkey is going down.

[DEADSOX]

That diseased looking monkey didn't help when we took 2 of 3 from them in Anaheim last month.

[JeterForPresident]

The big problem with this Adenhart story is that as tragic as any young man's death is, no casual fan would have a clue who this guy is, and for all we know he might have ended up in the minors and you have the media building this up to put it on the level of the Yankees losing Munson midseason.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

I'm going to rape that monkey myself.

[Chacon]

I'm going to rape that monkey myself.

Why don't we make it an Eiffel Tower?

[BxBomber44]

I'll tape it.

[Dirty Coke]

I'm going to rape that monkey myself.

Wear a condom.

[jeff25624]

So true. That "Beyond Baseball" commercial that they seem to show non-stop is a perfect example of that.

I was watching the game, and I see that commercial on, and I was very curious to see where they were going with it. When it was revealed that it was an ad for TBS Playoff baseball, I was disgusted. That's blatantly exploiting a team and family's pain over the death of a man who was gone far too young. I love how the Angels have honored his memory, I find it incredibly classy and respectful. It's a shame others can't do the same...

[DEADSOX]

I'm going to rape that monkey myself.

Holy AIDS.

[THEBOSS84]

I'm going to rape that monkey myself.

I'm telling you, if times are that tough, JDate is the way to go brahh.

[X marked]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...,3313647.story
What a jerk, pinning the Arod 252m contract on the Yankees

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

I'm telling you, if times are that tough, JDate is the way to go brahh.

I'd prefer the monkey.

[THEBOSS84]

I'd prefer the monkey.

I'm insulted.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

I'm insulted.

Don't be, I have a thing for other species.