6.13.06 - CLE @ NYY: All Pregame Info & Discussion

[TheBamTino24]

Tomorrow the New York Yankees (35-26) return from a much needed day away from the game when they host the Cleveland Indians (30-32). New York has suffered their second 4-game losing streak of the season, which included being swept at Yankee Stadium by the Oakland Athletics this past weekend. Despite Derek Jeter still relegated to DH and Jason Giambi missing Sunday, two of the games were decided by 1 run. On Friday and Sunday, the Yankees left an abundance of runners in scoring position as the offense went through a predictable slide after so many consecutive games of 10+ hits. Randy Johnson imploded on Friday night, while the bullpen imploded on Sunday combined with sloppy defense in both day games. Despite the putrid weekend, however, the Yanks come into play just 1 game behind the Boston Red Sox (36-25) for superiority in the AL Eastern Division. This suddenly turns into a big series for the Yankees in hopes regaining some confidence and swagger.

Chien-Ming Wang (6-2, 4.52) returns to the mound in The Bronx to face veteran Paul Byrd (5-4, 5.15). Wang was superb in his last outing: 7IP and 1 ER against Boston. The question is whether or not Wang can avoid the proverbial "big inning." Wang has made 5 QS in his past 9. On the other hand, Byrd was also very effective the last time out against Oakland as he allowed just 2 ER over the same 7 IP. Moreover, Byrd has pitched at least 7 innings and allowed 2 ER or fewer in 3 of his past 4 starts. Since finishing April at 3-2 with an 8.03 ERA, Byrd is 2-2, 3.64.

Wang vs. CLE:
Aaron Boone: 3/3
Jhonny Peralta: 1/3
Grady Sizemore: 1/3, HR
*CLE roster is 6/23 (.261) against Wang with a 2B, HR, BB, 3K and an OBP of .292, SLG of .435 and an OPS of .726.

Byrd vs. NYY:
Derek Jeter: 6/18 (.333), 3 2B, BB, 5K, .611 SLG
Bernie Williams: 5/15 (.333), 2B, 2HR, 2BB, 2K, .800 SLG
Johnny Damon: 2/13 (.154)
Jorge Posada: 1/13 (.077), 2B, BB, K
Jason Giambi: 3/11 (.273), HR, 2BB, 2K, .545 SLG
Alex Rodriguez: 2/7 (.286), BB, 3K
*NYY roster is 23/118 (.195) against Byrd with 5 2B, 3B, 4HR, 12 BB, 20K and an OBP of .275, SLG of .356 and an OPS of .631

My Lineup:
CF Damon
LF Cabrera
SS Jeter
DH Giambi
3B Rodriguez
2B Cano
C Posada
RF Williams
1B Phillips

Bernie Williams is one of the few Yankees with good numbers against Paul Byrd, otherwise I definitely would have gone with Kevin Thompson as he needs to get more looks.

[ShaneTravis]

Bernie Williams is one of the few Yankees with good numbers against Paul Byrd, otherwise I definitely would have gone with Kevin Thompson as he needs to get more looks.

Am I alone or does KT look like he might outhit Bernie and Melky in Slg. this year if given the at bats?

Melky (I have been a proponent since before the call up) and Bernie (not so much) are lacking in the power department and Kevin looks pretty good in the limited time I have seen him. Before any trades are made maybe give KT a shot and see if he can hold it down till Sheff or Matsui come back. Or, a team totally falls out of contention and the price lowers on the outfield market.

[RollingWave]

I'd play KT out there if simply considering the defense... then again, with Wang out there the outfield defense isn't a huge issue.

[dabomb2045]

I have a big problem when people post numbers with Bernie against opposing pitchers. Stuff like "well he has good career numbers against *insert name here* so he should start tonight".

Lets try to remember the bulk of those numbers against those pitchers....came when Bernie was in his prime. Since Bernie is nowhere near the player he used to be, I believe you have to throw out all those numbers.

KT should start tommorrow

[Sam18]

KT should start tommorrow

Agreed. Just need to win.

[Jacob]

I have a big problem when people post numbers with Bernie against opposing pitchers. Stuff like "well he has good career numbers against *insert name here* so he should start tonight".

Lets try to remember the bulk of those numbers against those pitchers....came when Bernie was in his prime. Since Bernie is nowhere near the player he used to be, I believe you have to throw out all those numbers.

KT should start tommorrow

great point dabomb.

some of those byrd numbers are from 02 when he was with KC when bernie was still a great hitter.

Do we know if Jeter is ready to play SS yet?

My lineup:

My Lineup:
CF Damon
LF Cabrera
SS Jeter
DH Giambi
3B Rodriguez
2B Cano
C Posada
1B Phillips
RF Thompson

Knowing Joe Torre though, Bernie will be starting tomorrow. Joe is a big BAA guy.

[RollingWave]

Cano should not hit ahead of Posada until he actually hits a few more out of the park.... and/or (preferablly and) actually take more than one walk every 6 or 7 games.

Anyway, I think the Offense will be back tomorrow, seeing the Indians are bringing out Byrd and a very very junky bullpen, I think 6 runs or so is forseeable.

The issue is wether Wang can bring his A game tomorrow, he's made some nice improvements in his last two outtings (the relieve and start) let's see how he does against the dynamite Indian offense and how he react to 7 day rest.

[Jacob]

Cano should not hit ahead of Posada until he actually hits a few more out of the park.... and/or (preferablly and) actually take more than one walk every 6 or 7 games.

Anyway, I think the Offense will be back tomorrow, seeing the Indians are bringing out Byrd and a very very junky bullpen, I think 6 runs or so is forseeable.

The issue is wether Wang can bring his A game tomorrow, he's made some nice improvements in his last two outtings (the relieve and start) let's see how he does against the dynamite Indian offense and how he react to 7 day rest.

sorry i meant to put posada ahead of cano.

[gold23]

I have a big problem when people post numbers with Bernie against opposing pitchers. Stuff like "well he has good career numbers against *insert name here* so he should start tonight".

Lets try to remember the bulk of those numbers against those pitchers....came when Bernie was in his prime. Since Bernie is nowhere near the player he used to be, I believe you have to throw out all those numbers.

KT should start tommorrow

Yes and no. If you are talking power pitchers, especially righthanded power pitchers, certainly. Bernie in his prime could turn around any fastball- no longer.

However, with finesse guys like Byrd and many others, I do think career numbers still have meaning. Paul Byrd is not going to be able to do anything to Bernie now that he hasn't in the past. Additionally, Byrd himself was a much better pitcher when some of these numbers were compiled.

It's also a confidence thing. If a guy knows he has had some success- both pitcher and batter actually- then the mindset at the plate will be much different.

So while you do need to look at numbers and consider the time and place they were compiled, it's silly to simply throw them out the window.

[Jdkush10]

great point dabomb.

some of those byrd numbers are from 02 when he was with KC when bernie was still a great hitter.

Do we know if Jeter is ready to play SS yet?

My lineup:

My Lineup:
CF Damon
LF Cabrera
SS Jeter
DH Giambi
3B Rodriguez
2B Cano
C Posada
1B Phillips
RF Thompson

Knowing Joe Torre though, Bernie will be starting tomorrow. Joe is a big BAA guy.

I hope Jeter's ready to play SS. I'm really getting sick of seeing Cairo in the lineup.

I kind of like Melky batting in the 9-hole. He has some patience at the plate, thus increasing the chances that he'll be on base for Damon, who is a good RBI guy for a leadoff hitter. If KT has a good OBP, then leave him in the 9-hole - otherwise, it might be a good idea to have Melky hit there. If Melky ends up hitting 2nd, I won't complain either though!

[whalers]

I hope Jeter's ready to play SS. I'm really getting sick of seeing Cairo in the lineup.

Same here.

[stephsamps]

I hope Jeter's ready to play SS. I'm really getting sick of seeing Cairo in the lineup.

Chris Wragge on Channel 2 last night said he expected Jeter back in the field tonight. Not sure if that is a definite, but it would be a nice lift. Although if he isn't 100%, I don't want him coming back against Wang, because he will have a lot of balls to field tonight.

[gold23]

Jeter's absence is worse than any other absense in the lineup. The only other ones that can compare would be A-rod and Posada's, based on the difference between them and their replacements.

[whalers]

Jeter's absence is worse than any other absense in the lineup. The only other ones that can compare would be A-rod and Posada's, based on the difference between them and their replacements.

I just dont like wasting the DH spot with Jeter. It takes some pop out of the lineup in either Giambi or Phillips.

[Jdkush10]

I just dont like wasting the DH spot with Jeter. It takes some pop out of the lineup in either Giambi or Phillips.

Agreed. It really shortens the lineup.

[In Mo I Trust]

I hope Jeter's ready to play SS. I'm really getting sick of seeing Cairo in the lineup.

I kind of like Melky batting in the 9-hole. He has some patience at the plate, thus increasing the chances that he'll be on base for Damon, who is a good RBI guy for a leadoff hitter. If KT has a good OBP, then leave him in the 9-hole - otherwise, it might be a good idea to have Melky hit there. If Melky ends up hitting 2nd, I won't complain either though!

I like Melky in the 9 hole too, it'll take some pressure off of him.

[KevinBaseball]

Am I alone or does KT look like he might outhit Bernie and Melky in Slg. this year if given the at bats?

Melky (I have been a proponent since before the call up) and Bernie (not so much) are lacking in the power department and Kevin looks pretty good in the limited time I have seen him. Before any trades are made maybe give KT a shot and see if he can hold it down till Sheff or Matsui come back. Or, a team totally falls out of contention and the price lowers on the outfield market.

Are you alone? Are you serious? Look around you man, you wouldn't be alone if you thought Kevin Thompson was the next coming Jesus Christ.

[RhodyYanksFan]

I just dont like wasting the DH spot with Jeter. It takes some pop out of the lineup in either Giambi or Phillips.

Phillips hasn't had pop in a while. I'd rather see Jeter get on base then Phillips fly out to deep LF.

[mbn007]

Is Giambi a go for tonight? This morning, on the radio, it sounded iffy, at best.

[gold23]

Phillips hasn't had pop in a while. I'd rather see Jeter get on base then Phillips fly out to deep LF.

Huh? Hey, I am not on the Phillips bandwagon yet- though I am much further along with him than I was a month ago. But this statement isn't true. He's had a couple of poor games in his sporadic play over the past week, but if you look at his game logs he's actually hit for more pop than any other Yankee over his past two weeks worth of games.

[ieddyi]

I have a big problem when people post numbers with Bernie against opposing pitchers. Stuff like "well he has good career numbers against *insert name here* so he should start tonight".

Lets try to remember the bulk of those numbers against those pitchers....came when Bernie was in his prime. Since Bernie is nowhere near the player he used to be, I believe you have to throw out all those numbers.

KT should start tommorrow

Bernie should only hit RH- his numbers are great

[4bronxbombers]

Can't wait to watch the game tonight. I missed watching them yesterday. Hoping for a win tonight.

[ManilaYankee]

There are only two things the Yanks should be able to accomplish later:

Start a winning streak

or

End the losing skid

[JeffWeaverFan]

It's time to start giving KT some more AB's...

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

Lineups?

[mrs.roy]

dabomb2045
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I have a big problem when people post numbers with Bernie against opposing pitchers. Stuff like "well he has good career numbers against *insert name here* so he should start tonight".

Lets try to remember the bulk of those numbers against those pitchers....came when Bernie was in his prime. Since Bernie is nowhere near the player he used to be, I believe you have to throw out all those numbers.

KT should start tommorrow.
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Bernie, 2 of 3 which includes a 2B. Also, 1/3 of the 6 Yankee hits last night.
No problem there.
KT did start, good call.