The Dog Days of Summer MLB thread

[Shawn Lutz]

Bonine picked a helluva time to get his first W Magic number is 2....wrap it up tomorrow and let Verlander rest up and start game 1 against the Yankees.

Props to Nolasko for 16K's tonight...9 in a row.

[atomic charvel guy]

They said Bonine may have made the post season roster as a possible starter tonight.

[jk2171]

Great quote from Joba last night about his post-season role "If they want me to fold towels, I'll fold towels. I just want to win with this team." So AL playoffs will be Tigers vs. NYY and Red Sox vs. Angels.

Phillies clinch NL East last night; Dodgers still waiting.

[atomic charvel guy]

did you see the 9th inning last night JaKe?(that's your new name) They almost pulled it off again.

[atomic charvel guy]

here's my postseason rotation vs. the Tigers

Game 1: Obviously CC

Game 2: Pettitte vs. Burnett Some stat guy is going to try to tell you that Pettitte has pitched better on the road, but he really hasn't. New Yankee Stadium had become more close to neutral in the second half and Pettitte has a 2.79 ERA and 1.22 WHIP at home. He's actually pitched pretty well on the road in the second half too, I'm just pointing out that his success has a lot more to do with him throwing the ball well than where he happens to be standing when he throws it. Meanwhile, Burnett has been pretty inconsistant in the second half. He's been a bulldog and has fought through his bad starts, but that just doesn't apply in the post season. I do see that Burnett has been significantly better at home but he just hasn't been as good of a pitcher as Pettitte. I don't know if it matters, but Pettitte always starts the second game. I go Pettitte in game 2.

Game 3: Burnett, unless you like him in game 2

Game 4: CC vs. Joba vs. Gaudin. CC is obviously the better pitcher but you also have to look at the other series. I think it comes down to Joba/Gaudin vs. Washburn. The Yankees haven't hit Washburn very well, so I think you would rather take your chances turning the ball back over to CC vs. Verlander. IF Minnesota can hang in there until the last day, then Verlander has to pitch the last game of the season. That would make it a no-brainer for the Yankees to force the Wednesday game. If Minnesota can force a playoff, I think you have to consider taking the Thursday game because it makes Verlander and Jackson the 3-4 starters. It could be over before Joba ever faces Jackson. I'm not even going to fantasize about Minnesota winning because I've already gone too far. I think Detroit wins and Verlander gets Sunday off/short start. CC starts game 4.

Game 5: This is another reason why I want Pettitte in game 2. Andy in the deciding game in The House that Jeter Built. Posada behind the plate with no controversy. All hands on deck in the bullpen, including Rivera who is ready to throw 3. The ghosts are a little pissed off about the location of Monument Park, but they'll show up for Pettitte.

[jk2171]

here's my postseason rotation vs. the Tigers

Game 1: Obviously CC

Game 2: Pettitte vs. Burnett Some stat guy is going to try to tell you that Pettitte has pitched better on the road, but he really hasn't. New Yankee Stadium had become more close to neutral in the second half and Pettitte has a 2.79 ERA and 1.22 WHIP at home. He's actually pitched pretty well on the road in the second half too, I'm just pointing out that his success has a lot more to do with him throwing the ball well than where he happens to be standing when he throws it. Meanwhile, Burnett has been pretty inconsistant in the second half. He's been a bulldog and has fought through his bad starts, but that just doesn't apply in the post season. I do see that Burnett has been significantly better at home but he just hasn't been as good of a pitcher as Pettitte. I don't know if it matters, but Pettitte always starts the second game. I go Pettitte in game 2.

Game 3: Burnett, unless you like him in game 2

Game 4: CC vs. Joba vs. Gaudin. CC is obviously the better pitcher but you also have to look at the other series. I think it comes down to Joba/Gaudin vs. Washburn. The Yankees haven't hit Washburn very well, so I think you would rather take your chances turning the ball back over to CC vs. Verlander. IF Minnesota can hang in there until the last day, then Verlander has to pitch the last game of the season. That would make it a no-brainer for the Yankees to force the Wednesday game. If Minnesota can force a playoff, I think you have to consider taking the Thursday game because it makes Verlander and Jackson the 3-4 starters. It could be over before Joba ever faces Jackson. I'm not even going to fantasize about Minnesota winning because I've already gone too far. I think Detroit wins and Verlander gets Sunday off/short start. CC starts game 4.

Game 5: This is another reason why I want Pettitte in game 2. Andy in the deciding game in The House that Jeter Built. Posada behind the plate with no controversy. All hands on deck in the bullpen, including Rivera who is ready to throw 3. The ghosts are a little pissed off about the location of Monument Park, but they'll show up for Pettitte.

Great post, Tommy. Man, I struggle with Game 2 as well, becasue I think about the series and really see it going to a Game 5. Petitte usually is a great pitcher to have to get a game, but dammit if I live in the past too much...lol. He blew it in Game 6 of the Series against the Diamondbacks and looked putrid. I have to go with the younger, fresher arm in Burnett in Game 2. I'd hate to be down 0-2 or even tied 1-1 and have Burnett going in Game 3. That's the pivot game, and I'd rather have a mentally stronger Pettite than AJ there. I know I probably contradicted myself, but what the hell. I don't get paid to make these decisions! lol....

I have a feeling that Gardner is going to be a surprise in this series. His speed in late inning situations is going to win a game or 2.

[atomic charvel guy]

i think the series goes at least 4 games, and very possibly 5. anything can happen in a 3 out of 5, plus the Tigers are playing meaningful games right now, that is not a bad thing for them. Given the Yankees shortcomings in the postseason the last 5 years, I'm not gonna go overboard until I see something out of them. And if you believe that, then you would believe i would start Mitre and Gaudin in games 1 and 2.

[atomic charvel guy]

I just had a revolutionary idea Jake. throw CC, Andy and AJ every game for 3 innings each and really throw a curveball into the works against the Tigers and see what happens-lol

[jk2171]

lol....that would really throw them for a loop. That would give Mo some rest for the ALCS. I think the offense is going to be what gets us to the Series. Pitching is great, but the last few postseasons for the Yankees they just can't hit. That's why I loved the Tex signing even when all signs pointed to us not being interested in him. He's the guy I really wanted, even more than CC. Let's hope the Captain can be a little more aggressive as well, and not be looking at every pitch either.

[Shawn Lutz]

Tigers choking today....

[atomic charvel guy]

The X-factor is Arod, it's imperative that he has a good post season.

[atdguitars]

Nice breakdown on the pitching Tommy. Cards finally quit slumping after clinching.
Cards rotation is pretty obvious
Carp
Waino
Pineiro.
Lather, rinse, repeat.

I'd love to have seen Smotlzie in the mix but don't see it happening..maybe a few innings out of the pen are possible. I'm just a diehard fan of the older vets.
So.. think the Dodgers can blow this and have the Rox in their spot?

[atomic charvel guy]

Had some good fireworks in the Twins-Tigers game, beanballs,thrown ats, warnings, almost a brawl, the longer the Twins stay in this the better for the Yankees.
It's a far stretch though.
The Rockies could certainly pull this off, but i gotta go with Joe Torre to pull this off.
Remember when Holliday scored the winning run two years ago in the playoffs without ever touching home plate? maybe he can do the same for the Cards this year, but preferably touching the plate right ATD?

[Shawn Lutz]

If the Tigers can cwrap it up w/o being forced to use Verlander you go

Game 1- Verlander vs CC without question will be the matchup
Game 2- Jackson
Game 3 - Porcello

I'd may even go with Porcello in game 2, what the hell? he's a kid and dont know about post season pressure

[atdguitars]

I normally stay out of this AL stuff just out of respect but I would have to take Verlander over CC in a pressure match.
Yeah ,, Holliday for all his glory can't seem to find the base some times..Great guy but personally I think hes dumb as a bag of hammers.