Tuesday, August 07, 2007
For Yanks, Things Get Tough
Two months left to go and the Yankees have a very tough schedule. Having warm-up games against Kansas City and Toronto, they will soon face all three division leaders, plus the two teams in front on New York in the wild card chase.
Following the Toronto series currently under way, the Yankees head to Cleveland, one of the highest scoring teams this season for a three game stretch in which we could see a change of hands in the wild card race. The Yankees have not had great success while on the road losing eight of nine after a nine-game winning streak during the interleague games this past July.
Yankees head back to the Stadium to face Baltimore who have found a way to beat New York. The Detroit Tigers, baseball's other high scoring team, visits New York for the first four-game series as they try to fight for either the Wild Card of the Central lead.
Next up is a trip to Anaheim, the only team to have a winning record since 1996 against the Yankees. Early this season the Angels swept a three-game series only to have the Yankees respond with a two-of-three series victory powered by double-digit run support.
The Yankees stop by Detroit again for one last four-game series hopefully setting the tone for the remainder of the season.
The rivalry resumes when the Boston Red Sox visit New York for the fourth meeting. Red Sox drew first blood with a sweep until New York finally got their game back and evened out the series later on during the season.
A slight "vacation" follows up as the Yankees end August and send them selves into the home stretch against Tampa Bay.
The month of September will be the final trial for New York facing Seattle, Kansas City, Toronto, Baltimore, Toronto, Tampa, and one final Sox series.
As of right now the Red Sox still lead the AL East with a six game lead over New York.
Detroit leads the wild card by a half game with New York temporarily tying it yesterday afternoon.
Yankees chance for the wild card lead stands at 100%, but to win it is a near 93%.
To take over the East remains at a low 40% for now. The Yankees need to win the six games the Red Sox lose in order to raise their odds.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Labels: 2008, AL East, Detroit Tigers, Indians, playoffs, Red Sox, schedule, wild card, Yankees


Posted by Steve Kenul at 10:42 AM

Monday, March 05, 2007
No Problem in the Clutch
The Yankees remain undefeated this spring with a 5-0 record, only one of two teams, thanks to timely clutch hitting.
Last Friday against the Devil Rays trailing 1-0, minor league third baseman Chris Basak hit the game winning three-run shot in the ninth inning which the Yankees held onto for the win.

On Saturday, more late inning magic against the Pirates. Down 3-1 in the eighth, the Yankees rallied for three runs highlighted by the game-winning RBI hit by minor leaguer Marcos Vechionacci.

And finally today, hosting their former playoff opponents, the Detroit Tigers. Both teams shared the lead early in the game but the Tigers held onto a 5-4 lead going in the ninth inning when yet another minor leaguer, this time Bronson Sardinha hitting the game-winning two-run shot off last year's Rookie of the Year Justin Verlander to win the game.

The above three games acounted for a total of eight runs in three innings in late inning and clutch performance, something the Yankees lacked last season.
Although it's five games into Spring Training, and these games do not count for anything, seeing as how these minor leaguers are playing, one can say that the future of the Yankees organization is alive and well.
ESPN.com has either hired a statistician who knows nothing about baseball, one of the weirdest games in baseball history was played, or no one cares about spring training. I am very well educated in the rules of baseball, and no where do I recall games to begin in the sixth inning and 11 free runs earned. I don't think FRE will be an official stat anytime soon. Also, is it possible to have duel no hitters with this type of score?

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Labels: clutch, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Yankees



Posted by Steve Kenul at 5:07 PM
