 Yanks Fall In Extras
The Yanks should've won this game, but it really doesn't matter. Joe wasn't trying to catch the Sox, and the Sox weren't really worrying about being caught. Don't read too much into Mo's failure to close the game out. The only thing we really need to take away from that last inning is the fact that Sardinha should probably make the post-season roster (Abreu misplayed the ball Payton hit very, very badly).
Boston clinched their first A.L. East title in more than a decade tonight, and you have to give them some credit. It didn't look like they were going to be able to hold the Yanks off, but they won enough games down the stretch to make their hot start hold up. That being said, sometimes Terry Francona just makes you shake your head. Dice-K has thrown way too many pitches this season. His late-season swoon is a direct result of this. This was a big reason why the Sox went to a six-man rotation. The guy is tired. That's just a fact. So what does Francona do? He lets Dice-K throw 119 pitches over 8 innings. He'd already thrown 105 through 7, and the Sox had a three-run lead. It just boggles the mind. Anyway, the big takeaway from the Yankee game is that Mike Mussina should not make a post-season start for this team. Obviously, Joe is going to put him on the roster, it'd be too much of a slap in the face not to, but in my mind, he's a middle inning reliever at best. (At worst, Joe will bring him into an extra inning game, and he'll give up a walk off, a la Jeff Weaver in the 2003 series.) Edwar should not make the roster. I love the kid, and I think his change is probably the most devastating change I've ever seen, but he's just too inconsistent. He should spend the winter working on some kind of breaking ball, just so he can change the batter's eye level. Two games to go, you can expect to see plenty of kids out there. I'd think A-Rod and Jeter each play one of the games, maybe tomorrow. Posada should probably be shut down. He's logged a ton of innings this year, and they need him fresh come game 1. You may see Joba for an inning on Sunday, same with Mo. Joe will probably want Mo to get this game out of his system before the games start to count again. One last note: Giambi looks horrible at the plate. Watch his at bats, he's drifting toward the plate and basically tying himself up on every pitch. He can't open his hips, or use his lower body to generate any power. Basically, he's either jamming himself, swinging and missing, or pulling the ball foul. He's got two days to correct this, and even if he does, I don't want him anywhere near the starting lineup next week. Player of The Game: A-Rod, 3 for 5, 2 runs, 4 RBIs, 1 HR 
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Great blog...I check it almost every day. Why aren't you a Phils fan considering you root for the Eagles and the Sixers...?
North Jersey Rick
Good observations Brian. That game was meaningless, you could tell by the way the Yanks reacted to their loss. It didn't seem to bother them in the least.
We stayed until the last pitch, I was a bit disappointed to see Mo fail like that. I guess that comes of years of watching him succeed.
I have no doubt that he'll turn it on in the play-offs, along w/ Jeet, Arod, Posada and the others. These guys are vets at this and know how to win.
I think this is the year, this team is pretty strong. They work as a unit and have developed this grittiness that only comes from adversity.
They'll win.
Go yanks! See you at the Yard tonight!
Think Giambi will be somewhere else next season?
GM,
Unless he retires, I think the Yanks are stuck with him next year. He's owed $21M for 2008. After next year, the Yanks can buy him out for $5M. He has a no trade, which he may waive for a chance to play every day, but it's doubtful that anyone is going to trade for that contract. I think it'll be more of the same from him next year.
Rick,
I started out as a Phils fan, but when Mattingly came up I was about 6 and started watching the Yanks on the sly. Been a die-hard Yankee fan ever since. I still follow the Phils, and root for them, but I live and die w/ the Yanks.
Aaron,
At least you got to see another A-Bomb. I figure he plays today, sits tomorrow. I could be wrong though. Were there as many Yankee fans in the park as usual last night?
As usual there were an abundance on Yanks fans at the Yard last nite but not an overwhelming amount.
Believe or not the O's fans came out in pretty big numbers.
GM's inqiury about The giambino got me wondering about some other players on the current sqaud.
Where do think Damon will be next year? I know he signed that 4 yr $52 mil deal, but is there a chance cash tries to unload him?
What do you see happeneing w/ Godzilla? I know he is signed through '09 aswell. I am not asking if they'll trade him but if they'll use more heavily in the DH spot? Maybe 1st base is in his future?
If they damon meybe they'll platoon him and Marsui in left.
Finally I wanted to mention that I to got into the Yanks (growing up in north Jersey) when Donnie baseball came up aswell, I was 5 his rookie year.
I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but
What are the possibilities of a Phils/Yankees World Series matchup?!
JJ that'd be pretty cool, I like this version of the Phils a lot.
what about Cubs/Yanks?
If it is Phils/Yanks Brian would probably be torn between the two.
I'm sure not his whole family are Yanks fans.
It would make for entertaining live blogging on this blog though!
For me, A Phils/Yankees match up is a win/win situation. One of the teams I'm rooting for has got to get there... if both get there, bonus.
I agree with Aaron though... it would make for some great blogging!
The Phils need to win today. I don't want a one-game playoff for them, I'm not sure who would pitch it, maybe lohse on 3 days rest? It would probably be Pedro for the Mets.
I don't see Damon, Matsui or Giambi being gone next year. Godzilla will probably DH and Damon will probably play left. Giambi will probably ride pine. Their contracts are huge, I think it would be a tough sell.
If it is a Yanks/Phils series there's no doubt, I'll be rooting for the Yanks. If the Phils face anyone else, I'm rooting for them, but not against the Bombers.
Damon, Jeet, Arod, and Godzilla all sitting tonight.
Here's lineup :
Cabrera cf, Betemit 3b, Abreu rf, Giambi dh, Cano 2b, Posada c, Duncan 1b, Sardinha lf, Gonzalez ss, Pettitte p.
I'm headin over to the Yard early to snag some autographs. If ya show early enough they let ya get right down on the field on the first base side.
Tejada is a good sport about it, so are all of the Yanks.