Going for the Split: Sox Vs. Yankees Gamer IX

Before I go ahead a give you the lineups and pitchers for tonight's game, I wanted to take the time and congratulate Jason Varitek on being named to the 2008 AL All-Star team.  Varitek has a .219 average, .361 slugging percentage and an on base percentage of .301.  You can't fault the players for showing their allegiance to Varitek, but this is most definitely an extreme case.  In comparison, A.J. Pierzynski the catcher for the Chicago White Sox is hitting .299/.338/.447.  I wonder if his track record of being a difficult teammate and overall nasty dude came into play here.  Either way this is not the first time this happened and I am sure it will not be the last.

In other news Johnny Damon has been placed on the 15 day DL and Justin Christian was recalled. 

On to tonight's pitching match-ups and lineups.

Tonight's Pitching match-up:

Joba Chamberlain (2-2 2.22 ERA)
Vs.
Tim Wakefield (5-6 3.72 ERA)

YANKEES (46-42)
Gardner LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Posada DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Molina C

RED SOX (52-38)
Ellsbury LF
Pedroia 2B
Drew RF
Lowell 3B
Youkilis 1B
Casey DH
Crisp CF
Lugo SS
Cash C

Comments

[Atheose]

You can't fault Tito for showing allegiance to his players, but this is most definitely an extreme case.

Sorry John, but the players voted Varitek in. Not Tito.

Go-go-gadget Wakefield!

[John - YF]

Yeah, I just got home home from a long day of family BBQ and was trying to comprehend the selection and write a gamer at the same time. I apologize for the original comment about Tito, it has since been revised. Either way Varitek was NOT worthy of a selection in any way.

[John - YF]

Unfortunately for me it will be the 1st All-Star Game I get to attend and I get to stare at a field/Bench full of Sox. So the fact that Varitek is there just makes it worse.

[walein]

That was a sweet strike em out throw em out.

[A YF]

What's Molina at 50% caught now?

Coco again looking completely overmatched.

[walein]

Joba makes Coco look silly.

[walein]

Coco's swing is sort of how I imagine my at bat would be against Joba...of course, there would be crying during my at bat.

[rcolonna (sf)]

was it me, or was jon miller's praise for that play by jeter a little excessive? particularly considering coco stumbled out of the box and it wasn't close. this is going to be a hard game to get through.

[Atheose]

Fuckin ARod

[YF]

ALEX!!

A LASAH!

[Lar]

Wow, Hamels not making it. I didn't notice. Wow.

[A YF]

A-Rod says take that divorce, beotch!

[Lar]

ARod!

[Atheose]

Yeah every call by John Miller is excessive, rcolonna. The strike-em-out-throw-em-out deserved more praise, and then he over emphasises Jeter's routine play.

[John - YF]

Alex goes Yahtz, then takes a bow. Good for him.

[John - YF]

Ties Mickey Mantle, another very impressive milestone.

[Atheose]

Holy shit Sabathia to the Brewers? Yes!

[John - YF]

Sheets and Sabathia, WOW!

Good for the Brewers. Now they need to go get Fuentes or a closer.

[John - YF]

I am fairly certain Sheets has already said he would test the market. I wonder if that tune will change now with the addition of Sabathia.

[Lar]

Wow, CC to Mil. Did not expect that one..

[YF]

Great move for Milwaukee. Laporta had nowhere to go with Fielder and SuperJew Ryan Braun in front of him, and if they can't resign CC they just get more draft picks.

Does this mean Cleveland thinks Hafner is cooked?

Cleveland didn't get the big deal some here (that means you, SF) were expecting.

[A YF]

Wow, that was painful from Gammo. He's lost a bit more than a few brain cells.

[Atheose]

Wow, Melky looks bad on that knuckleball.

[Atheose]

Cleveland didn't get the big deal some here (that means you, SF) were expecting.

I'm shocked they didn't get more for him. Great deal for the Brew Crew, even if it's only for half a season.

[A YF]

"Cleveland didn't get the big deal"

LaPorta is the big deal. Dude's hitting .298 .411 .617 in his first full professional season - at AA-ball. They get him for 6 years in exchange for half a season of CC.

Plus, we still haven't heard about the other two prospects. This seems like the original Colon-type deal.

[rcolonna (sf)]

i know, i worry a great deal about peter gammons when i hear him say he agrees with joe morgan. shudder.

[A YF]

Both CC and Sheets, right now, are free agents at year end.

[A YF]

Wow, you know the Joba debate is over with when Morgan is stating the obvious.

[A YF]

Joba hits the c-note.

[A YF]

Ump makes the right call.

[Atheose]

Pedroia doing a great job of fouling off some good pitches before grounding out. Jeter barely throws out the runner, though it did look like he was out.

Replays confirm it.

[Atheose]

Drew hits it off the end of the bat for a fly out, 2 down.

[Atheose]

It's a shame Milton Bradley didn't beat out Ichiro for that OF spot.

[YF]

Laporta's a big bat. I think a lot of us hoped he would fall to the Yanks in the draft, and it was a surprise he went to Milwaukee, where there's no DH. But, again, he's blocked in Milwaukee, and they'll just get a couple more draft picks to replace him, so the net cost is minimal in exhange for the huge potential payoff (economic/performance) they get with a half season of CC. Great deal. Good all around. Laporta's going to be a pain in the ass for Yankee pitchers for a long time.

[A YF]

As I think about it, I'm calling it right now - LaPorta starts next year in the majors and stars. He's hit *58 XBHs* (30 HRs) in his first 350 professional at-bats.

[Atheose]

6 pitches ends the inning, 46 after 4 innings. Joba at 53, also pretty good.

[A YF]

Problem is, YF, Laporta could easily be better than Prince, Braun, and Hart. I know I wouldn't bet against it. Half a year vs. 6 years, I choose the latter.

[Atheose]

Youk gets his 2nd 0-2 hit of the night!
Come on Casey, show us why you're in the lineup over Manny.

And the "Let's go Red Sox" chant breaks out in Yankee Stadium.

[Atheose]

Casey singles to right field! Come on Coco, drive Youk in from 3rd.

It's funny since Tito was just saying "Don't worry, Casey will do something good for us tonight"

[Atheose]

Joba struggling from the stretch.

[Atheose]

The ump is being inconsistent with the outside strike. Sometimes he calls it (like he did for strike 2 against Coco) and sometimes he doesn't (like ball 2 against Coco). Annoying.

[Atheose]

Coco walks, and then Youk scores on a wild pitch! Joba risks himself blocking the plate, but Coco slides rather than bowling him over. Tie game.

[Atheose]

How about a sac-bunt Lugo?

[A YF]

Why not have bunt here?

[Atheose]

Lugo strikes out. Typical. Cash will probably GIDP now.

[A YF]

Again, why not the bunt? Francona too busy blowing Varitek?

[YF]

Ugh. We're tied.

You can't always be planning for tomorrow, A YF. When you've got a shot, it makes sense to take it. And if the pitchers walk, they get prime draft picks to mitigate the loss.

[Atheose]

No idea, A. I sure as hell would have had him bunting.

Wow, the second pitch to Cash was great but called a ball. Like I said before, this ump is inconsistent.

[YF]

Keep it clean.

[Atheose]

Again, why not the bunt? Francona too busy blowing Varitek?

Again, Varitek was voted in by the players, not Francona. Nice try though A ;-)

Cash down on strikes. At least he didn't GIDP.

[A YF]

Wow...

Kevin Cash: .235 .308 .333
Jason Varitek: .219 .301 .360

When do you start sitting the All-Star for the backup?

[Atheose]

Ellsbury checks his swing, bases loaded. Come on Pedroia!

[YF]

Dink. 3-1. Gah.

[Atheose]

PEDROIA! Two runs in, 3-1 Sox.

Pedroia is now 9 for 29 with the bases loaded. That's a LOT of bases-loaded plate appearances for someone with less than 2 years under his belt.

[Atheose]

Drew K's, but the damage is done. Joba at 89 pitches after 5.

[YF]

Where the frick has that been Joba?

Falls in love with his w. his secondary pitches there, and it kills him.

[YF]

Give Moose Joba's arm, and he'd throw a perfect season.

[John - YF]

"Ellsbury checks his swing, bases loaded."

Checked his swing? Come on Ath, please.

ESPN's love affair with Pedroia (and the Sox) continues. He's 5 ft 5 1/2, he's this, he's that...VOMIT.

[A YF]

And, John, heeeeeeee's an All-Star!

[Atheose]

Checked his swing? Come on Ath, please.

Sorry, said that before they showed the replay.

ESPN's love affair with Pedroia (and the Sox) continues.

Hey, let's be fair... John Miller has an announcergasm for every routine play Jeter makes, and every strike Joba throws. They do it for both teams, and it's usually pretty even.

I do agree with the Pedroia sentiment though. I guess they feel bad for all tiny players, and love to see them succeed. Though what Eckstein does isn't exactly "succeeding".

[Atheose]

Posada K's on a curveball that dropped like six feet. Wow.

[John - YF]

Jon Miller drives me bananas. It all started when he insisted on calling him ROOH-BEN Sierra.

[Sam-YF]

since when did wakefield throw a curve. that was tough to watch from my perspective.

[Atheose]

Yeah Miller is unbearable. Almost as bad as Joe Buck.

[Dirty Water]

Joba's at 89 pitches against this pedetrian lineup? LOL, good move Cashman.

[Atheose]

Hehe Sam, he's always had a slow curve but he almost never throws it. Great for situations like that against Posada though... he never saw it coming.

[A YF]

How about a big glass of STFU?

[Atheose]

Booo, Youk thrown at but it misses him. Payback for getting two hits against him?

[John - YF]

Joba throws behind Youk. Youk thinks it's on purpose. The Saga continues.

[Sam-YF]

Youkilis with the totally unnecessary stare down of Joba there. That pitch almost hit him the thigh. Gasp.

[Atheose]

Double play, good play by Giambi. Joba at 101 pitches, likely gone.

[John - YF]

Giambi makes a nearly awful throw to 2nd on a 3-6-3 double play to end the inning. Thankfully DJ makes a nice play on a tough play.

[A YF]

I thought Manny slapped Youk around so he would stop being a little bitch?

[Atheose]

Youkilis with the totally unnecessary stare down of Joba there.

Well, considering their history...

[Paul SF]

I had the misfortune of watching only the final three outs of last night's ballgame, and thought to myself: "Is the team with the second-highest payroll really trotting out Crisp, Varitek and Lugo as the bottom three in their lineup?"

I had a similar thought tonight, except that I had more faith in Cash to deliver a hit than I had in Varitek. I am simply amazed Tek is an All-Star this year. Kevin Cash deserves to be there more than Varitek does. I like the guy, and I think he carries considerable value behind the plate, but I hear the real problem with Abu Ghraib were the videos they showed of Varitek batting in a series of meaningful situations.

[Atheose]

I thought Manny slapped Youk around so he would stop being a little bitch?

Be careful AYF, as a 'public figure' that comment might bite you in the ass when you run for reelection!

[A YF]

"Well, considering their history..."

Yeah, one pitch that got away ='s a "history"

Now he's bitching to the ump.

[John - YF]

Varitek complaining to Laz Diaz, to quote him "That's Horsesh*t."

More or less "Horsesh*t" than that slide.

[John - YF]

Sorry, I have Varitek on the brain. YOUK complaining to Laz Diaz.

[YF]

And heeeere we go.

Let's keep it cleaner on the blog than on the field, fellas. Seriously. Enough....

[Atheose]

More or less "Horsesh*t" than that slide.

Hey, Joba is lucky he didn't get bowled over. He was blocking the plate, Youk should have.

Now Girardi acting like a "little bitch", to quote AYF. Gets himself ejected.

[YF]

That not aimed at the Horsesh#t comment, John.

[Atheose]

Yeah, one pitch that got away ='s a "history"

You mean two identical pitches to the head that resulted in an ejection? Yes, that = history.

[John - YF]

Slide at 2nd Ath, although both were typical Youk.

[YF]

The Frequent Gardner.

[YF]

Captain!!! 3-2.

[Atheose]

Which slide at 2nd are you talking about John? I missed the first three games of the series.

Jeter singles in Gardner, 3-2 Sox. Melky should be sent on a slow boat to China in favor of Gardner.

[Atheose]

Wow, horrible throw by Wake. Jeter in scoring position, Lopez and Aardsma up in the pen.

[Atheose]

DOUBLE PLAY! Good baserunning Captain.

[Paul SF]

You forgot Ath that nobody should ever slide hard into a Yankee when they're blocking the plate. This is apparently an unwritten rule somewhere...

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Hey, John, Joba was blocking the plate not only without the ball but Molina hadn't even picked it up yet. Youks went in feet on the ground. Joba wasn't using his head. A runner has every right to go for the plate there.

[YF]

Oh fer cryin' out loud.

[Atheose]

Ahh, sorry Paul. Forgot the rule.

But seriously, Joba was blocking the plate. He's lucky he didn't get his bell rung, and I'd be saying the same thing if it was 'Tek blocking the plate on a play.

[Atheose]

Jeter makes another blunder, throws a ball away. Lugo to 2nd with 1 out.

[John - YF]

Again, I was referring to the slide into second. Youk went out of the baseline in an attempt to break up the double play. Not dirty, everyday "hard" baseball, but still when you do things that way, the "hard" way, don't complain when the opposing pitcher tries to keep you honest with a pitch inside.

[Paul SF]

Wow, so first Lugo doubles off Jeter, then Jeter returns the favor by committing an error on Lugo's infield single, pushing him to second.

[Hudson]

>>> Wow, so first Lugo doubles off Jeter, then Jeter returns the favor by committing an error on Lugo's infield single, pushing him to second.

Heh. Paul, you're not giving Jeets credit for his intangibles.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

I can't offer up on that one, John. I didn't see it.
And although there is a difference between "inside" and "behind," I'm not going to imply intent. No reason to pretend to know what's going on inside someone's head.
...
And Cash is MONEY with a double.

[Atheose]

Was that slide in this game John? I didn't remember it. Not trying to be argumentative, I just totally didn't see the play, let alone the slide.

Cash money! 4-2 Sox. And Joe Morgan drops the bomb that supposedly Bonds has been working out with the Red Sox. Say it ain't so.

[Tom sf]

So if Youk will only not play so hard, Joba won't throw the ball behind him?

Got it.