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]

Ellsbury grounds out. I'd like to see him bunt for singles more often. With Cash on 2nd and ARod playing shallow, at the very least it'd move him over to 3rd.

[John - YF]

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

Ugggh. I feel like I am bizarro world. Tough to make that comment on the day that "Mr. Calls a Great Game" makes the All-Star team with a .219 avg.

[Paul SF]

I think Youk was the first out on that 3-6-3 DP, Bill. Not sure though. I thought John was talking about the slide at home because the ESPN Radio guys mentioned it as possible motivation if Chamberlain was indeed throwing intentionally behind Youk.

[Paul SF]

I think we can call a truce and agree that neither Varitek nor Jeter belongs on the All-Star team this year. I also would much rather have Jeter batting in my lineup than Varitek, but I'd rather have Varitek on defense. Fair?

[I'mBillMcNeal]

"Tough to make that comment on the day that "Mr. Calls a Great Game" makes the All-Star team with a .219 avg."

For the last time, Varitek was voted in by the players. Bitch at them.
I got 20 bucks that says he backs out, anyway, and Pierzynski gets his spot.

[Hudson]

Bonds? Ugh. Double ugh.

[John - YF]

Ok let's stop taking things out of context.

1st Youk slid into homeplate.

2nd Joba threw behind Youk.

3rd Youk went out of the baseline to try and take out Jeter on a DP ball.

4th Youk walked back on the field and called Joba's pitch and I quote "Horsesh*t"

Then I said you can't claim to play the game "Hard" then get mad when a pitcher does just that and plays the game "Hard" in return. The rights to playing the game "Hard" do not belong to Youk alone.

So please Tom tell me where I said what you are claiming I said?

[I'mBillMcNeal]

No, Paul. I'm not going to whine about Jeter. No AL shotstop is having a great year. Maybe Michael Young. But the game is at the Stadium, so what's wrong the The Face of the franchise being in the starting lineup? If someone was head-and-shoulders better, then maybe you complain. But not in this case. I'm OK with it.
If not Jeter, who?

[John - YF]

The slide I am talking about was on the 3-6-3 double play. It wasn't dirty, it was "Hard." I made that clear. But it was certainly clear that Youk was frustrated and proving a point.

[Atheose]

ARod bloops a single into the outfield. Delcarmen up instead of Aardsma up now. Hopefully Wake can get through this inning so we don't need to use Okajima.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Any predictions on who wins the fan vote for the last spot?
Giambi will win it, but I'm keeping my vote in town and giving it to Dye.

[Hudson]

Just watched the replay of the Youkilis slide... If he hadn't slid, he would have had to run right smack into him, which would have been worse. Joba was blocking the plate even though there was no throw.

[Atheose]

Giambi pops out. Whew. Thanks for clearing that up btw, John.

Time for a GIDP by Posada. Please? Tito's seen enough of Wake, Lopez in.

[Atheose]

Hudson--John was talking about the slide at 2nd, not at home.

[Sam-YF]

Calling Jeter getting doubled off of second last inning a base running blunder is way off. That same thing happens to basically anyone.

[Paul SF]

If not Jeter, who?

Michael Young and Jhonny Peralta, both with better numbers across the board. It's not the travesty Varitek's selection is, and Jeter has at least some kind of senior statesman claim on the slot (like Ripken did), but he doesn't belong this year.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

John, did that slide into second seem unusual? It looked to me like any other slide into second to try to break up a double play. Pretty run of the mill.

Lopez replaces Wakes.

[Hudson]

>>> Tough to make that comment on the day that "Mr. Calls a Great Game" makes the All-Star team with a .219 avg.

Actually, it's easy to make that comment on a day when Jeter arguably costs his team two runs (one on offense, one on defense) in a 4-2 game.

And anyway, defensive prowess and great game-calling aren't "intangibles."

[John - YF]

I'll agree to let it go Paul, but you cannot possibly expect me to accept the comparison of Jeter to Varitek in terms of deserving to make the team. Varitek's numbers are awful, not mediocre, but awful. Jeter is having a terrible year by his standards, but definitely not awful. .281/.344/.387, that's simply not awful.

Young should be the starter, his numbers are clearly better. That vote though was left up to the fans and we all know how flawed that system is.

[Sam-YF]

IBM- the replay showed him out of the base path making that slide. As john said, it was fine, playing the game hard. Youk just cant swallow when others "play the game hard" too.

[Hudson]

Atheose: I know. But some of the tension seems to have come from Joba wrongly getting ticked about Youkilis' slide at home, too.

[Paul SF]

It looks like you cross-posted with my comment John, so I'll refer you to what I just said:

It's not the travesty Varitek's selection is

[Atheose]

Lopez gives up a single, ARod to 3rd. Shiznit.

[Paul SF]

Ugh, hit by Posada... Now we need a GIDP from Cano.

Why was Yankee Stadium playing "Shipping Up to Boston"?

[John - YF]

Cross post it is Paul! :)

[Hudson]

John: Given that the players selected Tek, why do you think they did that?

I agree his numbers stink, but the players must have had some decent reasons... Or maybe they just wanted to see Tek in Yankee Stadium.

[Sam-YF]

If we are talking about numbers for being voted in for the all-star game then Kinsler should be standing at second base not Pedroia.

Also, Jeter didnt cost his team a run on offense, he created a run on offense with an RBI. As I said above, anyone gets doubled off there. It as a nice play....

[Atheose]

Fuck Lopez. Cano triples.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Couldn't see that coming. The Globe was just praising Lopez for his recent effectiveness, setting up the jinx.

[A YF]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

And, on the way off the mound, Wake told Francona "I've struck him [Posada] out twice." Terry said "I know".

Ha!

[Hudson]

Bleh, remind me again what middle relievers/set-up men are going on the market mid-season?

[Atheose]

If we are talking about numbers for being voted in for the all-star game then Kinsler should be standing at second base not Pedroia.

Kinsler also has 16 errors at 2nd, whereas Pedroia only has 5 and has much greater range. Kinsler has better offensive numbers than Pedroia, but the defense certainly makes things closer.

Great play by Pedroia there. Delcarmen in.

[Paul SF]

Only a matter of time before Javier Lopez reaffirmed his status as my LFRS. *sigh*

[Hudson]

>>> Jeter didnt cost his team a run on offense,

Uhh, actually correct me if I have short-term memory problems, but seems to me he got doubled off second, ending an inning when he was in scoring position with just one out.

[Paul SF]

I guess I don't see the rationale for removing Wakefield there. Posada had K'd twice, and Cano swings at everything that he can see. I often fault Francona for his slow hooks, so I hate to criticize him for removing someone too quickly, but with the bullpen we've got this year, I don't know that trusting them with a runner on base is the best move...

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Every year, the fans get most right and a few wrong. That's never going to change.
And the biggest joke starter in either league is Fukudome.

[Sam-YF]

Im sure the legions of Red Sox voters took Kinsler's error count into their votes. The average baseball fan has no idea of that stat. Im just asking everyone to call it what it is, a popularity contest in which Red Sox, Yankees, and Cubs have a major advantage.

[John - YF]

Hudson, I have NO IDEA why the players selected Varitek other than they hate AJ.

Is there a way to research the worst stats posted by a player selected to the ASG for someone that was not the single rep from his team? Sounds like a job for AG!

[Hudson]

I agree with Paul. Wakefield can throw 120 pitches if he has to and had a nice game going. With those two coming up, I would have much preferred to let him try to get out of the inning than to play Red Sox Bullpen Roulette.

[Sam-YF]

Hudson-
He got doubled off second but as i said, if you watched that play, it really would have happened to anyone else. It was a ripped line drive, Jeter got doubled off with his secondary lead. It was negligent playing on his part.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Sam, that's absolutely right.
So I don't understand why anyone is bitching about it.

[Atheose]

Gotta agree with Sam here--most people would have been doubled off. I didn't think Lugo was going to get it either.

[John - YF]

Yeah that line drive play was not a mistake, Sam is 100% correct. The line drive is the single toughest ball to read especially in front of you. When the ball is hit behind you , you can get a better idea of height, speed, etc...in that instance it's try to freeze and dive back.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

We're going to have to get it off Farnsworth. I don't like our chances against anyone else.

[Hudson]

Call me out of it, but what the heck did the Yankees do to their caps?

[Atheose]

They have American Flag colors on them, Hudson. Most teams did that over the weekend for the 4th of July.

Except for the Blue Jays. F*cking Canadians.

[John - YF]

Let me be the 1st to tell you how this game ends. Varitek pinch hits for Cash and hits a game winning HR off Mariano Rivera. On his way around the bases he accidentally steps on Jeter's ankle and forces him to the 15 day DL. That's just how my day/week has gone. You can put it in the books!

[Hudson]

Re: Jeter: That was not a lined shot, it was more of flare verging on a looper -- watch it again. I stand by my initial reaction that there are plenty of other baserunners who would have not gotten doubled off.

[John - YF]

I am fairly certain all the teams did it. The proceeds (part of) go to the Veterans.

http://www.lids.com/style/9207?link_id=4581

[Atheose]

I'd love to see it John!

[Atheose]

Okay, here we go--does Youk get beaned? Farnsworth is a little wild.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

It's raining inside Yooks' helmet.

[Atheose]

Big outing by Farnsy. Let's hold 'em, lilManny.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Nice inning by Farnsy.

And you fnckers better take both from Tampa this week.

[Hudson]

>>> They have American Flag colors on them, Hudson.

Hm. I'm seeing a lighter shade of blue and outlined letters... Looks almost like a Mets cap.

[Atheose]

Mo's up in the pen.

[Atheose]

Announcer: "Mo is warming up. If the Yankees score here it'd be a save situation. If they don't score, it won't be."

Way to state the obvious, Miller.

[Hudson]

Oof, this bottom of the 8th makes me nervous.

If it's still tied in the 9th, do we still see Mo/Paps, or do the managers hold them back in reserve in case of extras, I wonder?

[Atheose]

Wow, foul ball called. I thought it was fair for sure. He hesitated before calling it, maybe he looked at where the ball hit.

Hmmm, replays shows it REALLY close.

[Atheose]

Fantastic changeup by Delcarmen.

[Sam-YF]

"I'm seeing a lighter shade of blue and outlined letters... Looks almost like a Mets cap."

They are indeed bluer than normal not quite Mets blue though. The same is true for the Sox's patriotic hats...

[Hudson]

Half-assed prediction: This game gets decided by a solo HR.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Nice swing on that pitch he hit barely foul (whew). MDC comes back with the K. I like the way that kid battles.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

"Looks almost like a Mets cap."

God forbid.

[Atheose]

Half-assed prediction: This game gets decided by a solo HR.

More like Okajima comes in fr the 10th and gives up a walk, SB and a hit.

[Hudson]

Another nice play by Lugo.

[John - YF]

All of the hats were the same color. Every team wore the same "light navy" as they call it. It's Red, White and Blue...get it? Check out this link, it will give you a better view of the hat.

http://www.lids.com/style/9207?link_id=4581

[Hudson]

>>>Red, White and Blue

Just can't see any red on my tiny screen.

[Atheose]

Great play by Ellsbury. All of this is setting up for an ARod walk-off.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Manny would have caught that one, too.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Mo?

[Hudson]

Aaaand to the ninth. Amazingly, the Sox didn't give it away in the 8th.

Since the Yankees get last licks, maybe it will be Mo in the 9th even though it's not technically his time?

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Gotta figure Mo will go two.

[Hudson]

Manny pinch-hitting possibility?

[Sam-YF]

Mo indeed.
This bodes well for the sox. Almost all of the runs he has given up this year are in non-save situations.

[LocklandSF]

OOPS. Posted this in the wrong thread, so I'm reposting it and edited it so that it's thread appropriate.

"Wow, I missed quite a weekend here while floating and drinking up north.

I listened to most innings on the radio this weekend so adjusting back to these ESPN dolts is tough.

I'm a sun burnt happy Red Sox fan with two wins out of three so far, let's see how this one plays out.

I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th as much as I did.

Nice catch Ells!!!!"

[Hudson]

Oki warming.

[Atheose]

Gotta figure Mo will go two

There's no way in hell that happens. He pitched last night.

[Hudson]

Leadoff Casey single.

[Atheose]

Lead-off single by Casey!

[Hudson]

Crisp pushes Casey to 2nd with the sacrifice. Nice.

[Atheose]

Great bunt, great throw by Molina. RISP now for... uhh, Lugo and Cash. Manny pinch hit for Cash PLEASE?

[Atheose]

OH. MY. GOD. Varitek is pinch-hitting for Lugo. Oh my god. Oh my god.

[Hudson]

Tek hitting for Lugo? What's the point?

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Casey singles; Crisp nice sac bunt.

Jon Miller points out that 4 of the 5 runs Mo has allowed have been in tie games situations.

[Lar]

The Sox pinching hitting with an All-Star. It's always good in those situations.

[Atheose]

Well at least he moved the runner over. Now we have to rely on Cash.

NO WAIT! MANNY PINCH HITTING NOW!

[A YF]

And the All-Star doesn't disappoint!

[Hudson]

Tek weak comebacker, Moss to third, Manny coming to the plate with two gone. Oh, boy.

[Atheose]

Here comes the IBB. It's all on Ellsbury.

[A YF]

And so you walk Manny, right?

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Oh, boy. Jay Mariotti Jr. chimes in with his predictable shot at Tek.

[Atheose]

He's pitching to him!

[Hudson]

This is a pretty classic Sox-Yanx moment, I have to say.

[Atheose]

Jay Mariotti Jr. chimes in with his predictable shot at Tek.

He's not Jay Mariotti, he's the CHB!

[LocklandSF]

Going for the elusive throw strikes strategy, interesting...

[Hudson]

Aaaarrrgh, Manny the K. Three pitches.

[Atheose]

Way to swing the bat Manny.

[A YF]

Bill, hasn't your Daddy told you: No name calling, trollboy!

Sit down! Sit down Secretary!

[Lar]

Wow. It takes balls to just pitch to him, and Manny out on 3 pitches. Wow.