POST SEASON QUICKIE

Step One:
Win a Best of Five Series

            Buck Showalter, what can you say? The man knows how to manage young talent and get the best out of all his players. In 2010, Buck inherited this Orioles team when they had a 32 - 73 record. Fans of the historic franchise were planning walkouts in Camden Yards and on April 12, 2010 before the Buck showed his face the team set a club record for the lowest paid attendance in Camden Yards history, only 9,129 attended the game versus the Tampa Bay Rays. They started that season 2-16 which was the worst start in MLB history. It was a sad state of affairs in the land of orange and black, but what amazing things can happen in just two years.  After ending their 14th straight season under .500 in 2011, Buck's O's put all the pieces together this year to win and win big. They went from 69-93 to 93-69 in one year. Perfect example of Gonzo situation. Going 15-15 in extra inning games this season makes it know they are a team that will not give up.  Separated by one or two games with the Yankees down the stretch for all of September keep the Yankees on their toes as well, with no breathing room. However, the Yankees prevailed and took honors of the AL East Division title and Baltimore needed to go down to Texas for a playoff game against Yu Darvish. Odds were against them again, but with the two time AL Champions falling and failing from the season ending takeover in the West by Oakland even Yu Darvish wasn't enough to save the Rangers high hopes of a third straight appearance in the World Series.
    Ahhhh, the MLB playoffs are here and the schedule is as messed up as ever. The good thing is that any of the teams in this years playoffs (starting now, that we are down to the usual 8 teams) are extremely competitive and the games are going to be intense. It is any city's year here in 2012 with all eight teams having a solid chance in getting that shiny expensive ring. It's not going to be a breeze for any club by any means.

AN AL EAST BATTLE:

    Even though the Yankees had the better record and won their division they must travel to Baltimore for the first two games of the best of five. I know, it's the oddest thing ever stated, but to quote James Hetfield, "It's sad but true". The good news for Yankee fans is that they play extremely well in Camden Yards. Other good news is that Cano's bat has woken up at the right time and CC is back on the mound. Mark Teixeira is back, whether that is good or not I'm not completely sure, but I know I'd want him in my lineup for the playoffs anytime. The Yankees have played real well the past two weeks and I think they benefit from not starting their playoff run until Sunday.

            Now one game into the series I see the rest has helped. CC pitched real well going into the 8^th and striking out seven. The Yankees only hit one HR in a game that ended 7-2, but honestly it was a hard fought battle with it being tied 2-2 through 8 innings.

            Andy Pettitte is pitching in game two and just gave up his first hit in the 3^rd inning. It’s 1-0 Yankees and if they can steal two in Baltimore your Bronx Bombers will be well on their way to the AL Championship…

            Oh dang, he just gave up another hit.

            Hopefully this will be a good series or as good as 97.2% of Game One and more historic Yankee games will be witnessed by these eyes.

Stay tuned for more…

(It’s loaded bases for Baltimore in the 3^rd with 2 outs…INTENSE!!!

BASEBALL IN THE BOROUGHS is back!!!

THE RETURN

Let's see...
     It's been a bit longer than expected since I last wrote to my wonderful people and in some ways it's a sad return. Sure the Yankees are still holding a firm grip on 1st place even with all the pitching woes of the past few weeks, but their division doesn't seem to want to quit. Baltimore who was dead in the water slumping into the All-Star break has done everything to turn things around and are playing like its April or May again. They just got through winning a three game set in the Bronx right after the Red Sox took two of three themselves.
     Sad return in another fact that the Mets seemed to have fallen to Earth after the break and fallen to Earth hard! The first 9 games against the Nationals and Braves certainly didn't go as Terry Collins planned, but how long did you think the streak would live for? It's baseball, and it's a bitch!
 
NEW YORK YANKEES
67-47 (1st Place)

     About two weeks ago, shit maybe even three by now, I was laying in bed with my wife as she was reading to our unborn baby, yes out loud, I turned on the Yankee game as the were playing Seattle.  I figured let me check the score and see what's happening in Yankee-Land, across the land. No more then five seconds in I see Ichiro Suzuki stretching out on the on deck circle. Not an odd act until I factored in that he was wearing a Yankee uniform. My mind freaked and could not understand what was happening. My small pea of a brain couldn't calculate that the TV was not playing a joke, that I wasn't dreaming or that anything I used to know was real. I was completely baffled as the Yankee broadcasters were about to announce the newest Yankee...the ageless Japanese door opening wonder...Ichiro!
     The New York Yankees still have a top of the line offense with decent pitching. Jeter and Cano have had to pick up some slack because of the hurting ARod (in my opinion, out indefinitely) and the bruised up Big Tex. To help them in this...Ichiro. I'd take it.
     Now that the excitement of acquiring such a historic player has died off, so has the big lead in the AL East. Tampa Bay is gathering all their pieces once again in mid August getting back Evan Longoria finally and making a star closer in Fernando Rodney this year. They have won six straight and have climbed over Baltimore by a half game, which both teams holding on to the WC playoff spot. Oakland continues to play well and the Angels are always knocking on the door. All this with now the worst news to come...
            CC Sabathia has elbow soreness...  
"i didn't want to go on the DL, it's not my decision." Mmmmm, okay. Maybe this is precaution, but how will we know if he's 100% for the playoffs? FOX will be tearing at the bit for this primetime Game 1 event!
"...but I understand. I felt I stated a good case, but Cash wasn't having it."
     The problem is that this is a 122 million dollar man and elbow situations will linger. This should be scary for any Yankee fan because Kuroda, Hughes and Nova will not get you a ring. This is bad, but their lead is good. They have time. Plus the bats just woke up this weekend in Toronto. They are going to need them as Texas is coming to town. One of my new favorite match-ups. Following them will be Boston coming to town two weeks after the Sox won two of three in the Bronx. Time to ship the rivals out of the competition for good if you ask me.



NEW YORK METS
55-60 (3rd Place)
16GB, 9.5WGB

     What is really bizarre to understand besides the Mets dismal start in the second half of the season is the fact that the reigning champs of the NL East are struggling mightily to find their way to .500 baseball still to this day.  Also and possibly a bit more shocking is what is going on sown in Miami.  All the money they spent for Jose Reyes and the awful Fat Heath Bell, and maniacal manager Ozzie Guillen the team is in worse shape than both the Mets and the Phillies.
     So as we talked earlier, the Mets came off the break hard falling to Atlanta, Washington, then the Dodgers, then Atlanta again. Follow that misery with an Arizona Smack-down. They beat the Giants three out of four and then the rollercoaster descended again...they lost the following 3 series to the Padres, Marlins and yup, you guessed it the Braves. The poor Mets are 9-29 since the All-star break plus a questionable Johan Santana after his dismal return to the mound on Saturday Night. Not positive. Not fun, or funny. Johan left with one out in the 2nd inning and gave up eight runs.
     There always comes a time when you have to see what prospects are out there for the following year. Matt Harvey is up to the majors. Good move. Harvey is 1-3 so far with great stuff, but tough luck. Welcome to Queens. Next up should be Wilmer Flores and hopefully Zack Wheeler gets a couple starts in September. Tejada has not panned out as a great replacement for Reyes and Josh Thole doesn't look like an everyday player. Get rid of the old as can be Torres and shake things up a bit. Ike Davis turned his season around right when the Mets went south, but next year he will be at 1st. With D. Wright at 3rd and Murphy up the middle you can see a shaping infield. OF is the problem and the Mets bullpen is the Devil. In no way should this team be under .500 next season with a few good moves. Pitching is up and down, but looking forward you have to think highly of Santana, Dickey, Neise, Young and Harvey...with Wheeler on the back burner for when Chris Young bites the dust.
     Not all is lost as the Mets can now play spoiler, but one hot streak can make for a worthy September as long as Terry Collins gets this team to play their own division like they did back in April and May. Three at Cincinnati and then three in Washington seems to be a make it or break it situation. Two 1st place teams in a week in the heart of August gives your team true colors. It doesn't look good, but when have the Mets looked pretty while they win.

ADAM HAMMER’S “Loose Lips”

-          The trade deadline has passed with the Marlins as sellers. Sun rise, sun set. Hanley Ramirez is a Dodger, Zack Greinke is an Angel, Josh Beckett is still a Red Sox and the Astros are a Triple-A team. 

-          Albert Pujols is leading the American League in Homeruns, RBI's and OPS since May 15th. He's ended talks of being on the downside of his career and re-ignited talks of steroid abuse. 

-          Josh Hamilton has been downright terrible the month, batting under .200. Some teams think the substance abuse problems might have resurfaced, especially when asked about his upcoming contract. Instead of giving his demands in dollars, he asked for 10-15 Kilos per year. 

IN OTHER TEXAS NEWS…

-          Neftali Feliz is out until late 2013 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Colby Lewis is out for the year with elbow surgery and the Rangers lead is quickly shrinking due to the the Mike Trout Angels and the surging Oakland A's. When asked how he will turn the season around, Ron Washington wondered out loud of Josh Hamilton would be willing to share some of his Kilos.

THE SECOND HALF

NEW YORK YANKEES
52-33 (1st place)

     With a strong hold on the AL East the Yankees are looking into the last two and a half months of baseball in a very good position. Boston has faltered all season with inconsistencies on getting any sort of spark going. Buck's Baltimore squad has shown promise but the length of the season and their weak rotation will drop this team to the bottom of the pack. Toronto, a team I liked in April has the tools and always scores runs, but continues to find themselves in high scoring contests because of their rotation troubles. The bullpen is flat as well having them struggle mightily to stay in the race. Tampa Bay will have their runs of greatness and continue to play hard-nose baseball while no fans show up to watch. Joe Maddon has proved himself as one of the best managers in the game, but this year is proven to be different with weeks that they can hit the ball all over the field and those sorrow filled weeks where the Rays can't score a run for consecutive days straight. They will posses the biggest challenge to the Yankees down the stretch but if the breathing room continues to grow for your Bronx Bombers the only thing you'll be wishing for is health.
     Andy Pettitte needs to be back by mid-August to roll into the playoffs as a number 2 starter. Nick Swisher needs to be more serious about the game and get his batting average up 20 points. Russell Martin needs to concentrate more on base hits and preserving a batting average over .220 to become something other then a defensive player.
     The Yankees don't need much improvement, but to stop the postseason bleeding they need to be healthy and ready for what's to come in the future. A first round loss will be unacceptable. We want the Kuroda from June, where he posted a 1.86 ERA in compares sing to his lone July start against the Red Sox when he couldn't hold a 5-0 lead. If the Yankees pitching gives Joe Girardi the chance to over manage all hope is lost. He is comfortable with CC going eight innings and dealing Soriano in the 9th. The "stand in" closer will un-tuck his jersey a few more times this season, but as the season dwindles so will Soriano's production. The great thing is that the Bombers hit bombs and that will continue. Granderson, Big Tex, a healthy Rodriguez and the best second baseman in the game, Robinson Cano will always produce. It's a fact. However, will they produce enough to win a five game playoff? We'll that doesn't always seem to be proven.
     The Yankees start of part two of the 2012 season against a well oiled Anaheim Angels who have turned their awful April around into one of the best teams in baseball, despite always looking up in their division to the powerhouse and well rounded Ranger team. They are coming off of a 3-1 winning series against Baltimore after losing two out of three to Toronto and Cleveland. With Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo and let's not forget Mr. Albert Pujols this Angels team is a force to be wrecking with. The team is very exciting to watch and usually play the Yankees very well. Hopefully being back in NY for the post all star break opening will fire up these pinstripe marvels and send the Angels packing for a long sad trip home.
     Following this week the Yankees will take on the Blue Jays then fly out West for a four game series against the offensively struggling A's and then the Mariners, who have their own offensive woes. The only thing that could hurt or effect the Yankees success in these series is the travel. It's their last trip out West which is a great positive as they get the longest traveling done with in before the last two months of the season.
- After losing two of three to the Angels because of pitching trouble after the break the Yankees should take three of four from Oakland and two of three from the M's. Hoping not to see King Felix.


NEW YORK METS
46-40 (3rd place) 4.5GB

     Well, well, well...
     You couldn't ask for better after thinking about not going to a game all season in a protest to the Wilpons back in March when single season tickets went on sale. Don't lie! Unless you were like me thinking of how cheap tickets will be in August or September for what seemed to be a horribly long Mets season in 2012.
     Well, well, well...
     We couldn't have all been more wrong about something if we tried. Don't get me wrong here folks, a bad week or two out of the gate in the 2nd half could have all this hope shot down to shit and we all still wouldn't be completely surprised, but what you've witnessed so far has been nothing short of exciting. We saw a Johan no hitter and an RA Dickey pitching clinic. And let us not forget about David Wrights bat. The bullpen is by far the worst aspect of the team but you take the good you take the bad and there you have...that's right, "the facts of life".
     David Murphy has turned it on batting over .400 during the last week and a half before the break. Ike Davis has showed some power in his bat all season and just needs to take the bull by its horns and swing for contact.  Lucas Duda is becoming a viable option in the lineup minus his injury/sickness problems. The rotation as we know it has been fantastic while loosing Pelfrey. Now the Mets lost Dillon Gee for the remainder of the season because of a blood clot in his shoulder. He was rushed to the hospital a couple of days ago and now the Mets need to rush and find a replacement. Bautista? Or Matt Harvey up from the minors?
     As long as David Wright can keep hitting for average all while helping the young guys progress and keeping the Scott Hairston's and the Andre Torres's hitting well, this team can shock. They already have. Now there is just two months and a couple weeks shy of completing what seemed to be an unfathomable task back in March.
     Through the first half of the season the Mets are 18-12 against division rivals and they start the 2nd half with three games against the Braves and then three against the Nationals to hopefully gain some ground on the four and half back. If they could find some way to go 4-2 at the least the Mets can come home with high spirits to face a Dodgers team they manhandled a couple weeks ago and the then finally face the Nationals again. This all means that nine out of the Mets next twelve games will be against the division. The next two weeks help shape the NL East. Can the Nationals hold on? Will Atlanta fall down? It's up to the young Amazin's to keep the fans involved and hope alive.

- The Mets will deal with some tough pitching in the next two weeks and will need the help of small ball to win these close low scoring battles. Errors as always are a no no especially in these times of need for quality games. I see them splitting a between the six games on the road before coming back and doing some damage against the first place Dodgers. Yes, the Dodgers will be equipped will Matt Kemp, but the rest of that lineup is week. There wont be much scoring, but fundamental baseball will be the goal here. If they can keep it together and continue this "team" first trend New York fans might get lucky with having meaningful baseball deep into September.

Another Subway Series...

Subway Series Part II
June 22nd - June 24th

    GAME ONE (Friday at 7:10pm)
    THE REMATCH

    The last series was a Yankees sweep as they were in the midst of a first place take over in the AL East. The Yankees cruised through the first two games with full control and needed some extra time to pull of the sweep a couple weeks ago. The Mets showed some heart in the last game of the series, but errors and miss-cues got the best of the young scrappy bunch and the Yankees took the reigns in NY.
    Andy Pettitte (3-2, 2.77) pitched decent in his start against the Mets until a bare- handed play took him out of the game after six innings. He gave up three run (two were earned), but was out dueled by Jon Niese (4-3, 3.82) who pitched seven strong innings surrendering two runs. This games fits to be a perfect opener because it was the way the first series ended. Niese has been strong most of the year striking out 74 batters in 75 innings this year. The only set back seems to be the HR factor. He has already lobbed up eleven dingers to opposing teams when he only gave up 14 all of last season. That needs to change and hopefully pitching tonight at Citi Field will help him do so. The good news is that only four of the eleven have been hit off him on his home turf. His biggest challenge will be the red hot Robinson Cano who is 4 for 6 with and RBI against him.
    Andy Pettitte will not lie down. With an above average 2.77 ERA this future Hall of Famer will continue to baffle opposing batters. He is the definition of a workhorse (as is CC), and somehow this year became even more effective with his strikeouts. The man is now 40 years old and pitches just as good if not better then anyone in baseball. He has not given up a HR in his three starts in June and five out of seven of his starts since returning have been quality starts. More impressive he went from a 3.49 ERA to a 1.77 ERA from May to June. He will get stronger and continue to prove his dominance. His toughest out will be David Wright who is 11 for 24 against Andy with two HRs.

     (Yankees win 6-3)

    GAME TWO (Saturday at 7:15pm on FOX)
    Streaky Nova vs. Much "older" Young

    The least inviting match up of the three, but nonetheless has potential. Nova, who gets wonderful run support on the Bronx Bangers team, has started another winning streak. He has now won five in a row and in his past three starts he didn't need too much help from the offense. 3-0 with a 0.76 ERA. Pretty sexy numbers for a number 4/5 starter in the rotation.  With a 26-8 career record for Ivan Nova you better begin respecting the young man. He has done his job and kept a low profile.
    On the orange pinstripes you will see a pitcher with movement and talent...the question as always is how long will we see him?  In Young's first three starts back from an extra long DL stint he has given up two earned runs in each start and holds a 3.06 ERA and a 1-1 record. I personally like his stuff, but how long can he take you really? How far can the pitcher pitch before his chronic back pain re-appears then it would be up to the Mets poor poor bullpen to hold the heavy hitting Yanks.
    Chris Young is a good option for the Mets rotation instead of Batista I agree, but five or six laboring innings will not do the trick of Saturday night.  Russell Martin and Eric Chavez have hit him well in the past but we need to remember who the home team is. With no DH the lineup cards will not have enough room. Andrew Jones is 3 for 14 against Mr. Young, so guarantee yourself that he will pinch hit first if need be.

    (Yankees win 8-4)

    GAME THREE (Sunday at 8:05pm)
    Thee Marque Match-up

    If RA Dickey can shutout or not give up an earned run for 7 and 2/3 of an inning he will hold the franchise record. Dickey has the best record in baseball and the lowest ERA in the National League. Yes folks, RA Dickey is the best pitcher in baseball over J. Weaver, J. Verlander, the hurt Roy Halladay and the befuddled Tim Lincecum. You know who else is under RA in statistics? CC Sabathia even with his 9-3, 3.55 ERA can not stand close to what this Mets pitcher is in the middle of right now. If it wasn't for that rainy day start in Atlanta, Dickey could quiet possibly be undefeated right now and its shocking the Tri-State area. 11-1 with an ERA stagnant at 2.00. After his start against the Orioles on Monday Dickey has become the first pitcher in the history of the game to have five consecutive starts without surrendering an earned run and while striking out at least eight batters. He’s a force to be reckoned with so I don’t see how all of America would not tune in. AND HE's FACING CC!!! It's just remarkable. Like a heavyweight bout. As in Forman vs. Ali.
"RA, boom-ba-yay"
    Sorry Yankee fans but I'll give you the series at two to one, but I want to see Dickey's streak continue. I'm officially a big fan! And if you don't get the reference watch Rumble in the Jungle...if not for a great fight, then for an amazing James Brown mustache.
    Now I must be diplomatic in the case for CC as well. He is a Cy Young candidate as well especially after his CG against Atlanta on Monday when he struck out 10 and continued his own dominance in the baseball world. This match-up is as good as a Verlander vs. CC or a J. Weaver, when healthy of course. It should be a duel, but that rarely works out. I'm playing with fire and riding the Dickey bus...which now after writing that I feel awful about my self. If you cant seem to tune in to this ESPN Sunday Night game then you my friend do not like America's pastime and I will take this as a slap to the face personally.

    (Mets win 5-2)

ADAM HAMMER’S “Loose Lips”

-       The Mets closer, Frank Francisco called the Yankees chickens. Frank Francisco, the man who threw a chair at a fan, called the Yankees chickens. When reached for comment, Nick Swisher said "I thought he was traded to the Brewers last year?”

-       RA Dickey has thrown consecutive 1-hitters and faces the Yankees on Sunday. The Mets have filed a petition to dis-allow the 3 home runs the Yankees will hit Sunday Night.

 

-       The Yankees and Braves set a new Yankee Stadium record with 9 home runs on Wednesday. When asked if they were jealous, several Met players laughed and said Citi Field is much nicer, despite when an Asian says it, it sounds like "Shitty Field."