Losing out on Lee hurts, doesn't kill Yankees 2011 season

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

To start off, I want full disclosure here. I am not a fan of either the Yankees or the Red Sox. The Yankees organization, and fans, can say what they want but losing out on Cliff Lee really hurts this team. Simmer down Red Sox fans because this does not sink, or kill, the Yankees 2011 season.

Why you ask? Well, the Yankees starting rotation is really not that far away from the solid rotation the Red Sox have. I'd certainly take Jon Lester and Clay Bucholtz over CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes, but it's not like there that much better. The Sox top two starters combined for a 36-16 record with era's of 3.25 and 2.33. The Yanks top two went 39-15 with higher eras of 3.18 and 4.19. Josh Beckett and John Lackey sound great as your 3rd and 4th starters, but are there are so many questions about those two. Beckett has only had one really good year since coming to Boston, and Lackey showed he's very much a #4 starter last year. On the other side, Andy Pettite is a far more consistent performer as long as he's healthy. I also have no doubt he'll be back in pinstripes now. AJ Burnett was an unmitigated disaster last season, but realistically there's no way he's that bad again this season.

Now let's look at the positional players. Right now I'd say the catching position is a draw, but if one of these teams lands Russell Martin, then they have a slight advantage. Most people would call the first base position a draw, but I think Teixiera is still a better player. When you look at it, I think the Yankees also have an advantage at 2nd base with Cano, 3rd base with A-Rod and shortstop with Jeter. Crawford is a huge upgrade in the outfield, but do you really trust Jacoby Ellsbury, JD Drew and Mike Cameron? Ellsbury has great potential, but does he have the stones to get on the field? Nick Swisher is a better player in right, and I really think Curtis Granderson will have a breakout year if healthy.

What's next for the Yankees? I'm not sure. Brian Cashman has been reluctant to part with his best prospects the past few years. Much like Theo Epstein this offseason, losing out on Lee may put enough pressure on him to move some high level pieces to add the the rotation. I don't see the Yankees trading for Zack Grienke. If I'm the Yankees, I am seriously concerned with Grienke's mental history and his ability to cope with pitching in New York. I'm not convinced the Rays would trade Garza in the division.

Whatever comes next, I'm sure the entire baseball world will be on the edge of their seat.

Pitching problems in New York

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports staff

The New York Yankees might be sitting atop the ultra-tough American League East, but how long will it last?

Well, if pitching and defense wins championships, then the Yanks will not make it back-to-back championships due to their starting pitching staff that is looking pretty shaky right now.

We all know CC Sabathia can win a game every time he takes the mound, but who else can?

Now that Andy Pettitte (11-2, 2.88 ERA) is on the DL with a bad hamstring, the Yanks know they are in a little bit of trouble, even though you won't hear or read about them hitting the panic button.

Remember: There's a reason why they tried desperately to land Cliff Lee by dangling their top prospect -- Jesus Montero -- in a package deal.

Pettitte has also been old reliable, but now with him missing at least a month, the Yanks are in desperate need of arms that can be consistent to give them a chance to win.

Youngster Phil Hughes has the kind of stuff that aces are made of, but he's inexperienced and the Yanks' brass are closely monitoring his innings, hoping to not overwork that golden arm. Plus, the All-Star Hughes hasn't exactly pitched great lately. He's showing signs of being pooped already.

And then there's that waste of money, A.J. Burnett. The No. 2 in the rotation has been a big zero (7-8, 4.99 ERA) and can never be counted on. We've seen way too many bad Burnett starts lately.

Javier Vazquez has also been up and down, and he's definitely not a sure thing ever.

With Pettitte on the DL, manager Joe Girardi is going to call on Sergio Mitre to fill in. Seriously? I'm willing to bet Mitre would have a hard time getting hitters out in the independent Can-Am League.

See, just like I said, the Yankees are in trouble.

Good thing the Yankees are blessed with a talented offensive lineup that can make up for some very iffy pitching. And don't even get me started on that bullpen.

We'll see if that staff can hold down the fort until Pettitte comes back or the organization trades for a plus-arm.

A-Fraud up to his old tricks

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Man, Alex Rodriguez is a great guy.
Yeah, right.
A-Rod, after blowing off former Yankees manager and current Dodgers main man Joe Torre days ago during batting practice – not even offering a wave or a hand shake – finally went up to Torre after a couple days to look like a good guy.
Don’t buy that for one minute.
A-Rod care about his image, and the latest hit to his image was how he couldn’t even go up to shake his former manager’s hand.
But after a couple days – more like a couple days of bad press – he decided the time was right to bury the hatchet.
Are you taking the bait?
Not here, not even from a big Yankees fan.
Listen, maybe A-Rod’s a real nice guy, but his constant calculated moves are a tired act.
Obviously, he doesn’t like Torre for the way the manager spoke of him in a book and dropped him to 8th in the batter order when the slugger was scuffling. Yes, that would tick me off, too.
I would have been more happy with A-Rod coming out in the media and saying he dislikes Torre and won’t shake, hug or even wave at his former manager. That would be an honest and real emotion, and one that I could respect.
I thought A-Rod stopped caring about what other people say about him?
We know that’s not the case, at all.
It’s too bad that A-Rod will never be able to shake off that bad nickname of A-Fraud?
But, I guess, he brings it on himself.

Granderson gives Yankees big boost

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The 2009 World Series champs just got a lot stronger.

Welcome to New York, Curtis Granderson.

The Yankees didn't sit back after winning the title. Instead, they shot the first bullet at the Red Sox by landing a premier center fielder.

Yes, the Yankees did give up one of their top prospects, 22-year-old outfielder Austin Jackson, and pitcher Ian Kennedy (a back-of-the-rotation arm) and lefty reliever Phil Coke (he had an up- and-down season), but with a chance to get Granderson in his prime, it was a no-brainer.

I'm not saying that Granderson is a superstar, but he's a very good player --an all-star player -- both offensively and defensively.

He can run like the wind in center, tracking balls down in the gap that many outfielders can't reach. That's exactly what the Yankees needed, better outfield defense.

He's also got some real pop in his bat. Granderson hit 30 homers with 71 RBIs and 20 steals for the Detroit Tigers last year.

Those are the good numbers, but he does need some work (.249 BA, .327 OBP, 141 Ks).

Granderson's average has dropped the last three season from .302 to .280 to .249, so that is concerning. But he's proven that even if he whiffs 141 times (he did that in 2007) he can still hit for average (he hit .302 with 185 hits in 2007).

Granderson is currently a four-tool player (he doesn't hit for average right now) and a player the Yanks coveted.

The Yankees can now move Melky Cabrera to a corner outfield spot (figuring left field and Nick Swisher in right), or they can still re-sign Johnny Damon and play him in left and at DH.

They have flexibility now with Granderson in place.

He's a guy that should fit nicely into that lineup --either in the 2-hole or lower in the order when he faces lefties (he hit just .183 vs. southpaws).

But Yankee fans should expect sensational defense in center, 30-plus HR power, especially with that short right-field porch in Yankee Stadium, 20-30 steals (or more) and a .270 batting average (hitting coach Kevin Long will improve his plate coverage and patience).

If you're scoring at home: Yankees 1, Red Sox 0

Even with Loss, Sox fans can take a sigh of relief, maybe

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

In the grand scheme of the 2009 season, a 9-5 loss to the Yankees means absolutely nothing. The Red Sox really have no chance of winning the AL East crown, and it would take a monumental collapse for them to lose the Wild Card race in the American League. What does matter is Jon Lester's health. If you watched the game, saw the highlights, or simply read another article about what happened to Lester in the bottom of the third, than you know how bad it looked for the playoff chances of the Red Sox.

I saw the play live, and have seen the highlight a hundred times, and I still am shocked to see that the x-rays were negative. Apparently he just has a bruise to his quadriceps. By all accounts, Jon Lester and the Red Sox got lucky. My question is this. Have they? I have never been, or will ever be a pitching coach, but I do know that an injury to a pitcher's plant leg is no small thing. While he'll still be able to drive with the other leg, if you're plant leg is tender, and in pain, it's going to cause inconsistency in you delivery at the best, and could even play games with a pitcher's mentality. I wouldn't want a pitcher of mine to keep thinking about how it's going to hurt when you finish your delivery. My guess is Lester misses his next start to get him ready for the playoffs. That would be the smart, prudent thing for the Sox to do.

I think that despite the good news, Jon Lester's effectiveness in the playoffs took a major hit last night. All we have to do now is wait and see.

Yankees back in the postseason; Hughes has been a stud

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The Yankees win, the Yankees win.

After blowing a five-run lead to the Angels last night, the Yankees came through with a run in the ninth inning against those pesky Angels and won, 6-5, and became the first team in MLB to clinch a berth in the postseason.

Say what you want about those Yankees -- insert joke here -- but they're fun to watch. They can beat you on the mound with CC Sabathia -- but there are question marks with A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain come playoff time -- and with a nasty offense, but what about that bullpen?

Everyone ripped the Yankees for not putting Chamberlain back in the 'pen when they started out the season like members of the Bad News Bears, but that bullpen has turned the corner and has been outstanding.

While we all know about future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera, the biggest difference in this team is the emergence of youngster Phil Hughes.

Hughes was suppose to be the next Roger Clemens as a starter -- while we all agree he's not going to ever be Clemens, he could still have a very nice career as a starter in the future -- but he's becoming a lights-out reliever that every team covets in the crucial 7th and 8th innings.

Hughes has found his form, pumping it a 95-plus mph fastball with a cutter and downright filthy slider.

When he's called upon, he's done the job. And he's not pitching in garbage time, either. When he's toeing the rubber, it's an important spot in the game. It's hard not to be confident in this kid -- 3.04 ERA, 83 IP, 65 H, 28 BB, 90 K. He's been a much different pitcher, confidence included, since making the move into the bullpen after some bad early-season outings as a starter.

If Hughes didn't emerge as a late-inning stud, where would the Yankees be? Who knows, but he's been the main reason why nobody is questioning the bullpen anymore.

But can he do it in the playoffs? That's the next question to ask.

Beckett gets bombed again

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Another outing like that and Josh Beckett will have pitched his way right out of Cy Young contention.

In fact, over his last two starts, Beckett has looked less like the ace and more like the shell-shocked National League pitcher who came to the Red Sox in 2006.

Before getting rocked in back-to-back outings, Beckett had won eight of his previous thirteen starts dating back to the beginning of June. Over that span he posted a 2.10 ERA and gave up six home runs. Fast forward to his last two outings against Toronto and tonight's debacle against the Yankees. Over those two games alone, Beckett allowed eight home runs and saw his season ERA rise just a shade under half a run.

This is not the time for Beckett to be imploding. Or is it?

Over his career, there is only one month that has been a losing one for Beckett and we just happen to be smack dab in the middle of that month. Going into tonight's game, Beckett had a career record of 14-15 with an ERA over 4.00 and historically, his K/BB ratio takes a dive.

But fear not, Sox fans, for we know more than any that Josh Beckett is no burnout. In fact, in September, he boasts a career 18-8 record and a 2.86 ERA, a 1.32 run difference from month to month. The division is all but decided and was before this series with the Yankees ever came to pass. But do not forget that there is still a month of meaningful baseball left to be played. Thanks to the loss tonight, the Texas Rangers are breathing down the Red Sox' necks at just a game back and Tampa Bay is making a play at the Wild Card after taking two of three from those Rangers.

While the Red Sox don't face Texas at all and will require help keeping them at bay, Boston has two upcoming series in September against the Rays. If the rotation continues in the pattern it should, Beckett will take his good September numbers and his solid numbers against the Rays (6-4, 3.63 ERA, 98 K in 84.1 innings) into what could be some critical games.

You always want your ace to be on, but this is especially the time when you need him to come up big. He failed to do it tonight, but history suggests he could be up to rebound in a big way.

We can only hope.

Pedroia's plunking could be just the spark

By Jorge Bannister
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Unknot those panties about at least one thing, Red Sox Nation. Dustin Pedroia getting hit on the shoulder in the eighth inning by Mark Melancon was not intentional. Trust me.

The New York Yankees were already up, 13-4. It doesn’t matter that Pedroia had hit a home run earlier in the game. The Yankees were up, 13-4. It doesn’t matter that Melancon threw a pitch over Pedroia’s head. The Yankees were up, 13-4. Note that Melancon struggled after Pedroia, too, throwing a 57 foot fastball to Victor Martinez. And, please, don’t forget, the Yankees were up, 13-4.

I can understand Pedroia’s reaction to the whole situation. He hit a homer earlier in the game and a pitch earlier in the at-bat flew high over his head. He then got plunked high on his left bicep.

I give major credit to Jorge Posada for walking Pedroia down the first-base line to keep him in check. The view inside the Red Sox dugout didn’t look too friendly when NESN scanned — especially the sour look on Kevin Youkilis’ face. (Or, maybe he was just upset he was pulled for a defensive replacement late in the game. He was, after all, playing left field.)

Let’s remember one thing, though. Say it with me, now, “The Yankees were up, 13-4.”

I was surrounded by Red Sox fans when the incident happened, and someone said, “It’ll be interesting to see who the Sox hit.”

Really? Because, home-plate umpire Derryl Cousins had warned both dugouts immediately after the hit by pitch.

No way was anyone going to get tossed in a 13-4 game and risk Terry Francona getting tossed and, subsequently, fined by Major League Baseball.

Obviously, Josh Beckett is going to handle things tonight. The only question is, who is he going to hit?

Derek Jeter seems logical. He’s the same spark-plug for that team that Pedroia is for the Red Sox. However, even with warnings handed out, A.J. Burnett would certainly hit someone in return. No way would he let someone hit the captain without retaliating, right?

This is when things will get interesting.

The Red Sox need a spark — badly.

Question is, can Chad Fairchild — tonight's home-plate umpire — justify throwing out Beckett after the inevitable hit by pitch? If so, Tito would certainly get tossed, too.

That would certainly be just the spark the Red Sox need.

Big Papi not a big zero

By Jorge Bannister
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Fanatics tend to blow things out of proportion sometimes. Like, hitting numbers.

The time to worry about a hitter, or their numbers, isn’t May, like many fans have with one David Ortiz. I’d like to think the end of June is when you start to panic.

True to my thinking, Ortiz went 3 for 9 in his series with the New York Yankees. Two of his hits were solo homers — one to center field, the other to left over the Green Monster. Because of these two homers, many in Red Sox Nation (and believe me when I say I almost vomit when I write and/or say that phrase) are posing the question: Is Big Papi back?

I hate to admit it, but it’s the right question to pose. After all, he is 9 for 29 (.310 average) in the month of June with 3 homers and 7 RBIs. He’s finally above the Mendoza line with a batting average of .203, but still isn’t hitting his weight (Ortiz is listed as 230 pounds).

This is a slugger who’s getting paid $13 million dollars, so I can see where the urge in urgency lies — especially to this fan base.

Ortiz’s at-bats in this series have been positive. He went 0 for 2 with two walks in the middle game of the series, including a ball crushed just short of the warning track in center field for a fly ball out. Was it just a long flyout? Yes. Is it going to show up as a normal F8 in the scorebook? You bet ya. But, the ball was crushed.

It’s probably the weirdest things in sports: When ballplayers are breaking out of a slump they start mashing the ball but it’s usually right at someone. Then the opposite-field hits start piling up. Then a pitcher gets brave enough to try to sneak one past the player on the inner-half of the strike zone and the player pulls the ball, crushing it. Viola, you’re out of the slump.

When he isn’t being walked, he’s in “phase two” of breaking out of a slump, hitting the ball hard the other way and with power — as evidence by his opposite-field home run into the Monster seats last night.

If the Red Sox continue to get support from everyone else in the lineup, I don’t see why Terry Francona would move Ortiz back up to the 3-hole. He’s very productive in the 6-hole, and brings more balance to the lineup there.