Yankees playing like chumps, not champs

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's all over.

If you're a Yankees fan, I know that's how you feel.

The defending champion New York Yankees are getting worked over by the underdog Texas Rangers.

And if this series is any indication, the Rangers are a much better team. Yes, I said it. The Rangers are MUCH better. They are better on offense, defense and clearly have better starting pitching (bullpen, I'd give the edge to the Yanks).

Who expected this? If you're from Texas, I understand you'd pick your boys to win.

But it's mind-boggling to me that the Yanks are playing like a team that doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs. Is it possible for the whole team to be in a slump? (Andy Pettitte has delivered, but who else?).

I'm just baffled with this team. CC Sabathia, the workhorse, gets lit up in Game 1, Phil Hughes follows suit in Game 2 and before you know it, the Yanks are down, 2-1, in the series.

And now the weight of the world is on right-hander A.J. Burnett to deliver for New York in Game 4. Seriously? Who has confidence in this guy? Burnett isn't even confident in himself (well, that's the way he's pitched, anyway).

And offensively, they are a complete mess. Mark Teixeira is not a clutch postseason player (he proved that last year, too). Who is going to step up? Robinson Cano can't carry this entire offense.

Someone step up.

Curtis Granderson, can you hit a curveball? Nick Swisher, where's the power? Jorge Posada, if you see a fastball swing the bat (you take way too many good pitches). Derek Jeter, do your job and get on base and stop swinging at heaters at your eyes and breaking balls down and away. Brett Gardner, if you get on first base (walk, hit, hit batsman, catcher's interference) it's an automatic triple.

Bottom line is, Joe Girardi better shake up this stagnant lineup (put Lance Berkman in there will you?) and get a spark.

Play like champions, not chumps.

It's do-or-die now, if they Yanks don't win tonight at home, it's series over.

And then they better break out the check book to sign lefty Cliff Lee in the offseason.

Who cares about Red Sox-Yankees

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Red Sox vs. Yankees in the final regular season series of the year. Sounds good, right?

Wrong.

What a useless series.

And who would typically say that when these two hated rivals face off?

But there's simply nothing to play for. The Sox will not be heading to the playoffs, but the Yankees will.

The only thing New York has to play for is to win the AL East. Oh, yeah, and the top record in the American League.

But at what cost? Will the Yankees rest some guys, or go all out to simply win the Division? That's why Joe Girardi gets paid the big bucks.

After tonight's rainout, the Yanks-Sox will have a doubleheader on Saturday and finish up on Sunday.

But is anyone -- even the diehard fans -- going to sit glued in front of the TV to watch this meaningless series? If you are, get a hobby. And fast.

Let the playoffs begin. This 162-game regular season is such a grind, not to mention those four-plus hour Red S0x-Yankees game.

I may never say this again, but who cares about a Red Sox-Yankees series.

Swish vs. Youk debate

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

OK, I get it. Most Red Sox fans know their team inside and out, but don't know much about the rest of Major League Baseball.

Another example of that theory stems from the All-Star debate concerning Boston's own Kevin Youkilis and New York Yankees' Nick Swisher.

In case you've been living under a rock, Swisher was voted into the All-Star Game by the fans. Yes, fans throughout the country.

I'm not even going to sit here and say Youk didn't deserve to be an All-Star because he did. Currently, the Boston first baseman is hitting .294 with 18 HRs and 57 RBIs with an OPS of .992. Yes, those are All-Star numbers.

But Swisher also deserves to go, especially considering this is far and away his best season and he's probably never going to go back to the All-Star Game. Anyway, Swish has the credentials, too, with a .304 batting average, 14 HRs, 48 RBIs and a .910 OPS.

It's tough to say one guy was going to have to stay home and watch the game on television, but the fans had the final say and they elected the Yankees' outfielder, not Youkilis.

Boston fans need to pipe down and stop ripping on how Swisher's not worthy. They also need to realize there's a lot of talent in MLB, more than just guys that wear a Boston uniform.

Being a fan really isn't fun

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports

OK, I'm a New York Yankees fan and I have no problem admitting it.

What my problem is is that I can't enjoy watching them play -- ever.

I'm a true fan -- like many of you out there (whoever you root for) -- and I live and die on every pitch, regular season or postseason.

So, while the Yanks are trying to win the World Series, I sit in my recliner every night they play the Phillies and I'm a ball of nerves. Every pitch, every at-bat, every play in the field, it's magnified on this level but it also makes me so nervous that I have a hard time watching.

Yes, I want to turn the game off and wait until around midnight to find out who won, but I can't. I need to watch, although it pains me for roughly four hours.

It's not healthy, I know, but that's what we fans do.

We live through our favorite team and take it personally when they lose. When they win, we win. In the postseason, I can't even enjoy a victory, I'm always looking ahead to the next game and then I get nervous again.

Yes, it's not fun being a diehard fan. But why do we do it? Because we love the game and our team.

It's only 10 a.m. when I type this and the butterflies are already setting in. In superstitious, too. I take full responsibility for the Yankees losing Game 5. The reason: I went into my drawer and the first t-shirt I grabbed was what color? Red. It was a bad sign and the Phillies won.

That won't happen again.

I took all the red shirts out of my drawer last night and can't make that same mistake twice.

Oh, and I can't wear Yankees gear, either. Every time I do -- a hat, t-shirt, jersey, sweatshirt, etc. -- they lose.

I know I've got issues, but I'm trying everything in my power -- well, in my mind -- to help my favorite team win the World Series.

I really just want this series to be over -- please tonight -- because this feeling I've had since the playoffs started isn't good. I'm on edge every day, even off days.

Yes, I'm worried about Pedro Martinez throwing a gem, I'm worried about Andy Pettitte pitching on three days' rest, I'm worried about Mark Teixeira and his hitting slump and I'm worried about pitching to Chase Utley.

You get the point, I'm a fragile man right now.

But I know I'm not the only man/women/child out there that's feeling this way.

I hope the players on the field know what we go through cheering them on.

Being a diehard fan isn't fun, but it's really the only way I know how to act.

With backs against the wall, Yankees desperate for a spark

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Cliff Lee was just outstanding last night, so tip your cap and move on.

The Yankees better turn the page real quick or this World Series will be over in a blink of an eye.

Yes, Game 2 tonight against the defending champion Phillies is a must-win game for New York.

While Lee scattered six hits in a complete-game performance with 10 strikeouts, it's hard to imagine that Pedro Martinez can do the same tonight.

It's been well documented that Pedro knows the Yankees, but remember the Yankees know him, too. And this isn't vintage Pedro of old, this is a guy nearing the end of his career that happened to pitch well against the Dodgers in the NLCS so everyone from Red Sox Nation to Philly thinks he's a staff ace again.

But I'm not buying how Pedro will dominate the Yanks tonight.

But I'm also not banking on New York starter A.J. Burnett dominating, either. Burnett is so hit or miss. He's got great stuff, but lack of control always hurts this guy. He walks too many and then gives up a hit that drives in runs. Burnett needs to stay in the zone, use his fastball inside and outside and get that breaking ball over on a consistent basis.

I think the offenses deliver tonight and then it's up to the bullpens to do the job.

The Yankees stunk with their bullpen in Game 1, but someone needs to step up to bridge the gap to future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera. Watch, manager Joe Girardi will try to use Mo for three innings (joking)!

We all know it's must-win time for the Yankees. If they lose tonight, there's not way -- yes, I said no way -- that they can win this series.

But they've also got to swing the bats. Mark Teixeira where are you? Time to hit in the clutch and drive in some runs, no more excuses. Is he the new postseason A-Rod dud?

Everyone that takes a bat to the plate is being called out.

The Yankees have a lot of heart and pride. They won't go down quietly, they just need a spark from someone.

Who will it be?

In a perfect world (only Yankee fans allowed), Burnett provides that lift and the offense rallies around the right-hander.

Or will Pedro steal the spotlight?

Why the Phillies will Win

By Rick Eggleston
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The curtain goes up on the 105th Fall Classic tonight that to the surprise of few, finds the Yankees as the American League representative. Of course, $202 million can buy you a lot of things. So, will it be enough for the Yanks to hoist the World Series trophy over their heads for the 27th time in their storied history? I say no, and here are five reasons why the Phillies and their $113 million payroll will beat the Yankees.

1. Experience. The Phillies were just here and with many of the same players back from last season’s championship team, they know what to expect. The newness and awe of getting to the World Series has worn off, so this time around it’s all business for Philly. The Yankees haven’t been here since 2003, when they spit the bit against the Florida Marlins. Six years is a long time and though it’s true, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Hideki Matsui were all around for the last rodeo, a few of them probably can’t help but feel like that it’s now or never, so the pressure will be on for the Yanks to win. Matsui, whose four-year deal is up this season, and Pettitte, who signed a one-and-done deal this season, won’t be in New York next season. The Phils are the defending champs — the pressure is off.

2. Pedro Martinez. Junior’s back to exact some revenge on the Yanks, whose fans let Martinez have it in 2004 with chants of “Who’s your daddy?!” in his return to Yankee Stadium with the Red Sox after he — with help from manager Grady Little — allowed the Yanks to come back and win Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Proclaiming that the Yankees must be his “daddy” before a 2004 match-up due to their recent successes against the right-hander, Yankee fans came up with the memorable line. This time around, however, will be different. While the chant is sure reign down from the stadium’s infamous Bleacher Creatures when Martinez toes the rubber for Game 2 tomorrow night, he will quickly make them shut up. Martinez thrives in the face of doubters and adversaries, and relishes the big stage that is undoubtedly Yankee Stadium. And with him entering fresh off a scoreless, six-innings effort over the Dodgers in the NLCS, Martinez will transform the chants into whimpers.

3. Alex Rodriguez. The Curse of A-Rod lives. Admittedly, the two-handed bum-grabbing bandit (watch out Derek Jeter!) Rodriguez has done much in the previous two series’ to shed his image as a postseason choke artist at the plate. The being said, Rodriguez is due for a slump. Unlike Minnesota and Anaheim, the Phillies possess the pitching that will keep the big guy off balance. Cliff Lee is dominant right now, and the aforementioned Martinez has faced Rodriguez enough to know what works. Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton probably won’t be too effective, but at least they’ll have the home crowd behind them for Games 3 and 4 in Philly.

4. Ryan Howard. Like Rodriguez, Howard has been mashing the ball this postseason (11-for-31 (.355) with seven extra-base hits and 14 RBI). Look for that to continue against the Yankees, who if they’re going to have a shot at thwarting the Phillies, must shut down Howard at the plate. Yanks starter CC Sabathia will get the first crack at Howard tonight in a lefty vs. lefty match-up.

5. Joe Girardi. The Yankees manager likes to tempt fate. He made some questionable calls with his bullpen against the Angels in the ALCS, one of which cost the Yankees Game 3 after he elected to lift reliever Dave Robertson with Alfredo Aceves with two-out in the 11th inning. The Angels responded with two straight hits and won the game. Then in Game 5, after the Yankees rallied to take a 6-4 lead in the seventh inning, Girardi’s decision to send starter A.J. Burnett back out to the mound led to the Angels copping three runs and an eventual 7-6 win to force Game 6.

My pick: Phillies in 5.

Grow up Red Sox Nation!

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The New York Yankees are going to the World Series!!!

It's a great day in Yankeeville, but for the Nation it's a very dark day.

I just can't believe all the frauds that wear a Boston Red Sox "B" on their cap and have now come out of the woodwork to cheer on the Phillies.

It's a complete joke if you ask me.

Granted, Red Sox and Yankees fans each don't get along -- we all know that's well documented - but the Nation is back to spewing insults in every direction, hoping that the hated Yankees don't win the World Series.

Go to any Internet site where there's Yankees talk or even Red Sox talk -- even Facebook for that matter -- and you'll find all the haters coming out of every direction to bash the Yankees.

For you Red Sox fans who don't appreciate the fine art of baseball, it's totally false that the Yankees suck. Time to realize it, accept it and move on.

It's funny how Red Sox fans are suppose to cheer for their team only and hate everyone else that stands in the way of the Nation, but now fans are turning in their Red Sox red for Phillies red? Come on now. The biggest supporters of the Phillies now live in New England?

Excuse me while I barf.

I know there's no way in hell that Sox fans will root for the Yankees -- and I wouldn't expect them, too, either -- but to go way out of your way to fire off insults and do anything in your verbal power to try to jinx or bash the Yankees is a little childish in my book.

The Yankees made the World Series and finished off the Angels which the Red Sox couldn't do, but big deal. Root for the Phillies all you want, but your team has been eliminated already so pipe down.

Ever hear of when you lose you're not suppose to talk trash, you're in no position to do so? Plus, no one will take your seriously.

Actually, it's nice to see that there are some Red Sox fans that do appreciate "good baseball" as one of my Red Sox friends puts it, but the hate, arrogance, negativity and jealousy just makes you look bad.

You win with class and lose with class. Tip your cap on a job well done and move on.

Obviously, a good portion of the Nation (I will not group everyone in that statement) hasn't figured that out.

Afraid of the Yankees? No way!

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's one thing to beat up on the weak links of Major League Baseball, but it's another to elevate your game against the cream of the crop.

You'd be stupid to not take notice of what the Red Sox are and have been doing to the archrival Yankees -- 7 straight wins against the Bronx Bombers. 

Now that's impressive. 

While the Yankees have beaten up on the lesser teams (Orioles, Indians), they can't get it done versus playoff-caliber teams.

The Red Sox are just owning their rivals. Didn't it used to be the other way around? Not any more, obviously. During this head-shaking 7-0 record vs. the Yanks this season, Boston has scored 51 runs to only 28 for the Yanks, while outhitting them, .295 to .269.

The numbers don't lie. Granted, A-Rod or A-Fraud or A-Roid or A-Hole --whatever you want to call him -- was out of the lineup with his injury for the first five so the Yanks' lineup wasn't as powerful, but that's no excuse because the Sox are proving they can beat New York with A-Hole (0 for 7 in first 2 games in this series vs. Sox) hitting in the cleanup spot.

It almost seems like the Red Sox hitters know what pitch is coming next, well, it's not hard when facing Chien-Ming Wang, who can't get Little League hitters out right now. Let's see, putting youngster Phil Hughes in the bullpen for Wang? Yes, another great move by manager Joe Girardi. I still say Don Mattingly should be the manager of this team.

But anyway, credit the Red Sox scouting staff for knowing how to hit, position defensively and attack the New York Yankees hitters with their hurlers. Many factors go into owning your opponent, but scouting has to be a big part of this. 

But maybe the biggest thing right now is confidence. The Red Sox BELIEVE they can win every time they play the Yanks -- home or away -- and it doesn't seem like the Yankees are confident at all. I guess when you get lackluster pitching performances like A.J. Burnett and Wang in this series, then you don't have much a shot, do you?

The Yankees are down to their final hope of beating the Red Sox -- CC Sabathia. If he can't beat the Red Sox and starting pitcher Brad Penny tonight, then this Red Sox streak could get a lot uglier before it gets better for New York.

Can the Yankees finally take a stand, or will the Red Sox continue to pound on their rivals?

It's no contest right now!

Looks like the Yankees don't suck after all

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Here they come! Watch out Red Sox fans, the Yankees --yes, that team that apparently "sucks" -- are starting to play real consistent baseball and have overtaken first place in the AL East (by a half game) for the first time since 2006.

Will it last? Hard to tell because it's so early, but one thing is for sure: The Yankees should be considered a dangerous club and shouldn't be overlooked.

The Nation has gotten a little too big for its own britches --the Sox have some major issues with their club just like everyone does, but they're still content with taking the first five games against the Yanks this year (the next Sox-Yanks series is in Boston on June 9-11).

Big deal, move on. It's not like they play the Yanks 162 times during the regular season. After a series is over you move on. The players do it, but the Nation always likes living in the past.

But on the field, New York is pretty scary with a staff of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, but its weakness is the bullpen (except for closer Mariano Rivera).

Boston's got a great bullpen, but everyone should and is questioning its starters. Besides Josh Beckett, is there a guy that you're comfortable with every time he takes the mound? No.

Jon Lester has been real inconsistent (although I think he'll find last year's form soon), Dice-K is a mess, Tim Wakefield has come back down to earth with some real shaky starts and then there's Brad Penny. I know he hasn't completely imploded like I thought he would, but do you trust him? Oh, wait, John Smoltz is working his way back to health in the minors ... he'll be the Nation's savior in a month or so. 

Don't bank on it. He's not the 22-year-old Smoltz anymore with a power fastball, slider and nasty split.

With Alex Rodriguez back in the Yankee lineup, it's become a much more powerful and productive team. Mark Teixeira, who the Nation said couldn't handle the pressure of New York after his slow start (do you finally believe that Tex is a notoriously slow starter?) has been a monster with the stick lately. 

Can the Sox keep pace all season with David Ortiz hitting under .200? It's hard to believe that they can. Mr. Mango Salsa, who was all smiles when he could hit a few years back, is now his worst enemy. He's snapping bats in the dugout after striking out and he's even riding the pine at times? Is he washed up? It looks like it, but he can't be this bad all season, right?

Good thing Jason Bay is playing like an MVP candidate and Jason Varitek has delivered with his bat -- who would have predicted that in the offseason? 

The Sox can still hurt opposing pitchers with Jacoby Ellsbury -- he's not a superstar Nation so stop putting him in the elite category -- Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia and Mike Lowell (he's just a solid all-around player that you can't hate), but Ortiz is really killing that team.

It's still too early to crown the Yanks or the Sox -- I'm still not counting out the Tampa Bay Rays -- but did you really think the Yankees wouldn't compete in the division?

I know the Nation says the Yankees suck, so what does it say about its own team since the BoSox are trailing their hated rival?

Joba Rules in the hate category!

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

What a big surprise, the voters say Joba Chamberlain is the player on the Yankees who is hated the most. 

Looks like all has been forgiven in Red Sox Nation with Johnny Damon, huh?

I guess Joba should be honored that Sox fans hate him. That means they know who he is and deep down -- it's OK to admit it -- are afraid because he's got the skill to beat the BoSox. 

If you think Chamberlain's mound demeanor is over the top -- you can probably expect another fist pump or two when he punches out Ortiz, Bay, Varitek, Lowell, Pedroia, Youkilis or whoever the next time -- well you need to loosen up ... a lot.

Joba feeds off the energy of a ballgame. For the baseball conservatives out there, and it appears like Red Sox Nation is completely uptight now, Joba isn't your guy ... I understand. You like the player that doesn't say boo and doesn't show emotion. That's fine, too, in my book.

Well, I like the guy who wears his emotions on his sleeve. Chamberlain is fiery with swagger, he tries to pump himself up, that's how he motivates himself. That's how I played so obviously I appreciate players that actually look like they care about the game and are obviously having fun doing it.

Papelbon is Boston's version of Chamberlain. But I'm willing to go out on a limb and say Sox fans love it when Papelbon goes through his 9th-inning routine of fist-pumping. If he was a boxer, he's have a first-round TKO in every fight.

I don't think either guy tries to show anyone up, they just play with more emotion that the average Joe. If players or fans take it the wrong way, well, who really cares.

I know Joba DOES throw at people from time to time, but so do a lot of guys ... Josh Beckett, perhaps Red Sox fans? Joba tries to own the inside part of the plate, like most power pitches should anyway. I know he's not at the level of Roger Clemens or Nolan Ryan -- no need to even have that discussion -- but Joba doesn't want people digging in on him. Clemens and Ryan were pretty -- major understatement -- good at intimidating people weren't they? I guess when you've got a 94 mph-plus heater, batters shouldn't feel too comfortable digging in.

Anyway, Sox fans think Joba's a punk. It's just a little more motivation for No. 62 when he pitches against the Sox. 

Here's a major fist pump to the Nation!

Joba's Mound Antics

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

I forgot to mention this in my previous entry this morning. Red Sox fans should NOT ramble on about his fist pumps and excitement after making a big strikeout. In case you haven't noticed, Jonathon Papelbon does the exact same thing! 

Gutless Red Sox don't retaliate!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

First and foremost, I'd love to establish the fact that I am neither a Yankees nor a Joba Chamberlain fan. It's my opinion that Joba the Hutt is a punk, albeit a talented punk. I ripped Joba a few weeks ago for being a headhunter, but want to be a fair and balanced writer.  I have no problem with him hitting Jason Bay last night.  It wasn't Kevin Youkilis so he didn't throw at his head.  You can argue whether or not it's "right" to intentionally hit someone after hitting a home run off you, but given the context of the game I don't mind it. Jason Bay has been a Yankee killer of late and Joba was just looking to cool him off a bit.

What I do have a problem with is no one on the Red Sox retaliating to an obvious intentional beaning. Don't blame Josh Beckett, though. It was too close of a game for him to plunk someone. The Sox needed to hit someone later in the game after they were up 7-3. You have a very deep bullpen, so why don't use one of them? I really don't understand it. Pitchers need to step up and take care of position players. It's just one of those unwritten rules. I am not saying this is going to tear the fabric of the clubhouse apart for the Sox, but something needed to be done.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens the next time these two foes face off.