Last night, as you all know, the Yankees decided as a tribute to the city of Boston they would play “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond after the third inning of the game.

This decision was met with various reactions.

Some people were horrified because they feel the song and its lyrics, which we’ve come to find out in recent years was written about a young Caroline Kennedy, seem a tad creepy. Others thought it was nice of the Yankees to do that sort of thing for their bitter rivals – I was one of those people. And then there were others who were angry that the Yankees would ever dare to play that song in their Stadium, thus, completely missing the point of why the Yankees did it in the first place.

Some people argued that “Dirty Water” by Dropkick Murphys would have been a better choice or maybe even “Shipping Up To Boston,” also by Dropkick Murphys. I don’t disagree with those people but I think the Yankees more than likely chose “Sweet Caroline” because it’s more recognizable outside of Boston than the previous two songs.

“Sweet Caroline” was played in a lot of different ballparks last night in tribute to Boston and the only team I know of that strayed from it were the Milwaukee Brewers who opted to go with the Cheers theme instead. Brewers, beer, Cheers, Norm! Perfect.

Also, during last night’s game, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, was tweeting out the walk up songs of the Yankees as they came on. I found this to be a big help because when I went to Sunday night’s game, I had no idea what half the songs were – this included the walk up music and anything they played between innings. I’ve become one of those old people who refuses to listen to popular radio or even try to discover “new” artists. It’s kind of sad because I love music but I find so much of what’s out today to be torture on my eardrums.

That’s not to say that I don’t listen to any modern music. In fact, I spent nearly the entire month of March listening to Justin Timberlake’s new album on a loop.

Anyway, Hoch compiled that list for you:

Brett Gardner – “Guitar Slinger” by Crossin Dixon
Robinson Cano – “Started from the Bottom” by Drake
Kevin Youkilis – “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” by Soulja Boy
Travis Hafner – “Symphony of Destruction” by Megadeth
Vernon Wells – “Awesome God” by R. Swift
Ichiro Suzuki – “Drop it Like It’s Hot” by Snoop
Francisco Cervelli – “Pegaito Suavecito” by “Various Artists”
Lyle Overbay – (has not yet selected a song)
Jayson Nix – “No-Leaf Clover” by Metallica
Brennan Boesch – “Blueprint” by Jay-Z*
Chris Stewart – “Forsaken” by Skillet
Ben Francisco – “Da Rockwilder” by Method Man & Redman
Eduardo Nunez – “Ella Ta To” by Chimbala

Way back in the 1990′s, when I first purchased my season tickets and I would go to games with my girlfriends, I like picking their brains and asking them what song they’d choose for their walk up or warm up music because I didn’t actually assume they’d always want to be hitters. In fact, a few did choose to be pitchers so their choices were slightly different because you’d get to hear more of the song. With walk up music, you hear at best 15-30 seconds.

Some would answer me right away, others would have to think about it for awhile. They mostly chose songs they grew up listening to and would rarely pick a “modern” song which I thought was pretty interesting. Back then, I did the same thing. I always wanted to walk up to the opening notes of “A View To A Kill” by Duran Duran. They’re my favorite band of all time and I just thought it would be cool to sauntering out to that tune.

Now, nearly 15 years later, in 2013, I still want to come out to that song.

*One note, isn’t Blueprint the name of a Jay-Z album not a song?

(Syndicated from It’s About The Money)

(Syndicated from It’s About The Money)

Hooray!

Is anyone else as excited as I am right now? The excitement I’m feeling is not just because the Yankees won. It’s also not just because they beat Boston – I mean, who doesn’t love that? And it’s not just because we, meaning the people who live in the New York metro area, won’t have to hear about more doom and gloom tomorrow. The excitement I’m feeling is because two of the guys people like to make fun of the most, the ones fans of other teams like to say ” are as old as dirt,” Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera, were a big part of tonight’s victory.

Pettitte was the stopper the Yankees desperately needed. Well, fine, desperately is a little exaggerated and over the top but to save everyone’s sanity, at least in terms of what I mentioned above, the doom and gloom, this start was definitely needed.

The oldest man in the starting rotation came out and threw eight innings of one run ball. He gave up eight hits, induced double plays when he needed them and he struck out three batters.

Lasting eight innings was key because who entered in the ninth inning? Yep, the Sandman. And in his first appearance of 2013, Mariano Rivera made things a teensy bit sweaty at the end but was able to close out the game with a bunch of ones. One inning, one hit, one walk, one strikeout and he gave up one earned run. Oh and it was his first save of the year (obviously) and career save 609.

Now, I didn’t forget the offense and hey, neither did the Yankees! Not that four runs is a lot but the way they came about was pretty amusing.

In the second inning, Lyle Overbay hit an RBI single that scored Travis Hafner and Eduardo Nunez. I know, I still can’t believe Overbay and Hafner are Yankees either. Then in the bottom of the third inning, Brett Gardner hit a home run. Yes, you’re reading that correctly. But that’s not the funniest thing. Nope, I saved that one for last.

Get ready for it.

Here it comes…

Francisco Cervelli hit a bomb to left center field -it hit the back of the visitor’s bullpen – to put the Yankees up 4-1. Unfortunately, I missed it live. It figures the one time I get up to do something, I miss a Cervelli home run but thanks to the magic of the DVR, I was able to see it and laugh at it. I mean, come on. If someone told you that the two Yankee home runs hit tonight would be by Brett Gardner and Francisco Cervelli, would you believe that person? Probably not.

So the Yankees have a W, finally. People can step off the ledges and calm down at least for one night. And like I said, at least you’ll all be spared some doom and gloom articles for possibly 12 hours.

I wasn’t expecting much from the Yankees but today’s game was awful.

So awful, in fact, that I don’t even want to do a full recap.

What you need to know:

• CC wasn’t good.
• The lineup wasn’t great.
• Francisco Cervelli hit a two-run single which is all the Yankees could get (runs-wise at least).
• Jackie Bradley Jr. is the second coming of Jesus.
• And I’m glad there’s an off day tomorrow.

So heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere’s Jackie:

(Syndicated from It’s About the Money)

Sometimes I have days when my mind is going a million miles an hour – okay, so it happens at least six out of the seven days in a week – and on those days, when my thoughts are all over the place, I like to write them out. Aren’t you lucky?

I’ll usually post only the baseball thoughts but an occasional, random thought about other stuff like music, life, or even the weather will creep in.

And away we go…

We’re a week away from Opening Day. The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros are the inaugural Sunday Night ESPN game for 2013. Yes, I have the same thought – the poor Astros.

The Yankees will open a week from tomorrow against the Boston Red Sox in what most “experts” (and I put that in quotes for a reason) are predicting will be a battle for the American League East cellar.

I don’t think the Yankees will end the season in last place.

I’ve been known to be incorrect in my predictions.

I’ve also been known to be very correct in my predictions. Case(s) in point: In a phone call to my dad on April 20, 1997, I told him the Florida Marlins were going to win the World Series. Or the time I correctly predicted the 2007 Yankees’ regular season record in March. My favorite was when I predicted Jason Giambi‘s 30+ home run season in February 2005. (He finished with 32.)

Can Spring Training seem any longer?

Or be more boring?

Can the person with the Yankee voodoo doll please put it away? Thanks.

I cannot stop listening to Justin Timberlake’s new album. Like, I mean, I’m listening to it every waking hour on repeat. I think need an intervention.

I hope one of the Yankees uses at least one of his songs as their walk up song this season.

I’m interested to find out what the new guys’ songs will be because Ichiro coming to bat to LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem always amused me.

I hope if Derek Jeter goes old school he picks something better than Puff Daddy.

Yes, he’s still Puff Daddy to me.

» Continue reading “Stacey’s Random Baseball Thoughts”

Countdown: 39 days

(Syndicated from The Yankee Analysts)

Is it just me or does December seem like the slowest month of the year? Maybe it’s because it’s usually cold, dreary and dark. Or maybe it’s because we’re in that limbo period right smack in the middle between the two baseball seasons otherwise known as last season and this season. By the way, now that the calendar has changed and it’s a New Year, you can refer to the 2012 season as last season.

Anyway, whatever the reason is, I’m glad December is over because it means that this season is right around the corner.

Now, I know some people are fearful of what 2013 will bring for us Yankee fans but I, for one, am just excited for baseball to start.

Things will certainly look a lot different on February 12 when pitchers and catchers first report to Tampa. Especially the catchers. Russell Martin is gone and it looks like barring any last minute miracle of some sort, Austin Romine, Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart will be battling it out for the starting catcher job.

How exciting! She said sarcastically.

And then, when the position players arrive, things will look even more different without Nick Swisher, Raul Ibanez and Eric Chavez on the team. Plus, you have the new additions reporting to Tampa for the first time like Kevin Youkilis and Matt Diaz who will both be donning the Pinstripes even though we never thought in a million years they ever would.

I still can’t believe Youkilis is a Yankee. She said with lump of bile in her throat. (Kidding!)

At least some things will look the same. The pitching rotation is unchanged with CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte as your top three. Then there’s Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova and David Phelps who will be battling it out for the last two slots in the starting five.

What I’m most interested in seeing is the return of Mariano Rivera to the bullpen.

2012 was such an odd year for the Yankees, wasn’t it? All seemed lost when Rivera was first injured in May but then the Yankees recovered and they still went on to win 95 games thanks to the performance of Rafael Soriano who stepped into the closer role and was fantastic through the summer and into fall.

Right now, Soriano is still a free agent and unsigned. I really wish the Yankees could sign him again but I know that can’t happen. He’ll want too much money and they’re all about austerity! Bring on 189 in 2014!

I think it will also be interesting to see how Derek Jeter comes back from his ankle injury. My fellow, soon to be 39-year-old, says that he expects to be ready by the start of Spring Training. Let’s hope he is and that he’s able to perform.

***

About a week ago, someone on Twitter bet me that the Yankees would finish at .500 this year. After I stopped laughing, I told him I’d wait until the start of Spring Training before I made any sort of wager because I wanted to see if the Yankees would make any more moves.

My brother thinks I’m crazy and that I should take that bet because he feels there is no way the Yankees would do that badly this season.

I tend to agree with my brother.

Yes, the Yankees lost some key players and yes, the Yankees are a year older but everyone is (or will be) a year older. I will be a year older, you will be a year older, the world will be a year older.

And yes, other teams – namely the Blue Jays – revamped nearly their entire squad. But so what? Divisions and World Series aren’t won on paper. Just ask the 2011 Red Sox and Phillies.

Besides, the Blue Jays, like every other team in baseball, have some injury concerns. Josh Johnson isn’t a guarantee to last all season in the starting rotation and it will be some sort of miracle if Jose Reyes can stay off the disabled list all year.

Other AL East teams haven’t improved that much (so far) this offseason. Have the Red Sox made some moves? Sure, but they didn’t really address what they needed to address and that’s their starting pitching.

But Stacey, they signed Ryan Dempster!

Like I said, they didn’t really address their pitching problem – Dempster isn’t that great. Will they be as bad as they were last season? Probably not. Guys will be healthier, new manager John Farrell will miraculously help Jon Lester and they will more respectable than they were in 2012.

The Orioles who had every single thing go right last season – from their record in one-run games to their record in extra inning games and the performance of their bullpen – were able to finish with 93 wins which was good enough for second place in the AL East, haven’t done a damn thing yet this Winter. Sure, they have still time to do something but it seems they’re hoping that 2012′s luck will carry over into 2013 and I don’t think it’s a given.

Will they fall off by a lot? Probably not. In fact, this year, I can see the AL East being a three or four team race right down to the wire.

Now, wouldn’t that be something?

Then there’s the team down in Tampa that plays in that awful dome. They added free agent and power hitter (kidding) James Loney and lost Wade Davis and James Shields to a trade with the Kansas City Royals.

The trade seems to be more of a help to the Rays of the future, not to the 2013 squad but still, you can never count the Rays out of anything because no matter what, they’re always lurking and ready to pounce when one of the upper echelon teams falter.

So after all of that pontificating, the point to this overly wordy, somewhat babbling post is that the 2013 baseball season is almost here and contrary to popular belief – from media and fans alike, I believe that Yankee fans have a lot to look forward to.

Nick Swisher

A few moments ago, Brien Jackson, my colleague over at It’s About The Money, Stupid, tweeted a link to a piece by Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston on ESPN New York (stay with me) about Nick Swisher’s possible destinations. As you all know, Swisher is a free agent and is looking to make big bucks this Winter. Edes mentioned the Red Sox as being interested in signing Swisher, if they can’t sign Josh Hamilton, that is and then he says this:

The Red Sox look at Swisher as a fallback plan if they are unable to lure Josh Hamilton.

The San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians reportedly all have expressed interest in the 32-year-old.

Say what now? Come again? You all are see what I’m seeing, yes?

I realize he says “reportedly” but when have the Yankees been mentioned as being interested in signing or in their case re-signing Swish? It seems to me, at least so far in this offseason, that the Yankees were going to wipe their hands clean of Nick Swisher. So why is this the first time we’re all hearing about this even being a possibility? Is Gordon Edes just talking out of his rear end? And where are these “reports” of the Yankees expressing an interest in bringing Swish back?

Inquiring minds want to know.

(This is what happens when I’m starved for baseball news involving the Yankees…)

Silver Slugger Award Winner

First, Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter both were awarded Silver Slugger Awards. Here’s the announcement from the Yankees:

Earlier tonight, Louisville Slugger announced that New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and shortstop Derek Jeter were recipients of 2012 American League Silver Slugger Awards, marking the seventh time in the last eight seasons that multiple Yankees have received the honor in the same year. The Yankees were one of three teams to win more than one award this year, along with Detroit and Washington.

For Cano, it marks his fourth career Silver Slugger Award, and third straight (also 2006). Cano becomes the first Yankee to win Silver Sluggers in three consecutive seasons since shortstop Derek Jeter won four straight awards from 2006-09, and just the fifth Yankee overall to accomplish the feat since the award was first presented in 1980 (also Dave Winfield, 1981-85; Don Mattingly, 1985-87; and Jorge Posada, 2000-03). His four Silver Sluggers match the most for any American League second baseman (also Roberto Alomar, Julio Franco and Lou Whitaker), and only Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg (a seven-time winner) has more among Major League second basemen.

Cano batted .313 (196-for-627) with 105R, 48 doubles, 33HR and 94RBI in 161 games in 2012, tying his career high in doubles (also 2009) and establishing a career high in home runs. Cano led all Major League second basemen in games played (161), hits (196), doubles (48), home runs (33), RBI (94) and batting average (.313), and tied the Rangers’ Ian Kinsler for most runs among Major League second basemen (105).

For Jeter, it marks his fifth career Silver Slugger Award, after also taking the honor in four straight years from 2006-09. Among American League shortstops, only Cal Ripken Jr. (eight) and teammate Alex Rodriguez (seven) have won the award more times since its inception in 1980. Jeter is the only Yankees shortstop to ever win a Silver Slugger Award.

The Yankees shortstop hit .316 (216-for-683) with 99R, 32 doubles, 15HR and 58RBI in 159 games in 2012, marking the most hits in the Majors this past season and his second-most hits in a single season (219H in 1999). Jeter also ranked among AL leaders in at-bats (first), average (fifth) and runs (ninth). He also tied Miguel Cabrera for the most multi-hit games (64) in the Majors.

Congratulations to them both.

The other bit of news is that Tino Martinez will not be hitting coach for the Boston Red Sox, he will be the hitting coach for the Miami Marlins. Yeah, that came out of nowhere but congratulations to him as well.

This game was so many different things: frustrating, annoying, nerve racking, exhilarating, deflating, frustrating again and finally, the best thing ever.

Let’s start with the frustrating aspects:

• The Yankees scored four runs on 16 hits.
• They were 4-11 with runners in scoring position
• They left 14 men on base.

Those same things were annoying but so was their ineptitude against the Red Sox bullpen.

The whole game itself was nerve racking but became even more so when the Orioles score became a final and they had beaten the Rays. At that point in the game, the Yankees were losing and were mere outs away from ending the game in a tie, once again, with Baltimore for first place in the AL East.

Then it became exhilarating.

After James Loney hit a solo shot to put the Red Sox up 3-1 in the top of the ninth, the Yankees came up, the Baltimore score was final and they were staring at the last three outs.

Curtis Granderson got things started with a single. Raul Ibanez stepped in as the potential tying run.

Then this happened:

He belted a 1-2 pitch into the right field seats and he became the tying run.

The Yankees were able to load the bases with one out after a Derek Jeter double and two walks – one to Nick Swisher and one to Alex Rodriguez. They had two chances to win the game.

Mark Teixeira hit a broken bat fly out to shallow centerfield and Jeter had to hold up at third. Then Robinson Cano grounded out to second to end the inning.

Completely deflating.

After a couple more frustrating innings – the Yankees were set down 1-2-3 in the 10th and Swisher hit a single in the 11th, the only hit they had in those two innings.

More frustration.

After two quick outs in the bottom of the 12th, everyone’s favorite third string catcher, Francisco Cervelli came into the game and worked a walk. Granderson followed that up with a walk of his own.

So with two on and two out, it was Ibanez’s turn to try and play hero again. And he did.

He poked a single through the left side between Pedro Ciriaco and Jose Iglesias which scored Cervelli and the Yankees win, 4-3.

BEST. THING. EVER.

Now, the Yankees control their own destiny. They were so close to ending tonight in a tie with Baltimore and now all they need to do is win tomorrow in order to capture the AL East.

Some facts:

• Ibanez’s last ten games: .412 avg, 4 home runs, 9 RBI and a .853 slugging pct.
• Derek Lowe was the winning pitcher and it was his 175th career win.
• Tonight’s win was the Yankees fifth walk-off of the season and third since September 21st.

(Syndicated from The Yankee Analysts)

Coming into tonight’s game, Phil Hughes had been terrible at Fenway Park. So terrible that most people were thinking that with his tendency to give up the long ball it could be a long and scary night for the Yankees.

SIKE!

I had a made a joke about wishing it would be opposite day and that Hughes would shock everyone. Well, he did. Hughes didn’t just keep the Red Sox off the board, he pitched into the eighth inning, he gave up only five hits, walked one batter and struck out seven. He earned his 15th victory of the season and helped the Yankees remain in a first place tie with Baltimore atop the AL East standings.

Of course, the offense’s problem with runners in scoring position reared its ugly head yet again – they finished 2-34 RISP for the series – but thankfully the two runs they scored were enough to win.

The first run was scored on an Andruw Jones sacrifice fly in the fourth inning off Red Sox starter Felix Doubront. The second run was scored when the overrated, slap singles hitter, Derek Jeter hit a bloop single to center in the seventh. It was the 3,283th hit of Jeter’s career, tying him with Willie Mays on the all-time list.

Both Alex Rodriguez and Eduardo Nunez who finished with two hits apiece. Oh and Nunez didn’t commit an error. Like I said, it was opposite day.

The only thing that wasn’t adhering to the opposite day rules was Curtis Granderson’s rough night at the dish. Poor Curt – that’s what Rodriguez called him in last night’s postgame interview – finished 0-4 with three strikeouts and left five men on base all by himself.

Oof.

Rafael Soriano untucked his jersey and earned his 38th save of the season. Soriano combined with Boone Logan and David Robertson to pitch 1.2 scoreless innings in relief of Hughes and Hughes’s season ERA is now sitting at 3.96.

Good times.

Scariest fact of the night: Yankees have won two straight games for the 1st time since Aug 14-15. IT’S BEEN A MONTH.

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve developed a Pavlovian Reflex watching the 2012 Yankees. It goes as follows: Untuck —-> Exhale. Every time.

Last night was no different, as I was holding my breath for the entire 9th inning. Rafael Soriano managed to hang on for his 37th save in 40 chances, but it came with the usual drama of a Fenway Park conclusion. Jarrod Saltalamacchia led off the 9th with a solo shot to right that brought the Sox within a run, and Daniel Nava followed it up with a fly ball to left that pushed Chris Dickerson back as far as the Monster would allow before he brought it in for out number one.

After retiring Mauro Gomez on an easy grounder to Robinson Cano, Soriano stabbed at a comebacker from Mike Aviles that resulted in a deflection and subsequent infield hit. Jacoby Ellsbury represented the winning run for the Sox (of course) but gave Soriano a shot at redemption – a comebacker that Soriano handled cleanly and underhand tossed to Nick Swisher for the third out. That was a dense opening paragraph. A rant, if you will. Untuck. Yeeeesh.

ALL the Home Runs! NOTHING Else!

Familiar sight: The Yankees scored five runs last night, all via the long ball.

Another familiar sight: The Yankees went 0-for-13 with RISP, placing them at 1-for-25 with RISP for the series.

Curtis Granderson threw up a pretty vintage Grandy line: 2-for-5 with 2HR, 3RBI, and 2K, putting him at .235/.324/.489 37HR 89RBI and 170K on the season. Grandy led off the 4th inning with a solo drive off Red Sox starter Aaron Cook, followed by an A-Rod single, and a Robbie Cano opposite field shot to complete the tater sandwich (tired of the food puns yet? No? Okay).

Eric Chavez doubled later in the inning, and Ichiro reached on an error by 3B Pedro Ciriaco (he’s human!) but Chris Stewart remembered to fire up the RISPFAIL machine and grounded out to end the inning. At this point, I figured that my boys would have Cook against the ropes, but the righty bounced back for a relatively quiet inning in the 5th and was removed after a Nick Swisher double to lead off the 6th.

In his 2 previous starts against the Yanks, Cook had allowed 12ER and 19H in 9.1IP.  Since the RISPFAIL machine was purring like a kitten by the time Cook was lifted, this time he escaped with 5+IP and only allowed the 3R in the 4th.

Leading 3-1 in the 7th, Derek Jeter led off with a single off of (noted Yankee double agent) Alfredo Aceves, and Grandy followed up with his second homer of the night – this one a 2R insurance shot.

Complain all you want about the reliance on the long ball, but if a team isn’t going to hit with men on base, they’ve simply got to find another way. I’ll take some HRs here and there, thank you very much.

Hopefully Curtis has turned a corner.  This lineup is significantly better when he is comfortable with his hitting mechanics, and he hasn’t been for the better part of the last 2 1/2 months.

Speaking of turning a corner, Nick Swisher didn’t factor in the scoring, but he did go 3-for-5 with a 2B – his second straight multi-hit performance.  Both Grandy and Swish hit .205 in September last year and were non-existent against the Tigers in the ALDS, so seeing both of those guys start to turn it on a bit here is a promising sign for the offense moving forward.

David Phelps: True Yankee

Okay, I kid, I kid, but still. The guy went out there in the hostile confines of Fenway Park, in September, in a first place tie, and he arguably pitched the best game of his young career. This was not a gem, but it didn’t have to be. Watching the game, I sensed confidence in Phelps, even in the bottom of the 5th when he gave up a leadoff triple to Saltalamacchia (more on this later).

Phelps was poised, trusted his breaking ball in all counts, and did something he has never done before: pitched beyond the 5th inning only allowing 1 run. With Nova returning to the rotation to replace Freddy Garcia, and Andy Pettitte willing himself to health, one would have to think that this may have been Phelps’ last turn at starting in 2012. He’s done everything the Yankees have asked of him this year, and done it in a respectable fashion. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him out of the pen this year, and I would sign up for more of that in the coming weeks. ::thinks of reliever Phil Hughes in 2009, salivates::

On Bullpens and Binders

Joe Girardi loves his Binder. The Binder can be a very just and kind Binder, but the Binder must be honored. The only way to honor the Binder is with MANY PITCHING CHANGES.

Last night, Joe paid great respect to the Binder by using 6 relievers after David Phelps’ exit with 2 down in the 6th. Clay Rapada came on to retire James Loney to end the 6th, but with huge-platoon-split Cody Ross leading off Girardi went to Cody Eppley to start the 7th.

Two batters and a Salty double later we saw Boone Logan who, seemingly exhausted from an afternoon of pitcher’s fielding practice, gave way to Joba Chamberlain after Daniel Nava tagged him for a double. A ground out and yet another double – this time by pinch hitter Mike Aviles – and the Red Sox tightened up the score at 5-3.

David Robertson started the 8th and got two outs before giving up a double to James Loney and turning it over to Soriano, who struck out Cody Ross looking to diffuse the threat (an enjoyable sight, equipped with amusing ripple effects).

A win is a win is a win, and the Yanks needed this one badly, but one has got to think that the pen is going to be a little thin in the final game of this series. Logan, Robertson, and still-healing Joba all threw a fair number of high leverage pitches two nights in a row so they are probably going to be unavailable.

Since Ivan Nova will be going on Saturday, I assume Freddy Garcia will be available out of the pen in game 3 so that provides some depth. I’m fully expecting Joe to be paying the Binder a great deal of respect if we see a close one tonight.

The Moment I Thought the Season Was Over and Other Miscellany

• In the top of the 8th inning, the Yankees had a light rally brewing that involved an error, a poor throw on a SB, a bunt, and a walk to a backup catcher. It may have been difficult to hear over the cacophonous whir of the RISPFAIL machine, but I wailed upon viewing the last out of the inning. Derek Jeter hit a tailor-made DP ball to 2B and in the course of busting it down the line, he seemingly aggravated the foot injury that he suffered against the Rays last week. He came up limping, hobbled a bit up the 1B line, and then was escorted back to the dugout by Girardi and trainer Steve Donohue. It looked ugly but according to Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News, Jeter is still dealing with the same bone bruise in the left ankle and has been for days. No new injury. No worse than it was before. In true Jeter fashion, he insisted that he will play in Thursday’s series finale.  Unless Girardi has him physically restrained, I’d bet the house on it.
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia finished one hit shy of the cycle – a single.  Salty only had 4 career triples in 459 games coming into Wednesday’s game.  He also only had 14 doubles on the year.
• Robinson Cano’s HR in the 4th inning was his 30th of the season, marking a new career high. Yay Robbie.
• Vicente Padilla made an appearance for one batter in the top of the 9th. Unfortunately, it was not Mark Teixeira.
• I find Cody Ross to be sniveling.  I thought so when he was on the Marlins.  I continued to think so when he was on the Giants. Now that he is on the Sox, I no longer feel the need to explain my views.  He is a sniveler, and he sniveled after Soriano struck him out looking with James Loney on 2B to end the 8th.  He made such a stink that he got himself tossed, along with 3B coach Jerry Royster and Manager Bobby Valentine.
• That marks the sixth time this year that Bobby V has been ejected, more than any other manager or player in one season in Red Sox history.

I was really hoping that we would see some Groucho glasses tonight, but I was left wanting more. If you were as well, here is a photo of what could have been:

Image Courtesy of theheckler.com

Tonight the Yanks take on the Red Sox at 7:10pm EST in the rubber match of the three game set at Fenway Park.  The Yanks will send Phil Hughes (14-12, 4.13 ERA) against Felix Doubront (10-8, 5.21 ERA) in a matchup for the home run lover in all of us (33 and 22 allowed, respectively).  Should be fun.