Cruise Control
Now they're ending games in the bottom of the first. Matsui goes 4-4 in his comeback game, Abreu ties an American League record for most RBI's in the first (6) and the Yankees set a stadium record for most runs in the first (9). Oh and Jeter continues his hit streak without actually getting a hit, but getting on base 4 consecutive times. Right now, and it is only September granted, the Yankees look like the offensive juggernat they seemed on paper (but not on the field) at the outset of the year. The playoffs will tell, but for right now, even the supporters of the Abreu-Lidle deal, like myself, never dreamed it would work out so well. Abreu seems like one of those players about whom noone evewr asks, can he play in NY; they say, he plays so much better in pinstripes. Oh and Mussina finally returned to the form of the first half, pitching into the seventh without allowing a run, and throwing mostly hard stuff.
You knew Matsui could only improve things. but given where the Yanks are now, would you let Sheffield back into the line-up? I'm just asking.
One last note. after a flawless inning of mop-up by Beam, Dotel gave up 4 runs in the 9th to raise his ERA to over 11 runs per game. I don't see how you can put him on the post-season roster.
You knew Matsui could only improve things. but given where the Yanks are now, would you let Sheffield back into the line-up? I'm just asking.
One last note. after a flawless inning of mop-up by Beam, Dotel gave up 4 runs in the 9th to raise his ERA to over 11 runs per game. I don't see how you can put him on the post-season roster.
posted by joe valente | 11:01 PM
3 Comments:
I think you've got to play Sheff a fair amount the rest of the regular season, to see where he is with his wrist and to get him enough at-bats to get his timing back. As for the playoffs, one big questions is whether he can play 1B. He is a former infielder, after all. If he can play first, then you DH Giambi. If he can't play first, you reverse it. I think by the time the playoffs comes around, you'll be seeing Hideki back in left field--just tell him not to dive. Then Melky becomes the 4th outfielder and pinch hitter. In the NL parks, he'll get some important at-bats.
Of course if Sheffield shows that he's not really ready, then there's no problem. Except for Giambi playing first, but I've never thought that's such a huge liability as some people do.
On the pitching question, I believe you have to drop either Lidle or Wright for the 5 game series; you're simply not going to start both of them, and you have guys like Bruney who can do a better job (not saying much) in relief. I think you revisit the issue when and if you move on to the ALCS. I beleive Karstens should gett eh nod over Rasner r=ight now, but they should each get some bullpen work for the rest of the season to see who is more proficient in that role.
2. As to Who's on First? (in left, at DH etc.), it seems like Z hasn't gotten with the new Yankees program, which is that we have enough power, we need defense and speed to win games. I personally don't give a hang about the ethics of playing Melky, the fact is he brings more of what the Yankees need than either Matsui or Sheffield. Matsui was always a lousy left-fielder that we pretended was adequate; Melky is a good left-fielder who looks like a gold-glover by comparison. Melky also has stolen 11 bases and always takes the extra base. He also entered last game hitting 25 points higher than Matsui. Having said all that, I do want Matsui in there everyday, which is why I think he should be the DH. And I don't think he should platoon with Sheffield. Matsui hits lefties fine; he doesn't need any help, thank you. The guy who doesn't hit lefties fine anymore is Giambi (just .196). Yes he still gets alot of walks, but then he walks around the bases. If he's not a long ball threat, and he isn't against lefties, he's of greatly diminished use. Sheffield on the other hand--and this is not often recognized--has been a pretty mediocre hitter against right-handed pitching the last two years. His formidable stats have been compiled in large part by smoking lefties at an unbelievable rate. The answer, in my view, is to platoon Sheffield and Giambi at first. I think Sheff is right, if Giambi can play first so can he--although once again Sheffield proves the exception to my rule that the Yankees are a classy organization. The only thing Sheffield knows about class is he stopped going after high school.
The only thing Sheffield knows about class is he stopped going after high school.
No, no, he stopped going long before the end of high school.
Matsui kills lefties so I don't think he's a platoon candidate. And if he's really back, he's too dominant to leave out of the lineup of any playoff game as far as I'm concerned. I'd certainly rather leave Sheff or Giambi out of the lineup than Matsui.
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