|
KTE - New York Yankees
The Mets-Yankees rivalry is unique. Nowhere else in sports do teams from the same city battle for bragging rights so fiercely. Even in the tenth year of interleague play, players, managers and fans treat the two three-game series as if they were playoff games.
Sure, the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is bitter, but the teams play much more often, and have plenty of other games to focus on during the season in separate geographic areas. If one lives in or around New York, they are constantly reminded of the state of the other team.
If your team loses during the Subway Series, reminders are there for the entire season. Or longer. Consider Tino Martinez' walk-off single in the 10th inning of game 3 in 1997. Losing both games of the crosstown doubleheader in 2000, and Piazza getting hit. Benitez' implosion in 2003 when he walked Posada with 2 outs in the 9th to force in the tying run, or Billy Wagner's meltdown this year. It can be bad.
(There won't even be discussion of the 2000 World Series here because I can't stay rational and write about it at the same time -- at least not now).
This year:
The 2006 Yankees enter this series 44-32, 4 games back of Boston, and 1 game ahead of third-place Toronto. Their $200 million payroll has again produced a team capable of winning many games, even with $32 million on the disabled list (Carl Pavano, Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui, and Robinson Cano).
Recent Performance:
The Yankees have been playing nothing but the National League East lately, having taken 2 of 3 from Atlanta and the Marlins at home. They took 2 of 3 in Philadelphia and lost 2 of 3 in Washington. They have not been swept in a series so far this year (and have swept only 2 3-game and 1 2-game series).
Lineup:
C - Jorge Posada (S). Unlike many of the other Yankees, there's nothing specific to particularly dislike about Posada, but he just seems annoying. Maybe it's the elephant ears. Anyway, 10-42-.288 is a pretty good year so far. 31% CS this year is the highest it's been in years but he's still got a weak throwing arm.
1B - Andy Phillips (R) gets to play first base if Giambi is DHing (which is happening more with the injuries to the outfielders). He can hit too: 5-16-.289 in 128 ABs. A free swinger, plenty of Ks with basically no walks whatsoever.
2B - Miguel Cairo (R) will be playing regularly with Robinson Cano having been placed on the DL 3 days ago. 0-12-.229 with a .288 OBP.
3B - Alex "Slappy" Rodriguez (R). Forget the "clutch" nonsense, he's having a pretty good year regardless. 16-55-.279. He has grounded into 12 DPs this year (6th in the AL).
SS - Derek "Captain Intangibles" Jeter (R). 5-46-.331. 15 for 17 in stealing attempts.
LF - Melky Cabrera (S) is still adjusting to playing full-time in the majors for the first time. 2-18-.255, although the .344 OBP is pretty good.
CF - Johnny Damon (L) seems to be earning his money: 11-42-.295. 16 for 20 in stealing attempts.
RF - Bernie Williams (S) was supposed to be a part-time player this year but has been playing regularly with the injuries to Sheffield and Matsui. 6-34-.276.
DH - Jason Giambi (L) seems to be a pretty good player even without the benefit of performance-enhancing drugs. 23-64-.271, OBP of .431. 1:1 BB:K ratio is impressive. Has been OK but unspectacular in his starts at first base (44 of the 68 games he's played in).
Pitching Matchups:
El Duque vs. Mike Mussina (R) (9-3, 3.28)
Mussina is definetly the staff ace for the MFYs, having another good year although he had shaky outings this month against the Phillies and the Indians. His last start was great, 7 IP with 1 run against the Marlins. He faced the Mets in the middle game of the series in May, 7 IP, 5 Hits (2 were homers), 2 ER, 7 Ks, No Decision.
Steve Trachsel vs. Randy Johnson (L) (9-6, 4.84)
Johnson has been better of late but still has been pitching "C level" baseball to go along with his "D-Minus" personality. 2-2, 3.69 ERA in June, and he Went 7 innings in each of his last 2 starts, allowing 5 hits in one and 4 in the other (vs. Philly and Atlanta). He faced the Mets in the opening game of the May series: 5 IP, 8 hits (2 homers), 6 ER, 3 BB, 5 K.
Alay Soler vs. Jaret Wright (R) (4-5, 4.18)
Wright's last 2 starts were also good, 5 shutout innings vs. Philly and 6 innings with 1 ER against Atlanta. He hasn't gone more than 6 innings in any start this year, and the Yankees try to keep his pitch count very close to 100 each game. Wright doesn't walk or strike out very many batters but has managed to give up only 4 homers all year.
Bench:
Kelly Stinnett (R), backup catcher, might start Saturday.
Nick Green (R), backup middle infielder, just called up to replace Cano.
Bubba Crosby (L), great baseball name but not hitting much. 0-2-.245 in 53 ABs.
Kevin Reese (L), frequently on the shuttle to and from Columbus. Only 7 ABs this year, used as a pinch-runner.
Bullpen:
Mariano Rivera (R), still great but not as unbeatable as he was 4 or 5 years ago. 4-4, 1.88 ERA. 17 of 19 in save opportunities. He's been worked very hard this year -- 43 IP already. Yankees are trying to limit him to 1 Inning outings, but in this series Torre may well use him for 4 or 5 out saves.
Kyle Farnsworth (R), struggling lately as the setup guy. 2-4, 4.89 ERA in 35 innings. 40 Ks.
Scott Proctor (R), also overworked: 38 outings, 49 innings (no starts). 2-1, 4.22 ERA. 7 Homers is the most for a reliever.
Ron Villone (L), having a good year as the primary lefty setup guy. 1-1, 2.18 ERA in 32 appearances. 22 H, 19 BB, 25 K in 33 innings.
Mike Myers (L), having a great year as a LOOGY. 13.1 IP, 0.68 ERA. 10 H, 4 BB, 11 Ks.
TJ Beam (R), just called up with only 4 appearances. Can be used as a ROOGY. Had one good and one bad outing when pitching full innings.
Matt Smith (L), recently called back up. 8 scorless IP pitched so far this year.
Who's Hurt:
Robinson Cano, put on the 15 day DL 3 days ago with a strained hamstring.
Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui are out long-term.
Carl Pavano might not pitch this year.
Ex-Mets:
Kelly Stinnett
Miguel Cairo
Octavio Dotel (on the DL and hasn't played for the MFYs yet).
Ex-Yankees:
Orlando Hernandez
Finally, for extra motivation, let us reflect on the five greatest, most satisfying defeats of our enemy since 1997:
July 4, 2004: Mets 6, MFYs 5. First series sweep for the Mets.
May 19, 2006: Mets 7, MFYs 6. David Wright's walk-off single against Mariano Rivera wins it for the Mets in the bottom of the 9th.
July 10, 1999: Mets 9, MFYs 8. Matt Franco's walk-off pinch hit against Mariano Rivera wins it for the Mets in the bottom of the 9th.
June 9, 2000: Mets 12, MFYs 2. Mike Piazza hits a grand slam off Roger Clemens.
June 16, 1997: Mets 6, MFYs 0. Dave Mlicki: 9 IP, 0 R, 9 H, 2 BB, 8 K, Win, CG, SHO.
|
