Critics of the Yanks in recent years would tag them as an ‘all or nothing’ team, a bully offensive group that could score in the regular season against weak starters and middle relief, but would go to sleep in the playoffs facing the better pitchers. Is this true of the 09 Yanks? Or is it just an outdated tag the Yanks have yet to live down, since they missed the post season last year for the first time since 1994?
Let’s clear one thing up right away. Runs are runs, it doesn’t matter how you score them, they all count just the same. But the question is are the Yanks too reliant on scoring via the long ball, which in all probability they won’t be able to do as much of in October facing shorter bullpens and better starters. Run scoring generally plummets in October, so the ability to scratch out a run here and there can be critical. Good playoff teams are flexible, and can score runs in multiple ways. Playing A-B-C Baseball one inning and then going deep the next. Joe Girardi put an emphasis on getting younger and more athletic this past off season with exactly this in mind.
Let’s start by looking at at their run scoring month by month.
(Note: ‘Runs Scored via HR’ includes the HR itself and the men on base at the time)
April (W-L 12-10)
Total Runs Scored-128
April Runs Scored via HR-52 (41%)
May (W-L 17-11)
Total Runs Scored-155
May Runs Scored via HR-71 (46%)
June (W-L 15-11)
Runs Scored-140
June Runs Scored via HR-48 (34%)
While they may have been heavily reliant on the long ball earlier in the year, that trend seems to be moving in the opposite direction of late. Credit the emergence of Brett Gardner and the resurrection of Melky for at least some of this, both are tied for 6th on the Yanks in Runs Scored. But make no mistake about it, Johnny Damon still makes this team go. Leads the Yanks in Runs Scored, and in fact Damon, Cano and Tex are all ahead of our leadoff man Derek Jeter in that department. The lack of runs scored in April has to at least in part be attributed to Alex being on the DL, and Tex’s slump certainly didn’t help matters any.
Lady Godiva video Overall run scoring isn’t a problem for the Yanks, they rank #1 in all of Baseball in that category. They rank #2 in HRs, trailing Texas by just 3 on the season. The Rays rank #2 in Runs scored, the BoSox #4, behind the Cleveland Indians. The Rays are a different type of Run Scoring team than the Yanks, but every bit as effective. They are #2 in Walks (Yanks are #1) and #1 in Stolen bases (Yanks are #5) yet are #3 in HRs (Yanks #2). So the Rays generate runs more through a combination of speed, patience with good power, wheras the Yanks tend to score runs with a combination of patience and power. The Red Sox tend to mirror the Yanks in how they score runs, they just aren’t quite as good at it. 4th in HRs (Yanks #2), 3rd in BB (Yanks #1), 3rd in OPS (Yanks are #1) 4th in SB.
The Freshman ipod So in concluding, the team that would worry me the most in the post season from a run scoring standpoint isn’t the Red Sox, its the Rays. They have a more versatile offense, and therefore more ways to beat you.
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0 Responses to Are the Yanks too reliant on the long ball?
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TIQ IQ
Stephen A. Smith, is that you?
For a good look at the value of the individual position player Yankees, check out http://theyankeesdollar.blogspot.com/2009/07/interesting-look-at-value-of-your-new.html. Interestingly enough, Derek Jeter is by far the most valuable Yankee, over A-Rod and Tex thus far this year.
The resurrection of Melky you got to be JOKING? He has sucked the last couple of months!
Yeah, funny enough, in significantly more at bats, Melky has been worth significantly less than Brett Gardner (who has, statistically, been the best defensive CF in MLB this season. Gardner has been worth $9.2 million and Melky has been worth $4.3 million.
Correction! He’s the 4th best defensive CF this year, providing 8.1 UZR, below Kemp, Rasmus and Gutierrez (each of whom have played significantly more time.
I think this is more a symptom of an older team. I’m not sure but I’d bet the average age of the Rays team is younger than the current 25-man roster of yankees. I’d bet it’s be younger still if you only count the position players.
I’m looking forward to matsui and damon exiting and hopefully replenishing with a faster and younger OF pair.
Another issue is that I think Giraridi is not bunting enough, that was what made Cervelli when he was up here along with Pena such a great time, they played little ball and caused defensive miscues and problems for the other team.
Best example, Mauer bunting for a base hit! nuff said.
We bunt too much. Giving away outs is not a good way to win baseball games.