Random Thoughts-15th Walkoff Edition

-I actually felt bad for Kyle Farnsworth last night, that was about as ‘busted’ a rally as you’ll ever see. Cervelli’s ball takes a crazy hop off the mound, Hinske’s attempted stolen base throw to 2nd sails into CF and then Miranda’s ball goes off Kyle’s leg for the win. Even the Hinske hit would have been an out if the 1B isn’t holding the runner. Not blaming Hillman, that’s playing by the book there with the Royals being on the road and Cervelli representing the tying run. But the luck involved in that inning was just incredible. But hey, that’s Baseball. The Yanks and Girardi deserve some extra points for letting Cano swing on 3-0. He crushed that pitch, and if he hits it to any other part of the park it’s a game winning 3-Run HR. Girardi has done that recently with A-Rod as well, so kudos to him.

-Stat of the day comes from our very own Rebecca, and is as follows:

In the entire 2009 season there was one homestand where the NYY didnt have a walkoff win

From all the way back in June (facing the Rangers+Rays) and even that home stand included a few 8th inning rallies. Amazing.

-While all the walk offs make this season seem magical, I would advise a word of caution. They really don’t mean much come October, other than the fact that the Yanks clearly like playing at home. The 2008 LA Angels won 100 games, and had a ton of close and late victories. But then of course, they got bounced by the Red Sox in the ALDS.  The Yanks will be favored in every series they play, but anything can happen.

-SI’s Tom Verducci breaks down the play-in game scenario between the Tigers and Twins, turns out Verlander won’t be in the mix:

In a most preferred scenario for New York, the Twins and Tigers wind up tied, forcing them to play a 163rd game. That tiebreaker game would be played next Tuesday at the Metrodome, which is unavailable on the usual tiebreaker Monday because Brett Favre and the Vikings have the dome booked that night. The teams would have to burn another starter in that Tuesday game—the Twins would choose either Carl Pavano or Scott Baker; the Tigers could use Eddie Bonine, Nate Robertson or, on short rest, Edwin Jackson. The winner would then have to hop on a plane after the game and fly to New York to play the Yankees the next night.

-I know Jorge Posada’s a bit banged up, and they want to rest him at this point of the season, but he’s only caught AJ Burnett twice in his last 8 outings since August 22nd, and both outings went badly. The infamous 9 run outing facing the Red Sox and a 6 run debacle against the O’s. He had some good ones w/Jorge before that, facing one weak team in the A’s and the August 7th gem facing Beckett and the Sox at the stadium. I’m not sure what to make of this, if anything. But I will say that if AJ and Molina work better together, I would have no problem giving Molina a start in the playoffs, especially in the ALDS. If that’s what it takes to get AJ to perform, then I do it. Nobody influences a baseball game more than the man on the mound, and that’s not even debatable. Especially in the playoffs.

-While were on the topic of AJ Burnett, once again he didn’t get a Win after pitching well. In his last 11 decisions, he has given up 3 Runs or more only three times, and has given up 2 Runs or less 5 times, yet he has a 2-4 record to show for his efforts.  Now you know why he didn’t want to come out of the game last night.

-Farewell to Peter Abraham, who blogged his final Yankee game last night. Love the choice of Chad Jennings as his replacement and look forward to reading him and Pete from his new perch in Boston.