During last night’s game, I found myself rather frustrated by the Yankees’ pitchers.
Javier Vazquez’s performance–which could be his last innings as a Yankee–was the cherry on top of the disappointment sundae that has been 2010 for Mr. Vazquez. He was one out away from giving up just four runs in 4.2 innings, but a hanging curveball to Aaron Hill changed that. I was sad for Javy that he gave up that blast, but there was a bit of anger in me. Granted, that anger had little to do with Vazquez and everything to do with the hitter: I have an irrational hatred for Aaron Hill. I don’t know why; I don’t know where it comes from…I just hate the dude.
Encouragingly enough, Javy did manage to get six swings-and-misses last night, but that’s just looking on the super bright side. As I’ve said many times, it’s just sad, and borderline painful, to see the 2010 version of Javier Vazquez. Many will stand up and say, “See? I knew he couldn’t pitch in New York!” but that’s ridiculous. Javy lost the zip on his fastball and the bite on his breaking pitches. Because of that, his changeup was ineffective. No matter what league, no matter what city, Vazquez likely would’ve struggled this year. Diminished stuff, not physical location, is what killed Javy.
Most of my frustration about the pitching, though, came from after the exit of Vazquez.
Even after the Yankees made it 7-3, this game was most likely not winnable and not high leveraged. Look at the WPA graph; the Yankees were never really in this game. Why, then, were David Robertson and Joba Chamberlain allowed to pitch? Robertson has had back spasms and should not be pitching in this low leverage a situation. Obviously, he needs to stay sharp, but I think resting him before an off day may’ve been a better choice.
Joba just threw the other night against the Red Sox and I think he, too, could’ve used another day before an off day.
I’m not really sure what Joe Girardi was thinking by throwing those two in this essentially meaningless game. I could see them pitching if the Yankees had a slim lead or even a slim deficit, but to throw these guys when the team is down four in a throw away game is maddening. I’m usually very supportive of Girardi and what not, but I’ve got to question these moves.
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3 Responses to Pitching Frustrations in Last Night's Game
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TIQ IQ
“Javier Vazquez’s performance–which could be his last innings as a Yankee–was the cherry on top of the disappointment sundae that has been 2010 for Mr. Vazquez.”
A touching tribute to Hat-Guy.
Matt, I’m happy you have come around a little on girardi, It was not javy’s fault…it is joe..only joe..he keeps cano in the game, swisher in also, lets tex talk him into playing.. say they are going hard for first…but javy starts? O.K. Cano never would have started, he would have gotten three days off, cecil, as i said was going to be hard to beat, good time for robbie to rest his legs,wed. thurs. friday off would have been medicine..same for the other two guys..back to the game..javy struggled, in the fifth, down now 4 zip, is joe playing to win or ride it out? he should have never been on the mound ,they kept showing all that inning two guys fully warmed up..take javy out…if not don’t have these guys up,, no ..he lets a 3 run bomb up to put the game out of reach,,but then takes him out…why???let him go until his pitch count gets to 120.. just like you said ,why in the world would he bring in those guys..why?? coast or win..joe make up your mind..i feel he really wants the wild card, but is trying to make like, see i’m trying.but at the cost of wearing guys out..i am open to hear a logical explanation….anyone …hey Moshe where are you..anybody want to champion joe.?this is what he has done all this month..
They should have forgotten Vasquez and go with the russian guy — you know, Ivanova — instead. He’s done pretty well in his 2 starts against Toronto, although not as well in the second start as the first. I would like to see if Nova could make the necessary changes to do well against a good hitting team the third time around.