Hey, remember last week when the Yankees lost to the Royals and the game was really frustrating? That was the entire series against the Red Sox. Here are some grievances I must air:
1. Brett Gardner and bunting is a relationship that is just not going to work. The Yankees and Brett Gardner need to realize that this isn’t happening. It’s not clicking. It’s failing. Gardner is not a good bunter and it doesn’t look like he’s going to get any better at it any time soon. Whether Gardner is bunting on his own or the bunts are called from the bench, the practice needs to stop. It’s giving away outs as it is, and that’s even worse considering that Gardner’s been hot of late. The situation last night did not call for a bunt at all. Red Sox starter Jon Lester had just given up a home run to Andruw Jones and a five pitch walk to Russell Martin. Why gift wrap an out for him there? Oh, and, apparently Gardner forgot how to run the bases.
2. Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher look lost at the plate. A-Rod’s at bat to end the game against Jonathan Papelbon last night was a pretty good at bat with a bad result, but aside from that, he seems to be hacking at everything. Swisher is up there ripping at the ball, but coming up empty on results. Both players are obviously talented and accomplished enough to get out of these slumps, but the length of the slumps is becoming unavoidable.
3. Mark Teixeira and pop ups. Is it just me or does it seem like he’s chasing everything up high this year? At least, that’s what it looked like in this series with the Sox. High fastball early in the count? Sure, Tex’ll swing under it and hit a weak pop up. Blargh.
4. The strikezone last night was just a bit ridiculous, no? #robotumps, please.
5. Let’s end this on some positives:
a. I really liked Robinson Cano‘s at bat against Daniel Bard. There were some borderline pitches he could’ve chased but didn’t, so he ended up with a rare walk. I’ll definitely take it.
b. Curtis Granderson is just all sorts of awesome. Russell Martin didn’t get a hit last night, but he walked three times, upping his OBP to .357. I know the power isn’t going to last, but if he can maintain that OBP–anywhere from .340-.360 really–and play not-awful defense all year, I’ll be incredibly happy with him.
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6 Responses to More Frustration!
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TIQ IQ
Hi Matt,
couldn’t agree more about Gardner – his bunting if awful, as is most everybody’s on the Yankees. kinda shameful that big leaguers can’t execute a fundamental bunt! So for all Gardner’s fielding and OBP skills, the guy can’t bunt, run the bases or steal very well. given his age, I can’t imagine he’s going to get any better at any of these
Home Runs with Joba- dude gives up way too many homers to be a late inning reliever in this league period. If you want to be a big time reliever you have to be able to get guys like Youk and AGONZ out in pressure packed situations,in hostile environments, late in games, in september and october. I’m not saying it’s easy but great players do difficult things well… something has to give here.
with martin..i think we need to rest him more..if he stays fresh he will be stronger as the season unfolds..cervelli needs to catch 2 of 7 games
Completely right on Teix, he swings under every high fastball and pops it up.
When Cano is patient, he is one of the best hitters in baseball. When he is too aggressive, he gets by on his natural abilities, but does a lot of hacking.
I wish they would just remove Alex’s leg kick. I know easier said then done (see, Jeter).
tex swings this year are on high pitches, his history of chasing bad balls have been down and in..new approach ..more pop ups..does anyone know how his k ratio is compares to last year?
how about jeter leading the majors in ground balls…joe should have anyone on first in motion when he is up..what was gardner waiting for last night to run..joe needs to wake these guys up or himself up…i thought last night early in the game was a great time for joe to come out and give it the home plate ump..and get thrown out..lester got the corners all night.looks like he missed our guys spots..