It Is Going to Happen

[LouGehrig]

The Yankees are going to win it all this season.

Boston is hurting and has an offense that can be shut down. In October, when it is colder than June, July, and August, and the games that count are almost all played late at night, it hurts offense even more. Ortiz was not Ortiz so far this season. Their pitching, with Wakefield, Masterson, Beckett, Lester, Colon,and Dice K, is tenuous. There is inexperience and there are health problems. Schilling is probably not going to be much of a factor.

Tampa and the Angels are the real threats, with the emphasis on the Angels, but our pitching may be able to keep their offense in check.

I am not going rehash what all have posted previously, but it is a different game and a different mindset in the 21st century. Hughes will pitch in August and be ready for October, Chamberlain must still have enough of these garbage limitations to be available in late October, and if Mussina is for real and we get enough from Pettitte, there is a real chance.

See you in October.

[mikesty]

Psyyyyyyyyyyyyyche!

[Westlake]

The Yankees are going to win it all this season.

Boston is hurting and has an offense that can be shut down. In October, when it is colder than June, July, and August, and the games that count are almost all played late at night, it hurts offense even more. Ortiz was not Ortiz so far this season. Their pitching, with Wakefield, Masterson, Beckett, Lester, Colon,and Dice K, is tenuous. There is inexperience and there are health problems. Schilling is probably not going to be much of a factor.

Has an offense that can be shut down?

Rankings in the AL..

2nd in runs per game (5.09 vs. Yankees at 4.50)
2nd in BA
1st in OBP
2nd in Stolen Bases
2nd in HR per game

Then you try and say the Red Sox have thin pitching?

5th in ERA -- Yankees, 9th
2nd in Ks --- Yankees, 6th
5th in HR allowed - Yankees, 8th


Tampa and the Angels are the real threats, with the emphasis on the Angels, but our pitching may be able to keep their offense in check.

Tampa Bay is a real threat, and the Red Sox aren't? Someone forget to take their medication this morning? Astounding.

I am not going rehash what all have posted previously, but it is a different game and a different mindset in the 21st century. Hughes will pitch in August and be ready for October, Chamberlain must still have enough of these garbage limitations to be available in late October, and if Mussina is for real and we get enough from Pettitte, there is a real chance.

See you in October.

If you make it there. At this point, it's a lot safer to say the Sox will win the division (though I won't, since I know the Yankees are probably better than their record).

I'd think this was pretty worrisome if this didn't happen every year. Last year the Yankees were down X number of games at the tail end of the season and a bunch of whackjobs came out of the woodwork to proclaim that the Yankees had the division easily in hand. Well, they didn't and those people predictably disappeared.

Now what we have is a Yankee fan proclaiming the Yankees will win the World Series although they are still 6 games behind the division leader and in 3rd place (1/2 in front of 4th). Also, the defending world series champions and current division leaders aren't a real threat. Instead, the likely (?) flash in the pan, perennial last place Rays are the real challengers to the Yankee crown that doesn't exist.

Welcome to backwards land.


P.S. The Yankees could very well bust it into high gear in the second half of the season and win the division, but LouGehrig gave no real reasons for that other than sweeping generalities that we usually get from the mainstream sports media.


EDIT: I should have just said psyche! like mikesty did. Would have gotten my point across better and saved me some time. :(

[mikesty]

Yeah. Look, I'm a big Bronx Bomber fan and I take a lot of heat for it, but I'm not gonna make crazy claims like this. It's not our year, and unless we have some tricks up our sleeves we aren't going to be in the playoffs.

Is it possible? Yes, since the Yankees have a potent lineup. They have been dismal thus far and really need to show a sharp turn around to even begin talking about playoffs.

[Evangelion]

The Yankees are going to win it all this season.

Boston is hurting and has an offense that can be shut down. In October, when it is colder than June, July, and August, and the games that count are almost all played late at night, it hurts offense even more. Ortiz was not Ortiz so far this season. Their pitching, with Wakefield, Masterson, Beckett, Lester, Colon,and Dice K, is tenuous. There is inexperience and there are health problems. Schilling is probably not going to be much of a factor.

Tampa and the Angels are the real threats, with the emphasis on the Angels, but our pitching may be able to keep their offense in check.

I am not going rehash what all have posted previously, but it is a different game and a different mindset in the 21st century. Hughes will pitch in August and be ready for October, Chamberlain must still have enough of these garbage limitations to be available in late October, and if Mussina is for real and we get enough from Pettitte, there is a real chance.

See you in October.
Boston's offense can be shut down? Westlake shot that theory down. If you haven't notice, the Yankees' offense been shut down on a number of occasions this season.

Boston hurting? Yes, they are dealing with injures, but continue to play good ball in the process. Ortiz is a player that will be missed, but the team can survive without him as other players pick up the slack for Ortiz's absence. Also, he should be back next month.

Outside Ortiz's early season struggles, he's been hitting like David Ortiz. Who's been a better DH than Ortiz this season?

You're questioning one of the strongest and deepest starting pitching in the league? Health issues? Depth in the rotation is covering the current rotation health issues. Red Sox continue to win without Matsuzaka in the rotation. Inexperience? Outside Masterson, the Red Sox rotation is full of experience. Lester been in MLB for about a year plus up to this point and has picked well. Just because you have experience with young players not pitching well, doesn't mean young pitchers don't produce.

So, Mussina for real? Hughes going to become a dependable pitcher when he returns? Chamberlain limited, but a great pitcher. On the flip slide. Most of the Red Sox pitchers are health risks and inexperience? You don't see how ridiculous your post is when you're overly optimistic to the Yankees' pitching while being overly pessimistic about the Red Sox's pitching.

[Westlake]

Yeah. Look, I'm a big Bronx Bomber fan and I take a lot of heat for it, but I'm not gonna make crazy claims like this. It's not our year, and unless we have some tricks up our sleeves we aren't going to be in the playoffs.

Is it possible? Yes, since the Yankees have a potent lineup. They have been dismal thus far and really need to show a sharp turn around to even begin talking about playoffs.


Yeah, they could definitely bust out, but I don't think it will happen without Hughes coming back and doing well down the stretch.

[LouGehrig]

Let's return to this thread in October.

[Westlake]

Let's return to this thread in October.

I'm down. Just like I did with all the jokers that predicted all that wild nonsense last year.

Let's see:

Yankees win World Series
Red Sox don't make playoffs
Tampa Bay has a better record than Red Sox
Yankees pitching ends up better than Red Sox pitching
Schilling does not do anything when he comes back
The cold weather is the reason the Sox collapse (hah!)

I'll definitely be back to this thread in October.

[hellborn]

Interesting that Lou brings up issues that the Bosox and Yanks share to varying extents and assumes that all will go well for the Yanks and to pot for the Bosox. He could certainly have the last laugh, but the reasoning is not really sound.
Pitching? Wang just got hurt...you'd better hope that's not serious. I'd hate to be counting on Pettitte and Mussina to lead the staff. Who knows what Hughes is going to be able to contribute this year. Joba has been getting better as a starter, but he's still learning and seems too excitable. Is he going to be ready for high pressure starts in the playoffs? If the Bosox get anything from Schilling this season, it's gravy. I do worry about Dice K and Buchholz, of course...they could be a big drag down if their injuries linger.
It worries me that Papi and Manny have been fragile, especially Ortiz' wrist. But, Posada still isn't throwing well and I wonder if his shoulder is really all better, Jeter hasn't been hitting for much power, Giambi and Damon are always injury risks...similar worries. I am really excited the Drew seems locked in and hope that his son is doing great and JD is comfortable in Boston now. He could be a huge boost.
I always expect the Yankees to pick it up and come on strong at the end of the season. As I've mentioned before, NOTHING is more exciting than the Yanks and Bosox facing off late in the season!
It's a long season...enjoy it all!

[DoubleX]

I have to agree with all of the Red Sox fans here. One thing though that I think is on the Yankees side, is that in the last couple of years, the Red Sox have faded in the second half (though the postseason is of course a different story once the Sox get there).

In 2007, the Sox started off red hot, going 36-16 through May, but went 60-50 the rest of the way.

In 2006, the Sox went 53-33 in the first half, then fell to 33-43 in the second half.

[hellborn]

I have to agree with all of the Red Sox fans here. One thing though that I think is on the Yankees side, is that in the last couple of years, the Red Sox have faded in the second half (though the postseason is of course a different story once the Sox get there).

In 2007, the Sox started off red hot, going 36-16 through May, but went 60-50 the rest of the way.

In 2006, the Sox went 53-33 in the first half, then fell to 33-43 in the second half.

Didja have to remind us about that?!?!?
:hp

This goes back even before 2006...I believe that they'll shake it off and surge late this season.
:cap:

Note that I say "believe" and don't have an argument...other than I hope that Big Papi coming back with a healthy wrist will get the team really fired up. Maybe Schilling will come off the DL late in the year and pitch a no-hitter to clinch the pennant!!
:highfive:
Anyway, the Yanks clearly have a good track record of playing well late in the regular season for a while now. I suspect that your guys will be more of a factor than the Rays come fall.

[Westlake]

Note that I say "believe" and don't have an argument...other than I hope that Big Papi coming back with a healthy wrist will get the team really fired up. Maybe Schilling will come off the DL late in the year and pitch a no-hitter to clinch the pennant!!

Anyway, the Yanks clearly have a good track record of playing well late in the regular season for a while now. I suspect that your guys will be more of a factor than the Rays come fall.

Agreed on both counts. I'm guessing the Sox don't drop off as much as they have in years past (my argument is that they are getting players back from injuries this year and not losing them as in years past), and I do think it will be the Yankees challenging for the division and not the Rays.

I just read somewhere than Ortiz is out of his cast and in a splint and feels no pain. Good stuff to hear about from the Sox perspective.

[Mattingly]

The Yankees are going to win it all this season.

Boston is hurting and has an offense that can be shut down. In October, when it is colder than June, July, and August, and the games that count are almost all played late at night, it hurts offense even more. Ortiz was not Ortiz so far this season. Their pitching, with Wakefield, Masterson, Beckett, Lester, Colon,and Dice K, is tenuous. There is inexperience and there are health problems. Schilling is probably not going to be much of a factor.

Tampa and the Angels are the real threats, with the emphasis on the Angels, but our pitching may be able to keep their offense in check.

I am not going rehash what all have posted previously, but it is a different game and a different mindset in the 21st century. Hughes will pitch in August and be ready for October, Chamberlain must still have enough of these garbage limitations to be available in late October, and if Mussina is for real and we get enough from Pettitte, there is a real chance.

See you in October.
This sounds like one of the annual "THIS IS OUR YEAR!" posts made by Boston fans around 2000 (when I'd started hearing it quite a bit).

There's no guarantee, and first and foremost, I wouldn't put my hopes on the next team being hurt, able to be punished or having a weak bullpen. If anything, that just means that team may falte.r

Before we can talk, our boys have to put up some consistent winning streak, we have to make other teams look vulnerable, not rely on the Phillies or other teams to do this. Speaking of which, the Rockies beat the Red Sox in 2007 Interleague, but the Sox lost to Boston in the WS.

We need a replacement for Wang, and each of Moose, Pettitte, Wang's replacement, Joba, Rasner and the pen, as well as the defense and bats must all do their jobs.

Unless the stars are all in alignment, and that we're chugging along on all cylinders, I don't see much happening.

[KCGHOST]

I wouldn't count the Yankees out by any means. Unusual things can happen when you have their financial clout. Remember when the Phillies gifted them Bobby Abreu for nothing other than contract relief??

With Bill Bavasi's demise in Seattle the Bombers may we able to swoop in with some kind of package for Bedard. Or they could call up KC and sweet talk them out of Greinke for some real porspects. The Yanks have resources and aren't afraid to use them.

[DoubleX]

I wouldn't count the Yankees out by any means. Unusual things can happen when you have their financial clout. Remember when the Phillies gifted them Bobby Abreu for nothing other than contract relief??

With Bill Bavasi's demise in Seattle the Bombers may we able to swoop in with some kind of package for Bedard. Or they could call up KC and sweet talk them out of Greinke for some real porspects. The Yanks have resources and aren't afraid to use them.

I read somewhere last week that the Royals might be dangling Gil Meche, content with the future of the rotation with Greinke, Bannister, and Hochevar at the top and not wanting to pay Meche to be a no. 3 or 4. Given his contract and the small market, he could fit right into that Abreu-type dump. He does have like 3 years and 33 mil left on his deal, and other than last year, he's been mediocre for his career, so he's not someone I'd want to see the team saddled with for the next few years, particularly with the young arms coming through the system.

I don't see the Mariners trading Bedard at this time. I thought he was one of the most over-hyped commodities in recent memory this off season. I'd take him of course in the right deal, but the price will probably be too high.

[Imgran]

I would be shocked if the Yankees weren't exploring a deal for Meche. Also Kevin Millwood.

[KCGHOST]

The Royals will not give up Meche for free. And he is only making league average money for a starting pitcher. He would be a nice pick-up for the Yanks but they will have to pony up something of value to get him.

[Pinstripes]

Boston's offense is somewhat overrated, due to the fact they play in a run scoring haven. To see just how vulnerable Boston's offense is, you need only to look at runs scored on the road.

Boston has scored 4.35 runs per game on the road vs. 5.97 runs per game at home. This says to me that their offense is very capable of being shut down - you simply have to play them on the road.

I'm always wary of players (and teams) that play vastly better at their home ballpark.

[hellborn]

Boston's offense is somewhat overrated, due to the fact they play in a run scoring haven. To see just how vulnerable Boston's offense is, you need only to look at runs scored on the road.

Boston has scored 4.35 runs per game on the road vs. 5.97 runs per game at home. This says to me that their offense is very capable of being shut down - you simply have to play them on the road.

I'm always wary of players (and teams) that play vastly better at their home ballpark.

I agree that Fenway skews the perception of the Boston offense...but, the Yanks have scored 5.16 runs per game at home, and 4.29 RPG on the road. Boston has scored slightly more on the road than the Yanks, despite the run scoring haven that is Fenway being a road park for NY. This is without Papi being much of a factor this year, but his health is still somewhat in doubt now, so who knows if he will help the Boston offense for the rest of the season. Of course, the Yanks have had Jorge and ARod out for long stretches, too.

I am amazed by how well Rivera is pitching...39Ks and 3BBs (THREE!!!!) in 34 innings. Incredible! I would have guessed that the old guy (who's almost exactly three years younger than me) was going to maintain a slow decline after last season, but he's showing me how little I know.
Giambi has been great for two months, but I think he's in a contract run. I'd be really scared to pick him up for next year, unless it was for short money and he wasn't the only option at DH/1B. He looks like a 40HR guy this year if he doesn't get hurt.
With Pittsburgh on the plate next, the Yanks have a great shot to extend their winning streak.