I'D RATHER HAVE CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG THAN CLIPPARD.....

So maybe that is a bit dramatic, but a this point I have had enough.

It's been awhile since I have reached my boiling point with the bullpen specifically. In fact, the last time I got this fired up over a reliever was back in the days of Chris Capuano. It got so bad that eventually called him Chris CRAPUANO. Thank goodness he is gone...but now I have someone new that has replaced him.

(June 19, 2017 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)

I don't understand how all of the wheels of this kick ass Yankees team have managed to all fall off at the same time. The Yankees looked lifeless on Tuesday night. The excitement over home runs by Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge (24th!!!) were completely deflated after Tyler Clippard's latest blunder.

I get that every once in a while guy are going to give up some runs or blow a lead. It happens, it's baseball and these guys are human. What I don't get is why Joe Girardi has so much faith in this guy. I watched him long before he was ever a Yankee and I wasn't a fan then either. Clippard is just a hot mess.

Source: Getty Images

This was the third time Clippard allowed the game-tying or go-ahead home run to the first batter he's pitched to in his last seven outings. Ummmm.....hi.....that's REALLY bad. If Girardi's binder doesn't tell him next time "HEY DON'T PUT CLIPPARD IN THIS ISN'T A GOOD MATCHUP FOR HIM" next time then we are screwed. If this doesn't make the Yankees completely lose faith in him I don't think anything will.

Clippard left a 78 mph meatball for Cameron Maybin in the 7th inning which turned into a tie game. But of course, the train wreck didn't end there he then gave up a double to Kole Calhoun and an RBI triple to Yunel Escobar in the same inning. When it was all said and done he was pulled (too late) to a loud exit of "boo" birds. Clippard wasn't the only reliever to implode and I won't say he is the ONLY one to blame but right now he is the only one I want to scream at.

Source: Getty Images

Oh, and the other thing I don't get? Girardi's refusal to use his best reliever for more than one inning! Dellin Betances is going to pitch one inning and one inning only. Forget the high pressure or game changing scenarios. Girardi won't use the best reliever with the best chance to preserve a lead before getting to Aroldis Chapman. NO! Let's just use meatball throwing Clippard!

(Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)

This seven-game losing streak is their first in ten years and now the longest losing streak in the American League this season. Not a good stat to own. The Yankees really need to re-evaluate a lot of things including the bullpen and upgrading Clippard before it is too late. This is where we need a veteran to stand up, use some command presence and be a leader. It's time to right the ship. We need to start winning again. We need a Jorge Posada team meeting because we ARE better than this.

Oh and Clippard just needs to HIT THE ROAD JACK! And don't come back. At this point, I think Clifford the Big Red Dog is by far more entertaining and useful than Clippard is. That is another sad stat. At least he doesn't blow baseball games.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

FORMER YANKEE TYLER CLIPPARD GETS SNAGGED BY A's

Not a big story, but a good one about a former Yankee youngster who made a name for himself quietly. Tyler Clippard has worked consistently for years now.  Good for him.

According to many sources, but we'll go with ESPN on this one, Clippard was traded from the Nationals

"Infielder Yunel Escobar is heading to the Nationals, and All-Star reliever Tyler Clippard is going to the Athletics, thanks to the ninth deal between those clubs in a little more than four years."

Clippard was a kid with a ton of upside if he was given enough time, that's evident now. I remember watching him at Yankee Stadium in 2007, his first season. I remember the game fondly because I was able to sit in the real good seats. I was invited by a friend and we had a blast.  The downside? The Yanks eventually got rid of him, trading him in December of 2007 for Jonathan Albaladejo. Yup... that worked out nice for us, huh?

Anyway... it's good to see a former Yankee youngster have a decent career, years later. Albaladejo hasn't pitched in the majors since 2012. Just sayin'.

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GOING LONG-ORIA

Tonight the Yankees faced the Tampa Bay Rays in a Divisional Match up they absolutely had to have. Adding icing to the revenge cake was the chance to finally beat Matt Moore. Now would be the time, as Moore was showing weakness.

It didn’t start well. In the second, Tampa chipped away at Andy Pettitte, who seemed to have less command than usual. The Rays knocked RBI singles and sac flies in the second to make it 3-0 Tampa. Evan Longoria would knock a homer the next inning to get it to 4-0 Rays, his second RBI of the night.

Then a whole lot of nothing until the sixth. Brignac got a single after 18 futile at bats. Gardner walked. Nix walked. And the Yankees had something cooking.

With the bases loaded for Robinson Cano, Matt Moore faltered. One wild pitch later and Brignac scored. Life breathed into the Stadium. Two successive sacrifices by Cano and Hafner brought the score to 4-3. Unfortunately, Wells, as has been his wont of late, ended the inning with a limp ground out.

In the eighth inning, Longoria struck yet again, with a two run dinger this time. Yunel Escobar followed that with a two run dinger of his own, putting the Rays firmly in the driver’s seat at 8-3.

In the ninth, Zoilo Almonte replaced Wells and got his first MLB hit. That was pretty much the only bright spot in the back half of the game. Evan Longoria beat the Yankees all by himself.

So. Opinions? Nothing fit for print if you want candid honesty. I watched this game with my infant son, and were it not for his presence there would have been a lot of swearing and stomping around the house.

The Yankees needed this win, but fell short again. They had that rally in the sixth but then quit after that. The wheels are long off this automobile. The patched meant to hold the team together for the first couple of months have fallen away. Management desperately needs to make a move.

A season starting with such miraculous hope is already sinking away into the depths. Hiroki Kuroda is pitching well. Brett Gardner is hitting well. That’s it, Yankee fans. Expect some major moves very soon.

Here’s a picture of my kid to make you feel better.

 Final: Rays: 8 - Yankees: 3


Chad R. MacDonald
BYB Writer
Facebook: New York Yankees the Home of Champions
My Blog: ChadRants


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HOW THE YANKEES STACK UP: SHORTSTOP

So far we've written about how the Yankees stack up when it comes to CATCHER, FIRST BASE and SECOND BASE.  We have made it to Shortstop... and that means Derek Jeter.

Shortstop

By now everyone is well aware of how shortstop Derek Jeter’s season came to a crashing halt (with a broken ankle) in the American League Championship series.  Many claimed that the captain’s age would slow down his off season recovery and that the Yankees would be without his high level of play for much of the first half of 2013.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

On January 15^th, the New York Daily News reported that Jeter says his rehab is right on schedule and he expects to be in the lineup on Opening Day at the stadium when the team faces our rivals from Boston.

We never doubted the future Hall of Famer did we?

In evaluating how we match-up against the rest of the division at this position, I am going under the premise that Number 2 will walk out to his familiar spot in the diamond in the top of the first inning on April 1^st at 1:05 pm.

Each time many have written the 38 year-old off, he seemingly bounces back stronger, and better.  There should be no reason for any of us to doubt his ability to once again defy time. 

In 2012 Jeter had one of his finest seasons, hitting .316 with 32 doubles, 99 runs scored, and lead the league in hits (216).  He was named to the All-Star team for the 13^th time and won his fifth Silver Slugger award.

How do the rest of the AL East teams stack up against Derek?

Toronto Blue Jays: One of the Blue Jays most publicized acquisitions this off season was Jose Reyes.  The long-time Met comes to Canada via Miami, and after years of cross-town comparisons of shortstops, New Yorkers will get to see the head-to-head match up throughout the season.  Reyes sports tremendous speed and an above average bat and glove.  He is a worthy opponent to our captain, but only time will tell if he can make the adjustment to the American League style of play.

Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays benefited from the Miami Marlins fire-sale of 2012 by acquiring Yunel Escobar (as part of the back-end of the Toronto deal) for some minor league prospects.  Escobar will give them a solid glove and bat, as well as some “flare”.  He is familiar with the AL East, having spent the past three seasons in Toronto and hit .304 against the Yankees in 46 at-bats in 2012.

Baltimore Orioles:  JJ Hardy has given the Orioles a powerful bat (52 HR and 148 RBI in two seasons) and solid glove (2012 gold glove winner) at the shortstop position.  However, as his power has increased his batting average has dropped, and in 2012 he had a career low .238 average to go along with a career high 106 strikeouts.  That being said, he hit .286 with six home runs, 13 RBI, and 12 runs scored against out boys in the Bronx.  The RBI and runs scored were the most he had against any team last season.

Boston Red Sox: Ah the Boston Red Sox and the shortstop position.  It seems every year that the BoSox are trying a different approach at short, and this season’s “flavor du jour” is Stephen Drew.  Boston signed Drew to a one-year contract and hope that his injury plagued years are behind him (he’s played more than 150 games only once in the past four seasons).  When healthy, Drew gives the Sox a powerful bat (he averages 15 HR per “full” season) and decent average (career .265).  In the field he’s not quite up to par with the rest of the AL East (he has a .978 fielding pct), but should be adequate for what Boston is looking for.  Given his recent history, the Red Sox fans better hope there is a “Plan B” ready to go into effect when Drew is unable to take his spot in the field.

So, where do the AL East shortstops rate?

Here is my take, what is yours? Comment.

1.       Yankees (Jeter’s “intangibles” give him the edge)
2.       Toronto (I think Reyes will become a fixture for the Jays)
3.       Baltimore (Hardy is just plain solid)
4.       Boston (only if Drew can manage to play in at least 140 games)
5.       Tampa Bay (Escobar is only slightly better than Drew in the field, and not as good at the plate)


 
--Steve Skinner, BYB Guest Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1






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BLUE JAYS GET MOTHERLOAD IN TRADE WITH MARLINS

It appears the the Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins have made a trade that is being reported to be EPIC.

The names involved are Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Emilio Bonifacio and John Buck. According to Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal, the Marlins "will receive a package that includes shortstops Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, major-league right-hander Henderson Alvarez, minor-league left-hander Justin Nicolino, center fielder Jacob Marisnick, catcher Jeff Mathis and minor league right-hander Anthony DeSclafani." They also reported that "One source said starter Ricky Nolasco could be the next Marlins player dealt." If I'm the Yankees, I'm giving the Marlins a call on Nolasco.  Anyway, you can read all about it HERE.

Huge trade and I'm sure there will be plenty of reaction tomorrow, but we wanted to fill you in tonight.  The Blue Jays have some immediate help and I believe will be more effective in the American League eastern Division with guys like Reyes and Johnson.  It's got to be disappointing to the Marlins fans who had high hopes last season, only to now be slowly picked apart.  What a disaster down there.  

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YANKEES SHOW LIFE IN MUST WIN GAME

There’s no denying it; these games are must-win games. After a disappointing (to say the very least) loss on Saturday, the Yankees needed to win on Sunday so they could keep pace with the O’s in the American League East standings. Things were rocky early, but thanks to some fight by the offense in the late innings, the Yanks were able to gut out a 9-6 win.

Following an ineffective start by Phil Hughes, the Yankees were behind the eight-ball early. It was 5-1 going into the sixth, and the Yankees had a hard time generating offense against Henderson Alvarez in the first five innings. However, the Bombers inched closer as Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher led off with hits (double by Cano, single by Swisher) in the sixth. Cano would score later in the inning to make it a 5-2 game, though at the time it was disappointing that they were unable to score Swisher who was at second with just one out. The Yankees weren’t done, though, as in the next inning they would score three of their biggest runs of the season.

One more thing. In the third, Ichiro made a terrific catch while colliding into the wall. He was then applauded by the home crowd. We here at BYB were impressed with that and wanted to show you this terrific photo from AP.

Henderson Alvarez, who pitched 6 innings of two run, seven hit, and four strikeout ball, was relieved in favor of Brett Cecil. Cecil failed to retire the only man he faced, Eduardo Nunez, as he allowed a single to the speedy shortstop. Steve Delabar relieved Cecil, and he immediately allowed Derek Jeter to bloop a double down the right field line to set up a second-and-third situation for Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro didn’t drive in both runs, but he hit a sac-fly to inch the Yankees closer, making it a 5-3 game. Alex Rodriguez followed, as he fell behind 0-2 early, but he battled back and worked out a tough eight-pitch walk. Robinson Cano, like ARod, fell behind in a pitcher’s count, 1-2, but sure enough he battled back before ripping an RBI double down the right field line to make it a 5-4 game. Aaron Loup relieved Delabar, and with Swisher at the plate, Loup promptly uncorked a wild pitch to cap off the Yankee rally before inducing a Swisher line-drive DP to end the inning.

Thanks to some stellar bullpen work (more on them later), the Yankees were able to keep the game knotted at five going into the eighth. They were able to take the lead for good as Eduardo Nunez was able to sac-fly (looked like he hit a two-run double off the bat) Curtis Granderson, who walked to leadoff the frame, home to make it 6-5. Derek Jeter then made it 7-5 as he drove in Brett Gardner, who was pinch-running for Raul Ibanez, on a bloop single to shallow right.

They then scored two more insurance runs in the ninth on a Curtis Granderson two-run single to drive home ARod and Cano to make it 9-5. The Jays were able to scrap together a run in the ninth, but in the end it did not matter.

Derek Lowe relieved an ineffective Phil Hughes with two out in the fifth in this game, and he was able to miraculously retire all five men he faced. If the Yankees make the playoffs, I have a feeling he’ll make the roster, though don’t set that in stone. Anyway, Logan followed Lowe and picked up two outs to finish off the seventh before DRob and Soriano finished off the eighth and ninth inning, respectively, though Soriano allowed one run as he loaded the bases with no one out before forcing a Yunel Escobar double play, scoring just one run.

Final was 9-6, Yankees.

Talk about a huge win. This win gives them a 4-3 record on their final road trip of the regular season. The Yanks now come back to the Bronx for their final home series of the season as they face the pathetic Red Sox, who showed zero life in their series against the Orioles, on Monday. CC Sabathia (14-6, 3.42 ERA) opposes Clay Buchholz (11-7, 4.22 ERA) in the opener. The Orioles will take on the Rays at the Trop, so with the AL East tied; the Yankees are in a decent position to win the division. Fingers crossed.




--Jesse Schindler, BYB Lead Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @SchindlerJesse


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IT'S GETTING LATE EARLY

It has almost become a cliché at this point. The Yankees HAVE to win every game. Nobody thinks it is acceptable to have to play a one-game playoff for the wild card spot. With only five games to go, the Yankees could ill afford to lose a game on blown opportunities, yet, it was exactly what happened.

Things looked hopeful at the start, as the Yankee offense came out firing. Derek Jeter and Ichiro Suzuki hit back-to-back singles and Alex Rodriguez walked to load the bases. Robinson Cano got a sacrifice fly for the first run. After a Nick Swisher single re-loaded the bases, Curtis Granderson hit a sacrifice fly for the second run. For the second straight game, the Yankees gave their starter a 2-0 lead before they took the ball.

Andy Pettitte had a good performance, but he did not look as good as he did in his last two starts. We knew that Andy Pettitte would not stay perfect forever. So when he gave up that home run to Rajai Davis, allowing his first run since returning from the DL, we realized that Andy is human. Still, he was able to keep things manageable and the score close.

In the top of the third, the Yankees continued to take advantage of Ricky Romero's ineffectiveness. Alex Rodriguez led off with a walk, Robinson Cano reached on an infield single, and Nick Swisher hit a hard shot off Hechavarria's glove for a single. With the bases loaded, the Yankees failed to take advantage. They would end up regretting it. Curtis Granderson popped out, Andruw Jones struck out, and Eduardo Nunez lined out to the second baseman. To Nunez' credit, that hit should have brought in a couple of runs, but Hechavarria made an excellent grab to catch the liner.

Joba Chamberlain came in to relieve Andy Pettitte with two outs and men on first and third in the bottom of the sixth. He dodged a bullet, thanks to the continued bad base running by Toronto. Adeiny Hechavarria hit one to the wall for a double and gave the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead. However, Yan Gomes strayed too far from third base, and was thrown out on a laser from Nick Swisher, killing the momentum for the Jays. Joba came out for the seventh and struck out the side, which included the first putout of Rajai Davis in three days.

Alex Rodriguez' struggles showed in today's game. ARod had not driven in a run in 9 games. In the first, he actually showed bunt with men on first and second. We're not sure if he actually intended to bunt, but it may have shown his frustration in trying to bring runners in. When the game ended, his streak would stand at 10 games without an RBI. Still, he showed some good discipline and focus at the plate, as he walked in his first two plate appearances. He also gets an honorable mention for snagging a line drive in the 8th inning that he turned into a double play, ending a threat.

On a side note, Yunel Escobar is showing an incredible lack of desire to play. There was the shot from Robinson Cano in the fifth that he just did not pick up. There were a couple of potential double plays that he just did not bother to throw to first. We know it's September, and they're not playing for anything, and being booed by the home crowd on his return from suspension couldn't have helped. Still, you would think his own personal pride would make him want to do his best.

The silver lining is hard to find, but here it is. In his third start since the DL, Andy Pettitte showed that he is still on track to play a key role in the Yankees post-season rotation. If the Yankees lose the division, he is in line to start the wild card elimination game. He threw 94 pitches over 5 2/3 innings, struck out four, and gave up three earned runs on five hits and three walks.

The fact that the Yankees cannot score with runners in scoring position is killing this team. They were 2 for 11 with RISP. Nick Swisher was 2 for 2, and the rest of the team was 0 for 9. They left 10 men on base - 5 of them in scoring position. Four times an inning ended with men in scoring position. Losing such important games in this fashion is something we may look back on and say "what if" for the entire winter. They have four games to turn this around, and then they have to keep it going through October. Let's hope they do.

Final Score:  Blue Jays 3, Yankees 2

Finally, I am sure Casey will have a harsh commentary about the way the Yankees have been playing and their lack of drive, especially when there are runners in scoring position.  Look for it, I can almost guarantee it.

--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon

My blog is: Shots from Murderer's Row

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SLOPPY BASEBALL FORCES A YANKEE LOSS TO JAYS

The Yankees are playing crappy baseball right now, folks. They have been, really, since the Oakland series. Following an 8-5 loss, the Yanks are now 18-21 in their last 39 games dating back to that Oakland series on July 19. Let’s try to recap without being too negative…

CC Sabathia started, but he was not his vintage self. He went 7 innings and allowed five runs (two earned) while letting up nine hits and striking out eight. He also allowed a mammoth two-run home run to Yunel Escobar, who had four hits on the afternoon, in the sixth. With the injured offense under performing, we need CC to consistently give us good starts. This, unfortunately, was not one of them.

The bullpen that followed Sabathia wasn’t that great either, for the most part. Derek Lowe came in in the eighth and immediately allowed a double to Escobar before Kelly Johnson reached on a bunt single, thus knocking Lowe out of the game. Boone Logan followed and retired the only man he faced. Cody Eppley allowed two runs (one earned) in his inning of work, while Clay Rapada allowed a walk to the only man he faced.

Finally, in the ninth, Joba Chamberlain came on and allowed a bloop double to, you guessed it, Yunel Escobar (which should have been caught after Andruw Jones could not read the ball correctly off the bat).

The offense was also shaky in this one. Yes, they scored five runs, and that should be enough to win when you have a guy like CC on the mound, but they were worse than the total suggests. For starters, two of the runs scored on a Curtis Granderson sun-aided double in the third that should have been caught by Rajai Davis. The Yanks, as a team, put up a 3-for-17 (.176 BA) showing with RISP on the afternoon. Believe it or not, the Yankees have been doing better with RISP since the All Star Break, so maybe this is a blip and not a sign of things to come.

Finally, the defense was also less than ideal. They committed three errors which equated to four unearned runs. The first error came in the very first inning on a Derek Jeter throwing error. Thankfully, no runs came to score. The second error came in the third on a Jayson Nix throwing error as he was trying to throw out Jeff Mathis at second. This error resulted in three unearned runs. The final error came in the ninth on an Eric Chavez miscue at third. He was trying to field a grounder, but the ball ate him up, thus resulting in an additional unearned run for the Jays.

This one really seemed like more than a three run game. It’s pretty inexplicable to lose a three game series to the Blue Jays, especially at home, but what can you do?

Final Score: Blue Jays 8 - Yankees 5.

The Yanks have an off day on Thursday before they kick off a crucial three game series against the Baltimore Orioles. Hiroki Kuroda ( 12-9, 2.98 ERA) is scheduled to face Miguel Gonzalez (5-3, 3.66 ERA) Friday night in the Bronx.



--Jesse Schindler, BYB Lead Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @SchindlerJesse


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