Game 92, Mariners at Yankees
King Felix vs. CC Sabathia, 10:05am
Happy Felix Day
Yankees starter CC Sabathia turns 35 in a few days, and is making his first start since July 8th. That start was pushed back a bit after the big lefty had his knee drained. While his control’s still good, his velocity’s down and his platoon splits – which had been concerning in recent years – are now a major problem. Sabathia will be paid $25m in both 2016 and 2017.* It’s not a huge problem contract – whatever the annual amount, he only has two years left. More importantly, a “bad” contract is only an impediment if it prevents you from doing something important – if it so curtails your flexibility that you can’t make needed upgrades. That’s just not the case with the Yankees, who’ve been living with and moving past dead money contracts for years.
Sabathia’s interesting in that he’s now something of a black hole, and he’s maintained his grip on a rotation spot not so much because of that big contract (though that probably doesn’t hurt), but because there aren’t a whole lot of other options. Their pitching staff has been very good, thanks in large part to a dominant bullpen, but Sabathia and his homer-battered ERA/FIP pull the overall averages down. Likewise, their offense is solidly above average thanks to bounce-back years from Mark Teixeira, A-Rod and a breakout by Brett Gardner, but the group has some black holes, too. As bad as Cano’s been, the NY 2Bs who’ve tried to replace him have been much worse. Stephen Drew and company have hit .185/.246/.346 this year, and that’s necessitated the recent call-up of prospect Rob Refsnyder. So a team with good players can overcome dead spots in the line-up… a team with solid starters and a great bullpen can get by even if a starter or two isn’t clicking… why is it that the M’s always seem so sunk by THEIR black holes, while other teams easily get away from theirs?
1: Jackson, CF
2: Seager, 3B
3: Cano, 2B
4: Cruz, RF
5: Gutierrez, LF
6: Trumbo, 1B
7: Montero, DH
8: Taylor, SS
9: Zunino, C
SP: The King
Lots of righties in there against Sabathia, which makes sense.
Tacoma snapped their losing streak in extras last night, 6-5. The R’s and Sacramento finish up their series today at 1:35 at Cheney. Not sure who’s starting for Tacoma; it’ll be Clayton Blackburn for the Grizzlies.
Jackson lost to Mobile 6-5. Paul Fry struck out 5 in 2 2/3, but took the loss after a tough 6th inning. Still, in 3 games in AA, he’s got 10 Ks and no walks in just shy of 6 innings pitched. Misael Siverio starts tonight.
Stockton needed 14 innings to slip past Bakersfield 4-3. Dan Altavilla pitched 7 solid IP, and is pitching quite well of late. Tyler Pike starts today for the Blaze.
Clinton dropped to 30 games under .500 with an 8-3 loss to Beloit. Tyler Herb starts today for the L-Kings.
Hillsboro beat Everett 2-1. Andrew Moore took the loss after giving up 2 runs in 3 IP. He’s still yet to walk anyone on the year, and has 21 Ks in 15 innings. Luiz Gohara gets the ball for the AquaSox today.
* – Technically, Sabathia’s 2017 money is guaranteed so long as he does not finish the 2016 season on the DL with a shoulder injury, or isn’t limited *due to a left shoulder injury* during the year. That’s an interesting, oddly specific, clause. If he IS hurt *in that specific way*, then the Yanks have a $5m buyout.
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77 Responses to “Game 92, Mariners at Yankees”
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Because this is a team that has no direction, no focus,and has defeat etched in its eyes.
The body-language stinks.
No need to fear, Trumbo is here!
Trumbo was really the perfect replacement for Rickie Weeks.
Haha I heard your comment in Underdog’s voice, Mike.
No need for a lefty to pinch hit in that situation, Lloyd. Save them for another day. Trumbo against Betances is virtually a lock.
Miller wasn’t coming in until the 9th no matter what pile the mariners pushed into the box. I would have preferred a left handed hitting pile against Betances. Is Trumbo really so damned good that you had faith in him, Lloyd. Trying to give your GM a chance to look good, Lloyd.
It’s too late.
Manage the game, pal.
That’s exactly how I wanted it to sound, Westy. Nicely done!
I’m assuming there are fewer “underdog” fans out there than there were 40 years ago, though.
This evening would be a good time to announce the GM’s firing, Howard.
Thanks, Fernando.
CRAP.
Turn out the lights…
Called it … And I’m sure a bunch of others did, too. Right after blowers said Teixeira was late on the previous pitch – I felt it coming.
That dad-blum Mark Texiera….
So, Ackley against the lefty, Trumbo against the right – and Montero out of the game.
I’m thinking with some planning – that sequence could have been executed differently.
That A’s fan in the commercial who shouts RODNEEEEY!!! — he speaks for all of us.
Is Sucre going to pinch hit for Zunino.
Sure hope so.
Lloyd is an idiot.
Just in time to catch the Rainers get pummeled by the RiverCats
This Mariner juggernaut moves to Detroit next.
Yeah, it’s time to start thinking about the future, Mariners.
Again.
Spend the next three hours chewing yourself out, Lloyd. Your tactical ability has never shown worse in a three game series.
Good thing it wasn’t a four game series.
Put in Rodney, what do you expect?
Lloyd must like algebra. Two negatives make a positive. Has to end the game with an even number of total bad tactical decisions in order to equal a positive. I’m not sure how many there were today, but I can recall 4, so there must have been 5, Because with 6 – we would have won. He just needed more time to decide to do something stupid so it would have turned into a positive.
It’s easy when broken down mathematically.
Sure wish I would have said “two negatives multiplied equals a positive.”
Pardon me … It’s been a while since I attended an actual math class. Mr. Barnard – from 1978 – would appreciate this clarification.
Onward!
Hey Mike, when you were in high school weren’t you on the team? I didn’t think you guys paid attention in math anyway. 😀
Montero has indeed been optioned to Tacoma to make room for Happ.
Montero going down to AAA, super. This is what happens to 1.5 dimensional guys. Should have learned the catching trade, Jesus. Should have been better at it, too. He will be back though. He looks mostly ready. Combine him and Zunino and we have most of one player.
As far as me in school and playing, Westy – yes, true. Team captain in a couple sports and (at that time) a straight A student, so obviously I fit in nowhere at the time. Still, pretty good times/memories, though.
I did meet Mr Barnards daughter, many years later – and learned that Mr Barnard is no longer with us. Dude was about 60 when I was 14, so I suppose that was to be expected.
Montero HAD to go down. What else could they be expected to do – take away at bats from Proven Veteran Professional Hitter Right Handed Power Mark Trumbo?