Fri 19 Jun 2009
More HB: Yanks/Mets continue struggles
Posted by Derek Felix under More HB , NY Mets , NY YankeesNo Comments
So, who suffered a worse loss last night? The 200-plus million Yankees, who somehow scored two runs the last two days against one of the worst teams in baseball history- even getting shutout 3-0 by the Nats at the Golden Palace after a six hour rain delay. Meaning yes Mike Francesa, who proclaimed the Yanks wouldn’t lose last night. Joe Girardi’s ballclub really lost a series at home to a 16-win team.
Or is it the Mets, who showed their usual grit rallying from two down versus n0-name Birds’ rookie starter Jason Berken to build a 4-2 lead before the wheels came off late with normally dependable Francisco Rodriguez blowing the save in a horrible 5-4 loss at Camden Yards? Meaning they also dropped two of three to the last place O’s, who entered the series with 27 wins as one of the AL’s worst.
Not a good June April day to be a New York baseball fan. Of course, WFAN has been flooded with rain with plenty of calls from upset locals over this crisis. So, what’s worse? Come on. It’s definitely Girardi’s high priced Yanks dropping two in a row to beleaguered Manny Acta and the Nats with Jim Riggleman rumored to be taking over any day now. How can Girardi explain how poorly his team performed? If you can’t score runs, you can’t win. Understood. But against the Washington Generals- to borrow a line from our fave FAN talkie Steve Somers?!?!?!?!?! Like one of our favorite Weezer songs from the blue album, “Say It Ain’t So.”
Thanks to a rain shortened Marlins’ 2-1 win at Fenway over the Red Sox, the Yanks remain three out. Hardly a bad place to be considering that they’ve stunk it up the last week. Let’s face it. Had it not been for a Luis Castillo drop, that would’ve been three straight series defeats and a dreadful 2-7 record. Still, 3-6 ain’t exactly lighting the world on fire. So, you think if the old Boss was still ticking, Girardi would have a job? Until proven otherwise, the man can’t manage in a big spot.
Judging from their impressive sweep in Philly, the Jays aren’t going away and you have to believe the Rays have a run in them. Loose Translation: It will once again be tooth and nail for the Yanks to reach October. Could they conceivably miss a second consecutive year? Never say never.
As for the Amazin’s, they can send postcards to Boston and Toronto for keeping them within striking distance of first. Because they’re now 5-10 this month. But hey. The Phils continue to have problems winning at Citizen’s Bank Park dropping to preposterous 13-19. The Orioles now come in for three while the Mets return to Citi Field to host Tampa Bay. So, it will be a good test for Jerry Manuel’s club. Oddly enough, both teams are two over looking to get untracked.
The Mets won’s see Matt Garza or DL’d former top prospect Scott Kazmir. The match-ups favor the Queens club with surprising Fernando Nieve facing Andy Sonnanstine in the opener. Shields opposes slumping Johan Santana tomorrow and Sunday pits Jeff Niemann versus Mike Pelfrey. If they get the starting pitching, it’s likely the Mets can bounce back and take two of three. But the Rays’ lineup is much more potent containing MVP candidate Evan Longoria along with first base slugger Carlos Pena, plus speedsters Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton. Even secondary players like Ben Zobrist and Jason Bartlett are threats offsetting Pat Burrell’s dismal showing (1 HR, 18 RBI’s).
As for the Bronx Bombers, they’ll take their show to Florida for three versus the Marlins. Florida is a weird team that’s hanging around two below .500 despite talented superstar Hanley Ramirez (.325-8-34). The supporting cast has streaky power hitters like 2008 All-Star Dan Uggla along with Jorge Cantu, Cody Ross and Jeremy Hermida. Speedster Emilio Bonifacio has struggled since a hot start. Rookie Chris Coghlan is also seeing playing time.
The match-ups for the series pit veteran Andy Pettite against rookie Sean West, who goes for a third straight victory. Florida ace Josh Johnson takes on former 2003 World Champ A.J. Burnett tomorrow and then it’s talented Chris Volstad versus Yankee lefty ace C.C. Sabathia. By no means, do the match-ups favor the Yanks as all three of the younger Florida guys can all pitch. But can they match New York’s savvy experience this weekend? That’s if there’s no rain. Perhaps they’re lucky it’s down south for a change.
Give the edge to the Yankee lineup which is due to explode off such a weak showing the past three days. Maybe this is the weekend Alex Rodriguez (28 for 132, .212-9-26) finally gets going. He’ll be home. Aside from him, there’s Mark Teixeira continuing to mash and Robby Cano heating up with Johnny Damon having a great year. How many games does Jorge Posada get behind the plate? Does Derek Jeter return to the lineup?
With three at Atlanta following an off day and then another Subway Series at the Mets, this becomes a key nine-game road swing (really six) for the Yanks, who don’t return home until June 30 to host Seattle.
We’ll see where they stand. Ditto for their crosstown rival.
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