SU is back from vacation and has some rapid fire thoughts for you:
- Very worried about the Yankees’ chances in the wild card game. If Oakland does full reliever on them, it’s not good. During the year, the Yankees rarely hit well when faced with a succession of hard throwing relievers, and Oakland has a bunch of them. The team is not built to score without the aid of home runs. True, they have been hitting better of late but we all know that can come and go. Can you move runners, hit away from the shift, steal a base?
- SU thinks the Yankees will go with Severino. Boone likes the idea of the shutdown ace who throws 99 mph. But he will be on a short leash just like last season.
- Boone will start McCutchen but I would go with Gardner.
- I am not making any predictions but this is a much tougher match-up than the Twins in 2017. I am not feeling confident.
- Caught some of the Ryder Cup in the morning hours. It’s funny how bad Tiger Woods’ record is in team competition. Something like 9-19 in pairs play and he lost in singles on Sunday. The US captain’s job is just ripe to be second guessed. Really can’t win. The US team hasn’t won in Europe in something like 25 years. But a lot of fun to watch the intensity of the players.
- Which week will the Giants bottom out? OBJ is just about ready to go nuclear with frustration. He is doing his best to hold it in but he is going to erupt soon. They are pretty unwatchable. Eli has no time to throw. Period.
- I still think college football is much more enjoyable although the NFL had some high scoring games yesterday. Still too many penalties and replay takes way too long.
So, Yankee fans, feeling confident? Let us know what you think.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Cautiously optimistic. McCutcheon deserves the nod. Felt more confident against Minny last year. One game is brutal but thems the rules. Score early is the key before getting into their bullpen. Severino goes 4 innings, then one each Holder, Green, Robby, Chappy and Britton. My goal is to enjoy the game and try not to scream at every strikeout on sliders low and away. I was brought up on take two swings for the seats, then hit to right. I wonder if sabermetrics disproves that approach.
Bob, you probably weren’t raised on launch angle and exit velocity. I see you left Betances out of your relief rotation. I say beware of the Gary Sanchez befuddled face. And beware of Sanchez in the 9th inning catching Chapman in a close game. I already have anxiety!
After 162 f-in games… actually since the All Star break they have been anything but predictable, steady and dependable. Every time you feel they are about the break out and score more runs than the NY football Giants then Simon and Garfunkel start singing The Sounds of Silence.
It feels better now with Sanchez, Stanton and Judge all hitting home runs this past weekend… but here we (might) go again so lets the game begin and simply watch and wait for those words :THAT BALL IS HIGH, ITS IS FAR…. IT IS GONE” because lets face it. we are a home run playing team.
I now agree with SU and the Yanks will go with Severino. So with Oakland then putting out a lefty lineup after 1 maybe two time around the Oakland lineup here comes either Happ if its once around the lineup or Britton (if its twice around the lineup.
I love predicting a score but my track record has been near 0%. So with that said: Yankees 8 Oakland 6… as they score 3 runs in the 9th inning and scare the hell out of us.
Indians vs Brewers with Indians winning the WS. Lowest ratings in years unfortunately as it will be one of the best Series in years.
Do you think Boone would ever pull Sanchez out for defense in 8th and 9th innings if Britton and Chapman are pitching and we are up only 1 or 2 runs?
Bob, I think that is a definite possibility. Sanchez can’t catch either of them and it’s time to put ego aside and win games.
Came across a cool geek stat- helps solidify my pick of Houston running it back this year:
49.4% of CLE’s +170 run diff came from games against KC and CHW
42.9% of NYY’s +182 run diff came from games against BAL and TOR
40.1% of BOS’s +229 run diff came from games against BAL and TOR
18.6% of HOU’s +263 run diff came from games against LAA and TEX
Harris, interesting stats here. Actually, the Yankees had a great record in the first half of the season against Houston, Cleveland and Boston. They cleaned up against the better teams. I felt they struggled this season against Baltimore, Tampa Bay and the Blue Jays. Run differential is a great predictor of success – no doubt Houston is one of the faves along with the Red Sox. We will see!