Finally, we have some bad blood in baseball. Enough of the big hugs all around and yukking it up at 1st base. The Rays have been pitching the Yankee hitters up and in for a few years now. CC Sabathia ensured order was maintained but he is gone now. SU was surprised to read that the Yankees have actually hit more Rays’ hitters over the past few seasons by something like 17-14. But if you watch the games, the Rays’ pitchers come up and in to the Yankee right-handed hitters a lot – especially against LeMaihieu and Judge.
Now, was Champan trying to hit that guy in the 9th inning with a 2-run lead? SU says that he is so wild and has no command of the strike zone, can’t be sure. He hasn’t been able to hit his spots with his fastball for at least 2 years now. That’s why he throws so many sliders. But his pitch last night went just behind the hitter’s head and could have really caused some damage. Tanaka clearly hit a guy in the 1st inning with 2 outs and no one on base.
Baseball is a sport that is all about tradition, slights and “you just don’t do that” rules. For example, you don’t swing on a 3-0 pitch with an 8-run lead in the 7th inning and the bases loaded and hit a grand slam. You don’t steal 3rd base with an 8-run lead in the 8th inning. It’s like in football: do you pass the ball in the 4th quarter up 49-0 and the 2nd string QB in? SU says just play the game and do what you want. Now, you may risk pissing off the other team for the next game but that’s what you consider before doing something.
It’s hard to hate the Rays. They have almost no high priced players and play hard every game. SU did not like how their manager mouthed off after the game as he knows that they pitch the Yankees up and in – he has said that is how they need to play. The Yankees can dish it back at them but of course, you don’t throw at a player’s head. Very dangerous.
The good news is that they hate each other now. Finally, the players have the passion that the fans do against the opponent. Tonight could get interesting and if they meet in the playoffs, that would be fun.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Apparently Chapman walked towards the batter after throwing the pitch as if to dare him to object, indicating to me that it was intentional. Even if Cash tries to walk back his over the top comments he has now sent the message to his pitchers that he expects retaliation. With their injury history, the last thing the Yankees need is a beanball brawl, even of the baseball variety. Best thing for everyone is for tonight’s game to get rained out.
I think he was trying to pitch up and inside, but you are correct in noting that Chapman ain’t no Greg Maddux with pin point accuracy. With the Red Sox not having much this season and with no fire up personality in their lineup hopefully the Rays take over for a few years. It is embarrassing for a high profile team who on paper should roll over the Rays to be pretty much owner by them this season. 3.5 games out and with a win tonite not far behind them. There is still 20+ games left to catch them.
I wonder what other teams 2 big home run hitters have been out as long as Judge and Stanton over the past 3 years. Its ridiculous. And as they get older it will only get worse. I just hope Judge isn’t so selfish as to ask for $35mm to $40mm per year for the next 7 years…. unless its tied in to how many games player per season. That would be fair….