Lady Loves Pinstripes

Yankees: Do you think Vernon Wells is an All-Star because I certainly do

Kate — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:13:48 +0000

Plain and simple, the New York Yankees would not be boosting a 28-17 record.

Vernon Wells in 2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nor would the Bronx Bombers be sitting pretty atop in the AL East.

And you can bet they wouldn’t have the third best record in the Majors without one thing?

The outstanding play of Vernon Wells.

This by no means takes away from the overall chemistry this makeshift group has as a team, but you cannot deny that Wells is a mainstay.

Nor does this have anything to do with the recent Yankees loss.

And yes, I am referring to yesterday evening’s 10^th inning, walk-off, 3-2 beating the Bombers got courtesy of the Orioles down in Charm City.

This only has to do with Wells getting snubbed from a well-earned 2013 AL All-Star nomination.

The outlandishness of his absence is even crazier when you see Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira‘s names when neither has played an inning this season. And no offense but Curtis Granderson was just activated a week ago and has not shown anything All-Star deserving yet. (more…)

© Kate for Lady Loves Pinstripes, 2013. | Permalink | No comment | Post tags: Derek Jeter, Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees, Run batted in, Vernon Wells, Wells, Yankee

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Yankees: Can Hughes redeem himself vs. Orioles

Kate — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:00:39 +0000

Phil Hughes during pregame warmups prior to a game between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles on August 29, 2011 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After finally earning my semi-endorsement, Yankees starter Phil Hughes went on to have his worst outing yet.

Hughes couldn’t muster enough to get through the first inning in his last outing vs. the Mariners.

He got tagged for seven earned runs in two-thirds of an inning at home before getting yanked.

Kindly, whether this is for my ego or not, I am giving Hughes a pass.

Of course this would mean Hughes gets back to the efficient starter he was prior to the disaster, tonight against the Orioles.

It won’t be easy, as Camden Yard is a hitter’s park aka. a bandbox in Baltimore.

Plus the O’s bats have had a good amount of success against him in the past.

Here are the Hughes career stats vs. the active Oriole hitters (all courtesy of baseball-reference.com): (more…)

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Yankees: Secret stopper Kuroda

Kate — Sat, 18 May 2013 08:07:44 +0000

Hiroki Kuroda (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When an MLB team’s roster features Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, CC Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte and Robinson Cano getting overlooked is not uncommon.

The New York Yankees roster, or current DL is littered with stars that have all rightfully earned their popularity over the years.

But if I had to name the Yankees most valuable player this season, Hiroki Kuroda would be on the top of the list.

Gazing at his numbers (stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com), Kuroda has actually been the Yankees most dependable starter since he joined the team in 2012. (more…)

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Yankees: Teixeira causing an Overbay problem

Kate — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:02:57 +0000

No one hypothesized that the New York Yankees would be anything less than joyful and relieved to get back their wounded superstars.

Mark Teixeira on the basepaths during a game between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles on August 26, 2011 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Of course, no one assumed this haphazard army of reserves would be winning enough games to be atop of the AL East either. You can check out available MLB future odds to see that the Yankees are now one of the favorites to win the 2013 World Series, a spot this team was far from just six weeks ago.

Everyone getting this team wrong doesn’t change the fact the Yankees are now in a pickle. Some might even call it a catch-22, as their pricey stars start getting healthy.

Curtis Granderson came off the DL earlier this week, which gives skipper Joe Girardi some relief in the outfield.

Granderson has played his whole career in centerfield but was started in left.

This essentially would put Vernon Wells out of a job he has done superbly.

Luckily for Girardi, Wells’ hot bat gets to stay since DH Travis Hafner is suffering from a sore shoulder, which buys the skipper some extra time.

Looking at the bigger picture, Girardi might not get the same courtesy when first baseman Mark Teixeira returns.

As, where is Lyle Overbay going to go? (more…)

© Kate for Lady Loves Pinstripes, 2013. | Permalink | 6 comments | Post tags: Curtis Granderson, Joe Girardi, Kevin Youkilis, Lyle Overbay, Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees, Travis Hafner, Vernon Wells, Yankee, Yankees

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Yankees: 4 reasons the Bronx Bombers are proving everyone wrong

Kate — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:32:17 +0000

Yes, we are a quarter of the way through the 2013 MLB season and to say the New York Yankees have surprised everyone is the understatement of the year.

Mariano Rivera (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After beating the Mariners 4-3 last night, the Yankees are 25-13 on the season, which is tied for the best record in baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Here are five things I’ve learned about the Bronx Bombers at the quarter mark.

1) GM Brian Cashman is good at his job.

It is time to give credit where credit is due, and Cashman merits much praise.

Coming under heavy fire during the off-season from pretty much everyone, it seems that Cashman actually knows what works for the Yankees.

It is easy to overlook the fat that this guy has been the team’s General Manager and Senior Vice President since 1998. So I think it is time we all give Cashman the benefit of the doubt, don’t you?

So far this season cannot be chalked up to Cashman finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

2) Vernon Wells is not done just yet. (more…)

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Yankees: Granderson is back so who do you think goes?

Kate — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:28:23 +0000

Curtis Granderson (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The first of the New York Yankees walking wounded super stars, OF Curtis Granderson returns tonight in the Bronx vs. the Seattle Mariners.

So far this season, the outfield has been occupied with Vernon Wells in left; Brett Gardner in center; and Ichiro Suzuki in right.

That means someone has to go to make room for the Grandy-man.

Today’s lineup, given by skipper Joe Girardi has Wells as the DH (designated hitter) and Granderson playing left field, not center.

Do you think that Wells should be the odd man out as things go forward?

Or should Ichiro or Gardner sit?

Personally, I think Wells has earned an everyday spot in the outfield, but could be moved to the right. And either keep Gardner in center, and Granderson in left. (more…)

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Yankees: I told Hughes so

Kate — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:11:52 +0000

Photograph of Phil Hughes taken on April 29, 2008 at Yankee Stadium. 04:50, 1 May 2008 . . Mandalatv . . 1,272×954 (691 KB) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Is Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes irrevocably becoming what everyone touted him to be?

After six seasons of being a source of utter frustration, it seems like Hughes has finally gotten it.

And I hate to say I told you so, but I did.

Countless times in the past, I have pointed out that Hughes lived and died by the speed gun. His fastball’s velocity went hand in hand with his confidence level.

At first, Hughes got away with primarily throwing his fastball when it clocked in at 93+ mph.

Like in his infamous All-Star 2010 season when he won 18 games, a number masked by the Yankee bats providing a ton of run support.

As expected this charade didn’t last long, as big league hitters eventually figured out Hughes’ love affair with his four-seamer. And it did not matter anymore whether Hughes was throwing 96 or 89 mph.

One time through a lineup, and then the home run parade usually started. (more…)

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