Toronto Series

Disappointing coming out of Toronto only winning one game, especially when the first one had us with a one run lead into the 8^th inning.  I don’t fault Girardi for trying to get a few outs with martin before turning it over to Betances, but I am confident we would have won if we went to Betances for a 2 inning save.  The fact the Twin Towers (TM) each were starters before makes it so they can go two innings without much of an issue.  But Martin has been good.  Betances was very unlucky that a bloop double put us in a hole, but Headley made an amazing diving stop with 2 outs and threw to first where Jones could not scoop the throw and two runs scored and we lost.  This was not a real hard scoop and I would want a 1^st baseman to get it 8 out of 10 times, Jones didn’t get it done.  It was the difference between losing and possibly winning and it also was off a tremendous play by Headley, who actually moved to his left as the pitch was delivered before going to his right, diving with the ball slightly behind him. 

It should be noted that Whitley threw a great game.  No walks or runs in 7 innings.  He had only thrown 90 pitches, but he was starting to miss his spots even though he only allowed one base running in the 7^th.  I agreed with Girardi to take him out.

Game 2 saw Pineda looking real sharp.   I really like the movement on his pitches.  He was in complete control of this game walking only one and mixing up his pitches great.  His velocity is ticking back up again as he was consistently at 93-94. 

Game 3

CC looked a little better if you ask me.  His slider was tight, his fastball was consistently 91, but his change was at around 84 (still a little fast for me) and he wasn’t controlling well.  Overall, he needs to hit his spots better and that is the key for him to be successful.  He is making too many mistakes.  CC has lost his last 7 decisions and his ERA has been over 5 in his last 14 starts.  While I was actually a little more encouraged than in the past with this performance from a “stuff” standpoint, he is getting to the point where you have to wonder about trotting him out to the mound if you want to win.  I would NOT pull the plug on him yet though.

The offense was very poor in this game and they allowed Buehrle to control the flow of the game.  The key point was 1^st and 2^nd one out in the 5^th inning and Chris Young was up with a 3-0 count.  This is where we should be looking at a big inning, especially with Buehrle who has been lit up all year with an ERA of 6.75 coming into the game.  But Young swung and missed at a 3-0 pitch and then missed strike 2 before being frozen on an 84 MPH pitch on the inner half of the plate (not the corner).  Poor job there by Young.  Then ARod walks on 4 pitches and with the bases loaded. Tex then swings at the first pitch he sees, a high and away pitch, and tries to pull it and grounds out to end the inning.  I am OPK with Tex swinging at the first pitch in most circumstances, but Buehrle, is such a junk ball pitcher that you better zone it and if it isn’t there you leave it alone.  Poor discipline and that was our best chance.

Important to note that Pirela is now back from being on the DL and started at 2^nd.  I like him much better than what we have been throwing at 2^nd base.  He has some speed, he has a quick bat and he is 25.  That excites me.  Not sure how he will do overall as I have not seen a lot of him, but in the long run he may be a very good utility guy as he can play the OF as well as playing some SS.  The Yankees also have Refsnyder in the minors, but his defense is suspect (good hitter though).  So we have some options.  Like I stated before, I do not see Petit staying with the team and if Drew doesn’t get going he won’t either.  Didi Gregorius has started to flash some serious defensive range and a canon arm, if he can get his glove a little smoother and his hitting a little better, I will be happy with him.