Molina will catch Burnett

Yes, it's true, Molina will be catching Burnett... and Posada doesn't seem too pleased.

I'm not one to bet on baseball... but if you're into sports betting... i would hold off on placing high bets on the Yankees to win this game.

Burnett's numbers with Posada are much worse, but he's such a streaky pitcher it's hard to tell if he was uncomfortable, or he was just being his inconsistent self.

One thing i will say about Burnett, you probably want to get him to start his games at home, take a look at these splits. AJ has a 3.5 ERA at home as opposed to 4.6 on the road... this means instead of having Andy go for game 2, you have Andy hold off and go on the road.Pettite actually pitches better on the road, here are his splits.

Personally, i think the Yankees best bet is to have Andy go for game 3 @ detroit/Minnesota, and have Burnett go at home in game 2.

*Update 4:50*

It seems like Joe Girardi made the right decision and is going with Burnett for game 2.

Back up and running!

Hey everyone, so as you may know i've taken a few months off, along with Ace... and it's about time we get this blog up and running again. Just thought i would mention that Ace won't be returning to the blog, this is now a one man show.
-
Just because i've been out of blogging for the last few months, doesn't mean i didn't watch the games, or hear about them... somehow. I've watched almost every game, and i know that this team is more ready for the postseason than they have been in years.

Now you may be a little worried with CC's last start at Tampa Bay, which i don't blame you, but you may as well get his bad start over with before the postseason. Honestly, i feel better knowing he's bombed a start before the playoffs going in than knowing he hasn't. The last thing anyone wants is to throw CC out there for game one against the Tigers or Twins and have him blow up... figuratively and literally. I mean, the guys been absolutely unhittable for almost two months, it was bound to happen. But i'm expecting alot of fist pumping from CC this postseason, and definitely looking forward to it.

A.J. Burnett is a different story, you don't want to throw him out there after a string of bad starts, he's too streaky. Though he may snap out of it--it was very important they had him feeling good and on a decent roll before sending him in for game 2.

Regarding the offensive concerns, of course A-Rod will be on the top of that list, but i think it's about time he snaps out of it. Having Teix hit in front of him, i think help takes off a load of pressure to have him produce. I know all of you remember the last few postseasons with him, he was pressing and trying too hard. Now, i'm not saying he won't be pressing this time, but having Teix there in front of him, must take off a load of the pressure.

Look for Nick Swisher to have a huge ALDS, i can feel he's ready for it. He's just one of those guys you know can come through for you in these types of games...

Naturally having success in the playoffs relies on dominant starting pitching... if the Yankees get decent starting pitching, these teams are in trouble.

When baseball stopped making sense

With the Yankee game delayed tonight, I figure now is a good time to talk about a few things that have been bothering me all week.

First off, the way the AJ and Padilla situation was handled. Yea it's clear that AJ was retaliating against the Rangers after Teixeira got hit for the second time. So he got fined and suspended, and I'm okay with that. What I don't understand though, Vincent Padilla, a pitcher who has a reputation for throwing at hitters, hit Teixeira not once but twice and still doesn’t get suspended. What the hell is the MLB thinking? I'll take any reasoning, seriously anything, the guys own team was even recorded as saying he was out of line. Now this was the most ridiculous thing to happen this until a bomb shell was dropped the other day...

The Braves released Tom Glavine... WHAT. This move makes no sense on so many levels. The reason Frank Wren gave for the move was that they had better options and they didn't think Glavine could get hitters out at the major league level anymore. Ya, I agree they do have better options, with there top prospect Tommy Hanson coming up to take the last spot in the rotation. But who exactly is there 6th starter if say someone gets injured? Jo-Jo Reyes? Hah, the real answer is no one worth talking about. Even more baffling though is why did they make him go through the trouble of rehabbing if they were just going to release him? Whatever the answer is one thing is clear; the Braves treat their veterans like complete crap. It's no wonder why Smoltz left for the Red Sox this past offseason.

AJ Burnett-check Daniel Cabrera-check Roy Halladay-no check

Now all we need is for Roy Halladay to head to the NL...

There's no hiding the fact that Daniel Cabrera and AJ Burnett have dominated the Yankees on many occasions throughout the last few years, now that they are non factors, what does this mean to the Yankees.

In all serious-ness, combined AJ Burnett and Daniel Cabrera started 10 games against the Yankees in 08, not making it easy on us. Many say the Angels put the Yankees out of contention for a playoff berth, maybe so... but these two had a large contribution as well.

Daniel Cabrera is now a National, AJ Burnett is now a Yankee, i'm a very supersticious guy and the way i see it, is the Yankees should feel better about facing both the Orioles and the Blue Jays now, knowing that they won't have to face Cabera and Burnett.

Of course Halladay and many other pitchers lurk within the AL east who have had success against the Yankees, but this sure made me breath easier.

Oh, and hey if you want to look like a monk and feel rediculous... here ya go..

...Seriously??

Feeling better about things...

Well, i haven't kept it a secret at all this off season, but as most of you know i did not want the Yankees to sign AJ Burnett. He had been on the DL 7 times throughout his career, and even was on the DL the one time his team made it to the post season, 2003...

However; listening to AJ Burnett for the first time yesterday, he really made me feel comfortable towards having him as our number 2 guy. He explains how Roy Halladay changed his philosophy, how he doesn't have to throw a constant 98 MPH and that 94 was more than enough to get people out (about 8 MPH more than enough looking at how Mike Mussina dominated last year).

Ofcourse we Yankee fans got a great look at AJ last year, seeing as how he dominated us in 5 starts. But for the first time since the signing, i feel really good about AJ in the starting rotation.

AJ likes the big stage, and he made it clear that he wanted to take his game to another level. Players say it all the time, but he really showed that he can pitch on the big stage with his performances against both the Yankees and the Red Sox last year. What's different from pitching in Toronto? Every game with the Yankees is a big game.