Exhale

miagyi_275_092309.jpgBy Jon Lane
“Breathe in, breathe out – and no scare fish.”
– Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid

Okay, some 1980s cheese to begin today’s blogging, but the point is you can take a deep breath, exhale and chill out. The Yankees are officially, securely, in the postseason after a one-year hiatus. Now there’s the matter of clinching both the AL East and home field advantage. Something catastrophic would have to happen to deny them both luxuries.

Thanks to everyone for providing feedback to my ALDS roster projections. Chad Gaudin did nothing to hurt his chances of making the cut, but didn’t provide reassurances that he’d be a viable alternative for Joba Chamberlain in Game 4 of the ALCS if the Yankees get that far. The Yankees are 5-0 in games he’s started, but that means nothing in the playoffs, where you can no longer rely on an offense to bail out a mediocre pitcher.

It would make a world of difference if Chamberlain shows life and passion Friday night while turning out Boston’s lights.

The Pulse of New York

Every Tuesday, YES Blog takes the pulse of New York on the hottest
topics being talked about right now in the world of sports. What’s your
take on the below issues?

Who would you feel most comfortable with starting a game in the post season?(surveys)

Who would you like to see as the Yankees’ starting right fielder in 2010?(polling)

Who is the American League MVP?(online surveys)

Where will Brett Gardner be most valuable in the post season?(survey software)

Which American League team would you most fear facing in the post season?(survey software)

Who will win the American League Central?(survey)

Yankees vs. Angels: 9/22/2009 Lineups

yankees.jpgYANKEES (95-56)
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui DH
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Brett Gardner CF

Pitching: Chad Gaudin (1-0 3.68)

angels.jpgANGELS (90-60)
Chone Figgins 3B
Maicer Izturis 2B
Bobby Abreu RF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Torii Hunter CF
Kendry Morales 1B
Juan Rivera LF
Erick Aybar SS
Jeff Mathis C

Pitching: Ervin Santana (7-8, 5.43)

Sonia Sotomayor to throw out first pitch

New York Yankees Media Relations
The New York Yankees will hold two special ceremonial first pitches during the team’s final regular season homestand to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month. United States Supreme Court Justice – and Bronx native – Sonia Sotomayor will throw out the game’s first pitch on Saturday, September 26, prior to the Yankees’ 4:10 p.m. game vs. the Red Sox. Panama President Ricardo Martinelli will do the honor the night before, on Friday, September 25, prior to the Yankees’ 7:05 p.m. game vs. Red Sox.  

On Monday, September 28, the Yankees will conclude their Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations with the on-field presentation of the Yankees’ Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Community Achievement Awards prior to the Yankees’ 7:05 p.m. game vs. the Royals.

“Having Justice Sotomayor, a South Bronx native, participate in our yearly Hispanic Heritage Month celebration is very exciting, as she is an inspiration to so many,” said Manuel García, Yankees Director of Latino Affairs. “We are proud to welcome her and President Martinelli to our new home.” 

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YANKEES

 

Jeter SS

Damon LF

Teixeira 1B

Rodriguez 3B

Matsui DH

Posada C

Cano 2B

Cabrera RF

Gardner CF

 

Chamberlain P

 

 

MARINERS

 

Ichiro RF

Gutierrez CF

Lopez 2B

Griffey, Jr. DH

Beltre 3B

Hall LF

Carp 1B

Moore C

Josh Wilson SS

 

Snell P

Williams nominated for Latin Grammy

bernie_275_091809.jpgBy Jon Lane
Bernie Williams’ second album, “Moving Forward,” was nominated for “Best Instrumental Album.” Williams for the upcoming Latin Grammy Awards.

“I don’t have many words right now that can explain how excited and grateful I am about this nomination,” Williams said in a statement. “When I stopped playing baseball, I knew that I would become more dedicated to my music. Just to have the chance to sign with Reform Records and create this CD was a tremendous opportunity. Now, to already have my first Latin Grammy nomination from my fellow musicians is beyond anything I could have dreamed.”

For those who are interested, Williams has live performances lined up in the New York metropolitan area, including Saturday, September 25 at the Capital One Bank Theater in Westbury, Long Island. This nomination is most deserving. Williams, one of the greats during the Yankees’ recent dynasty, has put out two phenomenal albums and the sky is indeed the limit.

Yankees vs. Mariners: 9/18/2009 Lineups

yankees.jpg
YANKEES (94-53)
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui DH
Nick Swisher RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF
Jose Molina C

Pitching: A.J. Burnett (11-9, 4.33)

mariners.jpg
MARINERS (76-71)
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Jose Lopez 2B
Ken Griffey Jr. DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Bill Hall LF
Jack Hannahan 1B
Rob Johnson C
Josh Wilson SS

Pitching: Felix Hernandez (15-5, 2.52)

T-minus 10

number10_200.jpgBy Jon Lane
The Yankees’ magic number to clinch the AL East is 10 games – don’t forget, it’s only four to clinch a playoff berth – but Joe Girardi was quick to say, “I believe this is going to go down to the end.”

Think about it: The Red Sox have won seven of eight and play the lowly Orioles this weekend, while the Yankees are out west to play the Mariners (not easy) and the Angels (you know their history in Anaheim). Making the playoffs isn’t good enough. The Yankees want the division and home field, and are determined not to slip to Wild Card status – I don’t care how many Wild Card teams ended up winning the World Series.

Furthermore, tonight is the start of the rest of the season for A.J. Burnett. Handsomely earning $82.5 million, Burnett is 1-5 with a 6.14 ERA in his last nine starts having allowed 25 earned runs in his last 29 1/3 innings. This man is starting either Game 2 or 3 in the ALDS. He has no choice but to turn it around.

Worse, Felix Hernandez (15-5, 2.52, 193 K) is Burnett’s opponent. King Felix may be 1-3 with a 5.92 ERA in four starts against the Yankees, but he hasn’t faced them since May 3, 2008. If he’s on, Burnett is good enough to be anybody. But when he’s off, whoa boy.