Tagged: Yankees
10/19 MLB Tonight – Hart of the Matter
ALCS Game 3. We’re into the 8th and we’ve got another game today.
Andy Pettitte has gone out there and just been teaching a lesson about pitching He’s not dominating with the power stuff which seems to always dominate in the playoffs; he’s dominating by showing his mastery of every facet of pitching. He’s using a 4-pitch mix to perfection by locating on both sides of the plate, staying ahead, and changing speeds.
But as the game gets later, getting a good hitting team out 3 times around the order takes near perfection when you don’t have that power stuff.
Mike Scioscia knows this and got Weaver out of there, even though he wanted to stay in. Darren Oliver has kept the Angels in the game with a chance to come back.
In the 6th, 3rd time around, Pettitte faced Guerrero, the one guy he had to get out. He didn’t get the pitch in enough, and now we’ve got a ballgame! – John Hart
10/14 MLB Tonight – Thing’s Things
On the eve of the Championship Series, I’m going to throw my predictions out there.
The Yankees need to keep the top of the Angles order off the bases, or guys like Figgins, Abreu, and Hunter will steal them blind. This is the key to the series because it will affect how the hitters hit, and how the pitchers pitch. Speed will prevail, and I’m taking the Angels in 6 games.
For the Phillies to be successful, Cole Hamels needs to show he’s a semblance of the guy he was last October. Brad Lidge has his confidence back, and that’s going to be huge for him going forward. The mashers on offense are always there, and I’m taking the Phillies, also in 6 games.
For all the players out there still competing, it’s no secret that they’re tired. All the arms out there are basically running on adrenaline, so pitchers really need to make the best pitches they can with what they have left. – Mitch Williams
10/13 MLB Tonight – Pena’s Perspective
If you look at the teams left in the playoffs, there is one striking similarity in each of them.
They all have an amazing amount of talent to have reached this point, but there is one intangible quality that they all share within the clubhouse.
Each clubhouse is a loose environment, filled with fun and good energy, which ultimately brings out the best from each of their players. When you’re playing relaxed, you enjoy the game and the talent ends up expressing itself with big hits and big wins.
The Yankees have always traditionally been a business-like, winning oriented team, but this season they are having a blast. A.J. Burnett is a light hearted kid, but is as intense as a bull on the mound. He understands how to have a good time, but is responsible and accountable for his performance.
Nick Swisher is another guy in this mold. It doesn’t matter how many HR’s he hits, his personality makes the team perform better.
Torii Hunter’s energy is contagious. He is the same guy in Anaheim that he was in Minnesota, and winning teams have followed him. He has fun but plays the game as hard as anyone out there, which rubs off on his teammates.
I’ve played winter ball with James Loney and Matt Kemp, and they love playing the game. They’ve always had this young positive energy, but now that they have learned more responsibility, their play has taken off.
It’s also no coincidence that they blossomed with the arrival of Joe Torre and Manny Ramirez, two guys who know a thing or two about winning. Loney and Kemp are now the leaders of a Dodgers team playing loose and having fun playing October ball.
Joe Maddon runs our team in the same way. I always feel like I can be myself and have fun out there. I’m like a kid out there playing this game, because of the atmosphere Joe creates. He understands how to make people responsible and accountable for their actions, which results in a fun winning atmosphere.
Playing in a positive atmosphere enhances all aspects of the game on and off the field. In the playoffs the stakes are high, and to go out there with a bunch of guys that have fun playing the game, can be the difference between winning it all and going home in 2nd place.- Carlos Pena
10/7 MLB Tonight – The Hot Corner with Hazel Mae
Here’s what’s HOT……Quick Pitch and the Twins.
For those of you wondering where Quick Pitch has been. It’s back and better than ever just in time for the postseason.
Quick Pitch will be perfect for those who can’t catch every game live because we are going to condense each game down to around 12 minutes. You’ll be able to experience the game without missing any key plays, blended with the TBS and radio announcers calls directly from the game. Also included will be postgame reaction from the players, coaches, and our very own expert analysts.
It’s going to be the full highlight experience so sit back and enjoy! Make sure you tune in after MLB Tonight to the postseason edition of Quick Pitch.
All of the Division Series matchup’s are intriguing, but I’m really looking forward to the Yankees-Twins series. It looked bad for this Twins team as they were 7 games back in early September with Justin Morneau done for the season, but Joe Mauer and a group of role players exploded in September going 17-4.
This is what the Twins have done the last 20 years. They scratched and clawed their way to another AL Central crown.
Since Justin Morneau went down those role players stepped up big time. Position by position guys like Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, Delmon Young, Nick Punto, and the self-proclaimed good luck charm Orlando Cabrera finished the season with a bang.
The Twins have had some bad breaks in the Bronx this season, but you can’t count them out after the heart they’ve shown down the stretch. We all know what to expect from the juggernaut Yankees, but let’s see what this Twins team has left in the tank in 2009.
Can you feel it? I can. The playoffs are heating up! – Hazel Mae
MLB Network 