 accept the Mo needs work argument. It's August now and I think Mo can stay sharp with a few extra days rest when the opportunity presents itself. The dangers of over use are much more significant than under use.
373 You're right. I was going to argue that Rivera's stats (beside ERA) were off this year, but then I checked and they really look right in line with the last couple of years.
So, I'll make an emotional, perceptual argument: he doesn't seem as dominant to me this year. It seems that he has more 2 and 3 ball counts, and that he is giving up more fly balls. His BB and K look really good; his H totals are up some (but overall his WHIP is almost identical).
I'm not particularly optimistic about tomorrow, either, but don't forget: the Orioles aren't really very good. They've been shut down by some Jeff Karstenish pitching before, and they will be again. Why not a big night for Jeff tomorrow?
Yeah, probably not. But not inconceivable.
378 Here's a quick illustration. On July 25 and 29, Rivera pitched in a 7-1 and 10-6 game, yet, he didn't pitch in 4-2 and 7-5 losses on July 28-29. In each instance, the Orioles scored late inning runs to bolster their lead.
Similary, on August 2, Mo could have been used against the White Sox when the Yankees were trailing 11-9. He hadn't pitched since 7/29, so that would have been a good spot to get an inning of work. Instead, Kyle gives up two runs in the 8th and then Torre uses Mo the next day in a 7-1 victory (and then again the following day in a 16-8 win).
I'm sorry, but I see no logic in that pattern of use.
At this moment in time, Yanks have the third best record in MLB...
379 It is interesting to note that his ERA is highest this year when he has either one day rest or more than two days rest. So perhaps he really does need more regular work to stay sharp?
who was it that was complaining the yankees don't have guys with cool enough names in the other thread???
382 I agree with you, man. But no manager uses their closer in close losses, let alone other higher leverage situations.
Not to rain on the parade, but those "weak" Mariners are up 3-1 against Santana.
387 They, too, are perplexing.
!!! who names their kid "smelin"?!
387 I'm watching. M's are officially in the 'pesky' column. Can they sustain? Personally, I'd like to see them overtake the Halos, especially if the WC comes from the East...
386 Bingo. How many managers use their closers before the ninth inning in close games where the team is trailing? Especially on the road (as was the case for the games referenced on the 27th and 28th against Baltimore).
Does anyone realistically expect Mo to be brought in a game in the 7th inning with his team trailing 3-1, just because the alternatives are so much suckier? This stretches the concept of "high leverage" to the order of a lab experiment. Maybe in the playoffs or in the final week of a pennant race, but not for games in July.
This isn't an RJ or Sheffield type dead horse argument yet, but it's starting to get there.
388 And the Mariners face Minn, then CHW, then Minn, then Texas, Anaheim, then Cleveland for one game, then Toronto, then the Yankees, then Detroit, then Oakland, then Tampa, then Oakland, then Anaheim, then Cleveland, and end with Texas.
I'd say that schedule certainly favors the Mariners finishing up pretty strong.
In other words, I thinks we needs to win the division.
392 True, but something's got to give between SEA and ANA. If the Yanks keep winning, things will probably work themselves out.
Hmmm...twins inexplicably bunt with men on 1st and 2nd, no outs, down by 2, against a pitcher making his frst MLB appearance.
390 I've been screamimg from rooftops all season. Yes, they can sustain it. They have a great lineup, which is only now clicking along. They have an ace and a few serviceable guys with a good bullpen. I could care less what the pythagreon record is, they have the best team in the AL West. Although, I don't think they can overtake the Angels, but I still think they will make the playoffs, and either the Yankees or Boston will not.
Of course I hope I am very very wrong. But if we miss, I'd rather it be Seattle over the fighting Leylands, who couldn't even make a series against a.500 team in the World Series. And it doesn't hurt that they have two huge malcontents in Sheffield and Ordonez. 
Holy Shit! The Twins managed to plate a run.
395 be careful where you go screaming, else they'll come for you with the tranquilizers and the nets...
And od course Mauer does his best Jorge Posada imitation on the basepaths. Are Pudge and Kendall the only catchers in MLB who have the slightest clue what to do once they reach base? But score tied 3-3.
twinkies tied it up! i gotta go practice, hopefully i'll come home to a seattle loss...
398 Kendall reaches base so infrequently these days, he has a lot of time to plan properly.
397 I know, the latest moron to grace BBTN, Eric Young, also picked the Mariners. I don't like what that says about me. ESPN should have just settled any Reynolds related law suit and kept him on. It has been unwatchable since he got the boot.
401 well, and steve phillips did too... with friends like those, as they say...
Pete Abraham made a good point tonight. It is one thing for Mo to be human every so often, but not backing up (twice no less!), considering he is one of the most fundamentally sound pitchers out there, is a bit disconcerting.
Like I said. I hope I am very wrong, and Boston fades and the WC comes from the Central. The key will be for us to put some distance between us and Seattle, should they faulter for a few games like they did a month ago. We west coast people get to watch Seattle and Anaheim et al., play on a regular basis, and I haven't really seen anything from Seattle to indicate they are going to hit the skids.


If you're going to give the man a portrait, find yourself a real artist.
Also, Yanks and Boston control their respective outcomes.
Relax. Things are just getting interesting, and no one has a clue. Let's just watch and see what happens...
wow... the assclown on ESPN News just called him Bubba Chamberlain... nothing but the best from the "worldwide leader"
405 Thanks very much!!!!
410 My pleasure!
409 Are you kidding me?  Highly recommended during the regular season for Yankees fans.
So, do the Twins just throw away outs on purpose?
Sexson walkoff. Good for the M's. Plenty of ball to play. Deep breaths all...
I just had a flashback of Derek hitting a homerun into the black.
Am I making that up, or did he once hit such a shot?
415 Mr. November.
2001 World Series off Kim of Arizona. First home run ever hit in November.
416 Whoa, wtf, I somehow, in my lack-of-sleep induced dyslexia, morphed posts 414 and 415, and thought you were asking if Jeter ever hit a walkoff home run. Hehe. My bad.
Didn't his only career grand slam go into the black? Or did I make that up.
416 No, I'm talking dead center.
That was to right.
Ah, that's possible...that's possible.
Wow, Jorgie was pretty quick inside there.
"Take the 2004 Division Series. Leading off Game 2, a night after the team had been shutout by Minnesota, Jeter launched a monster homer into the black seats of Yankee Stadium."
408 I agree. I seem to recall some here, and for that matter, one of them being a name which appears at the top of this page almost every day, writing off the Yankees chances of taking the division before the All-Star Break. But I have been consistent all season, I like the M's chances, and the Yankees aren't done until the math says so.
414 My fellow banterer... I don't think the words "Good for" should ever be followed by the name of a team that is ahead of us in the standings. Just a thought. It must be the San Francisco fog or something.
Nite nite bro.
This of course won't come as a surprise to anyone on here, but Steve Phillips just said on Sportscenter, for the second night in a row, that the Yankees won't be making the playoffs.
423 It is just sensationalistic fodder to keep those below twenty-one, and those with IQ's about the speed of Moose's fastball tuning in.
He also says that the Yankees don't have any pitching and too much offense, so they won't make it. But yet he claims that Atlanta will make it because