At long last, Alex Rodriguez joined the once prestigious 600 Home Run Club.
A-Rod's blast to center field was the most over-anticipated, over-hyped and over-blown sports moment since "The Decision."
The two-run homer did help the Yanks to a 5-1 triumph over the Blue Jays that, along with a Rays defeat at the hands of the Twins, pushed the Yanks back into a push for first place in the American League East.
It's not the first time a Yankee clubbed a two-run jack in the opening frame since the calender flipped to August, in fact it wasn't the second time either. For the third game in-a-row, a different Yankee, batting in a different spot in the order, smacked a two-run dinger in the first inning.
Nick Swisher, batting in the two-hole, and Mark Teixeira, the three-hitter, were the ones who performed the deed in the previous games.
The pair of runs was all Phil Hughes, Boone Logan, Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson and Mariano Rivera would need holding the Jays to a single tally.
With A-Rod's milestone behind them, the Yanks must prepare for a four-game battle with the Red Sox -- no word if impatient Joe West will be arbiter in the series.
With New York and Tampa Bay 6.5 lengths ahead of the Rose Hose, Boston needs this weekend to turn the division into a three pony meet. The Yanks and Rays like it just fine with two competitors, insuring both a playoff spot.
***********************************************************
The Mets and their fickle fans are hoping last night's disastrous 8-3 abomination to the Braves was rock bottom. Really, it can't get much worst than that.
When a team accumulates more errors, 4, than runs, 3, things aren't going quite right.
But the miscues were just one of many issues for Jerry Manuel's club, which appeared to have spent all night celebrating Jeff Francoeur's dramatic homer the previous night.
Supposed number two starter, Mike Pelfrey was awful -- again. Since his last W on June 25, Pelf's ERA is a swollen 9.00. In those seven starts, the big righty has not once completed six innings and only twice made to the end of the fifth.
The sad state of the lineup can be summed up as such: Luis Castillo was the Mets best offensive player last night with two hits, a walk and a run batted in.
Any hopes that the Mets would use Frenchy's blast as a building block were dashed when Chipper Jones and Brian McCann went yard back-to-back in the third, flipping a 2-1 lead into a 3-2 deficit the Mets would not recover from.
***********************************************************
Mets fans should feel bad for Oliver Perez, not because he's just not that good a pitcher -- many people aren't, but because he simply doesn't get it.
"I'm trying to get better," Ollie told the New York Post, "but it's hard when you don't have the velocity you used to have. I'm trying to become a pitcher instead of just using my power. That's difficult to do." It's even more challenging to accomplish while wasting away in the bullpen.
It doesn't exactly take a rocking Leo Mazzone to realize that the best place to build velocity and work on changing yourself as pitcher is not sitting on ones behind, it's on the mound. The only hill Ollie should get near these days is one down on the farm.
Ollie should be the 26th man on the Mets 25-man roster. But he doesn't get it, that's what makes his situation so irritating.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
New Column On BaseballDigest.com
Latest column for BaseballDigest.com concerns the Mets failures over the past five weeks.
Click here to read the entire column.
Click here to read the entire column.
Friday, July 30, 2010
A-Rod Still Stuck On # 599
It's been seven games, 34 plate appearances and 136 pitches since Alex Rodriguez last went yard for home run number 599.
Crowds form, specially branded baseballs are put in play and major sports networks digress from regularly scheduled programming in hopes that A-Rod will create tainted history.
Love or despise A-Rod, one cannot help but mention that his next home run will simply be adding to baseball's heap of contaminated numbers. No, Alex is not the only one to admit to taking performance enhancing drugs, but that has never been a valid excuse -- from grade school on up.
When A-Rod does launch number 600, he'll be the seventh member to join what was once a prestigious and exclusive club. However, A-Rod will also be the third known PED user, along with Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa, in the group.
To give A-Rod credit, he's been saying all the right things in the pursuit of the milestone dinger. But he's been one to say, especially lately, that he does his talking on the field.
Granted Alex hasn't struggled at the plate, he has nine hits in 30 official at-bats, but there's been a suspicious lull in home runs. A-Rod can claim all he wants that it's not affecting him, but his "talking on field" leads to a very different conclusion.
*************************************************************
"Where would the Mets be without knuckle-balling sensation R.A. Dickey?" Is not a query GM Omar Minaya wants to ponder.
Although the Mets are merely 7-7 in Dickey's 14 starts, several of the defeats have been of the hard-luck variety. The 35-year-old is 7-4 with a 2.32 ERA after his most impressive performance of the season yesterday against the Cardinals -- 8.1 innings of shutout ball allowing just four hits and two walks.
Beginning the season at Triple-A Buffalo, Dickey made his first major league start on May 19. With two-fifths of the rotation, Oliver Perez and John Maine, no longer viable options, Jerry Manuel faced a dearth of starters.
Dickey has plugged the Queens version of the leaky BP oil well with a dancing knuckler. Surprisingly, he's kept free passes to a minimum -- no small feat for a knuckleballer.
Another legitimate dilemma Minaya wouldn't like to consider: Where the club would be without rookie Ike Davis?
The first baseman's batting average has plunged of late, but his 15 homers have filled a significant power void in the lineup. Of the 15 long balls, there hasn't been a cheapy among them. When Ike gets a hold of pitch, the ball oughta have a stewardess on it, to paraphrase Kevin Costner as Crash Davis in Bull Durham.
************************************************************
One stiff shoulder, ultimately resulting in a trip to the DL, and already the Kerry Wood and Mark Prior comparisons have begun for Stephen Strasburg.
In an interview with MLB Network Radio, and reported by the New York Post's Joel Sherman, White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said, "I am not wishing this guy bad, but for him to be having problems right now when they are really, really watching him what are they going to see when they are trying to get 220 innings from him?"
Referring to Strasburg's odd "arm action," Cooper drops the two names that frighten organizations that employ young hard-throwing hurlers. "It reminds me a little bit of Kerry Wood, a little bit of Mark Prior."
The Nationals likely only agree with this one statement from Cooper: "I hope I’m wrong about this."
Crowds form, specially branded baseballs are put in play and major sports networks digress from regularly scheduled programming in hopes that A-Rod will create tainted history.
Love or despise A-Rod, one cannot help but mention that his next home run will simply be adding to baseball's heap of contaminated numbers. No, Alex is not the only one to admit to taking performance enhancing drugs, but that has never been a valid excuse -- from grade school on up.
When A-Rod does launch number 600, he'll be the seventh member to join what was once a prestigious and exclusive club. However, A-Rod will also be the third known PED user, along with Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa, in the group.
To give A-Rod credit, he's been saying all the right things in the pursuit of the milestone dinger. But he's been one to say, especially lately, that he does his talking on the field.
Granted Alex hasn't struggled at the plate, he has nine hits in 30 official at-bats, but there's been a suspicious lull in home runs. A-Rod can claim all he wants that it's not affecting him, but his "talking on field" leads to a very different conclusion.
*************************************************************
"Where would the Mets be without knuckle-balling sensation R.A. Dickey?" Is not a query GM Omar Minaya wants to ponder.
Although the Mets are merely 7-7 in Dickey's 14 starts, several of the defeats have been of the hard-luck variety. The 35-year-old is 7-4 with a 2.32 ERA after his most impressive performance of the season yesterday against the Cardinals -- 8.1 innings of shutout ball allowing just four hits and two walks.
Beginning the season at Triple-A Buffalo, Dickey made his first major league start on May 19. With two-fifths of the rotation, Oliver Perez and John Maine, no longer viable options, Jerry Manuel faced a dearth of starters.
Dickey has plugged the Queens version of the leaky BP oil well with a dancing knuckler. Surprisingly, he's kept free passes to a minimum -- no small feat for a knuckleballer.
Another legitimate dilemma Minaya wouldn't like to consider: Where the club would be without rookie Ike Davis?
The first baseman's batting average has plunged of late, but his 15 homers have filled a significant power void in the lineup. Of the 15 long balls, there hasn't been a cheapy among them. When Ike gets a hold of pitch, the ball oughta have a stewardess on it, to paraphrase Kevin Costner as Crash Davis in Bull Durham.
************************************************************
One stiff shoulder, ultimately resulting in a trip to the DL, and already the Kerry Wood and Mark Prior comparisons have begun for Stephen Strasburg.
In an interview with MLB Network Radio, and reported by the New York Post's Joel Sherman, White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said, "I am not wishing this guy bad, but for him to be having problems right now when they are really, really watching him what are they going to see when they are trying to get 220 innings from him?"
Referring to Strasburg's odd "arm action," Cooper drops the two names that frighten organizations that employ young hard-throwing hurlers. "It reminds me a little bit of Kerry Wood, a little bit of Mark Prior."
The Nationals likely only agree with this one statement from Cooper: "I hope I’m wrong about this."
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Positives In A Negative
"No such thing as a good loss," claims an old adage. But last night's Mets 13 inning, 8-7, lose certainly had some positives.
For one, look at the final score. The Mets scored seven, count 'em, SEVEN runs. That was about three games worth of runs in on the West Coast trip that opened the second half.
And, to make the outburst all the more impressive, all the offense came after the Mets were down six runs.
Johan Santana had an awful opening frame allowing six runs and eight hits, but Jerry Manuel's club didn't quit. As a matter of fact, the Mets were one big hit away from putting Cardinals rookie sensation Jaime Garcia through the same misery in the first as Santana, denting the plate twice and bringing the tying run to the plate with the bases loaded.
Still, the Mets were down four going into the eighth. That's when Cards skipper Tony La Russa led a parade of bearded Red Bird relievers to the hill.
An Angel Pagan two-run homer and a big two-out two-run pinch-hit single by Ike Davis and Mets has tied up a game that seemed squandered before a turn at bat.
No, the Mets didn't win the game, but they demonstrated that quitting is not their modus operandi. This team won't quit on a game, and it won't give up on a season.
*****************************************************
A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain, the two hurlers that concern Yankees fans most, combined for seven scoreless innings. Yes, it was against the woeful Indians, but it was a good showing nonetheless.
Alex Rodriguez is still sitting on home run number 599. While there's no question that A-Rod has behaved differently over the past couple of years, he's still having trouble with milestone homers.
The Yankees starting pitcher tonight will be Dustin Moseley. That's the same Dustin Moseley that... never mind, he hasn't done anything in his career to this point that's worth mentioning. But, that may change tonight, he is starting against the woeful Indians.
************************************************
According to numerous reports, it's now up to Roy Oswalt to decide whether he wants to feel the brotherly love in Philadelphia.
If Oswalt chooses to wave his no-trade instead of waiving it, he deserves to finish out the rest of his career in the obscurity of Houston.
For one, look at the final score. The Mets scored seven, count 'em, SEVEN runs. That was about three games worth of runs in on the West Coast trip that opened the second half.
And, to make the outburst all the more impressive, all the offense came after the Mets were down six runs.
Johan Santana had an awful opening frame allowing six runs and eight hits, but Jerry Manuel's club didn't quit. As a matter of fact, the Mets were one big hit away from putting Cardinals rookie sensation Jaime Garcia through the same misery in the first as Santana, denting the plate twice and bringing the tying run to the plate with the bases loaded.
Still, the Mets were down four going into the eighth. That's when Cards skipper Tony La Russa led a parade of bearded Red Bird relievers to the hill.
An Angel Pagan two-run homer and a big two-out two-run pinch-hit single by Ike Davis and Mets has tied up a game that seemed squandered before a turn at bat.
No, the Mets didn't win the game, but they demonstrated that quitting is not their modus operandi. This team won't quit on a game, and it won't give up on a season.
*****************************************************
A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain, the two hurlers that concern Yankees fans most, combined for seven scoreless innings. Yes, it was against the woeful Indians, but it was a good showing nonetheless.
Alex Rodriguez is still sitting on home run number 599. While there's no question that A-Rod has behaved differently over the past couple of years, he's still having trouble with milestone homers.
The Yankees starting pitcher tonight will be Dustin Moseley. That's the same Dustin Moseley that... never mind, he hasn't done anything in his career to this point that's worth mentioning. But, that may change tonight, he is starting against the woeful Indians.
************************************************
According to numerous reports, it's now up to Roy Oswalt to decide whether he wants to feel the brotherly love in Philadelphia.
If Oswalt chooses to wave his no-trade instead of waiving it, he deserves to finish out the rest of his career in the obscurity of Houston.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
BaseballDigest.com
Hey Readers:
I'm writing weekly Mets columns every Wednesday for BaseballDigest.com
Click here to link to the columns.
Read, comment and enjoy.
I'm writing weekly Mets columns every Wednesday for BaseballDigest.com
Click here to link to the columns.
Read, comment and enjoy.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Grandy's Week Of Smacking Southpaws
Back in December, when the Yanks executed a three-way trade to bring Curtis Granderson to The Bronx, concerned centered on the All-Star center fielder's woeful batting average against left-handed pitching.
Granderson's career average against southpaws was a near-Mendoza-line .210, and he was coming off a season well below that sunken standard. In 2009, Grandy hit just .183 and a measly two roundtrippers in 199 plate appearances versus lefties.
Yet Granderson paid immediate dividends in pinstripes.
In the opening series against the Red Sox, Curtis hit a home run is his first Yankee at-bat -- off Josh Becket no less. Then, in the rubber-match of the series, took Jonathan Papelbon deep for the go-ahead run in the top of the tenth inning.
One series, two homers off two of Boston's top hurlers -- albeit both righties.
In his first 11 games of the season, the affable Granderson collected six multi-hit games and a batting average of .326.
Granderson slumped through the rest of April eventually winding up on the DL in early May and missing the next 24 games. His average down to .225 and still just those two homers.
But since his return on May 28 against the Indians, Granderson has been swinging a clutch bat, even against his personal nemesis: The lefty. Granderson is 5 for 16 since coming back, including four hits against southpaws.
In his first game back, Granderson doubled off lefthander Tony Sipp in the eight inning. Two batters later, after Mark Teixeira walked, Robinson Cano's grand slam extended the Yanks' lead to 8-2 -- the eventual final score.
Two days later, with the Yanks down to the Tribe, 3-2, Grandy once again doubled of Sipp. Tex followed that with a three-run go-ahead homer to cap a five-run seventh.
Having seen enough of Sipp, the next day Indians skipper Manny Acta brought on another lefty, this time it was Rafael Perez, to face Granderson. With the game still in doubt, the Yanks were up 2-1, Curtis singled to move Ramiro Pena (pinch-running for Derek Jeter) to second.
After a wild-pitch moved both runners into scoring position and an intentional walk to Teixiera, A-Rod ended all suspense with grand-slam to deep center. The Yanks went on to blowout the Indians, 11-2.
Having dispensed of everyone the Indians could throw at him, Granderson continued his assault on lefties last night against the Orioles.
Lefty Brian Matusz started for Baltimore and had one of the finest performances of his young career going 6.2 innings and giving up just one earned run -- a tie-breaking homer by Granderson. The Yankees eventually won the game after Miguel Tejada allowed two unearned runs to score on a throwing error providing the margin in a 3-1 victory.
The pieces given up for Granderson have performed well this season. Phil Coke has been solid and Austin Jackson leads all rookies in batting average (minimum 50 ABs) for the Tigers and Ian Kennedy leads all Diamondback starters in ERA.
If the past week is an indication of how Granderson will perform in The Bronx, the Yanks absolutely made the right move.
Granderson's career average against southpaws was a near-Mendoza-line .210, and he was coming off a season well below that sunken standard. In 2009, Grandy hit just .183 and a measly two roundtrippers in 199 plate appearances versus lefties.
Yet Granderson paid immediate dividends in pinstripes.
In the opening series against the Red Sox, Curtis hit a home run is his first Yankee at-bat -- off Josh Becket no less. Then, in the rubber-match of the series, took Jonathan Papelbon deep for the go-ahead run in the top of the tenth inning.
One series, two homers off two of Boston's top hurlers -- albeit both righties.
In his first 11 games of the season, the affable Granderson collected six multi-hit games and a batting average of .326.
Granderson slumped through the rest of April eventually winding up on the DL in early May and missing the next 24 games. His average down to .225 and still just those two homers.
But since his return on May 28 against the Indians, Granderson has been swinging a clutch bat, even against his personal nemesis: The lefty. Granderson is 5 for 16 since coming back, including four hits against southpaws.
In his first game back, Granderson doubled off lefthander Tony Sipp in the eight inning. Two batters later, after Mark Teixeira walked, Robinson Cano's grand slam extended the Yanks' lead to 8-2 -- the eventual final score.
Two days later, with the Yanks down to the Tribe, 3-2, Grandy once again doubled of Sipp. Tex followed that with a three-run go-ahead homer to cap a five-run seventh.
Having seen enough of Sipp, the next day Indians skipper Manny Acta brought on another lefty, this time it was Rafael Perez, to face Granderson. With the game still in doubt, the Yanks were up 2-1, Curtis singled to move Ramiro Pena (pinch-running for Derek Jeter) to second.
After a wild-pitch moved both runners into scoring position and an intentional walk to Teixiera, A-Rod ended all suspense with grand-slam to deep center. The Yanks went on to blowout the Indians, 11-2.
Having dispensed of everyone the Indians could throw at him, Granderson continued his assault on lefties last night against the Orioles.
Lefty Brian Matusz started for Baltimore and had one of the finest performances of his young career going 6.2 innings and giving up just one earned run -- a tie-breaking homer by Granderson. The Yankees eventually won the game after Miguel Tejada allowed two unearned runs to score on a throwing error providing the margin in a 3-1 victory.
The pieces given up for Granderson have performed well this season. Phil Coke has been solid and Austin Jackson leads all rookies in batting average (minimum 50 ABs) for the Tigers and Ian Kennedy leads all Diamondback starters in ERA.
If the past week is an indication of how Granderson will perform in The Bronx, the Yanks absolutely made the right move.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Memorial Day: Taking Stock -- Yanks
Memorial Day is the first opportunity to take stock of the baseball scene.
The regular season is slightly less than a third of the way to the finish line. Sizzling starts have cooled and chilly commencements have warmed.
Let's start with a Yanks update through their first 51 games as defending champs for the fist time since the 2001 campaign.
The Bombers are 11 games above .500 at 31-20, 2.5 games behind the Rays in the AL East and leading the Wild Card race heading into the first turn.
The starting rotation of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes and Javier Vazquez have a combined record of 26-12. Excluding Vazquez, the staff was off to an 11-2 start as the shower's of April cleared.
Sabathia struggled in May winning just one decision while dropping two. Burnett's worst performance came against the Red Sox at Fenway Park against the Red Sox, but the nasty righty has straightened out by winning his last two starts.
The veteran Pettitte and youngster Hughes have been fantastic. The 38-year-old lefty is 7-1 with a 2.48 ERA. Not far behind is Hughes at 6-1, 2.70.
Vazquez did not get his return to The Bronx off to a good start. On May 1, Javy owned a 1-3 record with an ERA near ten and was skipped in his next turn in the rotation.
After missing a start, Javy's performance mysteriously improved -- his last start against the Twins not withstanding.
The Yanks lead the majors in runs scored per game by half-a-run over AL East foes Toronto and Boston. The data is all the more impressive when the sluggish starts of the three and four hitters in the lineup -- Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, respectively -- are taken into account.
Although Tex is a notorious for getting off to slow starts, this season has been slower and the "start" has now extended to May.
A-Rod had an atypical April belting just two homers. Excluding 1999 and 2009 when Alex missed considerable time due to injury, that's the lowest total of his career for that month.
However, the story of the lineup is Robinson Cano. Off to a blistering start, Robbie carried the Yanks early on batting .400 in the opening month. And, to go with the hot bat, Cano is playing a stellar second base.
Derek Jeter bounced back from a minor May slump to finish the month batting .302.
The outfield has been a carousel exasperated by an injury to newbie Curtis Granderson. Nick Swisher continued to contribute in right and Brett Gardner has been better than expected with the bat while playing left and center.
Jorge Posada is spending time on the DL but Francisco Cervelli has been a more than competent backup.
Nick Johnson's trip to the DL is as surprising as birds migrating south for winter. The fill-ins, Juan Miranda, Kevin Russo and Greg Golson, have been unspectacular.
Mariano Rivera has been splendid out of the bullpen blowing just one save in 11 opportunities. Mo didn't give up a run until his 13th appearance of the season.
After Mo, the pen has been shaky. Joba Chamberlain has been downright bad in the second half of May. The Yanks need Joba to return to early season form when he showed flashes of dominance.
Damaso Marte has been solid but David Robertson hasn't given Joe Girardi a reason bring him in to a game other than mop-up duty. Alfredo Aceves may be done for the season and Chan Ho Park doesn't belong in a game unless there's at least a seven-run lead either way.
Although the arms are solid, the relief work overall has not been up to par. If the current group doesn't back on track, Brian Cashman has acquire someone else for Girardi to use in a key spot.
The Yanks need CC to return to ace form and can expect that to happen based on his career post-All-Star break numbers. The middle of the lineup must start carrying its own weight, and if the last two games are any indication, Tex and A-Rod are on their way.
The bullpen is the biggest concern because, after Mo, there isn't enough history among the relievers to have any expectations as to how they will respond to adversity.
There isn't much Girardi can do with the lineup, especially after Posada returns.
Joe will meddle most with the relief corps, which is a concern because Girardi already makes too many pitching changes. If he doesn't trust the guys on the hill, trips to the mound will increase -- if that's imaginable.
The regular season is slightly less than a third of the way to the finish line. Sizzling starts have cooled and chilly commencements have warmed.
Let's start with a Yanks update through their first 51 games as defending champs for the fist time since the 2001 campaign.
The Bombers are 11 games above .500 at 31-20, 2.5 games behind the Rays in the AL East and leading the Wild Card race heading into the first turn.
The starting rotation of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes and Javier Vazquez have a combined record of 26-12. Excluding Vazquez, the staff was off to an 11-2 start as the shower's of April cleared.
Sabathia struggled in May winning just one decision while dropping two. Burnett's worst performance came against the Red Sox at Fenway Park against the Red Sox, but the nasty righty has straightened out by winning his last two starts.
The veteran Pettitte and youngster Hughes have been fantastic. The 38-year-old lefty is 7-1 with a 2.48 ERA. Not far behind is Hughes at 6-1, 2.70.
Vazquez did not get his return to The Bronx off to a good start. On May 1, Javy owned a 1-3 record with an ERA near ten and was skipped in his next turn in the rotation.
After missing a start, Javy's performance mysteriously improved -- his last start against the Twins not withstanding.
The Yanks lead the majors in runs scored per game by half-a-run over AL East foes Toronto and Boston. The data is all the more impressive when the sluggish starts of the three and four hitters in the lineup -- Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, respectively -- are taken into account.
Although Tex is a notorious for getting off to slow starts, this season has been slower and the "start" has now extended to May.
A-Rod had an atypical April belting just two homers. Excluding 1999 and 2009 when Alex missed considerable time due to injury, that's the lowest total of his career for that month.
However, the story of the lineup is Robinson Cano. Off to a blistering start, Robbie carried the Yanks early on batting .400 in the opening month. And, to go with the hot bat, Cano is playing a stellar second base.
Derek Jeter bounced back from a minor May slump to finish the month batting .302.
The outfield has been a carousel exasperated by an injury to newbie Curtis Granderson. Nick Swisher continued to contribute in right and Brett Gardner has been better than expected with the bat while playing left and center.
Jorge Posada is spending time on the DL but Francisco Cervelli has been a more than competent backup.
Nick Johnson's trip to the DL is as surprising as birds migrating south for winter. The fill-ins, Juan Miranda, Kevin Russo and Greg Golson, have been unspectacular.
Mariano Rivera has been splendid out of the bullpen blowing just one save in 11 opportunities. Mo didn't give up a run until his 13th appearance of the season.
After Mo, the pen has been shaky. Joba Chamberlain has been downright bad in the second half of May. The Yanks need Joba to return to early season form when he showed flashes of dominance.
Damaso Marte has been solid but David Robertson hasn't given Joe Girardi a reason bring him in to a game other than mop-up duty. Alfredo Aceves may be done for the season and Chan Ho Park doesn't belong in a game unless there's at least a seven-run lead either way.
Although the arms are solid, the relief work overall has not been up to par. If the current group doesn't back on track, Brian Cashman has acquire someone else for Girardi to use in a key spot.
The Yanks need CC to return to ace form and can expect that to happen based on his career post-All-Star break numbers. The middle of the lineup must start carrying its own weight, and if the last two games are any indication, Tex and A-Rod are on their way.
The bullpen is the biggest concern because, after Mo, there isn't enough history among the relievers to have any expectations as to how they will respond to adversity.
There isn't much Girardi can do with the lineup, especially after Posada returns.
Joe will meddle most with the relief corps, which is a concern because Girardi already makes too many pitching changes. If he doesn't trust the guys on the hill, trips to the mound will increase -- if that's imaginable.
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