Why the Yankees Lost

The Hardball Times explains Why the Yankees Lost in the ALDS. I don't know if everything HBT decrees to be indisputable is accurate, but it's hard not to agree with this specific criticism of Joe Torre's management:

In game one, he was too slow with the hook on Wang—it wasn’t a case of a guy getting unlucky that night, Wang was throwing bad pitches and getting properly punished for it. Torre should have lifted him after it was 4-1, brought in Hughes instead of Ohlendorf, and maybe given the team a chance. Instead, Ohlendorf turned a decent lead into a huge lead, and the game was over halfway through. Then Torre inexplicably brought Hughes in for mopup duty.

The article then goes on to criticize Torre for not pulling Joba Chamberlain during the 8th inning of game two. The author believes Mariano Rivera should have been inserted, and although a winning result was not guaranteed, it was the smart move. I think this is more hindsight is 20/20 than an obvious first-guess scenario.

Chamberlain dominated the first two batters he faced in the seventh, and although wild in the eighth, history would imply Joba capable of eventually recovering. The inexplicable presence of 1,000 swarming mosquitoes defecting from Lake Eerie's windy conditions also pokes a noticeable hole within the heart of the author's argument.

The perspective on Jorge Posada's future seems skewed as well:

Posada’s strikeout to end the season was possibly his [last] at-bat as a Yankee. After his spectacular regular season, Posada will be an attractive free agent to most teams, and the Yankees—despite not having any apparent replacement for him arriving any time soon—might be willing to let him leave. Posada might not be keen on returning anyway, with Joe Torre likely out the door.

After spending the entire regular season with a batting average hovering around the .335 mark, there's no doubt that Posada's postseason line of .133/.235/.200 is wretched. However, "not having any apparent replacement" provides all the reasoning New York needs in refusing to allow a Jorge adieu.

The idea that "Posada might not be keen on returning" is an exercise in futility when you consider that the birth, maturation and ultimate success of his career all came within the Yankees organization. His family grew accustomed to life in the Big Apple, and in turn, the city grew accustomed to chants of "Hip Hip Jorge!" As much as Posada admires Torre, when words like 35 million are preceded by a nice fat dollar sign, blind loyalty takes a back seat.

Prediction: Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada will all be playing baseball in pinstripes come 2008. However, the man deciding on where they hit in the lineup or pitch in the rotation will be Don Mattingly.

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George Speaks

Bergen Record columnist Ian O'Connor broke the big story this morning, after speaking to Yankees owner George Steinbrenner last night.

Apparently, The Boss was in good spirits and as sharp as ever, stating that 1)a loss today would mean the firing of Joe Torre, and 2)Alex Rodriguez will be a top priority regardless of his performance the remainder of this series.

"His job is on the line," the Yankees' owner said in a phone interview. "I think we're paying him a lot of money. He's the highest-paid manager in baseball, so I don't think we'd take him back if we don't win this series."

"I think we'll re-sign him," Steinbrenner said of Rodriguez. "I think he's going to have a good run the rest of the [postseason]. I think he realizes New York is the place to be, the place to play. A lot of this [postseason] is laying on his shoulders, you know, but I think he's up to it."

"I have full control," Steinbrenner said. The owner maintained that rumors of his declining health were false.

The portfolio.com story which painted Steinbrenner as a man deep in the throes of dementia may be as inaccurate as Yankees management stated it was. Should Torre fail to move his team into the ALCS, he will most likely face retirement. Whether A-Rod goes 11-for-15 during a three game winning streak, or goes 0-for-5 tonight amidst a LDS sweep, the Yankees want him back for a long, long time.

Big Stein put his cards on the table. If the core of the most recent Yankees dynasty want to secure their beloved manager's future, they'll have to be playing Boston next week.

Playoff Lights Shine Brightest

The playoffs have arrived.

A 27 year-old hefty southpaw may well decide the Yankees fate. The weight of the world leans over his husky frame, wondering if the hometown team will continue its reputation as The Mistake By The Lake.

His team flashes a lineup filled with power potential, though they inconsistently slug. (Sound familiar?)

The back of their bullpen is strong with two talented Rafael's, though this makes for an inexperienced setup man. (Sound familiar?)

Their closer is a bulldog, but often times becomes a goat. (Where the similarities end.)

But the 6-foot-7 horse will be the focus of everyone's attention. Along side Josh Beckett, CC Sabathia is one half of a two man race for the American League Cy Young award. Last night saw Beckett dominate, compiling an impressive complete game shutout.

Tonight, Sabathia will attempt to put a bad history against the Yankees behind him, hoping to prove that the '07 version is a pitcher which New York's never laid eyes on; with exception to clips looped on Baseball Tonight or Sportscenter.

As discussed yesterday, Sabathia's biggest weakness may be his ability to consistently throw strikes, particularly in early counts. Will the Yankees hitters march up to the plate hacking away? This would be a bold move, but not necessarily the wrong one. If CC tends to be most hittable in 0-0 and 0-1 counts, then Joe Torre would be wise to have his hitters institute an aggressive approach.

Implementing an impatient lineup goes against an entire methodology which got New York into the playoffs, but it could lead to success and a Game 1 win. The greatest gift of the Yankees offense relies on them grinding atbats, taking pitch after pitch, and tiring the man on the mound. When they face the ace of a staff, like Sabathia, their strategy forces the starter to throw an inordinate amount, until he ultimately finds himself in the dugout wondering how he threw 110 pitches in 5+ innings.

Sabathia, however, does not tend to tire easily and consistently works deep into games by economizing his pitches and showing extraordinary stamina.

It will be extremely intriguing to see how the Yankees adjust to Sabathia after his first time through their lineup. The first turn through, Yankee hitters will refer to their experiences three years ago, when they last faced the Indians star. The entire lineup will hug the the fence atop the dugout steps, peering for some previously unforeseen flaw in Sabathia's delivery.

Eventually, the plan Torre and his staff decide on will reveal itself. Spectators will recognize if the Yankees become unusually aggressive in the early innings, or instead exercise stoic patience in the hopes of tiring Sabathia and delving into the Cleveland bullpen. In all likelihood, attempting to "wait out" the starter may result in eight scoreless innings. By the time he's been removed from the game, the game might already be in hand.

Not that the Yankees lineup ever backs down from a talented pitcher and not to imply that their unyielding offense is stoppable. But, with the last two postseasons witnessing early, unlikely exits for the boys from the Bronx, the pressure to deliver is that much more magnified.

Regardless of which team separates themself in the first of the five-game series, one thing's for sure. It's playoff time. When words like "intangibles," "heart" and "glory" ring a little longer. When lifetime dreams are realized, and the stories of championship teams are written.

When the bright lights shine brightest.