Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
October 08, 2007
Indians Win!

Cleveland takes the ALDS three games to one. It was a series of timing. Cleveland always got the big hit, and the Yankees never seemed to put two together. Outside of Carmona, the Yankees had plenty of chances against Sabathia, Westbrook and Byrd, but only could deliver against Jake. Six of the seven home runs hit by the Yankees were solo shots. The three run shot by Damon came in the only game they won.

The Indians bullpen pitched extremely well. They picked up Sabathia in game one and Byrd tonight. The Cleveland hitters were impressively selective, working the Yankees pitchers deep into counts, and getting hits on tough pitches.

Congratulations to the Indians on a great win! We now have three teams in the semi-finals that developed players from within. That's great to see. There's more than one way to win in this game, and player development is carrying the day so far.


Posted by David Pinto at 11:43 PM | League Division Series | TrackBack (0)
Comments

That's a powerhouse's worst nightmare. A 5 game series. This is where, in order to assure yourself of a solid shot at winning those series, you need to have a lights out, dominating pitcher to depend on. Perhaps the Yankees will have that in Hughes, Chamberlain or.......Santana?

Posted by: Mark Cat at October 9, 2007 12:18 AM

You're absolutely right, David, it was just a well-executed series by Cleveland all the way around. It's true that they squandered plenty of chances throughout Game 2, making it far more nerve-wracking than it probably should have been, but they still managed to win the game. Similarly, I thought they did a great job of adding on tonight and keeping their foot to the pedal rather than easing off after that pleasant first inning. I think they match up rather well with Boston so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens from here.

Although I do have a question for anyone or everyone: How do you think the sports media, particularly that in New York, will spin the respective series for Jeter and A-Rod? It's true that A-Rod faltered in a key spot in Game 2, when he could have given the Yankees the lead late, but he still had a considerably better series statistically than ol' Captain Clutch. I know that one series is not enough to change four years worth of perceptions (nor will it remove the four rings from Jeter's fingers and put one on A-Rod's hand) but I think it'd be incredibly unfair if Alex is singled out for this defeat. Then again, I've been a Yankee hater since I became a fan of this game seventeen years ago, so I'm not exactly impartial. Still, I'll be intrigued to see what storylines the media pursue in the aftermath of this, the first Yankees' ALDS series clinching loss suffered on their own field.

Posted by: Wes at October 9, 2007 12:23 AM

I think it's pretty obvious what's wrong with the Yankees: the starting rotation is old and the bullpen is weak. Guys like Clemens and Mussina can still deliver sometimes, but not every five days any more. Getting younger in the manager isn't the answer! But I guess we'll get to see if Girardi's Miami success was a fluke.

And, somehow, I'm not entirely convinced that replacing A-Rod with a Scott Brosius type will do the trick, either.

Posted by: JJ at October 9, 2007 12:46 AM

Was I ever glad when Cleveland beat the Yankees last night! Some people will complain about the lack of a Red Sox-Yankees head-to-head matchup, but to me getting to beat the team that beat the Yankees will be even better.

I just wish Joe Torre had told Steinbrenner, "You can't fire me, I QUIT!" But you can't have everything, I guess.

Posted by: John Shaw at October 9, 2007 02:52 AM

A very disappointing series for the Bombers. To pick just the biggest factor: Wang didn't show up this series. Ugh.

But, Cleveland really was very good, esp. Carmona and Sabathia. Hats off and good luck to the Indians.

Good points by Wes (no doubt Jeter had a lousy series, A-Rod a decent one) and JJ (happily, the Yankee rotation will be getting a whole lot younger next year).

I'll be supporting the Rockies from now on, as far as they go. And, I hope, admiring the Indians some more.

Posted by: James at October 9, 2007 08:14 AM

The Yankees reminded me of Earl Weaver's Orioles during this series. Not enough small ball. Too much reliance on HR's and big hits.

Posted by: Devon Young at October 9, 2007 10:00 AM
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