Roster Surprise
The Yankees have announced their playoff roster and I am shocked by the fact that Ron Villone didn't make it. That means the Yankees won't have a lefty arm in the bullpen and considering that several of the Indians hit much better against righties than lefties, it is a curious deicsion. I guess the Yankees didn't view Villone as a guy to call in in a big spot against a lefty hitter. In addition Ramirez didn't make the team, as the Yankees have put both Ohlendorf and Veras on the roster with Sardinha as an extra bat.
The fact that Veras and Ohlendorf made the playoff roster after pitching 15 innings combined shows you how highly the Yankees think of them. Unlike years past, this team is willing to take chances and I can't argue with that approach, I just wonder if it would have been better to have a lefty in the pen instead of both Ohlendorf and Veras.
In addition, the lineup for Game 1 has been announced. It is the standard lineup of recent weeks
Damon- LF
Jeter-SS
Abreu-RF
A-Rod-3B
Matsui-DH
Posada-C
Cano-2B
Cabrera-CF
Mientkiewicz-1B
Hard to argue with the idea of Mientkiewicz with Wang on the mound, getting good infield defense is critical. I was curious to see if Shelly Duncan would make the cut since they are facing a tough lefty, but I think Joe wanted to keep Abreu in there. Abreu hit .262/.329/.349 against LHP, so I would have gone with Shelly.
Comments
I like it. Not big on so-called left handed specialists who come in and serve up home-runs. Plus, the formula is going to be the wonderfully simply approach of Bob Lemon: Start your main guy (e.g. Wang/Guidry); when he gets in trouble, bring in your main reliever (e.g. Rivera&Joba/Goose).
Ohlendorf and Veras are there if people are shelled early or if we are in extra innings.
I think I would have started Giambi over Matsui given Matsui's knee problem and complete inability to hit Sabbathia.
Might as well play Mientkewicz. He doesn't have great numbers against Sabbathia, but he's seen him a lot and he's hit him better than Giambi has. Serving Duncan up against Sabbathia is suicidal and he does not have a great glove.
Posted by: Corey | October 3, 2007 04:56 PM |
I'm very happy with the roster. Edwar wasn't getting it done and if you don't have a dependable leftie, why have one? As for the starting line-up, given how badly Matsui & Giambi have hit Sabathia, I'd have no problem with whomever they chose at DH. All of them have their cons, might as well go with the guy who brung you. Mienky should start every game Wang starts.
Posted by: tim | October 3, 2007 08:17 PM |