Rays vs yanks

quote:

Originally posted by trojan-skipper:
Tremendous series...looks like a precursor to hi stakes series to come

Agreed.

Jorge Posada just crushed one in the top of the 9th.

saw that...bummmer.

While I fully realize my Orioles will wipe out both of these teams next season under Buck Superwalter, a question about the Yankees-Rays game:

Do you have the runner on second tagging on the second out, on a medium fly ball to right? The kid made a picture perfect throw, but I questioned why Crawford went-any hit was going to score him. The mantra about not making the last out at third? Bingo.

But the right fielder did make an absolutely perfect throw.

quote:

But the right fielder did make an absolutely perfect throw.

quote:

"I always make it on that play, and that's why I went," Crawford said. "That's the way we play. When you get thrown out, it easy to say you shouldn't have run."

a perfect throw was the only way they get him. It's hard to argue either way, though. No outs and he stays at second.

Doubt that they knew much about Golson's arm seeing that he hasn't played much in the Big Leagues.

Maybe Carl should have read this old report on Greg Golson as a junior in high school. Note that he threw 95 from the outfield as a junior in high school.
Greg Golson

The most impressive part of that throw last night was that he caught the ball flat footed.

I would rather hear Carl and Maddon say it was a mistake than try to give a reason for it. Kind of like the Yankees Bret Gardner did the night before trying to steal 3B with two outs in the 10th inning. Amazing that the two teams with the best records in baseball made the last out at 3B in back to back games against each other.

There is no excuse, IMO, if there is "any" chance for an out, the reward is not worth the risk in that situation.

Interesting stuff...

I know a little about the Rays because I know what they are teaching in their minor league system...

If there is a more aggressive baserunning organization in baseball, then I would like to know who they are. I am guessing/pretty sure the Rays are the most aggressive... That said, it wouldn't surprise me if Joe Maddon encourages plays like the one Carl Crawford was thrown out on. Yesterday's game was far from do or die but it wouldn't surprise me if Maddon wants to reinforce the notion that the defense better be on alert every play. Maybe if this were a do or die playoff game, they run it more conservatively. Now, the Yankees know they better come up throwing in all extra base situations and perhaps, under the pressure of the playoffs, Golson throws one into the third base dugout and Crawford scores. All conjecture on my part but it would not surprise me if they were sending a message...

Still though, now that Crawford was thrown out, he should have stayed at 2b

quote:

Originally posted by trojan-skipper:
Tremendous series...looks like a precursor to hi stakes series to come

It does look that way. Both teams have shared 1st place for a long time now and for most of the season, they've only been seperated by no more than 2 games.

This is could be one of the tightest races ever to this point.

Any chance the Gardner & Crawford attempts were more about attitude since neither were good baseball?

Lol Yankeelvr- What?

Ok JH I'll play along attitude = showing a little contempt for your opponent So either the players, and/or their coaches, got massive braincramps and forgot to not make the 3rd @ 3rd in consecutive games while in the middle of a pennant race, or something else is going on.

I really don't like it when the Rays play the Yankees. Someone always ends up winning.

Yankeelvr - I agree that is not good baseball by Gardner and Crawford in that situation. Both are exceptionally fast, so why go? You would be able to score more easily from 2nd with two outs in almost all cases. The only exception I can come up with would be a National League game with the pitcher coming up next. Thats it.

Yankeelvr- Misinterpreted...sorry. I see what you're saying. I don't think it was showing a little contempt for your opponents, although I suppose no one will ever know. I just think it was dumb baseball.

Joe Maddon has an interesting approach to coaching. He preaches aggressiveness. He's been known to say he doesn't believe in take signs, doesn't believe in some of the Cardinal Sins of Baseball (Ie: 1st/3rd out at 3rd). I don't think his coaching style would work with any other team in the league. I wonder if his team has adapted to his style to create success or he has adapted to his team's strong points.

Of course it was dumb baseball, with arguably the fastest guy in baseball already in scoring position and no possiblility of a sac fly scoring him from third with the catch being the second out. The other night I saw two Red Sox end up on third at the same time and both knuckleheads ended up out. Earlier in the game, a Red Sox rounded second on a hit to right and did a half-hearted fake like he was going to third, they simply threw behind him to second and he looked pretty surprised when he was tagged standing five feet from second. I truly am surprised at some of the plays on the basepaths you see in major league games.

And the Rockies lost late last night when pitcher didn't cover 1st on a ground ball to the right side... In June they are just mistakes but in the heat of a pennant race they sure get magnified.

It's a series for first place. But do teams play to come in first or make the playoffs? It's a foregone conclusion both will make the playoffs unless the world turns upside down. How often have you seen teams rest players and set up post season pitching rotations rather than play to win the last weekend of the season with first place on the line? If the Yankees finish first and lose in the playoffs I doubt they will raise an American League East Division Champions banner next year on opening day.

Greg Golson was a washout 1st round pick of the Phillies 5/6 years ago. I didn't realize he was still in baseball. Glad to see he persevered and made it to the majors.

PG Staff... I would have noticed the 95 from the outfield if I wasn't stuck on 6.35 for his 60 time!!!! Dang, that's some serious speed. That's gotta be top 1% doesn't it???

Yes, he had some serious tools. We selected him to the very first Aflac Game in 2003.

His biggest problem is he hasn't really produced as expected with the bat in Pro Ball. Not sure you could call him a washout. The Phillies picked up another first rounder by trading Golson for John Mayberry Jr in 2008.

We sure graded tougher back in 2002...
John Mayberry Jr

There's something that just doesn't sit well with me when a ML team has to insert their veteran starting pitcher (rehabbing) into AA EL playoffs and the EL championship.

I am all the way for the Rays! Beat those Yanks!

quote:

Originally posted by trojan-skipper:
Tremendous series...looks like a precursor to hi stakes series to come

I agree.

It's interesting to watch two teams with very different styles (not to mention payrolls) playing each other.

Stu

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:
There's something that just doesn't sit well with me when a ML team has to insert their veteran starting pitcher (rehabbing) into AA EL playoffs and the EL championship.

While I see your point it's the only place left to do rehab. And it's all about the parent club, not the minors. You know that.

quote:

It's interesting to watch two teams with very different styles (not to mention payrolls) playing each other.

I'm not sure how much payroll comes into play when one team got to chose at the top of the draft for ten years. There's a lot of talent on the Rays that hasn't hit free agengy yet. Let's see what the Rays are like after they can't afford to pay these players and they haven't been drafting at the top of the draft. Then again there have only been two drafts they haven't picked at the top.