Category: MLB (Page 163 of 448)

      Billy Wagner plans to retire

      October 14, 2009 /

      Billy Wagner told the New York Post that he plans to retire in the offseason.

      “I don’t plan on talking to nobody,” Wagner said, when asked where he might pitch next season.
      Does that mean retirement?

      “Why wouldn’t I?” he said. “I’ve got nothing else to [accomplish].”

      That’s a different picture than Wagner painted before leaving the Mets for the Red Sox in August as part of a waiver deal. The 38-year-old lefty, who returned from an 11-month hiatus after undergoing Tommy John surgery, had said his plan for next year was to pursue a closer’s job near his Virginia home — perhaps Washington, Baltimore or Cincinnati — and make a run at the 15 saves he needs to reach 400 for his career.

      The Red Sox have agreed not to pick up Wagner’s $8.8 million option for next year, allowing him to become a free agent and pursue his goal.

      But yesterday, Wagner indicated the saves milestone is not relevant to his decision.

      “That’s just dust in the wind,” he said.

      In the end, the 400-save mark is just a number. But for a closer, it’s a pretty big number and I can’t imagine Wagner not wanting to pursue the 15 saves he needs in order to notch No. 400.

      As long as he’s healthy, I wouldn’t be surprised if he changed his mind and wound up with a non-contender so he could be a closer. But we’ll see.

      MLB

      Yankees to use three-man rotation in ALCS?

      October 13, 2009 /

      According to a report by The Journal News, Yankees manager Joe Girardi is considering using a three-man pitching rotation against the Angels in the ALCS.

      Girardi pointed to the lighter workload that CC Sabathia faced in September, as well as the longer layoff he’s getting now since the Yankees swept the first round. Girardi said that the team would like to have plan in place for the rotation going into the series, as opposed to just waiting to see where the team stands when Game 4 rolls around. Remember, too, that because of off-days Sabathia could pitch Games 1, 4 and 7 and only have to pitch on short rest once instead of twice.

      It’s not a bad strategy, although if the Yankees and Angels push it to a Game 7 that means Sabathia won’t start Game 1 of the World Series if New York wins. That said, it’s Girardi’s mission to get the Yankees to the World Series and then worry about how to game plan for the Fall Classic when the time comes. So if he feels as though a three-man rotation is the best strategy against the Halos, then he should go with it.

      If the Yankees are forced to use a fourth pitcher, than it will likely be Chad Gaudin and not Joba Chamberlain, who will remain in the bullpen.

      MLB

      Lee dominates again as Phillies advance to NLCS

      October 13, 2009 /

      For the second time this postseason, Cliff Lee was dominant.

      Lee allowed just one earned run over 7 1/3 innings on Monday, as the Phillies knocked off the Rockies in dramatic fashion to advance to the NLCS where they will face the Dodgers.

      After the Rockies had jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the eighth, things looked bleak for Philadelphia heading into the ninth. Huston Street got two quick outs, but then got into trouble after Shane Victorino grounded into a fielder’s choice and then Chase Utley walked. Ryan Howard then doubled to deep right to score both Victorino and Utley, then Jayson Werth singled to center to score Howard.

      In the bottom of the ninth, reliever Scott Eyre got two outs but then allowed two runners to get on base with singles. But Brad Lidge managed to strike out Troy Tulowitzki to end the game.

      The Phillies will now advance to the NLCS to face a rested Dodgers team that made quick work of the Cardinals. It should be an evenly matched NLCS as both teams have pitching and a solid lineup from top to bottom.

      MLB

      Couch Potato Alert (10/12)

      October 12, 2009 /

      Here’s what’s on tap on TV the next few days:

      NFL
      Mon, 8:30 PM: Jets @ Dolphins – ESPN

      CFB
      Thurs, 7:30 P M: #8 Cincinnati @ #21 South Florida – ESPN

      MLB
      Mon, 6:07 PM: Phillies @ Rockies – TBS (Philly leads, 2-1)
      Tues, 8:07 PM: Rockies @ Phillies – TBS

      NHL
      Mon, 8 PM: Flames @ Blackhawks – Versus
      Tues, 7 PM: Red Wings @ Sabres – Versus
      Wed, 8:30 PM: Oilers @ Blackhawks – TSN

      College Football, MLB, NFL, NHL, Television

      Yankees sweep Twins, set up ALCS matchup with Angels

      October 12, 2009 /

      Brady

      Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada each homered on Sunday as the Yankees defeated the Twins 4-1 to complete a three-game sweep in the ALDS. New York will now face the Angels in the ALCS.

      “People can say whatever they want about home runs and big hits,” Rodriguez said. “If you don’t pitch and you don’t defend, you are not going to win. The story of this has been CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte, and all three of them were fantastic.”

      “I think we played the same way we have been playing the whole regular season,” Posada said. “I think pitching is just so important when it comes to a series like this. Once you see it, you understand why pitching is so important now.”
      Pavano frustrated the Yankees for four years of an injury-marred signing, and for six innings, he did it in a different way.

      Setting a new Twins postseason record with a nine-strikeout performance, Pavano saw his cruise turn sour in the seventh as A-Rod continued his monster ALDS.

      The reborn slugger crushed a game-tying line-drive home run that struck the top row of the football bleachers in right field. It was the second homer of the series from Rodriguez, who belted a game-tying shot late in Game 2 at Yankee Stadium and finished the series with a .455 batting average and six RBIs.

      The Yankees have a long way to go before they’re hoisting a World Series trophy, but they have to be encouraged from what they saw vs. the Twins. A-Rod is actually hitting in the playoffs and their biggest concern over the past couple of years (their pitching) is coming through as well.

      That said, it’s imperative that CC Sabathia pitches well to help set the tone for the ALCS. The Angels have one of the top offenses in baseball and will certainly test the Yankees’ resolve. This should be a great series.

      MLB

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