Game 1: Yankees vs. Red Sox

The lineups have been posted. The Yankees have had decent success against Josh Beckett, particularly Arod, Cano, Jeter and Johnson. Meanwhile, the Sox have really struggled against Sabathia. If history holds, new additions Cameron and Scutaro should come in handy as only Ortiz has had any thing resembling success from among the Red Sox’ holdovers.

vs. Beckett	PA	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
Derek Jeter SS	54	0.314	0.340	0.451	2	4
Nick Johnson DH	13	0.333	0.538	0.556	2	4
Mark Teixeira 1B	25	0.150	0.320	0.150	0	1
Alex Rodriguez 3B	48	0.279	0.354	0.488	2	10
Robinson Cano 2B	48	0.341	0.396	0.659	3	10
Jorge Posada C	33	0.323	0.364	0.355	0	3
Curtis Granderson CF	14	0.143	0.143	0.286	0	0
Nick Swisher RF	25	0.238	0.360	0.381	1	2
Brett Gardner LF	10	0.000	0.000	0.000	0	0
Total	270	0.272	0.341	0.385	8	32
vs. Sabathia	PA	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI
Jacoby Ellsbury LF	10	0.100	0.100	0.100	0	0
Dustin Pedroia 2B	16	0.067	0.125	0.067	0	0
Victor Martinez C	13	0.182	0.308	0.182	0	0
Kevin Youkilis 1B	19	0.294	0.368	0.353	0	0
David Ortiz DH	28	0.269	0.321	0.538	2	0
Adrian Beltre 3B	14	0.077	0.143	0.154	0	0
J.D. Drew RF	10	0.200	0.200	0.300	0	1
Mike Cameron CF	14	0.462	0.500	1.000	0	4
Marco Scutaro SS	21	0.353	0.476	0.353	0	3
Total	145	0.235	0.290	0.331	2	8

Read Full Post »

Play Ball!

Baseball is back! Opening Day has always had a feeling of rebirth, so falling on Easter Sunday seems most appropriate. Of course, Opening Day is really a holiday in its own right…the day when baseball reclaims its place as America’s true national pastime (after a winter of the NFL masquerading as such). Enjoy the little bit of Americana that Opening Day represents and be sure to have a hot dog tonight…if you aren’t full from Easter dinner.  

Read Full Post »

Getting Off On The Right Foot

Jorge Posada is set to catch his 11th straight opener for the Yankees.

In 2010, one Yankee will be making his 11^th consecutive opening day start at the same position. Since 1952, that is tied for the third longest such streak in team history (see list below). I am sure most of you have already guessed that the player in question is Derek Jeter. Of course, you would be wrong. Although 2010 will mark Jeter’s 14^th opening day start at SS, that span was interrupted in 2001 when he was forced to miss the opener because of a strained thigh muscle. Luis Sojo filled in and went 0-4 as the Yankees beat the Royals 7-3. Jeter can take solace, however, because the captain will move within one of Mickey Mantle’s team leading total of 15 Opening Day starts.

Most Consecutive Opening Day Starts At The Same Position

Willie Randolph, 2B: 13 games from 1976 to 1988
Mickey Mantle, CF: 12 games from 1952 to 1963
Jorge Posada, C: 11 games from 2000 to 2010
Graig Nettles, 3B: 11 games from 2000 to 2010

Total Opening Day Starts

Mickey Mantle: 15 (all consectuive, but at different positions)
Derek Jeter: 14
Bernie Williams: 13
Willie Randolph: 13

It’s one thing to crack the Opening Day lineup, but another to perform. Based on RE24 (Base-Out Runs Added), the best Opening Day in Yankee history (since 1920) was recorded by Yogi Berra. On April 17, 1956, Berra went 4-4 for a walk, home run, double and 5 RBIs. Meanwhile on the pitching side, Ron Guidry turned in the Yankees best Opening Day start, based on game score. On April 10, 1980, Guidry dazzled the Rangers by throwing a 2-hit shutout. In the game, Guidry walked none and struck out 4.

Roberto Kelly went 4 for 4 with a HR and 2 SBs on Opening Day in 1989.

Most HRs: 2 (Pepitone, Maris, Mantle, Ruth, Byrd)
Most RBIs: 5( Berra, Arod, Ruth)
Most Hits: 4 (Boggs, Kelly, Maris, Matsui, Berra)
Highest RE24: 5.285 (Berra)
Most Ks: 9 (Leary)
Highest Game Score: 87 (Guidry)

As for the team, the Yankees have gone 63-45-1 on the first day of the season, dating back to their origins as the Baltimore Orioles. On opening day against Boston at Fenway Park, the Yankees are 13-13, including a 5 game winning streak (1970, 1971, 1973, 1985, 2005) dating back to 1960.

Read Full Post »