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Post by kaybli on Sept 3, 2024 18:02:41 GMT -5
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Post by qwik3457bb on Sept 3, 2024 18:06:32 GMT -5
Veteran lefty and ex-Yankee Andrew Heaney starts the middle game of the series for the Rangers. He pitched against the Yanks 3 weeks ago in the series at the Stadium, so there's no need to rehash his career. Since that game on 8/11, Heaney has made 3 more starts: a poor one against the Twins, and back-to-back solid 5 inning starts, albeit against the weak Pirates and the historically bad White Sox. On the season, Heaney is 4-13, but his ERA shows him to be better than that: 3.95. In 26 starts and one relief appearance, he's pitched 134 1/3 innings, allowed 129 hits, 66 runs, 59 earned, 18 HR, 37 BB and struck out 133. His WHIP on the season is a bit better than average 1.236. He has only 6 quality starts, but there are another 7 games where he went at least 5 innings and gave up 0, 1, or 2 runs.
Including the start in August, Heaney's starting his 8th game against the Yanks. In the previous 7, he's 1-4 with an ERA of 5.35. In 37 innings, he's allowed 30 hits, 24 runs, 22 earned, 9 HR, walked 16 and struck out 43. His WHiP against the Yanks is a decent 1.243, and their team quadruple slash line against him is .222/.308/.444/.752. In that most recent start, Heaney went 4 2/3 innings, gave up 5 hits, 4 runs, 3 earned, 1 HR, 2 BB and 4 K. He left trailing 2-0, but had intentionally walked Judge after two singles and a DP grounder so when Stanton followed with a 3-run HR, that was the 3rd and 4th runs charged to him. The Yanks built an 8-3 lead before the bullpen nearly blew the game. Holmes hung on by his fingernails and got a grounder to Torres with 2nd and 3rd and 2 out to end it.
Repertoire: Heaney is still a 5-pitch lefty, sort of. He's tried adding a cutter this year to his fastball, slider, change and curve, but has thrown just 3 cutters all season; could actually be a coding error on his slider. The FB has average rise, and extreme run in on righties, 10th most in MLB among 405 pitchers. The slider acts more like a cutter, with very little drop and far less than normal break into righties, 12th lowest among 310 pitchers who use a slider. The change gets below average sink but well above average tail, top 12% in MLB. He uses the curve only 3% of the time, and gets less than average drop and break arm-side. There's no use to try to quantify the 3 alleged cutters. In run values, the FB is a small plus, the change is a bigger plus, and rarely used curve is a big minus, which is why he uses it rarely, and the slider has been more or less neutral. His FB velocity is well below average, but the spin rate is near elite. The curve spin is average, more or less, as is his extension. He does have a fairly high chase rate. His line drive rate is average, the ground ball rate is quite low, the FB rate is high, but the popup rate is a bit low. His barrel and hard hit rates are slightly above average, as is his average exit velocity. His swinging strike rate is slightly better than average, but the called strike rate is a bit below average, and so his CSW is about average. He doesn't quite have enough innings to qualify but his HR/FB percentage is very low, and would be 13th among 67 qualified MLB starters (Gave up a ton of HRs in his time with the Yanks, he was like a guy throwing pitches for the HR derby), but his BABIP is slightly high and his strand rate is below average, he'd be in the lowest 3rd of 61 qualified AL starters. The "luck factors" almost cancel each other out, and his ERA estimators think his ERA should be about 0.20 higher than his current 3.95 The pitch mix so far this season: 4-seamer average 91-2 about 53% of the time, Slider 82-3 about 28%, change 83-4 about 16% and curve 75 about 3%. Oh, and maybe a cutter about once every 10 starts.
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Post by qwik3457bb on Sept 3, 2024 18:09:34 GMT -5
Playing the Name Game: We've hit Andrew before. McCutchen is the best hitting Andrew, and as of now, it's hard to believe, but Heaney is the best pitching 'Andrew', but there are lots of better "Andy"s: Andy Ashby, Andy Benes, Andy Hassler, Negro League Hall of Famer Andy Cooper, but the best MLB pitching Andy is almost-but-not-quite (or not-yet) a Hall of Famer, the Yanks own Andy Pettitte. If we're playing "Andy"s on hitters, then Andy Van Slyke joins the conversation, as does Andy Pafko, but McCutchen still tops them with almost 55 bWAR. And this Heaney is still the only one in MLB history.
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Post by qwik3457bb on Sept 3, 2024 18:10:19 GMT -5
The Yanks send Carlos Rodon out, hoping he doesn't wilt in the Texas humidity (or maybe that's just a BS idea of mine). Rodon did melt down, mentally and physically, in the extreme heat in Washington six days ago, giving up 8 hits, 5 earned runs, 2 BB, 1 HR, while striking out 8. He got better in the middle innings, but by then, the Yanks were in a hole the offense repeatedly RISP failed to get out of, losing to the Nats, 5-2. Rodon is having a mediocre season, some very good starts, some decent ones, some meh ones and not a few bad ones. In 27 starts, he's 14-9 with a 4.31 ERA. In 146 1/3 innings, he's allowed 136 hits, 72 runs, 70 earned, 25 HR and 47 BB, while striking out 161. His WHIP is a pedestrian 1.251. He's tied for 2nd in the AL in wins, and tied for 10th in starts, 8th in K's, and 4th in K's per 9 innings, but he's also 3rd in the AL in HR allowed, and has the 3rd highest HR per 9.
Rodon has a so-so record against Texas. This will be his 7th start against the Rangers, and he's 2-1 with a 3.96 ERA in the first 6. In 36 1/3 innings, he's allowed 32 hits, 16 runs (earned), 5 HR, 17 BB and struck out 38. His WHIP against them is a subpar 1.348, and the Rangers team quadruple slash line against him is .235/.320/.375/.695. He last pitched against Texas in the series at the Stadium 3 weeks ago and did very well: 5 2/3 shutout innings, 3 hits, but 5 walks allowed and 6 K's. It was his 4th good start and 4th win in a row, part of an 8-0 shutout win.
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Post by JEGnj on Sept 3, 2024 18:11:29 GMT -5
Really hoping Rodon gets his head out of his butt. Dude is not going anyplace. He has great stuff. He just is a headcase.
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Post by qwik3457bb on Sept 3, 2024 18:11:39 GMT -5
Yankees' lineup vs. Heaney: as with many other opposing starters lately, Leiter's never faced the Yanks and none of them have ever faced him, so instead, here's tonight's lineup:
1. Torres (2B) is 2-11 with a HR, 2 RBI, and 4 K
2. Soto (RF) is 2-10 with a solo HR, 3 BB and 1 K
3. Judge (CF) is 3-11, with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB (1 IBB in that last start 3 weeks ago) and 7 K's (!!!)
4. Stanton (DH) is 1-6 with an RBI, 5 BB and 3 K
5. Chisholm (3B) is 0-4
6. Volpe (SS) is 1-5 with 1 RBI and 3 K
7. Trevino (C) is 1-6 with 1 K
8. Verdugo (LF) is 2-9 with 1 RBI and 1 GIDP
9. LeMahieu is 8-17 with 2 HR, 6 RBI, and 4 K
On the bench: Wells is 0-2; Cabrera is 0-1; Rizzo is 1-6 with a 2-run HR and 3 K
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Rangers' lineup vs. Rodon:
1. Semien (2B) is 4-18 with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 Bb and 4 K
2. Langford (CF) is 0-2 with 1 BB and 1 K
3. Jung (3B) is 1-3 with 1 K
4. Garcia (RF) is 2-3 with 1 double
5. Lowe (1B) is 0-2 with 1 BB and 1 K
6. Foscue (DH) has never faced Rodon
7. Duran (LF) hasn't faced him either
8. Kelly (C) is 0-9 with 4 K and 1 HBP
9. Ornellas (SS) hasn't faced Rodon before
On the bench: Heim is 0-1 with 1 BB; Smith is 0-3 with 1; Seager is 4-9 with 1 HR, 2 RBI, and 2 K
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Post by qwik3457bb on Sept 3, 2024 18:13:09 GMT -5
Yesterday, the Yanks got a 2-run double in the 2nd from Gleyber Torres, and broke open a 2-1 game with 5 in the 6th on a RBI double by Judge, a RBI single by Chisholm, and inside out, bloop, 2-run ground-rule double by Rizzo and a wild pitch by Anderson scoring Chisholm. The Rangers got two back in the 7th on a 2-run HR by Langford, but the Yanks got 1 back on Stanton's 25th HR. The Rangers made it interesting in the 9th thanks to Clay Holmes usually inability to get swings and misses, giving up a double, a RBI grounder and a walk to put the tying run in the on-deck circle with 2 down, but Gleyber Torres took a 2 run single away from Marcus Semien by backhanding a liner that one-hopped to him behind 2nd, then throwing a one-hopper to 1st that Rizzo dug out to end the game. The win was the Yanks' 80th of the season , moving them back to 22 games over .500 with 24 games left on the schedule.
In other AL East games...The White Sox offered some brief false hope, getting two runs in the top of the 1st, but the O's took the lead with 2 in the 3rd, 2 more in the 5th and blew it open with 6 in the 6th to coast to an 13-3 rout of the Extremely Pale, Nearly Invisible Hose. Cedric Mullins had 3 hits, a HR, 3 runs and 3 RBI, Austin Slater had 2 runs, 3 hits and 3 RBI, five other Orioles had two hits each, and that doesn't count Gunnar Henderson whose only hit was a 3-run HR. Corbin Burnes wasn't great, but he got through 5 winning his first game in five starts, he's now 13-7 on the season. Chris Flexen gave up just 3 of the 13 runs, but that was enough to saddle him with the loss, dropping to an emblematic 2-14 on the year. Save? In this game? Well, yeah, there was, because Cole Irvin pitched the last 3 innings, earning first save in 5 seasons
In Tampa, the Twins and the Rays exchanged blows for 3 innings; Minnesota got a RBI double by Lewis in the 1st, and the Rays answered in the bottom on a two-run single by Carlson. The Twins came back in the 2nd with a 3-run HR by Larnach, and the Rays got one back in the 3rd on a RBI double by Caminero. The game stayed 4-3 Minnesota until the 8th, when the Twins got a crucial insurance run on a solo HR by Brooks Lee, which the Rays got back in the bottom of the inning on a solo HR by Johnny DeLuca. The teams then exchanged 1-2-3 innings in the 9th, and the Twins had the 5-4 victory. Simeon Woods-Richardson started for Minnesota but was knocked out in the 4th, allowing Jorge Alcala to claim the W with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief; Alcala improved to 4-3 on the year. Zack Littell started for the Rays and give up the first 4 runs, taking the loss. Littell drops to 5-9 on the season. Jhoan Duran pitched the 9th and got the save, his 21st.
At Citifield, the Mets got an outstanding game from ex-Yankee Luis Severino to beat the Sox, 4-1. Severino went 7 innings, giving up 6 hits, 1 runs, walking 2 and striking out 5 for the win, making him 10-6 on the season. The only run he gave up came on a Jarren Duran single in the 3rd. Starling Marte's DP ball scored the first run in 2nd, and the Mets took the lead for good in the 3rd Brandon Nimmo doubled in a run. An RBI double by Torrens and a RBI single by Lindor completed the scoring. Brayan Bello started for Boston and gave up all 4 runs in 5 innings for the loss, dropping to 12-7. Phil Maton pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out 2 for his 3rd save of the season.
Coming into the games today, the Yanks still lead the O's by 1/2 game, the Sox are now 10 games back in 3rd, the Rays fell back a game and are 12 1/2 back in 4th and the idle Jays lost 1/2 game and are now 13 1/2 out of first. The Sox' loss to the Tigers combined with the Yankee win, plus the fact that all three teams chasing the Sox for Wild Card runner-up also lost decreased the Yanks Magic Number for clinching a playoff spot to 15.
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Post by qwik3457bb on Sept 3, 2024 18:16:25 GMT -5
In other East games today/tonight: At Camden Yards at 6:35 pm, the O's and White Sox play the middle game of their series. Rookie Nick Nastrini (0-6, 7.04 ERA) makes his 8th start for Chicago; he's pitched decently in the last two with nothing to show for it. Rookie Cade Povich (1-7. 6.58 ERA) goes for Baltimore; he's 0-2 with a no-decision and an ERA of 7.53 in 3 starts since being recalled from AAA. At 6:50 pm in the EldritchForcesDome™ in Tampa, the Twins and Rays play their middle game. Rookie David Festa (2-4, 4.89 ERA) starts for Minnesota; he's been OK in his last 3 starts, but has 1 loss and 2 no-decisions. Jeffrey Springs (1-2, 3.67 ERA) starts for Tampa; he's pitched very well in 3 of his last 4 starts, with an ERA of 2.45 in 18 1/3 innings, with 27 K's and 5 BB. At 7:07 pm at Rogers Centre, the Phillies and Jays start a 2-game series. Rookie Tyler Phillies makes his 7th start for Philadelphia; he's 4-1 with 5.66 ERA in the first 6 starts and one relief appearance, but has been hit hard the last 3: 17 earned runs in just 11 innings. Chris Bassitt (9-13, 4.27 ERA) starts for Toronto. He got a tough no-decision last time, just the second quality start for him in his last 10 outings. Finally, at 7:10 pm in Citifield, the Red Sox and Mets play the middle game of their series. Kutter Crawford (8-12, 4.12 ERA) throws for Boston; he's pitched two good games in a row, took tough losses in both. David Peterson (8-1, 2.83 ERA) starts for the Mets; he's 3-0 in his last 6 starts, going at least 5 innings in each, and giving up 2 runs or less in each.
And at 8:05 pm in Arlington, it's Rodon vs. Heaney. That's it for the pre-game potpourri; see you in about 45-50 minutes for the game.
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Post by donniebaseball23 on Sept 3, 2024 18:46:21 GMT -5
Rodon avoids the heat. Maybe we get "Good Carlos" tonight?
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Post by qwik3457bb on Sept 3, 2024 19:03:38 GMT -5
Yanks start the night a bit behind the 8-ball:
O's already pounding the White Sox, 8-0 in the 4th at Camden Yards.
Rays lead the Twins 2-1, top 5 at the DumDumDummmmm!!Dome™.
Jays slapping the Phils around early, up 6-2, top 3 at Rogers Centre.
The Mets are ahead of the Sox, 2-0, bottom 4 at Citifield.
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Post by qwik3457bb on Sept 3, 2024 19:07:00 GMT -5
Rangers take the field. Heaney throwing his final warmups.
Torres getting ready to step in.
Re: LeMahieu as opposed to Rizzo...
1) Check the batter vs. pitcher stats vs. Heaney.
2) Yanks always give a player back from a long IL stint a day off within a couple of days of returning.
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Post by qwik3457bb on Sept 3, 2024 19:08:16 GMT -5
If it makes you feel better, Rangers benched Seager against Rodon; he's only their best hitter.
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Post by qwik3457bb on Sept 3, 2024 19:10:11 GMT -5
Game underway. FB well outside near the top, 1-0
Torres...
Slider at the high outside corner, 1-1
Fb in the zone up and away, fouled, 1-2
Change well outside, 2-2
FB outside, 3-2
Fb inside corner waist high, spoiled
Change in the zone near the low inside corner, Torres caught looking for something else, ꓘ, 1 down.
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Post by qwik3457bb on Sept 3, 2024 19:12:30 GMT -5
Soto...
Slider outside, ball 1.
FB on the inner 3rd, taken, 1-1
Change in the zone down and in, Soto swings over, 1-2. Might've hurt himself a bit, he does some stretching.
Takes a FB at the bottom not called. 50-50 on Gameday, Soto got the Soto-call.
Takes a slider that bounced, 3-2
Change on the outer 3rd, rolled over to Lowe a bit off 1st, throws to Heaney covering, 2 down.
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Post by kaybli on Sept 3, 2024 19:13:20 GMT -5
Judge hit it hard but caught.
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