Game 3: Yanks VS. Royals

Joe Girardi has implemented a few changes to the everyday lineup (via PA):

YANKEES
Damon LF
Cabrera CF
Rodriguez 3B
Posada DH
Matsui RF
Molina C
Cano 2B
Ensberg 1B
Gonzalez SS
Pettitte LHP

John Bale should get lit up, whether it’s by our bench guys or our starting players. Sitting two of the lefties (Abreu and Giambi) was smart although you could have made a case for starting Abreu (Giambi seems like a lost cause) and letting Jorge rest a bit more. Either way, I’m anxious to see what this configuration of Yankees can produce against the very weak, John Bale.

Let’s go. The Yankees need to avoid a sweep and go into Boston feeling confident. Speaking of Boston, they’re dealing with their own struggles as of late. David Ortiz is hitting .091 so far and Mike Lowell has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. Tough times in the AL East.

UPDATE (9:36) — The tarp is on the field and there is a rain delay in progress. It’s 2-1 Yankees and we’re in the bottom of the 4th inning. Hopefully the rain will pass (and pass quickly).

UPDATE (9:50) — The game just started (again) and Pettitte had a quick inning. The Yankee offense remains somewhat stagnant but there are signs that the team is about to break out of this collective slump (they’ve strung together a few hits). Quick note that I forgot to mention, due to previous reports by a variety of different sources, it was believed that Ensberg would be placed on the DL in order to make room for Alberto Gonzalez. Obviously that isn’t the case and Shelley Duncan was sent to Triple-A instead (hopefully that eliminates any confusion).

The Dispersement of Power

From the New York Yankees website:

Today the New York Yankees announced new titles for members of the Steinbrenner family.

George M. Steinbrenner, III Chairperson, Hal and Hank Steinbrenner Co-Chairpersons, Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal, Jessica Steinbrenner and Joan Steinbrenner Vice Chairpersons.

George M. Steinbrenner stated, “I am excited to announce these titles. I am pleased to work with my two sons, Hal and Hank. With me, they will jointly oversee the club on a day to day basis. I am also gratified to recognize the leadership of my daughter Jenny in the club’s charitable endeavors and her involvement with new stadium matters; as well as the contributions of my wife Joan and daughter Jessica in assisting me.

“Together with my executive team, the New York Yankees are prepared for the future and the exciting challenges the next several years will bring.”

Nothing really new to report here. Basically, what we’ve known has now been cemented through the use of titles. At least they’re keeping these positions, in-house (e.g. in the family).

Thursday’s Bits: Shoulder Strains and Happy Endings

Here are a couple of bits for the day:

1) Yesterday during the Yankees-Royals game, David Cone actually said that Ian Kennedy got “jerked off” in the bullpen. I don’t think he meant for it to come out that way, but that’s what he said.

2) Jorge Posada’s shoulder issue doesn’t seem to be too serious. He was diagnosed with a shoulder strain and Joe Girardi expects him to be out for about a week.

3) MLB.com has an interesting read about the digital age (e.g. the internet, myspace, facebook, etc.) and how this influences baseball players in their interactions with fans.

Offense on Vacation

The Yankees let another slip away from them as the offense decided to sit in and stay away from the rain. Zack Greinke pitched a great game, but we also have to remember that we have a great offense and even without Derek Jeter or Jorge Posada, the Yankees (e.g. Matsui, A-Rod, Abreu, Cano, Damon, and the fill-ins) should not have gotten shut out by the lowly Royals.

Girardi’s managerial tactics were somewhat questionable tonight. It became pretty clear that the game was not going to be rained out, although it probably should have been. With Greinke starting I don’t understand why Girardi didn’t just have Kennedy start. If we ended up having a long rain delay, the bullpen has been a strong point so far in the young season. He could have just given the game to the pen and hoped for the best. Also, keeping Farnsworth in there for 2 innings was strange. Maybe now Girardi knows why Torre never had him pitch more than an inning last year (he implodes on the mound). How does Farnsworth get away with throwing 3 sliders, in a row, right on the outside corner of the plate to a guy who’s struggling? Oh wait, he didn’t get away with it and Jose Guillen singled in another run. Either way, I can’t say it’s all his fault, I mean, the offense could have showed up and mashed, that would have taken some of the pressure off the pen’s (and IPK’s) shoulders.

On a more positive note, Alberto Gonzalez looked good at SS and at the plate (he was called up and Shelley Duncan was optioned back to Triple-A). Also, Jose Molina managed to flash some offense today while simultaneously showing off his arm (that thing is a gun). The Yankees will play tomorrow against the lefty John Bale. HOPEFULLY, Joe Girardi will sit Jason Giambi and start Ensberg at 1B. Whenever he steps to the plate, you can pretty much call it an out.