Highlander Hilites

Red Sox record

mlblogshighlanderhilites — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:42:18 +0000

So after the Red Sox went out and got Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford I wrote in my blog that I didn’t believe that it made them that much better. I shared the offensive statistics for Crawford and Gonzalez compared to Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez and concluded that it was kind of a wash. They were a good offensive team that lost two big bats and added two more. To me that made them about the same. So now that the season is over, how much better were they? Exactly one win. In 2010 they finished with a record of 89-73 and missed the playoffs. In 2011, they finished at 90-72 and missed the playoffs. Although nobody, including myself could have predicted what happened in September, but still they won one more game this year than last. That was the point of my original post. The Sox, as has been the case in a lot of their history, lacked pitching depth. That was their Achilles heel. As a Yankee fan, I couldn’t be happier that they didn’t make it and that my prediction came true.

Wow! Can’t wait to hear the ESPN guys crying.

mlblogshighlanderhilites — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:22:10 +0000

I went to bed last night with the Yankees up 7-0 and Boston leading. I woke up to find that not only did Tampa come all the way back, but Boston lost. I couldn’t be happier. Now I can’t wait to hear all the Red Sox cheerleaders over at ESPN crying in their beer. Nothing could be sweeter. I don’t even care if the Yankees make it to the World Series. This night made my season. To see the Sox collapse and not even make the playoffs after almost everyone handed them the crown before the season began is just too good for words. Now my Yankees have their work cut out for them as Detroit is for real. Verlander and that pitching staff has been extremely good, particularly in the second half. It doesn’t really matter though. Although another title would be sweet, just winning the division and watching the Sox and their obnoxious fans crying is reward enough for one season.

Take that ESPN

mlblogshighlanderhilites — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:13:25 +0000

After listening to the talking heads at ESPN openly root for the Red Sox all year long, it was extra sweet watching the Yankees sweep Tampa Bay to clinch the division yesterday. I wrote yesterday how everyone wanted to award the AL East to Boston before a game was even played. I was one who wrote that I didn’t think they had improved that much. They were already a good offensive club and they lost two really good offensive players and added two more. To me, that was a wash. Not to the so called experts though. Even earlier this year when Boston was on top and the Yankees were struggling, the ESPN guys continued to talk about how Colon and Garcia wouldn’t make it through the year and that the Yankees would be lucky to make the wild card. Well guess what? This team wasn’t listening. They just went about their business and won the division with a week left to go. Now they can rest some guys and relax until the ALDS, while Boston has to battle to see if they can hold onto the Wild Card. Personally, I hope they don’t. Nothing against the Red Sox players, I think they are a very good team. Their fans on the other hand? Well that’s another story for another day.

Today we clinch the playoffs

mlblogshighlanderhilites — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:56:44 +0000

Wow! The Yankees are 5-6 in their last 11 games and have increased their lead in the division from 2 to 6 games. With a split of today’s doubleheader, they clinch a playoff birth. And by winning just three of their last 9 games they can clinch the division. Absolutely nobody picked the Yankees to win this division. Everyone jumped on the Boston bandwagon after they signed Crawford and traded for Gonzales. If you look back at my posts from the off season you will see that I predicted that the Boston offense would be very good, but that they would not win many more games than they did last year. Their offense was already pretty good and they lost two good players in Martinez and Beltre, while adding two other good ones. To me, that was a wash and I predicted they would not be much better this year than last. I took a lot of heat for that, but it has proven to be true. Congratulations to the Yankees on being solid all year and battling to the division crown. Even though they haven’t won it yet, it sure looks like a lock at this point.

September to Remember

mlblogshighlanderhilites — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:27:57 +0000

I haven’t had much to say lately as the team has been cruising and really nothing has happened that I felt warranted a new post. Now it’s Labor Day and the Yanks are 1.5 games up on Boston. Still 4 more games to play in the Bronx, so this should be a fun month of September. I think the rotation situation will sort itself out, with Burnett staying and Hughes going to the pen. Funny how there is not much news on ESPN when the Yankees are winning and in first place, but as soon as they lose one to Boston or anyone else for that matter it is big news. Those guys are so transparent it’s pathetic.

Oh yeah, and one more thing. Can someone please tell Buck Martinez to stop complaining about how small Yankee stadium is? The fact is that both teams play in the same ballpark and have the same opportunities to hit home runs. And check the numbers since the new Yankee Stadium has opened Buck. Rogers Centre has yielded more home runs than Yankee stadium. So you tell me, which one is a better hitter’s park? And what difference does it make anyway, as long as they don’t move the fences in or back for one team or the other?

Inexplicable HR call and a one run loss

mlblogshighlanderhilites — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:17:37 +0000

Okay, so I still don’t understand this one. The umpiring crew viewed the replay which clearly showed that the ball was not out, yet they inexplicably ruled it a HR. Even the KC broadcast crew was laughing at this one. It cost the Yankees a win and a game in the standings in a very close race. Sure they had opportunities to win this game, but I just can not understand how that ball was ruled a HR. We’ll see how the final standings shake out, but if the Yankees lose the division by one game, this one will stand out. Now it’s off to Minnesota and let’s hope they can win these games, because if the Yankees are to win the division they have got to beat these teams like KC and Minnesota.

Back in First

mlblogshighlanderhilites — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:24:51 +0000

So awhile back, I predicted that the Yankees would overtake Boston for first before they played again. That has happened and I believe the Yankees will play better in head to head matches with Boston the rest of the way. The early season losses were an anomaly and how many times do you think Mo Rivera is going to repeat his performance in Boston last weekend?

It should be fun the rest of the way and with A-Rod coming back and Jeter finally hitting, I believe the offense will be even better than it has been thus far. Buckle up folks, we’re in for a great ride the rest of the way.

Tough Loss, but still a 5-2 road trip

mlblogshighlanderhilites — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:10:12 +0000

Despite dropping a tough one last night in Boston, it was still a successful road trip. The Yankees are only 1 back and once again, I am predicting that they will overtake Boston for first place before these two teams meet again. I already called this once this year and they did it. Here’s another prediction for you. Even though the Red Sox have dominated the season series 10-2 thus far, I predict that if these two teams meet in the post season, the Yankees will win. I can see this team getting more confident against Boston and those early season losses won’t mean a thing once the playoffs start.

Shipping up to Boston

mlblogshighlanderhilites — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:15:30 +0000

“I’m a sailor peg
And I lost my leg
Climbing up the top sails
I lost my leg!

I’m shipping up to Boston … wayy-yooo!
I’m shipping up to Boston … wayyyyyy-yo!
I’m shipping up to Boston … wayy-yooo!
I’m shipping off … to find my wooden leg”….. Dropkick Murphys

Let’s hope the Yankees can find that wooden leg. In this case it would mean at least two of three and first place. Saw the Murphys the other night live and it was a great show. Should be an equally entertaining series.

Wallace Matthews is an idiot

mlblogshighlanderhilites — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:17:33 +0000

OK, I really wasn’t going to post today until I read Mr. Matthews idiotic article on ESPN.com. I quote “The solution to the Yankees’ starting pitching woes lies in going not to a six-man rotation, but to a one-man rotation.” Never mind the fact that the Yankees have the third best record in baseball. Oh, and by the way, the Yankees team ERA of 3.45 ranks them tied for sixth in MLB. Boston? 3.95 and in 18th place. But let’s not let the facts get in the way of your story Mr. Wallace. Let’s just create a problem where none exists. The reason this team didn’t make a deal for a starter at the trade deadline is because they didn’t need to. Did I mention that they have MLB’s third best record and a comfortable 7 game lead in the Wild Card standings. Their starters, particularly Colon and Garcia have performed quite nicely thank you very much. And Nova hasn’t been far behind after a bit of an unequal start to the season. Make no mistake, this is a very good team. They will make the playoffs and then what happens is anyone’s guess, but I wouldn’t count them out. Not with this lineup and yes Mr. Wallace, not with this starting rotation. The current one. Not the one you think they should have. The one they already have.