It appears that Clippard belongs in the Hughes category (if not quite that good). Clippard faced a tough line up last night, the best in the National League and one of the best in the majors – and he threw 6 innings of one run ball, including 6 strikeouts. The most important aspect of Clippard’s start are the Ks. The problem with pitchers like DeSalvo, Wright and Karstens is that they don’t strike people out. You are putting a lot of pressure on the defense when the ball is constantly being put in play. All three of those pitchers compound the situation by being fly ball guys, because fly balls tend to go over the wall from time to time.
Last night, the second inning was a perfect example of why Clippard and his ability to strike people out is distinguished from DeSalvo, Wright and Karstens. In the second, Clippard got the first out and then gave up a home run to David Wright and a double to Shawn Green. (On a side note, it looks like Wright has gotten over the curse of the home run derby. Side note number two, the pitch Clippard threw to Wright was not a bad pitch, it was a fastball tailing away from Wright, just an example of a great hitter hitting a good pitch.) Now Clippard had just had two of his pitches scorched and he was facing Paul Lo Duca, an overrated but competent hitter. Clippard struck him out. Given, Clippard then walked Damian Easley and John Maine before getting out of the inning. But the point is, that the strike out was huge because it got the second out and kept Green from advancing or scoring. That ability to get the strikeout, is a huge improvement over, say Matt DeSalvo, who probably gives up a fly ball that maybe goes in the gap or over the wall. My point is this, prospects who strike guys out tend to have better futures than guys who don’t. Tyler Clippard, like Phil Hughes, has proven he has that ability. If nothing else, the future is bright for 2/5 of the Yankees rotation.
1 comment:
hahaha your jelousy of paul lo duca (not only his clutch hitting but ability to motivate and pump up his team) is hilarious. you offer a formula and excuse for every loss...let me go through the linup for you very quickly and explain the yankees problem.
it isnt torres fault, it is all brian cashman, this idiot runs your team like he is in a fantasy league with his old frat brothers.
1B - doug m., despite your hate for him should just play every day. he is hitting better in may and you dont need a home run hitter at every spot, especially 9th. you take his defence forgranted which is necessary with cano at 2nd. he has already come up with some huge plays
2B - i doubt cano will continue to slump at the plate all season but just admit that he has that soriano style where he just never really gives a shit in the field. hes laid back, plays everything like its a routine grounder and has a tin glove.
SS - jeter is jeter and is the definition of clutch, enough said.
3B - arod will have a monster season, maybe struggle a little in some clutch RISP situations and then give new york the finger when he leaves for chicago next year.
CF - damon is getting older, is breaking down more and more every day and has an arm like a wet noodle. damon was a decent signing because it took away a key component from the sox and he gives them a nice leadoff hitter but still, another cashman fucked up. he is clearly on the decline and playing hurt...cashman could have signed beltran for $20M less than the mets but he passed, a major fuckup passing on a premier gold glove CF who is a true 5 tool player.
RF - abreau wont slump the whole season but he lost his power a while ago and plays right field like the wall is wrapped in barb wire. watching him go back on a fly ball has actually become really hilarious. good job signing an awful RF in MLB's shortest right field park. another brilliant cashman move.
LF - matsui's has started to show his age a bit with the injuries and his defense is horrible as well. he can still swing a deadly bat but the trio in the outfield is pretty awful. damon has nice range but no arm, abreau has a cannon but cant field and matsui just isnt cutting it in RF.
gHbiami- one of the worst yankee signings. its always something with him whether its bone chips, stomach virus, cancer, sars or some ridiculous shit that puts him on the DL. also, he was a disaster at first the past few years and they finally had enough. for such a waste he has a big mouth...good teammate throwing a-rod under the bus last season in the SI article. he has done nothing aside from causing distractions in the clubhouse. do you know the yankees owe him 21M next season?? and 23M the following?!? CASH-MONEY, brilliant signing
wang is solid, mussina is a gigantic pussy and has been the most overrated pitcher in baseball for the past 5 years, pettite was a great signing...
kei igawa another terrible move by cashman
farnsworth another terrible move by cashman (should have tried to trade him to philly with melky for brett myers insted of giving clemens that joke of a contract)
cashman is also a douchebag because he could have got mike gonzalez straight up for melky from the pirates but passed. like the yanks ever need to hold on to a corner outfielder, the most expendable piece in baseball. melky will never be an every day outfielder anyway since he isnt a $15M player
the pen is a mess...its alwys hilarious how cashbitch can spend $200M+ on a team and have a pen that is such a joke.
clemens signing will be one of the worst moves. a billion dollars for a 6 inning pitcher who is having a picnic in texas after he pitches. i hope that fat fucking juice head pulls his hammy in the first inning of his start just to laugh at cashman even more.
the team will come together and i still think they will make the playoffs...not only the playoffs but i still believe they will take the division because schilling will get fatter, beckett will rever to form and continue with bitch injuries and matsuzaka will flake out just like every other asian pitcher not name wang.
i still see a first round exit in the playoffs though...i see the 2007 yankees as a bunch of stat compilers who dont hit in the clutch and dont know how to truly win together.
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