2009 MLB Prediction Thread

[Triple Threat]

Twins 7, Tigers 5. Nathan makes it exciting in the 9th, but manages to hold the fort.

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Posada isn't catching Burnett and he ain't happy.

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.

NEW YORK -- The A.J. Burnett-Jorge Posada tandem performed to less than rave reviews during the regular season, so Yankees manager Joe Girardi is giving Burnett a different batterymate in the American League Division Series.
Before the Yankees held a pre-playoff workout at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, Posada told reporters that Jose Molina will be the catcher in Burnett's first start in the series.
Posada said Girardi told him of the decision Sunday in Tampa. Posada kept his reaction to a minimum, but the tone of his voice and the brevity of his responses were clear signs of his disappointment.
"I just hope we win that game. That's all I've got to say," Posada said.


Posada later added, "It's not like I didn't see it coming."
The Yankees plan to start CC Sabathia on Wednesday night in the series opener against the Tigers or Twins. Burnett will pitch Game 2 on Friday in New York, and Andy Pettitte will be the starter when the series shifts to Detroit or Minnesota for Game 3. That means Sabathia and Burnett will both be in line for two starts if the series goes the maximum five games.
Girardi said he went with Molina because Burnett and Molina have been working so well together lately, and he didn't want to disrupt their chemistry.
"When a pitcher and a catcher get in a rhythm, you hate to break it up,'' Girardi said. "And that's kind of the feeling we have going now. Jorge is our No. 1 catcher. But in this situation, we just are going to choose to catch Molina.''
Girardi said that Posada will probably not be used as a designated hitter when he's not catching; that role belongs to Hideki Matsui. Posada will be behind the plate for both Sabathia and Pettitte, but Girardi said he understands why Posada would be displeased over sitting out when Burnett is on the mound.
"I'm sure he's disappointed,'' Girardi said. "Jorge would want to play every inning. I don't blame him. That's how I want him to be. If I was in his shoes, I would want to play every game, too.''
It's become readily apparent that Burnett has developed a greater comfort level throwing to Molina than to Posada. According to Baseball-Reference.com, Burnett has struck out 79 of 434 batters while pitching to Posada this season. Opponents are hitting .270 against Burnett and have a .775 OPS when Posada is his catcher.
In contrast, Burnett has struck out 77 of 288 batters while throwing to Molina. Opposing hitters have a .221 batting average and a .658 OPS against Burnett when he's working with Molina.
Burnett, who went 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA in his first year as a Yankee, pitched perhaps his most memorable game of the season with Posada behind the plate. On Aug. 7 in New York, he threw 7 2/3 innings of one-hit, shutout ball to beat Boston 2-0.
But two weeks later, after Burnett was shelled for nine runs in a 14-1 loss to the Red Sox, his lack of synergy with Posada became an issue.
Molina was the catcher in Burnett's last six starts, and Burnett closed the season with a rush. He posted a 1.88 ERA in his final four appearances, and struck out 28 batters in 24 innings.
The Yankees are hoping that a more focused and efficient Burnett will compensate for the offense they sacrifice with Molina, a strong defender who has a .235 career batting average and a .277 OBP over parts of 10 seasons in the majors.
As the Yankees waited to learn the identity of their ALDS opponent, they resolved some housekeeping issues and kept a few decisions on hold. The Yankees still have to decide if they want to carry a third catcher, Francisco Cervelli, and if they would rather round out the roster with pinch runner Freddy Guzman or keep Damaso Marte as a second left-hander in the bullpen.
It appears that Joba Chamberlain -- who made 31 starts and one relief appearance in the regular season -- is available in a variety of roles out of the bullpen in the Division Series.
"He can do anything from being a one-inning guy to being a two- or three-inning guy or even a longer guy,'' Girardi said.
Jerry Crasnick covers baseball for ESPN.com.

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Twins it is.

[I Are Baboon]

That was a hell of a game yesterday.

[IainDaniel]

Fuck eh it was.

I didn't leave the TV.

[I Are Baboon]

Philly over Colorado in 5
NYY over Minnesota in 3
St Louis over LA in 4
Anaheim over Boston in 5

[I Are Baboon]

ESPN experts' picks

ESPN experts: Who's going to win? - MLB - ESPN

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Everyone is picking the Yankees to destroy the Twins based on their season 7-0 record.

The games were interesting...

• 5/15: NYY 5, MIN 4

Melky Cabrera hits a walk-off hit in the ninth.

• 5/16: NYY 6, MIN 4

Alex Rodriguez hits a two-run walk-off homer in the 11th inning.

• 5/17: NYY 3, MIN 2

Johnny Damon hits a game-winning homer in the 10th to give the Yankees their third straight walk-off victory.

• 5/18: NYY 7, MIN 6

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Boston was 8-0 so you just never know.

[I Are Baboon]

The Twins hung tough in some of those games, but they still lost them all. I honestly can not see the Twins winning a game. Their only chance is knocking around Burnett in game two, but then they'd still have to outscore the Yankees.

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Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

The Twins hung tough in some of those games, but they still lost them all. I honestly can not see the Twins winning a game. Their only chance is knocking around Burnett in game two, but then they'd still have to outscore the Yankees.

Burnett is the big question mark but he has been pitching good games of late.

[IainDaniel]

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Burnett is the big question mark but he has been pitching good games of late.

Good meaningless games

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Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Good meaningless games

True, he's a head case for sure.

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Jeter ties it. 2-2