We’ll do this from time-to-time, particularly when a big series comes up. I think this one qualifies as big.
We already got a glimpse of this during Spring Training when the two teams threw-down over Elliot Johnson’s hard-nosed play at home plate, and I suspect that all issues related to that game are done and buried. We won’t see a beanball war erupt; at least not over this. Expect the Rays to get heartily booed by the Yankee fans during this series as a result, though.
Is there anything more fun than the Rays-Yankees games? I don’t think so. The fans come out in droves, and all of the Raysverse unites for one common goal – to conquer the Evil Empire. Last year, there really appeared like there were some cracks in the Yankee armor, as we NEARLY took the season series from the Bombers, going 8-10 in the 18-game series.
But, that was last year. Last year we had a completely garbage bullpen and guys like Casey Fossum and Jae-Kuk Ryu making appearances. This year, things are different. This year, we just might be able to take this season series.
Let’s break down the two teams and see how we stack up, shall we?
First Base – Carlos Pena vs Jason Giambi – 6 years ago, you would take Giambi hands down in this battle. But now? Giambi is a shell of an AL MVP, while Carlos Pena is a dangerous force in the middle of the lineup. Sure, Giambi still has power and can still draw a walk, but he absolutely does not scare you anymore. In fact, I’d say that Carlos Pena has a better chance of being an All-Star this year than Jason Giambi does. Defensively, it’s not even close; Pena is a superior player to Giambi.
Advantage: Rays
Second Base – Akinori Iwamura vs Robinson Cano - I love Aki as much as the next guy, but even I can’t come up with a way to say that he’s a better player than Robinson Cano. Yes, his defense is superior, but Cano is definitely the better offensive player. Aki’s eye is a bit better, but he also strikes out more and doesn’t have the kind of bat mastery that Cano’s got.
Advantage: Yankees
Third Base – Willy Aybar vs Alex Rodriguez - Hahahahaha! Sorry Willy, I can’t even pretend to be a homer here.
Advantage: Yankees
Shortstop – Jason Bartlett vs Derek Jeter - Derek Jeter is probably one of the most overrated players in the game, but that doesn’t mean he’s not very good. He’s just not the spectacular all-world player than many people would like you to believe. If he had played his career in 3 or 4 different cities, do you think he’d still be a Hall of Famer? Absolutely a product of where he played. Like I said, though, he’s still a very good player and is a better offensive player than Jason Bartlett is. Defensively, Bartlett can run circles around him, but Jeter’s offense – and the fact that he’ll bring Jessica Biel or Vanessa Minnillo or whatever other hottie he’s banging right now to the ballpark – give him the nod.
Advantage: Yankees
Left Field – Carl Crawford vs That guy wearing Johnny Damon’s jersey – Remember when Johnny Damon was a dynamic player who looked like he could do it all on the field? God, did he get old fast. This is almost a “Before/After” shot right here, as Carl is similar in many ways to Damon earlier in his career. Carl is more talented than Damon ever was, but the two strike me as very similar. Right now, there’s no question. Carl Crawford is the most athletic player on the field every day and has the ability to change a game in the blink of an eye. The Rays’ ability to succeed in this series likely rests on his ability to play well.
Advantage: Rays
Center Field – B.J. Upton vs Melky Cabrera - No contest. Bossman Junior has 30-40 home run power, the abilty to get on base, great speed, and is turning into a fine defensive centerfielder. In essence, he will be a perennial All-Star. Cabrera is a nice player, but let’s be honest, he’s only the fourth outfielder on some teams and isn’t the kind of guy you worry about beating you. B.J. comes up with big hits and can dominate a game with his bat.
Advantage: Rays
Right Field - Eric Hinske/Jonny Gomes vs Bobby Abreu – Abreu is by far the best player in the Yankees’ outfield and is one of the most complete hitters in the American League. As much as I like the Hinske/Gomes platoon right now, it’s simply not as good as Abreu. Of course, if we can hit a few balls over Abreu’s head towards the right field wall, he turns into a chicken$&*# and can’t play defense, so I guess you could consider that his big downfall. All in all, though, he’s a great hitter with a tremendous eye who would be a middle-of-the-lineup hitter on every team in baseball.
Advantage: Yankees
Catcher – Dioner Navarro vs Jorge Posada - Word is that Posada is nursing some kind of injury but should be good to go for this series. He had an unbelievable season last year and is still the dominant offensive catcher in the league. We can hope that Navarro will one day be that kind of offensive player, but he’s not quite there yet. Posada has also improved defensively and isn’t the void that many people thought he once was.
Advantage: Yankees
Designated Hitter - Cliff Floyd vs Hideki Matsui – Another overrated Yankee, Matsui grounds out to the second baseman every time I watch him. How he manages to hit around .300 with 20 home runs is shocking to me. This one’s a push. Both Floyd and Matsui, when healthy, are pretty much the same hitter, with Floyd probably having a slightly better eye while Matsui probably has a little better bat control.
Advantage: Push
Starters – Sonnanstine, Jackson, Shields, Hammel vs Kennedy, Pettitte, Wang, Mussina - This series would look much different if the Rays had Kid K and Matt Garza going, but they don’t. If Ian Kennedy is as good as advertised, the Yankees have the advantage against the black holes that are Edloss Jackson and Jason Hammel. Sonnanstine could pitch quite well, and Shields is definitely capable of out-pitching Wang. The Rays have to hope that the bad Mike Mussina shows up on Monday.
Advantage: Yankees
Relievers – Rays vs Yankees - Up until you get to the back-end of the bullpen, this one is probably a push. Both teams have reasons to believe that their bullpens are pretty good and improved upon last year, but at the back-end, Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer of all-time, while Troy Percival is simply one of the best of his generation. You gotta give the advantage to Rivera, and thus, the advantage to the Yankee bullpen. If it comes down to a battle of middle-relief, though, I think I’d give us the slight edge.
Advantage: Closer – Yankees, Middle Relief – Rays
Summary: There’s an awful lot more “Advantage: Yankees” in there than you’d like to see, but it also seems like the gap between the two teams is starting to shrink. The Rays clearly have better speed and are the better defensive team, but the Yankees have one of the elite offensive units in baseball history. The pitching matchups do not work out favorably for the Rays this time around, but if you substitute Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza going forward, the two teams are much closer than you might think. That gap is closing, and a split or even 3-out-of-4 wouldn’t be the most ridiculous thing ever predicted.
April 4th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Good review and I agree with most of your assesments. I still think this weekend is a big series in terms of building momentum towards respectability. It really hurts not having Garza throw on Monday. You have your two worst arms (Jackson, Hammel) throwing with the Yanks two best (Wang, Pettite) schedule to go. Tough break. Plus no Kid K.
The Rays have to use their speed, taking every base possible. The Yanks catchers are suspect throwing out baserunners, so I’d green light half the team. Very important to get some cheap runs and provide every opportunity to get runners in scoring position. Let’s hope the weather holds up.