Yankees - World Series Prediction

ALDS Prediction - Yankees in 3.
Result - Yankees in 3.

ALCS Prediction - Yankees in 6.
Result - Yankees in 6.

This blogger is 2 for 2. Now, I'm hoping to make it 3 for 3.

I think this is going to be a great series. I don't see it going 7 games, but you never know.
I am aware that the Phillies took 2 of 3 from the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, but that was before the Yankees took off. If the Yankees pitching continues it's good streak I can see this series ending after 4. Yes, that's right. I think the Yankees could sweep but I'm going to say they will win it in 5. Outside of Cliff Lee, the Phillies rotation isn't as good as the Yankees and their bullpen is not as good as it was last year. I expect the Yankees bullpen to pick things up this series. Cole Hamels has been shaky and Pedro Martinez will be reminded of who his 'daddy' is. Again, Yankees in 5. I EXPECT to go to a Championship parade in New York City in the weeks to come.

Yankees - Angels 2, Yankees 5 Game 6 FINAL; Yanks are AL CHAMPS!!

Well this blogger was right yet again. I said the Yankees would sweep the Twins in 3 and I said the Yankees would beat the Angels in 6. Both has happened and now the Yankees are American League Champions and will head to the World Series to take on the Philadelphia Phillies (a World Series nightmare if you are a Mets fan). Andy Pettitte pitched the Yankees to the World Series with a very nice outing (6.1 innings, gave up one run, on 7 hits, one walk and 6 strike outs). Joba Chamberlain recorded the final 2 outs in the 7th, where then Mariano Rivera took over to get the final 6 outs and the save. Errors by Scott Kazmir and Howie Kendrick gave the Yankee some more insurance runs that would seal the deal for the Yankees. The Yankees win 5-2 and have won their first AL Pennant since 2003. They are set to welcome the Philadelphia Phillies in on Wednesday to begin the Turnpike World Series.

Notes: No home runs were in this game. Yep, you read correctly. There were no home runs in this game at Yankee Stadium.

Series Recap:
Game 1 - Angels 1, Yankees 4 (Yanks lead the series 1-0)
Game 2 - Angels 3, Yankees 4 F/13 innings (Yanks lead series 2-0)
Game 3 - Yankees 5, Angels 6 F/11 innings (Yanks lead series 2-1)
Game 4 - Yankees 10, Angels 1 (Yanks lead series 3-1)
Game 5 - Yankees 6, Angels 7 (Yanks lead series 3-2)
Game 6 - Angels 2, Yankees 5 (Yanks win series 4-2)

I predicted at the start of the series that the Yankees would win in 6 and I also said the Yankees would sweep the Twins. That makes me 2 for 2 in Yankee Post Season predictions. I will look more closely at the Yankees/Phillies matchup before I make my World Series prediction. Game 1 of the World Series starts on Wednesday. The pitching match up is CC Sabathia vs his old teammate Cliff Lee. It should be a good one.

Congratulations to Joe Girardi and the rest of the New York Yankees organization on winning the 2009 AL Pennant.

Yankees - Yankees 6, Angels 7 Game 5 FINAL; Yanks lead series 3-2

The Yankees trailed 4-0 into the 7th inning then they exploded. They scored 6 runs to give themselves a 6-4 lead. The lead didn't hold as the Angels would retake the lead by putting up a 3 spot. In the top of the 9th, Nick Swisher came up with the bases loaded with 2 outs, but flied out on a 3-2 count. Angels win 7-6

Series Recap
Game 1 - Angels 1, Yankees 4 (Yanks lead series 1-0)
Game 2 - Angels 3, Yankees 4 F/13 innings (Yanks lead series 2-0)
Game 3 - Yankees 4, Angels 5 F/11 innings (Yanks lead series 2-1)
Game 4 - Yankees 10, Angels 1 (Yanks lead series 3-1)
Game 5 - Yankees 6, Angels 7 (Yanks lead series 3-2)
Game 6 - Joe Saunders (Angels) vs Andy Pettitte (Yankees)

Islanders - Isles lose in OT (again) to Caps 3-2

Islanders led the game 2-0 but gave up another lead in the 3rd and eventually lost the game in OT 3-2. Something's got to change because this is getting ridiculous.

Yankees - Yankees 10, Angels 1 Game 4 FINAL; Yanks lead series 3-1

Whatever momentum the Angels got from winning Game 3 is GONE. The Yankees completely crushed the Angels 10-1 to take a 3-1 lead in the ALCS. CC Sabathia, pitching on 3 days rest, pitched yet another brilliant post season game. He led the way by giving the Yankees some solid pitching (8 innings pitched, 1 run allowed, 5 hits, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts). Alex Rodriguez continued his ridiculous post season tear by leading the Yankees offense ( 3 for 4, triple shy of the cycle, including a 2-run home run and a steal). Scott Kazmir for the Angels opposed him, but had a sub par outing (4 innings pitched, 4 runs allowed, 6 hits, 4 walks and 3 strikeouts) despite having good career numbers against the Yankees (6-5 record with a 2.67 ERA). Chad Gaudin, in his first appearance this post season, pitched a scoreless 9th inning. This is good news for the Yankees as their bullpen receives a big day off and an off day tomorrow. Sabathia is having a post season that should silence some critics who say he's terrible in the playoffs. In 3 post season starts with the Yankees, he's 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA and allowed only 3 walks while striking out 20. He has been the ACE the Yankees wanted and needed. In 8 career post season starts, he has a 5-3 record, with a 4.72 ERA, 25 walks and 44 strike outs. Both Sabathia and A-rod were, in my opinion, the players of the game.

Notes: OCTOBER REDEMPTION FOR A-ROD - In the post season from 2004-2007, A-Rod had a .245 average, hit 4 home runs and had 9 RBIs. This post season he has a .407 average, with 5 home runs and 11 RBIs. A-rod drove in a RBI for the 8th consecutive game, tying Ryan Howard and Lou Gehrig for most consecutive post season games with an RBI.

Yankees post season stats (so far):
6 Wins, 1 Loss
5.3 Runs per game
.258 Average
14 Home runs
1.91 ERA

Series Recap:
Game 1: Angels 1, Yankees 4 (Yanks lead series 1-0)
Game 2: Angels 3, Yankees 4 13 innings/F (Yanks lead series 2-0)
Game 3: Yankees 4, Angels 5 11 innings/F (Yanks lead series 2-1)
Game 4: Yankees 10, Angels 1 (Yanks lead series 3-1)
Game 5: A.J. Burnett (Yanks) vs John Lackey (Angels)

Yankees - Yankees 4, Angels 5 11 inn/FINAL

Alex Rodriguez homered again. The Yankees scored all of their runs on solo home runs and had a lead for most of the game until the Angels showed some of their own come from behind magic. After a very questionable and terrible move by Yankees manager Joe Girardi to pull David Robertson for Alfredo Aceves with no body on and 2 outs, Jeff Mathis for the Angels doubled in the game winning run. Angels win Game 3, 5-4 in 11 innings. The Angels trailed 3-0 and came back with their first home runs off the Yankees in the series. Homers from Kendrick and Guerrero. The Yankees had 4 home runs by Jeter, A-rod, Damon and Posada. I was very unhappy on how Girardi managed the bullpen in Game 2 because if the Yankees didn't win the game when they did, they would of only had one pitcher left in the bullpen. This was the same case. I think Joe Girardi doesn't fully trust Dave Robertson because he has pitched well so far this post season and was dealing in relief. There was no reason to burn another pitcher and put Aceves (who's another right hander) in to get the final out of an inning. This was a game that Joe Girardi over managed. Let's hope in Game 4 he doesn't use almost the whole bullpen again.

Notes: A-Rod has now driven in at least a run in every single post season game this season (wow).

Series Recap:
Game 1 - Angels 1, Yankees 4 (Yanks lead series 1-0)
Game 2 - Angels 3, Yankees 4 F/13 innings (Yanks lead series 2-0)
Game 3 - Yankees 4, Angels 5 F/11 innings (Yanks lead series 2-1)

Yankees - Angels 3, Yankees 4 FINAL/13innings

OK. Seriously now. Who is the new Yankee 3rd basemen because he sure isn't the same guy that was dreadful in the past October's? Alex Rodriguez, so far, has put away his post season woes and has basically carried the Yankees on his back. Another clutch at bat, another clutch and timely home run and another Yankee win. Alex Rodriguez hit a game tying solo home run in the bottom of the 11th inning after the Angels scored a run to tie the game at 3. Two innings later, after some bad Angels defense and some heads up base running by Jerry Hairston Jr., the Yankees were able to push across the game winning run and take a 2-0 lead in the ALCS. Today is a travel day and the Yankees will play in L.A. tomorrow at 4 p.m. (ET).

Notes : A-Rod is 7 for 19 ( .386 Average) and has now 3 home runs and 8 rbis so far this post season. He also has driven a run in every one of the Yankees 5 post season games so far.

Series Recap:
Game 1: Angels 1, Yankees 4 (Yanks lead series 1-0)
Game 2: Angels 3, Yankees 4 F/13 innings (Yanks lead series 2-0)

Yankees - Angels 1, Yankees 4 ALCS Game 1 FINAL

A team that prides itself on defense sure must be pissed tonight. The Yankees defeated the Angels 4-1 in Game 1 of the ALCS tonight at Yankee Stadium, with the help of 3 errors by the Angels. The Yankees struck first in the bottom of the 1st, with Jeter on 3rd, Alex Rodriguez hit's a sac fly to bring in the first run of the game which made it 1-0 Yanks. Hideki Matsui would then pop up to shallow left field that fell between both Figgins and Aybar allowing Damon to score to make it 2-0 Yankees. In the 4th, Kendry Morales would single in Vlad Guerrero to cut the lead to 2-1. In the bottom of the 5th, Matsui doubles in Johnny Damon to make it 3-1 and on the same play A-rod gets thrown out at the plate. In the bottom of the 6th with Melky Cabrera on first, John Lackey would throw the ball to first but over threw his man causing Melky to move to 2nd on the throwing error. Derek Jeter would then single to center in which Torii Hunter misplayed the ball causing an error and a run to score to give the Yankees a 4-1 lead. Despite a chilly night, both pitchers had solid outings but CC Sabathia's was clearly better than his counterpart. Sabathia pitched 8 innings of 1 run ball. He gave up only 4 hits, 1 walk, while striking out 7. Lackey only lasted 5.2 innings allowing 4 runs (2 earned), 9 hits, and 3 walks. He also struck out 3. Mariano Rivera pitches a scoreless 9th to get yet another post season save.

Player of the game: CC Sabathia

ALCS Series Recap:
Game 1: Angels 1, Yankees 4 (Yanks lead series 1-0)
(This blog's prediction: Yanks in 6)
Special Notes: There's a good chance tomorrow nights game could be rained out and if that's the case, the Yankees will play game 2 on Sunday at 4 p.m. after the New York Giants play the Saints on FOX.

Islanders - Sabres beat Isles 6-3;

The Islanders remain win less. Sabres beat the Islanders 6-3 in Buffalo. With the loss, the Islanders stand 0-2-3 with 3 points on the year. The Islanders seemed to dominate most of the game but the object is to score more goals than the other team in which they failed to do so. Moulson (3rd goal of the season), Tavares on the power play(3rd goal of the season), and Sutton (1st goal of the season) each had goals for the Islanders. Dwayne Roloson was the starting goaltender tonight for the Islanders and did not do a good job. Martin Biron came in as a sub and will still most likely start tomorrow nights game against the San Jose Sharks at the Coliseum. In the first 5 games, Matt Moulson has been a big surprise for the Islanders scoring 3 goals and having 3 assists. He was also clearly the best Islander on the ice tonight. Moulson and Tavares are tied for the team lead in goals with 3. The Islanders will host the San Jose Sharks tomorrow night but since I am working the game, I shall have a recap of the game either late that night or on Sunday. Check back soon!

Yankees - ALCS Prediction

Tonight starts Game 1 of the ALCS between the L.A. Angels and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. John Lackey will start for the Angels and the Yankees will send out CC Sabathia to oppose him. Since I have not done so yet, here is my ALCS prediction. This series can possibly go the distance but, I just think the Yankees are too good this year. I said the Yankees would sweep the Twins and I was right. Now let's see if I'm right about this prediction. Yankees in 6. It's going to be a cold first 2 games in New York and I think the cold will effect the Angels more than the Yanks. The Yankees also had the league's best home record so keep that in mind too considering that they have home field advantage.
(Photo Credit - AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Islanders - Lose to Kings 2-1 for first regulation loss of the year

The Islanders have lost today 2-1 to the L.A. Kings and this time it wasn't in over time or in a shootout. Instead, they get a number in the loss column and remain stationary at 3 points. Matt Moulson scored (2nd goal of the season) the lone goal for the Islanders late in the 3rd period but, the Islanders fall short of the comeback. Biron was in goal and got the loss. Next game is friday at Buffalo.

Yankees - Yankees sweep Twins, face Angels in ALCS

For the first time since 2004, the Yankees are heading to the ALCS and they will face the L.A. Angels. The Yankees trailed once again late in the game, until Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada connected for solo home runs to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead. Mariano Rivera would come into the 8th inning to get a 4 out save (also thanks to bad base running by the Nick Punto and a good heads up defensive play by Derek Jeter in the 8th). It was a great pitching dual tonight as Pettitte (6.1 innings pitched, 3 hits, 1 run, 7 strike outs) and Pavano (7 innings pitched, 5 hits, 2 runs, 9 strike outs) both gave solid outings for their respective clubs. But it was the long ball that won it for the Yankees along with some insurance in the 9th (RBI singles from posada and cano). The Yankees win 4-1. What a game, what a series (especially for A-rod and YES this is NOT an error). The Yankees will take on a very dangerous Angels team that just completed a 3 game series sweep of the Red Sox with a 7-6 victory at Fenway. In recent years, the Angels have owned the Yankees in a short series, but how will they do in a 7 game series? We will soon find out. Congratulations to Joe Girardi and the New York Yankees!

Notes: My prediction was correct (Yankees will sweep the twins). Alex Rodriguez ends the series with 3 home runs and 6RBIs!

Series Recap:
Game 1 - Twins 2, Yankees 7 (Yankees lead series 1-0)
Game 2 - Twins 3, Yankees 4 in 11 innings (Yankees lead series 2-0)
Game 3 - Yankees 4, Twins 1 (Yankees win series 3-0)

Series Stats:
Twins 0 Wins Yankees 3
Twins 6 Runs Yankees 15
Twins .257 Average Yankees .225
Twins 0 Home Runs Yankees 6
Twins 4.67 ERA Yankees 1.72

Islanders - Blow late 3 goal lead, Lose 4-3 in shootout

The game of hockey is usually 60 minutes long (unless there is over time and a shootout). The Islanders tonight played only 50 minutes. The Islanders had a commanding 3-0 lead midway through the 3rd period until another meltdown happened. Marc Savard, Byron Bitz, and Matt Hunwick each scored for the Bruins in a span of 8:01 to tie the game at 3 and force OT. The game would end up going to a shootout which was won by the Bruins. The Bruins went first with Blake Wheeler who found the back of the net with a snapshot. Next up, the Islanders sent out breakaway specialist, Rob Schremp, who would send a backhander into the net to tie it up. Marc Savard, for the Bruins, would then score on a backhand of his own which would end up to be the game winning shootout goal. The Islander goals came in the 2nd period. Jon Sim and Radek Martinek would each score their first goal of the season. John Tavares would score the Islanders 3rd goal of the game (his 2nd of the season). In 3 games this year, the Islanders have lost 2 games via the shootout and one in over time. The Islanders record now stands at 0-0-3 with 3 points.

Notes: John Tavares scored his 2nd goal of the season and also added a gorgeous assist on Martinek's goal tonight. He now has 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in 3 games this season. Doug Weight was out of tonight's game with a strained groin and Trent Hunter will be out 2-4 weeks with a strained pectoral.

Next Up: The Islanders host the L.A. Kings on Monday for a matinee (October 12th) at 2 p.m. Get your tickets here!
Have kids or know kids 14 and under interested in joining the free Islanders Kids Club (other packages available)? Sign up here!

Yankees - Twins 3, Yanks 4 Game 2 Final in 11 innings

(Sorry for the late update. Was at a local bar enjoying the game and my mind wasn't functioning properly to write anything.) The walk off magic continues. Mark Teixeira hit a laser to left field that just barely went over the wall for a game winning, walk off solo home run to put the Yanks up 2-0 in the series. Again, like almost all season against the Yankees, the Twins had a lead. And again, the Yankees do damage in the 9th to tie the game. The Yankees new 3rd basemen....uh wait...I think that's still Alex Rodriguez, hit a clutch (yes, that's right CLUTCH), game-tying, 2 run home run off of Joe Nathan, to tie the game at 3 and eventually force extra innings. Alex Rodriguez has been huge for the Yankees so far this post season. In 2 games, Alex Rodriguez has already 5 RBIs and they have been coming when the Yankees needed it the most. The Yankees will head up to the Metrodome and send out Andy Pettitte (14-8) to sweep the series. The Twins will send out former Dr. James Andrews favorite patient and Yankee, Carl Pavano (14-12), to oppose Pettitte.

Notes - The Twins placed Matt Tolbert on the DL with a oblique strain. They have called infielder Brian Buscher to take his place on the roster. The Yankees now have 16 walk offs wins this season (15 in the regular season and 1 in the post season).

Series Recap :
Game 1 - Twins 2, Yankees 7 (Yankees lead series 1-0)
Game 2 - Twins 3, Yankees 4 in 11 innings (Yankees lead series 2-0)
Game 3 - On Sunday, October 11 at 6:07 p.m. at the Metrodome (Could be final game ever played at the Metrodome)

(Photo credit to New York Daily news. Antonelli/News.)

Islanders - Isles lose 3-2 to Sens in OT

The Islanders, down 2-0, came back to force the game into OT only to lose it to the Senators 3-2. The bright side to this game is that yet again, the Islanders have managed to come away with a point in the standings. Okposo scored his first goal of the season, a goal which should be the goal of the year so far this season. Matt Moulson also scored, his goal is what tied the game at 2. John Tavares got an assist for his 3rd point in 2 games. Fisher for the Senators won it in OT. Islanders are now 0-0-2.

Yankees - Yanks take Game 1, 7-2

CC Sabathia was solid in giving up only 1 run on 8 hits, while striking out 8. The Yankees offense backed up the strong pitching with strong offense. Two bombs from Jeter and Matsui gave the Yankees the Game 1 victory by a score of 7-2. The Yankees trailed 2-0 early but Mr.October, Derek Jeter, smacked a 2 run home run to left field to tie the game up at 2 and what seemed to awaken the Yankees offense. The Yankees would go on to score 5 more runs to break the game open.

Special Notes: -Alex Rodriguez drove in 2 runs! Yes, you heard correctly. With men on, A-rod was able to come up with some clutch at bats for once in the post season. Is A-rod finally turning a page on his post season woes? Will this mean more clutch AB's will come?
- Joba Chamberlain made an appearance from the bullpen, retiring the one and only batter he faced. It was good to see him out of the pen. Hopefully it will boost his confidence for when he is needed as a starter.
(picture by cnet)

Series Recap:
Game 1 - Twins 2 - Yankees 7. Yanks lead the series 1-0
Game 2 -
Game 3 -
Game 4* -
Game 5* -
* = if necessary

Yankees - Yanks vs Twins series prediction

30 minutes before Game 1 and I'm going to give my series prediction here. I'm going to say Yankees in 3. Yes that's right. I'm going to go with the Bronx Bombers sweeping the Twins in a short series. Time will tell if I'm right. Game 1 recap later. Series recap updated daily. Check back soon!

Yankees - Yanks vs Twins in ALDS

The New York Yankees end the regular season with a record of 103-59, which is the best record in baseball.


The Twins just beat the Tigers in extra innings in game 163 to win the AL Central. They will now face the Yankees in the ALDS which starts tomorrow at 6pm in the Bronx.

The Yankees, in the regular season this year, are 7-0 against the Twins.

Statistical Breakdown Yanks vs Twins in 2009 Regular season:
Yankees 7 Wins Twins 0
Yankees 3.27 ERA Twins 5.43
Yankees 5.9 Runs/Game Twins 3.6
Yankees .300 Average Twins .232


Twins....Yankees.....ALDS....TOMORROW. NYYanklanders will have all Yankees post season coverage that will be updated daily.

Islanders - Penguins 4 - Islanders 3 in shootout; Tavares scores 1st career goal

A night after defeating the New York Rangers in their home opener, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins spoiled the New York Islanders home opener with a 4-3 win in a shootout. The night was more than just the Islanders home opener, as it is also the day of Charles Wang's deadline for a "yes" or "no" on the Lighthouse project. Wang never got an answer and stated in a press conference that he will be exploring all options. Throughout the sell out crowd of 16,234, fans showed their support by waving and holding up fan made Lighthouse project signs that I helped distribute. Hopefully that showed how bad Long Island wants the Lighthouse project. Now to the game. It was a solid game that was filled with energy and excitement. Sidney Crosby put the Penguins on the board first with a wrist shot that found the back of the net 8:50 into the game to make it 1-0. The small lead didn't last long as Mark Streit scored a power play goal on a slap shot at the 12:40 mark which was assisted by Kyle Okposo and John Tavares (Tavares first career point). In the 2nd period on a power play, John Tavares would give the Islanders a 2-1 lead on a back hand shot for his first career NHL goal (7:09 mark), assisted by Matt Moulson and Trent Hunter. Pittsburgh would tie the game at 2 in the 3rd period at 7:19 thanks to a slap shot, by Adam Eaton, that beat Dwayne Roloson. Trent Hunter would give the Islanders a 3-2 lead just 17 seconds later (7:36) on a beautiful snap shot (assisted by Josh Bailey and Mark Streit). At 16:11, former Islander Ruslan Fedotenko beat Roloson on a wrist shot to tie it up at 3. The goal would force overtime and eventually force a shootout. Jeff Tambellini went first and was unsuccessful. Kris Letang for Pittsburgh would beat Roloson with a snap shot. John Tavares missed net as it went wide right. Sidney Crosby would end and win the game on a wrist shot for the Penguins. Despite the loss, the Islanders still come away with a point and looked like a decent team in the 1st game of the year. They were toe to toe with the defending Stanley Cup Champions and that's not bad for a young team.

Players of the Game
1) Sidney Crosby (1 G, 1 A and game winning goal in shootout)
2) John Tavares (1st career NHL goal, 1st career NHL assist)
3) Mark Streit (1 G, 1 A)

Next up: Islanders play Senators in Ottawa on October 8th.
Photo Credit - Newsday/Getty Images

Islanders - Islanders name Weight captain

Late update but, the New York Islanders have announced that the veteran, Doug Weight, has been named captain. The Islanders also announced that Mark Streit, Brendan Witt and Kyle Okposo have been given A's.