Do you think Girardi wanted to win the division? (pitchers, playoffs, pitcher) - - City-Data Forum

Lancet71 · 10-04-2010, 06:23 AM

In my own opinion even though home field advantage is big, I think Girardi wanted to be the wild card team more than winning the AL East. The main reason is that he can play a banged up Minnesota who is missing at least one big name guy. Any thoughts?

patricemendo · 10-04-2010, 07:44 AM

i know what you mean about playing the twins (i'm actually happy to face MN) but it seemed like this weekend he was throwing the everything he had on the field.

Upton · 10-04-2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancet71

In my own opinion even though home field advantage is big, I think Girardi wanted to be the wild card team more than winning the AL East. The main reason is that he can play a banged up Minnesota who is missing at least one big name guy. Any thoughts?

That's right Lance. Everytime the Bankees lose, it's because they wanted to...lol

Mr Yuk · 10-04-2010, 08:59 AM

I don't think the Yanks or the Rays wanted to win the division....that's what it looked like anyways.

filihok · 10-04-2010, 10:21 AM

Sigh...

I'm sure that Girardi wanted to win the division. In the first game against the Red Sox he used all of his best relievers to win that game, so that seems pretty obvious.

As far as the notion that maybe he'd rather lose in order to play a weaker Minnesota team, that doesn't make much sense. Assuming that you'd beat the Twins then you'd have to go and play either Tampa or the Rangers anyway. It's not like you avoid them. It would make more sense to play the stronger team first anyway. The Yankees don't have any major injuries now, but that could change after 3-5 more baseball games.

Lancet71 · 10-04-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filihok

Sigh...

I'm sure that Girardi wanted to win the division. In the first game against the Red Sox he used all of his best relievers to win that game, so that seems pretty obvious.

As far as the notion that maybe he'd rather lose in order to play a weaker Minnesota team, that doesn't make much sense. Assuming that you'd beat the Twins then you'd have to go and play either Tampa or the Rangers anyway. It's not like you avoid them. It would make more sense to play the stronger team first anyway. The Yankees don't have any major injuries now, but that could change after 3-5 more baseball games.

I'm a Yankee fan so i'm definitely not picking on them but Girardi is giving alot more rest to guys when he should have been trying to win them all the last few days. That's why guys like Ramiro Pena were in the field when it should have been Arod. It also does make sense to slide in and play Minnesota first becuase Mauer or Morneau (can't remember which one) will be out for the first round. Now would you rather play them with both or just one? also if all teams are using 4 man rotations, you might not get Cliff Lee in the first game of Round 2 but you would if you played them first.
So try to read between the lines. Texas would be the same either way but maybe no Cliff Lee for the 1st game in round 2; but Minnesota missing one of their two best players in round 1 or they can be fully stocked in round 2. I know Girardi claims he was making sure everyone was getting proper rest, but I think there was a motive.
Don't be surprised if you see Torre return next year.

Lancet71 · 10-04-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Upton

That's right Lance. Everytime the Bankees lose, it's because they wanted to...lol

First off Frisco kid, I hope you don't get too upset when the Bobby Cox Fairwell Tour runs all over your guys and into the next round. Secondly if you think your lame, old ridicules of my team bother me, think again. That's right, you don't think. The Yankees are the best organization in baseball and you would KILL to have an organization as dedicated as mine. Enjoy your first round exit. Hopefully you can come up with better excuses for my teams wins for the next round. Maybe if you played in a real division instead of a scrub division, then you'd know what it means to really get into the playoffs instead of just backing in because of a bunch of underachieving teams. The fact that San Diego (who are known as big time sellers every year) gave you a run for your money is just embarassing.

PeteyNice · 10-04-2010, 01:42 PM

I am sure he "wanted" to win the division. Just like I "want" to win the lottery. He made it very clear that he was willing to lose the battle (the division) to win the war (the world series). We'll see if it works out. I get wanting to play Minnesota and not Texas but home field is more important than I think people care to admit. Especially when the other team plays in tundra (Minnesota), the 9th circle of hell (Texas) and an amusement park (Tampa).

jtur88 · 10-04-2010, 07:14 PM

I voted Yes, to the question as asked. He did want to, but did not want to badly enough to risk players of mess with pitchers in order to do it.

Lancet71 · 10-05-2010, 06:43 AM

It was announced today that Morneau is OUT for the playoffs. Does anyone see it yet? This is what I was referring to.