Cano Carries Yankees Past Blue Jays

sports.yahoo.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 18^th, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Blue Jays 2 Yankees 7

The New York Yankees were able to win their second straight game against the division rival Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon with an impressive seven to two victory. The win keeps the Yankees atop the AL East with a (27-16) record.

The Yankees were led by a strong start from David Phelps for the third straight game, as he earned his second win of the season. Phelps, who is battling for a rotation spot is certainly earning it by the way he is pitching lately, as on Saturday he went seven innings allowing only one run on six hits, three walks, and was able to strikeout eight batters in large part due to his great command of his off-speed pitches. In Phelps' last four starts he has an ERA of 2.84, which is pretty good for a fifth starter.

Pettitte Leaves Early as Yankees Lose to Mariners

nypost.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 16th, 2013

Seattle Mariners vs New York Yankees

Final Score: Mariners 3 Yankees 2

The New York Yankees were unable to win the rubber game of their series with the Seattle Mariners, as the offense was not very good at all during the three game stretch. The loss moves the Yankees to (25-16) on the season, but they still hold a one game lead in the AL East.

Andy Pettitte is now the latest Yankee to be hit with the injury bug, as he was forced to leave the game in the fifth inning due to discomfort in his left trapezius. Pettitte picked up his third loss of the season, as he went 4.2 innings allowing two runs on four hits, and three walks. If Pettitte is forced to miss his next start Joe Girardi will probably have to go with Adam Warren or Ivan Nova if hes healthy.

4 Key Factors Rangers Will Need To Beat The Boston Bruins

The New York Rangers open up their Eastern Conference Semi-Final battle with the Boston Bruins tonight at the Boston Garden. This matchup will be a completely different series than the NYR/WAS series was mainly because unlike Washington who was a high scoring offense Boston is more of a grinding/defensive team just like the Rangers. This series should be very close with the games likely ending in 1-0 or 2-1 scores thus if the Rangers can accomplish these 4 Factors through the series they should advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second year in a row. 

1) Brad Richards NEEDS to play like a first line center- When the Rangers signed Brad Richards last season  it was believed that he would be their top center and the leader on the powerplay. Last year he was that and more for the Rangers, however this year has shown to be Brad Richards worst year with John Tortorella moving him all the way down to the fourth line during the Washington series. Richards has also not been able to lead the powerplay unit, for the Rangers to be successful against Boston they will have to get Brad Richards back to his old form to help Nash and Callahan on the first line and leading the powerplay. 

2) Rick Nash NEEDS to score- Rick Nash proved to be a smart trade during the regular season leading the team in goals (21) and his puck handling and speed caused him to shred through defense's. However so far in the playoffs Nash has looked flat. With this most likely to be a defensive series the Rangers are going to need their top sniper to score for them. 

3) Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi Must Lead the Defense- With Marc Stall likely to be out for a big portion of this series the Rangers will need Girardi and McDonagh to lead the defense. Both had very strong performances through the Washington series and with this expected to be a defesnive series the Rangers top 2 defense players will need to make sure the Bruins offense is uncomfortable throughout the whole series. 

4) Henrik Lundqvist Will Need to Remain Unbeatable- Henrik Lundqvist is arguably the main reason why the Rangers are still playing hockey and for them to go back to the Eastern Conference Finals they will need him to be just as good as he was against Washington. With Boston not having a mega star like Alex Ovechkin on the offense this could be a easier series for Lundqvist on top of that he went 2-1 against Boston and has tended to play very well at the Boston Garden throughout his career. For the Rangers to continue on their top player will need to remain unbeatable in front of the goal. 

Hughes Gets Rocked as Yankees Lose Badly

nytimes.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 15th, 2013

Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Mariners 12 Yankees 2

The New York Yankees after a nice come from behind win against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night were blow out of the Bronx on Thursday by a sub-par offense club. The Yankees are now (25-15) on the season, and still have a two-game lead in the AL East.

Yankees Starting Pitcher had the worst start of his career on Wednesday night, and picked up his third loss of the season, while seeing his ERA balloon to 5.88. Hughes only got two outs in the first inning, as he allowed seven runs on six hits, and two walks before getting pulled. This is Hughes’ second straight bad start, as he is showing that consistency is a very big issue.

Brett Marshall made his first appearance this season for the Yankees, and got rocked like Hughes did. Marshall went 5.2 innings allowing five runs on nine hits, and five walks. Marshall was eventually pulled after 108 pitches for Alberto Gonzalez, who came in and got the final out in the ninth inning.

Yankees Get Come From Behind Win Against Mariners

nypost.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 14th, 2013

Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Mariners 3 Yankees 4

After a tough doubleheader in Cleveland the Yankees returned home to face the Seattle Mariners, and were able to keep up the momentum from a win in the Game 2 against the Indians for a come from behind against the Mariners. The win moves the Yankees to (25-14), and places them in first in the AL East, two games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles.

Yankees Starter C.C. Sabathia was out dueled by Felix Hernandez, but with some help from the lineup didn’t get a decision. Sabathia worked in and out of trouble most of the night and didn’t look like his counterpart. He finished going 6.1 innings allowing three runs, two of which were earned runs on 10 hits, and two walks. Bright spot for Sabathia was that he was however able to strikeout 10 batters.

Felix Hernandez is having as good a start to the season as any Pitcher in baseball, but on Tuesday night he was let down by his bullpen. Hernandez went six innings allowing only on run on five hits, and two walks. King Felix was forced to leave the game due to tweaking his back, but he left with the lead before the bullpen imploded. 

Knicks Rolled Again as Pacers Take Commanding 3-1 Lead

AP Photo/Darron Cummings

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, May 14^th, 2013

Game 4 Recap

Final Score: New York Knicks: 82 Indiana Pacers: 93

It was the same old story for the Knicks tonight as they trailed the whole game against the Pacers, who took control early and never really let the Knicks back in the game to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.  The Knicks offensive struggles continued as they were unable to put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the court as the Pacers size still is causing a lot of problems.  The Knicks lineup change to go big did not pan out to well as the defense was not good enough to make up for the poor offense.  The Knicks will hope to extend the series Thursday night back at Madison Square Garden when they take the Pacers on for Game 5, playing for their season.

-Positives

Henrik Lundqvist's Quest Towards Immortality

Last night Henrik Lundqvist made a statement, hes ready to get his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. After an incredible shutout performance in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden Lundqvist topped it saving 35 shots, shutting out the Capitals again in Game 7 at the Verzion Center and sending his Rangers to the eastern conference semifinals.

After falling just short last year to the New Jersey Devils in the eastern conference finals and carrying his team all season to squeeze them into the playoffs Lundqvist looks more determined than ever to bring his team all the way this season. Lundqvist, who has a 1.65 GAA in the playoffs, carried his team through the first round of the NHL playoffs against the explosive scoring Washington Capitals led by Alexander Ovechkin.  Lundqvist looks this year that he is ready to quiet the naysayers who feel he cant win the big one. No one will ever question Lundqvist incredible playing in the regular season but they question his ability to dominate in the playoffs. However over the last two seasons Lundqvist is 3-0 in Game 7's and seems more focused than ever.

Yankees Bounce Back in Second Game of Doubleheader

usatoday.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 13th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians Game 2 Recap

Final Score: Yankees 7 Indians 0

In the old school traditional doubleheader after about a 20 minute break in between games, the Yankees were able to bounce back from being shutout in Game 1. In Game 2 the Yankees got their revenge from being shutout, by shutting out the Indians to split the doubleheader, and move to (24-14) on the season.

Vidal Nuno made his first career start in Game 2, and was sensational for the Yankees. Nuno picked up his first career win, by going five innings, while allowing three hits, three walks, and mostly importantly zero runs.

Adam Warren was very good as well pitching the final four innings for the Yankees after Nuno was taken out. Warren went four innings allowing only two hits, zero runs, and was able to strikeout four batters. Warren also was able to earn his first save of the season with the unconventional four inning save.

Yankees Get Shutout by Masterson in Game 1

sports.yahoo.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 13th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians Game 1 Recap

Final Score: Yankees 0 Indians 1

The New York Yankees after sweeping the Kansas City Royals had their five game winning streak snapped by the Cleveland Indians on Monday afternoon in Game 1 of the afternoon double header. The loss moves the Yankees to (23-14) on the season.

Indians Starter Justin Masterson was masterful against the Yankees earning his sixth win of the season. Masterson went the distance for a complete game shutout, only allowing four hits, three walks, and was able to strikeout nine batters including Vernon Wells to end the game.

David Phelps did his best to keep up with Masterson, but had one mistake pitch which cost him the game. For Phelps it is his second loss of the season, as he went 6.2 innings allowing only one run on a Jason Kipnis solo-homerun in first inning which ended up being the only run of the game. The battle for the fifth spot in the rotation has to be Phelps’ to lose now with another strong start today.

MLB Power Rankings Week 6

msn.foxsports.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

Week 6 MLB Power Rankings

1.) St Louis Cardinals (23-13) - The Cardinals have made the jump into first place in the Power Rankings this week for the first time this season. Pitching has been what’s gotten them into the top spot, as they have the best team ERA, and the most quality starts in baseball.

2.) Texas Rangers (24-13) - The Rangers are playing very good baseball this season, as they are in the top 10 in most pitching and hitting categories. The good balance from the Rangers has given them the best record in the American League.

3.) New York Yankees (23-13) - The Yankees are still finding ways to win despite having almost an entire starting lineup on the DL. They are winning a lot of close games, and having Mariano Rivera at the back end of the bullpen is a sure thing this season, as he is 15 for 15 in save opportunities

Knicks Offense Crumbles as Pacers Take Game 3

AP Photo/Darron Cummings

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Saturday, May 11^th, 2013

Game 3 Recap

Final Score: New York Knicks: 71 Indiana Pacers: 82

The three day layoff between Game 2 and 3 did not play out as the Knicks had hoped as they struggled to do much of anything in Game 3 against a stingy Pacers team to fall down two games to one in the series.  Even the return of Amar’e Stoudemire was not enough for the Knicks tonight, who just could not get it going on the offensive end tonight to get a victory.  It was a tough game to watch as the pace was very slow and deliberate, playing right into the Pacers’ hands.  The Knicks will need a much more spirited effort in Game 4 Tuesday night to avoid going into a deep 3-1 hole in the series.

-Positives