Pettitte vs Orioles

8pm Hello, it's 8am in Taiwan. I just wake up and turn on the television. Pettitte is in the mini jam at the top of 3rd inning.

8:32pm Is it just me to feel this way? After coming back from All-star break, Yankees offense haven't wake up. I do think Tiger pitchers may have something to do with. And here comes another young pitcher they haven't seen before.

9:13pm Good job by Andy. But, Yankees need a strikeout to get out of jam.

9:14pm Wow! That is the real first baseman can do for you. I don't think Giambi will be able to do what Teixeira just did. Not to mention the way Molina hold on the ball.

9:16pm Wow! Wow! What a play by Molina and Coke for that wild pitch.

9:38pm Great job by Aceves. What about another walk-off win? Sound great for me.

9:47pm Just like a scriptplay. Hero is Matsui. However, don't forget two great plays by Teixeira, Molina and Coke.

Wang vs TB

7:33pm Man, Wang is in trouble immediately. Huge strikeout for Wang. Wang always has troubles in the first inning. Hopefully, he can pass this troubled first inning easily.

7:44pm If Yankees want to win this game, Wang need to stop bleeding.

7:56pm In my opinion, Wang hasn't been in sync because of his foot injury. 4 runs certainly is not big deficit, but Kazmir has been very tough against Yankees.

8:10pm If Yankees can work out this jam when giving up one run, it will be a miracle.

8:40pm I don't think Wang is hurt, but his command and velocity have been terrible. I haven't seen this kind of bad locations from Wang. He may do it one game, but not for two games in a row. Even when he is not right for one game, he hasn't had this kind of bad locations.

8:54pm Nothing is going to Yankees way. Ransom can't handle his starting opportunity worse.

9:07pm There are 4 more innings to go before deciding whether we lose this game or not. Yankees need to show they fight for that. I know it's hard, but don't give up because you never know what will happen in the game. At least, Yankees can set up for last two games of this series.

9:13pm Jason Bartlett just gets another lucky single. Tonight is just not Yankees night. Hopefully, Rays use all their lucks against us tonight.

9:20pm I am pretty sure most Yankees fans want to kill Wang and take Wang out of rotation by now. The list of Yankees players Yankees fans want to execute may include Jeter and Matsui. Remember tonight game is 7 game of 162 games.

9:44pm Again, Iwamura just gets another lucky swinging bunt infield single. I must say this again. Tonight is not Yankees night.

9:51pm Tonight game just shows us how important a starting pitcher means to a baseball team. That is why Joba need to be in the rotation, not in the bullpen.

9:54pm The way Wang pitches is just more than "sinker is not sinking". Just like what I said before. He doesn't have command and velocity on almost every pitch. The result is he can't get anyone out. I still believe Wang's problem comes from he loses his muscle memory because of his foot injury.

10:22pm Pena and Cano just drop an infield pop up and that leads to three more runs. This is kind of game waking up team. At least, I hope.

10:38pm If Swisher somehow ends up pitching well, this is an embarrassment for Wang and a lot of Yankees pitchers for sure.

Wang vs Orioles

7:13pm I have been busy these past few days and miss the opening game started by CC. I get a little bit time for this game, but I am not sure I can finish watching this game or not. Let us see.

7:16pm Let see Matsui can delivery a RBI or not. So, we need to wait....

7:22pm Hopefully, Wang has pressure free first inning because it seems he always has troubles in the first inning.

7:26pm So, I guess he won't have a easy first inning. It seems to me Wang don't have command of his sinkers yet. But, surprising, changeup is working. However, This doesn't surprise me Wang's sinkers haven't worked yet based on the interviews from Wang during spring training.

7:38pm Here comes a sort of better second inning from Wang

7:59pm Well, Matsui fails to delivery a RBI second time in a row.

8:22pm Who needs A-Rod if we get Ransom?

My first game of 2009

YES. This second spring training officially opens 2009 season for me. If "most" people stay healthy, we are going to have a fantastic 2009 season. I will try to liveblog this game as much as I can.

1:10pm Watching a introduction clip of free agents signing get me to feel exciting for 2009 season.

1:22pm Does Hughes hit batters because he throws cutters?

1:27pm Not a bad first inning for Hughes,right?

1:33pm I am a little bit disappointed at Teixeira's first at bat. Ha! I think I expect too much. This is just a spring training game. However, his defense is certainly great.

1:39pm Hughes has better command at second inning. I think we should stop looking at radar gun reading at this stage of spring training.

1:46pm Is it possible for Yankees broadcasting crew not to talking about steroids? I am just tired of hearing the same thing again and again.

1:48pm The first two innings of this game let us know what AL East will look like. Pitching & Defense.

1:50pm Hughes is done after 2 innings. In my opinion, as first outing of spring training, it's good performance for him. Coke is up now.

1:53pm Cano makes a great great play.

1:58pm Welcome back, Posada. Posada will play a huge role in 2009 season. By the way, what a contract between Posada and Molina in term of offense.

2:37pm I miss a little bit because of my computer, but come back on time for Posada's another RBI. By the way, Melky doesn't look so great at his first game of spring training. Burney looks good, especially his velocity at this stage of spring training.

2:40pm That's why Jeter is the captain who everyone wants him on his team. A great relay.

3:10pm Shelley Duncan certainly loves to hit Rays. I really think Shelley should be able to contribute to other major league team as a power righthand batter off bench. If he can somehow figure out breaking balls, he will become quite a player.

3:15pm Gardner makes a great catch and almost double up runner at second base. Gardner certainly has an edge over Melky right now.

3:16pm Melancon is up now. Most his pitches are at lower part of strike zone. He also changes speed quite well.

Congrats, Phillies win 2008 world championship

I was not able to watch this game live. When I know Phillies win it, I feel happy for them. I can't image how I will react when Yankees win again. The most amazing thing is I actually saw this news on Australian sport news which rarely have any baseball news. The last time I saw a baseball news is when Damon hurt himself for that strangle fly ball against Red Sox.

When I pick up this game, I can't believe how many mistakes Jon Maddon made that I am not going to go through details. Not to mention Rays' third base coach sent Jason Bartlett home and got threw out when their big bat is on desk. Are you kidding me? When I saw replay, Jason Bartlett didn't even run hard toward third base. And you sent him home? oh, by the way, Jason Bartlett didn't run hard on a possible elimination game in world series as well. Just in case, you guys don't pay attention on this playoffs. He is not the first Rays to do so.

Of course, Rays have a lot of talent on their young team and they have an amazing season. I am pretty sure they are going to make a lot of noise in this AL East. However, Don't tell me they are going to beat Red Sox and Yankees with this kind of attitude and coach staff. Not to mention would Rays young players be able to make adjustments once every MLB team have a book on them?

20 wins and Cy Young Award for Moose??? Why not...

I really hope Moose and Mo get their well deserved recognitions this season on Cy Young Voting. It's great we come back to win final two games of 4 games series against Rangers.

Our pitching has been outstanding all season long. Not too much to say about our offense which has been disappeared in this 2008 campaign. I only can hope our offense will wake up in time to support our pitching staff, especially upcoming series against Angels. I know match-up doesn't favor Yankees, but you never know what will happen on the field. I have high hope on Kennedy, Giese and Pettitte.

I am so glad to see Mariners beating Rays in the walk-off fashion. When you look at Rays' road record, I believe our Yankees still have chances to get into playoff by AL East or wild card. This season looks more and more like 2005 season which three teams fight for two playoff spots until the final week of season.

Let's go Yankees!!

WoW! Federer fight back W/AL East

Federer just pulled out a unbelievable comeback when he was down 2 to 5 in the tie-break on the fourth set. Nadal even had a game point. At that moment, Federer is so calm and cool under the pressure which shows why he wins so many champions. On the other hand, Nadal made couple of unforgiving mistakes, such as double fault and unforced error.

I don't know the outcome of this game. But, the more I watch this game, the more I feel my prediction about second half of AL East is right.

Let me say one more thing on my prediction. When you look at the schedule of Yankees, RedSox and Rays on September, I think one thing is very important for Yankees: Making sure Wang is able to come back to help them in September.

Man, we are in the rain delay again. Last rain delay helped out Federer tremendously. Let us wait and see what happen after second rain delay. Unfortunately, I don't know how much longer I can stay up late for this game. Right now, it's almost 5am in Sydney.

Sorry about this, but I really need to take a nap to recharge. I will post the Wang's interview I promised very soon. I also want to write about the selection of All Star game and the exciting win against RedSox yesterday. Stay tuned.

Wimbledon Federer vs Nadal W/Devil Rays...

As I am writing now, Federer is down two sets to Nadal and the game is delayed by rain at this moment. Let me say this first, I am not fan of Federer and Nadal, so I can say I give an objective opinion. When I began watching tennis, I am fan of Goran Ivanisevic from Croatia. Right now, Novak Djokovic from Serbia is the player I keep my eyes on.

Be honest with you guys, I root for Nadal to beat Federer because I love more competition among any sport I watch. Since Federer keep winning for many years recently, I love to see someone challenge him.

I think people have a tendency to root against the one or the team that keep winning unless you are the fan of that person or that team. The same thing goes to the situation between Yankees, RedSox and Devil Rays this season.

In my opinion, the outcome of game in sport world depends on three things: skill, experience(mental aspect), and luck(seize chances, avoid injury). I put mental aspect in the experience category and take chances and avoid injury in luck category. Whoever can take 2 out of 3 will be champion. Of course. Keep in mind. When those compete with each other have to have their skills on the similar level.

This leads to my prediction for second half of season. I still think the battle of AL East is between Yankees and RedSox, but how Rays play with these two teams will play an important role. The reason I come up with this conclusion is based on three reasons.

First of all, Rays will have tougher schedule ahead of them in the second half of season than Yankees and Red Sox, especially when you consider those tough matchup on the road which they haven't played as well as at home.

Secondly, the major problem for young team is they can't play as consistent as veterans teams for the entire season because workload may catches up with those young players and they may not be able to make adjustment when scouts from other teams find their holes. On top of that, you have to consider mental aspect and experience as well. For example, Can they still perform well under the pressure when season is on the line? Can they still perform well when they feel steps from Yankees or RedSox?

Thirdly, Rays haven't been hit hard by injury to their position players or rotation, especially to their star players. This is not the case for Yankees and Red Sox.

We are not going to win every game the rest of season...

I have a few minutes break from my works I need to be done in 2 hours. We already played one -third of 2008 season. My first impression is AL East going to be the toughest division in the major this season. Our bombers are going to have a big task on their hands to get into playoff.

I have no problem on sending Damon home on Matsui's single with two out because we have to take chances to score first run of ballgame. You never know what will happen. It may only take one run to win this ballgame. On top of that, I don't trust Shelley Duncan on that spot. The more I saw Shelley Duncan playing, the more I believe he couldn't hit well enough in the major because he can't deal with breaking pitches. Don't get me wrong, I like Shelley's passion and energy, but it seems that's not enough if he keep hitting like this. I sad this before, I think we should consider to let Shelley figure out in minor if we can't give him enough playing time. But, again, Ensberg doesn't hit well as well. That's why we keep having problems with lefty.

I also don't have problems on pitching Veras and Hawkins. Girardi is right. We can't use the same guys everyday and blow out their arms. Others in the bullpen have to step up. If Joba is still in the bullpen, we never find out who is his replacement. Some people may say we may not lose this game if Joba is there. Come on, guys. Even though Joba and Mo pitch three scoreless innings, it doesn't guarantee we are able to score one run to tie the game. Even if we tie the game in the 9th inning, we are still going to lose this game later if the rest guys in the bullpen can't step up. In my opinion, our bullpen is fine. You can't expect them to be perfect all the time. They have been pitched very well this season. Not to mention we have more capable arms down the farm system.

This is one of those games you tip your cap to opposition pitchers and move on to the next game. If we somehow can win next two games to keep winning series, we will be fine. We are not going to win every game the rest of season. But, damn, Can we stop making every lefty like a Cy Young winner? Brian Cashman really have to figure out to get us some good or great right handed batters before trading deadline while we are waiting for the return of Posada. At least, he has to do that this off-season.

The brightest spot of today game is Rasner pitching well. It seems to me we find another good arm(Rasner). Unfortunately, we couldn't score for him. This sounds a familiar problem, right? In my opinion, we haven't came out this offense slump yet.

I can't wait to see Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, Rasner, Joba, Hughes and Kennedy all pitching well at the same time. We are going to beat a lot of opponents. I expect Wang and Pettitte picking up their games when the weather is heating up. Not enough spot? Are you kidding me? I just hope they all stay healthy. It's not going to hurt to give Mussina, Joba, Hughes and Kennedy extra rest once a while. It's also not going to hurt to not to overextend Wang and Pettitte's outings as well.

Different Kyle Farnsworth??

I am not going to talk about nasty Joba when he faces three Blue Jays' minor leaguers and blew them away. Am I the only crazy person thinking about the possibility of seeing different Kyle Farnsworth this season? I actually think Farnsworth did pitch pretty well. He threw a lot of pitches very close to plate and limit the damage to just one run. Unlike the couple of seasons I saw from Kyle when he couldn't stop bleeding and throw a lot of bad pitches not even close to plate.I like what I see. Hopefully, He can keep doing that once season starts.

By the way, Dan Giese, Jonathan Albaladejo, and Chris Britton are all pretty good as well. Why? They throw strikes which is very important for me. I can't stand pitchers give up free passes. Dan Giese is the most impressive one among those three because he faces Blue Jays starting lineup even though he did get in trouble, but manage to get out of jams.

As for Kennedy, If my memory serves me right, this is second time he faces Blue Jay and pitch well on both times. Impressive outing from Kennedy for me. Wang and Kennedy all pitch well against Blue Jays this spring when they change speed and move around location on their pitches. Is this blueprint for success against Blue Jays? I know it sounds a successful blueprint to every team, but I guess what I try to say is not throwing too many fastball.

I almost forget one thing. What a beautiful slide into home plate by Shelley Duncan! What a way to tell everyone you don't have to have such a violent collision in order to show how hard you play baseball. Not to mention another strong offense display from Shelley as well.

Man, I think I agree with Todd. We got a great team and I can't wait the season starting. Let's Go Yankees.