04/25/24
November 01, 2009
Yankees Take 2-1 Series Lead Behind A-Rod, Pettitte: Andy Pettitte hit a game-tying RBI single and won a record 17th postseason game as the New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 8-5 in game 3 of the World Series. Alex Rodriguez hit the first instant-replay home run in Series history and Jayson Werth hit two home runs for the Phillies in a losing effort. Managerial decisions come into play tonight, as Joe Girardi calls on ace C.C. Sabathia to start while Charlie Manuel holds on to Cliff Lee for game 5.
The Phillies have to do better than 4 runs in 8 innings in a game started by Pettitte. But the game once again showed the depth of an all-star lineup with the forgotten swisher contributing.
The only hope I see for the Phillies to dig themselves out of their hole is to try and extend the series any way possible. Girardi is trying to win by using Sabathia and Rivera (3 runs down, really?) until their arms fall off. 200 million apparently doesn't buy a 4th starter (Imagine how dominating the Yankees will be when they buy another free agent pitcher over the off season). Extend the series, see how Sabathia and Rivera look in a game 7. But they have a lot of work to get there.
We tour the field during the series whenever we go to a new ballpark, and discuss specific ground rules and potential trouble areas just like that," Davis said. "Because we cannot control what the cameraman does with the camera, one of the specific ground rules is when the ball hits the camera, [it's a] home run.
So if the ball hits the camera, even if it's leaning over the field, it's a home run, because the umpires have NO control over the cameras. Comical.
posted by justgary at 02:49 PM on November 01, 2009
200 million apparently doesn't buy a 4th starter
The Yankees spent money on Sabathia, a huge, workhorse pitcher who can handle the load. They're paying the guy to pitch. They didn't sign him to a gigantic contract to watch Chad Gaudin pitch in a road World Series game they want to win badly.
posted by dyams at 03:31 PM on November 01, 2009
The Yankees spent money on Sabathia, a huge, workhorse pitcher who can handle the load.
The yankees thought that chamberlain would be their 4th starter. There was also the injury to Wang. They didn't spend money on Sabathia thinking they didn't need a 4th starter.
Sabathia is a workhorse, yes. It's still one of the only chinks in the Yankee armor. They not only want to go to sabathia, they HAVE to go to sabathia. There is no other viable option. I agree. they don't want to watch Gaudin pitch on the road. That's the problem. If it wasn't a problem, they'd sit on their hands during the off season. I'm guessing they won't do that.
posted by justgary at 04:23 PM on November 01, 2009
They didn't spend money on Sabathia thinking they didn't need a 4th starter.
I doubt the Yankees were thinking they didn't need a 4th starter during the regular season, but this is the World Series. I see nothing wrong with wanting your ace to give you as much as he can. Sabathia wants the same thing, telling Girardi he's ready as much as he needs him. The year the Diamondbacks won the Series they leaned on the two studs they brought in, Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. That won them a championship. You're right about Wang, and Chamberlain has been a disappointment, but don't think the Phillies won't get criticism if their move with Blanton doesn't pay off.
posted by dyams at 05:32 PM on November 01, 2009
I'm a bit surprised the Phillies are going with Blanton instead of Lee (even though I don't know how effective Lee has been on short rest in his career).
Dyams, I don't think I've ever seen Lee pitch on that short of a rest before. PLus his IP* this year is very high. Even despite those two things, I think you have to put him up against CC, especially down 2-1. Charlie Manuel didn't do it though, noiw they are going to have one hell of a go at it having to win 2 at New York.
*I think they said he is at 265 last night.
posted by jojomfd1 at 06:49 AM on November 02, 2009
I see nothing wrong with wanting your ace to give you as much as he can.
I didn't say anything was wrong with it. I said that because NY was going with a 3 man staff the phillies might could take advantage of it by stretching the series out. C.C. might throw 7 shut out innings in a 7th game, but he might not. If I were them, I'd want to find out.
posted by justgary at 05:47 PM on November 02, 2009
If the series goes seven games, the Phillies would enter that game with the edge because of how the Yankees have used their pitchers. But I think Girardi's bet is likely to pay off before that.
posted by rcade at 06:06 PM on November 02, 2009
But I think Girardi's bet is likely to pay off before that.
Agreed. He's going for the quick series.
posted by justgary at 06:47 PM on November 02, 2009
That was a big comeback in the whole scheme of things. Yanks lose that game, the Series is entirely different today. I'm a bit surprised the Phillies are going with Blanton instead of Lee (even though I don't know how effective Lee has been on short rest in his career). It sounds like hype, but every single game, regardless of who is in the lead, game-wise, is huge. If the Phillies come out with a win tonight, thus beating Sabathia twice already (and with Lee pitching game 5), the momentum swings again, big-time. Was glad to see Swisher start to hit the ball hard. Maybe sitting a game did him good.