Luckily for a little rain delay so I can get a quick blog posting in. Pettitte vs. Cole Hamels in game three at Citizen Bank Park in Philadelphia is potentially delayed (albeit slightly). The couple big stories I've been following up to game time is the lack of success from Ryan Howard and Alex Rodriguez and some commentary on the Phillies starting staff.
A-rod and Howard have struck out a combined 12 times in the first two games in NYC (with the World Series record being 12). While references of A-rod gone past have been brought out in the media, I personally think both will be fine by the end of this series. A-rod's still relaxed, swinging the bat well and was just victimized by a couple Cy Young award winning pitchers. Pedro was crafty and Lee was nasty in games one and two. Expect a completely different outing over games three and four as Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton take the hill. Howard is a streaky hitting power bat who strikes out about 200 times a year. Considering Reggie Jackson lost his single season strike out record to the massive first baseman, I have to believe he'll connect soon as well. Here's hoping its in March. Pitching has been the story of the Fall classic to this point, and while I expect more runs in game three, there are still pitching stories abound. Cole Hamels was last year's World Series MVP. This year, well he's been far from that as he's showcased significant inconsistencies all season and posted a rather mortalesque 10-11 record with a 4.32 ERA. Throughout the post season Hamels has looked anything like an ace starter. Phillies analyst continue to push the location theory although I'm not buying it. Sure Hamels is just missing his spots, but that's a symptom, not the cause. Hamels is hurt and he's tired. He's a relative young 25 having started his MLB career in 2006. Last year he went deep into the fall, eventually hauling in a World Series title and MVP. He is suffering from the same thing that Tampa's starters publicly went through. He worked considerably more innings last year than ever before, he came into the pre-season with an elbow injury and he's both wore out and still not healthy. Tonight you will see his last appearance of the season and in my opinion, it will not be pretty.
Pettitte on the other hand has only won twice, posted a 2.37 ERA over three starts where he went 6.1 innings each. Oh, and he claimed a couple records on his way of pitching the Yankees back into the World Series. Andy Pettitte has been here before, in '96, '98, '99, '00, '01, '03, '05 and now in 2009. Pettitte has clinched more post season series than any pitcher in history (5) and won more post season games than anyone in history (16). He's been working his cutter and re-affirming his playoff reputation. Pettitte has not, nor will he ever, win a Cy Young and while he's had 20 win seasons, he usually posts a high 3's to low 4's ERA. Pettitte though in my eyes gets the greatest of all compliments, he is a gamer, the bigger the stage, the better he pitches. He saves his best showing for when it counts the most and he maximizes his skills to do whatever it takes to get it done. Look for the infamous pick off move, the nasty cutter, some broken bats and key double plays and a Yankees Win in game three.
Regardless of the outcome tonight, we are heading tomorrow into Game Four and the Yankees will start their horse CC Sabathia in game four, setting up a game seven potential third start. The Phillies have taken a different approach and will hold Cliff Lee to game five, limiting him to two starts in the series and putting the ball in the hands of an inconsistent Cole Hamels, an 88 MPH fastball throwing, 37 year old Pedro and Joe Blanton, who is, well, Joe Blanton. I've written before this summer (I believe with the Jays in town) of getting your ace in the games you need to win. On Paper (and I know this game is NEVER played on Paper), but on paper, you have to like Pettitte tonight, Sabathia in Game four putting Lee in a potential 3-1 hole with games six and seven (if he wins game five) in the Bronx. We'll see how this all works out, but sitting here tonight, waiting for Game Three to start, I'm not only second guessing Manuel's rotation, I'm full on calling it out as a potential Series shifting move. Time will tell.
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/todd11ny
I'm Todd Price
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Yankees tie it up
If AJ Burnett felt like the eyes of the world were watching his every move, he would not have been far off. Fox Sports has announced a 50% increase in viewership in this year's World Series compared to last years and New York even went that extra step by adding a little Jay-Z and Alicia Keys star power to an already celebrity filled Yankee Stadium. From "Who's your Daddy" to "Empire State of Mind" the Bronx was truly rocking as Burnett toed the rubber to open up game two of the fall classic.
I literally have heart palpitations every time Burnett's start comes around in the order. This guy has unbelievable lights out stuff and a pitching mind that I'd have to say even I could out think.
If you put that arm on a Greg Maddux I'm sure Cy Young's 511 wins would be falling. Last night, first pitch strikes were the order of the day as Burnett just went out and kept it simple. Get ahead, throw strikes early and then rely on the league's best curve ball. The movement on his two and four seam fastballs had hitters fooled early on in the count. Add in that curve, which Burnett threw with complete command all night and you knew early he was turning in a gem. Which was good, because Public Enemy Number one was in the house.
Pedro brings about a different environment when he's in the Bronx, and Thursday night was no different. Referencing everything from Zimmer to "Who's your daddy", Martinez was entertaining at best as he conducted pre and post game interviews and cracked a wide smile as he was serenaded off the field in the 7th, trailing 2-1 with runners on first and second.
Pedro made more ground with an 88 mile per hour fast ball than anyone I've seen pitch in the post season in a long time. Change up was dancing and his line of 6 Innings, 6 hits, 8 k's and 3 earned was a solid enough outing for the Phillies to win on a number of nights. Too bad Burnett went 7 strong, removing any need for the bridge to Mariano. Posting 9K's with only 4 hits, 2 walks (one intentional) and a solo run that A-rod should have pulled in for an inning ending third out in the second, was enough to secure Burnett his first World Series victory.
Second only to the starting pitching efforts was a Teixeira siting in the Bronx (which this post season is rarer than back to back 3 strike out games by the new Mr. October, Alex Rodriguez, which by chance we also saw).
Teix tied up the game with a monster shot into Right Center in the fourth, only to have Matsui follow him up a couple innings later to break the tie. This Yankee team is going down to the wire living on the home run and the increasingly common run from a late inning Brett Gardner pinch running situation.
The umpires had to make it a little interesting as they botched two double play calls in back to back innings with Posada getting tagged out on ball that clearly short hopped Howard (albeit a little tough to call) and then on a bang-bang play with Utley at first, replays had him safe.
Figuring on the "you win some, you lose some", I have to stand content that it worked its way out in the wash and the game did not turn because of either play, but the possibilities for a different outcomes are endless. Yankees could have easily busted it open with Teixeira hitting with the bases loaded and one out or the Phils could have manage to tie it up, or go ahead, on a Ryan Howard blast with runners on the corners. I guess we'll have to stick with a Jorge Posada run scoring single, a 3-1 victory and the making of a great World Series.
Our attention now shifts to Philadelphia and a Game Three preview to follow tomorrow
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/todd11ny
Todd Price
I literally have heart palpitations every time Burnett's start comes around in the order. This guy has unbelievable lights out stuff and a pitching mind that I'd have to say even I could out think.
If you put that arm on a Greg Maddux I'm sure Cy Young's 511 wins would be falling. Last night, first pitch strikes were the order of the day as Burnett just went out and kept it simple. Get ahead, throw strikes early and then rely on the league's best curve ball. The movement on his two and four seam fastballs had hitters fooled early on in the count. Add in that curve, which Burnett threw with complete command all night and you knew early he was turning in a gem. Which was good, because Public Enemy Number one was in the house.Pedro brings about a different environment when he's in the Bronx, and Thursday night was no different. Referencing everything from Zimmer to "Who's your daddy", Martinez was entertaining at best as he conducted pre and post game interviews and cracked a wide smile as he was serenaded off the field in the 7th, trailing 2-1 with runners on first and second.
Pedro made more ground with an 88 mile per hour fast ball than anyone I've seen pitch in the post season in a long time. Change up was dancing and his line of 6 Innings, 6 hits, 8 k's and 3 earned was a solid enough outing for the Phillies to win on a number of nights. Too bad Burnett went 7 strong, removing any need for the bridge to Mariano. Posting 9K's with only 4 hits, 2 walks (one intentional) and a solo run that A-rod should have pulled in for an inning ending third out in the second, was enough to secure Burnett his first World Series victory.Second only to the starting pitching efforts was a Teixeira siting in the Bronx (which this post season is rarer than back to back 3 strike out games by the new Mr. October, Alex Rodriguez, which by chance we also saw).
Teix tied up the game with a monster shot into Right Center in the fourth, only to have Matsui follow him up a couple innings later to break the tie. This Yankee team is going down to the wire living on the home run and the increasingly common run from a late inning Brett Gardner pinch running situation. The umpires had to make it a little interesting as they botched two double play calls in back to back innings with Posada getting tagged out on ball that clearly short hopped Howard (albeit a little tough to call) and then on a bang-bang play with Utley at first, replays had him safe.
Figuring on the "you win some, you lose some", I have to stand content that it worked its way out in the wash and the game did not turn because of either play, but the possibilities for a different outcomes are endless. Yankees could have easily busted it open with Teixeira hitting with the bases loaded and one out or the Phils could have manage to tie it up, or go ahead, on a Ryan Howard blast with runners on the corners. I guess we'll have to stick with a Jorge Posada run scoring single, a 3-1 victory and the making of a great World Series. Our attention now shifts to Philadelphia and a Game Three preview to follow tomorrow
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/todd11ny
Todd Price
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Lee Ut-er-ley Dominate
Billed as a pending pitcher's duel, Cliff Lee did not disappoint. Scattering 6 hits over a complete nine inning game, Lee cruised through a dangerous Yankee line up seemingly with ease. 
A-rod and Teixeira were cut down at the knees, striking out time and time again on either a nasty cutter, fastball or change. The tell tale sign of how completely in control Cliff Lee was had to be the non-chalant pop up catch he made in the sixth on Damon. Yankee Stadium, World Series, biggest stage, could not have looked cooler.
Sabathia struggled slightly in the first, loading the bases with two outs but escaped unscathed and showed the approach Yankee fans have gotten used to over the past couple months.
He pounded through the bottom of the order and save for a fast ball in, that was not in to Utley, cruised for the majority of the game. Credit to Joe Buck for pointing out the obvious. Utley is known for crowding the plate, he lead the league in hit by pitches (well getting hit). Sabathia, like so many others, missed over the plate, not inside because of the HBP risk...twice...and well Utley matched something only Babe Ruth has done. 
He became the second left handed hitter in history to hit two home runs off a left handed pitcher in the World Series. Baseball and its historical statistical database. I've read a number of articles that Sabathia let down the Yankees. Let's look at it, 7 IP, 4 hits, 3 walks, 2 solo home runs. That's a solid outing, especially if you have the League's best offense, playing at home, behind you.
Thursday night will be the most important game of AJ Burnett's life. Save for an elimination game, going down two and heading into Philly would be devastating for this Yankee squad.
Burnett has been hot and cold (in the same games actually) this post season and needs to step up. This has to be one of the best games of his Yankee career, think Friday night, August match up against the Sox and one up it. 
Enter Pedro back into the Bronx and a nervous yet blood thirsty Bombers crowd chanting "Who's your daddy" from the new Cathedral's roof top. It will truly be a zoo mentality in this must win situation. Fans will know early as both Burnett and Martinez will show in inning's one and two how this will play out.
Two articles into a World Series Blog, and I've yet to discuss in any depth the Yankee hitters. No wonder the Bombers are down 1-0.
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/todd11ny
Todd Price
A-rod and Teixeira were cut down at the knees, striking out time and time again on either a nasty cutter, fastball or change. The tell tale sign of how completely in control Cliff Lee was had to be the non-chalant pop up catch he made in the sixth on Damon. Yankee Stadium, World Series, biggest stage, could not have looked cooler. Sabathia struggled slightly in the first, loading the bases with two outs but escaped unscathed and showed the approach Yankee fans have gotten used to over the past couple months.
He pounded through the bottom of the order and save for a fast ball in, that was not in to Utley, cruised for the majority of the game. Credit to Joe Buck for pointing out the obvious. Utley is known for crowding the plate, he lead the league in hit by pitches (well getting hit). Sabathia, like so many others, missed over the plate, not inside because of the HBP risk...twice...and well Utley matched something only Babe Ruth has done. 
He became the second left handed hitter in history to hit two home runs off a left handed pitcher in the World Series. Baseball and its historical statistical database. I've read a number of articles that Sabathia let down the Yankees. Let's look at it, 7 IP, 4 hits, 3 walks, 2 solo home runs. That's a solid outing, especially if you have the League's best offense, playing at home, behind you. Thursday night will be the most important game of AJ Burnett's life. Save for an elimination game, going down two and heading into Philly would be devastating for this Yankee squad.
Burnett has been hot and cold (in the same games actually) this post season and needs to step up. This has to be one of the best games of his Yankee career, think Friday night, August match up against the Sox and one up it. 
Enter Pedro back into the Bronx and a nervous yet blood thirsty Bombers crowd chanting "Who's your daddy" from the new Cathedral's roof top. It will truly be a zoo mentality in this must win situation. Fans will know early as both Burnett and Martinez will show in inning's one and two how this will play out.Two articles into a World Series Blog, and I've yet to discuss in any depth the Yankee hitters. No wonder the Bombers are down 1-0.
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/todd11ny
Todd Price
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Phillies vs. Bombers in the Bronx
Could it have been any other way? The New Stadium plays host to game one of the World Series as the defending champion Phillies dig in against the $161 million Ace of the Yankees, CC Sabathia. Rollins supposedly called it in February (and then backed it up last night on Leno), and here we are, game one, Phillies vs. Yankees.
Fox Sports is counting on a classic, baseball writers have submitted their comparisons and predictions and I've completely struck out on securing tickets. Game One brings in past Cy Young award winning Cleveland Indian Left hander against past Cy Young award winning Cleveland...well you get the picture.
Lee vs. Sabathia in what should be a pitching clinic but will most likely end up being a little more one sided. Both pitchers have excelled with their new teams and especially in the post season. Sabathia has been nothing short of super man since July as he's lost once (in a bid for his 20th) and has owned teams in the post season - 3-0, ALCS MVP, 1.1 ERA and 20K's in 22.1IP. He's working the formula of not putting the first guy on base, not giving up hits, not giving up walks and keeping the opposition to 1 run a game. Cliff Lee's just matched him stride for stride posting a 2-0 record, 0.74 ERA and they happened to give his NLCS MVP to Ryan Howard. Hey CC's sharing his with A-rod, whether the writers think so or not. All this is easier said than done.
On paper this match up is a wash, so you have to go that one layer deeper and look at the right handed bats on either team. Howard and Utley should be neutralized on the lefty-lefty match up (which also bodes well for Game Three)
so this puts the onus on switch hitting Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, with a little help from Jayson Werth. While this is not a cake walk in of any stretch, it is a far cry from Jeter, A-rod and switching hitting Teixeira, Swisher, Cabrera and Posada. Teix even hit the ball hard the last two games of the ALCS and could be poised to break through. Remember, that one moment against the Twins was a walk off home run in extras that happened to be hit from the right side.
I like the Yankee bats to show a little more life tonight and kick this series off in the proper fashion. Look for Sabathia to battle through seven to eight innings and we all know games late in the Bronx typically only end in one result.
In what could be the ultimate X-factor and a significant advantage when comparing these two teams, Mariano Rivera will be waiting patiently in the pen.
Enter Sandman.
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/todd11ny
Todd Price
Fox Sports is counting on a classic, baseball writers have submitted their comparisons and predictions and I've completely struck out on securing tickets. Game One brings in past Cy Young award winning Cleveland Indian Left hander against past Cy Young award winning Cleveland...well you get the picture.
Lee vs. Sabathia in what should be a pitching clinic but will most likely end up being a little more one sided. Both pitchers have excelled with their new teams and especially in the post season. Sabathia has been nothing short of super man since July as he's lost once (in a bid for his 20th) and has owned teams in the post season - 3-0, ALCS MVP, 1.1 ERA and 20K's in 22.1IP. He's working the formula of not putting the first guy on base, not giving up hits, not giving up walks and keeping the opposition to 1 run a game. Cliff Lee's just matched him stride for stride posting a 2-0 record, 0.74 ERA and they happened to give his NLCS MVP to Ryan Howard. Hey CC's sharing his with A-rod, whether the writers think so or not. All this is easier said than done.On paper this match up is a wash, so you have to go that one layer deeper and look at the right handed bats on either team. Howard and Utley should be neutralized on the lefty-lefty match up (which also bodes well for Game Three)
so this puts the onus on switch hitting Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, with a little help from Jayson Werth. While this is not a cake walk in of any stretch, it is a far cry from Jeter, A-rod and switching hitting Teixeira, Swisher, Cabrera and Posada. Teix even hit the ball hard the last two games of the ALCS and could be poised to break through. Remember, that one moment against the Twins was a walk off home run in extras that happened to be hit from the right side. I like the Yankee bats to show a little more life tonight and kick this series off in the proper fashion. Look for Sabathia to battle through seven to eight innings and we all know games late in the Bronx typically only end in one result.
In what could be the ultimate X-factor and a significant advantage when comparing these two teams, Mariano Rivera will be waiting patiently in the pen. Enter Sandman.
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/todd11ny
Todd Price
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
