Quick thoughts:
-Good Burnett followed by Bad Burnett has been pretty much the story of his season, and really of his career. Really, given that the Hated Yankees’ middle relief has been so bad, it’s been hugely important that until last night, they hadn’t had a starter knocked out of the box before the sixth inning. Pettitte and Sabathia will need to come up strong on short rest to avoid having more games get away before Rivera arrives (you can be sure Mo will appear to start the 8th if there’s a lead in Game Six).
-The gonging home run Liberty Bell at Citizens Bank Park is pretty freaking cool in a big game, at night, with a packed house. I could almost picture Chuck Barris coming for Phil Coke.
-I would not have any trust at this point in either Pedro or Hamels pitching at Yankee Stadium. The advantages all favored Pedro in Game Two: rest, some element of surprise on hitters who hadn’t faced him in years, the pressure all on the Yankees. All of those are reversed this time. I’ll be very surprised if this goes to a Game Seven.
5 thoughts on “Game Five”
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Good points.
See the WSJ article below extolling NYY pitching this year. Er, would’ve helped if the relievers in last nite’s game could’ve avoided things like the two homers in the 7th, which at the time looked like “piling on” & yawn, but which turned out to be the winning margin.
So even if Pettite gives ‘em 6 low-scoring innings, that’s too early for Mo & watch out. Saving grace: Philly’s relievers not doing a great job either.
Another problem: Tex & Swisher have been pretty much AWOL up to now.
https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703932904574511860596592796.html
PS I blame any NYY loss on Joe Torre!
No game 7. Yankees will win in Game 6.
Crank
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Inwood
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Good points.
See the WSJ article below extolling NYY pitching this year. Er, would’ve helped if the relievers in last nite’s game could’ve avoided things like the two homers in the 7th, which at the time looked like “piling on” & yawn, but which turned out to be the winning margin.
So even if Pettite gives ‘em 6 low-scoring innings, that’s too early for Mo & watch out. Saving grace: Philly’s relievers not doing a great job either.
Another problem: Tex & Swisher have been pretty much AWOL up to now.
https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703932904574511860596592796.html
PS I blame any NYY loss on Joe Torre!
Take the over in game six. Won’t predict a winner, but don’t expect greatness from either starter.
Maybe it is just the optimist in me, but I can see Pettite struggling on short rest after a long season; well over 200 innings pitched. Pedro will have no more than 100 pitches in him (note to Grady, um, Charlie, if he is in the 90s, don’t let him start the next inning). This will be only his 3rd post-season start and with the regular rest, he could have better command if less velocity.