Phillies force Game 6.
The Phillies did what they needed to do to keep their season alive and force a game 6 in this World Series and it started early against AJ Burnett. It seemed at first that Burnett would pitch well tonight as he quickly got ahead on the count against Jimmy Rollins leading off the Phillies part of the 1st. But that quickly faded away as Rollins rallied to get the count 3-2 and singled to get on base and that was the beginning of the end for Burnett. After Victorino was hit by a pitch, Chase Utley came up to bat and launched a 3 run job that basically set the Phillies on their way to a game 5 victory.
So the story tonight will be why AJ Burnett started the game? Although he outpitched Pedro Martinez in Game 2, no one in their right mind expected Burnett to duplicate his game 2 performance. The reason for this is rather simple, he doesn't pitch well on the road and he was pitching only on 3 days rest. On top of that, Burnett was going up against Cliff Lee who has been the most dominant pitcher in this post-season. This move by Girardi will not be second guessed since everyone already understood that it was a bad move. Not only did Burnett implode but now the Yankees will have two starters going on 3 days rest and that does not bode well for this team that needs strong starting pitching.
Of course, the Yankees are going back home and they had the best home record in baseball and have played well in the post-season at home. Another advantage the Yankees have is that the Charlie Manuel has little faith in his bullpen after last night's meltdown. Tonight the bullpen came close to having another meltdown, but luckily for them they held. If the Yankees knock out Pedro Martinez, the likely Game 6 starter, then their chances of winning the World Series improve. Of course that is if Andy Pettitte pitches well.
Thumbs up to.....
Chase Utley. Tonight he hit 2 more homeruns, one of which was hit so hard and so fast there wasn't a meal on that flight. With his 2 homeruns tonight, Utley now has 5 World Series homeruns tying the record held by Reggie Jackson. On Wednesday and Thursday, Utley has a good chance at setting a new World Series record (let's hope it doesn't happen).
Cliff Lee. This guy is just amazing. I don't have the words to describe the way he has been pitching this post season, but every game that I have seen him pitch has been an absolute delight. Except for his last inning in which he allow the last three batters he faced get on base, Lee gave the Phillies another quality start. Cliff Lee is carrying the Phillies staff and team with his pitching.
Thumbs down to...
AJ Burnett. Although I didn't expect him to win on the road, he has to compete. He has good stuff, but unfortunately doesn't act like a pitcher and thinks too much on the mound. I'm just going to say it again, why did the Yankees sign this guy for?
Joe Girardi. He made a bad decision in allowing Burnett to start tonight with short rest. The Yankees had a much better shot at beating the Phillies with a fully rested Burnett on the mound at home.
Game 6 on Wednesday.
Well, the Yankees will be back home and will try again to wrap up the World Series. It seems that Andy Pettitte will pitch with 3 days rest. How effective will Pettitte be is something that I'm eagerly waiting to see. Pettitte says he feels fine with the idea of pitching on 3 days rest, but let see what happens.
For the Phillies is simple. Go out there continue to play the tough, gritty baseball they have been playing all year. Pedro Martinez has to give them another solid start. This time he has to limit his mistakes and keep that Phillies bullpen out of the game until the 8th inning.
Sir, This whole notion about 3 days of rest making such a huge difference is totally without merit. I grew up watching Yankee baseball with 4 man rotations during the year ,many more innings pitched and few relief specialists whom I feel are mostly overrated. I long for the days of a pitcher completing 25 games a season. A.J. Burnett did not have his stuff period if he has it (that breaking curve) hes hard to beat. Rest has not a thing to do with it he has performed very well on short rest in the past. This is the World Series and throughout history pitchers pitch on short rest to bring home the championship. Koufax threw a shut out on 2 days rest in the 7th game in 1965 (I remember listening in school) Christy Mathewson threw 3 shut outs out of 5 games in the 1905 series. I know that was then but that was then is baloney. Athletes are very capable we want to analyze this and that. I will not buy it for a minute and it is sickening how much the media has a template just like they do in politics. They feed it and feed it but not me won't buy it. Lee had his rest and he was ineffective and very beatable. A.J. did implode who knows why but I would not attribute it to rest. Phillie's made dumb move not using Lee in game 4 IMO you just demand your best work hard. In July 1963 Juan Marichal dueled Warren Spahn for 16 innings of scoreless baseball until the Say Hey Kid got a screw ball from Spahn "that didn't break worth a damn" and hit it out to win 1-0. Marichal had many seasons of 25, 26, 28 complete games. The rest argument is bogus. 1905, 1966, and 2009
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I know what you mean, but who would you have chosen to pitch ahead of Burnett? Joba? The alternatives all look pretty fragile, and a batting lineup stripped of Melke and Matsui is too reliant on the top of the order. Girardi must be dreading the prospect of a possible Game 7. At least the DH will be back, but he might still be forced to put his faith in the bullpen before this Series is over.
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its funny hearing you talk about second guessing girardi.......have you seen charlie manual manage yet this world series?????nothing but poor decision after poor decision. why would you pitch brad lidge in a tie game in the top of the ninth???why would you have a shift on with 2 outs in a tie game??? And please dont even get me started on the amount of at bats wasted on grandpa stairs who is getting rewarded for one home run in last years playoffs(i dont care if he hit 5 pinch hit homeruns this season) i guess i shouldnt be surprised....its just crazy to think how good the phillies would be if they had a manager pushing the right buttons.
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"but now the Yankees will have two starters going on 3 days rest and that does not bode well for this team that needs strong starting pitching."
B.S. Adrenaline is the name of the game here & the Yanks will be plaqying at home. Needless to say-they will be PUMPED ! I look for Andy to have a stellar game. Go Yanks !
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