For those of you who had Yankees in 6…that pick is still alive…but not without a little trepidation. You only have to look at the starters for game 6 for a little doubt to creep in.
37 year old Andy Pettitte on three days rest for the Yankees…vs. 38 year old Pedro Martinez on full rest for the Phillies.
Just like they did in games 4 and 5…the Yankees are starting a pitcher on 3 days rest. It worked out for them in game 4…even though C.C.Sabathia didn’t get the win.
But A.J. Burnett imploded in game 5 (6 runs in 2 plus innings of work) and it might not be such a great idea after all.
Last night Fox Sports showed a graphic illustrating the risk Yankees Manager Joe Girardi is taking.
Since 1999…when one pitcher starts a playoff game on three days’ rest …against a starter on full rest… the pitchers on short-rest have won 12…and lost 36.
Girardi says he thought it over a long time…consulting with his staff…and his pitchers…and remains convinced this is what they needed to do to win the World Series.
He might still be right.
I think this really comes down to two things: The Phillies offense…vs. the Phillies Bullpen !!! And that’s not a typo!
Can Utley, Werth ,Ibanez, Rollins and Howard (if he ever snaps out of it)…score more runs than the Phillies beleaguered bullpen gives up ??? Can anyone really trust Ryan Madson or Brad Lidge with less than a 10 run lead in the 9th ??? They make Mitch Williams look like Mariano Rivera !!!
If the Phillies somehow win game 6…can’t you see it in game 7…Phillies lead 5-4 in the 9th…with Brad Lidge on the mound…and the Yankees have the top of the order coming up !!!
It’s the ultimate payoff…or let down…and it’s what a lot of Phillies fans have both dreamed about…and anguished over all summer long.