Archive for category Game Previews
Who’s Your Daddy?
Posted by Bay Slugga in Game Previews, General Thoughts, Playoffs and World Series on November 3rd, 2009
The matchup is set – Pedro Martinez versus a short-rested Andy Pettitte.
I like Pedro Martienz in this game because he is capable of giving the giving the Phillies a legitimate shot at winning Game 6. We aren’t talking about Jamie Moyer or Brett Myers here – Pedro is capable of controlling his emotions in front of “vicious” Yankee fans, and the guy flat out knows how to pitch.
Pedro pitched fairly well in game two of the World Series, but met his match in a dominate Burnett. The fans were basically a non-factor for Pedro, and with the price of tickets at Yankee Stadium escalating, I expect them to be quiet again.
Andy Pettitte is formidable pitcher, and the guy is on steroids great in big games – count on him being mentally ready to go toe to toe with Pedro. Lets face the facts though, shall we?
Pettitte isn’t 25 years old anymore, and there is a reason baseball teams like to give pitchers 4-5 days rest between starts. Sabathia has shown that he is capable of pitching every third day, but can Pettitte give the Yankees a quality start on short rest this late in the season? I don’t know the exact stat, but Joe Buck said that players who pitch on short rest against a player on full rest are 12-35. This isn’t Steve Carlton or Tom Seaver here people – Advantage Phillies.
Joe Girardi has been criticized for letting Burnett pitch on short rest last night, and I just don’t see how a tired Andy Pettitte can be successful tomorrow. Really, it is all about the rest.
The keys to game six are simple. The right handed hitters need to make Pettitte work, and this time around we will have Ben Fran in the order. Ryan Howard needs to give us some professional at-bats out of the cleanup spot – try and hit the ball to left, Bro.
Use this space to give your two cents about Pedro and Game Six.
Don’t Give Up.
Posted by WTT in Game Previews, General Thoughts, Playoffs and World Series on November 2nd, 2009
It’s easy to curse and kick and scream right now. I carried the events of this weekend in my gut throughout the entire work day. It’s been difficult. But…
This is not over yet. Don’t jump ship. Don’t jump the bandwagon. Because this team is capable of remarkable things. It’s proven it time and time again. They’ve been close in this series, but not good enough to this point.
Tonight is the night it falls the Phillies way. With every passing inning that the Phillies threaten in this game, this series, the pressure will build on the New York Yankees. It is not impossible to win this game. It’s not impossible to win this series. So let’s do it.
Why the Phillies Could Still Win This Thing
Posted by Even Stevens in Game Previews, General Thoughts, Playoffs and World Series on November 2nd, 2009
Did you just read the title of my post and laugh? I guess I understand. We’re talking the Yankees here, and we’re down 3-1. There are three games left to be played, and two of them will be in New York. I grant you the fact that it’s certainly a challenge – an insurmountable one in most cases, based on history. That’s all fine and good, but let me tell you why the Phils still have a shot at this thing.
“SO YOU’RE TELLIN’ ME THERE’S A CHANCE!?” Yes, yes there is.
Cliff Lee is on the mound tonight. In 33.1 postseason innings, he has allowed just two earned runs. TWO. Out of the exactly 100 outs that he’s recorded, 30 of them have come on strikeouts. The man is a machine. He’s our ACE and his is why we got him. He has a very good shot at winning this game tonight against AJ Burnett.
If the Phillies can push this series back to New York and force a Game 6, the pitching matchup will be a fully-rested Pedro Martinez against Andy Pettite on 3-days rest. I don’t know about you, but I would call this a wash at worst and I’ll take my chances with that. Pedro may have the advantage due to the rest, but let’s not discount Pettite’s ability to win big games, especially clinchers.
If you get to a Game 7, anything can happen. Of course, I’m being extremely optimistic right now. My bad-loss hangover from this morning has worn off and I’m ready for this team to force the issue and give the Yankees hell. If it gets to a Game 7, that’s where things could get really interesting. There are several scenarios that could play out with regard to the Phillies’ Game 7 starter:
1) Cole Hamels pitches on full rest, despite the fact that he’s been abysmal in the playoffs and has recently stated that he just wants the season to be over. It seems to me like this guy has mentally checked out, but he could be handed the ball in Game 7 situation. The message to Cole would have to be: “Listen man, this is what you wanted. The season is over after tonight. You’re under all the big lights, and this is your chance to make everybody forget about this off year you’ve had. Now go out there and hit A-Rod in the back!”
2) Joe Blanton could pitch on 3-days rest. Blanton hasn’t been good, but he hasn’t been awful during the postseason either. At the very least, you know he can get out there and throw on short rest because he’s a horse. Who knows what you’re going to get in this situation.
3) J.A. Happ could pitch since his arm is well-rested and he’s the only other option who is stretched out to the point where he could make a start. He has not performed well in the postseason and would be a gigantic question mark. Aside from the fact that he’s a rookie and might shit his pants while making a Game 7 start at Yankee stadium, he would be the obvious third choice.
In order for any of this to play out in Game 7 of course, we have to get there. It starts tonight when the Phils hand the ball to Cliff Lee. And even more than that, the bats will need to come alive. Push this shit back on New York’s lap, though, and it’s a whole new ballgame.
Joe Blanton in Game 4
Posted by Even Stevens in Breaking News, Enemies, Game Previews, Playoffs and World Series on October 30th, 2009
Charlie Manuel gave word today that Cliff Lee would start in Game 4 to face CC Sabathia. Wait, I mean…no, no, I guess he didn’t say that. It’ll actually be Joe Blanton and his extremely well-rested arm that will pitch in the most important game of my his life when the Phillies take on the Yankees at home on Sunday night.
The Phillies were sort of in a weird position with this situation all along. Cliff Lee has publicly stated that he’s willing to pitch on 3 days’ rest, but I guess the fact that he’s never actually done it before weighed in one Charlie’s decision. We all know who is going to be pitching Game 4 for the Yankees – that oafy, pizza-loving bastard with bear mitts for hands, CC Sabathia. Maybe Charlie Manuel’s thinking for lining up Blanton vs. Sabathia was that they could have a pie-eating contest after the game or something – who the fuck knows.
Anyway, my worry with this move is that Joe Blanton won’t be sharp. The old saying is that if you’re scared, you should get a dog. So here’s hoping that Big Joe will realize it’s the World Fucking Series and pitch with all balls and no excuses.
See you in Philly, you guinea sons of bitches.
World Series Preview
Posted by Bay Slugga in Game Previews, Playoffs and World Series on October 28th, 2009
Just as I did with the NLCS, I’m linking you to the Recliner GM’s World Series Preview. Whoever is writing this shit over their really does a great job.
Look for my far less intelligent preview this afternoon…
Tonight is the Night!
Posted by Bay Slugga in Game Previews, Playoffs and World Series on October 21st, 2009
A great man once said before game five of the 2008 World Series that “tonight is the night!” That great man was I, Bay Slugga, and my message remains the same – Tonight, is the night!
Tonight, the Philadelphia Phillies have a chance to ride the left arm of Cole Hamels to their second consecutive World Series. The Dodgers are beaten, and all that remains is the coupe de grace in the form of a dirty change up. Hamels no longer has to worry about excuses and explanations of a disappointing season, but can finally relax on the mound and focus on pitching his game. You can bet your ass that fans will be rallied behind the once World Series MVP, and Hamels needs to feed off their energy and the fear of the broken hitters.
This is truly an amazing time to be a Phillies fan, and tonight Cole Hamels has a chance to make his mark on the 2009 postseason. First pitch is at 8:00 and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Tonight is the night!