YankeesRedSox.com: 3-4-5

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The Yankees head to Philly with the Series knotted up and some big challenges ahead.

Start with the bullpen. Joe will have a tough choice to make in a close game. Does he use Rivera for more than 3 outs knowing it will probably keep him out of the next game? I would say yes because you never know what happens tomorrow.

Deeper into the bullpen, who is going to get the big outs between the starter and Rivera? If it is a lefty, I use Marte. If it is a righty, things get interesting. I think the Yankees will have to play mix and match. One thing I hope is that if Joe Girardi brings a reliever in and he is effective in the 7th, he sticks with him for the 8th.

What does he do with Matsui? He hasn't played in the field at all this year, but Matsu is one of the few Yankees who is currently hitting. I would start Matsui in left for Game 3 and Swisher in right. Here's my reasoning. You want his bat in the lineup and he destroyed lefty pitching with a .618 slugging percentage this year. Furthermore, Damon hasn't done much in the season and is much worse against LHP and away from Yankee Stadium. (over .100-point difference in OPS in both cases) Swisher, on the other hand, has almost the exact same OPS numbers against lefties or righties. And finally, if Matsui's knee does swell up, you have Games 4, 5 and an off-day to rest him (or use him for one pinch hit appearance) before he has to DH again. The time for this move is Game 3 or don't make it at all.

And who will going to start Games 4 and 5? This one really comes down to if the Yankees believe AJ can go on three-days rest. If they do, you put Sabathia in for Game 4, no matter what. If they are unsure, you see what happens in Game 3 and if you win pitch Gaudin and if you lose, go to CC. Something tells me the Yankees won't give us an idea of this until they have to.

One thing that is interesting is that Cliff Lee has never pitched on three-days rest. Never, not once. And, he threw 122 pitches on Thursday. I didn't understand why Manuel brought him back in the ninth, considering the lead the Phillies had, so I wonder if Manuel is planning on saving him for Game 5? (And, Manuel's managing has been interesting so far. No idea why he kept Pedro in to start the 7th, but thanks)

So, get you best Halloween costume ready and prepare for a big Game 3.

Comments

I want Matsui's bat in there as much as you do, but his knees can't handle it. Period. He's got huge icepacks on them now after every game simply from DHing. The last time the Yanks were in an NL park, his knees blew up simply after shagging fly balls in the field. I think if they try to play him in the field in Game 3, there's a high risk of losing him entirely for the remainder of the series. No pinch hitting in Philly, no DHing in the Bronx.

A-Rod needs to settle down. They need to help him get his head back to the place it was during the ALDS and ALCS. They need him to help make up for the loss of the DH in Philly. It's a heavy burden being The Man. But it's his burden to bear. He got them here. He's going to have to take them the rest of the way. They can't do it without him.

Games 4/5 starters? Need to see how Game 3 goes. The Yankees need Pettite to deliver in Game 3 as badly as they needed Burnett to deliver in Game 2. They need 7+ quality innings, then let Mo finish it. If they can pull out a win in Game 3, I think it's better to throw Gaudin out there and let him take one for the team. Concede Game 4. This saves Mo for Game 5 and lets CC-AJ-Andy throw on normal rest, setting themselves up for Games 5-6-7. This would force Manuel into throwing Lee out there on short rest for Game 4. Further, if we pitch Gaudin-CC-AJ-Andy Games 4-5-6-7, AJ pitches 6 in the Bronx with Molina catching and we have the DH. If we pitch CC-AJ-Andy-CC Games 4-5-6-7, AJ pitches Game 5 in Philly. That means either he pitches to Posada on short rest, or he pitches to Molina, significantly weakening the lineup. No good options there. It all hinges on Game 3. We lose Game 3, everything gets a whole lot tougher. The series could literally hinge on it.

One thing that just might play out to our advantage: the weather. I think a fortuitously timed rainout helps us more than it helps Philly. It's not far-fetched. It's been raining a lot recently, which is not atypical in this part of the country this time of the year.

Posted by: Greg | October 30, 2009 01:01 PM |

CC Sunday, Gaudin Monday, Burnett only at home, and if needed CC game seven.Petitte available long relief Wed. or Thurs. plus bullpen. Andy's start SAt. is huge. we catch a hugh break , blanton on Sunday.,Lee is unhittable right now. our hitters should blast blanton..Damon should sit VS hamels great spot for him to pinch hit, swisher may be able to hit hamels so i go with him in right. no way pitch AJ on short rest on the road, proven not a road pitcher right now...pressure is on hamels, Tex and Swish need to be very patient early.hit melky second.. our bench is much stronger than theirs now..Girardi must use robertson in the tough spots i know he has the metal for it.. can't be all mo... all the time..

Posted by: bornwithpinstripes | October 30, 2009 08:26 PM |

Greg- Damon is definitely in left tomorrow, according to the radio. I assume that means Matsui sits, but I could be wrong.

BWP- Welcome back! Now we just need to find Mitchell....

Posted by: Peter | October 30, 2009 08:56 PM |