World Series Game 2: What I want to see tonight
by Ed Valentine on Oct 29, 2009 12:49 PM EDT
in New York Yankees Analysis
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PrintWhat I want to see tonight starts with the New York Yankees knocking Pedro Martinez all over Yankee Stadium the way he knocked Don Zimmer around a few years back.
That's not really what I'm here to talk about right now, though. There are a couple of things I want to see from Manager Joe Girardi tonight, and I am not at all sure he will do either one.
- I want to see Brett Gardner in center field, with Melky Cabrera in right and Nick Swisher playing cheerleader from the bench. I know what kind of weapon Girardi feels Gardner is off the bench, but the guy is way more than a pinch-runner. He's a terrific center fielder, a respectable hitter (.270 regular season, .345 OBP) and Girardi needs to remember he can help the Yankees in ways other than stealing second base. Swisher is still slumping, at .114 for the post-season. C'mon, Joe, give Gardner a chance before it's too late to matter.
- I want to see Jorge Posada catching A.J. Burnett tonight. I could care less about all those numbers some of you will point to showing A.J. likes pitching to Jose Molina more than Posada. The Yankees are down 1-0 in this series. Lose tonight, and you can pretty much forget finding time to go to a parade in the Canyon of Heroes next week. There probably won't be one. The Yankees need their best lineup on the field tonight, and that means Posada instead of Molina. Posada is the Yankees No. 1 catcher, owner of four World Series rings and a borderline Hall of Famer (that's for a whole different discussion). Jose Molina is, well, Jose Molina -- the worst of the catching Molina brothers. In the most important game of the Yankee season to date, Posada MUST be in the lineup.
- One final thing. I want to see Girardi with a quick, I mean very quick, hook for Burnett tonight. Lord knows what will happpen once Manic Joe gets into that bullpen -- we might run out of pitchers by the sixth inning -- but I don't want him to hesitate. As soon as 'bad A.J.' makes an appearance I want him outta there.
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It can't get much worse...
I completely concur with you on all points Ed. At this point, how much worse can Gardner be than Swisher? Nick has been given MORE than ample opportunity to remove his head from his rear end and he has not been able to do it. I have nothing but respect for Nick’s onfield performance this year, I think he’s been a fantastic addition to the clubhouse, and that ALONE is a big reason why we are where we are. It’s time to give Gardy a shot though. Swish can still fire people up from the bench.
If I don’t see Posada behind home plate tonight, I’m going to go about as nutty as I did when Brian Bruney came into the game last night. We need Jorge’s bat tonight.
Pedro is a big-game picture, but the Yankees know this man. We can wail on him, we’ve done it before. Let’s do it again. I want to hear the, “Who’s your Daddy?!” chants echoing loud and clear.
Couldn't agree more, Ed ... But I'd like to add one more thing
Sit Hughes next to Swisher. Apparently these guys don’t realize that we play two seasons in the Bronx—the Spring/Summer season and the Fall/Winter season. These guys were great in the first season, but when we need them most, they are absent. … No time to fiddle with them, or hope they work it out. Sit ‘em both … see ya’ in 2010.
"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will
I'm honestly with you
Hughes has had as bad a postseason as Swish, yet no one will call for him to be benched because we don’t have a clear-cut alternative ala Gardy. I would be very very nervous if Girardi dropped Hughes/Bruney in a close game, but what choice do we have? Two innings from Joba? What happens the day after that?
by pkyankeefan on Oct 29, 2009 1:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
My only question is
If Jorge catches and AJ gets shelled early, what does Girardi do? Bring in Gaudin? I agree that we need Posada in the lineup tonight, but I don’t see Joe G. doing that at all. The quick hook for AJ, maybe. GGBG? Looks unlikely too.
From what we’ve seen so far, we’re not really going to put the game away early even if we get to Pedro. So I hope we score often and at least make it comfortable by the 6th/7th.
by pkyankeefan on Oct 29, 2009 1:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Jorge probably will start tonight
I think this decision was made when Cervelli was left off the roster. The only reason he was there in the previous two rounds was in case of emergency when Posada replaced Molina in the games Jose started. There’s no way Molina will play 9 innings (assuming there isn’t a blowout), and I don’t think Girardi is the kind of guy who will feel comfortable having no reserve catcher in the later innings if something were to happen to Jorge.
Might be right
I had the same thought. It will be interesting to see the lineup tonight.
by Ed Valentine on Oct 29, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
which is why i want our O to get it going....
As soon as gerardi senses trouble from a.j. anywhere past the 6th inning you pull him. I don’t know wtf gerardi was thinking putting bruney in….but I don’t want to see his face again. As far as benching swisher goes…..you cannot overlook .114 avg man…I love swish but your playing in NY now buddy…regular season don’t mean shit to us no more….and tex needs to get that bat going for real….
I’m just rallying for the offense. Our pitching will sustain so I was never worried about it….even tho I do worry about a.j. all the time….this offense has been eh since the twins series. Hope jeter is using the captain status and chewing some people out….
by NYYWinsRings26 on Oct 29, 2009 1:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
The last time I looked, Girardi was the manager, so why is he letting Burnett dictate who catches for him? Obviously it didn’t help with Molina behind the plate in Anaheim when Burnett got his ass kicked for four runs in the first inning! Girardi is too stupid, ignornant, head strong, and stubborn to make a change, as much as we need it. This is a must win game tonight. Going into Philly down 0-2 for three games is not good. Yes, Lee was brilliant last night but our hitters did NOTHING to try and take him out of him rythym. Why didn’t batters frequently ask for timeout, step in and out of the box frequently, ask for time and go down and talk to the 3rd base coach, anything? They just stood up there swinging wildly like it was a pinada. And seriously, as much as I love Tex and his gold glove defense, he has been aweful. We know he’s a great hitter but he’s just not cutting it in post season and he’s swinging at everything. I really hate to say it but he looks like the old A-Rod. And I love the guy. I know he’s trying as hard as he can.
I will ALSO agree.....
I ALSO LOVE Swisher, but Gardner cannot do any worse…..Start Gardner…..please. And I do agree on Posada catching. His bat IS a proven weapon for the offense. Tex, well I wish I had an answer for that one. His glove, priceless…..His bat thus far, WOW, cannot figure that one. Beat pedro like my grandma used to beat a dirty rug…..
Rick
Goooooooooooo MSU BOBCATs
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Almost 60 years as a YANKEE Fan
Stick with the regular season plan tonight
See how Swisher hits, and if it doesn’t work bench him for Game 3.
Molina is only in there for 1, 2 AB at most. If that’s all we have to sacrifice to prevent a complete AJ meltdown, I say stick with it.
Our bigger problem is the ‘pen. Who do you turn to in this situation? Gotta figure it’s Mo in the 8th and 9th if we’re anywhere near a lead, but what do you do in the 6th-7th, assuming AJ goes 5? Joba for 1, Robertson for 1?
And shockingly, I don't think Girardi did anything wrong last night
He didn’t overmanage…he put guys in at the right time, and they just didn’t get it done for him. Game was over after those two runs in the 8th, and that’s all on Phil Hughes.
by PortlandYankee on Oct 29, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
What about not having
Coke pitch to Ibanez? That seemed odd to me. I mean, he micromanaged the inning, and then has a LOOGY waiting to get one out on a lefty. Don’t think it really mattered, but seemed odd.
Before that, Hughes pitched to the lefty Victorino. Then Marte came in to face Utley and Howard. Weird.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Definitely odd...
I mean given how Robertson’s been pitching, I didn’t care who he faced.
But I would have thought Joe would sub him for Coke in that situation without blinking.
..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...
...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.
---Carl
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 29, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
well the problem is game 3 is in a nl park
so we lose matsui’s bat. And we need all the power we can get in the NL. It’s a safer bet in yankee stadium cuz we still have matsui and the other line up’s power to cover gardner
Matsui has been a benefit this post-season...how?
He looks as bad as Swisher at times.
by PortlandYankee on Oct 29, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
he got a hit last night.
He’s been as bad as anyone not named Jeter or Rodriquez.
The whole team, really hasn’t been what they were when they were at their best.
..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...
...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.
---Carl
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 29, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn't see
any mistakes by Joe lastnight. Lee called on the power of Zeus and it worked. I just hope he sold his soul so the next time we see him we can tag the hell out of him. CC just got caught by Utley twice and seemed to be missin the strike zone low all night.
I think Robertson got robbed of a few strikes which led to the two runs……. I dont even know wtf Hughes was doin.
Just my 2 cents. Let’s hope AJ brings his gun slinger tonight and his control.
For the Love of the Game
i would also like to add that i want us to score early
the problem i always see with AJ pitching is that we give him no run support early on. So when he does have that one bad inning things spiral out of control and seems more devastating than it is. If we have him say a 4-5 run lead, if he coughs up 2 runs or sumthing late in the game it’s less of a problem when if we give him essentiall no run support.
Theater
Phils fan here. As much as I am looking forward to tonight, I can’t even begin to fully appreciate the multi-layered levels of drama and history associated with Pedro, once again, taking the mound in your park in a pivotal playoff game. It’s such an unlikely script. Who could have ever thought at the beginning of the season that this could happen?
Pedro’s now one of ours, and we will passionately support him even though he almost certainly will not be back with us next season. When I listen to the cat-calls and jeers of “who’s your daddy” tonight, can you offer me any more insight as to what his appearance means to you?
Just another pitcher for the Yankee hitters to beat up on
I may be in the minority here. Aside from the Don Zimmer incident, I have no ill-wills towards Pedro and have always enjoyed watching him pitch except when facing the Yankees.
by Scooby Snacks on Oct 29, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Big Surprise...
…Gardner is number one. Because adding his pitiful bat to this lineup is the answer.
Why not Hinske in right instead of Swisher?
by New York Sports Jerk on Oct 29, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions
Because Hinske is not a defensive upgrade over Swisher.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Because
Gardner is a better player than Hinske. A guy the Yankees need to take advantage of.
by Ed Valentine on Oct 29, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Your lust for Gardner is sad.
He’s a slap hitting 4th outfielder who strikes out. I couldn’t care less how “gritty” you think he is, if he was a major league outfielder, he’d have made it into a lineup by now.
by New York Sports Jerk on Oct 29, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
If we're not starting Swisher...
I’d start Hinske.
Cuz if we’re so worried about Swisher’s bat, why not get a comparable one (when Swisher’s going good?).
Gardner..or check that, Melky in RF, doesn’t really make RF a better defensive position..especially since he doesn’t play there a lot. That is not a defensive upgrade.
Swisher has been just fine in RF, he made an excellent play picking off Guerrero. Melky has the arm to do that , but who knows, he hasn’t played there so maybe he overthrows it? He’s made all the routine ones too.
And Melky and Gardner are fairly equal in CF, Gardner gets to more balls, but has a not so good arm.
I still don’t see what the point is with Gardner. Swisher is due. That’s all. Leave Gardner on the bench where he belongs.
If Joe really thinks Swisher just needs a game off to get it right (like not seeing pitches helps…) then start Hinske.
..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...
...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.
---Carl
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 29, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's go Phils!
I think gardner and posada (definitely a HOFer) need to be in the lineup if the yanks stand a chance. Now is not the time to be playing with less than your best. The phils are not the Twins and the yanks need all their guns.
And isn’t it sad that you paid all that money to a pitcher who can show you either “good AJ” or “bad AJ” in the blink of an eye? Doesnt seem worth it. Ask any Phillie fan about Adam Eaton and its the same thing.
Burnett vs. Eaton
C’mon, now. Burnett is hardly Eaton. A.J. is quality, he just tends to implode at times and it happens quickly. Adam Eaton was, is and will always be terrible.
by Ed Valentine on Oct 29, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
Eaton’s two year record with the Phillies was 14-18 (.438) with a horrible ERA of 6.10. And that’s in the national league with no DH.
What the heck was with Hughes? He looked like he couldn’t find the strike zone for his life. When he walked the second batter , I was pretty sure the game was over.
AJ is going to be nervous tonight, he knows he’s gotta come up big, I’m surprised he didn’t go to Joe and ask if Andy could take this one.
Andy would be on short rest
there’s no alternative but to go to AJ.
by PortlandYankee on Oct 29, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
No
He’ll pitch on full rest in Game 3, and they’ll go Gaudin-AJ-CC for 5-7.
by PortlandYankee on Oct 29, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
He is choking to death hours before the game just thinking about it. He has a “deer in the headlights” look and just waiting to get lit up. I wish it was different but he isn’t a “money pitcher” when you need one.
by Southern Yankee boy on Oct 29, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe you don't remember Pedro's
Red Sox history?
Yanks beat the crap out of him time and again, when he was at Cliff Lee level (except Pedro was throwing 96mph….) with his command.
We’ll see.
..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...
...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.
---Carl
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 29, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
oh so the same lineup from Pedro’s Red Sox history is coming out onto the field? Face it, that short porch in right inflated Damon’s and Jorge’s numbers this year, both are well passed their prime. A-roid is going to go back into his little boy shell, where Tex is already waiting for him. Swisher is PRETTY GOOD, and Matsui can’t even run. Look for a huge AJ meltdown tonight.
Phillies are 9-1 when Pedro starts this year. That’s also PRETTY GOOD (no sarcasm this time). I can’t say I know the Yankees’ record when AJ starts, but i know its not a 9 to 1 win to loss ratio.
Simple
Pedro hasn’t faced the Yankees this season. Historically the Yankees have owned him when it counted. You ain’t putting Cliff Lee up there on the hill tonight. I suspect Pedro will melt down before AJ does.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Oct 29, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
you ain’t puttin CC up on the mound either. This is the best lineup the Yankees have faced this year, as seen by CC pitching very carefully (but very well) last night. CC can get away with some walks because with his stuff he can get out of trouble just as fast as he gets into it. AJ can’t do the same (neither can Pedro anymore). We’ll see, Pedro has been much better at home than on the road since he started with the Phillies. One thing to remember, Pedro is fresh as fresh can be.
If A.J. has his good stuff
then he won’t have any jams to get out of. If he’s going well and has his control, then he has the type of stuff that can throw a one hitter at the 1927 Yankees. So to say that A.J. “can’t do the same” as CC when you’re talking about getting out of jams, thats delusional. He’s not as consistent as CC and implodes from time to time (which inflates his ERA), but on his good day, A.J. Burnett is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Thats a fact.
Yankees have the edge in pitching tonight. You have to admit that. Pedro has pitched very well against NL LINEUPS!!!! Thats facing some of the weakest lineups in baseball, WITHOUT the DH. The Yankees have the best offense in baseball. WITH THE DH!!!! And they have historically beaten Pedro and got to him when it counts in the past (see Game 7, 2003 ALCS).
This is a big game. If the Yankees win tonight, then the series is back to a coin flip. If the Phillies win, well then the Yankees are going to need the ghosts of 1996 to come and help them get back into the series.
Either way, you can’t count either team out of this series until it’s over. You need to win 4 games in the WS to win it. Phils have won one. They have three more to get. We’ll see what happens.
GO YANKS!!!!!
Jerry Hairston Jr is starting in right field today
I’m not even joking. Maybe Joe thinks that you have to have an NL lineup to beat an NL club.
by LivinginthePosada on Oct 29, 2009 3:59 PM EDT reply actions
Molina
Running lineups with Posada or Molina through my simulator showed a three to four perecentage point drop in Yankees win probability. I think you are right in that Posada needs to start. If the Yankees had won the first game then perhaps you could overlook a Molina start, but not now, especially down 1-0 in the series with the next three games in Philadelphia.
vr, Xei
Your simulator is useless.
by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Oct 29, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope the simulator
goes the way of Fox Trax.
..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...
...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.
---Carl
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 29, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Hariston got the nod
due to his success against Pedro. At least that’s the word.
Thank God Girardi Is The Manager And Not Ed Valentine
Gimme a break, Gardner is now the second coming because he hit .270? Molina is the worst of the Molina brothers? What kind of garbage is that? Molina has been a fine back up, and pitchers(you know the guys that actually play the game, instead of write opinions on stuff they dont know much about)love throwing to the guy. On top of that Jorge couldn’t throw out a guy wheeling himself from first to second. And AJ is not getting a lot of love from the fickle Yankee fans. When AJ pitches a jem tonight, I expect all the hypocrites declaring their love of him. I cant believe the response after one loss to the defending AL Cy Young Winner.
Wow time for change....
Well, I’m glad to see Hinske get the start, considering he’s 10 for 27 off Pedro, that’s a definite offensive upgrade over Swish and Gardner.
I’m really disappointed to see Jorge on the bench though. Jorge Posada knows Pedro Martinez and we need him to be in the line up.
lol so Pedro can remember his promise to Jorge in 2003
and plunk him in the head? I could see that happening. Posada’s already caused a bench clearing brawl this year, and Pedro has been a big part of multiple. It could happen. lol
By the way, Hairston gets the start tonight against Pedro. Not Hinske. I’m disappointed to see Posada on the bench too, but pitching wins championships. The Phillies have an incredible, AL type offense. And if Molina behind the plate will increase the chance that Burnett will win, then so be it. Start Molina. It’s not as if he’s going to get more than 2 at bats at most anyway.
yeah, hairston
that’s who i meant. boy oh boy, it’s time to go home.
ok, im changing my signiture to the " You F@#$ed Up, You Trusted Us!" animal house line
it was much more lucky than my line from “the office.” when it was the animal house line the bullpen was good, the offence was good, and we won like every game. i guess i am superstitios.
damn im going to miss most of the game because i’ve got a game! I better not come home to a score that say’s, phi / nyy
4 / 0
"I'm not superstitious, just a little stitious"- Michael Scott
I dont want Pedro hurt, I want him to stay in the game and get feasted on
If he gets hurt, he will be taken out of the game.
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