Rivera for Three?

by nyyrocks29 on Nov 3, 2009 6:34 PM EST

Just wondering, would Girardi, or any of you if you were in Girardi's position, consider using Mariano Rivera for three innings in Game 6 or 7? There are pros and cons to this. It's a gamble. It may work, and it may not. Lets see the pros and cons.

Positives:

He's the best closer in baseball.

Even when throwing a lot of pitches, he would still be more reliable than anyone else in that bullpen.

Nobody else in that bullpen is as reliable or as automatic. Not even close.

You don't have to worry about rest if he nails it down, because he'll have months to rest.

Negatives:

He may not be as effective if he throws 30-40 pitches

If he doesn't nail it down (nothing is ever a sure thing), then they may lose him for Game 7

Batters may get a better look at him if they see him a second time through the order.

He may have a long inning, and then be unable to go 3 innings, and one of the other pitchers may have to be used anyways (I can't see Joe leaving him in more than 40 pitches).

I'm sure there's more. I can't think of any more off the top of my head right now.

It's a tough choice. I think it depends on the situation, but if the situation comes up, I would be all for it. He is the guy in that bullpen that we want to give the ball. You have to expect that he nails it down. He's that great. And I really don't have ANY confidence in anybody else in that bullpen either (except Marte against lefties). So, what would you do?

Poll

If the situation presents itself, would you use Mariano Rivera for a three inning save?

Yes

22 votes

No

65 votes

87 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Game #6: 1-2 innings
Game #7: 2+ innings

vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Nov 3, 2009 6:56 PM EST reply actions

+1

totally agree.

No for 3 innings in game 6. If it gets to game 7, there’s no point in saving him.

This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.

by Lord Duggan on Nov 3, 2009 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

I couldn't believe

How much Francessa harped on this this afternoon. It is not going to happen. What if Rivera pitches 2 good innings and then loses it in the 9th and we lose the game? Now we have a compromised Rivera for 1 inning in game 7. 6 outs in game 6, that’s it.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Nov 4, 2009 12:04 AM EST up reply actions

+1

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 4, 2009 6:40 AM EST up reply actions

and Francessa is a moron.

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 4, 2009 6:41 AM EST up reply actions

I really don't think the bullpen has been THAT

bad.

I really don’t have a problem with MO going 3…just, why?

Of course…depends. I can think of a few situations, yet…again….why?

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 3, 2009 7:12 PM EST reply actions

why?

do you really have confidence in the rest of the bullpen to hold a one or two run lead? Joba has already blown a save this postseason. Hughes has been awful. Joe never even considers Robertson or Aceves in that spot. I hope Coke never sees another postseason mound this season. And Bruney is, well, Bruney. So do you have any confidence in any of those guys to get the job done?

And then theres this. If the Yankees have a lead in the seventh inning and that pen blows it, and then they lose game 7 and Mo never has a chance to pitch………

I would rather lose with Mo than lose with the rest of the pitchers and never use Mo. Then at least I would know that they beat my best, rather than knowing that they beat a mediocre bullpen because the best never got into the game.

by nyyrocks29 on Nov 3, 2009 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

its just.....

3 Innings?

Could MO do it? Yea….buy why?

Yea, Joba blew a save. He still didn’t really get hammered, it was one pitch. He bounced right back and showed MARBLES to get the next hitter out.

ITs all the hot hand, and Hughes DEFINITELY seemed to show something yesterday, so he seems to have gotten over it.

Its all such a small sample right now that just cuz someone’s been awful…doesn’t mean they can’t get a few outs.

But Bruney and Coke? Not unless they are the only option.

Robertson, Ace, Joba, Hughes, Marte? These are the ones who got us hear. If these four can’t be trusted for 1 inning…..

In game 6, Mo should not have to go 3 innings. If anyone sucks ass in the 7th…then maybe MO for 7 or 8 outs.

I know its MO…but 3 innings is a little much.

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 3, 2009 8:22 PM EST up reply actions

I think Dave or Joba can handle at least one of the innings.

I can imagine Mo being brought in for 2 innings though.

Yankees all day.

by Onishadow14 on Nov 3, 2009 8:01 PM EST reply actions

Agreed. In a Game 7 like 2003, but if Mo just has a long inning, what would you do? How many pitches would you let him throw?

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Nov 3, 2009 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

exactly

thats why it can be such a tough decision. I can’t help but think that Girardi would be tempted in the seventh inning up by a run or two to bring in Mo then if someone gets on. Wouldn’t you? He’s as close to a sure thing as you can get.

But then again, if he does somehow blow it or throw too many pitches and they lose, then you may lose him for Game 7. Thats why it’s such a tough decision.

We’ll see how the game plays out. Personally, I’d rather just have them bomb Pedro so much that Coke and Bruney could come in and I could feel safe.

by nyyrocks29 on Nov 3, 2009 8:57 PM EST up reply actions

I'd like to do this

I’d rather just have them bomb Pedro so much that Coke and Bruney could come in and I could feel safe.

….but do numbers go that high?

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 3, 2009 9:15 PM EST up reply actions

Not for game 6

by Scooby Snacks on Nov 3, 2009 8:11 PM EST reply actions

In no way should Mo be used for three in a game 6

Its not like we have Felix Heredia, Edwar Ramirez and Tanyon Sturtze in the pen. We do have some good arms.

by YankeesJets on Nov 3, 2009 9:26 PM EST reply actions

tough call......

Depends on the situation I say – what kind of lead we have. If we’re going into the 7th with a 1-2 run lead – keep Andy in to see what he has. But our pen isn’t the Phils pen – we got guys that can get it done. I would throw one of them in there and see – but once it gets to the 8th – Mo time.

Depending on the scenario – you have to go for the jugular with the Phils. Hmmmm tough call……..

by t2kcru on Nov 3, 2009 10:42 PM EST reply actions

Never

We have a billion people that can get us from the 7th to the 8th (or 6th to the 7th, etc). Mariano for two innings, but nothing more than that. I have faith in Andy to last AT LEAST 6 innings. If he goes 7 then we bring Mariano in for the 8th and it’s business as usual.

by jigglytuffy on Nov 3, 2009 11:24 PM EST reply actions

No...

Mo for 3?….i dont even likeshow that looks when i type it…

To tell you the truth…i cringe in my seat when Mo is pitching 2 innings…i know he can do it but he just makes the 8th inning look a hell of alot harder to get thru then the 9th….

But if were up 1 run going into the 7th?….I’d rather take mo pitching 2 and trust the stallions in the bullpen not named coke or bruney……

by NYYWinsRings26 on Nov 4, 2009 1:30 AM EST reply actions