Oct
25

ALCS Game 6: Angels @ Yankees

By

In beginning-mid-September, many of us, me included, figured the AL East race was over. The Yankees had a big lead over the Red Sox, and it would have taken Mets-esque collapse for them to lose it. But over the next few weeks the Yanks dropped a few games and got hot, and some people started to doubt that the Yankees had it in the bag. This was a bit odd for me. The reason we called the division for the Yanks in the first place is that they had built up such a large lead that even if they had a slip-up, they still had a big margin of error. That’s the whole point of thinking it’s in the bag.

The Yankees certainly do not have the ALCS in the bag, but they set themselves up with a 3-1 advantage after a Game 4 victory. That’s not insurmountable, but it’s a pretty big lead at this late stage. It would take three straight Angels wins to win it, and that’s just improbable, especially against a team as good as the Yankees. The Yankees saw their advantage at work in Game 5, as they dropped a heart breaker to the Angels. Now they’re back in the Bronx, still with the advantage. Unlike the Angels, their backs are not up against the wall.

Then again, that could be an advantage for the Angels. As Sun Tzu says:

Soliders when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.

I expect this to be like the non-Game-4 games of this series: always close in score, can turn around in a matter of outs. The Angels aren’t going away, and it’s going to take everything the Yankees have to finish them off.

Without further ado, your Game 6 lineups:

Yankees

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jorge Posada, C
6. Hideki Matsui, DH
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Nick Swisher, RF
9. Melky Cabrera, CF

Pitching: Number forty-six, Andy Pettitte.

Angels

1. Chone Figgins, 3B
2. Bobby Abreu, RF
3. Torii Hunter, CF
4. Vladimir Guerrero, DH
5. Kendry Morales, 2B
6. Howie Kendrick, 2B
7. Juan Rivera, LF
8. Jeff Mathis, C
9. Erick Aybar, SS

Pitching: Joe Saunders

Categories : Game Threads, Playoffs

359 Comments

  1. Salty Buggah says:

    So….which FAs did we sign in the offseason?

  2. Accent Shallow says:

    Joe Saunders has a fat face, and much like Scioscia, continually looks self-satisfied. Unlike Scioscia, he’s never done anything.

    Just getting that out of the way.

  3. trueblue says:

    7-3
    Andy goes 7+
    Yanks in the Angels pen by the 3rd
    CC sleeps well, as will I

  4. Drew says:

    Yay! Baseball.

    Off days mixed in with rainouts make the scheduling ridiculous. We go all season talking about streaks, rhythms and momentum, then we get to October and all that is out the window. Stupid MLB.

  5. Ok boys of summer, the fall classic awaits…

  6. Riddering says:

    But, Joe, Mr. Hunter told me that the Yankees are the ones who are pressing and the Angels don’t have to worry.

  7. LET’S GO YANKEES!

    And FWIW, MLB.com has an ANGELS league champs set, so they’ve jinxed both the Yankees and the Angels.

  8. Accent Shallow says:

    Also, Jeff Mathis’ turn as Johnny Bench this series has been frustrating.

  9. nz says:

    What a relief to have Andy starting after Burnett. One epitomizes consistency, while the other is the personification of wildness. I’m glad Girardi went with Pettitte here over CC.

  10. Salty Buggah says:

    I have been so stressed all weekend and that stress was probably doubled due to the anticipation. I just want an easy win tonight. I worked out for the the first time in about a month so I’m physically depleted of energy so please win tonight for my mental health as I have a huge exam tomorrow morning. My whole weekend depends on tonight.

    27. Get it done.

    http://media.photobucket.com/i.....kee_sm.jpg

  11. ansky says:

    Just win baby!

  12. Joe D. says:

    I’d like to personally thank Mike Scoscia for choosing to start a pitcher and catcher who are both vastly inferior options to others at his disposal.

    I knew Saunders would be starting, but Mathis, too? Based on a handful of at-bats?

    Managers who place 15-20 ABs on a pedestal over years and mountains of evidence to the contrary are my favorite kind! (So long as said managers are in the opposing dugout.)

    You the man, Mike!
    Thanks again!

    Sincerely,
    Joe D.
    On Behalf of Yankee Fans Everywhere

  13. McCaff says:

    let’s go!

  14. Accent Shallow says:

    I was told first pitch would be at 7:57?

    Also, Karros and Grace? Ugh.

  15. Riddering says:

    Meaningless stat: Andy’s Game 6 v. Diamondbacks result.

  16. TJ says:

    Let’s get it done tonight guys.

    Fox’s pregame coverage is terrible.

  17. Accent Shallow says:

    Joe Saunders is one of the best lefthanders in the game?!

  18. Salty Buggah says:

    Here’s hoping that Mathis’ little run ends tonight and he becomes shitty again.

  19. Ivan says:

    “We Play Today, We Win Today” LETS GO YANKEES!!!!!!

  20. Quikksand says:

    LET’S GO YANKEES!

    WE CAN WIN THE WORLD SERIES!

    BEAT ANAHEIM!

    WORLD SERIES BERTH WE CAN CLINCH IT TONIGHT!

  21. gargoyle says:

    Could they not have started this game at 8pm?

  22. Drew says:

    Hmm so Mark Mcgwire is going to be the hitting coach for the Cards.

    Step one, get Canseco signed.
    Step two, buy 25 Whizzinators.
    Step three, just win baby.

  23. David A says:

    Wow… these analysts are amazing.

  24. Tank the Frank says:

    Let’s go Yankees!

    clap, clap, clapclapclap

  25. Joe D. says:

    I’m gonna wrap this pregame analysis up in a nutshell so you guys don’t have to be subjected to it:

    “Something something something clubhouse chemistry. Something something something momentum. Something something something experience and grit.”

  26. McCaff says:

    tickets went like crazy on stubhub today

  27. Salty Buggah says:

    It will have been a long 68 hours and 49 minutes in waiting.

  28. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    couldn’t Fox hire couple of guys who can talk baseball for 10 mins properly?

  29. Doug says:

    I flip on my TV.

    Instant retard circus on my screen, starring Eric Karros and Mark Grace.

    Actually, that is an insult to the mentally handicapped. I apologize.

  30. ansky says:

    All I know is, if Karros’s hair helmet gets any bigger…he’s going to need a facemask!

  31. Teix is the Man says:

    Aight Yanks, time to fuck shit up.

  32. Jake H says:

    I’m nervous about this game. Mostly because we haven’t had baseball since Thursday.

    Chapman will be at the game tonight as a guest of the Yankees. Heyman saying that the Mets are out of it because his agent said he wants 60 million. Crazy.

  33. FWIW, outlandish hair led to the French Revolution.

    #erickarros

  34. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    Why does Fox only ask Angels before everygame how they r feeling?

  35. Brandon says:

    Hey guys, I’ve been reading this site religiously for about a year, and have yet to post, but I figured tonight is the night…I’m ready to head to the WORLD SERIES!!

  36. Quikksand says:

    fox sucks, what’s new

  37. charlespoet says:

    OK, saw a great U2 concert in Vegas Friday night, found four pennies head up on the strip, Yankees can’t lose tonight.

    Will be checking from the Blackberry….. So, LET’S GO YANKEES, LET’S GO YANKEES, LET’S GO YANKEES, LET’S GO YANKEES,

  38. Souter Fell says:

    Damn, the stadium at night looks like a monument to the gods. Let’s do this thing.

  39. Tank the Frank says:

    You all should have seen BBTN’s predictions before the rainout yesterday.

    First of all…there weren’t any predictions. It went something like this:

    Kruck: The Yankees bullpen hasn’t been as good blahblahblah.
    Whoever (don’t know the name): The Angels bullpen hasn’t been that good either blahblahblah.
    Gammons: Joe Saunders and Andy Pettitte are pitching.

    It was beyond awesome.

  40. McCaff says:

    I hate joe buck

  41. Accent Shallow says:

    You know, if you took Karros’ power and Mark Grace’s ability to hit for average/draw walks, you’d have . . . well, a better 1B than either of them.

  42. Accent Shallow says:

    35-8 at home since the All-Star break? I know they’d played well, but that’s completely absurd. NBA levels of HFA.

  43. Ed says:

    Brillant lead in to the game. Short, accurate and didn’t over-state anything. I love this site.

  44. Souter Fell says:

    Yanks should start Steve Nebraska.

  45. TJ says:

    “The never-say-die Angels”

    Blech

  46. Dela G says:

    Does anyone else think that Mike Scoscia looks like John McCain except younger for some reason?

  47. Salty Buggah says:

    Here’s to Swisher getting hot again due to the return of the “Swish-Hawk”

  48. Doug says:

    YO YO YO AND AWAY WE GO!~

    /Mauro Ranallo’d

  49. Jake H says:

    I need this win.

  50. Mike Axisa says:

    Oh boy, kinda nervous…

  51. Salty Buggah says:

    Aite, let’s do this!

  52. Mike Axisa says:

    Damn yo, the Stadium is LOUD.

    I approve.

  53. Ivan says:

    Baseball is here.

  54. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    good job..u need all those first to get out of way..

  55. Accent Shallow says:

    I’m enjoying Chone Figgins as Automatic Out.

    • TheLastClown says:

      Indeed…I hope all those who think he’s some sort of viable option for us next year take notice.

      Also…Andy ANdy ANDy ANDY!!!!

  56. Mike says:

    why is my heart beating faster than probably all of the players combined…

  57. Ivan says:

    Like Seriously, Nick Swisher cannot be replace period. Who your gonna replace him with? Hairston, Gardner? Come on.

  58. Salty Buggah says:

    ooh, filthy curves to Chupacabreu

  59. Pettitte has had his way with this Angels lineup in the past. Check out this cool graphic showing his career stats vs. Angel hitters.

    http://visualbaseball.wordpress.com

  60. TJ says:

    Let’s go Andy strike this mofo out!

  61. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    what is this Andy and Posada not agreeing on every pitch?

  62. Salty Buggah says:

    Chupacabreu = TEH Chupa

    I missed that whistle.

  63. Souter Fell says:

    andy looks like a beast

  64. Accent Shallow says:

    Andy’s looking pretty sharp thus far.

  65. Jake H says:

    Andy is extremely sharp tonight to start.

  66. Salty Buggah says:

    Nice start Andy. Helped calm me down a bit.

  67. Doug says:

    I feel like a great weight has been lifted.

  68. TJ says:

    Great start for Pettitte.

    Hopefully we can beat up Saunders early.

  69. Bob Stone says:

    GREAT start Andy!!!

  70. putt says:

    “If CC is pitching game 1 of the WS, the Yankees will know they won tonight.” Holy Shit. I’m now dumber for having listened to that statement.

  71. cjc says:

    aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh tension breaker sorry had to do it

  72. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    Andrew Eugene Pettite..

  73. Doug says:

    What’s the point of a black taco? Does it taste any different or is it just cornmeal colored with squid ink or something

  74. Tank the Frank says:

    I cannot BELIEVE Andy Pettitte with his East Coast bias sat the Angels down 1-2-3 in the first!!

    /HalosHeaven’d

  75. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    Lets put 4 spot on..take them out of their game..

  76. mike c says:

    Joe Buck: “inning over”
    of course it was really only half over. figures

  77. Drew says:

    Wowzah. I didn’t think that had a chance.

  78. Salty Buggah says:

    Kinda wanted that signature leadoff single from the Captain.

    So close, Johnny. Do it again.

  79. Accent Shallow says:

    Saunders is looking a little hyped up thus far, may be overthrowing. I approve.

  80. Salty Buggah says:

    Nice job Tex. Cmon A-rod!

  81. Mike Axisa says:

    There we go. Tex is heating up.

  82. Bob Stone says:

    Go Tex! Good sign.

  83. ShuutoHeat says:

    Tex! Setting up AROD!

  84. Reggie C. says:

    AROD time.

  85. TheLastClown says:

    Oedipus Tex!

  86. TJ says:

    Nice job Tex!

  87. Drew says:

    Bernie is in the building to witness his record being broken.

  88. Bob Stone says:

    Nasty first pitch to ARod.

  89. zoudini says:

    Over/under on how long (in min) before I press ‘Mute’ after hearing gems like this:

    “Yankees have come back home leading 3-2 in a series and lost 2 times out of 10″… I see what you did there, but that also means they’ve won four times as much as they’ve lost in that situation.

  90. cjc says:

    there is no way in hell he is throwing 94

  91. JobaWockeeZ says:

    What a bust. Didn’t score a run.

  92. TJ says:

    Alright A-Rod!

  93. Salty Buggah says:

    A-rod!!! Cmon Posada!

  94. Accent Shallow says:

    That stayed in the park? He must be pressing!

  95. Mike Axisa says:

    Two out hits! And I’m not complaining for once!

  96. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    he didn’t lose anything in two days..still good for a win tonight..i mean Al

  97. Tank the Frank says:

    RISP!!!!

  98. Ivan says:

    Just a single A-Rod? Unclutch.

  99. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    Jorgie juiced one..

  100. TheLastClown says:

    Arods swing is the most effective looking, to mine eyes, since he’s become a Yankee.

    So short, quick, explosive. None of that helicopter follow through he used to have.

    The real Alex Rodriguez has stood up.

  101. ShuutoHeat says:

    COME ON JOPO!!!

  102. danny says:

    HIP HIP!

  103. pedro says:

    need to strike first

  104. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    wtf was that Jorgie?

  105. Accent Shallow says:

    I’m surprised that stayed in this disgraceful excuse for a stadium.

  106. Salty Buggah says:

    Damnit, cmon guys we gotta get some hits with RISp tonight.

  107. What a loser. Jose Molina should have started this game.

  108. Reggie C. says:

    Over anxious enough?

  109. The Ghost of Scott Brosius says:

    what is the point of that swing? clearly you cant do anything with that pitch, just let it go

  110. JJ Awesome says:

    Os this the night we get to saunders? He has owned us this season

  111. Jake H says:

    Jorge likes to swing at change ups out of the zone.

  112. TJ says:

    Damn…another missed opportunity to put the heat on but at least the heart of the order got some hits. That can only mean good things.

  113. Souter Fell says:

    alright, they all got some contact on the ball, now do your thing andy

  114. Reggie C. says:

    G-MEN recovery!

    C’mon Eli. Lets grab an early lead!

  115. Riddering says:

    Eh, we’re making good contact on Saunders and he’s having trouble throwing strikes.

    Confidence level: 11

  116. Mike Axisa says:

    For all the talk about how great Joe Saunders looked in game one, he gave up two hard hit singles and almost got taken deep that inning.

  117. Accent Shallow says:

    Howie Kendrick is playing today? Shit.

  118. Riddering says:

    We need to resposition Jeter when Vlad is up. :p

  119. Tank the Frank says:

    Similar to the “hit” Hughes gave up.

  120. Salty Buggah says:

    Damn, nice try Jeter. This Vlad is getting really lucky on these little bouncers. Cmon Andy, get a DP.

  121. Mike Axisa says:

    That was the slowest developing almost great play ever.

  122. Salty Buggah says:

    SWISH MOHAWK!!!!!!!!

  123. TJ says:

    Swisher holla!

  124. Mike Axisa says:

    Just sit Swisher, he’s awful.

  125. Accent Shallow says:

    The Angels play fundamental baseball!

  126. e mills says:

    c’mon now bench Swisher…wtf was that shit

  127. Reggie C. says:

    Vlad shouldn’t run. Period.

  128. Riddering says:

    BEST FOURTH OUTFIELDER EVER.

  129. Joe D. says:

    Beautiful.

  130. cjc says:

    thanks for the gift

  131. JobaWockeeZ says:

    OMG SWISHER IS BAAAD

  132. ShuutoHeat says:

    SuckA!

  133. Doug says:

    And that’s why you don’t bench SWISHAHOUSE!

  134. Arman Tamzarian says:

    Nick Fucking Swisha!

  135. Souter Fell says:

    where the hell was vlad going?

  136. nz says:

    Hahaha. Nice play by Swish.

  137. The Ghost of Scott Brosius says:

    SCIOSIA SEES EVERYTHING

  138. Ivan says:

    Again, nuttin is more funnier in baseball than a baserunning FAIL!!!!

  139. Thirty5Thirty6 says:

    FUCK YEAH!

  140. Jake H says:

    Angels are smart baserunners.

  141. Accent Shallow says:

    I have an incredibly mixture of hatred and fear directed towards Howie Kendrick. Sheesh.

  142. Salty Buggah says:

    Thanks to Eiland for getting Swish’s throwing mechanics right. He’s been throwing well ever since.

  143. JobaWockeeZ says:

    That play was rigged!! The umpire is udner east coast bias! He was safe by a mile.
    /Halos Heaven’d

  144. Joe D. says:

    Where is Nady when you need him?

  145. cjc says:

    he wanted no piece of Kendrick

  146. Mike Axisa says:

    How do you “squeeze sawdust out of a bat?” Wouldn’t it be squeezing sap out of the bat?

  147. Accent Shallow says:

    How the hell do you walk Howie Kendrick?

  148. Ivan says:

    Don’t mind that BB there.

  149. Souter Fell says:

    alright andy, settle down

  150. cjc says:

    pick off and an end to a fundamental inning

  151. Salty Buggah says:

    Cmon Andy

  152. ShuutoHeat says:

    Oh god here we go again with the Andy’s pick off = balk and only his reputation is saving him from balks…

    SHUT THE FUCK UP MCCARVER! STOP FUCKING ENCOURAGING HIM BUCK.

  153. Ivan says:

    Lets get some runs.

  154. Bob Stone says:

    Excellent – Keep it going Andy.

  155. Salty Buggah says:

    Nice job. Swisha up, hoping his Swish-Hawk gets a hit.

  156. Riddering says:

    Andy’s holding them down.

    Just the way I like it.

  157. cjc says:

    now hit this turkey

  158. Souter Fell says:

    cool andy, now let’s show them who we are

  159. Hugh Jassman says:

    Hah. Big Mac is going to be the Cards hitting coach.

  160. Bob Stone says:

    Saunders has looked a lot better in the last game and this one than his career stats suggest he would look.

  161. JJ Awesome says:

    Time to destroy them

  162. Riddering says:

    Oh, Matsui. I knew that was coming.

  163. The Lodge says:

    Doesn’t Arte Moreno look like Roy Walley from Vacation? Spitting Image.

  164. Pasqua says:

    Let’s move straight to Game 7, shall we? Joe Saunders demeanor is unhittable tonight.

  165. zoudini says:

    Tim McCarver: Joe Saunders is a mouth-breather.

  166. Accent Shallow says:

    I love Good Robbie.

  167. Jake H says:

    I’m a little tired of Matsui swinging at the first pitch all the time.

  168. whozat says:

    Oh, my god. Now I remember why I hate watching games with my dad.

    _Every_single_thing that happens, he bitches and moans and complains. Every time an angel gets on base, it’s “here we go again!” Every Yankee out, it’s “how could you swing!? This guy hasn’t done anything! Come ON!”

  169. Doug says:

    Ha ha, that fastball was at his chin. VLAD’D!

  170. Souter Fell says:

    alright swish,redemption song time

  171. Accent Shallow says:

    I mean, that was neck high and he hit a rope. Awesome.

  172. zoudini says:

    No RISP = Base-hit for Robbie

  173. Salty Buggah says:

    Nice job Robbie. No DP Swishahawk.

  174. Mike Axisa says:

    Let’s go Dirty Thirty (three)!

  175. Joe D. says:

    Repeated incredibly solid contact >> The demeanor of Joe Saunders

  176. Alright, Swish. Keep building the case. A good hit or two, and all is forgiven/forgotten.

  177. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    Saunders is on verge of shitting in this inning..lets get him guys..

  178. Tank the Frank says:

    Ugh Swish. That was a MEATBALL.

  179. TJ says:

    Come on Swish

  180. ShuutoHeat says:

    Make Saunders work for every lil single out, until he’s weezing and puffing out of his mouth.

  181. cjc says:

    that 3-1 pitch just screamed to be hammered

  182. JobaWockeeZ says:

    Cano hardly goes regardless McCarver. Your insight is incredibly flawed and idiotic.

  183. cjc says:

    god damn it

  184. Bob Stone says:

    Melky – Be a hero.

  185. Ivan says:

    At least Swisher is having good AB’s. He’s still missing pitches rite down the middle.

  186. Reggie C. says:

    Alrigth Melk. You can’t possibly be as cold as Swish … right?

  187. danny says:

    he needs to stop trying so hardd

  188. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    swisher fouled the ball he should have hit and hit the one he should have fouled..i guess “you can’t predit baseball Suzyn”

  189. Doug says:

    Whoa, Aybar cut off his dreads.

  190. cjc says:

    second time thru we hammer this guy

  191. Ivan says:

    Figures the black guy is the best Barber on the team.

  192. Huh.

    Aybar looked better with the dreads. Not often you can say that about someone, but it’s true.

  193. Doug says:

    Pasta diving Figgins!

  194. Tank the Frank says:

    RISP!!

  195. Souter Fell says:

    2nd time through, let the gates open

  196. TJ says:

    Love the two out hits

  197. Reggie C. says:

    YES!

    Another RISP situation. Awesome! We’re gonna come through right herrrrr!

  198. zoudini says:

    Let’s go Cap’n

  199. Joe D. says:

    Baserunners. Me likey.

  200. Bob Stone says:

    Cheap seeing eye hit but I’ll take it. Maybe luck is shifting to our side.

  201. Riddering says:

    Melky is on fire.

    LET’S GO JETER.

  202. Camilo Gerardo - your inception? fuck perception, go with what makes sense says:

    i love melk’s hand motion after every hit

  203. Mike says:

    lets go jete. gotta start cashing in on these runners on base regardless of outs.

  204. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    Captain..please make us happy..

  205. Ivan says:

    Lets go DJ.

  206. TheLastClown says:

    Beisbol con Leche!!

  207. Accent Shallow says:

    Saunders is shook . ..

  208. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    Johnny Rocket on the way?

  209. Camilo Gerardo - your inception? fuck perception, go with what makes sense says:

    Derek! Jeter!

  210. Souter Fell says:

    saunders is sh*tting himself DJ,

  211. Jeter tried to do a little Academy Award acting there…

  212. Mike Axisa says:

    Throw some Johnny D’s on it.

  213. Stadium Garlic Fries says:

    Tim Mcclland wouldn’t call that pitch strike even if he was going to get fired..

  214. JobaWockeeZ says:

    Use that short porch Damon.

  215. Ivan says:

    Come on Damon, get that clutch hit.

  216. Mike says:

    lets go johnny. make him pay.

  217. Tank the Frank says:

    Bronx Bombing.

    Oh FOX.

  218. Bob Stone says:

    Grand Slam Time!

  219. ShuutoHeat says:

    The Mouth Breather is labored and wheeezing…

  220. Quikksand says:

    jete walks HERE WE GO YANKEES HERE WE GO! (clap clap)

  221. Saunders is shook. The only way he’d be more nervous at the moment is if Feared Williams was at the plate instead of Johnny Rightfieldporch.

  222. zoudini says:

    It’s derek effing jeter, calm down mouth-breather. /unintentional rhyming

    i’m glad tim mclelland was lookin the right way to make that call.

  223. Joe D. says:

    RISP Correction in 3…2…1…

  224. Souter Fell says:

    johnny, how bout a yankee acls grand slam?

  225. ShuutoHeat says:

    Lol did Melky just tell Aybar he looks like a tool?

  226. Reggie C. says:

    I guess the offense didn’t want to score this inning.

  227. JobaWockeeZ says:

    Please jump in a fire Buck.

  228. Pasqua says:

    Not exactly a bases loaded swing there, Johnny.

  229. Accent Shallow says:

    Can’t keep letting this slob off the hook.

  230. TJ says:

    Goddamn Johnny

    At least we got 3-4-5 coming up next.

  231. Summamabitch.

    It’s all good. A 2.500 WHIP will come crashing back to Earth in no time.

  232. Mike says:

    they can never fucking capitalize with runners on.

  233. Souter Fell says:

    lets not do this can’t hit with RISP tonight, saunders is weak and should be punished as such