Great shutdown inning, Andy. Tack on some more.
World Series Game Three Spillover Thread III
Start pilin’ on, boys.
World Series Game Three Spillover Thread II
Settle down, Andy. Hold it there.
World Series Game Three Spillover Thread
This game has four-and-a-half hours written all over it.
World Series Game Three: Yankees @ Phillies
It wouldn’t be a Yankee playoff game without crappy weather, so of course the forecast tonight calls for a chance of rain. Eh, whatever, it’ll be fine.
As for the game, the Yanks will get their second crack at 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels this year, after he held them to just two runs in six innings. Hamels has gotten rocked so far this postseason, who has put 20 runners in base in just 14.2 IP over three starts, including 6 (!!!) homers allowed. The Bombers have hit just .222-.258-.349 in the World Series so far, so hopefully they can get back on track tonight.
Andy Pettitte will get the ball on five day’s rest, working for the first time since he sent the Angels back to SoCal will their halos between their legs. Charlie Manuel says Pettitte’s stuff is dwindling, so I’m really hoping lefty makes Manuel eat his words tonight.
Here’s the starting nine(s):
Yankees
Derek Jeter, SS
Johnny Damon, LF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Jorge Posada, C
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Melky Cabrera, CF
Andy Pettitte, SP (14-8, 4.16)
Philadelphia
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Shane Victorino, CF
Chase Utley, 2B
Ryan Howard, 1B
Jayson Werth, RF
Raul Ibanez, LF
Pedro Feliz, 3B
Carlos Ruiz, C
Cole Hamels, SP (10-11, 4.32)
Once again, it’s CC in Game Four
No surprise here, but Joe Girardi officially announced the CC Sabathia will get the ball in Game Four against Joe Blanton tomorrow night. All of the beat writers tweeted it simultaneously, but Jack Curry’s popped up in Echofon first, so he gets credit. Clearly, it’s the right move.
Rosenthal: Maybe starting Gaudin isn’t such a bad idea
I don’t know when it became uncouth for a team to throw their starters on short rest in the playoffs, but everyone and their mother feels compelled to write an article about how the Yankees should start Chad Gaudin to make sure CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Andy Pettitte can finish the series on regular rest. Nevermind that Gaudin has thrown just 2.1 low leverage inning in the last 33 days, nevermind that lefties hit .296-.408-.415 off him and Philly’s lineup could have as many as six lefties in it, nevermind that for Burnett and Pettitte it would assuredly be their last start for five months, nevermind that it’s a freaking World Series. Save them for a start that might not even be necessary.
Just start CC, AJ, and Andy in Games 4, 5, and 6. One start each on three day’s rest won’t kill them (two for Sabathia if it goes to Game 7), and those guys at even 75% is still better than Gaudin at 100%. Charlie Manuel made the mistake of starting Joe Blanton in Game 4, so don’t repeat. No mercy.