Down two games to one in the World Series, the Phillies are taking a huge chance by not pitching their ace, Cliff Lee, on three days rest. Unless there are rainouts, this means Lee will only be able to pitch in Game Five. Meanwhile, the Yankees’ ace, C.C. Sabathia, will not only pitch tonight against the Phillies fourth best pitcher, but he would pitch in a Game Seven against a struggling Cole Hamels.
I understand that Cliff Lee has never pitched on three-days rest before. And if the Phillies can win tonight, they’ll be ecstatic to have Lee pitching tomorrow on full rest. But, this is crunch time, man. This is no time to be looking at statistics. Tonight is a must win for the Phils, and they’re putting their fourth best pitcher out there against the Yankee ace. That makes no sense to me. If it works out, it will look brilliant. But, for me, if it works out it will be just plain lucky.
Tim McCarver is denser than a black hole. With one out and a man on third, you often intentionally walk a hot hitter to set up a possible double play. Of course, you can just intentionally hit them with the ball to get the same result. This is third time the Phils have hit A-Rod, and at least the second when an intentionally walk would have been appropriate. But McCarver can’t see the logic of throwing at A-Rod in this situation.
That is not going to be the only run CC gives up today.
A-Rod’s leading off. You think they’ll drill him again?
Blanton is settling in nicely. There is no way in HELL Hamels pitches game 7. It will be PEDRO. WTF w/the NY Football Giants? Eli looks like he did four years ago.
who pitches game six, then?
If Phillies are up 3-2, Happ throws game 6 and Pedro game 7. If they are down 3-2, Pedro game 6 and all hands on deck for game 7, starting with Blanton on 3 days rest and ready with Happ and even Lee on a couple of days rest. They have all winter to rest their arms. I would not let Cole Hamels see the mound again this season. He is a quitter.
A quitter?
This catfish who is calling balls-and-strikes should lose his license. He is absolutely pathetic. Indecisive, inconsistent, and incompetent.
yeah, he sucks.
Robinson Cano continues to do his best Mariano Duncan impersonation.
I am tired of mound visits.
I feel lucky to get thru that inning without giving up a run.
Cole Hamels: “I just can’t wait for this to be over… I need a new beginning…” QUITTER.
You were lucky to get out of that inning without a run. What is the deal with Posada going out to the mound every third pitch?
I’m having a hard time adjusting to the idea that you are rooting against the Yankees. I know you don’t wanna break your kids’ hearts, but geez…
I never thought I’d live to see you root against Derek Jeter.
What a little whiner.
(meaning Hamels)
Blanton did as well as you could expect. The two runs in the fifth were bloops and bleeds. He did fine. It’s the Phillies bats that are the problem.
Here’s what I don’t get. Why pitch a guy against CC who can’t match him pitch for pitch?
They are lucky to have 3 runs off Sabathia. He looks like he’s at 50% of what he was against Minnesota and Anaheim, and he’s still tough as hell.
Have to root for them. No satellite or special package, so rooted for the Phillies 100 times this year versus 10 times for the Yankees. Couldn’t turn it off at this point. But I still have much love for Derek Jeter!
I know there’s no way to ‘prove’ this, but even after Chamberlain blew away Werth and Ibanez I somehow knew Feliz was going to hit the HR. He sits dead red always, and I knew he was going to take the 95 MPH heater deep.
Lidge looks like a hillbilly but he just made Jeter look sick. Now it’s Damon’s turn… Joba looks like he’s crying.
I believe you about Feliz. I told CG before the bottom of the eighth that if Joba gave up the lead, the whole series could turn on it with Lee pitching tomorrow. And I told her Joba could definitely give it up.
Game Over.
Johnny Damon did something I’ve never seen before. He stole two bases on one play. No overthrow. Two recorded stolen bases on the same play, Hilarious.
Jesus God, that was hideous. Someone should be put in the stocks for that one.
Yeah, that was fantastic, and a bit hilarious. He looked like a little kid who’d just taken a cookie from the cookie jar. The guy behind him looked pathetic.
Gonna be a barn burner tomorrow.