Yankees at Phillies-World Series Game 3

The Yankees will try and take the lead in the series 2 games to 1. The game starts at 7:57 on FOX. Andy Pettitte is on the mound against Cole Hamels who was the MVP of last years World Series but this postseason has been horrible pitching to a near 7 era. Here are the notes and lineups via Sam Borden and Chad Jennings of the Journal News. The Yankees are 3 wins away from their 27th World Title and first in 9 years. People often talk about Game 3 as the swing game in a World Series and there’s some truth to it: The team winning Game 3 has gone on to win in 35 of 53 World Series that were tied at 1, including each of the last two and nine of the last 10. The lone exception? You probably already know it. The Yankees won Game 3 of the 2003 World Series but then lost three straight to the Marlins to lose the Series. I really like Andy Pettitte in this spot and the Yankees really have a pitching advantage tomorrow so to me this is a big big game. The approximately 108 miles from Yankee Stadium to Citizens Bank Park is among the shortest distances between World Series sites. It was 1 1/2 miles from the Polo Grounds to Yankee Stadium (Yankees/Giants); nine miles from Yankee Stadium to Shea (Yankees/Mets); 15 miles between Ebbets Field and Yankee Stadium (Yankees/Dodgers); 22 miles between Candlestick Park and Oakland Coliseum (Giants/A’s); and 98 miles between Memorial Stadium and Veterans Stadium (Orioles/Phillies). Of course, the shortest distance between World Series sites is zero: In 1921 and ‘22, all World Series games were played at the Polo Grounds and in 1944 all games were played at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis. It is so close in distance the teams have been taking trains to travel from one city to the other. Tonight is Andy Pettitte’s 11th World Series start for the Yankees, which is the second-most in team history. Pettitte passes Waite Hoyt and Red Ruffing, and is now only trailing Whitey Ford, who made an insane 22 World Series starts. He is 3-4, 3.90 in his 10 previous starts for the Yankees, and 0-0, 4.26 in one World Series start with the Astros. Andy has pitched really well in these spots and has been great on the road this season. He is a guy that just blocks everything out and the crowd won't bother him. Alex Rodriguez had a hit in all nine playoff games leading up to the World Series but is 0-for-8 with six strikeouts in the first two games of the World Series. In case you were wondering, the World Series record for strikeouts is 12, set by the Royals Willie Wilson back in 1980 against – yes – the Phillies. The Yankees would like to see him get going but he is a huge reason they are here to begin with. It will be intersting in this park as the ball really flys. More evidence why Derek Jeter should always be hitting, instead of bunting: After going 4-for-8 in the first two games, Jeter’s career World Series average is .314 (43-for-137) which is fifth-highest all-time among players with at least 100 ABs. Who’s ahead of him? Only Lou Gehrig, Eddie Collins, Babe Ruth and Steve Garvey. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Posada(C) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF) Pettitte(P) Phillies Lineup: Rollins(SS) Victorino(CF) Utley(2B) Howard(1B) Werth(RF) Ibanez(LF) Feliz(3B) Ruiz(C) Hamels(P) Joe Girardi said in his press conference that Matsui was never really an option and isn't necessarily the first pinch hitter off the bench. He will pick his spots to who to use, Hinske and Matsui will be the main guys I would think. He also announced CC Sabathia will pitch tomorrow on 3 days rest and that Burnett and Pettitte probably would also though he will wait tomorrow to announce the rotation further. He said he would like to save Gaudin until later on in the series out of the bullpen but if he has to be used tonight or tomorrow as a long man he could.

Workout Day before Game 3

The New York Yankees boarded a train from Penn Station and took the hour train ride to Philly this afternoon. There wasn't much news out of the Yankees other then Joe Girardi saying that Johnny Damon will be in left field which means Matsui will be on the bench. The Yankees one interesting decision for tomorrow is who plays right field but Hinske and Swisher have never faced Hamels and Hairston is 2-10 lifetime against him. Joe Girardi is a book guy but there is nothing to really go bsy here. I am going to guess that Nick Swisher is back in right field. The Phillies announced today that Joe Blanton would start Game 4 and Cliff Lee Game 5. Cliff Lee has never pitched on 3 days rest and that is why they don't want to do it now. I say it is the World Series there is no tomorrow. I would have pitched him 3 times, this gives an edge to the Yankees knowing they will only see him one more time. If you want to hear some audi you can go to www.mlb.com or www.yankees.lhblogs.com. Andy Pettitte who has been very good will be on the mound against Cole Hamels who has struggled.

Yanks take Game 2

The Yankees lost last night by being dazzled by Cliff Lee. They answered back winning 3-1. A.J. Burnett pitched 7 strong innings giving up a run on 4 hits with 2 walks and 9 strikeouts. The only run scored also was a groundball that should of been handled by A-rod. Pedro Martinez was impressive himself but the Yankees remain his daddy's. He pitched 6 innings giving up 6 hits with 3 runs, 2 walks and 8 strikeouts. A.J. Burnett was the story of the game though as when the Yankees needed him most he really came up big. A.J. Burnett pitched his finest game of the postseason and biggest game of his career. Mariano compledted his second 2 inning save in a row. The Yankees were up 2-1 in the bottom of the 7th when they had first and second one out. Johnny Damon hit a ball that shorthopped Ryan Howard that the umpires called a double play because he caught it in the air but it bounced and that really could of changed the game. The umpires in this postseason have been so bad and something has to be done about this. The umpires in this World Series are supposed to be the best and most experienced and they still make a call like that. The Yankees got solo homeruns from Hideki Matsui and Mark Teixeira and a pinch hit rbi single from Jorge Posada. The Yankees would really like A-rod to get going in Philly as he is 0-7 in the World Series so far. I think the next game could be a big one for him as he will face Cole Hamels in a hitters ballpark. This should be a interesting game as I think the Yankees have the advantage but the hitters haven't really gotten going in this series and your just waiting for them to explode on both sides. I think the offense's may really get going in Citizens Bank Park, of course CC and Cliff Lee could be pitching Game 4 but we will see. I think the next game is a huge game as it will be a swing game. Andy Pettitte has come up huge in these kind of spots throughout his career and the Yankees will be leaning on him once more to come up BIG. The teams will have tomorrow off as they travel by train to Philly at least the Phillies are. I could see this series being decided by the bullpens and other then MO both teams have shaky bullpens and I must say Brad Lidge has been good also in the postseason.

Phillies at Yankees-World Series Game 2(Who's Your Daddy)

The New York Yankees will be looking to bounce back from a Game 1 loss last night. They were beaten 6-1 by Cliff Lee and the Phillies. Cliff Lee was just amazing twirling a complete game 6 hitter with 2 of those hits being in the 9th inning and he allowed one unearned run. The Yankees will be facing a old friend in Pedro Martinez. A.J. Burnett for the first time this postseason will be pitching with pressure as the Yankees are down in the series for the first time. The Yankees are now 24-16 all-time in World Series openers but in 8 of the previous 15 losses the Yankees have bounced back to win the series. Here are the pregame notes and lineups via the Journal News Lohud Yankees Blog and the Yankees media notes. A-rod went 0-4 with 3 strikeouts last night snapping a 9 game postseason hitting streak from this season and a 11 game run that dated back to 2007. The last time A-rod had struck out more then once in a game was Sept. 22nd against the Angels. A.J. Burnett when he has trouble it is in the beginning of the game. The first 15 pitches of games in the regular season opposing hitters had a 797 OPS against him which is the highest OPS of any 15 pitch increment up to 75 pitches. He also gave up 8 homeruns during that first increment. A.J. Burnett has a lot of pressure on him now and lets see how he responds, in his first two starts he was following a CC win. He has seemed to step up to big challenges but this is the biggest game of his career. He faced the Phillies on May 22nd and gave up one run in the first and two in the second. The Yankees scored an unearned run in the ninth inning last night which snapped a 17 inning scoreless streak for them in the World Series. That was the third longest streak in franchise history. The longest was 21 innings in 1921-22 followed by an 18 inning streak from Games 1-3 of the 2001 World Series. Cliff Lee's 10 strikeouts in Game 1 were the most by a pitcher in the World Series since Josh Beckett also had 10 in Game 3 of the 2003 World Series. Beckett of course who was with the Marlins at the time came back on 3 days rest and finished the Yankees in Game 6. Derek Jeter was the only Yankee that had success off of Lee last night getting 3 hits. He now has 42 hits in the World Series tying him with Elston Howard, Babe Ruth and Eddie Collins for 10th on the all-time list. It was Jeter's 4th career 3 hit game in the World Series and 3rd in his last 5 World Series games. The Yankees vs Pedro has been dramatic over the years but mostly its been even. Pedro is 11-11 with a 3.20 era lifetime in the regular season against the Yankees and was 8-5 with a 3.21 era in 18 career starts at the Old Stadium. He was 0-1 with a 5.40 era in 2 ALCS starts. He also had one of his best days at the Old Stadium when he allowed one hit and struck out 17 on Sept. 10, 1999. That was a long time ago and it isn't the same Pedro but he will be sure to provide plenty of drama with his presence. Who's Your Daddy will be ringing throughout the stadium tonight. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Matsui(DH) Cano(2B) Hairston(RF) Cabrera(CF) Molina(C)

Phillies at Yankees-World Series Game 1

The New York Yankees appearing in their 40th World Series will take on the defending champions the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies have appeared in 6 World Series most recently last season when they won it all. The Yankees haven't been to a World Series since 2003. The Yankees are 5-0 at home in the postseason and have gone a amazing 39-5 in their last 44 home games. The Yankees are 33-13 alltime in the best of 7 series. Here are the pregame notes and lineups via Sam Borden of the Journal News and Chad Jennings. It has been raining all day in the New York Metropolitan area but as I type this the sun is shining and it looks like we will have baseball tonight. This marks just the second time in history according to the Elias Sports Bureau that two former Cy Young award winners will face off in Game 1 of the World Series. Maddux vs Hersheiser in 1995 was the other. Lee and Sabathia met on opening day of the New Stadium in April. The Indians won that game 10-2. The two pitchers are good friends but not in this series. The Yankees have hit 14 homeruns this postseason so far which is two shy of their franchise record of 16 set in 1996. They also tied that record in 2001 and 2003. The Phillies have also hit 14 homeruns this postseason. The two teams are homerun hitting teams in homerun hitting parks although Yankee Stadium slowed down as the season went on. If the Yankees win the World Series they will be the third team to do so in the first year of their current stadium. The Cardinals in 2006 and the 1912 Red Sox did it. The Yankees won the World Series in their first season at the original Yankee Stadium 1923 and made it to the World Series in the first season of the remodeled stadium in 1976. The Yankees have comeback wins in 5 of their 7 postseason victories including 3 in the 7th inning or later. The Phillies are a comeback team also it is important to note. Jimmy Rollins hasn't hit much this postseason but in the ninth inning he has been unstoppable. A-rod enters his first World Series batting 438 in the postseason with 5 homeruns, 12 rbi's and 9 walks. He has hit safely in all 9 playoff games and 11 straight dating back to the 2007 ALDS. According to Elias, his game tying homeruns in the seventh inning or later are the most such homeruns for any player in a postseason. Suzyn Waldman the Yankees radio announcer for WCBS 880 will become the first woman radio announcer to call a World Series. Congratulations to her. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Posada(C) Matsui(DH) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF)

I don't have the Phillies lineup sorry for that.