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.