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.

Roster Changes for World Series

The New York Yankees finalized their roster this morning. Freddy Guzman and Francisco Cervelli were taken off the roster and replaced by Brian Bruney and Eric Hinske. You need a pinch hitter for the games in the national league park. The Yankees felt they needed a extra pitcher and taking Cervelli off the roster seems like they will scrap the Molina/Burnett pairing and just go with Posada the whole way. If you are headed out to the game as of right now they are saying the game should be started on time with no delay or anything but it is terrible out right now. I would dress warm and appropriately and bring something to clean the seats as they will be soaked. Alicia Keys and Jay-Z have been switched to tomorrow instead because of the weather. I don't have any other news right now. There will be some press conferences in a little while and I am hoping to have the gamepost with the notes and lineups up before 4.

World Series workout Day

The Phillies announced that Pedro Martinez will start game 2 at Yankee Stadium. This should be a lot of fun, the whose your daddy chants will be back out in force. It is very interesting, i guess Pedro is a veteran and has pitched well but what does this say to Cole Hamels, obviously they don't trust him at all and don't feel good at all about him. CC vs Cliff Lee in game 1 is a great matchup although the Yankees know him well and have had success against him. This is a dangerous situation for the Phillies if they lose game 1 that the Yankees may just pound Pedro in game 2. The Yankees didn't announce their rotation past game 3 they will stick with CC, A.J. and Andy in that order but we don't know yet if they will use only three starters. It is believed that they may go back to CC and then use Gaudin for a game 5. If they only use 3 starters that would mean all of them have to pitch on 3 days rest. Joe Girardi also said today on WFAN that it isn't out of the question that Matsui could play the OF in the NL park. I just don't see how that is possible, he hasn't played there all year and do you really want to put him out there now? If you do that you have to move Damon to right or sit him which you don't want to do. Eric Hinske although it hasn't become official yet is going to replace Freddy Guzman on the roster according to Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman and others. The Yankees may also add an extra pitcher, Brian Bruney is the name you hear. I am sure there may be some audio later on the press conferences and some quotes.

Statement from the BOSS

“The Yankees’ enormous will to win, tremendous professionalism and great team spirit, backed by the best, most vocal and supportive fans have propelled us into the World Series. We’re looking forward to our 27th ring.” This came from the BOSS earlier today, he is planning on being at the Game on Wednesday night. Jay-Z will be performing Empire state of mind before Game 1 and Alicia Keys will be singing the National Anthem. I wonder who will throw out the first pitch, I am going with Yogi Berra or Whitey Ford. A non World Series or Yankees related item today but interesting is that Mark McGwire was hired as the Cardinals new hitting coach. There will be a lot of stuff coming from the Stadium tomorrow with the official media press conferences, I am guessing Charlie Manuel will name his Game 2 starter and I hope it is Pedro Martinez, I am guessing the Who's your Daddy? chants will be revving up.

Photos of the Yankees Clinching

The Yankees win, theeeeeeeee Yankees win

The New York Yankees defeated the Anaheim Angels last night by the score of 5-2 and securing their 40th pennant in the process. Andy Pettitte got the start, the old warhorse and pitched 6 1/3 good innings giving up 1 run. Joba Chamberlain got 2 outs and then Old Reliable Mariano Rivera got the last 6 outs to secure the pennant. Andy Pettitte got the win and became the alltime leader in wins in the postseason with his 16th career victory. He passed John Smoltz on the list. The Yankees will now appear in a record 40th World Series but their first since 2003 which to many seems a long long time ago. It is a long time ago in the Yankees Universe but if you were around in the 80's or the mid 60's until the late 70's you know it hasn't been that bad. The new age fans are very spoiled and the players themselves at least the core four were spoiled but now realize just how hard it is to get to this point. Alex Rodriguez will be appearing in his first world series as well as CC Sabathia. A.J. Burnett made the world series vs the Yankees in 2003 but he was hurt and inactive so this is special to him. The young guys like Joba, Phil Hughes, Dave Robertson, Robinson Cano etc get to experience this for the first time as well. Jerry Hairston Jr. has been around for a while but never even made it to the playoffs, Eric Hinske is a guy that keeps getting on teams that make it so to him this is old hat but he will enjoy this as well. Joe Girardi with all the second guessing he has endured seemed to really really enjoy this as he wouldn't let go of the AL championship trophy last night according to the Lohud Yankees Blog. I was at the game and didn't get a chance to do a recap and that is why I am getting to you so late. I basically sleepwalked through the day today as you can imagine. CC Sabathia won the MVP which is interesting because he won 2 games and was dominant but A-rod impacted every game and was unbelievable. I thought they might go with co MVP's but that is just window dressing, A-rod said he didn't care and with this team you have to believe him, all year long they have focused on team and winning the world series. It will be interesting to see if the Yankees continue to go with the 3 starters in the World Series or use Chad Gaudin as the 4th, what they may do is use him for Game 5 so they could still use CC in games 1, 4 and 7 if necessary. The only problem with using 3 starters is everyone would have to pitch on short rest and I am not sure that is the best idea but I would use CC on 3 days rest as he has proved he can do it and do it well. There will be another day off but press conferences tomorrow and I will do a preview tomorrow.

Angels at Yankees-ALCS Game 6 again

The Yankees remain one win from a 40th pennant and first World Series trip since 2003. They were nine outs away from it on Thursday in Anaheim after a thrilling six-run rally, but could not hold a two-run lead and now have to win one of the next two games at Yankee Stadium to advance. The odds are certainly in their favor; 19 of the 28 teams to hold a 3-2 lead since 1985 have gone on to win the series. I expect the Yankees to win tonight, no one should of thought it would be too easy. Here are the pregame notes and lineups via the Lohud Yankees Blog. I will be headed out to the Stadium shortly so enjoy the game everyone and hopefully I will have a happy postgame reaction later tonight or tomorrow morning. The Yankees were a major-league best 57-24 record at home this season, including a 36-10 mark since June 30. They lost consecutive home games only once in that stretch and have won all four postseason games there so far this year. The Yankees bullpen was supposed to be a strength in the postseason but it hasn’t felt that way lately. Phil Hughes has allowed three earned runs, nine hits and has a WHIP of 2.36 in 4 2/3 innings during the playoffs while Joba Chamberlain has a 3.38 ERA and has seen opponents hit. 500 off him over 2 2/3 innings. Should Joe Girardi use Dave Robertson more often? He’s thrown three scoreless innings during the postseason. Melky Cabrera has five hits in the past two games and has upped his ALCS average to .381 (8-for-21). Cabrera also has three walks and four RBI. Nick Swisher continues to be a black hole in the lineup during the postseason. Swisher is 2-for-17 with 16 LOB in the ALCS and 3-for-29 in the playoffs with only one RBI. I personally would of started Gardner in CF and Melky in right but lets hope he breaks out and helps them win tonight. The Angels four first-inning runs in Game 5 marked the first time they’d scored in any of the opening three innings of any postseason game this year. The four runs also equaled the total runs they scored in all of Games 1 and 2 combined. Derek Jeter will play in his 47th LCS game tonight, moving him past David Justice and into second place on the all-time list (Manny Ramirez has 49). Jeter isn’t just showing up either; he’s on a nine-game postseason hitting streak that dates back to 2007. Alex Rodriguez had a down night, relatively, in Game 5, since he didn’t drive in a run for the first time in eight postseason games this year. He did go 1-for-3, though, with a double and run scored as well as two walks (one intentional). A-Rod has a hit in 10 straight playoff games. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Posada(C) Matsui(DH) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF) Angels Lineup: Figgins(3B) Abreu(RF) Hunter(CF) Guerrero(DH) Morales(1B) Kendrick(2B) Rivera(LF) Mathis(C) Aybar(SS) The weather won't be a problem tonight as it is beautiful out, may be a little breezy later but that is just fine.

NFL Week 7

The New York Jets will be in Oakland to take on the Raiders and the New York Giants will be at home on Sunday night football to play the Arizona Cardinals. I will start with the Jets since they are playing early today. I just don't see how they lose this game but of course no one thought they would lose to the Bills last week. I think you will see a fired up Jets team and I expect their defense to just go wild and not allow much. I am going to pick the Jets to win 24-10. The Giants also should be fired up coming off a embarrassing performance in New Orleans last week where the defense was just torched. I expect them to have made adjustments and to blitz more to get in the QB face. I think the Giants are going to win this game but it won't be easy. If the Giants can run the ball well and control the clock that will also help so the defense will get some rest. I will pick the Giants 31-24. I am not going to pick a random game this week as I have just been too busy with the ALCS and the Yankees. I did not have a good week last week as I lost with both the JEts and Giants and now I am 5-4 on the season. I am looking to rebound with the hometown teams this week.