****Offical 2009 World Series Thread**** (1 Viewer)

[JaxBill]

In regards to Lee not pitching on short rest, it all comes back to Cholly being an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"guy. I can't remember a time the past 2 seasons that he's pitched somebody on short rest. At the same time, he has consistently let starters get well past 100 pitches (often in the 120 neighborhood) if they were pitching well. I couldn't believe Buck & McCarver wondering if Lee was going to pitch in the 8th. I understand that pitching him in the 9th goes against conventional wisdom but it's how Manuel has done it. And just maybe Cholly deserves the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Billy Bats]

The rest of the baseball world is learning what we already know about this team. Unbelievable game by Lee and CC. We just witnessed one of the best pitching performances in WS history.Welcome back Chase!!!

Everybody knows about this team. Don't know where this "we don't get respect" tripe is coming from from the Philly faithful.

+190 might have something to do with it.

Exactly. Defending champs at 2-1 underdogs?? Cmon. Plus 21 of 23 talking heads at ESPN predicting Yankees win and countless other "experts" just assuming the Yanks win because of who they are, and the apparent rights to the title that they seem to own.

So what happened last year should be an indicator of this year? The Yankees won more games, had all over better offensive numbers and much better bullpen numbers. That should be more of a factor than the fact that the Phillies are the defending champions. No one's disrespecting the Phillies. Everything I've heard from the talking heads is that noone should go to sleep on either team.

Well the Phils won 93 games this year. Best offense and defense in the NL. Third staight division title. Second straight NL Pennant. If we used a DH we probably would've had more hrs than the Yanks. Same lineup that won a title last year plus the addition of Ibanez and a cy young winner. The Phils have more playoff experience in their roster than the Yanks. A 19-5 playoff record in their last 23 playoff games. I could go on. All I'm saying is this team is even better than eveyone is giving them credit for.

 

[JaxBill]

Well the Phils won 93 games this year. Best offense and defense in the NL. Third staight division title. Second straight NL Pennant. If we used a DH we probably would've had more hrs than the Yanks. Same lineup that won a title last year plus the addition of Ibanez and a cy young winner. The Phils have more playoff experience in their roster than the Yanks. A 19-5 playoff record in their last 23 playoff games. I could go on. All I'm saying is this team is even better than eveyone is giving them credit for.

I think Francisco is what really helps the Phils this year in the AL parks. Last year didn't the Phils have to start Dobbs in the OF with Burrell at DH? Francisco/Ibanez is a step up over Burrell/Dobbs.

 

[Whole Camels]

Will the Yanks go with Posada and make "head-case" Burnett unhappy, or will they go with "automatic out" Molina and further weaken the lineup?

Will the Phils go with Matt "gimme a fastball from a RHP and watch me crush it" Stairs at DH and give the Phils 6 LH bats out of the top 7?

Will the Yanks continue to flail at off-speed stuff tonight?

+185 is looking pretty good tonight... of course, -110 for the series is too... decisions, decisions....

 

[Bogart]

The Yankees have a rather large advantage in the bullpen.

One game dude. One. It helps when you don't have to use yours, but I'd be careful about bumping this one too soon.

Mariano <> BullpenYou've got a bunch of scared kids out there.

This has been a bit worrisome

Serious question: Would Phil Hughes get as rattled as he did last night as a starter? I will admit, the ump was not consistant with balls and strikes (esp towards the end of the game), but it looked to me like it got into Hughes head early and he just could not shake it. If you had the Hughes of the second half out there, he probably goes two (?) and that ninth inning plays out much more interesting.As for Lee going all nine, I like it. I don't think an extra inning makes any difference on when Lee can pitch again and/or how efficient he will be, but it does make a big difference to the mindset of the Philly rotation and bullpen. When their horse goes the whole way, instead of just eight, it makes everyone want to step up just a bit more and do the same. Of course a completely rested bullpen doesn't hurt either.

 

[jobarules]

Will the Yanks go with Posada and make "head-case" Burnett unhappy, or will they go with "automatic out" Molina and further weaken the lineup?

Will the Phils go with Matt "gimme a fastball from a RHP and watch me crush it" Stairs at DH and give the Phils 6 LH bats out of the top 7?

Will the Yanks continue to flail at off-speed stuff tonight?

+185 is looking pretty good tonight... of course, -110 for the series is too... decisions, decisions....

2 great questions.

 

[CrossEyed]

What's the deal with Chase Utley's hair?

 

[jobarules]

Serious question: Would Phil Hughes get as rattled as he did last night as a starter? I will admit, the ump was not consistant with balls and strikes (esp towards the end of the game), but it looked to me like it got into Hughes head early and he just could not shake it. If you had the Hughes of the second half out there, he probably goes two (?) and that ninth inning plays out much more interesting.As for Lee going all nine, I like it. I don't think an extra inning makes any difference on when Lee can pitch again and/or how efficient he will be, but it does make a big difference to the mindset of the Philly rotation and bullpen. When their horse goes the whole way, instead of just eight, it makes everyone want to step up just a bit more and do the same. Of course a completely rested bullpen doesn't hurt either.

Hughes has been a different pitcher over his last 17 outings. I have no clue why. I wouldnt rule out that its in his head but he did pitch three dominant innings in relief against the Indians in the postseason two years ago.

 

[Bogart]

What's the deal with Chase Utley's hair?

Tribute to the late Patrick Swayze and his role in "The Outsiders"??

 

[Whole Camels]

LMAO pt2

 

[MaddHatter]

We Run This City: Phils Take Game 1

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

The rest of the baseball world is learning what we already know about this team. Unbelievable game by Lee and CC. We just witnessed one of the best pitching performances in WS history.

Welcome back Chase!!!

Everybody knows about this team. Don't know where this "we don't get respect" tripe is coming from from the Philly faithful.

You can start with them being pretty about 2 to 1 underdogs to win this series...pretty sizable.And even now, up a game and having won on the road (against the ace no less), they are only even money...

 

[Snotbubbles]

Will the Yanks go with Posada and make "head-case" Burnett unhappy, or will they go with "automatic out" Molina and further weaken the lineup?

Will the Phils go with Matt "gimme a fastball from a RHP and watch me crush it" Stairs at DH and give the Phils 6 LH bats out of the top 7?

Will the Yanks continue to flail at off-speed stuff tonight?

+185 is looking pretty good tonight... of course, -110 for the series is too... decisions, decisions....

2 great questions.

I think Manuel will stick with the same lineup. He prefers defense over hitting. Plus, he probably prefers Matt Stairs in a "we need a HR pinch hitter situation" then giving him 4 at bats.As far as going with Molina, I would assume that Girardi would want to make Burnett as comfortable as possible. You can always sub Posada in if Burnett gets shelled. It's not like Posada is some clutch playoff performer or something.

 

[Reaper]

I knew it was bad news when JayZ couldn't go last night.....

Break it out for tonight though!!!!! NEW YORK!!!!

Yeah, I felt like 1996 watching that game... Hopefully game 2 doesn't go the same way but, I'll take the end result....

The way Lee pitched last night is exhibit A why the playoffs and WS is a crapshoot... With a guy pitching like that and if he went 3 games, he could have the Pirates playing behind him and have a great chance to win it all.

 

[jobarules]

The rest of the baseball world is learning what we already know about this team. Unbelievable game by Lee and CC. We just witnessed one of the best pitching performances in WS history.

Welcome back Chase!!!

Everybody knows about this team. Don't know where this "we don't get respect" tripe is coming from from the Philly faithful.

You can start with them being pretty about 2 to 1 underdogs to win this series...pretty sizable.And even now, up a game and having won on the road (against the ace no less), they are only even money...

Yeah cuz Vegas always sets odds on who they think is gonna win

 

[jobarules]

I knew it was bad news when JayZ couldn't go last night.....

Break it out for tonight though!!!!! NEW YORK!!!!

Yeah, I felt like 1996 watching that game... Hopefully game 2 doesn't go the same way but, I'll take the end result....

The way Lee pitched last night is exhibit A why the playoffs and WS is a crapshoot... With a guy pitching like that and if he went 3 games, he could have the Pirates playing behind him and have a great chance to win it all.

The Phillies went out and traded for an ace pitcher. Not sure you can call it a crapshoot when that ace pitcher then goes out to dominate in the playoffs. Now if someone like Joe Blanton pitched like that then I can see you calling last night a crapshoot otherwise its just insulting to the Phillies.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

The rest of the baseball world is learning what we already know about this team. Unbelievable game by Lee and CC. We just witnessed one of the best pitching performances in WS history.

Welcome back Chase!!!

Everybody knows about this team. Don't know where this "we don't get respect" tripe is coming from from the Philly faithful.

You can start with them being pretty about 2 to 1 underdogs to win this series...pretty sizable.And even now, up a game and having won on the road (against the ace no less), they are only even money...

Yeah cuz Vegas always sets odds on who they think is gonna win

Your point?

 

[Whole Camels]

How awesome was THIS? His reaction was like "quit wasting my time with this crap".

PS - didnt Johnny Damon used to be good?

 

[Michael Brown]

How awesome was THIS? His reaction was like "quit wasting my time with this crap".

PS - didnt Johnny Damon used to be good?

I don't know, I thought it was funnier when you linked it in Post 210.

 

[Reaper]

I knew it was bad news when JayZ couldn't go last night.....

Break it out for tonight though!!!!! NEW YORK!!!!

Yeah, I felt like 1996 watching that game... Hopefully game 2 doesn't go the same way but, I'll take the end result....

The way Lee pitched last night is exhibit A why the playoffs and WS is a crapshoot... With a guy pitching like that and if he went 3 games, he could have the Pirates playing behind him and have a great chance to win it all.

The Phillies went out and traded for an ace pitcher. Not sure you can call it a crapshoot when that ace pitcher then goes out to dominate in the playoffs. Now if someone like Joe Blanton pitched like that then I can see you calling last night a crapshoot otherwise its just insulting to the Phillies.

Doesn't Crapshoot mean 50/50 chance? That's all I meant... You can throw Payrolls out the window, You can throw hitting stats out the window, all the stats and matchups - When 1 ace steps up and pitches lights out basbeball, it's game over...

All depends on which ace comes out that night with the better stuff and it was obvious from inning 1.

You do that another game or 2 and that 1 player takes over the whole thing.....

Look back to 2001 with Arizona - Yeah, everyone knew they had TWO aces Yet, most still favored the Yankees and it's still questionable wether those aces come out and pitch lights out like they did or if a great offense doesn't get a few....

 

[Whole Camels]

How awesome was THIS? His reaction was like "quit wasting my time with this crap".

PS - didnt Johnny Damon used to be good?

I don't know, I thought it was funnier when you linked it in Post 210.

My bad. So much awesomeness, so little time. THIS is the awesomeness I meant to link.Now back to Damon. When did he start swinging a bat like an old lady?

 

[jobarules]

How awesome was THIS? His reaction was like "quit wasting my time with this crap".

PS - didnt Johnny Damon used to be good?

I don't know, I thought it was funnier when you linked it in Post 210.

My bad. So much awesomeness, so little time. THIS is the awesomeness I meant to link.Now back to Damon. When did he start swinging a bat like an old lady?

Agreed that was pretty awesome

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Will the Yanks go with Posada and make "head-case" Burnett unhappy, or will they go with "automatic out" Molina and further weaken the lineup?

Will the Phils go with Matt "gimme a fastball from a RHP and watch me crush it" Stairs at DH and give the Phils 6 LH bats out of the top 7?

Will the Yanks continue to flail at off-speed stuff tonight?

+185 is looking pretty good tonight... of course, -110 for the series is too... decisions, decisions....

2 great questions.

I have to imagine that it will be Molina. The last thing Girardi is going to want to do right now is come close to getting something inside AJ's head other then pitch for strikes and win the game. Molina will be out of the lineup by the 5th inning or AJ's exit, which ever is first - that's my bet.I can understand the 1996 talk but I'm not so sure personally. If they lose this game the uphill climb is going to bemuch harder this time around.

And yes, personally, I would prefer Andy in a big spot over any other pitcher on the team. I've said that before. Personal bias. So hopefully whatever AJ does to get himself amped up for a start works tonight. This is why he signed the big money contract on a playoff team, so here we go.

And do we consider last night a blow out at 6-1 (and that 1 run was a waste really)? Remember I had this pegged for 2 blowouts and 5 close 1 run games over the full 7, so I'm just marking my sheet......

 

[the moops]

I think Manuel will stick with the same lineup. He prefers defense over hitting. Plus, he probably prefers Matt Stairs in a "we need a HR pinch hitter situation" then giving him 4 at bats.

More likely he prefers better defense and better hitting over worse defense and worse hitting.Francisco >>>> Stairs

 

[Michael Brown]

Will the Yanks go with Posada and make "head-case" Burnett unhappy, or will they go with "automatic out" Molina and further weaken the lineup?

Will the Phils go with Matt "gimme a fastball from a RHP and watch me crush it" Stairs at DH and give the Phils 6 LH bats out of the top 7?

Will the Yanks continue to flail at off-speed stuff tonight?

+185 is looking pretty good tonight... of course, -110 for the series is too... decisions, decisions....

2 great questions.

I have to imagine that it will be Molina. The last thing Girardi is going to want to do right now is come close to getting something inside AJ's head other then pitch for strikes and win the game. Molina will be out of the lineup by the 5th inning or AJ's exit, which ever is first - that's my bet.I can understand the 1996 talk but I'm not so sure personally. If they lose this game the uphill climb is going to bemuch harder this time around.

And yes, personally, I would prefer Andy in a big spot over any other pitcher on the team. I've said that before. Personal bias. So hopefully whatever AJ does to get himself amped up for a start works tonight. This is why he signed the big money contract on a playoff team, so here we go.

And do we consider last night a blow out at 6-1 (and that 1 run was a waste really)? Remember I had this pegged for 2 blowouts and 5 close 1 run games over the full 7, so I'm just marking my sheet......

It sure as hell felt like a blowout. Hell, at 1-0 it felt almost insurmountable. First time I've felt like that about a game all season.

 

[Whole Camels]

I hope it's Molina (classic case of over managing) and Stairs (6 legitimate LH HR threats in the lineup).

 

[Darth Cheney]

I think Manuel will stick with the same lineup. He prefers defense over hitting. Plus, he probably prefers Matt Stairs in a "we need a HR pinch hitter situation" then giving him 4 at bats.

More likely he prefers better defense and better hitting over worse defense and worse hitting.Francisco >>>> Stairs

LOL!

 

[Darth Cheney]

The rest of the baseball world is learning what we already know about this team. Unbelievable game by Lee and CC. We just witnessed one of the best pitching performances in WS history.

Welcome back Chase!!!

Everybody knows about this team. Don't know where this "we don't get respect" tripe is coming from from the Philly faithful.

You can start with them being pretty about 2 to 1 underdogs to win this series...pretty sizable.And even now, up a game and having won on the road (against the ace no less), they are only even money...

Yeah cuz Vegas always sets odds on who they think is gonna win

Your point?

Betting odds balance money on both sides....it's not as much an indicator about how is better.

 

[Snotbubbles]

I think Manuel will stick with the same lineup. He prefers defense over hitting. Plus, he probably prefers Matt Stairs in a "we need a HR pinch hitter situation" then giving him 4 at bats.

More likely he prefers better defense and better hitting over worse defense and worse hitting.Francisco >>>> Stairs

I wasn't even thinking Stairs as the PH, I was thinking Dobbs. But yeah, I would prefer to just go with the same lineup, except I think I'd move Ruiz to 8 and put Feliz at 9.

 

[Whole Camels]

Also... does Gardner get the start in CF tonight and slide Melky over to RF?

Id prefer to see Swisher again.

 

[Michael Brown]

How awesome was THIS? His reaction was like "quit wasting my time with this crap".

PS - didnt Johnny Damon used to be good?

I don't know, I thought it was funnier when you linked it in Post 210.

My bad. So much awesomeness, so little time. THIS is the awesomeness I meant to link.Now back to Damon. When did he start swinging a bat like an old lady?

Damon has never looked like the most athletic guy on the field (witness how he takes about a step and a half crow-hop, gets his whole body into the throw, and then "launches" the ball on three hops to second base). Some other guys who have the un-athletic look to them are Eric Byrnes, Hunter Pence, strangely enough even Curtis Granderson at times...they just lack a "smoothness" to their game. Damon's probably the worst.But he had the big hit in the ALCS clincher and was going up against a machine last night, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Everybody knows about this team. Don't know where this "we don't get respect" tripe is coming from from the Philly faithful.

You can start with them being pretty about 2 to 1 underdogs to win this series...pretty sizable.And even now, up a game and having won on the road (against the ace no less), they are only even money...

Yeah cuz Vegas always sets odds on who they think is gonna win

Your point?

Betting odds balance money on both sides....it's not as much an indicator about how is better.

Um, I realize that.

 

[belljr]

Nothing to add but 3 TO GO!!!!!

 

[RedRaiders]

Will the Yanks go with Posada and make "head-case" Burnett unhappy, or will they go with "automatic out" Molina and further weaken the lineup?

Will the Phils go with Matt "gimme a fastball from a RHP and watch me crush it" Stairs at DH and give the Phils 6 LH bats out of the top 7?

Will the Yanks continue to flail at off-speed stuff tonight?

+185 is looking pretty good tonight... of course, -110 for the series is too... decisions, decisions....

Uh, you don't usually take a series bet after a team is up 1-0. If anything, one would take the Yankees at -110. If you liked the phils, you should have taken them for the series price before game 1, or in game 1. You missed the boat on the good bets. If anything, since they are such a big dog tonight - should they lose, you can take the phils for the series once it is 1-1 and they are a dog again. -110 right now before game 2 is awful.

 

[culdeus]

No comments about how much 2-3-2 sucks?

why?

In an evenly matched series having game 5 at home is decisive. Win that then just need 1 of 2 on the road to take it at that point. And in a situation where the home team is down 3-1 in that game they have a chance to get a little momentum back.

 

[Alias]

ed_price:

Jerry Hairston in RF for #Yankees, since he's 10-for-27 vs. Pedro. But hasn't faced Pedro since July '04, and 28 of 31 PA before that.

 

[RedRaiders]

ed_price:

Jerry Hairston in RF for #Yankees, since he's 10-for-27 vs. Pedro. But hasn't faced Pedro since July '04, and 28 of 31 PA before that.

Terry Francona would be proud of Girardi.

 

[jobarules]

ed_price:

Jerry Hairston in RF for #Yankees, since he's 10-for-27 vs. Pedro. But hasn't faced Pedro since July '04, and 28 of 31 PA before that.

oofhave i mentioned how i hate girardi?

 

[Alias]

yanks lineup:

Jeter SS

Damon LF

Teixeira 1B

Rodriguez 3B

Matsui DH

Cano 2B

Hairston RF

Cabrera CF

Molina C

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett.

 

[Reaper]

ed_price:

Jerry Hairston in RF for #Yankees, since he's 10-for-27 vs. Pedro. But hasn't faced Pedro since July '04, and 28 of 31 PA before that.

oofhave i mentioned how i hate girardi?

Swisher fan club

 

[jobarules]

ed_price:

Jerry Hairston in RF for #Yankees, since he's 10-for-27 vs. Pedro. But hasn't faced Pedro since July '04, and 28 of 31 PA before that.

oofhave i mentioned how i hate girardi?

Swisher fan club

First of all Im not a fan of benching guys cuz theyre in a slump. But if youre gonna play anybody in RF Id rather it be Gardner in CF shifting Cabrera over or Hinske. Hairston doesnt make much sense to me. The bottom of that lineup looks like an NL lineup (except the Phillies lol). Eh I hope Im wrong.

 

[the moops]

I think Manuel will stick with the same lineup. He prefers defense over hitting. Plus, he probably prefers Matt Stairs in a "we need a HR pinch hitter situation" then giving him 4 at bats.

More likely he prefers better defense and better hitting over worse defense and worse hitting.Francisco >>>> Stairs

LOL!

Matt Stairs is 41 years old and put up an OPS of .735 this year.Ben Francisco put up an .843 this year, and a .927 in Sept/Oct.

 

[Darth Cheney]

I think Manuel will stick with the same lineup. He prefers defense over hitting. Plus, he probably prefers Matt Stairs in a "we need a HR pinch hitter situation" then giving him 4 at bats.

More likely he prefers better defense and better hitting over worse defense and worse hitting.Francisco >>>> Stairs

LOL!

Matt Stairs is 41 years old and put up an OPS of .735 this year.Ben Francisco put up an .843 this year, and a .927 in Sept/Oct.

I was actually agreeing with you....just a bad choice of expression.

 

[Snotbubbles]

yanks lineup:Jeter SSDamon LFTeixeira 1BRodriguez 3BMatsui DHCano 2BHairston RFCabrera CFMolina CPitching: RHP A.J. Burnett.

That lineup looks pretty weak. Hairston = Miguel CairoMolina = Paul Bako

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

The rest of the baseball world is learning what we already know about this team. Unbelievable game by Lee and CC. We just witnessed one of the best pitching performances in WS history.

Welcome back Chase!!!

Everybody knows about this team. Don't know where this "we don't get respect" tripe is coming from from the Philly faithful.

You can start with them being pretty about 2 to 1 underdogs to win this series...pretty sizable.And even now, up a game and having won on the road (against the ace no less), they are only even money...

Yeah cuz Vegas always sets odds on who they think is gonna win

YOUR POINT?

 

[the moops]

I think Manuel will stick with the same lineup. He prefers defense over hitting. Plus, he probably prefers Matt Stairs in a "we need a HR pinch hitter situation" then giving him 4 at bats.

More likely he prefers better defense and better hitting over worse defense and worse hitting.Francisco >>>> Stairs

LOL!

Matt Stairs is 41 years old and put up an OPS of .735 this year.Ben Francisco put up an .843 this year, and a .927 in Sept/Oct.

I was actually agreeing with you....just a bad choice of expression.

 

[Darth Cheney]

yanks lineup:Jeter SSDamon LFTeixeira 1BRodriguez 3BMatsui DHCano 2BHairston RFCabrera CFMolina CPitching: RHP A.J. Burnett.

That lineup looks pretty weak. Hairston = Miguel CairoMolina = Paul Bako

Molina's a good D catcher though.

 

[whoknew]

yanks lineup:Jeter SSDamon LFTeixeira 1BRodriguez 3BMatsui DHCano 2BHairston RFCabrera CFMolina CPitching: RHP A.J. Burnett.

That lineup looks pretty weak. Hairston = Miguel CairoMolina = Paul Bako

Girardi is not good.

 

[Snotbubbles]

yanks lineup:

Jeter SS

Damon LF

Teixeira 1B

Rodriguez 3B

Matsui DH

Cano 2B

Hairston RF

Cabrera CF

Molina C

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett.

That lineup looks pretty weak. Hairston = Miguel Cairo

Molina = Paul Bako

Molina's a good D catcher though.

According to these metrics: http://www.drivelinemechanics.com/2009/10/...ense-filling-inHe's slightly better defensively then Paul Bako. Molina ranks 82nd, Bako ranks 100th.

Note: Ruiz ranks 8th. That's pretty impressive.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

1. I have no idea what Jay-Z is saying.

2. Go Phillies.

That is all.