Pedro possibly to be picked up by Phillies...

[Cleef]

Originally Posted by windeguy

While CC was not sharp, it was Lee who "got to" the Yankees with a great game. Lee had a very special game . I could not see as a viewer why the Yankees could not hit Lee. He must have a great delivery.

I don't have much faith in Burnett. It does not bode well for the Yankees after losing game one, but I still hope they can prevail.

The first Utley HR is an out in almost every other ballpark. CC pitched exceptionally well I thought. I didn't think the first HR was a mistake on his part (low and inside fastball), at some point you have to give the hitter some credit - he happens to be one of the best players in baseball, and far-and-away the best 2B. He put the ball in Utley's wheelhouse, so perhaps it being a fastball instead of a change-up was his true mistake. The second HR was on a different pitch and a bit more out-and-over the plate. That could surely be considered a mistake on his part - and his anger after the pitch proves it.

The MFYs couldn't hit Cleef Lee because he has the exact same delivery with every pitch, and he had at least a 12mph difference between his fastball and change-up, and kept them in the strike zone. An 8mph difference is considered good, if not great. 12 is filthy.

Basically, the hitters were off balance, and Lee doesn't give any indication (in his windup) what he's throwing. If they were sitting fastball (as most hitters absolutely have to do), he threw cutters, changes and curveballs.

AJ Burnett will either change everyone's opinion of him tonight, or he'll keep his reputation as someone with 'lights-out' talent, but lacking the mental makeup to adjust and battle. His wheels fall off quicker than most.

His playoff's ERA is over 4, and Philly is a much better offensive team than MINN/LA.

Game 1 is pretty huge. Basically, they just have to split the rest of the way and they win.

Tonight's game for NY is an absolute must.

Seeing MeRod strike out 3x was an absolute joy!

[Cleef]

Originally Posted by Cleef

AJ Burnett will either change everyone's opinion of him tonight, or he'll keep his reputation as someone with 'lights-out' talent, but lacking the mental makeup to adjust and battle. His wheels fall off quicker than most.

He turned the page tonight. Great pitching performance. Pedro as well - damned that right field!!!

[Chris_NJ]

Originally Posted by Cleef

He turned the page tonight. Great pitching performance. Pedro as well - damned that right field!!!

Too bad the Phillies could not take advantage of the short right field - Burnett was on and that curveball was tough (helped by a good sized strike zone). When Pedro struck out Texeira and ARod and had Matsui with 2 strikes I thought we had the Yanks where we wanted them but Matsui snuck that homer over right field. Pedro pitched well but Burnett was better unfortunately.

[windeguy]

I was shocked and pleased the Burnett pitched as well as he did. Fortunately he had a good game in him. I did not expect the Yankees to have as much trouble with Pedro as they did, but they were able to win. It is surprising how bad the umpiring has been. Both behind the plate and in the field.

Now for the next 3 out of 5.

[Cleef]

Originally Posted by Chris_NJ

had Matsui with 2 strikes I thought we had the Yanks where we wanted them but Matsui snuck that homer over right field. Pedro pitched well but Burnett was better unfortunately.

The ball Matsui hit for a HR couldn't have been more than 8" off the ground. Impressive - and HUGE!!!

[Chris_NJ]

It is now up to Pedro to force a game 7! If he can pitch as effectively as his past 2 postseason starts (where he has nothing to show for them) I think the Phillies can force a game 7. The Phillies have shown that CC Sabathia is human so this world series is not over yet! The story book ending will be if Mariano finally blows a save in game 7 on a home run by Matt Stairs and then Lidge comes in and saves it by striking out AROD for the final out.

[windeguy]

Originally Posted by Chris_NJ

It is now up to Pedro to force a game 7! If he can pitch as effectively as his past 2 postseason starts (where he has nothing to show for them) I think the Phillies can force a game 7. The Phillies have shown that CC Sabathia is human so this world series is not over yet! The story book ending will be if Mariano finally blows a save in game 7 on a home run by Matt Stairs and then Lidge comes in and saves it by striking out AROD for the final out.

Truly a worst case scenario!

Burnett pitched well for batting practice last night.

I did say the Yanks in 6 at the outset. I hope for a poor performance from Pedro and a good one from Pe-tee-te so the Yanks can finish this up!

[windeguy]

Originally Posted by windeguy

Truly a worst case scenario!

Burnett pitched well for batting practice last night.

I did say the Yanks in 6 at the outset. I hope for a poor performance from Pedro and a good one from Pe-tee-te so the Yanks can finish this up!

As I suspected, the Yankees won in 6 games. Pedro was no so influential.

I am a bit confused since another thread mentioned how much Dominicans hate the Yankees and then I see this on the DR1 news page today:

"Dominicans are big Yankee fans. The generalized feeling into the Yankees vs. Phillies game could be summed up: "I hope Pedro Martinez has a great game, and that the Yankees win." "

I am glad they only got the important half of their wishes.