World Series Game 6

Sorry for the lack of posts, i have been slacking. So here we go with a new baseball post.
What a series so far. The Series shifts to the Bronx in a pitching matchup straight from 1999. Lets get into it.

Andy Pettitte takes the hill for the Yanks on 3 days rest. Very interesting, coming one day after AJ Burnett got rocket in his start coming off of 3 days rest. Pettitte is a different pitcher. He is more experienced in the post season, as his 17 wins are a MLB record. Pettitte uses his intellect and experience extremely well, often times grinding out innings when he is in a jam. Think of him in a gregg madux mold....doesnt throw as hard as he used to but is extremely smart and can locate very well. Coming off of 3 days rest in the post season before, he is rocking a 2.80 era, which is extremely good. I think playing at home with everyone fired up about a potential world series clincher, Pettitte outpitches pedro tonight.

Pedro showed some outstanding stuff in his last outing. He changed speeds very well, and his changeup was working. Many times the Yankee hitters were off balance and way out in front of his changeup. He has had a full rest and we should see more of the same from him tonight. It will be a matter of if the yankees can jump on him early in the count, to avoid that devastating changeup.

Both offenses are underachieving. Ryan Howard has been abysmal, setting a new record with 19 strike outs. The phils need him to get going, ASAP, or it could be a quiet plane ride back home. Jimmy Rollins has been solid, providing a great spark. He is a threat to go at any time on the base path, so if he gets on base, watch for Andy Pettitte to use his outstanding move and try and pick off Rollins early in the count. Chase Utley has been playing OUT OF HIS MIND. 5 HR's in the world series.. absolutely ridiculous. The yanks might try pitching around him tonight, as he has caused them the most damage. He is the reason they are where they are. Jayson Werth has also had a hot bat and is arguably playing as their 2nd best player right now behind Utley. Maybe the rest of the guys can take notes from both of them and get going.

The Yanks have been sort of a roller coaster offensively. A-Rod is somewhat consistent, but Johnny Damon is the catalyst driving this team right now. What he is doing def. cannot go un noticed, and under appreciated. The Yanks will have Matsui back, who is batting .500 this world series, so that will give them an added boost. Jorge Posada has been outstanding as well, so look for him to keep up his hot streak. The one guy the need to get going is Robinson Cano. This guy is a very solid hitter, placing in the top 10 in terms of batting avg. in the AL during the season. He hasnt done much this post season, but i think he is due for a big night. Look for him to break out of his slump.

What it comes down to is the pitching tonight. Can Pedro and Pettittie shut down the other teams lineups? I think if the Yanks jump on pedro early, pettitte could have more of a relaxed mind set and pitch with ease. The Phils need to get Ryan Howard going, because Chase Utley cannot keep this up for much longer. That is the key for them tonight. The X factor is always Mariano. If the Yanks get into the 8th with a lead, ENTER SANDMAN. Once he gets into the game, u might as well start the celebration, because he is just that good.

I think the playing at home, Pettitte on them mound, and the excitement of clinching a world series at home is enough motivation for the Yanks tonight. I think Pettitte has a solid outing, and gets some run support, and Mariano comes into the 8th to close it out. Yankees win the World Series tonight, and the celebration begins. The Phils put up a fight, but in the end, the big guns of the Yankees were just too much. Chalk up another ring for the bronx bombers.

Hope everyone enjoys tonight's game... blast from the past with Pedro and Pettitte.

Z$