Category: MLB (Page 157 of 448)

      Yankees take 2-1 series lead with Game 3 win

      November 1, 2009 /

      Apparently all Nick Swisher needed was a fire lit under his ass.

      Swisher, benched in Game 2, homered and doubled in the Yankees’ 8-5 win over the Phillies in Game 3 of the World Series on Saturday night. With the victory, New York takes a 2-1 lead in the best of seven series.

      Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui also went deep for the Bronx Bombers. A-Rod’s shot was memorable because it was the first call overturned by replay in the history of the World Series. He finished 1 for 2 on the night with two RBI and a walk, while Swisher went 2-for-4 with two runs and a RBI.

      The Phillies got two home runs from Jayson Werth and one from Carlos Ruiz to take a 3-0 lead in the second inning. But the Yankees answered with two runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and one in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings on their way to victory. Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels was touched up for five runs on five hits in just 4.1 innings of work. He struck out three and walked two.

      With this win, the Yankees have the Phillies right where they want them because CC Sabathia opposes Joe Blanton tomorrow night. But a win is vital for the Bombers because if they lose, not only will Philly even the series but it’ll also have the momentum with Cliff Lee (who beat the Yankees in Game 1) starting Game 5.

      Tomorrow is critical for Joe Girardi, who decided to start Sabathia on only three days rest. If the Yankees can’t take a 3-1 series lead, then Girardi’s gamble could wind up costing his club.

      MLB

      Giants re-sign Freddy Sanchez

      October 31, 2009 /

      According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants have re-signed second baseman Freddy Sanchez to a two-year, $12 million deal.

      This is a good deal for the Giants. Considering he’s turning 32 this winter, it’s safe to say that Sanchez’s best days are behind him. But he hits for average, is a decent defender and he’s one of the few San Francisco batters that understands the importance of taking pitches.

      The Giants gave up their No. 2 pitching prospect in Tim Alderson to get Sanchez last year at the trade deadline, but the second baseman struggled with injuries and San Francisco missed the playoffs. If Sanchez can stay healthy and produce then the trade won’t be for naught, although Alderson could eventually develop into a solid starter for the Pirates.

      It’ll be interesting to watch what Brian Sabean and the Giants do this winter, because they have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball but their offense is putrid outside of Pablo Sandoval. If they can add another bat, the Giants could definitely challenge for the NL Wild Card spot next season.

      MLB

      Blanton to start Game 4 for Phillies – not Lee

      October 30, 2009 /

      Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has decided to start Joe Blanton in Game 4 of the World Series instead of ace Cliff Lee on short rest.

      What this means is that Lee won’t be available for a possible Game 7 because he’ll pitch Game 5 now. Considering Lee has never started on short rest in his career, Manuel may have had little choice but to pitch Blanton in Game 4.

      Blanton started Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays in last year’s World Series and combined with four relievers on a five-hitter in a 10-2 Philadelphia win. So he has World Series experience and shouldn’t be fazed by the pressure, although he did allow four runs in six innings against the Dodgers in his only postseason start this season.

      It’ll be interesting to see how New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi counters the move. There was talk that CC Sabathia would start Game 4, but Girardi may decide to save his ace to face Lee again in Game 5. Considering several Yankees (including Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez) have had success off Blanton in the past, Girardi might want to save Sabathia in order to go toe to toe with Lee.

      The chess game begins…

      MLB

      Burnett sharp in Game 2 as Yankees even series

      October 29, 2009 /

      The Yankees needed a strong outing from starter A.J. Burnett on Thursday, and that’s exactly what they got.

      Burnett held the Phillies to one earned run over seven innings as the Yankees won Game 2 of the World Series, 3-1. Burnett attacked hitters with his fastball and his curve was nearly unhittable as he struck out nine and limited one of the best offenses in baseball to only one run. Closer Mariano Rivera didn’t allow a run in the eighth or ninth innings to earn his 38th career postseason save.

      This win was huge for the Yankees on a couple levels. Not only did they tie the series, but they also don’t have to go to Philadelphia down 0-2. While the Phillies accomplished their goal of winning at least one game in New York, the momentum has swung in the Yankees’ favor and now they have confidence heading into Philadelphia.

      Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel will get some heat for allowing Pedro Martinez to start the seventh inning (the Yankees wound up tacking on another run to go up 3-1 after Martinez allowed the first two batters to reach base), but Martinez wanted to go back out and Manuel showed confidence in his starter. If Martinez got through the seventh, Manuel would have been lauded for saving his bullpen and trusting Pedro to work through the inning. Instead, he’ll likely receive criticism for not going to his bullpen.

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      MLB

      Yankees bench Swisher for Hairston Jr.

      October 29, 2009 /

      In a move that will no doubt bring a smile to most Yankee fans’ faces, the Bronx Bombers have decided to bench Nick Swisher in favor of Jerry Hairston Jr. for Game 2 of the World Series.

      From Rotoworld.com:

      Hairston is 10-for-27 (.370) lifetime against Phillies starter Pedro Martinez and Swisher is 11 for his last 77 (.143) with one homer dating back to the regular season. Of course, it’s also worth noting that Hairston hasn’t faced Pedro since 2004 and hasn’t started in right field since joining the Yankees.

      This move won’t be the difference in whether or not the Yankees can even the series, but something had to be done. Swisher has been awful so far in the postseason and Joe Girardi had waited long enough. If Hairston is productive right away, I doubt Swisher will return to the starting lineup the rest of the series.

      Then again, if Hairston is just as brutal, then who knows what Girardi will do in order to conjure up some more production from his outfield.

      MLB

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