Tagged: Pedro Martinez
11/4 MLB Tonight – The Leiter Side
We’ve got Game 6 in a few hours, and the key has got to be Andy Pettitte. His success will predicate on his ability to get ahead, and get easy outs on the Phillies hitters.
Cruising early will build his confidence up, while knocking down the Phillies confidence. He’s always been a pitcher who can identify and exploit a hitter’s weakness on the mound, using his slider, cutter, and curve arsenal. Not being at full strength, he’ll need his command of those pitches to be on point.
By attacking the cold hitters, and making good pitches to the hot hitters, he’ll be able to get through the early innings quickly, and stay sharp. On only three days rest, getting off to a good start is essential to his success.
But, if he gets behind the eight ball and has to labor early, it’s going to be trouble. It’s so vital to his success because he needs to be confident out on the mound. With the Phillies facing elimination, every inning he shuts them down will put more and more pressure on the hitters, especially those who are already pressing.
So it’s down to this, Pettitte and Pedro, Game 6, Yankee Stadium.
Our stage is set; is today going to be the last day of summer, or will we travel to one of the greatest destinations in sports, World Series, Game 7, Yankee Stadium? – Al Leiter
11/3 MLB Tonight – The Left Wing
The Phillies have had bullpen issues all season long, so it’s no surprise that going into Game 6, it’s still a danger zone.
Both pitching staffs are thin, but the Yankees have a clear advantage with Marte, Joba, and Rivera closing out games. For the Phillies, it’s not as easy as 1-2-3; it’s more like who in the pen can hold a 1, 2, or 3-run lead.
Going into Game 6, having the messy Phillies pen facing a confident comeback team like the Yankees is a bad situation. But this is nothing new, and the Phillies have made it this far without a lock-down closer to finish off wins.
Charlie Manuel was confident in Brad Lidge before his Game 4 meltdown, and now it seems like Ryan Madson is the guy to step in and put out the fires. We saw last night when Lee ran out of gas who can be relied on. Chan Ho Park did what he had to do, and Madson got the Phillies to a Game 6.
Cliff Lee has been more than what the Phillies hoped for when they traded for him. His consistency has boosted the Phillies entire pitching staff this season.
For the Phillies to get to Game 7, they will have to win around their bullpen. I’m confident in Pedro rising to the big occasion in this tough spot. The Phillies need him to pitch well into the 7th to stay away from the mess in their bullpen. Facing Andy Pettitte on 3-days rest, the Phillies offense should be able to generate a nice cushion for the bullpen to hold in the late innings.
If the offense can provide a safe lead, let’s say 3 runs or more, they can avoid the dreaded situation of having to close out a close game with the back end of that bullpen. -Dan Plesac
10/27 MLB Tonight – World Series Preview
How difficult is it to get into the World Series, win, and then repeat? Looking back to the Yankees Dynasty of the late 90’s, there was some luck conspiring in their favor to accomplish that feat.
In Game 1 of the ’98 World Series, the Padres had a 3-run lead and what seemed to be an inning ending strike 3 call on Tino Martinez in the 7th. If the call went the Padres way, the outcome of the series could have been quite different. The Padres were the kind of team people seemed to rally behind because of their play, and because of a few of my favorite players, Tony Gwynn, Kevin Brown and Trevor Hoffman. That call would have been a big step to securing their confidence, and securing a win.
But that 2-2 pitch from Mark Langston was called low, and the next pitch was a grand slam into the seats, which changed the series and the course of baseball history.
This was the first hint of that Yankee karma which dominated the baseball world. Looking back we can focus on that moment as a launch pad for the Yankees Dynasty of the late ’90’s.
The Phillies seem to have nothing conspiring in their favor over the last few seasons. It’s hard to look at one moment that changed the luck of the Phillies success because the team has just been awesome. The sustaining drive pushing the Phillies success has been a result of players’ heroics. If you look at their run to the World Series, it makes sense. They took care of the NL East, beat up on the Rockies, beat up on the Dodgers, and now will face the best of the AL. There is no doubt that the Phillies are the best team in the National League.
The ’09 Yankees made it out of a tough AL, but there were some key moments that brought them to the World Series. First there was the blown call in Game 2 of the NLDS. Joe Mauer’s 11th inning drive into the LF corner was called foul, but clearly fair. This swung the game and the series because instead of scoring a go-ahead run, Teixeira’s sinking liner into the LF seats ended up sinking the Twins.
Then there was A-Rod’s game tying HR off Brian Fuentes in Game 2 of the ALCS. He got a fat 2-strike pitch and it just sneaked over the RF fence.
Robinson Cano was either in or out of position, depending on how you look at it, but took care of a grounder up the middle to an Angels rally in Game 6.
These breaks helped launch the Yankee Dynasty in the late 90’s, showing how powerful that Yankee Karma can be carrying an already good team.
In saying all this, Cliff Lee has been the best pitcher this postseason. Sorry A-Rod, but Ryan Howard has been the scariest hitter this post-season. The Phillies have a dynamic lineup, and wildcard going in Game 2 (I can’t wait for Pedro in the Bronx). With all the karma being tossed around, the Phillies will win the World Series, a repeat, and the start of a new dynasty. -Matt Vasgersian
10/16 Path To The Pennant – The Left Wing
This is a huge game for the Dodgers who can’t leave home 0-2, going into Philly. Last night Kershaw got off to a great start, but fell apart in the 5th. The Phillies bullpen bent, but didn’t break, and now the Dodgers are in a must win situation.
The Pedro and Padilla match-up is an interesting one. Pedro hasn’t thrown in a while, but gets better the bigger the situation. With the game one win, they are playing with house money, and after a 2 quick innings, Pedro is looking sharp.
With Padilla, you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get. I played with him in Arizona and Philadelphia, so I’ve seen his stuff first hand, and it can be tremendous. It’s just a matter of which Padilla is going to show up today. After 2, he is throwing hard, and looking tough.
Going into this series I thought the Dodgers had an advantage, but after sitting down and really watching the game last night, it’s going to be tough for any team to knock off the Phillies. The Dodgers bullpen is superior, but the Phillies have better starters, and a better group of position players. They are a battle tested team, playing with hunger and confidence.
Looks like the Dodgers have their hands full. – Dan Plesac
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