[Official] 2009 MLB Season Thread

[Big Beck-ah Roethlisberger]

I don't think you get his approach, he could use both Lee and Happ in game seven out of the pen. The problem is getting to a game seven, which I do not think is happening. I think Pedro gets rocked tonight and New York goes on to win their 27th world championship. I don't really care though. Who knows, Pettite might go flat and get racked.

For the Phillies to win they have to get to Pettite early, which means a lot of work for the bullpen, which could hurt them if there is a game seven. Also, Howard needs to get out of his slump. Your fourth hitter can't be like 1 for 14 in the series with some K's. You can't win like that, because no one else really scares me in that lineup.

[General Disarray]

Originally Posted by Big Beck-ah Roethlisberger

I don't think you get his approach, he could use both Lee and Happ in game seven out of the pen. The problem is getting to a game seven, which I do not think is happening. I think Pedro gets rocked tonight and New York goes on to win their 27th world championship. I don't really care though. Who knows, Pettite might go flat and get racked.

Lee is going to have like 2 days rest for Game 7. Why wouldn't you just give him an extra start instead of using Blanton? I think the 3 man rotation is the way to go in the World Series.

For the Phillies to win they have to get to Pettite early, which means a lot of work for the bullpen, which could hurt them if there is a game seven. Also, Howard needs to get out of his slump. Your fourth hitter can't be like 1 for 14 in the series with some K's. You can't win like that, because no one else really scares me in that lineup.

Teixiaria is also having an awful series, but you're definetly right about Howard. He needs to do something, and all it takes for him is one big swing to turn everything around. With Utley hitting the way he is, they just need a little support from the rest of the lineup. It's the Yanks series to lose, but I don't think you can count the Phillies out by any stretch of the imagination.

[Big Beck-ah Roethlisberger]

Originally Posted by Generalissimo Disarracist

Lee is going to have like 2 days rest for Game 7. Why wouldn't you just give him an extra start instead of using Blanton? I think the 3 man rotation is the way to go in the World Series.

I don't think you're picturing it like Manuel is. If it goes seven who are the Yankees going to throw out? Burnett? The same guy who got racked his last outing? Manuel has faith in his five starters. Also, Lee won't be starting game 7, he could have a couple innings in the pen. Not too much to ask. Just look when Arizona did it with Johnson in like 01 or whatever year that was.

Teixiaria is also having an awful series, but you're definetly right about Howard. He needs to do something, and all it takes for him is one big swing to turn everything around. With Utley hitting the way he is, they just need a little support from the rest of the lineup. It's the Yanks series to lose, but I don't think you can count the Phillies out by any stretch of the imagination.

Well, obviously, they wouldn't be in the WS if they didn't battle through a little adversity. I am not counting them out, I just don't have much faith... haha

[General Disarray]

Originally Posted by Big Beck-ah Roethlisberger

I don't think you're picturing it like Manuel is. If it goes seven who are the Yankees going to throw out? Burnett? The same guy who got racked his last outing? Manuel has faith in his five starters. Also, Lee won't be starting game 7, he could have a couple innings in the pen. Not too much to ask. Just look when Arizona did it with Johnson in like 01 or whatever year that was.

The Yankees will be pitching CC in game 7, the Phillies could've had Lee starting game 7 on 3 days rest, instead of him coming out of the pen on 2 days rest. Personally, that's the way I would've went. It comes down to the managers personal beliefs in the end though.

I thought Johnson pithced like every game of that WS, lol. Nevermind, just looked it up, Johnson pitched Game 2 and won, Game 6 on 5 days rest and won, and pitched in Game 7 the next day and won. I guess the Phils could do the same thing with Lee in Game 7, but I still like the other way.


Well, obviously, they wouldn't be in the WS if they didn't battle through a little adversity. I am not counting them out, I just don't have much faith... haha[/quote]

It's a dangerous thing to ever have faith in a Philly sports team.

[Stormtrooper85]

Originally Posted by Theo Mays

I really think the Phils can win tonight. Pettite is a beast of a playoff pitcher, but he hasn't pitched on short rest since like 2000 something.

Some of Andy Pettitte's best postseason starts (game 5 1996 ALCS, game 5 1996 WS and game 2 2003 WS) were on short rest. Now that you can EXPECT an A+ performance like the aforementioned games, but he is certainly capable of doing it.

Pedro is on full rest and he pitched a hell of a game in game 2 against the Yanks.

Pedro was GOOD against the Yanks in game 2, except he lost it in the 7th, and took the LOSS.

Pedro martinez's last 5 starts:

• Sept. 13 vs. Mets (8 IP, W)
• Sept 19 vs. Braves (3 innings, Loss)
• Sept 30 vs. Astros (4 innings, ND)
• Oct 16 vs. Dodgers (7 IP, ND)
• Oct 29 vs. Yankees (6+IP, Loss)

Pedro Martinez has not pitched on NORMAL rest since Sept. 19, when he was pulled after 3 innings. He is pitching on "NORMAL" rest tonight.

This should be a really close game. Howard like Troop said needs to step it up, as he has really struggled in the WS.

Can't disagree with you there, Although I will add that Texiera needs to step up his offense (not his D, he is one of the best in the league at 1st base D), and Robinson Cano needs to show up at he plate.

Hopefully he turns it around and forces a game 7.

As a Yankeee fan, I disagree with you on that. Hopefully Pettitte gets postseason win 18, and postseason clinching win 6.

Originally Posted by Big Beck-ah Roethlisberger

I don't think you're picturing it like Manuel is. If it goes seven who are the Yankees going to throw out? Burnett? The same guy who got racked his last outing? Manuel has faith in his five starters. Also, Lee won't be starting game 7, he could have a couple innings in the pen. Not too much to ask. Just look when Arizona did it with Johnson in like 01 or whatever year that was.

The Yanks are starting CC Sabathia if there is a game 7, Burnett is reportedly available tonight if needed. And in the 2001 series, Randy started games 2 and 6 and came out of the pen for game 7, while CURT SCHILLING started 1,4,7. If the Phillies had 2 aces like that then you starting Lee twice would have been ok. Instead, they are starting Lee twice, and will have to use Happ, Hamels, and 1 or 2 innings of Lee. That doesn't scare anybody, cause Hamels has been crap recently.

[Big Beck-ah Roethlisberger]

O fuck, that's right. Three days rest will be Sabathias start but I'm still not changing my outlook, that will be three games pitched on like 10 days rest or so. Still not feeling that. That will be a lot of wear and tear on a pitchers body. The Phillies would have a better chance to win game seven because they could use an array of pitchers. The Yankees? Not so much. That's why if the Yanks want a shot at winning they have to close it out tonight? If not, I see the Phillies walking away victorious...

[Theo Mays]

Storm I never said Pettite wasnt capable of pitching on short rest. I was just saying it has been awhile. Pettite is a beast and a pitcher that could give the Phillies problems. I know Pettite is capable of shutting down the Phils, but Pedro is capable of doing the same. Yes he took the loss in game 2, but he still pitched good, that is what I was getting at. Either way, it should be a good game tonight, no matter the outcome.

EDIT-Freaking Matsui, he is freaking owning the Phillies. Seriously he is killing today, with all 4 RBI at this point. Not looking good.

[Theo Mays]

Congrats to the NY Yankees on winning the WS. I don't like them one bit, but they played a hell of series. I'm still proud of my Phillies though. No reason to hang your head. We played a hell of series and we have a damn good baseball team that should be competing for years to come. Right now the Yankees should enjoy their celebration, they deserve it.

[Stormtrooper85]

Originally Posted by Theo Mays

Storm I never said Pettite wasnt capable of pitching on short rest. I was just saying it has been awhile. Pettite is a beast and a pitcher that could give the Phillies problems. I know Pettite is capable of shutting down the Phils, but Pedro is capable of doing the same. Yes he took the loss in game 2, but he still pitched good, that is what I was getting at. Either way, it should be a good game tonight, no matter the outcome.

You're right about the Pettitte point, I was trying to type quickly because I was going to the bar to watch the game. As it turns out, Pettitte was decent (not great) tonight, and Pedro didn't have anything, but managed to make it through 4 innings (I think it was 4) without allowing the Yankees to blow the game open.

I am still surprised they didn't go to Happ sooner (or even start him, and have Pedro for bullpen in game 7). He was one of their best pitchers, and he had limited work all post-season.

EDIT-Freaking Matsui, he is freaking owning the Phillies. Seriously he is killing today, with all 4 RBI at this point. Not looking good.

Matsui was friggin unbelievable, what a great way for his Yankee career to end, with one of the greatest world series clinching game batting performances ever. 6 RBI, 3-4. He deserved the MVP, even though he only pinch-hit for 3 of the games. He had something like a .700 batting average, 3 HRs, and 8 RBI, starting only 3 games. It's a shame that the Yankees most likely won't re-sign him, because they want to keep the DH spot open so they can give the old guys a half-day off.

Originally Posted by Theo Mays

Congrats to the NY Yankees on winning the WS. I don't like them one bit, but they played a hell of series. I'm still proud of my Phillies though. No reason to hang your head. We played a hell of series and we have a damn good baseball team that should be competing for years to come. Right now the Yankees should enjoy their celebration, they deserve it.

You're right, the Phils played a hell of a series, and had a hell of a year. They deserve all the credit in the world for making it to the World Series, and for putting up a great fight against this Yankee team. I wouldn't be surprised to see these teams in a Rematch sometime soon.

This was a great baseball season, and a great World Series (for all non-Mets Fans). And I know I probably wouldn't be saying that if the Yankees lost, bu it's true.

[bryanskrantz]

Originally Posted by Stormtrooper85

Matsui was friggin unbelievable, what a great way for his Yankee career to end, with one of the greatest world series clinching game batting performances ever. 6 RBI, 3-4. He deserved the MVP, even though he only pinch-hit for 3 of the games. He had something like a .700 batting average, 3 HRs, and 8 RBI, starting only 3 games. It's a shame that the Yankees most likely won't re-sign him, because they want to keep the DH spot open so they can give the old guys a half-day off.

I don't know about that. George would LOVE to resign the guy just because he can hit. Hal's a different story however. he's only recently starting to take charge of the team so he may or may not sign Godzilla. I hope he does because I like Matsui. always have.