And what about that instant replay call? Would A-Rod's double have been a home run if not for the camera?

Best,

Geoff

I didn't get to watch the game, but looking at the scoreboard, that's the same Cole Hamels we've seen all post season and the one I expected to see tonight also: He was solid at first but then got into hot water. Only this time he wasn't dealing with the cold Dodgers, but the red hot Yankees.

Blanton vs. Sabathia tomorrow? I don't know magn, unless Blanton comes out with solid stuff (which he may), we could be looking at 3-1 before we know it.

I don't know about Charlie's decision to start Blanton today. They say Lee has never pitched on three day's rest, and maybe the pitching coach doesn't think Cliff is the type for it?

But that's a mighty lot riding on Blanton v. Sabbathia. CC is the prototypical horse. The Brewers pitched him every three days down the stretch last year, rode him to a berth, and by the playoffs he was toast, but we know he can do it, is the point.

One small thing about last night, though the Phils' bullpen failure made it kind of moot: No one commented on how absurdly deep Victorino was playing against Pettitte on the bloop single that tied the game. Was he really afraid that Andy was goin to drive one to deep center? Was he really playing "no doubles" depth against an AL pitcher? Odd indeed.

One other small thing: with Joba putting in a very solid inning and Hughes touched again, that may be the last you see of Phil Hughes in a hold situation.

It's hard to over-emphasize, to non-New Yorkers, how utterly dominant Hughes has been out of the pen this year, so this is a big shakeup in the bullpen hierarchy, but I don't think Girardi will trust him again. You might even see David Roberston--who's like 13 years old--promoted.

Phils are in a tough spot now. Blanton CAN pitch a good game though but he will give up the long ball. Both of the Phil's losses in this series are more about not hitting than the pitching. I'm not worried about them seeing CC. They'e beaten him in both playoff games he's pitched against them. And Burnett is due for one of his typical games so it could still go 7. At this point I'm not feeling real good about my team though and if the Yanks win, I'll be happy with how far the Phils came this year.

It's kind of funny--each manager is making a big gamble today. If CC doesn't win a matchup with Blanton, it only ties the series, but a pretty big advantage goes Philly's way. They'll have starters on full rest the rest of the way WITH Lee available to relieve Hamels at the very first sign of trouble in a potential game 7.

If the Yanks win--as they should, given the matchup, eeek, dark road for Philly 'cause Girardi will probably start Gaudin in game 5, leaving Burnett and Pettitte on full rest for the potential games at the Stadium.

starting Gaudin in game 4 is essentially conceding that Lee is going to beat ANY Yankee starter right now, so what waste a good one?

Huge game today. Pivotal.

Yup. I admire Manuel's decision...reeeeeally hope it plays out the way he wants it to.

We'll see soon enough...


Agreed.

Today, Ryan Howard needs to stop striking out. Besides the fact that the Phils need his bat, he's an inspirational leader...

dB

Credit where it is due: Blanton is pitching well--through six, which will be it with the pitcher spot up momentarily. The Yankee rally in the fifth was a soft one, to say the least.

CC is pitching well too. I wonder if Joe will try to get him through 7.

Of course, I could be wrong...

dB

More Mo. Someday he won't be there and the Yankee fan--pretty much a stranger for 15 years to the pain the Philly fan feels tonight--will be just like everybody else.

Well, this series ain't over. I strongly suspect the Phils will get it series back to NY.

Heck of a night for Damon!

I will make a bold dB type prediction: Cliff Lee will dominate again tomorrow night and this thing is going back to New York. But the Phillies must come strong with the offense.

It's almost like you need Cliff to go complete games because you're scared to hand the ball to anyone in the bullpen.

We're all wrong sometimes, although you're not wrong yet.

Tough to be down 3-1 though, especially after having been up 1-0. My condolences.

Best,

Geoff

3-2

Full count.

The Phils rose to the challenge in their first elimination game.

Best,

Geoff

Whew...

dB

Whoa. 2 Crazy nerve-wracking 9th innings in a row man. Phillies live to see another day. I hope this goes to game 7. That's so rare in a World Series. I would love to see each team going at it with a bullpen full of starters.

On another note, how weird is it to see Christmas ads during a baseball game!

Me, too.

dB

I agree, a game 7 would be nice! Gotta get past game 6 first though!

Some interesting post game commentary last night on the 3 day rest scheme. Pettitte was on a 5 day rest rotation during the season and they don't think he'd be effective on 3 days rest due to his age.

He actually wasn't that effective in Game 3. He was down 3-0 when the Yankees offense (and Cole Hamels ) saved him.

dB

I'm not quite getting all the hype over Lee's performance last night. 5 runs and seven hits in seven innings. That's not a stellar performance in my book. He had some good innings retiring many Yanks in a row, but, the fact remains that he gave up 5 runs. That's a lot. Granted, his performance may SEEM stellar as compared to AJ's performance last night.

He was real good for 6 innings. Not so good for 1 inning.

Girardi's managed his way into a hole by committing to the three-man rotation even when he was up 3-1.

But there's no saying what's gonna happen.

Postseason stats are misleading just because of the natural flux of baseball. There were seasons when Bernie Williams would literally carry the Yanks to victory in the ALCS, but he also went essntially 0 for 2 World Series....couldn't hit a lick in the WS for the most part.

Still if the Phillies lose this series and get nothing but nothing from Ryan Howard, you know how the story is going to go.

Yep. There's no question that his performance in game 1 was much better than his performance last night, but he still turned in a decent performance. Stellar may be a strong word, but he got it done against a freaky strong offense. And more importantly, he wasn't rattled after giving up that knock in the first inning, which is more than you can say about A.J. Burnett. He retained his composure and proceeded to rack up K after K.

Lee didn't have his A-game, but he had enough. Can't feel very confident turning it over to that bullpen, though. Park has been solid. Otherwise, hoo boy. Adventureland.

...2,

Lol.

I called it Yanks in 6 and so shall it be.

Well, I certainly hope not. A Game 7 in this series would be one for the ages...

Classic pitching matchup tonight. The sixth time these guys have pitched against each other, yes? Someone told me in each of those six matchups, the visiting pitcher has always won. Don't know if that's accurate, but I sure hope it is. Pedro's had more rest, too...

Hope it's another great game!*

dB

* ...or a blowout by Phillies - I'm okay with that as well.

yep. visiting pitcher wins. 3 times each.

Will I be treated to a Yankees loss and a Lakers loss on the same night?

Hmmm, Houston at home.

Pedro's swan song.

What does a Celtics/Sox fan watch? A gimpy Gasol begging to be kicked in the calf? A-fraud striking out against ex-Sox Martinez?

Hmmmm...most competitive World Series in years with lotsa interesting storylines vs. way early in the season hoops game between two teams, neither of whom will be winning a championship this year...

Decisions, decisions.

dB

P.S. the actual answer, of course, is DVR.

Don't you mean ex-Dodger Martinez?

Best,

Geoff

no