Phillies Turn to Cliff Lee to Extend Series
On the Verge of Elimination, Phillies Look to Keep Series Going
Nov 2, 2009
Johnny Damon's dash to third base on November 1 put a runner on third with two outs and Alex Rodriguez stepping up to the plate. A-Rod laced a double to left field scoring Damon and the Yankees led the game 5-4, they added on two more runs and took a 3-1 series lead.
The Philadelphia Phillies now turn to their best starter in the postseason in Cliff Lee. He's squaring off against Yankees starter A.J. Burnett. Burnett's starting on three days rest.
Starting Burnett on three days rest is a risk by Joe Girardi. He's started C.C. Sabathia on three days rest in both the American League Championship Series and in the World Series. Sabathia can do that, he doesn't get rattled easily and he can throw a lot of pitches and won't wear down. Burnett's durability is unknown. He had a strong outing in game two against the Phillies, going seven innings giving up four hits and nine strike outs.
Bullpens Key To Deciding Remainder of Series
It should be good matchup if Burnett pitches like he did in game two and Lee pitches like he did in game one. It will probably come down to the bullpens again, like in game four. Yankees fans feel better with Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning than Brad Lidge. Lidge blew a tied game, giving up the three runs in game four. He also gave up a home run to Albert Pujols, losing a playoff game when Lidge was with the Houston Astros.
He got redemption last year when the Phillies won the championship, but a lot has changed in a year. Last season, he didn't blow a save opportunity during the regular season. This year, he blew 11 saves during the season, but before game four, hadn't blew a save for the Phillies this postseason. Technically, he didn't blow a save, but he's still the losing pitcher.
The Yankees bullpen in front of Rivera has pitched well against the Phillies. Girardi stated that Joba Chamberlain pitched the best in game four this postseason. Chamberlain did leave a fastball up and Carlos Ruiz took it out for a home run to tie game four. Demaso Marte has pitched two innings, not giving up a run and two strikeouts in the World Series.
Exciting Series Should Look to be Extended beyond Game Five
The World Series has been a great series so far. Lee should pitch a gem against the Yankees and it should go back to Yankee Stadium for games six and seven. It's been a quality World Series so far, and with all the late inning drama, don't miss a minute of baseball during the last few games.
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