Game Six.

Phils and Pedro on Borrowed Time?

So it’s game six tonight at the new Stadium.  The Phillies rough around the edges victory on Monday earned them the chance to head back to New York to try to make the Yankees and their hometown fans sweat a bit more.  The pitching match-up for the contest tells most of the story.  For all the Red Sox/Yankees history between Pedro and Andy Pettitte the two have never faced each other in the post-season.  So, Wednesday night they will meet for the first time, both decidedly past their prime, but also still capable of producing wins. 

The perspective from outside this series is that game six will be a slugfest.  Pettitte on three days rest, and Pedro facing the same lineup for the second time in a week, has most experts predicting an advantage for the offenses.  This could certainly be the case, but both fan bases continue to have some cautious optimism in their man.  For my part, Pedro continues to baffle me.  He looked great in game 2, but there is always that moment, right before one of his pitches darts out of the zone where you feel that sense of panic.  Plus, an 0-2 count for Petey in ‘09 isn’t the same as one in ‘99 that’s for sure. 

What I know is that we’ll get Pedro’s best effort.  There’s no question about that.  He’s not going to shrink from the challenge.  And, neither will Andy Pettitte, who is the winningest pitcher in post-season history.  Pettite dominated the Phillies left-handed hitters in game 3, and if he does it again, go ahead and wheel the champagne into the home clubhouse.  Even on three days rest, I’d give the edge to Pettitte in this match-up, simply because of the lefty/lefty factor.  Both teams will be racing to get into the other’s bullpen. 

Mariano Rivera will certainly be asked to go two innings if necessary, and the Phillies should be aware of this, and play accordingly.  I heard a couple Yankee fans pondering the possibility of Mo going three innings, but that’s kind of like asking Cliff Lee to start game 7.  Be careful what you ask for.  I think the best scenario for the Yankees would be to get six out of Pettitte, have the lineup in a favorable spot for Marte in the seventh, and then go with Rivera.  Any other middle-reliever would give me cause for concern. 

The Phillies?  Who knows who they are trying to get to in the bullpen.  They’ll piece it together as they go.  The offense will need to be offering consistent support.  I assume the preferred route will be something like Martinez/Park/Madson.  Not exactly Stewart/Eckersly.  It’s impossible not to remember that the last time the Phillies faced this situation in the World Series, it was the bullpen that let them down.

So, in the end, we’re looking for some high drama tonight.  The importance of every at-bat is magnified, and everyone should be on the edge of their seats.  And, if the Phils can somehow sneak this one, well…then things get really interesting. 

Note:  I’m headed out to play golf today.  Viable golf days dwindling in this nape of the woods, neck of the wape.  But, anyway, if I get the eighteen in, and have time to post something worthwhile…will do.  Otherwise, we’ll see you after the game.  Hoping of course for a little Jack Buck, “And we’ll see you tomorrow night!”