World Series Game 4: Yankees (2) at Phillies (1)

by duck on Nov 1, 2009 7:30 PM EST in Gamethreads

The Yankees took back home-field advantage with their win last night over the Phillies, although with the road team winning two of the first three games, I'm not sure how much advantage there is to be had.

It's Game 4 tonight, and while the Yankees are pressing CC Sabathia into duty on short rest, the Phillies are leaving Cliff Lee for Game 5. There's solid reasoning on both sides - CC has done short rest before, Lee hasn't.

But it is quite the gamble the Phillies are taking leaving Lee on the bench. They are throwing their fourth-best starter, Joe Blanton, against the Yankees' best starter, Sabathia. There's a very good chance the Phils end the night down 3-1, and need to win the remaining games to repeat as champions. Of course, Orioles fans know a little too much about a team down 3-1 to a seemingly superior AL squad coming back to win.

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - CC Sabathia	19-8	34	34	2	1	0	0	230.0	197	96	86	18	67	197	3.37	1.15

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Joe Blanton	12-8	31	31	0	0	0	0	195.1	198	89	88	30	59	163	4.05	1.32

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joe blanton is not the guy i'd like to have out there right now

but i guess i’d rather save cliff lee for the desperation game. oh and i really don’t care about cc pitching on three days rest anymore. they’ve made such a big deal over it the entire playoffs

by twistedlogic on Nov 1, 2009 8:28 PM EST reply actions

I'd have gone with Lee

My best guy beat their best guy? Throw him in 1, 4, & 7.

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Nov 1, 2009 8:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

maybe

but if lee doesnt perform that well on short rest (as espn says he doesnt) then maybe they’re better off. if they were to lose game 4 with lee on the mound, then they have to rely on blanton as the stopper. the only thing i’d count on blanton to stop is the all you can eat buffett.

by twistedlogic on Nov 1, 2009 8:59 PM EST up reply actions

I probably would have gone Lee tonight. I think tonight’s pretty much do or die for the Phils.

Blanton vs. CC…I wonder what the fattest starting pitching combo for a WS game ever is?

(Come on Phils or Yanks, sign Sir Sidney)

I wonder if I can bill Jeff Lurie and Peter Angelos for the years of therapy their teams are going to put me through.

by BrianS on Nov 1, 2009 8:35 PM EST reply actions

I think Lee was a must as well

So he’s never gone on short rest, it’s the world freaking series.

CC’s in a little trouble now, they gotta get to him.

Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts

by Stacey on Nov 1, 2009 8:41 PM EST up reply actions

well they got 1

by twistedlogic on Nov 1, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

And he threw 20+ pitches

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Nov 1, 2009 8:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

the whole setup bothers me

i think they should play more games, 1 off day max – http://bit.ly/uIT0i

by joet on Nov 1, 2009 11:16 PM EST up reply actions

Eww what's with the group of Yankee fans waving their little circle fans?

Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts

by Stacey on Nov 1, 2009 8:43 PM EST reply actions