Comments on: Burnett Burns Phils, Yankees Even Series

By: j reed

j reed — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:03:04 +0000

I think Blanton’s career era against the Yanks might not be such an issue because they haven’t seen him in years…That could give the edge to Blanton at least for 5 innings. Also Blanton has really done alot with that change-up which would work well against lefties on the outside corner of the plate and has a decent slider for the right handed batters.as a low and away pitch. He also has a decent back door breaking ball and has a quick delivery out of the stretch. Happ’s starts since he reinjured his oblique have been less than desirable and during his limited post season appearances he has done nothing but work himself into hitter’s counts. He did pitch well against the Yanks that one time but the advantage usually goes to the pitcher if the opposing batters haven’t seen them. Plus you could see the Yankees line-up beginning to get their timing down against his deceptive Invisi-a-Ball . Granted he threw alot of fastballs and his off speed stuff improved since then but, during his last few outings just prior the post season and his Colorado start esp., his off speed stuff lacked any real bite. I wouldn’t be suprised to hear that Happ needs surgery once the season is over.

By: Ed R.

Ed R. — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:47:22 +0000

I agree joedad, he isn’t the same guy he was, but honestly, I would take him over anyone the Phillies will throw out there except for Lee and maybe Pedro at this point. I hope like heck the Phillies destroy him tonight but I don’t see it coming. His numbers this post season have been pretty good. Not great but pretty good.

By: Jeff G.

Jeff G. — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:21:10 +0000

I agree with Happ. He was outstanding this season. He pitched a great game in Yankee stadium. I dont understand why he does not get a start. Blanton has been solid but worries me. Tonight is a huge game. I think you will see CC in game 4. Three days rest is rough for him. We just have to hit and we will be fine. Andy could be a problem tonight.

By: karen

karen — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:43:44 +0000

Trust me, I love Happ more than any other sane Phillies fan. I am almost okay with him not pitching because then I can enjoy the games. I get very whatever when my Happ pitches. Anyone on Twitter who gets my updates can definately agree. But for Hamels to continue to get the starts when he has shown nothing even relatively close to last year is sickening. He is not very good and acts like a baby at times on the mound………but he never stays in long. Blanton may have a problem like he did last outing with going later into the game because he has not been starting.

By: joedad

joedad — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:42:02 +0000

Ed, Pettitte is not the same pitcher of old. I don’t think the Phils will have trouble scoring some runs off him.

By: George

George — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:30:00 +0000

With the weather predicted for tonight, I don’t expect either starter to last very long. Rain delays almost always mean your starter tightens up and must be replaced. We might see Happ in this game, and maybe it’s a good thing Manuel has kept him in reserve. He beats any reliever the Yanks can drag in.

By: Manny

Manny — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:46:22 +0000

Well, if one of Hamels and Blanton looks shaky out there, you can expect Happ to jump in there to pitch at least 3 or 4 innings…

Blanton’s ERA vs the Yankees is scary, but he’s a very good pitcher. I expect him to do well that he KNOWS that he’ll pitch and can prepare for that specifically… rather than being in the bullpen and getting one-day notice.

By: Ed R.

Ed R. — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:07:55 +0000

I agree joedad, I think the difference however is that when the Phillies have had to bounce back from game 2′s dismal offensive performances, they were not facing a guy with the caliber of Andy Pettite.

By: joedad

joedad — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:03:27 +0000

Jeff G, highly recommended. The other Jeff is a bipolar loon.

Lee will pitch game 5 because Charlie has confidence in Hamels and Blanton. If it goes to 7, Lee will be available in relief without a doubt.

The Phils have a pattern of winning game one and losing game 2 (last year game 2 or 3) with a poor offensive performance. They bounced back in every series so let’s hope tonight’s gonna be a good night.

I’ve predicted bounceback performances in the past with Hamels and have been wrong every time so I dont expect a great start tonight so the offense and bullpen will need to take this one.

By: Ed R.

Ed R. — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:58:26 +0000

Not that I particularly like Rosenthal but here is an interesting article about the atmosphere of the new Yankee stadium as compared to the old, and to CBP.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/sports-mlb/20091030/FOXSports.WorldSeries.Atmosphere/

Personally, I am do not like Charlie going with Blanton and his career 8.18 era vs the Yankees in game 4, not because I believe he should throw Lee out there. He shouldn’t. Lee was never going to pitch game 4. Whether he came out in the 7th of game 1 or with the result as is. It just wasn’t going to happen. So be it. But what I don’t get is how J.A. Happ, the guy who was just voted ROY by his peers has been relegated to almost mop up duty if even that. I would much rather he start game 4 than Blanton. Nothing against Blanton at all but I see more potential upside with Happ. That’s just me. I am ok with Lee going game 5, assuming of course that we have at least 2 wins by that point.

Either way, as I have said all playoffs, Charlie wrote the Manuel on winning…in Charlie I trust.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:38:25 +0000

Which Jeff are you…the guy that hates Cholly??

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:32:24 +0000

ok chuck that is not me. for some reason there is another jeff. i should change it to jeff g. there are many posts with another jeff. sounds crazy but true.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:32:23 +0000

Jeff….He wouldn’t have pitched in Game 4 whether he had 90 pitches or 130…..when are you gonna get that through your thick skull, dude??

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:30:37 +0000

Interesting post, Jeff….considering all the usual negativity that you spew forth…..

“fat Manuel should have taken Lee out with a 6-0 lead. he is just a dumb manager.”

Yeah…you posted that at 11:42 last night..

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:27:43 +0000

Pitty Pot?????????? Its about winning the series not what the guy did. We had the game won by the 8th inning. 6-0 You take the guy out and get him ready for game 4. Not lets see if he can throw 130 pitches.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:18:03 +0000

EVERYONE JUST SHUT UP. MY God…There is more to cry about in this world. We have children dying from the swine flu. Our taxes, houses, cars, food, tv keep going up. Men and women fighting for this great country. We have homeless people and many of us out of work. Cant afford to feed our families. You are fighting over a stupid game and these players make millions of dollars. You dont have to get nasty. It changes nothing of our lives. Yes you root for your team and its fun. Keep it at that. Remember its just a game. Stop hating on each other. Remember 911. We all stood as one.

By: yankees have 27 rings

yankees have 27 rings — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:36:01 +0000

all right I have to leave. thats enough fun for today

By: yankees have 27 rings

yankees have 27 rings — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:34:45 +0000

look at that you can use more than one name.

By: Keith

Keith — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:34:01 +0000

I’m really Yankees, just wanted to see if you can use more than one name. I don’t think this will go thorugh.

By: yankees have 27 rings

yankees have 27 rings — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:31:28 +0000

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? I’m waiting……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………