Another benefit to the longer ALDS …
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Oct 03, 2009 
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I was sitting in the barber’s chair yesterday reading the recent Sports Illustrated story about Mariano Rivera, when a pretty basic thought occurred to me: The more the Yankees can use Rivera in the postseason, the better off they are.
This, of course, is pretty obvious. But the reason I mention it is because there are several scheduling quirks this postseason that could allow the Yankees to use Rivera (as well as Phil Hughes) more often than one might think.
If the Yankees opt for the longer ALDS, the schedule of the series will be: Game 1-OFF-Game 2-OFF-Game 3-Game 4-OFF-Game 5.
In other words, only one set of back-to-back games which means that in three out of five games Joe Girardi could use Rivera for more than one inning and not worry about burning him out for the next game. He could also use Hughes for two innings under the same rationale.
Should the Yankees make the ALCS, the schedule of the series would be: Game 1-Game 2-OFF-Game 3-Game 4-OFF-Game 5-OFF-Game-6-Game 7.
For whatever reason (probably TV and the new World Series start day), MLB added an extra off day into the ALCS this year which means there are no sets of three games in a row and three off days during the series instead of two. Again, more of an opportunity for the Yankees to pitch their best two relievers with less worry about overuse.
I’ve heard Girardi talk about not being afraid of using Hughes for two innings during the playoffs and Rivera is definitely a four- or five-out pitcher then, too. Because of the schedule, the Yankees could be looking at getting somewhere near 10 outs from their top relievers and shortening the games considerably – something that was always a key for them during the dynasty years of the late 1990′s.
LMAO this is really, REALLLLLLLLY OT, but did anyone see what Eli Manning did to the Cowboys visitor’s lockerroom.
http://i35.tinypic.com/b4hifd.jpg
LMAO.:lol:
I’m sure Jerry Jones will be thrilled.
This waiting for the real games to start is killing me. Everything seems primed for a long run, CC got his stinker out of the way, AJ will get to pitch to Molina, ARod’s got Kate, Jeter and Mo are…well…Jeter and Mo.
Let’s go!
Like I said before:
Pete Who?
Go Sam – great insight and analysis!
LMAO
(Pretty funny stunt by Eli!)
I miss Pete. Is this really insightful? I don’t do this for a living, but I have coherent opinions and can write them down in a concise manner.
to clarify:
lol @ the autograph
like to see the look on Jerry Jones face, when its pointed out to him
The story is here.
http://www.nbcdfw.com/blogs/bl.....23272.html
Pretty hilarious. I almost would have rather Eli had written “Eli was here” but that’s close enough.
Pete who? This blog is better than ever and I’m really glad the new writers are even better than I had dreamed. Who needs any other blogs? This one has everything!
Another benefit is that they don’t need a 4th starter in the ALCS either: If CC pitches game 1 and can pitch game on 3 days rest, then he could return for Game 7 on 4 days rest. The Game 2 starter can start Game 5 on regular rest and the Game 3 starter can start Game 6 on regular rest. I know that he burned out last September in Milwaukee, but that was after a series of starts on short rest (and he was great in those starts). Would you prefer CC on short rest once or Joba (on what would be about 2 weeks or more of rest?)
vin,
must be happy with your jets so far
using hughes and rivera as much as possible sounds great to me, but hughes hasn’t done it yet in the playoffs, so he’s got to prove he can do it first before we get to carried away with how much he’ll be used.
if hughes is same in the playoffs as he was in the regular season, it seems a no brainer to expand his use.
Wasn’t Hughes the guy who came in and shut the door in the 2007 ALDS game 3 after Clemens stunk it up ?
I don’t know why people keep on saying that Hughes needs to prove something in the postseason when he already has.
Randy from what I remember Phil Hughes was the only pitcher besides Andy Pettite to pitch well in the ALDS in 2007.
“using hughes and rivera as much as possible sounds great to me, but hughes hasn’t done it yet in the playoffs”
Did you forget he stole game 3 away from CLE in 2007.
I have been surprised and disappointed that Hughes hasn’t been used for 2 IP with regularity during the regular season.
We saw Hughes’ post-season demeanor in 2007, when he rescued Game 3 from Clemens.
That isn’t anything new with him, he’s not the high and low emotional type, nor is he “soft” and a spoiled rich kid who magically toughened up because of Johnny Damon. Of all the idiotic ideas proposed here, that takes the cake.
Jeremy
Wasn’t Hughes the guy who came in and shut the door in the 2007 ALDS game 3 after Clemens stunk it up ?
__
*nods*
“I have been surprised and disappointed that Hughes hasn’t been used for 2 IP with regularity during the regular season.”
They are saving his stamina for the postseason, imagine the arm strength and stamina he saved not doing that in the reg. season.
Tigers have some guy named Figora on the mound tonight
Twins face Greinke
They need to at least get to a game tomorrow so Leyland burns out Verlander!
“nor is he “soft” and a spoiled rich kid who magically toughened up because of Johnny Damon. Of all the idiotic ideas proposed here, that takes the cake.”
That would be pretty silly, but did anyone ever say it here?
So proud of young Youuuuse in that Game 3 vs. the Indians back in 2007.
That theory was not only proposed here, it was hammered over and over again.
It was as ridiculous then as it is now.
Who said it? What did they say?
I have joked about it ad nauseum, but can you cite someone who said that and meant it?
Nick,
What would be the point in naming the person who promoted this idea ad nauseum?
I am not into trying to embarrass anyone, even the most pompous of posters.
Phil Hughes has pitched 5 innings in the postseason. Only a fool would consider him proven in the postseason.
I think the notion of “proven” in the playoffs is what I take issue with.
It’s another media invention.
I am off to get my mother’s glasses fixed. I’ll check in with this faux concern about Hughes later.
The point would be, I don’t think SJ44 said what you’re saying he said, as I recall the discussion in question and I recall how the point he actually did make was misrepresented then and after.
Maybe at some other point he said “Phil Hughes is a spoiled rich kid whose career was saved by Johnny Damon’s choice words” but I don’t think so. I bet if I gave you until Christmas you couldn’t find a post in which he said that. But I could have missed it, I suppose.
Yeah the Twins have Blackburn there best pitcher on the mound against Greinke. The Twins need to get to him some how, and Garcia for the White Sox who has good numbers against the Tigers needs to beat them.
David Ortiz wanted to do the same as Eli Manning,in Yankee stadium.He bragged about drinking the bubbly in the New Stadium.How’d that work out? lol
Whatever happened to Melvin Crousette, the Dominican Assassin?
Good point Sam!
Nick in SF…..You going to Berkley tonight ???? I’m waiting for the # to drop to 4
Hope Greinke’s Social anxiety disorder shows up in this high profile game.
He almost lost his career because of his anxiety problem.
Pat, I will be there. You really think the # will go to 4? It’s 4.5 at my book right now and it’s been bouncing between that and 5 for a couple days. I’m in at Cal +5 and working on a few small teasers now.
How can anyone not be proud of young master Yuuuuuuuussseee
http://i33.tinypic.com/259d3ig.gif
“vin,
must be happy with your jets so far”
yes, danny. Very much.
had expected a transition year. Maybe they will settle back down to earth. Either way, Sanchez reminds of Steve Young when viewing him. And the defense is for real.
the reciever corp is frightening thin tho. I wonder if Dustin Keller will finish the season in one piece
“Did you forget he stole game 3 away from CLE in 2007.”
At 2-0 in the 3rd inning, it was hardly Cleveland’s game, but after a wild pitch and a double to score the runner he inherited, he was excellent and a deserving winner.
PAT M.
We need some 4th quarter magic. I took your ND pick and took the over 54.5.
I just pounded the BC over 45.5 That game will be the fate of the rest of the day. I took it 2x of the WI/MN play. The line seems 7-8 pts low IMO.
Nick. Any 3:30est plays that you like?
-dennis
“Hope Greinke’s Social anxiety disorder shows up in this high profile game.
He almost lost his career because of his anxiety problem.”
He’s a couple years removed from that very unfortuante situation. Makes me wonder whether Greinke will be careful about where he goes when he hits free agency. Certain cities in the northeast corridor wouldn’t seem great landing spots for one who has suffered from such maladies.
3:30 games I like: NC St. +3, Navy -3, UCLA +5
“I just pounded the BC over 45.5 That game will be the fate of the rest of the day.”
Dennis, that’s two pretty inept offenses playing in a driving rain storm.
FSU sure looked awful hosting USF last week.
I lost a kidney because of that game.
“I lost a kidney because of that game.”
Smart guy. Only bet what what you can afford to lose.
Rex.
I am well aware. It will be as messy turnover game. IMO.
Let’s see what happens.
Thanks for the input though.
-dennis
I only had one left.
“I only had one left.”
Takes double or nothing off the table doesn’t it.
Randy, Phil did do well in the playoffs – he saved the Yankees bacon in game 3 of the ALDS. At the time a 21 year old, that was an awfully impressive stint – coming into a packed YS and shutting down a good Indians lineup.
SJ did not say he was spoiled – what he said (though I disagreed with it at the time and still do) was that because he didn’t have as tough an upbringing as Joba did, that he would have to find his toughness from somewhere else. I have no idea what the backgrounds are on all the so-called mentally tough players in baseball nor do I think it matters. Everyone has their own personality, regardless of background.
I still don’t get why Damon called out Phil (and Wang, earlier in the season)…..and not Joba. I’m not going to give credit to Damon for turning Phil’s season around – only Phil had the power to do that.
2007 Yankees vs Indians lost 3-1
CC,Fausto Carmona,and Paul Byrd closed the deal!
Phil did the Yankees proud.
Good post and definitely a good point. Much better post than the one Pete would have made about when Bruce was touring next.
So far Hughes has done nothing but prove himself. As limited as the numbers are, both this season and ’07. There’s no point in discussing it unless he disproves what he’s already done and been doing.