The LoHud Yankees Blog

Not surprisingly, the Yankees are off today. One would imagine the cleaning staff at Yankee Stadium, on the other hand, is hard at work.

Tomorrow is the official World Series media day, with both teams doing workouts at Yankee Stadium. There will be press conferences with the managers and Game 1 starters (CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee), as well as plenty of clubhouse access for reporters. We’ll be blogging all day, of course.

On Wednesday, The Journal News and LoHud.com will produce its comprehensive World Series special section. We’ll have all types of coverage, scouting reports, match-ups and more. Also on Wednesday, Chad and I are planning to do another live video chat to answer all your questions about the Yankees-Phillies match-up. We’ve had a great time with the earlier ones this postseason, and if you want to check those out to see what to expect, go here.

Then, of course, comes the main event. Wednesday night, Game 1, Yankee Stadium. Unlike the ALCS, there are no weird off days in the series, so it’s the standard layout: Games 1 & 2 at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday and Thursday; Games 3, 4 & 5 in Philly on Saturday, Sunday and Monday; then Games 6 and 7 back in the Bronx on Wednesday and Thursday.

It’s going to be a great week. Keep checking back all day everyday for non-stop coverage from all of us.

UPDATE, 10:06 a.m.: For those who are looking for pictures from last night, check out this gallery of photos from the game itself.

The Yankees won their 40th pennant and are four wins away from their 27th World Series after beating the Angels, 5-2, in Game 6 of the ALCS last night. Chad Jennings has the story.

Mariano Rivera put in overtime to finish off the victory and was in the middle of yet another Yankees celebration, I wrote in my column. When you consider some of the closer collapses we’ve seen this postseason, Rivera’s consistency resonates even more.

Joe Girardi has taken plenty of heat for his bullpen decisions this month but they worked out fine yesterday, with the manager going to Joba Chamberlain in the seventh and Chamberlain responding by getting the job done. Josh Thomson has more on that, as well as a look at Girardi’s commitment to stick with struggling Nick Swisher – who got a huge cheer from the Stadium crowd when he singled last night.

CC Sabathia earned ALCS MVP honors – a decision even Alex Rodriguez agreed with – and the Yankees ace will face his former teammate, Cliff Lee, in Game 1 of the World Series. Josh has that story as well.

Finally – in a story well worth reading – Mike Dougherty writes about the Yankees honoring a fallen fire fighter from Yonkers last night. Patrick Joyce was killed investigating a three-alarm blaze earlier this month and the Yankees had a moment of silence in his memory before Game 6. The Yonkers Fire Department color guard, as well as about 40 members of the department, stood on the field during the playing of the National Anthem. Included among them were two of Joyce’s brothers.

I was told that the Yankees had about 25-30 cases and approximately 300 bottles of Champagne in this celebration. Judging by the smell of my shirt right now, I can certainly believe it.

A few scenes that will stand out:

• Hal Steinbrenner doing an interview off to the side of the clubhouse and mentioning that he would really like a beer. Reggie Jackson, who was watching the interview, said, “I can take care of that for you” and, as Mr. October turned to go find a beer, Hal called after him, “A regular beer please! No ‘light!’”

• Mariano Rivera, standing at the back of the clubhouse, wearing his AL champion hat on backwards as Robinson Cano pours beer all over his head. Rivera was smiling as widely as I’ve ever seen him and his joy was clear. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this,” he said. “We’re back.”

• Joe Girardi in the middle of the room, his hands wrapped so tightly around the American League championship trophy you’d have thought he would never let it go. “I never got to hold it as a player,” he said. “This is amazing.”

• Derek Jeter being absolutely soaked, beer running off the brim of his hat as cameras crowded around. “We may have made it look easy (in the 1990′s),” Jeter said. “But it was hard then. And it feels sweet to be back.”

I also particularly enjoyed the new, heavy-duty goggles that several players – including Joba Chamberlain, as you can see here – were wearing. Better Champagne requires better goggles, I guess.

Lastly, here’s some audio. First is an interview with Jeter and I highly recommend you listen to it, if only to hear him be interrupted in the middle of an answer by an assault of beer and Champagne. The sound effects are excellent and just about everyone around him – me included – got soaked in the crossfire. Jeter, of course, loved it … and then went right back to giving his answer. Total pro.

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And here’s an interview with Hal Steinbrenner. Reserved as he is normally, I saw him walking out of the clubhouse and even he had soaked hair and clothes. (He also, it should be noted, was carrying a beer … regular, not light.)

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UPDATE, 1:30 a.m.: Chad here with some of my observations. As I noted in a previous post, the first thing that struck me were the fountains of Champagne spraying everywhere. I really did think of the Bellagio. This was nothing like the celebration in Minnesota. This was a proper party.

• Andy Pettitte was, of course, calm and collected. Just like in the game. When someone finally asked about career postseason win No. 16, a new record, Pettitte responded as you would expect: “That’s great, but the greatest thing is to pitch this game and get us to another World Series and help this organization get to another World Series. That’s very special for me.”

• When I saw him, A.J. Burnett was not wild. Not over-the-top. I’m sure he dumped his share of bottles, but standing in the middle of that clubhouse ,he seemed more content than anything. Maybe not satisfied, but certainly content to be in that locker room, at that moment. “I feel like I’m a part of something for the first time in a long time,” he said.

• Like Sam said, the image of Girardi holding that trophy was priceless. He would not have let it go for anything.

• Alex Rodiguez’s reaction to CC Sabathia winning the MVP: “You can’t say enough. That’s what it takes to win in the postseason. Great pitching, no matter what you do hitting, hitting is irrelevant if you don’t have a horse like CC Sabathia. To me, he’s very special.”

• I didn’t get sprayed too much this time. Brett Gardner got me in Minneapolis, but I never took a direct shot tonight. The closest I got to being soaked was when Jerry Hairston Jr. bumped into me. He was like a sponge. A soaking wet utility sponge.

In no surprise to anyone, CC Sabathia was named MVP of the ALCS after winning both starts. The biggest man in pinstripes went 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA, allowing just two runs, nine hits and three walks over 16 innings.

With the Yanks winning in six, they saved Sabathia. He will oppose former teammate Cliff Lee back here on Wednesday in Game 1.

“He sets the tone,” Dave Eiland said. “He set it from the first game in round one. He set a tone in Game 1 of this round. And we’re looking for him to set the tone Wednesday night.”

The Yankees needed just three starter to advance to their first World Series since 2003. They will not have the luxury of an extra day of rest in the World Series and will need to either start Chad Gaudin in Game 4 or pitch Sabathia on short rest.

He won Game 4 of the ALCS on three days rest and said he was willing to reprise that plan in the World Series.

“Whenever they tell me to pitch, I’m ready,” Sabathia said.

Here’s a short interview with your champagne-soaked ace from the clubhouse:

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Andy Pettitte started, Mariano Rivera finished and the Yankees are going to their first World Series since 2003 after beating the Angels, 5-2, in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Game 1 of the World Series will be on Wednesday night at the Stadium, with the last two Cy Young winners facing each other: CC Sabathia for the Yankees and Cliff Lee for the Phillies.

First comes the bubbly. Keep it right here for all the reaction from the Champagne celebration and plenty more.

UPDATE, 12:51 a.m.: From 30 feet outside the clubhouse, the smell was already overwhelming. This made the Division Series celebration seem like a 4-year-old’s birthday party. You know those fountains outside the Bellagio? It was like that.

“This is what it’s all about, man,” Pettitte said. “We made a commitment at the beginning of spring training about the team, and putting everybody else’s selfish things aside and just focus on the team, and we knew this would happen.”

Alex Rodriguez: “It’s been a long time coming, that’s for sure. It just feels good to contribute and play well and help the team win.”

UPDATE, 11:10 p.m.: Mo is in for the last six outs and we’re starting up a new thread. Let’s see if the Yankees can take it home from here.

UPDATE, 11:22 p.m.: That was the first earned run allowed by Rivera in a postseason home game since Oct. 22, 2000 (Game 2 of the World Series against the Mets). Still holding a one-run lead with four outs to go.

UPDATE, 11:35 p.m.: Huge gag job by Kazmir there, shortening up on the easy throw to first. Looks like Rivera could have more of a cushion than he thought to close this out.

UPDATE, 9:50 p.m.: Infield hit for Teixeira loads the bases again with Alex up. Can’t get around him here.

UPDATE, 9:54 p.m.: At a 3-1 count and the bases loaded on A-Rod, you sort of had the feeling that the series might be over with one swing. Instead, Saunders just missed, A-Rod took his walk and now 200-year-old Darren Oliver is coming on to try and keep the Yankees from really blowing the game open.

UPDATE, 9:59 p.m.: That was a hard-core double play turn by Aybar. A-Rod was literally on a mission as he slid into second and he took out Aybar hard, flipping him over the top. Give Aybar credit: he hung in and made the throw to get Posada. 3-1 Yankees.

UPDATE, 10:04 p.m.: Look at that! Pettitte actually got Jeff “Mr. October” Mathis out. Meanwhile, close the book on Saunders: 3 1/3 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 5 BB.

UPDATE, 10:11 p.m.: Announced crowd of 50,173 here tonight, setting a new (New) Yankee Stadium record.

UPDATE, 10:15 p.m.: Pettitte starts this inning at 65 pitches and needs six outs to get in Mariano range. The way he’s been going, that should be doable — and it would keep Girardi from getting too involved with the bullpen.

UPDATE, 10:17 p.m.: That goes down as a putout to the catcher. Figgins bunted and then ran into the ball on his way to first. That takes talent.

UPDATE, 10:25 p.m.: Uh-oh. Vlad is up and Eiland just went to the mound. Mound visits, Vlad and Pettitte have been a bad combo in this series.

UPDATE, 10:26 p.m.: Joba is up in the bullpen.

UPDATE, 10:27 p.m.: Vladdy is ridiculous. They just showed where he hit that pitch – it was so close to the ground that it was either going to be a double or a wild pitch. Just insane.

UPDATE, 10:31 p.m.: Andy saved his boyish good looks and the Yankees lead right there, getting his glove up just in time to knock down Morales’s comebacker. Easy throw to Teixeira and it’s still 3-1. That’s 91 pitches for Pettitte … and I absolutely would leave him in the game.

UPDATE, 10:42 p.m.: Broken bat single for Damon gives us the Oliver vs. Teixeira match-up again. Didn’t work so well for the Angels last time.

UPDATE, 10:43 p.m.: And this time it hurts the Yankees. Teixeira bounces into an easy 5-3 double play to end the inning. Pettitte back out to start the seventh (cue the sighs of relief from everyone).

UPDATE, 10:49 p.m.: Girardi has broken out of the restraints in the dugout and just couldn’t wait any longer. He’s going to Joba. Pettitte gets a nice ovation and tips his hat on the way off. If Joba blows this, does that mean he should be a starter long-term?

UPDATE, 10:50 p.m.: The managerial decisions just don’t stop. After watching Girardi bring in Joba, Mike Scioscia is countering by pinch-hitting for his hottest hitter. Maicer Izturis is now up in place of Jeff Mathis. Just to be clear about a “first-guess” here: If it were me, I’d go to Hughes here and then straight to Mo. Or, you know, just leave Pettitte in and let him get it to Rivera himself.

UPDATE, 10:56 p.m.: So apparently we’re all wrong: Joe Girardi = Genius. Joba gets it done and the Yankees are six outs away from the World Series.

UPDATE, 11:06 p.m.: Looks like Girardi’s not messing around. Mariano Rivera is getting loose.

YANKEES
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jorge Posada C
Hideki Matsui DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Melky Cabrera CF

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (1-0, 2.84 ERA in postseason)

ANGELS
Chone Figgins 3B
Bobby Abreu RF
Torii Hunter CF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Kendry Morales 1B
Howie Kendrick 2B
Juan Rivera LF
Jeff Mathis C
Erick Aybar SS

Pitching: LHP Joe Saunders (0-0, 2.57 ERA in postseason)

TIME/TV: 8:20 p.m., FOX

WEATHER: Clear and cool with a dry outlook for the rest of the night. Let’s play some baseball. The full forecast is here.

STATE OF THE STRIPES: The Yankees remain one win from a 40th pennant and first World Series trip since 2003. They were nine outs away from it on Thursday in Anaheim after a thrilling six-run rally, but could not hold a two-run lead and now have to win one of the next two games at Yankee Stadium to advance. The odds are certainly in their favor; 19 of the 28 teams to hold a 3-2 lead since 1985 have gone on to win the series.

BATTER VS. PITCHER: Here’s the Angels vs. Pettitte. And here’s the Yankees vs. Saunders.

HOME SWEET HOME: The Yankees were a major-league best 57-24 record at home this season, including a 36-10 mark since June 30. They lost consecutive home games only once in that stretch and have won all four postseason games there so far this year.

LEAKY PEN: The Yankees bullpen was supposed to be a strength in the postseason but it hasn’t felt that way lately. Phil Hughes has allowed three earned runs, nine hits and has a WHIP of 2.36 in 4 2/3 innings during the playoffs while Joba Chamberlain has a 3.38 ERA and has seen opponents hit. 500 off him over 2 2/3 innings. Should Joe Girardi use Dave Robertson more often? He’s thrown three scoreless innings during the postseason.

BOTTOM TO THE TOP: Melky Cabrera has five hits in the past two games and has upped his ALCS average to .381 (8-for-21). Cabrera also has three walks and four RBI.

STRUGGLING SWISH: Nick Swisher continues to be a black hole in the lineup during the postseason. Swisher is 2-for-17 with 16 LOB in the ALCS and 3-for-29 in the playoffs with only one RBI.

SLOW STARTERS: The Angels four first-inning runs in Game 5 marked the first time they’d scored in any of the opening three innings of any postseason game this year. The four runs also equaled the total runs they scored in all of Games 1 and 2 combined.

CAPTAIN JUSTICE: Derek Jeter will play in his 47th LCS game tonight, moving him past David Justice and into second place on the all-time list (Manny Ramirez has 49). Jeter isn’t just showing up either; he’s on a nine-game postseason hitting streak that dates back to 2007.

LIGHTNING ROD: Alex Rodriguez had a down night, relatively, in Game 5, since he didn’t drive in a run for the first time in eight postseason games this year. He did go 1-for-3, though, with a double and run scored as well as two walks (one intentional). A-Rod has a hit in 10 straight playoff games.

RANDOM QUESTION OF THE DAY: Ice cream sundae in a mini-helmet: Mess-waiting-to-happen or classy culinary collectible?

IF THERE WERE WALK-TO-THE-PLATE MUSIC IN REAL LIFE, TODAY’S WOULD BE: Phenomenon by LL Cool J

Back with as much new information as we can find off a game that was supposed to be played yesterday shortly. Joe Girardi is meeting with the media in about 10 minutes.

UPDATE, 4:46 p.m.: Here’s the Girardi audio. As you might expect, there isn’t a whole lot new from him since we’ve played exactly one game since last Wednesday. He did talk a little about Mariano reaching out to Phil Hughes and having a chat, which Girardi believes could help Hughes get over whatever problems he’s been having this postseason. Have a listen.

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UPDATE, 5:01 p.m.: As you can see (or, more likely, as you can’t since I have the camera skills of a writer), that’s Alex Rodriguez taking some early grounders. It’s cool and crisp with clear skies here now. Should be a little nippy tonight but otherwise lovely for a game.

UPDATE, 5:22 p.m.: Yankees are on the field and doing their stretching.

UPDATE, 5:26 p.m.: Chad here with some highlights of Girardi’s session with the beat writers.

• On A.J. Burnett’s role out of the bullpen: “We might ask him to get one hitter out. We might ask him to pitch a couple of innings. We could ask him to do a lot of different things. Today, we could probably ask him to give you two or three hitters.”

• Burnett could pitch to more hitters tomorrow night, but it’s unlikely he’ll pitch both tonight and tomorrow. Girardi said he would prefer not to use Burnett tonight and have him available for a possible Game 7.

• The Yankees had Andy Pettitte skip a start in September because of shoulder fatigue, but Girardi said it’s no longer an issue.

• Phil Coke, David Robertson and Alfredo Aceves have done some side work to stay sharp the past few days.

• Someone asked Girardi how a manager learns to deal with increased scrutiny. His answer was not what I expected: “I think as a catcher you get a little bit of it when people talk about pitch selection. I think you go through experiences in life that help you deal with tough situations. For me, watching my mom die. There’s nothing that gets tougher than that that I’ve had to deal with so far in life.”

UPDATE, 6 p.m.: In one of the more disappointing developments out here at the Stadium, I’ve now learned that Carl’s Cheesteaks does NOT have chicken cheesesteaks during the postseason. The two places I went to – the stands on the main level and the one near section 107 – both had blacked out the chicken option on their menus. Very frustrating.

UPDATE, 6:50 p.m.: Josh here on a great night for October baseball. The Angels are on the field now as I write.

I just wanted to check in with audio from Mike Scioscia’s press conference. He talks about the excitement of a big game and how he will manage the pitching staff tonight. Scioscia said he’d be more inclined to let a reliever clean up an inning, but he will not hesitate calling on one of his top arms — i.e. Weaver, Kazmir and Lackey — to start a clean inning. As for saving Lackey for a Game 7: “We wouldn’t rule him out tonight,” Scioscia said.

The Angels skipper also stood firmly behind his statement that the postseason has too many off-days. He said it should be remedied in the future. Although he didn’t say it specifically, Scioscia is unhappy the Yankees have not had to dip deep into their pitching staff this ALCS because of additional rest.

Here’s Scioscia:

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UPDATE, 8:00 p.m.: Josh again. They are announcing lineups at the moment. Andy Pettitte and Dave Eiland just walked to the bullpen to applause a couple minutes ago. Pettitte is now on the field in right-center field getting loose. He’ll move into the pen in a few.

The Yonkers Fire Department Color Guard just fell into position on the outfield grass behind second base. There are about 40 firefighters behind home plate dressed in uniform. They are all here to honor Patrick Joyce, who was fatally injured in a fire on Oct. 2. The father of two will be honored with a pregame moment of silence. Two brothers, his wife and two children are in attendance.

UPDATE, 8:11 p.m.: Biggest ovation of the series for Bernie Williams, who just threw out the first pitch. We’re minutes away from getting going.

UPDATE, 8:19 p.m.: Andy warming up to “Welcome to the Jungle,” which – as blog readers would remember – happened to be the official music of the LoHud Yankees blog during yesterday’s rainout.

UPDATE, 8:21 p.m.: And we’re off. Clear skies and 58 degrees at first pitch. Enjoy the game.

UPDATE, 8:26 p.m.: Smooth first for Andy. It’s very, very loud here tonight. After waiting six weeks for this game, the crowd is juiced.

UPDATE, 8:34 p.m.: Early action for the Yankees after two straight hits. That’s an 11-game postseason hit streak for A-Rod.

UPDATE, 8:36 p.m.: Nothing doing. Posada flies out weakly to right.

UPDATE, 8:40 p.m.: Awful play by Guerrero there. Swisher had an easy double play at first and the “fundamentally sound” Angels have made yet another un-fundamental play in this series. I thought they were supposed to be savvy?

UPDATE, 8:46 p.m.: Pettitte looks good tonight. He’s at 24 pitches through two and looks to have his fastball and cutter working well.

UPDATE, 8:54 p.m.: The national nightmare that is Nick Swisher’s postseason slump continues. Lazy fly to left and Swisher is for 3-for-30.

UPDATE, 8:59 p.m.: First conference on the mound of the night as Captain Jeter works a walk and it’s bases loaded, two outs for Johnny Damon, who hit .254 with RISP and two outs this season.

UPDATE, 9:01 p.m.: And Damon grounds to first. Saunders has worked in and out of trouble twice in two innings so far tonight. He’s at 38 pitches.

UPDATE, 9:05 p.m.: All Jeff Mathis does is hit doubles. Like, seriously. He’s 7-for-11 with five doubles in this series.

UPDATE, 9:11 p.m.: There are still times when Cano’s defense can make you crazy – like when he get a little too casual with a flip throw – but he’s absolutely improved his range. That was a nice spin-and-throw on Figgins to save a run.

UPDATE, 9:12 p.m.: Just heard some scattered boos after Abreu bounced a single to right to score Mathis and make it 1-0. Were the fans booing Pettitte? That’s pretty harsh if they were. Long way to go tonight.

UPDATE, 9:20 p.m.: I have a feeling we’re going to see a lot of that tonight – the Angels pitching around A-Rod. He takes his walk and Posada is up. Scioscia seems determined to do whatever he can not to let Rodriguez beat him.

UPDATE, 9:23 p.m.: Apparently the soothing California winds have helped Bobby Abreu get over his fear of the right field wall. He’s like a new man out there.

UPDATE, 9:38 p.m.: First loudest cheer of the night: Bernie Williams throwing out first pitch. Second biggest cheer of the night: Nick Swisher getting a single to left. That’s 4-for-31 and climbing now for Swish.

UPDATE, 9:39 p.m.: Nice sac bunt from Melky. Another RISP shot for Jeter and another long conference at the mound for the Angels.

UPDATE, 9:45 p.m.: Big chance to blow it open for the Yankees here. Damon up, bases loaded again. Saunders has lost his command.

UPDATE, 9:49 p.m.: Nice swing by Damon to take it the other way and drive in two runs. Swisher came across home plate with both arms up, clearly fired up. It’s 2-1 Yankees and the Angels have Oliver and Jepsen up in the bullpen.

Here’s a repost of the pitching breakdown from yesterday. Just wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to see it as we get set to finally play some baseball. Game post will be up shortly.

—–

Former Yankee and current YES Network analyst John Flaherty has agreed to break down the pitching match-up for every Yankees postseason game exclusively on the LoHud Yankees blog. Be sure to check him out on the pre- and post-game show on YES today. Here’s his take on the Game 6 starters:

YANKEES: LHP Andy Pettitte (1-0, 2.84 ERA in postseason)

WHAT’S HE THROW? “Cut-fastball, sinking fastball, change-up, curveball”.”

BREAKDOWN: “Obviously Andy has a ton of experience and that is what the Yankees love about this pitching match up. He did a good job in game 3 except for 2 pitches. One to Kendrick and one to Vlad. That would be my one concern if I was catching this game. With Andy’s lack of velocity over the years, he will give up some home runs if he misses his spot. Look for Jorge to set up off the plate early in this game to make sure Andy gets the ball to the corners and off.”

——-

ANGELS: LHP Joe Saunders (0-0, 2.57 in postseason)

WHAT’S HE THROW? “Two- and four-seam fastballs, sinker, change-up and the occasional slider.”

BREAKDOWN: “Saunders impressed me in Game 2 with his composure and rhythm for a guy who had a long time in between outings. His sinker was good but his change-up was fantastic. Remember, he can throw a straight fastball up in the zone which is sneaky. His slider for me is his fourth best pitch. I expect him to be good again because of how under control he seemed to be Game 2.”

———–

EDGE: “The edge for me goes to the experience of Andy and also being home in the Bronx. The fans should be as loud as we have heard them all year in the new Stadium.”

Joe Girardi has been mostly diplomatic about the number of off days that have made this baseball postseason feel like six months instead of one. Mike Scioscia, however, let his true feelings be known yesterday in a session with L.A.-area writers.

“Ridiculous,” Scioscia said when asked for his thoughts. “I don’t know. Can I say it any clearer than that? We should have never had a day off last Wednesday. We should never have three days off after the season. You shouldn’t even have two days off after the season. It just takes an advantage away for a deep team, which everybody feels very strongly is an asset. It takes that advantage away and I think that’s something that Major League Baseball hopefully will consider looking at.”

When Game 6 is played tonight, the Angels will have played nine games in 18 days; the Yankees will have played nine in 19. If the Yankees win tonight, their 10th game of the postseason won’t come until Wednesday – 22 days since they began the ALDS. By comparison, the Yankees’ 12th scheduled off day during the season didn’t come until Aug. 3 (and that’s including the four days off during the All-Star Break).

I know that TV is the mother of all incentives for pro sports, but it sure seems foolish to decide the champion of your sport under such drastically different conditions than the rest of the schedule is played. One of the things that makes baseball great is its consistency; it’s played every day. The playoffs should at least try to approximate that during the games that matter most.