Andy ready for the challenge
Posted by: Rick Carpiniello - Posted in Misc on Oct 13, 2012 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Because the Yankees had to burn their ace to win Game 5 of the ALDS, Andy Pettitte gets the Game 1 start in the ALCS against the Tigers. And because there is no off-day, the rest of the rotation after Pettitte is still a question mark.
Which makes Pettitte’s start tonight even bigger. But that’s why he came back, for big games in big series.
“Like I said a lot of times, I came back to hopefully help this club get into this position, to help this pitching staff, to help take some of the stress off the other starters, and hopefully be able to give us quality starts whenever I take the mound, and give us a chance to hopefully get deep into games and give us a chance to win,” Pettitte said after another champagne party. “So it’s nice to feel like I have been able to do that whenever I’ve been healthy and get out there. I’m so excited about the opportunity to be in this series, obviously, to move along.
“I couldn’t say I feel any more pressure. Look, we have to have a team effort. We have to have our starters throwing the ball well, or we’re not going to win this series probably. I feel like I am able to simplify it to that extent. I definitely need to give us a good start and get the series off to a good first game, that’s for sure.”
Pettitte had hardly thought about the Tigers at that point, because, well, he was ready to be available in the bullpen in the all-hands-on-deck elimination game.
“Obviously, knowing I was in the pen tonight maybe and just focusing on this game, (I’ve had) no time at al to think about it. Obviously you have (Miguel) Cabrera in there and (Prince) Fielder – great hitters. You just hope you can get out there and make quality pitches. Nothing different. You just try to make quality pitches.
“You know it’s going to be tough games. And for me hopefully I have good command of all my pitches, not walk any guys, and give us a chance to win, and hopefully give us a good outing.”
Pettitte was good in Game 2 of the ALDS (seven innings, three runs) though he was tagged with the loss. Indeed, all the Yankees starters were solid in the series, and their bullpen was fabulous, allowing just one run. Pettitte never had to go to the bullpen for Game 5 because CC Sabathia went the distance.
“Very impressed,” Pettitte said. “CC, you can’t say enough about what he has done. To be able to go on the road, it’s tough. Postseason is tough on the road, pitching in those games. And to do what he did, make the pitches that he did when he was in trouble in Baltimore, to get us into the ninth inning like he did. .. and tonight, just absolutely amazing.
“Everyone. Kuroda did an unbelievable job. Phil threw the ball great last night. I felt I was able to get us deep into the game and give us a chance to win. We have thrown the ball well in this series. The bullpen has been great. Runs were hard to come by in this first series and hopefully we can carry that over right into the next series.”
And, though he hadn’t thought a lot about Detroit, your mind doesn’t have to wander far to know where the danger lies. Cabrera, a righty, will be a huge challenge for the left-handed Pettitte.
“He is just a great hitter,” Pettitte said. “Obviously he doesn’t have a whole lot of holes. He’s got power to the opposite field, and he’s got pull power. So when you have got a guy like that, he’s tough to get out. When you have a guy that has the power that he does, to hit balls out, especially in Detroit, and right field (in) Detroit being a right-handed hitter, that is just special.
“And then what he has done this year, winning the Triple Crown with an average like that, it’s pretty remarkable to see what he has done. He will be a big key. Try to shut him down. I don’t know if you can shut him down, but try to keep him from doing too much damage in the series, and that’s key to us winning the series, that’s for sure.”
Associated Press photo
“He has never pitched on 3 days rest. That’s gotta tell you something.”
a lot of pitchers haven’t….it’s not an ideal situation…..had they wont Thursday like they should have then this wouldn’t be an issue but because they didn’t and because MLB screwed them with the scheduling they have to make a decision on what to do in Game 2…..
do they want to start a rookie who a few starts back looked very taken by the moment against the Orioles and has the potential to do so again on the playoffs stage……or do you start one of your horses on short rest and try to get things back on schedule……I think you could make a case for either one.
The schedule only worked out because all of the series went the distance. It’s not fair to have the team with HFA to start on the road, and it’s not fair to their fans.
~
‘t is interesting to note, however, that the road team has prevailed in 13 of the 22 post season games thus far.
trish
Detroit in 6 (i hope I’m wrong)
cards in 7
CC vs Verlander or not? That is the question…
My answer is NO but Joe might see it different.
A win is a win, get it game 4 against Scherzer and maybe we don’t need a game 7.
Well.. that gold chain certainly makes him look ready.
CompassRosy October 13th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
The schedule only worked out because all of the series went the distance. It’s not fair to have the team with HFA to start on the road, and it’s not fair to their fans.
~
‘t is interesting to note, however, that the road team has prevailed in 13 of the 22 post season games thus far.
———————————————-
I think that HFA in baseball is a little overrated. It’s the easiest for a road team to win in baseball on the road than in a sports like basketball or football. HFA gives you some advantages but it’s not too big of a deal.
The two scenarios to me are:
Game 1: Andy
Game 2: Phelps
Game 3: Kuroda
Game 4: CC
Game 5: Hughes
Game 6: Andy
Game 7: Sabathia (3 days rest)
or
Game 1: Andy
Game 2: Kuroda (3 days rest)
Game 3: Sabathia (3 days rest)
Game 4: Hughes
Game 5: Andy
Game 6: Kuroda
Game 7: Sabathia.
To me you’re not going to throw CC on short rest in game 3 if you can throw Kuroda on full rest in that game so if Phelps starts Game 2 then you’re basically committing to CC in Game 4 and that he will have to pitch short rest in a possible game 7…..
If Kuroda can do it….I really like that 2nd scenario better because it lines up you’re best 2 starters for games 6 and 7 on full rest and it puts CC against Verlander both times they’d pitch…….the big question though is if Kuroda can do it.
I was impressed by the fact Giants came back from 2-0. Cincy is a strange team… they are good but i always forget them. quick exist for a couple years now.
I wouldn’t start Hughes on the road.
The Giants can pitch and they have a manager who has a golden touch with bullpens…..that series will be fun….two teams with great experience and pedigree…..I think it goes 7 and the Cards win.
blake-
I like scenario 1 although it might be a bit more risky. I’d like to match CC up with Verlander obviously so if Verlander is pitching game 3, I think scenario 2 might be better. I just don’t know about Hiroki on short rest. He’s so much better when rested which isn’t a diss on the guy at all. Some pitchers just have trouble bouncing back.
CompassRosy October 13th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
The schedule only worked out because all of the series went the distance. It’s not fair to have the team with HFA to start on the road, and it’s not fair to their fans.
~
‘t is interesting to note, however, that the road team has prevailed in 13 of the 22 post season games thus far.
————-
That is an interesting point. I really wonder how that Nats series would have turned out if games one and two had been in DC. Obviously, there is no way of knowing, but I suspect that the Nats might have been able to win the series if it had….
“I wouldn’t start Hughes on the road”
huge ballpark and he threw arguably his best game of the season in Detroit….the complete game.
you’re basically committing to CC in Game 4 and that he will have to pitch short rest in a possible game 7…..
===============
kuroda will be right there behind him….cc will go on 3 days if he pitches twice, but he can do it…why waste him against verlander, let them both win their games. we should win this in 6 if we take care of sanchez and get 2 from fister/scherzer.
Yanks in 6
Giants in 6
Tyler,
I think either way is risky…..sucks that we didn’t get the off day because it would have really helped line things up.
blake, there are merits on both scenarios… you can say what if cc and kuroda get smacked around on short rest. then game 6 and 7 will be moot.
Actually CC not pitching against Verlander might make more sense anyway. Man, tough decision for Girardi. I can’t complain either way because I’m stuck too.
I like Phelps but earlier in the year he did let the stage get to him a couple of times against the O’s…..he’s pitched better since then of course but first playoff game at the stadium against a couple of really dangerous hitters in Miggy and Fielder I don’t know……to me thats just as risky if not more so than Kuroda the veteran on short rest.
Andy, Phelps, Kuroda,CC, Andy,Hughes, CC.
The object is to make game 7 a moot question.
October 13, 2012 at 2:09 pm
blake, there are merits on both scenarios… you can say what if cc and kuroda get smacked around on short rest. then game 6 and 7 will be moot.
Sure…. You can also say what if they lose game 1 ….the moment eats Phelps up in game 2 and they go to Detroit to face Verlander down 2-0……that’s worst case of course but that’s why it’ll be a tough decision
Game 1 is a must win.
I think that HFA in baseball is a little overrated. It’s the easiest for a road team to win in baseball on the road than in a sports like basketball or football. HFA gives you some advantages but it’s not too big of a deal.
~
Good point.
And, speaking of football…
I’m counting on the unique HFA that the Seahawks have making the difference in the game vs Tom and the Pats tomorrow
Number ONE ranked DEE vs the number ONE ranked OH – should be quite a game…
We could have also have activated the veteran Freddy for game 2.
mick says:
October 13, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Game 1 is a must win.
I agree….I think it’s huge. Time for payback against Fister
I’m watching the replay of last nights game on mlbnetwork…it’s a lot easier to watch this time!
I really don’t like pitchers on short rest..unless you have too…I mean CC short rest for game 7 because its a do or die but games 2 or 3 are not do or dies…so try to get guys on regular rest..
beating fister and scherzer will be tough, i won’t say they own us (maybe scherzer) but we haven’t done well against them.
i’m hoping we hammer sanchez, but he is an unknown quantity and might not see game 6.
If the Yanks do start Phelps in Game 2, do they want to carry another reliever who can pitch multiple innings, like Nova? The worry is that If Phelps gets knocked out early, you burn up D Lowe for that game and are without a long reliever for the next two games.
CC vs Scherzer in game 4 could be a lot like CC vs Verlander game 3.
Andy should pitch game 5 either way.
Also, I hope the Yanks are willing to drop a bunt or two down the third base line. They need to expose Cabrera’s glove. Or at least make his legs tired do he hits the ball 390 feet to center instead of 450 feet.
What is it with major leaguers and their chain necklaces? I don’t think Andy wears one around tge ranch.
As for Cabrera, take care of the guys in front of him.
I’m surprised no Freddie on the roster. He’s a good option in those 15 inning games.
Maybe you give the ball to D Lowe in game 2. You know the guy is a competitor who won’t be overwhelmed by the big stage. He may relish the challenge.
Big Game Andy, blah blah blah
This series is going to come down to the bats. Hopefully now that they have more margin for error in a 7 gm series, they put less pressure on themselves
Derrick Lowe in Detroit would be good, but not for multiple innings at YS. Is he even stretched out fir 5 plus innings?
Having Hughes, Kuroda and CC available for games 6-7 is a good thing.
If the do choose to not Throw Kuroda in game 2 then I would throw Phelps and Id have confidence in him
Waiting for the NL champion for games 6&7. Even better!
Phelps looks overwhelmed on Thursday, I wouldn’t want him on the mound against a high powered Detroit team.
Is Phelps stretched out? He seems to be a short starter anyway, barely making it to the 6th inning. But I would be confident going to him if it gave us better chances in the later games. But I would also try to win the first two at home at all costs. Short leash for Phelps.
i see tickets for tonight’s game are going for about double what they went for last night. i was really surprised last night that there were so many empty seats, especially in the lower deck.
Phelps vs. Detroit this year -
3 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K on April 28th
0.1 IP, 2H, 1 ER on June 2nd (took the loss in the bottom of the 9th)
1 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K on August 6th
0.2 IP, 1 H on Agust 9th, credited with a hold
Total – 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
“This series is going to come down to the bats. ”
Yea I agree that they will go as far as their offense will take them most likely…. cano has to cancel Miggy out and the rest of the guys have to show up.
lineup time?
Let’s hope that we’re up 10-0 by the 6th, so Girardi can spend the rest of the game running all the permutations through his brain.
Trish
Yankees in 6
Giants in 7
Maybe joe should ask Buck to choose the Game 2 starter seeing as how every Joe Saunders he picks to pitch goes out there and throws a gem
I’m keeping myself away from myself cleaning house ’till the game commences.
Compass-
I’m a Rams fan so it kills me but I gotta root for the Pats on Sunday. I actually went to the Rams-Seahawks game a couple weeks ago. If Wilson can improve, you guys have a scary team.
All this rotation talk directly stems from that stupid wildcard playoff game. The 2nd wildcard has been the stupidest addition to a sport in a long time. It messed everything up this year.
I got my last prediction right – Yanks in 5. This temps, N.Y. in six pick up dem sticks.
It looks like order has been restored in Hokiesburg. Whew.
http://www.detroitnews.com/art.....nst-Tigers
Who cares about the $ owed A Rod – not our problem – put the best team on the field.
Pettitte looks decent, not damaged circa Clemens and Barry.
That Texas fan with the expensive watch said a very bad word on camera. Shocking.
Also, the Rocket is at the game and he looks pretty pissed off too.
I try and save ny bad words when forcing large objects into the Prelude.
Just intentionally walk Cabrera every turn, and we will be fine.
Hi, Luis! You lucky so and so! Enjoy the game, mon ami!!!
Tyler ~
Your Rams have certainly been a pleasant surprise, eh? So much for the moniker “NFC Worst” this season (considering they are the only division in the NFL in which every team has a winning record)
There are many in Seattle (not me!) calling for Flynn.
My take is …
Do they really think that the Hawks would be any better than 3-2 at this point with Flynn (especially with the schedule they’ve played)? Would Compete Pete be running the offense any differently? I don’t think so. And, while there is no question that Wilson needs to improve (which he has, week-to-week) he is not the sole reason the passing game is not working. Anyhoo – should be a great game.
back to baseball…
Don’t IBB, but pitch “carefully” to Cabrera every time, and definitely don’t walk anyone in front of him.
The only thing I know about football – get the hell out of the way.
Jmills,
Comme vas vouz? Good to have you around sir
Luis, I’m fine and that goes ditto for the kid – thanks for asking!
JS,
In that case, we could lose 1-0. I rather prevent him from having an impact on the games
I’m all for having David Phelps start game 2. The kid is a competitor and we can always cover the innings on people’s bullpen days and what not if he struggles. And we have Derek Lowe ! Haha.
It’s seven games. They’re not all going to work out to where we have an advantage. And sometimes it’s guys like Phelps that step up in a big spot.
It’s also possible that Kuroda, who is more of a groundball pitcher, might benefit from pitching on three days rest instead of on five. Remember Chien-Ming Wang? He always seemed to have sharper stuff when his arm was more tired, with more break on the ball. I also think that’s a trend for pitchers who have a lot of sink on their ball.
There’s no way of knowing, really. It’s a risk either way, Kuroda and his age pitching on short rest or the young unproven Phelps pitching to that dangerous lineup.
This year Chavez against DET starters is:
1-3 vs. Fister
1-1 vs. Sanchez
2-2 with a BB vs. Scherzer
and amazingly, 6-10 with 2 doubles against Verlander
@Joelsherman1
I think #Yankees should start Phelps in Gm 2, have Hughes available for 2-3IP and hope that combo gets 5-7IP with chance to win #Tigers
@Joelsherman1
Remember offday after Gm 2 so #Yankees can start Phelps/attack with entire pen plus Hughes. Pitching Kuroda short would be a mistake #Tigers
@Joelsherman1
That allows CC full rest for 4 and available on short rest for 7. #Yankees #Tigers
?@Joelsherman1
Tomorrow would be Hughes’ between-start throw day, so rather than 25-50 in pen, save for 2-3IP of relief if necessary. #Yankees #Tigers
Maybe she’s saying “Fumble!!!”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9.....hotostream
So if Fister makes Arod look silly tonight, is that it for him?
Does anyone know what time the Stadium opens tonight? I’m going! First playoff game ever
2 hours before.
Maybe she’s saying “Fumble!!!”
=================
that’s 2 syllables
BSkolo
Have a great night. Hope there’s a good atmosphere and that Andy’s dealing. I know it’s only Game One but with the way the pitching lines up, we need to hold serve.
Andy will dominate tonight, after all this is October baseball!
On the side of the short rest argument, Kuroda pitches better at the Stadium than he does on the road. And we know CC can throw on short rest, although he is coming off two sonsecutive long, stressful starts.
They could limit Kuroda’s pitches for Game 2 and have the entire pen ready to back him up, because of the off day that follows.
Sherman has a point about Hughes. If you slate him as the game 6 starter, he is usable in the bullpen for games 2 or 3 at least. Hughes has been a beast as a reliever.
Kuroda Game 2 starter. Surprising.
I guess the reasoning about this is that (a) Kuroda pitches much better at home and (b) He’s even better in day games, which I guess this just about qualifies as one.
@Joelsherman1: Kuroda is starting Game 2 on short rest #Yankees