New York, NY (WFAN) -- Game Five Thoughts
- This one was not on the manager: A.J. Burnett was dealing and there was no reason for Joe Girardi to take him out after the Yankees took the lead in the top of the 7th. After giving up the four runs in the 1st he pitched just as good as Lackey, and had a low pitch count. I question why
Marte was brought in instead of
Coke, but the move worked.
Phil Hughes was the next logical candidate and he just didn't get the job done. Don't blame Girardi for this one.
- Putrid Pen: The bullpen has been a strength the entire season, but in the playoffs it has not. The main set-up men to get to
Mariano, Phil Hughes and
Joba Chamberlain, have been unreliable at best. Both have given up hits and runs in big spots. Hughes came in with a runner on 3rd with one out and a one run lead. Letting one run score is not good, but understandable. Letting a potential winning run cross the plate is completely unacceptable. He even shook off
Posada twice on the 1-2 pitch. Hughes is too good of a pitcher to let that happen. Girardi might have to think about using Robertson in those spots moving forward.
- Steaming Pile of Swish: I've had enough. I feel like I'm watching an awful movie that I can't walk out on. He's lost at the plate. Just lost. I realize a lefty is starting in Game 6, but I'm not sure I care anymore. I'm tired of looking at
Nick Swisher. I wonder how all those antics and loud music goes over in the clubhouse after he leaves a village on base? Probably not so well.
- Halo Momentum: The Yankees have to be careful. This is a type of loss that can turn a series and give an opponent all the momentum in the world. If this series gets to a Game 7, even with it at Yankee Stadium, it's a crapshoot at best. Yes, even with CC on the mound.
- Rising Offense: Pretty much everyone except for Swisher is starting to hit, and that's bad news for the Angels.
Mark Teixeira,
Johnny Damon,
Hideki Matsui and
Robinson Cano are all making better contact and hitting the ball with authority. I'd be feeling a lot more nervous about this series if I didn't think the offense was in a serious grove.
Schmeelk Snippets
- Can someone, anyone, please get out Jeff Mathis?
- Did you believe Mike Scioscia taking out John Lackey when he did? That was not a good decision, even if it meant turning Teixeira around. Lackey was pitching too well.
-
Sabathia is the MVP of this series, assuming
A-Rod doesn't do anything spectacular, or Sabathia anything horrendous, in Game 6 or Game 7. If there is a rainout on Saturday night, the Yankees should still pitch Andy Pettitte in Game 6, and Sabathia in Game 7. I don't get the logic of moving Sabathia up.
Pettitte winds up on too many days rest and Sabathia is lost for Game 1 of the World Series.
- Thank you to my good friend who shall remain nameless, who decided to have his wedding reception Saturday night. Guess who can't use his ticket to ALCS Game 6? And thanks to the NFL for scheduling Giants-Cards as a Sunday Night Game. Guess who has to work the game and can't use his ticket to ALCS Game 7? Gonna be a great weekend!
I'll be tweeting the entire postseason (and from weddings, apparently) at:
http://twitter.com/Schmeelk 
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