Showing posts with label MLB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MLB. Show all posts
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POD: NY Yankees @ Philadelphia+1.5 (3K units) L
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Preview: The New York Yankees wanted a dominant pitcher to lead them deep into the postseason, so they made CC Sabathia(notes) the richest pitcher in baseball history. Now, Sabathia can now move them within a victory of their first World Series title in nine years.
The workhorse will take the ball on three days’ rest Sunday night when the Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies play Game 4 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park.
The Yankees turned an early 3-0 deficit into an 8-5 victory in Saturday night’s Game 3, claiming a 2-1 lead in the series. Alex Rodriguez(notes), Nick Swisher(notes) and Hideki Matsui(notes) all homered for New York, with Rodriguez’s two-run shot in the fourth inning the result of the first video replay reversal in World Series history.
After watching their 13-year streak of playoff appearances come to an end last fall, the Yankees felt upgrading their rotation was a priority if they were going to challenge for their first World Series title since winning No. 26 in 2000. Landing Sabathia via free agency - for $161 million over seven years - has proven to be the right move.
The left-hander’s first season in the Bronx was a rousing success, as he went 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA to garner consideration for his second AL Cy Young Award and help the Yankees back to the playoffs.
Sabathia - the 2007 Cy Young winner with Cleveland - hasn’t slowed in the postseason, posting a 3-1 record and 1.52 ERA and winning AL championship series MVP honors. Now, he’ll take the mound on three days’ rest, a situation in which he is quite capable. Including postseason, Sabathia is 5-3 with a 3.16 ERA in eight starts when throwing on short rest.
“I hate to throw bullpens,” said Sabathia, who took the loss in Game 1 opposite Phillies ace Cliff Lee(notes) while allowing two runs on homers by Chase Utley(notes) in seven innings. “I don’t have to throw a bullpen when I pitch on three days’ rest.
“It feels good for them to have confidence in you, especially in these situations. It gives you confidence when your team has confidence and the guys want you out there and everybody is asking: ‘Are you pitching today?’ and ‘Are you pitching tomorrow?’”
Yankees manager Joe Girardi has elected to shorten the rotation to Sabathia, A.J. Burnett(notes) and Andy Pettitte(notes) - Saturday’s winning pitcher. Burnett is expected to start Monday.
“There is no baseball after the World Series for four or five months, so there will be plenty of time to rest,” Girardi said.
Girardi also used Sabathia on short rest in Game 4 of the ALCS, and the three-time All-Star allowed one run in eight innings of a 10-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has opted not to ask Lee to pitch on three days’ rest for the first time in his career. Instead, Lee is scheduled to start Monday’s Game 5 in what could be an elimination contest.
Joe Blanton(notes) gets the nod in Game 4 for a second consecutive year. The right-hander combined with four relievers on a five-hitter in a 10-2 win over Tampa Bay last October that gave the Phillies a 3-1 World Series lead. He also hit the first World Series home run by a pitcher since Oakland’s Ken Holtzman in 1974.
“It’s a big game, but it’s another game,” Blanton said. “And I think just the experience you draw from last year, just the fact that you’ve been there before, you’ve been in that environment, you’ve been in that atmosphere, you’ve kind of been in that big game situation - and you can just kind of draw back and kind of keep your emotions in check.”
Blanton hasn’t had any success against the Yankees, going 0-3 with an 8.18 ERA in four starts. All of those games came with Oakland, where he spent four-plus seasons before joining Philadelphia last year in a midseason trade.
Blanton has also struggled against Alex Rodriguez, who is 4 for 7 with two homers in their matchups.
The third baseman’s homer Saturday was the first of his career in the World Series, and snapped a personal 0-for-8 slump. It was also his sixth homer of this postseason, tying a Yankees record set by Bernie Williams(notes) in 1996.
“It was a big hit. I think it woke our offense up a little bit,” said Rodriguez, who struck out three times in each of the previous two games.
The Phillies are hoping their marquee slugger, Ryan Howard(notes), can break out of his slump in similar fashion.
The NLCS MVP is 2 for 13 with an RBI and nine strikeouts in the Series, fanning three times Saturday.
“Go home and go to sleep. I’m a simple guy,” Howard - 4 for 12 with six strikeouts against Sabathia including postseason - said after the Game 3 loss. “We’re not going to panic by any means just because we’re down in the Series.”
It may not be time to panic yet, but history doesn’t provide Philadelphia cause for optimism. This is the fourth time the Phillies have trailed 2-1 in a World Series. On all three previous occasions, they went on to lose Game 4 - and the series.
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Preview: The New York Yankees wanted a dominant pitcher to lead them deep into the postseason, so they made CC Sabathia(notes) the richest pitcher in baseball history. Now, Sabathia can now move them within a victory of their first World Series title in nine years.
The workhorse will take the ball on three days’ rest Sunday night when the Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies play Game 4 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park.
The Yankees turned an early 3-0 deficit into an 8-5 victory in Saturday night’s Game 3, claiming a 2-1 lead in the series. Alex Rodriguez(notes), Nick Swisher(notes) and Hideki Matsui(notes) all homered for New York, with Rodriguez’s two-run shot in the fourth inning the result of the first video replay reversal in World Series history.
After watching their 13-year streak of playoff appearances come to an end last fall, the Yankees felt upgrading their rotation was a priority if they were going to challenge for their first World Series title since winning No. 26 in 2000. Landing Sabathia via free agency - for $161 million over seven years - has proven to be the right move.
The left-hander’s first season in the Bronx was a rousing success, as he went 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA to garner consideration for his second AL Cy Young Award and help the Yankees back to the playoffs.
Sabathia - the 2007 Cy Young winner with Cleveland - hasn’t slowed in the postseason, posting a 3-1 record and 1.52 ERA and winning AL championship series MVP honors. Now, he’ll take the mound on three days’ rest, a situation in which he is quite capable. Including postseason, Sabathia is 5-3 with a 3.16 ERA in eight starts when throwing on short rest.
“I hate to throw bullpens,” said Sabathia, who took the loss in Game 1 opposite Phillies ace Cliff Lee(notes) while allowing two runs on homers by Chase Utley(notes) in seven innings. “I don’t have to throw a bullpen when I pitch on three days’ rest.
“It feels good for them to have confidence in you, especially in these situations. It gives you confidence when your team has confidence and the guys want you out there and everybody is asking: ‘Are you pitching today?’ and ‘Are you pitching tomorrow?’”
Yankees manager Joe Girardi has elected to shorten the rotation to Sabathia, A.J. Burnett(notes) and Andy Pettitte(notes) - Saturday’s winning pitcher. Burnett is expected to start Monday.
“There is no baseball after the World Series for four or five months, so there will be plenty of time to rest,” Girardi said.
Girardi also used Sabathia on short rest in Game 4 of the ALCS, and the three-time All-Star allowed one run in eight innings of a 10-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has opted not to ask Lee to pitch on three days’ rest for the first time in his career. Instead, Lee is scheduled to start Monday’s Game 5 in what could be an elimination contest.
Joe Blanton(notes) gets the nod in Game 4 for a second consecutive year. The right-hander combined with four relievers on a five-hitter in a 10-2 win over Tampa Bay last October that gave the Phillies a 3-1 World Series lead. He also hit the first World Series home run by a pitcher since Oakland’s Ken Holtzman in 1974.
“It’s a big game, but it’s another game,” Blanton said. “And I think just the experience you draw from last year, just the fact that you’ve been there before, you’ve been in that environment, you’ve been in that atmosphere, you’ve kind of been in that big game situation - and you can just kind of draw back and kind of keep your emotions in check.”
Blanton hasn’t had any success against the Yankees, going 0-3 with an 8.18 ERA in four starts. All of those games came with Oakland, where he spent four-plus seasons before joining Philadelphia last year in a midseason trade.
Blanton has also struggled against Alex Rodriguez, who is 4 for 7 with two homers in their matchups.
The third baseman’s homer Saturday was the first of his career in the World Series, and snapped a personal 0-for-8 slump. It was also his sixth homer of this postseason, tying a Yankees record set by Bernie Williams(notes) in 1996.
“It was a big hit. I think it woke our offense up a little bit,” said Rodriguez, who struck out three times in each of the previous two games.
The Phillies are hoping their marquee slugger, Ryan Howard(notes), can break out of his slump in similar fashion.
The NLCS MVP is 2 for 13 with an RBI and nine strikeouts in the Series, fanning three times Saturday.
“Go home and go to sleep. I’m a simple guy,” Howard - 4 for 12 with six strikeouts against Sabathia including postseason - said after the Game 3 loss. “We’re not going to panic by any means just because we’re down in the Series.”
It may not be time to panic yet, but history doesn’t provide Philadelphia cause for optimism. This is the fourth time the Phillies have trailed 2-1 in a World Series. On all three previous occasions, they went on to lose Game 4 - and the series.
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GAME POSTPONED DUE TO BAD WEATHER
POD: Los Angeles @ New York Under 9.0 (3K units)
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Heavy showers in Saturday’s New York forecast are threatening to wash out Game 6 of the AL championship series, yet that’s a minor drizzle compared to the high-pressure system the Angels created for both themselves and the Yankees by extending the ALCS to the weekend.
Rejuvenated by a ramshackle win in Game 5 that cut the Yankees’ series lead to 3-2, the Angels still face long odds to make the seldom-seen comeback from a 3-1 series deficit against their star-studded opponents. Yet Figgins still senses a team-wide confidence that the Angels can rain on the Yankees’ 27th championship parade.
“It doesn’t get any better than this, especially going into that ballpark,” said Figgins, the Angels’ leadoff hitter. “It’s going to be another crazy game, I can tell you that. You go back and just enjoy it. The pressure is on both teams.”
The Yankees arrived back in New York early Friday morning and held an “optional” workout—“In the playoffs, it’s not optional,” catcher Jorge Posada(notes) said with a grin—under an overcast sky in the Bronx that afternoon. A chilly wind rippled the flags that line the top of the stadium and jostled the ceremonial red-white-and-blue bunting along each deck.
It was a much different scene than the picturesque weather they had in Southern California, and they still were thrilled to be back.
“Our guys feel very good when we walk in this ballpark,” manager Joe Girardi said.
The Angels were grateful to show up to work Friday in suits instead of sweats, holding a brief workout before flying to New York.
Figgins and his teammates all packed the cold-weather gear that did little good in their last trip to Yankee Stadium, when they lost the series’ first two games with poor hitting and sloppy defense. The Angels’ defense and pitching mostly got back to normal in Anaheim, but their hitting didn’t improve until Game 5, when they scored seven runs after mustering just 10 in the entire series beforehand.
“They are the favorites, but after this one, we’ve got obviously a lot of confidence, a lot of momentum,” said Joe Saunders(notes), the Angels’ Game 6 starter. “It’s going to be the usual Yankee hostile environment. It’s going to be a lot of fun. They’re going to be all over us.”
The Yankees had a major league-best 57-24 record at their new home this season, including a 36-10 mark since June 30. They lost consecutive home games only once in that stretch.
New York has won each of its four playoff games in the Bronx, outscoring the Twins and Angels 19-9 in its $1.5 billion ballpark.
“We feel comfortable here and we just want to keep going out there and playing good baseball,” outfielder Nick Swisher(notes) said.
It will be hard for anyone to be comfortable if the forecast is accurate. If Saunders has to wait a day to pitch, it could create another possibility in the series—one that might make the Yankees push even harder for a closeout victory.
If Game 6 is postponed, manager Mike Scioscia says the Angels would consider bringing back ace John Lackey(notes) on three days’ rest to pitch a potential Game 7 as a counter to Yankees stalwart CC Sabathia(notes), who already has shut down the Angels twice in the series.
“Yes, we’ve talked about a lot of different scenarios,” Scioscia said before the Angels’ flight. “We’re going to let this thing unfold a little bit and see how the weekend goes. If there is an opportunity to look at bringing a guy like John back, it’s something we certainly would consider. We’ve talked about a bunch of things.”
Jered Weaver(notes), who pitched an outstanding eighth inning of relief in Game 5, is the scheduled starter for Game 7—but Lackey is the Angels’ best, most experienced pitcher. Lackey, a soon-to-be free agent with every motivation to star in the playoffs, confounded the Yankees for six innings of Game 5 before Scioscia removed him with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh, precipitating New York’s six-run comeback.
But the Angels made a three-run comeback of their own in that sublime seventh. Closer Brian Fuentes(notes) slept soundly after finding trouble and escaping it in the ninth inning of Los Angeles’ 7-6 comeback victory, retiring Swisher on a bases-loaded popup with a full count and two outs.
Fuentes is no stranger to high stakes, and the major leagues’ saves leader knows his teammates also thrive in such straits. Ever since the tragic start to their season with the death of pitcher Nick Adenhart(notes), the Angels have tapped untold wells of strength on the way to an AL West title, 97 victories, a first-round series win over Boston—and now an ALCS that gets more tense by the inning.
“Pressure is something you put in your car tires,” Fuentes said. “I don’t feel like it’s any different now. We’ve still got to keep playing, still got to keep doing our work for another game. We don’t get anything extra for that one. … If it’s raining, we’ve all got to play in it. If we get postponed, we’ll be ready when we get the chance.”
Los Angeles is quietly confident about its chances against Andy Pettitte(notes), who is expected to make the Game 6 start even if it’s pushed back a day and can set two records with another solid postseason outing. The left-hander has four series-clinching wins among his 15 career playoff victories—both tied for the most in baseball history.
“However many starts I’ve had in the postseason or how many innings, it’s not going to help me tomorrow when I go out there,” Pettitte said. “It’s a matter of getting out there and my cutter cutting, my location being good, and this is a game of just inches.” (Y! Sports)
POD: Los Angeles @ New York Under 9.0 (3K units)
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Heavy showers in Saturday’s New York forecast are threatening to wash out Game 6 of the AL championship series, yet that’s a minor drizzle compared to the high-pressure system the Angels created for both themselves and the Yankees by extending the ALCS to the weekend.
Rejuvenated by a ramshackle win in Game 5 that cut the Yankees’ series lead to 3-2, the Angels still face long odds to make the seldom-seen comeback from a 3-1 series deficit against their star-studded opponents. Yet Figgins still senses a team-wide confidence that the Angels can rain on the Yankees’ 27th championship parade.
“It doesn’t get any better than this, especially going into that ballpark,” said Figgins, the Angels’ leadoff hitter. “It’s going to be another crazy game, I can tell you that. You go back and just enjoy it. The pressure is on both teams.”
The Yankees arrived back in New York early Friday morning and held an “optional” workout—“In the playoffs, it’s not optional,” catcher Jorge Posada(notes) said with a grin—under an overcast sky in the Bronx that afternoon. A chilly wind rippled the flags that line the top of the stadium and jostled the ceremonial red-white-and-blue bunting along each deck.
It was a much different scene than the picturesque weather they had in Southern California, and they still were thrilled to be back.
“Our guys feel very good when we walk in this ballpark,” manager Joe Girardi said.
The Angels were grateful to show up to work Friday in suits instead of sweats, holding a brief workout before flying to New York.
Figgins and his teammates all packed the cold-weather gear that did little good in their last trip to Yankee Stadium, when they lost the series’ first two games with poor hitting and sloppy defense. The Angels’ defense and pitching mostly got back to normal in Anaheim, but their hitting didn’t improve until Game 5, when they scored seven runs after mustering just 10 in the entire series beforehand.
“They are the favorites, but after this one, we’ve got obviously a lot of confidence, a lot of momentum,” said Joe Saunders(notes), the Angels’ Game 6 starter. “It’s going to be the usual Yankee hostile environment. It’s going to be a lot of fun. They’re going to be all over us.”
The Yankees had a major league-best 57-24 record at their new home this season, including a 36-10 mark since June 30. They lost consecutive home games only once in that stretch.
New York has won each of its four playoff games in the Bronx, outscoring the Twins and Angels 19-9 in its $1.5 billion ballpark.
“We feel comfortable here and we just want to keep going out there and playing good baseball,” outfielder Nick Swisher(notes) said.
It will be hard for anyone to be comfortable if the forecast is accurate. If Saunders has to wait a day to pitch, it could create another possibility in the series—one that might make the Yankees push even harder for a closeout victory.
If Game 6 is postponed, manager Mike Scioscia says the Angels would consider bringing back ace John Lackey(notes) on three days’ rest to pitch a potential Game 7 as a counter to Yankees stalwart CC Sabathia(notes), who already has shut down the Angels twice in the series.
“Yes, we’ve talked about a lot of different scenarios,” Scioscia said before the Angels’ flight. “We’re going to let this thing unfold a little bit and see how the weekend goes. If there is an opportunity to look at bringing a guy like John back, it’s something we certainly would consider. We’ve talked about a bunch of things.”
Jered Weaver(notes), who pitched an outstanding eighth inning of relief in Game 5, is the scheduled starter for Game 7—but Lackey is the Angels’ best, most experienced pitcher. Lackey, a soon-to-be free agent with every motivation to star in the playoffs, confounded the Yankees for six innings of Game 5 before Scioscia removed him with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh, precipitating New York’s six-run comeback.
But the Angels made a three-run comeback of their own in that sublime seventh. Closer Brian Fuentes(notes) slept soundly after finding trouble and escaping it in the ninth inning of Los Angeles’ 7-6 comeback victory, retiring Swisher on a bases-loaded popup with a full count and two outs.
Fuentes is no stranger to high stakes, and the major leagues’ saves leader knows his teammates also thrive in such straits. Ever since the tragic start to their season with the death of pitcher Nick Adenhart(notes), the Angels have tapped untold wells of strength on the way to an AL West title, 97 victories, a first-round series win over Boston—and now an ALCS that gets more tense by the inning.
“Pressure is something you put in your car tires,” Fuentes said. “I don’t feel like it’s any different now. We’ve still got to keep playing, still got to keep doing our work for another game. We don’t get anything extra for that one. … If it’s raining, we’ve all got to play in it. If we get postponed, we’ll be ready when we get the chance.”
Los Angeles is quietly confident about its chances against Andy Pettitte(notes), who is expected to make the Game 6 start even if it’s pushed back a day and can set two records with another solid postseason outing. The left-hander has four series-clinching wins among his 15 career playoff victories—both tied for the most in baseball history.
“However many starts I’ve had in the postseason or how many innings, it’s not going to help me tomorrow when I go out there,” Pettitte said. “It’s a matter of getting out there and my cutter cutting, my location being good, and this is a game of just inches.” (Y! Sports)
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POD: Los Angeles+1.0/pk @ Philadelphia (3K units) L
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Defending champion Philadelphia looks to carry the momentum from a thrilling comeback win and earn a trip back to the World Series on Wednesday night in Game 5 against a Dodgers team trying to send the NLCS back to Los Angeles.
The Phillies trailed by one run with two outs in the ninth inning Monday, before Rollins lined a two-run double off All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton(notes) to give them a 5-4 victory and a 3-1 NLCS lead.
“This is big,” Rollins said. “The pressure’s all on them.”
The rally started with one out in the ninth when Broxton walked pinch-hitter Matt Stairs(notes) on four straight pitches. Stairs had hit a two-run homer off Broxton in Game 4 of last year’s NLCS at Dodger Stadium.
Broxton hit Carlos Ruiz(notes) with a pitch after Stairs’ walk, but pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs(notes) looped a soft liner to third for the second out. Rollins then ripped a 99 mph fastball to right-center, putting Philadelphia in position to make back-to-back World Series appearances for the first time in franchise history.
“We understand we still have a job to do,” said Rollins, who had been 3 for 18 in the series prior to his game-winning hit. “We look forward to trying to close it out.”
Although Los Angeles needs to win three straight games to make the World Series - a feat it couldn’t accomplish last year when the Phillies eliminated the Dodgers in five games - manager Joe Torre doesn’t believe his team is in an awful position.
“The unique part about our situation, we win one game and we go home,” Torre told the Dodgers’ official Web site. “That to me is a momentum switch, and the fact that Philadelphia has to come with us.”
For there to be a Game 6 at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Los Angeles needs to get past Cole Hamels(notes), who defeated the Dodgers in last season’s NLCS clincher.
Hamels also earned the win in Thursday’s series opener, but he wasn’t at his best, allowing four runs and eight hits - including two homers - in 5 1-3 innings of an 8-6 victory.
Hamels has already yielded eight runs in 10 1-3 innings in two postseason starts this season - one more run than he gave up in 35 innings over five starts last fall en route to NLCS and World Series MVP honors. Despite that fall-off in production, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel continues to express confidence in his left-hander.
“Any time you hand him the ball, I think he’s capable of going out there and shutting the other team out,” Manuel told the Phillies’ official Web site.
Hamels has usually been capable of shutting down the Dodgers.
Despite the subpar outing in the opener of this series, Hamels is 5-0 with a 2.19 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, including three in the playoffs.
While Hamels doesn’t appear likely to win another NLCS MVP award, Ryan Howard(notes) is building a strong candidacy for that honor.
The Phillies first baseman hit a two-run double Monday that gave him eight straight postseason games with at least one RBI, tying Lou Gehrig’s major league record set in the 1928 and 1932 World Series with the New York Yankees.
Howard is 5 for 13 (.385) with two home runs, eight RBIs and a .529 on-base percentage in this series and has driven in 14 runs this postseason.
“I’m just going to go up there and keep throwing my bat at the ball,” said Howard, who has reached base safely in 17 straight playoff games.
Howard’s solo homer in Game 2 was the only run the Phillies scored off Vicente Padilla(notes), who takes the ball again for the Dodgers in Game 5.
Los Angeles’ only victory of the series came in Game 2 - a 2-1 win. Padilla allowed Howard’s homer and three other hits in 7 1-3 innings, but didn’t get the decision.
Padilla, who pitched for the Phillies from 2000-05, hasn’t lost since signing with the Dodgers on Aug. 19 after being released by Texas.
The right-hander gave up four hits in seven shutout innings of a 5-1 NLDS-clinching win over St. Louis, and went 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA in seven regular-season starts for Los Angeles. Including postseason, the Dodgers have won eight of Padilla’s nine starts.
“He’s been tremendous,” catcher Russell Martin(notes) said. “He just has nerves of steel out there. He doesn’t get rattled.”
Padilla will need to be tremendous if Los Angeles’ lineup continues to fizzle.
The Dodgers, who finished fourth in the NL with 780 runs in the regular season, have tallied 12 in this series while leaving 25 men on base and going 6 for 30 with runners in scoring position.
Manny Ramirez(notes) homered off Hamels in Game 1, but hasn’t had much success otherwise, going 4 for 16 with two RBIs and no walks in the series.
“We’re not going to give up,” Ramirez said. “All we can control is go out and give 100 percent. That’s what we’ve been doing. The Phillies have just been playing better.”
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Defending champion Philadelphia looks to carry the momentum from a thrilling comeback win and earn a trip back to the World Series on Wednesday night in Game 5 against a Dodgers team trying to send the NLCS back to Los Angeles.
The Phillies trailed by one run with two outs in the ninth inning Monday, before Rollins lined a two-run double off All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton(notes) to give them a 5-4 victory and a 3-1 NLCS lead.
“This is big,” Rollins said. “The pressure’s all on them.”
The rally started with one out in the ninth when Broxton walked pinch-hitter Matt Stairs(notes) on four straight pitches. Stairs had hit a two-run homer off Broxton in Game 4 of last year’s NLCS at Dodger Stadium.
Broxton hit Carlos Ruiz(notes) with a pitch after Stairs’ walk, but pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs(notes) looped a soft liner to third for the second out. Rollins then ripped a 99 mph fastball to right-center, putting Philadelphia in position to make back-to-back World Series appearances for the first time in franchise history.
“We understand we still have a job to do,” said Rollins, who had been 3 for 18 in the series prior to his game-winning hit. “We look forward to trying to close it out.”
Although Los Angeles needs to win three straight games to make the World Series - a feat it couldn’t accomplish last year when the Phillies eliminated the Dodgers in five games - manager Joe Torre doesn’t believe his team is in an awful position.
“The unique part about our situation, we win one game and we go home,” Torre told the Dodgers’ official Web site. “That to me is a momentum switch, and the fact that Philadelphia has to come with us.”
For there to be a Game 6 at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Los Angeles needs to get past Cole Hamels(notes), who defeated the Dodgers in last season’s NLCS clincher.
Hamels also earned the win in Thursday’s series opener, but he wasn’t at his best, allowing four runs and eight hits - including two homers - in 5 1-3 innings of an 8-6 victory.
Hamels has already yielded eight runs in 10 1-3 innings in two postseason starts this season - one more run than he gave up in 35 innings over five starts last fall en route to NLCS and World Series MVP honors. Despite that fall-off in production, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel continues to express confidence in his left-hander.
“Any time you hand him the ball, I think he’s capable of going out there and shutting the other team out,” Manuel told the Phillies’ official Web site.
Hamels has usually been capable of shutting down the Dodgers.
Despite the subpar outing in the opener of this series, Hamels is 5-0 with a 2.19 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, including three in the playoffs.
While Hamels doesn’t appear likely to win another NLCS MVP award, Ryan Howard(notes) is building a strong candidacy for that honor.
The Phillies first baseman hit a two-run double Monday that gave him eight straight postseason games with at least one RBI, tying Lou Gehrig’s major league record set in the 1928 and 1932 World Series with the New York Yankees.
Howard is 5 for 13 (.385) with two home runs, eight RBIs and a .529 on-base percentage in this series and has driven in 14 runs this postseason.
“I’m just going to go up there and keep throwing my bat at the ball,” said Howard, who has reached base safely in 17 straight playoff games.
Howard’s solo homer in Game 2 was the only run the Phillies scored off Vicente Padilla(notes), who takes the ball again for the Dodgers in Game 5.
Los Angeles’ only victory of the series came in Game 2 - a 2-1 win. Padilla allowed Howard’s homer and three other hits in 7 1-3 innings, but didn’t get the decision.
Padilla, who pitched for the Phillies from 2000-05, hasn’t lost since signing with the Dodgers on Aug. 19 after being released by Texas.
The right-hander gave up four hits in seven shutout innings of a 5-1 NLDS-clinching win over St. Louis, and went 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA in seven regular-season starts for Los Angeles. Including postseason, the Dodgers have won eight of Padilla’s nine starts.
“He’s been tremendous,” catcher Russell Martin(notes) said. “He just has nerves of steel out there. He doesn’t get rattled.”
Padilla will need to be tremendous if Los Angeles’ lineup continues to fizzle.
The Dodgers, who finished fourth in the NL with 780 runs in the regular season, have tallied 12 in this series while leaving 25 men on base and going 6 for 30 with runners in scoring position.
Manny Ramirez(notes) homered off Hamels in Game 1, but hasn’t had much success otherwise, going 4 for 16 with two RBIs and no walks in the series.
“We’re not going to give up,” Ramirez said. “All we can control is go out and give 100 percent. That’s what we’ve been doing. The Phillies have just been playing better.”
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POD: Los Angeles @ Philadelphia Over 8.5 (3K units) W
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The Dodgers will send Randy Wolf(notes) to the mound Monday night when they try to even the NL championship series in Game 4 at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia won 11-0 Sunday to take a 2-1 series lead behind Cliff Lee(notes), who struck out 10 in eight stellar innings. Ryan Howard(notes) drove in three runs, Jayson Werth(notes) had a two-run homer and Shane Victorino(notes) added a three-run shot in the franchise’s most lopsided postseason victory.
“We expect to win when we come to the ballpark, and that’s kind of who they are,” manager Charlie Manuel said.
The Phillies chased Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda(notes) in the second inning.
Wolf (0-0, 4.91 ERA) will try to give Los Angeles a longer outing Monday. He made his lone career postseason start in Game 1 of the NL division series against St. Louis, allowed two runs over 3 2-3 innings in that 5-3 victory Oct. 7, and hasn’t pitched since.
The veteran left-hander became popular with Philadelphia fans while spending his first eight major league seasons with the Phillies. Some fans started a group dubbed the “Wolf Pack” in which they wore wolf masks on days he pitched.
“Well, I have a lot of memories here, a lot of good memories here,” Wolf said. “I always enjoyed pitching here. The fans were always really great to me. But I think it’s a lot of fun just being in a playoff game, an NLCS game against my former team. The fact that it’s a rematch from last year makes it exciting.”
Wolf, however, was booed during introductions before Sunday’s game and knows that he won’t have many people cheering for him or wearing wolf masks in this start.
“They’re born and raised Philadelphians and they’re Phillies fans first and foremost,” he said. “I think for the sake of their own lives they’ll keep that under wraps.”
One factor in his favor is his experience in Citizens Bank Park. He started the first game ever played in the stadium with the Phillies on April 12, 2004. He’s 9-7 with a 4.30 ERA in 27 starts at the ballpark, including 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 17 strikeouts in two as a visitor.
He’s also fared well against Howard and Werth, who are each 1 for 9 off him.
“They have a very solid lineup, from top to bottom,” Wolf said. “You know, you’ve got to be really on your game against this lineup because not only do they have guys that hit the ball out of the park, but they have very patient hitters, as well.”
Wolf will try to slow down a Philadelphia lineup that had 11 hits Sunday - six for extra bases. Howard has six RBIs in the series and has hit safely in all seven postseason games, batting .385 (10 for 26) with 12 RBIs.
The Dodgers have produced totals of two runs and eight hits in the last two games. Manny Ramirez(notes) had two of their three hits Sunday.
“You never want to get your rear end kicked,” manager Joe Torre said. “But you don’t toss and turn and wonder if you made the right move. It’s still only one game and we’re in position to tie the series tomorrow.”
Joe Blanton(notes), who pitched out of the bullpen in the Phillies’ division series against Colorado, will make his first start since Oct. 2. He went 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA in 31 starts in his first full season in Philadelphia.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to help us win,” Blanton said. “If that means being in the bullpen or not throwing at all or whatever it is, I’m going to do as much as I can to help us win and help us achieve our goal that we’ve been working for all year.”
His last postseason start was a memorable one - Game 4 of the World Series against Tampa Bay last year. He gave up two runs over six innings to earn the win, but the outing was remembered more for his homer in the fifth inning.
“When I think back, I really just think about all the adrenaline I had after I did it,” Blanton said. “I enjoyed it, but almost didn’t get to because I was so worried about trying to bring myself back down to pitch and not letting myself get out of rhythm.”
The right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.88 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers. He also started Game 4 of last year’s NLCS against them, giving up three runs in five innings and not getting a decision in a 7-5 Phillies victory.
Ramirez is 14 for 25 (.560) with one homer and eight RBIs against Blanton.
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The Dodgers will send Randy Wolf(notes) to the mound Monday night when they try to even the NL championship series in Game 4 at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia won 11-0 Sunday to take a 2-1 series lead behind Cliff Lee(notes), who struck out 10 in eight stellar innings. Ryan Howard(notes) drove in three runs, Jayson Werth(notes) had a two-run homer and Shane Victorino(notes) added a three-run shot in the franchise’s most lopsided postseason victory.
“We expect to win when we come to the ballpark, and that’s kind of who they are,” manager Charlie Manuel said.
The Phillies chased Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda(notes) in the second inning.
Wolf (0-0, 4.91 ERA) will try to give Los Angeles a longer outing Monday. He made his lone career postseason start in Game 1 of the NL division series against St. Louis, allowed two runs over 3 2-3 innings in that 5-3 victory Oct. 7, and hasn’t pitched since.
The veteran left-hander became popular with Philadelphia fans while spending his first eight major league seasons with the Phillies. Some fans started a group dubbed the “Wolf Pack” in which they wore wolf masks on days he pitched.
“Well, I have a lot of memories here, a lot of good memories here,” Wolf said. “I always enjoyed pitching here. The fans were always really great to me. But I think it’s a lot of fun just being in a playoff game, an NLCS game against my former team. The fact that it’s a rematch from last year makes it exciting.”
Wolf, however, was booed during introductions before Sunday’s game and knows that he won’t have many people cheering for him or wearing wolf masks in this start.
“They’re born and raised Philadelphians and they’re Phillies fans first and foremost,” he said. “I think for the sake of their own lives they’ll keep that under wraps.”
One factor in his favor is his experience in Citizens Bank Park. He started the first game ever played in the stadium with the Phillies on April 12, 2004. He’s 9-7 with a 4.30 ERA in 27 starts at the ballpark, including 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 17 strikeouts in two as a visitor.
He’s also fared well against Howard and Werth, who are each 1 for 9 off him.
“They have a very solid lineup, from top to bottom,” Wolf said. “You know, you’ve got to be really on your game against this lineup because not only do they have guys that hit the ball out of the park, but they have very patient hitters, as well.”
Wolf will try to slow down a Philadelphia lineup that had 11 hits Sunday - six for extra bases. Howard has six RBIs in the series and has hit safely in all seven postseason games, batting .385 (10 for 26) with 12 RBIs.
The Dodgers have produced totals of two runs and eight hits in the last two games. Manny Ramirez(notes) had two of their three hits Sunday.
“You never want to get your rear end kicked,” manager Joe Torre said. “But you don’t toss and turn and wonder if you made the right move. It’s still only one game and we’re in position to tie the series tomorrow.”
Joe Blanton(notes), who pitched out of the bullpen in the Phillies’ division series against Colorado, will make his first start since Oct. 2. He went 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA in 31 starts in his first full season in Philadelphia.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to help us win,” Blanton said. “If that means being in the bullpen or not throwing at all or whatever it is, I’m going to do as much as I can to help us win and help us achieve our goal that we’ve been working for all year.”
His last postseason start was a memorable one - Game 4 of the World Series against Tampa Bay last year. He gave up two runs over six innings to earn the win, but the outing was remembered more for his homer in the fifth inning.
“When I think back, I really just think about all the adrenaline I had after I did it,” Blanton said. “I enjoyed it, but almost didn’t get to because I was so worried about trying to bring myself back down to pitch and not letting myself get out of rhythm.”
The right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.88 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers. He also started Game 4 of last year’s NLCS against them, giving up three runs in five innings and not getting a decision in a 7-5 Phillies victory.
Ramirez is 14 for 25 (.560) with one homer and eight RBIs against Blanton.
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POD: Cleveland @ Boston-1.5 (5K units) W
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A visit from the Cleveland Indians has helped the Boston Red Sox round their playoff rotation into form, but the most important pitcher for the Red Sox may be the one with the biggest lingering concerns.
Josh Beckett(notes) will try to put worries about his injured back to rest in his final tuneup for the postseason Saturday night as he looks to hold down a Cleveland lineup that has been punchless lately.
Beckett was the key to Boston’s World Series run in 2007, going 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA in four postseason starts as the Red Sox won their second title in four years.
Manager Terry Francona would much rather have that pitcher than the banged-up Beckett who had an 8.79 ERA in three playoff outings last October, but it’s unclear how healthy the right-hander is after getting scratched from Monday’s start due to back spasms.
Beckett (16-6, 3.78 ERA) has received cortisone shots this week, but he pronounced himself ready to test out his back on Saturday before a likely Game 2 start in the division series next week against the Los Angeles Angels.
“We did the things that we needed to do and I feel a lot better (Tuesday) than I did (Monday),” Beckett said.
Facing the Indians for the first time this year probably won’t hurt. Since the start of 2007 - including two victories in that year’s AL championship series - Beckett is 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA against Cleveland.
Eric Wedge’s club hasn’t shown many signs of life in the manager’s final days with the Indians, who’ve scored a total of two runs in the last three games as the lame-duck skipper finishes the year following his Wednesday firing.
Cleveland (65-95) is currently tied with Kansas City as each team tries to avoid a finish in the AL Central cellar.
Jon Lester(notes) - Boston’s likely Game 1 starter in the postseason - pitched 6 1-3 dominating innings in a 3-0 win in Thursday’s series opener to rebound from a quadriceps injury, and Daisuke Matsuzaka(notes) solidified his spot in the Red Sox’s playoff rotation with six strong innings in Friday’s 6-2 victory.
“It’s a different atmosphere” after the team locked up the AL wild card earlier this week, third baseman Mike Lowell(notes) said. “But I still think there are a lot of things guys can work on.”
For the Indians, left-hander Aaron Laffey(notes) (7-8, 3.91) will try to finish his season on a strong note after going 0-5 in September. Three of his five outings last month were quality starts, but the Indians managed a total of four runs while Laffey was in the five games.
This will be Laffey’s first start against Boston, but Red Sox newcomer Casey Kotchman(notes) is already 5 for 5 against him.
Boston (93-67) will be without shortstop Alex Gonzalez for this game after he was hit in the hand by a Kerry Wood(notes) pitch on Friday. His status for the playoffs is now in question after X-rays showed a line on his hand, and he’ll have more tests this weekend.
“I can move it,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t feel any pain.”
Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez(notes) is 4 for 8 in this series, his first against Cleveland after the Indians traded him to Boston on July 31.
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A visit from the Cleveland Indians has helped the Boston Red Sox round their playoff rotation into form, but the most important pitcher for the Red Sox may be the one with the biggest lingering concerns.
Josh Beckett(notes) will try to put worries about his injured back to rest in his final tuneup for the postseason Saturday night as he looks to hold down a Cleveland lineup that has been punchless lately.
Beckett was the key to Boston’s World Series run in 2007, going 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA in four postseason starts as the Red Sox won their second title in four years.
Manager Terry Francona would much rather have that pitcher than the banged-up Beckett who had an 8.79 ERA in three playoff outings last October, but it’s unclear how healthy the right-hander is after getting scratched from Monday’s start due to back spasms.
Beckett (16-6, 3.78 ERA) has received cortisone shots this week, but he pronounced himself ready to test out his back on Saturday before a likely Game 2 start in the division series next week against the Los Angeles Angels.
“We did the things that we needed to do and I feel a lot better (Tuesday) than I did (Monday),” Beckett said.
Facing the Indians for the first time this year probably won’t hurt. Since the start of 2007 - including two victories in that year’s AL championship series - Beckett is 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA against Cleveland.
Eric Wedge’s club hasn’t shown many signs of life in the manager’s final days with the Indians, who’ve scored a total of two runs in the last three games as the lame-duck skipper finishes the year following his Wednesday firing.
Cleveland (65-95) is currently tied with Kansas City as each team tries to avoid a finish in the AL Central cellar.
Jon Lester(notes) - Boston’s likely Game 1 starter in the postseason - pitched 6 1-3 dominating innings in a 3-0 win in Thursday’s series opener to rebound from a quadriceps injury, and Daisuke Matsuzaka(notes) solidified his spot in the Red Sox’s playoff rotation with six strong innings in Friday’s 6-2 victory.
“It’s a different atmosphere” after the team locked up the AL wild card earlier this week, third baseman Mike Lowell(notes) said. “But I still think there are a lot of things guys can work on.”
For the Indians, left-hander Aaron Laffey(notes) (7-8, 3.91) will try to finish his season on a strong note after going 0-5 in September. Three of his five outings last month were quality starts, but the Indians managed a total of four runs while Laffey was in the five games.
This will be Laffey’s first start against Boston, but Red Sox newcomer Casey Kotchman(notes) is already 5 for 5 against him.
Boston (93-67) will be without shortstop Alex Gonzalez for this game after he was hit in the hand by a Kerry Wood(notes) pitch on Friday. His status for the playoffs is now in question after X-rays showed a line on his hand, and he’ll have more tests this weekend.
“I can move it,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t feel any pain.”
Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez(notes) is 4 for 8 in this series, his first against Cleveland after the Indians traded him to Boston on July 31.
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POD: Florida @ Philadelphia over 9.0 (5K units) D
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The Philadelphia Phillies have wrapped up their third straight division title, giving them the opportunity to rest some players this weekend. With a chance for home-field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs, however, they also want to focus on winning.
The Phillies will try to avoid losing a fifth straight at Citizens Bank Park to the Florida Marlins on Friday night when the teams open a three-game series.
After clinching the NL East title on Wednesday, Philadelphia (92-67) suffered a bit of a letdown Thursday night, losing 5-3 to Houston. Cliff Lee(notes) gave up four runs in 5 2-3 innings and the Phillies were down four before scoring twice in the ninth.
“We want to win every game,” Lee said. “We’re already in the playoffs, but we want to guarantee ourselves home-field advantage. That’s a big difference. You also want to feel good about yourselves going in, but it’s not a bad feeling knowing we’re already in the playoffs.”
Philadelphia was 4 for 15 with runners in scoring position. although the lack of offense wasn’t a huge surprise considering Chase Utley(notes) and Shane Victorino(notes) both had the night off. Manager Charlie Manuel is expected to rest more starters this weekend. However, he is also trying to find a balance between keeping players fresh and still competing during the final three games of the regular season.
The Phillies are a game behind Los Angeles for best record in the NL.
“There are some guys that I’d like to give some time off,” Manuel said. “But also, home-field advantage comes into play, and we’d like to win that too.”
The Phillies are 8-7 this season against the Marlins (85-74), losing five of six at home.
Ryan Howard(notes) is hitting .367 against Florida this year, but Utley is batting .224, and only .158 over his last 10 games overall.
While there will be no playoffs for the Marlins, they can still take some comfort in finishing with the third-highest win total in franchise history and the most since the 2003 team had 91 victories.
Florida won two of three at Atlanta, concluding the series with a 5-4 victory Wednesday. Jorge Cantu(notes) had three hits and Ricky Nolasco(notes) struck out 16 - the most by a pitcher in two years.
“I’m not much of a history person,” Nolasco said, “but if my kids come across it some day, that would make me proud.”
Dan Uggla(notes) looks to continue his success against the Phillies this weekend. He’s homered four times and driven in 10 runs against them this year.
The Phillies will hand the ball to Joe Blanton(notes) (12-7, 3.95 ERA), who has won his last three starts. After pitching 13 scoreless innings in the first two, Blanton gave up five runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 6-5 win over Milwaukee on Sunday.
The right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.31 ERA against the Marlins this season.
Rick VandenHurk(notes) (2-2, 4.44) will counter for Florida.
VandenHurk does not have a decision in his last four starts, although the Marlins have won each of those games. He gave up four runs in six innings of a 7-6 victory over Philadelphia on Sept. 23.
The right-hander lost his other two starts - both in 2007 - against the Phillies.
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The Philadelphia Phillies have wrapped up their third straight division title, giving them the opportunity to rest some players this weekend. With a chance for home-field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs, however, they also want to focus on winning.
The Phillies will try to avoid losing a fifth straight at Citizens Bank Park to the Florida Marlins on Friday night when the teams open a three-game series.
After clinching the NL East title on Wednesday, Philadelphia (92-67) suffered a bit of a letdown Thursday night, losing 5-3 to Houston. Cliff Lee(notes) gave up four runs in 5 2-3 innings and the Phillies were down four before scoring twice in the ninth.
“We want to win every game,” Lee said. “We’re already in the playoffs, but we want to guarantee ourselves home-field advantage. That’s a big difference. You also want to feel good about yourselves going in, but it’s not a bad feeling knowing we’re already in the playoffs.”
Philadelphia was 4 for 15 with runners in scoring position. although the lack of offense wasn’t a huge surprise considering Chase Utley(notes) and Shane Victorino(notes) both had the night off. Manager Charlie Manuel is expected to rest more starters this weekend. However, he is also trying to find a balance between keeping players fresh and still competing during the final three games of the regular season.
The Phillies are a game behind Los Angeles for best record in the NL.
“There are some guys that I’d like to give some time off,” Manuel said. “But also, home-field advantage comes into play, and we’d like to win that too.”
The Phillies are 8-7 this season against the Marlins (85-74), losing five of six at home.
Ryan Howard(notes) is hitting .367 against Florida this year, but Utley is batting .224, and only .158 over his last 10 games overall.
While there will be no playoffs for the Marlins, they can still take some comfort in finishing with the third-highest win total in franchise history and the most since the 2003 team had 91 victories.
Florida won two of three at Atlanta, concluding the series with a 5-4 victory Wednesday. Jorge Cantu(notes) had three hits and Ricky Nolasco(notes) struck out 16 - the most by a pitcher in two years.
“I’m not much of a history person,” Nolasco said, “but if my kids come across it some day, that would make me proud.”
Dan Uggla(notes) looks to continue his success against the Phillies this weekend. He’s homered four times and driven in 10 runs against them this year.
The Phillies will hand the ball to Joe Blanton(notes) (12-7, 3.95 ERA), who has won his last three starts. After pitching 13 scoreless innings in the first two, Blanton gave up five runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 6-5 win over Milwaukee on Sunday.
The right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.31 ERA against the Marlins this season.
Rick VandenHurk(notes) (2-2, 4.44) will counter for Florida.
VandenHurk does not have a decision in his last four starts, although the Marlins have won each of those games. He gave up four runs in six innings of a 7-6 victory over Philadelphia on Sept. 23.
The right-hander lost his other two starts - both in 2007 - against the Phillies.
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POD: New York+1.5 @Washington (3K units) L
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Washington (54-103) is concluding another disappointing season with the worst record in baseball, but has a chance to earn a three-game sweep of its high-profile NL East rival.
The Nationals have earned two one-run victories in this series, winning 2-1 on Monday and taking advantage of some sloppy defense in a 4-3 win Tuesday. Washington had lost four straight and seven of eight before this series.
“We’ve played hard all year - well, the last few months - and I think we haven’t been rewarded too much,” interim manager Jim Riggleman said. “We just couldn’t find a way to win ballgames. The fact that they have grinded it out, I think you have to be proud of. In September, it’s tough to do that.”
Former Nationals infielder Anderson Hernandez and Luis Castillo had errors in the eighth inning, with Castillo’s miscue allowing Justin Maxwell to score the go-ahead run.
“It was kind of embarrassing to watch that kind of play - especially at that time of the game,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. “Poor, poor, poor defensive play.”
Lannan (9-13, 3.93 ERA) has dominated New York (67-91) in three starts at Nationals Park, posting a 0.36 ERA in that span with the only two complete games of his career coming this year. He did not issue a walk and scattered seven hits July 21 in a 4-0 victory over the Mets.
The New York native will make his third bid for his career-high 10th victory after going 0-2 with a 1.93 ERA in his last two outings. He gave up two unearned runs Friday over seven sharp innings in a 4-1 loss to Atlanta.
Lannan will try to outpitch former teammate Tim Redding (3-6, 5.29), who was not offered a contract by Washington after going 13-17 with a 4.53 ERA over 48 starts from 2007-08. The Mets signed the right-hander on Jan. 9.
It hasn’t been a good season for Redding, who spent the first month and a half on the disabled list due to right shoulder fatigue. He was demoted to the bullpen July 7 after going 1-3 with a 6.99 ERA in his first nine starts before returning to the rotation Aug. 22.
Redding, though, is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts against Washington this year. He’s limited the Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn to a combined two hits in 11 at-bats with one RBI.
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Washington (54-103) is concluding another disappointing season with the worst record in baseball, but has a chance to earn a three-game sweep of its high-profile NL East rival.
The Nationals have earned two one-run victories in this series, winning 2-1 on Monday and taking advantage of some sloppy defense in a 4-3 win Tuesday. Washington had lost four straight and seven of eight before this series.
“We’ve played hard all year - well, the last few months - and I think we haven’t been rewarded too much,” interim manager Jim Riggleman said. “We just couldn’t find a way to win ballgames. The fact that they have grinded it out, I think you have to be proud of. In September, it’s tough to do that.”
Former Nationals infielder Anderson Hernandez and Luis Castillo had errors in the eighth inning, with Castillo’s miscue allowing Justin Maxwell to score the go-ahead run.
“It was kind of embarrassing to watch that kind of play - especially at that time of the game,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. “Poor, poor, poor defensive play.”
Lannan (9-13, 3.93 ERA) has dominated New York (67-91) in three starts at Nationals Park, posting a 0.36 ERA in that span with the only two complete games of his career coming this year. He did not issue a walk and scattered seven hits July 21 in a 4-0 victory over the Mets.
The New York native will make his third bid for his career-high 10th victory after going 0-2 with a 1.93 ERA in his last two outings. He gave up two unearned runs Friday over seven sharp innings in a 4-1 loss to Atlanta.
Lannan will try to outpitch former teammate Tim Redding (3-6, 5.29), who was not offered a contract by Washington after going 13-17 with a 4.53 ERA over 48 starts from 2007-08. The Mets signed the right-hander on Jan. 9.
It hasn’t been a good season for Redding, who spent the first month and a half on the disabled list due to right shoulder fatigue. He was demoted to the bullpen July 7 after going 1-3 with a 6.99 ERA in his first nine starts before returning to the rotation Aug. 22.
Redding, though, is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts against Washington this year. He’s limited the Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn to a combined two hits in 11 at-bats with one RBI.
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Fresh off a three-game sweep in which they looked dominant at home, the New York Yankees go on the road Monday night when they try to continue their mastery of the Baltimore Orioles.
New York (82-48) has won seven straight over Baltimore, the last six coming at home, and has taken 16 of the last 19 meetings between the division rivals. The Yankees are 3-3 at Camden Yards this year.
The Yankees will give the ball to Andy Pettitte(notes) (11-6, 4.18 ERA), who has beaten the Orioles more than any other opponent, going 25-6 with a 3.65 ERA against them. New York has won his last six starts versus Baltimore, with the veteran left-hander going 5-0 with a 3.26 ERA in that span. (Excerpts from Yahoo! Sports)
POD: New York-180.0 @ Baltimore (3.6K units)* W
* 3.6K units win 2K units
New York (82-48) has won seven straight over Baltimore, the last six coming at home, and has taken 16 of the last 19 meetings between the division rivals. The Yankees are 3-3 at Camden Yards this year.
The Yankees will give the ball to Andy Pettitte(notes) (11-6, 4.18 ERA), who has beaten the Orioles more than any other opponent, going 25-6 with a 3.65 ERA against them. New York has won his last six starts versus Baltimore, with the veteran left-hander going 5-0 with a 3.26 ERA in that span. (Excerpts from Yahoo! Sports)
POD: New York-180.0 @ Baltimore (3.6K units)* W
* 3.6K units win 2K units
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It's that day of the week again, MLB day!
I will be taking the LA Angels which are finally playing at home after a long stretch on the road. While the Angels are happy back home, Detroit's road woes will likely continue after posting a 1-2 record in Oakland.
In their last 65 meetings, the Angels came out on top on 46 of those games. However, they have 3 wins a piece in the 6 games they played this season with the home team winning 4 out of 6.
POD: Detroit Tigers @ Los Angeles Angels-120.0 (3.6K units)* L
*3.6K units win 3K units
I will be taking the LA Angels which are finally playing at home after a long stretch on the road. While the Angels are happy back home, Detroit's road woes will likely continue after posting a 1-2 record in Oakland.
In their last 65 meetings, the Angels came out on top on 46 of those games. However, they have 3 wins a piece in the 6 games they played this season with the home team winning 4 out of 6.
POD: Detroit Tigers @ Los Angeles Angels-120.0 (3.6K units)* L
*3.6K units win 3K units
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The Yankees (74-44) had won five straight and 12 of 13 going into the finale of their four-game set in Seattle on Sunday, but their bullpen crumbled in a 10-3 loss.
Still, thanks to a 36-12 record since June 24, they hold a 7 1/2-game lead on second-place Boston, with Burnett (10-5, 3.71 ERA) playing a key role over that span.
The Yankees have won eight of Burnett’s last nine starts, with the right-hander compiling a 2.91 ERA in those games. Despite allowing three total runs in his last two outings, he’ll be looking for his first win since July 27 after receiving sparse run support lately.
The Yankees haven’t played at Oakland since taking two of three June 10-12, 2008. They’ve won eight of nine against the A’s at Yankee Stadium since that series. (excerpts from Yahoo!)
POD: New York-205.0 @ Oakland (4.1K units)* L
*4.1K units wins 2K units
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After pounding the Nationals today for an 8-1 win, the Braves will try to make it 2 in a row as Lowe (ATL) goes against Stammen (WAS). Lowe (11-7, 4.15 ERA) is 4-0 with a 2.97 ERA in his last six starts, five of them resulting in wins for the Braves (59-54).
POD: Washington @ Atlanta-235 (7.05K units)* W
Other leans (UAAP):
*7.05K units win 3K units
POD: Washington @ Atlanta-235 (7.05K units)* W
Other leans (UAAP):
- AdU vs. DLSU-3.5
- UE vs. ADMU
*7.05K units win 3K units
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