27?
With a solid performance from Andy Pettitte in game 4 the Yankees are in superb position for a 27th World Champoionship. Both offenses were good last night, each having their ups and downs but the Yankees had more ups than the Phils and took a 3-1 lead in the series.
It was obviously set to go in favor of the Yankees with Pettitte going against Joe Blanton who statistically had no chance against the Yankee lineup. He held his own and didn’t totally blow it but it definitely wasn’t enough for the Phillies as Pettitte was phenominal.
Game 2 of the series seemed to be dominated by AJ Burnett and his curveball… not to mention his fastball and his other dominating pitches. Burnett was able to keep the Yankees in the series with a key victory in game 2 and sent the series to Philly even. If Burnett can come up with another huge performance like in game 2, the Yankees will walk away with this series. And who though the Yankees had no chance when they lost a game at home. They are also a very good road team and it proved the last to games as they took their second and third straight wins in the series on the road in Citizens Bank Park.
How about A-Rod? He’s come up huge these past couple games. Despite the being hit by pitch twenty gazillion times (I hope you realize I am exaggerating) he has played a very big role in the offense the past two games. He hit a key homer in the game 3 off the camera in right field that had to be reviewed before being called a homer. He also came up with some other key at bats. He has seemed to be getting back into the form he was in earlier in the playoffs.
Derek Jeter… can he get any better? He hasn’t done anything spectacular this World Series but honestly, you can’t get away with him. He’s just that good. His presence alone has helped the Yankees win games. He has consistently gotten on base and has scored runs. Speaking of getting on base and scoring runs, Johnny Damon had a great game last night including two steals on the same play. He stole second and took advantage of his speed by gettign to third which was uncovered. Great heads up baserunning which really cost the Phillies a run later in the game. The Yankees have seemed to be getting back into the swing of things all around as the whole team has been rolling smoothly.
Now, since the end of the series is coming up soon, you have to be thinking MVP. Well, if the Yankees win it, I’m going to have to give it to AJ Burnett. Now, the series is not over yet and tonight’s start could change my whole mindset about this choice, but if he is as good as he was in game 2 and the Yankees win, Burnett would be my choice. Two phenominal starts with dominating stuff. Two wins. How can you go by that when choosing an MVP?
Now, I don’t like to have to think this but if the Phillies win, I would probably choose between Chase Utley, who has been killing the ball lately, or Jayson Werth who has equally destroyed the ball this series. Both have had a major power surge and Jayson Werth has made some plays in the outfield to keep runners from moving forward with his strong arm.
This series is finally getting to the point where both offenses have broken out with a fair share of good pitching. It is what I expected it to be and hopefully the Yankees can come out on top quickly tonight. It wouldn’t be the worst thing if we lost tonight but to win it soon would be fantastic. It would be nice to win in New York but the sooner the better is the way I see it. No chances.
The one key to tonight’s game is Cliff Lee. Can he shut down the Yankees streaking offense or will he get run over as Blanton and Hamels have the past two games?
I spy a 27th championship for the Yankees right around the corner.
-Dillon