Yankees within 27 outs for #27

It has come down to this, 27 outs and the New York Yankees have a chance to clinch their 27th world championship. This has been a very interesting series to say the least, and it has had it's special moments, but tonight, the Yankees have a chance to close out this World Series and the baseball season of 2009 with a victory, which would suit Cole Hamels just fine. But, once again, I am very disappointed with the media coverage of this game, particularly, reporting that the Yankees DO NOT have a chance tonight with Cliff Lee pitching. Once again, the media is trying to instill fear into the hearts of Yankees fans and hoping that we as true Yankee fans, will give up on this game and just feel good about "winning at home". First of all, I would LOVE for the Yankees to win the title in their new ballpark, but you do not give a team that is on the ropes, who had a chance to tie this series up last night, that fought back to tie the game up before you take the lead and take the very air out of them last night, you DO NOT give them a chance to come back AT ALL PERIOD. You end it NOW!!

Yes, Cliff Lee is a very good pitcher, I give him all the credit he deserves. He has great control and he has pitched well this postseason, but he is not immortal, he is not a god. The media will give you his stats from the postseason, and they are good, (3-0 with a 0.54 ERA), but he hasn't pitched like that all season long. In his last 7 starts of the regular season he went 2-4 with a 6.13 ERA and also, he gave up 7 home runs, and remember this is as much of a hitter's ballpark as is Yankee Stadium. Cliff Lee IS NOT Koufax, he is not Cy Young, he IS NOT Greg Maddux. Has Cliff Lee had a ridiculous postseason, absolutely, but it is inevitable, he is ultimately due for a bad outing eventually and overall, he was 14-13 this season between the two leagues.

It is the media advertising Lee as invincible, to make Yankees fans believe that they will not even get a hit off of him, not even a run, but I will say this again, Cliff Lee is NOT un-hittable, he is NOT a god, he is a human being and despite what ESPN or FOX or what anyone says, the Yankee hitters have their confidence back and they may not score 10 runs off of him, but the Yankees CAN beat Philly when he pitches, even though FOX and ESPN would try to make you believe otherwise. The best game plan that the Yankees should do tonight against Cliff Lee is what they should have done in Game 1 and it is very very simple, make him throw pitches, work the count, get him out of his rhythm, get him out of the game so that then they get into the Phillies bullpen. There are no throw away games in the World Series and if you have the chance to go for the kill, you go for the jugular here, you do not let this team live another inning or even another day.

I have heard the usual stupidity come from the announcers at ESPN, specifically Mike Greenberg today, that says Girardi should start Chad Gaudin today over Burnett and save Burnett for Game 6 (you know, kinda like "giving" this game to Lee and saving AJ for the game you "need to win" lol) But is it really a mistake? First of all, as I said earlier, if you can go for the kill, you do it, and you use one of your best pitchers to do it. The argument is, which AJ will show up, but remember, AJ saw the interview with Lee after Game 1 and that inspired him to step up in Game 2, and no doubt he will be inspired tonight going AGAINST Lee. Another argument is using him on 3 days rest, but is that really a mistake pitching him on 3 days rest? Well, here are some numbers that ESPN and FOX WILL NOT tell you. In his career, on 3 days rest, AJ is 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA (27 IP 10 BB 24 K) and opponents are batting .192 against him. So, tonight, I believe we could be in for a classic duel between two good pitchers facing two good hitting teams with a championship on the line for one, a chance to extend the season for the other. And if the umpires can actually keep the strike zone consistent for both teams, we could see a good low scoring pitchers duels that we may talk about for years. But, Yankees fans, once again, I urge you, do not for one moment become intimidated by the media making Cliff Lee look invincible, he can have a bad outing, he is human and it may or may not happen tonight, but he is due. And the Yankees hitting confidence is back and if they will be patient at the plate and get him out of his rhythm, and if AJ doesn't get shaken tonight, get ready for a parade soon down the Canyon of Heroes. Let's Go Yankees !!!!