Well after 4 games the Yankees lead the Phillies 3 games to 1 in the World Series. And make no bones about it, its all about pitching and a few heads up plays.
After AJ Burnett pitched a gem in Game 2 to help even the series at 1 game apiece, the Yankee bats finally awoke in Game 3, especially that of Nick Swisher's. Andy Pettite easily outpitched Cole Hammels and even had an RBI single himself off of Hammels to score Swisher. The Yankeed bullpen finished the job with Mariano Rivera getting a 6 out save.
Game 4 provided a bit more drama and by far has been the best game in this series thus far. The Yankees jumped out on Joe Blanton for 2 quick runs in the top of the 1st. The Phillies answered with 1 in the bottom of the inning against CC Sabbathia. However, through the rest of the game, every time the Phillies landed a punch, the Yankees would immediately counter-punch, until Johnny Damon delivered a staggering 3-hit combo in the top of 9th, followed by a right-cross by A-Rod, and then the knockout blow by Posada.
You have to like the Phillies aggression with Ryan Howard getting a steal and eventually coming around to score to tie the game at 2. The top of the Phillies lineup has struggled mightly with Rollins, Victorino, and Utley all batting sub .200 for the series and Ryan Howard approaching the dubious strikeout record for a World Series. The Phillies have to find their offense and fast if they want to make this World Series even close.
But referring back to my lead, its been all about pitching. The Phillies got a stellar performance out of Cliff Lee in game 1 where he pitched 9 innings and did not give up an earned run. They won. The next game AJ Burnett pitched 7 innings allowing 1 run, and while Pedro Martinez pitched good, he was outdueled by Burnett, the Yankees won. Game 3 Andy Pettite pitched great and Cole Hammels did not, Yankees win again.
Game 4 was something different. With the Yankees leading 4-3 with 2 out in the 7th inning and Sabbathia still on the hill, Chase Utley steps up to the plate and smacks a solo home-run. Surprise, it's only the third time he has done that off of Sabbathia, but here is the real stat, in this series against Sabbathia Utley is 4-6 with 3 HR's, the rest of the Phillies lineup is 7-45 no HR's. The Phillies have launched 7 HR's in this series, but all have been solo HR's. Pedro Feliz contributed the 7th solo shot off of Joba Chamberlain in the bottom of the 8th after Joba struck out the Werth and Ibanez. Twice the Phillies had a mini - two - out rally. The game was not tied heading into the 9th inning with Brad Lidge taking the mound.
Lidge gets the first two outs against Hideki Matsui and Mr. November Derek Jeter, no easy task in a clutch situation. But then Johnny Damon came to bat and would transpire next is probably one the gratest things to ever happen in the World Series and in baseball history. After a 9-pitch at bat, Damon lines a single to left. With 2 outs and a man on first Mark Teixeira comes up to bat and the Phillies put the shift on Teixeira with him being a pull-hitter from the left side. On the very first pitch to Teixeira Damon takes off for second, the throw to second by Ruiz is late and fielded by third baseman Feliz. Damon is safe at second and with Lidge on the mound and no one to cover third base, Johnny Damon pops to his feet and takes off for third, which he takes with ease. TWO STOLEN BASES ON ONE PITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!!!!!! At that the moment the Phillies lost all momentum they had from the game-tying HR to Lidge getting Matsui and Jeter out. Next he hits Teixeira, and then serves a fastball over the plate to A-Rod who line an RBI double to left. Second and third 2 outs. Next Jorge Posada lines a 2 RBI single and gets thrown out trying to take 2nd. Enter Mariano Rivera, Yankees take a 3-1 lead.
Coming into this series these teams were as evenly matched as you could get with minor advantages here and there. But right now the Yankees are simply playing better. They are getting the timely hits, the top of their lineup is producing, and their pitching has been better with the exception of Cliff Lee. Lee take the mound tonight against Burnett which promises to be a duel, but Phillies have their back against the wall and have to literally come out swinging. Their season is on the line, and the Yankees could not be playing better.
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