New York vs. Anaheim Discussion Thread

[ORS]

The Yankees road to their 27th title got a little rougher today when they lost homefield advantage to the Angels.

 

Pitching Matchups

 

Game 1: Mussina vs. Colon

Game 2: Chacon vs. Lackey

Game 3: Johnson vs. Washburn

 

If needed

 

Game 4: Wang/Small vs. Santana/Byrd

Game 5: Mussina vs. Colon

 

I think the Angels really need to take the first two in this series to have a chance. The way RJ has been pitching lately you have to figure game 3 is going to the Yankees. Colon struggled against NY this year, but he has really pitched much better in the 2nd half.

 

The Angels bullpen has been bolstered by the return of Kelvim Escobar. With him, Brendan Donnelly, Scott Shields, and Francisco Rodriguez it will be tough to come back after the 7th inning. Another big arm could be added to their BP if Byrd is the game 4 starter and Santana is thrown into the BP.

[ksushi]

I think its safe to say that the yankees are the ones who need to take the first two to have a chance, I like the angels in a 1 - 1 series cause of their pen and rotation to go with a pretty nice offense. I think the angels are the AL favorites to go to the WS as it stands right now.

[ARod2212]

I like the way this pitching sets up. Wang will start game 4, I can't see them going with Small.

[ORS]

If the first two games split, the Angels could be down 2-1 and fighting for their life at Yankee Stadium. They aren't the games most patient team at the plate, and with a sinkerballer on the bump that could lead to a lot of easy outs and DP's.

 

I think Anaheim's pitching staff is better than NY's, but the Yankees' pitchers will benefit from the Angels having a fairly weak lineup.

[ksushi]

fairly weak? I don't think they're fairly weak at all.

[26 to 6]

If the first two games split, the Angels could be down 2-1 and fighting for their life at Yankee Stadium. They aren't the games most patient team at the plate, and with a sinkerballer on the bump that could lead to a lot of easy outs and DP's.

 

I think Anaheim's pitching staff is better than NY's, but the Yankees' pitchers will benefit from the Angels having a fairly weak lineup.

LA's starting is pretty much equivalent to ours (ace followed by several quality arms). Their bullpen is hands down better than ours (Donnely, Shields, Franky, and their middle relief is greater than ours as well, though we cannot forget that we have the great equalizer Mariano Rivera : ). They have a very good lineup, but ours is without question better. The thing with them is that they are the best all around team in the playoffs (IMO). they have a bunch of hard-nosed gritty players in their lineup. Guys who can run, play defense, hit for average, hit for contact, hit for power (some who can do all of those things), they have spectacular pitching, and they have been the toughest team against the Yankees in the last 10 years. This is not a series I am looking forward to, though it will be nice to get some revenge for 2002.

 

We gotta Grind it!

[ORS]

The biggest knock on them the entire year has been how they have struggled scoring runs. Vlad is great, but he has nobody protecting him. Figgins is a good leadoff hitter, but Erstad hasn't done a good job in the #2 hole. They get pretty poor production from the 5-8 hitters. I have no idea why Adam Kennedy bats 9th.

[26 to 6]

I like the way this pitching sets up. Wang will start game 4, I can't see them going with Small.

I agree, it will/should most likely be Wang, Small hasnt been lights out lately. Neither has Wang, but I have a conforting feeling with Wang on the mound.

[26 to 6]

The biggest knock on them the entire year has been how they have struggled scoring runs.

This is the postseason now, whole new ballgame, their inability to score runs all year is no longer relevant.

[schillingouttheks]

This is the postseason now, whole new ballgame, their inability to score runs all year is no longer relevant.

Well then, that's also like saying just because RJ has been on a tear recently, he won't be nearly as effective as a postseason starter. I tend to believe RJ will continue his success into the postseason.

[ORS]

LA's starting is pretty much equivalent to ours (ace followed by several quality arms).

Johnson is better than Colon and Byrd = Small, but the rest of their rotation is better than the rest of yours.

 

#2: Lackey is better than Mussina. Yes, Mussina has had a better career, but Lackey is better right now.

 

#3: Washburn is better than Chacon. This may be a marginal difference, but Washburn has better stuff and has more experience in big spots.

 

#4 (the rookies): Santana is better than Wang. Wang looks like a very promising young pitcher, but Santana is a stud that brings some serious heat and has some filthy breaking pitches.

[ORS]

This is the postseason now, whole new ballgame, their inability to score runs all year is no longer relevant.

A whole season of baseball sets a pretty good precedent.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

If the first two games split, the Angels could be down 2-1 and fighting for their life at Yankee Stadium. They aren't the games most patient team at the plate, and with a sinkerballer on the bump that could lead to a lot of easy outs and DP's.

 

I think Anaheim's pitching staff is better than NY's, but the Yankees' pitchers will benefit from the Angels having a fairly weak lineup.

That is an excellent point One Red. They are not a patient team and Wang will use that to his advantage. BUT from what I heard Wang will start game 2 not game 4. IDK why Torre isnt going with Chacon in game 2 but thats what I heard.

[26 to 6]

Well then, that's also like saying just because RJ has been on a tear recently, he won't be nearly as effective as a postseason starter. I tend to believe RJ will continue his success into the postseason.

you know what I mean man, im trying to go off on the motivational run here lol

[schillingouttheks]

Ooooooooo, my bad. Sorry for bursting your bubble

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

IMO this series will come down to 2 things. One of which is the pitching. I like the match ups to be honest. We have hit Colon very hard over his career. We have hit 7 HR's off of him in 11 innings (4 of which by A-Rod). The Angels arent the same hitting team as they were in 2002. Another key will be keeping Figgins off bases. He has hit us very well this season. If we can keep him off base we will be in good shape.

[26 to 6]

Johnson is better than Colon and Byrd = Small, but the rest of their rotation is better than the rest of yours.

 

#2: Lackey is better than Mussina. Yes, Mussina has had a better career, but Lackey is better right now.

 

#3: Washburn is better than Chacon. This may be a marginal difference, but Washburn has better stuff and has more experience in big spots.

 

#4 (the rookies): Santana is better than Wang. Wang looks like a very promising young pitcher, but Santana is a stud that brings some serious heat and has some filthy breaking pitches.

I think Byrd is better than Small, I agree tha Lackey is better RIGHT NOW, but i cant ever not depend on Moose. He hasnt always been great in big spots (2003 he lost every 1st game and Pettitte had to clean up the mes in the second game) but he's too good a pither to discount. I give the edge to Chacon for now because Washburn hasnt exactly been himself this season (note: i do not have numbers in front of me), i've only seen 2 of Santana's starts so I cant really make a very good comparrison, but from what I have seen he does have electric stuff (as we all know) but i wouldnt be too quick to rate him over Wang. But we'll see. I wonder if Santana even starts in the postseason, and if he does I wonder who they sit out of the rotation (as we all know postseason rotations are cut from 4 to 5).

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Hasnt Washburn be battling a forearm problem?

[26 to 6]

IMO this series will come down to 2 things. One of which is the pitching. I like the match ups to be honest. We have hit Colon very hard over his career. We have hit 7 HR's off of him in 11 innings (4 of which by A-Rod). The Angels arent the same hitting team as they were in 2002. Another key will be keeping Figgins off bases. He has hit us very well this season. If we can keep him off base we will be in good shape.

Thats a good point about Colon, we have pretty much rocked him this year. And also agreed that we need to keep Figgins at bay.

[26 to 6]

BUT from what I heard Wang will start game 2 not game 4

wow I was not aware of this, interesting. I though he would go with Chacon. Maybe he wants to save Chacon in case he needs him to relieve Moose in game 1 and then have him come back on 3 days rest for game 4. Who knows.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

I will be going to game 3 btw. Johnson-Washburn

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

wow I was not aware of this, interesting. I though he would go with Chacon. Maybe he wants to save Chacon in case he needs him to relieve Moose in game 1 and then have him come back on 3 days rest for game 4. Who knows.

I think thats exactly why he is doing that. Because there is no other reason why Chacon wouldnt be pitching that game. If Mussina leaves after 6 with a lead he might use him to get to Gordon and Rivera. I think that will be a common theme this postseason. He will use guys like Chacon and Randy (In a must win) to get him to Gordon and Rivera.

[Cityofchampions33]

I think the biggest theme of this post-season will be the bullpen, in which I believe LAA has the best in the AL, with CHI comin in close second. If LAA can stick close and get the pitch-count on NYY starters, I'd say they have a very big advantage once that is accomplished. They easily up the Yankees bullpen. NYY really has to put up some big numbers at least a few games so they don't have to use Mo every game.

 

NYY keys to victory

1) Score runs

2) Keep tight defense

3) Stop LAA's running threat

 

LAA keys to voctory

1) Grind out NYY pitchers, get to bullpen

2) Score runs early

3) Force Posada to throw out runners, test him

[26 to 6]

I disagree about Chicago's pen. They have Bobby Jenks closing for them, not very reliable if you ask me. But who knows he could break out. Hermanson isnt that great either if you ask me. Though he has been good this year.

[Cityofchampions33]

I disagree about Chicago's pen. They have Bobby Jenks closing for them, not very reliable if you ask me. But who knows he could break out. Hermanson isnt that great either if you ask me. Though he has been good this year.

 

Would you consider your bullpen better than theirs?

[yankeessuck013]

Yanks/Angels: Both teams have guys who can mash(for the Yanks,Rodriguez,Giambi and Sheffield come to mind easily;Guerrero likewise for the Halos). It's going to come down to the pitching(the Angels can rely on Colon & Lackey; Johnson for the Yanks). It'll be close,but I think the Angels pull it out in 5.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Would you consider your bullpen better than theirs?

Their bullpen has more depth with the addition of Escobar. It doesnt get any better then our bullpen at the end of the game though.

[Cityofchampions33]

Their bullpen has more depth with the addition of Escobar. It doesnt get any better then our bullpen at the end of the game though.

 

No question there, Mo has been lights out this year and is the probable Cy Young candidate, but beyond him and Gordon I can't see a consistent late-inning reliever.

[26 to 6]

Would you consider your bullpen better than theirs?

Better than Chicago's? Yes I do.

 

We have the most proven reliever in baseball history, Mariano Rivera, who could go 2 innings every game if needed. (remember, off-days are more frequent in the postseason) Also we have Tom Gordon, who could also go 2 innings if we really need it. Al Leiter can give us length. Jaret Wright Can give us a power arm in the 5th or 6th who can go a few innings (he would really be good if he could throw the ball in the strike zone).

 

I would much rather have Mo and Gordon than Jenks and Hermanson. Though I would take El Duque over Wright or Leiter for long spots. Im not too thrilled about Leiter or Embree as our lefty/lefty guy, but i think if Leiter can get his control in order he could be pretty good in that role. (That means no more 4 pitch walks to Ortiz!!)

[riverside sluggers]

NYY keys to victory

1) Score runs

2) Keep tight defense

3) Stop LAA's running threat

 

if angels work the pitchers the way sox did to jaret wright, baltimore did to mussina, etc. they ultimately have the advantage