An important series for the Yankees
April 27, 2007 by alex
Though you hesitate to call games “must win” when the calendar still reads April, the Yankees tongiht are as close to that as you can get. After a sweep of the Indians last week (feels like a month ago), they’ve gone on to lose 6 in a row (they never lost 5 in a row all of last season), their pitching staff is a disaster (the last time they gave up 6+ runs sevens games in a row was 1957), and someone just found Scott Proctor’s right arm somewhere in right field. They look to Andy Pettitte to be the stopper tonight (feels just like old times, doesn’t it?) against Dice-K (excited to see Dice-K in Yankee Stadium - hopefully the weather doesn’t take the crowd out of it).
Weather permitting, the Yankees need to make a statement and take some pressure off of Saturday’s rookie starter, Jeff Karstens. Anything less than 2 out of 3 at home would be a huge dissapointment at this point. With Pettitte and Wang going in two of the games, we’re set up as best as possible considering Mussina and Pavano (who we could actually really use right now) are out. We also get the Sox’s 3,4 and 5 pitchers, so it’s almost the reverse of last weekend’s matchups (though we’re still missing our #2). On a side note, our B-List Japanese import has been relegated to bullpen duty (am I the only one looking forward to Torre thinking he should face David Ortiz as a situational lefty at some point (gives me heartburn to even type those words).
Onto the predictions! Unfortunately, I see it getting worse before it gets better. And for the record, I do think it will get better. (If we manage to get swept at home this weekend, you can all start your official “Will Joe Torre make it to Memorial Day” media frenzy. A double sweep for the Sox will also provide great editorial fodder for the Boston media as a bookend to the Yankees’ 5 game sweep at Fenway last year.)
Pettitte vs. Dice K
Red Sox win 3-2
Karstens vs. Wakefield
Red Sox win 6-5
Wang vs. Tavarez
Yankees win 8-5
Posted in Uncategorized
April 27th, 2007 at 10:51 am
There has to be a blowout this series, one seems due.
petitte/dice
4-3 yankees
karstens/wake
12-2 sox
wang/tavarez
6-5 yankees
(rivera gets two saves)
April 27th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
I agree with the blowout, but i think it’ll be the yanks
petitte/dice
2-1 Sox
karstens/wake
8-6 sox
wang/tavarez
12-4 yankees
April 27th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
petite/dice k:
4-2 yanks. petite keeps getting it done, mo shakes off the cobwebs. we all stop freaking out.
karstens/wake:
9-5 sox. ok, maybe time to freak out again
wang/taverez
7-1 yanks. wang’s the man. i like his delivery, and his haircut.
remember 2005, when we were 8 below in mid-may. this team will be fine, or at least fine enough to win the wild card.