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Sunday, October 09, 2005 |
Nailbiting
Why the Angels won't win today:
This isn't a point on either side, but apparently the ALCS will start on Wednesday if a Game 5 is needed. (Hat tip: BTF.) And despite the 4:30 PM game time posted on the Angels home page, the league seems to have negotiated with Fox and has moved the game to 7:55 EDT, 4:55 Pacific. ESPN's schedule page reports yet a third time, 5:15 Pacific. Go figure.
- Shawn Chacon is exactly the type of pitcher the Angels have trouble with, the "crafty righty" who changes speeds a lot.
- The rain delay leaches a bit of momentum from the Angels.
- The field will almost certainly be as wet as in Game 3, and maybe wetter. With Washburn turning into a pitch-to-contact guy, this means he'll be more dependent on infield defense than ever; wet balls become balls thrown into the dugout.
- Washburn has ribcage muscle strain issues that the wet and cold could exacerbate.
- Despite the fact that Wash has historically pitched well in Yankee Stadium, with a 2.45 ERA in 14.2 IP, that's a small sample size.
- Even though the Angels, if they lose, will get to go home to play a final game in Anaheim, there's actually some pressure on them to step on Yankee necks today: Bartolo Colon is not available for today's game due to a stiff back, and might not be available tomorrow. That means the Angels would have to start Lackey on normal rest or else Ervin Santana.
- Sauce for the goose: the Yankees will have another day's worth of rest for all their starters; Randy Johnson could relieve, for instance.
- Well, 2.45 ERA in Yankee Stadium in the regular season.
- Wash lasted seven in the 2002 ALDS, allowing four earned runs, and this is much the same crew.
- Bengie Molina could be available today.
- The good parts of the bullpen all get to rest a day and will be ready for any action following.
- If the Yankees go sentimental and leave Bernie Williams in center with bad field conditions, more bloop hits. If they put Bubba Crosby out there, well, so much for production at that position.
This isn't a point on either side, but apparently the ALCS will start on Wednesday if a Game 5 is needed. (Hat tip: BTF.) And despite the 4:30 PM game time posted on the Angels home page, the league seems to have negotiated with Fox and has moved the game to 7:55 EDT, 4:55 Pacific. ESPN's schedule page reports yet a third time, 5:15 Pacific. Go figure.
Comments:
Colon isn't available because he is in California...I think he would start with a stiff back, but 3000 miles away makes it a little tougher.
If Chacon implodes, you really have got to love the move to keep Mussina in CA. If he started today it would be on normal rest.
# posted by 
: 10/09/2005 11:11:00 AM
: 10/09/2005 11:11:00 AMNewer› ‹Older
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