Quick Word From The Bird: Yanks Win with CC in Game 7

DARIO AKA THE REALIST WRITES:

T-Bird,

Cliff Lee thoroughly dominated that game man. Lee has a .54 ERA in the playoffs. WOW!!!! It sucked. CC pitched really good also except for those two homeruns to Utley. The Yankee bullpen is a real issue. Hughes walked the first two batters. He struggled in Game 5 against the Angels also. What's up with him? Philadelphia has a team equal to the Yankees but people like Matsui and Swisher have to step up at the bottom of that order. Swisher has been struggling really bad in the playoffs. Dude has 4 hits in 35 at bats. Wow!!!

Your thoughts on the World Series?

      TAYLOR AKA THE BIRDMAN RESPONDS:

Cliff Lee has been dominant, his "spike"-curve is amazing. It seems that the grip he uses gives him the ability to have "feel" even in cold weather, which is something that hurt Lackey in the ALCS (see his game 1 start in NY vs. his performance in game 5 in Anaheim).

Also, consider how suspect Doc looked for Toronto down the stretch and how much Ricciardi wanted for him. I am sure the Philly organization are thanking their lucky stars they shunned Toronto and made the Lee deal. It is amazing to think that he was sent back down to AAA in '06. It is also amazing to think of what Cleveland would look like if they had the resources or desire to keep their players (especially if Fausto Carmona was able to sustain his 07 success). But they have gotten great players back in their deals (see Matt LaPorta from the CC trade). So with a new manager they will compete in that division again shortly.

Back to the series… Not making any excuses, but the playoff format has got to change. First the Series ends too late in the year, I mean November, come on. This makes weather a major factor. The long layoffs also seem to throw hitters and relievers out of rhythm. I really think this is why the Yankees lineup seems to go to sleep every year. As for the bullpen… You have a lot of young arms out there and I think the workload of a full season at the major league level has worn them down.

With the above being said, the lineup needs a major spark. As great as I think Swisher has been, especially in April when A-Rod was out. He needs to be replaced in Right by Eric Hinske. I think Hinske has equal defense and just as much potential power. Plus, sometimes change for the sake of change can be good. This could provide a spark and be a wakeup to the rest of the order. As for the bullpen, I think that despite a few bad performances we still have the advantage, especially Mo vs. Lidge. Mark my words, Lidge if given the oppurtunity, will blow a major save in this series. Ever since Pujols took him deep in that series a few years ago he has had a knack for blowing big games. Last year was an outlier, because he has looked like his old self at times this year.

With last night over, I still like our prospects for the rest of the series. Pedro has not faced a legit American League team in years. Plus remember the "Who's your daddy?" incident?

 Hamels has looked human at best lately. Burnett will bounce back tonight, Andy is Andy and CC is better on short rest (and he wasn't that bad last night). The bullpen will be ok and we have a definite advantage if we can get a lead to Mo. I think we win game 2 & 3: game 4 is a toss-up (if it is vs. Lee in Philly). Even if it gets to a 3-2 Philly advantage, I like us for 6 & 7 in NY, with CC going in game 7.