Still Frustrated This Morning, But Remembering 1998 and 2000

I have to admit: I didn't sleep well last night. I usually don't get worked up over losses, but something about that bothered me. The Yankees have had the lead in the 6th inning or later of every game in the series and we're at least playing 6 games.

Nick Swisher is hitting .118 (and only 3 walks) with no RBIs in the series and just .103 for the entire postseason. Mark Teixeira is hitting .174 (and only 3 walks as well), has struck out eight times, and only got his first RBIs yesterday (but at least he's playing great in the field). Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Alfredo Aceves have been hit hard. 

My solution for the hitting woes: Start Brett Gardner in center and Melky Cabrera in right. This instantly improves your defense. Gardner has as many hits as Swisher in the series, despite Gardner having 3 plate appearances and Swisher having 20. This adds the speed element to the game as well which could prove important in the game. Also, if you decide to pinch run for Jorge Posada or Hideki Matsui, you still have Freddy Guzman on the bench to do so and if that spot comes up again in the order, you have Nick Swisher available to pinch hit. The Yankees have precedent doing this. They sat struggling stars such as Tino Martinez when they did not perform in the playoffs.

My solution for the bullpen woes: Know you can end it in Game 6. If you need 6 outs to win it, give the ball to Mariano Rivera. Trust no one else with 6 outs to go. Letting someone get into trouble and then bringing in Mo is about as stupid as it gets. It's like every time you drink, waiting to throw up until you stop. Just dumb. If you're going to bring him in for 5 or 6 outs anyways, just do it. Don't get cutesy.

This has been a cooky series in some ways. Jorge Posada is 1-1 in stolen bases and Derek Jeter and Brett Gardner have no stolen bases and have been thrown out a combined 3 times. The Yankees most reliable non-Mo relievers are Phil Coke, Damaso Marte and David Robertson. The umpiring continues to be horrible with another blown call at first base when Johnny Damon was obviously safe last night. But as weird as this series has become, more and more it reminds me of 1998 and 2000 ALCSs.

Similarities:

• The Yankees had home-field advantage both years which meant the 6th game (and a potential 7th) were going to be played at home.

• The Yankees got huge pitching performances in Game 4 of the series. In 1998, El Duque pitched a gem in Game 4, throwing 7 shutout innings of 3-hit ball. In 2000, Roger Clemens pitched an all-time gem in Game 4, throwing a complete game, one hit, 15-strikeout shutout. In 2009, CC Sabathia on short rest pitched a gem in Game 4, throwing 8 innings of 5-hit, 1-run baseball.

• The Yankees most reliable right-handed reliever (non-Mo) blew a game in the series that they had come back in. In 1998, Jeff Nelson gave up 3 runs in 2/3 of an inning in extra innings of Game 2 to lose that game after the Yankees came back to tie it in the bottom of the 7th. In 2000, Jeff Nelson gave up 3 runs without recording an out (and let two inherited runners score) in a Game 5 loss after the Yankees had scored two runs the inning before to tie and then take the lead. In 2009, last night happened.

• David Justice hit home runs in 1998 against the Yankees and in 2000 for them. Maybe they can have him throw out the first pitch of Game 6?

• Joe Torre managed the Yankees in 1998 and 2000. Last night, Joe Girardi managed his bullpen like Joe Torre.
  

• In 1998, the Yankees came back home for Game 6 and won a dramatic game to clinch the pennant. In 2000, the Yankees came back home for Game 6 and won a dramatic game to clinch the pennant.

Can the Yankees do the same in 2009? We shall find out. But I like the history that is on their side.

(picture from the New York Times)