World Series Moves to Game 4; Yankees lead 2-1

The Fall Classic may have shifted to Philadelphia before game 3, but the momentum following the game is clearly in the Yankee’s corner. After a stellar performance by AJ Burnett in Game 2, Andy Pettitte showed why he is the all-time leader in post-season wins in the Yankees’ Game 3, 8-5 victory over the Phillies.

Andy Pettitte’s 17th playoff victory didn’t come easy, though. The Yankees fell behind early when the Phillies jumped to a 3-0 lead in the Bottom of the 2^nd. A Jayson Werth solo homer and a couple of untimely walks made it look like Pettitte was destined for a short outing. However, the veteran lefty bounced back to keep him team in the game. Over the next 5 innings, the Yankees outscored Philly 7-1 before Joba Chamberlain relieved Pettitte in the Bottom of the 7^th. After Mo Rivera shut the door on the Phillies, the Yankees are now 2 wins away from their 27^th World Championship.

Game 4 of the World Series is tonight in Philadelphia as CC Sabathia faces off against Joe Blanton, who will be given the ball over Phillie’s ace Cliff Lee. It has been widely publicized that the Yankees are operating with a 3-man rotation, but Charlie Manuel will not be using the same philosophy. Manuel has faced a lot of criticizing for putting Blanton on the mound for tonight’s game instead of Lee, who would be pitching on 3 days rest. Throughout his career, Lee has not done well when not pitching on full rest, but since his trade to Philadelphia, Lee has been one of the hottest pitchers in baseball. This post season, Lee has posted a 3-0 record in 4 starts, 2 complete games, and an E.R.A. of 0.54. To me, it would make sense to run Lee out there in Game 4 in order to have him ready on 3 days rest for Game 7. Now Manuel is going to face the heat if Blanton does not show up tonight. The Phillies’ best chance of winning this series rests in the arm of Cliff Lee and he can’t do much on the bench.