Phillies Preview: World Series Game Two

2009 World Series

Philadelphia Phillies (1-0) v. New York Yankees (0-1)
Thursday October 29, 2009

Yankee Stadium, New York, NY
52° F - Cool, Clear

Pedro Martinez, RHP (0-0, 0.00) v. A.J. Burnett, RHP (0-0, 0.00)

After a one-sided affair in the opener of the World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees will go right back at it one night later. The Phillies took the opener in a game that was never really in doubt. Now the pressure lies complete on the Yankees as they try to avoid going back to Philadelphia in an 0-2 hole. The weather will be much better this evening, as the skies have cleared and the field has dried. Pedro Martinez will make his return to the big stage for the Phillies, and he will be opposed by A.J. Burnett of the Yankees in a crucial game two.

Starting Pitcher: Pedro Martinez, Phillies

Pedro Martinez was another late-season acqusition for the Phillies, as they signed the free agent to finish the 2009 season with them. Martinez has shown signs of his former self, now that he is healthy. And not having pitched the first half of the season means he is fresh for the playoffs, with only 44.2 innings. Most importantly, the 37-year old veteran righty has a lot of post season experience and is known as a clutch performer. While it has not been determined when Pedro will start, he still has the ability to miss bats and shut down an opponent.

It will be the return to the Bronx for Pedro Martinez in game two. After facing the Yankees many times in the playoffs earlier in his career, Martinez has not seen them for several years. While he did not have much success against them, he does bring a renewed sense of confidence and a fresh arm to the game tonight. Lifetime against the Yankees hitters, Martinez has held them to a .242 batting average in 442 plate appearances. In those appearances, he allowed 11 homers while fanning nearly 25% of batters (116). Tonight, Martinez will need to get the calls on the corners and mix up his pitches against an aggressive Yankee lineup.

Starting Pitcher: A.J. Burnett, Yankees

A.J. Burnett was the second half of the Yankees' big off-season pitching enhancement, as he signed around the same time as Sabathia. Burnett's career has been wildly inconsistent, as he has shown flashes of brilliance and periods of ineffectiveness. He is a strike out pitcher but suffers from poor command and composure. The big righty won 13 games in his first season with the Yankees and tossed 207.0 innings for them. With nearly a strike out per inning, Burnett must limit contact in order to be successful.

Burnett will have the tough task of trying to shut down the Phillies tonight. If the good Burnett shows up, he will have a good chance to help his team win the game. However, the problem with the big righty has always been his inconsistency and wildness. In 184 career plate appearances, current Phillies are hitting .265 with eight homers off of Burnett. Being a strikeout pitcher, the Phillies will need to be patient against him and not swing at bad pitches. Burnett is a hard thrower but his presence on the mound means that Jorge Posada's bat will be out of the Yankee lineup, in favor of a defensive catcher.

Starting Lineup: Philadelphia Phillies

Statistics versus A.J. Burnett

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS (11/43, 1 HR, 12 K)
2. Shane Victorino, CF (1/6, 0 HR, 0 K)
3. Chase Utley, 2B (6/21, 1 HR, 7 K)
4. Ryan Howard, 1B (2/12, 2 HR, 6 K)
5. Jayson Werth, RF (1/7, 1 HR, 3 K)
6. Raul Ibanez, LF (4/15, 0 HR, 4 K)
7. Matt Stairs, DH (3/11, 2 HR, 4 K)
8. Pedro Feliz, 3B (2/15, 0 HR, 0 K)
9. Carlos Ruiz, C (3/3, 1 HR, 0 K)

Starting Lineup: New York Yankees

Statistics versus Pedro Martinez

1. Derek Jeter, SS (27/102, 4 HR, 27 K)
2. Johnny Damon, LF (5/25, 0 HR, 4 K)
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B (1/6, 0 HR, 3 K)
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B (17/58, 1 HR, 20 K)
5. Hideki Matsui, DH (9/43, 1 HR, 8 K)
6. Robinson Cano, 2B (0/12, 0 HR, 1 K)
7. Jerry Hairston, Jr., RF (10/27, 0 HR, 6 K)
8. Melky Cabrera, CF (1/5, 0 HR, 2 K)

9. Jose Molina, C (2/10, 0 HR, 1 K)

Phillies World Series Previews
Overview, Rotations, Bullpens, Hitters, Benches

Game Previews: One, Two, Three
Game Recaps: One, Two, Three