Saturday October 31, 2009
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
55° F - Overcast
Andy Pettitte, LHP (0-0, 0.00) v. Cole Hamels, LHP (0-0, 0.00)
After splitting the first two games, the Philadelphia Phillies will return home to host the New York Yankees for the next three games of the 2009 World Series. Thus far, it has been an unexpectedly low-scoring series, between two great offensive teams in hitters parks. However, with game three featuring Cole Hamels of the Phillies and Andy Pettitte of the Yankees, both team will hope to continue the pitching-dominant trend. The weather will be seasonably mild with overcast skies and a slight chance of rain.
Starting Pitcher: Andy Pettitte, Yankees
Andy Pettitte is the veteran presence in the Yankees' rotation. The elder statesman of the group, Pettitte has seen and done almost everything as a starter in the postseason. His career 16 wins is first all-time in postseason play and the crafty lefty still has some juice left in the tank. Pettitte pitches primarily to contact at this point in his career, but controls the running game very well with a great pickoff move. The 37-year old won 14 games for the Yankees this season, while logging 194.2 innings.
This season against the Phillies, Andy Pettitte face the Phillies once, allowing four earned runs in seven innings while taking the no-decision in a Yankees win. Pettitte is succeptible to the long ball, but does create an unfavorable matchup for the Phillies, as he is left-handed and can control the running game with a great pickoff move. For his career against Phillies hitters, Pettitte has allowed a .230 batting average in 148 plate appearances, with four home runs. The veteran is one of the best postseason performers, with a major league record 16 postseason wins.
Starting Pitcher: Cole Hamels, Phillies
Cole Hamels struggled through a hangover season from 2008, in which he battled injuries and inconsistency all year long. Still, he is the Phillies' starter with the most playoff pedigree and was able to win 10 games. In 2009, Hamels' innings were down to 193.2 and his strikeout numbers were also down, though he has the ability to miss bats. Hamels' achilles heel has always been the long ball, so if he can keep the ball in the park, the 25-year old is very tough. Hamels will likely be the Phillies' second or third starter.
Despite having a rough postseason thus far, the Phillies are hopeful that Cole Hamels can regain his World Series MVP form from 2008. Hamels faced the Yankees once this season, going six innings allowing two runs and a homer, in an extra-inning win for the Phillies. In his career against the Yankees, Hamels has allowed a .290 batting average in 66 plate appearances. The key for the young lefty will be to keep the ball in the park and limit his pitch count as much as possible.
Starting Lineup: New York Yankees
Statistics versus Cole Hamels
1. Derek Jeter, SS (4/7, 0 HR, 1 K)
1. Derek Jeter, SS (4/7, 0 HR, 1 K)
2. Johnny Damon, LF (3/5, 0 HR, 0 K)
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B (5/17, 2 HR, 3 K)
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B (0/4, 0 HR, 4 K)
5. Jorge Posada, C (0/3, 0 HR, 1 K)
6. Robinson Cano, 2B (0/3, 0 HR, 0 K)
7. Jerry Hairston, Jr., RF (2/10, 1 HR, 1 K)
8. Melky Cabrera, CF (3/6, 0 HR, 0 K)
Starting Lineup: Philadelphia Phillies
Starting Lineup: Philadelphia Phillies
Statistics versus Andy Pettitte
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS (4/18, 1 HR, 2 K)
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS (4/18, 1 HR, 2 K)
2. Shane Victorino, CF (3/6, 0 HR, 1 K)
3. Chase Utley, 2B (1/7, 0 HR, 3 K)
4. Ryan Howard, 1B (1/9, 0 HR, 1 K)
5. Jayson Werth, RF (1/13, 1 HR, 5 K)
6. Raul Ibanez, LF (6/21, 1 HR, 5 K)
7. Pedro Feliz, 3B (2/7, 0 HR, 1 K)
8. Carlos Ruiz, C (2/3, 1 HR, 0 K)
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