The Philadelphia Phillies successfully pushed this World Series to Game 7b with their 8-6 win over the New York Yankees on Monday. So, do the Phillies have what it takes to push this series to a winner-take-all final game?
I think so...
This game is all about New York Yankees starter Andy Pettitte. In his Game 3 appearance, Pettitte pitched well enough to earn the victory (he did), but, overall, wasn't very effective (6 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 7 K).
Tonight, Pettitte goes out on three days rest, which doesn't bode very well for the Empire.
The Phillies were able to touch up the all-time leader in postseason wins for three runs in the second inning of Game 3 and looked like they were on their way to a 2-1 series lead. Unfortunately for the Phillies, Cole Hamels hasn't been the same pitcher he was last postseason and proceeded to give up a combined five runs in the 4th and 5th innings. The Yanks would go on to an 8-5 win and the 2-1 series edge.
Tonight, the Phills send Pedro Martinez to the mound on five days rest. Now, Pedro is definitely not the same pitcher he was a decade ago, but in his Game 2 start, he pitched well enough to win (he didn't because the Yankees got an exceptional performance from A.J. Burnett) and he always seems to embrace these career-defining moments. I expect a similar outing (6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 8 K) from him tonight.
All of this translates into a golden opportunity for the boys in red.
I anticipate Game 6 to go much like Game 5; lots of runs, with the Yankees starter unable to go four innings.
Game 6 prediction; the Yankees keep the champagne on ice, as the Phillies send the Series to a winner-take-all Game 7 with a 10-5 victory.
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