NakamuraQ&A: World Series Part 3 featuring Hank
This is a simple "Question and Answer" session I had with my friend Hank on the 2009 World Series. To see Part One with "Dangerous" Dan, go to this Really Long Link. For Part 2, visit this Really Long Link . Otherwise, here it is, Q&A, Part 3!
Question 1: Pedro Martinez vs. Andy Pettite, who has the advantage?
Nakamura: Even on short rest, I have to go with Andy Pettite. He's been in the playoffs many times before and he knows how to pitch tired. Not only that, he has a home crowd and a well rested closer that just happens to be the best reliever of all time. Martinez pitched well in his outing, but he no longer has the stuff that he did in Boston.
He's become a fastball and changeup pitcher and without the control of Cliff Lee, its difficult to keep hitters honest. It may take 2 or 3 at bats for the Yankee lineup to figure him out, but I find it difficult to see Pedro pitching more than 6 innings.
Hank: In game 6, Pedro has a slight edge. They both pitched solid but not great in their previous World Series start. They are both veterans and both managers would rather them pitch with an extra days rest. Andy is going on 3 days rest, Pedro on 4. I think Pedro will pitch slightly better than Andy.
Question 2: Brad Lidge failed again in Game 4. What should be done with him?
Nakamura: This is a very difficult question and if there was an easy answer, then Manuel would have figured it out by now. Lidge is like Joba, when he's on, he's unstoppable. But when he's not... it's a challenging game of batting practice. Unless the Phillies are winning by a lot, I would stay away form him and stick with Madson for Game 6. Remember, the Phillies also have JA Happ on their roster, and he could provide a lot of innings.
Hank: Lidge is their closer, they have to go to him. I think that in Game 4, if he used his slider against A-Rod, he could have gotten him out and we would not be having this
conversation. But with that said, Manuel used Madison in Game 5 and he got it done, barely. So most likely he will go back to Madson, but now that they are going to Yankee stadium, no call to the bullpen is a safe bet. The Phillies just might lose this series because of their bullpen.
Question 3: How does Melky's injury affect the Yankees? Does Brett Gardner suffice as their replacement?
Nakamura: Melky Cabrera was a huge part of the Yankee lineup in the late innings during the season. His defense can definitely be replaced by Gardner, but his bat cannot. He was the guy that put the game away by driving in the big names like Alex Rodrguez and Mark Teixeira. And with Teixeira struggling, players like Jeter, Damon and Cano aren't coming around. These players just might as well make themselves a signal fire because they're going to be left stranded.
Hank: Melky's injury is huge. It was barely mentioned in Game 5, and I think they should have talked about it more. Melky is one of the guys at the bottom of the lineup who actually has been hitting well this postseason. He is also a switch hitter, giving the Yankees a small, but noticeable, advantage. Gardner is not as good of a hitter, he doesn't have as a good of an arm. By playing him, you lose a great potential pinch runner that could be the difference of a close game. Huge disadvantage to the Yankees by losing Melky.
That's it for Part 3 of the World Series Q&A. Special Thanks to Hank for participating in this interview. If you have any questions that you would like to see us answer, please leave a comment. You can also suggest the next player for "Over and Under".
-Written by: Nakamura. This article is copyrighted © by Nakamura and may not be reproduced, recopied, or used in any form without permission from Nakamura.
Question 1: Pedro Martinez vs. Andy Pettite, who has the advantage?
Nakamura: Even on short rest, I have to go with Andy Pettite. He's been in the playoffs many times before and he knows how to pitch tired. Not only that, he has a home crowd and a well rested closer that just happens to be the best reliever of all time. Martinez pitched well in his outing, but he no longer has the stuff that he did in Boston.
Pettite vs. Pedro, who will win?
Hank: In game 6, Pedro has a slight edge. They both pitched solid but not great in their previous World Series start. They are both veterans and both managers would rather them pitch with an extra days rest. Andy is going on 3 days rest, Pedro on 4. I think Pedro will pitch slightly better than Andy.
Question 2: Brad Lidge failed again in Game 4. What should be done with him?
Nakamura: This is a very difficult question and if there was an easy answer, then Manuel would have figured it out by now. Lidge is like Joba, when he's on, he's unstoppable. But when he's not... it's a challenging game of batting practice. Unless the Phillies are winning by a lot, I would stay away form him and stick with Madson for Game 6. Remember, the Phillies also have JA Happ on their roster, and he could provide a lot of innings.
Hank: Lidge is their closer, they have to go to him. I think that in Game 4, if he used his slider against A-Rod, he could have gotten him out and we would not be having this
The once dominant, now dormant closer
Question 3: How does Melky's injury affect the Yankees? Does Brett Gardner suffice as their replacement?
Nakamura: Melky Cabrera was a huge part of the Yankee lineup in the late innings during the season. His defense can definitely be replaced by Gardner, but his bat cannot. He was the guy that put the game away by driving in the big names like Alex Rodrguez and Mark Teixeira. And with Teixeira struggling, players like Jeter, Damon and Cano aren't coming around. These players just might as well make themselves a signal fire because they're going to be left stranded.
Hank: Melky's injury is huge. It was barely mentioned in Game 5, and I think they should have talked about it more. Melky is one of the guys at the bottom of the lineup who actually has been hitting well this postseason. He is also a switch hitter, giving the Yankees a small, but noticeable, advantage. Gardner is not as good of a hitter, he doesn't have as a good of an arm. By playing him, you lose a great potential pinch runner that could be the difference of a close game. Huge disadvantage to the Yankees by losing Melky.
That's it for Part 3 of the World Series Q&A. Special Thanks to Hank for participating in this interview. If you have any questions that you would like to see us answer, please leave a comment. You can also suggest the next player for "Over and Under".
-Written by: Nakamura. This article is copyrighted © by Nakamura and may not be reproduced, recopied, or used in any form without permission from Nakamura.
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