2009 World Series Game Six: Pedro in the Bronx One More Time

After Jimmy Rollins walked, Shane Victorino singled, and the go-ahead run came to the plate in the form of Chase Utley to face the seemingly unbeatable Mariano Rivera during the eighth inning of game two, I turned to the New York fan sitting in the seat next to me at Yankee Stadium and said with a smile, "This is fun, isn't it?" She looked at me like I was crazy.

That game didn't end as Phillies fans would have liked, but the Fightins' were in position to come back with Chase Utley at the dish. Our team may be down a game, but they've got plenty of fight left in them. A game like tonight is pretty much why we are fans. I feel confident in this group to win tonight and set up perhaps the biggest game this city has ever seen tomorrow.

Two seasoned playoff veterans with huge wins all over their resumes will square off in the greatest example of how evenly matched these two clubs are right now. This is not only great theater—it's great baseball. At least it should be. Both teams are fundamentally good enough to go out there and play their games without totally blowing themselves up. Of course, as we've already seen, they're not without their demons, which can emerge on any given pitch.

We already know what it feels like to lose this series. We felt that the moment the lead was blown in game four. Since then we've also known what it feels like to win it all—combine game 5 with all we went through last year, minus the 30-year itch.

So now it's all about just watching what should be a great game, in the tightest world series in recent memory on the biggest stage of them all in the Bronx.

The Phillies have already shown they can get to Andy Pettitte. Joe Girardi isn't likely to have a long leash on him tonight, so the Phils need to be patient and hit him early. We all know what happens if the Yankees middle relief comes into the game. Girardi has also said that AJ Burnett would be available out of the 'pen if needed. His last outing wasn't very long, and it's his day for a bullpen session anyway. Yes. Please.

Otherwise, it'll probably be Joba Chamberlain, who strikes fear into the hearts of no one. If it's close or the Yankees are leading late, Girardi could use Mo Rivera for a two-inning save. On this date in 2001, Joe Torre used Rivera in just that way, and Mo blew it in the ninth, surrendering game 7 to the Diamondbacks

The Phillies pen has at times had its problems, but, other than the obvious chasm between our closers over the course of this season, the relievers coming out of the visiting 'pen are head and shoulders better than their hosts.

Many people are predicting a high scoring affair. I'm thinking we see a gem from the old goat wearing red tonight.

Enjoy the game, folks. Hopefully we can come back tomorrow and do this all again.

Pedro image via amandanyc

Comments

[Pete]

Do it for Harry and Whitey fellas.

[Jim]

We're winning this fucking game. You can't convince me otherwise.

[Shawn]

Let's do it boys!

[MikeG]

Holy crap I need a valium to calm down before this game.

[joey wade]

i wish this thing would start already... it feel like it's taking YEARS.

[enrico]

6 2/3rds, 5 hits, 2 runs, and a win. That's what I'm thinking Pedro will do.

[Pete]

I hope so enrico, I
really,
really,
really hope so.

[Mike H.]

Sounds about right, E.

[Mike H.]

Mary definitely has the pipes.

[Zack]

hopefully the Phils can get to Andy early

[ThinkRed]

Please send this to a Game 7. I'm not ready for baseball season to be over yet.

[phillyfan412]

I think Howard will break out of his slump with a long ball tonight. I think Francisco will homer as well. Pedro will go six strong giving up two runs, and the bullpen will shut them down en route to a game 7.

Let's go Fightin' Phils!

[enrico]

Shane with a cheap one. Speed kills.

[Zack]

not how i was hoping that first inning would go

[Matt P.]

k not a great start. need to see more pitches...

[enrico]

Per someone on twitter, Chase grounded into 5 DPs all season and has two in the WS.

[Joe26]

I'm assuming no live blog tonight?

[enrico]

No live blog tonight. Too stressful and too much work. Want to enjoy this Phils victory.

Chat in the comments.

[Kim]

OK Pedro.....let's do this

[Kim]

2 outs , come on , come on......

[Zack]

small strikezone tonight

thank god that did not go out

[Wilkes-Barre Sucked]

couple of heart attacks with a side of ease is how I'd summarize that half inning.

[Jim]

RAW PATIENCE

[Liam]

Great at bat by Werth, at least one person is going to make Pettite throw him a good pitch

[Liam]

Really Raul? After a great at bat by Werth you swing at a shit first pitch and get out... Ugh

[stevefredericks]

Thanks for killing the inning, Ibanez

[phillyfan412]

It would help if Ibanez started looking like he stands a chance at the plate. At least Feliz didn't swing at the first pitch.

[Zack]

so far....the offense is looking like it has every game besides 1 and 5

hope that changes

[Paul]

No Pedro Feliz killed that inning.

[stevefredericks]

swinging first pitch after a walk with one out is worse than swinging 3-1 with a base open and a man in scoring position with 2 outs, but feliz didnt help

[Saul]

Too bad Pedro Feliz completely sucks. Why isn't Francisco ahead of him?

[Zack]

really was hoping Pedro would have his fastball back a little bit

[enrico]

Yeah, they're saying he's maxing out at 85? That's pretty weak.

[stevefredericks]

ben franciscos career numbers against LHP (and RHP) are significantly better than feliz's: its absurd he's hitting higher than francisco

[Saul]

Martinez not looking great tonight....

[Zack]

well...matsui is going to win the mvp probably

[MarkH]

Me thinks it could be a short night for Pedro.

[Liam]

Here's an idea, Matsui pulls everything so maybe throw the ball to the outside?

[PhillyProud]

ugh

[Johnny Nas]

Warm up Haap NOWWWWW pedro doesnt have it 2nite

[Joe the Second]

@ Johnny it's only the second inning.

[Zack]

@Liam I was thinking the same thing...the guy just golfs stuff to right field

[PhillyProud]

man crush..SWOON

[Johnny Nas]

@Joe these guy are killing the ball...there is no time to wait

[Beardface]

Warm up Happ? Well that would be good except for the fact he hasn't been very effective at all in the postseason. If we head to the bullpen now, Series over see you next year.

[Zack]

Phillies are just bailing Pettitte out

[stevefredericks]

matsui was early on EVERYTHING and martinez's best pitch tonight, by far, has been the changeup. its just awful that he didnt throw a changeup at all in that count.

[phillyfan412]

CHOOOOOOOOCH!

[Saul]

CHOOOOOOOCH

[Kim]

CHHHHOOOCH!

[MikeG]

Chooch-vember!

[Zack]

finally someone else besides werth makes pettitte work...he is throwing garbage so far...but the phils are swinging at garbage

[MikeG]

Bring him home!

[Pete]

CHOOCH CHOOCH train is now departing for third base!!!

[MarkH]

On the board. Let's DO THIS.

[Johnny Nas]

Ok we got one we need Pedro to chill out now

[MarkH]

Dammit Vic. . . make him work.

[phillyfan412]

Alright. Big hit from Senor Octubre, J-Roll does his job with a fly ball to right, and the Phils are on the board. Hopefully Pedro can settle down.

[Wilkes-Barre Sucked]

Chooch with a clutch triple and solid fundamental AB by Rollins. We got one back.

[Zack]

Phils are being too aggressive this game (unlike last times they faced Pettitte) he is not getting the strike zone. They are making him look much better than he is pitching

[Liam]

I don't understand how in this big a game the team can continue to have such shitty at bats

[PhillyProud]

2001 right? when the diamondbacks came back to beat them?

[MarkH]

Think the Dbacks won in 6?

[phillyfan412]

Game 7 was in Arizona then.

[phillyfan412]

What is Victorino doing? He looks awful at the plate and now in the field too.

[phillyfan412]

What is Victorino doing? He looks awful at the plate and now in the field too.

[Liam]

Can we not give this team baserunners? They have a good enough offense as it is, no need to help them out

[Johnny Nas]

Pedro is laboring out there

[Wilkes-Barre Sucked]

I found that overhead shot of dark, old Yankee Stadium kinda eerie.

[Zack]

Well this is not how we were hoping this game would start

[MarkH]

We'll be seeing Happ soon.

[Zack]

yup...not at all

[Johnny Nas]

Pedro is in on the fix this is bullshit

[Pete]

Oh crap. I think pedro is not here mentally.

[phillyfan412]

Not only is his velocity down, but Pedro hasn't used his curveball much at all.

And Yankees fans are idiots for thinking that was intentional. Like he really wanted to load the bases in a one-run game.

[phillyfan412]

Sit down! HUGE strikeout.

[Zack]

pedro got a rivera call there

[Liam]

Sure doesn't help my nerves knowing that now that A Rod struck out the inning should be over. Come on Pedro help me forget Shane messed up!

[phillyfan412]

Pettite's been getting that outside pitch as well. Same exact one.

[Zack]

matsui is honestly the scariest guy in their lineup

[MarkH]

Fuck. Matsui is killing us.

[Liam]

Those runs should be charged to Victorino, not Pedro

[Beardface]

Its been a fun year, boys, but thats all she wrote. See you in April's chats

[Joe the Second]

Well, It was one hell of a season.

[Zack]

christ...well this isn't how we all expected the pitching to go

[Gooch]

Shame. A game 7 would have been fun.

[stevefredericks]

THROW HIMA MOTHER FUCKING CHANGEUP

[Johnny Nas]

0-2 count and he throws him a hittable fastball?

[Liam]

Seriously, people are giving up on this game after 3 innings?

[Adam B]

Not ready to give up yet. Get back to me in the seventh.

[Cori]

How can you give up when it's only the 4th inning??? Have some Phaith, don't give up on this team yet!

[phillyfan412]

Wow. The quitters are absolutely pathetic. It's like you've learned nothing from watching this team the past three years. See you later. You're a certified idiot if you don't think the Phils can come back in this game.

[pilgrim]

Can we please stop the "It's over," or "See you in April" bullshit. This team can put up double digits on any given night so just shut the fuck up and watch the game.

[Joe]

Yep- had that feeling that it's going to be one of those nights. I didn't want to retire the 2008 World Series clubhouse hat, but it looks as though that's the way it's going.

Having said that, it is the fourth inning and there is plenty of time for a comeback. I'd love to be proven wrong right now.

[El Ricko]

Goddammit, getting killed by the DH. Fuck you, American League.

[Minority Authority]

Johnny Nas, stevefredricks, Gooch, Zack and Beardface...

Nice to see the fair weather fans show their true colors.

You should go root for a team who quits like the Mets. You're an embarassment.

[Adam B]

Is it possible the cold weather's affecting Pedro's grip on his offspeed pitches?

[Johnny Nas]

@ Minority Authority

Go fuck yourself what did i say?

[Bmac]

go ahead, give up gentlemen....but at the end of the night when its a tie game after Utley drives in three runs you don't deserve to cheer.

Big injury for us. Sit down Damon

[Pat]

It's over. See you in April.