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Yankees have issues as they prepare for Game 6

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Bob Klapisch

Bob Klapisch covers baseball for The Record in New Jersey and worked at the New York Post and New York Daily News. The author of five books, he was recently voted a top-five columnist in the country by the Associated Press Sports Editors.

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Updated Nov 4, 2009 2:29 AM ET
     
 

NEW YORK

Hand on their hearts, the Yankees say they were unscarred by their 8-6 loss to the Phillies in Game 5 of the World Series — no second-guessing, no lingering regrets, no forensic analysis other than having lost to a good team on the road. Instead, the Bombers are now directing their gaze on the inviting vista before them. Consider: the Bombers are home, where they won more games than any team in the majors in 2009. They're being propped up by their most experienced pitcher (Andy Pettitte) and most talented pitcher (CC Sabathia), with two chances to win one game. The Bombers don't just like the logistics of Games 6 and 7, they're crazy about them.
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It's hard to argue with the factors that weigh in the Bombers' favor, even if Pedro Martinez says it's a "blessing" to be chosen as the Phillies' last line of defense. So let's look at the six issues the Yankees face on the eve of (another) potential clincher. How does Andy Pettitte feel about pitching on three days' rest? He's completely at peace with the assignment, even though it's been six years since he tried it in a postseason game and admits he has "no idea" how his arm will respond. Typical Pettitte, the least neurotic player in the clubhouse. He's smart enough to know short rest will likely diminish his fastball, but it's been ages since he attached his ego to the radar gun. "I'm not going to try to throw the ball by anyone," said Pettitte, who'll rely on his cut fastball to contain Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez. Pettitte is the first to admit he felt "terrible" in Game 3 after six days' rest, but believes his fatigue will be negated by an enormous adrenaline rush. That's one reason why Joe Girardi believes Pettitte can out-pitch Pedro. "It can help a pitcher knowing this is the last time you're going out (to the mound) in 2009," the manager said. "So (he) can let everything hang out." How will the Yankees attack Pedro's assortment of off-speed pitches? Cautiously and with extreme patience. Pedro can still flirt with 90 mph, but it's not the fastball the Yankees are defending against. It's his perfect arm-speed while delivering the curveball and change-up. The Yankees were highly disciplined in not chasing pitches out of the strike zone during the regular season, but Martinez's powers of illusion are still good enough to trick even the most patient hitters. So says Pettitte, who praised Pedro for his evolution from power pitcher to a latter-day Greg Maddux. "His change-up that used to be like 87, 88 is 75 now, but it's just as effective," Pettitte said. "You know, a good pitch is a good pitch, changing speeds, location and you'll continue to get guys out. "A lot of guys have a hard time making that adjustment, but when you can get your mindset to the point where it's all about location and changing speeds and not worry about how hard you're throwing, I think you continue to be successful." Is Alex Rodriguez in a tranquil place? Overall, this is the most confident A-Rod has ever been as a Yankee over the longest period of time. He shook off his 0-for-8, six-strikeout start against the Phillies by going 4-for-10 with six RBIs. That meant no matter how this Series ends, even if the Yankees blow it altogether, Rodriguez has effectively shed the label of October choker. He might fail in clutch situations — kind of like the way Derek Jeter did, hitting into a killer double play in the ninth inning of Game 5 — but it won't be because of nerves. Whatever the reason for his make-over — whether it's his relationship with Kate Hudson, or Joe Girardi replacing Joe Torre or the fact that Jeter finally has befriended him — Rodriguez has stopped worrying about failure, or what the next-day headlines will be if he does stumble. That's good news for Girardi, who says, "(A-Rod) seems like he's in a great place and we know that any point he's up there he can be a difference maker." What's up with Mark Teixeira? It's no understatement to say he hasn't had a good Series, going 2-for-19 with the game-ending strikeout in Game 5. Overall, the first baseman has appeared uncomfortable in his first-ever World Series. That may or may not be part of his assimilation in New York, but at $180 million, Teixeira forfeited the right to a break-in period, especially in October. He entered Game 5 with a .170 postseason average, including a team-high 15 strikeouts. And that was before his performance on Monday night, when he ended rallies in the fifth and ninth innings. Teixeira refuses to believe he's under-performing, insisting, "I've done a lot this postseason to help the team win." But the Yankees need more, plain and simple. Is there any reliever the Yankees can trust besides Mariano Rivera?
Does the question really have to be asked? Rivera continues to stand far above the race of men. Brad Lidge's most recent failure in Game 4 only reinforced an age-old axiom that a closer's job, particularly in the postseason, is as difficult in any in baseball. Aside from his troubles in 1997, 2001 and 2004, Rivera's career 0.75 postseason ERA could be the most impressive pitching stat in the game's history. No wonder Girardi is prepared to use his closer for up to six outs again Wednesday. The last thing the Yankees want is to find themselves in a Game 7 setting, even with CC Sabathia as their shield. Did the Yankees' late rally in Game 5 send a message to the Phillies? They'd like to think so. The Yankees want the Phillies to know there isn't a single pitcher in their bullpen who can contain New York's offense for very long. That's why, when Girardi was asked about the disappointment at not clinching the Series on Monday — the second time this postseason the Yankees had failed to put away an opponent in Game 5 — the manager bristled. "We were down 8-2 and we were right back in the game," he said. "To me if you don't have a killer instinct you go home and lose the game 8-2. You don't take your at-bats seriously, you don't take the pitches seriously. So I think there is a killer instinct in that clubhouse."
Tagged: CC Sabathia, Raul Ibanez, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Phillies, Brad Lidge

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