The Yankees are starting Andy Pettitte on short rest in Game 6. Usually I would advise against a move like this, but in this situation, I am not opposed to it. Whatever Pettitte might be lacking in strength, he should be able to overcome with adrenaline in this particular circumstance. 
Pettitte has been in the league for a long time, and he has been a pitcher in the postseason for many games. Tonight, Pettitte has the opportunity to close out a World Series, and I believe that he will have just enough left in him to do that. He will not need to pitch perfectly to get a win, as I do not think that Pedro will be as good as he was in Game 2. He will just need to get off to a hot start, get the crowd involved, and give the Yankees’ hitters the belief that they are going to win the series tonight.
If the game starts off badly for Pettitte, which I do not think will happen, the team as a whole will unravel. They will begin to worry about blowing the series, and they will start thinking ahead to Game 7. On the other hand, if Pettitte comes out, and he breezes through the Phillies’ lineup, it will energize the entire ball club on offense and defense. They will come up with the big 2-out hits, which are always a difference in a game like this, and they will make some spectacular defensive plays that really fuels the Yankee Nation.
In my opinion, the key to the game will be the first three to five innings. If Pettitte could keep the Phillies to a minimum of runs by the time those innings roll around, I fully expect the Yankees to have a lead built up. This lead should be strong enough to get them to the ninth inning where Mariano will get to finish off the Phils for the final time this season. When it is all said and done, the New York Yankees will be the 2009 World Series Champions.
Prediction: Yankees 6-3
Filed under: MLB
