After the New York Yankees won the 2009 World Series title, Hideki Matsui was named the World Series MVP. While Matsui had a great Game 6 and hit extremely well, I actually think Johnny Damon should have been named the World Series MVP.
The problem with Matsui winning the MVP is that he is the team’s DH and didn’t have much of a role in the three games played in Philadelphia. How can a player be an MVP of a six-game series in which he only started three games?
Damon, on the other hand, was a pain in Philadelphia’s side the whole …read more

Even after A.J. Burnett pitched so well in Game 2 for the New York Yankees, it wasn’t certain that the Yankees will go with him in Game 5 on only three days of rest. But now, after the announcement by manager Joe Girardi, it is certain.
The Yankees went with C.C. Sabathia in Game 4 on only three days of rest and will do the same with Burnett in Game 5. In Game 2, Burnett pitched seven innings and allowed only four hits and one earned run while striking out nine batters.
While most major league pitchers struggle on only three days …read more

In the offseason, many baseball experts rolled their eyes when the New York Yankees spent their millions upon millions of dollars to bring in a number of free agents. The Yankees were just wasting more millions on players they didn’t really need, right?
Nope. Not this time, at least.
The Yankees have to be thrilled with what their money was able to buy them in the offseason. Even though C.C. Sabathia lost Game 1 of the World Series, he was fantastic in his first three postseason start. Plus, there will likely be plenty of time in this World Series for Sabathia to …read more

When it comes to players on the Philadelphia Phillies, you may think of Ryan Howard or Jimmy Rollins. Or perhaps you’ll think of Cliff Lee or Cole Hamels. One player who sometimes gets overlooked is Chase Utley — and he may be the team’s best overall player.
In Game 1 of the World Series, not only was he the hero in Philadelphia’s 6-1 victory, he was also busy setting records. His two homers off of C.C. Sabathia made him only the second lefty in World Series history to hit two homers off of a left-handed pitcher in the same game. The …read more

What will happen in the 2009 World Series featuring the New York Yankees of the American League and the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League? In what promises to be one of the most exciting World Series in recent history, there are a lot of subplots to discuss.
At the plate, both teams are very tough. The Yankees might be a tad more talented but the Phillies are extremely explosive. In fact, these may be the two best offensive teams in the game of baseball.
As far as starting pitchers are concerned, both teams are somewhat similar. C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee …read more

Jimmy Rollins hasn’t had a great season. His batting average was down, his on-base percentage was down and he went through a number of slumps. That, however, is all forgotten after Rollins hit a walk-off double to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 3-1 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS.
With two outs and two on in the bottom of then ninth, the Phillies trailed by a run. Going up against Jonathan Broxton, Rollins lined a pitch into the outfield that easily scored both Eric Bruntlett and Carlos Ruiz. The 5-4 victory for the Phillies definitely had to take …read more

In the first seven innings, the Los Angeles Dodgers were dominated by Pedro Martinez. However, in the eighth inning, the Dodgers took advantage of the shaky bullpen of the Philadelphia Phillies. When it was all said and done, the Dodgers had beaten the Phillies 2-1 and tied the NLCS at one game apiece.
After the Dodgers tied the game on a Chase Utley throwing error, Andre Ethier came to the plate with the bases loaded. Ethier, who has arguably been the Dodgers best player in the postseason, was able to draw a walk to put the Dodgers up for good.
For the …read more

After winning Game 1 of their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Philadelphia Phillies will send Pedro Martinez to the mound in Game 2. Martinez, who began his career with the Dodgers, will be pitching for the first time in the month of October.
In the regular season, the 37-year-old native of the Dominican Republic was 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA. After staying out of baseball for the beginning of the 2009 campaign, he eventually signed with the Phillies and pitched in nine games.
The Dodgers will be starting their own mid-season acquisition. After going 8-6 with a 4.92 ERA with …read more

In Game 1 of the NLCS, the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to trust their youth. Clayton Kershaw, the 21-year-old lefty, will be on the mound to start the game. The Dodgers will play the game at home against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
In the regular season, Kershaw’s record was only 8-8, however that doesn’t tell the tale of how well he pitched. He had a 2.79 ERA and totaled 185 strikeouts in 171 innings.
In Kershaw’s other postseason start, he gave up two earned runs in 6.2 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. Versus the Phillies, Kershaw will go against …read more

The Philadelphia Phillies are going to be a tough out during the 2009 baseball postseason. The Colorado Rockies seemed to have control of Game 4 — until a two-out, ninth inning rally gave the Phillies the victory and allowed Philadelphia to advance to play the Los Angeles Dodgers for a trip to the World Series.
Heading into the top of the ninth inning, the Phillies trailed 4-2. But with two runners on base, Ryan Howard delivered a two-run double to tie the game. Jayson Werth then singled to score Howard and give the Phillies a 5-4 lead.
In the bottom of the …read more