The only thing that stands between the New York Yankees and their 27th World Series title are the 27 outs they will need to deliver the knock out punch to the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies.
The Yanks rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth to bet Philadelphia 7-4 in Game 4 on Sunday and take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
New York’s Alex Rodriguez finally broke out of his postseason slump where he had been 0-for-8 in Games 1 and 2, by clubbing a two-run in the Yankees’ 8-5 victory on Saturday, propelling them to a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series and stole home-field advantage back from Philadelphia. The Phillies Ryan Howard continues to struggle, striking out five times in Game 3 and 13 in the series. But Ryan is not the only Phillie struggling. The lineup that led the NL in scoring and averaged 6.1 runs a game against Colorado and Los Angeles in the first two rounds has just 16 runs in four games against the Yankees.
Cliff Lee will get the start for Philly on Monday, as many fans are left scratching their heads as to why Lee, the best pitcher in baseball this postseason, didn’t start for Philadelphia on Sunday night in Game 4. Instead, he will pitch in Game 5 on Monday, and for the chance to keep Philadelphia’s World Series title hopes alive.
Lee is 4-4 lifetime against the Yankees in nine starts abd dominated New York in his last appearance on Oct 28. The Yanks will call on RHP A.J. Burnett whose last appearance on Oct. 29 in Philadelphia netted him a 3-1 victory.
The odds makers have the Yankees at –1-½ favorites in Game 5 with a game total of 8 ½.
Of the 42 teams to take a 3-1 lead in the Series, 36 went on to win the crown. The last club to overcome such a deficit was Kansas City in 1985. But if any team knows the meaning of a comeback, it’s the Philadelphia Phillies. They led the National League with 43 come-from-behind wins during the regular season, and they have five more in the postseason.
Look for Lee to keep the Phillies in this one, sending the series back to the Bronx for Game 6.
Matt Martz is a sports writer for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
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