Game 5 ALCS: Yankees @ Angels, 10/22/09

Below, as per Sam Borden, are tonight’s lineups.  Jorge sits for Molina to catch A.J.  I was wondering if Matsui would DH, or if JD would DH and Brett the Jet would play center, moving Melky to left.  Yet Matsui is 8-28 versus Lackey in his career, and is due to break out soon.  Plus, without Jorge’s bat at least for a while tonight, Girardi probably prefers Matsui’s power to Gardner’s speed and defense.  The Yanks go for the clincher and their 40th pennant, looking to punch their first ticket to the World Series since 2003 behind A.J., who had a good Game 2 start.  The offense looks to follow up on a strong overall performance Tuesday with another one, hopefully to clinch.  Finish it off, tonight, guys.  Do not let the Angels linger.  Enjoy the game, everyone.  Let’s go, Yankees! Clap clap clap clap clap.

YANKEES
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Melky Cabrera CF
Jose Molina C

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (0-0, 2.19 ERA in postseason)

ANGELS
Chone Figgins 3B
Bobby Abreu RF
Torii Hunter CF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Kendry Morales 1B
Maicer Izturis 2B
Juan Rivera LF
Jeff Mathis C
Erick Aybar SS

Pitching: RHP John Lackey (1-1, 1.38 ERA in postseason)

Published in: on October 22, 2009 at 4:34 pm  Comments (19)  

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19 CommentsLeave a comment

  1. On October 22, 2009 at 4:59 pm Rob A from BBD said:

    A lot of people are doubting AJ Burnett tonight. I get a feeling he’s going to surprise a lot of people. He seems as pumped up as anybody.

  2. On October 22, 2009 at 5:08 pm Mike S. said:

    Sam Borden had this on his blog, then I need to add something:

    BENCH THREAT: Joe Girardi wouldn’t commit one way or another during the off day, but he’ll have a decision to make at DH if Jose Molina is catching. Jorge Posada, who has been on the bench this postseason when Molina catches, is hitting .333 this postseason (8-for-24) with two homers and three RBI and is 12-for-29 lifetime against Lackey. Hideki Matsui is at .261 (6-for-23) during the postseason and is coming off an ugly 0-for-5 in Game 4.

    Well, you can see the lineup above.

    What I need to add is this: Should the Yanks reach the WS, and if AJ pitches in Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, what will Girardi do? You lose the DH (Matsui). Does he stick with Molina and have both Posada and Matsui out of the lineup then?

    Do you know what I really want to see tonight besides a Yankees win? Teixeira’s and Swisher’s bats come alive. Especially since as switch hitters, their righty bats are needed to help out Jeter, Posada (switch) and Alex when the Yanks face lefties Lee, Hamels and Happ.

  3. On October 22, 2009 at 5:12 pm Nick_K said:

    Jason you having a HDLR tonight.

  4. On October 22, 2009 at 5:22 pm jasonheartland said:

    Nick, I agree about A.J. I think he comes out and does well. I also think that, this post-season and in some other big starts (Anaheim in September, Boston in August), A.J. has shown an ability to rise to big moments. I think he will tonight, too.

    I have that concern too, Mike. Should A.J. Burnett pitch in Philadelphia, Jorge must start. I see no reason why his and Matsui’s bats should be out of the lineup. On Teixeira and Swish, I agree, and think Teixeira looks closer to breaking out. His batting eye has been more consistent than Swish’s, especially on breaking pitches, and has just not handled some good fastballs. Plus, and this seems relatively minor compared to some other major umpiring issues this post-season, Teixeira has had several bad high strike calls against him.

    I am afraid I cannot tonight, Nick. I wanted to, but my daughter is sick and needs tending to, so I will watch and minimize my entertaining extras to focus on her and the game. God bless my GLG, who missed school today–watching Game 3 of the 1998 World Series on DVD. That’s my girl; great kid.

  5. On October 22, 2009 at 5:48 pm Mike s said:

    Ah. brosious takes hoffman deep. good viewing.

  6. On October 22, 2009 at 7:24 pm Mike s said:

    Walk & four hits 4 runs & no mound visit?

  7. On October 22, 2009 at 9:51 pm Nick_K said:

    Pathetic by AJ and Hughes pathetic. What was Joe thinking of starting AJ at the 7th anyway another one of Girardi’s.

    7-6 Angels good come back then CRAP pitching.

  8. On October 22, 2009 at 9:56 pm Nick_K said:

    poor inning 123 pathetic in the 8th this seems over now.

  9. On October 22, 2009 at 9:57 pm Nick_K said:

    Thats infuriating

  10. On October 22, 2009 at 10:00 pm Nick_K said:

    and a lead off double.

  11. On October 22, 2009 at 10:34 pm Nick_K said:

    5am for that

  12. On October 22, 2009 at 10:45 pm Nick_K said:

    Damn I hate the Angels

  13. On October 22, 2009 at 11:44 pm Mike S. said:

    Time for a gutsy move. Bench Swisher.

  14. On October 23, 2009 at 2:30 am aeuidyd said:

    nick k the guys at mlb network said joe g. was probably reluctant to use joba. but joba got used anyhow

  15. On October 23, 2009 at 2:35 am aeuidyd said:

    i’m inches away from saying lackey was the game 1 pitcher and so he obviously knew how to pitch the yankee lineup and say game 5 was as “simple as that” – however, what’s stopping me is the bottom of the 1st inning. how do you explain that?? could posada and burnett have been semi-forced to work together and build a vibe (better late than never) because that’s what being a team means. working TOGETHER. announcers are now quick to mention posada’s impressive head-to-head numbers versus lackey as a batter

  16. On October 23, 2009 at 8:46 am Nick_K said:

    Yikes I sounded angry sorry in my defence it was 5am and I was annoyed allot.

  17. On October 23, 2009 at 11:40 am Mike f said:

    i think we all felt the same way Nick–it was about a bad a loss as could be imagined.

  18. On October 23, 2009 at 4:23 pm aeuidyd said:

    maybe anaheim reviewed a lot of videotape on AJB

  19. On October 23, 2009 at 4:42 pm romae said:

    who won yankees or angels


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