The Unfathomable is Inching Nearer

Now I know that I have proclaimed that Joe Girardi is the worst Manager in baseball, but if Charlie Manuel channels Girardi with a side helping of Grady Little anymore, he may take the cake. There were a FEW glaring issues I had with Sunday's Game 4.

1. The Who is Joe Blanton Issue: Let's start by saying that Blanton wasn't horrible. That being said what the f*ck is he pitching for? You have a guy that CLEARLY out-pitched the Yankee Ace in Game 1 in Cliff "I Own A-Rod's nuts" Lee, and with both pitchers going on 3 days rest they should both be on an even playing field regardless of innings pitched in Game 1. This would also set up for BOTH Aces on full rest for a potential Game 7. Reporters even went as far to say, "If Lee demanded to start would you have even put take it into consideration?" "No, Why would I." Are you f'n kidding me? Managing Fail.
   
2. The JA Happ Misuse: Why is JA Happ not pitching? Even though Cole Hamels had a mini implosion in Game 3 for the first 4 2/3 innings he baffled, no more than baffled, stifled, no more than stifled, owned the Yankees, because as I've professed, the lefties would give the Yankees problems this series. Happ is a lefty that SHOULD be playing a MUCH more than he has to neutralize the Yankees' switch hitters, and he has yet to be thrown in to the fire. Managing Fail.
   
3. The Alex Rodriguez conundrum: Why in the flying Christ is Alex Rodriguez even given the CHANCE to win the game when he has had a for the most part an epic post season run? He shouldn't. There were runners on 1^st and 3^rd, which means there is still a base open, SECOND. Put him on and deal with Posada. I don't care if Rodriguez has a tendency to swing at sliders in the dirt. Lidge isn't going to throw that pitch because he now has a runner on third base and has made it a habit of doing that all season. Then Lidge throws two cock shots down the middle and there's your ballgame. Managing Fail.
   

I clearly am NOT the manager of a Major League Baseball team, but that is rudimentary baseball. If your best is available you use them. You don't let the opposition's best player beat you if you don't have to. Serious issue with the way he's managed the last couple games.

With the plunking of Alex Rodriguez, I was looking back at the other hit by pitches, to look for intent. I didn't see it. That being said, I'd be a bit miffed also, if I'd gotten plunked 3x in a game and an inning, by the same team. But for the umpires to issue warnings before the CC has a chance to get out on the mound is really Busch League. They OBVIOUSLY know the situation, but they HAVE to assume that there isn't intent especially in the middle of a BIG first inning rally by the Bombers. I fully expect AJ to plunk someone tonight barring another guffaw by the umps tonight in the top of the first. Anyone else think Utley goes up with someone from the Iggles' rib pads on?

Johnny Damon. Call him what you want, but that was THE BEST base running play I've EVER seen, and that's after hours on debating about Roberts' steal of second base. After his slide into second to have the presence of mind to look at third base with the third baseman covering second due to the shift on Mark Teixeira is genius. That is an utterly horrible display of heads up baseball by the Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, because IMMEDIATELY after he throws that ball, he has to break for third. It's not the pitcher's bag, it's the catcher. Especially knowing you have a massive headcase on the mound in Brad "Pujols ate my babies" Lidge, Ruiz has to get to third. Piss Poor if you ask me.

Cliff Lee goes tonight, and does anyone else think a perfect game is out of the realm of possibility? This guys a stud, but if I'm the Yanks, do I want to really go back to NY and have another hoopla-fused game with Pedro on the mound followed by a potential Game 7? I don't. Yanks need to close this out because I'm not sure that Pettite vs. Pedro is the answer. And ANYTHING goes in Game 7, right Kevin Millar?

Stay Tuned

Ryan