Placing Wang When Facing The A’s In The Post-Season
John Donovan has a feature at SI.com where he compares the starting staffs of the A.L. playoff contenders.
This got me thinking about the potential match-up of the Yankees and A’s. Let’s say that the starters for these teams, if they play each other, line-up as follows in the post-season:
Game 1: Chien-Ming Wang vs. Barry Zito
Game 2: Mike Mussina vs. Danny Haren
Game 3: Randy Johnson vs. Joe Blanton
Game 4: Cory Lidle vs. Esteban Loaiza
Game 5: Chien-Ming Wang vs. Barry Zito
Game 6: Mike Mussina vs. Danny Haren
Game 7: Randy Johnson vs. Joe Blanton
And, let’s assume that the Yankees have the home field advantage.
I could see the Yankees winning Games 1, 3, 4 and 6 in such a series. But, it would be close.
So, does it make more sense to open a series against Oakland with Mussina or Johnson, and have Wang pitch Games 2 and 6 in a series – and make sure that he always pitches at Yankee Stadium (instead of one game at home and one on the road)?
If you’re the Yankees, I think you have to really consider this option if you’re playing the A’s in a seven game series and you have the home field advantage.
While Wang pitching at home is important to consider, I’d place more weight on how each of “the big 3″ pitch against the opponent, then take Wang’s home cooking under consideration to set the rotation.
The point you make is a good one. I think it’s better to get two starts at home out of Wang (if needed). Also, considering the way the Yanks handle Zito, game one gives us a big edge. It seems like a waste to throw our best pitcher against Zito (because chances are we’ll score some runs). Haren gives this team trouble, though. We might have an easier time taking a low-scoring game into the later innings with Wang on the mound for that game.
I also think it’s important that RJ pitches against them in their house; for some reason he pitches to them much better there than at home.
So going Mussina-Wang-Johnson-Lidle/Wright makes sense.
Of course, Torre’s Mr. Respect, so I don’t think he ever would have started Wang in game one over Mussina, and you have to wonder if he’d really set up the pitching staff with RJ going third. Everyone on this team is so sensitive about his ego.
No matter what happens, Moose and Wang need to pitch at the stadium, and RJ in Oakland.
Damn guys, I’m worried about the first round and you guys are ready to move on to the ALCS. Let’s take it one step at a time- for instance, who will manage the Yanks on the last day of the season now that Ruben Sierra is gone? I’m guessing Bernie. But really, they should get some use out of Pavano and let him handle it.
If I had to guess, I say that Posada is the last day Mgr. this year.
Bernie should be playing in that game.