Lackey can be beat. He’s good but not the top upper elite level. Yanks lineup is patient and professional. I’m not scared of him.

Seeing John Lackey is always a bit of bad news. Needless to say, it’s not like he’s an automatic win when on the mound. All we need to do is look back at Game 1.

Fo shizzle.

YankCrank wrote:

Seeing John Lackey is always a bit of bad news. Needless to say, it’s not like he’s an automatic win when on the mound. All we need to do is look back at Game 1.

The bad defensive luck he experienced notwithstanding, I can’t say I was overly impressed with Lackey’s stuff in Game 1. He threw a straight four-seamer that sat around 89mph and a pretty good 77mph curveball with tight movement. His “other” curveball which was more like a slider was all over the place and clocked in at 79mph.

Good breaking pitches that are well-located can mitigate a below-average fastball or can render their ineffectiveness entirely moot. But the Yanks should know that there will certainly be some fastball counts tonight and they shouldn’t miss their opportunities because Lackey’s fastball looked bad in Game 1. Granted, the conditions last Friday were cold and somewhat damp so that won’t be a factor tonight.

I think a big key tonight will be to note how the fastball looks coming out of Lackey’s hand. If it’s the same straight one at 89mph as it was in Game 1, I really hope Yankee hitters get aggressive and tee off on it.

G.I. Joey wrote:

Does anyone find it pathetic how other teams need to manufacture an intimidating atmosphere at home by using thunderstix, towels, etc.?

I completely agree. Dont EVEN get me started on those f-ing cow bells at the Trippity Trop. A “Lets Go Yankees” and a “Der-ek Jet-er” chant is all we’ve ever needed to be intimidating. Its great to be a Yankee fan.

Steve Lombardi wrote:

Anyone else notice that Lackey’s ERA over his last 5 post-season games is 2.76? Bad news for the Yanks tonight?

Seeing John Lackey is always a bit of bad news. Needless to say, it’s not like he’s an automatic win when on the mound. All we need to do is look back at Game 1.

Anyone else notice that Lackey’s ERA over his last 5 post-season games is 2.76? Bad news for the Yanks tonight?

Umm. Excuse me. I didn’t realize that the Yankees have won the ACLS. Did I miss something?

Haven’t you guys learned anything about taking wins for granted?

Does anyone find it pathetic how other teams need to manufacture an intimidating atmosphere at home by using thunderstix, towels, etc.?

“”I’m surprised. But again, you have to play better,” Torre said. “We have the capability, we have the talent, but that’s all well and good. It’s like having that good team on paper, you still have to go out there and play between the lines.”

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/22/dodgers.eliminated.ap/index.html

Yeah its never the coaching or preparedness or strategy… he has some time off for those commercials and Conan appearances now…

I thought the Phils won 2-1.. dont remember actually…

I really would like a nice series… baseball needs it… the last few have been horsecrap.

My worry is on the offensive side.. they have some good hitters… Howard and our RF is a match… Matt Stairs may pop up once a while… Werth and Victorino are solid.. and Utley can wake up.. their lineup is deep… gottob careful..

I hope the good AJ shows up..