Here's why I like the Yanks tonight.
1. Middle Relief - Both of these starters are shaky, but the Yankees have more options out of the pen tonight with El Duque, whose been solid all season and Vasquez, whose troubles have come mostly on the road. Wakefield pitched poorly in gm 1. He was good in gm 5, but every inning seemed like an adventure and bringing him in tonight gives Francona a tough decision to make regarding his catcher. Rivera vs Foulke is a significant advantage for Yankees. Foulke is running on fumes right now. Clark was the last guy the Yankees wanted to see coming to the plate with two down in the ninth last night. If Foulke faces the big boys tonight he may be in trouble.
2. Momentum - This is where everyone says the Red Sox have the advantage, but how long can they sustain this emotional peak. They have been so high for the past three days. Can they stay mentally focused for this game? I know the Yankees won't be rattled by losing close games.
3. Hitting - The Yanks were beat by one of the great gutty performances by one of the games greatest big game pitchers last night. I would not worry about the Yankee hitters slumping at the plate. In the two extra inning games they had plenty of runners and just didn't get them home. The Red Sox hitters are not out performing them by much.
4. The Line - By making the Yankees a significant favorite in this situation, Vegas is choosing to go against a team that has won three straight. That's a big statement and one not to be overlooked.
5. Home field - Always big in a gm 7
6. Curse - Don't doubt the Babe!
1. Middle Relief - Both of these starters are shaky, but the Yankees have more options out of the pen tonight with El Duque, whose been solid all season and Vasquez, whose troubles have come mostly on the road. Wakefield pitched poorly in gm 1. He was good in gm 5, but every inning seemed like an adventure and bringing him in tonight gives Francona a tough decision to make regarding his catcher. Rivera vs Foulke is a significant advantage for Yankees. Foulke is running on fumes right now. Clark was the last guy the Yankees wanted to see coming to the plate with two down in the ninth last night. If Foulke faces the big boys tonight he may be in trouble.
2. Momentum - This is where everyone says the Red Sox have the advantage, but how long can they sustain this emotional peak. They have been so high for the past three days. Can they stay mentally focused for this game? I know the Yankees won't be rattled by losing close games.
3. Hitting - The Yanks were beat by one of the great gutty performances by one of the games greatest big game pitchers last night. I would not worry about the Yankee hitters slumping at the plate. In the two extra inning games they had plenty of runners and just didn't get them home. The Red Sox hitters are not out performing them by much.
4. The Line - By making the Yankees a significant favorite in this situation, Vegas is choosing to go against a team that has won three straight. That's a big statement and one not to be overlooked.
5. Home field - Always big in a gm 7
6. Curse - Don't doubt the Babe!
