Pedro, Pettitte prepared for Game 6 duel

November 4, 9:15 AMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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No strangers to big games, Pedro Martinez of the Phillies and Andy Pettitte of the Yankees will face off in the biggest game of the year thus far, Game 6 of the 2009 World Series. The Yankees hold a 3-2 series lead over the defending champion Phillies, and will try to close them out for good tonight at home.

How the Yankees win: Pedro Martinez was solid against the Yankees in Game 2, and may have beaten them had it not been for the pitching performance of A.J. Burnett. If the Yankees are to win tonight, they have to get to Pedro early. Everyone knows that the Phillies have some holes in their bullpen and believe me, Charlie Manuel doesn’t want to see Chan Ho Park or Chad Durbin on the mound in Game 6. If the Yankee bats stay hot, all Andy Pettitte will need to do is keep his team in the game (and not pitch to Chase Utley).

How the Phillies win: If the Phillies are to win and force a Game 7, they need to capitalize on the fact that they’re facing the Yankees’ third starter. Chase Utley has done his part, and likely won’t get many chances to win games by himself in Game 6. Lefty sluggers Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez are truly the key to success if the Phillies are to pull off this comeback. Howard’s .158 batting average and Ibanez’s mark of .250 just aren’t going to get it done against New York. Offense aside, the Phils’ have to get at least 5-6 good innings out of Pedro Martinez – their bullpen doesn’t not match up well against the Yankee bats.

Call me crazy, but I think the Phillies pull this one out tonight. I’m giving them a slight advantage on the mound, and the fact that they have remained in the series thus far with virtuously no contribution from their top run producer tells me a lot about this team.

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