Managers can't win can they. Yesterday Charlie Manuel was a fool because he didn't start Cliff Lee on short rest, tonight Joe Girardi is a fool because he had A.J. Burnett pitch on short rest. It really isn't fair, managers don't really have a crystal ball. It is impossible to know whether a pitcher will be able to handle the short rest. AJ has pitched well on short rest before but it hasn't happened often.
I take a little joy in him being thumped, maybe not as much as some, I don't really blame him for going where there was more money. I wouldn't turn down that much money if offered it either. But then I don't feel bad at all that he lost. He pitched 2 innings and 6 runs.
Chase Utley is amazing, isn't he. Two more homers today gives him 5 in the series so far. Raul Ibanez also had a homer. Cliff Lee wasn't terrific, but was good enough. He went 7 innings and gave up 5 runs.
Phil of the Day is Chase Utley (.239 WPA).
ARod would be Yankee of the Day (.097). Suckage Yankees are AJ (-.377), Derek Jeter (-.181) and Mark Teixerira (-.101).
Game 6 is Wednesday in New York. Pedro Martinez on normal rest against Andy Pettitte on short rest. It should be interesting.