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| Struggling A-Rod will not be in the lineup for tonight's do-or-die game |
Tonight, the ball will be in CC Sabathia's hands, who has been the workhorse ever since he was brought in, and these are the types of games he is expected to win. The Orioles will counter with the guy who faced Sabathia in Game 1, Jason Hammel. Hammel got the no decision giving up 4 hits and 2 runs over 5.2 innings and Sabathia earned the win pitching into the 9th inning.
Here are some keys to tonight's big game.
A-Rod Benched
It finally happened. Girardi made the move that many managers would not even dare to think about. Even though Girardi did decide to bench the struggling Rodriguez, that doesn't necessarily make it the right move.
A-Rod is struggling, but so are Curtis Granderson (1-16 with 9 strikeouts), Robinson Cano (2-18) and Nick Swisher (2-15), and they're all still in the lineup. It seems wrong completely dropping A-Rod from the lineup completely instead of just moving him to lower in the order. In fact, he's 8-22 with 4 home runs off Hammel.
Ibanez and Chavez
Both of these guys are getting the start tonight, Ibanez at DH and Chavez at 3rd, and both will be expected to perform. A-Rod apparently has done so poorly that these guys, who play a few games a week, will apparently have more success.
They need to come through in a big situation and get on base. The fans are tired of watching everyone strike out and fail to succeed in big spots.
Hit the Ball.
Everyone need to come up big tonight, the struggling Granderson, Cano, and Swisher, the replacements Ibanez and Chavez, along with the guys who have had some success this series Jeter, Ichiro, Teixeira, and Martin, need to score runs.
Game 1 doesn't matter now, neither does the other 22 games they have played this season (which they happened to split 11-11.) All that matters is tonight, and the team simply needs to hit the ball. If they don't it's all over.
Game 5's first pitch will come at 5:07 PM ET in the Bronx. Go Yanks!!!!!
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