The Bridge and the Closer

A lot of experts have different opinions on what really puts a good team over the top to make them great.  Most good teams can get you the runs one way or the other.  But really, it doesn't matter if you play small ball like the Twins and Giants, or you have the boppers like the Yankees and Phillies.  Good starting pitching is a must.  During these playoffs, we have seen some great pitching performances from the likes of Roy Halladay- 9 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 8 K, 1 BB for a no-hitter; Andy Pettite- 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 K; Phil Hughes- 7 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 6K; and Cliff Lee- 7 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 10 K.  All teams left playing October baseball, have that legitimate ace, with quality starters to follow.  Atlanta has shown that fundamentals is key in winning.  They are down 2-1 to the Giants because of poor play by their second baseman.  But in this fan's opinion, the most important part of your team in the playoffs is the Bridge and the Closer.  The late inning pitchers and the guys who slam door are the most vital part of October baseball. 

We have seen countless shutdown guys melt down in the post season.  Now, I say this objectively even though that I am a big Yankee fan.  The Yankees are my favorite to win the World Series.  With their bullpen being shaky for most of the regular season, Brian Cashman went out shored up their need for a setup man.  They have above average relief pitchers for the sixth and seventh innings with the likes of Boone Logan, David Robertson, and Joba Chamberlain; however, with the late season acquisition of Kerry Woods, the Yankees arguably have the best bullpen left in the Postseason.  If you didn't see Kerry Woods' high octane fastball and devastating curveball against the Twins, tune in to ALCS, because dollars to donuts, you will see him in just about every game for the Yankees.  Now, I don't know what Joe Girardi was thinking when he called for Kerry Woods on Saturday, a game in which the Yankees were up 6-0, when Chamberlain hadn't been used all series.  but even after Woods started to falter, the Yankees had someone they could turn to in the 9th.  The all important closer for the New York Yankees, who had one of his best seasons ever, although he did stumble down the stretch a few times.  Mariano Rivera is the best money could buy at his position, especially in the postseason.  If you look at most players stats whether they be pitchers or everyday players, the split between regular season and postseason stats is not that big of a differential.  But as the month of October gets colder, Mariano Rivera just heats up.  Check this out--- In 968 career relief appearances, Mariano Rivera is 74-55 with 559 saves, 1051 K, a 1.00 WHIP, and a 2.23 ERA.  Now take a look at his Postseason stats--- In 91 career relief appearances in the postseason, Mariano Rivera is 8-1 with 41 saves, 108 K, 0.77 WHIP, and an unbelievable 0.72 ERA.  The disparity between these numbers is astounding. 

Now take all the closers left in the playoffs.  Can any Phillies fan say with a straight face " I trust Brad Lidge to close the game out against the Yankees/Rays/Rangers"?  Can any Ranger fan say they trust Neftali Feliz, who has never been put in a situation like that.  How about Rafael Soriano?  The Giants' Brian Wilson?  Billy Wagner if he returns?  All these question marks,and only one sure thing.  And that sure thing is that no closer can do it better that Mo.  

Now don't get me wrong.  You can count on Brad Lidge.  You can count on the fact that sooner rather than later, Mr. Hyde will come out and he will throw up a 7.00 ERA for a series.  True, it has a less of a chance of happening this year because you have guys like Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels throwing gems all over the place.  But when the Phillies face a perennial Playoff team like the Yankees, who are disciplined at the plate, and work the count deep, Even Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels will need a little help from their bullpen.  And the Yankees can wait all game for that bullpen to start warming up.  Guys like Swisher, Teixiera, Gardner, Rodriquez, and Posada all work the count deep, and that equals up to a lot more pitches that usual.  Do you remember when the Yankees couldn't hit Pedro Martinez, and still seemed to beat that team often?  They waited him out, until the manager pulled him (except in '03) and beat his bullpen.  The Yankees still employ that same strategy when face today's premier pitchers. 

The good teams do two things.  They pitch better in late innings, and they hit your pitching in later innings.  The Yankees can do both, and that is why they're this fan's favorite to win the World Series.  That and because I'm spoiled and I expect them to win.