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A-Rod Comes Through in the Clutch as Yankees Take Game 2 of ALDS

October 10, 2009   ·     ·   Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees

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Win Probability Graph from FanGraphs

Wow, that was a crazy one. The ups and downs in this game were exhausting, but it was all worth it in the end. That graph pretty much mirrors my emotions during the game.

AJ Burnett had a pretty weak outing masked by giving up only one run, but he allowed three hits, walked five, hit two, and managed to strike out six.

I think Burnett could manage to allow 10 baserunners in six innings no matter who is behind the plate, but I’m sure Molina will continue to catch Burnett’s starts, considering he only gave up one run.

Is it the right decision? I don’t think so, but MGL chimed in on the issue and found that it really doesn’t make too much of a difference.

I’ve been saying for years that A-Rod’s prior playoff transgressions have no bearing on how he projects in the post-season. He is proving me right this season, and a more ‘relaxed’ approach is being credited.

Whether that’s truly the reason or not (I’d say it’s just plain old regression to the mean), I’m very happy to see him hitting in the post-season, and I went absolutely nuts when he hit that ninth inning, game-tying home run.

I know I’m always signing Brett Gardner’s praises, but I honestly have no idea what he was thinking breaking for home. The rule is, “freeze on a line drive,” and Gardner flat-out ignored it.

The Twins were in a similar situation in the bottom of the 10th, and they froze on a liner to Teixeira, preventing a double play.

Anyway, that was a freaking awesome win, and my most recent calculation of the Yanks odds to win the ALDS is up to 93.96 percent.

I have a ticket for a potential game 5, but I really hope that game doesn’t happen. I’ll get back to prospect stuff soon, but as you can tell, I’m really pumped up about this Yankee team.

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