Yankees chalk up 27th World Series title
Baseball's grandest franchise completed its season-long quest with a win over the Phillies in Game 6 of the World Series to claim their 27th title. Just 101 days until pitchers and catchers report.
Nine years since last winning the World Series, the Yankees did it again – for a record 27th time – on Wednesday night, closing out the Phillies with a 7-3 victory in Game 6 of the Fall Classic at Yankee Stadium.
New York cashed as -180 moneyline chalk in the clincher, while the game played over the 9.5-run total set by oddsmakers. The teams went 4-2 O/U in the series, with bettors playing the favorite on the runline going undefeated.
Andy Pettitte allowed three runs over 5 2-3 innings to get the win for the Yankees, while Mariano Rivera went 1 2-3 innings to earn the save. Pedro Martinez was rocked for four runs over four innings of work to take the loss for the Phillies, who got a two-run jack from Ryan Howard. It was too little, too late for Howard: His 13 strikeouts set a World Series record.
Hideki Matsui went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and six runs batted in on Wednesday night, and finished 8-for-13 (.615) with three dingers and eight RBIs in the series. Matsui became both the first Japanese-born and full-time designated hitter to win World Series MVP despite not starting in the any of the three games in Philadelphia.
It might be Matsui’s last hurrah with the Yankees. Godzilla is now a free agent, and reports out of the Big Apple have the Bronx Bombers holding on to either Matsui or Johnny Damon, who’s also on the market this winter. While New York is certain to replace whoever it chooses to let go, it’ll also focus on adding another starting pitcher to a rotation that was only three-deep in the postseason.
What’s up Doc?
Cue the Roy Halladay to New York rumors. The Blue Jays’ ace is up for grabs in the offseason, with Halladay headed into the last year of his contract in Toronto. New Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos probably doesn’t want to deal Halladay within the AL East, but he might not have a choice.
If the Yankees get in on the Halladay sweepstakes, that means the Red Sox will too. The ensuing bidding war could force Toronto to take the best deal available, even if it means seeing their franchise player on a regular basis in 2010. Don’t think the Jays are desperate to rebuild? They were willing to take on Milton Bradley if the Cubs were okay with absorbing Vernon Wells and his fat contract.
Divine intervention
New York took home the World Series – as the preseason favorites no less, but it wasn’t the best bet in the regular season. That honor went to the Angels, who went 97-65 (+21.76 units) in 2009 before eventually bowing out to the Yanks in the ALCS.
Los Angeles was the only AL team that could have upset New York, but the pecking order might be about to change in the Junior Circuit. Vladimir Guerrero, Bobby Abreu, John Lackey, Chone Figgins, and key reliever Darren Oliver are all free agents. Will the Halos reload, retool, or do some combination of both?
New York has another team
Remember the Mets? Long forgotten after beginning the season as the chalk in the National League at some sportsbooks, New York has the talent (if healthy) and the fiscal wherewithal to be a factor in 2010. If Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, and Johan Santana are back in the lineup, the Mets could be a sharp play at the beginning of next season.
After going 70-92 (-14.83 units) in ’09, look for the Mets to add a starting pitcher along the lines of a Lackey, Erik Bedard, or Rich Harden.
Let me upgrade ya
The Giants went a long way on an impressive pitching staff, a Panda, and a prayer this season, going 88-74 (+11.23 units). San Francisco missed out on the NL Wild Card by only four games, and would have made it to the postseason if they had a decent hitter to go along with Pablo Sandoval.
It won’t take much to push the Giants over the top and make them an even more profitable wager. San Fran was second in team ERA behind the likes of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Brian Wilson, but only 26th in runs scored. If Sandoval continues his solid play and the Giants add a bat like Jason Bay or Matt Holliday, get your wallet ready.
Baseball's grandest franchise completed its season-long quest with a win over the Phillies in Game 6 of the World Series to claim their 27th title. Just 101 days until pitchers and catchers report.
Nine years since last winning the World Series, the Yankees did it again – for a record 27th time – on Wednesday night, closing out the Phillies with a 7-3 victory in Game 6 of the Fall Classic at Yankee Stadium.
New York cashed as -180 moneyline chalk in the clincher, while the game played over the 9.5-run total set by oddsmakers. The teams went 4-2 O/U in the series, with bettors playing the favorite on the runline going undefeated.
Andy Pettitte allowed three runs over 5 2-3 innings to get the win for the Yankees, while Mariano Rivera went 1 2-3 innings to earn the save. Pedro Martinez was rocked for four runs over four innings of work to take the loss for the Phillies, who got a two-run jack from Ryan Howard. It was too little, too late for Howard: His 13 strikeouts set a World Series record.
Hideki Matsui went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and six runs batted in on Wednesday night, and finished 8-for-13 (.615) with three dingers and eight RBIs in the series. Matsui became both the first Japanese-born and full-time designated hitter to win World Series MVP despite not starting in the any of the three games in Philadelphia.
It might be Matsui’s last hurrah with the Yankees. Godzilla is now a free agent, and reports out of the Big Apple have the Bronx Bombers holding on to either Matsui or Johnny Damon, who’s also on the market this winter. While New York is certain to replace whoever it chooses to let go, it’ll also focus on adding another starting pitcher to a rotation that was only three-deep in the postseason.
What’s up Doc?
Cue the Roy Halladay to New York rumors. The Blue Jays’ ace is up for grabs in the offseason, with Halladay headed into the last year of his contract in Toronto. New Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos probably doesn’t want to deal Halladay within the AL East, but he might not have a choice.
If the Yankees get in on the Halladay sweepstakes, that means the Red Sox will too. The ensuing bidding war could force Toronto to take the best deal available, even if it means seeing their franchise player on a regular basis in 2010. Don’t think the Jays are desperate to rebuild? They were willing to take on Milton Bradley if the Cubs were okay with absorbing Vernon Wells and his fat contract.
Divine intervention
New York took home the World Series – as the preseason favorites no less, but it wasn’t the best bet in the regular season. That honor went to the Angels, who went 97-65 (+21.76 units) in 2009 before eventually bowing out to the Yanks in the ALCS.
Los Angeles was the only AL team that could have upset New York, but the pecking order might be about to change in the Junior Circuit. Vladimir Guerrero, Bobby Abreu, John Lackey, Chone Figgins, and key reliever Darren Oliver are all free agents. Will the Halos reload, retool, or do some combination of both?
New York has another team
Remember the Mets? Long forgotten after beginning the season as the chalk in the National League at some sportsbooks, New York has the talent (if healthy) and the fiscal wherewithal to be a factor in 2010. If Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, and Johan Santana are back in the lineup, the Mets could be a sharp play at the beginning of next season.
After going 70-92 (-14.83 units) in ’09, look for the Mets to add a starting pitcher along the lines of a Lackey, Erik Bedard, or Rich Harden.
Let me upgrade ya
The Giants went a long way on an impressive pitching staff, a Panda, and a prayer this season, going 88-74 (+11.23 units). San Francisco missed out on the NL Wild Card by only four games, and would have made it to the postseason if they had a decent hitter to go along with Pablo Sandoval.
It won’t take much to push the Giants over the top and make them an even more profitable wager. San Fran was second in team ERA behind the likes of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Brian Wilson, but only 26th in runs scored. If Sandoval continues his solid play and the Giants add a bat like Jason Bay or Matt Holliday, get your wallet ready.