WORLD SERIES GAME 2 PREVIEW

TALE OF THE TAPE: GAME 1 STARTERS

YANKEES - A.J. Burnett

"I won't change anything as far as my plan or my attack, just maybe not be so careless from the get go -- just throwing balls over the middle to get strike one."

BREAKDOWN

• 2009 Regular Season - 13-9, 33 GS, 4.04 ERA
• Burnett is yet to win or loose through 3 games in the postseason, while posting a 4.42 ERA.
• He has pitched better at home than on the road this season with a 5-3 win/loss record and a 3.51 ERA, but he’s had no success against Philadelphia the only time he faced them this year taking a loss with a sky high ERA of 7.50 and allowing 3 HR.
  

KEY STAT: Led league with 97 walks and 17 wild pitches.

KEY MATCHUPS

• Pedro Feliz, 2-for-15
• Carlos Ruiz, 3-for-3, HR
  

PHILLIES - Pedro Martinez

"I don't know if you realize this, but because of you guys, in some ways, I might be at times the most influential player that ever stepped [on to the field] at Yankee Stadium."

BREAKDOWN

• 2009 Regular Season - 5-1, 9 GS, 3.63 ERA
• Pedro Martinez has a win/loss record of 6-and-2 in his postseason career with a 3.13 ERA through 12 games.
• Martinez has been here before, facing the Yankees at Yankee Stadium during the post season. Throughout his career he has played well in Yankee Stadium with an 8-and-4 record through 16 games and an ERA of 2.95. But he’s fared very poorly in the postseason against the Yankees.
  

KEY STAT: Allowed 7 HRs in 44 2/3 IP

KEY MATCHUPS

• Hideki Matsui, 4-for-28
• Alex Rodriguez, 16-for-55, HR
  

TV: FOX 7:57 PM ET

COMMENTARY: A.J. Burnett has yet to secure a win in postseason play. In his last outing to closeout the ALCS, Burnett had a rocky first inning to start the game and later in the 6th, playing with a lead, gave up lead-off hit and a walk to start the inning. Pedro Martinez is 0-for-2 with a 5.93 ERA in his past five postseason appearances against the Yankees, along with some terrible playoff memories in Yankee Stadium. Something’s got to give.

Girardi has orchestrated a way for Burnett to pitch only at home during the World Series, where he is most comfortable. The Yankees are hoping that Burnett limits his walks and wild pitches, settles down and gives them a solid outing to even out the series. Charlie Manuel is following a similar line of thought, saving Jaime Moyer for game 1 at Citizens Park where he’s racked up a better record. The Phillies send an experience Pedro Martinez to the mound in the hopes that he can give them enough solid innings before the well rested bullpen is called into action.