The Phils vs. A.J. Burnett

by dajafi on Oct 29, 2009 4:43 PM EDT

Interesting numbers from our lineup regulars against the Yankees' Game Two starter. A trend emerges: again and again, the Phillies haven't hit Burnett often, but they've hit him hard. Six of the nine likely starters have homered off A. J. Burnett.

Jimmy Rollins: 50 plate appearances, .256/.340/.396, HR

Shane Victorino: 6 PA, .167/.167/.500, 3B

Chase Utley: 23 PA, .286/.348/.524, 3B, HR

Ryan Howard: 12 PA, .167/.167/.667, 2 HR

Jayson Werth: 7 PA, .143/.333/.571, HR

Raul Ibanez: 17 PA, .267/.294/.333, 2B

Pedro Feliz: 15 PA, .133/.133/.200, 2B

Carlos Ruiz: 3 PA, 1.000/1.000/2.000, HR

Matt Stairs: 12 PA, .273/.333/.818, 2 HR

With the forecast calling for a drier evening than last night's opener, the ball should carry a bit better. If the Phils maintain the great approach at the plate they've had for most of the postseason, they could light up the scoreboard once again.

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Take the walks, hit the meatballs.

Has worked for us all postseason. Let’s keep it up.

by FuquaManuel on Oct 29, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

Also, Greg Dobbs is 4 for 6 vs. Burnett. Still gotta play Pedro though, I suppose.

by taco pal on Oct 29, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

According to Zolecki

Dobbs has the flu and won’t play tonight

"It was almost like if Harry didn't call it, it wasn't real." - Jayson Stark

by Chris Haines on Oct 29, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah, that sucks. He should make himself useful by wandering around the Yankees dugout during BP and coughing on a few players.

by taco pal on Oct 29, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Should we let Pedro hit and DH for Feliz tonight?

by David S. Cohen on Oct 29, 2009 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

I'm all for it...

If he pops up or grounds out on the first pitch during a rally against a pitcher that’s having trouble finding the zone ONE more time, I might snap.

by JimmyK on Oct 29, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Six of the nine likely starters have homered off A. J. Burnett

And looking over the list I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ibanez and Victorino pop one (or line one) over the right field wall tonight. If Rollins can get on and disrupt Burnett that could help Victorino get the pitch he likes; and I’m thinking that Ibanez will come up with runners on at some point which might keep Burnett from pitching around Ibanez.

by phillyinportland on Oct 29, 2009 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

Lineups are posted.

Stairs DH’s and simply replaces Francisco in the 7-hole, with Raul moving out to left field.

I was hoping against hope for Charlie to do something creative, like bat Ruiz/Stairs/Feliz at the bottom of the lineup to break up Ibanez and Stairs, but I’m not surprised it’s turned out that way. I just hope that Girardi doesn’t have free reign to deploy Marte and Coke with impunity because we’ve bunched out lefty hitters so closely together.

by PhillyFriar on Oct 29, 2009 7:04 PM EDT reply actions