Monday's Best MLB Mound Matchup
Cliff Lee, Texas Rangers vs. Andy Pettitte, New York Yankees
Cliff Lee (14-9, 3.09 ERA)
Cliff Lee takes the mound in New York for Game 3 looking to add another chapter to his playoff mystique. The 32-year-old lefty is 6-0 in seven playoff starts with a 1.44 ERA.
He has made two postseason starts this year, beating the Rays by identical 5-1 scores in the first and last games of the series demonstrating the dominant control he has had all year. Lee hasn’t walked a batter in the playoffs after issuing just 18 free passes to first in 212 1/3 innings pitched in the regular season.
"I don't think there's an exact science how you approach Cliff Lee," Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters. "But to me, he's a lot like Roy Halladay. If you try to take a couple of pitches and get deep in the count, you might be 0-2. So for me with Cliff Lee, I think you have to be ready to hit from pitch one. And if he makes a mistake, don't miss it."
Lee has two wins in three starts against the Yankees this season with a 3.09 ERA. He will be in line to face the Yanks again if the series goes to seven games.
Andy Pettitte (12-3, 3.24 ERA)
Andy Pettitte has been overshadowed in this matchup by Lee, but don’t forget New York’s 38-year-old veteran has the most playoff wins in MLB history.
He picked up his 19th career postseason wins when he went seven innings allowing two runs in a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS, but you have to wonder how he’ll react to an 11-day layoff with just four starts under his belt after July 18.
The Yanks need a lift, too. Phil Hughes and CC Sabathia both allowed five runs in their starts to begin this series.
“Obviously, it’s going to be 11 days for me making this start on Monday, which is an awful long time," Pettitte told reporters after the Yankees’ 7-2 Game 2 loss Saturday. "You’d rather pitch on three days’ rest than (10) days’ rest, I can promise you that much.
"I think literally, it’s if you can get through those first couple of innings. If you can control your emotions and get going early. Sometimes it’s tough to get going."
Pettitte is 5-0 over his last nine playoff starts, posting a 2.88 ERA.
Rangers favored in Game 3 behind Cliff Lee
By: Stephen Nover
Neither the Texas Rangers nor the New York Yankees can be too happy with the position they are in heading into Monday night’s ALCS Game 3 matchup at Yankee Stadium.
Except for one bad inning, the Rangers have out-played the Yankees yet could only manage a split in two home games.
The Yankees were hoping to have a 2-0 lead facing Cliff Lee instead of being tied 1-1 after losing Game 2. That loss ended New York’s 10-game postseason winning streak versus the Rangers.
Now the Yankees have to deal with Lee, who has been dominating during playoff competition.
The 32-year-old left-hander beat Tampa Bay twice – both by 5-1 scores – during Texas’ first-round series. Lee held the Rays to a combined two earned runs in 16 hits giving up 11 hits with 21 strikeouts and zero walks.
Lee was 4-0 last year in the postseason for the Philadelphia Phillies. He beat the Yankees 6-1 in Game 1 of last year’s World Series not allowing an earned run. He also won Game 5 against New York.
In eight starts against the Yankees, including postseason, Lee is 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA. So it’s not a huge surprise that Lee opened a 115 road favorite against Andy Pettitte with the ‘over/under’ at 7 ½.
This is the first time New York is an MLB money line ‘dog in the postseason. The Yankees have failed to win the past five times they’ve been underdogs since Sept. 15. They are 1-8 the last nine times they haven’t been favored.
Pettitte was 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA during the regular season. The 38-year-old southpaw missed two months due to a groin injury, being sidelined from July 19 to Sept. 19.
He pitched seven strong innings to help New York to a 5-2 victory against Minnesota during its three-game sweep of the Twins in the first-round. This was a huge outing for Pettitte since he hadn’t gone more than four innings since coming off the disabled list.
Pettitte threw 88 pitches against the Twins, while giving up five hits and one walk with four strikeouts. Pettitte did have better numbers on the road, though, going 5-0 with a 2.56 ERA compared to 7-3 at Yankee Stadium with a 3.89 ERA. He also is 4-6 at night with a 4.03 ERA, while during the day he was 8-0 with a 2.64 ERA. Game time is 5 p.m. (PT) with TBS televising.
Lee was 12-9 with a 3.18 EA during the regular season splitting time between Seattle and Texas. He led the league in WHIP with a 1.00 mark concluding the regular season with a phenomenal 185 strikeouts and only 18 walks. Factoring in his two playoff starts against Tampa Bay and Lee’s strikeout-to-walk ratio is a mind-boggling 206-to-18.
"Cliff Lee doesn't beat himself. And he's going to throw a lot of strikes," Yankees manager Joe Girardi was quoted as saying. "The guy that's getting lost in this is Andy Pettitte, and he's pretty good."
Pettitte, of course, is backed by closer Mariano Rivera, who holds the major league record of 42 postseason saves, including one in the Yankees’ 6-5 Game 1 victory this past Friday night.
Lee figures to get tested by Derek Jeter, who has reached base safely in 12 consecutive postseason games, including 22 of his past 23 playoff games.
The ‘over’ is 6-2-1 in the Yankees’ last nine games. The ‘under’ has cashed the past four times Lee has taken the mound.
The weather report for Monday night’s game is cloudy with temperatures in the 50s and a six mph wind blowing west.
Tips and Trends
Texas Rangers at New York Yankees
RANGERS: (-115, O/U 7.5) Texas is playing with plenty of confidence after winning their first postseason game in franchise history. The Rangers are the improbable ALCS entrant, and they are tied with the powerful Yankees at 1-1 in their ALCS matchup. Texas will send all world ace P Cliff Lee to the mound tonight. Lee is 6-0 with a 1.44 ERA in 7 postseason starts, including 3 complete games. With a win tonight, Lee will become only the 3rd pitcher in history to win his first 7 postseason starts. Making Texas even more confident is the fact that Lee is 5-0 with two complete games in his past 5 games pitching in New York. The Rangers are 6-0 in their last 6 road games. The Rangers are 4-0 in their last 4 road games against a left-handed starter. Texas is 11-4 in their last 15 games against a team with a winning record. The Rangers are 5-1 in Lee's last 6 starts overall. The Rangers are 2-5 in Lee's last 7 starts as a road favorite.
Rangers are 9-3 last 12 games against the American League East.
Under is 5-0 last 5 playoff road games.
Key Injuries - None Reported.
Projected Score: 4 (UNDER-Total of the Day)
YANKEES: New York is hoping to celebrate P Andy Pettitte's 20th career postseason win tonight. Beating Cliff Lee will be a tall order, as evident by the simple fact that New York is the listed home underdog tonight. New York is currently tied 1-1 in their best of 7 ALCS with Texas. Pettitte has been money in the postseason over his career, most recently going 5-0 with a 2.88 ERA over his past 9 playoff starts. New York has the most potent offense in baseball this year, but that doesn't change the fact they only scored 1 run in Game 2 of this series. The Yankees are 5-0 in their last 5 games following an off day. New York is 6-2 in their last 8 League Championship home games. The Yankees are 3-9 in their last 12 games against a left-handed starter. The Yankees are 5-0 in Pettitte's last 5 starts against the American League West. New York is 7-2 in Pettitte's last 9 starts as an underdog. The Yankees are 19-7 in Pettitte's last 26 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Yankees are 8-1 last 9 playoff home games.
Over is 4-0 last 4 games as an underdog.
Key Injuries - None Reported.
Projected Score: 2