NEW YORK -- The needle on the panic meter is not yet in the red zone but there’s no doubt the Los Angeles Angels have moved it. Or was it A.J. Burnett?
Whatever, the New York Yankees, so dominant over four games in this American League Championship Series, are in some peril after five. They had their jackboots on the Angels’ necks but couldn’t put them away and now they have two chances to win this thing in front of their home fans.
Sounds like the kind of deal New York would have accepted without hesitation before this series began but baseball dynamics are funny that way. You never feel safe until that last out is secure and when the momentum starts to swing away from you, well, it’s sometimes hard to get it back.
“I’ve never been on a team where you sense panic,” said Yankee manager Joe Girardi. “You learn how to try to stay on that even keel. That’s one thing that you’re taught, and you understand if your emotions get too high you’ll drain yourself.”
The Yankees, of all teams, have to understand this.
Their key players, with a couple of exceptions, probably don’t go a day, especially at this time of year, when they don’t think about 2004.
In the ALCS that year, the Yankees took a 3-0 series lead into Game 4. In that game, they led 4-3 in the ninth, with Mariano Rivera on the mound. He walked Kevin Millar. Dave Roberts pinch-ran for Millar and stole second base, safe by bare millimetres. Bill Mueller drove him home, tie game. The BoSox won in the 12th.
Big deal. Well, yeah, BIG DEAL.
In Game 5, the Red Sox trailed 4-2 in the eighth, scored a pair and won it in the 14th. Boston won Game 6 at Yankee Stadium, 4-2, and then pounded Kevin Brown for six runs in 1.1 innings in Game 7 on their way to a 10-3 win and the greatest series comeback in history.
The Angels don’t have that kind of momentum yet. But they have the kind of emotional, fiery team that could be a problem this weekend.
“I’ve never been excited like I am now,” centre fielder Torii Hunter said. “I’m so excited for Game 6 to get going. It’s going to be fun, man. I have never been so excited to pack. I went home so quick and by 30 minutes after the game I was packed.”
“You have to feel like you’re playing with house money,” said Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia, “because if you’re afraid to fail or you’re afraid to lose, you will never achieve. So I think you go out there and you have to play free.
“You have to play with nothing in your mind except making plays and winning a game and not be afraid to go out there and play the game of baseball. I think we’re at our best when we’re in that mode.”
Weather could play a factor in the outcome. With a forecast calling for a 90% chance of rain, as much as a full inch expected tonight, there is a chance Game 6 will be delayed until Sunday and Game 7 to Monday.
In a rainout scenario, the Angels would more than likely pitch Joe Saunders, as scheduled in Game 6 and come back with John Lackey in Game 7.
“I think we’re going to let this thing unfold a little bit and see how the weekend goes,” said Scioscia. “If there is an opportunity to look at bringing a guy like John back, it’s something we would certainly consider.”
Girardi says Saunders will be opposing Andy Pettitte, even though, if there’s a rainout, C.C. Sabathia, who has dominated, would be able to work on normal rest.
“We plan on Andy starting our next game for us,” said Girardi.
That’s the plan. Unless, of course, it’s time to panic.
