From the NY Daily News:
Yanks, M's Look For Head Start
Pettitte ready to go to post again
By DARREN EVERSON
Daily News Sports Writer
SEATTLE
f Andy Pettitte pitches today like he did in Game 3 of last year's ALCS at Safeco Field, the Yankees could jump to an early lead in this series.
If Pettitte pitches like he has against the Mariners this season, the Yankees will find themselves in an early hole once again.The Mariners were the highest scoring team in the American League this season, and they didn't let up against Pettitte, scoring 15 runs ? 11 earned ? in two starts.
Andy Pettitte (l.) and Mike Mussina loosen up for the ALCS yesterday at Safeco Field.
But pitching in the the postseason usually brings out the best in Pettitte.
It did in Game 2 against Oakland Thursday although he lost 2-0, and it did in Game 3 against Seattle last year, where Pettitte pitched solidly for 6 2/3 innings to lead the Yankees to an 8-2 victory.
And Pettitte feels no pressure in this outing, his 21st start in the postseason, especially after he spent part of Game 5 of the ALDS in the bullpen, just in case Roger Clemens had to come out early because of his shaky right hamstring.
"I'll be more relaxed (today) compared to what I was (Monday) night," Pettitte said yesterday.
"It's a different world out in the bullpen, thinking that you might have to come in with a runner on in a situation like that."
"It's a totally different situation when you're starting a game," he said. "You can prepare all day long and a couple of days in advance for a start."
Pitching on the road or against Seattle, however, has never been easy for Pettitte.
Pettitte's Aug. 19 start against the Mariners was his worst of the season, giving up eight runs and 13 hits in 6 1/3 innings in a 10-2 loss. And on April 25, Pettitte gave up seven runs (three earned) in 6 innings in a 7-5 loss.
The Mariners swept that series and it seemed to legitimize them early in the season as a force.
Pettitte's attempt to give the Yanks a quick start in the ALCS hastwo factors working against it ? his poor season against the Mariners, and his far higher ERA (4.97) on the road.
Scouting Report
Yankees vs. Sele: The M's righty accounted for one of Roger Clemens' three losses this season. On May 20 at Safeco, Sele, 31, allowed two runs over 7.2 innings in a 6-2 M's win. Sele hasn't exactly been Mr. Clutch in the postseason, posting an 0-4 record with a 4.78 ERA in five starts. The Yankees are responsible for three of those losses, two while Sele was with Texas.
His postseason numbers against the Yanks: 0-3 with a 5.82 ERA. He was cuffed around by the Indians in the ALDS, allowing four runs in just two innings of work. Sele's success depends on his nasty overhand curve. If it's finding the strike zone, he can be tough. If not, he'll get hit early and often. In day games this season, he was 5-0 with a 3.22 ERA.
Who's hot vs. Sele: David Justice (.346) has nine hits in 26 at-bats with one homer and six RBI. Derek Jeter (.314) is 11-for-35 and Randy Velarde (.323) is 10-for-31.
Who's not: Scott Brosius (.138) is 4-for-29 with 8 Ks.
Mariners vs. Pettitte: The M's manhandled Pettitte this season, knocking him around for an 0-2 record and a 8.05 ERA in two starts. In his career against Seattle, Pettitte is 7-7 with a 5.48 ERA. The lefty did beat the M's in the ALCS last season in Game 3. He allowed two runs over 6.2 innings. The 29-year-old is making his 21st postseason start. He is 8-4 with a 4.14 ERA. Pettitte was far better in the Bronx (10-3, 3.16) this season than on the road (5-7, 4.97).
Who's hot vs. Pettitte: Bret Boone, who had a terrible ALDS (.095, 2-for-21, 11 whiffs), is 5-for-8 (.625) with three RBI vs. Pettitte. Edgar Martinez is 13-for-34 (.382) with two HRs, five RBI and eight BB. Jay Buhner is hitting .320 (8-for-25) with two HRs, six RBI and seven BB vs. Pettitte.
Who's not: David Bell is 2-for-22 (.091). Mark McLemore is 4-for-28 (.143).
Yanks, M's Look For Head Start
Pettitte ready to go to post again
By DARREN EVERSON
Daily News Sports Writer
SEATTLE
f Andy Pettitte pitches today like he did in Game 3 of last year's ALCS at Safeco Field, the Yankees could jump to an early lead in this series.
If Pettitte pitches like he has against the Mariners this season, the Yankees will find themselves in an early hole once again.The Mariners were the highest scoring team in the American League this season, and they didn't let up against Pettitte, scoring 15 runs ? 11 earned ? in two starts.
Andy Pettitte (l.) and Mike Mussina loosen up for the ALCS yesterday at Safeco Field.
But pitching in the the postseason usually brings out the best in Pettitte.
It did in Game 2 against Oakland Thursday although he lost 2-0, and it did in Game 3 against Seattle last year, where Pettitte pitched solidly for 6 2/3 innings to lead the Yankees to an 8-2 victory.
And Pettitte feels no pressure in this outing, his 21st start in the postseason, especially after he spent part of Game 5 of the ALDS in the bullpen, just in case Roger Clemens had to come out early because of his shaky right hamstring.
"I'll be more relaxed (today) compared to what I was (Monday) night," Pettitte said yesterday.
"It's a different world out in the bullpen, thinking that you might have to come in with a runner on in a situation like that."
"It's a totally different situation when you're starting a game," he said. "You can prepare all day long and a couple of days in advance for a start."
Pitching on the road or against Seattle, however, has never been easy for Pettitte.
Pettitte's Aug. 19 start against the Mariners was his worst of the season, giving up eight runs and 13 hits in 6 1/3 innings in a 10-2 loss. And on April 25, Pettitte gave up seven runs (three earned) in 6 innings in a 7-5 loss.
The Mariners swept that series and it seemed to legitimize them early in the season as a force.
Pettitte's attempt to give the Yanks a quick start in the ALCS hastwo factors working against it ? his poor season against the Mariners, and his far higher ERA (4.97) on the road.
Scouting Report
Yankees vs. Sele: The M's righty accounted for one of Roger Clemens' three losses this season. On May 20 at Safeco, Sele, 31, allowed two runs over 7.2 innings in a 6-2 M's win. Sele hasn't exactly been Mr. Clutch in the postseason, posting an 0-4 record with a 4.78 ERA in five starts. The Yankees are responsible for three of those losses, two while Sele was with Texas.
His postseason numbers against the Yanks: 0-3 with a 5.82 ERA. He was cuffed around by the Indians in the ALDS, allowing four runs in just two innings of work. Sele's success depends on his nasty overhand curve. If it's finding the strike zone, he can be tough. If not, he'll get hit early and often. In day games this season, he was 5-0 with a 3.22 ERA.
Who's hot vs. Sele: David Justice (.346) has nine hits in 26 at-bats with one homer and six RBI. Derek Jeter (.314) is 11-for-35 and Randy Velarde (.323) is 10-for-31.
Who's not: Scott Brosius (.138) is 4-for-29 with 8 Ks.
Mariners vs. Pettitte: The M's manhandled Pettitte this season, knocking him around for an 0-2 record and a 8.05 ERA in two starts. In his career against Seattle, Pettitte is 7-7 with a 5.48 ERA. The lefty did beat the M's in the ALCS last season in Game 3. He allowed two runs over 6.2 innings. The 29-year-old is making his 21st postseason start. He is 8-4 with a 4.14 ERA. Pettitte was far better in the Bronx (10-3, 3.16) this season than on the road (5-7, 4.97).
Who's hot vs. Pettitte: Bret Boone, who had a terrible ALDS (.095, 2-for-21, 11 whiffs), is 5-for-8 (.625) with three RBI vs. Pettitte. Edgar Martinez is 13-for-34 (.382) with two HRs, five RBI and eight BB. Jay Buhner is hitting .320 (8-for-25) with two HRs, six RBI and seven BB vs. Pettitte.
Who's not: David Bell is 2-for-22 (.091). Mark McLemore is 4-for-28 (.143).