So why should anyone care what Marlins starter Chris Volstad thinks about the upcoming World Series battle between the Yankees and Phillies? Here's why: Volstad was one of only four pitchers to post wins over both teams this season.
The others: teammate Josh Johnson, Toronto's Ricky Romero and Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie.
Okay, so not that many pitchers had the chance The point is, Volstad is in a unique position to assess the Fall Classic from a pitcher's perspective. And, for obvious reasons, Volstad said he would prefer to face the Yankees lineup rather than the one belonging to the division-rival Phils -- not that either is a walk in the park
"Just because of those left-handed hitters," Volstad said of facing the Phillies lineup, which for a right-hander is like trying to walk barefoot over hot coals.
The Phillies line up Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez from the left side, and switch-hitters Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino can also swing left-handed. Which may not be a whole lot of fun for ex-Marlin A.J. Burnett when it comes his turn to start for the Bombers.
"They both have power throughout the lineup,' Volstad said. "And I think there will be a lot of scoring becuase of the parks they're playing in."
Volstad said mixing it up is the key to pitching successfully against either club.
"You've got to vary it, at bat to at bat," Volstad said. "You can't repeat things. You can't really get a guy out one particular way because they make adjustments so well."
So who wins?
"I'll give it to the Yankees in seven, just because of home-field advantage," he said. "It'll be a fun one to watch."
I'd pick the Yankees, in spite of their obnoxious fans, only because of Joe Giradi. It would add to my belief of Loria being an idiot!
Posted by: NWFL fan | October 26, 2009 at 07:56 PM
Yep, even though it tears at me to see the Yankees win, seeing Girardi hoist that trophy, look into the camera, and say "Thank God I was available to be the Yankees manager" will make it all worthwhile.
Posted by: Suffering Miami Fan | October 27, 2009 at 10:07 AM
I bet the Mets fans are really suffering right now, having the Yankees and Phillies on the big stage while their overpaid and overrated team choked in the clutch yet again.
I do wonder if we would have made the playoffs with Girardi managing this team instead of Fredi. I bet we could have made up those six games to get us to 93-69.
Posted by: Suffering Miami Fan | October 27, 2009 at 10:11 AM
I'm pretty sure that Bonifacio and Hermida would never be part of Girardi's line-up. Cantu would never play 3b and pitchers would never being bombarded the way they were. Yes Florida Marlins would be a different team with Joe and yes they would it gone to the play off at least.
Posted by: Sbarrero | October 28, 2009 at 02:47 PM