FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Options Aplenty: Lee, Webb Stay Put, Dye Bought Out by White Sox http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/options-aplenty-lee-webb-stay-put-dye-bought-out-by-white-sox/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/options-aplenty-lee-webb-stay-put-dye-bought-out-by-white-sox/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/options-aplenty-lee-webb-stay-put-dye-bought-out-by-white-sox/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Jermaine Dye / Brandon Webb / Cliff LeeThe champagne is barely dry in the Yankees clubhouse, but the business of 2010 is already well under way. Three trades are in the books, a number of players have already filed for free agency and Bobby Abreu has a new deal with the Angels.

In that vein, three clubs made decisions on contract options Friday as they held on to star players for next year. The Phillies and Diamondbacks both picked up the options they held on ace pitchers Cliff Lee and Brandon Webb, respectively, while the White Sox bought out right fielder Jermaine Dye.

Chicago's World Series MVP in 2005, Dye, who will turn 36 in January, was due to make $12 million in 2010. He'll instead receive $950,000 from the White Sox and hit the open market.

 

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]]> Brandon WebbCliff LeeJermaine Dye Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-11-06T13:27:00 00:00 Hideki Matsui Named World Series MVP http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/hideki-matsui-named-world-series-mvp/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/hideki-matsui-named-world-series-mvp/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/hideki-matsui-named-world-series-mvp/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Hideki MatsuiHideki Matsui was named the Most Valuable Player in the 2009 World Series after a record-setting performance in the decisive Game 6.

Matsui drove in six of the Yankees' seven runs in their World Series-clinching victory, staking New York to an early lead with a two-run homer off of Pedro Martinez in the second inning and falling a triple short of the cycle. His six RBI were the most by any player in a World Series clincher. Five others -- including Reggie Jackson -- held the record of five RBI previously.

"It's awesome," Matsui said through a translator of his achievement. "Unbelievable. I'm surprised myself.

 

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]]> Hideki Matsui Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-11-05T00:13:00 00:00 World Series Game 6 Live Chat http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/world-series-game-6-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/world-series-game-6-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/world-series-game-6-live-chat/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Shane VictorinoAs if the first Game 6 in the World Series in six years wasn't enough to whet your appetite, it's Pedro Martinez in the Bronx, Round 2, on Thursday night. Oh, there's a championship on the line as well as the Yankees try for the second time to win their 27th championship.

Yes, there will be no shortage of drama as the Fall Classic returns to Yankee Stadium, and the MLB FanHouse crew will be here to take you from the first pitch to the final out and beyond.

Will the Yankees celebrate or will the Phillies deliver the best thing all of sports -- a Game 7? Join us after the jump, starting at 7:45 PM ET for a LIVE chat as we find out.

 

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]]> Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-11-04T18:30:00 00:00 Playoff Pulse: It's in the Manuel http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/playoff-pulse-its-in-the-manuel/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/playoff-pulse-its-in-the-manuel/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/playoff-pulse-its-in-the-manuel/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Ryan MadsonPlayoff Pulse is our morning rundown of the night that was and the night that will be during the MLB postseason.

Looking Forward ...

Much will be made in the lead-up to Game 6 of another Yankees starter -- Andy Pettitte -- going on three days' rest, assuming of course that that is officially announced Tuesday. Of course, there wasn't much of a choice for Joe Girardi.

The Phillies do have some interesting options as they head back to New York. Game 6 starter Pedro Martinez was the easy part, but you can't expect him to go all nine innings, so, especially if the Phillies have a lead, what happens then?

 

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]]> Charlie ManuelDave Eilandplayoff pulseRyan Madson Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-11-03T06:00:00 00:00 World Series Game 5 Live Chat http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/world-series-game-5-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/world-series-game-5-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/world-series-game-5-live-chat/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Phillies FansIt's now or never for the Philadelphia Phillies, who, for the first time in the last two postseasons, face elimination in Game 5 of the World Series Monday night at Citizens Bank Ballpark.

The defending champs will have the raucous Philadelphia crowd on their side as well as ace Cliff Lee, who has been virtually unhittable so far in the playoffs, but they'll have to tangle with A.J. Burnett, who shut them down in Game 2, and the rest of a Yankees team that can smell its first title since 2000.

Join the MLB FanHouse crew after the jump for a LIVE chat throughout Game 5. The festivities start at 7:45 PM ET.

 

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]]> Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-11-02T18:30:00 00:00 Playoff Pulse: Coming Up Short http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/playoff-pulse-coming-up-short/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/playoff-pulse-coming-up-short/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/playoff-pulse-coming-up-short/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Chase UtleyPlayoff Pulse is our morning rundown of the night that was and the night that will be during the MLB postseason.

Looking Forward ...

Not this again. The World Series hasn't gone past five games since 2003, and that streak could be extended for a sixth straight year if the Yankees take care of business Monday night in Philadelphia.

There's a good chance that it won't and the Yankees will return to New York for Game 6 instead of a parade. The reason for that, of course, is Cliff Lee. But if Lee's form slips, A.J. Burnett could very easily put away the defending champs.

And that would be baseball's loss.

 

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]]> Chase Utley Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-11-02T06:00:00 00:00 World Series Game 4 Live Chat http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/01/world-series-game-4-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/01/world-series-game-4-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/01/world-series-game-4-live-chat/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Joe BlantonGame 4 of the World Series is a pivotal one for the defending champion Phillies. After dropping Game 3 Saturday night, they'll need to win Sunday to avoid a huge 3-1 hole.

Unfortunately for the Phils, things seem stacked against them with Joe Blanton taking the hill against Yankees ace CC Sabathia. Can Philadelphia buck the odds and even the Fall Classic, or will New York have a chance to clinch its 27th championship Monday night?

After the jump, join the MLB FanHouse crew for a LIVE chat throughout Game 4, starting at 8 PM ET.

 

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]]> Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-11-01T18:30:00 00:00 Playoff Pulse: Swisher Sweet http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/01/playoff-pulse-swisher-sweet/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/01/playoff-pulse-swisher-sweet/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/01/playoff-pulse-swisher-sweet/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Nick SwisherPlayoff Pulse is our morning rundown of the night that was and the night that will be during the MLB postseason.

Looking Forward ...

Could some bad blood, or maybe even just a little chippiness, develop in the World Series? You wouldn't think so, especially with Derek Jeter and Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard and Alex Rodriguez looking so chummy at different times during Game 3.

But A-Rod was plunked, not once but twice, by Phillies pitchers Saturday night and then there was Jayson Werth's emphatic reaction to his second home run of the evening -- slamming his bat to the ground along the first-base line before entering his home run trot.

 

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]]> Nick Swisherplayoff pulse Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-11-01T06:00:00 00:00 World Series Game 3 Live Chat http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/31/world-series-game-3-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/31/world-series-game-3-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/31/world-series-game-3-live-chat/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Andy Pettitte / Cole HamelsBoo! It's apropos that on Halloween night the World Series shifts to Philadelphia, a city known for all its booing over the years, for Game 3.

The Phillies and Yankees split the first two games of the Fall Classic in New York, so Saturday night the tone for the rest of the series could be set. As in Game 1, it's a pair of left-handers squaring off -- Andy Pettitte for the Yanks and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels for the Phils.

Who will take the next step toward a title? Join the MLB FanHouse crew as we find out for a LIVE chat from first pitch to final out, starting at 7:45 PM ET after the jump.

 

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]]> Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-10-31T19:00:00 00:00 Playoff Pulse: Double Down on Rivera http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/playoff-pulse-double-down-on-rivera/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/playoff-pulse-double-down-on-rivera/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/30/playoff-pulse-double-down-on-rivera/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Jorge Posada and Mariano RiveraPlayoff Pulse is our morning rundown of the night that was and the night that will be during the MLB postseason.

Looking Forward ...

For the seventh time in his playoff career as a closer (1995-96 not included), Mariano Rivera made a second consecutive appearance of two innings or more Thursday, sealing it with a six-out save in Game 2 of the World Series after he shut the door on the Angels in Game 6 of the ALCS.

That, of course, is a tribute to Rivera's unrivaled excellence and his durability, but it may also reveal something about the state of the Yankees' bullpen.

 

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]]> Charlie ManuelChase UtleyMariano Riveraplayoff pulse Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-10-30T06:00:00 00:00 Orioles Decline Melvin Mora's Option http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/orioles-decline-melvin-moras-option/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/orioles-decline-melvin-moras-option/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/orioles-decline-melvin-moras-option/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Melvin MoraThird baseman Melvin Mora's tenure in Baltimore is likely over after the Orioles declined his 2010 option Thursday. The option was valued at $8 million, according to the Baltimore Sun, making it a foregone conclusion that it wouldn't be picked up after Mora's rough 2009.

The 37-year-old, 11-year major league veteran hit .260 in 125 games this year, but, more troubling, slugged .358, the lowest mark of his career and 125 points below his 2008 mark. He also clashed with manager Dave Trembley in August when his playing time was cut.

 

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]]> Melvin Mora Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-10-29T20:38:00 00:00 World Series Game 2 Live Chat http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/world-series-game-2-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/world-series-game-2-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/world-series-game-2-live-chat/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Pedro Martinez / A.J. BurnettIf Game 1 was all about the aces, then Game 2 of the World Series will be about wild cards -- namely Philadelphia's Pedro Martinez and New York's A.J. Burnett.

It's virtually impossible to know what to expect from either, but you can be sure the crowd at Yankee Stadium will be electric with Martinez, a Yankee villain many times over, pitching in the new building for the first time and the home team needing a win to avoid a 2-0 hole as the series shifts back to Philadelphia for Game 3.

It's drama on high in the Bronx, and the MLB FanHouse crew will be here to talk you from first pitch to final out in a LIVE chat starting at 7:45 PM ET.

 

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]]> Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-10-29T18:30:00 00:00 Playoff Pulse: Umps Get One Right on Rollins' Accidentally Brilliant Double Play http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/playoff-pulse-umps-get-one-right-on-rollins-accidentally-brill/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/playoff-pulse-umps-get-one-right-on-rollins-accidentally-brill/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/29/playoff-pulse-umps-get-one-right-on-rollins-accidentally-brill/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Umpires conference in Game 1 of World SeriesPlayoff Pulse is our morning rundown of the night that was and the night that will be during the MLB postseason.

Looking Forward ...

If you're going to criticize the umps when they blow a call, you have to praise them when they get one right, as they did in the fifth inning on Jimmy Rollins' shoestring catch and double play (details below).

The crew initially didn't rule that Rollins doubled off Hideki Matsui but huddled and eventually got the call right, a good moment for the men in blue in a month where it has seemed to be all bad and for a crew that was picked specifically because of its World Series experience.

 

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]]> Cliff LeeJimmy Rollinsplayoff pulse Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-10-29T06:00:00 00:00 World Series Game 1 Live Chat http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/world-series-game-1-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/world-series-game-1-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/world-series-game-1-live-chat/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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It doesn't get any better than this. The World Series begins Wednesday night with a dream pitching matchup between former teammates, left-handers and Cy Young Award-winners CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee. Combined they're 5-0 with a 0.96 ERA this postseason.

Of course, it wouldn't be a big surprise if either gave up a few more runs than they have in their previous October starts, not with two of the best lineups in the game staring them down.

The Fall Classic is here, and the MLB FanHouse crew will take you from first pitch to final out of Game 1 (weather permitting). Join us after the jump at 7:45 PM ET for a LIVE chat.

 

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]]> Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-10-28T17:30:00 00:00 Astros Hire Brad Mills as Manager http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/astros-hire-brad-mills-as-manager/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/astros-hire-brad-mills-as-manager/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/astros-hire-brad-mills-as-manager/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Brad MillsThe Houston Astros are poised to announce the hiring of Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills as their new manager Tuesday, according to multiple reports, first from MLB.com, a move that comes two days after the club lost out on Manny Acta to the Indians.

Mills, who came to Boston with manager Terry Francona before the 2004 season and won two World Series with the team, also managed in the minors for 11 seasons and played four seasons with the Montreal Expos from 1980-83.

The Mills hiring continues a mini-exodus from Boston. This past week former Red Sox assistant general manager Jed Hoyer was hired away by the Padres to be that club's general manager, a sign of how well-respected Boston's management team has become in baseball circles.

 

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]]> brad mills Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-10-27T15:15:00 00:00 World Series: Phillies vs. Yankees http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/world-series-phillies-vs-yankees/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/world-series-phillies-vs-yankees/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/world-series-phillies-vs-yankees/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Lineup
No. Yankees Pos Phillies Pos.
1 D. Jeter SS J. Rollins
 SS
2 J. Damon CF S. Victorino
 CF
3 M. Teixeira 1B C. Utley
 2B
4 A. Rodriguez 3B R. Howard
 1B
5 J. Posada C J. Werth
 RF
6 H. Matsui DH R. Ibanez
 LF
7 N. Swisher RF M. Stairs
 DH
8 R. Cano 2B P. Feliz
 3B
9 M. Cabrera CF C. Ruiz
 C
Rotation
1 C. Sabathia L C. Lee
 L
2 A. Burnett R P. Martinez
 R
3 A. Pettitte L C. Hamels
 L
CP M. Rivera R B. Lidge R
SU P. Hughes R R. Madson
 R
SU Chamberlain R S. Eyre
 L
At last the World Series, baseball's crown jewel event, is upon us, and the matchup is awfully hard to beat, even if it tilts toward those with an East Coast bias.

The Turnpike Tussle between the Phillies and the Yankees could be one of the best World Series in recent memory, and we could use one. The Fall Classic hasn't gone the distance since 2002, and it hasn't even gone beyond five games since 2003. Philly and New York both have left-handed aces, outstanding defenses and deep and punishing lineups, hinting that this time around the World Series could go long.

Isn't that what we all want -- Phils and Yanks fans excluded? After the jump, get all the latest news and information on the Series in addition to our staff's predictions.

 

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]]> Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-10-26T17:00:00 00:00 Playoff Pulse: CC-Cliff a Dream Matchup http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/playoff-pulse-cc-cliff-a-dream-matchup/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/playoff-pulse-cc-cliff-a-dream-matchup/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/playoff-pulse-cc-cliff-a-dream-matchup/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Cliff Lee / CC SabathiaPlayoff Pulse is our morning rundown of the night that was and the night that will be during the MLB postseason.

Looking Forward ...

The rain made it feel like eons between Game 5 and 6 in the American League Championship Series, but in terms of setting up the World Series it worked out pretty well.

 

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]]> CC SabathiaCliff Leeplayoff pulse Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-10-26T06:00:00 00:00 World Series Schedule 2009: Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/world-series-schedule-2009-philadelphia-phillies-vs-new-york-y/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/world-series-schedule-2009-philadelphia-phillies-vs-new-york-y/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/world-series-schedule-2009-philadelphia-phillies-vs-new-york-y/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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World Series logoThe World Series matchup is set. It will be a Turnpike Tussle between the Philadelphia Phillies -- the reigning World Series champions -- and the New York Yankees -- the owners of the most championships in major league history.

The 2009 World Series opens Wednesday night in the Bronx. Major League Baseball said the games are scheduled for first pitch at 7:57 PM ET, except Game 4 on Sunday, with first pitch at 8:20 PM ET.

See the entire Fall Classic schedule after the jump.

 

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]]> Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-10-26T02:13:00 00:00 Yankees vs. Angels: Game 6 Live Chat http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/25/yankees-vs-angels-game-6-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/25/yankees-vs-angels-game-6-live-chat/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/25/yankees-vs-angels-game-6-live-chat/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Yankee Stadium
Let's try this again. The World Series is just three days away, but there is still a little business to take care of in the American League.

After rain got in the way of Game 6 on Saturday, the Yankees and Angels will go at it Sunday night, with New York looking to book its first World Series trip since 2003 and Los Angeles looking to force an all-or-nothing Game 7 Monday night in the Bronx.

In a series that has seemingly had it all, it's a pair of left-handers in the most vital game yet. Andy Pettitte, with all of his postseason experience, takes the hill for the Yankees against the Angels' Joe Saunders. Join the MLB FanHouse crew for a live chat from first pitch to final out starting at 8 PM ET.

 

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]]> Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-10-25T18:00:00 00:00 Playoff Pulse: Storms on Horizon for ALCS, Slumping Swisher http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/playoff-pulse-storms-on-horizon-for-alcs-slumping-swisher/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/playoff-pulse-storms-on-horizon-for-alcs-slumping-swisher/ http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/playoff-pulse-storms-on-horizon-for-alcs-slumping-swisher/#comments Andrew Johnsonby Andrew Johnson

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Nick SwisherPlayoff Pulse is our morning rundown of the night that was and the night that will be during the MLB postseason.

Looking Forward ...

So you thought the weather issue was dead when the Yankees and Angels left New York? Wrong, especially now that the ALCS is headed back to the Big Apple.

There is rain in the forecast for Saturday night's Game 6, with showers expected in the morning in New York and heavier downfall expected as first pitch approaches. The chance of precipitation is 80-90 percent right now, but hey, at least it'll be warm (highs are expected to be in the mid-60s).

 

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]]> Nick Swisherplayoff pulse Andrew Johnson andrew-johnson 2009-10-23T06:00:00 00:00