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By Mike Silva ~ October 31st, 2009. Filed under: 2009 World Series.
The Yankees and their fans will have the pleasure of the Citizen’s Bank Park experience this weekend. Buckle your seatbelt because it’s going to be a wild ride.
For all the complaining about Yankee Stadium this year CBP had it beat back in 2007 when just under three homers a game were hit. We all know about the short porch at Yankee Stadium, but CBP is 20-30 feet shorter in the gaps with similar short dimensions down the line. Could you imagine how many more long balls would be hit if there were a DH in the National League?
The X factor is the fans. Many are complaining the new Yankee Stadium has lacked intensity during Games one and two. We heard this criticism throughout the season, but the Yankees still found a way to win 70% of their home games. Now they travel to Philly where the fans are loud, rude, and are anything but corporate. Howard Megdal did a Baseball Talmud event at the park and told me how much energy the place emits. Winning will do that and it can be a great tenth man on the field. However I would caution any Yankees fans making the trip to not expect the welcome mat.
For all the talk about dimensions and fan support the Phillies were only nine games over .500 at home. I have seen them play tight at home in big sports before. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Yanks take a couple of games here and control the series. Tonight’s Game 3 is pivotal and they have they have the perfect man going – Andy Pettitte. This is the same guy that beat John Smoltz in 96’ on a night when the Braves righty had the best stuff of his career going. Pettitte will not be intimidated and that should be a huge help. I would be careful about falling behind because if the Phils and their fans smell blood we might not see the home team return for a Game 6.
