Hideki Matsui showed just how important he is to the Yankees last night. His sixth inning home run off Pedro Martinez after Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez had struck out proved to be the go-ahead run in the 3-1 victory over the Phillies at Yankees Stadium to tie the World Series at 1-1.
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Now Girardi probably will have to bench Matsui because he will lose his designated hitter in the NL ballpark.
"We have all day to think about that," Girardi said.
Girardi needs to be bold here. Yes, Matsui's knees are an issue, but with one swing Matsui can turn into Godzilla again. How many hitters can do that?
As difficult as it is, the Yankees are going to need Godzilla in the outfield. They cannot afford to let that big bat sit on the bench for three games, especially with the way Nick Swisher is struggling. During the workout day Tuesday, Matsui took some fly balls in right field.
Kernan goes on to mention that with Swisher and Damon struggling the Yankees cannot afford to keep Matsui's bat out of the lineup. He says that even though Matsui would likely hurt the Yankees defensively that it's "a chance that Girardi has to take," and it's an "easy decision".
I don't know about you, but to me it's not an easy decision at all.
As for Saturday, starting Matsui makes little sense. He's 0-for-3 against Hamels and you could really use his bat when the Phils go to a right-handed reliever. Plus, Johnny Damon is 3-for-5 against Hamels, so he's not going to sit. I know these are small sample sizes, but I'd still rather have Damon in that lineup over Matsui.
I'm not sure who the game four starter will be, but if it's Joe Blanton it's worth noting that Matsui is just 1-for-7 against him so once again it might not be worth starting him. In game five they face Cliff Lee, now that's a game you might want to try to get him in. He's had some success of Lee in the past, and did pick up one of the Yankees six hits on Wednesday. You can sit Damon (2-for-22 against Lee) and not hurt your defense too much because Damon and Matsui both can't play the field.
But what do you guys think, should Girardi start keep Matsui in the lineup and start him in the outfield.
But what about sitting Swisher? Offensively that might make sense, even against the lefty, but do you really want an outfield of Melky, Matsui, and Damon? I don't think I have to tell you how bad a defensive outfield that would be. And yes, if you're wondering, it's much worse than if Swisher was out there. At this point he's better defensively than both Matsui and Damon. With Damon and Matsui in the corners balls that should be caught will be hitting grass all night.
I'm not sure who the game four starter will be, but if it's Joe Blanton it's worth noting that Matsui is just 1-for-7 against him so once again it might not be worth starting him. In game five they face Cliff Lee, now that's a game you might want to try to get him in. He's had some success of Lee in the past, and did pick up one of the Yankees six hits on Wednesday. You can sit Damon (2-for-22 against Lee) and not hurt your defense too much because Damon and Matsui both can't play the field.
But that brings up the other major problem with this idea; Matsui's rickety knees. Just one game in the outfield could be enough to put Matsui on the shelf for the rest of the playoffs, and that would really hurt.
Also, having a bat like Matsui's to come off the bench late in a game can be extremely valuable under NL rules. There will likely be points in each of these games where the Phillies go to a right-handed reliever and the Yankees can bring in Matsui in a big spot, and more importantly a spot of their choosing.
But what do you guys think, should Girardi start keep Matsui in the lineup and start him in the outfield.
