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CJ (Upton, NY)

How seriosly would you consider moving Tex and Cano down the order and insert Matsui at 3rd? I think it's a no-brainer, and I might even consider benching Cano for Hairston at 2B agaist Pedro he Girardi still wants to put him in.Thanks,

Rob Neyer

  (12:01 PM)

Do you have some reason to think that Cano has suddenly become a lousy hitter? Good players go through stretches where they don't get hits. Good managers don't overreact.

Daniel (New York, NY)

Is Girardi's job in jeopardy if the Yankees lose the World Series?

Rob Neyer

  (12:03 PM)

I think that's highly unlikely, but might become at least conceivable if Girardi does something that is widely seen as costing the Yankees the Series.

Don (Syracuse, NY)

Would a salary cap (min and max) create parity in MLB similar to the NFL? Colin Cowherd says no, saying that the same 5 teams dominate the NBA, but I disagree. It only takes 2 superstars and other role players in the NBA, whereas more depth is required in MLB.

Rob Neyer

  (12:03 PM)

What about the NFL? Don't the same teams tend to dominate there, too? And their rosters are twice as big as MLB's.

Hart (Calgary, Alberta)

Could you tell me why Mario Riveria was credited with a save on Sunday when he pitched with a 3 run lead and noone on base? I thought a pitcher has to pitch to at least the tying run.

Rob Neyer

  (12:06 PM)

Nope. You get a save if you pitch a full inning and protect a three-run lead. That's what we call a "cheap save" in the business.

Harry (Babylon, NY)

Rob - After game 1 the Yankees were in trouble, 3 victories later the Phillies were done, last night a Phillies win and the Yankees are in trouble again. Why isn't each game looked at within itself for what it is? Regardless of who ends up winning, this has been a great series with memorable plays, players and moments.

Rob Neyer

  (12:07 PM)

Of course. And any World Series that goes six games seems like a good one, after all the short Series we've been seeing lately.

Tim (Basking Ridge, NJ)

Would you have started AJ Burnett last night on three days rest? And would you be concerned as a Yankees fan about Andy Pettitte going on three days rest at home?

Rob Neyer

  (12:09 PM)

I think you're always concerned when you ask a player to do something he doesn't usually do. It's a matter of degree, and you have to think the manager knows more than I do.

James (NYC)

Putting aside your astute statistical analysis for a second, who has been your favorite player to watch this World Series in terms of pure aesthetics--grace, guts, grit..all of the things that can't be accurately measured?

Rob Neyer

  (12:10 PM)

Oh, I don't know ... It's hard for me to separate those lovely qualities from performance. Johnny Damon sure has impressed me, though.

Tarek (NYC)

If the Phils win game 6, should Lee start game 7 and limit him to 60 pitches? (Since that is his work day?)

Rob Neyer

  (12:11 PM)

I don't believe that Charlie Manuel is anything like that creative, plus if it didn't work he'd get absolutely murdered by the media.

Rich (NYC)

If the Yankees win, do you think Utley still has a chance to win MVP?

Rob Neyer

  (12:12 PM)

I do, particularly if he hits another home run to break Reggie's (and his own) record. But it's not likely.

Mike (San Diego)

Where will Chase Utley rank among all time 2nd basemen when he retires?

Rob Neyer

  (12:13 PM)

Top 20 for sure, but he's got a lot of work to do still, to get into the top 10 or 15. I wouldn't bet against him, though.

Jon (Grand Rapids, MI)

I stopped watching the World Series after the fifth inning of game four and I am what I would call a legitimate baseball fan. Did the Yankees set baseball back decades in an attempt to capture the attention of a casual sports fan with the continual visits to the mound? Those NFLer's who like sports in general were subjected to that misery and most likely will not return to watch another game or inning.

Rob Neyer

  (12:15 PM)

Have you seen the TV ratings? They're way, way up over last year. I get sick of the visits too, but it's pretty hard to make the case that they're doing any real damage.

David (Raleigh, NC)

Just to clarify, do you think Charlie Manuel is the type of manager to be influenced by what would get him murdered by the media? If so, that seems like a pretty big criticism to me...

Rob Neyer

  (12:16 PM)

All of them are, David. Very few men enjoy being reviled, or considered idiotic.

Jason (Birmingham)

Chat, Non-World Series Edition. Rob, do you think there's anything to the chatter about the Braves trading Derek Lowe? Do you think its even possible, without the Braves giving him away?

Rob Neyer

  (12:17 PM)

Well, they're probably going to trade *somebody*, right? But I agree: They'd have to eat a big chunk of his contract, and it's probably not worth it as he's likely to bounce back with a solid 2010.

Stephen (East Greenbush, NY)

Rob, in your post about Hamels the other day you said "And everybody would know this if not for the sick, 20th century obsession with wins and losses and ERA." Now, I've always known that wins and losses are no way to judge a pitcher, but don't you think you're going to far in dismissing ERA? Those are EARNED runs being counted. Maybe not as important as strikeouts vs. walks, but important, don't you think? Thanks for the chat!

Rob Neyer

  (12:19 PM)

ERA's not a terrible statistic, and I probably did go too far with that. But in this particular case, the difference between Hamels' ERA last year and this year just doesn't tell us much about how well he actually pitched. Granted, the postseason has been a different story...

Gerry (Mexico City)

Would YOU have thrown in Chad Gaudin for game 5 in order to have a well rested Burnett for game 6 ?

Rob Neyer

  (12:20 PM)

Well, again, I don't have any idea. It's easy to say now, but one of Joe Girardi's most important jobs at this point in the season is knowing which of his pitchers can thrive on short rest and which ones can't.

Taylor (NYC)

How concerned should Philly fans be with Pedro tomorrow night? He has pitched great in his last two starts, but they were each on about two weeks rest. I'd have to think with his age that was very beneficial. Thoughts?

Rob Neyer

  (12:22 PM)

I do wonder if maybe he shot his wad in Game 2 and won't have a great deal left for tomorrow night. But of course he's surprised us before.

Mike (Mpls)

Saying the ratings are up and leaving it at that is missing the forest for the trees. The reason the ratings are up is because two large markets are watching and basically baseball is reduced to only the markets involved watching the World Series. In football, once your team is eliminated, you continue watching the rest of the playoffs, in baseball you don't. This is the problem with a lack of parity.

Rob Neyer

  (12:23 PM)

You do? I stop watching the NFL the moment the Vikings are eliminated, but I watch the MLB until the very end.

Joe (Chico, CA)

How many paintings of you as a centaur would we find in your house? Three?

Rob Neyer

  (12:27 PM)

Zero. I'm more of a unicorn guy.

Steve (Chicago)

Any reason we can't get games to start at 6 pm, like the Super Bowl? If I can't make it through the 6th, I'm pretty sure the kids aren't getting there either...

Rob Neyer

  (12:29 PM)

The Super Bowl's on a Sunday, Steve. Just a Sunday. I've been over this a thousand times, so please trust me: the TV people know how to get the most eyeballs for their big events. It might be shortsighted, but that's the world we live in.

Matt (Philly)

I saw a tweet by you saying that it was rumored that Cliff Lee doctors the ball with Talcum Powder. Can you reveal your rumored source? Just curiosity.

Rob Neyer

  (12:32 PM)

Nope. Sorry. And I would never write something like that in a blog post. I just thought it was a fun little item that might give everyone something to look for while watching the game. My personal opinion is that nobody in baseball seriously doctors the ball anymore.

Harry (Babylon)

Is the potential amount of free agents and non tender candidates a good thing or bad thing for baseball this off season? Just seems like the teams that can spend will be able to add more separation going into 2010.

Rob Neyer

  (12:34 PM)

There really aren't many premier free agents available this winter; those guys will get their money, but the next level will come pretty cheap, and that actually helps the poorer clubs because the barrier to entry is lower. This winter it's going to be all about smarts rather than dollars.

Frank (CT)

Wait - you can say "shot his wad" in a chat? Is that even pg-13?

Rob Neyer

  (12:36 PM)

I thought the origin of that phrase has something to do with old muzzle-loading rifles. No?

Craig G. (Fairfield, California)

Hey Rob, as a fan of baseball, it's frustrating that Mariano Rivera is the only reliever for either team that I would feel absolutely confident in putting in. Do you have any of the same sentiments?

Rob Neyer

  (12:37 PM)

Well, it's not pretty baseball, but it sure does make things interesting. It's odd to me that the Phillies never really tried to address the issues raised by Lidge's struggles.

Johnny (LA)

I'm a statistician although nothing to do with sports. I don't quite understand how baseball statisticians present their findings as absolute fact. Everything I've ever learned is that statistical analysis tells us what is likely the case but in no way can be considered factual, why are sports different?

Rob Neyer

  (12:39 PM)

Who said it's different? In fact, it's the statisticians who are the most careful to say their predictions are highly subject to error. The ones I know, anyway.

Steve (Philly)

I know you are not posting my earlier comment....but think about it Neyer....you are a philly hater, pointing fingers at a pitcher who dominated the yankees once and has a 2-0 record this world series is childish and unprofessional.

Rob Neyer

  (12:40 PM)

Equal Time ... happy?

Tim (Chicago)

Speaking of Rivera, why do we never seem to acknowledge he's the best closer in baseball? Seems every baseball analyst always comes up with another name like Nathan or Papelbon.

Rob Neyer

  (12:40 PM)

Tim, where have you been spending all your free time? Minneapolis and Boston?

Tommy (NY)

If the Yankees win in 6 who do you think will get mvp?

Rob Neyer

  (12:41 PM)

Well, that depends on who does well in Game 6, right? I think A-Rod's going to get extra credit for his baggage entering this postseason, but Damon and Jeter are both doing quite well.

Jason (Detroit)

I think the baseball statisticians are simply more assertive about their analyses than people who base it all on a player's grit, passion, and so forth, leading to the perception that Johnny from LA demonstrates.

Rob Neyer

  (12:44 PM)

Jason, I think you've got that exactly backwards. It was the people who talk about grit and passion and so forth who seemed so sure that Ryan Howard would just keep on hitting home runs forever and ever with no pause at all. Statisticians know that nothing is preordained, so they always couch their predictions in uncertainty. Granted, blowhards like me act like we know what's going to happen, but that's only because nobody likes a wishy-washy pundit.

Mike (Long Island)

Rob, isn't this chasm between the sabremetricians and the "old school" (scouts, sportswriters, etc.) more of a generational thing? Obviously, "older" people (55 may be the approximate dividing line) aren't as likely to have embraced computers for anything other than surfing for porn, and certainly you'd agree that those who provide in-depth statistical analysis using sophisticated computer models is still a pretty niche audience. As time goes on, what we now know as sabremetrics will become a more standardized way for all baseball types (including fans) to assess performance.

Rob Neyer

  (12:48 PM)

It's mostly generational, but it's also still an insider/outsider thing. When you're an insider -- a manager, a coach, a beat writer -- it's hard to avoid falling into the trap of basing your analysis on personalities and short-term results.

Brian (KY)

Rob, tell me about Johnny Damon... does his post-season tear help him re-sign with the Yankees or are they going to let him go?

Rob Neyer

  (12:49 PM)

Check the blog today ... Damon's more attractive than his fellow free agent, Hideki Matsui, because Damon's somewhat more useful in left field. Then again, it might come down to which of them is a bit cheaper, because I'm sure the Yankees like both of them.

Chris R (Philly)

Rob - I enjoy your chats. I do find them informative but I agree with Steve you are very negative when it comes to the Phillies. Your quick to point out their flaws but do nothing to stress their strenghths

Rob Neyer

  (12:50 PM)

People read what they want to read. I've been raving about Chase Utley for years, more and louder than anyone else with a national audience. But that's okay ... I know how fans are.

John (NJ)

Rob, per your blog about Yankee old players outperforming expectiations. Why don't you base expectiations on similiar players only from the last 15 yrs or so? As somone pointted out: Instead of using the Yankees training staff, Jeter gets a personal trainer and enjoys a career year at 35. ARod has been busted (as has old man Petititte). Damon's been rumored to have failed PED tests for years. THAT recipe for sucess has worked very well for players in the past and there isn't a lot of reasons to think the yankee players won't continue to have sucess later into thier 30s and 40s - just like other players that have used PEDs.

Rob Neyer

  (12:52 PM)

John, I never suggested that older players can't be successful. But there's a limit, right? Do you think every 35-year-old player is likely to be even better at 36? And so on, forever? By that logic, Luis Gonzalez should still be a superstar.

Steve (IC)

you should have said.. "I know how YOU fans are". Phils fans are among the worst.

Rob Neyer

  (12:53 PM)

Perhaps. But I've been accused of similar things over the years by fans of literally every team in the majors. Oh, you should have seen the e-mail I used to get from Indians fans!

Adam (New Jersey)

Isn't it time to stop referring to Mariano Rivera as the best "postseason" closer in history and start substituting the word "player" instead? There's never been anyone like him, and when he retires, none of us will ever see anyone like him again. He's a once in a lifetime player.

Rob Neyer

  (12:54 PM)

It's obviously not easy to compare a closer to a hitter. But, yeah: Anyone want to figure out where Rivera ranks all-time in postseason WPA?

Eugene (St. Louis)

As a writer, what makes Twitter ok for unfounded rumor, but your blog not?

Rob Neyer

  (12:56 PM)

To quote the great Warren Oates, "Lighten up, Francis."

Rob Neyer

  (12:58 PM)

And with that I shall bid you a fond farewell. Until next time, don't forget: "All generalizations are false, including this one."