MLB

Double duty puts strain on Rivera

PHILADELPHIA — As expected, Mariano Rivera is again the best closer in the postseason.

Unfortunately for the Yankees, he also is the best setup man.

The price of greatness this year for Rivera is a higher level of duress on a right shoulder that was operated on 56 weeks ago and turns 40 years old in four weeks. The Yankees are running a race here, trying to get to the Canyon of Heroes before Rivera’s arm surrenders.

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“We have gotten near the red flag area, but not reached it,” pitching coach Dave Eiland said.

The problem is that Phil Hughes has been unable to do his job, so Rivera has had to do it. And here are some of the results:

* Rivera has worked 12 2/3 innings in the postseason, four more than any other reliever. Consider that his rival closer in the World Series, Brad Lidge, has pitched just four innings.

* In his last two outings, Rivera has thrown 34 and 39 pitches, covering two innings both times. He had pitched two innings in just one outing this year, May 16 against the Twins, and he needed just 29 pitches in that game. His pitch-high this season was 32 against the Mets on June 12.

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The last time he threw as many as 39 pitches in a game was May 6, 2005, against the A’s when he threw 50 pitches in relief of Buddy Groom and Carl Pavano. The last time he threw as many as 39 in a postseason outing was the fateful Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, when he threw 40 pitches in a blown save that triggered an epic collapse against the Red Sox.

Like those Red Sox, these Phillies are a patient team that will work Rivera, and Boston has enjoyed more high-profile success against Rivera than any team.

In the Yankees’ 3-1 Game 2 victory, Philadelphia put two runners on against Rivera in the eighth, including Jimmy Rollins drawing a walk at the conclusion of an 11-pitch battle. Raul Ibanez doubled in the ninth. That was the first extra-base hit off Rivera in the playoffs since Manny Ramirez also doubled with two outs in the ninth inning of ALCS Game 2 in 2004 — again that horrid year for Rivera and the Yankees.

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Still, how special is Rivera?

The gap between extra-base hits in the playoffs against him was 26 innings, 102 batters faced and 405 pitches. And in both instances he struck out the remaining batters to record a save.

So maybe Rivera always will find a way, and Eiland said he is not concerned that many of Rivera’s fastballs were 89-mph because the movement and location still were elite.

But for the only time in these playoffs, the Yankees have three games in three days scheduled now. Eiland conceded that the Yankees cannot push Rivera to work multiple innings in all of them, and Eiland said the likelihood is they will try to piece together the bridge to Mo with Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson, Damaso Marte and Phil Coke.

Rivera, of course, said he is ready for any assignment, saying “you have to do what you have to do.” And history says, why not?

Rivera has 31 career postseason saves of four or more outs. Since 1999 there have been 56 postseason saves in all the major leagues of four or more outs, 25 have been by Rivera. In that same timeframe, there have been 23 overall saves of two innings or more, Rivera has 14 of those. The next highest total for any reliever is by Lidge.

“There are no adjectives for him,” Lidge said. “Each one you would try would fall short of describing how great he has been in the postseason. When you think of the postseason, you think of his success.”

He is the closer who sets up. But will his arm stand up to this workload?





New Stadium misses mark

Count me among those who found the new Yankee Stadium lacking in atmosphere so far in the playoffs. It is quieter, and less threatening and claustrophobic than the old place.

Part of that is structural. The old Stadium had an upper deck that draped over the field, enclosing opposing teams in a cocoon of hostility. By law now, upper decks must be pitched away from the field, so many of the most rabid fans are now further away than ever. Also, the availability of more and better eating facilities move a segment of fans indoors. And, lastly, the seats closest to the field go to mostly rich folks, generally older people also unlikely to raise their voices too loudly.

I actually miss how the old Stadium literally swayed at huge Yankees moments in the postseason. Think Don Mattingly homering in the 1995 ALDS, Joe Girardi’s triple in the ’96 World Series, Aaron Boone’s clinching homer in the 2003 ALCS. At those times, you literally were moved by the playoffs.

Lee should start Game 4

Cliff Lee has thrown a lot of innings this year and never pitched on three days’ rest, and this is why Phillies manager Charlie Manuel refuses to go to his ace short in Game 4. But that is a mistake. Of course, anything can happen in a single game, but CC Sabathia vs. Joe Blanton is significant advantage Yankees, even if Sabathia will be pitching on three days’ rest.

At this time of year, you use your best as often as possible. Manager Joe Girardi is doing that with Sabathia and, to a large degree, with Mariano Rivera in multiple innings at the end of games.

Lee arguably has been the biggest star of this postseason, and unless he told his manager he can’t do it, he should be in Game 4 trying to outpitch Sabathia again.

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