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Chat Reel: SI's Stephen Cannella
Subway series might be on tap
Latest: Tuesday October 10, 2000 02:47 PM
Sports Illustrated baseball writer Stephen Cannella joined CNNSI.com users Oct. 10 for a MLB playoff chat. Cannella discussed the Yankees' chances at a third straight World Series appearance, A-Rod's final destination and Armando Benitez' big homer habit. A transcript of his chat follows.
CNNSI.com Host: Welcome to our chat with Sports Illustrated's Stephen Cannella. Thanks for joining us, Stephen.
Stephen Cannella: Hi everyone, thanks for chatting.
From Guest: After the way he pitched down the stretch, do you think Danny Neagle is the right choice to pitch Game One?
Stephen Cannella: Yes. Joe Torre kind of backed into a corner, having used his top three starters against the A's. So he had to find a fourth arm for this series, and with the way they both have pitched this year, it was a tossup between Neagle and David Cone. Torre is very loyal to Cone, so he must be positive that Cone isn't in the best of shape to start Neagle in this game. And let's not forget that Neagle had a bad September, but he pitched pretty well before that and he does have postseason experience.
From Guest: What was Dusty Baker thinking when he didn't pinch hit for Mark Gardner with the bases loaded in Game Four? What about bringing in Robb Nen into Game Two against the Mets?
Stephen Cannella: In the Gardner situation he was thinking that it was early in the game and that his bullpen had been taxed from before. So he wanted to milk as much as he could out of his starter. Unfortunately, that was the wrong thing to be thinking. In a postseason game, a game you absolutely have to win, you have to pounce on your scoring opportunities when they arise. In Game 2, he should have gone to Nen to protect a tie game. Dusty was probably trying to conserve his bullpen in case the game went into 14 or 15 innings. But again, in the playoffs, especially playing at home, you have to manage to win in that inning -- not three or four innings later in the game.
From Guest: Do you think the Yankees have hit their stride? They've had trouble scoring runs, and to be honest, they've only had one big offensive inning in the playoffs.
Stephen Cannella: That's true. Lost in the euphoria of the Yankees' win was the fact that their offense is sputtering. But this is a very experienced team, and especially this time of year, they seem to figure out how to score just enough to win. I think the Yankees have their confidence back after beating the A's. And I think they'll squeeze out enough runs against the Mariners.
From Guest: The Cardinals struggled against lefthanded pitching this season? Will there be any lineup changes when they face the Mets' lefties?
Stephen Cannella: I don't think there will be any major changes. You'll probably see J.D. Drew hitting lower in the order. Tony La Russa also has Fernando Tatis on the bench. He kills lefthanded pitching, so there might be a Fernando sighting at third base.
From Guest: Will Mark McGwire get to start at all against the Mets? Or will he only be utilized as a pinch hitter?
Stephen Cannella: No, McGwire won't start. He said this weekend that if the Cards make the World Series he might be able to DH, or get some at bats that way. But we won't see him starting the rest of the season.
From Guest: After giving up that huge homer to JT Snow, has Valentine lost any confidence in Benetiz? Is there a chance we'll see Franco closing for them.
Stephen Cannella: Giving up big postseason homers is nothing new for Benitez. So if Valentine hadn't lost confidence in him before Snow's homer, I doubt he will now. But Franco could very well be put in key situations if Benitez finds trouble. Franco is a huge safety net, but Benitez is still the No. 1 guy.
From Guest: Can Seattle's young pitching staff hold up against the veteran Yanks and will the loss of Jamie Moyer hurt them?
Stephen Cannella: The loss of Moyer has caused Lou Piniella to change his staff a little. He'd have Moyer start in Game 4 and then have Paul Abbott available out of the bullpen early in the series. Abbott and Aaron Sele are both veterans, and Freddy Garcia is only 23 and he's starting Game 1. That's a lot to ask of a young pitcher.
From Guest: Will the Yankees let Knoblauch DH for the rest of the playoffs? Is there a chance we'll see him at second? Or has Sojo become the everyday second baseman?
Stephen Cannella: I don't think we're going to see Chuck much at second base. As long as he produces, I think Torre will use him as the DH, because the Yankees desperately need him to jump-start their offense. But if Knoblauch goes into another funk, and Torre feels he needs some power in the lineup, he does have Glenallen Hill and Jose Canseco waiting in the wings.
From Guest: What happened to the Braves? Do you think the meltdown will lead to big changes?
Stephen Cannella: I don't think we'll see any big changes because the Braves are probably still the National League's best team over 162 games. I think what happened to the Braves was the Cardinals -- St. Louis played a great series. And even without McGwire, its lineup is scary. Atlanta's October failures again disappointed a lot of fans, but I think the Braves are more than comfortable going into another season with Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux in their rotation.
From Guest: Do you think postseason success will help Seattle in its hopes of resigning A-Rod?
Stephen Cannella: It can't hurt. The Mariners definitely became A-Rod's team this year. And he does seem pretty comfortable in the clubhouse. However, manager Lou Piniella may not return next season. So if he leaves, Rodriguez may follow him out the door. I think anything short of a World Series win means Rodriguez will definitely test the market.
From Guest: After winning three World Series, Joe Torre's post-series interviews were surprising to me? Why do you think he was so emotional? Do you think this is his last season?
Stephen Cannella: Torre has hinted that he might hang them up after this year. He said so a couple times this season. I don't think he's decided that for sure, but it may be in the back of his mind. But he's an emotional guy, and his team went through an awful lot in the last month to come back and beat the A's. I think at that moment a very stressful and trying month just caught up with him.
From Guest: What's wrong with Mike Piazza? Do you think he's slumping soley because he's a catcher? Or is it just the pressure of the postseason?
Stephen Cannella: All of the above, plus the fact that at this time of year other teams are determined to not let Piazza beat them. Like Frank Thomas, Barry Bonds, he won't see too many hittable pitches. I'm sure he's tired. Every player is this time of year, no matter who you are. It's very difficult to put up regular-season numbers in October.
From Guest: Any predictions on the two series? Will we see a subway series?
Stephen Cannella: Considering that I picked the Braves to win it all, you might not want to trust me on this one. I think the Yankees-- ho-hum -- will make it back to the World Series. I think the Cardinals should beat the Mets, but anyone who picks against the Mets is an idiot. So I'll say it now: there will be a Subway Series.
CNNSI.com Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks for joining us, Stephen.
Stephen Cannella: Thank you.
CNNSI.com Host: If you missed any of Stephen Cannella's chat, a transcript will be posted shortly on CNNSI.com.
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