With Burnett in Control, Yankees Even Series

"The money would be distributed to the best free agents on the market, including starter A. J. Burnett. Spending big was nothing new for the Yankees; spending wisely was. Their $82.5 million investment in Burnett paid off in a big way in Game 2 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, where he spoiled the Phillies' anniversary.

Burnett handcuffed the Phillies for seven innings, and Mariano Rivera finished up a 3-1 victory that evened the series at one game apiece. Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui homered off Pedro Martinez, and Rivera struck out Matt Stairs to end the game with a runner on second. The series shifts to Citizens Bank Park for Game 3 on Saturday.

"I wanted to come out and feed off this crowd and feed off the energy and not try to just be calm," Burnett said. "I think I've done a good job of being calm in situations, but I wanted to make it a point to come out with some fire tonight, and I think I did that."

Blitzed for four runs in the first inning of his last start in the playoffs, Burnett dazzled with his fastball and curveball this time. His start was just the 10th in Yankees postseason history with at least seven innings and nine strikeouts, and no more than four hits and one earned run.

Burnett's friend Cliff Lee - a fellow Arkansan he calls Cliffy - buried the Yankees on Wednesday, and Burnett watched his postgame interview in a back room of the home clubhouse. Lee's words resonated with him.

"He talked about confidence a lot, and that was huge for me tonight, going up against Pedro, because you know what he's going to offer," Burnett said. "He's going to throw strikes and he's going to make our guys work a lot.""

Last week I came here pumping up ARod and now look. WTF A Rod? Burnette was kind of a wild card going in and he was great. I think that gives the Yankees the edge, even though they are even at this point. Saturday the Phillies wild card is taking to mound. If the Yankees win, they will win the series.

I told you CJ, A Rod is a guess hitter and he can fall in slumps real quick. It'd also explain all the strikeouts as well.

In terms of the Phillies rotation, I can't believe Blanton is getting the nod over Happ. With lefties like Damon, Matsui, Cano, Hinske, and Gardiner, you get to take out 5 guys of the Yankees line-up. Then you have Melky and Swisher who are weaker from the right side, and you've got their entire outfield and DH spots under control.

Won't they be without Matsui in Philly. Doesn't he play DH?

There was talk of him moving into the OF and replacing Damon (unlikely) or Swisher (more likely). And with Happ, you'd keep the less dangerous Swisher in the game instead of letting NY load up with lefties against Blanton.

He did a golf shot homer last night and A Rod has struck out 6 times in the WS, so maybe they need to get him into the line up somehow.

Well even if he gets in, it won't be at A-Rod's expense no matter how bad A Rod plays. He could go 0 for his next 10 and he'll probably still start.

I know, but while Rod is striking out, they need some hits

They need a $28 million per year refund