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spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Scouting reports
NBCSports.com's Bert Blyleven breaks down strategies for pitching to each starter on the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies.
Few could be more knowledgeable on the topic. Blyleven broke into the majors with the Minnesota Twins as a 19-year-old in 1970. He went on to pitch 22 seasons for the Twins (twice), Rangers, Pirates, Indians and Angels. He compiled 287 victories (26th all time), 3,701 strikeouts (fifth all time) and a 3.31 earned run average.
He is currently a broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins.
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spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","TAMPA BAY RAYS","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "273", "400", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Akinori Iwamura","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055951104.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Elsa", "Getty Images", "273", "410", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Akinori Iwamura
Bats: left
Key stats: .274, 6 HRs, 91 runs
Iwamura is a guy you definitely do not want to put on base. Your third baseman, and maybe your first baseman, will have to play in to guard against the bunt. Boston did well pitching Iwamura hard away, then getting him to chase breaking balls down and in. That's a solid strategy.
He's a slap hitter who wants to use his speed to get on base. So keep those fastballs down and away, play your infield in, and hopefully get him to chase your breaking ball in the dirt, which he will do on occasion.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","B.J. Upton","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055970683.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Elsa", "Getty Images", "273", "370", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "B.J. Upton
Hits: right
Key stats: .273, 9 HRs, 67 RBIs, 97 walks
Upton is red-hot in the playoffs, blasting home runs after only hitting nine during the regular season. In the playoffs, his home runs have been against fastballs up in the zone, middle in.
He's very quick on the inside pitch, so you better keep your two-seam sinking fastballs down and away, your breaking balls down and in. Jon Lester was effective with that strategy, and struck him out. If going up and in, do it to knock him off the plate. Upton is a young guy who likes to swing the bat and he has very good plate coverage, so make him chase your breaking ball when ahead in the count.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Carlos Pena","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055997077.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Elsa", "Getty Images", "273", "396", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Carlos Pena
Bats: left
Key stats: .247, 31 HRs, 102 RBIs
He's got power so if you go inside, make sure it's off the plate. But otherwise make him hit the ball the other way. Change speeds and make him chase the breaking ball. You can get away with fastballs letter-high inside, but don't leave it down because he likes to pull the ball. Then you can throw the curveball down and in, underneath his swing, out of the strike zone below his knees.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Evan Longoria","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055997071.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Doug Pensinger", "Getty Images", "358", "244", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Evan Longoria
Bats: right
Key stats: .272, 27 HRs, 85 RBIs
Longoria is a lot like Upton in that he's a young guy with a very quick bat who can get to the inside fastball. If you come inside, make sure it's off the plate because he's very quick. He won't give you much to work with on the inner half of the plate. And make him chase the breaking ball.
These guys are young and you have to remember that. They're a very agressive swinging ball club and they've hit 18 postseason homers. You can bet Phillie ace Cole Hamels will use his changeup alot. Same goes for Jamie Moyer.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Carl Crawford","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/apmegasports/200810131846676088040-pf.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Elise Amendola", "AP", "273", "360", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Carl Crawford
Bats: left
Key stats: .273, 8 HRs, 57 RBIs, 25 steals
Crawford is a speedster who is sitting on the fastball early in the count. But unlike some of the other Rays, Crawford is content to slap it the other way and use his speed once he gets on base. You can combat this by establishing your breaking ball early on him. Make him chase that pitch, then if you get ahead you can go up the ladder on him with your fastball.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Cliff Floyd","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055867344.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Doug Benc", "Getty Images", "273", "427", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Cliff Floyd
Bats: left
Key stats: .268, 11 HRs, 39 RBIs
He's a veteran left-hander who is a very good fastball hitter. The pitcher should treat him in a similar manner to Carlos Pena. Keep your fastballs up and in on him, then go to your breaking ball down and in, out of the strike zone and beneath his swing.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Dioner Navarro","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055997277.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Doug Pensinger", "Getty Images", "358", "244", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Dioner Navarro
Bats: switch
Key stats: .295, 7 HRs, 54 RBIs
Navarro is a switch-hitter, so you have to handle him a bit differently depending on which side of the plate he's hitting from. When he's hitting right-handed, you should establish fastballs away. When he's on the left side, make him hit the breaking ball and change speeds to keep him off balance.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Gabe Gross","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055986580.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Elsa", "Getty Images", "358", "244", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Gabe Gross
Bats: left
Key stats: .242, 13 HRs, 38 RBIs
It's a solid strategy to keep all your pitches on the outer half of the plate against Gross. He's looking to pull the ball, and he has yet to show he can drive the ball the other way. Keep your two-seam fastball's down and away, then make him chase your breaking ball when you get ahead in the count. If you go inside, make sure it's well inside to knock him off the plate.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Jason Bartlett","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/apmegasports/200810182140780098217-pf.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Mike Carlson", "AP", "339", "278", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Jason Bartlett
Bats: right
Key stats: .286, 1 HR, 37 RBIs
Bartlett wants to pull the ball early in the count, so establish fastballs away. Then make him chase breaking balls and changeups, keeping him off balance.
You have to get these guys in the lower part of the order because the Rays' top hitters are so dangerous. If you come inside, make it up in the zone right off his hands. But make sure to change speeds. Bartlett will be a more disciplined hitter in the future, but right now he wants to swing the bat.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Rocco Baldelli","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/apmegasports/200810192118767150863-pf.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Mark Humphrey", "AP", "273", "346", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Rocco Baldelli
Bats: right
Key stats: .263, 4 HR, 13 RBIs
With the Phillies starting two lefties in Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer, the right-handed Baldelli is likely to get some solid playing time in the outfield.
This kid is a good hitter, but people tend to forget that because of all his health problems. Like the Phillies' Jayson Werth, he's a tall kid who likes to extend his arms. Keep your fastballs inside, then go down and away to keep him off balance. Be careful, he has good power to all fields.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Willy Aybar","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055997420.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Doug Pensinger", "Getty Images", "358", "244", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Willy Aybar
Bats: right
Key stats: .253, 10 HR, 33 RBIs
Aybar will probably get some time at designated hitter. He has some power, so you should establish your fastball away, then come inside. If you go up the ladder, keep it in off the plate, above his hands.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "100", "100", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Jimmy Rollins","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055959181.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Jed Jacobsohn", "Getty Images", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Jimmy Rollins
Bats: switch
Key stats: .277, 76 runs, 47 stolen bases in 50 attempts
Don't walk Jimmy Rollins, you've got to make him swing the bat. You just have to make him earn his way on base because he is so good on the basepaths and rarely is caught when he attempts to steal a base. He had a bit of a down year compared to his MVP season in 2007, but was still pretty good. He looks for fastballs early, so you better have good control of it. Keep your two-seam fastballs away from him, then look to change speeds with the breaking ball.
Make him swing the bat early in the count, staying aggressive in the strike zone. But be careful: He's a little like Rickey Henderson in that he can lead off with a home run.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Jayson Werth","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055935292.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Jeff Gross", "Getty Images", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Jayson Werth
Bats: right
Key stats: .273, 24 HRs, 67 RBIs
He's a big tall kid with power who likes to get his arms extended. He reminds me of Milwaukee's young slugger Corey Hart. Establish the outside fastball, attacking the edge of the strike zone early in the count. Then you can go inside and up the ladder on his hands, keeping it in off the plate. Make him hit the curveball when you get ahead in the count.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Chase Utley","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055958980.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Jeff Gross", "Getty Images", "273", "410", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Chase Utley
Bats: left
Key stats: .293, 33 HRs, 104 RBI, 113 runs
He's a real good hitter and has some good speed. He's a very smart baserunner. He takes full advantage of being protected by Ryan Howard in the batting order. To deal with Utley, you've got to establish the fastball early in the count on the outer half of the plate. When you get ahead go to the curveball or change speeds on him with the changeup.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Ryan Howard","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/ap/26663d50-b736-4b48-8d0a-41e764fa37c8.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "David J. Phillip", "AP", "298", "278", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Ryan Howard
Bats: left
Key stats: .251, 48 HRs, 146 RBIs, 104 runs
Of course Howard is a real good fastball hitter with tremendous power, but he also strikes out alot. Go to fastballs down and away at first. You can't afford to miss in off the plate, as he's looking to pull it early. Maybe even start him off with a breaking ball (hopefully for a strike), then go up the ladder with him.
He's kind of like Willie Stargell in that he likes to drop the barrel on the ball down below the thighs and drive it. If you get behind in the count,throw that two-seam fastball down and away and hopefully he hits it on the ground. This is a particularly good strategy if Utley is on in front of him, as you might get a double-play ball. If ahead in the count, make him chase your breaking ball down and in.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Pat Burrell","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055915133.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Jeff Zelevansky", "Getty Images", "273", "410", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Pat Burrell
Bats: right
Key stats: .250, 33 HRs, 86 RBIs
Burrell is a real good hitter who helps protect Howard and Utley. He's got good power and will draw a walk, too, as he has a good eye at the plate. He will strike out swinging at fastballs up in the zone. Keep your fastball in on his hands or establish it down and away. Then make him hit the breaking ball.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Shane Victorino","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/g-cvr-081013-Phillies-904pA.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Chris Carlson", "AP", "273", "420", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Shane Victorino
Bats: switch
Key stats: .293, 14 HRs, 102 runs, 36 stolen bases
He's a little scrapper who is the unsung hero of the postseason. He's got a small strike zone and hits to all fields, with some power. Victorino is a good contact hitter, so Keep the ball down and attack the strike zone.
One thing that I think helps him is that the pitcher will relax a little bit after getting past the big hitters in the lineup. Then here comes Victorino and you're in trouble. The Rays will look at him differently then clubs did during the year. Maybe the long break between the NLCS and the World Series will cool him off. You just don't know.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Pedro Feliz","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055958666.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Jeff Gross", "Getty Images", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Pedro Feliz
Bats: right
Key stats: .249, 14 HRs, 58 RBIs
He's a right-handed hitter with some power. He's a good fastball hitter who like many of his type might have a little trouble with the breaking ball. He'll be looking to pull the ball early and he makes pretty good contact, so go down and away with fastball. Then make him hit the breaking ball or changeup when you get ahead in the count.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Carlos Ruiz","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0055960710.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Jeff Gross", "Getty Images", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Carlos Ruiz
Bats: right
Key stats: .219, 4 HRs, 34 RBIs
He's doing a great job catching, although not much offensively. Establish away with the fastball. Don't get too cute in trying to hit that inner corner. The umpire might not give you that pitch and Ruiz will be looking for fastballs early anyway. So keep it away. YOu need to get ahead in the count against these guys in the lower part of the order, because you don't want men on base when the big hitters come up.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Greg Dobbs","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070515/070515_phillies_hmed_7p.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "H. Rumph Jr", "AP", "273", "406", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Greg Dobbs
Bats: left
Key stats: .301, 9 HRs, 40 RBIs
Dobbs will likely get some time as the designated hitter and possibly at third base. He's a good fastball hitter Off the bench, quite similar to teammate Matt Stairs. Establish the breaking ball and changeups with Dobbs.
";
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i++] = new Array("","Matt Stairs","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/ap/b8aad466-7575-4d9e-8f26-d3a978541045.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Chris Carlson", "AP", "273", "369", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_WorldSeries_Blyleven_scoutingreport[i-1].body = "Matt Stairs
Bats: left
Key stats: .252, 13 HRs, 49 RBIs
Stairs could possibly DH, or be the first pinch-hitter off the bench. One thing about Stairs is he's looking dead red. He's a very good fastball hitter who wants to pull the ball early in the count. Start him off with a breaking ball and then mix up your speeds.
If you go with the fastball, go up the ladder, keeping it above his hands on the inner half of the plate. And whatever you do, don't leave it out over plate or he'll do what he did against the Dodgers and put it in the bleachers. Stairs is up there to do one thing: drive the ball out of the park.
";
// END editorial data