The World Series should be renamed the Wild and Wet Series...and I don't mean that in a good way....what happened last night in Philly was a disgrace. Commissioner Bud Selig should have suspended the game way before he did, and I'm not just saying that because the Phils had the lead earlier in the game.
The conditions on the field were, in a word, deplorable. What would normally have been an easy pop up out for Jimmy Rollins ended up putting a man on base. And it just went downhill from there...play was mercifully stopped as the top of the 6th inning drew to a close...but not until the Rays tied it up at 2-2.
Right now, the Phils should have a 2-1 lead in Game 5...but they don't...and with high winds and heavy rain/wet snow forecasted for tonight in the Philadelphia metro area, die hard fans are left to wonder if we will be able to finally shake off that monkey...and win a title Wednesday.
Nicky Vallee is a public relations specialist and free lance writer for Dune Mgazine in Palm Springs California. Nicky is a life long, die hard Phillies fan.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Phils rout Rays 10-2, one win away from breaking the jinx.
You knew eventually that the fightin' Phils would finally break out of their series slump with runners in scoring position.
They did that tonight- and THEN SOME.
When your starting pitcher with a .061 average in his career homers and equals his career rbi total, you know something special is in the air. Add two homers and five rbi's by a surging Ryan Howard and the Philadlephia Phillies need just one more win to become the World Champions of 2008. They now lead the Rays three games to one, and with lefty Cole Hamels pitching tomorrow night's game, the Phillies have to feel confident about their chances of wrapping up the series tomorrow.
The Phils attacked starter Andy Sonnanstine from the bottom of the first inning. Although they only scored one run on a bases loaded walk from Pat Burrell, Pedro Feliz singled to drive in the second run in the bottom of the second inning and the Phillies. The umpiring seemed to go the Phillies way as well. Replays showed that third baseman Evan Longoria tagged out Jimmy Rollins in the bottom of the first inning. Rollins later scored and went 3 for 5. Jayson Werth went 2 for 4 and added a home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. With his two home runs, Howard joins Lenny Dykstra in 1993 as the two Phillies with multi home run games in the World Series.
Blanton was also spectacular on the mound. Pitching six innings with seven strikeouts. Rays corner infielders Longoria and Carlos Pena went a combined 0 for 7 and are both hitless in the series.
On a personal note, this game was actually easier to watch in person than last night's nail biter. Then again, this will happen when you score 10 runs as opposed to just 5. In addition to the Rays facing Hamels tomorrow, they now also have to worry about the Phillies offense, which has clearly awoken from its slumber.
If all goes well tomorrow, it may be a few days before I write another column for this site. After all, it's not like anyone would have a reason to be disgruntled anyway.
They did that tonight- and THEN SOME.
When your starting pitcher with a .061 average in his career homers and equals his career rbi total, you know something special is in the air. Add two homers and five rbi's by a surging Ryan Howard and the Philadlephia Phillies need just one more win to become the World Champions of 2008. They now lead the Rays three games to one, and with lefty Cole Hamels pitching tomorrow night's game, the Phillies have to feel confident about their chances of wrapping up the series tomorrow.
The Phils attacked starter Andy Sonnanstine from the bottom of the first inning. Although they only scored one run on a bases loaded walk from Pat Burrell, Pedro Feliz singled to drive in the second run in the bottom of the second inning and the Phillies. The umpiring seemed to go the Phillies way as well. Replays showed that third baseman Evan Longoria tagged out Jimmy Rollins in the bottom of the first inning. Rollins later scored and went 3 for 5. Jayson Werth went 2 for 4 and added a home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. With his two home runs, Howard joins Lenny Dykstra in 1993 as the two Phillies with multi home run games in the World Series.
Blanton was also spectacular on the mound. Pitching six innings with seven strikeouts. Rays corner infielders Longoria and Carlos Pena went a combined 0 for 7 and are both hitless in the series.
On a personal note, this game was actually easier to watch in person than last night's nail biter. Then again, this will happen when you score 10 runs as opposed to just 5. In addition to the Rays facing Hamels tomorrow, they now also have to worry about the Phillies offense, which has clearly awoken from its slumber.
If all goes well tomorrow, it may be a few days before I write another column for this site. After all, it's not like anyone would have a reason to be disgruntled anyway.
Wet, Wild, Wacky, and Eventually Wonderful
Note to the baseball gods: If you made 45,900 Phillies fans wait seven hours for the home team to lose another heart breaker of a World Series game, you are not baseball gods, you would be SATAN!
Whether it is fate, or luck, or whatever you want to call it these days, the Fightin' Phils narrowly pulled out a game three victory at 1:47 am to take a 2-1 series lead over the Rays in the first World Series game ever to be played in Citizens Bank Park. Truth be told, this game shouldn't have even been this close. However, you throw in a combination of more blown calls by the umpiring crew and the Phillies still struggling to hit with RISP and you had the gut wrenching feeling that nothing is going to come easy for this team and their fans, no matter what the final result of this World Series is.
The game was the latest starting game in the history of the World Series. This was because all of your typical World Series games for the Phillies over the last quarter of a century have this common denominator: RAIN. Look it up. Game three of the '83 series didn't exactly feature rain, but rather a storm from the night before resulting in wet turf that in all likelihood cost the Phillies game three (look up Ivan DeJesus). And as far as 1993 goes, we played two games in a downpour and I think we don't really need to rehash them. So needless to say I was not very optimistic when rain was in the forecast for yesterday. And by the way, the previous openers in '83 and '93 also featured left handed starters for the Phillies- and YES, Steve Carlton (who threw out the game's first pitch) and Danny Jackson were both the losing pitchers in those games.
Enter left hander number three- Jamie Moyer. The script is all too perfect: Local guy from Souderton who skipped school in 1980 for the Phillies World Series Parade. At 23, he made his big league debut and beats Steve Carlton, his boyhood hero. 22 years later at 45, he shouldn't be pitching in a softball league let alone the Major Leagues. Nonetheless, here is Moyer, in the twilight of his career and oh yeah, about to pitch THE biggest game of his life. After two rough outing in the playoffs, there was question as to whether Moyer should even start this game. Manager Charlie Manuel stuck with the guy who led the Phils in wins this year and he did not disappoint: allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings (and two of the three runs were avoidable). Made even more impressive was the fact that Moyer pitched the game with a stomach virus. Needless to say, my fellow Hawk Hill alumni made us all proud last night. Truth be told, I wanted Moyer to win this game almost as badly as I wanted the Phillies to win the game.
Lost in the mix is Carlos Ruiz, who went two for three and shrugged off a crucial eighth inning throwing error that tied the game to have the only game-winning, walk off, infield hit in World Series history. Ruiz, who may have been the most inconsistent hitter on the Phillies this season, is the most consistent hitter in this World Series. His second inning homer off starter Matt Garza was just his fifth this season, but all five of his homers have tied the game or put the Phillies in the lead.
A story that surfaced after the game was that Tim McGraw, son of the late Phils reliever Tug, scattered some of his father's ashes on the pitcher's mound prior to the start of the game. Ya gotta believe that Tugger was looking out for the Phils and the fans this night.
If the Phillies lost this game, it would have gone down in the top five heartbreaking losses in this club's checkered history. Instead, they pulled it out for their first game three victory in six World Series appearances. The team will be the death of all of us for how they do things, and I may not live to see my next birthday. If there are two more wins and a parade down Broad Street, I think I have a chance. They have never won a game four in their World Series contests either, so Joe Blanton will need to be on his best tonight against Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine.
Last night they made the impossible just two steps closer.
Whether it is fate, or luck, or whatever you want to call it these days, the Fightin' Phils narrowly pulled out a game three victory at 1:47 am to take a 2-1 series lead over the Rays in the first World Series game ever to be played in Citizens Bank Park. Truth be told, this game shouldn't have even been this close. However, you throw in a combination of more blown calls by the umpiring crew and the Phillies still struggling to hit with RISP and you had the gut wrenching feeling that nothing is going to come easy for this team and their fans, no matter what the final result of this World Series is.
The game was the latest starting game in the history of the World Series. This was because all of your typical World Series games for the Phillies over the last quarter of a century have this common denominator: RAIN. Look it up. Game three of the '83 series didn't exactly feature rain, but rather a storm from the night before resulting in wet turf that in all likelihood cost the Phillies game three (look up Ivan DeJesus). And as far as 1993 goes, we played two games in a downpour and I think we don't really need to rehash them. So needless to say I was not very optimistic when rain was in the forecast for yesterday. And by the way, the previous openers in '83 and '93 also featured left handed starters for the Phillies- and YES, Steve Carlton (who threw out the game's first pitch) and Danny Jackson were both the losing pitchers in those games.
Enter left hander number three- Jamie Moyer. The script is all too perfect: Local guy from Souderton who skipped school in 1980 for the Phillies World Series Parade. At 23, he made his big league debut and beats Steve Carlton, his boyhood hero. 22 years later at 45, he shouldn't be pitching in a softball league let alone the Major Leagues. Nonetheless, here is Moyer, in the twilight of his career and oh yeah, about to pitch THE biggest game of his life. After two rough outing in the playoffs, there was question as to whether Moyer should even start this game. Manager Charlie Manuel stuck with the guy who led the Phils in wins this year and he did not disappoint: allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings (and two of the three runs were avoidable). Made even more impressive was the fact that Moyer pitched the game with a stomach virus. Needless to say, my fellow Hawk Hill alumni made us all proud last night. Truth be told, I wanted Moyer to win this game almost as badly as I wanted the Phillies to win the game.
Lost in the mix is Carlos Ruiz, who went two for three and shrugged off a crucial eighth inning throwing error that tied the game to have the only game-winning, walk off, infield hit in World Series history. Ruiz, who may have been the most inconsistent hitter on the Phillies this season, is the most consistent hitter in this World Series. His second inning homer off starter Matt Garza was just his fifth this season, but all five of his homers have tied the game or put the Phillies in the lead.
A story that surfaced after the game was that Tim McGraw, son of the late Phils reliever Tug, scattered some of his father's ashes on the pitcher's mound prior to the start of the game. Ya gotta believe that Tugger was looking out for the Phils and the fans this night.
If the Phillies lost this game, it would have gone down in the top five heartbreaking losses in this club's checkered history. Instead, they pulled it out for their first game three victory in six World Series appearances. The team will be the death of all of us for how they do things, and I may not live to see my next birthday. If there are two more wins and a parade down Broad Street, I think I have a chance. They have never won a game four in their World Series contests either, so Joe Blanton will need to be on his best tonight against Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine.
Last night they made the impossible just two steps closer.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Phils acting like they forgot how to play baseball as Rays even series.
Where do we begin?
Greg Dobbs forgetting how to swing the bat? Jimmy Rollins now at an ungodly 0 for 10 clip? Ryan Howard continuously coming up small in the clutch and forgetting how to catch a baseball? Jason Werth forgetting how to field, run the bases, or setting a Philies record with 16 strikeouts in the postseason? Oh, and I almost forgot: How the Phillies after two games are an alarming, discouraging, and downright frightening 1 for 28 for an .036 clip with runners in scoring position! This officially tops Tyrone Hill in the 2001 NBA Finals as the most impotent display (or lack thereof) of offense I have ever seen from a team playing for a championship. I was not alive to see the 1966 Dodgers score just two runs against Baltimore in the most anemic showing of team offense ever witnessed in a World Series.
Starter James (Big Game) Shields was not his sharpest, but when your offense is sporadic like the Phillies, they sometimes can make anyone look good. Things got so bad for the Phillies that they made Dan Wheeler, considered the weakest link in Tampa Bay's bullpen, look like Sparky Lyle. Unlike game four of the NLCS, there was no dramatic comeback win to seize a commanding lead in the series. Although the Phillies leave Tampa Bay with a split, they can't help but feel that this game was well within their reach, and they let it slip away. A win by the Phillies tonight would have almost secured a parade down Broad Street for the first time in 25 years.
As I said before, Tampa Bay is no lay down. And just like all of the critics who are predicting the Rays to win this series, they did anything but that in game two. By getting three runs on three ground outs, they didn't exactly tear the cover off the ball. Nonetheless, they did much more than the Phillies did offensively. For the second straight game, the Phillies failed to put the ball in play in clutch situations. After watching this team throughout the year, you are well aware of the long stretches this can go on for. And with an inconsistent and questionable Jamie Moyer going against ALCS MVP Matt Garza on Saturday night in Philadelphia, it looks like the Phillies may be the underdog in this series just 24 hours after their thrilling game one victory.
That's Philadelphia for you. Note to Don Henley: New York's not the only city where everything can change in a minute.
Will the Phillies turn the tide? Or will it be 1983 and 1993 all over again? I really hate to bring this up, but the Phillies just don't seem to have ANY luck in World Series games dated October 23rd. After all, it IS 15 years to the day since Joe Carter sent Mitch Williams' fastball (?) over Skydome's left field wall. I am going to bed tonight very disgruntled, just like I did 15 years ago to the day, and just like every other Phillies fan in the Delaware Valley will do tonight.
I really hope I haven't seen this script before.
Greg Dobbs forgetting how to swing the bat? Jimmy Rollins now at an ungodly 0 for 10 clip? Ryan Howard continuously coming up small in the clutch and forgetting how to catch a baseball? Jason Werth forgetting how to field, run the bases, or setting a Philies record with 16 strikeouts in the postseason? Oh, and I almost forgot: How the Phillies after two games are an alarming, discouraging, and downright frightening 1 for 28 for an .036 clip with runners in scoring position! This officially tops Tyrone Hill in the 2001 NBA Finals as the most impotent display (or lack thereof) of offense I have ever seen from a team playing for a championship. I was not alive to see the 1966 Dodgers score just two runs against Baltimore in the most anemic showing of team offense ever witnessed in a World Series.
Starter James (Big Game) Shields was not his sharpest, but when your offense is sporadic like the Phillies, they sometimes can make anyone look good. Things got so bad for the Phillies that they made Dan Wheeler, considered the weakest link in Tampa Bay's bullpen, look like Sparky Lyle. Unlike game four of the NLCS, there was no dramatic comeback win to seize a commanding lead in the series. Although the Phillies leave Tampa Bay with a split, they can't help but feel that this game was well within their reach, and they let it slip away. A win by the Phillies tonight would have almost secured a parade down Broad Street for the first time in 25 years.
As I said before, Tampa Bay is no lay down. And just like all of the critics who are predicting the Rays to win this series, they did anything but that in game two. By getting three runs on three ground outs, they didn't exactly tear the cover off the ball. Nonetheless, they did much more than the Phillies did offensively. For the second straight game, the Phillies failed to put the ball in play in clutch situations. After watching this team throughout the year, you are well aware of the long stretches this can go on for. And with an inconsistent and questionable Jamie Moyer going against ALCS MVP Matt Garza on Saturday night in Philadelphia, it looks like the Phillies may be the underdog in this series just 24 hours after their thrilling game one victory.
That's Philadelphia for you. Note to Don Henley: New York's not the only city where everything can change in a minute.
Will the Phillies turn the tide? Or will it be 1983 and 1993 all over again? I really hate to bring this up, but the Phillies just don't seem to have ANY luck in World Series games dated October 23rd. After all, it IS 15 years to the day since Joe Carter sent Mitch Williams' fastball (?) over Skydome's left field wall. I am going to bed tonight very disgruntled, just like I did 15 years ago to the day, and just like every other Phillies fan in the Delaware Valley will do tonight.
I really hope I haven't seen this script before.
Phils win opener in Tampa Bay, but take it one game at a time.
You've heard the stats over the last week: 10 out of the last 11 winners of game one of The World Series have gone on to win the fall classic. That bodes very well for The Philadelphia Phillies, who won the inaugural contest in Tampa Bay 3-2 in exciting, and sometimes gut-wrenching fashion. Despite the game one victory, there were several problems that the Phillies will have to address if they are to capture the first title in Philadelphia since 1983.
The Good:
Starter Cole Hamels is quickly cementing himself as one of the best Phillies post season pitchers of all time, allowing seven baserunners in seven innings and surrendering two runs in last night's victory. His post season ERA is now 1.55
Chase Utley became the 34th player in World Series history to homer in his first World Series at bat. His two-run blast set the tone for game one, and he added another hit later in the game.
Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge: When these guys pitch as effectively as they did last night, you are pretty much looking at a seven inning game. Madson is throwing even harder this post season, and the fact that Lidge could set the Rays down in order despite a seven day layoff is very encouraging.
Taking game one was VITAL. If the Rays beat Hamels, it shifts the confidence level towards them. 63 out of 103 teams who have won game one have won the series. That is just a number, but this morning I would rather be the Phillies than the Rays. Also lost in the mix is the momentum factor. Even though the last two teams with an extended layoff (2006 Tigers, 2007 Corraddo Rockies) exited rather quietly in the World Series, the previous three teams (2001 Diamondbacks, 2002 Angels, 2005 White Sox) had an equally long layoff and won the World Series.
The Bad:
After Cole Hamels, the talent in the Phillies rotation drops significantly. Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, and Joe Blanton must step up if they are to put the Rays away.
The Phillies were 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position. This included Ryan Howard going 0 for 4 and striking out three times with runners in scoring position. Howard was also atrocious in the field again, only being saved by a pickoff of Carlos Pena after his error allowed Pena to reach first base. You can't give a championship caliber team like Tampa Bay 4 outs in an inning. Eventually, they will make you pay for it. The layoff seemed to hurt Jimmy Rollins as well. Rollins probably had the worst offensive game by a hitter in recent memory in a World Series, going 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts and stranding 5 runners on base. My prediction was that these two would have an excellent series. But then again, everybody seems to be picking the Rays to win as well. I hope that the latter is wrong. Howard and Rollins MUST have a stronger series if the Phillies are to win.
I'm sure this series is far from over and technically, there are six games left to go. Keep in mind that the Rays also lost game one of the ALCS against the Red Sox, and then reeled off three wins in a row. They are a resilient team who will bounce back. Also keep in the mind that the Phillies won the opener of the 1983 World Series, then promptly dropped four in a row from the Orioles. At the end of the day, I'd still rather be in the Phillies position right now. Their business like approach assures you that they know there are three more wins to go. They've proven everybody wrong all year. They have to do it again tonight as the "experts" are predicting an uproar in the Rays offense in game two.
Last night however, the Phillies made what always seemed impossible one step closer to becoming possible.
The Good:
Starter Cole Hamels is quickly cementing himself as one of the best Phillies post season pitchers of all time, allowing seven baserunners in seven innings and surrendering two runs in last night's victory. His post season ERA is now 1.55
Chase Utley became the 34th player in World Series history to homer in his first World Series at bat. His two-run blast set the tone for game one, and he added another hit later in the game.
Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge: When these guys pitch as effectively as they did last night, you are pretty much looking at a seven inning game. Madson is throwing even harder this post season, and the fact that Lidge could set the Rays down in order despite a seven day layoff is very encouraging.
Taking game one was VITAL. If the Rays beat Hamels, it shifts the confidence level towards them. 63 out of 103 teams who have won game one have won the series. That is just a number, but this morning I would rather be the Phillies than the Rays. Also lost in the mix is the momentum factor. Even though the last two teams with an extended layoff (2006 Tigers, 2007 Corraddo Rockies) exited rather quietly in the World Series, the previous three teams (2001 Diamondbacks, 2002 Angels, 2005 White Sox) had an equally long layoff and won the World Series.
The Bad:
After Cole Hamels, the talent in the Phillies rotation drops significantly. Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, and Joe Blanton must step up if they are to put the Rays away.
The Phillies were 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position. This included Ryan Howard going 0 for 4 and striking out three times with runners in scoring position. Howard was also atrocious in the field again, only being saved by a pickoff of Carlos Pena after his error allowed Pena to reach first base. You can't give a championship caliber team like Tampa Bay 4 outs in an inning. Eventually, they will make you pay for it. The layoff seemed to hurt Jimmy Rollins as well. Rollins probably had the worst offensive game by a hitter in recent memory in a World Series, going 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts and stranding 5 runners on base. My prediction was that these two would have an excellent series. But then again, everybody seems to be picking the Rays to win as well. I hope that the latter is wrong. Howard and Rollins MUST have a stronger series if the Phillies are to win.
I'm sure this series is far from over and technically, there are six games left to go. Keep in mind that the Rays also lost game one of the ALCS against the Red Sox, and then reeled off three wins in a row. They are a resilient team who will bounce back. Also keep in the mind that the Phillies won the opener of the 1983 World Series, then promptly dropped four in a row from the Orioles. At the end of the day, I'd still rather be in the Phillies position right now. Their business like approach assures you that they know there are three more wins to go. They've proven everybody wrong all year. They have to do it again tonight as the "experts" are predicting an uproar in the Rays offense in game two.
Last night however, the Phillies made what always seemed impossible one step closer to becoming possible.
Monday, October 20, 2008
We FINALLY know who we're playing!!!!!
I was enjoying a drink with Brian Startare of WIP and Dennis Bakay of PhillyPurge.com at Downey's Friday night, when Phils broadcaster and former pitcher Larry Andersen stopped by with some friends. When I asked Larry who he would rather see the Phillies face in the World Series, Andersen noted that both teams in the ALCS are both good teams, but that The Boston Red Sox would have too much momentum going into a World Series if they came back from another three games to one deficit.
For the record, I agree. And after almost a week of speculation, the fightin' Phils will indeed be facing The Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field to start game one of the much anticipated World Series. As usual, the Phillies are NEVER the media favorites, with ESPN's Tim Kurkjian picking the cinderella Rays (if I hear that again, I will vomit) in seven games. Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, never one to favor the Phils during the 2008 playoffs, didn't exactly pick Tampa Bay, but it seemed more or less that he was leaning towards them as opposed to the Phillies.
The fact that this 25-year jinx has been burden on this town for so long should be a story of its own to the national media. Problem is, no one is biting. To be fair, Tampa Bay is no Milwaukee or Los Angeles. However, if the Phillies were able to beat the Dodgers despite a batting average of .533 from Manny Ramirez, they should do at least an adequate job at trying to contain the Rays offense. Truth be told, the Phils and Rays match up well against each other, with the slight edge given to the Rays starting pitchers. Despite the emergence of ALCS MVP Matt Garza, James Shields, and Andy Sonnanstine, the Phillies handled C.C. Sabathia, Derek Lowe, and Chad Billingsley pretty well in the playoffs so far. The key to game one is getting to Rays starter Scott Kazmir, who could give problems to lefties Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.
The Phils need to win this for the franchise, the long-suffering city, and last but not least, the fans. This is the most pivotal run at a championship in the long history of the city. If they win, it will be the best and most significant. We will no longer be losers, no longer number two. Pain, anguish, and heartache erased for a long while. The city of Philadelphia will rise to new and unbelievable heights. I really don't want to think of what could happen if we lose.....again. Faith in any of our sports teams may be permanently damaged. And with the Flyers struggling again, the Sixers not quite ready, and the Eagles inconsistency, chances are you'll have to wait next year's Phillies team for another hope of a parade. And as we all know in this town, once you get there, you may never get back. Tampa Bay CAN'T get another championship at our expense. The interviewers who talk to Tampa's "fans" openly discuss about how much they have lived and died with their team. This is a complete and utter joke. We've been waiting to get back to the World Series since before they even had a team. They've had their World Series already. I remember a team who had a pretty good run similar to the Rays back in the day: the 1993 Phillies. As a thirty year old, I can't afford to be 45 and complain about the 2008 World Series, just like I still cringe beyond help when I watch Joe Carter's ball go over the Skydome's outfield wall.
They've done it all year. Let's hope they are the hungrier of two hungry teams. Never in sports did I ever think I'd be happy going 2 for 126.
For the record, I agree. And after almost a week of speculation, the fightin' Phils will indeed be facing The Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field to start game one of the much anticipated World Series. As usual, the Phillies are NEVER the media favorites, with ESPN's Tim Kurkjian picking the cinderella Rays (if I hear that again, I will vomit) in seven games. Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, never one to favor the Phils during the 2008 playoffs, didn't exactly pick Tampa Bay, but it seemed more or less that he was leaning towards them as opposed to the Phillies.
The fact that this 25-year jinx has been burden on this town for so long should be a story of its own to the national media. Problem is, no one is biting. To be fair, Tampa Bay is no Milwaukee or Los Angeles. However, if the Phillies were able to beat the Dodgers despite a batting average of .533 from Manny Ramirez, they should do at least an adequate job at trying to contain the Rays offense. Truth be told, the Phils and Rays match up well against each other, with the slight edge given to the Rays starting pitchers. Despite the emergence of ALCS MVP Matt Garza, James Shields, and Andy Sonnanstine, the Phillies handled C.C. Sabathia, Derek Lowe, and Chad Billingsley pretty well in the playoffs so far. The key to game one is getting to Rays starter Scott Kazmir, who could give problems to lefties Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.
The Phils need to win this for the franchise, the long-suffering city, and last but not least, the fans. This is the most pivotal run at a championship in the long history of the city. If they win, it will be the best and most significant. We will no longer be losers, no longer number two. Pain, anguish, and heartache erased for a long while. The city of Philadelphia will rise to new and unbelievable heights. I really don't want to think of what could happen if we lose.....again. Faith in any of our sports teams may be permanently damaged. And with the Flyers struggling again, the Sixers not quite ready, and the Eagles inconsistency, chances are you'll have to wait next year's Phillies team for another hope of a parade. And as we all know in this town, once you get there, you may never get back. Tampa Bay CAN'T get another championship at our expense. The interviewers who talk to Tampa's "fans" openly discuss about how much they have lived and died with their team. This is a complete and utter joke. We've been waiting to get back to the World Series since before they even had a team. They've had their World Series already. I remember a team who had a pretty good run similar to the Rays back in the day: the 1993 Phillies. As a thirty year old, I can't afford to be 45 and complain about the 2008 World Series, just like I still cringe beyond help when I watch Joe Carter's ball go over the Skydome's outfield wall.
They've done it all year. Let's hope they are the hungrier of two hungry teams. Never in sports did I ever think I'd be happy going 2 for 126.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Phils on the doorstep to World Series as the team pulls off the improbable
Four weeks ago, you never could have imagined this. As Carlos Delgado rocketed his second home run off of Phillies starter Cole Hamels deep into the New York night, the Phillies were on their way to a two game deficit in the National League East. However, a funny thing happened on the way to the playoffs. A sweep of the Brewers at home, a second straight division title, a series win in the NLDS, and three thrilling victories against the Dodgers in the NLCS later and the Philadelphia Phillies find themselves just one win away from advancing to their sixth World Series in franchise history.
It's not the fact that the Phillies simply managed to finally win a game this year at Dodger Stadium to give them a three games to one series lead over L.A., it's the tension filled, spine tingling, come from behind victory last night that will have Phillies fans talking about this game for the rest of their lives.
From the outset, it looked like the Phillies were in the drivers seat against starter Derek Lowe, who was pitching on three days rest. The Phillies jumped to an early 2-0 at the end of the first. Starter Joe Blanton, not unlike game three loser Jamie Moyer, was not as sharp as he was against the Brewers in the previous week, yielding a game tying rbi to (who else?) Manny Ramirez in the bottom of the fifth. The Dodgers eventually took the lead on a ground out. After the Phillies tied the game on a wild pitch by Dodgers reliever Chan Ho Park, reliever Chad Durbin surrendered a go ahead home run to Casey Blake in the bottom of the sixth, and only a tremendous game saving double play by Chase Utley prevented the Dodgers from blowing the game wide open to ending the inning with a 5-3 lead. Truth be told, the Phillies looked dead in the water. They had a game that was seemingly in their grasp slip away from them. What could have been a commanding three games to one series lead was looking more and more like a series tied at two games a piece.
Then it happened. A base hit and a pop up later, Shane Victorino laced a game tying home run to right field. After a base hit by Carlos Ruiz, late season acquisition Matt Stairs launched a 3-1 fast ball off Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton deep into the right field seats, and suddenly the Phillies had a 7-5 lead. After a four out save by Brad Lidge, the Phillies stunned the Dodger Stadium crowd, and ended one of the most unlikely comebacks in the post season history of the franchise. With staff ace Cole Hamels on the mound for the possible clinching victory in game five, the Phillies put themselves in a very good position to clinch the pennant tomorrow. Once again, they are not arrogant but confident. An example of this could have possibly occurred this afternoon when Pat Burrell called a team meeting just prior to their workout. Nobody is sure exactly what was said in the meeting. It does however, speak volumes when Burrell, a notoriously quiet presence in the clubhouse is becoming quite vocal in the wake of the current circumstances.
The home run was sweet redemption for Victorino, who was a victim of retaliation on behalf of Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda in game three. After Phillies pitchers threw inside to Dodger hitters Ramirez and Russell Martin in games two and three respectively, Kuroda threw over Victorino's head an inning later. The center fielder made it clear that throwing above the head was off limits, which the Dodgers seemed to understand. However, after Victorino was retired to end the inning, more words were exchanged and benches cleared, but order was eventually restored. Many insiders were wondering whose team this would fire up more, the Phillies or Dodgers? The answer to that is unclear, but we do know one particular Philly who let his bat do the talking. Victorino is our Pete Rose, Scott Stevens, and maybe a little bit of the good T.O. all rolled into one. Always maintaining an upbeat attitude while remaining confident, always being part of the action, and doing whatever it takes to put a spark into your team. It's no surprise that most of the biggest moments in the playoffs this season have centered around Victorino, who right now should be the odds-on favorite for the NLCS MVP should the Phillies win this thing.
If the home run was redemption for Victorino, it was validation for Stairs. The seventeen year veteran and the quiet owner of 254 major league home runs has only been with the Phillies for a few weeks. Some fans called me and didn't even know who he was! What everyone soon knew was that the ball he hit would still be travelling if it wasn't such a cool night in L.A. The emotion on Stairs' face after rounding the bases said it all. A great guy and a good influence in the clubhouse, you really couldn't think of a better defining moment to have the biggest hit in your major league career. Hopefully for Stairs and the Phillies, there's much more to come.
Not unnoticed in the Phillies win is that the team is continuing to play exactly how all teams should play: Like a team. Ryan Howard may not be hitting the ball out of the park, but his base hit led to Victorino's home run. Carlos Ruiz may have only hit .219 this season, but if it weren't for his two out single, there is no Stairs home run, and I may be writing a completely different column right now. Ruiz's performance in the playoffs is much reminiscent of Bob Boone's performance in the 1980 NLCS. While Boone only hit .228 in 1980, his stellar defense and timely clutch hitting in the playoffs were enough to compensate for some of the subpar performances of the team's superstars.
Don't get me wrong, this team does have some concerns if they are to advance to the World Series. Chad Durbin is clearly exhausted after pitching in almost 80 games this season. Jamie Moyer has looked downright abysmal in the only two losses the Phillies have suffered this postseason, and Ryan Howard is seriously suffering from a bad case of Steve Sax disease. However, when your team overcomes such obstacles as game four of the NLCS with timely hitting from the unlikliest of heroes, one might dare to think that everything will pan out, and that luck for once may be on your side.
Don't believe me? We'll find out in a few days.
It's not the fact that the Phillies simply managed to finally win a game this year at Dodger Stadium to give them a three games to one series lead over L.A., it's the tension filled, spine tingling, come from behind victory last night that will have Phillies fans talking about this game for the rest of their lives.
From the outset, it looked like the Phillies were in the drivers seat against starter Derek Lowe, who was pitching on three days rest. The Phillies jumped to an early 2-0 at the end of the first. Starter Joe Blanton, not unlike game three loser Jamie Moyer, was not as sharp as he was against the Brewers in the previous week, yielding a game tying rbi to (who else?) Manny Ramirez in the bottom of the fifth. The Dodgers eventually took the lead on a ground out. After the Phillies tied the game on a wild pitch by Dodgers reliever Chan Ho Park, reliever Chad Durbin surrendered a go ahead home run to Casey Blake in the bottom of the sixth, and only a tremendous game saving double play by Chase Utley prevented the Dodgers from blowing the game wide open to ending the inning with a 5-3 lead. Truth be told, the Phillies looked dead in the water. They had a game that was seemingly in their grasp slip away from them. What could have been a commanding three games to one series lead was looking more and more like a series tied at two games a piece.
Then it happened. A base hit and a pop up later, Shane Victorino laced a game tying home run to right field. After a base hit by Carlos Ruiz, late season acquisition Matt Stairs launched a 3-1 fast ball off Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton deep into the right field seats, and suddenly the Phillies had a 7-5 lead. After a four out save by Brad Lidge, the Phillies stunned the Dodger Stadium crowd, and ended one of the most unlikely comebacks in the post season history of the franchise. With staff ace Cole Hamels on the mound for the possible clinching victory in game five, the Phillies put themselves in a very good position to clinch the pennant tomorrow. Once again, they are not arrogant but confident. An example of this could have possibly occurred this afternoon when Pat Burrell called a team meeting just prior to their workout. Nobody is sure exactly what was said in the meeting. It does however, speak volumes when Burrell, a notoriously quiet presence in the clubhouse is becoming quite vocal in the wake of the current circumstances.
The home run was sweet redemption for Victorino, who was a victim of retaliation on behalf of Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda in game three. After Phillies pitchers threw inside to Dodger hitters Ramirez and Russell Martin in games two and three respectively, Kuroda threw over Victorino's head an inning later. The center fielder made it clear that throwing above the head was off limits, which the Dodgers seemed to understand. However, after Victorino was retired to end the inning, more words were exchanged and benches cleared, but order was eventually restored. Many insiders were wondering whose team this would fire up more, the Phillies or Dodgers? The answer to that is unclear, but we do know one particular Philly who let his bat do the talking. Victorino is our Pete Rose, Scott Stevens, and maybe a little bit of the good T.O. all rolled into one. Always maintaining an upbeat attitude while remaining confident, always being part of the action, and doing whatever it takes to put a spark into your team. It's no surprise that most of the biggest moments in the playoffs this season have centered around Victorino, who right now should be the odds-on favorite for the NLCS MVP should the Phillies win this thing.
If the home run was redemption for Victorino, it was validation for Stairs. The seventeen year veteran and the quiet owner of 254 major league home runs has only been with the Phillies for a few weeks. Some fans called me and didn't even know who he was! What everyone soon knew was that the ball he hit would still be travelling if it wasn't such a cool night in L.A. The emotion on Stairs' face after rounding the bases said it all. A great guy and a good influence in the clubhouse, you really couldn't think of a better defining moment to have the biggest hit in your major league career. Hopefully for Stairs and the Phillies, there's much more to come.
Not unnoticed in the Phillies win is that the team is continuing to play exactly how all teams should play: Like a team. Ryan Howard may not be hitting the ball out of the park, but his base hit led to Victorino's home run. Carlos Ruiz may have only hit .219 this season, but if it weren't for his two out single, there is no Stairs home run, and I may be writing a completely different column right now. Ruiz's performance in the playoffs is much reminiscent of Bob Boone's performance in the 1980 NLCS. While Boone only hit .228 in 1980, his stellar defense and timely clutch hitting in the playoffs were enough to compensate for some of the subpar performances of the team's superstars.
Don't get me wrong, this team does have some concerns if they are to advance to the World Series. Chad Durbin is clearly exhausted after pitching in almost 80 games this season. Jamie Moyer has looked downright abysmal in the only two losses the Phillies have suffered this postseason, and Ryan Howard is seriously suffering from a bad case of Steve Sax disease. However, when your team overcomes such obstacles as game four of the NLCS with timely hitting from the unlikliest of heroes, one might dare to think that everything will pan out, and that luck for once may be on your side.
Don't believe me? We'll find out in a few days.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Phils look to take pennant in LA as they carry heavy hearts
The Phils took the red eye to Los Angeles Friday evening after taking the first two games of the NLCS against The Los Angeles Dodgers. However, these weren't just two typical wins in the NLCS. And come to think of it, these aren't your typical Phillies either.
The Dodgers first inning run in the opening game Thursday night could have been two runs- IF left fielder Manny Ramirez's long fly ball to center field didn't just hit the top panel before the stands. Baseball truly is a game of inches, and never more so for the Phillies on that particular play. The Dodgers Derek Lowe is known as one of the best post season pitchers in the last 30 years- BUT the Phillies got the best of him in game one just like they had done to C.C. Sabathia just one week prior. This was due in large part to Chase Utley's first post-season home run, and Pat Burrell's game winning blast moments later. And let's not forget Cole Hamels, who after a shaky start was able to settle down and pitch brilliantly for seven strong innings. Not many people are questioning the young lefthander's heart now, and after last year's shaky NLCS, Hamels has regrouped in 2008 and has been nothing short of spectacular this postseason. If you thought game one was awesome, this was truly the "Star Wars" to game two's "Empire Strikes Back".
Just prior to batting practice Friday afternoon, Charlie Manuel had received word that his 87 year-old mother had passed away after suffering a heart attack several days earlier. When game two starter Brett Myers heard the news, he told Manuel that he was going to win the game for his mother. It's obvious at this stage in Manuel's tenure in Philadelphia that he is truly loved by his players, and there is no doubt that circumstances or not, he gets the best from his players as well. Myers did not disappoint. His overall line was not impressive: five innings pitched, 5 runs, 6 hits, but once again it was his hitting that made the headlines.
Myers became the only pitcher in major league baseball history to go three for three with three rbi's in the Phillies 8-5 victory. Keep in mind that Myers only had four hits the entire season and has now equalled that in the playoffs. Like I said, these aren't your typical Phillies. Also lost in the mix was Shane Victorino, who had four runs batted in and made what was perhaps to this point the series most important catch. With a leap against the wall off the bat of Casey Blake's bat in the top of the eighth inning, Victorino easily saved three runs to keep the Dodgers scoreless for the fourth consecutive inning. The Phillies held on for the win, but moments after the game, he was told that his grandmother had passed away early Friday morning. Victorino's father had waited to tell him until after the game for fear that his performance would be affected. Nothing is yet confirmed, but it has been said that the families of Manuel and Victorino are taking care of arrangements that will enable both men to be present for the funerals of their respective loved ones while still being able to participate in the NLCS without missing any time. One thing is for certain: heaven now has a few more angels looking down on the Phillies.
In the whole history of this game, there is not doubt that the myriad of emotions experienced by the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday have not been equalled by any other team in the modern era. To play the way they did despite the circumstances truly shows the character of this team. Again they are not arrogant, claiming that there is still much work to be done as play resumes Sunday evening in Los Angeles. With the way they are playing they are getting closer and closer to the ultimate goal with each victory, even making believers out of the staunchest negadelphians.
And for that matter, some disgruntled fans as well.
The Dodgers first inning run in the opening game Thursday night could have been two runs- IF left fielder Manny Ramirez's long fly ball to center field didn't just hit the top panel before the stands. Baseball truly is a game of inches, and never more so for the Phillies on that particular play. The Dodgers Derek Lowe is known as one of the best post season pitchers in the last 30 years- BUT the Phillies got the best of him in game one just like they had done to C.C. Sabathia just one week prior. This was due in large part to Chase Utley's first post-season home run, and Pat Burrell's game winning blast moments later. And let's not forget Cole Hamels, who after a shaky start was able to settle down and pitch brilliantly for seven strong innings. Not many people are questioning the young lefthander's heart now, and after last year's shaky NLCS, Hamels has regrouped in 2008 and has been nothing short of spectacular this postseason. If you thought game one was awesome, this was truly the "Star Wars" to game two's "Empire Strikes Back".
Just prior to batting practice Friday afternoon, Charlie Manuel had received word that his 87 year-old mother had passed away after suffering a heart attack several days earlier. When game two starter Brett Myers heard the news, he told Manuel that he was going to win the game for his mother. It's obvious at this stage in Manuel's tenure in Philadelphia that he is truly loved by his players, and there is no doubt that circumstances or not, he gets the best from his players as well. Myers did not disappoint. His overall line was not impressive: five innings pitched, 5 runs, 6 hits, but once again it was his hitting that made the headlines.
Myers became the only pitcher in major league baseball history to go three for three with three rbi's in the Phillies 8-5 victory. Keep in mind that Myers only had four hits the entire season and has now equalled that in the playoffs. Like I said, these aren't your typical Phillies. Also lost in the mix was Shane Victorino, who had four runs batted in and made what was perhaps to this point the series most important catch. With a leap against the wall off the bat of Casey Blake's bat in the top of the eighth inning, Victorino easily saved three runs to keep the Dodgers scoreless for the fourth consecutive inning. The Phillies held on for the win, but moments after the game, he was told that his grandmother had passed away early Friday morning. Victorino's father had waited to tell him until after the game for fear that his performance would be affected. Nothing is yet confirmed, but it has been said that the families of Manuel and Victorino are taking care of arrangements that will enable both men to be present for the funerals of their respective loved ones while still being able to participate in the NLCS without missing any time. One thing is for certain: heaven now has a few more angels looking down on the Phillies.
In the whole history of this game, there is not doubt that the myriad of emotions experienced by the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday have not been equalled by any other team in the modern era. To play the way they did despite the circumstances truly shows the character of this team. Again they are not arrogant, claiming that there is still much work to be done as play resumes Sunday evening in Los Angeles. With the way they are playing they are getting closer and closer to the ultimate goal with each victory, even making believers out of the staunchest negadelphians.
And for that matter, some disgruntled fans as well.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Phils to take on Dodgers for World Series.....again
Haven't we been here before? Of course we have, but the majority of people reading this blog won't remember (or maybe weren't even born) when the Phillies last faced The Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS in 1983. I was just a kindergardner who remembers my neighbor's Moses Malone poster hanging proudly in his bedroom. It was only a few years later when I realized the signifigance of that poster. Oddly enough that year, the Sixers dusted the Lakers in four games to win the 1983 NBA Finals: to this day the LAST title that this town has seen. To add irony to the matter, the Phillies were in Los Angeles playing the Dodgers that night in May of 1983. As far as championships go, it seems that we either face a Los Angeles team, or have to beat them to get there. The Lakers robbed us of another NBA title in 2001,so now it's our turn.
The Phillies bats seemed to be heating up on Sunday as Jimmy Rollins and a rejuvanated Pat (Bring Back the Bat) Burrell slugged three home runs (two by Burrell) en route to a 6-2 Phillies win to clinch the NLDS against Milwaukee. After everything this frnachise has been through since their arrival in 2000, it was quite poetic that Rollins and Burrell sealed the deal. If Burrell has indeed found his stroke again, this means trouble for the Dodgers simply because they won't have the luxury of walking Ryan Howard to face him. Keep in mind that Howard has nine career home runs against the Dodgers, so he must make their pitching staff pay for mistakes.
Although the media is foaming at the bit for a Dodgers/Red Sox World Series and will always profess their undying love for Joe Torre and a hungry Manny Ramierez who is playing for a contract, you have to wonder if the Dodgers sweep against the Cubs was a result of them playing that well, or the Cubs simply falling apart once again. My guess is that it's a little of both. Their pitching has been more than consistent, with Derek Lowe always a threat in the postseason. Throw in Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda and the Dodgers can be dangerous. However, Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, and Jamie Moyer at their A game are better than the Dodgers top three at their A game.
Despite the bias of the media, the Dodgers and their mediocre 84-78 record in the World Series would once agian show how weak the National League can truly be. Everyone is making a big deal about how it's been 20 years since the team won a World Series. My response to that is best exemplified by a quote from the late Chris Farley: "WELL LADEE FREAKIN' DA!" It's been 28 long, frustruating years for the Phillies. The Dodgers have won two championships during this span and the Phillies have lost two. Nobody is crying for us. But then again, it's Philadelphia. We will NEVER be the media darlings.
Simply put, if the Phillies can hit the way they are capable of hitting, they can take the Dodgers in six games. If not, they could be swept right out of the NLCS, maybe stealing a game if they are lucky. If they are meant to win, it will happen.
I've counted them out several times this year and they have proven me wrong every single time. Many things must go right, just as they did against the Brewers. Why count them out now? They may be just getting started. Let's hope for the fans in the best city in the world that they are.
The Phillies bats seemed to be heating up on Sunday as Jimmy Rollins and a rejuvanated Pat (Bring Back the Bat) Burrell slugged three home runs (two by Burrell) en route to a 6-2 Phillies win to clinch the NLDS against Milwaukee. After everything this frnachise has been through since their arrival in 2000, it was quite poetic that Rollins and Burrell sealed the deal. If Burrell has indeed found his stroke again, this means trouble for the Dodgers simply because they won't have the luxury of walking Ryan Howard to face him. Keep in mind that Howard has nine career home runs against the Dodgers, so he must make their pitching staff pay for mistakes.
Although the media is foaming at the bit for a Dodgers/Red Sox World Series and will always profess their undying love for Joe Torre and a hungry Manny Ramierez who is playing for a contract, you have to wonder if the Dodgers sweep against the Cubs was a result of them playing that well, or the Cubs simply falling apart once again. My guess is that it's a little of both. Their pitching has been more than consistent, with Derek Lowe always a threat in the postseason. Throw in Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda and the Dodgers can be dangerous. However, Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, and Jamie Moyer at their A game are better than the Dodgers top three at their A game.
Despite the bias of the media, the Dodgers and their mediocre 84-78 record in the World Series would once agian show how weak the National League can truly be. Everyone is making a big deal about how it's been 20 years since the team won a World Series. My response to that is best exemplified by a quote from the late Chris Farley: "WELL LADEE FREAKIN' DA!" It's been 28 long, frustruating years for the Phillies. The Dodgers have won two championships during this span and the Phillies have lost two. Nobody is crying for us. But then again, it's Philadelphia. We will NEVER be the media darlings.
Simply put, if the Phillies can hit the way they are capable of hitting, they can take the Dodgers in six games. If not, they could be swept right out of the NLCS, maybe stealing a game if they are lucky. If they are meant to win, it will happen.
I've counted them out several times this year and they have proven me wrong every single time. Many things must go right, just as they did against the Brewers. Why count them out now? They may be just getting started. Let's hope for the fans in the best city in the world that they are.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Fightin' Phils go for the sweep
After witnessing one of the most memorable games in the history of the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday afternoon, you just have to sit back and tip your cap to this team. The play of the Phillies has been erratic at times this season, and I know it's just the inaugural round of the playoffs, but in just two games the Phillies have made me believe that almost anything is possible with this team. Many experts went on record saying that the Brewers would be in good shape if they were able to split two games in Philadelphia. The Phillies needed to win game one just to alleviate the pressure of facing C.C. Sabathia in game two, and also to get the monkey off their back from their short exit in the previous year's NLDS. Not only did they take game one, they decided to take game two to take a commanding series lead back to Milwaukee. The last time the Phillies were up 2-0 in a postseason series was.... dare I say it- 1980. A win tomorrow could put the team in the NLCS for the first time since 1993. Before we jump the gun, let's talk about yesterday's legendary game.
The challenge that was C.C. Sabathia was not one that Phillies fans were looking forward to after Wednesday's thrilling game one victory. In addition to facing Sabathia, there was the question as to which Brett Myers would show up for the Phillies- the one who got rocked in his final two appearances this season, or the one who resembled Bob Feller after he was recalled from the minor leagues in late July. After a shaky start, Myers settled down, not walking a batter after forcing in a run in the first inning and only surrendering one more hit while striking out four.
However it wasn't Myers pitching that turned this series in the Phillies favor: it was his at bat in the bottom of the second inning which may be the turning point in the entire series. A .069 hitter in 2008, Myers miraculously (Yes- that is the only word to describe his at bat) fought back from a 1-2 count to foul off three pitches and work a walk against Sabathia, who by this time was clearly rattled (whether by the fans, Myers at bat, or both). At first, the fans seemed to cheer Myers for his valiant attempt to keep the inning alive and the realization that at least the lineup would be turned over if he would fail to reach base. Then something came over the stadium. You really can't explain it unless you were there. It was if the tides had turned, and the ghost of Burt Hooten in 1977 was reincarnated in Sabathia. He was not the same pitcher after the Myers at bat. A Jimmy Rollins walk set the stage for Shane Victorino, who promptly smacked a 1-2 pitch into the left field seats for the Phillies first ever post-season grand slam and the first of his career. It's safe to say that the seemingly invincible Sabathia was not so invincible after all. With one swing of the bat, the Phillies seized the game's momentum. And although they had seven more innings to play, the game was unofficially theirs.
In the first two games, the Phillies simply did what championship caliber teams do in the playoffs: 1. Work the pitcher 2. Be aggressive on the base paths 3. Capitalize on other teams mistakes, and most importantly 4. Show plate discipline. The latter is something several Phillies have struggled with at times this season. The beginning of this change was evident in game one, in which last night's hero Victorino took a bases loaded walk to force in the Phillies third run. As recently as three weeks ago, there was a chance that Victorino waves at that pitch. However, this is the playoffs: No more padding stats for the season, no need to play hero. Not that I am insinuating that the Phillies play for stats, but the end result justifies everyone's needs come playoff time. The Phillies have also managed several double steals in this series, which can make the difference between zero runs, and two runs. And in the playoffs, ANY run can make a difference. Maybe Mike Cameron catches Chase Utley's line drive in game one on a May afternoon. Point is, he didn't, and the Phillies made him pay for it.
The exciting thing is that the Phillies seem to get it. With each passing game, they aren't playing tighter, but they're playing looser. They aren't arrogant but confident, emphasizing that this series is far from over. The scariest scenario is that the Phillies are far from peaking as a team offensively. The Phils have only scored in 2 out of 18 innings in the postseason. If the team makes it to the NLCS, Utley, Ryan Howard, and Pat Burrell will have to improve. If Hamels and Myers can stay in top form, the Phillies will be in good shape. Milwaukee is a solid baseball team, but the competition increases as the playoffs go on.
If the Brewers lose in game three, this will likely be their last hurrah with the expected trade of shortstop J.J. Hardy, and with starter Ben Sheets often injured and facing free agency. Moreover, you have to give credit to Sabathia for the job he has done with the Brewers. He is a decent guy, and his willingness to take the ball every third day during the stretch run with his free agency pending has earned him lifelong respect for his probably soon to be ex-teammates. Judging by the radar gun at Citizens Bank Park, it's not like Sabathia was running out of gas after pitching on just three days rest for the fourth time this season. The Phillies simply got to him. He will still make good money come wintertime, but his contract will in all likelihood exceed the entire payroll of the Brewers.
By winning Saturday, the Phillies will be one step closer to the NLCS. Let's not get cocky yet, the Phillies certainly aren't.
The challenge that was C.C. Sabathia was not one that Phillies fans were looking forward to after Wednesday's thrilling game one victory. In addition to facing Sabathia, there was the question as to which Brett Myers would show up for the Phillies- the one who got rocked in his final two appearances this season, or the one who resembled Bob Feller after he was recalled from the minor leagues in late July. After a shaky start, Myers settled down, not walking a batter after forcing in a run in the first inning and only surrendering one more hit while striking out four.
However it wasn't Myers pitching that turned this series in the Phillies favor: it was his at bat in the bottom of the second inning which may be the turning point in the entire series. A .069 hitter in 2008, Myers miraculously (Yes- that is the only word to describe his at bat) fought back from a 1-2 count to foul off three pitches and work a walk against Sabathia, who by this time was clearly rattled (whether by the fans, Myers at bat, or both). At first, the fans seemed to cheer Myers for his valiant attempt to keep the inning alive and the realization that at least the lineup would be turned over if he would fail to reach base. Then something came over the stadium. You really can't explain it unless you were there. It was if the tides had turned, and the ghost of Burt Hooten in 1977 was reincarnated in Sabathia. He was not the same pitcher after the Myers at bat. A Jimmy Rollins walk set the stage for Shane Victorino, who promptly smacked a 1-2 pitch into the left field seats for the Phillies first ever post-season grand slam and the first of his career. It's safe to say that the seemingly invincible Sabathia was not so invincible after all. With one swing of the bat, the Phillies seized the game's momentum. And although they had seven more innings to play, the game was unofficially theirs.
In the first two games, the Phillies simply did what championship caliber teams do in the playoffs: 1. Work the pitcher 2. Be aggressive on the base paths 3. Capitalize on other teams mistakes, and most importantly 4. Show plate discipline. The latter is something several Phillies have struggled with at times this season. The beginning of this change was evident in game one, in which last night's hero Victorino took a bases loaded walk to force in the Phillies third run. As recently as three weeks ago, there was a chance that Victorino waves at that pitch. However, this is the playoffs: No more padding stats for the season, no need to play hero. Not that I am insinuating that the Phillies play for stats, but the end result justifies everyone's needs come playoff time. The Phillies have also managed several double steals in this series, which can make the difference between zero runs, and two runs. And in the playoffs, ANY run can make a difference. Maybe Mike Cameron catches Chase Utley's line drive in game one on a May afternoon. Point is, he didn't, and the Phillies made him pay for it.
The exciting thing is that the Phillies seem to get it. With each passing game, they aren't playing tighter, but they're playing looser. They aren't arrogant but confident, emphasizing that this series is far from over. The scariest scenario is that the Phillies are far from peaking as a team offensively. The Phils have only scored in 2 out of 18 innings in the postseason. If the team makes it to the NLCS, Utley, Ryan Howard, and Pat Burrell will have to improve. If Hamels and Myers can stay in top form, the Phillies will be in good shape. Milwaukee is a solid baseball team, but the competition increases as the playoffs go on.
If the Brewers lose in game three, this will likely be their last hurrah with the expected trade of shortstop J.J. Hardy, and with starter Ben Sheets often injured and facing free agency. Moreover, you have to give credit to Sabathia for the job he has done with the Brewers. He is a decent guy, and his willingness to take the ball every third day during the stretch run with his free agency pending has earned him lifelong respect for his probably soon to be ex-teammates. Judging by the radar gun at Citizens Bank Park, it's not like Sabathia was running out of gas after pitching on just three days rest for the fourth time this season. The Phillies simply got to him. He will still make good money come wintertime, but his contract will in all likelihood exceed the entire payroll of the Brewers.
By winning Saturday, the Phillies will be one step closer to the NLCS. Let's not get cocky yet, the Phillies certainly aren't.
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