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.
Friday, October 3, 2008
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