I’d be happy going back to Philly with a split, especially with Cliff Lee not even taking the mound yet. But taking 2 from the Dodgers in LA to start the series would be so demoralizing for the Dodgers that it would be really, really hard for them to recover.
Here’s what I will be looking for in Game 2…
- Pedro, duh. When we signed Pedro, I don’t think many envisioned him as the Game 2 starter in the NLCS for us. Charlie is taking a big chance here with both Blanton and Happ able to pitch on full rest. We know Pedro has the mentality for the job, but will he be sharp after hardly pitching for the last month? By the way – if he’s brilliant? He’ll become a Matt Stairs-type legend pretty fast.
- The Floatilla. Vicente Padilla has great stuff, but anyone flat out released by a playoff contender mid-playoff race has got some extra baggage. Everyone has talked about great he has been since coming over the Dodgers, but 6 of his 8 regular season starts for them were against the D-Backs, Giants, Padres and Nats. Getting to him early might be the key.
- How we pitch Manny. He didn’t really come close on any of the inside fastballs we threw him. I see no reason to throw him offspeed stuff.
- Another thing on Manny – how many times will the announcers mention his suspension again tonight, while not even coming close to acknowledging why he got suspended and that he’s a cheat. You don’t have to repeat that he’s a cheat over and over, just acknowledge it once.
- When will the LA “fans” leave tonight? Many left after the Ibanez homer, and many more left after the double-play in the 9th. Only about 40% of the fans were even standing for the 9th inning. Maybe they had to get back for The Hills.
- Who is Carlos Ruiz? After his 3-run jack last night, my friends and I realized we really know nothing about him as a person. We decided as the game went on that he a serious bad-ass who threatens bodily harm to our pitches when he goes to the mound if they don’t throw strikes and wrestles alligators in the clubhouse in between innings to stay loose. Then he jacks 3-run HRs. CHOOOOOOCH!
- Can Chan Ho Park save our bullpen?
I’ll be around for the Game Chat this time around. 122 comments last night! Damn close to a ReclinerGM record! Looking forward to it. GO PHILS!
I’m at work and listening to the game on the radio, so I’ll jump in when I can. Don’t worry about me if I drop out for a while here and there. I’m not dead on the floor or anything.
I can’t believe that place is half empty. Dodger fans suck.
Two pitches in Rollins’ first AB–again! Weird how he has done this early in every game and then in the later innings he sees a lot more pitches and runs deeper counts.
only base hit that inning by the only guy to see more than 2 pitches. That pitch Howard popped up did look good though.
don’t worry – our offense doesn’t do anything until the 4th or 5th
have Rollins or Victorino gotten on base in the 1st yet this whole playoffs?
george lopez hasn’t said a single funny thing in any of these commercials
hopefully Pedro gets above 88 after he gets warm
impressive first for both pitchers – nothing hit terribly hard
Yeah, nice start for Pedro.
Pete, I couldn’t agree with you more on George Lopez. He is powerfully unfinny, I have no idea why people keep putting that window licker on TV.
The movement on that fastball is fierce!
55mph curveball??
Padilla looks sharp…good hard movement on his pitches…not good….
no bski, thats a 55 mph “fuck you”
Another terrible at bat by Feliz….
Man, they’ve got no clue where Padillia is going right now.
Pedro vs. Manny: round 1 to Pedro
so far, so good for Pedro. And his pitch count is even low – which it hasn’t been for us even when he’s pitching well.
2 quiet innings on about 25 pitches for Pedro. Not bad at all.
Look for the top of our order to hit Padilla hard the second and third (if he gets there) times through. We had fly ball outs in the first inning, and Howard was really close to hitting one out.
Hopefully Pedro gets this down
Yeah Chooch, nice AB!!
Stuck at work…listening to it on the radio…foloowing the game cast on espn….great 2 innings for Pedro…and I think Ruiz is all about the Mr. October title!
Mulligan
ugh
im glad I’m not an ump – I have no idea what just happened there
I have a hard time believing the “floatilla” is viable starting pitcher!
why can’t rollins hit in the first two ab’s of the game?
Wow, Ruiz was dead to rights. Lucky drop.
Mr. October is now a base stealer….brillant!
C’mon Jimmy and Shane, Chooch can’t do it all by himself!
big dogs commin up, could use a couple right here
THE BIG DOG
Howard!
OPPO SHOT!
THE BIG PIECE!
That Dodger crowd sucks. Padilla had Raul 1-2 with 2 outs and got no support from the crowd. If that were Philly, the building would be shaking.
need a quick inning right here for pedro
Cool stat the TBS guys just talked about. Howard has 1 RBI in 6 consecutive postseason games. tied for an MLB record.
damn, gotta make that play
Chooch with the cannon! He is a multi-faceted weapon!
Whats with the microphone that seems to be imbedded in first base??
Nice throw by Chooch.
Chooch is doing everything!
4 innings in around 48 pitches. Very nice.
The Dodgers’ hits are on an infield single and a blooper to shallow center…i don’t think the have hit the ball hard once against Pedro yet….
Pedro looks like a champ today!
Not watching on TV, sounds like Pedro did a number on Blake in his AB.
WOW!! Pedro is smoking right now…hope we can get him more run support!!!
Now he’s got the strikeout pitch working!? Oh boy, this is looking good.
Pedro’s smooth as silk out there
can jroll finally have a good at-bat
nope
The Flotilla has looked very good today along side Pedro. Pitcher’s duel = change of pace.
Pedro has got to hang tough this inning
that TBS pitch tracker is garbage
Ok, 2 down and 1 to go…c’mon pedro!
That Russel Martin hit batsmen was huge there. Like you said, Flotilla is matching Pedro out pitch for pitch. It would have been nice to get him out of the inning. Though Howard leads off the next inning.
F-ing right Pedro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let’s get Pedro some more insurance
Alright Pedro!
You know this is a really good example of how a box score can be misleading. If you didn’t see the game and you read that Pedro had 11 Flyball outs in 6 IP you’d be a little put off, but they aren’t getting good swings on anything.
It would be nice to get some base runners and make sure the Big Piece gets back up in the 9th.
Oh and nice swing.
Howard’s on fire
Another strikeout from Werth would have been better.
Padilla made Raul look terrible there….
Padilla almost knocked Raul over with that pitch!
HUGE inning coming up for Pedro against the heart of the Dodgers order.
I did not really expect Pedro to be taking the mound in the 7th with a 1-0 lead.
Is anyone else sick of hearing Buck Martinez inform us that Pedro old. did he just realize that Pedro isn’t 29 anymore??
“He has been pitching like he has been in a rocking chair” whew that Buck Martinez
Though he’s an ex Met, I can deal with Ron Darling but Buck is wearing thin on me.
never….doubt…Charlie….Manuel….again….
that was close
wow, first good swing all day. and it was a really good swing.
….unless….he takes Pedro out with only 87 pitches…
WOW, manuel is an idiot. how can you NOT leave Pedro in? With our bullpen, which is ass, how can you not leave him in. They have TWO HITS
does any umpire in the major leagues give the corners in the playoffs?
PEDRO PLEASE
it’s almost like Pedro should have stayed in….
Nice pitch! Bunt that martin!!
WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!?!
What happened to Utley’s throwing ability?…he never missed that throw in the regular season and now he has missed it twice in the playoffs….
Come on Eyre, need you to come through big time…
we need another double play ball here to get some of utley’s confidence back
never easy…
Should have stuck with Pedro
Boy Pedro sure looked good. Its a shame his bullpen threw away his chance at a win.
big strikeout!!!
HUGE Strikeout. HUGE. Looks like Lidge is getting the entire 9th. Happ is coming in.
I have a question for Charlie. Why even bring in Eyre when Happ’s out there and could have saved you from using Madson as well??
Note: The Etrade baby is my hero! “Read the rules, Shank-o-potamus!”
Another pitching change??? Why?!?! Durbin?!?!? What the fuck Charlie??
Charlie better own up to his mistake after the game of taking Pedro out…this is just getting ridiculous…none of the bullpen has been effective and Pedro was flat out dominant and only gave up one hard hit ball all game….
I know its not their fault but this game rests on the top of the order. Rollins, Shane and Chase need to make it happen and get the big man up with some bodies on the base paths.
Actually you could make the argument it is Utley’s fault for his throw…now he can redeem himself….
What an awful at-bat by J-Roll…you have to be better than that in a moment like this….
this is horrible. its fucking charlie manuel man. he thinks all his moves are brilliant when most of the time he just gets lucky. i really wish pedro would have killed people with his bat to get to the on deck circle. how did that pinch hit work out? oh a double play? how did the next inning work out? oh two runs? thanks charles
What the hell is Charlie laughing about it the dugout?
thanks charlie.
You have got to be fucking kidding me.
chase really didn’t come through phillies still in 5
So what exactly did Charlie see that made him take out Pedro? I certainly did’n't see any sign that the Dodgers were about to break through. Sure he gave up a hard hit ball in his last at bat, but other than that???
To be honest, while it would have been nice to see Pedro pitch a CG shutout and win the game obviously, I can’t get all over Charlie for taking Pedro out. A. Charlie was saying before the game he was hoping for 75-90 pitches from Pedro (He ended with 87 I think). Park looked money last night – he comes out and pitches like he did last night, you don’t have the fluky bunt, Utley completes the DP, Ethier swings and misses on Happ’s pitch – we are not second guessing Charlie. B. 6 years ago it was clear what happens to Pedro when he stays in too long. Yes, we all saw the 130 pitch game against the Mets (which was awesome!), but I don’t see that happening all that often.
This was a fluky loss that was a bummer, because Pedro was freakin’ awesome. You hate to spoil that, I get it. But Charlie managed with a sense of urgency which I agree with. He is looking at each AB and taking it seriously, and I think using a mix of gut feeing/intuition, odds, and match ups. He lets Pedro stay in and he loses the game, and he throws 20 pitches over what Manuel wanted from him – we are second guessing “why did he leave Pedro in?” or “Park was great last night, why not bring him in when Pedro was at his max.”
Don’t get me wrong, I would much rather be going home up 2-0. But what was the goal? To come in the LA and split maybe win 2. The Phills are going home, they have Lee throwing Sunday and my guess is Blanton Monday. I’ll take it, and I will certainly still support Charlie for being aggressive.
I just want to toss a hand grenade into the TBS broadcast booth.
The Phils basically accomplished everything in Pete’s list, yet they still lost. Tough one to let go.
I don’t see how anyone could have complained if Pedro had been left in for the 8th. Then maybe consider fast hook if he gets in trouble…
But no one they brought in for the 8th could have pitched any better than Pedro did the 1st 7 innings. And based on this teams history of blowing leas, you have to assume the relievers would screw up. He was locating all 4 piches, and the Dodgers were baffled. He was in their head.
I’d have been much more comfortable seeing Pedro make a mistake before going to the bullpen. And that is not based on hindsight.
If Cliff Lee can get play a CG in his first postseason game, then why not let Pedro finish the game off. He was in a groove! But I still like the Phillies chances to represent the NL. The Phils will bounce back.
Also, Utley MUST stay sharp defensively!!
GO PHILLIES!!
well i thought people would a lot madder than this. you HATE giving up games like this that you let slip away. I dont like it at all. bad feeling that we just gave the Dodgers life. But to be honest the Dodgers have shown me nothing that makes me think they can beat us. The only thing they showed is a heads up ability to capitalise on the other teams’ mistakes. credit to them. If we can avoid mistakes and their shut down bullpen….
They are yet to show me anything. We’ll see, in Philly.
Pete: Is it me or do all those guys on Tbs seem to be rooting for the Dodgers??
tk76,
I found this on David Murphy’s blog High Cheese. It’s a good summation of the reasoning behind removing Martinez after 7 innings.
Manuel said beforehand that he thought Martinez could throw up to 90 pitches. And the fact that he was able to get up to 87 in the blistering heat was impressive on its own. I talked to one Phillies pitcher yesterday who said the heat was oppressive. Martinez’s last pitch was drilled by James Loney to the warning track. In a 1-0 game, all it takes is one fatigued pitch to tie things up (emphasis mine). Chan Ho Park had pitched great the night before and had allowed just five hits in 26 career at-bats against the three batters he was due to face. Scott Eyre was still available. Manuel made the right move. He could have used Martinez to bunt Carlos Ruiz over to second and then left him in for the eighth with Park at the ready. But with a 1-0 lead, all it takes is one pitch .
A quote from Manuel:
“To me, Pedro was done,” Manuel said. “He did a tremendous job and took it actually farther than I anticipated. . . . He was gone. I think he was spent.”
I also found some quotes from Pedro himself:
“I felt pretty fresh,” Martinez said. “But at the same time, if you push it what happens the next time? I went 17 days without pitching. I’m not saying I’m going to get hurt, but after 17 days I think it was good enough. And I’m pretty sure everyone is good with the results.”
“Putting the team in a position to win was the main goal. I was able to make pitches at key moments,” Martinez said. “The temptation is to push it, but after not pitching for 17 days, seven innings was enough. I would have loved to go one more or maybe finish the game if I knew I was going to stay healthy, but I want to be able to still help the team.”
David Murphy mentioned about the possibility of keeping Pedro in the game and letting him bunt in the top of the 8th with Ruiz on first. Left unsaid was that we were also looking to get some runs. Even if Pedro did sacrifice Ruiz to second, he would have been there with two outs. We all know that Ruiz doesn’t run well and it’s no sure thing that he would score on a single. Taking all of that into account, from an offensive standpoint, pinch-hitting for Pedro with a runner on first and one out was the right decision, imo.
From a pitching standpoint, I also think it was the right decision to remove Pedro. The fan in me wanted to see him keep going, but that drive by Loney to end the 7th was scary and the rational part of my brain, the tiny sliver that it is, was concerned about him going back out for the 8th.
Thanks BSKI. I don’t have to agree with it, but I do feel a bit better knowing the reasoning behind pulling a guy after giving up only 2 hits on 87 pitches.
jkay,
I hate it when we lose games, especially like we did yesterday, but I’m ok. I mean, any time we lose a game there is always something that bugs me about it——–our pitchers walked too many guys, our offense left too many guys on base, the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, etc——–but stuff is going to happen. I know it’s the playoffs and the situation is do-or-die but you can’t win ‘em all, you know? Besides, as much as I hate to admit it, the Dodgers are a good ball club, they made some of their own breaks, and they took advantage of others that we gave them.
Immediately after the loss last night I started telling myself things like we still earned a split in LA, we’re coming home for the next 3 games, and that Cliff Lee is pitching on Sunday. I was also thinking that we’ve had a lot of “bad” losses this year, yet we’ve continued to keep winning.
Whatever you want to call it (resiliency is heavily used), this team has repeatedly shown the ability to immediately put these losses behind them, to stick together (lucky for Hamels), to maintain their focus, and to get right back to winning.
bski: agree with you about Pedro. but that drive Loney hit might not have been a sign of impending fatigue, more like Loney has been pretty good at the plate recently. with all the fly balls Pedro was inducing, didnt you think someone would get the bat good on one?
I think Manuel’s style of managing the bullpen is inked now; all hands on deck! if he sticks with it, they’ll get used to it. the fact that you are almost sure to pitch in every game will keep the relievers alert.
“momentum is only as good as your next day pitcher” right?
would be so boring if we swept them anyway.
Wish we were’nt facing Kuroda – I hate ground ball type pitchers. Lee had better be sharp.
One unmentioned factoid about the decision to pull Pedro. He threw a simulated game on Tueday. So in a small way, he was on 2 days rest. If that Tuesday outing was impressive enough to earn him the spot, some effort had to be extended. Largely ignored facts in the wake of Charlie’s move. the offense didn’t produce. Some say the 6,7 and 8s were up for LA in that 8th, so why not leave him in. Rhetorically, why couldn’t somebody else get them out? A lot of all time greats were mentioned today, observers saying they would have gone 9. How many times did they have 17 day layoffs? Koufax quit at 30, Gibson was all but done at 35. I get the point, as examples run both ways, but back in the day guys are further glorified by memory. Dave Stewart said Pedro earned the right to decide if he could go on. Understoood, but where do you draw the line on inmates running the asuylum. Charlie has a habit, or history of things that work out longer term that look less than good on the spot. The “guts” to start Pedro and limiting his workload may have helped him find a potential Game 7 starter who would be pitching off a more recent start. Two keys to watch in Game 3. If Torre didn’t like what he saw from Kuroda in Arizona, he’s not starting tomorrow. How many effctive extended starts in a row can Cliff Lee go? At least he’s on 5 days rest and the Dodgers are just relying on scouting reports.