I haven’t watched a baseball game like this in a very long while. The reason being that in the regular season, when the Phillies play like this, I just change the channel or do something else. I do this for my own personal well-being and sanity. There is nothing more frustrating than watching a professional sports team make Junior Varsity errors. You feel that they should be embarrassed, and you feel embarrassed to be associated with them. This was the type of game you watch and wonder how it could possibly get worse. Then another strike-out with men on. Then another runner stranded at 3rd with less than 2 out. Then getting doubled up on a routine fly ball. Then allowing another 0-2 hit. Then several inexplicable mistakes by the home plate ump. Then hope. Then nothing.
Thankfully, no matter how bad you play, it’s still only one game. You have to be happy going home tied 1-1. Hopefully the home crowd (perhaps rained-out Game 3 crowd?) will rattle Garza and wake up the line-up. Not much else to say. That was one of the more painful baseball games I’ve had to sit through, and I’d rather not talk about it anymore. Or ever again for that matter.
Here are my game notes:
- I’m sorry, but regardless of what happens tonight, how does someone who went 0-2 in the ALCS get to keep the name “Big Game” James? Whatever, we’ve got “Big Game” Ryan batting 4th tonight!
- I’ve been bashing FOX a lot, but I will give them credit (along with the straight on camera) for having an accurate radar gun.
- Nothing in the 1st, but all 3 hitters worked the count. A key to this whole series will be getting their starters out of the game one way or another.
- Myers starts the game with a walk. The absolute worst possible thing he could have done. If he ever wants to reach his potential, he’s going to have to learn how to calm himself down in the 1st inning.
- So should I go to bed now? Or see how this plays out? 0-2 hits are inexcusable. And he’s started Pena with 3 straight curves. I hope he is pitching around him, and this isn’t actually how he thinks he should be pitching tonight.
- OK, Myers gave up his 2 runs, lets hope he calms down for the rest of the game. The Rays need to have 3 runs or less after 6.
- Great stroke by Howard in the 2nd. Let’s hope that’s the start of him getting out of this funk.
- 5 batters, 5 good ABs. But, we need to get some runs out of this.
- The 6th AB (1st pitch pop-up) was a horrible one by Victorino. Would it KILL someone on this team to make a productive out?
- We get help on a gift wild pitch, and then Dobbs does a fantastic job of showing you how to sit the bat on your shouder with men on 2nd and 3rd and one out. He knows that a groundball or fly ball will get us a run, right? You can’t hit the ball with the bat on your shoulder.
- There are several things that drive me crazy in baseball, and we have already seen a couple of them here. Lead-off walks, striking out looking with a man on 3rd and less than 2 out and swinging at the first pitch after a walk.
- Rocco Baldelli just was called out by the umpire (on a strike AND a swing) and then walked to first base. I’m not sure I’ve ever been this confused in my life. Both on how that happened and how Charlie isn’t absolutely freaking out.
- Iwamura just popped out for the 3rd out of the inning. Strangely the inning is continuing.
- If this game is decided by 1 run, on the first “strike 3, take your base” in the history of the game, I can’t be responsible for my actions.
- OH MY GOD. WILL SOMEONE AT FOX PLEASE TELL THESE GUYS THAT CARLOS RUIZ IS FROM PANAMA? I even just checked to make sure Panama didn’t suddenly become a non-country. Look, here it is.
- The Phillies are now 0-19 with runners in scoring position this series. Congrats, Phillies, on making the viewing public wonder how you got here.
- 1st and 3rd, 1 out in the 4th, can we do anything here? Can Dobbs swing the bat?
- Why can’t Dobbs see the baseball? Seriously? Do his eyes not work? If he can’t see it, maybe he needs to be seeing it on the bench.
- So the Rays have catwalks that are in play, and the Red Sox and Greg Dobbs can’t “see the ball.” How about the Phillies set up a cannon that we fire every so often right after our pitcher releases the ball. Or maybe tie-dye the Ivy?
- Lost in all my complaining about the offense is probably a much more serious problem. Myers does not look good at all. He’s clearly not confident in his fastball and has allowed 8 base-runners in 4 innings. If we can’t get 2 good starts out of our non-Hamels pitchers, we aren’t going to win this series.
- Werth thrown out on a ball that you knew would be caught off the bat. We are at the point now where you start thinking that someone is playing a cruel joke on you. Haha, you made it to the World Series, but now you have to watch your team play like they did for all the excrutiating years before this. Hilarious.
- I’m taking a break. I’m hitting the couch too much.
- One thing we have learned from tonight, and should remember for Game 6: James Shields is very hitable.
- OK, we know we are capable of putting up a huge inning. They’ve done it all year, including the playoffs. I’m not really feeling it, but I’m not giving up hope just yet.
- 2 on, 2 out. Will this be the AB where Howard finally gets his big hit?
- No, it will the AB where he keeps the bat on his shoulder for his 210th strikeout of the season.
- HA! Eric Bruntlett gets our first run of the game on a HR? Seriously? Only 2 runs away from me getting super ticked about the “strike 3, take your base” run.
- For the record, I would almost never throw back a HR ball. I would regret it about 5 minutes after I threw it.
- Another great call by the home plate ump. Rollins clearly hit by a pitch and would have brought the tying run to the plate (in a game where we should only be down 2).
- Should be 1st and 2nd, 0 out and 3-2 Rays right now.
- Should be 1st and 2nd, 1 out, and 3-2 Rays after the Utley strikeout.
- Is this where Howard gets his hit? I can’t think of a better time.
- No, it’s not. And it should be 1st and 2nd, 2 out. And 3-2 Rays.
- Don’t get me wrong. We lost this game by not getting our hits with RISP, but the umps should never play that big a role in a World Series game.
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{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }
So is Howard still going to win the MVP?
Jimmy – Howard was never going to win the MVP, that was just media hype. Pujols will win by a likely wide margin.
I know, that was a mean joke, him being a St. Louis boy and all, I hope he does well. Pete, this is working out pretty close to how you predicted the series would play out so far, so keep your hopes up and don’t kill your cat.
Moyer and Blanton should be familiar with the Rays. But the real problem is our situational hitting, in particular our hitting with runners in scoring position!! Let’s hope home sweet home will really be sweet!! Phils fans– PLEASE GO AND SHOW NO MERCY TO THE RAYS!!!
Pete – the one thing I disagree on is the thought that Myers having a mediocre (not horrible) night and the possibility that our starting pitching (besides Hamels) could be the biggest problem. 22 guys left on base or whatever it is at this point is without question the biggest issue. Got the lead off guy on in innings 2-5 and zero runs. You get your 9 hitter on base all 3 at bats. Myers didn’t take the Phils out the game. I think we all knew Hamels would be lights out and we just needed our other pitchers not to allow the Rays to blow us out of the game.
Myers went 7 innings and only 85 pitches giving up 2 earned, one ghost run which was the result of the most ridiculous call I ever saw in a baseball game in my life and 1 unearned on 7 hits and 3 walks. The offense gave him nothing. Maybe a run or two would have settled him down earlier in the game – he gave up 1 hit in the last three innings he pitched. Hell I think he pitched better tonight than he did in his NLCS game 2 victory.
Was James Shield really that much better than Myers tonight? Or was it the Phillies hitters choking again when it was money time? A bit of both I guess, but it would be different if we weren’t even getting runners on and in scoring position in favorable situations. They bailed Shields out tonight.
Lost in the Rays win (evidenced by the fact that he was interviewed like he did something special tonight) will be the fact that Price pitched 2 and a third and gave up 2 hits (1 HR to Brunlett – haha) and 2 runs (1 unearned) and threw 42 pitches. The golden boy – PFFT.
Pete all I have to say is I hate your for sucking me into this painful Phillies fanaticism!
When I put my emotions aside the bottom line is the layoff has affected the phil’s hitting and these rays given so much credit(including myself) are very beatable. We just have to take advantage of these run scoring opportunities. Very good outing by Myers. I’m very encouraged.
Shields got the name in single-A ball from what I heard. And it’s not like he pitched bad in the ALCS (7 IP, 2 ER in Game 1 – Dice K was just carrying a no-hitter the entire time; Game 6 he wasn’t that good – 5 2/3, 3 ER). He’s definitely no John Smoltz, but I think he gets to keep the moniker until he gets blown up at least one.
Also, ‘King David’ Price only allowed one earned run.
Something I haven’t seen anyone mention is that Carlos Ruiz (and his normally atrocious batting) was 2-2 with 2 doubles as well as 2 base on balls. Maybe he’s the one they need to get to the plate with RISP?
“Chooch” is one tough competitor. I’m glad his workmanlike game is being seen. His throwing error could’ve been avoided if Howard had the presence of mind to move off the bag. First rule of defense: catch the ball, big guy.
Manuel’s rubber duckies, rather than loosening up team, seems to have reinforced notion of last year’s Rockie tightness in Phils’ minds – psychology at its worst. How else to explain 1-28 w/RISP? Rays’ pitchers have been effective but not dominating. Phillies batters are tight, again.
Too bad a contributing player like Werth had highlight errors on big stage. On fielding play, was being too aggressive, didn’t look ball into glove; on running gaffe – was in difficult position re read - strayed a little too far; again, over-aggressive. Looked bad at plate after ‘opener’ productivity.
jjg: Werth is just not that good against lefties – which explains his hitting problems. Trying to do too much explains his other errors, as it does the Phillies approach at the plate with RISP.
By the way, are Dobbs and Jimmy just not seeing the ball at all? Otherwise, it is hard to explain how bad those 2 are looking.
Latsly, as a TV viewer, I am so glad to to be leaving Tampa’s minor league joke of a stadium and their idiotic cowbell (cowtown?) fans, and I imagine the Phils are as well. This series is going to be very difficult to win going back into Tampa for games 6 and 7 – which I assume it will.
whoa, everybody calm down. Game 2 was life or death for the Rays and there was no way we were going to win that game (more reason to have Myers pitch at home and hit)
I turned the TV off at 9:40, we leave Tampa with a split and take care of business at home. I still say the Phillies in 5
Morty Dobbs & Rollins not seeing ball? Conditions same for all, though Rays gotta have comfort level edge at home. Rollins, except for 2 pokes (both of which were big), has been underwhelming at plate for 3 series now. As DH, no excuse for Dobbs to be caught looking, gotta be hacking -
where’s “Sarge” when ya need him?
Trop Field looks a little dreary and dated. But the sting rays in center field tank are cool. Give the city time (and a lot of taxpayer money); they have the waterfront locale from which to compete. The Vet was a concrete donut, never mistaken for a palace, but birthed a lot of good memories.
Cowtown Rodeo in NJ - Sally “Your Gal” Starr & Chief Halftown.
“Ahh-Sah-Sah-Suss-A-Way”
We did do what we intended and left Tampa with a series split. I know we all got our hopes up after game 1, but now we are back in our comfort zone with a best of 5 series with 3 games at home. Let’s see how the Rays react to no DH, the temperature of Philly in October, and the 46K+ absolutely crazy azz fans in their ears.
The key to this series is OFFENSE. We all know our 2-3-4 pitchers are decent enough to keep us in the game (hopefully), but our offense needs to start clicking and be more consistent to be productive. If you told me the Phils would score 3 runs in game 1 I would have guessed a loss and if you would have told me the Rays would score 4 runs in game to I would have predicted a win. This team has one of the most potent offenses in baseball and hopefully the trip home gives them that spark to get them going. LET’S GO PHILS!!!
jjg-
the rays in CF are pretty sweet.
the rays have plans for a new, and absolutely ridiculous looking stadium
here… http://yourbaseballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/rays-sailboat-stadium.jpg
and here… http://www.ballparkdigest.com/images/new_tampa/new_tampa6.jpg
Thank you for stepping up and defending Myers, Dannie (Also to you sfw for saying he had a very good outing.) You hit on a few points that I intended to make, but I still have a few more to add. I feel the need to point out that everyone here should be very well aware by now that I am no fan of Brett Myers. I have been all over him this season. Even when he came back from the minors and pitched a very good second half, I remained critical of him. I don’t feel that I have an anti-Myers bias but, believe me, nobody has been more unforgiving of his shortcomings than me.
I feel that Myers pitched very well. He was at least as good as, if not better than, Shields. How can I say this. Well, Shields went 5 2/3 and gave up 7 hits and 2 walks on 104 pitches. Myers went 7 and gave up 7 hits and 3 walks on 85 pitches. Shields was in more trouble more often than Myers was. I would say it was around 75% us letting Shields off the hook and 25% Shields getting himself out of trouble. Myers did make a few costly mistakes (like the walk to lead off the game), but he also had to deal with a lot more problems. He had to contend with mistakes by his own team (errors by Werth and Ruiz, Werth getting doubled off first), some bad luck(Bartlett’s squibber up the 3rd base line, Floyd’s broken bat bloop hit, Baldelli just beating out the double play grounder), and some bad calls (the strikeout/walk call on Baldelli on which both the swing and the fact that the pitch was a strike were missed). All things considered, there is no way you can say that Myers lost the game for us.
I thought Myers was very composed and under control, especially considering all the baloney that went on. I thought he was economical and efficient, attacked the hitters, kept the hitters off balance, used his fastball well, kept the ball down, got a lot of ground balls, and consistently made quality pitches. He did his job and pitched well enough to win the game.
Dannie is spot on in saying that Myers pitched much better than he did against the Dodgers. In that game he went 5 and gave up 6 hits, 4 walks, and 5 runs on 102 pitches. Nobody really got on him for that because the offense put up 8 runs and the bullpen bailed him out. If you’re going to give a guy leeway for that then you’ve got to give him leeway for last night as well.
Dannie is also correct that Myers got next to nothing from his teammates. We had very good opportunities to score in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. We had every conceivable combination of circumstances: 1st and 2nd with no outs; 2nd and 3rd with 1 out, 1st and 3rd with 2 outs, and on and on. Also, every guy up and down the lineup had more than one chance to do something–ANYTHING–and they never did.
I’d love to know where all the “strikeouts don’t matter” guys are today. How anyone could continue to believe that after watching last night’s game is beyond me. I say that for two reasons. The first is that with a handful of productive outs we win the game. Instead we get one whiff after another from Rollins, Werth, Utley, Howard, Dobbs, and the rest in one key spot after another. These guys could be a big part of the green revolution. I could power my home off the wind from their strikeouts. The second reason is that Tampa beat us with productive outs (the two groundouts in the first and the safety squeeze being the most prominent).
The Rays beat us because they out-executed us, plain and simple. Myers did not blow the game for us. On the contrary, it’s a credit to him that he kept the game close for 7 innings and gave the offense chance after chance to get back in the game. That they didn’t is why we lost.
Thanks, Pete. Looks interesting. Sunshine Skyway Stadium? I read that plans have been put on hold. Drawings brought to mind great San Fran & Pittsburgh parks/situations. Too bad Phillies didn’t incorporate downtown and 1 of 2 waterfront options, though that route, I suppose, would’ve been a lot more complicated in the construction & the politics, and less expediently accomplished.
bski Your ‘ode to Brett’ after last night is well-taken, but scanning this ‘thread’, don’t see any criticism of Myers’ performance. Pitched pretty well in his home state, yet 4 runs after 4 innings isn’t getting it ‘playoff’ done; Rays jumped on a rusty Myers, rode the lead home.
JJG...Yeah, I know nobody here is on him. I guess I just wanted to prevent the possibility of that happening. I was just so frustrated after watching our offensive futility (I’m in the same camp as Pete. During the regular season I would have switched away from the game early. The playoffs and world series are another matter entirely. Gotta watch every pitch. That increased my suffering exponentially.) that I ran with Myers defense a bit just to make sure the responsibility for the loss was affixed where it belongs.
JJG-
I think Dannie was responding to a comment I made in the article about Myers having 8 baserunners through 4 innings.
He pitched well after that, and if you take out the very strange Baldelli AB and run, he really only gave up 3 runs in 7 IP.
bski Brett deserves his share of the blame for last night’s L, along with team’s limp hitting. After all, this is his 7th year with Phillies. How long is your grooming process? First 2 batters of game – a walk and a sharp single (both scoring). I’d say it’s high time for the high-priced, long-touted pitcher to deliver wins, not good trys, when it counts. Off with the kid gloves. No excuses fit. Accomplishment is a bottom line business. 4-2.
We need to start evaluating the Atlantic Division teams for the NBA, as a way to hopefully get our mind off Game 2 as we approach for Game 3!!
jjg: There was something very weird about the way Dobbs looked at the plate, and the way he reacted late time after time, swinging way late on balls way out of the zone. Jimmy? I’ve never seen he him have 2 straight AB’s yesterday where he looked like Howard at the plate, like he had no idea of where the pitch was going, or what type it was…
This is not an excuse for teamwide poor play, but merely an observation of mine.
Just a few quick thoughts about tonight’s game.
I think we are going to score at home. I’m not saying we’re going to put up 8 runs a game, but I think we will put a decent number on the board.
Moyer is the key today. If he pitches well and we win today, I think we will win the series. We know he hasn’t pitched well in his two previous playoff starts, but both of them were on the road. I am hoping that pitching at home will make a difference.
I have a feeling that the Rays hitters are going to be laying off pitches early in an attempt to get Moyer behind in the count and in an early hole where he will be forced to come over the plate and then they can tee off on him. I think Moyer’s best strategy will be to throw strikes early and get ahead of the hitters the first time through the lineup. If he does that, I think he will catch the Rays off guard. Then the second time through the lineup he can use his offspeed stuff more and get them off balance.
Tonight is a huge game in the series. It is now a best of five and we have 3 home games. We need to win tonight. First, we need two wins out of our non-Hamels pitchers. Second, we remember what the Rays did in Boston. If not for a major collapse, they would have won all three games at Fenway. With a win tonight we could set the tone for the three games at CBP, nip their road momentum in the bud, and put ourselves on a firm footing with the home field advantage.
I think playing in CBP will be a significant disadvantage for the Rays. Not necessarily because of the weather, the grass, or even the crowd, but because they have never played a game here before. The Rays played in the cold and on grass in Boston, so I really don’t see that as being a big deal. The big deal, and I think the main reason why they were able to win in Fenway, is that they play 9 games a year in Boston every year. The Rays are familiar with Fenway and that certainly helped them. It will be a lot more difficult for them to get comfortable and familiar with CBP in such a short time. I really think we are going to benefit, at least a bit, from that.
GO PHILS!
Morty About Dobbs & Rollins, maybe timing was just out of whack due to week’s layoff. Or maybe it was simply a case of WS stagefright – it happens. Or a bad plate of tarpon or mussels. Whatever, I agree, both were decidedly off the beam in the box.
bski Thoughtful analysis. The flaw in your Moyer plan, as I see it, is that good professional hitters (as many Rays are) can look for his “slop” and still adjust mid-pitch and clobber his
82 mph “Peggy Lee” (Is That All There Is?) [Tug McGraw], though the big, passionate crowd should help his velocity a notch or two. If he has his pinpoint control, look out Rays. If he doesn’t, look out Phils, ”offerings” will be heading to the gaps. Sharp defense (or its lack) might play a big part tonight.
bski, have you read the Phillies stuff on philly.com about how they’re definitely gonna score more runs at home, about how Charlie said we’re definitely gonna win this thing? I don’t like it, it’s like they’re not giving the Rays’ pitching enough credit for game 2. And now we’re facing Matt Garza, the ALCS MVP, and someone who’s had the chance to watch the Phils batters for 18 innings now?
How about we look at game 2 this way: James Shields had trouble keeping baserunners off the bases, but he came up with huge strikeouts when he needed to to keep the Phils off the scoreboard. Why is it that the Shields was no good, it’s just that the Phils were off? My point is, if the Phils are searching for answers to their offensive woes, they shouldn’t be asking, “What did we do wrong?”, they should be asking, “What did James Shields do to us, and how can we keep Garza from doing the same to us?” Acknowledge that the opponent got you last night, and that you’ll have to work harder if you wanna get ‘em back.
Another example of not upping your game? How about those two first inning runs, I think Manuel completely blew that. What the F was he thinking, not having the infield in after Aki and Upton got on base? Did he know how many runs the Phils were gonna score that night, so those two runs were inconsequential? If that’s later in the game, I’m pretty sure he would’ve had the infield in. I know the tradeoffs, we get an out, you get a run, it’s better than we don’t get an out and you get a run. But it’s the World Series! Come on! You’re facing one of the top teams in the league, which makes it harder than usual to get those two runs back, right?
Zack – I gotta disagree with this statement:
Sounds exactly like what you expect a coach to say. Show confidence so his team doesn’t freak out about the alarming stats with men on base. We are going to win, what else is he suppose to say? Think you are reading too much into it. I saw no disrespect in any of the comments by anyone from the Phillies regarding the Rays pitching. Rather, all they can control is themselves and that is exactly what they are and should be focusing on.
Your point about the Phils searching for answer within themselves and not focusing on what they did wrong but about what Shields did to them doesn’t make much sense to me in practice. You look at the opponent and prepare for the things they do. But you ultimately have no control over what the pitcher does. You only have control over what you do with the bat in your hand.
Just my two cents.
JJG…Agreed. Moyer needs to be sharp. As long as he doesn’t get squeezed by the home plate umpire (Who called that game 7 that Livan Hernandez pitched back in 1997 anyway? We could use him tonight.) he’s got a good shot.
For some reason I feel that Moyer is going to give us a good one tonight. You know how Whitey used to say a guy looked “hitterish” or “runnerish”? Well, Moyer feels “pitcherish” to me.
Zack…I’ve seen a few of Manuel’s quotes and I agree with Dannie. I don’t think it has anything to do with a lack of respect for the Rays. I also agree that you want your coach focusing on you, your team, and what needs to be done on your end to get the job done. Manuel has shown a lot of confidence in his guys this year and it’s gotten them to this point. He is simply continuing to show that same confidence now and I agree with that approach.
I look at it like when a coach or a player says “As long as we play our game we’ll be fine.” That’s not disrespecting the other team. That’s just knowing that you are a good team and if you continue to do what got you here then you should be successful. That’s the situation I see the Phillies in right now.
One last thing. If you read comment #14 of this thread you will see that I didn’t give Shields a lot of credit for game 2. I pegged it at 25% Shields getting himself out of trouble and 75% us letting him off the hook and not cashing in when we had him in trouble. Maybe I didn’t really see what was actually going on in game 2, but I saw Shields in a lot more trouble than Myers was. I also saw us make not one single productive out the entire game and have terrible at bats in almost every key situation.
Zack…I almost forgot. About those 2 first inning runs. I agree with keeping the infield back in that situation. It’s really all about the situation you are in when making that decision. You are right, if it were later in the game (7th inning or later) and we were down a run or two already, then yes I’m certain Manuel would bring the infield in. If it was the 7th inning or later and we were up 2 runs, I don’t think so.
In this case specifically there were several things that would lead you to not bring the infield in. The first thing is that it was only the first inning. The second thing is that the Rays had their 3-4-5 hitters coming up, which is much different than if they had the bottom of the order up. The third thing is that the risk of having a ball shoot through on the turf and open up a big inning is too great. Recording 2 outs, even though you are giving up 2 runs, is much better than opening the floodgates and getting down big early. Another thing, at least for me, is that Myers can get strikeouts. A guy like that can prevent the other team from putting the ball in play and get an out or two that way. I think you would have more of a tendency to bring the infield in with a guy like Moyer on the mound.
Manuel made the right decision, IMO. I kind of look at it the same way as Victorino tagging and getting thrown out. (I was good with that too, btw) I like forcing the action. Not being reckless, but being the aggressor and forcing the other team to step up and make plays. Victorino was aggressive and Uptom made the play (and it was still really close, btw). Manuel did the same thing when he left the infield back. He forced the Rays to at least need to make productive outs to get those runs across. To the Rays credit, they did.
As a matter of fact, you should take some of your own advice and give the Rays credit (like you want the Phils to give Shields credit) for coming through twice in that situation, especially considering they did it with their #3 and #4 hitters. We had numerous chances to do the same thing and we didn’t. Instead of productive groundouts, we got strikeouts from our #3 and #4 (and #5, #1, #2, and everybody else for that matter) hitters. The Rays got 2 runs in the first and 1 run later (on the safety squeeze) by playing the game the right way, doing what needed to be done for the team, and taking advantage of opportunities to score runs. That’s why they won. We didn’t do any of those things. That’s why we lost.
bski Pitcherish - I like that, especially for a craftsman like Moyer. The spirit of “Whitey”/”Rabbit” Ashburn fittingly
descends on this special night in Philadelphia, following his having received his “questionable reward.”
13 days is a lot of time to lather and primp in preparation for a 1st World Series Date; could work to Moyer’s detriment. The long inaction, being from the Philly area, having waited for the moment for so many years, having family and friends around, coming off 2 sub-par outings, facing a dangerous line-up in a hitter’s park … mentally, more than physically,
he’s got a tall task. But there’s a rumor around town that “the Hawk will never die!”
Enjoy the game tonight, if weather permits!
Im just curious, how many people are completely afraid of what may happen to Moyer tonight? Ive never been the one to be pessimistic about a phills or sixers game, but then again ive never had less confidence in a 16-7 starting pitcher in the postseason. I hope im just being a philadelphia fan and expecting the worst. That, or the bats better put a 10 spot on the board.
JJG…You enjoy the game also, my friend.
Ryan...I don’t see it as just being a Philadelphia fan. Moyer’s last two starts would understandably arouse concern, if not outright fear. I, however, am pressing forward, undaunted. We are playing in the world series at home. Because of that I am allowing myself nothing but good vibes and positive (nervous) energy. No negativity in sight.
Ryan F About Moyer and Phils’ chances tonight, I’m as “nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.” Imagine what the game’s contestants feel like right now.
“nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.” – That’s great
Read it in a book somewhere. Always loved that homespun depiction of anxiety.
Maybe this slight drizzle will turn into a natural disaster that doesnt harm or inconvenience anyone but somehow delays game 3 enough that Cole can rest up and start it.
A man can dream can’t he?
Cole, then Brett, then hope it’s wet.
And then Howard won’t get K’d and will all the sudden field the ball like the $150 mill man he believes he is.
I just looked at tickets on craigslist, heavens, who can afford those things?
Howard – 150 million? I’m still trying to absorb Iguodala and 80 million plus incentives. The lavish contracts are truly hard to fathom.
Those with Series ticket affordability: Bill Gates, T Bone Pickens, Warren Buffett (”the Oracle of Omaha”), Oprah and Saudi Arabian sheiks/oil magnates.
I’ve got a good feeling about Moyer for tonight as well. I think the weather and the Rays’ unfamiliarity with him ends up at 6 IP, 2 ER. As for Garza, remember C.C. and Billingsly.
Let’s go Phils!!
You’ve got it, Morty. We got to Lowe as well. We have faced, and beaten, several pitchers who were supposed to be tough on us for one reason or another. I’ve said it many times over the last few weeks. We may not be entirely comfortable or completely understand exactly how the Phils keep winning, but the bottom line is that they do indeed keep winning. There has got to be something to that. GO PHILS!
bski: Yep. The Phillies have trouble against lefties and junk ballers, even more so when those 2 categories are combined. Garza is hard throwing and right handed. I’m not saying we beat him up, but I think we can easily get 3 runs in 6 innings, and turn the game over to the respective bullpens with the lead or a tie, 1 run deficit at worst.
AAAAAARGH! Anyone seen the lineup for tonight? Werth is 2nd, again! Manuel is so stubborn!!! I’d rather have Victorino have mroe at bats, does anyone disagree? And not only that, Garza’s a rightie. Shoot!!!
Dannie, I’ve been told that there are two schools of thoughts about needing to come through in pressure situations in sports. The first one is what you stated, showing supreme confidence in your team, no matter what (cough Iguodala vs. Tayshaun cough). The other one is to admit, especially to yourself, that the opponent got the best of you the last time out. That way, you can focus your mental energies on analyzing your performance, finding what went wrong, and then go about fixing it the best way you can. Supposedly, it’s a better way to channel your mental energies than going all self-help book on yourself and constantly telling yourself, “I know I can, I kow I can.” That’s what it sounds like the Phils are doing.
The thing about what Shields did, I think it does make sense in practice to see if Shields was doing anything different from what he usually does. I’m sure he had a scouting report and gameplan for the Phils hitters, and if the Phils can figure out what that gameplan was it gives them a small leg up the next time around. I really don’t like that their attitude seems to be, “We really could’ve hit Shields, we really could’ve, give us a second chance and we’ll show you.” Shields beating them wasn’t a fluke.
Zack…Yeah, I thought we would see Manuel flip Werth and Victorino tonight. I also thought, because of the Rays’ lefty reliever, Price, he might separate Utley and Howard in the order.
Manuel really is a very stubborn, very loyal guy. I read several quotes from him in today’s Daily News. I get the sense that he is sending a message to his team. He is saying that he believes in who he has, what they’ve done, and how they have gotten here. However, along with that belief, I think he is also issuing a challenge to his team to step up and get the job done. I think he wants to avoid any tinkering, gimmicks, or appearance of concern and go out and beat the Rays straight up.
I’m signing off for the night. I’m going to watch the Penn State-Ohio State game, which is coming on at 8pm. It looks like the Phils-Rays are going to be delayed, maybe by around an hour, so I’ll catch some football until then. I may check back here at halftime of the football game if the Phils aren’t on by then. If not, enjoy the game and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
Howard, don’t worry, I know you’ll come around, keep your head up, we should’ve beaten Shields, I know you’ll do better this time around. There’s nothing wrong with you, I’m sure what happened in the last game won’t happen again. You struck out on curveballs the first two games, I really don’t see a repeat of that. Go Phillies!
And the thing is, I think Howard’s an intelligent young guy, all you gotta do is tell him he hasn’t been hitting well, that he needs to put in some extra work if he’s gonna fare better against the Rays.
The reason Manuel didn’t switch the line-up tonight was so he didn’t have all right hand bats against the right hand starter 4-8. I get that. You can’t really plan your line-up for the late innings, that’s what your pitch hitters are for.
bski, tell me Manuel didn’t screw that up, the infield should’ve been in, it should be 4-2, it was Jason freakin’ Bartlett the 8-hole guy. Sorry, he screwed that up. Screw-up. Is Charlie even awake?
Pete, do you know anything about playing the infield in? How often does it backfire?
All I know is, Tampa Bay isn’t getting these guys home from 3rd on hits, they’ve all been on groundouts that haven’t been so hard-hit that they would’ve gotten past the drawn-in infield. So isn’t it a no-brainer that you should start playing the infield in when they got guys on 3rd and less than 2 out?
All I want to know is, who put Don Denkinger in charge of first base?
Am doing my best to stay positive though in spite of the blown call and Werth’s Lonnie Smith impersonation. Hats off to the fans for cheering their guts out no matter what. Here’s hoping something good happens soon…
Sorry for doubting you JM, good call morty. I am just gonna hope for the worst for the rest of the series, worked out well tonight.
Ive gotta stop drinking beers, im gonna feel like crap tomorrow
Alllllriiiiigggghhhht!!!
This game was sooooooo Philadelphia. But all that counts is the “W”. Here’s hoping our offense is finally warmed up and clicking on all cylinders tomorrow — uh, today.
Professional job by Moyer; starting pitching has been a strength – did I just say that? Werth has to recognize that he’s not Maury Wills or Rickey Henderson – inexcusable in circumstance. Chooch, de man – what a beautiful dribbler! Eric the Red – glad he factored; decent, unsung utility guy.
Rollins’ “on screws” single & score to open – set stage for eventuality.
Watching Phillies all season has been akin to reading a month-old magazine while waiting for root canal in a posh office … two away from world championship, yet it’s such a mottled, ’missing’ “machine.” Sum, greater than parts. The sputteringly-efficient Philadelphia Uglies. Cholly’s Heroes.
I like Joe Maddon’s approach to game, his players and strategy. Rays well-fixed there, it seems.
Don’t like 10:07 as game starting time.
LATE START COMMENTARY
“I suppose if you were willing to ignore the steroid era and quit in the middle of an All-Star Game, the idea of a World Series slumber party sounds pretty good.”
“Time and again, the commissioner’s office will tell you baseball’s greatest concern is for the integrity of the game. And then they elbow you in the gut to pick up a nickel on the ground.”
– John Romano, St. Petersburg Times sports columnist
Couldn’t agree more. Game should’ve been postponed.
Ryan F: Thanks for the pat on the back, I was going to hate to have to do it myself. But I wold have done gritted my teeth and done it.
jj: “beautiful dribbler” and “sputteringly-efficient” – fantastic turns of phrase, per your usual standards.
jjg: Why do you think Maddon left the lefty in to face Brunlett and the switch hitting Victorino? If was afraid of Dobbs pinch hitting, he still had Price in reserve. Not a great decision at the time, nor in retrospect.
Morty Thanks for your compliment. On Maddon leaving the lefty in to face Bruntlett, I think it was said during Game 1 or 2 that Howell was the guy Maddon depended on for biggest outs in crucial situations. Probably a gut call, against-the-book, but with successful history behind it. His easy 8th had to play into the decision. If he didn’t plunk Bruntlett, who knows, it may have panned out. In the end, he and the hard-throwing Aussie didn’t get it done. Loved that 5 man drawn-in infield though.
I told you Moyer felt “pitcherish” to me, didn’t I JJG? He was sharp and he pitched very well. He deserved better than the no decision he got. He was also robbed of I feel would have gone down as one of the greatest plays in world series history. We will remember it, but it will not become enshrined as a part of world series lore. Moyer deserves better there as well.
Today I think we will see the offense finally break out and put up a big number. I’ll say 8 runs today. I saw us hit several balls hard yesterday and, even though several of them were for outs, I’m taking it as a sign of better things to come. I’m expecting to see many more hard hit balls today with even better results.
Hard to believe but, if the series continues to play out as it has so far, Carlos Ruiz should earn the world series MVP. He has had the best at bats and, as a result, has been the Phils most consistent hitter in the world series, if not throughout the entire post season.
Anybody remember when the 5-man infield worked for us. I don’t remember who we were playing, but I watched the Phils bring Glen Wilson in from right field. He was on second base, the ball was hit right to him, and he turned the double play. I’m curious to find the details of that game, but I don’t know how to go about it. If I can get them, I’ll pass them along.
bski In the grand tradition of Grigory Rasputin and Jeane Dixon, you and Morty were right on the money re Moyer. Kudos to resident clairvoyants!
Moyer’s dash, scoop and flip was an impressive display of want-to and acrobatic underachievement. At any age.
Carlos! Carlos! Carlos! ”Every little breeze seems to whisper [Ruiz].”
I don’t want to take anything away from the Phils. They deserve a lot of credit for hanging in there, for battling, and for getting the job done, BUT they were not the only ones facing adversity last night. I lost my Directv signal 3 different times from the 7th through the 9th innings. I had to grab my AM radio and follow the game that way each time until my signal was restored. Was it easy? No. Did I complain? No. I sucked it up, never gave in, and continued to root like there was no tomorrow. Do I want credit? No. It’s all part of being a fan.
jjg: I also loved the 5 man infield – especially against Ruiz.
bski: Weird. My Comcast signal went out for over an inning and I missed the back-to-back jacks.
Yeah my Comcast went out as well so I just watched the delayed game on my computer until it started working again. So I missed Utley’s homerun completely and saw the Howard homerun on my computer. Very annoying. It’s the World Series they need to get it together.