Your 2009 National League Champions
Posted by Corey Seidman, Thu, October 22, 2009 08:51 PM | Comments: 57
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It’s hard to believe that after nearly 170 games, two teams that looked so even on paper could have such different performances under the bright lights of October. But such was the case in the 2009 NLCS, as the Phillies handily defeated the Dodgers.
To put it bluntly, the battle for the National League championship pitted a varsity team against a K-8 after-school baseball program. The Phillies focused, played instinctively, and treated these semi-finals as if it were just another collection of games in mid-June. The Dodgers, on the other hand, pressed, strayed away from throwing strikes in hitter’s counts, and played “not to lose.”
Held In Check
I don’t mean to disrespect the 2009 Los Angeles Dodgers, for they did beat the Phillies in four of seven regular season meetings en route to finishing with the National League’s best record. They have a good nucleus of young talent (Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw) that will hopefully reach their peak at the same time. But they also have young guys who appear to be declining, such as Russell Martin (the new Jason Kendall) and Chad Billingsley, as well as the rapidly aging Manny Ramirez and Rafael Furcal, who went 8-for-40 in the NLCS.
Furcal was supposed to be the Dodgers igniter, yet he failed to score a run in the series. Ramirez was supposed to be the middle-of-the-order run-producer extraordinaire, but he didn’t drive in a single run after the fifth inning of Game One.
Before & After
Coming into the NLCS, the Phillies appeared to have an advantage on the Dodgers, but the gap between the teams wasn’t as gigantic as these five games showed. The Phils had the more powerful offense, reliable defense, and superior starting pitching, but the Dodgers held a massive edge in the bullpen, where they sported the likes of 2009 un-hittables Jonathan Broxton, George Sherrill, and Hong Chih-Kuo.
Against a left-handed heavy Phillies lineup, devastating lefties Sherrill and Kuo were supposed to thrive. The Dodgers held a distinct advantage on the bench, too, which supported the rear-ends of Jim Thome, Mark Loretta, Juan Pierre, and Orlando Hudson.
Suffice it to say, Phillies absolutely pounded the oft-praised Dodgers bullpen, scoring 14 runs on 21 hits off the unit in 21 innings, while also drawing 14 huge walks. In addition to displaying a fondness of multiples of seven against LA’s relief corps, the Phillies played their brand of baseball against the Dodgers pen. They were extremely patient, worked deep counts, and executed with runners in scoring position. For five games, the entire Dodgers pitching staff looked scared and out-matched by this dynamic offense.
Playing Scared
Two single innings represented the Dodgers fear of failure in this series: the ninth inning of Game Four and the first inning of Game Five. In the final frame of Game Four, Jonathan Broxton pitched around his old nemesis Matt Stairs with one out and the bases empty, walking the lefty on four pitches. This took Broxton out of his element, as he proceeded to hit Carlos Ruiz one pitch later, and eventually surrender a game-winning two-run double to Jimmy Rollins that will forever be etched in the minds of Philly faithful.
The very next time the Dodgers sent out a pitcher and eight fielders, Vicente Padilla easily got past Rollins and Shane Victorino, but then got behind in the count to Chase Utley and refused to give in. Padilla walked Utley, then threw four pitches way out of the zone to Ryan Howard due to fear of “The Big Piece” once again carving his initials into the major-league postseason record book. Much like Broxton did with Stairs, Padilla didn’t trust his stuff enough, and paid the price when Jayson Werth blasted a three-run homer that set the tone in the Phillies clincher.
Too much blame cannot be placed on the Dodgers starting rotation or bullpen however, because it was up to the Phillies to execute – which they did, just about every single time. Sure, the Dodgers bullpen was critically acclaimed throughout the season, but if they pitched only against the Phillies, you better believe those ERAs, FIPs, and BB/K/HR rates would be vastly different.
Throwing a fastball by Chase Headley at Petco Park in mid-August is much different than attempting to get one past Chase Utley at Citizens Bank Park in October.
Charlie Manuel > Joe Torre
In between the Phillies ridiculous offensive output and Dodger pitching woes came a bunch of head-scratchers from Joe Torre that only helped the Phils. For no logical reason in particular, Torre refused to play second baseman Orlando Hudson. I understand that Ronnie Belliard had a high slugging percentage and a number of timely hits after coming to the Dodgers from the Nationals on August 30, but his hot-streak had been over for some time, and the minimal offensive advantage that Torre feels Belliard provides is undeniably negated by his inferior fielding.
Hudson’s legs, switch-hitting, and defense (even after all the injuries) are still more threatening than what Belliard provides in the 2-hole, 7-hole, or wherever else Torre felt he needed to bat his undeserved starter.
Another baffling decision was not pinch-hitting Jim Thome with the bases loaded in the eighth inning of a 9-4 Phillies lead in Game Five. Torre elected to let Martin, who either has money against his team, an affinity for the Phillies and their fans, or absolutely forgot how to play baseball, strike out with one away, and then let Casey “the Grinder/Battler/insert stupid analyst cliché here” Blake ground out for the 9,000th time this series. All the while, Thome waited in the on-deck circle.
I fail to see the logic in this. Both Martin and Blake struggled in the series, and both are much worse candidates to face Ryan Madson than Thome. Even if the presence of Thome were to force Charlie Manuel to counter with Scott Eyre, isn’t Thome vs. Eyre a more favorable matchup for LA than Martin/Blake vs. Madson?
In contrast, Charlie Manuel pulled all the right strings and didn’t worry about the feelings of his players. Cole Hamels couldn’t hold big leads in Games One or Five, a la Adam Eaton, and Manuel didn’t let last year’s NLCS and World Series MVP stick around to work through it. Hamels’ effectiveness was nowhere to be found, and Manuel played the “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately” card, reaping the benefits both times.
In Torre’s defense, managing is much more difficult and subject to scrutiny when you’re playing from behind in 34 out of 45 innings.
When It Rains, It Pours
A key factor in this series was the ability of the Phillies to put up crooked numbers. The Phils scored in 16 different half-innings over five games, but scored 2 runs or more in 11 of them. Meanwhile, the Dodgers scored more than one run in an inning only four times throughout the series. Why, you may ask? Because the Dodgers pitchers out-walked the Phillies 23-to-12. Six walks a game isn’t going to get it done against the Phillies – this lineup is too deadly do dilly-dally with.
From Ryan Howard to Chad Durbin
So many different Phillies stepped up in this series. Ryan Howard has had one of the most impressive postseasons in major league history, tallying an RBI in a ML-record eight consecutive playoff games.
Jimmy Rollins’ game-winning two-run double in Game Four was the most substantial swing of momentum in the series, and one that the Phillies didn’t look back from.
Jayson Werth hit three mammoth home-runs in the NLCS to set the Phillies all-time record for playoff homers, with seven.
Chase Utley reached base in every game – what else is new? He now holds the record for most consecutive playoff games reaching base safely, with 25.
Shane Victorino went 7-for-19 with a double, triple, three homers, six RBI, and four runs scored.
Carlos Ruiz, the Phillies very own Mr. October, started the scoring in Game One with a three-run big fly off Kershaw, and reached base in 11 of 19 plate appearances!
On the mound, Cliff Lee was brilliant once again, tossing eight scoreless innings, with 10 strikeouts and no walks. Through two rounds, he has now allowed a mere two runs in 24 1/3 innings pitched.
Pedro Martinez dazzled in Game Two, giving up two hits in seven shutout innings.
Brad Lidge, after allowing nearly two baserunners per inning in the regular season, saw only two Dodgers reach base in three outings.
And not to be overlooked is the stellar performance of Chad Durbin, a 2008 blessing and 2009 disappointment, who came in during four different situations (three of which were crucial) and refused to let a Dodger reach base.
Repeat?
What will transpire in the World Series is anyone’s guess. Predictions in sports are like TV’s in the backseat’s head-rest – they’re useless. The bullpens of the Rockies and Dodgers were each labeled as reasons for the Phillies impending demise, yet here we are, waiting one long week for the World Series.
The Phillies 1-8 hitters have disposed of every “great” reliever they’ve faced, and their pitchers have made Troy Tulowitzki, Todd Helton, Manny Ramirez, Rafael Furcal, and Matt Kemp all look like different forms of Eric Bruntlett.
By the time the World Series returns to Philadelphia, the Phillies will have held baseball’s crown for over one calendar year. It doesn’t matter who or what has stood in their way during the title defense, every attempt at dethroning the Phils has been futile.
It’s like this team listens to the traffic report on the radio and hears about four-car pileups and overturned tractor trailers, but when they actually get there, the streets are clear. What’s supposed to stop them now, a fantasy baseball team with a $210 million payroll led by Joe Girardi? Or Bobby Abreu’s Angels?
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Posts: 0 Manny
Excellent article Corey! Everyone is picking the “fantasy baseball team with a $210 million payroll” to win it all… they forget that they first have to win one more game against the Angels… and today isn’t looking too good for them. I’m happy to see Burnett getting rattled in the 1st.
Posted: 09:48 PM on October 22, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
One more thing: Has anyone noticed that the only two games we’ve lost this postseason have been just by 1 run? I think that speaks volumes about what kind of team we got.
Posted: 09:50 PM on October 22, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Well the Angels just gift wrapped the game with the most colossal 7th crapping of the bed I’ve seen in the post season ever. What a gem Lackey tossed…Scossia pulled a Torre. Man the Angels have only themselves to blame…they had Burnett on the ropes and let up….we’ll see if they can pull it out. I just want the series to go as long as possible…more wear and tear on the older yankees would be great…Jeter getting sicker in the NY colder evenings….
Posted: 10:34 PM on October 22, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
I dont want more wear and tear. I want them to ahve to deal with teh same lay off that we do. I hope the yanks win it tonight, or the angels win it in 7
Posted: 10:39 PM on October 22, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Corey good article but once our opponent is decided i’m hoping you’ll do a huge sabrmetric match-up fiesta.
whoops god has given his Angels another chance
Posted: 10:44 PM on October 22, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Stuart – I hear ya but they’re running a 3 man rotation… CC throwing in the seventh game sounds great to me…and more time for Hamels to work on whatever he needs to…he’s the lynch pin right now, though this team can find away around just about anything. Besides it like i can’t root for this merc. team from NY, it’s just doesn’t feel right.
Posted: 10:57 PM on October 22, 2009
Posts: 293 Corey Seidman
J Reed – No doubt. It’ll be comin
Posted: 11:33 PM on October 22, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
The angles just did us a favor now we could use some rain and make the yanks burn CC in a game 7
Posted: 12:07 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
Sorry, but I find the article a tad classless. Not saying that I didn’t enjoy it. Because I did. But the Dodgers are done. Let’s move on. The Angels didn’t choke in the 7th. The home plate ump called the 3-2 pitch in the 7th with 1 on and 1 out ball four. That was strike 3 w/o question. Mike Socc. then made it worse by pulling Lackey. In the end though, justice was served. The Yankees better win on Saturday…… Or? ………
Posted: 12:14 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Andrew, agreed….but if the Angels force a game seven CC will be pitching anyway cause Petite will pitch on Saturday or are they pitching CC on Sat.?
HK – what the Angels did in the 7th is the very definition of choking…they got a bad call and when Scossia pulled Lackey which was dumb and a choke managerial move they proceeded to give up 6 runs with 2 outs in an elimination game, after leading 4-0 for 6 innings in front of their home fans. How is that not choking? Fortunately they turned it around. I say play a game 7. Yanks will win but will be ragged. They aren’t as young as we are and have longer recovery rates than we do. Plus, a worn out bull pen is fun to hit around. Also it’ll get colder and be more nasty which we have overcome before last year and this year.
Posted: 02:36 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 293 Corey Seidman
To Harry – What exactly is “classless” about this? I was under the impression that this is Phillies Nation, not ‘The New Yorker.’
The Dodgers played scared the entire series, and Joe Torre made many bad managerial decisions. Where does the problem lie?
Posted: 03:20 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Moshe B.
Corey, don’t forget that Martin was the catcher that Werth stole home on this season as he nonchalantly tossed the ball back to the pitcher.
Posted: 07:17 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Greg
The analogies in this article are pretty lame. What is a TV in the backseat’s head-rest? That doesn’t even exist. Seems like useless could be metaphored in so many better ways. And traffic reports? The great thing about the Phils’ is they don’t listen to the fire and brimstone forecast, they are going out as cool as ice and doing their job. The four-car pile-ups never existed in the first place. I guess it sort of works, but its still a reach.
In any case, I know I’m not writing anything for the public to scrutinize so Kudos to you, Corey. Good article and I enjoyed reading it. A lot of good points. My criticisms are intended to be constructive, even if unsolicited.
Posted: 09:32 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Scotty
I thought the head-rest analogy was funny. The POINT is it doesn’t exist, isn’t it? I might as what “metaphored” means, but I know what you’re saying. ;)
Anyway, great piece, Corey.
Posted: 09:53 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 George
Calling the Dodgers a “K-8 after-school school baseball program,” and saying that Martin “has money against his team” is definitely classless. It’s comments like these which don’t help the image of the average Phillies fan.
The Dodgers were surely outplayed, and maybe pressure had something to do with that. But they aren’t a bunch of Junior Leaguers or game throwers.
This article maybe wasn’t completely classless, but had way too many classless comments. As a Phils fan, I resent its implications, and hope that no other baseball organization lumps me in with the kind of persons who write such disrespectful rot.
Posted: 09:57 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
Corey- we’ve butted heads on some issues… at this point, I think that we can respectfully agree to disagree on issues and move on because we agree in principle that the game should be played a certain way and statistics serve as a good barometer for performance (you probably feel a little more strongly about statistics as a determinant than I do, but that’s ok). We both understand that educated opinions are still opinions… but educated opinions are better than uneducated opinions, for sure. I can respect what you say because there is thought behind it.
Don’t sweat the negative comments… it was a nice recap. You’ve made it known that you’re strength is statistical analysis so this is probably a step out of your comfort zone but it was well worth that step. I enjoyed reading it… if you clowns think that you could do a better job and always be perfect, start your own blog.
Posted: 10:01 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Uptightttttttt….
Posted: 10:02 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
Rueben was on a sports show this morning. Great interview. He said bring on the Yankees. Love that answer. This team wants the Yankees. It could be a let down not playing them. Rollins would of had Vlads ground ball last night to end that game. Jeter does not have the range. If our bats stay hot we will destroy the Yankees.
Posted: 10:09 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
The Dodgers are good team. Not a great team. Manny sure brought down the Dodgers with his antics. The problem is manny is not manny anymore. With no more steroids to help he is just another aging ball player that is not very good in the field. Outside of one homer he did nothing in this series. Martin is an overated catcher. Loney, Kemp, Eithier are good players. There pitching is average at best. There bullpen folded like a tent. There big setup man realized he was not playing with Baltimore. The Phillies are just to good for the Dodgers.
Posted: 10:14 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
All Bruntlett is good for is throwing pies in faces. HE STINKS
Posted: 10:22 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Werth is now the Phillies all-time leader in postseason HOMERUNS.. and EXTRA BASE HITS
pretty impressive.. he likes the big stage too I guess
Posted: 10:32 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
LOL at the “multiple of sevens” comment. I thought the Phils would sweep the series because I couldn’t take Padilla, Kershaw, Wolf and injured Koroda seriously. I also predicted the Phils pen would outpitch the Dodgers so I’ll give myself a pat on the back and will neglect to mention the things I predicted incorrectly.
Lackey went ape on a called ball that was probably the right call. It looked low and inside to me. He totally lost his composure so i don’t think it was a bad move to take him out.
The Yankess are now 0-4 in their last 4 series clinching ALCS games so don’t count your Yankees before they clinch.
Posted: 10:35 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Is that dude “George” serious??
The Dodgers play well when nothing is on the line.. and then choke when it matters
Their Catcher, who is in a position to be a team leader, based on his position.. has followed Manny’s lead a little too closely and now plays the game with no heart
I used to like Russell Martin, up until last year’s NLCS when he started crying at every call that didn’t go his way ..
Kemp and Ethier are the stars of that team.. depending on how well the build around them, the Dodgers could be REALLY good in 3 years.. or out of the conversation all together.
Posted: 10:36 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 bfo_33
I think the article was a little harsh on the Dodgers, except for pointing out that they were overmatched. Now for my pet peeve (not targeting this particular article) – One of the things I hate hearing is about how teams give the game to the Phillies (or any other team, for that matter). Even the whole concept of blown saves. Broxton didn’t really blow the save (although some argument over the way he pitched to Stairs), Rollins nailed a good pitch (at 98 mph, I don’t care where it is, it takes a good hitter to get it). The Phillies are a very good team who don’t panic. They make mistakes, but don’t get rattled. They win. The Dodgers are a talented group of guys who don’t know how to control their adrenaline.
Pet peeve #2 – listening to Chris Russo and a few others – they seem to think that if the Yanks make the ws and beat the phils, it will be a lost season for the Phils, and the fans will be pissed at the team. I don’t think he understands Phillies fans at all. Yankees fans root for the colors – after Swisher the only guy with personality doesn’t even speak English. Phillies fan really like this team – these guys. Losing would be a disappointment, but wouldn’t be a rallying cry for dismantling the team. Go Phils!
Posted: 10:50 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
Ok yeah now that I think about it. Yanks in 7 is what I want. I wnat to be the team to knock off the Yanks. And I want them to burn CC in the process and pitch game 7.
Posted: 11:13 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
To steal a line from “The Cuz,” Russell Martin is a fraud… he talks a big game and carries himself like he’s the second coming of Johnny Bench but any talent that he might have is mitigated by the fact that he cares more about the name on the back of the jersey than the name on the front… he puts up a lot of hollow stats. He’s average at best defensively; I don’t think he has the desire to be a great defensive catcher. He’s lazy behind the plate (rather than moving into position, he relies on his ability to snag balls and his pitchers end up with a ton of wild pitches) and doesn’t call a great game.
Corey – you’ll appreciate this (an eyebrow raising statistic for sure and an indication that Chooch does not get enough love)… LA ranked second worst in the NL for wild pitches with 76. By contrast, the Phillies were the the best team in the NL (and MLB) in that category with 28… that’s 28. The second best team in the NL was Atlanta with 40 (BAL had 31).
Posted: 11:18 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
bfo – “Broxton didn’t really blow the save”. He walked Stairs on 4 pitches, hit Ruiz with the next pitch and missed his spot with a fastball by placing it right over the heart of the plate at a spot where Jimmy could crush it. I’m not taking anything away from the good eye by Stairs or Jimmy’s hit 9he very well could have been late and fouled it off) but Broxton totally blew that save. It was an epic choke.
Posted: 11:30 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
I don’t think this article is harsh on the Dodgers at all….it’s spot on. The Dodgers are a good team that won the most games in the NL and deserved to be in the NLCS. They COULD have won it. They didn’t. They played BELOW expectations….below their potential. So I don’t think it’s unfair to analyze them and their performance in this way. Good article, Corey.
joedad…I disagree…..Lackey, while facing a bases loaded situation, did have 2 outs and hadn’t been scored upon yet in the game. Taking him out was a mistake and I don’t blame him for being upset with Scioscia for pulling him. …. I’ll take that kind of competitior on my team any day.
Posted: 11:38 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
agreed…Broxton choked……BIG time.
Posted: 11:39 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Broxton sucks.. two HUGE blown saves vs the Phillies in NLCS play the past two years.
Posted: 11:50 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
The Dodgers have talent but everyone should have seen this coming… they were 39-35 after the all star break (56-32 prior to it). Torre chose to replace two all stars (Hudson and Billingsley) with hot arms/bats (Padilla and Belliard). Manny is… Manny. Their ace is a 21 year-old. And lets face it… LA does not provide that hostile playoff environment that you need in October. Thome said it… when you’re playing in a place like Philadelphia, it forces you to learn how to counter punch on the road. Do you think that any of those guys were afraid to play in LA? In the end, the team that was built for the playoffs won… the team that was built for LA did not. They can have Mannywood and Kershaw and Torre and Ethier’s cute hair and Martin’s shape up and Broxton’s 101 MPH fastballs (although, I would take them)… I want the guys with heart and killer instinct.
Posted: 11:56 AM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
Broxton didnt blow the save AND Lidge did not blow any saves this year. Thats how stupid that comment was. You are in the 9th inning of a game to tie up a series. You have 1 out. Then you walk and hit batters. Then get crushed. THATS A BLOWN SAVE ANYWAY YOU CUT IT.
Posted: 12:02 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
To their defense.. the opening day starter, Kuroda. was hurt like 3 seperate times this year .. and rushed to get back each time
the Kuroda we saw in Game 3 was not who he really is..
I’ve never been a big fan of Billingsley, but he does have loads of talent.. same with Kershaw .. Wolf had a great year for them.. Padilla was picked up for insurance (same with Pedro for us) .
I really think Matt Kemp is an MVP in the making.. great all-around player, but he’s too young to carry a team .. Furcal wasn’t on base for them .. Manny had a bad series. .. The Dodgers are much better than they showed, but the Phillies, like last year .. are playing their best baseball and the most important time of the year!
If the Dodgers can pick up a solid pitcher (Lackey.. Carlos Zambrano?.. etc..) .. a veteran to guide their young pitchers.. and find like two “Pedro Feliz” type players.. guys that aren’t great, but do their job .. they’ll be a solid team as long as they have the core of Kemp, Ethier, Loney, Kuroda, Kershaw..
Giants are going to be looking for a bat in the offseason. so the Dodgers need to counter that if they want to keep their window open ..
Posted: 12:06 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 CZ
Corey – Fantastic article. I really don’t understand why people are up in arms bout this. All you did was frame the feelings we all have in a very ‘to the winner goes the spoils’ manner. If we can’t enjoy it then what’s the point in winning? I’m sure any Dodger fan reading it would probably tip their cap to you and reply, touche. You speak the truth. The Dodgers are a very talented team but until they choose to learn from their new nemesis and REACH OUT AND GRAB success they will continue to fall short in October.
Whether we like it or not the Phillies are the new bully on the block…plain and simple. The only way you can have such continued success is to be willing to dominate, out work and out tough your opponent. These Phillies remind me of the Patriots earlier this decade in their ability to step on the throat of the opponent and show no mercy.
Posted: 12:17 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Mr. Phil
Everyone’s a critic on here. I thought this article was well written with its analogies and yes, this is a Phillies website.
I have been glad to hear so many people agreeing with my viewpoint on this Phillies team. I have been following the Phils for almost 50 years and have reveled in the games at the stadium, celebrating with my fellow Phillie fans. This is the very best Phillies era ever. It’s hard to beat the 70′s team that culminated in the 1980 champs. This team is better.
I asked three of my friends coming out of the stadium on Wednesday who the current Phillies icon is. They said Howard and I told them the answer is Jimmy Rollins. History will prove me right. There are superstars on this team but Rollins will be looked upon 30 years from now as the linchpin to this Phillies team.
It is so easy to root for this team. Enjoy the ride. I bet if an all Phillie team is voted upon years from now the manager will be Charlie Manuel, the 1st baseman will be Howard, 2nd baseman Utley, and SS J Roll. Victorino will give Garry Maddox a run as CF, and Jayson Werth could be the RF.
I’m not counting any chickens before they’re hatched with a WS championship, but the prospects are promising.
Posted: 12:28 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
“Wolf had a great year for them”…..exactly why I said a few days ago that that was one of Torre’s biggest mistakes in this series…..not starting him in Game 1..(he waited til Game 4!!).
Kershaw DOES have a lot of talent….he just shouldn’t have been the #1 starter….I guess Torre felt that his talent and potential would overcome his inexperience.
Posted: 01:01 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Rachel Friter
mmmm corey
Posted: 01:12 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 SpankMyYankee
“The Yankess are now 0-4 in their last 4 series clinching ALCS games so don’t count your Yankees before they clinch.”
Actually that would 0-5 in their last 5….
Posted: 01:16 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Who made the biggest managerial mistake last night…..Scioscia for taking Lackey out too early?…..or Girardi for leaving Burnett in too long?.
And what about Scioscia walking A-Rod with 2 outs?….THAT almost backfired.
Posted: 01:22 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
Taking out Lackey was worse by far… Lackey is there ace and despite loading the bases, was in control. Not sure how you remove a guy like Lackey for Oliver with a 4 run lead and 2 outs… he gets better when the pressure is on and he is their best pitcher. Burnett was starting to look a little tired; in the 7th he allowed a hit and a walk to the 8-9 hitters… no outs. Plus, the Yankees had their bullpen set up… maybe they should have went Joba, Hughes, Rivera like they’ve been doing but hindsight is 20/20. The biggest mistake on the Yankee side was made when Posada allowed Phil Hughes to challenge Vlad with a fastball when the count was 1-2… you don’t let him throw that pitch to Vlad. Burn one in the dirt because Vlad will chase.
Saunders/Pettite tonight… tough matchup for the Yankees. This thing could go very easily go 7. Wouldn’t that be something?
Posted: 01:46 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Jim Hoffmann --the RUNT
The Skankees are mercinaries. No heart , just killer instinct. They throw money — lots of money — at their problems and are bad for the sport. I hope the Phils have what it takes to take them down several notches. It was nice to see Joe Torre eat some humble pie, as well. Yankee fans are heartless pieces of crap.
Posted: 01:56 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Actually, I’ve met quite a few Yankee fans who are very knowledgeable about the game and their team. I don’t fault them for being passionate about their team…and their city. It’s not that much different than the way we are about our team and our city..
_____
OCP….definitely the Lackey decision was worse. I love that guy (except when we could face him)…he WANTED the ball….and deserved it…for at least the opportunity to get one more batter.
Hey, the Angels are still there….and think about this….this thing goes 7 and CC pitches and the Yanks win….that would be a break for the Phils..we wouldn’t have to face him 3 times, potentially.
Posted: 02:21 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
No way will the Phils repeat because nobody is getting past the Mets, I mean the Giants, I mean the Braves, I mean the Cardinals, I mean the Rockies, I mean the Dodgers, I mean the Yankees or Angels. Bwahhahhhahhhaaaaa.
Posted: 02:47 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 SDO
Why is everyone so afraid of Sabathia? Victorino et al. will take him down just like we did in ’08.
http://vodpod.com/watch/1055327-video-victorino-hits-grand-slam-off-sabathia-nlds-game-2-10208
CLASSIC!!!!
Posted: 02:51 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Who is saying they are really afraid of Sabathia?
I’ll take Lee vs. Sabathia .. and I like our chances in Game 1
C.C. is a great pitcher.. but Rollins, Vic, Werth, Feliz, Ruiz all from the Right-Side .. and probably Francisco batting 9th .. to have that extra speed when it comes back around to the top of the order ..
I like the Phillies chances against either of these teams
Posted: 02:56 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
I think SDO is implying that I’M afraid of Sabathia….which I’m not.. All I said was that if the Yankees series gets extended to 7 games and becasue of rain that we would probably not have to potentially face him 3 times…is that a break for the Phillies or not.??…who knows for sure..
Posted: 03:29 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 ed
I don’t think Torre made a bad decision not starting Billingsly because the Phillies crush him. It’s like I don’t Charlie made a bad decision to start Cole game 1 because he owned the Dodgers. Hind-sight is always 20-20. The bottom line is the players have to execute on the field and the Phillies were flat out better and rise to the occasion. That’s why I never panicked at the end of the year because when the lights are on, this team comes to play.
Posted: 03:50 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
The Original Chuck P. – word on Poseda’s 1-2 call to Vlad….you call bowl the pitch in and he’d swing at it…granted it might go out…i’ve watched the guy blast stuff out that wasn’t just a ball but unhittable, however that was in his prime…the guy isn’t the same and Hughes curveball was pretty nasty looking. Dumb ass call by Poseda
Posted: 05:04 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Chuck – hell yeah that’d be a break for us
Posted: 05:14 PM on October 23, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Vlad was/is one of the best pure hitters in the game of baseball .. its tough NOT to make a mistake pitch to that guy .. you try to make the best pitch you can, and if he hits it, he hits it
I actually had that conversation last night.. his recent lack of power.. was he on the juice before… just a power hitter in his prime … or are the injuries taking that much of a toll on him (as he’s already in his last years) .. he can hardly run at all anymore
he was a great player in his prime.. Montreal and Anaheim aren’t in the spotlight, so he’s very underrated, but his numbers are amazing
Posted: 05:31 PM on October 23, 2009