We’ve been so focused on the trio of Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels, that over the last week we’ve neglected the other side. Offensively speaking, the Phillies have put up 11 runs in two games. Looks have been deceiving, however, as the bats have been rather hollow.
In the Game 1 no-hitter, compliments of Roy Halladay, the lineup scored four runs in the first five outs and could manage just one more hit the rest of the way. Raul Ibanez’s third inning double was followed by just three base runners – one walk, one intentional walk, one hitter reaching on an error – but the focus was squarely on the pitching performance of the Doc.
Game 2 saw the Phillies and Reds score 11 total runs, however, it became a clinic on what not to do defensively. Six errors combined plagued both sides, with the Reds committing four themselves. That allowed for a 7-4 Phillies comeback victory. Beneath the surface of those seven runs for the home team, they put together a 3-for-18 line with runners in scoring position, proof that this is not quite an offense clicking on all cylinders.
Also in Game 2, the Phillies failed to reach base via an extra-base hit. They got two doubles, one from Shane Victorino and one from Raul Ibanez, in Game 1.
Today, it will again be about the pitching with Cole Hamels taking the mound against Johnny Cueto. Keep an eye on the offense, though. They’ll certainly be able to fall back on the arm of Hamels, but if the offense wants to create momentum with the possibility of a third straight NLCS appearance in sight, now is the time to start. The Phillies need a long ball sooner or later, why not get the ball rolling today?
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