Phillies Are the World Champions

The Philadelphia Phillies are now the best baseball team in the world! I have been waiting a long time to say that! The Phillies beat the Rays 4-3 in the decisive Game 5. The game started from the bottom of the sixth and went back and forth until Pedro Feliz drove in the game-winning run in the seventh.

The Phillies have culminated this year with the sweetest of prizes. The players have dreamt of this since the first smell of spring. No, actually the players have dreamt of this since they first saw a World Series game on T.V.

But let's not beat around the bush, this win was for the fans. I went down to Cottman Avenue and partied in the street all night long. Cottman Ave. is that place on they always show on T.V. with the massive and crazy crowds, just in case you aren't familiar with the area.

We are the Champions! We are the Champions! No time for losers (Mets)! 'Cause we are the Champions.... of the World!

I can't tell you how much this championship means to the city of Philadelphia. More than the nonsports fan could even contemplate. I, along with other Phils fans, am so happy they could finally win it last night.

I will be attending the parade tomorrow afternoon on Broad Street. I will write about that tomorrow night.

Rain, Rain Go Away (And Bud Selig Can Follow)

The rest of Game 5 of the 2008 World Series will be played tomorrow night. The Phillies are up in the series 3-1 (just in case you weren't paying attention). The game tomorrow will be picked up from the bottom of the sixth with the game tied, 2-2.

Bud Selig really screwed this one up. First, he lets the game start, even with a severe threat of rain. Then, he lets them play until the Rays tie the score in the top of the sixth. He will deny that he waited until the score was tied. But Major League Baseball is more likely to distribute free steroids to all its players before it will end a World Series in a five inning game. You can't tell me that they wouldn't have kept playing had the Phillies held the lead.

The conditions from the fourth inning on were unbearable for the players. Jimmy Rollins misjudged a fly ball because he couldn't look up into the rain. The field was flooded out, and the Rays gained a cheap run because of it. They should have let the Phillies bat in the bottom of the inning to see how the Rays would have fielded in that situation.

But let's get back to public enemy number one: ol' Buddy Selig. He tried to manipulate the score of the game by making the Phillies come back onto the flooded field for another inning, just so the Rays could tie it up. If this was a government, I think the word "corrupt" would be the best to describe it. Does he think the fans are dumb enough to believe that he didn't want that game tied. Maybe that crap works in Tampa Bay, but not in Philly. It is always bad when you hear the commissioner speak. You know something has gone wrong, whether it be steroids or a possible lockout. The difference this time was that the commissioner caused his own problem.

But let's talk about the less than half a game that will be played tomorrow night. The Phillies could wrap it up tomorrow at home, and I think they can do it. I think they need to jump on the Rays 'pen early tomorrow. The Rays bullpen is tough late, but vulnerable early (just like Scott Kazmir). Joe Maddon has no idea how to manage a pitching staff. He uses pitchers like Andy Reid uses timeouts: Use a lot early, have no more for the end. He tires out his pitchers by warming them up, and then using them on only one batter. He is not opposed to use seven batters in an inning, as he did early in the series.

I think the Phils should start Ryan Madson or J.C. Romero tomorrow night. Please no J.D. Durbin! The man gives up a homer every time out. It's not that he gives up a lot of runs, just a couple big ones.

So rain, rain go away!

Going Back to Philly

Two games into the 2008 World Series, the Phillies are not looking good. They are 1 for 28 with runners in scoring position, the worst in Fall Classic history. They lost last night 4-2, when James Shields completely shut down the Phillies pathetic offense.

The Phillies are in a good position, however. They went into to Tropicana Field and took one of two games. The Rays are a terrific at home, so it was important to take a game there. Even with the cow bells ringing, Cole Hamels was still dominant on the hill in Game 1.

Speaking of the cow bells, I wonder why the Rays organization has to give them out to make noise. Up here in Philly, we don't need loud and annoying giveaways to make the Bank rock with the intensity of a low grade earthquake. We'll take care of the loud and annoying part ourselves.

The Phillies bats have been silent (although I don't think it has anything to do with the cow bells). If the Phillies hope to win another game in this series, they have to hit with runners in scoring position. Had any other pitcher on the face of the Earth had pitched Game 1 except for Cole Hamels, the Phillies would be down 2-0 in the series.

If I was Charle Manuel, I would alter the pitching rotation in this way (starting from Game 1): Hamels, Myers, Blanton, Hamels, Moyer, Myers, Hamels. I think this rotation would make perfect sense. You have your best pitcher Hamels on the mound for three games if the series extends to seven games. Cole would pitch Games 1,4, and 7. Frankly, I wouldn't want Jamie Moyer pitching Game 7 because he has been horrible in the playoffs. Manuel has already said that excluding Moyer from the rotation was not an option, and I agree with him. I wouldn't want him to pitch with the series on the line, however.

Charlie Manuel would never consider this rotation because he is too stubborn to change anything about his team. I know what he's going to say: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I agree with him, but Hamels has been sensational and he should pitch in as many games as his arm allows him. Manuel has babied Hamels all year by never pitching him on short rest. But come on! I know he is only 24, but this is the World Series and he is your best player. Get him out on the field as much as possible.

Now, let's talk about the hitting (or lack their of). The Phillies bats need to wake up in a hurry. Maybe the madness that will be the stands in Citizens Bank Park will wake them from their slump. Charlie Manuel needs to go around the clubhouse and pinch every player and tell him,"Yes, you're in the World Series, but that doesn't mean you play any different than April and May."

I think all the hitters are trying to do too much. Shane Victorino looked like he was trying to hit one through the roof every time. Ryan Howard (upper right) feels he should be hitting homers every other at-bat. They need to calm down and just try to make contact, not hit one out of the stadium. Howard also needs to get his head out of the clouds (or domes) in the field. One time, that may cost the Phils a run.

I will stay with my prediction of Phillies in 6. They need to win at least two games at the Bank before returning to the Trop for that to happen.

It Will be the Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays wrapped up the American League Championship Series last night, with a 3-1 win in Game 7. They will be taking on our-beloved Phils in the World Series. The Red Sox, after being down 3-1 in the series, won two consecutive games to force this decisive seventh game.

I didn't know who to root for last night. I thought both teams had good pitching and good hittting. I knew both would be a tough test for the Phils. I wanted to root for the Rays, because I didn't want the Red Sox to win three straight games coming into the World Series. But the Rays have really been hitting the ball (mostly out of the park), so I'm a little nervous.

It will be a tough series for sure for the Phillies. Cole Hamels needs to come out strong in Game 1 on Wednesday. I will do a comprehensive preview on either Tuesday or Wednesday.

CRAZY Game

The Tampa Bay Rays won Game 2 of the ALCS early this morning. I stayed up and watched all 11 innings of madness from Tropicana Field. It was a big win by the Rays to even the series at one. The teams will be off tonight and will pick up the action at Fenway on Monday.

This game had everything. Home runs, wild pitches, extra innings. Very exciting game, and finish. There was seven dingers in the game (four for the Red Sox and three for the Rays). Dustin Pedroia came up big for the Red Sox knocking two over the fence.

Third basemen Evan Longoria had a huge game, going three for five with a homer and three RBIs. The Rays knew they had to win this game and B.J. Upton finally did in the bottom of the 11th. Upton hit a shallow fly ball to right field, and that was enough to sacrifice the man home.

It seemed as if every time one team took the lead during the game, the other team would equalize on their next at-bat. Just a see-saw game that came down to a sacrifice fly in the 11th.

Go Phils!

Baseball's Final Four

The League Championship Series will start tomorrow, with the Dodgers taking the on the Phillies. In the American League, the Boston Red Sox will be taking on division rival Tampa Bay. Here is a preview of both series:

Red Sox vs. Rays

Boston Red Sox

This is a very intriguing series between two very good teams from the AL East. Boston pitching depth is probably unmatched in the majors, but Tampa's is a close second. Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jon Lester are two of the most dominating pitchers in the game. Josh Beckett isn't 100% but he will start at least one game in this series.

Boston's lineup has a great mix of veteran players and blossoming stars. Everyone knows Big Papi (above) is their power hitter, but he is suffering from a wrist injury. He hasn't been hitting all that well. Jason Bay has been a great run producer since coming from Pittsburgh. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia batted .326 with 17 homers and 83 RBIs. That .326 average was good for second in the American League. He should be the AL MVP. The rest of the lineup is stacked.

One major loss for the Red Sox is veteran third basemen Mike Lowell. Lowell was last year's World Series MVP, and a real leader. Lowell is certain that he will not play in any remaining playoff games.

Tampa Bay Rays

I have to confess that I thought the Rays would crumble in the second half. They sure showed me. The Rays young pitchers have really pitched well in big games this season (and in the playoffs). James Shields pitched well during the season, and had a nice outing against the White Sox last week. Scott Kazmir didn't have his best season this year, but he still a feared lefty.

The Rays seem to have great teamwork in a sport that significantly lacks real teamwork. Their young (and loaded-with-talent) players score runs with ease. Evan Longoria is a all-around player at third base. He homered in his first two postseason at-bats. Not bad for a rookie. Carlos Pena is the only player on the Rays with 100+ RBIs. He also knocked 31 balls over the fence during the season.

My Prediction: Rays in 7

Phillies vs. Dodgers

Philadelphia Phillies

Everyone knows about the Phillies prolific offense. I don't think I need to give you the stats of guys like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Pat Burrell. But a lot of the Phils' role players have been stepping up in the postseason. Shane Victorino has been terrific in October, knocking in five runs in four games. Jayson Werth has been a player that has created opportunities. His speed and timely hitting helped carry the Phils to the playoffs.

The starting pitching for the Phillies has been rather inconsistent. Cole Hamels is the team's ace. And he pitched a gem in the Game 1 of the NLCS, throwing eight shutout innings. Brett Myers looked very good in Game 2, but he has a tendency to blow up. Jamie Moyer pitched poorly in Game 3, but he usually is money. The Phillies bullpen is shaky if the starters don't go at least six innings.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Manny Ramirez is absolutely dominant in the playoffs. The Phils cannot pitch to him. He hit two homers in the Cub debacle. He has 26 dingers in the playoffs in his career. The Dodgers power ends with Manny. Andre Eithier is second on the team in homers with a parsley 20 (Note: Eithier would be fifth on the Phillies). Matt Kemp, James Loney, and Russell Martin are the fuel that drives the Dodger offense.

The Dodger pitching isn't all that great either. Manager Joe Torre will start Dereck Lowe, who was 14-11 with a 3.24 ERA during the regular season. Chad Billingsley is the team's best starter, going 16-10 with a 3.12 earned run average.

My Prediction: Phillies in 6

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