Rock star Myers can perform his greatest gig yet

Brett Myers, who watched most of the 2007 NLDS from inside a bullpen, gets his wish today when the Phils host C.C. Sabathia and the Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.

Forgive me for drawing a blank on where I heard this. After all, there are no less than two million people covering the Phils these days. The gist of the report was how Myers was amped up to be a starter again because he feels involved in the action. Myers pitched in a pair of somber non-save situations during last season’s NLDS, a nursing-home vibe compared to the madness of the division-clinching game against Washington.

Like many people, the Phils felt Myers had more value as a starter this season, stripped him of his alternative/rapcore/nu metal entry music and reinserted him into the fold alongside the barbershop quartet of Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick, Adam Eaton and Cole Hamels. By mid-season, he became a fifth Beatle and was sent to the minor league affiliate in Allentown, home of the world famous Crocodile Rock Cafe, where the band Biohazard, whose heyday came the last time the Phils won a playoff series, perform tonight. His journey would later take him to Reading, home of the world famous Northeast Taproom, where the band Flux Capacitor plays a gig tomorrow in front of dozens of screaming family members.

When Myers returned to Philadelphia, where N.E.R.D. and Common share the stage at the Electric Factory tonight, it was the Elvis Presley ’68 Comback Special all over again. Hello, rock. Goodbye “Rock-A-Hula-Baby.” In Myers, I see someone poised for his greatest gig yet. It's Citizens Bank Park, his new favorite venue (3.01 home ERA compared to 6.21 on the road), a sold-out crowd and the electricity of a Game 1 victory.

Hello, Philadelphia. Are you ready to rock?

Comments

[George]

Well, for those about to rock, we salute you. Now just go out there and get it done.

[NEPP]

Be excellent to each other...

[Bubba]

Good time to change the thread JW. Let's stop doing the post mortem on a win and use the next 5 hours to get excited about a CC- Brett duel.
Please Phillies - bring your bats TONIGHT!

[king myno]

It's been a long time since Brett rock-and-rolled.

[JYurk]

Wow, Jason. Great Post. I have goosebumps. Yes, I'm ready to rock. The work day can not end soon enough.

[bay_area_phan]

Hugh: (From the last thread)

I might have been the original Blanton basher, but I've largely been a Blanton defender for about the last month. He ain't great, but he has pitched serviceably well since coming to the Phillies -- much better than I thought he would. And I do agree with your other point. What to do in Game 4 could potentially depend on how Myers does tonight. If the bad Myers shows up again, I think we can infer that he's here to stay -- which means that, if you use Hamels in Game 4, you're setting up a near-automatic loss in Game 5. If the good Myers shows up (but we still lose), then it becomes a trickier question. But, for me, the bottom line is that there is really no evidence, other than wishful thinking, to believe that Hamels can be effective on 3 days' rest. And, as we saw with Myers, pitching a guy on 3 day's rest can have adverse after-the-fact consequences. We have 25 guys on the roster for a reason. Even in a must-win game, you can't go doing idiotic things that would very likely prevent you from winning the next series. Winning the NLDS means nothing to me. Winnning the NLCS is what it's about.

[bluehog]

Maybe someone mentioned this earlier, but did anyone notice that when Ruiz came up to bat yesterday, the best visual TBS could come up with was that his nickname was "Cooch"?

[Tony D]

Spent many a night in Croc Rock during college.

[TK]

Good post. I have a great feeling about Myers tonight. And strangely, whenever I've watched him in person or on TV this year dating back to April he's been pretty good more often than not. I'll be watching tonight.

[Hugh Mulcahy]

Impossible to predict which Myers will be there tonight. With his demeanor in a big game, I can easily see him getting knocked around in teh first, then shutting them down for the next 6 or 7.

Last time I was in teh NE Taproom, they had to open a trapdoor behind the bar adn descend into the basement to fetch the beer we ordered. Do they still close the place at 10pm?

[mike cunningham]

If Hamels is Carlton and Myers is Schilling, i'd love to see Myers strike out the first 5 batters like in Atlanta.

Brett's CG performance against the Brew Crew was Rock Star like. Let's see if he's able to to return to form.

[TK]

Bluehog, I saw that and laughed for about 5 minutes straight.

[kdon]

Alright, I'm with the positive spirit, so long as I have some data to back it up.

A reason to feel good about Lidge tonight is that over his career he's much better pitching on no rest than when he's had 3 or more days (like last night).

No rest: 147 IP, 182 K, 99 H, 57 BB, 14 HR
>3 rest: 112 IP, 153 K, 98 H, 52 BB, 12 HR

[Bubba]

Is Brett or CC affected by chilly weather??

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. West wind around 5 mph becoming south.

[Hugh Mulcahy]

b_a_p: I hadn't noticed your evolution on Blanton. Agree on teh bottom line, when he pitches, they usually win, so he's been as good as they need him to be. I assume they are planning to use him Sunday, if necessary, unless circumstances dictate a change. I don't think you can approach an elimination game (lose and go home) with the idea of saving arms for the next round of playoffs.

[GM-Carson]

Time to rock out with your rooster out. Myers wants to be rock star, and tonight he has that opportunity. I hope he also goes 8 shutout innings, but unlike Cole, talks Charlie into letting him perform the encore of a spotless 9th as well for the complete game shutout. Rock!

[clout]

I agree with kdon and Jack on Hamels and Lidge. I feel so ashamed.

[J. Weitzel]

Ruiz is due a good needling about that. Since he's off the roster but still hanging around, the job falls to Seanez to be the purveyor of obscene pranks relating to female genitalia. Get to work, Rudy.

[J. Weitzel]

Wow. Female genitalia made it through the spam filter.

[king myno]

Pat-dro Werth-ell: 0-10 with a walk (almost equaling my 0-12 prediction). Tonight is his (their?) time to shine.

[clout]

Myers struggles have been mechanical. He pitched poorly in his past 2 starts because his location was off. He said it, Dubee said it, Manuel said it and everyone except Beerleaguer posters said it.
Myers claims that he has figured out the mechanical problem in his side sessions and that his arm slot is now where it should be. That means he'll be able to command his curve to drop down in the zone and his fastball on the plate edges. This assumes that 1. He's being honest and 2. He'll be able to bring into the game what he fixed in the bullpen. We'll know immediately by watching his pitch location and his strike/ball ratio.

[stjoehawk]

"Is Brett or CC affected by chilly weather??"

Doubt it. Both of them look to be well suited for the cold winter months ahead.

[J.R. King]

Great post. The thing that separates this site from the other is not only the insight, but the writing.

Prediction for tonight's hero: Jayson Werth hits a three run homer late in the game. Sabathia, not wanting to walk Werth and pitch to Howard, makes a mistake and Werth takes it out.

[clout]

BAP: I disagree slightly about Blanton. When he was acquired he was billed as an innings eater. He has been anything but. In fact, without looking it up, I wouldn't be surprised if his IP per start is worst in the rotation, just slightly over 5 IP.

[Cipper]

I go to Croc Rock all the time (10 min walk from campus here) and i like the pizza (but not the price) more than the venue... regardless...

GO PHILS!

[clout]

J.R.: Actually, if Sabathia ever looks at statistics, in that situation he'd want to walk Werth and pitch to Howard.

[kdon]

"I feel so ashamed."

Ah, don't be such a female genitalia.

[Bubba]

hawk- padding is the answer?

[Chris]

Ready to Rock? I'm more worried about watching Myers get rocked. I want him to win, but my confidence level is just not there.

[Hugh Mulcahy]

Blanton has definitely not Eaton innings as advertised. He disclosed recently that he had been pitching hurt (biceps tendinitis) and I had hoped that he would look better in his last start. He didn't, really. Another 5 or 6 inning schlockfest.

[MPN]

clout: Yeah, but if the Blanton that threw 14 GB to 4 FB last Friday night shows up, I think we'd all take it. Right?

[Matt]

Hm, a lot of BLs wanted to blame the play calling by Coste (who I still think is starting tonight) on Myers' struggles, but it looks like Myers was blaming mechanics instead. I agree with that, too many pitches were out over the middle of the plate.

[clout]

MPN: As long as he goes more than 5 innings, you bet!

[MPN]

Chris Coste. DavThom. Female genitalia.

Just to test to see if Dave Thomas is still getting his Google alerts.

[clout]

Matt: That's exactly right. His fastball was catching the fat part of the plate, his breaking stuff was all up in the zone.

[Mike]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for AC/DC Myers, and not Jonas Brothers Myers.

[MPN]

Did anyone else catch the conversation between Coste and Marson after Marson's HR on Sunday? There was no smiling. It was one way from Coste to Marson. I imagine it was something like: "You better not even think you are coming down the Northeast extension to catch until at least September of next year... if then."

[MPN]

Mike: That was awesome. Totally made my day. Still laughing.

[Mike]

MPN: Anything I can do to help.

[Matt]

MPN, I missed the home run, so I didn't see that. I think this is Coste's last year in Philly, but he'll catch on, so to speak, with someone else. He's an excellent platoon/backup, but I think Marson will have his roster spot next year.

[MPN]

I hope Maximus Myers shows up and unleashes hell on the Brewers at 6PM.

[bay_area_phan]

Actually, not counting that 2-inning outing where he came out after the rain delay, he has averaged 5.2 innings per start with the Phillies. He hasn't exactly been an inning eater, but the quality of those 5.2 innings has been fairly decent -- which is the reason the Phillies have such a good record in his starts.

[MPN]

Matt: Yes, I think so, too. The Phillies could break him in the way that the Nats used Jesus Flores two years ago. Of course Flores' glove and backstop skills were more advanced than Marson's, but Marson's bat is probably more advanced than Flores' was back then.

[Bubba]

Matt / MPN- Cholly is slow to use young players - 3 catchers a possibility?

[MPN]

Bubba: Doubtful. It's also telling that Marson is traveling with the team. As Carson has pointed out, this is probably because MLB has changed the rules for injuries in the postseason, but it may also be because Charlie's taken a shine to him.

[Mr. Mack]

I think Coste has some value as a back up or third catcher/1B. His bat is nice to have off of the bench too. As with all things Phillies, mishandling of personel often leads to "what ifs" by the BL faithful. Coste said as much when they overplayed him this season to the point of exhaustion. Just like the way the BP has been overused. I understand the 'if it ain't broke' philosophy, but somehow using guys until they breakdown is another story.

[clout]

Bubba: Almost no team carries 3 catchers any more. It used to be common in the 1950s and 1960s.

[mark]

if coste wants to stay in the league, he should do everything in his power to get some looks at first and third- maybe even 2nd and left field, as a utility guy who can be a third catcher as well. His bat is still valuable to any roster, and if he can prove his infield defense to be up to par, he can thrive in this league for a few more years. Remember, he was an international league all-star at third base...

[AWH the RBP]

Mike, don't dis' the Jonas Brothers.

It's more like AC/DC Myers vs. Captain & Tenille Myers.

.......at least if you're old enough to remember who the latter are.

[AWH the RBP]

Actually, I want Myers curve to drop like a Led Zeppelin.

[Mike]

AWH: Maybe Myers Will Keep Us Together?? I'll revise it to Starland Vocal Band Myers.

[Mark]

Living in Portland Oregon its one thing I truly miss.

Thanks for the mention of the NorthEast Taproom. Love that place. I remember when Tapper used to roam the bar floor.

I can see the Rock Star out there with Its the End of the World as we Know It. (And some say it is)

and he feels fine...

[baxter]

Mets pitcher Ambrioux Burgos is wanted in the Dominican Republic for a hit-and-run accident that killed two women...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3620877

[AWH the RBP]

Mike, even better............HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[J. Weitzel]

So, was anyone else inspired to watch old Biohazard videos on YouTube?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq2FAaW5Ic4

Tonight at Croc Rock people. Should be a good scene.

[Bubba]

Great liny by Lauber @ the News Journal on Lidge:

Lidge's nickname is "Lights Out," but lately, he has left them flickering

[Tony D]

I saw Social Distortion at Crock Rock a couple years ago, that's the last time i was there. Pretty good.

J Dub, get the new K of L cd yet? Different sound but I like it. The first song is awesome.

[BobbyD]

That's your best post yet, Jason. And Croc Rock isn't a bad place to be if you have to be in Allentown.

[Mr. Mack]

This is what Myers says he has lived for his entire baseball life. The Spotlight. The Big Show. His chance to shine.

If he doesn't come with his A+ stuff tonight, it's game over even before it gets started. With MLB fans across the country tuning in, it doesn't get bigger than this for him. Whatever happens Brett will end up being Michael Myers (nasty) or Oscar Myer (weenie). We can only hope that with it being October, it's Halloween season at CBP.

[Indiana Sarge]

Speaking of Coste, he should be starting tonight, no? He has been Myers personal catcher all season.

[Mr. Mack]

If this was discussed already, my appologies. Does Coste get the start tonight or Chooch? Seems to be Myers likes when Coste is receiving, as opposed to Ruiz. If I'm Cholly, you gotta go with whom Myers is most comfortable with, especially given his fragile mental state. Plus, it would be nice to see Coste rewarded with a start in a playoff game, no?

[CY]

Mack - I think Coste gets the start tonight for the reasons you mentioned.

[timr]

Ha, Flux Capacitor! That pop-culture reference is not nearly obscure enough to make a decent band name.

[king myno]

Mr. Mack - I don't know, Cooch is the hot hand. Coste hasn't looked great lately.

[Mike]

The only Biohazard song I remember is the House of Pain collabo "Just Another Victim", from the Judgement Night soundtrack (one of the most underrated movies of all time). Very fitting.

[Colin_K]

I am still trying to figure out which jabrone that works for TBS messed up Ruiz' nickname.
Someone had to have gotten fired over that one.
You don't play around with female genitalia on national tv and get away with it.

[Colin_K]

Mike: the Judgement Night Soundtrack is one of the most underrated soundtracks as well...have it on my ipod...of course in the movie Jeremy Piven plays the a-hole...talk about being typecast. Who rents an RV for a basketball game?

[Joefucious]

I can't wait for the game today. I hope Brett is under control with his emotions.

[Ops]

Great post, J. Although there are seemingly "two million" people covering the Phils, none are as creative as you. Of course I love some Allentown references. Didn't really like the Croc Rock when I was there but maybe that's because I'm under 21. Good ol' Allentown nightlife.

[Jack]

Coste will get the start tonight.

[Bubba]

I thought Chris C would start but here is from Phillies Insider:

Tonight's Lineup
Rollins, ss
Victorino, cf
Utley, 2b
Howard,1b
Burrell, lf
Werth, rf
Feliz, 3b
Ruiz, c
Myers, p

[Mike]

Colin: It was a boxing match, if I remember correctly. No matter though, since it ended up getting blown up (hopefully like the Phillies do to Sabathia, to keep with the baseball theme).

[UD Hens]

Interesting, Vic back at the top of the lineup tonight?

[mike cunningham]

and of course utley and howard back to back. they won't see a right hander the rest of the playoffs. thanks charlie.

[AWH the RBP]

UD Hens, Vic has a hotter bat than Werth right now, and Chollie obviously wants players on base in front of the big guys.

[Yikes!]

Wow, Charlie is confusing me. Werth should be batting higher in the order against the lefty not the right.

[mike cunningham]

Normally that would be correct Carson (Yikes), but I think Werth's is lost right now (and it's not a RHP/LHP thing).

Personally, I like Werth lower in the lineup against a LHP because you can take advantage of his power. Against a RHP, he's a different player, and you can take advantage of his OBP and speed.

[Andy]

Hmmm...
So Chollie goes SS LL RR RR. Nice.

We need to get him a new set of darts.

[Andy]

Hmmm...
So Chollie goes SS LL RR RR. Nice.

We need to get him a new set of darts.

[Andy]

(Double post in line with Manuel's thinking, of course.)

(Anyone remember those old, stupid, Doublemint Gum commercials?)

[Mr. Mack]

Nice to see you onboard with the rest of us Mike C. Cholly being unimaginative...Shocking, huh? This is what drives me to drinking. Although my counselor or sponsor may say otherwise.

[Ribbies]

I agree, but I don't mind seeing Vic higher in the order. I guess some small ball is in order against CC.

[UD Hens]

Signing off, heading up for the game. Go Phils!

[Vonderful]

Need to get to C.C. early tonight. You can't let aces settle in so a fast start by the top of the lineup tonight is key. I haven't looked it up, but it seems to me that Sabathia has struggled (high pitch counts at least) early in games lately.
Evan Longoria 2-2 with two solo bombs. Rays up 4-3.

[Bubba]

It was already game time yesterday. Feeling the symptoms of baseball withdrawal.

Go Phillies- I don't care who's pitching.You've made enough nobodies look like Cy Young winners-- Make a Cy Young winner look like a nobody

[Mr. Mack]

"I don't care who's pitching.You've made enough nobodies look like Cy Young winners--Make a Cy Young winner look like a nobody."

Couldn't have said it better Bubba.

[Vonderful]

Crazy that Charlie would line up the lefties with Sabathia out there. When will he learn?

[Colin_K]

I was talking to a buddy this morning about it and I would say that in the teams current state, my idea would be to move Vic to 1 and drop Rollins to 3 in between Ut and Howard against a lefty.
A stat head (Sophist) can correct me, but isn't Rollins power more present from the right side?
This is taking into account the fact that Werth and Burrell are protecting no one at the moment (I am not intending to discount anything they've done this season, for all you sensitive posters out there).

[Tony D]

This afternoon is taking forever.

Longoria 2-2 with 2 HR's. The real deal Holyfield.

[bay_area_phan]

I much prefer the 3:00 (for me) starting time to the noon starting time. I'm usually pretty busy from noon to 3:00. As you can undoubtedly tell.

[Mike]

Tony D: That's realer than Real Deal Holyfield. I thought the Rays would come out really tight but they're proving their worth.

[John]

Yeesh, I hope there's an error in that lineup. While I'd like to see Utley and Howard split up all of the time, I can very slightly see the reasoning behind yesterday's lineup. Today, Charlie must have decided that he didn't want his two best hitters seeing any righthanded pitching. At all. No shot whatsoever.

Maybe if Ned Yost was still managing. But he's not. Alas.

[The Theory]

I realize there is already nearly 100 comments on this, however, I just want to say that the Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown is the worst freakin' venue I have ever been to. The set up is horrible and the people who work there are mean. It's a pity because they get some decent artists in there... but the venue is just terrible.

[Hugh Mulcahy]

I like the idea of dropping Rollins to 3d adn batting Victorino leadoff, but I wouldn't do it for the first time in October.

[Colin_K]

Andy: If you combine SSLLRRRR, what sound does that make?

[Colin_K]

Yeah that was the one thing I brought up too...it's one thing to make that kind of change now as opposed to some time in May.
Although wasn't Jimmy batting in the middle of the lineup last August when Ut was out?

[Collin]

Brett, you better go out there with your A-game tonight! We need this to keep Milwaukee reeling as we take the series to Miller Park. If you fail, I'm fearing the next two in Wisconsin.

[Haddon Heights Harv]

I think Myers may crank up a good game tonite. In any case we'll all know early... like about 6:10. Needless to say, a win here would be very nice.

Andy: Not only do I remember the Doublemint commercials, I also bagged the twin on the left.