Phillies' bullpen puts the freeze on Rockies 6-5

Six months had been building to the moment when Charlie Manuel handed the ball to Brad Lidge in a playoff game. It finally occurred in the early hour of 2 a.m. Monday morning, nearly four hours after the first pitch had been thrown Sunday night. Instead of the nightmare everyone had been bracing for, Lidge and the bullpen gave their loyal subjects sweet dreams in a back-and-forth Game 3 victory. More tomorrow, as the Phils prepare to end it.

Comments

[Knight]

Whew.

[dlhunter]

Larry Anderson just strangled Jerry Meals in the Coors Field parking lot.

[brohamel]

The ROCK PILE is PHINALLY OURS!!!!!!!

[drake]

a shot and a beer later, i still don't think i'll be sleeping for a while... thank goodness i don't have any classes until 11 am (12 your time) tomorrow.

[Tray]

I could really see Larry carving a diagram of the strike zone into an ump's head, Brad Pitt style.

[Spitz]

Hey man, Meals sucked, but he saved us with that Utley missed call!

[tg082]

I never doubted Lidge! :)

[J. Weitzel]

Night of unsung heroes unsung zeros. Starting with the big zero of the night: Hammel, and if you want to pick another, Jim Tracy can't manage his way out of a bad. RSB listed two of my heroes - Durbin and Howard. Durbin had a sharp little inning; put the ball in good spots. That's a huge spot for Madson to come in like that cold. Can't be easy. Ibanez had great at bats; understood the need for baserunners in a game like that. Keep it simple. Can't forget the Utley homer to literally break the ice on a frigid night. Rollins really needed to deliver and did, kickstarting that nifty rally. Heads-up baserunning and a good bunt, a great sac fly by Howard. Great game. Very exciting.

[Mike Scuilli]

Awesome game, worth how tired i am going to be working a double tomorrow.

Biggest key to tomorrow? Getting rollins and victorino on base, we can run all over Ubaldo. Hopefully we don't need a complete game from, just at least 7 innings cuz i think the only two arms we have left in the pen are Myers, bastardo and Kendrick.

oh and guess pedro?

[J.R. King]

On the strike zone: Today was the first game of the series I didn't listen to Anderson/Franske while watching the TV. I'm sorry I missed it. L.A. was probably on fire.

On Jim Tracy: How is it that the Rockies have such a great record under him when he makes obvious mistakes like pitching to Ruiz TWICE?

[Joel Goodling]

Ruiz = Playoff Hero

Lidge = good enough

Colorado = cold

[Mike A.]

I think the comment machine ate my rant about how bad the announcers and ump were. I can't believe some of the crap they threw out there. Someone teach these fools how to let the game breathe. Do we really need to know the name of the minor league pitcher the Rockies traded to Cleveland for Rafael Betancourt. I think they read the entire media guide on the air tonight. I guess there's a reason they are the TBS D team. God, I miss HK.

[Murgatroid]

I am completely giddy. I keep finding myself bursting into laughter for no reason. What an unbelievable game. I was on edge the entire time.

I thought Charlie made all the right decisions and they weren't easy decisions to make. And thank god, it worked out.

While I definitely don't think it means Lidge is back, I actually thought he looked a lot better tonight. Tonight he seemed to be able to throw strikes when he needed to. The walk to Gonzalez was just a good AB by him (I never want to see him hit against the Phillies again) and they were clearly pitching around Helton. That said, I don't want to see Lidge again in that situation again in the playoffs.

Thankfully it's only 2:40 my time. Let's close this out tomorrow.

[Murgatroid]

Also, I think what made that win so satisfactory was the way it was such a team win. Having guys like Ruiz and Durbin come up so big was awesome. I loved our pitching today. It was a struggle for virtually everyone, but they pulled it out. I really hope Eyre can return to pitch again in the postseason, as much for his sake as anything. He has been such a huge member of our bullpen this year, especially with all of the injuries and closer problems we've had. If not though, I guess we'll add Condrey? Or would it be Walker?

I'm going to remember this game for a while. What an immensely satisfying win.

[Noel]

Angel this!!!! Yankees that!!! keep underestimating us Phillies. we feed off it. it makes us stronger!!!!

[Replacement Player]

I just wanted to say, good luck, Phillies. We're all counting on you.

[drake]

officially eyre has a sprained ankle. he won't pitch again in this series, but i'd guess he could be available in a week and a half or two weeks, maybe sooner if he heals well.

[seth.]

thirteen million comments. impressive!
my band was in the middle of playing and i was making my friend report to me from the TV (which I made them switch to the Phillies) from the bar. mid-set, "Phillies win!"
awesome.

[EastFallowfield]

Inky

[EastFallowfield]

Daily News

[phargo]

I spent a fair bit of the first 4 innings saying "You need to throw a strike now, kid."

Glad it ended well.

[diggitydave]

Mike A-
The best quote of the night came from Brian Anderson and his equally-idiotic co-announcer Joe Simpson in the 5th or 6th inning:
"Pedro Feliz, has decent speed, on second base."

Now I understand if these two jackasses don't know that Madson isn't actually a sinkerballer (they called him such last night), and I even am OK with the fact that they didn't know JA Happ is actually called "Jay" and not "Jay Ay."

But Pedro Feliz - he of the "12 SBs in his 10 year major-league career" (and NONE in his two seasons in Philadelphia!) - having "decent speed"??? Come on guys, if you're not even going to pretend to try to be knowledgeable about the two teams you are broadcasting, how can anyone take you seriously?

[EastFallowfield]

Good tidbit from the Inky:

Before last night, the Phils had played 15 Game 3s in their history - that's World Series, National League Championship Series, and NL division series.

And they'd lost 12 of them.

The only three they didn't lose were in Los Angeles during the 1978 NLCS, in the 1983 NLCS against the Dodgers, and on that rainy Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park in last year's World Series.

[pblunts]

Must have been a mandate from MLB for the broadcast tonight-and I'm sure this was covered in the game thread-but the TBS clowns couldn't stop praising the Meals. It's ridiculous enough to have a bad strike zone, it's worse to be horrible AND inconsistent. I remember a small handful of these type of inconsistencies during the season, it's freaking amazing MLB puts these clowns out there for the most meaningful games of the season.

[SmokyJoe]

I have been conditioned by an entire season, so I will continue to be terrified when Lidge is in the game. However, those who read all kinds of doom and gloom into his future based on last night's performance are just showing their pre-conceived bias. He pitched well. He gave up a walk on a great at-bat, and another "intentional unintentional". He got three week at-bats for outs: a grounder, a pop-up, and a weak fly out. Last night was the doomsday scenario everyone dreaded and some claimed would be the end of the Phillies' run. Chill.

BTW, every postseason team has played 3 games. The great Mariano gave up a tie-breaking run in game 2, only to have the awesome Nathan blow it (followed up with 2 more runs allowed in game 3). Franklin gave up a 1-run lead to lose game 2 (after Holliday's error). Pappelbon blew a 2-run, ninth inning lead in a must win game 3. Street took the loss last night. All these guys had great regular seasons. Lidge has not given up a post-season run. Just saying...

[GBrettfan]

I'm sure the Rockies fans are up in arms about the blown call when the ball hit off Chase. I would be if the positions were reversed. And Huston Street even thinks he threw Chase out at 1B (wrong).

But Matt Holliday never touched home plate, so they can take solace from the fact that sometimes, game-changing bad calls have gone their way. Plus there was the Stairs "strike." And the fact that Chase still could have homered on the next pitch for all anyone knows.

What a game. I am grateful to the Fightins' for the fight they showed last night. BP was terrific. Small ball was great, too.

[Chris in VA]

Rocky Mountain Oysters, anyone? They're served in section 144 of Coors Field ...

Go Phillies!

[R.Billingsly]

OT: I'm sorry if this was mentioned on a previous thread -- I haven't been able to read all of the posts yet.

I was excited to see Papelbon blow the save for the Sox yesterday. What made it even better was the fact that after he gave up the hit in 9th, instead of backing up home (which he should have been doing), he was squatting between home and the mound, sulking.

Sorry. I'm just not a big fan of his (or the Sox) and it made me smile.

Carry on...

[EastFallowfield]

Buck Foctober

[R.Billingsly]

EF: Nice!

[AFish]

I don't like that the Utley missed call is getting lumped in with the Mauer "foul ball" and the CB Bucknor blown calls. Unlike those calls, the Utley play was a very hard call to make, and you can understand how it was missed.

I remember a game this year where a Phillies batter hit a ball off his shoe and didn't run. The umpire didn't see it, and the player was thrown out at first. That sort of missed call happens.

[CY]

Its been 20 minutes and my post still hasn't come up, so I will try again.

Gbrett - do you think Helton was off the bag? Looked like chase was out (and obv the ball hit him). I would be heated if I were a Rocks fan.

Great to get a victory last night though. I would have been mad if I stayed up until 2:30 for a loss. What a game!

Lets wrap it up tonight with Lee! I am still high from last night.

Got to give Cholly his props for last night. He pushed all the right buttons (although I would have hit for blanton in that 1 spot).

[Greg S.]

Anyone know where Moyer is for the games? Is he allowed to travel with the team? Seems to me, he should be there when we win it tonight.

[CY]

EF - Is that a Buck or Ruck on his shirt?

Seems like it would be Ruck Foctober if they are trying to play off of F@ck Roctober.

[Dutch's Delorean]

Moyer has been sick - developed a blood infection after his abdominal surgury. I believe he was just recently released from the hospital.

[Lake Fred]

I got this email on my work computer this morning from the BL Elite hierarchy. It reads in part: "Future nominees to the secret hallowed Order will have met this prerequisite - said nominee must demonstrate and prove that they both watched last night's game to the VERY END, AND showed up timely the next morning to work or school. Proof of watching shall be evidenced by a notarized affidavit from nominee's spouse, mother or significant other. Proof of work or school attendance shall be in written form by officials from such institution on official letterhead."

[pblunts]

Anybody know what the rule is for replacing a player who gets injured during a playoff series? Can Eyre be replaced if he's unable to pitch?

[GBrettfan]

That's true, AFish, that kind of call happens, and in fact, Utley said he's been there before - where the ball has hit him and he hasn't taken off running, resulting in an out at 1B. He said that's why he hustled down the line. (He also said he "didn't know" if the ball hit him, but I don't think I believe him on that one.)

Yes, CY, I did think Chase was safe at 1B, just barely. What do others think?

[TERRY HARMON]

NLCS PITCHERS

THURS HAMELS
FRI BLANTON
SUN LEE
MON PEDRO
WED HAMELS
FRI LEE
SAT ???

[GBrettfan]

Eyre can be replaced if injured, pblunts, but he can't be put back on the roster in that case until the WS. Pretty sure he can be put back then.

[thephaithful]

1 postseason save > 11 regular season blown saves.

[GBrettfan]

Terry, I see by the fact that you've assigned Hamels to Game 1 that you are feeling optimistic about the Phils chances tonight.

[GBrettfan]

Good one, phaithful. You say that now, but we're not done yet. There will still be time for a BS in the 9th, I regret to say.

[thephaithful]

gbrett: did not know that, so getting replaced in one series makes you ineligible for the next?

What if escalona got "hurt" in the NLCS, would eyre be eligible to replace him?

[Pete Happy]

Helton is 6'2", Howard is 6'4". Howard keeps his foot on the bag and Utley is out.

WTF was up with TBS's strike zone graph? I know it's hard to read picthes on TV, but there were any number where it looked way off from what I'd just seen. And the announcers were calling pitches competely differently at times from the graphic. It wasn't as ridiculous as Fox's pumped up speed gun (Madson throwing 99+ mph), but it really didn't seem that accurate.

[SmokyJoe]

Possible scenario:

If the Phillies don't win tonight, but manage to pull it out tomorrow, it will mean that they will fly across the country tonight back to Philly, then fly back across the country to LA on Wednesday for game 1 NLCS on Thursday. Lee/Hamels would not be available in LA, so it would probably be Pedro game 1 & Blanton game 2. Those are some stacked odds. Need to end it tonight.

[GBrettfan]

Not that I'm banking on a BS, just saying it's entirely possible, particularly with our track record this season. I won't stop being nervous until the last pitch of our last game. As was the case last year, although last year, I would have been much more surprised to see a BS.

[SmokyJoe]

Best possible scenario: offense scores 15 runs in the first three innings, Lee gets pulled after only throwing 40 pitches, and is available to pitch game 2 in LA.

Worst possible scenario: Lidge blows 9th inning leads in the next two games.

[Lake Fred]

Like a fool, I stayed up past the end of the game and watched the TBS postgame show. The two "Experts" on the right side of the table (David Wells and Cal Ripken) pick the Rox over the Phils today. Their logic? The Rox "ace" Ubaldo Jimenez who got rocked for five earned runs in Philly will be more comfortable pitching in Colorado than our complete game "ace" Cliff Lee. What do they think we are? Stupid??!!!

[GBrettfan]

Pedro would rise to the occasion, Smoky Joe.

I don't know about that, phaithful. I think once you're off, you're off. The roster for the first two series stays the same.

Having said that, I'm going to look it up to make sure I'm right. I just read this AM that Park may be avail. for the NLCS, and if I'm right, that means he'd have to be on the roster already (b/c, presumably, they wouldn't be counting on someone being injured).

[clout]

The best description of the irrational unpredictability of post-season baseball was posted by Spitz last night:

"After Papelbon, Nathan, and Street blow saves, it's only fitting that Lidge locks this down."

[GBrettfan]

Ok, based on the Park news, I believe I'm wrong. I now think they can set a new roster for each of the series. Still looking it up.

[TTI]

Just a huge game last night and thankfully one worth staying up for.

This is how you win games in October. You're big guns (Utley, Howard) get big hits and drive in runs. Utley's home run was huge in the 1st, but not as big as his heads-up play in the 9th. There is no way anyone can hate Chase Utley. Howard had some more good at bats in a series full of them.

Then you have the unsung guys coming up big. Chooch and Durbin were big in their key moments of the game.

And Charlie may have made some decisions questioned by some but largely they worked out. I know the question was not pinch hitting for Blanton but Charlie was hoping Joe could work a 1-2-3 6th and not have us burn a pinch hitter. It didn't work that way. The Rockies then went to a very good left-handed pinch hitter and we had to get Joe out.

The Madson move was questioned but that was the right spot for him. People have railed all year that sometimes your best pitcher needs to come into a game outside of the 9th. That is what happened. Madson came in during a tough spot and largely put out the fire.

Lidge was not perfect but he got the job done by taking advantage of Tulo's over-anxiousness.

The Phillies are not going to get any style points for the win last night but it's October and who cares about style points. A win is a win this time of year.

Lastly, Jim Tracy is a buffoon. Countless mistakes again last night.

[Cipper]

Is there a site that has a graph of the pitches against stairs last night? I was listening to the radio and all LA kept saying the one pitch was 8 inches off the plate and the ump was "feeding into" the crowd or somehting?

[GBrettfan]

I just read that the rules allow for replacing an injured player in postseason, and that once that player is replaced, he is ineligible for the next series.

Can someone confirm?

[AFish]

I'm pretty sure the Phillies will go back to Philadelphia even if they win today. I don't think they packed for a week away from home.

[GBrettfan]

Yep, Dave Murphy also says so:

"Scott Eyre was diagnosed with a mild sprained left ankle. He will be re-evaluated today. Eyre said he is determined to remain on the NLDS roster. If he is replaced, he would have to miss the NLCS."

[awh]

TERRY HARMON, shame on you.

Don't you know the baseball gods do not like chickens being counted.

For further evidence check here:

PAPEL BOMB

They especially don't like chickens being counted on B*L.

You have heard of the well-documented BEER*LEAGUER Reverse Jinx, no?

[George]

Great piece by Stark, talking about the Lidge-Rollins interation off-screen before Lidge pitches. Must read stuff.

[TERRY HARMON]

awh

My proposed pitching for the NLCS is a double reverse jinx as I have tickets for a game 5 (the only tix I have for any series).

I also wanted to point out that Pedro should pitch at home where he really gets the fans going.

[Scott]

Quite the number of posts last night. I powered down the computer after the third. The game wasn't going well, so needed to do something different. Watched the rest curled up in a fetal position. Might do it again tonight. Not going to go back and read, but I'm sure it runs the complete gamut. Tired, but last night sure felt good...

[EastFallowfield]

"EF - Is that a Buck or Ruck on his shirt?"

I can make a typo with the best of them even with more than 4 hours sleep.

[GBrettfan]

Hey, thanks, George. Here's the pertinent section from Stark's article:

So as he stood on the mound, waiting for the signal that the TV commercial break was over and it was time to pitch, Jimmy Rollins looked him right in the eyeballs and said, "You're going to get them out."

"Yeah," Lidge replied.

"What's that mean?" Rollins retorted.

And for a moment, Lidge seemed startled by the challenge. Then he looked Rollins back in his own eyeballs and told him: "You're right. We're going to get this done right here, right now."

[tutpsu]

Some of the announcer's highlights include: praising the home plate ump, saying Feliz's defense is underrated and uttering this monstrosity: "That was a Helton of a swing." I think I'm switching to the radio tonight.

[CY]

EF - I wasn't trying to be a dick. Just wasn't sure. Funny picture though. Where can I get that shirt?

GBrett - you were right. he would have to miss the NLCS. Otherwise people would fake injuries to add extra arms then be fine again for the next series.

[RSB]

“I never heard it, never saw it,” Meals said. “If anybody would've seen it, had an idea that it hit him ... Chase Utley took off like it was nothing. He gave no indication to us that it hit him. Whatever percent of the time, you're going to get a guy that's going to stop if it hits him.”

This rivals the alertness Utley demonstrated in Game 5 of the World Series last year - the kind of stuff that really earns a reputation, that goes beyond numbers. Recall that Kalas' famous "You are the Man!" call came after a play like this, not a defensive gem or a homer. He plays like someone *programmed* to win.

[Pete Happy]

George/Gbrett: Jimmy must have seen a DITHL coming.

[Lake Fred]

I now know why Cholly has remained faithful to Lidge.

We all know that Lidge made a deal with the devil to have his perfect season in 2008. Early this season, Cholly approached Brad about arranging a deal for himself so he can become one of the rare back to back World Series managerial winners from the NL. Brad made the arrangements and on an off day, the three met with Beelzebub in an abandoned warehouse near the wharves.

As part of the deal Cholly was to continue to put Lidge in save situations throughout the season. Beelzebub, being a baseball fan, insisted on more direct input during the playoffs. He commanded Cholly to install a direct line red phone in the dugout to consult with Beelzebub in game for managerial moves. Beelzebub promised to make the moves appear dumb, so that no one would suspect that Cholly was not calling the shots. The insertion of both Blanton and Happ in Game 2 were Beelzebub’s calls. The snow was caused by the evil one to negate the bad impact of those dumb moves. The pièce de résistance was Beelzebub’s call to have Lidge come in for the save, a move so dumb and stupid that no one would suspect the sinister hand calling the shots.

If Cholly appears a little redder than usual to you these days, now you know why.

[TTI]

There are athlets is sports that you hate but if they were on your team you would like them. Then there are athletes like Chase Utley that just go about everything in the right way and regardless of your fan loyalty you just like the guy.

Utley just does so many things right. He hustles at all times, he worked hard to improve his defense to get to the majors, he scores from second on ground balls to the infield, he beats out grounders to first, and then he does stuff like last night.

You can't teach instinct like that. A guy either does it, or he doesn't. You can tell someone what they should do, but in the split second it happens great players just go for it instead of thinking about it.

I'll make a bold predicition: when all is said and done in his career Utley will be remembered as one of the top 5 guys to wear a Phillies uniform in history.

[GBrettfan]

No kidding, Pete Happy! I sure was looking for one, kept willing Lidge to look fierce again.

[Pete Happy]

Instead it was Houston Street who ended up putting the poodle in the oven. Go figure.

[kart racer]

Tons of man love for Chase Utley.

And how about Ibanez with a bunch of quality at bats this series? And choooooch? Howard hitting the ball well too, power will come if he keeps getting good swings..

[GBrettfan]

So, the playoff roster is reset between series, but a player replaced due to injury in one series, is not able to come back on the next series' roster? If Eyre gets replaced for remainder of NLDS, can he come back for the WS or is he out for both NLCS and WS? If Park comes back for NLCS but it's too soon and he needs to be replaced, he won't be able to come back for the WS either?

Not counting chickens. We still need 1 win. Just wondering about the rules.

[timr]

I'm really glad to see Lidge get the save and his confidence back, but he still doesn't seem to be able to locate his fastball at all.

I hate to say it, but what we saw out there in the ninth looked like the inherent difficulty of hitting a small round ball with a wooden bat on a freezing cold night, not the ability of Lidge to shut down opposing hitters.

I mean, I'll take it, but if Cholly thinks this means Lidge has regained his unquestioned position as closer, then I'm really worried.

[doubleh]

Didn't this last week teach everyone that there are no sure things in baseball? Lidge is one of the best options the Phils have in the pen right now, like it or not, and he'll pitch again, if the team is fortunate to advance.

It's funny; I actually predicted to my husband that Lidge would get the save last night after the Red Sox lost. I said, "Wouldn't it be ironic?"

BTW, love the Ruck Foctober shirt. I heartily endorse the statement.

[chstk of suffrg]

F*ck Meals for trying to blame his blown call on Utley. Saint U. is absolutely right: the player's job is to run it out, hard, because you don't know whether the ump is going to call that it hit you or not. Like whoever it just was for the Tigers who got hit by a pitch in that extra inning playoff game but the ump didn't see it. For the ump to say that he goes off whether the batter stops is an admission that he is an amateur umpire: so you are going to let the player's reaction dictate what your call is?

[Mike]

I dont really think that will happen. Lidge was simply the best option out ofthe pen at that point since Madson had been burned.

[bake]

Is there a site that has a graph of the pitches against stairs last night?

Gameday then navigate to the top of the 8th.

(I prefer "Light 3D" under options.)

[chstk of suffrg]

So, um, why are they starting the game at 6pm if it is the only game on tonight? So that TBS can get in their 10pm Family Guy reruns?

(A rational explanation, if any of us believed for a moment that TBS and MLB had the best interest of the teams and the fans at heart could include: (1) that it will not be quite as cold at 4pm in Denver, and (2) that this will allow the teams to have a reasonable flight back to Philly for game 5 if necessary on Tuesday. But that, as I said, would be assuming that this was done for a good reason.)

[Nick Leyva]

Eyre won't be replaced for the remainder of the series. He's become the 2nd or 3rd most important member of the bullpen. If there's any chance he'd be ready for the NLCS he needs to stay on the roster.

[bake]

Stairs AB (just to make it easier for everyone):

[Pete Happy]

chstk of suffrg: theory I heard was to get the game in before Monday Night Football and not compete.

[CY]

Agreed Nick, need to keep eyre on the roster if there is a shot he will pitch.

Gbrett - you have it correct above.

[CY]

Gbrett - to clarify, if you are replaced on the roster you have to miss 1 series. Eyre could return for the WS. Park would be done for the WS if added for the NLCS then replaced.

[bake]

So close.

The url for the whole picture is

http://i34.tinypic.com/14ka0px.png

[loctastic]

I made it to the end of the game last night, and I got to work on time. Well, close to on time. And my mom is a notary. Do I have a shot at BL Elite or not??

I'm so happy Lidge got the save. Gonzalez worked a good walk off him, but I did get scared with the Helton walk. He managed to pull it out though.

And got to love Chooch and his big hits. All the guy does he produce in the postseason.

Pedro Feliz deserves to get smacked for that bases-loaded AB. That was unbelievably bad, forget the DP, I'm allergic to his whole approach there. Painful.

[RK]

I think the TBS pitch graphics is off the charts and has been throughout--I like ESPN K-Zone much better. On the other hand it did look as if the plate ump would call the same pitch a strike and then on the next throw a ball. Very inconsistent. Experienced guys like Stairs don't really know what to make of it since they rely on their own experience to determine balls and strikes.

Smoky Joe's nightmare worries me becuase it is much more realistic than his "best scenario". Let's just pray they finish them off today/night.
Clout is on target with his quote. As dada or Moneyball oriented as I am midnfull of Mutual funds posting: "past performance is not necessarily an acurate indicator of the future".

[RK]

OOPS just want to make sure that means the: "Phils finish the Rox taday/tonight"

Also I think using our starters for relief not such a great idea as Durbin, Madson and Lidge proved. Also thankful Pedro was not used. I appreciate his fight competitive spirit and all that jazz but an old man vs the lements of last night no thnak you.

[cipper]

Thanks Bake... Did Meals come out and admit HE SUCKS at being a plate umpire then? cause I mean, He had to be clearly able to see these pitches off the plate... What an awful umpire... awful strike zone, blame Utley for doing his job... officiating this postseason, In most of the series, has been awful (didn't watch much of the BoSox/LA series)...

[CY]

RK - I think you just created a new reality show. Old man vs the elements. Nice

[George]

GBrett:
Reminds me of the exchange between Rollins and Burrell in game 5 of the World Series, where Rollins calls him out "waiting for 5 to show up" and looking for 5, because he doesn't recognize that guy in front of him. It's on the DVD and gives me chills whenever I see it (which is probably too often.)
I mean that is leadership and accountability in its purest form. I have to believe that Rollins was killing himself when he struggled early this season, and isn't going to let someone else not be mindful of what's going on that moment.

Rollins tells Lidge, "You're going to get them out." It's not a question - it's an order. And when Lidge seems oblivious for a second, Rollins makes it clear that he is understood.

Just makes me respect the guy that much more. He's rich, he's got a ring, he's got accolades ... and he still wants it. Give me that guy.

[Kutztown Fan]

When I saw that blown call on the Mauer "foul ball" I said, "How come the Yankees always get the blown calls to go their way?" I'm glad the Phils got some of that mojo last night.

[GBrettfan]

Thanks, CY.

Eyre does need to stay on the roster. If he can pitch effectively with a bone chip floating around inside his pitching elbow, then he can pitch with a twisted/sprained ankle, right? I hope. Because he's good and he's a lefty.

[GBrettfan]

Agree completely, George.

[p. Red]

Chooch's new nickname: Señor Octubre.

[mvptommyd]

Great game last night! Hopefully Lee can pitch another gem tonight.

A few points from the game last night:

1. Are we all ina greement Happ was squeezed?

2. If Burrell was in LF that ball that Ibanez drops and it would have been a double.

3. Is everyone finally ready to believe me when I say Lidge is the closer of this team and Madson will be mostly setup guy?

If we win the game tonight, I think the Dodgers are dead meat. And for clout since he likes to put words in everyones mouth. I didn't say the Dodgers "pitching rotation was horrbile". I said their "starting pitcher's are horrible". With that said, I still don't fear Broxton and Co.

[Mick O]

I just realized this: Troy Tulowitzki looks like a (slightly) more athletic Phil Hellmuth. No wonder I hate him.

[mvptommyd]

Dodgers playoff rotation 2008

Lowe, Billingsley, Kershaw, Kuroda

playoff rotation 2009

Wolf, Kershaw,Billingsley, Padilla/Garland

They are mediocre and the Phillies can tee off on all these guys if we get there.

[CY]

MVP - Agreed on the first 2 points.

The last is debatable. I just think cholly brought in his best reliever in the biggest spot in the game. Nothing wrong with that.

[mvptommyd]

CY: Ok, I can see it that way too with Madson being burned already. But I am very excited for tonight's game. Hopefully we can actually get to Jimenez early this time.