World Series Game 5 Preview: THE CLINCHER

8:00 PM ET from Citizens Bank Park

215 Sportsguy-

Outcome: Could tonight be the night that madness sets in across this city?  I plan on being right in the middle of the action.  From my current location in Manayunk, there promises to be some quality crowd gathering down on Main if the Phils can clinch tonight.  After the Phils won the pennant Main St Manayunk was NUTS.  Fires in the middle of the street, roads blocked off left and right, and as far as your eyes could see was a SEA OF RED.

Cole Hamels takes the mound tonight looking to make postseason history.  He could become the first starting pitcher to go 5-0 in a postseason with five wins coming by way of start.  Opposing him will be the Rays ace, lefty Scott Kazmir.  Look for your Phightin’s to be sitting on cloud 9 and playing their best baseball of the season on the biggest night in their young careers.

This could be title numero uno for this guy’s (two thumbs pointing back at me) short life.  I was born in ’84 so missed out on the Sixers title in ’83.  Although I’m sure my pops was conceiving me right around that time.  And good LORD PLEASE COME THROUGH HERE.  I’m so sick and tired of friends from Jersey constantly bragging about their numerous titles.  Somehow Jersey = New York in the sports world.  Another oxymoron from those retards. 

GO PHILS!

Final: TB 2   PHI 6
Player of the Game: Brad Lidge – 1.0 IP, 3 Ks, PERFECT SEASON TO BOOT

T0bias Funke-

Outcome: Could we witness history tonight?  The Phils look to win the 215‘s first title in my life.  Are the stars finally going to align, this 215 fan is crossing his fingers, knocking on wood as he types this, it appears so after last night’s drubbing and King Cole set to take to the hill for tonight’s game 5.

This Phillies team has been a poised bunch all year and look for that to continue tonight as they take their business approach into tonight and don’t get caught in the moment of clinching a world title.

Look for the bats to continue to explode like last night, and King Cole to be on point once again, continuing the shutting down of the Rays power bats.  The Phils jump on the Rays early and the party will begin early in the game in South Philly as the city will erupt into a party that has never been seen before.

Final:  TB 1   PHI 8
Player of the Game: Cole Hamels – 9 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 11 K’s

One Win Away

Joe Blanton became the first pitcher in 34 years to homer in the World Series, Howard drove in five runs with two homers and Philadelphia romped over the Tampa Bay Rays 10-2 on Sunday night to move within one win of its first title since 1980.

A day after hitting his first homer of the Series, Howard connected twice. The major league leader in home runs and RBIs hit a three-run drive off Andy Sonnanstine that made it 5-1 in the fourth and sent the city into a frenzy. Howard added a long, two-run shot against Dan Wheeler in the eighth to put the game out of reach and the World Series title within the Phils grasp.

Cole Hamels will try to close out the Phillies’ second Series title on Monday night against Scott Kazmir in a rematch of Game 1 starters. Hamels (4-0) looks to make MLB postseason history tonight, trying to become the first pitcher to win five postseason starts in one year.

World Series Game 2 Preview

8:00 PM ET from Tropicana Field

215 Sportsguy-

Outcome: So my Cole prediction for last game was pretty close.  I said “7.2 IP, 5 Hs, 2 ER, 8 Ks”.  His ending stat line was: 7.0 IP, 5 Hs, 2 ER, and 5 Ks.  Damn good call if I do say so myself.

Now onto tonights game.  Brett Myers against James Shields.  How bad did Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard look last night.  Well I’m pretty happy that JRoll will be turned around at the plate and batting leftie for the most part.  He looked terrible on the right side last night.  Ryan should see some better pitches as well from the rightie, Shields.

Brett Myers takes the hill for his first ever World Series appearance as that seems to be the theme between these two young ball clubs.  Myers will be juiced beyond belief for tonight’s game and  I bet he coems out a little TOO juiced and gives up some early hits, only to settle in and cruise through six solid (notice I didnt say strong) innings.  As long as we can get him some support we should be able to hold on a for 2 – 0 series lead heading back to the Illa.  I see this being a high scoring affair and the Phils able to outlast the streaky Rays. 

GO PHILS!

Final: PHI 8   TB 5
Player of the Game: Chase Utley – 3 for 4, SB, 2 Rs, 2 RBIs

Phils Quiet the Cowbells

Phils Win! Phils Win!

What a game indeed.  Chase Utleys bomb in the first inning proved to be the mighty blow that Tampa Bay just could not overcome and seemed to shut up those annoying ass cowbells for a minute.  Cole Hamels once again pitched a gem of a game and moves closer to making his mark on baseball postseason history.  Oh, he’s just now 4-0, with a 1.55 ERA, with 27 strikeouts in 29 innings. That makes him only the 10th starting pitcher in history to win four games in one postseason, joining: Josh Beckett, Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, Jack Morris,  John Smoltz,  Orel Hershiser, Dave Stewart, David Wells and Burt Hooton.

Also, if Hamels gets another start in Game 5, he will have a chance to tie the all-time record for most wins in a single postseason, held by Randy Johnson (2001) and Francisco Rodriguez (2002). NOTE: all of K-Rod’s wins, and one of Johnson’s, came in relief. So Hamels is now in position to become the first starting pitcher ever to win five times in one postseason.

Carl Crawford and Akinori Iwamura were the only Rays that seemed to shake Cole as Crawford went deep on a breaking ball that hung out over the plate a little too long and Aki went 3 for 4 as well as driving in the Rays second run. The Phils had multiple opportunities to pad their lead but failed to do so, going 0-11 with runners on base and leaving nine men stranded.

Cole gave way to the best bullpen in the 8th.  Ryan Madson came in throwing straight HEAT for a perfect 8th leading the way for Mr. Perfect himself, Brad Lidge.  Lidge once again did his thang, throwing another perfect 9th while striking out two.

The Phils will try to make it two in a row at Trop tonight as Brett Myers pitches against James Shields in Game 2.

World Series Game 1 Preview

8:00 PM ET from Tropicana Field

215 Sportsguy-

Outcome: The day this city has been waiting for for 15 years is upon us.  Game time is only a few hours away.  Cole Hamels once again takes the mound for the Phils as Scott Kazmir gets the ball for the Rays.  Cole is 3-0 in this here postseason and look for him to continue his dominace as he takes the Phils deep into the game and keep the hot bats of Rays offguard.  Cole is one of the few pitchers who continually gets better against batters as he faces them two and three times around during the course of the game.  The stats prove it over the course of the regular season and I see no reason as to why that would change now.

A lot of folks are bringing up the added rest as a possible downfall for the Phils, but this team is as gritty as they get and look for them to come out swinging.  I foresee the Flyin’ Hawaiian Shane Victorino and Pat ‘The Bat’ Burrell to get the juices pumping early and spark the bats of the rest of the lineup.

Charlie Manuel is keeping it quiet as to who will be the DH for this game, but to be honest, I really dont care, whoever he plugs in will most certainly get the job done.  Whether it be the best PH in the majors in Greg Dobbs, the savvy Canuck Matt Stairs or the grizzled vet in Chris Coste, look for all to be swinging for the fences.  Let’s get an early one in Tampa guys.  GO PHILS!

Final: PHI 7   TB 3
Player of the Game: Cole Hamels – 7.2 IP, 5 Hs, 2 ER, 8 Ks

T0bias Funke-

Outcome: FINALLY, we are on gameday of Game 1 of the World Series.  After a week off, the Phightins start the World Series tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays.  A lot has been said leading up to the start of this series regarding the long layoff and how it will negatively affect the Phils, and it could.  But I just don’t see that happening tonight.  I think the Phils are a big stage team and are primed for this opportunity.

Cole Hamels takes the mound for the Phils facing off against another young ace Scott Kazmir.  This is obviously the first time both of these teams have faced either pitcher this year, so look for the pitchers to have the early advantage, and the beginning innings to be quick and strike out filled.  Look for the offenses to pick it up a little more into the 2nd and more so the 3rd time through the lineups.

I see the Phils bats striking the big blow first but the Rays will battle and keep it close. Then, what the Phillies really hope the entire series comes down too, the battle of the bullpens to begin.  The Phils have a decisive advantage in this department, one of their biggest going into the series, and look for that to be displayed in Game 1.  The Phillies pen goes an inning and two thirds of no hit ball as the Phillies take game one and home field advantage in game one.

Final: PHI  4    TB  2
Player of the Game: Jimmy Rollins – 2 for 3, BB, 2B, 2 RBI, RS

The Starting Rotations

World Series Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Cole Hamels (PHI) vs Scott Kazmir (TB)
Game 2: Brett Myers (PHI) vs James Shields (TB)
Game 3: Matt Garza (TB) vs Jamie Moyer (PHI)
Game 4: Andy Sonnanstine (TB) vs Joe Blanton (PHI)

Phils Win, Phils Win

BEAUTIFUL!  Let me tell you people, the streets were rockin’ last night.   YouTube footage to come later, on my roommates camera.

JRoll got them rollin’ with a lead off jack and Cole Hamels pitched his third gem of the playoffs and the Phils beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 to win the NL championship series 4 games to 1 for its first pennant since the coveted ’93 team.  Manny Ramirez was the lone bright spot for the Dodgers as he provided the only run on a solo shot off Cole in the 6th frame.  Rafael Furcal was pathetic as he was responsible for all three of LA’s errors which proved costly.

Bring on the Rays!

NLCS Game 5 Preview

8:22 PM ET from Dodger Stadium at Chavez Ravine

215 Sportsguy-

Outcome: Tonights the night.  Cole vs Chad.  Easy mark in my mind.  Billingsley will get crushed in the biggest game of his life, whereas his counterpart, Cole Hamels will shine bright in the spotlight.  I see Cole going 7, possibly 8 strong innings and controlling the game.  He has something to prove, and its the fact he is the best young lefty in the game today.

Ryan Howard finally gets his bat going and at the most opportune time, heading into the World Series.  Phils jump on Billingsley early and cruise to a 7-2 win.  GO PHIGHTINS.

Final: PHI 7   LA 2
Player of the Game: Ryan Howard – 2 for 4, 1 HR, 2 RBIs

T0bias Funke-

Outcome: Tonight our Phightin’s look to clinch their first NL Pennant since the memorable ’93 team.  It couldn’t look more promising then tonight, with the Dodgers reeling after Monday’s loss plus Phillie ace Cole Hamels scheduled to start.  I truly think the Phillies see the prize and will take care of business tonight, clinching a World Series berth.

Look for the Phillies bats to be fully awakened after Monday night and jump all over starter Chad Billingsley, just as in Game 2.   King Cole will be on point for 7 solid innings, giving up a Manny blast and really no further damage.  The offense will give Hamels plenty of breathing room, and the Phils will cruise to a Game 5 win and the promised land to boot.

Final: PHI 8   LA 1
Player of the Game: Cole Hamels – 7.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 Ks

Phils One Win Away

A classic game last night moves the Phillies within one win of the World Series.  After an amazing night, a game that saw lead changes, countless opportunities for both teams to blow the game open in the early innings, some more long balls, and ho hum another Brad Lidge save, the Phillies pulled out a 7-5 win in Los Angeles to take a 3-1 series lead.  Cole Hamels is scheduled to take the mound in Game 5 on Wednesday.

After jumping out to an quick 2-0 lead following Chase Utley and Ryan Howard RBIs, the Dodgers took a 5-3 lead in the 5th inning as Manny Ramirez continued to make it look easy.   But then the Phils bats stole the show. In seemingly an instant, playoff MVP Shane Victorino, booed continually from the moment he took batting practice, lined a laser into the Phillies bullpen tying the game at 5, giving the Phillies new life, all while setting the Phillies record for RBIs in a league Championship Series.

After a Carlos Ruiz hit (a two out single), 40 year-old Matt Stairs hit a straight bomb to right field.  The Phillies dugout exploded with the 7-5 lead.  Brad Lidge came out of the bullpen with 2 outs in the 8th and recorded the final 4 outs, 46 of 46 for the season and playoffs, and the Phillies are one more win away from the Series.

Chicks Dig the Long Ball

Last night in raucous South Philly, your Phightin’s put up barely enough of a fight to eek out a Game 1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Ace Cole Hamels settled into his usual dominate outing after a shaky first couple of batters and Chase Utley and Pat Burrell provided all of the offense with more home runs as the Phillies took a 1-0 series lead over LA.  Game 2 is set for this afternoon with the first pitch being tossed at 4:35pm.

With the Phillies offense looking pathetic through 5 innings, it was the flying Hawaiian sparking a rally yet again in the bottom of the 6th as he busted his hump down the line on a seemingly routine ground-out.  But Victorino’s hustle forced Furcal to rush his throw which went out of the glove and over the head of first basemen James Loney and Victorino took second on the error.

The very next pitch, Utley ripped a two run blast into the right field seats and the Bank was shaking.  Two batters later, “Bait” as we learned is what one Patrick Burrell is affectionately referred to by his teammates, we think its pretty explanatory what “Bait” is referring too, hit his 3rd home run in 2 games staking the Phillies to their first lead of the series.

Hamels and Ryan Madsen did the rest of the work setting the stage for another Lidge save, as he worked a 1-2-3 9th inning, and the Phillies improved their record to 80-0 when leading after 8 innings.