Notes on NLDS Game 3

Hitting
If it weren't for Cliff Lee, I wouldn't bother summarizing the other sections, because the Phils' hit the Dodgers like Chris Brown hit Rihanna. Everyone hit (including Clifford) with the exception of Rauuul who scored a run anyway. Shane, Werth crushed HRs and Ryan Howard hit a triple. Everyone mocks the Phillies for having a small ballpark, but if Ryan Howard hit a triple on an errorless play with no bad bounces then I guess it's not that small after all (I find myself saying more and more often recently). Also of note, the Big Man is now in the record books as being the first player to have an RBI in 7 consecutive playoff games in the same year. Mazol tov.

Fielding
Nothing to report here. Lee allowed only 3 hits and no BBs turning the basepaths a ghost town.

Pitching
Another dominating performance by a Phillies starter. Lee's control and variability were pretty much as good as they get.

Relieving
Chad Durbin wiped up the Dodgers with a 1-2-3 9th inning to seal an embarrassing loss for LA.

Conclusion
What was it? Philly fans? Cold weather? Something juiced the Phils' system--and not in the same way as Manny Ramirez--to power them to a brutalizing victory over the Dodgers. Let's hope they break out the bats again on Monday night.

Notes on NLDS Game 2

Hitting
Our boys did not hit today. With the exception of Big Brown hitting a solo shot and roping a line drive to right field, the Phils were stymied. Contributing hits came only from Chase and the ever-increasingly clutch Chooch who had yet another good night.

Fielding
Fielding was at typical strength throughout Pedro's tenure even though he repeatedly opted for the easy out over the double play. However, for the second time in as many nights, Chase blew a routine double-play throw from second that allowed the tying run to score. Feliz also muffed a grounder in the 8th that was obstructed by the lattice shading of the field's lights and would allow a runner on base.

Pitching
STUNNING. Pedro, obviously inspired by my last post, threw 7 shutout innings allowing only 2 hits, no BB, and 3 K. For whatever reason Pedro was pulled leading into the 8th despite lacking any signs of struggle and with only 87 pitches thrown. Manuel's decision only led to...

Relieving
More problems. Not one reliever (out of 5) threw commandingly (saving Durbin who popped out Manny on one pitch) as they collectively allowed 2 R, 3 H, and 2 BB over a single inning.

Conclusion
Even though the boys weren't hitting tonight, responsibility for this loss clearly lies with Utley and Manuel. Utley's defense has been uncharacteristically bad, while Charlie's decision to sit Pedro is baffling. The bright spots of the team, other than Pedro, remain Howard and Ruiz who have remained clutch in the driver's seat. On the other hand, Rollins and Werth really need to generate more hits to help this team win.

Pedro Martinez

Watching Pedro pitch effectively and efficiently in the 5th inning here in game 2, I don't think I'm alone in saying I can't get enough of this guy. Pedro's unquestionably one of the greatest to ever play the game and, some may argue, the very best while in his prime, but I'm not here to debate that. What's important is we remind ourselves how happy we are to have Pedro's Professor Xavier-esque cerebral control over batters, his gamesmanship, and most importantly, his absurd fashion sense.


Now, I won't claim to be a particularly adept fashion critic, but seriously, what the fuck is Pedro wearing here? Maybe it all makes sense: the Ed Hardy t-shirt (and long-sleeve shirt??) is pretty much the uniform for the party-guy with an ethnic heritage; the flares because he's Latino; and the man-purse and pointy leather shoes because he's not American. This, of course, is to say nothing of the fact that he may be the last living person wearing jheri curls.

But the man can't be reduced to his style when he sports out of the game's most outsized, candid, and hilarious personalities:



Was Pedro always 188? Um, maybe not...