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Well, that about sums it up, for me. Yeah, everybody thinks they can hit Rivera when it matters, and yeah, sometimes it does happen. So yes, a team as good as the Phillies can do it. But I'm quite sure that the Phillies realize that trying to score runs off Rivera isn't the preferred path of winning the World Series. Because yeah, it could happen...but the more likely scenario is what happened last night. That's the bottom line.
When the fightin' are hittin' they can hit anyone. They have proven that time and time again. Last night the fightin' weren't hittin', that's all. They will touch Rivera up for a crooked number before this thing is done.
to Ed Barkowitz,How about MANUELS MAULERS
ZZZZZZZ Someone PLEASE wake up the Phillies bats. GO PHILS!!! GO PHILS!! GO PHILS!!
you're not going to hit rivera when the ump is giving him strikes 6 inches outside the plate, like last night!! Utley could have walked twice in that 8th last night.... Maybe the ump won't we so liberal with rivera at the Bank!!
bigdog I agree 100%. I don't like to criticize the umps, especially after some bad calls both ways. But it's more painful to see multiple, poorly called pitches as with Utley's AB.
The lack of hitting from both sides has been awful to watch. A-Rod has no clue right now (and doesn't seem to care one way or another). Howard has no clue either, but at least he shows some emotion about it. Despite some wishful thinking on these boards, it looks like it'll be a long series that ends up going back to NY. Hamels will have to pitch there sooner or later. Let's see if he cracks or not.
I think Manuel is 100% correct about the Phils hitting Rivera. Even with great location and the favorable Ump all we had to do was hit singles. One of the big things everyone forgets is that if you put men on base against him, it changes the way he pitches to others following in the order. A walk followed by a single and another single scores a run maybe two. I have marveled at Mariano over the years but watching him last night I realized he is ripe for the picking if the Phils have smart at bats against him.
Rich, if you think the games will be over after 7 innings if the Yanks have a lead, you're nuts. After watching last night's game, it's clear to me that the Phils can get to Rivera. Hopefully it won't be an issue.
It used to be said of the former A's and Yankee great Jim "Catfish" Hunter that "You'd go oh-for-four against him - but it was the most comfortable ohfer you ever had". Well, much the same can be said of Rivera. Of course hitters say they CAN hit him - especially after they've failed. After all, they are pros, too. But the fact remains, ,most don't. As for bad calls, they seem more prevalent than ever, and have gone both ways, as others have pointed out. Let's just pray a game and the Series do not hinge on a bonehead call by an ump, as was the case in 1985 with Don Denkinger's blown call at first. By the way, good call, Rich, mentioning that Rivera began his career with the Yankees as the setup man, not the closer. In 1996, he set up John Wetteland, who was a helluva closer that year.
@ 40 yo and pitching 2 innings a game u would think that Rivera is going to tire. My guess is that he is going to tire! Age does strange things to your body as you add wear and tear. Keep using him Joe, keep using him.
That was the worst throw in the towel pile of garbage I have ever read - are you kidding me - what a weak article - maybe you should watch the game with the sound off Hoffman - because I saw our team bring the go ahead run to the plate last night in the eighth and the tying run to the plate. If he's so lights out why didn't he strike out the sides three up and three down - sorry not buying into the hype. Get a clue.
Rivera's good but not as lights-out as he used to be. He can be hit and we were 1 hit from making him a loser last night. I do believe the umps are star-struck by him and loathe to call ball against him, especially at yankee stadium. That being said, our bats were too patient last night and not aggressive with pitches that were close. When we should have been swinging, the bats were napping on our shoulder. Gotta swing 1st pitch fastball down the middle if that's what they're throwing trying to get ahead of us.
Let's hold off on saying Ryan Howard has no clue. I saw him stroke 2 sweet doubles in Game 1. He definitely had a hard time with the strike zone last night. He has become a much more patient hitter over the last couple months and got burned by the expanded strike zone.
Key words: "Until the Phillies can prove otherwise". I think that's the point Rich was trying to make here. Y'all get so hyped up here on the comments that it's quite entertaining to read.
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