Phillies=Underdogs
The Phils are not favored to beat the Rays in the World Series.
Phillies=Underdogs
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
The Phillies are likely to be underdogs here. That's fine.But it could have been worse.
This is the way I figure it: had the Red Sox come back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Rays, the Phillies would have been facing a runaway steamroller with winning experience and a winning pedigree. To me, that would have been the worst case.
Now, think about the Rays. Through the first couple of games of the series against Boston, they looked frightening. Ican remember sitting in the dugout in Dodger Stadium and Charlie Manuel looking over and saying, "How about those Rays?" And me replying, "I think they scored four more runs while I was eating breakfast this morning." At which point, Manuel caught himself and said, "I'm not talking about them. I've been talking about us, and one game at a time, and I'm sticking with that."
Since then, the Rays have stopped murdering opposing pitching. They also had the one epic collapse in their bullpen and another game where they probably wanted more. Their are vulnerabilities. And there is no winning history.
So, yes, they're likely favored and should be. But there are areas the Phillies can probe. That's all.
I have been watching the Alcs ...the Rays can beat you any which way....long ball ...and they can run. Plus they have really good starting pitchers. I would think they will beat the Phillies unless Howard and Rollins really start to hit....Sorry guys but thats whats going to happen— deldog64
Tampa wins, Tampa Wins, and no one cares...they deserve nothing. Phils in 4- FYI: AUCTIONING WORLD SERIES TICKETS! The Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley Chapter has 2 tickets to each of the 3 World Series games to be played at Citizens Bank Park. At this time we are auctioning off tickets to Game 3 ONLY Saturday, October 25 {bidding closes Thu, 4:00PM} Winner will be contacted immediately after close of bidding for credit card payment >These are baseline seats: Section 113, Row 15 < Opening Minimum bid for each pair of tickets is $2,000.00 Comparable tickets have been purchased for much more on Stub Hub Amount paid above face value of tickets is considered a charitable donation and is tax deductible!!!!!! Email bids to Wendy.Campbell@alz.org or fax to 215-561-3924 Please include telephone number along with bid— EL Zorro
- Hey, remember when the Phillies were considered the "laughing stock" of the Philly sports franchises? And one team's owner proclaimed his franchise to be the "gold standard." Well, guess who's in the World Series? Those fightin' Phils!! Go Phillies!— walt1
- Im sorry but the ESPN people picking the Phils to finish 3rd is not at all losing credibility. Predicting is not an easy thing to do and being wrong does not reflect lack of knowledge.— 93phils
- Im sorry but the ESPN people picking the Phils to finish 3rd is not at all losing credibility. Predicting is not an easy thing to do and being wrong does not reflect lack of knowledge.— 93phils
- Maybe the Rays will give the Phils all they can handle but the Devil Rays wouldn't. I propose we start calling them the Devil Rays again to jinx them. GO PHILS BEAT THE DEVEL RAYS!!!— towman
- Wally 24, you posted 4 times actually. Patience my friend, patience.— Tommy2Tone
- Keep picking the other team-it has worked for us thus far. Mets were supposed to win the division. Dodgers were supposed to win NL. Now the Rays are supposed to win the World Series! Luv it and can't wait for the party in Philly!— simplyamazed
- Keep picking the other team-it has worked for us thus far. Mets were supposed to win the division. Dodgers were supposed to win NL. Now the Rays are supposed to win the World Series! Luv it and can't wait for the party in Philly!— simplyamazed
Comment removed.- According to Billy Preston "The world goes around in circles"...... .......................80-08....................... Get out your brooms and prepare for a party at the Bank. Phillies in 4— quizzmo
- Philadelphia teams cannot beat anybody from Tampa. The Bucs and the Lightning broke our hearts. Now it will be the Rays. I would have rather played Boston. Without Manny and with Ortiz doing his best impression of Ryan Howard's disappearing act, I liked our chances.— Bama
- There is no sport where postseason favorites mean less than baseball. It's almost a curse. But the prognosticators will keep on picking teams. I'm happy the Phils are the underedogs again. Go Phils!— misteripi
- I keep hearing how the Rays have a good defense - but there were at leat two plays last night where they did not get off a double play relay - one with Ortiz running to first. Not a good sign at this stage of the season.— misteripi
