Archive: October, 2008
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
UPDATED: Before we get to the predictions, a piece of news to pass along. The Phillies have announced their 25-man roster for the NLCS and there are no changes from the NLDS roster. That means, as expected, lefty long-man J.A. Happ is in and righthander Rudy Seanez is out.
Now, on to the predictions:
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
As many of you may have noticed, the past few days have essentially been a Phillies love-fest in the local media. And for good reason. They are in the NLCS for the first time in 15 years, they have homefield advantage, and -- hey let's be honest -- the football team is 2-3.
But reality will hit tomorrow night around 8:30 p.m. And both statistics and instinct indicate this is not going to be an easy series.
I still haven't decided who I am going to pick in this series. I'm sure many readers out there have. I'll throw a post up later on tonight where everyone can put their predictions on record. But I'll say this: I think this series is going to come down to whether the Phillies' line-up can hit the Dodgers pitching. I think Cole Hamels and Brett Myers will give the Phillies an excellent chance to win at least three of the four games they pitch. But I also don't think there will be any shut-outs. Which means the Phillies will have to score.
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Manny Ramirez Career Stats vs Phillies Pitching
Jamie Moyer: 18-for-53, 10 HR, 20 RBI
Joe Blanton: 14-for-25, 1 HR, 8 RBI
Scott Eyre: 4-for-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI
J.C. Romero: 3-for-10, 1 HR, 4 RBI
Brett Myers: 3-for-19, 1 HR, 8 RBI
Chad Durbin: 2-for-8, 1 HR, 4 RBI
Cole Hamels: 2-for-8, 0 HR, 1 RBI
Ryan Madson: 2-for-9, 1 HR, 4 RBI
Clay Condrey: 1-for-2, 0 HR, 0 RBI
Brad Lidge: 0-for-1, 0 HR, 0 RBI
TOTAL: .353 BA, .446 OBP, 17 HR, 54 RBI, 139 AB
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
I was in Milwaukee this weekend, so it was tough to keep a finger on the pulse of the city during Sunday's Phillies and Eagles games. A number of you have shared your various strategies via both email and this blog. A buddy of mine decided the best course of action was to head down to a bar off South Street so he could watch both. I picked his brain a little bit. The dominant jersey worn was Eagles, but a number rocked the Birds jersey and Phillies cap, so it was tough to get a read on the breakdown that way.
Anyway, I've got the overnight ratings here in my hand, and it's pretty surprising. I expected the Eagles to win, but according to these numbers they dominated. Keep in mind that the Eagles game was broadcast on Fox, while the Phillies game was on TBS, so the Cable/Broadcast factor has to be considered.
That said, the Eagles drew a 22.7 rating, while the Phillies drew a 13.8.
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
There were a few moments that stuck with me yesterday in the aftermath of the Phillies' 6-2 win over the Brewers in the fourth and final game of the two teams' National League Division Series. First, there was the deafening silence that enveloped the crowd at Miller Park after Jimmy Rollins gobbled up a ground ball by Jason Kendall and threw to short to record the final out. Just seconds before, the place was about as loud as a stadium can be. Geoff Jenkins, a former Brewers, said afterward that the past couple of days are the loudest he has ever heard a baseball game in Milwaukee. And then, after Kendall's swing, the place just shut down. It was a really weird experience watching the Phillies stream out of the dugout and celebrate to absolute silence.
The second moment came in the clubhouse after the game. The scene was pretty much as you'd expect. There was champagne and Bud Light and all that alcoholic goodness. But the party died down pretty quickly. Everyone seems to realize that a loss in the next round will relegate this season to a failure, at least from the eyes of the players and coaches. But the moment that stuck with me involved Pat Burrell and Phillies chairman Bill Giles. Obviously, after his two home run effort yesterday, Burrell was the man of the hour, and everyone took turns congratulating him. But Giles took it once step further. He kissed him. Granted, it was on the cheek, and not on the lips. But it was a very long kiss.
"My hero," Giles said after the man-kiss.
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Pat Burrell hit two home runs and drove in four RBI while Jayson Werth added a shot of his own as the Phillies clinched their first berth in the National League Championship Series since 1993.
The Phillies will host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park.
Here is the likely schedule, with probable pitchers:
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
A couple pieces of news to relay as we get set for Game 4 here at Miller Park.
First, Charlie Manuel has moved Shane Victorino back up to the No. 2 spot, putting Jayson Werth at No. 6. The Phillies got zero production out of the bottom half of their line-up last night, so I suspect this is an attempt at rectifying that problem.
Second, the Brewers will be without second baseman Rickie Weeks, who has a torn meniscus in his knee. Ray Durham is starting in his place and batting No. 2.
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
By The Numbers
11 - Hits by the Brewers against the Phillies in Game Three
0 - Extra base hits by the Brewers in Game Three
5 - Walks drawn by the Brewers
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
This Phillies team hasn't made anything easy all season, so I guess we shouldn't be surprised by tonight's results. For the first time, their struggles at the plate cost them. Victories in Games 1 and 2 masked the fact that, by and large, they didn't hit.
Tonight, Jamie Moyer got off to a rough start, but nevertheless kept the Phillies in the game for four innings. The bullpen did a solid job, allowing two runs in four innings of work.
Here are some talking points from tonight's 4-1 loss, which cut the Phillies lead in the National League Divisional Series from 2-0 to 2-1. Game 4 is tomorrow afternoon. It will feature RHP Jeff Suppan for the Brewers and, likely, RHP Joe Blanton for the Phillies.
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
I'm pleased to report that Pat Gillick does not have a Bucket List. I know this because an intrepid reporter from MLB.com asked him this. And then another reporter followed up with another question about Gillick's Bucket List, or lack thereof. This is what happens when 10 to 15 media members surround a general manager in a desperate search for pre-game notes.
For the record, Gillick said he isn't thinking about his decision to retire. There has been some speculation recently that the long-time GM is re-thinking his decision to step down at the end of the season. It still sounds like Gillick won't be the Phils GM next season -- check out Paul Hagen's interview with Phils president David Montgomery earlier this week for the details -- but he did admit that he probably wouldn't be sitting on a rocking chair watching the boats from his house in Seattle. Montgomery told me earlier this season there is a chance Gillick could remain with the club in some sort of consulting role. Whatever the case, it isn't on Gillick's mind.
"I'm not really thinking about that right now," Gillick said.
