IS GETTING ITS DRAFT BOARD READY
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.
What does that mean? It means that about 674,000 households were tuned in to the Eagles, while 410,000 watched the Phillies.
Take from that what you will.
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The Phillies will work out at Citizens Bank Park tomorrow, so we'll have a chance some important questions. Below are three I have. Feel free to add yours.
1) Is there any chance Cole Hamels doesn't start game one? I don't think there is any chance, but here is the once scenario in which you'd consider it: if you don't want Hamels pitching on three days rest, but you do want to line up Brett Myers for a possible Game 7, you could start Myers in Games 1, 4 and 7 and Hamels in Games 2 and 5 and Moyer in Games 3 and 6. But with the way Joe Blanton pitched, I'm not sure you would want to do that.
2) What becomes of J.A. Happ? Is there a need for him in the playoff roster, or would the Phillies be better suited bringing back Rudy Seanez or adding another bat to the roster? Happ was on the team ostensibly in case one of the starters was knocked out early. But that doesn't appear to be a concern right now. Although things can change, and it might be valuable to continue carrying him as insurance.
3) How will the Phillies pitch Manny Ramirez? I don't expect to get an honest answer out of this. But it will be interesting to see how they approach him. They pitched him very aggressively inside during the Phillies four-game sweep at Citizens Bank Park. but you don't want to let Manny beat you in the postseason. So do you give him the same treatment the Brewers gave Ryan Howard?
