Making Their Own Breaks
The Phillies continue to have everything go right for them, including last night's 6-2 victory over the Braves.
Making Their Own Breaks
Todd Zolecki
Brian McCann ripped a double just underneath the left-field foul pole in the ninth inning last night at Citizens Bank Park.
The Braves thought it might have been a home run.
Scott Eyre wouldn't have been surprised had it been ruled foul.
Things have been going that good for the Phillies lately. They have won 10 of their last 11 games to take a 2 1/2 game lead over the Mets in the National League East with just five games to play. In last night's 6-2 victory over the Braves at Citizens Bank Park, they continued to make breaks for themselves. That fact hasn't been lost on Eyre. Ryan Madson worked out of a killer eighth-inning jam in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Florida Marlins.
"Unbelievable," Eyre said.
Greg Dobbs left the game Sunday because of cramp in his right calf. Pedro Feliz took his place and ripped a two-run homer to help beat the Marlins, 5-2.
"We had that planned," Eyre said. "Didn't we tell you?"
J.A. Happ pitched well again last night. Rudy Seanez worked out of a jam in the eighth, thanks to a nice play at the plate involving Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Ruiz. Greg Golson's legs gave the Phillies a one-run lead in the eighth before Pat Burrell hit a three-run homer to put it away. So if the umpires had ruled McCann's double a foul ball? No, Eyre wouldn't have been surprised at all.
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Bob Ford tells us about Golson's memorable moment. Here's a question, if the Phillies make the postseason who is on the 25-man roster? Does Golson make it because of his speed? Or does Charlie Manuel need another bat off the bench?
Update: I thought I had a brain cramp and that Golson might not be eligible for the postseason roster. But I've been told that "any player who was on the disabled list at the time the Phillies submitted their rosters on August 31 can be replaced by any player in their organization on that date." Therefore, Golson would be eligible.
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Here are the latest Baseball Prospectus Postseason Odds:
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The Phillies have a 95.52 percent chance to win the division, 4.10 percent chance to win the wild card and a 99.62 percent chance to make the playoffs overall.
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The Mets have a 4.48 percent chance to win the division, 60.85 percent chance to win the wild card and a 65.33 percent chance to make the playoffs overall.
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The Brewers have a 34.03 percent chance to win the wild card.
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In the Phillies Notebook: Geoff Jenkins ranks fourth on the list of active of players with the most games played without a postseason appearance. It appears that streak is about to end. Ryan Madson also has been pitching well. He pitched the ninth inning last night. Even if Pat Burrell had not hit a three-run homer to give the Phillies a four-run lead in the eighth, Brad Lidge was not going to pitch. He was unavailable because he had thrown so many pitches Saturday and Sunday.
I say put Golson on the roster and sit Taguchi. Taguchi hasn't done anything this season, and the extra speed GG brings, as evidenced last night, would be huge. Defense and hitting would be a wash.— Dave14- I agree, Golson should replace Taguchi. In the playoffs, plays like that are huge. Remember Dave Roberts (with the Red Sox against the Yankees) stealing second base when Boston was almost dead? That play energized the team and they came back to win the ALCS and the WS. And so much for our holes and weaknesses Mark posted yesterday. The bench and our catcher came through big time for us last night. Dobbs started the rally with a pinch hit and Ruiz was great blocking the plate and balls in the dirt. According to Mitch Williams, there is nobody better at that than Ruiz. You saw the difference with the Braves catcher on the Golson play? And have you seen how many times he goes to the mound to talk to the pitcher? He looks like he’s in control to me. The Phillies occupied the #5 spot on some Power Rankins behind only the Cubs, Angels, Rays and Red Sox as of September 19. Since then, they have won 3 in a row, and we are talking about holes, we are talking about holes and weaknesses. Give me a break. Sometimes we try to overanalize things. The Cardinals of a couple years ago had plenty of holes, then barely made it to the playoffs and won the WS. As a matter of fact, the Phillies had a better record than them that year. How about the two championship teams from Florida? We are playing good baseball and that’s what matters going into the playoffs.— EL Zorro
- What's going on with my comment?— EL Zorro
- Is Golson eligible for the postseason without being an injury replacement? I thought he wasn't called up until September.— B in DC
- Dave14 - I don't think the decision will include Taguchi. Probably Stairs. I think a veteran bat off the bench will be more important.— Gary Varsho
- B in DC - I think you have to be on the 40 man roster to be eligible, which he was/is.— Gary Varsho
- Golson should be eligible he was called up before the dead line.— Beef69
- Golson was on the 40-man roster prior to September 1 so he is eligible.— CyHamels
- Not so fast Varsho. They have another decision on Eaton. Last year they left him out of the playoff roster. I don't know if they are going to go with three lefties in their bench. Remember they just activated Jenkins. I agree with Dave14, Golson should replace Taguchi. In the playoffs, plays like that are huge. Remember Dave Roberts (with the Red Sox against the Yankees) stealing second base when Boston was almost dead? That play energized the team and they came back to win the ALCS and the WS.— EL Zorro
- And so much for Ruiz and the bench being weaknesses. Both came through big time for us last night. Dobbs started the rally with a pinch hit and Ruiz was great blocking the plate and balls in the dirt. I agree with the Wild Thing, there is nobody better at that than Ruiz. You saw the difference with the Braves catcher on the Golson play, right? And have you seen how many times he goes to the mound to talk to the pitcher? He looks like he’s in control to me.— EL Zorro
- Do you think they'll keep Eaton & Kendrick in the bullpen/rotation? Iguchi I believe is not eligible also.— KarenA
- Zorro, have to agree with you...they've blocked a few of my posts lately too....we must be hitting too close to home with someone.....Eaton a decision? There's no decision there regarding the postseason...the only decision is when to release him.....Golson is theobvious choice to replace Taguchi....that should still leave a place for Stairs to hit. Nice solid game by the Phils last night...let's win out shall we?— Mark1npt
- Having Stairs on the bench is a good idea. He's had some decent at bats (including a HR). I would assume some of the other minor leaguers are out Marson, Cervanak (sp?), Waldron, etc.— KarenA
- If they carry 12 pitchers (Eaton will not be one of them I am certain) - that leaves 13 position players. 2 catchers, 6 infielders(Howard, Utley, Rollins, Feliz, Dobbs, Bruntlett), 5 outfielders (Werth, Vic, Pat, Stairs, Jenkins) - no room for Golson unless you take away a bat or pitching. Its possible they don't take 8 relievers into the playoffs, so maybe they only go with 11 pitchers, or 10.— Gary Varsho
- I may be wrong, but I think they replaced Eaton with a bench player last year, Iguchi or Bourne? They don't need that many relievers. Remember they won't need a fifth starter, so that guy becomes a reliever.— EL Zorro
