So if Lee started he would have had to essentially pitch a 9 inning shutout to have made a difference. Phils couldn't cover when Pedro pitched a good game and Blanton wasn't that bad. Has the great Phils offfense sunk so low that we need to give up no runs in order to win?
Maybe some clutch hits instead of solo homers would help more than perfect pitching.
sam: no, if phils won last night, this is perfect set, lee wins tonight, and pedro on wednesday. I agree with Manual's decision. I disagree with starting and keep ing Ibanez in the game, Francesco should have played last night. Do you think Francesco will replace Ibanez tonight? He has been bad the entire series, a liability both ways
Here you go again. Is that your job at the paper to come up with the most controversial opinions and write about them? Blanton did just fine, the game was tied in the top of the 9th with two outs. We have more starting pitching depth than the Yankees and don't need to go to a three man rotation. It just didn't work out. Move on.
I'm with Mark on this one. Give the Yankee's credit where it's due, the Phils bats have been silenced far too often. I don't think Charlie or their starting pitcher's have cost them this series, it's been the bats. Lidge takes the blame for last nights debacle, but outside of that we've had our chances and have not capitalized.
phils will win tonight, and lose game 6,not bad against the yankees. you can not give away games, and make mental lapses, like hamesl, utley, ibanez have done, combined with poor at bats in key situations, and expect to beat best team, on paper at least.
I completely agree wtih Brian F above. I have to say that I'm really tired of the all-too-mundane Inquirer and Daily News Monday morning quarterback routine. Should have done this. Should have done that. If you didn't write that after every important game, it would have some credibility, but since your hindsight is always 20/20 and you play the shoulda woulda coulda routine every time, it actually turns me off to the paper. I think Manuel made the right decision. Lee had never gone on less than 4 days rest, and you'd still have to win another game with Pedro, Hamels, or Blanton, so how would it have changed anything? In this series, the Yankees starters outpitched all but 1 of our pitchers, the top and middle of our order couldn't get on base, and our bullpen struggled. Given that it doesn't matter who starts when. Quit with the attempt to get readers by stirring up controversy each and every time a key decision is made that doesn't go as hoped.
Really, pitching is not the reason the Phils are down 3-1...the overhyped offense is the reason. Sure, Lidge was lousy yet again (after he got the first two outs fairly easily, that is) but for most of the Series, the offense has not held up its end of things. Phils need another guy or two who can hit for average, a little power, put the ball in play, and not strike out 25-30% of the time. Solo homers will not get it done. You can't expect the Phils to only give up one or two runs a game. Our offense was supposed to be better than this (although it has been said over and over by many, including myself, that the offense has to be more consistent.) Werth, how 'bout coming thru with guys on base once in a while?
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About Sam Donnellon
Donnellon's career began in Biddeford, Me., in 1981, and has included stops in Wilkes-Barre, Norfolk, and New York, where he worked as a national writer for the short-lived but highly acclaimed National Sports Daily. He has received state and national awards at each stop and since joining the Daily News in 1992 has been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Associated Press Managing Editors of Pennsylvania and the Keystone Awards. He and his wife of 22 years have raised three fine children, none of whom are even the least bit impressed with the above.
PREFERS TEMPLE'S OFFENSE TO PRINCETON'S
