Phollowing the Phillies

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:04:00 +0000

J.A. Happ loses to Coghlan

The NL Rookie of the year award winner was just announced. Florida outfielder Chris Coghlan (105 points) edged Phils lefty J.A. Happ (94 points).

Happ was 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA this season.

Rollins, Victorino snag Gold Gloves

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:03:00 +0000

In the twisted way the voters (managers and coaches) cast their ballots, Jimmy Rollins apparently couldn't win a Gold Glove until he had an MVP season with the bat.

Rollins won his third straight Gold Glove Wednesday afternoon. He is the first to win three straight in the NL since Rey Ordonez (97-99).

Shane Victorino is also a repeat winner. The Flyin' Hawaiian is the just the second Phils outfielder to be honored the Gold Glove more than once: Gary Maddox won eight straight (75-82).

Former Phillies speedster Michael Bourn was on his first Gold Glove. Bourn was traded to the Astros two years ago in the deal that netted the Phils Brad Lidge.

Phils decline option on Feliz (but it doesn't mean he won't be back)

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:39:00 +0000

Hot off the press from the Phils:

The Phillies have declined the 2010 option on third baseman Pedro Feliz’ contract, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. announced tonight.

Feliz, 34, batted .266 with 12 home runs and 82 RBI in 158 games for the Phillies this past season. With runners in scoring position, he hit a team-best .336, which ranked 13th among all National League players.

“This doesn’t preclude us from bringing Pedro back next season,” Amaro said. “While this allows us to explore other opportunities, we will continue to keep the lines of communication open with Pedro and his representative.”

Three Phils to go under the knife: Lidge, Ibanez and Eyre

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:54:00 +0000

Phils general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced tonight that three Phils have surgeries scheduled for this week: Brad Lidge (elbow), Raul Ibanez (sports hernia) and Scott Eyre (elbow).

Eyre and Lidge have similar ailments - loose bodies in their pitching elbows.

Ibanez first suffered a groin injury in June and battled his health in the second half of the season.

Waiting on a call back from Amaro to see how long each of the players' respective recovering/rehab times is estimated to last.

Brett Myers won't be back in '10

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:49:00 +0000

The Brett Myers' era has ended in Philadelphia.

Shortly after debriefing the press on several offseason issues, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. met with Myers and told him the team would be "moving in a different direction."

Myers was 73-63 with a 4.40 ERA in eight seasons in Philadelphia. The 29-year-old, whom the team selected with the 12th pick in the first round of the '99 draft, was shuttled in and out of the bullpen in his last three seasons.

Myers went 4-3 with a 4.84 ERA in 18 games (10 starts) this season. Myers missed three months while recovering from early-June hip surgery; upon returning in September, Myers missed another three weeks with a shoulder strain.

Myers was in the final year of a three-year, $25.75 contract extension signed in February of '07.

More from Amaro on Myers in Saturday's Daily Times...

Phils pick up option on Cliff Lee (and other offseason issues)

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:55:00 +0000

As expected, the Phils are retaining Cliff Lee for 2010.

Lee, who was in the last year of a 4-year, $15 million deal, had a $9 million option for '10 in that contract. Being that he went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 regular season starts and 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five playoff games, Lee was an easy decision for the Phils.

The team also holds a club option on Pedro Feliz ($5 million); GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told reporters the Phils are still in the process of deciding whether or not to pick that option up (there's a $500,000 buyout). The Phils may be exploring an upgrade or at least someone who brings more versatility (Mark DeRosa and Chone Figgins, both free agents, would be attractive because of their ability to play 2B and the outfield, along with 3B).

Amaro said the team has until Monday to decide on Feliz's option.

Also: Plenty of Phils are getting end-of-the-season exams that could lead to surgery.

The surprise was Brad Lidge. He'll have his elbow examined.

Amaro believes Lidge might have the same ailment as Scott Eyre - a loose body in his pitching elbow. If both need to have surgery to clear loose bodies in their arms, it is not expect to be the kind that would keep either from being ready to go for '10.

Raul Ibanez was also expected to have his groin/abdomen looked at. The team could know as early as Monday whether he would need to go under the knife, too.

As for roster makeup, here's a story in today's Daily Times.

World Series: Phils' one-year reign ends in the Bronx

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:15:00 +0000

What's there to say? The better team won the World Series.

The Phils met their match in the big, bad New York Yankees.

New York's baseball goliath battered and bloodied Pedro Martinez early and often en route to a 7-3 victory to clinch the storied franchise's 27th World Championship. Hideki Matsui led the offensive onslaught with six RBIs, including a two-run home run in the second that got NY off and running.

The game ended about 90 minutes ago and they juuuuussst stopped playing "New York, New York" on the one-year-old stadium's P.A. system. Hey, I like Frank as much as anyone, but talk about overkill....

The Phils lost the best-of-seven series in six games, which is nothing to be ashamed of, for sure.... especially against a 103-win team, the best team money can buy.

But let's face it: the Phillies' sore spots reared their ugly bats and arms in the series.

In Game 6, their on-again, off-again problem of hitting with runners in scoring position crept back into play. While the Yanks jumped out to a 7-1 lead off Pedro, the Phils left runners in scoring position in three of the first six innings and grounded into inning-ending double plays in two other innings.

In other spots during the series, the two pitchers who followed career years with off years, Cole Hamels and Brad Lidge, showed off their '09 form. But don't forget Phillies fans: without either of those two guys, you don't beat the Rays in the '08 Series.

Anyway, it's clearing out time. I'll end per usual in the postseason, with some sounds from the clubhouse.

Until next time...

CHASE UTLEY, the Phils' best player in the Series with a record-tying five home runs" "Obviously we didn’t accomplish our ultimate goal, but I’m proud to be teammates with everybody in this clubhouse right now.... I want to reiterate, we didn’t accomplish our goal that we set out for this season, but we got to a spot where a lot of teams don’t ever get the chance to be. For that we should all hold our heads high."

SHANE VICTORINO, whose ground out to second accounted for the game and season's final out: "We would have loved to win again for the city and for us, but unfortunately we didn’t."

RYAN HOWARD, on an offense gone cold other than the home run ball: "We didn’t capitalize on certain situations, getting runs home. They went out there and got hits in certain situations... It’s pretty simple. We just got outplayed."

BRAD LIDGE, on watching the Yanks celebrate: "It’s makes us remember last year when we were able to do it ourselves… it makes us realize how close we were this year. We came really close. I think everyone of us feels like we have the capability of doing it again next year and hopefully for a while afterward. We’re very proud of what we accomplished. We ended up a little short of the goal."

CHARLIE MANUEL, on what went wrong in the Series: "We went through the playoffs, we played real good, and all of a sudden when we got to the Series, and I give credit to some of the Yankees' pitching, but it seemed like our offense... kind of sputtered a little bit.
"But at the same time, their left-handed pitchers, I felt like did a good job on our left-handed hitting and stopped them, and that is a big part of our offense. But at the same time, I felt like they have a real good team, but they definitely deserved to win. They did things right when they had to. We just didn't play as good as we can, but at the same time, we also played a real good team who did a good job, and they've had a great season.
"Like I was telling our guys in there, that just makes us more determined to come back again next year. We've got a good team, and we love to play baseball. I'll tell you, the time I've had there especially about the last three years, it's been really enjoyable to coach and manage our team because of who we've got on our club. I'll tell you something, we will be back. As Mac Arthur said, I guess, we will be back."

World Series: Victorino in the lineup, who's available to pitch

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:26:00 +0000

Here's you Game 6 lineup for the Phillies:

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Shane Victorino, CF
3. Chase Utley, 2B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Jayson Werth, RF
6. Raul Ibanez, DH
7. Pedro Feliz, 3B
8. Ben Francisco, LF
9. Carlos Ruiz, C

Also: Charlie Manuel didn't not name a starter for a possible Game 7 Thursday, but here are two interesting tidbits from what he did say --- every pitcher but Cliff Lee is available to pitch tonight AND he did not rule out the possibility of Lee starting a Game 7.

World Series: Phanatic takes Manhattan

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:29:00 +0000

World Series: He we are (Pedro), entertain us

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:05:00 +0000

The people that get paid high salaries in Hollywood couldn't come up with a better script:

Pedro Martinez.... in a elimination World Series game.... at Yankee Stadium.

That's what major league baseball fans will be treated to - and Fox is foaming at the mouth with excitement about - 24 hours from now. ("Now" being when I'm writing this entry.

Pedro Martinez has a 2.08 ERA in two playoff starts this season, and a whole boatload of career postseason experience that should serve him well Wednesday. The Yankees are looking to add their 27th World Series pennant to their baseball-best collection.

Here are a few snippets from Tuesday's off-day press conferences at Yankee Stadium:

PEDRO MARTINEZ, on how he hopes to be remembered, and whether "Petey" will resonate like "The Bambino" in the annals of baseball history: "I'm pretty sure that my name will be mentioned. I don't know in which way. But maybe after I retire, because normally when you die, people tend to actually give you props about the good things. But that's after you die. (Laughter). So I'm hoping to get it before I die. I don't want to die and then hear everybody say, "Oh, there goes one of the best players ever." If you're going to give me props, just give them to me right now.

"So I'm hoping to get my name mentioned, yes, just like Babe Ruth is such a legendary name. I hope that my name is mentioned. But not only as a player. I hope that you guys realize that I'm a human being that really likes to help, that really likes to do things in the community, that's a fun human being and a great competitor. That's probably my legacy. I don't want to just leave a legacy in baseball and be a (expletive deleted) human being. I'm sorry about the word.

"I hope I can be remembered more as a human being to take his clothes off to probably give it to a man down the street. I don't mind doing that any time. I hope I'm mentioned in between all those names, even though I will never put myself in that category. That's very different. That's a different level."

CHARLIE MANUEL, on what he can expect from Pedro: "(He has) a tremendous feel to pitch. He knows how to pitch. He knows more about hitters than probably people give him credit for because he'll sit there and study the game and he'll study the hitters and he'll sit there and talk to you sometimes.

"That's one thing I like about Pedro, he'll come over and talk to you and he don't listen when you tell him how to pitch somebody, he'll tell you how he's going to pitch somebody. If you sit there and listen, he's not being smart about it, he's very confident, and he'll start telling you, look at that, Charlie, or something like that, I'm going to do this, that and stuff like that. I like that. And he's got an idea on everybody that walks up there.

"But also, he's got a tremendous feel for the game, and he's still got talent when he executes his pitches, as a pitcher should, he's definitely capable of throwing a very good ballgame, a real good ballgame. I'd look for him to definitely put us in a place where we can win the game.

"How far he can go, I think back there in the summer when he threw against the Mets that night, I think that kind of tells you that he's definitely capable of finishing a ballgame, really."

World Series: Mr. November leads path back to the Bronx

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

There's a Spike Lee movie (joint?) called "Summer of Sam." It's about the Son of Sam murders in the summer of 1977.

I admit I dig the flick because, among other things, I like the soundtrack.

Since the movie is set in the Bronx, there are plenty of highlights of the Yankees, and nearly all of them show a showboating slugger named Reggie Jackson swinging for the fences.

It was the Fall Classic of 1977 that "Reggie, Reggie!" slammed three home runs in one World Series Game and set the MLB record by hitting five long balls in the series.

Flash forward 32 years later (it's easy math, I was born in '77). A guy who could probably be fairly described as the polar opposite of Reggie Jackson is putting together a strikingly similar show.

Chase Utley has one definition of "hot dog." It's a popular ballpark delicacy.

But like Reggie, he's a World Series home run hero.

In Game 5 of the World Series Monday night, Utley slammed two home runs for the second time in the series to lead the Phils to an 8-6 victory. Utley have five home runs in the series, tying Mr. October's all-time record.

Chase Utley, Mr. November.

"Obviously it's great company. At some point, not right now, maybe I'll look back on it and see what kind of special moment it is," Utley said. "But right now our goal is to win two more games."

And that's the position Utley has helped put the Phillies in, entering Wednesday night's Game 6 in the Bronx. They trail the best-of-seven series 3-2 but appear to have some momentum and definitely have the Series' hottest hitter in Utley.

"He's one of the most prepared, one of the most dedicated, he has the most desire and passion to play the game that I've ever been around," Charlie said. "I used to say Kirby Puckett was my favorite player, and all those things I just said, I used to say those about Kirby Puckett, and I said Kirby Puckett was my favorite player. The only thing Kirby might have on Chase is he's a more flamboyant because he smiles a lot, and Chase is a little bit different.

"He's quiet and he goes about his business in a real good way. But Chase Utley is one of the most -- he's a pleasure to be around and he's a pleasure to manage. I mean that, and I could not say enough about him because that's what I think about him. I don't want to embarrass him or nothing like that, but sometimes I tell our players, "Just play with Chase," because if you play with Chase, you've got a chance to be a pretty good player."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

A few postgame notes:

- Pedro Martinez is scheduled to pitch Game 6. Martinez was two home run balls away from tossing a gem at Yankee Stadium last week.

-Ryan Howard struck out twice; with 12 strikeouts in the series, he has tied Willie Wilson (Kansas City, 1980) for the all-time World Series mark.

-Shane Victorino was hit in the right index finger with an A.J. Burnett pitch in the first inning. Initially, he stayed in the game, but Manuel removed Victorino in the eighth after the hand swelled so much that he couldn't grip the ball.

The X-Rays on Victorino's hand came back negative and after Tuesday's off day, should be ready to go.

"Initially I thought oh no it doesn't feel right," Victorino said. "I wanted to play... everything is fine."

World Series: Phils face elimination

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:11:00 +0000

Since joining the Phils beat in December of '07, I've covered six playoff games that have involved lockers adorned with plastic wrapping and the possibility of alcoholic beverages in orbit.

Here's the interesting tidbit: none of those potential, series-clinching games ever had the team opposite the Phillies in control of the champagne splash.

That will change later on tonight, when the Yankees take Citizens Bank Park with a 3-1 lead in the World Series after taking a gut-punching, 7-4 win in Game 4 Sunday night.

Surely you saw how it happened: the Phils rallied back early to tie it against CC Sabathia (Pedro Feliz got the clutch two-out hit), and then cut the deficit late off CC with one homer (courtesy of CC-killer Chase Utley), and then got an enormous, game-tying homer off Joba Chamberlain (Feliz again).

But then Brad Lidge picked a very bad time to revert to 2009 regular season-form.

Lidge actually looked great in the beginning, punching out Derek Jeter with a 3-2 slider to send down the first two batters of the inning.

But Johnny Damon put together a great at-bat, finishing it with a single, to keep the inning alive. But Lidge plunked Mark Teixeira.

But Alex Rodriguez, who was hit by a pitch for the third time in two days earlier in the night, rifled a fastball into left field to score the go-ahead run.

If there was a moment that could act as the polar opposite of Lidge embracing Carlos Ruiz at the conclusion of the 2008 World Series, A-Rod's hit was it.

The Yanks scored twice more in the inning when Jorge Posada followed A-Rod with a two-run hit.

Not much else to say. Here's a little of what they said in the clubhouse:

BRAD LIDGE, on the latest nightmarish ninth in his '09 season: "It's frustrating. The inning was frustrating. (Damon) had a great at-bat and sometimes he can do that. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the job done after that. It's frustrating. You make good pitches and you hope to get the result. But they did a good job."

ALEX RODRIGUEZ, who is one win away from his first championship: "There’s no question I’ve never had a bigger hit... It feels good, but we have to stay focused... those guys are the World Champs. We just have to stay in the moment."

CHARLIE MANUEL, on the task his team faces: "I think we take a lot of pride on being resilient and the way we bounce back. I know that we're going to come out and play tomorrow to win. I know that. I've seen us go through it before. We've blown 22 games from the seventh inning on or something this year. That's got to tell you something about the resilience of our team.
Tonight is tough. We're in the World Series now. But at the same time, we're down, but you know what, we're still breathing."

PEDRO FELIZ, on the Phils 3-1 deficit: "It’s not over yet. We just have to go out and take them one at a time."

World Series: Chan Ho latest with flu bug

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:13:00 +0000

Chan Ho Park may or may not be available for Game 4 Sunday night.

He wasn't able to pitch in Saturday's Game 3, however, as he was the latest Phils' player to catch the flu bug. After Greg Dobbs and Brad Lidge missed Saturday's workout - and non-roster reliever Tyler Walker was sent home before Game 1 in New York, Park came down with a stomach ailment Saturday.

"Right at game time; that’s why he didn’t pitch," Manuel said. "He came and told me he was sick. When I talked to him, he said he was throwing up. You could tell he was feeling pretty rough."

Manuel said he may have called on Park, instead of J.A. Happ, when he pulled Cole Hamels in the fifth; two runners were on base with one out and A-Rod due up.

"In that situation, I might have gone to Chan Ho with a righty Alex Rodriguez standing there," Manuel said.

As of 4 p.m. Sunday, Manuel hadn't talked to Park to gage whether he was well enough to pitch in Game 4.

World Series: Yanks take control

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:15:00 +0000

This is a position the Phils aren't familiar with - trailing a postseason series.

The World Series, with CC Sabathia on tap to take the ball in the next game, is not a good time and place to be entering relatively-uncharted territory. The Yankees' 8-4 win in Game 3 of the World Series puts the Phils in their first deficit in a postseason series since falling behind to Colorado 1-0 in the '07 NLDS.

Does the Phils' mentality change?

"It doesn't change," Charlie Manuel said. "We'll come out tomorrow and we'll try to even play better and harder. We're that kind of team."

The Phils have to win tonight, in a Sabathia-Joe Blanton matchup, or in Monday night's Game 5, with Cliff Lee on the hill, to force the series back to the Bronx.

The Yankees, however, have clearly taken the momentum after losing the first game of the Series.

"We feel good," Game 3 winning pitcher Andy Pettitte said. "Not trying to sound too overconfident, but even when we lost the first game, our club feels really good about ourselves. We feel really good about we're doing and we feel good coming in here."

Pettitte, who extended his major-league record with his 17th career postseason win, held the Phils left-handed hitting trio of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez to 0-for-9 with five strikeouts.

Howard, the NLCS MVP, was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. He's 0-for-8 with seven strikeouts in the last two games, and has struck out in nine of his last 12 at-bats.

Another former NLCS - and World Series MVP - was also to blame. Cole Hamels threw three very sharp innings but his veered off course in the fourth and never did regain control of the wheel in his shortest career postseason start.

Hamels gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Hamels retired 10 or the first 11 batters. But he also allowed seven of the final 10 hitters he faced to reach base.

A home run to Alex Rodriguez - originally ruled a double and then overturned after instant replay - was the turning point for Hamels, who was handed a 3-0 lead and left trailing 5-3.

"After that it looked like things kind of started to snowball on him," Manuel said.

Cole Hamels has one win in four postseason starts this year, and an ugly 7.58 ERA after rolling off a 4-0 record with a 1.80 ERA in the ’08 playoffs.

“I haven’t got the results that I anticipated and everyone else has anticipated,” Hamels said.

Late night - and long night - at the ballpark. For more on the game, check out the game story and a flurry of other stories from the Delco Times sports staff at delcotimes.com

World Series: Joe Blanton named Game 4 starter

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:27:00 +0000

All the talk of Cliff Lee coming back on short rest was just that - talk.

Charlie Manuel poured a cold bucket of water on the idea Friday when he named Joe Blanton is starter for Game 4.

Manuel listed more than a couple reasons to not ask Lee to come back early: Lee has racked up more innings than just about every other major league pitcher in the last two years; Blanton pitched last year in the World Series and has the experience; he wants a fully-rested, 100 % Cliff Lee, who has never pitched on short rest; when Lee goes in Game 5, he would be available to pitch some in a possible Game 7 since it would be his normal, bullpen session day.

He also wants to keep Happ in the bullpen for potential lefty-lefty matchups.

If the series goes seven games, here's how it's almost guaranteed to be set up:

GAME 3: Hamels
GAME 4: Blanton
GAME 5: Lee
GAME 6: Pedro
GAME 7: Hamels

Yup, Kid Cole, reigning World Series MVP and current mystery, goes in Game 7. More on Hamels in Saturday's Daily Times.

That's all from the ballpark for now...

World Series: Phils drop Game 2, Pedro takes another shot at NY

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:54:00 +0000

Flip the script from Game 1 and that's what you got with Game 2:

Cliff Lee outpitched CC Sabathia Wednesday.

A.J. Burnett outpitched Pedro Martinez Thursday.

Sabathia gave up two solo home runs Wednesday, and otherwise pitched well enough to win on most nights.

Martinez gave up two solo home runs Thursday, and otherwise pitched well enough to win on most nights.

The Phils lost 3-1. The series is tied 1-1.

There's not a whole lot more else to say. Check out the delcotimes.com in the a.m. for the usual expansive coverage - for myself, columnist Jack McCaffery and sports editor Rob Parent.

As for something that won't appear in my game story.... I thought I caught something happening when Martinez was walking from the mound to the dugout when he was lifted in the middle of the seventh inning. The veteran pitcher and NY fan "favorite" was getting jeered pretty good, and I thought he slowed up and may have said something to a fan just before he ducked into the dugout.

He did.

Here's what happened, according to the pitcher himself:

"It's the New Yankee Stadium, but the fans remain the fans," Martinez said. "They're going to give you (grief). I remember on guy sitting right in the front row with his daughter - his daughter in one arm and a cup of beer in the other hand and saying all kinds of nasty stuff.

"I just told him, 'Your daughter is right beside you. It's a little girl. It's a shame you're saying all of these things.' I had to stop and tell him because I'm a father myself, and God, how can you be so dumb to do those things in front of your child? What kind of example are you setting?

"But the fans, I enjoy that, because at the bottom, I know I played for the Mets, I know they really want to root for me. It's just I don't play for the Yankees, that's all. I've always been a good competitor, and they love that. They love the fact that I compete. I'm a New Yorker as well. If I was on the Yankees, I'd probably be like a king over here. That's not the case right now and it's going to be that way."

World Series: Game 2 lineups

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:38:00 +0000

With New York righty A.J. Burnett on the mound, Charlie Manuel wanted another lefty in the lineup. So the only change from Game 1's lineup is Matt Stairs in at DH; Raul Ibanez is back in left field.

Manuel went with Stairs over Dobbs, in part because Dobbs is unavailable. Dobbs has flu-like symptoms and isn't able to pinch hit tonight, either.

PHILS:

Rollins
Vic
Utley
Howard
Werth
Ibanez
Stairs
Feliz
Ruiz

Pedro Martinez is pitching.

YANKS:

Jeter
Damon
Tex
ARod
Matsui
Cano
Hairston
Cabrera
Molina

The two changes for NY: Hairston replaces Swisher and Molina, Burnett's catcher, takes Posada's spot.

World Series: That was easy; Phils take Game 1

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:49:00 +0000

Cliff Lee throws another complete game... he doesn't allow an earned run.

Chase Utley homers twice... off previously playoff-unbeaten CC Sabathia (who had been talked up as if he was the best pitcher since Walter Johnson by the homerish New York media).

The Phils tacked on four runs in the final two innings to make Charlie Manuel breathe a little easier and get the 50,207 people out of Yankee Stadium a little faster.

With that, Game 1 of the World Series in the Bronx - in a series billed as the defending World Champs vs. Baseball's Most Highly Decorated Franchise - was really pretty easy for the Phillies.

After Utley's first home run, Phils fans had to feel good. After the second, they had to be worry-free, right?

The Phils sit in pretty good shape, up 1-0 in a best-of-seven series that begins on enemy territory. Win again Thursday night - with Pedro Martinez on the bump - and all your have to do is take two out of three at Citizens Bank Park this weekend.

Imagine a pain-free World Series victory over the New York Yankees that sets off a parade. OK, let's not get ahead of ourselves.

But beating Sabathia is a good start. The Phils are 3-0 now in their last three games against CC.

On to what some of the players said afterward....

CHASE UTLEY, on his second home run, the end of a workman-like, nine-pitch at-bat against Sabathia: "I remember he was pitching me tough. He was throwing sinkers in, he was throwing sliders. The approach I had, the approach I was going to try to have against him was to try to lay off the slider because the slider is a tough one to hit on the barrel, and try to hit his fastball, and I was able to do that. He left one kind of in the middle of the plate, and you can't miss those pitches against that type of pitcher."

CLIFF LEE, who has a playoff ERA of 0.54, on is there was a point at the game when he felt like it was going to end very well: "I don't know if there was a point where I was like, wow, this is it; I've got them. With a lineup like that, I don't think I ever really had that feeling. But I knew when the first three or four innings that it was going to be a good day. I didn't know that I was going to be a complete game and go the way it was, but I knew that I had my stuff and was locating pitches.

"But with an offense like that, you can feel that way and make a couple mistakes, and it's going to turn south for you quick. I try not to think like that. I try not to think, wow, I've got this figured out, because usually when you start thinking you've got something figured out, it's going to blow up in your face. So I try to stay away from those kind of thoughts."

RYAN HOWARD, who picked up yet another playoff RBI with a ninth-inning double, on Chase Utley leading the offensive charge: "We don’t count on just one person. On any given night, that’s a the good thing we have different guys who can step up in different moments and tonight Chase was able to step up."

LEE, on whether he would pitch on short rest in Game 4: "That’s more of a question for Charlie (Manuel). I’m ready to pitch whenever they’ll let me."

Pedro: I'm not an ogre (Martinez rips New York media)

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:16:00 +0000

The tradition before each postseason game is for the starting pitcher for the next night to hold court in a pregame press conference.

Pedro Martinez, the Phillies' Game 2 starter, talked for nearly a half hour. He used the time to call out the New York press corps for how they've treated him over the years and spoke about his 2003 incident with former Yankees coach Don Zimmer for the first time.

"I think in every aspect, the way you guys have used me and abused me since I've been coming to (town), just because I wore actually a red uniform just like this one while playing for Boston, it's been like -- I remember quotes in the paper, "Here comes the man that New York loves to hate." Man? None of you have probably ever eaten steak with me or rice and beans with me to understand what the man is about. You might say the player, the competitor, but the man? You guys have abused my name. You guys have said so many things, have written so many things.

"There was one time I remember when I was a free agent, there was talk that I might meet with Steinbrenner. One of your colleagues had me in the papers with horns and a tail, red horns and a tail. That's a sign of the devil. I'm a Christian man. I don't like those things. I take those things very serious.

"Those are the kind of things that the fans actually get used to seeing, and actually sometimes influence those people to believe that you are a bad person, that you are like an ogre. I see Mariano, and that's probably the player I admire the most because of how he goes about his business, how he does it, and he remains a humble Christian man admired by everyone in baseball.

"The way people perceive me in New York, I don't know if they got to know me a little bit better after I got to the Mets. It's totally different than the way I am; I just compete. And yes, I will do whatever it takes to beat you. But I'm a human being after I take my clothes off. A lot of people can witness that any time, anywhere, any moment."

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:36:00 +0000

Phils Game 1 Lineup

Rollins SS
Victorino CF
Utley 2B
Howard 1B
Werth RF
Ibanez DH
Francisco LF
Feliz 3B
Ruiz C

Cliff Lee is pitching

World Series: Game 1 Lineups

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:46:00 +0000

New York Yankees

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jorge Posada, C
6. Hideki Matsui, DH
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Nick Swisher, RF
9. Melky Cabrera, CF

CC Sabathia is pitching

Waiting on the Phils lineup...

World Series: Phillies vs. Yankees, the Prediction

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:16:00 +0000

I took some heat for picking the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. And I deserved it; that was a one-sided mess.

Then again, it's what I believed would happen. The problem was I was making my prediction on stats and roster make-up and, well..... the stuff that you see on paper.

Not the stuff you see on the field.

Without further adieu, here's my breakdown of the World Series and the prediction. But there is one problem - the picture I'm including is this week's cover of Sports Illustrated (which is a bit of a jinx, if you haven't heard).

First Base: Ryan Howard (.279, 45 HR, 141 RBIs, 105 runs) vs. Mark Teixeira (.292, 39, 122, 103 runs, 43 2Bs): Howard has nearly been a one-man wrecking crew in the postseason. Teixeira has not. Although Teixeira is the better all-around player, Howard is hotter. Slight edge, Phils.

Second base: Chase Utley (.282, 31, 93, 112 runs, 23-for 23-SBs) vs. Robinson Cano (.320, 25, 85, 103 runs, 48 2Bs, 204 hits): One can easily make the argument that Cano has had the better season. But Utley brings the essence that’s not categorized in stats, similar to what Jeter brings to the Yanks. Slight edge, Phils.

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins (250, 21 HRs, 77 RBIs, 31 SBs) vs. Derek Jeter (.334, 18, 66, 107 runs, 30 SBs, 212): It’s hard to pick against the Yankees latest version of Mr. October. Rollins, however, the far superior defender at arguable the most vital position on the diamond. Still, Jeter has had an MVP-like season and raises his game in the postseason. Slight Edge, Yanks.

Third base: Pedro Feliz (.266, 12, 82) vs. Alex Rodriguez (.286, 30, 100): Phils Hall of Famer Robin Roberts called Pedro Feliz the best defensive third basemen he’s ever seen. Feliz also had a decent year with the bat. But A-Rod is on the top three players in the game. Edge, Yanks.

Catcher: Carlos Ruiz (.255, 9, 43) vs. Jorge Posada (.285, 22, 81): There’s no denying the impact Ruiz has behind the plate as a defensive catcher and game-calling receiver. He’s also been one of the Phils’ best bats in the playoffs. But like Jeter, Posada has had the better season and has a healthy heaping of postseason experience, too. Slight edge, Yanks.

Left field: Raul Ibanez (.272, 34, 93) vs. Johnny Damon (.282, 24, 82, 107 runs): Damon brings a little bit more to the table with the fact that he can run. But his defense is borderline bad with a 50-cent arm. Ibanez is the bigger threat offensively and will likely be spelled on defense when he can play DH at Yankee Stadium. Slight edge, Phils.

Center field: Shane Victorino (.292, 10, 62, 102 runs, 25 SBs) vs. Melky Cabrera (.274, 13, 68). Victorino is a gold-glove defender who brings the team and the top of the order that’s difficult to translate statistically. The Melk Man may be a fan favorite in NYC, but he won’t get under Phils’ fans skin like Victorino may very well do in the Bronx. Edge, Phils.

Right field: Jayson Werth (.268, 36, 99, 20 SBs vs. Nick Swisher (.249, 29, 82): Perhaps Swisher is the Yanks’ response for the talkative Victorino. Swisher plays with a flair that’ll earn him enemies in South Philly. Werth is far and away the better player in every facet of the game. Edge, Phils.

Designated hitter: Ben Francisco (.257, 15, 46) vs. Hideki Matsui (.274, 28, 90). Francisco will likely be the extra bat in the order when the Phils play with a DH, although he could play left field for Ibanez. Francisco’s offensive skills are underrated: he brings both pop and speed to the order. But Matsui is the scarier threat. Edge, Yanks.

Starting rotation: Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martinez, Joe Blanton (staff totals: 66-46, 4.29 ERA) vs. CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Chad Gaudin (63-42, 4.48): Members of the mass media have crowned Sabathia a national hero, but has he been that much better in the postseason than Cliff Lee? And while Burnett may sound like a safer choice for Game 2 than either Hamels or Martinez, the Phils have historically hit well against the former Florida Marlin. The Phils also have better depth. Edge, Phils.

Bullpen: Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, J.A. Happ, Scott Eyre, Chad Durbin, Chan Ho Park, Antonio Bastardo and Brett Myers (27-23, 3.91 ERA, 44 saves) vs. Mariano Rivera, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Alfredo Aceves, Phil Coke, David Robertson and Damaso Marte (40-17, 3.91, 51 saves): Neither one of these relief corps were lauded like those of the Red Sox or Dodgers when the postseason began, but there’s something to be said for the fact that their both still standing in the playoff dance. While the Phils battered corps has appeared to turn the corner in October, the Yanks’ has limped into the World Series. But the Yankees can still turn the ball over to Mariano Rivera in the ninth. Edge, Yanks.

THE PREDICTION

While Mother Nature tried her best to offer the Phils some October payback, Springfield grad Mike Scioscia – or more accurately, Vladimir Guerrero and Co. – didn’t exactly help the Phillies’ World Series chances.

If the L.A. Angels forced a Game 7 in the ALCS, CC Sabathia would have started for the Yankees Monday, and thus, wouldn’t be available for either of the first two games of the World Series. But here is some interesting info on Sabathia – he’s not unbeatable.

The Phils (you didn’t forget the Flyin’ Hawaiian’s slam, did you?) beat him in the postseason a year ago when he was with Milwaukee. They also scored three times off CC at Yankee Stadium in a 4-3 win in May.

So if Sabathia starts three times, don’t fret. Cliff Lee has been just as good and might be able to pitch three times, too, if the series goes seven games (which it won’t).

Frankly, the only clear advantage the Yankees have is closer Mariano Rivera. Just as they can match Sabathia with Lee, the Phils match A-Rod’s hot bat with one of their own in Ryan Howard.

Pedro Martinez and Cole Hamels are just as capable of winning games as A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte. Jimmy Rollins is as capable of getting a clutch, playoff hit as Derek Jeter (and Rollins covers more ground at short, too).

As long as the supporting cast around Howard (Chase Utley, Jayson Werth) does their part and the bullpen keeps up their October redemption, the team of now (the Phillies) can beat the dynasty of a decade ago (the Yankees), and beat them in relatively quick fashion.

The Phils have dropped one playoff game in each series dating back to the beginning of the ’08 playoffs. That trend sticks.

PHILS IN 5.

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:25:00 +0000

Brett Myers is back

The Phils placed Myers back on the roster for the World Series. He'll replace reserve infielder Miguel Cairo.

World Series: Vegas picks Yanks (and has faith in FOX finding Kate Hudson)

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Later tonight I'll post my own prediction/breakdown of the '09 Turnpike Series (Phils/Yanks).

But for now, as I get settled into the cozy pressbox at Yankee Stadium (it's a pretty nice place), I'll leave you with the odds and ends from Vegas, courtesy of bodog.com

Who will win the World Series?

New York Yankees -210

Philadelphia Phillies +175

Which team will hit the most Home Runs in the 2008 World Series?

Philadelphia Phillies +115

New York Yankees -145

In which stadium will the most Home Runs be hit in the 2008 World Series?

Yankee Stadium -140

Citizens Bank Park +110

Will a game be postponed due to weather?

Yes -115

No -115

World Series MVP

Alex Rodriguez 4/1

Mark Teixeira 5/1

Ryan Howard 5/1

Derek Jeter 6/1

CC Sabathia 7/1

Cliff Lee 9/1

Chase Utley 10/1

Jimmy Rollins 10/1

Mariano Rivera 10/1

Cole Hamels 12/1

Jayson Werth 12/1

Johnny Damon 12/1

Raul Ibanez 12/1

Shane Victorino 12/1

AJ Burnett 15/1

Brad Lidge 15/1

Jorge Posada 15/1

Robinson Cano 15/1

Hideki Matsui 20/1

Andy Pettitte 22/1
Carlos Ruiz 25/1

Pedro Martinez 25/1

Pedro Feliz 25/1

Nick Swisher 30/1

Field 15/1

World Series – Who will hit more Home Runs in the Series?

Ryan Howard +100

Alex Rodriguez -130

World Series – Who will have more RBIs in the Series?

Ryan Howard +115

Alex Rodriguez -145

World Series – Who will steal more bases in the Series?

Jimmy Rollins -115

Derek Jeter -115

World Series – Who will have more Hits, Runs & RBI’s in the Series?

Jimmy Rollins +1.5 -130

Derek Jeter -1.5 Even

World Series – How many Hits will Derek Jeter have in the Series?

Over 6.5 -130

Under 6.5 Even

World Series – Who will have more Hits, Runs & RBI’s in the Series?

Jayson Werth +130

Mark Teixeira -160

World Series – Who will have more Hits, Runs & RBI’s in the Series?

Shane Victorino -115

Johnny Damon -115

World Series – Who will have more Hits, Runs & RBI’s in the Series?

Chase Utley -115

Robinson Cano -115

World Series – Who will record more Saves in the Series?

Brad Lidge +140

Mariano Rivera -170

World Series – Who will have a lower ERA in the Series?

Cliff Lee +125

C C Sabathia -155

World Series – Who will have a lower ERA in the Series?

Cole Hamels +115

Andy Pettitte -145

World Series – Who will have a lower ERA in the Series?

Pedro Martinez +110

A J Burnett -140

World Series –Will there be a Blown Save in the Series?

Yes +500

No -800

World Series – Total Strikeouts Game 1 – Cliff Lee

Over 4.5 -135

Under 4.5 +105

World Series – Total Strikeouts Game 1 – CC Sabathia

Over 6.5 -115

Under 6.5 -115

How many times will Kate Hudson be shown during game 1 of the World Series?

Over 2 -120

World Series: It'll be Pedro in Game 2

ryanlawrence21@gmail.com (Ryan) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:47:00 +0000

Apparently Charlie Manuel was tired of trying to answer the same question a different way for the third straight day....

The affable Phils manager finally caved. He told 1210-AM's Michael Smerconish this morning that Pedro Martinez will take the ball in Game 2 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium Thursday night.

Yankee fans, rest your lungs - you have 48 hours to prep your "Who's Your Daddy?!" chants.

No matter how you look at it, Manuel chose Martinez over Hamels. Both would be available to pitch on more than their normal rest.

But Hamels has struggled in the playoffs (6.52 ERA in three starts).

Martinez threw seven shutout innings in his lone playoff start this month - in a dazzling display of pitching in Game 2 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium.

Martinez is 6-2 with a 3.13 ERA in 14 career postseason games. If you include his start against the Dodgers, Martinez is 5-1 with a 3.16 ERA in 10 starts since joining the Phillies in mid-July.

Manuel may have tipped his hand over the weekend when he didn't name Hamels his Game 2 starter and praised Pedro.

"He still has quite a bit left,” Manuel said. “With how good he pitched, he definitely deserves another chance to get back out there … It was only a couple of years ago that he pitched those games against the Yankees. He knows how to pitch, his command is good and he uses all of his pitches. His command is absolutely outstanding."