Sorry for the delay, but it's been a hectic one thus far and I am just now finding time to write some words about yesterday's 5-4 loss to the Rockies.  Honestly, I didn't get to watch the game but I listened to most of the game on the radio including the dramatic, yet disappointing finish.  Here are my thoughts:

1. Can we really fault Cole?

I don't know.  I'm decidedly on the fence on this one.  Yeah Ol' King Cole wasn't very effective and seemed to be in his own world during a playoff game.  However, the fact that his baby was potentially being born while he pitched is one of the few excuses that I'm willing to accept.  So yeah, I think he deserves a little bit of a pardon for his subpar effort.

2.  Now's the time for Yorvit to break his homerless slump?

The guy hasn't homered since May and now he finds his power swing in what is one of the biggest home runs of the Rockies season.  Come on.  Hamels wasn't pitching great, but serving one up to Yorvit is a sad thing.

3.  Now, the series has begun.

The old saying is that it isn't a series until one team wins on the road and the Rockies accomplished just that.  Now the Phillies have to go to Colorado and take at least one.  This isn't the most daunting of tasks, however sweeping the opening games at home would've made a Rockies comeback nearly impossible.

4.  I really thought it was going to be a walk-off win.

Listening to the game you could hear the excitement in the stadium and I was sure that somebody was going to get it done.  Stairs battled and walked and then Jimmy got on base.  With Shane at the plate, I really thought magic was about to happen and Mets fans everywhere would puke knowing that their Most Hated Phillie drove in the winning runs.

5.  Chris Berman announcing baseball sucks.

I don't know how in the world Chris Berman got the assignment to announce the game, but it was a nice of telling Phillies and Rockies fans to shove it.  The back-to-back day games is bad enough, but having to listen to Chris Berman announce it was a direct kick to the groin.  Most of the time it was a struggle to have any idea what was going on during the game.  It's not entirely Berman's fault, how is he supposed to have a feel for baseball play-by-play he never does it.  Why take chances with weird booth combos in the playoffs of all times?  It makes no sense.  Stick to what works.

6.  Pedro is on the hill for game 3.

This isn't so great, as Benny pointed out, because it might be snowing and that can't be good for an old tired arm.  However, the cold will only make it more difficult to hit and Pedro's old guy stuff should be that much more difficult to hit.  Saturday night should be a good low scoring game.  But if the homers start flying you didn't hear that from me.

Comments (6)

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written by Team2BeatMike, October 09, 2009

hey Will what school do you coach at?

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written by Benny B, October 10, 2009

Not so much about Pedro's arm (which is tired btw), and more to do with his grip on the ball. Trust me folks, us Mets fans have some experience with Pedro and cold weather. Every opening day in blustery weather at Shea where Pedro pitched was a hold-your-breath affair. I think one year he gave up 5 runs to the cubs in the first inning. Anyway, Pedro is not a power pitcher anymore and relies on his off-speed stuff to set up his meager fastball. The altitude at Coors field alone affects the break of the ball. Couple that with 29 degree weather and expect a meatball fiesta from Pedro.

True, the pitchers tend to have the advantage in cold weather. However, mid/upper 80's fastballs with off-speed junk that isn't breaking could make for a very short night for Pedro. Which brings me to what I have been saying all along: Pitching, Pitching, Pitching. The Phills arguably have the weakest starting rotation in the playoffs. Couple that with a closer on suicide watch and it does not make for a winning combination. You guys still got one of the best lineups in baseball, so if you are going to win, you are going to have to hit your way through to the next round. You are going to have demoralize the Rocks in the first inning to have a shot this game. I would say 3-4 runs to give pedro some confidence and put the Home team on the defense should shift some momentum your way. But you are gonna have to keep the pressure on and keep scoring.

I hope they play tonight and don't pussy out. I may actually watch the game in it's entirety. What idiot scheduled a night game at colorado in October anyway? This scheduling is getting out of hand

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written by philliephan2, October 10, 2009

pussy out? come on benny ...you can do better than that!

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written by pennfan, October 10, 2009

btw mike went 6-6 today

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written by Benny B, October 11, 2009

Shane probably cried to the commissioner to postpone the game.

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written by philliephan, October 12, 2009

Well that was interesting ... at least we're getting our monies worth out of the series. I think if Lidge lost the lead he would have imploded on the spot. He was practically hyperventilating out there. Let's hope this is the first giant step on the road back to Lights Out Lidge. Nice to see Rollins do something to contribute and see the big man bring him home. Was it too much to hope for some Matt Stairs drama in the 8th ... maybe too storybook? Here's hoping Lee still has some magic in his arm. Don't want to go to five.

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