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Sorry for this post coming so late in the day, but I think I developed an ulcer during the ninth inning of last night's game. Two men on and Derek Jeter up, with no outs nonetheless, I was in knots. Madson closed out the game for the win, but not without nearly causing me to develop a hole in my stomach. Just glad that's over with.
Chase Utley continues to make me look smarter and smarter by mashing home run after home run and carrying this Phillies offense through six games. Chase's resurgence might be the first prediction I've gotten right in weeks and I feel damn good about it. The man is unstoppable at the plate right now and you can tell that none of the Yankees pitchers want any piece of him (let alone Sabathia).
As far as predictions of mine go, here are two more for you: In game 6, Ryan Howard is going deep and Raul Ibanez will have two hits and two RBIs. The big boy has had his struggles and that's just fine, he's a streaky hitter, but that ends tomorrow. Ryan Howard can snap a slump with one swing of the bat and I think he'll do just that. As far as Raul, I'm counting on the bomb he hit last night to propel him into a strong game 6. If Howard and Ibanez step out of the black hole that has been their spots in the lineup, one to nine, the Phillies are going to wear out Andy Petitte.
I don't think Andy Petitte is going to hold down the Phillies lineup in Game 6. He survived on guts and glory in the later innings of his first start and on three days rest I don't think he can make magic happen a second time. On our side of the mound, I think we can expect a similar outing from Pedro which the Phillies will have to hit enough to support. 6-7 innings, 2-4 runs from Pedro and I think the Phillies win. Yes, that involves two innings from the bullpen but I think they can handle it.
If the Phillies can force a game 7... anything can happen.
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