Rockie Road for Phillies in Round One
Written by Mike Mariano   
Tuesday, 06 October 2009 10:17

Phillies vs. Rockies should be a good series, however it appears to be getting the short end of the tv schedule stick presumably because the people up top think that the Phillies are going to roll over the Rockies and into the next round.  I'm not that confident, however I can see where they're coming from.  On paper, Hamels and Lee trumps Cook/Marquis/Jimenez any day.  Also, their lineup doesn't have half the star power that the Phillies have.  So that's why we've got back to back games at 2:37 p.m. which sucks because who's home every day at that time?  Not this guy.

Let's dig a little deeper and break down this matchup a little more.  The Phillies play the same style of baseball they did a year ago.  Play for the long ball and out slug everyone.  The better the pitching, the easier that strategy is, but at this point no one knows what the Phillies will get from their starters or bullpen right now.  Lee and Hamels have been up & down recently and most of the season.  The bullpen has been shakier than Parkinson's and is a crapshoot at this point. One thing that allows for some confidence is that this is a team full of guys with rings.  Everybody already knows what it takes to win the big one and everyone has played on the biggest stage in baseball and succeeded.

The Rockies on the other hand are a strange case.  This is a team that swept the Phillies in the 2007 NLDS like we were a AAA-team.  The lineup and pitching staff is solid from top to bottom.  There may not be anybody on either side of the ball who strikes the fear of god into you, but if the Phillies take them lightly (like in '07), they're going to get smacked (like in '07).  Many of the lesser known pitchers in Colorado have put together much better stats in the last few weeks of the season.  Also, the Rockies are playing considerably better baseball than the Phillies are coming into this match-up.

My prediction: the Phillies win in 5 games.  That's just my gut reaction.  I think the Phillies come out flat in game one.  Win both 2 & 3, then suffer the let down in game 4 to send the series to a final fifth game.  In that game I think the Phillies will rise to the occasion and push themselves into the next round.  It won't be pretty, but it'll do.  No matter what happens, it's great to be back in the playoffs and great to watch October baseball again.



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Comments (9)Add Comment
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written by will.H, October 06, 2009
the only pitcher im worried about is jiminez. although we have wins against great pitchers this year--Haren, Santana, Lincecum, Wainwright, Burnett

it'll be a fun game, going to any
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written by philliephan, October 06, 2009
Good prognosticating mike. I think it might be good that the team was a little shaky at the end of the season. The worst thing they could do is take this team for granted. A little hunger is a good thing right now. I'm with you on 5 games, although I think Lee will win the opener. Let's hope so. Should be a rocking nite at the bank. Anyone going?
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written by will.H, October 06, 2009
ill be there thursday
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written by TeamToBeatMike, October 07, 2009
willy you lucky dog. i'd love to be there but my own baseball responsibilities are taking precedent.
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written by will.H, October 07, 2009
mike you play college ball?
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written by philliephan, October 07, 2009
Ok - so I'm the great prognosticator now! Lee wins big and the place was rocking! So great to rip off the first win and do it in such a great fashion, with everyone bashing the ball and Lee looking unhittable. And a complete game? Puts the bullpen concerns on the shelf - at least for a day - and keeps Charlie's options wide open. Lee didn't even look like he broke a sweat out there, for godsake he stole a base! Put the 'S' on his chest and be done with it. Look for Hamels to respond in a big way and match the outing with another big Phillies win.

There is one thing to whine about - the 2:30 start! What a slap in the face by the league to give the Phils two afternoon starts. Ah screw 'em. We'll win them both just to piss them off! Go Phils!
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written by TeamToBeatMike, October 08, 2009
yessir I do.

and Philliephan you dominated that prediction, well done.
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written by will.H, October 09, 2009
well if you play at upenn, you have a fantastic field. anyone ever come close to 76? (it'd have to be a bomb)

i coach a fairly new team at a college down the road
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written by TeamToBeatMike, October 13, 2009
what school do you coach at Will?

and actually yes, some guys have hit balls on 76. unreal i know but i've seen it multiple times.

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