Sunday, September 24, 2006
This is Exciting
To say that this week will be one of many ups and downs is an understatement. It started today. The Phillies entered with the wild card lead. Today started poorly with Jamie Moyer giving up four runs in the first inning. I was in disbelief. The Phillies had fought so hard to get the wild card lead, I was afraid they would give it up without a fight. Oh how wrong I was. The third inning rolled around and started innocently enough with a hit by Abe Nunez and a sac bunt by Jamie Moyer and then the excitement game. Jimmy Rollins hit a two run home run, his 24th of the season. Chase Utley followed that up with a two run homer of his own, his first of two on the day, bringing his season total to 31. After back to back hits by Jeff Conine and Pat Burrell, Chris Coste had a very good at bat and drove Scott Olsen's pitch into the seats in left field. By this point I was almost crying, I was so happy. Now the Phillies had a three run advantage and were in line for the sweep. About that time though, I needed to leave for baseball practice so I missed the rest of the game. Needless to say when I got home and read the game summary of the Phillies winning, I was thrilled.
This season feels different then past seasons. I have confidence. Last year, the season came down to the final day, but I had no confidence the Phillies could make the playoffs. This year I do. Today is a great example of why. Down by four runs the Phillies never gave up or thought they were out it. They battled to score seven in the third inning and take the lead for good. They completed a sweep of the Florida Marlins, who have ended previous Phillies' seasons with sweeps and now the Phillies ended the Marlins' season with a sweep. There is a confidence on this club. From the likes of youngsters Rollins, Howard, Utley, and Hamels to veterans Lieby, Lieber, Conine, and Moyer this team demonstates determination and the confidence to finish the job this year.
No one can overlook the contributions of Jeff Conine. He has brought a veteran presence to the clubhouse and has fit in well. He is batting .316 with the Phillies mostly out of the five hole behind Ryan Howard. He has also driven in 16 runs since his acquisition which shows that he has made other teams pay for walking Ryan Howard. This is critical down the stretch an in October baseball. Jeff Conine deserves to be an everyday player for the Phillies with his hot bat and David Delluci and Pat Burrell should platoon. Pat Gillick deserves applause for the acquistions of Conine and Jamie Moyer, who had a rough start today but did enough to get the win.
Seven games to go. The Houston Astros fly in tomorrow after a late game tonight agains the St. Louis Cardinals. The Astros are going for the sweep tonight sending Roger Clemens to the mound on three days rest. After tomorrow the Phillies take to the road for the last six games of the year. There is three in Washington and three in South Florida. The Phillies retained their half game wild card lead after the Padres and Dodgers both won their respective games today. The Los Angeles Dodgers have tomorrow off then travel to Colorado and to San Francisco. The San Diego Padres travel to St. Louis then finish up in Arizona. All three contenders finish up on the road.
For the Florida Marlins Series
Tip of the Cap- Chase Utley for finding his stroke this series. He went 10-14 with 2 HR, 7 runs, and 6 RBIs. Utley has found his stroke at a great time and helped carry the offense during this season.
Wag of the Finger- Charlie Manuel for using Tom Gordon in Saturday's game with a four run lead. Gordon gave up two solo home runs. Manuel had other options but decided to use the the pitcher who recently had shoulder problems for the second night in a row with a four run lead. Another thing to factor in is that the Phillies do not have a day off the rest of the year. I have found myself liking Manuel much more this year, but this decision was not defendable. Just a bad decision.
Tomorrow's Game- The Houston Astros fly into town for one game. It is the final regular season home game of the year. The Astros send Matt Albers to the mound and the Phillies counter with Randy Wolf. Since the Dodgers have the day off the Phillies will either have a one game lead in the wild card race or end the day tied with the Dodgers in the race. Game time is set for 7:05. Lets go Phillies.
This season feels different then past seasons. I have confidence. Last year, the season came down to the final day, but I had no confidence the Phillies could make the playoffs. This year I do. Today is a great example of why. Down by four runs the Phillies never gave up or thought they were out it. They battled to score seven in the third inning and take the lead for good. They completed a sweep of the Florida Marlins, who have ended previous Phillies' seasons with sweeps and now the Phillies ended the Marlins' season with a sweep. There is a confidence on this club. From the likes of youngsters Rollins, Howard, Utley, and Hamels to veterans Lieby, Lieber, Conine, and Moyer this team demonstates determination and the confidence to finish the job this year.
No one can overlook the contributions of Jeff Conine. He has brought a veteran presence to the clubhouse and has fit in well. He is batting .316 with the Phillies mostly out of the five hole behind Ryan Howard. He has also driven in 16 runs since his acquisition which shows that he has made other teams pay for walking Ryan Howard. This is critical down the stretch an in October baseball. Jeff Conine deserves to be an everyday player for the Phillies with his hot bat and David Delluci and Pat Burrell should platoon. Pat Gillick deserves applause for the acquistions of Conine and Jamie Moyer, who had a rough start today but did enough to get the win.
Seven games to go. The Houston Astros fly in tomorrow after a late game tonight agains the St. Louis Cardinals. The Astros are going for the sweep tonight sending Roger Clemens to the mound on three days rest. After tomorrow the Phillies take to the road for the last six games of the year. There is three in Washington and three in South Florida. The Phillies retained their half game wild card lead after the Padres and Dodgers both won their respective games today. The Los Angeles Dodgers have tomorrow off then travel to Colorado and to San Francisco. The San Diego Padres travel to St. Louis then finish up in Arizona. All three contenders finish up on the road.
For the Florida Marlins Series
Tip of the Cap- Chase Utley for finding his stroke this series. He went 10-14 with 2 HR, 7 runs, and 6 RBIs. Utley has found his stroke at a great time and helped carry the offense during this season.
Wag of the Finger- Charlie Manuel for using Tom Gordon in Saturday's game with a four run lead. Gordon gave up two solo home runs. Manuel had other options but decided to use the the pitcher who recently had shoulder problems for the second night in a row with a four run lead. Another thing to factor in is that the Phillies do not have a day off the rest of the year. I have found myself liking Manuel much more this year, but this decision was not defendable. Just a bad decision.
Tomorrow's Game- The Houston Astros fly into town for one game. It is the final regular season home game of the year. The Astros send Matt Albers to the mound and the Phillies counter with Randy Wolf. Since the Dodgers have the day off the Phillies will either have a one game lead in the wild card race or end the day tied with the Dodgers in the race. Game time is set for 7:05. Lets go Phillies.
