Brett Myers set the tone for the Phils starters going eight-strong on Friday night. (ESPN.com)
The Phils wrapped up a 2-1 Bronx weekend yesterday knocking off the Yanks in 11 despite Brad Lidge blowing his second save in as many days. Don’t get too distracted by Lidge’s continuing struggles though, because the real story of the past three days was the Phillies oft-criticized (particularly by me) starting pitching.
Brett Myers, J.A. Happ, and Cole Hamels combined to pitch 20 innings, giving up just 20 hits, 7 ER, and striking out 14 batters without allowing a walk. Factor in that they were facing a team that had won nine games in a row prior to the start of the series and you have yourself one hell of an impressive weekend.
That being said the next two days will be important for the rotation…today Jamie Moyer takes the hill and Tuesday will be Joe Blanton’s turn. Both of them have had their share of ups and downs so far, but if they can turn it around the Phils could possibly have the strongest rotation in the division. Who would have thought we’d be saying that two or three weeks ago?!?
The bullpen for the most part did their job too. Ryan Madson pitched 2 2/3 late scoreless innings, and Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, and Clay Condrey (who picked up win number four today) all did their job and kept the Yanks off the scoreboard. The only weak link in that area was Lidge, and something tells me that the guy just isn’t at 100% right now. The blown save on Saturday was much more egregious than the one today, but for someone who was perfect last season his performance has been very “un-lights out-like” of late. Here’s hoping its a small mechanics problem and not something more serious.
I have to say was surprised to see Charlie Manuel go to Brad in the bottom of the ninth after that debacle yesterday; waiting till the Phils came back home and giving Lidge a few days off to regroup may have been a better idea.
One Final Jab…
…At the Yankers. Look, I understand the franchise has won its share of titles and has had its share of superstars, but the New York Yankees are irrelevant in Major League Baseball today. Their policy of buying players (and Championships) is both pitiful and prehistoric, and they are being surpassed by teams who are infinitely smarter with significantly less money to work with. To add insult to injury the Yankees arrogant front office is now paying the PR consequences for over-pricing lower level seats in the new Yankee Stadium; nothing like watching a game on TV and seeing most of the first row completely empty.
The Yankees always were the Evil Empire, the only difference between ten years ago and today is the fear they’d strike in their opponents is gone. They’re the Empire post-Emperor Palpatine (George Steinbrunner) and Darth Vader (Joe Torre). You don’t go into Yankee Stadium expecting to lose anymore, and the A-Roid/Clemens/Giambi/Pettitte situations have left the organization and its fans with a collective black eye. The Yankees downfall has been good for baseball too considering after all those years of purchased titles other teams finally getting in on the action.
And for those of you keeping track (and not living in the past) the Phillies have just as many Championships as the Yankees this decade. That concludes me giving all of you Yanker bandwagoners **errrr** fans the middle finger, and have fun missing the playoffs…again.
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