It’s Game 2 of the NLCS all over again: a mediocre pitcher stumps the Phillies’ bats, and some late inning rallies are thwarted by blown calls, a general inability to hit in clutch situations, and an inconsistent strike zone. Unfortunately for Pedro Martinez he also hasn’t been backed by anything resembling run support in either of his two postseason losses.
All the above points could be enough to ruin a Thursday night for a loyal Philly fan, but we should still feel pretty darn good about the team’s chances with the series heading back to Philadelphia.
First things first, the Yankees have looked horrible through Games 1 and 2. Tex and Jeter are the only guys in pinstripes swinging the bat well, A-Fraud has yet to make his appearance in this World Series, the Yankees bullpen looks ten times worse than the Phils’, and AJ Burnett could not pitch that well again if his life depended on it. The Yankees won Game 2 because the Phillies failed to capitalize on several opportunities with runners in scoring position, and it came back to haunt them. Just like Game 2 in Los Angeles (and Game 2 in Tampa back in ‘08), the Phillies let the opponent escape when they had a perfect chance to go for the early knockout in a hostile environment.
Tough losses are nothing new for this team in the ‘09 playoffs. That 5-4 loss to the Rockies in Game 2 of the NLDS was almost as brutal to watch as the 2-1 loss to the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS. We were left shaking our heads after both games and wondering if this team really has what it takes to repeat. How did they answer? By not losing another game in either series.
Time will tell if they can sweep the Yankees at Citizen’s Bank Park and it will be anything but easy, but if there was ever a team that could do it, it’s the 2008 World F**kin’ Champs. A year ago today the Phils won the World Series, and they are in a fine position to do it again.
Image courtesy of ESPN.
Loading ...