Saturday, October 11, 2008

Dare We Dream?

Dare we dream?

One day after writing the Phillies live and die by the long ball, they scored eight runs on a succession of singles and doubles in beating the Dodgers 8-5 to take a two games to none lead in the NLCS.

A look beneath the totals reveals a team that still can hardly be called proponents of small ball, especially with Might Brett Myers at the bat. Myers collected three singles in the game, ran the bases like a runaway Mack Truck and was caught on camera several times mocking his own achievements. Dodgers' starter Chad Billingsley was the goat, failing not once but three times to put away his opposite number who describes himself as one of the worst hitters in baseball. Shane Victorino and Carlos Ruiz contributed big hits as well, but Myers was really the difference maker. Combined with his now legendary AB against CC Sebathia, don't be surprised if Cooperstown calls the big righthander for his bat.

It's a good thing Myers brought his bat with him yesterday because he sure didn't bring much of an arm. He barely made it through the five innings required to get the win, walking four, giving up six hits and five earned runs. His outing featured a pitch two feet to the right of Manny Ramirez and another right down Broadway that the Dodgers' leftfielder smoked for a three-run homer making the game 8-5.

After Myers departed a succession of Phils' relievers were brilliant. They were helped by a superb leaping catch by Victorino in deep left centerfield off the bat of Casey Blake. The Dodgers carped plenty following Thursday's home runs by Chase Utley and Pat Burrell but it is clear they still haven't figured out how to pull the ball at the Bank.

The series moves to LA for game three with Jamie Moyers, aka 45-year old Jamie Moyer, getting the start. It would be sweet to see the ancient one stifle the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine.

Dare we dream?

No comments: