Three to go, as the Phillies took Game 1, 3-2. I was getting nervous with all the runners the Phils were stranding, but the pitching from Hamels, Madson, and Lidge was phenomenal, as was the defense with a couple of key double plays. Utley's two-run blast set the tone, and Hamels did the rest. After a slow start, Utley is putting together one hell of a postseason.
They can't keep getting away with stranding all those runners, though. One thing I would change is the DH. Coste has really slumped in the second half of the season. I would go with Dobbs, Jenkins, or Stairs. And even though he got a couple of hits, I still disagree with Werth hitting in the 2-hole instead of Victorino.
Anyway, the first game in any series is huge and the Phillies found a way to win. Here's hoping Myers pitches well tonight and the Phils' big bats wake up.
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3 comments:
The Phils should really shake up that lineup:
Victorino
Feliz (puts the bat on the ball)
Rollins
Utley
Howard
Werth
Burrell
Ruiz
This at least leaves a L-R thing going and removes two batters in a row who are prone to strikeouts.
And for God's sake guys...how about bunting when runners are on base???? What is the worst that could happen? An out? The Phils are already quite proficient at that. Let's try for some useful outs, at least.
Manuel would never be that bold. To him, just flipping Victorino and Werth is a radical move. I agree with Victorino as the leadoff, but I don't like Feliz in the 2-hole. I'd go:
Victorino
Rollins
Utley
Burrell
Howard
Werth
Feliz
Ruiz
You still have a good left-right thing going here and your two switch-hitting base stealers are at the top of the order.
The problem with bunting is that none of them are any good at it except Rollins and Victorino. It's a lost art in major league baseball, especially on this team. We're lucky if we can even get them to occasionally hit the ball to the right side of the field to move runners over.
The main reason I'd have Feliz at the top of the order is that I have always disliked the idea of putting all of your weaker hitters at the bottom of the lineup. Why do this? Theoretically, you are setting yourself up for a slow turnaround of the order. If you put a decent bat down there, you could possibly take advantage of hits from unexpected batters.
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