What A Game !!!!

[fjabjr]

Originally Posted by MOJO

this went against both teams last night but was it me or did the plate ump have
the smallest strike zone possible last night..

Yes it was tight but it was, in my opinion, more accurate than any of the previous plate umps. The rest of the plate umps had very wide strike zones that hurt both teams. Really seemed to hurt Howard early on and he hasn't recovered since (not saying it's the umps' fault he's not hittin). He has been called out on a couple of very outside pitches. So, I liked last night's plate ump and would like to see him back there for games 6 and 7.

[fjabjr]

Originally Posted by Hamertoe

The Phil's need a sports psychologist or sumpthin' for Ryan Howard ASAP. Everyone else is picking up the slack so far but I find it hard to believe they can win it all unless he gets going like now.

Totally agree. I actually know a great sports psychologist (worked with the Spurs when they won their championships a few years ago), I'll see if he can give Howard a call. HaHa.

If Howard doesn't hit Weds. than I think the Yanks take game 6. I think that Girardi, if the situation allows, will pitch around Utley and Werth. If Howard gets off to a good start though, they will have to re-think that strategy. Also, I think Pedro can win this game but, the Yanks that were not hitting in games 1 & 2 seem to be coming around now so it could be trouble for my favorite team, the Phils.

But anything can happen, that's why they play the game.

Go Phillies

[derekd]

Man, what a great series! I guess we can offically call Utley Mr. November. Pedro in NY vs Pettite? Great set up. Couldn't ask for much better imo. Go Phils!

[Cowboy]

This has been a terrific Series. With no dawg in the fight, just liking baseball:
1. Home Plate Umps have been erratic.
2. Yankees are like freaking vampires. Just when you think they're dead - they keep coming back in the last reel!!!
3. Chase Utley and Cliff Lee must share WS MVP, no matter who wins;
4. If Howard doesn't get off that front foot on Wednesday, we'll see you here, same time, next year.

Cheers,
Cowboy

[coldfingaz]

I was there last night, and I'm completely drained today. I'm so glad there's an off day today because I need some rest. What a game. Chase Utley can't make up for the shortcomings of Howard, Lidge & Hamels throughout the course of 7 games. All of those guys can't continue to under perform against this Yankees team & expect to have a chance. Any victory that seems assured (like a solid 6- 1 lead did for a long time last night) is not safe vs. the Yanks lineup especially with the suspect pen the Phillies have. I cringed at the site of Chan Ho Park coming out to the mound last night, but it worked out this time. Charlie has managed this series pretty damn well overall, he's just been let down by some guys & others have really made up for those blunders to at least keep them in it this long. I'm not so sure about Girardi. I bet he is getting absolutely destroyed on NY sports radio today for even starting AJ in Philly last night.

Pedro vs. Pettitte... seems like old times.

[drod2045]

whats funny is that as girardi is up 3-2; more people are unsure of his choices than manuels... yet he is currently leading the series. The ultimate decision is the winner of the series of course, but I have been hearing this same thing since the ALCS

[coldfingaz]

Originally Posted by drod2045

whats funny is that as girardi is up 3-2; more people are unsure of his choices than manuels... yet he is currently leading the series. The ultimate decision is the winner of the series of course, but I have been hearing this same thing since the ALCS

The Yankees have more talent than the Phillies. That's carrying them so far. I didn't say Girardi was doing a bad job nor do I think Phillies fans feel this way in general, but I listen to the FAN daily & I know how the NY fans think & feel about him.

Philly is only still in this because of their massive heart, exemplified by Chase Utley & Cliff Lee. Charlie's also made some sound decisions, but they don't have nearly the number of weapons or stoppers that the Yankees have.

[drod2045]

Originally Posted by coldfingaz

The Yankees have more talent than the Phillies. That's carrying them so far. I didn't say Girardi was doing a bad job nor do I think Phillies fans feel this way in general, but I listen to the FAN daily & I know how the NY fans think & feel about him.

Philly is only still in this because of their massive heart, exemplified by Chase Utley & Cliff Lee. Charlie's also made some sound decisions, but they don't have nearly the number of weapons or stoppers that the Yankees have.

I didnt mean to make it sound like you were saying Girardi was doing bad. My bad. But since the ALCS - there has been a lot of critque for a lot of his choices. Overmanaging and undermanaging, wins and losses.

Philly has a ton of talent. When you look at both teams position by position, Phillies had the edge overall in the few publications i paid attention (AM Newspaper, ESPN, other smaller NY papers) and depending on the article, they still picked the Yanks to win despite it. Everytime Philly comes to bat, i feel like Im about to crap mis pantelones!!!! Felt the same way w/ the Angels too. Phills are just so deep 1-9

[MOJO]

guess we'll have to see if the DH really favors NY..the bottom half of the
yankeee batting order was pretty anemic in Philly..
the rest of the series should be good

..the way he's swinging the bat it's hard to believe Cano had over 200 hits this year?

maybe he should try bunting once in awhile

[coldfingaz]

Originally Posted by MOJO

guess we'll have to see if the DH really favors NY..the bottom half of the
yankeee batting order was pretty anemic in Philly..
the rest of the series should be good

..the way he's swinging the bat it's hard to believe Cano had over 200 hits this year?

maybe he should try bunting once in awhile

That's been one of the really strange, but interesting things about this series. Trust me, I totally understand too, I'm hearing all sorts of smart people now say the Yankees should walk Utley in order to pitch to Howard. Aside from A-Rod, Howard was the most dangerous RBI guy in the postseason a week ago.

[MOJO]

Originally Posted by coldfingaz

That's been one of the really strange, but interesting things about this series. Trust me, I totally understand too, I'm hearing all sorts of smart people now say the Yankees should walk Utley in order to pitch to Howard. Aside from A-Rod, Howard was the most dangerous RBI guy in the postseason a week ago.

True..funny how guys can slump like that in flash.. the yanks don't need
to walk Utley, just pitch him away which seems to be his weakest spot.. every one of his homers where right down the middle..he's going to crush you everytime..down and in or away

[drod2045]

I dont know about pitching away to utley as a fall back safe move. maybe high and tight, or low and away are your best chances with him...doesnt seem like he has a weak spot right now.

He stands so close to the plate that pitchers miss the inside pitch because they dont want to hit him, so it goes out over the middle of the plate. He has an incredible patience too - so he doesnt chase pitches out of the zone.

So I think if its way tight on the plate, youll jam him. But the problem is being able to get it there on him - thats the problem the angels had with Arod...couldnt jam him enough.

[MOJO]

Originally Posted by drod2045

I dont know about pitching away to utley as a fall back safe move. maybe high and tight, or low and away are your best chances with him...doesnt seem like he has a weak spot right now.

He stands so close to the plate that pitchers miss the inside pitch because they dont want to hit him, so it goes out over the middle of the plate. He has an incredible patience too - so he doesnt chase pitches out of the zone.

So I think if its way tight on the plate, youll jam him. But the problem is being able to get it there on him - thats the problem the angels had with Arod...couldnt jam him enough.

according to this he's a lot less dangerous away

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/playerH...egoryId=139827

no doubt he's absolutely smoking right now .. make him hit the ball the other way.. he may get hits but i don't think he'll
drive the ball... thats how i'd pitch him anyways

[Jimmydeez]

Originally Posted by drod2045

I dont know about pitching away to utley as a fall back safe move. maybe high and tight, or low and away are your best chances with him...doesnt seem like he has a weak spot right now.

He stands so close to the plate that pitchers miss the inside pitch because they dont want to hit him, so it goes out over the middle of the plate. He has an incredible patience too - so he doesnt chase pitches out of the zone.

So I think if its way tight on the plate, youll jam him. But the problem is being able to get it there on him - thats the problem the angels had with Arod...couldnt jam him enough.

Yeah thats the thing with utley... his hands are so quick... he dares you to throw inside and crushes the ball when you do. He also doesn't mind getting hit. He is a real tough guy to pitch to.

No disrespect to the three Hall of Famers on the Yanks but I think right now Utley is the best hitter on the field. If he keeps this pace of hitting he could be the best hitting 2nd basemen ever.

BTW Jeter is great. Sometimes I forget how good since I only really see the national league games. I hate to see him coming to the plate. He always seems to hit the ball.

[coldfingaz]

Originally Posted by Jimmydeez

Yeah thats the thing with utley... his hands are so quick... he dares you to throw inside and crushes the ball when you do. He also doesn't mind getting hit. He is a real tough guy to pitch to.

No disrespect to the three Hall of Famers on the Yanks but I think right now Utley is the best hitter on the field. If he keeps this pace of hitting he could be the best hitting 2nd basemen ever.

BTW Jeter is great. Sometimes I forget how good since I only really see the national league games. I hate to see him coming to the plate. He always seems to hit the ball.

No doubt about Jeter. I can only laugh at all of the ridiculous criticisms of the guy's fielding, etc. He's a gamer. He's played at an insanely high level since he entered the league. Came up with ice in his veins, and it's never thawed. Hands down, one of the very best players at his position of all-time. Utley is a very similar older school type of player, but he's obviously got a lot more power. The power is incredible to watch for a guy his size. He's definitely earned an entirely new level of respect after his performance in this World Series.