Preview NLCS Game 2: Phillies @ Dodgers

Video source: ESPN
Pedro Martinez makes first playoff start since 2004

The Phillies used just about every resource they had in the bullpen in game one to steal home field advantage from the Los Angeles Dodgers and the question is how much relief will they need in game two? A win in game two would set the Phillies up nicely for the upcoming home portion of the NLCS. The big story line in game two will certainly be focused on the Phillies starting pitcher for this afternoon, Pedro Martinez.

Martinez grabs headlines wherever he goes and this afternoon he will start in his first post season game since 2004, the year the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series title in over 80 years. Martinez was a key player on that team and he will hope to rekindle some of that magic . In his last playoff start Martinez pitched seven shut out innings against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2004 World Series while allowing just three hits and walked only two and struck out six.

But we all know that this is not exactly the same Martinez. He doesn't have as dominant stuff as he once had but he does bring a good mentality to the mound. He will not be intimidated or rattled by the high scoring Dodgers offense, including his former teammate Manny Ramirez. Martinez should be well rested as he was swapped out of a start in game three of the NLDS in favor of JA Happ in Colorado. In his career Martinez was 1-2 in six games (five starts) in the ALCS with a 4.72 ERA.

Looking to even the series for the Dodgers will be former Phillies pitcher Vicente Padilla. Padilla has pitched well since joining the Dodgers, including seven shut out innings in his game three start in the NLDS against the Cardinals. Padilla was 12-6 this season with a 4.46 ERA between his time with the Texas Rangers and Dodgers. Padilla pitched for the Phillies from 2000 to 2005. Now he must perform well in a must-win game against the team he has spent the most time with in his career.

The Phillies will want to pounce on Padilla early and take him off his game, unlike the Cardinals. Winning this game is not as urgent as it would have been had the Phillies lost last night, but it would put the Phillies in the driver's seat in the NLCS as the series returns to Philadelphia next week.

First pitch: 4:07 pm
TV: TBS

Pitching probables
Pedro Martinez (-, - ERA) vs. Vicente Padilla (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Phillies lead 1-0
Game # (location) - Date, time - preview/open thread/recap/video
Game 1 (Los Angeles) - W 8-6
Game 2 (Los Angeles) - October 16 4:07 pm
Game 3 (Philadelphia) - October 18 8:07 pm
Game 4 (Philadelphia) - October 19 8:07 pm
Game 5 (Philadelphia) - October 21* 8:07 pm
Game 6 (Los Angeles) - October 23* 8:07 pm
Game 7 (Los Angeles) - October 24* 8:07 pm

* if neccessary

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Phillies take Game One using Ruiz and Ibanez three run homers

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Preview NLCS Game 1: Phillies @ Dodgers

2008 NLCS MVP Cole Hamels returns to mound in opener

For the fifth time in baseball history the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers will play for the right to represent the National League in the World Series. Dating back to the 1970's the teams have split series victories with the Phillies coming away victorious last October en route to a World Series championship.

The Dodgers will enter the series with a bit of a chip on their collective shoulders. Last fall the Dodgers were eliminated from the post season on their own field as the Phillies clinched the National League pennant in Dodger Stadium. This year the Dodgers will have home field advantage in the NLCS and will need to take advantage of that before the series heads to Philadelphia for three games. To do that the Dodgers will need to get the most out of their starting pitching.

In game one Joe Torre's Dodgers will go with 21 year old Clayton Kershaw. During the regular season Kershaw went just 8-8 but his 2.79 ERA and 185 strike outs are nothing to sneeze at. Against the Phillies in his career Kershaw is just 0-3 in four starts with a 6.34 ERA. In his NLDS start against the St.Louis Cardinals Kershaw picked up a no-decision as the Dodgers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to win game two. Kershaw pitched 6.2 innings in that game and allowed two runs on nine hits. He struck out four and walked just one.

Taking the mound for the Phillies will be last year's NLCS MVP, Cole Hamels. After leaving the team to be with his wife and newborn son rather than make the trip to Colorado Hamels appears to be ready to take center stage back on the mound in Los Angeles. Against the Dodgers this season Hamels has pitched 16 innings, allowed just two runs (one earned) on 12 hits and struck out 14 batters. He went 1-0 with his lone decision coming in a complete game gem back in June. In his first start against the Dodgers Hamels was without any run support in a game that went to extra innings after Hamels did everything he could to win the low scoring game.

First pitch: 8:07 pm
TV: TBS

Pitching probables
Cole Hamels (0-1, 7.20 ERA) vs. Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 2.70 ERA)

Series tied 0-0
Game # (location) - Date, time or result
Game 1 (Los Angeles) - October 15 8:07 pm
Game 2 (Los Angeles) - October 16 4:07 pm
Game 3 (Philadelphia) - October 18 8:07 pm
Game 4 (Philadelphia) - October 19 8:07 pm
Game 5 (Philadelphia) - October 21* 8:07 pm
Game 6 (Los Angeles) - October 23* 8:07 pm
Game 7 (Los Angeles) - October 24* 8:07 pm

* if necessary

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Phillies win NLDS, set up NLCS rematch with Dodgers

NLDS Game Four: Phillies 5, Rockies 4 from Kevin McGuire on Vimeo.

Click the links above to check out all of my videos from this NLDS as well as past videos that could not be on YouTube for one reason or another.

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Phillies edge out Rockies on late night

And only one song could really sum up the game for me.

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Preview NLDS Game 3: Phillies @ Rockies

JA Happ makes his first playoff start

After being postponed yesterday due to snowy conditions the Phillies and Rockies will resume their first round series tonight. The series is tied at one game a piece after each team won a game in Philadelphia.

With the postponement of yesterday's scheduled game the pitching advantage may have swung more in the favor of the Phillies. The Rockies have struggled against left handed pitching and with the extra day the Phillies could delay any post season appearance by Pedro Martinez and throw a third straight lefty at the Rockies in game three.

JA Happ will make his first career start after leaving his game two relief appearance after just four pitches. After being struck on the leg by a line drive Happ was taken out and he says he is fine. That must be true because Charlie Manuel would not go with him if he had any doubts about Happ's status. Earlier this season Happ threw a four hit complete game against the Rockies, a 7-0 win for the Phillies.

The Rockies will look to take a 2-1 series advantage and preserve home field advantage by sending Jason Hammel to the mound as planned originally. Hammel is 1-0 against the Phillies in two career starts. His career 4.82 ERA against the Phillies is higher than his 2009 season ERA of 4.33 and his home 5.73 ERA is considerably higher than the rest of his 2009 season.

First pitch: 10:07 pm
TV: TBS

Pitching probables (post-season stats for Happ, regular season stats for Hammel)
JA Happ (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Jason Hammel (10-8, 4.33 ERA)

NLDS, Best of Five, Series tied 1-1
Game 1 (Philadelphia) - W 5-1
Game 2 (Philadelphia) - L 4-5
10.11 Game 3 (Colorado) - 10:07 pm
10.12 Game 4 (Colorado) - TBA
10.13 Game 5 (Philadelphia) - TBA*

* If necessary

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Rockies tie up NLDS

NLDS Game 2: Rockies 5, Phillies 4 from Kevin McGuire on Vimeo.

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Preview NLDS Game 2: Phillies vs. Rockies

Phillies look to take commanding 2-0 lead to Denver

If Cliff Lee set the tone in yesterday's complete game effort (view the video slide show here), then World Series MVP Cole Hamels has his work cut out for him. Hamels looks to continue the home success for the Phillies, who have now won eighth straight playoff games at Citizens Bank Park, and put the Phillies in control of the NLDS before flying to Denver for game three.

Hamels is coming off a mediocre start in his regular season finale but there are few pitchers who have shown the ability to perform in the spotlight like Hamels. This season Hamels has pitched well in games on the road against the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers (his best game of the season, and maybe career) and the Phillies came away winners in those games. Last postseason saw Hamels go 4-0, with a bizarre weather situation likely keeping him from going 5-0. Hamels is 4-1 with a 2.16 ERA in the postseason in his career, with the one loss coming in his debut against the Rockies in 2007. He has not given up more than three runs in any of his starts.

Looking to get the Rockies even in the series before heading back home will be Aaron Cook. Cook earned a win in his last start against Milwaukee but that was his first win since July. In his previous start against the Phillies, in Philadelphia, Cook took a loss but received no run support. Unfortunately for Cook, Cliff Lee was making his Citizens Bank Park debut for the Phillies in that same game as the Phillies won 3-1.

Yesterday saw the Phillies offense receive contributions from everyone in the lineup. What will game two have in store? Should the Phillies come away victorious the series will shift to Colorado's Coors Field with the defending World Series champions needing just one win to move to the NLCS. A win for Colorado is crucial. Game one winners in NLDS history are 25-3.

First pitch: 2:37 pm
TV: TBS

Pitching probables (regular season stats)
Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.32 ERA) vs. Aaron Cook (11-6, 4.16 ERA)

NLDS, Best of Five, Phillies lead 1-0
10.07 Game 1 (Philadelphia) - W 5-1
10.08 Game 2 (Philadelphia) - 2:37 pm
10.10 Game 3 (Colorado) - 9:37 pm
10.11 Game 4 (Colorado) - TBA*
10.13 Game 5 (Philadelphia) - TBA*

* If necessary

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Phillies rock the Rockies in game one

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Preview NLDS Game 1: Phillies vs. Rockies

When the past two National League champions take the field today at Citizens Bank Park the wild card Colorado Rockies and defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies will officially open baseball's 2009 edition of the post season.

The Phillies won the regular season series between the two clubs but none of that will matter starting this afternoon. Taking the mound for the Phillies, who look to jump out to a good start at home, will be former American League Cy Young award winning pitcher Cliff Lee. Manager Charlie Manuel opted to go with Lee in game one and last year's NLCS and World Series MVP Cole Hamels in game two.

After a brilliant start with the Phillies after a mid-season blockbuster trade Lee showed some signs of weakness down the stretch. In his lone appearance against the Rockies this year Lee pitched seven innings without allowing an earned run. Colorado did score one run on the ace pitcher but an error lead to the run being scored as an unearned tally.

Lee will be making his first start in the post-season so pay attention to how he responds to the pressure in front of a raucous home crowd. The Phillies won each game in front of their home fans last season and it will be interesting to see if Lee can feed off of what will surely be an anxious crowd Wednesday afternoon.

Pitching for the Rockies will be Ubaldo Jiménez. Jiménez has a career record of 0-1 against the Phillies in two career starts and a 8.10 ERA against them. In 18 starts away from Coors Field Jiménez is 7-7 this season with a 3.58 ERA.

Manuel has yet to commit to a single closer so if the Phillies are in a save situation it will be worth watching what Manuel decides on. Ryan Madson had taken on the closer role at the end of the season, but some suggest the move to bring Brad Lidge into the NL East clinching game with two outs was a symbolic gesture that Lidge is still the go-to guy. Manuel may be wise to go with a bullpen by committee mentality though.

First pitch: 2:37 pm
TV: TBS

Pitching probables (regular season stats)
Cliff Lee (14-13, 3.22 ERA) vs. Ubaldo Jimenez (15-12, 3.47 ERA)

NLDS, Best of Five
10.07 Game 1 (Philadelphia) - 2:37 pm
10.08 Game 2 (Philadelphia) - 2:37 pm
10.10 Game 3 (Colorado) - 9:37 pm
10.11 Game 4 (Colorado) - TBA*
10.13 Game 5 (Philadelphia) - TBA*

* If necessary

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Win it for Harry

Last year the Phillies won the World Series, giving me my first real championship in my lifetime (I do not have a memory of Penn State's national championships and the Sixers won it all when I was just one and a half years old). Sure, the Soul won (that was cool) but the Phillies was s much more special to me.

I want to do this all again one more time...




I'll be sure to offer my recap of each game of the post season here just like last year. Buckle up. It could be a bumpy ride. I am already on record saying the Phillies will win in four games, and I will stick with that. As for defending their World Series title, I am not prepared to commit to that quite yet.

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NLDS Prediction

Just to be officially on the record, Phillies in four against Colorado.

A match-up of the past two National League champions. Not exactly a revenge situation though so enough of that talk.

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This is a brilliant video, except for the stupid text messages.

HT: The 700 Level

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Wrapping Up with The Launching Pad

"My prediction is Phillies over Rays in the World Series for this year in not so classic fashion."
- Me, on The Launching Pad on October 9, 2008

That winning prediction won me a $50 gift card to Distant Replays. As you know I was performing the role of guest blogger at The Launching Pad during the Phillies' playoff run. Imagine my guilt free pleasure of blogging about my Phillies en route to a World Series championship on an Atlanta Braves blog. All kidding aside it was fun and I thank JB for the opportunity. I truly feel my blog benefited from the guest posts on his site and I hope to continue the working relationship in the future.

As the season is now over I left one final post to sum up the emotions of a world championship season. It went up today. Be sure to check it out by clicking here.

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2008 World Series Highlight Video

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Phillies World Championship Parade

On the final day of October the city of Philadelphia held the largest Halloween parade known to man. The Philadelphia Phillies were honored by the city and thanks by over two million fans for winning the 2008 World Series, the franchise's second World Series title and the first major championship in the city since the 1983 76ers brought home the NBA title. Sure, the Philadelphia Soul had a small parade and rally of their own back in the summer but there was no comparing that celebration with the one for the Phillies.

Stef and I heeded to the advice of the city and took public transportation down to Broad and Pattison. While we faced no problems getting down, getting home was quite the opposite. But the story of the day was the Phillies as we put the final pieces of the 2008 story line on the table and watched our champions in th best parade ever. I was also able to share the memory wih my good friend Mike. Mike and I became friends during the end of the 1993 baseball season and bonded through the NL champion Phillies of Dykstra, Kruk and Daulton. Having shared many abysmal Philadelphia sports memories together as well as a number of other sporting events in the stands together this parade was what we had been waiting for, well, forever!

Below is a slideshow of the photos we both took during the parade (by me) and during the brief ceremony held in Lincoln Financial Field (by Stef) before we headed home and the ceremony switched to Citizens Bank Park.

I am having trouble transferring the video we took to the computer but will share that with you as soon as possible. You can see all of the photos from the day by clicking here.

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Mayor Nutter Quaotable

"You can be joyous. You can't be a jackass."

That goes to you trouble making Phillies fans! Mayor Nutter is mad as Hell! Better Recognize! That statement was made at the press conference at Citizens Bank Park today in which all of the details for the championship parade were laid out. He was warning fans to have fun but do not be stupid. Last night the city arrested 76 people. Honestly speaking, in a celebration that must have had over a million people in the streets last night I think that is pretty good.

Tomorrow, a parade twenty-five years in the making. I'll be there. Will you?

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YES US CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008 PHILLIES WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!

Where to start?

No joke. I have just tried typing out an appropriate sentence six different times, six different ways and had to delete every one because I do not feel it does justice to the sheer pride I am filled with right now in my baseball team. Overcoming some odds and defying the naysayers, the Phillies have won the World Series!

The Phillies. Seriously. The Philadelphia Phillies have won the World Championship! THE PHILLIES ARE WORLD CHAMPS!

When game five was suspended in the middle of the sixth inning Monday night there were many Phillies supporters who grew a little nervous. With the Phillies leading the World Series 3-1, all eyes were on clinching as soon as possible and not having to return to Tampa for any more games until spring training. What if the Rays had won last night? What if the Phillies then lost game six? Who would pitch game seven? The beauty now is that all of those fears and questions are long forgotten. None of it matters.

Resuming game five where we last left off the Phillies stepped to the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ace Cole Hamels was due up but naturally he was out of the game for good. Pinch hitting for Hamels was Geoff Jenkins. All post season the Phillies' bench players and unsung heroes have stepped up in big situations. Carlos Ruiz, Matt Stairs, Eric Bruntlett, Joe Blanton, and now Geoff Jenkins. Jenkins got everything jumping when he hit a double into the gap in right field. Watching the excitement and happiness on Jenkins' face was priceless. Jimmy Rollins then put down the sacrifice bunt to move Jenkins to third. If not for last night's shortened game situation Rollins would probably be swinging. Jenkins then scored when Werth hit a bloop single that was just missed by Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura. Perhaps the Baseball Gods were watching over us last night.


Ryan Madson took the mound in relief of Hamels and started off well, getting the first out with a strike out, but Rocco Baldelli momentarily silenced the frenzied crowd with a home run to left field. No worries. J.C. Romero came in to finish off the inning after Madson recorded the second out. Then the play of the game happened.

With Jason Bartlett at second base after a sacrifice bunt Iwamura stepped to the plate. Iwamura got a good hit off of Romero and Chase Utley saved it from going in to the outfield, scoring a sure run. Utley faked a throw to first base, where he had no play, and Bartlett took the bait. Utley then threw home to Ruiz who made an easy tag out to save the potential go-ahead run and end the inning tied at four.

At the bottom of the seventh inning Pat Burrell got his final at-bat of the post season, and possibly his last as a Phillies player. Burrell did not have a very memorable World Series at the plate, but in his final at bat he recorded his first hit. A lead-off double that was just short of a home run to the deepest area of the park. Eric Bruntlett came in to pinch run for Burrell and take over duties in left field in the late innings. Shane Victorino grounded out in the next at bat but was able to move Bruntlett to third base. Pedro Feliz then stepped up and had the hit of the night. Feliz hit a grounder up the middle and in to center field, scoring Bruntlett. From there it was business as usual.

Romero pitched a great eighth inning. Carl Crawford started with a single but B.J. Upton grounded into a double play. Carlos Pena then lined out to left field. The Phillies didn't do anything in the bottom of the eighth but the damage was already done. Up 4-3 the Phillies were about to bring in the best closer in baseball in 2008. Brad "Lights Out" Lidge. This one is for Philadelphia.

Evan Longoria popped to second.

Dioner Navarro singled to right. Fernando Perez came in to pinch run and stole second base. A base hit ties the game.

Ben Zobrist lines out to right field, filing to advance the runner.

Then, this...

Fittingly enough Lidge finished the job with a perfect strike out.


Cole Hamels is your World Series MVP, Jamie Moyer stole the rubber from the mound, and Harry Kalas finally got to call a World Series clinching moment. The Philadelphia Phillies are the World Champions!!!

I will have much more on this for a week I am sure because it is just sinking in that I have witnessed a world championship.



As Shane Victorino says on his blog today, "I guess the curse is gone. William Penn is happy, now."

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One Last Post

Now that I have spread the love to Penn State and Matt Schaub, the time has come to re-focus my energy on the Phillies. This will be my last post of the day.

Tonight could be a night to remember for the rest of my life. My favorite baseball team is close to winning a World Series. Game five will resume tonight at 8:37pm, picking up where we last left off, at the start of the bottom of the sixth inning. Cole Hamels is due up but will be taken out of the game in place of a pinch hitter. I don't know who will pitch for the Phillies in the top of the seventh, but if they can score a run or two in the bottom of the sixth then I would expect to see J.C. Romero or Ryan Madson or a combination of the two.


I feel cautiously optimistic about tonight. I do believe the Phillies will come out hitting and retake control of the game. Any momentum Tampa Bay may have picked up as the game was suspended was halted at the same time. The Phillies bullpen has performed better than the Rays bullpen in this World Series. The Phillies have yet to lose a playoff game at home this year. They want to finish it off at home in front of their fans.

Let's do it tonight guys. Get the pots and pans ready. Leave the cowbell at the door. Maybe I'll break out the trombone.

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sNOw Game Tonight!

Howard Eskin is reporting that game five of the World Series will be pushed back to tomorrow night. No game tonight folks! Instead, catch up on your DVR's!


But hey, at least we get free tacos today, right?

UPDATE: Here is the press release from Major League Baseball; [link]

PHILADELPHIA - Game Five of the 2008 World Series will not resume tonight due to inclement weather. Game Five is now tentatively scheduled to resume on Wednesday evening at 8:37 p.m. (ET), weather permitting. Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig said: "While obviously we want to finish Game Five as soon as possible, the forecast for today does not allow for us to continue the game this evening. We are closely monitoring tomorrow's forecast and will continue to monitor the weather on an hourly basis. We will advise fans as soon as we are able to make any final decisions with respect to tomorrow's schedule."

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