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Mother Nature decided Phillies fans will have wait for a chance to celebrate their first World Series title since 1980 as rain led to the suspension of Game 5

Update:  Game 5, Part 2 has been pushed back to Wednesday.  It will pick up in the bottom of the sixth inning, tied at 2-2.



It looked like the Phillies were on the way to popping those champagne corks when Shane Victorino delivered a two-run single in the first inning off Scott Kazmir.  Amazingly, that's all Philly would get off the Tampa lefty despite giving up four hits and six hits (not to mention a hit batsmen) in four-plus innings.  The Rays scratched back with a run when Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena ended a combined 0-for-31 slump in the series with a double and single off Cole Hamels.  In the sixth, the Rays managed to tie it when B.J. Upton reached on an infield single to short, stole second and scampered home on Pena's single despite the wet grass and muddy infield.

It's a good thing no one was hurt after this debacle and it's a good thing the score wasn't 6-1 or something like that because that would be an awful way to end the World Series.  It'll be interesting to see who Tampa will put on the mound when this game resumes.  Will it be Grant Balfour, who bailed out Kazmir in the fifth when he allowed the first two runners to get aboard with nobody out?  Will it be David Price, who is well rested now after not having pitched since closing out Game 2?   Also, who will pinch hit for Hamels as it will be the 9-1-2 spots coming up in the sixth for the Phillies?  Could it be NLCS Game 4 hero and all around good Canadian boy Matt Stairs?

These questions and more to be answered in Game 5, The Sequel (sometime before spring training hopefully!) with the first pitch set for around 8:30 p.m., weather permitting!  I hope this sequel is more like Mission Impossible 2 and not Major League 3 or Slap Shot 2.

 

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92-93 - Tuesday, October 28 2008 @ 12:36 PM EDT (#193611) #
Maddon has said that he's going to keep Balfour in the game when it resumes, with Hamels' spot coming up. I think the smart idea would be to warm up Balfour (who can't pitch in the game anyway unless he starts it) and then switch to David Price once Manuel uses one of his LHB to PH. Price threw 42 pitches on Thursday, so he's on full rest after not having thrown much. Send him out there, and see if the kid can go 4 innings and win another game for you.
Mick Doherty - Tuesday, October 28 2008 @ 01:03 PM EDT (#193612) #
There was a Slap Shot 2 - really?
Wildrose - Tuesday, October 28 2008 @ 01:18 PM EDT (#193613) #
I'd keep Balfour in the game, for the most part he's been dominant this year ( although I think it's fair to say he does have a bit of an odd combustible personality as per the run in with Orlando Cabrerra) , and has no significant splits ( in fact he does better against lefties), I'd hate to burn your best relief pitcher without getting any use out of him. I like Price, but the pitcher slot is up fourth in the next inning for Tampa and if you get something going you may want to pinch hit in that spot.

I think both bull pens have to be ready at all times if things start to slide. Tampa especially needs all hands on deck and to be quick with  pitching changes if required. I'm not sure I'd let Howard face a righty if runners are in scoring position ( he has huge splits). Should be fun, although the weather does not look to be cooperating.

vw_fan17 - Tuesday, October 28 2008 @ 02:33 PM EDT (#193614) #
There was a Slap Shot 2 - really?

Yup. Saw it about 4-5 years ago. Obviously not as good as the original (as the context indicated). But, if you REALLY liked the first one, I didn't think it was Waterworld bad or anything. Of course, that's just my opinion, and it rarely reflects the majority.. IMDB gives the original 7.2/10, and SS2 4.4/10.
Mike Green - Tuesday, October 28 2008 @ 03:49 PM EDT (#193615) #
With Utley and Howard around, you'd figure that the Phils were more dangerous against RHP, but they actually hit better and particularly with more power against lefties.  Werth and Burrell have very large platoon splits and Victorino hits much better from the right side. I'd make sure that I had at least one of Price and Howell available as a "twogy" for Utley and Howard late.  You might use Balfour through Werth; come on with Price for Utley/Howard round 1, replace Price with Wheeler and then have Howell available for Utley/Howard round 2.  With all the days off, you can be much more aggressive with your relievers.  The only difficulty from a managerial decision-making standpoint is that I am not sure whether I would want David Price or Dan Wheeler facing Pat Burrell; balancing platoon advantages/talent/experience is a tough one. 
Mike Green - Tuesday, October 28 2008 @ 03:51 PM EDT (#193616) #
Hmm, isn't this a You Be the Manager question?
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