Washington Bailout: Nationals at Phillies, 9/26/08
by WholeCamels on Sep 26, 2008 7:00 PM EDT
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PrintWashington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies, Sep 26, 2008 7:05 PM EDT
The Phillies magic number to clinch a postseason berth on Monday night was 3.
It's still 3.
After dropping 2 of 3 to the Atlanta Braves earlier this week, and seeing the Wild Card rival Brewers sweep a hapless Pirates squad, the Phillies enter this last weekend needing to win 2 of 3 to guarantee at worst a one-game play-in for the postseason.
And tonight, the fate of the team rests on the meaty shoulders of Joe Blanton. Rookie Collin Balester goes for the Nationals.
The Phillies absolutely cannot take these games for granted. And neither can we. This is a Nationals team sitting on 99 losses... do you really think they want to lose #100 this weekend? Me neither. They've got nothing to lose, and they'll be dangerous.
The weather, looking ominous for the last couple of days, appears decent enough to get a game in tonight.
MEANWHILE, the Mets welcome the Marlins for the final (regular season?) games at Shea Stadium. The Mets get a slight edge in the pitching matchup, with Mike Pelfrey taking on Chris Volstad, but as we saw last year, nothing would make the Marlins happier than to knock the Mets out of the playoff race. Anticipate three hard-fought games.
The Brewers welcome the Cubs to Miller Park for their last three. Hopefully the Cubs won't put their J.V. team on the field tonight (yes, Lou Piniella was well within his rights to do so and in a similar situation Charlie would've done the same thing, but that doesn't mean I have to LIKE IT). Ryan Dempster goes for the Cubs against Jeff Suppan. Expect a short leash for Dempster, the announced Game One NLDS starter; hopefully the Cubs can tattoo Suppan for a buncha runs early and the Cubs 'pen will hold on.
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That shit is inexcusable. We can’t keep scoring and then turning around and giving ground right back. It’s like this rotation is completely incapable of getting 3 easy outs after scoring. Nothing pisses me off more.
I hate giving up runs to a batter with a batting average of .077. What was that, his second hit ever?
by phillyinportland on Sep 26, 2008 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Question – is the game being played in rain or is it going to rain?
by phillyinportland on Sep 26, 2008 7:35 PM EDT reply actions
That’s great to hear. My son lives in West Philly and he’s at the game tonight.
by phillyinportland on Sep 26, 2008 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Man, fantastic at-bats tonight… really the exact opposite of how I worried they’d come out.
And Howard is on fire. I might have to rethink this whole MVP question.
Nice power to left by Howard. Except for Thome I can’t think of any other lefty power hitter who does that so well.
by phillyinportland on Sep 26, 2008 7:48 PM EDT reply actions
you’re beating me to all the mets updates….so I’m going to stop paying as close attention to that game and let you fill me in from here on out.
I’ve often wondered whether turning the lineup over makes that much of a difference compared to letting the pitcher have a few minutes to rest before taking the mound again. Assuming Blanton makes an out in the fourth he would have a chance to sit while the top of the lineup bats before taking the mound for the fifth. Might be a better deal for the big guy than having to go straight to the mound after batting.
by phillyinportland on Sep 26, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
So much for my theory of a better inning with more rest for Blanton!
by phillyinportland on Sep 26, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Pelfrey’s pitch count is mounting up there. Wouldn’t mind seeing that Mets bullpen with a lot of time logged this evening.
Cubs Lineup Tonight
Apparently – they care about beating the Brewers. I guess they want to face the Mets…
A. Soriano lf
M. Fontenot 2b
D. Lee 1b
M. Hoffpauir rf
G. Soto c
J. Edmonds cf
R. Theriot ss
R. Dempster p
I can’t believe this game is even 7-3. Blanton is really that bad. Sure, Howard didn’t help him, but he is giving up hits to a AA team.
howard is the epitome of david bell in the field.
Thankfully, he’s a little better than Howard at the dish.
Three hits to the Little Leaguers but Guzman is a quality player.
by phillyinportland on Sep 26, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions
C’mon Dobbs – pretend you’re pinch-hitting!
by phillyinportland on Sep 26, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions
You have got to be kidding me! What do they need to replay?
by phillyinportland on Sep 26, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions
Sometimes you just have to wonder about Victorino’ s patience. Not much on working a walk, I imagine.
by phillyinportland on Sep 26, 2008 9:15 PM EDT reply actions
Those last two runs – NY and Philly – were really nice. Breathing a little easier now.
by phillyinportland on Sep 26, 2008 9:20 PM EDT reply actions
Good to know Arthur Rhodes can get someone out besides Utley and Howard.
by phillyinportland on Sep 26, 2008 10:05 PM EDT reply actions
let's just use this thread the rest of the way
Three outs left in Shea.
Brewers lead 2-1 in the 7th.
Interesting decision for Jerry Manuel, as the SNY guys keep mentioning… use Santana tomorrow on three days’ rest, after throwing 125 pitches? Or save him for Sunday with the knowledge that if they lose tomorrow and the Brewers win, they’re eliminated?
It is an interesting decision indeed. I would start him. And hell, if you are so unconcerned about his wellbeing that you will start him on 3 days rest after throwing 125 pitches you have no incentive to even track his pitch count.
by FuquaManuel on Sep 26, 2008 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
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