Phillies get a leg up
Just so there's no confusion, I was quoted at baseballanalysts.com predicting that the Tampa Bay Rays would win the World Series in six games. I haven't changed my mind after tonight's 3-2 loss in Game 1. Though I never made an official prediction in The Baltimore Sun, my column in today's editions is consistent with that outlook since I sort of predicted the Phillies would win two games.
Why am I telling everybody this when I could just lay low after what could turn out to be a pivotal loss? Because I'm not made that way and neither is anyone else who is a regular contributor to this blog. We put it out there and take the heat when we're wrong, though I don't think I'll have any explaining to do after the Series. The Rays will be okay. They lost the first game of the ALCS, too, and won the next three games in a row.
Fish out of water: It feels a little strange watching the Series on TV. I can't remember missing a World Series game since Game 6 of the 1993 Series, the game in which Joe Carter hit that momentous home run off Mitch Williams to give the Blue Jays their second consecutive world championship.
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Comments
Wow I didn't know you are a past president of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Given who wins every year I always thought they had a Schmuck in charge, nice to see it was literally true for at least a while.
Phillies in 6, I think Tampa's pitching is due to hit the wall, they are young and except for Kazmir at career highs for innings pitched.
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Pete's reply: Maybe, but Kazmir didn't pitch well at all last night and still looked okay. I'll stick with Rays in six, but it was a good win for the Phillies and would be great for them to tack on another tonight.
Posted by: Jeff V. | October 23, 2008 10:43 AM
Is it depressing anyone else that the Orioles took Adam Loewen before Cole Hamels in the 2002 draft? I know drafting isn't a science, and having met Loewen he's a heck of a nice guy, but this has been a pit in my stomach throughout the playoffs.
Posted by: Sam | October 23, 2008 10:50 AM
What happened to the rule requiring the batter to stay outside the basepath when running to first on a ground ball? Last nite the batter clearly interfered with Kazmir's throw to first which caused Pena to drop the throw. But nobody complained! That play was a clear example of why the rule is needed.
Posted by: Stan Dubow | October 23, 2008 11:33 AM
Keep dreaming. Phillies are going to win this thing. I will however say it could get interesting depending on how well Myers does tonight. The stats for offensive power this season clearly shows favor to the Phillies. I would even say that the so-called great defensive team that the Rays are supposed to be has not panned out to well for them in the post-season, and the Phils seem to get better. I would rate the pitching pretty even (only if the Phils starters do well for at least 6). Last night I believe we saw the best starting pitchers for both teams play against each other...with Hamels the clear winner.
I can go on and on forever...but I doubt I can change your mind on the outcome. I think the Rays will regret not eliminating the RedSox when they had the chance last series. They could have used the rest, and I may have leaned the way you are Pete if they had the same rest the Phils have had. If the Rays get beat the 2nd game...look for the Phils to finish at home. Just my prediction.........
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Pete's reply: I agree that if the Phils win tonight, they'll be positioned well to finish the thing off. Don't know that Hamels was the clear winner last night. It was 3-2. Thought he pitched better, but he got some solid help from his defense, too.
Posted by: Jami | October 23, 2008 12:49 PM
Pete -- Should the Series go seven games, how likely do you think it is that the Phillies will try to get Hamels three starts? I know that's kinda old school with five-man rotation, but still....
Sam -- Ouch! "Thanks" for the reminder about the 2002 Draft. Lets hope Adam surprises everyone and can make the transition.
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Pete's reply: I don't think they'll try to do that, though it would indeed be old school.
Posted by: Ken Francis | October 23, 2008 1:17 PM
the only chance the phillys have in winning this is if hamels pitches three games . living outsiode of phiily and watching most of there games myers is always a crapshoot moyer will be blasted by the rays ,and blanton if he goes 5innings would be a bonus . tampas pitching is way to stong and last nights game should not suprise anyone .
Posted by: wyatt | October 23, 2008 7:25 PM