Why Phils Are Not Dead
By Mike Silva ~ November 2nd, 2009. Filed under: 2009 World Series.
So the Yankees have a 3-1 series lead and should prepare for the parade down the Canyon of Heroes later this week- right? Well I would hold the champagne because the Phillies aren’t dead just yet.
Howard made a great point earlier regarding Joe Girardi’s decision to start Burnett, Pettitte, and Sabathia on short rest. My main concern about the Yankees was their lack of a fourth starter for the playoffs. I believed that eventually the short rest or starting Joba/Gaudin would put them in a precarious situation during a seven game series. That hasn’t come to fruition and knowing that CC Sabathia looms for a Game 7 you have to believe this thing is in the bag.
If the Yankees were playing any other team I would start my parade preparation, but the Phillies are a different story. This is a group that came back from 7 down with 17 to play, won the title in 2008 with shaky starting pitching, and overcame a poor bullpen this season. I described them as “relentless” and “fearless” when it came to their approach to the game. This won’t be the first time the experts wrote them off. I often believe they enjoy playing the chaser instead of being chased.
I have no statistical data to support my assertion. Logic tells me the Yankees, even if they lose to Cliff Lee tonight, will touch up Pedro Martinez in Game 6. I am squeamish about the Phils bullpen now that Brad Lidge 2009 has reared his ugly head. Worse yet, who the heck is going to start a Game 7? Despite all that there is one thing the Phils have going for them that makes me think they have a good shot at coming back from this 3-1 deficit: heart and a belief in themselves even when logic dictates otherwise. If you don’t believe me call up Omar Minaya and the Mets and ask them their thoughts. They have firsthand experience. That is why, despite the odds, I still say Phillies in 7.
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
fyi: the yankees arent the mets.
the mets r a bunch of weak skinned shokers
see 2006,2007,2008
and the total quit job in 2009 that everyone now blames on injuries
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:42 pm
The Phils are indeed dead. This isn’t 2004.
It’s a much better team with significantly better pitching.
If they don’t close it out tonight, they’ll do it in Game 6.
But don’t be surprised if they touch up Lee for a couple of runs early and touch up the pen for a few more i the late innings.
You were wrong about the Phils just as you’re wrong about Joba.
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
How is he wrong about Joba? The guy is a mess. Got tatered and bailed out by Lidge chickenboning it.
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Joba is still a young kid and pitched more innings this season than he ever had in his life.
Silva has foolishly ripped the kid and predicted a failed career.
Joba will rebound next season. Just watch.
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Excuses, Excuses
I will say one thing. People have learned to help Joba lead the league in excuses.
Plenty of other young pitchers (Tommy Hanson) are succeed on worse teams.
Bottom line is that Joba isn’t as good as the hype, probably is headed to a career as a reliever (decent one, but nothing that we haven’ seen), and quite frankly hasn’t shown me that the stuff between his ears will ever catch up to his golden arm.
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Let’s chill on the whole “Chamberlain can’t cut it as a starter” BS. At 23 he’s thrown 281 major league innings with a 123 ERA+ and 285 Ks.
Roy Halladay at 23 had thrown 231 major league innings with an 86 ERA+ and 139 Ks.
Johan Santana at 23 had thrown 238 major league innings with 104 ERA+ and 229 Ks.
Cliff Lee…had thrown 10 major league innings at age 23.
There is absolutely no reason to believe that Chamberlain can’t be a star, let alone a good starter.
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Joba doesn’t have to show Silva jack s–t. And frankly, you’re not a very good judge of talent.
He will rebound. Mark my words. I do hope your readers remind you everyday just how wrong you were when he does turn things around. Every. Single. Day.
The talent is there. People just need to be patient. You’ll see.