NLDS: Phillies (Happ) @ Rockies (Hammel) (Tied 1-1)

[chuckywang]

OMG Jim Tracy you are an absolute idiot.

 

Here are Howard's splits:

.319/.395/.691 vs. RHP

.207/.298/.356 vs LHP

 

Ryan Howard should be a platoon player. The season is in the balance. YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT GO WITH STREET AGAINST HOWARD NO MATTER WHAT HIS ROLE IN THE BULLPEN IS!!

Edited October 13, 2009 by chuckywang

[OleMissCub]

what a nightmare.

 

I effing hate the Phillies

[J.R.]

This should absolutely be Joe Beimel pitching right now. Howard can't hit lefties.

 

Ah, the 'closer.'

[OleMissCub]

Tracy got some explaining to do.

[chuckywang]

Well, this does seem like the postseason from hell for closers, so hopefully Lidge gives it up. He is more than capable of doing just that.

[UMFan83]

Well, this does seem like the postseason from hell for closers, so hopefully Lidge gives it up. He is more than capable of doing just that.

 

Unfortunately Stevie Ire is in the game because Charlie Manuel can play matchups.

[J.R.]

Interesting.

[OleMissCub]

well it's up to Mr. Rockie

[OleMissCub]

come on TULO!

[chuckywang]

Wow, as long as there is 9th inning drama, I am more than game.

[OleMissCub]

I'm hoping for a 2005 Pujols moment against Lidge right here

[chuckywang]

Lidge vs. Tulowitski .... this sounds familiar.

[UMFan83]

Bah...big market LCS'

 

What a boring Division Series round....3 sweeps and 1 four game series.

Edited October 13, 2009 by UMFan83

[OleMissCub]

well, no more baseball for me this year.

[erik316wttn]

I'm hoping for a 2005 Pujols moment against Lidge right here

 

That one pitch broke Lidge. He still hasn't fully recovered.

[BCVM22]

Bah...big market LCS'

 

Guarantees a big market World Series too. It'll be a Los Angeles vs. New York or Philly, one way or another.

 

Has Lidge finally washed the taste of Pujols' ball out of his mouth?

[J.R.]

Bah...big market LCS'

 

What a boring Division Series round....3 sweeps and 1 four game series.

 

The LCS should be awesome.

 

Wish we had another game tomorrow - long wait to Thursday. The LDS needs to be best-of-seven.

[Guest]

Kind of interesting that all four teams that had home field advantage won their series (though none needed a Game 5) and each winning team did it on the road.

[erik316wttn]

Kind of interesting that all four teams that had home field advantage won their series (though none needed a Game 5) and each winning team did it on the road.

 

It's kind of nice to have an offseason (so far) free of bitching from butthurt fans of teams with HFA that lost in the first round.

[TruffleShuffle]

I'm hoping for a 2005 Pujols moment against Lidge right here

 

That one pitch broke Lidge. He still hasn't fully recovered.

 

except for last year when he was the best reliever in baseball and saved 100% of his opportunities in the regular season and playoffs.

[TruffleShuffle]

Joe Sheehan (6:24:39 PM PT): I don't care how many saves the guy has: letting Huston Street, or any right-handed pitcher alive, face Ryan Howard with the season on the line is a mistake. Jim Tracy is making a huge mistake, and if it works, great, but it's a huge, massive mistake.

 

Joe Sheehan (6:29:13 PM PT): For his career, Street is 150 points of OPS, all walks and power, better against righties.

 

Tracy failed. Just a stupid, stupid choice. So very few decisions in baseball are black and white, and Tracy had one, and he blew it.

 

Joe Sheehan (6:37:53 PM PT): I'm just speechless.

 

How can you possibly believe in the closer myth to the tune of the difference between a backup catcher and Albert Pujols, which is basically the difference between Howard vs LHP and vs. RHP? The decision to let Street pitch there might be the single worst tactical decision you can make. I can't think of a bunt, a lineup call, a pitching change worth that much RE.

 

If this guy wins manager of the year, I'm quittin' show business.

 

Joe Sheehan (6:45:56 PM PT): It's just a shame to see a team lose this way. There are so few absolutes, and one is that you can't let Ryan Howard face a righty if the run matters. It's not like he's an unknown quantity. It's not like we haven't been having this discussion for three years.

[TruffleShuffle]

i used to think charlie manuel was a bad manager, but i've come around 180 degrees on him. he plays matchups well and lets his hitters hit swing away instead of wasting outs. i like him now.

[ELCABALLO45]

I've never seen in person a baseball player faster than EY Junior

 

Carlos Gomez