Skip to main content

Hamels is my Cole Pilot...


Game WON of the 2008 World Series is in the books. On this night, the Phillies won their 100th game of the year and lead the series, 1-0. There's nothing much better than Cole Hamels putting all the silly cowbell chimers on the HUSH setting, down in Tropicana Field. Hamels now has 5 earned runs allowed in 29 post season innings this year. That is a 1.55 ERA. I really can't think of anything more phun to watch than Cole Hamels these days.


Our Phillies got off to a hot start in the 1st inning when, following a Jayson Werth walk, Chase Utley (AKA- Chutley) hit a blast to deep right field for a homerun. This gave Philadelphia a lead which they would not let up. Utley went on to add another base hit and two steals in his World Series debut.


It just wouldn't be the Phoul Ballz if I didn't toss some negativity at you all. I need to take the time to critique the non-move in the top of the 9th inning where, against a right handed pitcher and with 2 runners on, Charlie Manuel chose to let Eric Bruntlett bat instead of using Matt "the MF'n man" Stairs or Geoff "Don't call me Brett Favre or Randy Wolf" Jenkins, who are both lefties. Bruntlett got out and the Phillies did not get any insurance runs. Brad Lidge came on to work a scoreless 9th inning to stay perfect in save opportunities this year, but I can't help myself to point out that Charlie Manuel did not do everything he could to score runs in this game.


All the Ryan Howard critics out there that point out how the MVP contender strikes out too often, you have a point. I normally argue that statement and say, "an out is an out...who cares how he makes it when he leads the league in homeruns and RBI?!" I can't do that after game 1. Keep in mind that Howard struck out in this game twice with a runner on third base and just one out. We all know that a deep fly ball in that situation results in a run scored. Ground balls score runs on occasion also. An out is not just an out.


With the series lead, why not devote another paragraph to less than positive information? Here is a list of the American League east division teams in order of when they established affiliation with their current cities-
Boston Red Sox (1901)
NY Yankees (1903)
Baltimore Orioles (1954)
Toronto Blue Jays (1977)
Tampa Bay Rays (1997)

And (the Phillies have lost 4 of the 5 World Series they've been to prior to this season) here is a list of the teams that have defeated the Phillies in the World Series, in order. You may notice the similarities...
Boston Red Sox (1915)
NY Yankees (1950)
Baltimore Orioles (1983)
Toronto Blue Jays (1993)
And...the Phillies are currently playing that remaining team from the AL east in the World Series.


Game 2 is Thursday night. Brett Myers takes on James Shields.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #4 OF Mickey Moniak

Mickey Moniak, image- Joe Wombough Taken with the top overall selection in last year's MLB amateur draft, outfielder Mickey Moniak has garnered a lot of attention as a highly promising talent in the Phillies' developmental ranks. After signing out of La Costa Canyon High School for a reported $6.1 million, the lefty batting Moniak had a very good professional debut. In 46 games with the Phillies' Gulf Coast League team, Moniak posted a .284 batting average with 11 doubles, four triples, a home run and 28 RBI.  Additionally, he showed some speed, swiping 10 bases in 14 opportunities. Following the regular season, Moniak participated in the Florida Instructional League and spent time at the Phillies' training facility in Clearwater, where he worked to add strength and muscle to his six-foot-two 185-pound frame. At the plate, Moniak, who was committed to play at UCLA prior to the 2016 draft, makes steady, hard contact.  He is touted as a line drive hitter tha...

Chris Truby Speaks on Santana & Other BlueClaws Matters

On Monday, it was announced that the Astros selected outfielder Domingo Santana as the player to be named later in the late July trade that sent Hunter Pence to the Phillies. Santana, a Dominican born slugger, posted a .269 average with 7 HR and 32 RBI in 96 games with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. The 19-year-old is regarded as a five tool talent and has been ranked among the Phillies' top ten prospects by multiple national outlets. I had the opportunity to speak with Lakewood manager Chris Truby about Santana, the PTBNL list of five Phillies prospects that the Astros had to choose from, as well as other matters pertaining to the BlueClaws, as they enter the final few weeks of their regular season. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview. ______________________________________________ You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE . You can also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE .

2019 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #9 OF Dylan Cozens

Dylan Cozens, image- Jay Floyd Powerful outfield prospect Dylan Cozens hopes to shake the reputation of a free swinger and become a more complete hitter in order to fulfill his dream of reaching the major leagues. At six feet six inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, Cozens has an imposing frame that was well-suited for the grid iron, as he was a two-sport star in his high school days.  After he was chosen in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft, Cozens debuted in the minors with the rookie level Gulf Coast Phillies. In 50 games there, he notched 15 doubles, two triples, five homers and 24 RBI. Cozens also participated in the Florida Instructional League in 2012. Following a productive spring in 2013, Cozens was retained in extended spring training and made his official season debut with the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters when they began playing in June. Cozens was among the league leaders in many categories that year, ...