I Hate to Second Guess, But…
What I watched this afternoon was nothing short of disgraceful… The Phillies pitching fell apart. Though the Phillies did score runs, it was too late as the Phillies lost 10-5.
It’s no secret the Phillies pitching staff isn’t great, but this loss isn’t just about 
the pitching. It’s about the decisions that led to this pitching. It gets pinned on one person. Charlie Manuel…
In the fourth inning, with a man on second and two out, Kyle Kendrick pitched around Yorvit Torrealba and eventually intentionally walked him. That was the first mistake.
Torrealba is no Matt Holliday and there’s a reason he bats eighth in the order. Pitching to him could have ended the inning and the pitcher would lead off the next inning. That’s favorable match-up as opposed to the top of the order starting the next inning. That is if you can get the pitcher out.
Seth Smith pinch hit for starter Franklin Morales, and reached first on an infield dribbler, loading the bases. Manuel pulled Kendrick in favor of Kyle Lohse. That was mistake #2. Lohse gave up a grand slam to Kaz Matsui, making the score 6-3.
Kyle Lohse is a starting pitcher. He’s been used in relief twice this season, but he’s not a reliever. He’s not used to coming in with inherited runners. Even if it’s the playoffs, you have to let Kendrick get through that inning on his own, ESPECIALLY when you’re in the fourth inning with a ten-man pitching staff.
After Kyle Lohse pitched an inning and a third he was pinch hit for. Jose Mesa came on to pitch. This was mistake #3. Jose Mesa completely came unglued and couldn’t make it through the inning. Clay Condrey relieved him, but the damaged was already done… By the time the sixth inning ended it was 10-3 Rockies.
I know Manuel’s thinking about Mesa making the post-season roster was his experience. Regardless of experience, Jose Mesa has no business on the playoff roster. The only action he should see is mop-up duty. The Phillies down by three runs in the sixth is not a mop-up role. If Geoff Geary’s elbow wasn’t ailing he wouldn’t have made the roster, and Fabio Castro or JD Durbin would have been a better option.
I like Charlie Manuel, but he is a pitiful in-game manager…
With all this being said, I still believe in this team. It doesn’t look good, but so what. A lot of people counted the Red Sox out in 2004 when they were down 3-0 to the Yankees. They did the unthinkable, so can the Phillies. Until the final out is made and the Phillies season is officially over, I still believe.
Steve Carlton Likes to Fish 
I’m both amazed and puzzled as to why Charlie wants to use his bullpen so soon. OK, so today it was “technically” a starter, but I think he goes to the hook too soon.
Pitchers never learn to pitch out of trouble if you don’t let them try.
Kendrick gave up a dribbler, after 80 pitches and he’s gone. I guess Lohse could have gotten the third out, but then you’re STILL in that bullpen. And, who was going to pitch game 4?
Why in the world did he take Kendrick out of the game since he hadn’t given up a run since the HR’s in the first. Kendrick, Hamels and Romero are the only 3 pitchers on the roster this year that have been consistent (Myers has had ups and downs). I just don’t understand why he would go to a bullpen so early that has failed over and over all year. It defies logic.
Myers needs to return to the starting rotation next year, Romero is a keeper and the rest of the bullpen needs to pack their bags and take Manuel and Gillick with them.
Regardless of Manuels’ strategy moves (not very bright ones at that) Rockies are the worse matchup for the Phillies. Teams with long ball hitters thrive in Citizens Park. Look back to mid September to see how this team scored runs in Phila (29 in 4 games). If not for a questionable call in the first game of that set, they might have won 3 out of 4 instead of a draw – and that’s before they got hot!
Sadly, San Diego would have been a much better matchup for Phila. But the baseball gods said “no way”.
Where in the world is Chase Utley??? Terrible time to go into a slump. No production from Chase combined with Ron Howard doing his best imitation of “watch the pitcher and catcher toss the ball back and forth”, or “gee, how can I get picked off first” and you get little run production and and 0-2 in return. If not for Jimmy Rollins today (4 RBI’s), this game would have been a huge joke.
Anyone who believes this team can come back from 0-2 is drinking the kool-aid. starting Pitchers and mid-relievers are lost, key batters are in a slump, Manager has no brains (he and Piniella must be connected to the same stupidity channel) and season ending momentum is gone.
Rockies ought to sweep this series on Saturday. They’re too talented, too hot, and too much in love with Phillies pitching for them to do otherwise. This team is going to the World Series. They will be a formidable match for any AL team.
One last note:
Weather forecast this weekend for Denver:
Saturday: Partly cloudy skies with gusty winds. High 73F. Winds SW at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Sunday: Chance of showers. Highs in the upper 40s and lows in the low 40s.
I wonder what direction those gusts will take in Coors Field? If they get to Sunday, insanity will rule as the deep freeze silences the big bats.
I still say Rockies in 3.
One game at a time. When we have accepted that philosophy, I’m convinced ANY team can win three straight. We’ve done it before and many other MLB teams have too.
We have a great offensive team. I think the Chase and Ryan talk isn’t about a slump, but rather inexperience and intimidation with the playoffs. The seasoned veterans need to step up and settle things down. I think they can and will do this.
The Rockies are hot, no doubt, but they’ll cool off and come back down to reality at some point. I just hope it is in game three.
One game at a time.