RSS Feeds
Fightins back in first!
Last night's 8-7 victory over the Mets, which included coming back from down 7-0, showed the difference between the two teams. That difference has been apparent since last August when the Phils swept the Mets and planted the seeds of doubt into the minds of the Mets players. When the Phillies hand the ball over to the bullpen, the game is over. When the Mets' bullpen starts loosening up, the game is just beginning.
The Phillies' bullpen tossed 10 innings of relief, surrendering just one run, and didn't allow a Met to cross the plate after the 5th inning. The Mets bullpen gave up runs in the eighth, ninth, and 13th innings, blowing a two run lead, and handing the Fightins first place in the National League East.
How many times since last August have we seen the Mets jump out to a big lead, only to have their bullpen hand the game over to the Phillies?
Down the stretch, can the Mets feel that any lead is safe? Will their starting pitchers be overworked by Jerry Manuel because he's afraid of handing the ball over to his bullpen, which ranks 23rd in the Majors in ERA, and is missing closer Billy Wagner?
On the flip side, how confident must Charlie Manuel feel about turning to his bullpen? With Brad Lidge closing the door on every save opportunity, and leading the National League's best bullpen (3.05 ERA), Charlie has to feel good no matter who appears when the bullpen door swings open.
Another game tonight versus the Mets, with Kyle Kendrick drawing the daunting task of dueling with Johan Santana. Santana, who has been brilliant this season going 12-7 with a 2.64 ERA, is well aware of the struggles that the Mets bullpen has faced this year, especially against the Phillies. Santana watched from the bench as his bullpen let a 5-2 lead slip away in the ninth inning, and ended up with a no decision in the Mets 8-6 loss to the Phillies on July 22. He also received a no decision on 3-2 loss in June when Shane Victorino hit a walk off single to win it for the Phils.
On a side note, how hilarious was Brett Myers' at bat in the 13th inning? Everyone knew he wasn't going to swing, but he was dancing around and jumping out of the way of the pitches, hoping to draw a walk-off walk.
The Phillies' bullpen tossed 10 innings of relief, surrendering just one run, and didn't allow a Met to cross the plate after the 5th inning. The Mets bullpen gave up runs in the eighth, ninth, and 13th innings, blowing a two run lead, and handing the Fightins first place in the National League East.
How many times since last August have we seen the Mets jump out to a big lead, only to have their bullpen hand the game over to the Phillies?
Down the stretch, can the Mets feel that any lead is safe? Will their starting pitchers be overworked by Jerry Manuel because he's afraid of handing the ball over to his bullpen, which ranks 23rd in the Majors in ERA, and is missing closer Billy Wagner?
On the flip side, how confident must Charlie Manuel feel about turning to his bullpen? With Brad Lidge closing the door on every save opportunity, and leading the National League's best bullpen (3.05 ERA), Charlie has to feel good no matter who appears when the bullpen door swings open.
Another game tonight versus the Mets, with Kyle Kendrick drawing the daunting task of dueling with Johan Santana. Santana, who has been brilliant this season going 12-7 with a 2.64 ERA, is well aware of the struggles that the Mets bullpen has faced this year, especially against the Phillies. Santana watched from the bench as his bullpen let a 5-2 lead slip away in the ninth inning, and ended up with a no decision in the Mets 8-6 loss to the Phillies on July 22. He also received a no decision on 3-2 loss in June when Shane Victorino hit a walk off single to win it for the Phils.
On a side note, how hilarious was Brett Myers' at bat in the 13th inning? Everyone knew he wasn't going to swing, but he was dancing around and jumping out of the way of the pitches, hoping to draw a walk-off walk.
posted by Matthew Fleishman, Yardley News Editor at
11:04 AM
1 Comments:
Guess the truth was too painful.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home