Game 5: One More Win!
Joe Blanton, folks!! What a performance! He is a great guy, the type you really enjoy as a teammate. He’s also a very good pitcher who had a down year, by his standards, this season. This entire clubhouse in Philly knew he was capable of the pitching performance. The home run, though??? Wow, is all I can say! He really got ahold of that one … Edwin Jackson ran a 93 mph heater right into his barrel and off it went. To tell the truth, after Hinske’s homerun, the momentum was in limbo and Joe’s homer put the momentum fully back in our favor.
Ryan Howard showed everyone what all the fuss is about — that man can hit a baseball. When he’s staying on the baseball and working the opposite field, he’s pretty amazing. It puts so much pressure on opposing pitchers when he’s swinging it well. His production is enough to scare other teams, but (btw, Scott Eyre is sitting next to me and says “hi”) now the rest of an extremely talented lineup becomes even more dangerous.
You have to pitch to Chase Utley differently, which can be problematic. Meanwhile, Jimmy Rollins has been on base a lot the past two games … TROUBLE. I don’t want to forget Jayson Werth swinging it well and Pedro Feliz breaking the seal on base hits with runners in scoring position. Carlos Ruiz has called great games behind the plate and has also really swung the bat well. One last name. .. Shane Victorino. He has been amazing this postseason and he’s a big game player. I could go on and on and on. Maybe I’m a little excited!!
So, tonight … Cole Hamels vs. Scott Kazmir. It’s COLD in Philly tonight. I think gametime temp is 48 degrees. It felt that cold at 6:00 pm during batting practice. Needless to say, adrenaline will overmatch the cold, but I think it needs to be said. Where else would you want to be? This is October and World Series baseball weather!
If we win tonight, this town will make an attempt to turn itself inside-out! It will be chaos, bedlam … and long-awaited. You can feel the excitement in fans both at the field and away from Citizens Bank Park. Fans thanking players for everything at grocery stores and restaurants. I hope we can pull it off here at home, for Philadelphia and for this team and this organization.
Tune in! One more win.
Chad Durbin
10/26/08
Wow! Game 3 was amazing. A walk-off win. A solid and gutsy outing by Jamie Moyer, and an amazing web gem of a play from the 45-year old (which was ultimately called safe and wrong). Back-to-back homeruns. BJ Upton single-handedly tied the game in the 8th using his speed. Ben Zobrist played a 5th infield position in the bottom of the 9th in that do-or-die situation with no one out.
A very pretty and talented Taylor Swift sang a great national anthem. I even hear there’s a rumor that Tim McGraw secretly sprinkled his father’s ashes on the mound when he threw out the 1st pitch. It truly was an amazing night and great baseball game!
Back to business. Game 4 is now the most important game of the 2008 World Series. If the Phillies win, it is obviously a huge advantage statistically and psychologically. If Tampa wins, the series is back to even and the rotations turn over. It would be huge to take Game 4. Should be another good game.
Home-field advantage may or may not have played a large role last night in Game 3. The Philadelphia fans are rowdy, loud, and fantastic! They chanted the word “Ev-a!” to Evan Longoria in the 2nd inning … it was hauntingly loud. Garza, despite his ears being plugged, undoubtedly heard the roars and chants all game. I’m not saying it was the difference, but it’s definitely called an advantage for a reason.
This would be a great one to win. 8:35EST on FOX.
Game 3
Saturday’s are busy during October with College Football. LSU is playing Georgia right now and down 7 just after halftime. Any other year, I’d be a little disappointed that they’re not playing well in a big game (they’re not playing BAD, but they’re down. This particular Saturday though, I’m distracted … Game 3 of the World Series makes that big SEC game on TV right now seem so normal.
Game 3 is huge for both teams. If Tampa steals one here, home-field advantage goes back into their favor. If we, the Phillies, then the “pitching mismatch” all the media outlets keep talking about has gone in Jamie Moyer’s favor. Jamie has been so consistent all year. We wouldn’t be here without his performance and presence. I think he’ll be up to the challenge … no one is more prepared.
I hope you’re enjoying the series so far. Its great for baseball to have a good start to the series.
Chad Durbin
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Go Phils! Nice posts Chad. Thanks for doing this. It adds a very cool inside element for the sports fan.
Hi Chad,
Understand players weren’t happy last night. Tell everyone we have faith in our team to get the job done even in 3 /12 innings! We know you’ll refocus and play with “relaxed intensity” (I think I’m quoting Dobbs) as usual. Cole was all the more impressive, pitching as well as he did in those conditions. Chase’s DP was all the more impressive, too. Go Phils!
LOVE the posts from the WS…THANKS!!! Any weird/funny things any of you bullpen guys do during the games? Have your routines changed during the postseason at all?
Chad,
I could not be happier for you. I have been following every move you have made since you went up(some good, some bad) but I always tune in to your games I they are televised here in Indy. It was great to see you do something that you always dreamed of as we were growing up. I always tell everyone I know about playing ball down at Jackson school parking lot and the time we got in trouble with your mom for the hot dog throwing. I hope that you can get my e-mail address off of this, if you can get in touch some time after every thing settles down. I’d love to hear from you. Congrats
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you..
I don’t know what else to say.
As a Phillie fan i am still on cloud nine.
I am so happy for you and the entire organization. You were a vital part of bringing
home the trophy. Again I think I speak for the city of brotherly love, Thank you.