Loading ...NLDS May Prove Oddly Familiar
Rockies at Phillies
With some playoff history in their very recent rear view mirror, these two teams will try to summon the ghosts of playoffs past. For the Rox, their ascension to post season relevance is nearly as remarkable as their historic September of 2007 when they went berserk and stormed into the playoffs on the way to a first round sweep of the Phils. The defending world f@*king champs, who admittedly lost some of their swagger in the final week of the season, aren’t looking as far back as Colorado, instead focusing on last year’s relatively easy run to the crown.
Without last year's swagger, this scene may not be 'repeated.'
So, who do we like?
Why the Phils will win
It’s hard to overlook what this team did last year, going undefeated at home and losing only three games in the postseason. Such experience can’t be overvalued, and though the team has some noticeably different parts (Cliff Lee, Raul Ibanez, J Happ), few teams get to boast the bling they earned in baseball’s second season.
With a lineup that’s almost video game good on most days, the Phightins’ can pound pitchers from both sides of the plate with a flurry of doubles and dongs. Couple that with one of the league’s premier defenses, particularly up the middle, and the championship recipe isn’t all that much different than last year’s blend.
For the Rockies, a young pitching staff that is a bit banged up could cause itself problems, and while the lineup does feature a first ballot Hall of Famer in 1B Todd Helton and a young stud SS in Troy Tulowitzki, the Phils’ is simply better 1-8.
'Tulo' could have a major say in the NLDS outcome.
Lastly, despite what critics say about Phils’ skipper Charlie Manuel’s southern drawl and limited vocabulary, he has a knack for getting his guys to play. While Rox manager Jim Tracy is a lock for NL Manager of the Year for his team’s unprecedented success after his hiring, he lacks what Manuel has. A ring.
Why the Rockies will win
I have to admit that I’m terrified of this series. The Phils’ 2008 championship was marked by a gutty, gritty approach to a September comeback that seems all too familiar to Mets fans. They had to play their way in. They had to get hot at the right time. Their pitching staff, from top to bottom, gelled at the most opportune time. They had a certain quality I think this year’s version lacks.
Perhaps it was leading the division for so long.
Perhaps it’s the World Series hangover.
Perhaps it’s complacency.
Whatever it is, I just don’t like them in this year’s NLDS like I did in last year’s.
The pitching staff is just beleaguered by injuries and inconsistency right now, and I’ll spare myself a diatribe on the bullpen. Moreover, when the game one starter isn’t clear cut two days before game one, that’s a problem.
The ghost of playoffs past could haunt Lidge and the Phils.
The lineup, as I mentioned, is very good, but it also relies far too heavily on the long ball. Last year’s championship was marked by a lack of production with RISP, a trend that certainly cannot be repeated. Last year’s bench was much more formidable and could give opposing manager’s pause. I’m not sure Tracy will be concerned about Eric Bruntlett, Miguel Cairo or Paul Bako in this NLDS.
Rockies’ closer Huston Street has undergone his own Renaissance since his trade from Oakland in the Matt Holliday deal. Though he is oft injured, Street’s 35 saves against 2 blown saves makes the Phils’ back end look even worse by comparison.
If the Rockies can get early leads in games 1 and 2, like many teams have done against the Phils down the stretch, they could make this a very short series for the defending champs.
Almost Prediction
For some reason, I just don’t like this matchup for the Phils. Phans of the champs would have much rather faced a Dodger team whose number the Phils have and who have played equally as poorly down the stretch. Let’s face it; no NL team has repeated as champs since the 1975-76 Reds, so history is not on our side.
Rockies take the series in four.
Phillies in 3, Phillies in 5 (Dodgers), Phillies in 6 (Yankees). WFC part deux. Put it on the board.
I still cannot believe the Tigers lost to the Twins. Detroit needed this win to lift the spirits of the city. This is why women from Michigan are the most argumentative women you will ever meet. They are always disappointed and have their hearts broken. Dust off your old Kirby Puckett jerseys- this is the year of the Twins!
Ouch Kul,
I fear as much as you do with this series. I do think it’s gonna be a rediculously competitive series. I still say Phillies in 5 though. There’s no way in hell we fall 0-2 (most likely with Hamels-Lee or vice versa) So if we split our 3 n 4 is better then Colordos 3-4. This series could easily be over in 4 (in the phillies favor) but I’m sticking with my 5 game prediciton. I just hope to god its a 10-0 win game 5 at home.. Imagine the Buzz in a 5-4 game in the 9th n lidge walks the leadoff guy…