MLB Chatter 2008

[Neroon]

Honestly, I felt that the Phillies were trying to brush them back, not actually hit them.

I didn't see any of it, so I can't say one way or the other.

Shane said it the right way. He wasn't pissed off that they were trying to bean him, he knew that they would try and get him back for what the Phils pitchers did. But, as he said, hit him in the side, not the head.

The video I saw of it, that's what it looked like he said to me, as well. And I can't really read lips.

 

[mimic]

Well, I don't think the Phillies were trying to hit anyone, and a few pitches just plain got away from them. I quote an excerpt of Buster Olney's analysis from his blog:

Chad Billingsley probably should've thrown behind somebody before he got knocked out, but he didn't, and so going into Game 3, the Dodgers and the Phillies all knew retaliation was a possibility. And it became a near certainty after Martin was hit in the knee by Jamie Moyer, even though Moyer clearly didn't hit him on purpose. Within the baseball code, there is a sense that enough is enough.

Martin got knocked down again by Clay Condrey in the second inning, and slammed his helmet and screamed angrily in the dugout. And as Victorino watched this play out, he had to realize that he was due to hit third for the Phillies in the top of the third inning and was probably going to be a prime target. As Jimmy Rollins batted with one out, Martin twice gave demonstrative signs for Kuroda to throw the ball the inside, and shifted his body so that he was almost behind Rollins' knee. Kuroda threw a fastball to strike out Rollins; two outs, nobody on base, the Dodgers with a big lead.

The conditions were perfect for retaliation. Victorino probably walked to the plate assuming that he was going to get drilled. Once again, Martin gave a particularly demonstrative sign to Kuroda for a fastball inside, and again, Martin set his target nearly behind Victorino -- and Kuroda threw the ball over Victorino's head.

Anyway, good win for the Phils tonight.

 

[TK421]

I weep, I weep

Well played Phillies, that was a hell of an inning.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Phillies have shown their penchant for comebacks tonight.

They also showed their penchant for scaring the shit out of me in the 8th, so I guess it balances out

 

[The Lady Eve]

What a weird evening of sports. The Red Sox get shellacked at Fenway and the NY Giants get routed by Cleveland.

 

[Pegaritaville]

I was a little worried about Garza, but he pitched a pretty good game. Nothing spectacular, but with the Rays' bats coming alive like the did, it took the pressure off him and he was able to pitch his own game.

 

[Tom Servo]

Tim Wakefield will pitch a gem today...I hope. I know the Red Sox have a flair for the dramatic in ALCSs but really guys, lets just win one in a normal fashion. If we can somehow get a victory today, I like our chances in Game 5 with DiceK on the hill.

Game 6 with Beckett on the other hand is a different story...

 

[Deadpool]

Phuck the Dirty Phillies. Manny has been beasting the whole series but I predict a monster effort in the next game against Hamels. Manny vs a lefty in a bandbox is gonna be a beautiful thing to watch.

Lets go Dodgers and if you hit Rollings by accident thats cool too.

 

[Neroon]

And here I thought the series with the HBP's and brawls and what have you would be the Rays vs the BoSox.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Lets go Dodgers and if you hit Rollings by accident thats cool too.

Oh yeah, and you call the Phils dirty.

All their anger seems to be directed at Shane Victorino, not J-Roll (probably because getting hit might be one of the few times Jimmy gets on).

 

[Tom Servo]

Lets go Dodgers and if you hit Rollings by accident thats cool too.

Oh yeah, and you call the Phils dirty.

All their anger seems to be directed at Shane Victorino, not J-Roll (probably because getting hit might be one of the few times Jimmy gets on).

If the Phillies win the World Series, I think Deadpool might self combust.

 

[mimic]

Manny has been beasting the whole series but I predict a monster effort in the next game against Hamels. Manny vs a lefty in a bandbox is gonna be a beautiful thing to watch.

Oh, so now Dodger Stadium is a bandbox?

 

[Tom Servo]

HOW MANY FUCKING BULLETS CAN WE HIT AT PEOPLE TONIGHT!!!??!

Wakefield sucked, the offense is getting shut down by Andy Sonnanstine...woo hoo.

 

[Deadpool]

Manny has been beasting the whole series but I predict a monster effort in the next game against Hamels. Manny vs a lefty in a bandbox is gonna be a beautiful thing to watch.

Oh, so now Dodger Stadium is a bandbox?

Coulda sworn the next game is in Philly, but then again with the way Manny has been hitting any ballpark is a bandbox.

 

[Tim]

^ Man, just put the ball on a tee and let them hit it. Not to ask too much, but pitching a few strikes and getting a few RBIs would be nice.

Well, we'll just have to look to Game 5 on Thursday with Dice-K. I really could do without all this ALCS drama.

 

[Neroon]

Coulda sworn the next game is in Philly,

What might have thrown you off is that they are going with the 2-3-2 format but with a day's break between games 4 and 5.

but then again with the way Manny has been hitting any ballpark is a bandbox.

Except that one to straight center that never made it out in ... game one was it?

 

[Tom Servo]

^ Man, just put the ball on a tee and let them hit it. Not to ask too much, but pitching a few strikes and getting a few RBIs would be nice.

Well, we'll just have to look to Game 5 on Thursday with Dice-K. I really could do without all this ALCS drama.

I mean, its not a optimal situation, but thats the cards they were dealt. If Dice K wins on thurs, I guess anything is possible, but the way Beckett and Lester pitched I am not to thrilled.

If the Red Sox go out of it, hopefully the Phils make it in. All my friends in Philly are fans, and it would be could to be in a city with a WS team during the playoffs.

 

[Tim]

^ Man, just put the ball on a tee and let them hit it. Not to ask too much, but pitching a few strikes and getting a few RBIs would be nice.

Well, we'll just have to look to Game 5 on Thursday with Dice-K. I really could do without all this ALCS drama.

I mean, its not a optimal situation, but thats the cards they were dealt. If Dice K wins on thurs, I guess anything is possible, but the way Beckett and Lester pitched I am not to thrilled.

If the Red Sox go out of it, hopefully the Phils make it in. All my friends in Philly are fans, and it would be could to be in a city with a WS team during the playoffs.

I'm not too worried about Lester; Beckett, however, worries me. Then again, if Dice-K wins, maybe having their backs to the wall is what Beckett and the Sox need. It worked last year. We'll see.

And if the season does end here, I'll deal. Going deep into October as the reigning WS champs isn't terrible, after all.

 

[Neroon]

I know you guys (Tim, Servo) are huge BoSox fans, and there's still a great dela of ball to play. PLus. ther have been several instances of a team down 3-1 coming back to win it after all. But man, the Rays are playing some seriously great ball. If the Sox do go down, at least you know it was to a great team playing excellent ball.

 

[Tim]

If the Sox do go down, at least you know it was to a great team playing excellent ball.

Yep. That's a good point. Getting to the ALCS and losing to an opponent that's been on fire all season--despite all the doubts and jeers--isn't all bad.

And, like they don't say with presidential elections, there's always next year.

Still, the Sox have been here (and worse) before and managed to go all the way, so who knows?