Monday, November 2, 2009

There is still hope for the Phils...

Last night's Game Four loss to the Yankees was a painful one. When Pedro Feliz took Joba Chamberlain deep, tying the score at four in the eighth inning, things looked good for the Phillies. A scoreless ninth from rejuvenated closer Brad Lidge would set the stage for a walk-off victory. We've seem this remarkable team win games in this manner many times. But, after getting two outs, Lidge imploded, as we have also seen so many times, this season. The resulting three-run deficit was too much to overcome against Yankees' closer Mariano Rivera. A three games-to-one Series deficit may be even more difficult to overcome.

But, if we've learned anything about this Phillies ballclub, over the past two magical seasons, it's not to give up on them. No matter the circumstances. No matter the Win Expectancy. If there's a team capable of coming back from this deficit, it's the Phillies.

In fact, perhaps the Phillies have the Yanks right where they want them. With their ace, Cliff Lee, on the mound, opposed by A.J. Burnett (on short rest), a victory at home tonight is not out of the question. In Game Six, a rested Pedro Martinez, coming off his strong outing in Game Two, would (likely) be opposed by Andy Pettitte (on short rest). In a winner-take-all Game Seven, anything could happen. Perhaps BABIP would, finally, smile upon Cole Hamels, the Phillies' star-crossed southpaw. Maybe the Phils' bats would finally explode against C. C. Sabathia, once again pitching on short rest. This Series is far from over. Don't be surprised if the Phillies take the Yankees to the limit. As long as the Phillies have outs left, it is too soon to count them out.