Monday, October 19, 2009

Real-LEE good...

While one former Indian is getting a lot of the spotlight in the ALCS (Sabathia) another former Indian and CY Young winner, Cliff Lee is mowing em down for the Phillies. Exhibit A, a victory in a Phillies 11-0 whitewashing of the Dodgers in game 3 of the NLCS. Philadelphia now takes a 2-1 lead in the series.

Citizen's Bank proved again to be the homer haven it's been all year for the home team. Jayson Werth the former Dodger hit the first of Philadelphia's two homers and it came with his team already up 2-0. Werth's two run shot made it an early 4-0 lead off of Hiroki Kuroda, who just didn't have it after a long layoff due to injury. Shane Victorino also went deep, and Ryan Howard tripled in a pair in the lopsided win. Lee has been the difference for the Phillies, this post season, he's 2-0 with an era of 0.74. He struck out 10 and didn't walk a batter in a dominant 8 innings of work. The series continues Monday night in Philadelphia as former Phillie and Padre Randy Wolf goes for the Dodgers against Joe Blanton for the home team. This is basically a must win game for the Dodgers.

ALCS...
This series also resumes Monday, with an afternoon game in Anaheim. Joe Saunders gets the ball for the Angels against Andy Pettitte for the Yankees. These two teams needed a day off after the 13 inning marathon in the Bronx the other night. The Yankees have a 2-0 lead in the series.

Surprising reception...
I don't know about you, but I was very surprised that Randy Wolf was booed as he was in being introduced before tonight's game in Philadelphia. Wolf began his career with the Phillies and was a fan favorite. A group known as the "wolf pack" formed, a bunch of guys, who were related, began donning wolf masks every time Randy would pitch. Wolf became friends with the members of the family of wolves, and even attended the funeral of one of the wolf pack a few years ago. I'm sure that Wolf will have a mix of emotions going on, knowing he's pitching for his hometown Dodgers, in the city he cut his teeth in the big leagues, trying to ensure that the series will be coming back to LA. That's a lot for even me to digest.

Not surprising was the reception for Vicente Padilla and former player/manager Larry Bowa. They were both booed as well. But former Phillie, Jim Thome received a warm reception from the fans.

Hoodie is no goodie...
I couldn't believe my eyes while watching the Patriots crush the Titans in a blinding snowstorm in Foxboro. What was more amazing, the final score of 59-0. Tom Brady threw six touchdown passes, including 5 in the 2nd quarter. Here's where the "Hoodie" did his best Steve Spurrier impersonation. Up 45-0 at halftime, it wasn't enough. He sent Tom Brady back out, to throw that elusive 6th TD pass against a team that had clearly given up many touchdowns prior. I don't think the Patriots are going to have to worry about that 5th or 6th tie breaker of point differential to get into the playoffs. Why embarrass a team that much? What does it prove? Is it too good for the ego to pass up? Give me a break. Way to go Bill Belichick, you are just the best coach ever. How is that for your ego?

Phillies bail out the Eagles...
Thankfully for the Eagles, the Phillies won tonight, otherwise, I hate to think what might be happening on the airwaves at a station like WIP in Phily. The Eagles went on the road and actually LOST to the Raiders 13-9. How about the fact that the Phillies outscored the Eagles and gave up less points too. Ouch.

Monday Night Lights...
Time for the Chargers to prove once and for all that they are the better team than the Broncos. Denver's 5-0 start has many in the Mile High City thinking this is a Superbowl team. The Broncos are good, they have a good 1-2 punch in Buckhalter and Moreno at RB, Brandon Marshall is very good and Kyle Orton is having a great start, but it's only 5 games. The Chargers need to step it up defensively, get some pressure on Orton and cause some turnovers. Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera knows Kyle Orton and his weaknesses from their time together with the Bears, hopefully he'll exploit those weaknesses Monday night. I'm still predicting a Chargers win at the Q.

Alright, big day in sports tomorrow....enjoy it!

Andy

1 comment:

  1. I wonder what the record is for consecutive extra inning games in an ALCS or NLCS series?

    Really happy the Angels one especially after having one out and the bases loaded and not getting the winning run in- Go Angels!

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