Unbiased WORLD Series Recap: Game Four

by SC on Oct 27, 2008 5:55 AM EDT Comment 7 comments

Phillies 10, Rays 2 (Philadelphia leads series, 3-1)

No matter how this winds up shaking out, the Tampa Bay Rays had a fantastic season and have nothing to be ashamed of. Not only are they the Rays first World Series team, or first playoff team, but they're the first Rays team that has sniffed competitive stature. Every guy on that team has a lot to be proud of.

Right now, though, the Phillies are outclassing them. When Joe Blanton came up with the bases loaded, I said that if he went yard, Taco Bell owed me a franchise. Our own exitfare said that was like getting the squirts for life -- yeah, well.

Blanton did nothing in that spot, but did hit a solo shot later. Nothing like helping your own cause.

Thing is, if I'd asked 100 of you to pick the World Series in April, zero of you (including me) would have said Rays v. Phillies. Oriole death aside, we've been treated to a neat season and a heck of a World Series, even though Philly's up 3-1 and took game four without much work. I can take that, even if it means we stink again. Hey, someday...

Tampa Bay, still, gives me hope for Andy MacPhail and the O's. The big boys are not unbreakable. If Tampa Bay can be here, so can we.

But right now, the Phillies are playing their butts off and look like they're en route to their first World Series championship since 1980. Stranger things have happened, but rarely.

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Maddon is complaining about a "spot" on Blanton's hat

Rays fans should be complaining about the “spot” on his roster which he only gave to Eric Henske yesterday (and which EH responded with a pinch hit HR). WHere was Hinske in games 1-3? If Floyd was iffy going into the Series they should have jettisoned him at the start. They sure could have used Henske’s bat in the two one-run games.
Otherwise, SC is right. The Phillies are outplaying the Rays, though the latter have nothing to be hanging their heads about.
And who knows, maybe they can come back.

by Lothar on Oct 27, 2008 10:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wasn't Hinske injured?

"This world extends way beyond this little field of dreams we're dancing in and I want to see that world"

by exitfare on Oct 27, 2008 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He actually ran his hands through his greasy hair

while he had the ball in his hand a couple times.

Curt never met a buttered roll he didn't like.

by CoachOfEarl on Oct 27, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's the cold weather

and the home field advantage. Intangibiles!

If I was Maddon I’d be moving my lineup around a little, swap Pena and Crawford to bump up the top of the order, maybe put Longo in the 5 spot.

Curt never met a buttered roll he didn't like.

by CoachOfEarl on Oct 27, 2008 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Game 5

Anyone going to be in Philly for the game tonight? I’m going up with my good friend (a HUGE Phils fan) to hang at McFadden’s for the game (we’re not high society so we don’t have tickets). Probably won’t get there until the 4th/5th inning, but I suspect Cole Hamels will still be lighting it up at that time.

I grew up watching the O’s and the Phils, so absent any opportunity to watch the O’s in the postseason in the foreseeable future, I’m hoping to get the second best thing: a victory in Philly while I’m actually present!

by blawk359 on Oct 27, 2008 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

McFadden's is going to be ridiculous to try to get into tonight.

(assuming you mean the one at Citizen’s Bank). And I wouldn’t be surprised if you can’t get in if you don’t get there well before the game.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Oct 27, 2008 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't matter

We made it to Philly just in time for the game to get suspended. Didn’t even get out of the car. The plan was to hang out either at McF’s or Chickie’s & Pete’s, figuring they’d have big TVs set up like they often do and we could watch from the parking lot and get our drink on from the car. We sure as hell didn’t account for the clouds to open up and dump all over town.

by blawk359 on Oct 28, 2008 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs