SportsDystopia

Entering Monday, both the AL and NLCS had the appearance of series that would go deep.  The Rays and the Red Sox had staged 2 tight games across 8 hours of baseball to return to Boston with the series tied at 1-1.  The Phillies had looked impressive in winning the first two games against the Dodgers in Philadelphia, but LA had looked just as impressive at Chavez Ravine in game 3.  Now, just a day later, the Phillies and Rays have both taken clear control over teams that were supposedly better managed, more experienced, more prepared for the harsh October lights.

Philadelphia won game 4 the same way they won game 1, by taking advantage of the long ball at the appropriate time.  Entering the 8th inning, they trailed 5-3, and the Dodgers were just 6 outs from tying the series.  Instead, it was the game that would be tied, after a 2-run homer by Shane Victorino following a single by the slumping Ryan Howard.   Then, with 1 man on and 2 outs, Joe Torre inserted his closer Jonathon Broxton to try to salvage the game.  Matt Stairs, who has always resembled a baseball-uniformed beer keg with arms, legs and a head, responded with another 2 run home run.  7-5 lead, Phillies.

The Dodgers did threaten in the bottom half of the inning, after Charlie Manuel brought in Brad Lidge with 2 outs to face Manny Ramirez.  It was the first attempt at a 4-out save this season for Lidge, who entered the game 45 for 45 on the season in save situations.  Manny responded with a double.  He managed to strike out Russell Martin swinging, but the slider bounced in the dirt and skipped to the backstop.  In this kind of situation, it’s the kind of play that ALWAYS comes back to haunt you.

But not this time.  James Loney flew out to left, and the inning was over.  Lidge would pitch a perfect 9th to lock up the win, and a 3-1 series lead for the Phillies.

In Boston, BJ Upton hit his 5th home run of the playoffs, and the Rays jumped all over Red Sox starter Jon Lester, leading 5-0 after 3 innings en route to a 9-1 victory.  It was a thoroughly dominating performance by Tampa Bay, putting them in the driver’s seat of this series.  They will face Tim Wakefield in game 4, who has had his troubles against them this year, going 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA in 3 starts against Tampa in the regular season.  The Rays starter will be Andy Sonnanstine, who shut down the White Sox to clinch the division series.

In LA, the two teams will take Tuesday off.  On Wednesday evening, Phillies ace Cole Hamels will try to pitch the Phils into the World Series for the first time since 1993.  His opponent will be Chad Billingsley, who clearly felt the pressure in game 2, imploding in the 2nd inning.  After the failed start, Billingsley threw his catcher under the bus, blaming Russell Martin’s pitch selection for his troubles.  If he’s not in control of his pitches and his emotions from the opening, Philadelphia fans will get a rare chance to celebrate on Wednesday night.

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