Phillies 5-Rockies 1: No Bullpen Needed Today
October 8, 2009 by Richard Marsh
Filed under Fan News
While the parade along Broad is not quite there yet, there is a quiet confidence that for the Phillies to repeat as world champions, the less we see of their bullpen the better off they will be.
One game down 11 to go, and if Cliff Lee’s performance in the 5-1 Phillies victory is any indication that the Phillies are even a bit concerned about their bullpen it is way beyond me.
Acquiring Lee was undoubtedly the best in-season pickup in baseball this year. Some may disagree and point to Matt Holliday. But I believe when you can put your game on the line to a former CY Young Award and 20-plus game winner you should come out just fine.
There’s a baseball saying in truth that to get to these guys you better get to them early. As the game progresses they get stronger and meaner, and their desire to complete what they started reigns supreme.
The Rockies had their chances. They put a couple of guys on early and Jiminez was matching Lee pitch for pitch through the first four innings.
Lee was dominant. When you throw first pitch strikes to first hitters good results often happen. It’s when you walk people that the game falls apart, and that’s exactly what happened to the Rockies in the fifth.
The Phils got two in the fifth and added three more in the sixth and the Rockies went away in game one.
Lee pitched a complete game for his first postseason victory and put himself in position to a pitch game five if necessary.
Next up for the Phillies today is their version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Cole Hamels has the ability of repeating Lee’s performance and returning to the form that made him last year’s playoff and World Series MVP.
On other days he looks as hittable as Charlie Brown. Who is going to show up today?
After today here’s what we will have. An all out work force making plans for another Broad Street parade, or can the Phillies even get out of the first round in one piece?
Key game, today, wouldn’t you think?
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