Phinally
For the first time in 15 years, the Philadelphia Phillies are in the World Series, and if you don’t believe it, watch this:
When Carlos Ruiz squeezed that final out in Dodger Stadium last night, the Phils had beaten the Dodgers, 5-1, in Game 5, and locked up the National League pennant for the first time since 1993, when they lost a true Fall Classic to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Whoever the Phillies end up playing will have a lot to deal with: Jimmy Rollins showed how dangerous he can be last night, setting the tone for Game 5 with a leadoff homer.
And with NL Championship Series MVP Cole Hamels set to start Game 1 of the World Series, the American League team will have its hands full right away, just like the Dodgers did Wednesday night.
Then there’s the Phillies offense, with table-setters Rollins and Shane Victorino and the heart of the powerful order, with Chase Utley, Pat Burrell and Ryan Howard. Oh, and then there’s Brad Lidge, the closer who hasn’t blown a save all year.
In other words, a lot to think about for the AL manager once he gets his team to where the Phillies are right now.
How do you think the Phillies stack up against the Rays or Red Sox? And will the Rays wrap it up tonight in Boston?
Tell me.
O.G.
October Gonzo 
Check out my latest entry about going to Game 5 of the NLCS! I have posted some cool pictures and videos up on the celebration after the game!
John
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I am happy for the phillies, to be honest. If the rays are going to this year’s fall classic, then I would like the rays to win. But if it’s the sox…well, I’d have to consider the matchup. That’s all I am saying. The Phills have a pretty darn good team if I do say so myself, and I do. So do the Rays and Sox. Dice-K totally dominated Game 1 of the ALCS. The series may very well shift back to St. Pete if he has the same or similar type of performance. But, like it’s always said, anything can happen in October baseball, however wacky it may be!
October Gonzo,
I would like you to make an personal apology to every Phillies fan who reads this for making the absurd prediction that the Phillies will fall in 5 due to the Dodgers “big pitching advantage”. After all, researchers recently thought they had discovered an alternative fuel source in Southeastern Pennsylvania but it turned out to be a Cole Hamels fastball. They are currently trying to harness it, which they fear is impossible.
Go Phils.
In my opinion, I think that the Phillies would be a good match to the Red Sox and the Rays because the Rays and Red Sox are around the same level of difficulty. Meaning that they would both be hard teams to beat in this year’s fall classic. The Phillies pitching would have to be on their best game to maintain the Rays offense if the Rays make it and if the Red Sox make it then the Phillies offense will have to start to their rallies early to get into the Red Sox heads. I am a New York Mets fan and Rays are my second favorite so I am hoping for the Rays all the way, and if the Sox make it then i will go with the Sox because i am a mets fan. Anyhow, this year’s fall classic will be most definately an exciting one with or without the Rays.
CONGRATS!! PHILLY PHANATICS!! Big PHILS are going to the BIG SHOW!! I think the Dodgers problem was that they were not playing the SD Friars(MY TEAM) If that were the case THE BIG BLUE WRECKING CREW would have coasted to THE WORLD SERIOUS!! Congratulations, again PHILS!
I have no idea if who is getting to the world series for in the AL. Right now, all I can focus on is Game 5, nine innings, pitch by pitch. I hope it’s the Red Sox who win this game. The Sox are good in pressure situations, but this Rays ball club is a good team, admittedly.
The Phillies ball club is a definitely an explosive one. If it’s the Red Sox, then their pitching staff has to get it together, and people like Jacoby Ellsbuy, Big Papi and Jason Varitek have to get it together. If it’s the Rays then their pitching staff has to be consistent against the Phillies’ lineup, and their hitters will have to be precise with the dominant Phillies pitching staff.
Whoever gets to the world series, it will be one hell of a matchup
-Elizabeth
redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com
No matter what, OG, the Phillies are thanking the baseball gods that Joe Carter has retired.
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
I am actually glad the Phillies won OG. As an Atlanta Braves, I am glad someone from the NL East is going to the World Series. I was dissapointed, however, the Rays’ devestating loss last night. An AL and NL East World Series, the best ever!
I would have to say that the Rays are probably the team that will face the Phillies, and that puts this area in a bit of a pickle.
Because of their Spring Training home in Clearwater, just 20 miles to the north of the Trop., the Phillies have a huge fan base section in this area of Florida. Put that on top of these teams are similar in nature as to being speedy, having great starting pitching, and the reliever can be “lights out” most nights.
I think this would actually be a really entertaining World Series. Both teams have power and the number of lefties on the Phillies lineup matches well with the Ray’s power righties.
Of course people say that Boston is still in the hunt…True.
But they have to win 2 of 2 in a stadium where we have only lost 3 out of 27 games in front of 30,000 fans or more.
And they opened 5,700 more seat for the cow bell crazies.
So I am looking forward to seeing Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard during BP in the Trop. Just think, I can’t go to breakfast at Lenny’s in Clearwater until after the series. I might get mugged wearing my Rays gear. Just kidding, love that firehouse omelete.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
amazing! I predict the Phils will face the rays in the world series and the the series will go 7 games. I think it will be a toss up.