Phillies at Rockies, Game Three

Four playoff series, four 2-0 leads. With the Diamondbacks having knocked the Cubs’ starter in the fourth inning, its looking like they’ll be the first team to advance to the LCS after a three-game sweep. Will the Rockies’ follow suit?

For Jamie Moyer’s sake- the man who pitched the Phils into the playoffs on the final game of the season- the Phils better put up some stiff resistance. Of course, he’ll have to overcome his 0-4 record and 5.54 ERA in four outings against the Rockies, with a 9.00 ERA in two starts at Coors Field.

Talented righthander Ubaldo Jiminez takes the hill for the Rockies, having allowed two runs over six innings in his only career start against the Phillies.

Um, go Phillies! Go Jaimie!

Some non-October related baseball news

Sorry to interrupt the playoffs, but some recent non-playoff related baseball news:

It has appeared that massive firing of Seattle Mariners coaches has occurred as John Mclaren seeks to install his own people. So, bye bye Mike Goff, Raffy Chaves, Carlos Garcia, Jim Slanton, and Gary Thurman (who stays in the organziation but returns to the minors). Who will McLaren have for his coaching staff? Who knows, but word is that Norm Charlton is the most likely candidate for the bullpen coach position, and McLaren BFF and ex-Oriole manager Sam Perlozzo is rumored for the bench coach spot. As there is currently nobody rumored to fill the M’s vacant batting coach spot might I offer my ideal candidate to fill that role: Edgar Martinez.

Also, Tom Glavine has rejected the New York Mets’ $13 million option. I wonder which is more amazing- the fact that Glavine walked away from that sum of money, or the fact that mets even offered to cahs in their option on the pitcher that single-handedly blew their season for them when he allowed seven runs in one-third of an inning on the last day of the season against the Florida Marlins. Glavine’s career is built around the idea of him being a gutsy veteran, capable of leading whatever club he’s on to postseason success. This idea is largely based on the eight one-hit shutout innings Glavine tossed against the Cleveland Indians to win the 1995 World Series.

However, that was in 1995. Over a decade ago. It is silly to evaluate Glavine on the events of 12 years ago, when his dismal implosion from last weekend is probably a more apt representation of where his skill-set lays- an average at-best 41-year old left-hander who’s uncrafty offerings can’t fool the likes of Cody Ross and Alejandro De Aza. I know the Mariners need starting pitching, but they do not need to pursue the now available free-agent Tom Glavine.

In fact, unless Glavine signs for a severely reduced contract to return to the Atlanta Braves, I wouldn’t be surprised if Glavine retires this off-season. Which would make 2008 the first year in twenty years with Tom Glavine and Craig Biggio playing baseball. Weird. Oh well. If Glavine retires this off-season, then him and Biggio would make a dynamite twosome to head the Hall of Fame’s 2012 list of inductees.

Dbacks at Cubbies, game three

Rich Hill has been downright nasty at times his first two seasons as a starter, and provides Chicago with a great chance to gain a game back from the babybacks and the subpar Livan Hernandez (who still outnumbers Hill in postseason innings pitched by a score of 56 and a third to zero).

I will  be rooting for that top third of the chitown order to finally do something.

Angels vs. Red Sox, Game Two

Fifth inning, Angels leading 3-2.

Not sure if it mattered, but Dice-K’s monthly ERAs over the last four months: 1.59 in June, 3.62 in July, 4.45 in August, 7.62 in September.

To nobody’s surprise he’s all ready been pulled after being unable to make it through five innings.

For what it’s worth, Angels starter Kelvim Escobar had a 7.99 ERA in September. This will be a fun game indeed…

What we’ve learned from the 2007 playoffs so far…

Three playoff contests, three 2-0 leads. Only one series has the supposed favor in the lead, with the Rockies over the Phillies. Will the Red Sox make it four 2-0 teams in four series tonight? Could it be possible that we’ll have four three-and-out series in the first round? Amazing.

Anyways, this is what we’ve learned so far:

Colorado Rockies- Playing like a team posessed. One loss in the last three weeks? Increible.

Philadelphia Phillies- Never had a pitching staff for a playoff team. Although their offense is probably assisted by their home field, so is the Rockies’. It’s just that the Rockies, some how, have the better pitching. Which boggles me. I still can’t get over the fact that this isn’t a Mets-Padres series.

Chicago Cubs- Still cursed.

Arizona Diamondbacks & Cleveland Indians- Surprisingly, I guess having the best record in the league isn’t just some sort of a fluke-y thing.

New York Yankees- Man, when it comes to the playoffs, this loaded line-up is just baaaad.

What lessons will we learn from Game Two of the Angels-Red Sox series?