On paper this is about as even as series gets. While their regular season records certainly don't reflect it, these are two teams that have basically redefined themselves in the latter part of the season.
The 1980 champs, finished with a 91-71 record, while the 2008 team finished up with a 92-70 record.
Back on September 10th, the Fightins were 79-67 before going 13-3 down the stretch. Aside from the two losses to Atlanta, they were virtually unstoppable.
And, with their 3-1 series victory over Milwaukee, they are now 16-4 in their last 20 games, good for an .800 winning percentage.
Now, here's where things get scary similar. The 1980 Fightins were 79-67 on September 20th, having the same identical record as the 2008 squad after 146 games after going up and down for much of the season, much like the 2008 squad, which seemed to go into a funk after catching fire, only to go in a funk again.
The 1980 Phillies went 12-4 in their last 16 games dating from September 20th and wrapped up the division with a 91-71 record. And, they went on to beat the Astros 3-2 in the NLCS and the Royals 4-2 and won their first title.
Looking at both teams they were and are completely different teams down the stretch. I can't explain it and many of us can't, because this team looked dead in the water on September 10th. But, something happened, be it a spark, or maybe a rally cry in the clubhouse, or maybe they finally "got it", but whatever it is, this team has it and looks poised to take on a Dodgers team that is equally hot.
The Dodgers like the 1980 and 2008 Phillies squads finished the regular season with an 84-78 record, hardly a great record, but what's scary about this team is the fact that they just swept a Cubs team that was the best team in the NL all season long. It wasn't even a contest; the Cubs got their asses handed to them.
The Dodgers were hardly a hot team down the stretch, going just 7-7 in their past 14 games, and they had to win those games considering Arizona was just a few games behind them for the latter part of the season.
But, October is a whole new season. For the Phils, their new season began a month ago.
Tonight Derek Lowe will take the hill for the Dodgers. He along with former teammate Manny Ramirez will give the Phils quite a difficult time and try to prevent them from facing the Red Sox in the World Series. Ramirez is hitting nearly .400 since joining the squad and has nearly 20 homers in just 50 some games. Lowe is a big game pitcher. He was a big part of that 2004 squad that came back to defeat the Yanks after falling down 0-3 in the ALCS.
Cole Hamels will take the hill for the Fightins and look to continue his dominance in the playoffs. He was unhittable against Milwaukee and should give the Dodgers' bats plenty of fits.
Expect a 3-2 or 2-1 game tonight; it will be a grind out victory.
Game starts at 8:22 on FOX.
No comments:
Post a Comment