Why did the Phillies lose the World Series?
by Scott Butler 11/5/09
There are many answers to that question (none of which is that we were beaten by a better team). I might be a bit biased, but it sure looked as though it was more a product of the team not playing up to its capabilities as it was the Yankees winning the series.
1. The offense did not take advantage of Pettite.
By far the most troubling thing to me about this series was the fact that we did not hurt Andy Pettite. I'm sure he would be the first to tell you that he did not have his best stuff in either game. He was behind many hitters and gave up 8 walks in 11.2 innings. Normally the Phillies will destroy a pitcher like that, but not this time. It is really frustrating when a guy is able to work out of jams time and time again and get away with it. We got to him somewhat in game 3 early on, but once he got the lead he just dominated our hitters. Those are the games we needed to win.
2. Cole Hamels
Everyone knows about Cole Hamels, so I will keep this brief. He had a 3-0 lead and threw three perfect innings. Things looked awfully good at that point. Even when A-Rod hit the homer off the camera it was fine. Then he imploded and Andy Pettite embarrassed the Phillies after that. That really changed the whole complexion of the series. The fact that Manuel decided to pitch Pedro in game 2 says enough.
3. Brad Lidge
How different might this series have been if Brad Lidge had struck out Damon on the foul tip in game 4. I felt so good at that point. Pedro Feliz had tied the game in the eighth and Lidge made all three batters look foolish in the ninth. Then Damon got a hit. Big deal. Then he stole second. No problem. And third. The Yankees still needed a hit to score a run. But then Lidge abandoned his slider. It would have been devastating if a wild pitch scored a run, but you have to trust your catcher and throw your best pitch. But he threw fastball after fastball to A-Rod and Posada and that was it. The Damon play was bad, the Rodriguez hit was worse, but he simply could not allow any more damage. After Posada's hit, the game was over.
4. Ryan Howard
I consider Howard's difficulties (including his record 13 strikeouts) nothing more than a product of a slump. You've seen Howard in a slump and realize how awful he looks on sliders and how great he can be when he is hot. It just wasn't there for him. But it really hurt the Phillies to have such a gaping hole in the heart of the lineup. But I will give him credit. His home run in the final game could have been the spark the team needed to make an incredible comment.
5. Jimmy Rollins
Nobody has acknowledged this, but Jimmy Rollins may have hurt the team more than anyone. He hit .217 during the series. It is very hard to win when J-Roll is not on base at the top of the lineup. Think back to how many solo homers the Phils hit during the series. If he is on base for even two of those, the entire complexion of the series would have changed.
Put all of these together and you have a pretty disappointing series.
I will leave you with one thought. When the Phillies had the chance to close out a series they did it every single time. Those clinching games are the toughest ones to win because you have to reach deep down and give every ounce of yourself when your hear is halfway broken. No other team that we faced was able to find that strength except one: the Philadelphia Phillies. They gave us a great ride and the trip aint over yet.
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