Asif

Dave Clark is the interim manager as the Astros have fired Cecil Cooper.  This report coming from KWTX in Houston.

Jim Thome is headed to LA to play for the Dodgers.   The report is offical according to Inside the Soc on twitter.  Justin Fuller has been sent to the White Sox as part of the trade.   Thome hit 252 with 23 hrs and hasn't hit a homerun since  August 21.  Thome makes 13,000,000  per year.  This move made to cutback on salary.  
Jose Contreras has been dealt to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for RHP Brandon Hynick.  Contreras 5-13 this year with an era of 5.42.  In his last two starts, Contreras has given up 7 runs in six innings and lost bothj decsions to the Red Sox and Yankees.   Contreras only one quality start ion his last sox going 7ip on august 19th vs KC. All other starts 5 out of six Contreras struggled getting past the fifth inning.  The White Sox were looking ways to get rid of Contreras espeically with the addition of Jake Peavy.   

 A Memphis television reports John Calipari has accepted the head coaching job at Kentucky.  This also coming from biz journals .com/.  Billy Gillespie was fired a week ago after spending two seasons in Lexington. 

The Tigers  head coach has been offered  $35 million for eight years to leave Memphis a conference USA school for SEC school in Kentucky  .  It would make him the highest paid coach. 

Calipari's contract  has been reworked 5 times at Memphis but now would top Billy Donavan as the highest paid coach in college basketball.   Memphis looks like they do not want to rework his contract.  The credit for the teams recruiting has to do wiith Calipari.  Last season, Derrick Rose became the number one pick overall in the NBA draft. 

The Conference USA has taken a step down from recent schools moving to the Atlantic 10 and the Big East.  The competiion and money is more lucrative at an SEC school like Kentucky.  The SEC had a down year only having Mississippi State, LSU and Tennessee in the tournament. 

Its not out of the reach for Memphis to get back to the promise land.  Gene Bartow took the team in 1973 to the finals and lost to UCLA. Larry Finch was on that team in which he scored 29 points.  Finch coached the Tigers before Calipari entered at Memphis. What a turnaround for Calipari which tried his NBA coaching with the Nets.  He was fire dafter a 3-17 start in 1998 season.  Now at Memphis Calipari went 253-68.  He was had 9 20 wins seasons and has won the coach of the year three times 2006, 2008, and 2009. 

His recruiting spreads National for example, DaJuan Wagner from Camden NJ, Darius Washington, Shawne Williams, Derrick Rose from Chicago , Tryeke Evans from Aston, Pa, Xavier henry from Putnam City OK, Rodney Carney from Indianapolis.    So, if its recruitjng natioanlly or locally he had changed the program into a powerhouse in the Conference USA. 

Can another coach succeed at Memphis?  Calipari might have done the work but I believe by him leaviing he must know the Tigers will go after a big time coach themselves or there is a replacement in their system.  Will Cailpari bring his whioel caohing staff with him to Kentucky.  Calipari has a lot of things that are left behind.  Its a quick decision it started with just getting the permission from the school just to talk with Calipari.  Suddenly just 5 nights and 6 days  after a loss to the Missouri Tigers , things have changed for one of the best coaches in Conference USA history.  

Also this leads to another debate because If Calipari gets the job at Kentucky, then Georgia will look to get a big name coach.  Georgia has the cash but also wants to be competitive.  They want to be better than Kentucky, and Florida.  So, this gets more interesting in the SEC.  

 When we look at Mizzou, its a team of hope, agressiveness and agility.   I have had the chance to meet many Mizzou former players and have been able to find players who have been able to speek with me. 

Under the Norm Stewart head coaching regime, players struggled to get jobs out of college.   I met Derrick Chevious in Chicago who started a company which learned to be an entreprenuer.  Then, there was Melvin Booker a player who left college and learned to play in the NBA as he accomplished it by playing for the Houston Rockets, Denver Nugget and Golden State Warriors.  He had to make a transistion as he went o being a point guard.  Booker also made head;lines in college as he was even part of a Sports Illustrated article. 

Now, a days things have changed with the new coach in Mike Anderson.  Mizzou went with a coach that has gotten recognition from Conference USA.  Mike Anderson wasa good coach at UAB and many people sya its p a good spot for a coach to learn his traits. 

In fact, Anderson at UAB had a  89-41 rcord and tied for first in 2003-2004.  That team made it to the sweet 16. 

Why I mention the past is because Anderson has his own style and has a step ahead in what to anticipate in  a matchup.  Anderson at UAB upset Kentucky which was a number one seed.  Thsi happened in 2003.

Okay years later, things have changed because its MIzzou and in the past this squad has only made it to the elite eight but I believe Anderson will be prepared in the next matchup vs Memphis.  

DeMarre Carroll becomes the key player as he was a transfer from Vanderbuilt.   Carroll has had isssues on how he became part of gthe club.  He has had issues on Campus.   The agrressive defense put on by this school puts them above and beyond  any other defense at Mizzou.  I believe this bunch of Tigers may have a better full court press defense as any team in the past. 

The key in the next round matchup is stopping Tyreke Evans.  Evans has great leapin ability and can crowd the riim as well as any one/ 

Mizzou is facing a team in which plays an agressive defense in Memphis.     Mizzou have to come out and get on early runs and make sure they can contain Evans.  its not a one man show at Memphis but other players have the ability to play but its a matchup  that could give Mizzou fits.  

 

    It may be time to see this but a goalie from the native town of St. Louis making it to the NHL. 

    Its a goalie from St. Louis  as the annoucer announced as many people who watched the game here in a sports bar  called the Firebird, here in  Atlanta, Ga  on a tv set were just trying to take a wince at Ben Roethlisberger the leader of the Super Bowl champions the Pittsburgh Steelers  who was in the press box as he was smiling with Hall of Fame great Mario Lemieux.   Jeff Reed was the kicker and may be setting up jokes as he sat with both greats of Pittsburgh. 

    Then, listening to the Tampa Bay  announcers on Fox Sports Flordia Rick Peckham and  Bobby Chief Taylor is always a treat but when Peckham said from St. Louis Missouri and we know its not baseball like Yoggi Berra or the NFL like a Trent Green or in the NBA Larry Hughes its Mike McKenna.  

    His name is Mike McKenna.  He came in because the TB Lightning struggle deeply in find a goalie since the departure via free agency by Nikolai Khabibulin.   Kari Ramo and Mike Smith have either been hurt or inconsistent in the nets.   The fans and management are looking for a goalie. 

    McKenna was born and raised in St. Louis and attended Parkway South.  He played junior hockey in Springfield.    After leaving town attend St. Lawrence University earning a 4 year degree and playing college hockey from 2001-2005. 

    He was a six round pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2002 NHL draft.   After spending time with ECHL and the Norfolk Admirals he made it to the NHL.   Where did Mckenna learn all his skills?  He was taught by Bruce Racine who lives in St. Louis.    Racine has a goalie Academy that preaches goaltending skills at almost ever level. 

  “Goaltending has not only been my livelihood.  It’s been a lifelong passion.”  This is what is stated in the Racine Academy which is league to reduced goals against.   Racine himself played 15 years in the league including the 1991 Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins.  In 1989 won the turner cup with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. 

   Racine has been around the league having numerous coaches including Mike Keenan, Roger Nielson, Daryl Sutter and Scotty Bowman.   Bruce broke through in the 1990-1991 playing with the great Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and Paul Coffey.  It’s only fitting that McKenna’s first start came in Mellon Arena against the Penguins.    Racine found his way with St. Louis Blues in the 1995-96 season playing 11 games which was the same year the Blues had Wayne Gretzky lined up with Brett Hull.  Grant Fuhr and John Casey were the goalies but Racine was the one being the third backup.

   Ever since then, Racine has made his home in St. Louis where he has a daughter.  All of teaching has been devoted to teaching kids to learn to play goalie.   Racine can play goalie but now has started something that may change the sport in an economic downfall.  He teaches students to have fun but also learn the game tactics and now has a player in the NHL to prove his weight. 

     Karri Ramo had been the number one goalie but things changed when he could not play in the second period.    He was replaced by Mckenna.  It’s not the first goalie the Lightning has used out of the ECHL which is a minor league affiliate below the AHL.  It’s a league that has produced 392 NHL players

     Riku Helenois was the first ECHL goalie used after replacing net minder Mike Smith who also played in the ECHL. 

    McKenna was a star in the minors as he resurfaced in Los Vegas where he made it to the All-Star game.  McKenna played in Vegas in 38 games where he was 27-4-7 with five shutouts and a GAA of 2.22 with a save percentage of .905 as a rookie in 2005-06.  He made it to the playoffs and went 1-1 with a 3.12 GAA.  ECHL has affiliation of 24 of 30 teams in the NHL.   Many ECHL players are now entering the NHL AS 37 former ECHL  have made their debut this season which is 10 under the debut in 2005-06 with 47/ 

    Two coaches in the NHL have come from the ECHL one is Bruce Boudreau with the Washington Capitals and Scott Gordon with the NY Islanders.   Boudreau coached in the southern league in Mississippi for three seasons and winning the Kelly Cup in 1999 and was coach of the year in the NHL in 20007-08.  G

    The one coach who won a cup Peter Laviolette with the Canes lost his job this season with the NY Islanders. 

     Now, it’s a great story of a player in St. Louis which is not named Pat Lafontaine who moved when he was six as this man was able to take his priorities seriously and it paid off.  McKenna can only take the credit of moving hockey in the right direction. 

     The town is waiting for the Chris Chelios but so this is a story of hope and determination from the county of St. Louis.   A coach found a home and the town found someone who can teach them never to give up your hopes and dreams.  It doesn’t matter if you are a coach or a player.  Here we see two of them collide and both gain a smile at the same time. 

If Golden State was looking for a star, a player rose to the top his name is Anthony  Morrow.  Morrow maybe a new star in the NBA but he did something that may change the sport for a while.  He scored 37 pts in his 1st start  and did  it by playing  like an nba  basketball  star like Lebron James.   

At Georgia Tech, some of the people  have responded when Morrow was in college and in the summer basketball camp.    He had some scouts responding to his style of play on Draftexpress.com  says  "below average athlete by NBA Standards and doesn't jump real well and lacks explosiveness"  This scout was anonymous according to the site.   By taking this guy as a draft player, he may have been a risk.    Wrong,  he instead took the time to play in the summer and now finds himself in the NBA

Its a great story even if he never scores a point again.  Morrow scored 37 pts in his first game after many scouts doubted his abilities as a player.

Morrow played summer ball in Orlando

By playing the Clippers who nearly cheer like the Lakers fans unless the team would ever win a championship, Morrow went 15-20  11rbs 37pts and hti 4 for 5 from the 3 point line.  Many scouts had him being a one dimensional player but to score 37 in the NBA defense has to be played a little as its more of a one on one game.   Some said in college he did not dribble enough he would take one step and shoot.  So, Morrow had to learn to play the one on one game as he had to learn to be a better ball handler athlete or defender. 

Who think players should be judged on defense rather than offensive skills alone.  The fans at the Staple Center according to NBA.com says the fans were chanting Morrows name.  After watching the game, it was a matinee crowd  one that could wait for just the game to end.  On the other hand, It saw a debut of a starting player who may be on his way to the top.  

You average 37 points for one game you are at the top in points averaging per game.   He scores 25 vs Portland on Tuesday night.  Will the NBA admit of making this mistake at the NBA level?  The mistake of not evaluating talent based on skills should shoot themselves in the foot.  Don Nelson goes out and searches for talent.  He also took a risk but at the end found a new player who could be a rookie of the year candidate  who may jump higher or who has better defensive skills?  Why look at a player for his work ethic and wanting to play the game.  This is why NBA has camps and it proved to work for players to get a second chance. 

This is a surprise to all college stars from Georgia Tech.  Morrow was a great shooter but having play at the pro-level and making a difference as a player goes a long way.  

 

Kyle Orton gets banged up and Rex Grossman enters in as the qb and first amazes his crowd down 23-13.
Here are some moments from the game in which were intreresting

Bears qb Kyle Orton id run in for a ten yard score to make it a 10-0 score entering the second quarter.  Orton can roll out and find receivers but his arm was getting strong throwing not just the short passes but also throwing the deep one. 
Hester fumbles off the kickoff return and the Lions recovered and pick up some momentum.  The Lions scored when Kevin Smith ran it in for a 11 Yard td.   The Lions only had 37 yards from Smith all game. 

Calvin Johnsons catch down the right side was outstanding as he had to use his lengthy arms to come down with the ball.  What can you say about the Lions? The got a break and took the lead on a td by Orlovsky. Then, the Lions scored again throwing the ball down the left side in the endzone for a touchdown.  Sean McDonald made a diving catch for a touchdown.  The Lions looked like they were going to win the game.  Lions are up 23-13  and looked in control.  They took out Kyle Orton. Cory Redding makes the sack from the back and pull him down after Orton tried to get run out of bounce. There was another player that fell on top of him.   This is why they say is better to get rid of the ball then to try to roll out.  Orton got hit and hurt himself for the game.  Grossman wakes up and throws a bullet pass to Rashied Davis for the touchdown and it seemed the momentum switched for the Bears. 

Dewayne White   picks up his second interception of his career.  It was tipped up in the air before White went down with the ball.  Grossman threw a bullet but it was tipped up by Jared DeVries and at the sametime the ball was intercepted by a DE White. Two rushing tds by two quarterbacks by the Bears and both were delays.  The Bears protected the quarterback pretty well as they allowed one sack and int.  It was a tough hard faught win.  Should have the Bears win by a larger margin? They were lucky to come back and does it look like the Bears can be beat up badly against a good nfl team.  I think a Lions team desperate for a win plays tougher than a team that is 4-4.  The Lions have to win and they played the bears tough  but blew the lead and the game.  The overal stsats favor the Lions first downs 21-18 third down efficiency 41% to 33%.  The Lions could not run the ball to eat up some  clock they only had 53 yards to 154 adv Bears.  Matt Forte did not score a td but his runs helped the team out in play action passes.  I thought Grossman looked sharp throwing the td pass to Davis.   

16 million viewers watched the World Series according to tv by the numbers website.  Joe Blanton was throwing the fastball at 90 mph. Blanton used his slider and change up in the first two innings.  He got Akoroni Iwamura to hit a fly ball after an 8 pitch at bat. 

Andy Sonnastine threw a lot of cutters to the Philly hitters but had his  pitches up in the strike zone.  The fastball was thrown over 87 mph but his curveball was at 77.  Sonnastine could not get Utley out in the first inning.  He threw a four pitch walk that put runners at first and third with one out.   On the previous at bat, Werth hit a fly ball that sent the runner to third base,  Some how the Rays gave up a run in the first inning to fall behind.    The fielders choice made the difference as Howard got on base after the pitcher did not come up with  a decision to throw to any base.  Burrrell did a decent job of taking pitches and looking for the fastball but the pitcher Sonnastine tried to get his curveball and cutter ove the plate and missed with his location.   The walk scored the first run of the game    The last thing for the Rays to do when trailing in a series is to start in a series where they trail by one.   Akaroni Iwamura booted the ball at second base to give a chance for the Phillies second run.   Ryan Howard single moved the runners to first and third.  Howard took a curveball and looked for the fastball and hit it hard.  Pedre Feliz up with two outs in the inning looked for a fastball but got a slider and two curveballs,.  The pitch was right down the middle and pulled in to left field.   The Phillies knew what pitches to look for and they know what to do with the pitches.  The Phillies had the bases loaded but the pitcher Joe Blanton looked for a pitch but saw cutters and popped out to end the inning. 

Iwamura made his second error in four innings and Rollins reached base, You can tell Sonnastine had no location of hispitches because the next batter his fastball and slider were in the dirt.   Howard saw three curveballs and one fastball and hit the fourth pitch to left field in which he has hit a few at Citizen's Bank park.   Dan Wheeler's fastball was 88 mph but his could not get Werth out in the 8th inning.  The fastballs were in the middle of the plate as Werth fouled off one and took two in the strike zone.  3-2 pitch to Werth was knocked out to elft center field,  Howard is reborn after hitting his homer off Trevor Miller.   Miller's fastball was at 88 mph and in the strike zone.

Blanton threw fastballs and changeups to Carl Crawford.  Also in the fourth inning, Blanton was trying to throw the ball inside but Crawford looked like he got jammed but got enough to hit it out.  Crawford can hit some home runs but this one was unorthodoxed because he pulled the pitch and hit it out.  

The Phillies used their power in this game hitting four homes vs the Rays 2.   The Rays are running out of hope.  They  should come into this game with a new look and start over. 

It was 2 o clock last night when the game ended.  This World Series game actually was exciting as it came down to the final at bat.   teh Phillies were up 4 -1 and it looked like the game was over.  The baserunning was a big part of the Rays comeback as BJ Upton stole two bases in the eighth inning and finally scored on a throwing error. 

Grant Belfour hit Bruntlett in the 9th inning.  i do not know what pitches were called from the dugout but Belfour threw three change ups in a row before releasing his fastball.   Belfour threw the fastball low to navarro who could not block the ball behind the plate .  The ball hit the backstop and went right back to him.  Navarro picks up the ball and throws it over the head of the second baseman into center field.  Bruntlett is at thrid and Joe maddon had no choice but then put the next two runners on base.  Ruiz saw nothing but fastballas as Maddon was hoping for a strike out but Ruiz got a small piece of a fastball and hit it to Longoria at third base.  Longoria threw underhanded to the catcher but overthrew it and the run scored.   Longoria had no chance but Longoria was already playing in so it was a bang bang play. Longoria had to barehand it cleanly to make the play home. 

Moyer's toss to first from his glove to the first baseman was a bad call as the runner was out.  It was a miss call and could have cost the Phillies the game.  Overall, it was an exciting finish to the game.   Ryan Howard and Chase Utley going back to back on home runs put the Phillies ahead.  The bunt play allowed Crawford on in which at the end got runners to second and third with no out.  Then, the rays manufacture the runs by hitting ground balls.  It was a 4-3 game and just for the Rays to score a run off Madson was a big play. 

The Rays have to win tonight to move to a tie series.  Even if they lose the next game it would send the series to Tampa Bay.

According to the Website TV by the numbers, the overnight ratings show for game 1 the Phillies and Rays had over 13 million viewers but when the game was on at 9am criminal minds beat out game 1 of the world series.  There is no doubt these two teams wil not bring a huge hit to the American public.  The game to most basbeall fans feel this series is exciting.  These teams like to hit homeruns, they play small ball and they both know how to keep the games close. Ratings for game two are down 27% from last years matchup betweem the Red Sox and Rockies. 8.1 from last years game at 11.1.  CBS won the primetime matchup on  Thursday.  I suggest baseball start their series on Tuesday instead of Wednesday.  Many Viewers do no watch sports on Thursdays instead they watch primetime shows.  If this series goes seven, this series will have a good rating.

Its not good for FOX to have the World Series and then not win the day in ratings.  I believe when this contract is up baseball should look to go to another network.  FOX pregame show is no where near Baseball Tonight or even MLB on Deck.  They use a lot of west  pregame analysts.  Erick Karros and Kevin Kennedy who  reside out west do not have strong opinions of the games in which let many viewers not interested in the game.  Tim McCarver continues to mis pronounce names.  McCarver is not critical enough and they need someone to let the viewers know whats going on in this game.  Former CBS Neil Pilson said it best for baseball that low ratings are okay for baseball.  The Local ratings for Phil and TB are up and merchanidising is the key for baseball.  The product is also coming after the end of steriods and into aa new era of baseball.  The fundamentals of baseball have returned this year.  Stolen bases are down but guys like BJ Upton make the game exciting.  Curtis Granderson was exciting in the 2006 World Series who plays his offense simular to Jimmy Rollins.  They are two guys in 2007 with 20 plus home runs, 20 doubles, 20 triples and over 20 stolen base.   When they get on base, they can always steal a base. 

The Rays showed the Philllies that they can play small ball and have the pieces to match their lineup.  Joe Maddon is using bullpen by committee.  Ryan Howard saw one slider in the nineth and pulled it to the second baseman .  David Price faced Howard in the seventh Inning and threw him pitches away and Howard fouled off one cutter but since that pitch he threw fastballs and showed a two seamer fastball and got Howard looking for strike three.  Price pitched with poise and maybe at Vanderbuilt he fellt he was pitching for a big stage.  Price is not nervous and shows how baseball has developed in the college over the last few years.  The fans and new ballparks has brought spark back into the ncaa.  Even, ESPNU, CSTV, and Big Ten Network all show college baseball games.  It gives the fans familarity to players in the game.  Most baseball fans know who David Price.  He maybe the biggest player taken in the draft since Alex Rodriguez with the Mariners.  Price will be a star for the next six years barring injuries. 

James Shields was challenging the Philly hitters.  Shields was throwing high fastballs and also mixing up pitches with his slider.   In the first ining,. Shields fastball was up but the hitters were not getting a great swing.  Shelds fastball was around 91 and he jammed the Phillie hitters in the first inning.  I thought the first inning was the key for the Rays had they given up runs early then the Rays would have lost.   Brett Myers who does make his Spring home in Tampa Bay could no locate his fastball.   he tired to bust the hitters inside as well but threw it too much inside.  He then could not hit the outside corner with it either.  As the game went on, B.J. Upton hit the pitch the other way for a hit.  It was a nice adjustment for him.  Jason Werths fielding error lead the runners to move up.  When the Phillies went into their slumps, their defense did struggle at times.  Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins looks good on paper but times have not played well.     Carlos Pena who was up with runners at second and third with no outs saw pitches low and hit it to the shortstop.  Also, Evan Longoria hit the ball to the shortstop as well for an rbi.   The Phillies pitcher did not miss with location instead the Rays were looking for soft pitches just to make contact and move the runners over.  It shows how hitting coach Dave Martinez who was a good bunter and made contact as a hitter for the Montreal Expos, can spread his influence to other hitters.  The contact hitting in the first inning by both sluggers gave the Rays a 2 run lead.  

I have never seen a series buiit on fundamentals as this one.   I know both teams can hit home runs but the difference in the series is the Phillies continue to leave baserunners.    11-4 LOB adv Philly.  In two games , the Phillies have left 22 base runners and at least three times in two games Ryan Howard had the oppurtunity to hit a ground ball and a run would have scored.  Milt Thompson the hitting coach of the Phillies also hit for contact in his day.  Thompson was a good defensive centerfielder I remember him he use to play in at centerfield.

The Fans booed Pat Burrell for not making contact in the first half of the year.  His one homer vs the Dodgers was a key hit.  Rocco Baldelli making the catch and then doubling off Werth was big in the 5th inning for the Rays.   Jayson Werth did not have a good day at the office beign doubled up and making error in which lead to two runs scoring in the 1st inning.  BJ Upton hit in the second hitting went the opposite field and Werth threw out Baldelli who tried to score.    Werth can claim if he does not throw out Baldelli then it would have been 5-2 heading into the nineth.  Charlie Manuel can not be blamed his team was in the ball game until the end.  These teams are taking advantage of each others mistakes.   The Phillies had 1st and 3rd with one out and failed in the fourth inning. 

J-Roll 0-5 and left four runners but when he batted right handed he faced Price.  Price threw the ball inside and it looked like it grazed off the jersey.  Its  a call that could have put Rollins on base in a key spot. 

The bottom of the lineup and the first two hitters had most of the hits for Rays.  Upton , Navarro and Bartlett all had 2 hits.   The key hitter for the Phillies will be Pat Burrell will he be able to make contact and get soem hits in the series.  Will Burrell do the damage with runners on base?  Charlie Manuel says the key in the game two for shields was getting the strike outs with runners on base with less than two outs.   

After game 1, I watched the post-game news conferences and realize Tampa Bay looks even keel after getting experience in their first World Series game. The only person with World Series experience is Troy Percival who is not on the roster.  Percival knows about his days with the California Angels in 2002.  Percival was the closer but his set up man was Francisco Rodriguez who came into the postseason and sparked the Angels in the World Series against Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants. 

Carlos Pena getting picked off was a bad baserunning play.  Pena is not going to steal bases and to get him off the base changed the inning around for the Rays.  BJ Upton hit into the double play when he tried to pull a change up as he hit it to the third baseman.  Upton has to hit that pitch the other way.  Hamels change up came at a time when he was mixing his fastballs.  Upton is a guess hitter and did not get the pitch he was looking for.  Akonori Iwamura hit a Hamels pitch the other way for a  double as well as Carl Crawford who swung at a curveball for a home run.  The Rays have no reason to panic but players in the club house reacted as if they were nervous about the media attention.  Scott Kazmir had no answer if he felt the team can come back for game 2.  He wanted him team to react and play the way that got them to the World Series.  Kazmir had butterfiles and could not get his fastball to hit the corners in which was left  over the middle of the plate.  Kazmir admits of not throwing the pitch to Utley in the area he wanted which was away.  The Phillies have played the cool team after knocking hot teams into the playoffs.  The Phillies hit CC Sabathia and they beat the Brewers with no problem.  The Phillies took care of the Dodgers who came off beating the Cubs.  The Phillies are a team of destiny.  They play hard and their bullpen maybe better than any in the postseason.  Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge both throw hard.  Madson threw 97 mph while Lidge likes to throw his nasty slider.  The Rays had no answer for Lidge in the 9th. 

Ryan Howard struggles continue against left-handed pitching but he also struggled making contact.   Howard did make a defensive play as he went into the stands to pull out a pop out. 

BJ Upton threw out Shane Victorino at home plate.  Upton made the catch and threw a strike into Dioner Navarro.  Navarro blocked home plate and the tag was perfect.  The Momentum looked it would go the Ray's way.  Overall, both teams made defensive plays and kept most of the audience in the game.  It was a 3 hour plus game but the moves of both managers like Joe Madden making three pitching changes in a inning helped FOX put some commercials out.  Charlie Manuel is in the back of the spotlight. 

 The Phillies left 11 men on base and could have put the game away but the bullpen of the Rays showed their experience.  Dan Wheeler, JP Howell and Grant Belfour were used.  2 on and 2 out in the top of the 9th and Wheeler got Pat Burrell popped out. 

For one game, from the Backstreet Boys to the music of Rocky makes this game one that was full of moves, and plays that should get people watching baseball.  If the series goes long, the series will benefit all teams in the World Series.  I believe the Rays are in trouble because going into Philly for a series even if the Rays tie it will hurt the team.  The Phillies have a big fan base and  it will be tough to play at Citizen's bank park.  The Rays could say they already played at a tough park like Fenway so the series should be no biggy playing in Philly.