Brad Diamond

MLB LETS THE BASEBALL PUBLIC DOWN BIG TIME

Monday night was a major set back for the baseball world when the officials of MLB where sitting in the stands at Citizens Bank Park and did not cancel early on the contest between the Phillies and Rays. The abbreviated game did not do justice to the sport or to lefty Cole Hamels.  In a bunt situation, Hamels was hit on the hand (fingers of his throwing hand) and could have cost the Phillies the World Series in retrospect. This incident never happens if do diligence was used in fathering the sport. But, again money takes the grip of human consciousness and brings down western civilization, let alone the kindred spirit of the baseball faithful of Philadelphia. Tuesday night the guardianship will try and recreate the time, space and setting, but the only same base mindset will be the 2-2 score, since the weather is expected to be wet, windy and cold. Sounds like the expense reports for all those fat cats from major league baseball will be getting a little juice spending extra time in the City of the Brotherly Love.

Phillies face the Blue in a big series

Finally, the frustrated Dodgers get back into the life blood of major league baseball with a series win over the Chicago Cubs. It is the NLPS and that venue begins Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The Phillies lost out last season to the red hot Rockies faltering badly in sweep mode! Now the red and white garner a chance of redemption versus the Blue who have not been in this time space since 1988. The Dodgers came on late in the season behind fine pitching and the bat of "Big Time Manny" to surprise their NL brethren.  But, can they advance against a club, Philadelphia who has the better pen and starting lineup?

I'll start by issuing a warning to the Dodgers and their faithful.  I just went to the mail box, and has luck would have it, the Manny Machine is on the cover with that sparkling blue and white uniform sliding into the home plate area.  The Sports Illustrated jinx, you bet!  Just check who and what the cover of SI glorified last week and you'll catch the mindset.  Hey, believe me veteran RHP Lowe will be a challenge in game one, especially against lefty Hamels who has problems with pitches up, before his emotions settle down. This season, and too often, Hamels has allowed "left side" bats to take the youngster yard! He has a tendency when a little jacked up to go high and inside versus quality bats. Hamels does have a super 0.95 WHIP over his last three outings, so it will interesting following the kid on Thursday. Charlies Manual will drop the pitch count, because of the importance of the billing. Tough call, but can profit on Thursday, by checking my game #1 analysis on the Playbook. Good Luck!

Philadelphia Eagles More Than Wrayed Wings

Early this season I talked about the issues surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles football team and head coach Andy Reid.  Well, this past Sunday, the Redskins crushed, and I mean crushed the home standing Birds 23-17.  Finally, reality has set in with the rib injury to Brian Westbrook taking an offensive toll on the Philadelphia offense.  Only, major piece of arsenal left for Reid is rookie sensation, DeSean Jackson who does everything for the coach. In fact, if Jackson did not dance for 68 yards on a punt return, the differential in the Sunday tilt would have been more eye opening. 

The NFC east is loaded with talented groups of offensive and defensive lineman. Philadelphia, though, has the least ability.  On the offensive line, the injury to guard Andrews has hurt (along with early season depression issues) and the replacement (GIles) is just so-so having problems picking up the stunts of the better defensive lines. Looking at the Washington game, the 'Skins ran Portis to the left side of the line, the Eagles right side defensively, which means the 'Hogs ate lunch to the tune of 231 yards rushing, 145 by Portis.  In addition, to the Eagles line and playmaking issues the special teams seem to be failing in key areas once again. This time around, K David Akers has been plagued by mental, rather than physical and technique issues.  There is an old theory in major league baseball, that once a hurler loses the physical ability to hit certain spots around the plate, the mental part begins to slip. The same goes for a place kicker.  Also, the Eagles committed another major penalty on special teams late in the game which led to the winning touchdown for the 'Skins.

Our insiders still insist that QB McNabb is far from 100% and his health could be another late season problem for a franchise in a nose dive. Thankfully,  for the local fan base  the Phillies  did not  fall off the bus on their way to the National Pennant series with the hot LA Dodgers. One down and one to go, maybe!