You know who I think is a really central figure? Charlie Manuel.
Yes, managers are overrated, and Xs and Os are the most overrated part of managing. But that’s in general, over the long haul, and a best-of-seven series ain’t the long haul.
Will Charlie use Cole Hamels three times, meaning probably in game four on three days’ rest?
Will he use the best RH hitter on his bench, Chris Coste, as his DH against lefty Scott Kazmir in game one tonight, even though Coste is his only backup catcher, or will be use Eric Bruntlett, with Burrell as the DH? (Don’t get me started on So Taguchi)
Will he split up Chase Utley and Ryan Howard in the batting order, making it considerably more difficult for Rays manager Joe Madden to get a late-inning platoon advantage with the lefties in his bullpen?
Those questions are really one question: The Rays are the better club from 1-25, but the Phillies have more studs- Hamels, Utley, Howard, Rollins, Burrell, Lidge. Can Charlie maneuver things so his frontline players have as much chance as possible to win it for him?
The other key, even more than usual, will be the battle for control of the strike zone. Although the Phillies haven’t scored a ton of runs in the postseason, only one opposing starter has gotten through the sixth inning. And the Rays tend to struggle to throw strikes.
On the other side, if the Phillies pitchers can get ahead in the count, then a team that really wants to hit the fastball is going to see Hamels’ change, Myers’ curve, Moyer’s assorted junk, etc.
The Phillies’ layoff matters. Home-field advantage matters. Hamels hasn’t often thrown four straight overpowering games, and he’s already thrown three this postseason. If the Phillies aren’t sharp in game one off the layoff, Hamels will have to dominant to win. That’s a high standard, and game one seems huge in this series.
Rays in seven. Can’t describe how much I hope I’m wrong.
