Broad Street Heroes

Secondly, a look back at the Dodgers.  It really hurts when you are 4-0 in games against the best team in the league (record wise) through 8 innings and only split the series 2-2.  Lidge blew both of those games and I needed a few days to think things through before I wrote my thoughts down.  I will give Pedro a reprieve because that error was a once in a season occurrence for him.  Overall, I am enthusiastic about our play going into the series with the Mets.  Our pitching didn’t falter at all against the “powerful lineup” of the Dodgers, which means that their success isn’t a fluke.  At 33-22 I really couldn’t ask for more, except the 5 wins that we lost because Brad Lidge forgot that pitching to major league hitters takes strategy.

Phinally, a look into this three game set at Citi Field.  So far the new park has played like a pitcher’s park, which means tonights matchup between J.A. Happ and Johan Santana will be a low scoring affair.  My prediction on this game is this: If Santana gets through 7 full innings or more then the Mets will win, and if he is out before the 7th, then the Phillies will take Game 1.  As for Games 2, Cole Hamels was unhittable in his last outing and Mike Pelfrey was, well, the exact opposite, so if we lose that game then it will be a problem.  Game 3 should also be a win.  The Mets are really banged up and don’t have a venerable starter besides Santana, so if we lose tonight it won’t be the end of the world.  Expect the Phils to be 35-23 after this series.