Dodgers versus Phils

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Gander, I think 6 teams (Phils, Yanks, Cards, Boston, Halos, and the Dodgers) were capable of winning it all. I honestly don't think the Rocks n' Twinks had enough pitching. The two teams that are going to meet (Phils n' Yanks) are there for two fundamental reasons. I say fundamental, because people make this stuff way too difficult.

1) Swing at Strikes. Stop swinging at balls. Sounds easy. No, it is evidently not. Look at Casey Blake swing at the low outside pitch last night, and ground to the shortstop. Look at Manny swing on the pitch that Durban threw way inside (that handcuffed him badly.) These 2 people are not paying attention to the fundamentals of this game. To be honest, I think Philly has just collected a smarter group of people. Yes, power is important, but it's this plate discipline that separates them from others in the post. If they were swinging at balls, they couldn't use their power. Well, the Broxton situation is different. That fkn choke was gunna center cut one of them, regardless. The Yanks are also doing well at this, but the Phils are superior at this. They are certainly one of the most plate-disciplined teams we've seen in a while.

2) Throw strikes on the corners, and have command. Well, the Dodgers were certainly abysmal at this, and it's been Mr. Kershaw's problem from day one. I told Cannon that the series depended a lot on how this individual pitched. He failed at command. He does this often, and it keeps him from being an ace. I don't know if this individual will ever gain command. Really, once this guy came up short, I knew they had no shot, and that's why I called the series over after the 5th inning of the 1st game. I knew they would then lay down, and they did. He needed to pitch like he did against the Rocks. He didn't. A great deal of their future depends on managing this guy. They've not done this well. Too much tea drinkin' etc. , and not enough management of players going on. Not nearly enough plate discipline being taught, and a horrible job at getting pitchers like Kershaw to command their pitches. Doesn't help that they refused to get the one ace pitcher available. Philly wanted to win more. Paid the price for him. Colletti etc. did what? -> hem n' haw.. hem n' haw. BTW, the Yanks n' Phils are about even on this starting pitching right now. I'm going to guess the Phils solve C.C. before the Yanks solve Lee. I think the Phils will win it, but it depends so much on the Yanks plate discipline. The Phils plate discipline will be there. If the Yanks have plate discipline, then it will be a very close series. If they don't have that, it's gunna be a very short series.