Phitin Phillies Phlayoff Phever: NLDS Game 3

Is Saturday the day J-Roll and the rest of the Phils take the knockout blow?

Editor's Note: This is Part 3 of what very well may be a 3 Part Series. If that's the case, I'd like to personally thank Richard for making this blog a place where baseball neophytes like me can get some insight on the games before they happen. Nice work.

I don’t even know what to say. Hindsight is 20/20, but you have to wonder if Kendrick would have gotten that last out. 66 pitches? Give me a break! But… if Lohse does his job, there would be no discussion. Now we’re hanging on by our fingertips AND going to Colorado.

I hear Denver is a nice place. I’ve never been there, but I have heard tales of adventure and wonderment from those who have had the opportunity to peruse the Mile-High City’s streets. I thought it might be helpful to compile a list of things to do for our spiraling Phillies, because they most likely won’t show up to play baseball.

1. The Loft – Who knows if the strapping bucks Brett Myers and Chase Utley can survive a night away from their hometown hotties. One of Denver’s first nightclubs, the Loft will provide these boys a chance to shine off the field. They might not be able to win a baseball game, but surely they’ll be able to chauffeur a groupie or two back to the hotel before the night is over.
2. Elitch Gardens – A popular amusement park located 5 minutes from downtown, Elitch Gardens would be the perfect place for Coach Charlie to take his rookies. Sometimes, you just gotta let your kids play (pitch!) Manuel, at least give them a chance! Its not like many of your older boys played in any postseason games... Ruiz, Kendrick, and Bourn will definitely love the 40+ rides – don’t miss the Looney Tunes playland!
3. After the amusement park, why not stop by the Denver Firefighters Museum at Tremont Place. Its located in the historic Denver Fire Station No. 1, and admit it, you could use the training. The Rockies are on fire and the Phils are smoldering!
4. Finally, stop by Church’s Chicken on Colorado Blvd for some of Denver’s best Fried Chicken and Honey Butter Biscuits… cause hey, its seems like Alfonseca and Gordon would enjoy a place like this. That’s what someone told me at least.

SATURDAY, 9:30 PM, COORS FIELD:
Matchup: Jamie Moyer (LHP, 44 years old) vs. Ubaldo Jiminez (RHP, 4.28 ERA)

Analysis: Well, down 2 games to nil, playing on the road, and still searching for a solution to the Rockies’ bats (see Firefighter’s Museum above), the outlook is grim for the Phillies. Moyer had a strong outing versus Washington to close the season, but it was Washington. Jimenez has been hit or miss (kinda sounds funny when you say it), but it shouldn’t take much to hold the Phils to a single-digit score, which should be sufficient to earn his team the win. I hate to pick against my team, but we have absolutely NOTHING in our favor here. Its win or go home time. Thanks for the exciting finish Phils, but we’re going back to football – at least the Birds and Nittany Lions have a flicker of hope left…

Final Score: Rockies 9, Phillies 4 -- PROVE ME WRONG!!