Sunshine Thru The Rain

When the tarps started to cover the field in Game 5, the whole feeling that had been building all day in Philadelphia- a feeling that today would finally be our day- got covered up as well. With Cole Hamels on the mound, today was the day that the curse would end. It started out how it was supposed to, with Victorino slapping a 2 out, 2 run double to give us a 2-0 lead. 

Then, as the rain started to increase, our lead slowly went away. By the time Hamels went to take the mound at the top of the 6th, there were puddles by the bases. With the ball hard to grab onto, Hamels was striped of his change up, and forced to stay with his fastball. And when B.J. Upton crossed home plate to tie up the game, all of the excitement of the day was offcially drowned by the rain. Hamels start was washed away. It now comes down to a 3.5 inning game that will hopefully take place tonight. 

However, while it was a dissapointment, the Phillies have the advantage on Weds. night.

 First, they will have 4 times up to bat. The Rays have 3. The Phillies bat first, and they bat last. With Cole Hamels due up next in the batting order, they will start the inning with a pitch hitter, then Jimmy Rollins, their leadoff batter. The Rays just had B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria, and Carlos Pena come up in the 6th. So its possible they could only get one at bat tommorw. And if the Rays go down in order, they could have their first at bat agaisnt the Delivery Man of the Year, Brad Lidge. 

Second, the Phillies can start the game with Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero, and close it out with Brad Lidge. They have been great this postseason. Plus, Madson has been a starter, so he is at least used to being out their when the game starts. Brad Lidge hasn't pitched since Saturday, giving him 3 days off. He'll be refreshed and ready to close this thing out. Also, God forbid the Phillies were to lose tommorw and then game 6, the extra day off could lead to Cole Hamels being available for game 7. 

Finally, the Phillies have been scoring early in this World Series. They will get 4 innings at bat tommorw, and in their first 4 innings at bat over the first 5 games, they have averaged around 2.5 runs. The Rays have averaged a little less then 1 run in there first 3 innings at bat, which is how many they will have tommorw. 

So while our parade was rained on this Sunday, the Phillies should still have what it takes to end the drought tonight.