Speed Read: Phillies Not Fanatical About Hitting

Deciding to listen to Tim McCarver blather his way through World Series commentary on TV or turning the sound down and listening to the dulcet, confused tones of Joe Morgan on the radio is like choosing between swallowing broken glass or sliding down a razor blade hill - both choices hurt. But I went with the radio guys for Game 2, mainly because of Jon Miller. And as usual, Morgan got stuck on a mantra he kept repeating over and over throughout the game, this time about the Phillies’ not being able to hit with runners in scoring position.

Rays fan with Joe Maddon sign

Unlike many of his obsessions, he actually was right about this. But it doesn’t take a Hall of Famer to know that hitting 1-for-15 in a game (and 1-for-28 for the Series) is bad. And while they were able to find a way past the Rays in Game 1, they couldn’t on Thursday, as Tampa Bay held on for a, frankly, uninspiring 4-2 win to tie the Series at one game each.

Phillies bench during Game 2 of the World Series

Anyone who kept claiming that this was going to be the most entertaining Series possible can shut up now - of course Red Sox vs. Dodgers would have been more fun, and it couldn’t have been played at a more average level. This Series is less sizzling through two games as it is melting. At least we have things headed over to Philadelphia, where I’m sure the fans will be in fine spirits. Enjoy the trips, Rays!

West Virginia running back Noel Devine

Meanwhile, Auburn was busy just plain fizzling against West Virginia, as Noel Devine made “SEC speed” seem like a stoner going 20 miles per hour on his way to Taco Bell for some munchies. It was big run after big run, as Devine wound up with 207 yards rushing as the Mountaineers throttled the Tigers 34-17.

Think the fact that a supposedly “quality” SEC team just got waxed by an underachieving Big East squad will lead anyone to start questioning the conference’s credentials? Nah, didn’t think so either.

Here’s what else was happening while you were checking out The Flintstones’ kitchen:

Which Tampa Bay Ray is going to get the most heat from Phillies fans during Game 3?

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9 comments

  1. GravatarJimmy Rollins Band
    10:47 am on October 24th, 2008

    Phillies were robbed by the umps last night. That non-strikeout called to Baldelli in the 2nd was horrendous.

    No matter - the Phils will finish things off with a sweep at the Bank.

  2. GravatarWes Welker Wuvs You
    10:55 am on October 24th, 2008

    It makes up for that non-balk call in Game 1.

  3. GravatarSour Orange
    10:59 am on October 24th, 2008

    I highly doubt Auburn is still considered a 'quality' SEC club.

  4. GravatarJoePa Life Alert Bracelet
    11:07 am on October 24th, 2008

    Noel Devine was hotter than a couch burning in Morgantown.

  5. GravatarNeil Everett Diamond
    11:21 am on October 24th, 2008

    Too bad you didn't have a choice of listening to Harry Calas call the game.

  6. GravatarCanesFan77
    11:25 am on October 24th, 2008

    who's harry calas?

  7. GravatarRod Allen
    11:39 am on October 24th, 2008

    Harry Calas is the longtime play-by-play guy for the Phillies. You might also recognize his voice from narrating highlights for "Inside The NFL" and doing voiceovers for Campbell's Chunky Soup commercials.

  8. GravatarCleveland Brown
    11:41 am on October 24th, 2008

    Of course London's not going to care about the Saints vs. the Chargers. Now if it was the Patriots vs. the Silly Nannies, then there would be a whole lotta interest.

  9. GravatarDevil May Care But I Dont
    12:06 pm on October 24th, 2008

    A Red Sox-Dodgers series may have been fun, but it also might have driven a large amount of people nuts with its constant Manny vs. Boston overanalysis.

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