Phillies win Game One

Whether you were watching it live in the early hours of the morning in the U.K., live in the evening in the U.S. or via a recording, Game One of the 2008 World Series more than kept your attention.  The Phillies beat the Rays 3-2 and while it might not have been the most smoothly played game you will ever see, the fact that the score was close throughout ensured that it was still a gripping contest that bodes well for the rest of the series. 

As the popular saying goes, baseball is a game of inches and a tight game such as this one always makes the seemingly small moments stand out that little bit more than normal.  Joe Maddon’s decision not to bring the infield in with Shane Victorino on third base during the top of the fourth inning ultimately meant that the Rays cheaply conceded what became the winning run.  Every tactical decision is easy to make with the benefit of hindsight and allowing the score to go from 2-0 to 3-0 while still in the first half of the game was essentially a judgement call that didn’t work out in Maddon’s favour.

Victorino also made a judgement call when standing on third base with the other bags occupied and one out in the second inning.  He tested B.J. Upton’s arm and was thrown out at the plate to end the inning on an ‘8-2’ double play.  Again, as it was early in the game you could understand the decision, but if the Phillies had gone on to lose then that aggressive play ends up being seen as reckless.  History is always written by the victors.

The big talking point has been another seemingly small moment: Carlos Pena being picked off by Cole Hamels in the sixth inning.  In this case it wasn’t a questionable decision by a player or manager (although some could argue why the relatively slow-footed Pena was trying to steal second), but by the umpires.  The Rays were convinced that Hamels had stepped towards home plate and therefore committed a balk, with  Maddon stating after the game that he “thought it was clearly a balk” and Pena himself stating “In my opinion, it was balk all the way”.  If it was, and balks are often far from the easiest decisions to make, then the umpires missed it and a potential rally (man on second with no outs) was killed.  Add in the fact that it wiped out Ryan Howard’s error to let Pena reach base in the first place and you can definitely call it a momentum changer.

The Phillies took advantage to win a game that was played out by two aggressive teams possibly feeling the nerves that a World Series must surely inspire.

Chase Utley started the scoring with a two-run homer in the first inning, but the early blow didn’t provoke a run-fest.  Apart from a ‘get over’ curve that Carl Crawford put into the right field seats, Cole Hamels made few mistakes while stifling the Rays in another excellent postseason start.  The heart of the Rays order – Upton, Pena and Longoria – went 0 for 12, with Upton in particular looking out of sorts after his blistering form at the plate against the White Sox and the Red Sox. 

Scott Kazmir also looked lost early on.  While he should take some credit for battling even though he was clearly far from being at his best, the Phillies will think that they should have done more to pad their lead by taking advantage of the Rays’ starting pitcher.  They stranded eleven base runners and on another night that might have come back to haunt them.

Still, the Phillies have the luxury of a perfect closer waiting in the wings.  Brad Lidge’s three-up, three-down ninth inning meant that he has now converted fourty-seven consecutive save opportunities this season and is 6 for 6 so far this postseason.  The Rays might hope that the run has to come to an end at some time, but they really need to devote their energy into making sure that Lidge doesn’t get any more opportunities to shut the door on them.

It all amounted to an intriguing opener for viewers of Five to enjoy.  And what a diverse cast we are: Brits working in Russia, a Swede watching in Spain, even a guy who had been sacked from his job the previous day but could find a great silver lining in being able to watch the baseball rather than working a night shift.

All will no doubt be tuning in again tonight to see what game two brings.  Winning game one of the World Series has been a big advantage for teams in recent history.  Add in the fact that the series will shift to Philadelphia for game three and it’s clear that this is pretty much a must-win game for the Rays.  ‘Big game’ James Shields is charged with leading the fight back, while Brett Myers looks to push the Phillies to within two wins of a World Championship.  Five’s coverage begins at 01.00.