Pitchers Dominate

Most people felt this NLCS would be all about pitching.  Well, after the Giants have a 2-1 game lead, that prediction seems pretty well in order.  The Phillies are actually out-hitting the Giants, .194 to .189, but trail in the Series.

Over the last three seasons, the Phillies as a team batted .199 at AT&T Park.  Well, that trend continued yesterday as the Giants blanked the Phillies.  Last time the Phillies were shut out in the postseason was Game 5 of the 1983 World Series, 5-0, by the Orioles.

The Giants got three, two-out singles in two innings for their three runs.  The Phillies finished with three singles for nine innings and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.  It was their lowest hit total since they were eliminated by the Rockies on three hits in Game 3 of the NLDS three years ago.

SF starters have now worked 22.2 consecutive scoreless postseason innings at home. 

So, the Phillies are facing a must-win game tonight.  Joe B, who hasn’t started since September 29, will be on the mound against a rookie lefty whom the Phillies haven’t seen.

This Date
The Phillies are 0-1 in their postseason history on October 20. It was a defeat that stung as the Phillies saw the Blue Jays score six times in the eighth for a 15-14 win at the Vet in the 1993 World Series.