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Layoff Won't Hurt Phillies

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By TONY FABRIZIO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Remind them they don't have homefield advantage. Suggest their lineup isn't as deep. But don't tell the Phillies they're going to lose the World Series because they've had a week off.

They're tired of hearing it.

"I don't see this team coming out flat," relief pitcher Scott Eyre said. "We have too many high-energy guys in the clubhouse. We just have to give Shane Victorino some sugar and let them go."

Recent history suggests a layoff before the World Series can induce rustiness. In 2006, Detroit swept both of its AL playoff series only to get thumped by St. Louis in the World Series. Last year, Colorado had eight days off before the World Series and got swept by Boston.

Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz suggests last year's World Series was more about the Red Sox being a superior team than the Rockies being out of sync. He says the Phillies, who wrapped up the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games, will be fine.

"I don't think having extra rest will help or hurt us," he said.

Manager Charlie Manuel has given his team a simulated game and extra work, citing the importance of maintaining timing - "not only hitting, but also running the bases, playing the field."

Closer Brad Lidge said it's wrong to assume the Rays will be sharper because they're coming off a hard-fought seven-game ALCS against Boston.

"You never know how it's going to work out," he said. "Sometimes that will continue to make a team hot, and that could be a benefit to the Rays. Sometimes it's an achievement just to get there, and you let your guard down."

DH Mystery

With the Rays hosting Games 1 and 2, the Phillies will have to use a designated hitter in the first two games - something NL teams don't do in league play or against AL teams at home.

Manuel was mum on his DH choice, other than to say that with lefty Scott Kazmir pitching he probably will use a right-handed hitter.

That's good news for the Rays, because the Phillies don't have any right-handers on the bench who look too dangerous. Backup catcher Chris Coste struggled down the stretch, and So Taguchi hit only .220 during the regular season.

Against left-handed pitchers in interleague road games this year, Manuel started Eric Bruntlett at first base for slugger Ryan Howard and used Howard at DH. Bruntlett hit .217 in the regular season and is 1-for-3 in the postseason.

Inferior League?

The Phillies went only 4-11 against AL teams in interleague play (they didn't play the Rays), but they were not the only NL team that got thumped.

Every NL team except the Mets, Braves and Reds had a losing record in interleague play this year. Conversely, every AL team had a winning record in interleague play except the Blue Jays, Indians and Mariners.

Of course, the AL has won seven of the last 10 World Series, including two of the last three, and the last 11 All-Star games.

LHP Cole Hamels suggests it is harder for NL teams to adjust to the DH than it is for AL pitchers to hit.

"If you get into a jam and you know the pitcher is coming up, you feel like you can get out of it," he said. "When you come into an AL team and you're facing a No. 9 hitter that can get 10-15 home runs, knock in 60-80 runs, it's a lot different."

Homegrown

The Phillies' roster includes eight players who were drafted and developed by the organization, the same number as the Rays' roster.

First-round picks are OF Pat Burrell (first overall in 1998), RHP Brett Myers, 2B Chase Utley and LHP Cole Hamels. SS Jimmy Rollins was taken in the second round, LHP J.A. Happ in the third, 1B Ryan Howard in the fifth and RHP Ryan Madson in the ninth.

Howard is this year's NL home run and RBI champion, while Rollins was last year's NL MVP.

The rest of the Phillies' roster has seven players obtained by trade, and five signed as free agents. By comparison, the Rays have 13 players acquired in trades and four signed as free agents.

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