Would you have expected anything less from Roy Halladay?
Just when you needed him to come up big, he throws a nice one run, complete game win. The bullpen didn’t even have to warm up. Halladay snagged his 10th win of the season, and brought the Phillies back up to 19 games over .500. This was also Roy’s 5th complete game of the season which leads the Major Leagues.
The offense decided to show up, too. Jimmy Rollins lead the charge with a 4 hit game. It was the first time Jimmy has had four hits in over two years. Impressive as well was that he was hitting from the right side. Jimmy was essential to the win scoring two of the Phillies three runs, proving that being in the top of the lineup is still his thing.
I won’t say that the offense is back, because I surely don’t think it is, but giving Roy three runs 9 times out of ten is going to be enough for him to lock down and do the rest. The Phillies are hosting the Red Sox this coming week, and will need to find a way to scratch out some runs. the Sox have been slumping a bit recently, only winning four of their last five.
This series will showcase the two teams that everyone was saying would clash in the 2011 World Series. Does that mean that the games have any more importance? No, they count just as much as any of the other 162 you’ll see this season, but it sure will be a nice test for the Phillies. The Sox will be bringing their aces to the mound when they visit Philly, and on Tuesday the Phillies will counter with a pretty hot one of their own in Cliff Lee.
Tuesday it’s Cliff Lee vs. Josh Beckett
Wednesday: Vance Worley vs. John Lackey
Thursday: TBA vs. Jon Lester (could be Hamels on normal rest with Monday’s off day)
Hey Michael
May the best team win, or something like that. . .my humble prediction is Sox tonight, Phils tomorrow, Thursday, extra innings. . .???
Hope all is well with you.
michael