# MLB post season: 2009 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 4, 2009, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592 "2009-10-04T21:59:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/461 "2009-11-03T04:47:30Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Well, if Philly wins two more games it would appear to be Chase Utley. All things considered, he probably should get it either way. Of course, if the Yankees do win it’s pretty obvious who the most valuable player to their success has been - Ryan Howard. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/462 "2009-11-03T04:54:22Z")
Well. My heart is back to beating normally again. I know this is my homerism talking. But, not only do I think that Chase Utley is the best Phillie, but I think he is one of the top 5 players in the major leagues. I don’t think he is underrated, but for non Phillies fan he might not be the first name that pops into your head for that sort of thing. I am glad he has really been shining in the national spot light this series. That was a great game. I really think these teams are evenly matched, in spite of the fact that the Phils have not been able to pull out a game that was not started by Cliff Lee. They both have relentless lineups that keep on pushing. Well. It’s headed to New York! Anything can happen. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/463 "2009-11-03T05:00:15Z")
> [@pricciar](#): > > not only do I think that Chase Utley is the best Phillie, but I think he is one of the top 5 players in the major leagues [This article](http://bases.nbcsports.com/2009/10/baseballs-most-underrated-player-chase-utley.html.php) makes a case that he could be considered second - to Albert Pujols. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/464 "2009-11-03T05:39:53Z")
Scores in the last three World Series games: 8-5 7-4 8-6 That pitching sure is shutting down those hitters. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/465 "2009-11-03T11:50:37Z")
Hey, **gonzomax** , are you enjoying seeing that pitching dominate?? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/466 "2009-11-03T14:56:50Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Scores in the last three World Series games: > > 8-5 > 7-4 > 8-6 > > That pitching sure is shutting down those hitters. Hey, considering the line-ups of these teams, the scores would be at least triple that if the pitchers weren’t so good!😉 ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/467 "2009-11-03T15:00:58Z")
I think what we’re seeing is that the hitters are starting to figure out the pitchers. The pitchers come into these series with the knowledge of where they want to pitch to them, the batters need to get some at bats against these pitchers to learn how they throw the ball and develop their timing. ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/468 "2009-11-03T15:08:23Z")
> [@pricciar](#): > > Well. My heart is back to beating normally again. > > I know this is my homerism talking. But, not only do I think that Chase Utley is the best Phillie, but I think he is one of the top 5 players in the major leagues. I don’t think he is underrated, but for non Phillies fan he might not be the first name that pops into your head for that sort of thing. I am glad he has really been shining in the national spot light this series. > > That was a great game. I really think these teams are evenly matched, in spite of the fact that the Phils have not been able to pull out a game that was not started by Cliff Lee. They both have relentless lineups that keep on pushing. > > Well. It’s headed to New York! Anything can happen. Am I the only one who thinks that actually hitting the road will help the Phillies? Coming from behind and then winning in front of the Yankee’s home crowd would be a hell of a victory. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/469 "2009-11-03T17:33:27Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > Am I the only one who thinks that actually hitting the road will help the Phillies? I think it’s a bit of a stretch to think they are more likely to win in Yankee Stadium than at home. I do expect them to be highly motivated. > [@](#): > > Coming from behind and then winning in front of the Yankee’s home crowd would be a hell of a victory. Without question. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2009, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/470 "2009-11-03T22:45:48Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > [This article](http://bases.nbcsports.com/2009/10/baseballs-most-underrated-player-chase-utley.html.php) makes a case that he could be considered second - to Albert Pujols. Utley’s a hell of a player but I’ll still take Hanley. It’s funny how Utley didn’t get to be a major league regular until he was 25. Ryan Howard didn’t get to be the full tiem first baseman until he was 25. Shane Victorino rotted in the minors and on the bench until he was 25, too. Carlos Ruiz waited until he was 28. What the heck were the Phillies doing with these guys? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/471 "2009-11-05T00:58:07Z")
As we get started tonight, I’ll put on my Karnak turban and predict the Yankees win this one 5-4 after Jeter raps an RBI single to right in the ninth inning. maybe that’s a little too poetic, but what the hell. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/472 "2009-11-05T02:14:45Z")
Looks like Matsui is locking up the MVP. His numbers have gone from quite good to crazy good tonight. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/473 "2009-11-05T02:35:56Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Hey, **gonzomax** , are you enjoying seeing that pitching dominate?? 😃 So you assume the right to declare when hitting dominates. Have at it. Game 5 the Yanks crank out 2 runs in the first 8 innings. Then scored a couple when the game was out of reach. The first 2 were pitching dominated. Five games and the Yanks were shut down hard in 3 of them. Do you really see a hitting dominated series or are you just being a jerk? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/474 "2009-11-05T02:39:48Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > So you assume the right to declare when hitting dominates. Have at it. The last three games have been high scoring. > [@](#): > > Game 5 the Yanks crank out 2 runs in the first 8 innings. Then scored a couple when the game was out of reach. They had the tying run at the plate. How is that out of reach? > [@](#): > > The first 2 were pitching dominated. Five games and the Yanks were shut down hard in 3 of them. And yet they’re winning the series! How do you figure the series is being dominated by pitching if a team that was shut down three times - although it was only two, really - is four-plus innings away from winning? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/475 "2009-11-05T02:48:24Z")
I wish I’d mentioned my little brother’s prediction for this game, because so far he’s right: he guessed Martinez would give up four runs in four innings. His further prediction is that the Yankees beat up on the Philly bullpen, and Pettitte gives up no more than three runs over six innings before turning the ball over to Joba and Mo. Score one for him, that was a hell of a prognostication! ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/476 "2009-11-05T02:48:57Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Utley’s a hell of a player but I’ll still take Hanley. > > It’s funny how Utley didn’t get to be a major league regular until he was 25. Ryan Howard didn’t get to be the full tiem first baseman until he was 25. Shane Victorino rotted in the minors and on the bench until he was 25, too. Carlos Ruiz waited until he was 28. What the heck were the Phillies doing with these guys? I agree, but I am taking Utley third. Howard was blocked by Thome. Neither of them really were going to switch positions. Howard put up some monster minor league seasons before he came up. You also left out Werth, who really only started playing everyday this season. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/477 "2009-11-05T02:54:36Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > So you assume the right to declare when hitting dominates. Have at it. Game 5 the Yanks crank out 2 runs in the first 8 innings. Then scored a couple when the game was out of reach. The first 2 were pitching dominated. Five games and the Yanks were shut down hard in 3 of them. > Do you really see a hitting dominated series or are you just being a jerk? You’re funny. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/478 "2009-11-05T02:59:15Z")
Arigato, Matsui! He probably had the MVP cinched with the single a few innings ago, but that double did it for sure. Roku RBI! ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/479 "2009-11-05T03:45:00Z")
Is it just me or does it seem like the Phillies have hit a shitload of balls off the wall in this series? Seems like they’ve missed homers by just a couple feet 5 or 6 times already. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2009, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592/480 "2009-11-05T04:18:54Z")
5 more outs and Mo is in. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2009/512592.md?page=25)