What has happened to the unbeatable Phillies? Only a few weeks ago, Philadelphia was on pace to flirt with the modern-day record for wins by an NL team. And now the Phillies are facing a win-or-go-home Game 5 against the wild-card Cardinals to advance out of the NLDS.
After locking up home-field advantage, the Phillies lost eight-straight games at one point in September.
Maybe sitting their stars made the Phillies lose some momentum, but the team that is facing elimination Friday is not the same squad that was steamrolling over the league during the regular season.
The Phillies’ starting rotation is the obvious focal point of this team. Philadelphia became the World Series favorite after it put together a staff that consisted of Roy Halladay (two-time Cy Young winner), Cliff Lee (Cy Young winner), Cole Hamels (franchise-best 7-4 postseason record) and Roy Oswalt (three-time All-Star). But this historic rotation hasn’t looked untouchable against the Cardinals.
Halladay may have retired his last 21 batters, but that came after he allowed a three-run homer to Lance Berkman in the first inning in Game 1. The next day, Lee couldn’t hold a four-run lead as he allowed five runs on 12 hits in six innings. Hamels pitched well and didn’t allow a run in Game 3, but he only lasted six innings. And Oswalt gave up five runs in six innings in a Game 4 loss.
This truly is one of the best rotations ever put together. The Phillies had a 3.02 team ERA this season, the lowest mark since the Dodgers in 1989. But the staff won’t be remembered among the greatest if it can’t continue its success into the postseason.
So now the spotlight turns to Halladay, Philadelphia’s Game 5 starter. A memorable dominant outing could thrust this rotation into legendary status. But an early playoff exit will make the Phillies — and their franchise-best 102-win regular season — forgettable.
– Jeffrey Tomik
