In case this series doesn’t go any further, let’s begin by reviewing some of the key match-ups that should be expected to go head-to-head on the dancefloor tonight.
Shortstop is always a key position in big games, and both teams have shortstops who stabilize their defense and can make their offenses tick. To date, the Phils’ Jimmy Rollins has had a pretty bad series at the plate. Rollins is one of those guys who’s not afraid to tinker with his intro theme. His most recent tune is pretty cool, but I think I heard that the Dodgers consider this same song a sort of theme song for their team. Perhaps they’ve robbed Jimmy of his song’s mojo.
Jimmy Rollins’ at-bat intro music
After missing most of the season with back problems, the Dodgers’ Rafael Furcal has been using this series to round into spring training shape. He’s been getting hot since the series came back to LA. Could it be some of that hometown intro theme music, by a band not only appropriate to the Dodgers’ hometown but also generally approved for discussion on Rock Town Hall? For this last game in LA, the Phils may want to consider pitching around this guy rather than Manny.
Rafael Furcal’s at-bat intro music
Third base has not been much of a factor for either team. All three men who’ve held down the hot corner have Modern Rock songs for their walk-up music. The Phils platoon the slick-fielding Pedro Feliz and the sweet-swinging Greg Dobbs. Despite an occasional big at bat, Casey Blake has acted like one of the Dodgers’ many crybabies. His behavior is not only out of line with his pretty boss Look but also his fairly boss Modern Rock tune. I’m not going to bother with Dobbs’ choice of “Megalomaniac” by Incubus. The guy’s swing is outstanding, but maybe it’s better kept coming off the bench as the league’s leading pinch hitter.
Pedro Feliz’ at-bat intro music
Casey Blake’s at-bat intro music (UK version)
One might have expected big things out of right field from both the bats and the tunes of Jayson Werth and Andre Ethier. Maybe tonight…
Andre Ethier’s at-bat intro music
Jayson Werth’s at-bat intro music
That leaves us with left field and two of the series’ most confident players. Manny Ramirez is another one of those guys who can’t settle on a song. To make things simple, I’ve chosen one for him.
I have 5 things to say and I will never speak of this again.
1. I don’t know how a team can lose when you have Fonzie announcing your line-up.
2. “Buffalo Soldier”?! Now I know why he is “flyin'”.
3. Charlie Manuel’s gut is disgusting.
4. Tampa Bay should not be allowed to have a team. (Nor should Colorado or any other of the expansion city.) I hate Boston. And in spite of my dislike for the annoying Victorino, I will be rooting for the Phillies in the World Series. Philly is due and you’ve got good guys on your team.
5. I am proud of my team. They played good team baseball all year around. (Except for Andruw Jones who can lick my balls.)
You’re a good man, Sammymaudlin. I felt bad for Furcal tonight, at least after his third error. Torre’s a good egg.
Thanks to the Townspeople who had to tolerate the in-depth sports-rock analyses we’ve been providing. I’ll do my part to keep the rest of my team’s journey in check.
Well done, gents. Had the Dodgers made it, the same assholes who were screaming for Manny to be traded would be screaming “How could you have traded dear sweet Manny, the greatest Red Sox hero of all time?”
Congrats, Mr. Mod, on the Phillies win & going to the Big Show. I’m not sure how it will end up after tonight (& I admit it looks bad), but there could be a slight possibility it could be a cheesesteak-fried clam WS.
That was good scouting by the Phillies. They knew Furcal and his music could be trouble, so Werth put him on the ground early on, to take him out of his game. Heavy Metal is a surprisingly great choice of batter music, by the way. And I have no time for any nü metal junk, but Lidge has the right idea by picking a song with sirens at the start.
I’m going to break camp with Rock Town Hall here, but Burrell needs to do the right thing and go back to his superior batting music for the Series. Bring back Holy Diver! Dio would surely cast some kind of spell of protection over Pat if he did.
This city’s going to destroy itself if they actually win this thing.
So, Tampa Bay has a pitcher named Kazimir??
We’re going to get see Kazimir take on Kashmir!
Good freaking GRIEF. That’s what you call a debilitating comeback!
Diskojoe, don’t eat all the fried clams just yet. That young Tampa Bay team better save some choke for the WS, should they stave off another Red Sox comeback.
I shut off the radio after the sixth inning w/the Rays leading 5-0, w/the Fenway crowd dead as doornails, figuring it was all over, I had to get up early the next AM & that 2004 could not happen again & guess what, it did happen again!
Ee.
Ess.
Bee.
Pee.
Phillies in five.
I have spoken.
Much as I like this Rays team, I have to wonder that they chose Bartlett as their MVP. And for his DEFENSE. I’m disappointed that he’s not pear shaped, honestly.
I really like that they have a bunch of good players, but no established superstars, like most of the Phillies’ infield, for instance. They have the lefties in their bullpen to give Utley and Howard fits. My predictions are terrible, but it feels like the Rays in seven.
Hrrundi, what’s the over/under on homers in this series?