Suddenly Texas' Cliff Lee Is Beatable in Bizarre Catastrophe

If he’s not impeccable in the strike zone or doesn’t attack the plate with his breaking balls and vicious curveballs, then he’s not a godlike specimen. Every so often, he exposes his human side and misses the strike zone or allows unearned runs in a perplexing fashion.

It was absolutely a nightmarish night in San Francisco, at a moment when much was a stake. Very rarely does Cliff Lee diminish on the mound amid the grandest stage in baseball.

It couldn’t have come at a worse time near the Bay in one of the most demoralizing World Series games, a contest that Lee desires to erase eternally, a contest he badly blundered and a contest where vulnerability revealed a rampant turn of events.

This, of course, wasn’t the time or place to perform the choke job, but it simply happened and he suddenly threw abnormally. Sometimes, the ripple effect of his customary command isn’t nearly dynamic, but it’s eccentric anytime he surrenders hits against his opponents. Sometimes, it just isn’t the night to be an invincible ace on the mound.

So what happened to the unhittable Lee?

He simply stumbled in the electric confines of AT&T Park, with the crowd waving orange pom-poms. Texas manager Ron Washington yanked arguably the best pitcher in baseball, in the middle of the fifth inning when Lee wore a distraught, solicitous stare.

This was, after all, the most scrutinized outing in his near-perfect career, serving as a significant element in the Texas Rangers' beautiful story and turnaround season.

On a shaky night, he allowed the Giants to compile double-digit runs and steal Game 1 in a decisive 11-7 win.

Without his flawless command, he was bullied on the mound and never had rhythm of his pitches, partly for falling behind in the count and having trouble executing his scintillating, hanging curveball.

Nolan Ryan left the ballpark speechless, confounded after a mysterious game that had everyone wondering what exactly happened to Lee. It was his first postseason loss in nine starts in which the Giants assembled brilliant hitting and took advantage of Lee’s bungles.

Was this a hangover? Maybe.

But more frightening was Lee’s inability to retire his opponents, leaving pitches in the middle of the strike zone or giving up walks on his frequent misses over the plate.

The biggest disappointment for the most intriguing pitcher in the majors happened so quickly in the fifth. Moments later, an erratic performance turned disastrous as Lee continued to have difficulty locating his fastball, had defects in throwing his cutters, and had glitches tossing his unpredictable and unhittable curveball.

“I was a little erratic and trying to find it,” Lee said. “For whatever reason, I couldn’t get consistent locating pitches. That’s the games where you’ve got to go to Plan B and battle, and that’s what I was trying to do. They made me throw a ton of pitches, and in that fifth inning I’ve got to do a better job with damage control.”

He has to locate his fastballs and stay composed, too. Or else it will be a long series for a ball club that has endured four decades of anguish, now aiming to win its first World Series in franchise history.


Before the opener of the Fall Classic, Lee was impressive and extraordinary of throwing the ball over the plate to strike out his opponents. He was divine during the regular-season and had never been described as dazed or confused on the mound, as if he was a minor-leaguer trying to find his way in the big leagues.

His numbers in the regular season were staggering alone, but in the Fall Classic he wasn’t careful in the strike zone and had a disastrous fifth inning. However, in the regular season, 71.2 percent of his pitches were strikes, the highest number for any starter in 11 years. Prior to the World Series, in three postseason starts, he was spectacular and threw strikes 71.3 percent of the time.

Rarely did an opponent assemble a remarkable shred of hitting. Rarely, if any, did Lee surrender seven earned runs in a game. His earned run average was 1.26, trailing only Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Christy Mathewson, until he pitched poorly in the World Series and now has an ERA of 11.57.

“This is exactly what we wanted,” outfielder Cody Ross said. “We wanted to beat him.”

And they did just that.

“We wanted to beat whoever was on the mound,” he said. “It could have been Cy Young.”

He certainly didn’t have Cy Young stuff on this night.

Either way, that is, Lee is just as beatable as the next big-name ace. Never has there been a horrifying scene this horrendous, but on this occasion, he was hittable subsequently for giving up seven runs on eight hits, including five doubles.

At the end of the season, he’ll be the hottest free agent on the market and has already been in consideration of signing an eight-year, $160 million deal from the Yankees.

But after the left-hander morphed into a defenseless ace and had trouble revoking danger, he has to prove that he’s still worthy of pocketing valuable cash by next spring. Which I still believe he is targeted as a top free agent in the market this offseason and could fittingly suit a developing rotation. Assuming he’ll stay in Texas next season, Lee is a reliable ace even if he had one formidable outing.

“I expect to be successful every time I take the mound,” Lee said.

I’d imagine, especially in his contract year.

“Everybody has such high expectations of Cliff,” Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton said. “Cliff has such high expectations of himself. We know what kind of pitcher he is. We know he can dominate a game. But he’s human, too. He didn’t have a bad performance tonight. He had a normal pitcher’s performance, but he’s not a normal pitcher either.”

True, he’s not a normal pitcher. No one is for that matter. But he is expected to perform brilliantly as if he’s an unhittable perfectionist. For a change, the Giants hit Lee harder than ever.

Along came the fifth inning, when they shredded him and manufactured runs to quickly erase the Rangers' 2-0 lead, he saw his night shrink and end all so miserably. Of all the games, after he hadn’t allowed a run in 16 innings, he blew it. His relief Darren O’Day suddenly stepped onto the mound and blew it, too, and yielded a three-run homer to Juan Uribe.

As for the Giants, Freddy Sanchez had three doubles in his first three at-bats, not to mention that Huff finished 2-for-3 against Lee and Cody Ross had an RBI single. Even worse, the Giants were 5-of-10 with runners in scoring position against Lee.

What a strange night.

He failed to tie Bob Gibson. But it clearly wasn’t about individual feats, and was instead about prevailing in an urgent game. He couldn’t last seven innings for the first time in seven starts. For all we know, he could have been a bit fatigued and worn down.

“You’ve got to give credit to their hitters,” said Lee. I didn’t work ahead in the count…I was missing with my fastball. I was missing with my cutter…I missed out over the plate…It’s not acceptable.”

For a guy who is very hard on himself, he sure seems ready to rebound from such a devastating blow. Knowingly, he won’t have an encore of meltdowns.

It was just a bad night. After all, he is human.

Texas Rangers' Amazing Escape from Adversity Embellishes Nice Story

They are riding amid an improbable pursuit, defining a miraculous tale no longer bombarded by a grim crisis. The Texas Rangers began a seemingly hopeless season in bankruptcy court, and became closer as a team when the news surfaced in spring training that Ron Washington had tested positive for cocaine. They built a social connection as a potent club and emerged into contention, which is heavily embraced as an ethical rebirth in baseball for a team that struggled in recent memory.

The idea, of course, that Texas is championship-caliber isn’t such a bad suggestion, especially when the Rangers overcame adversity this season. They are fueled by powerful hitting and belief within themselves, living more than an illusion but reality, as they are darlings in this erratic postseason. With all the poisonous aspects in the prior history of baseball, the league needs a beautiful tale to forge humankind and purity.

Regardless of their helpless struggles in the past, the Rangers erased the horrid memories and finally assembled a bottomless core. The pieces of the puzzle didn’t come together until the All-Star break, bringing in catcher Bengie Molina, pitcher Cliff Lee, infielder Cristian Guzman and outfielder Jeff Francoeur, the vital elements for a sensational chase in the ALDS.

The drastic turnaround of the Rangers is because of Jon Daniels’ shrewd roster transformations, and team president Nolan Ryan’s ability to uplift the landscape with his brilliant demeanor. Even when one of the respected managers in the game broke the rules, even when the franchise faced misery over the bankruptcy scandal and even when the franchise worried about the health status of Josh Hamilton, the Rangers somehow still managed to relieve turmoil.

The front office trusted in Washington and salvaged his managerial role, but an ordinary club would have canned the 58-year-old manager following a despicable admission that he had failed a drug test.

While the Rangers excel as a pesky contender, the consensus assumption is that retaining Washington was worth a risk as much of the hyperbole and gibberish relating to the oblivious drug testing had disappeared. It isn’t often (especially when he’s almost considered a senior citizen) that a manager admits to using coke.

By definition, baseball’s wrenched era happened a long time ago as well. In an age, when Major League Baseball had a suspicion of the strong use of cocaine, the hypocrisy and the lack of reaction dented the game and integrity. Back then, similar to what we are seeing now, it took baseball a long time before finally declaring a stern rule to prevent crimes.

But now, it is fun to watch the Rangers attempt the improbable and stun the world as underdogs, despite all the adversity circling the clubhouse. This clearly can be good for baseball—a kindhearted story. This clearly can be the greatest Rangers team in generations, if not franchise history. If there’s something impressive or alarming this postseason, it’s simply Texas taking a commanding 2-0 lead against the Rays in the ALDS.


And apparently, for the time being, the Rangers are the lone franchise that has never won a postseason series, with all three series previously materializing in the late 1990s against the Yankees. And now, the Rangers aren’t ridiculed for lousy droughts or an early collapse, but are connecting on timely hits. You’ve noticed the other night that they are building a productive pitching staff. And better yet, defense is emphasized and demanded by Washington, who led the Rangers to their first postseason berth in 11 years.

“All year we’ve tried to play baseball according to the way it’s been presented to us, which means you have to win all different ways,” Washington said Friday. “But I think as we move forward and things continue to fall into place, I think people will start changing their minds and their perceptions of the Texas Rangers.”

Many people have already changed their minds and suddenly believe.

Even if the Rangers have won only one playoff game in 39 seasons in Texas and 11 as the Washington Senators before clinching two wins in Tampa this week, this season has seen the dominance of the older veteran and slugger Vladimir Guerrero. The seducing element offensively, though, is Hamilton, a former drug addict and alcoholic who recovered and salvaged his career.


Had it not been for Ryan’s strong principles in giving second chances, the Rangers wouldn’t be contending for a pennant nor would there be a modest voice of inspiration from a manager as well respected as Washington. Had it not been for Daniels’ kindness to allow a renegade player into the organization, Hamilton wouldn’t be a primary candidate for the Most Valuable Player award. Few believe his MVP hopes were smeared by his recent rib cage injury, but others believe he’ll be granted the award.

But to some extent, holding on to Washington was a risky choice. From most standpoints, he was eventually forgiven and apologized to his players and executives, realizing the circumstances of his wrongdoing and handling the issue with class and dignity. When it happened so agonizingly, he was willing to resign, but the organization opted to keep the skipper who is sharp at grooming and mentoring young players.

Turns out, it is an understatement to deny the Rangers, a team armed with ardent hitters and players disciplined at every at-bat. There is an ultimate assumption they can elevate and eventually take control with veteran Michael Young, a six-time All-Star and the longest-tenured Ranger who rallies the team offensively. At this point, the Rangers' unthinkable turnaround isn’t a mirage in a year the emergence of a young team uplifts the most noticeable franchise in baseball. Indeed, the turning points, as the Rangers surge in the divisional rounds, have been Elvis Andrus, David Murphy and Ian Kinsler.

Nonetheless, the idea not to fire Washington was risky but smart. Ever since he told on himself, he has been tested several times a week. Without the regretful overseer, the Rangers wouldn’t have gone from 79 to 87, to a staggering 90 wins.

His honesty and bravery may have saved him of the managerial role. But even greater, the Rangers benefited in some ways and vanquished adversity.

To Rule Out Phillies Is Understatement: Cliff Lee Too Extraordinary

His challenge arrived ever so quickly amid an epic duel, unimaginably surprising the world at a time when baseball extends to November, and diminishes our interest as we direct our full attention to football and basketball.

But in a city, where baseball devotees are warned, courtesy of Doppler reports, the rabid New York crowd couldn’t care less about getting drenched in October madness. When it pertains to the Yankees, especially after a World Series drought delayed sustained success as mystique and prestige exist around the Bronx, fans will attend and witness their boys in pinstripes attempt to add a championship to a gratifying tradition.

Unfortunately, on a night when it seemed the Yankees were fitted naming the next Mr. October, it turned into the Phillies favor. The emergence of Cliff Lee is suddenly startling the entire world, instantly petrifying a confident crowd seated faithfully in the cozy seats inside the colossal Yankees Stadium, where an epic classical is expected to deliver thrills for the ages. It’s happening in a year Philadelphia is on verge of sustaining back-to-back greatness, since the Cincinnati Reds accomplished such a historic sequence.

The former Cy Young Award winner is the centerpiece to the Phillies unforeseen return to the World Series, starved to attain a legitimate appetizer of holding the gleaming prize, like most of his teammates last season when experiencing a joyful moment.

It’s an understatement to dismiss the Phillies over the Yankees, a world favorite as masses clearly are brainwashed for the total of titles amassed and mystique, which symbolizes America’s team.

Let’s not fail realizing that Lee out performed his old partner and longtime teammate CC Sabathia, indications of how evenly match the Phillies rotation might be. This series can potentially last seven games, meaning the entire nation will probably witness one of the greatest pitching duels in the World Series. Without taking a guess, the two clubs will start each of their aces in a pivotal Game Seven.

For much of the postseason, Sabathia and Lee have thrown effectively, pitching like no other, proficient enough to dominate in critical situation. First, the Yankees must strike in Game Two for legitimate hopes to contend with the defending champs whose impeccable pitching heroics continue to aid Philadelphia, thriving and overcoming adversity in the regular-season.

At Yankee Stadium, the newly palace, where fans wear ponchos keeping dry, was silent enough hearing the velocity of Lee’s deadly changeup or his deliverance of the breaking ball. These days, of course, paying attention to Lee is easier unlike before when he spent ample of seasons, throwing unhittable curveballs for the dreadful Cleveland Indians.

So, the opportunity to showcase his pitching prowess on a superior club merits notability, intimidating the hottest hitter in baseball, Alex Rodriguez on his invincible changeup and Mark Teixeira was hitless as well, failing to catch up to an indomitable changeup.

Lee contained the hottest team in baseball, with an unbelievable performance this postseason, if not the most memorable postseason outing. The monster statistics are staggering, maintaining an all-time low ERA of 0.54. Is that invincible enough?

Let’s mention his 3-0 start, quickly emerging to stardom in a city where the cheese steaks exist, and where Lee throws heaters scorching greater than a Philly cheese steak on the grill. His impressive performance disappointed the Yankees in their first ever World Series game played at their new stadium.

That’s anything but exciting, when fans could debate that Sabathia had a stellar postseason. Don’t forget he shut down the Los Angeles Angels with his ferocious fastball, putting a freeze on the hottest offense in the regular-season. Throughout, his postseason experience, he kept fans wearing pinstripes warm by throwing flame-throwers, and stopped the Angels for showcasing their aggressive base running.

Even though, the Yankees might have a bit more star power, Lee’s outstanding mechanics demonstrates different features. It’s a bit similar to last season, when the Phillies were led by the sound left-hander who emerged into a legendary icon and earned MVP honors.

Cole Hamels was unhittable, ridiculously nailing pitches inside, located near the corners of home plate. Well, this year, the surprising hero is Lee. He’s pitching wonderfully, named your new Mr. October.

Fittingly, is to know what is at stake. That being said, Lee’s complete-game, 10-strikeout, six-hit spectacle is for all the reason manager Charlie Manuel should consider starting the strikeout expert on three-day rest if necessary.

After slowing down A-Rod, who overnight earned his nickname back, overcame a hideous scandal and finally flourished and rejuvenated tradition in the postseason, it’s probable to happen suggesting Lee returns to the mound on short rest.

It’s not a simple task, stifling evidently a steroid-free slugger. In the postseason alone, A-Rod numbers were more terrifying than Freddy and Jason, hitting a staggering .438 with five homers and 12 RBI, but not when there’s a gifted ace as perilous as Lee.

Knowingly, the Phillies were in desperate need of a top-notch ace to solidify a feeble rotation. The front office had good sense, pulling off the surprising blockbuster deal and stole Lee from Cleveland.

Bravo!!!!!

Yes, the Phillies were smarter than any organization before the non-waiver trade deadline came to an official close. Their initiative plans was to obtain Toronto’s ace Roy Halladay, but the deal was withdrawn when embattled and then-general manager J.P. Ricciardi’s prices were too steep for getting a deal done. There are certainly no regrets, finding out that Lee is the centerpiece to their dominant postseason.

In two seasons, the Phillies are 17-4. That’s the greatest streak in NL history, mainly because of their ability to retire opposing hitters. But the offense compiles hits whenever necessary, sort of like last night when Chase Utley drilled two solo homers off Sabathia, which changed morale of the game.

And later to break opening a nice lead, Raul Ibanez redeemed himself of a bases-loaded situation that could have created damage earlier in the contest by lacing a two-run single. It extended the lead and finalized a 6-1 victory, stunning the entire state of New York.

Currently, Philly cheese steaks are much tastier than a New York steak. Seems on this night, Lee got the best of CC concerning and disappointing an entire city. So, belittling the Phillies is a mistake, and ignoring the unthinkable arm of the invincible lefty.

Clearly, as things appear now, he’s a better ace throwing like a legend and World Series MVP. Just think, if the Phillies win the next three games, he’ll be named the Most Valuable Player.

There’s no need to start conversations. Just watch, Lee.

He’s extraordinary.

Statement: Phillies Confirm How To Play Like Champs

You practically can feel the loving wealth, spreading around the streets of Philly. At a point when Philly cheese steaks aren’t as tasty or lovable as the Philadelphia Phillies, the rabid town has again went nuts, not over the Eagles or Michael Vick’s craze, not over the Sixers season-opener next week, and definitely not over the Flyers.

For now, a fervid and rambunctious crowd is crazy for the Phillies on a raucous Broad Street, where the uncontrollable fanatics are wilder than the Philly Phanatic, yet celebrating a back-to-back appearance in the World Series.

No wonder why there’s a crack in the Liberty Bell, when loud echoes are heard in an entire community that gives its heart to the luckiest franchise in Philly this century. No wonder why boos have turned into cheers the last few seasons.

So, on another frigid night at Citizens Bank Park, the large capacity erupted on nearly each homer crushed out of the hitters-friendly park. Much of the night, fans erupted spirit and sounded off with “Beat L.A.!” chants.

That’s technically all you need to know, describing a well-experienced and mettlesome core predicating the factual character of champs. After all, entering the season, the Phillies knew what it took.

Despite struggling and overcoming adversity, Philadelphia never quit and raised intensity a notch when producing wins suddenly became meaningful. Similar to last year, the Phillies informed to the entire world, where the champion banners belong. Similar to last year, they were overmatched for the Dodgers, having fun and precisely romped Los Angeles in five games and clinched the NLCS with a 4-games-to-1 differential.

Greater than clinching the National League Title, the Phillies are in good position to repeat a NL pennant in 13 years. If the Phillies happens to reach an agenda and writes a new chapter in the history books, it will be the first franchise to complete such an unforeseen achievement since the Cincinnati Reds defined tenacity, longevity and unity. It’s the same features, the Phillies constitutes greatly, staying together as a unified core and illustrated the significance of having chemistry.

Meanwhile, Joe Torre’s squad is still growing. The Dodgers have good chemistry inside the clubhouse, but a feeble rotation was a vital factor in a horrid letdown. Missing out at the non-waiver trade deadline badly blemished the Dodgers, like watching Rocky Balboa in a one-sided heavyweight fight, or similar to watching Vick single-handedly thrash defenders in the” Wildcat” formation and rush for all-purpose yards.

No need to take a guess, our country was earnestly awaiting Broadway vs. Hollywood, New York vs. Los Angeles, Steinbrenner vs. Torre, Yankees-Dodgers World Series. A newborn rivalry was waiting to produce fresh blood, but now it has the makings of an East Coast clash among two top-profile clubs with large influences on the market.

When it consists of two teams with dangerous sluggers, a pair of strikeout aces, an epic classic is bound to happen. For instance, take Ryan Howard, a legitimate big man who beautifully makes contact with a hard-throwing pitch to crush a massive shot, which normally goes the distances. He’s the high-profile hitter who emerged into a slugfest machine, depositing nearly all baseballs into the stands. Believed to be one of the purist hitters in the game, $5 foot-longs at Subway are a factor, lifting his performance level. That’s one way to enhance your performance level, right?

Not much of a factor in Game Five, Howard was greatly appreciated at the end of the night. Honored with the series Most Valuable Player award, and absorbed more chants and cheers, rather than boos when his endless homers devised momentum and intrepid. As the Phillies still believe with enough zest to win it all, Howard said excitedly, “we have one more step: then we got action”.

The cleverest general manager, Ruben Amaro Jr. also stood before a large capacity crowd thanking all the loyal fans for their support, when credit goes to him for assembling and bringing in proper necessities to contend for back-to-back jubilance. He was very successful in fortifying the rotation, realizing how shaky the bullpen was for much of the year. All his savvy arrangements paid off, and now Philadelphia advances to the World Series again as the Dodgers were hammered for the second straight year against a franchise that made smarter decisions and aggressively pursued in acquiring depth improving in the second half of the season.

Heavily, the front office put too much effort in retaining Manny Ramirez. In the offseason, Ned Colletti overacted, centered on continuous negotiations with baseball agent and manipulator Scott Boras, just to hold on to the Mannywood marketing product that has abruptly deteriorated. There’s not much left to see from a so-called slugging wannabe who damn-near contaminated an entire era as the masses never considered the Great Manny a bust.

But his numbers have plunged since the league banned the most despised hitter in the game for a 50-games suspension. In just 32 at-bats the wannabe or Manny Being a Dope Idiot had disappointing results, finishing with a homer, four RBI’s and six strikeouts. Just from staring at the stat sheet, I noticed he had more strikeouts than RBI’s.

If you ask me, I just can’t see a player who falsified the game returning in a blue uniform.

Hopeful days are approaching for the Dodgers. In a 10-4 rout, Los Angeles lost swaggering, but refused to leave without a fight. Despite losing, positive signs were presented when outfielder Andre Ethier and first baseman James Loney each belted solo shots. The youth of the Dodgers are developing an identity, but has yet risen to a premier level, needing to consolidate the pitching rotation.

A series summarized by dominant pitching, despite a substandard bullpen, the Phillies relied on the brilliant heroics of Cliff Lee, a left-handed ace who’s artistic throws, by far, is the greatest breaking ball in the game. Pedro Martinez was star-studded and kept the Dodgers’ bats quiet, a midseason acquisition that was very productive in timely situations.

After all, the Phillies aren’t a fluke. Other players shined in critical roles, burning the Dodger Dogs, mostly on hits soaring through the chilled skies of Philly. There was outfielder Jayson Werth, collecting five homers this postseason, and likely the biggest one of his career in the seventh inning when he lofted a solo shot.

There was center fielder Shane Victorino, the Flyin’ Hawaiian and pest in center, rarely dropping shots traveling his direction. But offensively, he came up big, nailing a two-run homer off the sensational Clayton Kershaw in the sixth inning to give the Phillies a commanding 8-3 lead.

That led to a Philly-tastic celebration, when players jived on the mound like big children. When Victorino caught a fly ball to record the final out, fireworks brighten the skies, just as the Phillies energized the crowd igniting a towel-swinging party. The champagne was chilled, and when they made way to the clubhouse the party started as teammates were drenched.

But on the other side, in the dugout, sat the helpless Dodgers upset on how it all ended somberly and stared at the celebration reflecting from a disappointing letdown. Overcoming the heartbreaking defeat when the young Jonathan Broxton blew the save in Game Four, they came into the game with a readiness mindset, but the Phillies weren’t a match, having all the weapons to overpower faith.

Theory is, the Phillies weren’t only smarter, but overlooked and overmatched, confirming to the world that they still are the experts to beat. In the City of Brotherly, champs reside and believe.

Amaro, Phillies Smart Handling Business, But Dodgers' Bungles Prove Costly

On another bone-chilling night, in the last of the ninth inning, the Phillies still preserved the biggest hit. A shot on a night that dictated the Dodgers' season.

If there’s a veteran the Phillies can depend on, Jimmy Rollins is the name to single out.

The unexpected heroics turned a tense moment into another celebration in the stands, with only a game remaining before the Phillies make their second consecutive appearance to the biggest stage.

The late heroics Monday night smeared the Dodgers’ favorable outcome. It seemed to be a sure victory for Los Angeles until momentum shifted, confidence plunged, and body language appeared sluggish. But it was mostly momentum and the well-experienced veterans handling desperation and crucial moments in the game.

It is important to have a clutch hitter in the lineup, especially a veteran stepping up in moments when a critical shot into the gap is needed. Jimmy Rollins laced a two-run, scoring double off hard-throwing closer Jonathan Broxton, to put a stranglehold on the Dodgers.

Meanwhile, Rollins gave the Phillies cushion, and secured belief in a team aiming for their second straight title. A dramatic 5-4 victory over the lowly Dodgers describes fortitude of defending champions.

Besides characterizing champs, it identifies the shrewdest club in baseball. Last night illustrated and unleashed the true colors of the Dodgers' postseason failures, just as it delivered facts about the Phillies.

I'm not saying the Dodgers are unintelligent, but it is moderate admitting that general manager Ned Colletti has failed the organization in his fourth season serving as team executive. Although he was unsuccessful during the trade deadline, owner Frank McCourt is loyal to the so-called genius when he desperately acquired Manny Ramirez.

Of course, it made Colletti seem as if he was the cleverest general manager in baseball. Back then, Ramirez was portrayed as the purist slugger in the game, before getting humiliated for shamefully storing a fertility drug that produced artificial testosterones, which banned the inglorious juicer for 50 games.

Perhaps the Mannywood campaign is a great marketing product, but the bad thing is, the Dodgers have a no-good fraud that hasn’t done much.

Fans are too naïve to garner the truth and take advantage of the discount seating in the Mannywood section.

But instead of the long negotiating that took forever during the offseason, McCourt and Colletti should’ve tried adding veteran pitching to strengthen the paltry rotation. In the midst of their offseason shopping, the Dodgers were more comfortable appeasing and compromising with the manipulator Scott Boras and his deceptive client Ramirez.

Granted, Colletti made relevant transitions and upgrades, with his midseason acquisitions in the past two seasons, which included Casey Blake, Greg Maddux, George Sherrill, Jon Garland, Vicente Padilla, and Jim Thome. From the list, he had sense enough to acquire four pitchers, but, still, none are strikeout pitchers.

So that’s why the Phillies are lasting longer in the postseason, and could incredibly win it back-to-back. Between the Yankees and Philadelphia, they won the offseason or midseason sweepstakes, overwhelming us with their assertive pursuits to build a noteworthy franchise leading into October.

Right now, it seems the rookie leads. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro is the smartest in baseball, outsmarting other executives who’re afraid to spend valuable profit.

He doesn’t mind granting enormous investments to players, and expects a lot from the well-experienced club.

Before the trade deadline, Los Angeles had ample chance to acquire the best pitcher in the postseason, Cliff Lee. Imagine if he was available to shut down the Phillies with a wicked breaking ball, or if he had a 0.72 ERA with more hard-throwing strikeouts than any pitcher, currently.

Simply, the Dodgers missed out during the deadline, when they were listening to offers and considering acquiring the greatest pitcher in the game today, Roy Halladay, but allowed the offer to vanish without attempting to negotiate and deal some of their young prospects to reinforce unreliable pitching.

But the big-name ace they can utilize right now is Lee or Pedro Martinez. Fact is, the Dodgers need a strikeout pitcher to stay alive with opponents, all having indomitable aces who control momentum. Truth is, Amaro accomplished good results in his first year, a savviest sequence that average general managers cannot master as a rookie.

At 44, Amaro imprinted a stout legacy, bringing aboard unfamiliar faces but enough talent to keep the Phillies crisp.

Immediately, it was good to overhaul and keep potentiality of winning multiple titles intact, signing free agent pitcher Chan Ho Park, who has thrown effectively against the Dodgers, and left fielder Raul Ibanez, who started off the season by seeing the ball well.

Above all, Amaro ensured emphasis of building a future around the growing legend Cole Hamels and streaky hitter Ryan Howard, whose home runs are hotter than a Philly cheese steak, giving each of them multi-year contracts. I must say, $5 foot-longs at Subway are worth eating as long as it is legal for enhancing the performance level.

Aside from Howard’s enhanced diet, Amaro assembled depth when he pulled off the blockbuster deal of the year, which should earn him Manager of the Year. Somehow prices weren’t steep, keeping all pitching prospects at home, while stealing and landing left-hander Lee, who was acquired for nothing from Cleveland.

The upgrading has proved worthy. When the Phillies spent 141 days in first place, including 126 consecutive days since late May. And now has extended their dominant postseason streak, topping each opponent without facing legitimate challenges for unhittable pitching, as the Dodgers aren’t perennial contenders.

It’s hard not having a dependable ace to bail you out. But for the Phillies it’s a fairly easier task, only because management was smarter.

Cliff Lee Amazingly Unhittable, Dodgers No Match For Phillies

The population in Philly is thinking “Brotherly Lee”, rather than Brotherly Love, according to a sign a fan held up proudly. On a bone-chilling night, fans welcomed home the Philadelphia Phillies, believing for a second consecutive season that they can sustain back-to-back glory. It’s a town that doesn’t quit believing, and currently a town louder than people wearing blue in Mannywood.

For decades, the Phillies were humiliated, but was the first major franchise to celebrate, relieving dismay with a thrilling victory last season. In a hapless town, where winning titles never happened, the franchise accomplished a delightful deed. But other franchises in Philly haven’t been very successful reaching a pinnacle like the Phillies, who were the fortunate ones, capable of ending horrid droughts in an infatuated sports town.

It refreshes memories of the surreal finish a year ago, when the gifted left-hander Cole Hamels promptly emerged as a legend and was named Most Valuable Player for sensational effort on the mound. But more importantly, he led the Phillies to the most fascinating victory in franchise history, seesawing to their first championship since 1980.

So far, in the postseason, the pitching has what it takes to pummel the Dodgers for the second consecutive season, dismantling rapturous dreams of a Yankees-Dodgers World Series, Torre-Steinbrenner showdown.

Instead the world is possibly awaiting a Yankees-Phillies showdown, two franchises showcasing brilliant pitching mechanics. No doubt, most weren’t highly favoring the Phillies, and overlooked the powerful-arm and superb breaking ball thrower.

You ignored the reigning Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, who menacingly threw at the man in blue, gradually forestalling the Dodgers of advancing to the biggest stage. The Phillies are no match against the hitless team, now struggling to produce runs. A frenzied crowd will continuous erupt in Philly, if the sterling rotation tramples the fragile Dodgers' lineup.

Problem is the Dodgers aren’t getting enough out of their paltry rotation. Blame it on skipper Joe Torre, whose choices are anything but wise. Leaving Clayton Kershaw in the Game One for a long time, allowed the sensational ace to surrender runs. It might have been preventable if Torre summoned for a steady reliever.

It takes a blunder in one game to change the complexion of the series, and one game was enough to improvise momentum. Perhaps, Torre sacrificed a befitting rotation, juggling around pitchers, such as Hiroki Kuroda, who surrendered hits as the game turned into a horrific nightmare.

What is Torre thinking?

Sorry, but the intelligent team here appears to be the Phillies, knowing what type of pitches to throw at the Dodgers. It’s indeed a privilege to have a dominant ace, backing up Hamels and veteran Pedro Martinez. An experienced ace, with a wicked breaking ball, is an essential offering to the Phillies shaky bullpen. You never know where closer Brad Lidge’s state of mind is, and J.A Happ has a history of walking batters.

But Lee, a starter all of us slept on lasted eight innings, without allowing runs and walks. For the time being, refer to him as “Mr. October”, after becoming the first pitcher lasting eight innings without giving up runs and walks, while striking out 10.

It’s greatly impossible compiling hits against Lee, who merely has surrendered two runs in 24 1/3 postseason innings. It’s no better way to describe it, as his remarkable pitching, by far, is the best seen this postseason.

Before the trade deadline, rumors surfaced that the Phillies were set to make a trade with Toronto for ace Roy Halladay, but failed to agree on a deal. After all, the Phillies were smart enough to fortify their weaknesses, and surprisingly acquired Lee.

If they’d failed to acquire the ace, where would they be now? This season alone, he has boosted up their assurance and solidified the rotation. For much of the season, Lee has done exactly what he brought to our attention last night, dominating in the postseason with an unthinkable O.74 ERA. With brilliant command and location, it’s hard to envision anyone compiling hits on Lee, who continues smashing the strike zone.

He’s unhittable, he’s unstoppable, and he’s undeniable.

He highlighted a Phillies 11-0 rout, as well as slugger Ryan Howard, who became the first player to drive in a run in seven straight games in a single postseason, producing a two-run, triple in the first-inning. And former Dodger, Jayson Werth evoked damage by lacing a two-run shot over the center-field wall. From there, the Dodgers never looked back, amid Lee’s wonderful outing that dictated the Dodgers season.

Instead of Thinking Blue, Thinking Red is logical.