I think that they had to not play today as it’s Election Day, and while there is almost nothing of national import, there probably is some sensitivity about the day.  Next year, we are going to face the same thing, I think, but on a much bigger day.  You have to let the local affiliates not be stuck choosing.

Not that Fox has news coverage usually.  Or that a World Series game wouldn’t beat election coverage most years.

Just another reason to long for baseball to end in October.

I was wondering about Happ.  Just listening to Olney on ESPN, and he said he didn’t know who the Phillies would start in games 6 and 7, but he didn’t mention Happ.  Has he been hurt, or are they just nervous about throwing a rookie at Yankee stadium?

1. I though Cap’n Jetes was clutch and the Second Coming?  What happened????  HAHA, Derek “GIDP” Jeter!!! 

2.  Cole Hamels should take the ball in a Game 7.  I would give it to him in a heart beat.  He wants the season over - he’s been hurting, probably fatigue (mental and physical) from last year, his wife did just have a child last week - so, I would say, Cole, end the season w/ an F-U to Myers, the Philly media, etc.  I think it would be perfect. 

3.  Please, no J.A. Happ.  Jetes, Teixeira, A-Rod from the right side would eat him alive.  Though I do like the thought of Pedro sticking it to the Yankees in one last big up-your-ar$e moment.

Why does nobody mention the fact that Lidge threw 30 pitches the night before? I thought Madson was a no-brainer decision, and not just because Lidge has been awful this year. After 30 pitches, most closers get the next night off, especially when they couldn’t get the job done.

This is a day late, and probably a dollar short, but Game 4 demonstrated yet another argument in favor of the DH.

With one out, a man on first, and Blanton on-deck, Ruiz hit an easy grounder to second.  Cano barely even looked to second to try for the double-play.  Instead, he tossed to first to force the Phillies to pinch hit for Blanton.

The rules of the game ought to provide incentive to try for the better play.  The offense should be encouraged to get on base and score runs, while the defense should be encouraged to get outs and prevent runs.  Because there was no DH, the Yankees instead opted against a relatively easy double-play in favor of knocking out the starting pitcher.  That’s not strategy, that’s reverse-logic.

I thought Lee pitched really well for most of the game.  I know in the end his line doesn’t look great (7 IP 5 ER).  But he kept the Yankees in check while the Phils built the big lead(s).  I know Manuel doesn’t trust his pen - who does? - but I was surprised he sent Lee out for the 8th.  Especially if he’s going to be on-deck for relief help in a possible Game 7, you’d think they’d want to save his pitches.

Also, what was up with Manuel taking Victorino out of the game, like this was a split-squard spring training affair?  There are no more games if you lose this one, Charlie.  Unless Shane is asking out becuase his hand hurts, you keep your best defensive players in the game.

And t ball with the zinger of the day!

I had a Grady Little flashback as Cliff Lee walked out to the mound for the 8th inning. Is Charlie Manuel an absolute moron? Six run lead, plenty of bullpen help, and especially, if the Series goes to seven games, you have a semi-rested Cliff Lee.

Did Manuel want Lee to get another complete game? Does he not trust his bullpen. This seemed like a no-brainer to me.

@Wooden - My point is that Cano didn’t even try for the DP.  He didn’t even try to get the lead runner.  That would never happen with the DH.

And these guys might not belong to Mensa, but you can bet that all nine of them were well-aware of the fact that an automatic out was standing in the on-deck circle.

“sure, Yankees fans and Cole Hamels would commit suicide, but everyone else would freak the hell out.“What a great line, love it.

The Phillies seem to be doing everything they can to lose this series. The media is eating them alive and they act like they don’t know better.