Hamels Silences Rays; Phils Lead Series 1-0

The Phillies 3-2 victory in game one of the World Series proved the point that good pitching trumps good hitting in baseball’s post season.  The Phillies set a World Series record for futility, going 0-13 with runners in scoring position, yet they still won the game.  This is a game that the Phillies could easily have lost, but they won anyway.

They won the game because Cole Hamels, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge were able to hold down a very good Rays offense.  Hamels had another impressive post-season start, tossing seven solid innings of two-run ball, as he continues to blossom into one of the game’s best pitchers.  With last night’s victory, Hamels is now 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA in the 2008 post season.  Madson followed Hamels with a 1-2-3 eighth inning and Brad Lidge closed the door, tossing a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.

Chase Utley was the offensive hero for the Phillies, delivering a huge first inning two-run home run after Jayson Werth worked a walk off Scott Kazmir.  Utley added a single and Werth doubled twice for the Phillies.  Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins continued to struggle for the Phillies — which is of concern — going a combined 0-9 with five strikeouts and nine left on base.

Before the game, many — if not all — of the pundits said a game one victory was a must for the Phillies.  I must say, I agree with them.  If the Phillies had lost with Hamels — their ace, and probably the best pitcher on either team — on the mound, there would have been increadible pressure on Brett Myers and the rest of the Phillies in game two.  Instead, Hamels delivered an ace-like performance and in the process grabbed home-field advantage for the Phillies.