Phillies know the end is near

Cole Hamels gave a good indication of where his mind is right now when he said he can't wait for the season to end. Yes, it was open frustration by a young pitcher, but the feeling is probably spreading in the Phillies clubhouse after last night's crushing loss. After battling back to tie the game in the 8th inning, closer Brad Lidge came in and promptly gave up the game. If the Phillies do lose the World Series, many will point to Lidge's struggles and the resulting confidence drain as a key reason for their failure to repeat.

Jimmy Rollins is looking pretty foolish for his prediction that the Phillies would take the series in five games. He revised it to say Phillies in six games after Saturday's victory--wonder if he's going to change it to Phillies in seven or just shut up now?

Mariano Rivera is set to make Rollins eat his words. He's been the rock of the Yankees pitching staff this year (and for the last 14 years), and the only dependable reliever this postseason. “I could care less what he said,” Rivera said when asked about Rollins' prediction last week. “That’s not what is going to happen.” And he's right. One more win to go!

Bad sportsmanship by Hamels and Lackey

What is with this bad sportsmanship by starting pitchers? Cole Hamels of the Phillies and John Lackey of the Angels threw mini-tantrums in big postseason games: Hamels when his fielders failed to turn a double play and Lackey after Erick Aybar and Chone Figgins missed a popup last night. I understand Lackey's frustration as that ball should be caught, but that's no excuse for that kind of behavior. He wouldn't like it if his players starting throwing up their arms every time he gave up a home run. Hamels' outburst was even less tolerable, given that physical errors are just a part of the game.

The best pitchers and the best teammates pick up their fielders by pitching out of error-induced jams and patting them on the back when they get back to the dugout. Hamels and Lackey both showed a despicable lack of good sportsmanship, something that their managers should address immediately.

Thanks to Blevine37 via Wikipedia for the Hamels photo and SD Dirk for the Lackey photo.