Torre’s Decision Proves Costly as Phillies go up 3-1

By Gary Armida

Joe Torre has made many correct decisions this post season. However, last night, he made one that probably cost the Dodgers a chance to win this series. But, more on that a bit later…October is a funny month. Most of the times, fans and media alike look at the star players as the key factors of a playoff series. That is true, but often it is the role players that grab the highlight moment. Players like Luis Sojo getting the series clinching hit against the Mets in the 2000 World Series or Aaron Boone hitting a walk off homerun against the Red Sox in the 2003 ALCS. Last night was no different with Matt Stairs, a late season acquisition, hitting a pinch hit, 2 run homerun off of Jonathan Broxton in the top of the 8^th inning to put the Phillies ahead for good. The Phillies broke serve in the series winning a road game against the Dodgers for the first time all season. Game 4 was colored by controversial managerial maneuvers. One decision was costly; the other worked out despite some shaky moments.

The Breakdown

Game 4 was an exciting, back and forth game, with offense taking center stage. Joe Torre’s decision to start Derek Lowe on short rest proved to be correct as Lowe threw 5 innings and gave up just 2 runs in a shaky first inning. The real fun was after Joe Torre’s controversial decision to take out Lowe after just 74 pitches. Torre decided to bring in the 21 year old Clayton Kershaw who promptly walked Ryan Howard and gave up a single to Pat Burrell. After a Shane Victorino sacrifice bunt, both managers made strategic moves as Charlie Manuel sent up Pedro Feliz while Torre went to right hander Chan Ho Park. Park threw a wild pitch and the game was tied. The Dodgers came right back in the bottom of the inning as Casey Blake hit a solo homer which was followed by a Juan Pierre double (another great Torre move by playing Pierre over Matt Kemp). Pierre would later score on a Ryan Howard throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt.

With momentum seemingly on the Dodgers’ side, the Phillies went quietly in the 7^th. In the 8^th, the Phillies scored on a Ryan Howard single and a Shane Victorino two run homerun. After a Carlos Ruiz single, Charlie Manuel sent up the veteran Stairs to pinch hit. Torre countered with his closer, Jonathan Broxton who promptly gave up the two run homerun.

Charlie Manuel made the controversial decision of bringing in his closer Brad Lidge to get a four out save. Lidge hadn’t gone more than an inning all season (which is one reason why one cannot say Lidge was the best closer in 2008). Lidge made it interesting in the 8^th, giving up a double to Manny Ramirez and then striking out Russell Martin on a wild pitch which allowed Martin to reach base. He finished off the 8^th getting James Loney to fly out to left field. After a 1-2-3 ninth, Brad Lidge picked up his first 4 out save of the season.

Managerial Decisions

Game 4 had many interesting decisions. Joe Torre’s decision to lift Derek Lowe after 74 pitches was the one decision that may have cost the Dodgers a World Series berth. While one will never know if Lowe was tired, the move to take out Lowe seemingly ignited the Phillies’ offense. The Phillies scored 5 runs in the final 4 innings off of the Dodgers’ bullpen. Torre was probably banking on the fact that the Dodgers’ pen had allowed just 3 earned runs in 19.1 innings this post season heading into the game. However, since Corey Wade and Jonathan Broxton had combined for 3 innings of work in game 3, Torre was relying on the likes of Chan Ho Park and a young Clayton Kershaw to get important outs late in the game. Because the results were not there, the decision to remove Lowe will be debated for quite some time.

And, debated it should be. The decision was a foolish move as Torre put young Kershaw in a situation he had never been in before. Think about it, you finally get a lead and you throw a career starter (and a rookie at that) to face the middle of the Phillies’ order. When managers do things differently than they normally do (which seems to be a Torre trait over the past few post seasons), it usually ends badly. Torre’s decision ended badly, most likely costing the Dodgers the series.

It’s a shame that Torre will be judged on that decision as his other decisions during the series have been spot on. The decision to play Nomar Garciaparra over James Loney in game 3 worked well. Juan Pierre getting the game 4 start of Matt Kemp also worked out well. Even just starting Derek Lowe was the correct move; he just didn’t manage it right from there.

In contrast, Charlie Manuel made the decision to start Joe Blanton instead of Cole Hamels who beat the Dodgers in game one. Blanton gave a close-to-average performance, giving up 3 runs in 5 innings while walking 4 (which is uncharacteristic of Blanton). Potentially, this decision would have been considered a big mistake had the Dodgers hung on to win. However, even if the Phillies lost, this decision was absolutely correct. Now, Hamels will be on full rest heading into game 5. With a 2 games to 1 advantage, Manuel could afford to be more cautious than his counterpart, Torre. If the Phillies would have lost, he would have his best pitcher going in the momentum changing game 5. Now that they won, he has his ace in a closeout game.

The decision to bring in Lidge for the first time all year in the 8^th inning is also one that could’ve backfired.  As stated above, when managers do things that they never do during the regular season, it often gets ugly. Lidge did the job, making Manuel look good. It was shaky for a while, but it worked out. Obviously, Manuel gets bonus points for sending up Stairs in the right situation, but that was a “no-brainer”.   

Looking to Game 5

The game 5 matchup will be Phillies’ ace Cole Hamels against the Dodgers young right hander Chad Billingsley. You could not have more opposite performances as these two did so far in this series. Hamels won game one with a 7 inning, 2 run performance. Meanwhile, Billingsley lost game two allowing 7 earned runs (8 overall) in just 2.1 innings of work. Even more damaging, Billingsley lost the respect of his clubhouse when he failed to retaliate for the Phillies throwing at Manny Ramirez.  

Forget the analysis as this game will come down to if Cole Hamels can continue to dominate the Dodgers lineup as only Matt Kemp (2 for 6) has had any type of success. Billingsley will have to erase the poor game two outing and pitch deep into the game as the Phillies gained confidence against the vaunted, yet overachieving Dodgers’ bullpen. The key for the Dodgers will be to jump on Hamels early as the Phillies have shown a great resilience late in close games.

Some Interesting Series Facts

• Manny Ramirez is now 6 for 12 in the series with a homerun and 6 RBI.
• James Loney is 5 for 12, but failed to get a hit in the bottom of the 8^th with the tying runs on base.
• Chase Utley is 6 for 13 in the series with 2 RBI.
• More impressively, Shane Victorino has 8 for 30 (.267) with 11 RBI this post season. He had just 58 in 500+ at bats this season.
• Incredibly, the Phillies are on the precipice of a series victory despite Ryan Howard going 3 for 16 so far and Jimmy Rollins going 2 for 17.

Game Five is scheduled for Wednesday night on Fox.

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