With a lead at home and their ace on the mound, the Philadelphia Phillies were drawing closer and closer to the reality of their first World Series title since 1980. That is, until the rain started.
As the weather conditions grew more volatile, so did the play on the field. Batters could not see the ball, pitchers could not maintain their footing and fielders could not make some routine plays in the cold and windy conditions. Shortly after Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos Pena tied the ballgame on a two-out single, the umpires suspended the game before the bottom of the sixth, marking the first suspension in series history.
Major League Baseball is hopeful that tonight's conditions will be suitable for play. But even if that happens, the game will not be the same as before; Mother Nature has had an undeniable impact on the series.
The Phillies had ace Cole Hamels pitching effectively and efficiently, having thrown only 75 pitches through six innings. Had the game continued, Hamels would have led off the bottom of the sixth and then gone back out to the mound for at least another inning. Now, Philadelphia will have to pinch-hit for Hamels and use the bullpen to pitch his innings.
But that doesn't necessarily mean the Phillies are at a disadvantage. They still have three more outs than the Rays, and their bullpen is strong enough to hold any lead. But if Tampa Bay escapes this chaotic episode with a victory, that could be enough to swing the series.
The Rays will have survived an elimination game on the road against one of the best pitchers in baseball. They will get to head back home, where they posted the best record in the majors during the regular season and enjoy what appear to be favorable pitching matchups.
In Game 6, currently scheduled for tomorrow if necessary, the unpredictable Brett Myers will take on location-artist James Shields. Shields fared better when they faced each other in Game 2, pitching 5.2 scoreless innings for the win; he is clearly the safe bet when they meet again, as his 1.15 WHIP on the regular season is significantly better than Myers' 1.38 mark.
If the Rays can't pull off a victory in this game with their best starter on the mound at home, then they don't deserve to win the World Series.
In the deciding Game 7, which would take place Friday if necessary, 45-year-old journeyman Jamie Moyer is slated to go up against ALCS MVP Matt Garza. Moyer won their meeting in Game 3, but that won't mean much this time around.
When Garza is on, he's capable of simply dominating games. He just needs to maintain his focus by not falling in love with his fastball and establishing his off-speed pitches. He showed what he can do in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Red Sox, when he struck out nine over seven innings to lead his team to a win and a World Series berth.
Jamie Moyer, on the other hand, does not have electrifying stuff. He survives on the movement of his pitches, as well as his ability to change speeds and locate inside and outside. He performed well in his first start against the Rays, allowing three runs across 6.1 innings pitched, but most of the Rays are too young to have ever faced Moyer during his Mariners days. Getting a second look at the soft-tosser might be all the Rays need to knock him around a bit.
If Moyer starts to struggle, don't be surprised if Hamels comes running to the rescue. He'll be on three days' rest from his 75-pitch start, and the Phillies shouldn't hesitate to use him if that's what it comes down to. Arguably, in such an important game, Hamels should be the one starting anyway. It would be pretty tough to swallow if Philadelphia lost the series because they used the oldest arm in World Series history.
