das Skiz predicts: Chad Durbin
October 28, 2009
I know a lot is being made about homeruns, starting pitching, closers, etc., but I think Chad Durbin is going to have to be a huge part of a Phillies win. I know I’m sounding like every announcer that I hate by making a prediction, but here’s why I’m thinking what I’m thinking.
- Durbin has pitched 4.0 innings of perfect relief.
- In Game 5 of the NLCS, he got out, in order, Ramirez to end an inning, then Kemp, Loney, and Martin to cover the next inning. Score was 6-3 when he took the field.
- In Game 2 of the NLCS, he retired Manny Ramirez with the bases loaded in a 2-1 game
- In Game 3 of the NLDS, with the score tied at 5 in the bottom of the 8th, Durbin retired the side, 1-2-3.
- He has 2 wins in the postseason
Durbin is a righty out of the Phillies bullpen, which now also has Brett Myers. Myers is sort of an unknown quantity, but Durbin has proven himself during this playoffs, acting as the Phillies’ Manny Ramirez assassin in the NLCS. Durbin will probably be called upon to handle A-Rod in a similar situation.
So Philly fans, when you get right down to it, the World Series may rest on Chad Durbin’s ability to retire A-Rod in a couple huge spots. Wow. 162 games, 2 postseason series, and it might just come down to Chad Durbin.
das Skiz 
October 28, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Yeah he’s been really huge. Also Eric Hinske might get a chance to make baseball history: Striking out to the same guy to end two consecutive World Series championships.
I assume that would be historical. My statement is fueled by truthiness, not research.
October 29, 2009 at 9:08 am
Courtesy of baseball-reference.com:
Only one player has ever ended two consecutive World Series: Boss Schmidt in 1907 and 1908, as the Tigers lost twice in a row to the Cubs.
October 29, 2009 at 9:12 am
Also an interesting note, only 8 times in history has the World Series ended on a Strikeout in front of the home fans for a victory. The Phillies have done it twice. They were also involved in one of 2 walkoff HR games in a world series.
I guess you can count on a Phillies World Series to produce some sort of history. Maybe Hinske is the answer this year.
October 29, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Some great trivia today. Good work.
I think Hinske being on the roster is a really bad omen for the Yankees. He did hit a homer during one of the games last year, but the potential for another series-ending strikeout is so high.