Swingin’ in the Rain

History was made in Philadelphia last night, only it wasn’t the kind that Phillies fans were hoping for.  Instead of being witness to their team’s first World Series championship in 28 years they saw the first suspended game in World Series history when Game 5 was halted in the middle of the sixth inning with the score tied at 2.  Many questions abound in the aftermath of this historic event.  When will the game be resumed?  Should the game have been stopped even earlier than it was?  Given the forecast and conditions at the time should the game have even started?  Which team benefits the most from the suspension?

I don’t know when the game will be resumed as it has already been postponed again today until at least 8:37 pm ET on Wednesday so I’ll leave that question to be answered by MLB and the weathermen.  However, I do know that from what I saw on TV, I think they should have stopped the game earlier.  When you see huge puddles forming in the infield and Scott Kazmir having his spikes completely caked in mud in the bottom of the fourth inning how can the umpires allow them to continue for two more innings.  It’s especially difficult to understand in a game of such importance, one that could result in one of the teams winning the championship.  Looking at the wildness that Scott Kazmir showed walking six and hitting Chase Utley in the back in four plus innings on the mound, Major League Baseball is lucky that someone wasn’t seriously hurt by a wayward fastball to the head.  Or watching BJ Upton tiptoeing around third in the sixth, they’re lucky no one slipped and rolled an ankle or tore a knee ligament.  In a game of this magnitude MLB and the umpires owed it to the players and fans to provide the best possible conditions to decide the champion and last night I think they came up a little short.

I do think the game should have been started.  The conditions at the beginning of the game were relatively mild and as was mentioned on the broadcast the forecast appeared manageable, so I believe the correct decision was made to start the game.  However, as conditons worsened as I have previously mentioned I think they should have been a little quicker to act and protect the integrity and quality of the play on the field.

Moving forward there are advantages on both sides form the suspension.  Tampa benefits from the fact Cole Hamels will no longer be pitching when the game is resumed.  Having thrown only 75 pitches in six innings, Hamels more than likely would have been out there at least another inning, possibly two, so it’s a huge benefit to Tampa to not have to face him.  However, the Philles bullpen has been very solid throughout the postseason, so ultimately it might not make any difference.  However, I think there are more advantages going forward for Philadelphia.  FIrst off, with the score tied, Philly has four innings to hit and score that tying breaking run before extra innings while Tampa only has three.  Also, the delay of resumption until at least Wednesday allows the Phillies the opportunity to bring Hamels back on three days rest to pitch Game 7 if necessary.  Possibly the biggest advantage though for Philly may be that they’re at home right now and get to ride the delay out in familiar surroundings while Tampa conversely, had to go hunting for lodging in Wilmington, Delaware after having checked out of their hotel prior to the game in anticipation of a flight to Tampa follow ing the game.

After a long rainy night, the wait continues for Phillies fans in anticipation of the city’s first championship in a long time.  But, hey they’ve waited twenty eight years, what’s a few more days.