The Secret to Winning Trophies

Last night I had the pleasure of watching the Phillies blow another game in the late innings by way of their bullpen. A game that I think they could have easily won.

Last night put two pitchers having outstanding seasons up against each other. Ryan Dempster ( 15-5, 2.95 ERA, 160K, 69BB ) vs. Cole Hamels (11-8, 3.31 ERA, 168K, 43 BB). Let me set the scene:

In Chicago
4-1 Phillies
Bottom of the 8th
Cole Hamels has pitched a gem (7 innings, 5 hits, 6 K's, 1 ER on a triple by Mark De Rosa that got caught in the Ivy in right field.)

Charlie Manuel brings in Ryan Madson.

This had to be his thought process:

"Hmm let's see here, it's the 8th inning I need someone to set up Brad Lidge..."

"Durbin and Madson are warmed up..."

"I know! Nothing strikes the fear into a lineup like a pitcher that's given up 8 hits in his last 4 innings pitched"

What a freaking moron...

Madson promptly gave up a pinch hit bomb to the oh so powerful Mark Fontenot. Followed by a ROCKET to the wall by Soriano and a single by Theriot.

Madson - 0.0 innings pitched, 3 hits, 1HR, 1 ER, men on first and third.

Charlie Manuel - "Alright, he's done, bring in the assassin Chad Durbin"

Derek Lee is walked, and then this happened...


I know what you're thinking, and yes, that footage was shot by my personal assistant.

All this being said, the Phillies lost 6-4. So why am I even bringing this up? I do have a point...

The 8th inning is the most important inning in baseball. Every title-worthy team has an incredibly successful setup man to throw in before their closer.

Perfect examples, my four most dangerous teams in baseball:


Angels, Scott Shields - Over the last three years Shields has pitched more innings than any other reliever (284.2 IP) and his 291 strikeouts are fourth most of any reliever. You may not have heard of him, but K-Rod has...he wouldn't have 1/2 of his save chances if Shields wasn't paving the way. That's him spanking it with the Champagne bottle...what a winner.






Boston Red Sox, Hideki Okajima - No one could figure this guy out last year. His whole, let's stare at the ground while a pitch a ball to home plate thing was scaring everyone. Last year through 69 innings, he let up 50 hits and set up nearly every one of Papelbon's 35 saves. Although he's not doing as well as he was last year, a 2.89 ERA isn't too shabby. As an added bonus, he drives this nifty Nissan Mini-van!!!








Tampa Bay, Grant Balfour - A 1.44 ERA, a .89 WHIP and a 64/20 K/BB ratio...If you haven't seen this kid pitch this year, it is fun to watch. He has the demeanor of your fifth grade bully. He walks out to the mound and immediately knows he is going to kick your ass. HUGE key to their success, just ask Joe Maddon ( A former Angels bench coach ) who bought this beemer for him as a gift. At least he doesn't drive a minivan.






Chicago Cubs, Carlos Marmol - This kid is FILTHY. I mean, he can be un-hittable for weeks at a time. He has 5 pitches to go to, 2 of them are just plain unfair. His only problem is that he is eratic at times and has a very awkward love for bowling. Other than that, he's pretty much an automatic hand off to Kerry Wood for a save opportunity. A lot of people thought he was going to challenge Kerry Wood for the closers role this season, but with a name like Wood...he has to be in a prominent role.




All this being said, teams with a set guy to go to in the 8th inning fare much better than teams without. Other than these four teams above, there isn't another one with a dominant setup guy. Watch all of these teams make it to the playoffs and perform well in clutch situations, because they have a dominant guy to go to in the most important inning in baseball, good old numero 8.