The Phillies had that edge on the wild-card Rockies when the NLDS started. But after splitting the first two games, it has suddenly swung to Colorado. Two of the final three games are scheduled for Coors Field, beginning tomorrow night, weather permitting.
And that's more than just a passing concern for the defending world champions, who lost at home for the first time after eight straight postseason wins.
Coors Field, with its mile-high altitude and spacious outfield, is unlike any other park in baseball. The Rockies are almost always highly successful there. Their 51-30 home record was second only to the Giants' during the regular season. And they were 43-17 after Jim Tracy took over as manager in late May.
It's true that the Phillies led the NL with 48 road wins in 2009. It's also a fact that the bulk of that success was achieved early in the year. In the final 2 months of the schedule, for example, they were a pedestrian 16-17 away from their familiar surroundings.
"Definitely, this was a big game for us," said Rockies Game 2 starter Aaron Cook. "Anytime you can go back to your home field tied, it's always huge. The crowd was really into it today, and that's something we're going to have on our side going back . . . playing in Coors Field and the momentum and the crowd in Denver."
Added catcher Yorvit Torrealba: "Going back, it was our goal to win at least one game here, and we did that. It's huge, because we've been playing really well at home, especially lately."
Throw in the fact that Manuel used two of his potential Game 3 starters, Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ in relief yesterday, and one thing is certain. The Phillies have an uphill climb ahead of them if they hope to repeat.
Battle of the bullpens
