And here's the part that concerns me: With the series shifting to Denver, don't expect everything to suddenly calm down and return to normal. In fact, things could get a little messy for the Fightin's out there.
But we'll get to that. First, someone has to explain something: How did the circus sneak into town without any of us knowing in advance? From the first pitch to the last out yesterday, Citizens Bank Park was transformed into an open-air Big Top. I kept waiting for the elephants to clomp through Ashburn Alley or maybe see the Phanatic fold himself into a cannon and then get launched into the South Philly sky.
Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ - two guys billed as potential Game 3 starters - both took the mound. Cliff Lee made an appearance as a pinch-runner (um, when did he suddenly become Vince Coleman?), 20 different Phils took the field, and - oh, yeah - Heidi Hamels went into labor.
You decide which part was the strangest. I'm through trying to figure it out.
And if you're wondering whether his wife's situation had something to do with Cole Hamels' less-than-stellar pitching performance, you're not alone.
"It might have," Manuel said. "It could have bothered him, yes."
All of which brings us to Game 3. Yesterday, Manuel said he wasn't sure who would start tomorrow night, but he sounded pretty confident that he'd find someone. He mentioned a lot of names.
Could be Pedro Martinez. Could be Blanton. Could be Happ (even though the lefty left Game 2 with a shin bruise after getting hit with a ball). Could be the bearded lady or maybe one of the backup clowns. I wouldn't rule anyone out at this point.
Making things even more interesting: The Weather Channel's forecast for Denver is nasty. Tomorrow, TWC is calling for a high of 32, a low of 28, and possible snow showers. Not exactly ideal for baseball.
