GaryMrMets
09-12-2003, 03:11 PM
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/phi/news/phi_news.jsp?ymd=20030911&content_id=522472&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi
09/11/2003 8:41 PM ET
Notes: No luck with coin tosses
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com
ATLANTA -- The shiny new coin didn't much care for the Phillies on Thursday afternoon. After five flips -- used to determine home-field advantage in the event a one-game playoff is needed for the National League Wild Card -- Philadelphia lost all five.
So should the Phillies' road to the postseason include a 163rd game, say against the Astros, Cardinals, Marlins, Dodgers or Cubs, they are guaranteed to wear their road grays.
An omen perhaps? The Phillies are 35-39 on the road this season, as opposed to 45-27 at Veterans Stadium.
Mike Lieberthal laughed when told of the results, while Todd Pratt took a more practical tone.
"Whatever it takes," he said.
Pratt has experience with one-game playoffs. In 1999, Pratt was with the Mets, when they followed a seven-game losing streak in late September by winning five of their final six games, including a three-game sweep of the Pirates in the final weekend. The Reds, meanwhile, went the other way, losing four of five after a six-game winning streak.
The teams finished the season tied, forcing a one-game playoff at Cinergy Field. There Al Leiter pitched a two-hit shutout to send the Mets to the playoffs. So Pratt isn't worried, should the season come down to that point.
"Whatever it takes," he repeated.
Manager Larry Bowa, who had input in selecting tails during the coin flips, doesn't think the season will come down to that."
"Just my gut," he said.
Ultimately, it will likely come down to the six remaining games against the Marlins, beginning on Tuesday with a three-game series in Philadelphia. In head-to-head matchups, the Phillies are 4-9 against the Marlins and have lost their past eight meetings. To this, Pratt would not acknowledge a psychological edge.
"We know they're good," said Pratt. "Who cares about [eight] in a row when it's going to come down to the last six."
Injury updates: No changes in the Phillies infield, though there is progress.
Placido Polanco, who has been taking batting practice and fielding ground balls for the past few days, has started light jogging. Running full out will be the final hurdle to clear before he can return.
He said he felt much better and remained confident in his goal of playing against Pittsburgh.
David Bell, on the other hand, will take it easy this weekend, and try to hit on Tuesday. If he has a pain-free session, he hopes to return for the final week of the season.
Philling in: The Phillies activated Terry Adams from the 15-day disabled list on Thursday. ... Amaury Telemaco, who strained his neck in his previous start on Sunday, is ready to go on Friday. "I'll live," he said.
Ken Mandel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
09/11/2003 8:41 PM ET
Notes: No luck with coin tosses
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com
ATLANTA -- The shiny new coin didn't much care for the Phillies on Thursday afternoon. After five flips -- used to determine home-field advantage in the event a one-game playoff is needed for the National League Wild Card -- Philadelphia lost all five.
So should the Phillies' road to the postseason include a 163rd game, say against the Astros, Cardinals, Marlins, Dodgers or Cubs, they are guaranteed to wear their road grays.
An omen perhaps? The Phillies are 35-39 on the road this season, as opposed to 45-27 at Veterans Stadium.
Mike Lieberthal laughed when told of the results, while Todd Pratt took a more practical tone.
"Whatever it takes," he said.
Pratt has experience with one-game playoffs. In 1999, Pratt was with the Mets, when they followed a seven-game losing streak in late September by winning five of their final six games, including a three-game sweep of the Pirates in the final weekend. The Reds, meanwhile, went the other way, losing four of five after a six-game winning streak.
The teams finished the season tied, forcing a one-game playoff at Cinergy Field. There Al Leiter pitched a two-hit shutout to send the Mets to the playoffs. So Pratt isn't worried, should the season come down to that point.
"Whatever it takes," he repeated.
Manager Larry Bowa, who had input in selecting tails during the coin flips, doesn't think the season will come down to that."
"Just my gut," he said.
Ultimately, it will likely come down to the six remaining games against the Marlins, beginning on Tuesday with a three-game series in Philadelphia. In head-to-head matchups, the Phillies are 4-9 against the Marlins and have lost their past eight meetings. To this, Pratt would not acknowledge a psychological edge.
"We know they're good," said Pratt. "Who cares about [eight] in a row when it's going to come down to the last six."
Injury updates: No changes in the Phillies infield, though there is progress.
Placido Polanco, who has been taking batting practice and fielding ground balls for the past few days, has started light jogging. Running full out will be the final hurdle to clear before he can return.
He said he felt much better and remained confident in his goal of playing against Pittsburgh.
David Bell, on the other hand, will take it easy this weekend, and try to hit on Tuesday. If he has a pain-free session, he hopes to return for the final week of the season.
Philling in: The Phillies activated Terry Adams from the 15-day disabled list on Thursday. ... Amaury Telemaco, who strained his neck in his previous start on Sunday, is ready to go on Friday. "I'll live," he said.
Ken Mandel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.