Playoff Recap: 10/17

Last night was game 2 of the NLCS, with the Giants’ Jonathan Sanchez opposing Roy Oswalt of the Phillies. Despite the final score, this game was pretty close for a long time, with the score 2-1 going into the bottom of the 7^th. However, the Phillies put up a 5-run 7^th inning to put this one out of reach, recording a 6-1 win. 

The Phillies struck first, as Sanchez had a wild first in which he walked three, including Jimmy Rollins with the bases loaded. Sanchez, however, settled down, and this was a 1-1 game for some time.

In the 5^th, however, Cody Ross had the Giants’ first hit for the second day in a row, which for the second day in a row was a solo home run. Ross has been playing out of his mind for the Giants. Never will you see a man as locked in as Cody Ross has been so far. Nothing more needs to be said.

The Phillies took back their one-run lead in the bottom of the inning, as Shane Victorino hit a leadoff double and eventually scored on Placido Polanco’s sac fly. Ryan Howard followed with a single, but no more damage would be done. 

The Phillies cracked it open in the 7^th. Roy Oswalt singled to lead off, ending Sanchez’s evening. Ramon Ramirez entered, and Victorino bunted Oswalt to third. Chase Utley was then intentionally walked and Ramirez allowed a single to score Oswalt. Jeremy Affeldt came in and allowed a double-steal to put runners at second and third, but struck out Ryan Howard. He intentionally walked Jayson Werth before being replaced by Santiago Casilla. Casilla promptly allowed a three-run double to Jimmy Rollins, making the game 6-1, before Raul Ibañez lined out to third base. 

That’s how the game would end, as this series will be going back to San Francisco tied at one. Let’s break it down:

Giants vs. Phillies

WPA Leader: Roy Oswalt (.354)

Oswalt went 8 innings, allowing one run while striking out nine, so it’s no surprise he was the most impactful player in game 2. After having the worst outing of any Phillies pitcher in their divisional series sweep, he was fantastic last night.

Biggest Plays: 

Cody Ross’ solo shot to tie the game up added .136 to the Giants’ win expectancy, allowing him to put up the best WPA of any San Francisco player for the second day in a row. Rollins’ 3-run double to break the game open for the Phillies was second, at .092.

The Goat: 

Jayson Werth went 0 for 3, walking once but taking two strikeouts, including one in the first inning with the bases loaded that was the biggest negative WPA play of the game.