[jg2977]

[Mike and the Mad Dog – NLDS Game 1 Analysis, Phillies at Mets, October 13, 1919]

Mike: All right, Doggie, Game 1 of the Division Series at Citi Field — and the Mets lay an egg. Ten to six, the Phillies take it, Vince Brown the star of the show, two hits, a homer, five driven in. Leo Echeverria, Dog, unbelievable, three hits, scores four runs. Mets pitching couldn’t stop anybody.

Mad Dog: Mikey, Mikey, that’s a BAD loss for the Mets! You’re at home, you’ve got Luke Peters on the mound, you’re supposed to set the tone, and what happens? He gets BLOWN OUT in the fourth and fifth innings! Eight hits, six runs, ERA over ELEVEN in the playoffs. You can’t win with that!

Mike: And listen, Dog, Echeverria was on base every single time. He had a double, a triple, he scores four runs. The Mets never found a way to pitch around him. And then Brown, in the ninth, just slams the door with the three-run homer. That’s a dagger.

Mad Dog: Exactly! And don’t give me the late rally, Mikey. Yeah, they score two in the ninth, Contreras goes deep, fine. That game was over in the middle innings. Phillies put up four in the fifth, that was the ballgame. Mets fans can’t be happy. You wait all year for October baseball, and your starter doesn’t show up!

Mike: Well, and here’s the problem, Dog. This was supposed to be the Mets’ advantage. Their rotation! And now you’re down 1-0 in a short best-of-five. You’re in trouble already.

Mad Dog: Oh, the Mets are in BIG trouble. Because the Phillies are dangerous, Mikey! Don’t overlook ‘em. That lineup — Brown, Echeverria, even Fisher with a couple hits. And their starter, Yovanovich, he wasn’t brilliant, but he got you seven innings, kept the bullpen fresh. That’s all you need on the road.

Mike: Absolutely. He gave them length, and then Moran finishes it out. Phillies did what you have to do in October: timely hitting, add-on runs, and get the big outs when you need them. Mets didn’t do any of that.

Mad Dog: If the Mets don’t win tomorrow, Mikey, this series is OVER. OVER. You can’t go to Philly down 0-2. You’re not coming back from that.

Mike: They have to win tomorrow. Absolute must.

Mad Dog: Gotta win. Gotta win.