Charlie Manuel: "they're not in our heads"

[Upton]

That's the Phillies manager after last night's 4-1 Giants win behind Lincecum, enabling the champs to take the series. Counting last year's NLCS, the Giants have now won 4 of the last 6 played in Philadelphia. One thing is clear, the Phillies are no closer to solving the Giants pitching than they were last year...And despite their gaudy record, along with the usual east coast proclamations of how great they are, one thing this recently completed series demonstrated...to win a trip to the World Series, Manuel's Phillies are probably going to have go through the defending WS champions, a team they're having trouble beating. You doth protest too much Charlie..

[Forkboy]

1. Man, you are insecure about this whole East Coast thing lol.

Even after winning the World Series you can't let it go. I don't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for you. Seriously.

[Upton]

2. Whatever..but East Coast bias exists..

it's not even up for debate out here among most folks....it's an accepted fact.

[TZ]

3. Yep by NOT beating Halladay, Lee Oswalt or Hamels you proved your superiority!

ROFL. Seriously dude, you got killed by VANCE WORLEY. If that doesn't show you guys are not matching up well come playoff time, you are truly a blind homer

[Upton]

4. Zito went up against Worley...

The Giants are never going to be the '27 Yankees anyway.

Not matching up well? I believe you also told me the Phillies were going to trash the Giants in last year's NLCS..and after things didn't quite turn out the way you expected, you then confidently and once again erroneously predicted a Rangers WS win..

Yeah, Lee and Halladay didn't pitch in this series, but the Giants have beaten both of them in the past, in last year's playoffs, there's no reason they can't do it again. Meanwhile, the Phillies are having a heck of a time figuring out Cain, Lincecum and the Giants bullpen..

These two teams still have a 4 game series left in San Francisco, so things could change, but as of right now...Charlie Manuel sounds like one frustrated manager.

[TZ]

7. One frustrated manager...

ROFL. Do you live on the West Coast or in an alternate universe? Charlie is fine, trust me I KNOW what frustration sounds like. ZOMG the Phillies lost TWO IN A ROW. HORRIBLE. Honestly, I think its obvious that he didn't give a shit about this series since he was okay with his bottom of the line pitchers facing your top pitchers. You also were outscored this series 9-8 so you didn't exactly dominate. In fact, had the Phillies won game two (which they could have I've heard) you would have been on here blathering about how regular season means nothing since the Phillies beat you in the regular season last year.
You guys have THE WORST offense in the NL, worse than even the Nats wretched O. You'll be lucky if you can get past a very strong Braves team let alone the Phillies. Both of whom have as good pitching as SF. Oh and I've seen SF play. YOur losing record vs the Nats isn't impressive either.

[Upton]

9. Couple corrections..

The Giants don't have the worst offense in the NL, that dubious honor currently belongs to the Padres. The Giants are obviously struggling in that area, though the addition of Beltran should help..but even if it doesn't, they can always rely on the #1 pitching staff in all of MLB. Good pitching trumps good hitting...someday you'll understand that.

The Phillies also didn't beat the Giants in the regular season last year...the two teams split 3-3..

The Philles also lost game two of this series in a contest they never led. Sure, I guess they could have won, but clubs have chances go by the board all the time in MLB. So, if you're going to set the bar that low, we can then go on to say something similar for every team and every loss..

As for the 9-8 series aggregate, considering 7 of those runs were scored in the Zito start..If I were a Phillies fan, I don't know how much comfort I'd take in that..

This is the first time the Phillies have lost back to back games since June 4..and their first series loss since mid June. All very impressive, until you keep in mind it was the Phillies nemesis who broke their streak. And I think that's what Charlie Manuel was focusing in on when he said.. “They’re not in our heads. I don’t think so. Really, I don’t think so at all.”

[Forkboy]

5. "it's not even up for debate out here"

Yeah, no kidding, obviously more people out there than just you are insecure, so at least there's comfort in numbers with other insecure sad sacks. I can only picture the parties. Must be like drinking with Spiro Agnew.

Thanks for perfectly illustrating my point. You guys are so insecure that even a World Series victory can't erase the self-victimization. At least when the Red Sox won their fans got over their New York insecurity. How many WS wins will it take for you? 5? 10? 100? :rofl:

[Upton]

6. You forget I no longer live in the Bay Area..

People in the Pacific Northwest know all about it too. East Coast bias is not just about the Giants and baseball. It encompasses everyone and every sport west of the Rockies. If you can't see that East Coast bias exists, I can only assume you lack perspective due to the fact you reside directly in the belly of the beast..

Btw, why would I or any other Giants fan feel insecure? We're truly in a golden age of Giants baseball. Winners..yes, but we've also got personalities, such as Lincecum and Wilson, who are known worldwide...It never gets old however, seeing the prevailing wisdom of the so called experts proved wrong. If and when the Giants are actually picked by the East Coast sports media to go all the way..now that's when the worries might start.

[Forkboy]

8. I wasn't limiting my comments to the Bay Area.

I can only assume you lack perspective due to the fact you reside directly in the belly of the beast..

I can only assume you see it because you're in the belly of the insecure beast..

Btw, why would I or any other Giants fan feel insecure?

That's what I'm trying to figure out lol.

[Auggie]

10. My observation...

make it a guess... Manuel and his staff are being out-thought, or out-coached, by Bochy and his staff. I was never impressed with Manuel when he was with Cleveland. I never sensed a pro-active, thinking-mans approach to must-win games from him as I do from Bruce Bochy. No question the Phillies have an awesome roster -- better overall than the Gaints. But raw talent alone isn't enough to win championships.

Phillies fans -- your thoughts?

[MrSlayer]

11. Patience at the plate is not one of the Phillies' virtues.

Changing that and remembering that Lincecum does not throw fastballs on fastball counts would go a long way.