Philadelphia Phillies’ Charlie Manuel confident of strong performance in NLDS Game 5 – MLB Update
Philadelphia Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel remained confident of a comeback in the final after his team went down 3-5 against St. Louis Cardinals in game four of the National League Division Series on Wednesday, October 5 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis
Missouri.
Phillies entered the game with a 2-1 lead in the five-game series, intending to wrap it up in this game and subsequently book a Championship Series spot. With Roy Oswalt starting for the NL East Champions, odds of their intent being fulfilled seemed high.
However, an offensive backlash by the NL Wild Card entrants levelled the series at two-each, pushing it to the fifth game to be held at Citizens Bank Park on October 7.
Philadelphia were unable to handle their competitors and now have many questions to answer as they prepare for the final battle at home. Their ace Roy Halladay will take the mound against Cardinals’ ace and close friend Chris Carpenter in a match-up that
will definitely be historical.
Manuel said, "Might be fitting that it goes down to the fifth game. It's up to us to go get it. It's sitting right there for us."
Halladay and Carpenter played together in Toronto for five years and with both perceptive about each other, it will be interesting to see what strategy they adopt.
Cardinals’ out-fielder Matt Holliday made an imposing return in game four after a swollen right-hand middle finger. Looking forward to game five, Holliday said, "They're good friends and old teammates, and Carp was really chomping at the bit for this opportunity
to pitch against Roy on full rest in a huge Game 5. It should be quite a battle and then it'll be fun to watch two great competitors go head to head and two great teams get after it."
With free agency looming, a loss in game four would have effectively ended Albert Pujols’ career with the Redbirds. Although he failed in his four at-bats in the game, he has another chance to guide the Cardinals’ to the Championship Series.
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