ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (11:03 AM)

We'll be by Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET to chat during the final few innings of Game 5 of the World Series!

Matt (Boston)

What station is the game on? I cant seem to find it.

Rob Neyer

  (8:13 PM)

It'll be on your local Fox affiliate, Matt. Immediately after Sen. Obama's infomercial (which I'm watching right now).

Pat (Philadelphia)

Who do you think will pitch for the Rays and who will pitch hit for the PHILLIES!

Rob Neyer

  (8:14 PM)

I really don't know, Pat. But I don't believe we'll see David Price in the sixth inning, and I believe that Charlie Manuel will run his bullpen as he usually does in the seventh, but might turn to Lidge for two innings if the Phillies get a lead.

Joel (Houston, TX)

Could Hamels go tonight? And if so, how's he going to do?

Rob Neyer

  (8:16 PM)

Extremely unlikely, Joel. Too far off his routine. I do think we might see him in Game 7, if it comes to that.

Nathan (Fort Worth)

If TB loses the series, whose fault is it? Maddons? or the pitchers?

Rob Neyer

  (8:22 PM)

If they lose there will be plenty of blame to go around, Nathan, beginning with the meat of the batting order.

Scott (Vienna, VA)

If somebody was taken out of Monday night's game, they are unavailable for this game, correct? For example, the Rays could not hypothetically use Scott Kazmir to pinch run because they removed him Monday night?

Rob Neyer

  (8:23 PM)

Yes, but Kazmir's the only player who's been removed from the game so far. So tonight the point is moot.

JR (Vegas)

No offense Buzzmaster, but are we chatting w/ you or Mr. Neyer?

Rob Neyer

  (8:24 PM)

Sorry about that; it's been me the whole time. I thought I hit the little "Rob" button but obviously I did not.

Erin (Philly)

The gamecast has balfour pitching... does that have anyrthing to do with any statements Maddon's made, or is that just going from Monday?

Rob Neyer

  (8:26 PM)

He's still in the game, officially, and will be until the exact moment that Maddon replaces him. At the very least, I expect Balfour to take the mound tonight until Maddon finds out who's going to pinch-hit for Cole Hamels', whose spot is due to lead off the bottom of the sixth.

matt (Tampa)

Hey Rob, are the umpires going to be at their same locations as monday night?

Rob Neyer

  (8:27 PM)

Sure. The best way to think of tonight is as if we've simply been waiting out a 46-hour rain delay.

Paul (Montreal)

Do you see any appeal at all in a Game 7 at the Trop...on Halloween?

Rob Neyer

  (8:28 PM)

Only if they run their annual Haunted House *while* the game is going on. Wouldn't that be awesome? No, but seriously, I think a Game 7 is appealing regardless of when it's played and who's playing.

phil (pinnacle, nc)

Don't you see a rule after this game, for a required nine inning post-season game?

Rob Neyer

  (8:33 PM)

I believe that rule already exists, Phil, at least in the mind of the Commissioner. But yes, I believe it should be added to the rulebook. We shouldn't have to guess.

Lan Sluder (Asheville, NC)

What's the temperature on the field now? Hope it's not as cold as it is here in the NC mountains.

Rob Neyer

  (8:37 PM)

It looks cold, but not *too* cold, as Robothal's not wearing anything to protect his tender ears. Meanwhile, a bit of news: Ryan Madson will be the Phillies' first pitcher.

Ryan (Australia)

How much longer unti lthe game starts?

Rob Neyer

  (8:39 PM)

We're mere seconds away, Ryan. Pinch-hitter Geoff Jenkins leading off against Balfour very soon...

Nate (MN)

Has there ever been a walk off HR to win the World Series?

Rob Neyer

  (8:40 PM)

Just slightly over 15 years ago, Toronto's Joe Carter did it against the Phillies. And in 1960, Bill Mazeroski in Game 7 against the Yankees.

Kevin (Kyoto)

What are the chances of Hamels starting a possible game 7 on full rest?

Rob Neyer

  (8:41 PM)

It wouldn't be full rest, Kevin. Assuming Game 7 is played Friday night, it would be three days rest: T/W/R. But I think there's an excellent chance that he would start Game 7 on short rest.

anthony (The Poconos)

Rob is the ballpark full?

Rob Neyer

  (8:42 PM)

Sure looks full to me. Anybody who didn't want to show up wouldn't have had a hard time finding someone to use their ticket. I wonder how much scalpers were getting for three innings?

Bridget (Philly)

yes!!!!!

Rob Neyer

  (8:43 PM)

On a full count, Jenkins drove a fastball to the warning track in right-center for a double.

kyle (in)

how did they do tickets? the people who paid 2 days ago got a "full" game. Did they resell?

Rob Neyer

  (8:46 PM)

They did not get a full game, Kyle. I don't know how the team managed the tickets, but if you had a ticket for Game 5 on Monday night, you got a ticket for Game 5 tonight.

Chris (Albany)

do you bring in price to pitch to utley?

Rob Neyer

  (8:46 PM)

Price or Howell.

Kara (Philly)

YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob Neyer

  (8:48 PM)

That would have been a fairly routine pop to short center, but with the infield in, Iwamura had a long ways to go. He actually got there, but the ball squirted between his hands and his body. Frankly, that's a play that will be made most of the time by a second baseman with good range.

Matt (Austin)

Still a tough play, Rob.

Rob Neyer

  (8:50 PM)

Absolutely. But it's hard to win a World Series if you don't make a few of the tough ones.

Joe (Saint Louis)

Who is gonna pitch for Philly? I heard Madson, but is that true?

Rob Neyer

  (8:50 PM)

Yes.

taylor (virginia)

Do you have any negative feelings towards stopping a game of this magnitude mid game?

Rob Neyer

  (8:52 PM)

I'm not sure they should have started Game 5 at all, and I'm fairly sure it should have been stopped after five innings rather than in the middle of the fifth. But they couldn't have played through the rain.

Matt (Chicago)

The Rays have to score in the 7th. The Phillies are literally are unbeatable when they have a lead in the 8th inning (They're 86-0)

Rob Neyer

  (8:54 PM)

I'm not going to disagree with you, Matt. But I have to point out a statistical issue with the 86-0 you cite. In most of those 86 games, the Phillies had more than a one-run lead. We can't even begin to guess the impact of the Phillies' lead after seven innings until we know the size of the lead.

James (Alabama)

Rob, you still have to figure they are 20-0 or better when leading by 1 after 7. Don't be silly.

Rob Neyer

  (8:57 PM)

Of course. About the 20-0, I mean. I reserve the right to extend and revise my silliness.

Tom (Philly)

If Madson gets a 1-2-3 inning do u think they will leave howell in or bring price in anyway?

Rob Neyer

  (8:58 PM)

Howell's pretty good, Tom. I say they leave him in and keep their options open.

James (CT)

Question (maybe dumb): if the Philly bullpen holds up, is Hamels in line for the win?

Rob Neyer

  (9:00 PM)

Well, he was until Baldelli homered, just now.

DAVID (PHILLY)

why is jp howell still batting?

Rob Neyer

  (9:03 PM)

This is absolutely insane. Maddon's got Hinske and Gross on the bench and he's bunting with one out?

Brad (Centreville, VA)

That's the strangest thing I've ever seen!

Rob Neyer

  (9:04 PM)

According to Joe Buck, Maddon likes the Howell-Burrell matchup. You pass up a chance to score two or three runs for *that*? Really???

Spencer (San Diego)

I am so confused right now...

Rob Neyer

  (9:05 PM)

Me too, Spencer. If the Rays lose this game, Maddon's the goat. But of course if they win, this boner will be completely forgotten.

smitty (sc)

how can you question maddon though?

Rob Neyer

  (9:07 PM)

If you doctor tells you you've got terminal cancer, do you get a second opinion? I question everyone.

Ant (Atlanta)

wow that was horrible. Why did he run home

Rob Neyer

  (9:08 PM)

For those not watching . . . Iwamura hit a grounder up the middle. Utley fielded it, didn't have a play on Iwamura, but faked a throw to first base. Bartlett was fooled, tried to score, and was out with plenty to spare. So that's two mistakes by the Rays in one half-inning...

tony (kc)

i like that maddon is making some dicey calls, he is taking all of the pressure off of his players don't you think?

Rob Neyer

  (9:09 PM)

I tend to think that it's *smart* calls that take the pressure off the players, because then they don't have to do as much.

Jason (CA)

Is that a good play by Utley or a poor play by Bartlett?

Rob Neyer

  (9:11 PM)

I'd rate that at 40/60. But there's some talk that the third-base coach was waving him around. I guess we'll find out after the game.

Bill (Omaha)

Oh No!

Rob Neyer

  (9:13 PM)

Double off the top of the wall in left-center. Now Maddon's *really* looking smart. Burrell's yanked for a pinch-runner. And Maddon's just yanked Howell. Wow. Let's review the events of the last 10 minutes...

Dave (CT)

correct me if im wrong but didnt maddon leave howell in the game to bunt to face utley?

Rob Neyer

  (9:13 PM)

Exactly. Maddon traded a sacrifice bunt for a double. Nice.

James (Virginia)

This just in Rob. Maddon is smarter than you.

Rob Neyer

  (9:14 PM)

You're probably right, James. But do you think he's right 100 percent of the time? If not, then it's fair to occasionally question the Great Genius.

Joseph (Philly)

Burrell shoulda been on 3rdwatching instead of running. Tsk, tsk!

Rob Neyer

  (9:18 PM)

You're right, Joseph. If the Phillies lose, Burrell's your goat. That was absolutely inexcusable. I know he "thought" he'd hit a home run, but he's not paid to think. He's paid to hit, and to run (because he can't really field, or throw).

stephen (michiganwill you answer a football question?? will Will

i dont really like the sacrifice bunt here, i would go for the hit and try to bring that man around

Rob Neyer

  (9:18 PM)

Tim McCarver's on your side. Oh well, he's not bunting with two strikes...

PhillyFan (Philadephia)

He can't really run either though Rob

Rob Neyer

  (9:19 PM)

No, but he could have run a lot better than he did. That should have been a triple and everyone in the world knows it. Manuel must have just about had a conniption.

danmarch (boston)

It's 3-3 in the seventh, anyone's game. If Bradford gets out of the jam this could go xtras, right?

Rob Neyer

  (9:20 PM)

Sure, but why is Bradford in the game? The Rays need a strikeout, and Bradford doesn't get strikeouts at all . . . RBI single for Feliz. Second-guesser's dream game...

John (San Diego)

Ok, with that score, is game over?

Rob Neyer

  (9:22 PM)

86-0, right? The Rays have their good hitters coming up, and you have to give them a ghost of a chance if they can keep the score right where it is. Another run or two, though? Forget about it.

matt (cedar falls)

wow aki

Rob Neyer

  (9:23 PM)

Absolutely fantastic play behind second base by Iwamura to get the force-out. Makes up for the one he didn't make in the sixth.

Joe (Philly)

I think Charlie should use Lidge for the last six outs. What do you think.

Rob Neyer

  (9:24 PM)

Seems like a good idea to me, but Manuel let Romero bat for himself, so he's obviously staying in the game to face at least one more hitter (and probably three). Apparently tonight's managers are prejudiced against crooked numbers.

Derek (NE)

Assuming the series ends tonight, who is your world series MVP, Rob?

Rob Neyer

  (9:28 PM)

I don't have any idea, Derek. Probably Hamels if he were still the pitcher of record, but he's not. Other candidates? Howard, maybe? Ruiz?

ryland (ma)

rays are done!

Rob Neyer

  (9:29 PM)

Maybe. But they've got a fast guy on first base with nobody out. I wouldn't count 'em out quite yet...

jordan (nd)

RALLY TIME!

Rob Neyer

  (9:30 PM)

DOUBLE PLAY! The fat lady's warming up backstage...

Joshua (Fort Worth)

Is Evan Longoria the goat of the series?

Rob Neyer

  (9:31 PM)

I suppose that'll be history's verdict. But I would vote for Maddon.

rob (tampa)

give pena the green light?

Rob Neyer

  (9:32 PM)

I would. He's capable of driving one out of here . . . Nope. He was taking, and took a fastball down the middle.

Adam (Adelaide, Australia)

How many blown saves for Lidge this year?

Rob Neyer

  (9:34 PM)

Seriously, Adam? None. He was perfect in the regular season and he's been perfect in October. And he'll be in there in the ninth, with little standing in his way. And if Maddon doesn't empty his bench of left-handed hitters, he's not paying attention.

Tyson (NYC)

2008 Phillies: Worst starting pitching staff ever on a World Series Champ?

Rob Neyer

  (9:34 PM)

Good question, but I would be shocked if it was. Check out the '87 Twins, to name just one candidate.

Andrew (Winnipeg)

Should the MLB just get rid of the LCS and World Series MVP's and just have one MVP for the whole playoffs. Hamels should be the MVP this year, just like Beckett last year and Ortiz in 04

Rob Neyer

  (9:35 PM)

I wouldn't get rid of anything, but an overall postseason MVP . . . that's a cool idea, Andrew! They should do it, and you should get credit!

Jake (Iowa City)

Today on ESPN the idea was tossed around about a neutral site World Series, do you think that would ever happen? Probably not with the current commissioner.

Rob Neyer

  (9:37 PM)

Jake, I don't think it would work. I don't think you could sell out seven games at a neutral site, which would be terribly embarrassing for MLB. However, I do like the idea of playing *one* game at a neutral site. Or two games, in a best-of-nine format. I know that seems radical. But why not think about it?

Steve (Wisconsin)

Think Bartlett could win it in the ninth for the Rays, after all, he was named team MVP

Rob Neyer

  (9:38 PM)

Don't get me started, Steve!

Richard (Meridian, MS)

if MLB did a best of 9 format, and had 2 games at a nuetral site, wouldn't they have to shorten the season as to not have it extend into middle of Nov?

Rob Neyer

  (9:40 PM)

Yes. Or cut some of the off-days in the earlier rounds of the tournament. Or both. It'd be easy, with a tiny bit of creativity.

michael (orange county)

this has to be the worst ending to a World series in a very ling time. It is just bizarre but not in an exciting way

Rob Neyer

  (9:42 PM)

I'm sure it's exciting for the fans in Philadelphia. I think we're too critical when the World Series aren't great. How many lousy Super Bowls have there been?

Chris (Michigan)

It has me excited, and i've been waiting anxiously since monday for tonight. It's the world Series, how can you not be excited?

Rob Neyer

  (9:44 PM)

Agreed. Plus, this three-inning game is pretty darned dramatic. I think we'll all remember it.

Sean (Delaware)

Rob are you secretly hoping the Rays will vindicate your prediction of a Lidge blown save?

Rob Neyer

  (9:46 PM)

That prediction's always in the back of my mind, but the game's so much bigger than my little chat comments that I really pay them no mind. Plus, I'd feel bad for Lidge if he blew it. Much as I'd like to see the Series live for another day.

Rob (Ny)

has a closer ever pitched a whole season and not blown a save

Rob Neyer

  (9:47 PM)

Someone might correct me, but I believe Lidge is the second full-time closer to do it, with Eric Gagne the first.

Coleman (Pennsylvania)

This is it. Will there be any hits allowed?

Rob Neyer

  (9:48 PM)

No, but I predict that Lidge will nibble and give up a walk.

Drew (Raleigh)

Lidge has blown 14% of his save opportunities lifetime. He IS due to blow one.

Rob Neyer

  (9:49 PM)

Sure. That's why I made the postseason prediction. But he's extremely unlikely to blow *this* save opportunity.

Tim (STL)

Time for Longoria to not be the scapegoat...

Rob Neyer

  (9:50 PM)

Good luck to him...

wes (methuen ma)

two to go

Rob Neyer

  (9:51 PM)

Yup. Once Longoria got two strikes he was reduced to staying alive, and popped out. Navarro's going to be the second out, and then . . . does Maddon pinch-hit for Baldelli?

jace (tx)

he keeps baldelli in

Rob Neyer

  (9:53 PM)

Wow! Broken-bat blooper falls in for a hit. Fernando Perez is pinch-running for Navarro. And the pinch-hitter for Baldelli is ... Ben Zobrist? Not Gross, or Hinske? Maddon's lost his mind.

Hector (Dominican Republic)

would you steal in this situation?

Rob Neyer

  (9:55 PM)

I don't know about me, but Perez just stole second and the play wasn't anything like close. Easy to steal off Lidge. So Rays a base hit away from tying this thing. How did Lidge go through the whole season without blowing one? It seems impossible for any pitcher...

Tim (Black hills)

Good wood. Pull the ball...Sheesh

Rob Neyer

  (9:56 PM)

Not good wood; *great* wood, hit on a low line directly at Werth in right field. He puts that 30 feet either way and it's a game-tying double. Tough luck.

josh (australia)

here comes the team mvp, whats he got?

Rob Neyer

  (9:57 PM)

Nope, not Bartlett here. Maddon's finally going to Hinske.

Rob Neyer

  (9:58 PM)

One pitch away . . .

Joe Mac (Philly)

YOU GOTTA BELIEVE!!! YES WE CAN!!! WE WIN WE WIN WE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob Neyer

  (9:59 PM)

I'd say the monkey is officially and permanently off Brad Lidge's back. Good for him.

matthew (new york)

overall, the phillies deserved to win the series--selig's call in game 5 could have hurt them, but with longoria and pena in such a rut in this series for the rays, the phillies were the better team.

Rob Neyer

  (10:00 PM)

No question about it. I still believe the Rays are the better team, but they were absolutely out-played, and arguably out-managed, in these five games.

mitch (oh)

so now who gets the mvp?

Rob Neyer

  (10:01 PM)

No idea, Mitch, but I'll try to hang around here long enough to let you know when I find out. Listening to ESPN Radio now...

Dan (Montreal)

Phillies in 5.5!!!!!

Rob Neyer

  (10:02 PM)

That's the headline for the World Series, if you ask me.

Josh (Philly)

Shut up, We won, were the best, that's how we determined it, no one cares what you believe.

Rob Neyer

  (10:03 PM)

Okay.

Tara (Sarasota, Fl)

At the risk of sounding conciliatory, I'm still proud of the Rays. We're now a team with a reputation and we've certainly come a long way. Baseball has grown qutie a bit here in the Tampa Bay area. Congratulations Phillies!

Rob Neyer

  (10:04 PM)

No doubt. Now the fans in the Tampa Bay area just have to show up at the Trop next summer.

chris (madison)

Jamie Moyer retire after this? It can't get much better for him, can it?

Rob Neyer

  (10:06 PM)

It's not likely to get better, but competitors don't play to win; they play for the *chance* to win. And I suspect he'll pitch as long as somebody lets him. Can you blame the guy?

Alex (Chapel Hill)

Outlooks for both teams next year?

Rob Neyer

  (10:08 PM)

Based purely on their current personnel, I've got the Phillies at 84-88 wins, the Rays 88-92. Why so low for the Phillies? Because all their best players are a year older, and because Lidge is likely to blow a few saves.

Jonathan (Chalfont PA)

Rob - WEAK, WEAK, WEAK! Just give the Phillies the credit as the better team. 4 games to 1!!!!!! You and the 60% of the country were wrong! Very wrong!

Rob Neyer

  (10:08 PM)

Lighten up, Francis. Were the Cardinals better than the Tigers in 2006, really?

Manfre (Fort Bragg)

how much do you think this split game affected the rays? they seemed to be getting into it and the game was suspended...

Rob Neyer

  (10:10 PM)

Nah, I don't think so. They were a little lucky to tie the game in the sixth. They just got outplayed tonight, and for most of the rest of the Series, too.

D-man (Ark)

How would you compare this Phillies' World Series win to their other one in 1980?

Rob Neyer

  (10:11 PM)

That one was bigger because they'd never won one. And it was a better, more closely-fought Series. But many thousands of Phillies fans don't even remember that one.

Alex (Houston Tx)

Lidge Cy Young?

Rob Neyer

  (10:11 PM)

I haven't run all the Cy Young numbers yet, but I do believe Lidge won't get as much support from the voters as he deserves.

John (New Zealand)

I love Philly. Their booing a championship.

Rob Neyer

  (10:13 PM)

Actually, they were booing Bud Selig. Stay classy, Philadelphia.

tom (NY)

mvp?????

Rob Neyer

  (10:15 PM)

I haven't heard anything official yet, but Jon Sciambi suggested that it's going to be Cole Hamels. Makes sense to me.

Sam (Boston)

here it comes...

Rob Neyer

  (10:16 PM)

Yeah, it's Hamels. Commissioner Bud is sucking the life out of the moment right now.

Bryan (Baltimore)

So he won NLCS MVP and WS MVP, who won NLDS MVP and has anyone won all 3?

Rob Neyer

  (10:17 PM)

There aren't NLDS MVPs, Bryan. Isn't that weird?

Chris (NY)

Ya know what can stop? The AL is so much better than the NL argument - even though it's true over a 162 game season, the fact is that it hold just about no baring on the outcome of the World Series, because it's been proven over and over that anything can happen in a 7 game series.

Rob Neyer

  (10:18 PM)

Well, yes . . . Except oddly enough, the American League usually seems to win the World Series. And the All-Star Game.

Jeremy (Rochester, MN)

How is the MVP decided?

Rob Neyer

  (10:19 PM)

Of the World Series, you mean? I used to know this . . . It's either the writers or the broadcasters who decide.

Jim (NY)

Was Mitch Williams watching?

Rob Neyer

  (10:20 PM)

I'm sure that he was, Jim; he's now a TV personality in Philly.

Jill (L.A.)

Rookie of the Year?? Does Longoria lose it after this WS?

Rob Neyer

  (10:22 PM)

All the award voting is completed before the postseason, Jill.

Rob Neyer

  (10:23 PM)

Joe Maddon is being interviewed on TV, and defended his decision to leave Howell in the game, says it's because they wanted a left-hander throwing sliders to Burrell. Talk about your complex platooning...

Brian (Boston)

espn.com can't devote the entire front page to the Phillies, like they usually do for a major sports championship?

Rob Neyer

  (10:24 PM)

I'm sure someone's working on it, Brian. Generally, my advice to fans who think their team's being dissed is this: ENJOY THE MOMENT. WHY DO YOU CARE WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS?

Carl (Broadway, VA)

Rob - Thanks for the writing here. You are definitely my fav out of them all (not a discredit to the others). Have a great offseason, i'll be looking forward to what you have to say as the movers and shakers start coming.

Rob Neyer

  (10:27 PM)

My pleasure, Carl, and thanks for hanging around tonight. Excellent season, and I'll still be blogging every day and chatting every Tuesday throughout the off-season. For now I'm saying good night and good luck, and until next time don't forget: "Always demand proof; proof is the elementary courtesy that is anyone's due."