Oh, Charlie...

Staying true to his contention that tonight's game was the Phillies' biggest of the year, former Indians skipper Charlie Manuel made a bold move as the Giants came to bat in the bottom of the 9th in a 5-5game.  He brought Roy Oswalt in to pitch.  The logic is sound.  Oswalt shuts down the G-Men for a few innings, the Phils scratch out a run, and go to Roy Halladay tomorrow to send the team back to the east coast with a 3-2 lead.  As I've stated before, there are not so many tomorrows left.

I applaud Manuel's call.  Now is the time that the wheat is separated from the chaff, when legends are made.  Philadelphia pitching coach Rich Dubee :-j approached Charlie in the 8th and relayed a message from Oswalt that the game 2 starter felt good and wanted to make himself available for a relief outing.  Manuel took full advantage.  You cannot worry about winning game 6 before winning game 4.  Good man, Charlie Brown.  Unfortunately for the Fightins Aubrey Huff snuck a  a grounder into right, Buster Posey is Buster Posey and Juan Uribe was able to golf a pitch at his ankles into left for the win. 

It's no secret that I'm rooting for the Giants in the NLCS.  I dig the Panda.  I dig that the middle of Frisco's lineup is a collection of castaways.  I dig the freak and his avatar.  I dig changing your lineup in the middle of the NLCS because your leadoff hitter is 3-for-25 in the postseason.  I dig parity and have no interest in seeing the NL send the same squad to the series for the third consecutive season, especially since they've finagled their way into the H2O triple ace formation.  I abhor dynasties (see Yankees), likely because they never have the word Cleveland attached to them.  I'm glad the Giants won, but I respect Charlie Manuel for the decision that he made.