Oct 27 2008
Hats Off! Longoria Hat Trick Illustrates Rays Troubles
Evan Longoria’s third strikeout of the night left him with nothing but a bat flip. Photo: Getty Images
As Philadelphia took a 3-1 lead last night one point was driven home hard by the Fox Broadcasting team. Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena do not have a hit in the series. In what has been a 180 turn from the ALCS, the two have been as harmless as any two hitters can be. The Rays lineup as a whole has not produced like they did when they exploded in Boston.
This can be directly attributed to a lack of patience. Whether it is Tampa Bay’s strange way of reflecting to their opponent - Philadelphia is much more aggressive than Boston - or something els, the Rays have simply not been as patient early in counts against Phillies pitching. In the ALCS Longoria and Upton consistently forced Boston starting pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Josh Beckett to give in to their hitting zones, taking pitches down and away and turning on pitches up and in. In the World Series Longoria has repeatedly chased balls early in the count and has not had a solid approach.
If they are to have any chance at a series comeback, they will have to get back to their American League style of hitting, taking pitchers deep into counts and forcing mistakes. Nothing less will be enough against Phillies ace Cole Hamels.
