phillieswinNow that’s how you open a postseason: A swift 2-hour, 36-minute game that ends at nearly 11 pm and features just enough offense to make it interesting. The Dodgers were in control until a bing-bang-boom 6th inning chased Derek Lowe. Cole Hamels was a stud; too bad the Phillies don’t have another one of him.

Bing: Shane Victorino’s speed caused a throwing error by Furcal, and he reached base.
Bang: Utley deposits the next pitch into the rightfield stands for a 2-run homer to tie it.
Boom: Two batters later, Heather Mitts’ ex-boyfriend jacks one to left. Ballgame.

After TJ Simers’ harsh column on Philly yesterday, we wondered what his reaction might be, or if he was accosted in the press box or parking lot. Nope. But he seems a bit worried about the series: “It’s asking for a lot, of course, the two teams who don’t have the home-field advantage having to win, but then it’s kind of the responsibility of the Phillies and Rays to step aside in the best interests of entertaining baseball.”

Even though Derek Lowe didn’t get the win, how in-demand is he going to be this offseason? He doesn’t seem like an ace, but he was clutch in September (five games. 30.1 innings, two earned runs) and he’s thrown two very good postseason games. Has his last six weeks made him the second most desireable pitcher after Sabathia? He’s certainly ahead of injury-prone Sheets, but maybe not ahead of Burnett and Dempster. Forget anyone?