Random Phillies Playoff Factoids

• The Phillies’ 3-1 NLDS win over the Brewers was only the franchise’s fifth postseason series win. In reverse chronological order:

• 2008 NLDS vs. Brewers, 3-1
• 1993 NLCS vs. Braves, 4-2
• 1983 NLCS vs. Dodgers, 3-1
• 1980 World Series vs. Royals, 4-2
• 1980 NLCS vs. Astros, 3-2

If history is a guide things do not bode well for the local baseball nine, as the team has only won multiple series in a postseason once. Then again, history probably doesn’t have much of a factor. It’s not like Chase Utley is going to strike out because Grover Cleveland Alexander didn’t pitch well enough in the 1915 World Series. [via]

• Pat Burrell and Jimmy Rollins met as kids! I’m sorry: Not just kids, but little degenerate gamblers, writes Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan:

Long before either played for Philadelphia, they met at the 1994 Area Code Games, a California showcase for young baseball talent. Rollins was a junior from Oakland, Burrell a senior from San Jose. To extend some Bay Area love, Rollins invited Burrell into his room. Well, that and so he could make some money.

Rollins and a couple friends taught Burrell and a buddy the rules. Sevens and 11s and side bets and the like. Burrell understood and threw down his cash.

“Three rolls later, they’re both sitting on the bed watching us,” Rollins said. “And that’s how I met Pat.”

Just wait, now the Dodgers are going to get the pair banished from the major leagues for gambling right before the NLCS starts Thursday. [via]

• The Phillies’ four starting pitchers in the postseason — Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton — all have 10 letters in their names. Spooky. [via]

• Bonus not-really a factoid! WTF??? Seriously, somebody read that and let me know if you’re as confused as I am.