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Larry Bowa Weighs In On Phillies NLCS Woes

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (CBS) -- The Phillies misfortunes in their NLCS matchup with the Giants has fans wondering what's gone wrong, and one former Phillie believes that part of the problem is mental.

"You've got to respect the baseball Gods."

Former Phillies shortstop and manager Larry Bowa says it looks like the Baseball Gods are frowning at the Phillies these days, but so are the Giants pitchers.

Bowa experienced numerous post season failures in the mid 1970's and the giddy high of winning the World Series in 1980. He says it doesn't take much for a team to get thrown off its game.

"You see the guy in front of you make an out or not do the job and you get up there and say, 'I have to do it.' In baseball, the more relaxed you are, the easier it is to play this game."

As bad as things look, Bowa still likes the Phillies chances with Roy Halladay on the mound. But they can't fall behind early.

"I think tonight's game is going to be really important that the Phillies get out of the gate and put some crooked numbers up. Get a two-spot up early and then add another two-spot, before you know it it's 4-0, and then you got them on their heels a little bit. Up till now, the Phillies have been on their heels and the Giants just keep pounding it on."

Reported by:  Paul Kurtz, KYW Newsradio

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