In poker, there is a concept called “misplaced aggression.” It’s a fairly advanced concept in the sense that a beginning player would first learn that “aggressive poker is winning poker” and that realization only comes after a good deal of playing. Often at the poker table, the end result of misplaced aggression is that the aggressor is left in a situation with only two outcomes; he will either win a small pot or lose a big one. Three times in their last two games, when a victory would have advanced them to the National League Championship Series, the Phillies were victims of their own misplaced aggression. Hunter Pence tried to steal second with nobody out, Chase Utley tried to go from first to third on a routine grounder to shortstop in one game and steal second with one out in the other. Both of Utley’s base kills occurred in late stages of the game with the Phillies down one run. All three cases of aggression tested the throwing arms of reigning (and multiple) Gold Glove winners Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina.