October 1: PHILLIES 11, Atlanta 5
Just in case the Braves thought they would roll over a Phillies club with nothing more to play for tonight, the Phils sent a message ... we're the Beast of the East, the Best of the NL.
J-Roll sent a message ... I'm not fully back from the leg problems ... but don't think I'm not a dangerous hitter.
Kyle Kendrick sent a message ... I may have been inconsistent against the rest of the National League, but I have the Braves' number.
Domonic Brown sent a message ... I may be a rookie, but I can draw a key two-out walk to drive home the go-ahead run.
The bullpen, save Zagurski in the ninth, sent a message ... Charlie's going to keep us loose and give us innings, but he's also keeping us fresh ... and while he's doing that, we'll chuck a bunch of goose eggs.
What makes 2010 so much different than the last four years is that:
In 2007, no one expected us to catch the Mets, let alone win the division
In 2008, we were just happy as all get-out to get to the World Series
In 2009, we just wanted a chance to defend the title
In 2010, expectations entering the season were high, became tempered with the offensive malaise of June and July, and soared with the team's play following "The Houston Massacre". I think folks expect the Phils to win. Not hope that they'll win. Not hope for a chance to repeat.
We'll see.
For me, I will follow what has become tradition in my house ... cheesesteaks served for good luck.
Showing posts with label Game Summary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Game Summary. Show all posts
Friday, October 1, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Cruisin'
September 28: Washington 2, PHILLIES 1
Don't know how many of the guys played with hangovers last night, but Roy Oswalt had a very nice tune-up with five shutout innings. Sure, the guys lost, but they've clinched home field and the NL East ... no reason to push too hard to finish strong and get folks injured.
Although ... it would be nice to see the Phils sweep the Braves this weekend and deny Atlanta a trip to the playoffs (assuming San Diego can get up off the deck).
Not much else to say ...
Don't know how many of the guys played with hangovers last night, but Roy Oswalt had a very nice tune-up with five shutout innings. Sure, the guys lost, but they've clinched home field and the NL East ... no reason to push too hard to finish strong and get folks injured.
Although ... it would be nice to see the Phils sweep the Braves this weekend and deny Atlanta a trip to the playoffs (assuming San Diego can get up off the deck).
Not much else to say ...
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Oh my! Oh-swalt!
September 22: PHILLIES 1, Atlanta 0 (Magic Number: 4)
Record Since "Houston Massacre": 22-4
Record in September: 18-3
What a game! And in the pressure of a pennant race! Shades of Addie Joss in 1908! Okay, maybe the Addie Joss comparison is stretching things a lot, but any pitcher or team tossing a one-hitter, against their rival and chaser, in a pennant race, is cause for lots of hyperbole!!
And what about Rauuuul "Werewolves of London" Ibanez??? Another two-out double to plate the eventual winning run!! While I don't believe in the concept of a "clutch" hitter, we can say that Raul was clutch the past two nights.
I really have nothing more to say about tonight's game. Oswalt has been absolutely fantastic, and I think the National League (and them thar fellers over in the Amercun League) have seen the playoff future ... and they have got to be intimidated.
When was the last time you could honestly say that the Phillies, before they ever play a playoff game, have played in a way that is scaring the living crap out of the teams waiting to face them?
Record Since "Houston Massacre": 22-4
Record in September: 18-3
What a game! And in the pressure of a pennant race! Shades of Addie Joss in 1908! Okay, maybe the Addie Joss comparison is stretching things a lot, but any pitcher or team tossing a one-hitter, against their rival and chaser, in a pennant race, is cause for lots of hyperbole!!
And what about Rauuuul "Werewolves of London" Ibanez??? Another two-out double to plate the eventual winning run!! While I don't believe in the concept of a "clutch" hitter, we can say that Raul was clutch the past two nights.
I really have nothing more to say about tonight's game. Oswalt has been absolutely fantastic, and I think the National League (and them thar fellers over in the Amercun League) have seen the playoff future ... and they have got to be intimidated.
When was the last time you could honestly say that the Phillies, before they ever play a playoff game, have played in a way that is scaring the living crap out of the teams waiting to face them?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Swee-eee-eee, Sweep City Woman
September 19: PHILLIES 7, Washington 6
JAYSON WERTH ... YOU ARE THE MAN!
WOW!!! What a comeback! Unbelievable! Scintillating! There are no words! I can't believe what I just saw! The Phillies win ... theeeeeeeeeeeeee Phillies win! And that's a Phils winner! You can put it on the boarrrrrrrd ... YES! Long drive to deep. Left. Center field. And that ball is ... OUTTA HEEEERRRRRREEEEE ... Jay-son Werth, with a two-run, home-run, and the Phils win it, 7-6!! Hard to believe, Harry!
You name the game-ending hyperbole, and it applied to today's game. As I watched football this afternoon, I kept my eye on the score updates that FOX kept cycling along with the football scores. And as a Phillies 3-1 lead turned into a 6-3 deficit in the upper-right corner of my TV screen, my anger boiled like a hotdog in those old steamer trays that Charlie Frank used to tote around the Vet in the old days.
As an aside, I miss Charlie. When he'd be out of dogs and someone would flag him down, he'd holler back, "Gotta take my doggy for a walk ... be right back". And that man knew how to slather the Gulden's onto every Phillie Frank :)
Anyway, imagine my surprise when, between football games, I copped my wife's Blackberry to check on the score of the Phils' game. 7-6! What happened?!?!? How? Who? A quick flip over to MLB Network to catch Quick Pitch ... and my questions were answered.
Joe Blanton continues, unfortunately, to refuse to last into and beyond the 6th inning so that the bullpen can get some needed rest down the stretch. I am amazed at Blanton: with the work that Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels have been doing, he simply doesn't get it. Cruising along with eight Ks through five innings, he doesn't take a page from their book and stay focused ... he gets lazy and then gets in trouble ... then gets his pitch count up above 90, which is where the real fun starts.
Of course, the big series starts on Monday, with Jair Jurrjens opposing Cole Hamels. The Braves series will be a playoff preview in the sense that we'll get a chance to see what Games 1-3 of the NLDS will look like on the mound. The rest of the National League will most definitely be watching, since either the Reds, Rockies, Giants, or Padres will be facing those three guys come October 6.
With the three-game lead, the Phils can take two and almost wrap up the division. Taking 2 of 3 would put the Phils at 91-62, the Braves at 87-66 ... leaving the Phils four up with nine to play. Here's what would be needed, then, the final nine games:
Should the Phils lose 2 of 3, then they'd be 90-63, and the Braves would be 88-65, leaving us with:
September 18: PHILLIES 5, Washington 2
September 17: PHILLIES 9, Washington 1
JAYSON WERTH ... YOU ARE THE MAN!
WOW!!! What a comeback! Unbelievable! Scintillating! There are no words! I can't believe what I just saw! The Phillies win ... theeeeeeeeeeeeee Phillies win! And that's a Phils winner! You can put it on the boarrrrrrrd ... YES! Long drive to deep. Left. Center field. And that ball is ... OUTTA HEEEERRRRRREEEEE ... Jay-son Werth, with a two-run, home-run, and the Phils win it, 7-6!! Hard to believe, Harry!
You name the game-ending hyperbole, and it applied to today's game. As I watched football this afternoon, I kept my eye on the score updates that FOX kept cycling along with the football scores. And as a Phillies 3-1 lead turned into a 6-3 deficit in the upper-right corner of my TV screen, my anger boiled like a hotdog in those old steamer trays that Charlie Frank used to tote around the Vet in the old days.
As an aside, I miss Charlie. When he'd be out of dogs and someone would flag him down, he'd holler back, "Gotta take my doggy for a walk ... be right back". And that man knew how to slather the Gulden's onto every Phillie Frank :)
Anyway, imagine my surprise when, between football games, I copped my wife's Blackberry to check on the score of the Phils' game. 7-6! What happened?!?!? How? Who? A quick flip over to MLB Network to catch Quick Pitch ... and my questions were answered.
Joe Blanton continues, unfortunately, to refuse to last into and beyond the 6th inning so that the bullpen can get some needed rest down the stretch. I am amazed at Blanton: with the work that Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels have been doing, he simply doesn't get it. Cruising along with eight Ks through five innings, he doesn't take a page from their book and stay focused ... he gets lazy and then gets in trouble ... then gets his pitch count up above 90, which is where the real fun starts.
Of course, the big series starts on Monday, with Jair Jurrjens opposing Cole Hamels. The Braves series will be a playoff preview in the sense that we'll get a chance to see what Games 1-3 of the NLDS will look like on the mound. The rest of the National League will most definitely be watching, since either the Reds, Rockies, Giants, or Padres will be facing those three guys come October 6.
With the three-game lead, the Phils can take two and almost wrap up the division. Taking 2 of 3 would put the Phils at 91-62, the Braves at 87-66 ... leaving the Phils four up with nine to play. Here's what would be needed, then, the final nine games:
- If the Phils go 3-6, the Braves must go 7-2 to tie for the division, 8-1 to win outright
- If the Phils go 4-5, the Braves must go 8-1 to tie for the division, 9-0 to win outright
- If the Phils go 5-4, the Braves must go 9-0 to tie for the division, and cannot win outright
- If the Phils go 6-3, the Braves can only hope for the wild card
Should the Phils lose 2 of 3, then they'd be 90-63, and the Braves would be 88-65, leaving us with:
- If the Phils go 3-6, the Braves must go 5-4 to tie for the division, 6-3 to win outright
- If the Phils go 4-5, the Braves must go 6-3 to tie for the division, 7-2 to win outright
- If the Phils go 5-4, the Braves must go 7-2 to tie for the division, 8-1 to win outright
- If the Phils go 6-3, the Braves must go 8-1 to tie for the division, 9-0 to win outright
- If the Phils go 7-2, the Braves can only hope for the wild card (because one of those Phils wins would be against the Braves)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Back Where You Belong
September 7: PHILLIES 8, Florida 7
September 6: PHILLIES 7, Florida 6 (2nd game)
September 6: Florida 7, PHILLIES 1 (1st game)
It took 99 days for the Phillies to reclaim what was rightfully theirs, first place in National League East. Finally, the Braves lost on a day the Phillies won (that's a gross exaggeration), and that propelled the Quakers back to their customary place atop the standings.
And it's been a long, strange trip back from the depths of the NL East ladder. Even last night's game had a tinge of "uh-oh" painted all over it when the Phightins blew another late-game lead and then had to fight back to win.
Not much to say about the events of the past 48 hours, other than to say, "Phew!", and hope that this latest stand atop the table will be permanent.
Later tonight, a look at the roads the Phils and Braves will be travelling as we approach the finish line of the 2010 campaign.
September 6: PHILLIES 7, Florida 6 (2nd game)
September 6: Florida 7, PHILLIES 1 (1st game)
It took 99 days for the Phillies to reclaim what was rightfully theirs, first place in National League East. Finally, the Braves lost on a day the Phillies won (that's a gross exaggeration), and that propelled the Quakers back to their customary place atop the standings.
And it's been a long, strange trip back from the depths of the NL East ladder. Even last night's game had a tinge of "uh-oh" painted all over it when the Phightins blew another late-game lead and then had to fight back to win.
Not much to say about the events of the past 48 hours, other than to say, "Phew!", and hope that this latest stand atop the table will be permanent.
Later tonight, a look at the roads the Phils and Braves will be travelling as we approach the finish line of the 2010 campaign.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sam ... You Are The Man!
September 4: PHILLIES 5, Milwaukee 4
How often do you ever give thanks for having a good, aggressive third base coach? I'd bet that the answer is a) never, or b) only when a sportscaster brings it to my attention.
Such is the case in the Phillies win on Saturday night. Sure, you can focus on the four long balls that Roy Halladay surrendered. Or the back-to-back jacks by Howard and Werth that tied the game at two.
But you'd be missing out on the real story of the game, third base coach Sam Perlozzo's heads-up call to send Wilson Valdez on Ryan Braun's overthrow that plated the eventual winning run. Sam read that play all the way, because there is no way he can send Valdez if Valdez has already come to a dead stop at third on the sac fly.
Reading that play takes a lot of skill, not just in knowing that the throw is going to be high and wild, but in also knowing that the sign needs to be given early enough so that Valdez never slows down, stops, or otherwise doesn't keep churning towards home plate. All too often, fans want to criticize third base coaches for either being too conservative, or not reading plays like the one that scored Valdez. And rarely do they give credit on a play like the one that won the game last night to the guy who really made it happen ... third base coach Sam Perlozzo.
Great read on the play, Sam. Way to steal one from the Brewers, big guy!
Phillies fans ... when you're toasting things this weekend, raise a glass for Sam.
Order up!
How often do you ever give thanks for having a good, aggressive third base coach? I'd bet that the answer is a) never, or b) only when a sportscaster brings it to my attention.
Such is the case in the Phillies win on Saturday night. Sure, you can focus on the four long balls that Roy Halladay surrendered. Or the back-to-back jacks by Howard and Werth that tied the game at two.
But you'd be missing out on the real story of the game, third base coach Sam Perlozzo's heads-up call to send Wilson Valdez on Ryan Braun's overthrow that plated the eventual winning run. Sam read that play all the way, because there is no way he can send Valdez if Valdez has already come to a dead stop at third on the sac fly.
Reading that play takes a lot of skill, not just in knowing that the throw is going to be high and wild, but in also knowing that the sign needs to be given early enough so that Valdez never slows down, stops, or otherwise doesn't keep churning towards home plate. All too often, fans want to criticize third base coaches for either being too conservative, or not reading plays like the one that scored Valdez. And rarely do they give credit on a play like the one that won the game last night to the guy who really made it happen ... third base coach Sam Perlozzo.
Great read on the play, Sam. Way to steal one from the Brewers, big guy!
Phillies fans ... when you're toasting things this weekend, raise a glass for Sam.
Order up!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Called Shot
September 3: PHILLIES 1, Milwaukee 0
If you read my post earlier today about the Brewer starters for the weekend, you'll note that I warned fans that Chris Capuano was the type of pitcher that seems to give the Phillies fits: someone who is struggling and has been hit around by weaker clubs like Pittsburgh, who suddenly finds his groove against the Phils.
Such were the five innings of one-run, four-hit ball served up by the aforementioned Capuano as the Phils struggled all night (and went hitless against Milwaukee's porous bullpen) and managed to escape with the 1-0 win ... thanks to King Cole and his seven innings of three-hit ball.
Naturally, the two-time zone change after a very late ending last night in Denver had something to do with the offense playing in a haze. You would think that teams have a game plan in play for trips like that: when to go to bed after returning to Philly, when to get up, pre-game meals, protein and carb regimens, etc. so that the effects of the jet lag aren't as noticeable.
Maybe Capuano just had his stuff tonight. Let's hope this isn't yet another mini-funk that the offense has been way too prone to this season.
With the Braves losing, the lead in NL East is down to a single game. It's possible, given the right circumstances, that the Phils could be in first place by Labor Day.
For one weekend, let's all be Marlin fans ...
If you read my post earlier today about the Brewer starters for the weekend, you'll note that I warned fans that Chris Capuano was the type of pitcher that seems to give the Phillies fits: someone who is struggling and has been hit around by weaker clubs like Pittsburgh, who suddenly finds his groove against the Phils.
Such were the five innings of one-run, four-hit ball served up by the aforementioned Capuano as the Phils struggled all night (and went hitless against Milwaukee's porous bullpen) and managed to escape with the 1-0 win ... thanks to King Cole and his seven innings of three-hit ball.
Naturally, the two-time zone change after a very late ending last night in Denver had something to do with the offense playing in a haze. You would think that teams have a game plan in play for trips like that: when to go to bed after returning to Philly, when to get up, pre-game meals, protein and carb regimens, etc. so that the effects of the jet lag aren't as noticeable.
Maybe Capuano just had his stuff tonight. Let's hope this isn't yet another mini-funk that the offense has been way too prone to this season.
With the Braves losing, the lead in NL East is down to a single game. It's possible, given the right circumstances, that the Phils could be in first place by Labor Day.
For one weekend, let's all be Marlin fans ...
Brad Lidge: The Pitching Walenda
September 2: PHILLIES 12, Colorado 11
Brad Lidge enjoys working without a net. If he continues toying with ninth-inning leads like he has been for the last two seasons, many Phillies fans are going to need to be gathered up with a net and taken to Byberry.
In a pennant race, every win is precious, and with the Phillies' recent records in September, Mr. Lidge's highwire act is eventually going to wear thin. I know I've grown weary of it, and have been since last August.
All things considered, Phillies fans have to be pleased by the 6-1 road trip out West, always a dangerous proposition. And since the Mets decided to actually play baseball tonight, the Phils enter their weekend series with Milwaukee just two games back of the Braves, and two games up on the Giants for the wild card (pending, of course, the outcome of the Giants' game out West later).
It was a great comeback by the fellas, Howard jacking one, followed by Werth's bomb to tie the game. Chase's five RBI in the seventh were welcome relief to fans tired of seeing ducks left on the pond time and time again. Given the team's recent history in September, there is much optimism to be had in the Quaker City (and anywhere Phillies fans can be found). Let's take a look at the team's record in September in the Charlie Manuel Era:
2005 15-12 .556
2006 18-10 .643
2007 17-11 .607
2008 17- 8 .680
2009 17-13 .567
2010 2- 0 1.000
TOTAL 86-54 .614
Folks, it's one thing to have a September such as 2008. It's another, completely, to have winning September records on as consistent a basis as the Phils have had under Charlie. The streak actually started with a 17-8 September in 2004 under then-skipper Larry Bowa. If you include that, the Phils have, since moving to The Bank in '04, gone a collective 103-62 (.624) in the month of September. If that doesn't make you go "hmmmmmmm", nothing will.
As a matter of fact, let's take a look at the September records of every Phillies team to qualify for the post-season prior to 2004:
1915 21-10 .677
1950 12-16 .429
1976 15-14 .517
1977 19-10 .655
1978 19-12 .613
1980 19-10 .655
1981 16-12 .571
1983 22- 7 .759
1993 14-13 .519
TOTAL 157-104 .602
One would guess that most of you reading this would have assumed great Septembers by Phillies teams making the post-season. 1950 stands out because a .500 month means no need for Dick Sisler's homer against the Dodgers as the Phils would have taken the division by three games. 1993's lackluster September could have been disastrous, as the Expos (if you recall) went on a 20-2 run in late August and early September that made a real race out of the NL East.
And so, dear Phillie fans, we start September on a positive note, and can make it even more positive by knocking the Brewers around this weekend. I hope everyone will have a happy, safe, and baseball-filled Labor Day weekend ... enjoy the food, friends, family, and Phillies!!!
Order up!
Brad Lidge enjoys working without a net. If he continues toying with ninth-inning leads like he has been for the last two seasons, many Phillies fans are going to need to be gathered up with a net and taken to Byberry.
In a pennant race, every win is precious, and with the Phillies' recent records in September, Mr. Lidge's highwire act is eventually going to wear thin. I know I've grown weary of it, and have been since last August.
All things considered, Phillies fans have to be pleased by the 6-1 road trip out West, always a dangerous proposition. And since the Mets decided to actually play baseball tonight, the Phils enter their weekend series with Milwaukee just two games back of the Braves, and two games up on the Giants for the wild card (pending, of course, the outcome of the Giants' game out West later).
It was a great comeback by the fellas, Howard jacking one, followed by Werth's bomb to tie the game. Chase's five RBI in the seventh were welcome relief to fans tired of seeing ducks left on the pond time and time again. Given the team's recent history in September, there is much optimism to be had in the Quaker City (and anywhere Phillies fans can be found). Let's take a look at the team's record in September in the Charlie Manuel Era:
2005 15-12 .556
2006 18-10 .643
2007 17-11 .607
2008 17- 8 .680
2009 17-13 .567
2010 2- 0 1.000
TOTAL 86-54 .614
Folks, it's one thing to have a September such as 2008. It's another, completely, to have winning September records on as consistent a basis as the Phils have had under Charlie. The streak actually started with a 17-8 September in 2004 under then-skipper Larry Bowa. If you include that, the Phils have, since moving to The Bank in '04, gone a collective 103-62 (.624) in the month of September. If that doesn't make you go "hmmmmmmm", nothing will.
As a matter of fact, let's take a look at the September records of every Phillies team to qualify for the post-season prior to 2004:
1915 21-10 .677
1950 12-16 .429
1976 15-14 .517
1977 19-10 .655
1978 19-12 .613
1980 19-10 .655
1981 16-12 .571
1983 22- 7 .759
1993 14-13 .519
TOTAL 157-104 .602
One would guess that most of you reading this would have assumed great Septembers by Phillies teams making the post-season. 1950 stands out because a .500 month means no need for Dick Sisler's homer against the Dodgers as the Phils would have taken the division by three games. 1993's lackluster September could have been disastrous, as the Expos (if you recall) went on a 20-2 run in late August and early September that made a real race out of the NL East.
And so, dear Phillie fans, we start September on a positive note, and can make it even more positive by knocking the Brewers around this weekend. I hope everyone will have a happy, safe, and baseball-filled Labor Day weekend ... enjoy the food, friends, family, and Phillies!!!
Order up!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The La-La Shuffle: Two More For The Road
August 31: PHILLIES 8, Los Angeles 3
September 1: PHILLIES 5, Los Angeles 1
The world is good for baseball fans when the hitters are hitting, and the pitchers are stifling the opposition, and both are happening at the same time. The recent hitting funk the Phils encountered masked some very fine pitching performances, and hopefully, with the Opening Day Eight starting to play together with more regularity (and health), the hitting can continue and improve.
Kyle Kendrick pitched very well on Tuesday night, and it's indicative of the way he can pitch when he's focused and, more importantly, when he's not pitching from behind. It's been said by others, and bears repeating, that once a pitcher gets behind in a game, he's more likely to continue to deteriorate. Not because he's behind, but because his options become limited. If they're hitting his best pitch, he's going with something else. And something else he may have a lack of command over. Or, he's afraid to nibble at the corners because he feels he can't afford more baserunners. Or, he tries to do to much by himself, and gets gassed, and becomes completely ineffective.
So it was good to see the Phils give Kyle the lead, and that allowed him, I think, to relax, focus, stay with the game plan, work the corners, spot pitches, and give himself the best chance to succeed. I haven't done the statistical analysis to back up my theory, but I honestly believe that a pitcher's success on the mound is more closely tied to how his offense performs than most people mugh be willing to give credit for. Perhaps I will take a look at that in the off-season and make that the focus of a series of posts.
Back to reality, it was great to see Roy Oswalt once again pitching as advertised. One thing I have thought since the Cliff Lee deal last year is that it's rather rare for the Phillies to land a quality pitcher while he is still a quality pitcher. The last guy I think we had gotten in that way was Lefty. Far too many of the Phils "name" acquisitions in the rotation seemed to come at the tail end of their careers. Guys like Jim Lonborg, Jim Kaat, and Jerry Koosman come immediately to mind, and I'm sure I could come up with a few others you all will recall.
And so, the Phils say goodbye to Hollywood at 5-1 on their current road trip. A quick stopover in Denver to face Carlos Gonzalez and the Rockies tomorrow, and then home to face the Brew Crew for the weekend. After the weekend, it's goodbye to the rest of the league, and hello to the NL East for the remainder of the regular season.
As I like to say ... unfold a deck chair and break out the popcorn ... this is gonna be fun ...
Order up!
September 1: PHILLIES 5, Los Angeles 1
The world is good for baseball fans when the hitters are hitting, and the pitchers are stifling the opposition, and both are happening at the same time. The recent hitting funk the Phils encountered masked some very fine pitching performances, and hopefully, with the Opening Day Eight starting to play together with more regularity (and health), the hitting can continue and improve.
Kyle Kendrick pitched very well on Tuesday night, and it's indicative of the way he can pitch when he's focused and, more importantly, when he's not pitching from behind. It's been said by others, and bears repeating, that once a pitcher gets behind in a game, he's more likely to continue to deteriorate. Not because he's behind, but because his options become limited. If they're hitting his best pitch, he's going with something else. And something else he may have a lack of command over. Or, he's afraid to nibble at the corners because he feels he can't afford more baserunners. Or, he tries to do to much by himself, and gets gassed, and becomes completely ineffective.
So it was good to see the Phils give Kyle the lead, and that allowed him, I think, to relax, focus, stay with the game plan, work the corners, spot pitches, and give himself the best chance to succeed. I haven't done the statistical analysis to back up my theory, but I honestly believe that a pitcher's success on the mound is more closely tied to how his offense performs than most people mugh be willing to give credit for. Perhaps I will take a look at that in the off-season and make that the focus of a series of posts.
Back to reality, it was great to see Roy Oswalt once again pitching as advertised. One thing I have thought since the Cliff Lee deal last year is that it's rather rare for the Phillies to land a quality pitcher while he is still a quality pitcher. The last guy I think we had gotten in that way was Lefty. Far too many of the Phils "name" acquisitions in the rotation seemed to come at the tail end of their careers. Guys like Jim Lonborg, Jim Kaat, and Jerry Koosman come immediately to mind, and I'm sure I could come up with a few others you all will recall.
And so, the Phils say goodbye to Hollywood at 5-1 on their current road trip. A quick stopover in Denver to face Carlos Gonzalez and the Rockies tomorrow, and then home to face the Brew Crew for the weekend. After the weekend, it's goodbye to the rest of the league, and hello to the NL East for the remainder of the regular season.
As I like to say ... unfold a deck chair and break out the popcorn ... this is gonna be fun ...
Order up!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Oh No!! Oh ... NO No-No ... Like Somehow, That's Better
August 30: Los Angeles 3, PHILLIES 0
Were the Phils going through a divorce, Roy Halliday would have grounds for lack of support. Another quality start, wasted because the Phils can't hit their way out of a deep-fried Twinkie (mmmmm ... deeeeep friiiiiiied Twinkieeeeee ....). Not much to say about last night's game, so let's take a look at the case of Halladay v. Philadelphia Phillies ...
Here are the hitting stats for the Phils in the 10 games in which Halladay has been charged with the loss (10):
AB R H 2B 3B HR BB SO
4/26 @SF L,1-5 31 1 4 1 0 0 7 11
5/18 PIT L,1-2 31 1 6 0 0 0 3 8
5/23 BOS L,3-8 35 3 8 4 1 1 2 2
6/10 FLA L,0-2 30 0 4 3 0 0 1 6
6/15 @NYY L,3-8 32 3 5 0 0 0 4 9
6/20 MIN L,1-4 31 1 4 0 0 1 0 2
6/30 @CIN L,3-4 36 3 9 0 0 1 1 8
7/18 @CHI L,6-11 36 6 9 1 0 3 7 8
8/25 HOU L,2-3 32 2 7 1 0 1 2 7
8/30 @LA L,0-1 27 0 1 0 0 0 2 7
321 20 57 10 1 7 29 68
All that lack of hitting comes out to a .176 average, .280 slugging, and .245 on-base percentage. Absolutely unacceptable for one of the most potent offenses in the National League the past four seasons. The stats will tell you that Halladay has received 14 runs of support in his 10 losses, and the table above shows 20 ... that's because I took game-end stats and didn't back out the stats accumulated after Halladay left the game. For example, the Phils scored three in the ninth against the Yankees, long after Roy had been knocked around on June 15. So, in that game, they gave him zero run support.
It should go without saying that run support is crucial for two reasons. First, and most obvious, is that you can't win if you don't score (or you don't score more than the other guy). Second, and again, fairly obvious, is that a pitcher, any pitcher, pitches with more confidence and more daring when he has a lead to play with. He'll throw stuff just on the black in tight situations because he has some runs to work with. Umpires help, too, as a pitcher with a nice lead, who is around the plate, will generally get a lot of close calls, which simply reinforces the aggressiveness and establishes dominance.
The Phillies have to be careful; these Braves are not going away, and to expect the Mets, Marlins, and Nationals to be of any help (as we've seen the last two nights) is a pipe dream at best. While everyone waits for the Braves' youth to implode, the Braves have the one thing in this race that no other team has ... one of the winningest managers in the history of baseball, and a first-ballot Hall of Famer, in their dugout.
Order up!
Were the Phils going through a divorce, Roy Halliday would have grounds for lack of support. Another quality start, wasted because the Phils can't hit their way out of a deep-fried Twinkie (mmmmm ... deeeeep friiiiiiied Twinkieeeeee ....). Not much to say about last night's game, so let's take a look at the case of Halladay v. Philadelphia Phillies ...
Here are the hitting stats for the Phils in the 10 games in which Halladay has been charged with the loss (10):
AB R H 2B 3B HR BB SO
4/26 @SF L,1-5 31 1 4 1 0 0 7 11
5/18 PIT L,1-2 31 1 6 0 0 0 3 8
5/23 BOS L,3-8 35 3 8 4 1 1 2 2
6/10 FLA L,0-2 30 0 4 3 0 0 1 6
6/15 @NYY L,3-8 32 3 5 0 0 0 4 9
6/20 MIN L,1-4 31 1 4 0 0 1 0 2
6/30 @CIN L,3-4 36 3 9 0 0 1 1 8
7/18 @CHI L,6-11 36 6 9 1 0 3 7 8
8/25 HOU L,2-3 32 2 7 1 0 1 2 7
8/30 @LA L,0-1 27 0 1 0 0 0 2 7
321 20 57 10 1 7 29 68
All that lack of hitting comes out to a .176 average, .280 slugging, and .245 on-base percentage. Absolutely unacceptable for one of the most potent offenses in the National League the past four seasons. The stats will tell you that Halladay has received 14 runs of support in his 10 losses, and the table above shows 20 ... that's because I took game-end stats and didn't back out the stats accumulated after Halladay left the game. For example, the Phils scored three in the ninth against the Yankees, long after Roy had been knocked around on June 15. So, in that game, they gave him zero run support.
It should go without saying that run support is crucial for two reasons. First, and most obvious, is that you can't win if you don't score (or you don't score more than the other guy). Second, and again, fairly obvious, is that a pitcher, any pitcher, pitches with more confidence and more daring when he has a lead to play with. He'll throw stuff just on the black in tight situations because he has some runs to work with. Umpires help, too, as a pitcher with a nice lead, who is around the plate, will generally get a lot of close calls, which simply reinforces the aggressiveness and establishes dominance.
The Phillies have to be careful; these Braves are not going away, and to expect the Mets, Marlins, and Nationals to be of any help (as we've seen the last two nights) is a pipe dream at best. While everyone waits for the Braves' youth to implode, the Braves have the one thing in this race that no other team has ... one of the winningest managers in the history of baseball, and a first-ballot Hall of Famer, in their dugout.
Order up!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
How Sweep It Is ...
August 29: PHILLIES 5, San Diego 0
"Just when I think I'm out ... they pull me back IN!" -- Michael Corleone in "The Godfather, Part III"
And so it was that on the 29th day of August in the Year of The Big Phillies Fan, 2010, that the Phillies hath resurrected their morbid ways and did smite the Padres with something less than a slingshot and a rock. In fact, they did it with the old soupbone ... three, to be exact: Roy Oswalt's, Joe Blanton's, and Cole Hamels'.
I was impressed by the Padres pitching so far this season, and even said the other day that the Padres may still be the team to beat in the National League. But hold on, Nellie! These Phillies can chuck it with the best of them, holding the Pads to just three runs over the weekend, despite the offense being kept pretty much in check by the Padre staff, as well.
Mike Sweeney's first tater as a member of the Quakers was a sweet swing, indeed. A low liner that made it out over the left field wall and what looked like an open window beyond the wall. That made it 3-0 and gave King Cole the biggest lead he's had to work with since seventh grade. The lanky lefty made the most of it, scattering four hits over eight innings and pretty much making San Diego hitters look foolish all afternoon.
It was refreshing to see the Phils bounce back from their disaster against the Astros, which clearly could have sent this team into a stone cold funk that could have bounced them right out of the playoffs. But such are Charlie Manuel-led teams.
I posted a comment the other day on a thread at The Good Phight, a blog over on SB Nation at Yahoo! The original poster had noted than in the last four pennant races, the Phils had one four-game losing streak in either August or September in each season (2007-2010). I had done the research at Retrosheet, and discovered the following:
After each of the four-game losing streaks, the Phils record, from the game after the streak ended through the end of the regular season was:
2007: 23-11 (.676)
2008: 28-13 (.683)
2009: 16-11 (.593)
2010: 3-0 (1.000), updated since the post was made originally on The Good Phight
So, the Phils do take notice when they get in a funk, and then they make their opponents pay dearly. They'll need to do better than the .593 they posted last year, because the Braves have a two-game advantage, to win the division. But it is possible as the Phils, after those four-game losing streaks, are now 70-35 (.667). At 73-57, with 32 games left, a .667 clip puts the Phils at 94-68. That would mean Atlanta could go 19-13 (.594) and still tie for the division lead.
It's not an impossible mountain to climb with one month to go. But with every win by the Phils, the pressure on this young Braves team begins to mount. Let's see if the boys can keep it up at Chavez Ravine.
Order up!
"Just when I think I'm out ... they pull me back IN!" -- Michael Corleone in "The Godfather, Part III"
And so it was that on the 29th day of August in the Year of The Big Phillies Fan, 2010, that the Phillies hath resurrected their morbid ways and did smite the Padres with something less than a slingshot and a rock. In fact, they did it with the old soupbone ... three, to be exact: Roy Oswalt's, Joe Blanton's, and Cole Hamels'.
I was impressed by the Padres pitching so far this season, and even said the other day that the Padres may still be the team to beat in the National League. But hold on, Nellie! These Phillies can chuck it with the best of them, holding the Pads to just three runs over the weekend, despite the offense being kept pretty much in check by the Padre staff, as well.
Mike Sweeney's first tater as a member of the Quakers was a sweet swing, indeed. A low liner that made it out over the left field wall and what looked like an open window beyond the wall. That made it 3-0 and gave King Cole the biggest lead he's had to work with since seventh grade. The lanky lefty made the most of it, scattering four hits over eight innings and pretty much making San Diego hitters look foolish all afternoon.
It was refreshing to see the Phils bounce back from their disaster against the Astros, which clearly could have sent this team into a stone cold funk that could have bounced them right out of the playoffs. But such are Charlie Manuel-led teams.
I posted a comment the other day on a thread at The Good Phight, a blog over on SB Nation at Yahoo! The original poster had noted than in the last four pennant races, the Phils had one four-game losing streak in either August or September in each season (2007-2010). I had done the research at Retrosheet, and discovered the following:
After each of the four-game losing streaks, the Phils record, from the game after the streak ended through the end of the regular season was:
2007: 23-11 (.676)
2008: 28-13 (.683)
2009: 16-11 (.593)
2010: 3-0 (1.000), updated since the post was made originally on The Good Phight
So, the Phils do take notice when they get in a funk, and then they make their opponents pay dearly. They'll need to do better than the .593 they posted last year, because the Braves have a two-game advantage, to win the division. But it is possible as the Phils, after those four-game losing streaks, are now 70-35 (.667). At 73-57, with 32 games left, a .667 clip puts the Phils at 94-68. That would mean Atlanta could go 19-13 (.594) and still tie for the division lead.
It's not an impossible mountain to climb with one month to go. But with every win by the Phils, the pressure on this young Braves team begins to mount. Let's see if the boys can keep it up at Chavez Ravine.
Order up!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
That's The Way, Uh-Huh, We Like It ...
August 28: PHILLIES 3, San Diego 1
Now, that's more like it, and if Joe Blanton can keep it together down the stretch, that would be phenomenal, and would give the Phils probably the best 1-4 starters in all of baseball. That has implications, not only for the stretch drive, but for the post-season. A fourth starter with confidence, improved mechanics and location, and recent success in important games is an important piece to have in your staff heading into the postseason.
Having Blanton back on his game gives Charlie some serious options, especially when series get stretched to a sixth and seventh game. And I am a firm believer in managers having as many options as possible come playoff time. I believe that you don't want or need any one guy on your staff who's a question mark.
It's like playing with a 24-man roster because you're constantly looking for ways to get the guy into a game, but you also don't want him coming into a close game. At playoff time, you're not wanting to be involved in any blowouts because of what that does to you bullpen, so you can't really hope for a blowout that you can bring your question mark into to give him some work.
As for today's game, some timely hitting by The Flyin' Hawaiian, whose triple to dead center plated Jayson Werth with the go-ahead (and eventual winning) run in the seventh. What surprised me, as I followed the game on MLB GameTrack (or whatever they call it), was the removal of Jon Garland after the triple. At that point, he'd only thrown 90 pitches, and while he had walked three, it didn't seem to be the type of situation that required pulling him. He was due up fourth in the bottom of the seventh, so Bud Black had some options on the table. Not having seen the Padres much this season, perhaps Black is more willing to pull a pitcher "early", given Black's career as a pitcher.
Lost in the shuffle of the game was the nice block (Yahoo! Sports had a picture of it in their game recap) of the plate by Brian Schneider in the fifth inning to tag out Nick Hundley and prevent a run. Nice plate block, Brian!!
Although the Padres have pitched as advertised, I have been impressed with the way the Phils have been pitching these past few weeks. The pitching has been good enough to keep us in games, and if the offense could stay consistent and rake like we know they can, this team is poised to make a great stretch run.
At 72-57, the Phils stand 1-1/2 games behind Atlanta in NL East, pending the outcome of tonight's game at Turner Field between the Marlins and Braves. The Phils are also a game up on the Giants for the wild card, again dependent upon the outcome of tonight's game at AT&T Park between the D'Backs and G-Men.
60-60 Theory Update: Phils have 12 wins above 60, and are 3 losses below 60.
Order up!
Now, that's more like it, and if Joe Blanton can keep it together down the stretch, that would be phenomenal, and would give the Phils probably the best 1-4 starters in all of baseball. That has implications, not only for the stretch drive, but for the post-season. A fourth starter with confidence, improved mechanics and location, and recent success in important games is an important piece to have in your staff heading into the postseason.
Having Blanton back on his game gives Charlie some serious options, especially when series get stretched to a sixth and seventh game. And I am a firm believer in managers having as many options as possible come playoff time. I believe that you don't want or need any one guy on your staff who's a question mark.
It's like playing with a 24-man roster because you're constantly looking for ways to get the guy into a game, but you also don't want him coming into a close game. At playoff time, you're not wanting to be involved in any blowouts because of what that does to you bullpen, so you can't really hope for a blowout that you can bring your question mark into to give him some work.
As for today's game, some timely hitting by The Flyin' Hawaiian, whose triple to dead center plated Jayson Werth with the go-ahead (and eventual winning) run in the seventh. What surprised me, as I followed the game on MLB GameTrack (or whatever they call it), was the removal of Jon Garland after the triple. At that point, he'd only thrown 90 pitches, and while he had walked three, it didn't seem to be the type of situation that required pulling him. He was due up fourth in the bottom of the seventh, so Bud Black had some options on the table. Not having seen the Padres much this season, perhaps Black is more willing to pull a pitcher "early", given Black's career as a pitcher.
Lost in the shuffle of the game was the nice block (Yahoo! Sports had a picture of it in their game recap) of the plate by Brian Schneider in the fifth inning to tag out Nick Hundley and prevent a run. Nice plate block, Brian!!
Although the Padres have pitched as advertised, I have been impressed with the way the Phils have been pitching these past few weeks. The pitching has been good enough to keep us in games, and if the offense could stay consistent and rake like we know they can, this team is poised to make a great stretch run.
At 72-57, the Phils stand 1-1/2 games behind Atlanta in NL East, pending the outcome of tonight's game at Turner Field between the Marlins and Braves. The Phils are also a game up on the Giants for the wild card, again dependent upon the outcome of tonight's game at AT&T Park between the D'Backs and G-Men.
60-60 Theory Update: Phils have 12 wins above 60, and are 3 losses below 60.
Order up!
Slide, Jimmy, Slide!!
August 27: PHILLIES 3, San Diego 2 (12 innings)
Wasn't that one of the most beautiful slides into home plate that you've ever seen?
True, it's probably made all the more better because a) it was done by one of our guys and b) it won a ballgame we desperately needed to win. However, stepping back this morning and watching the highlights again on MLB Network, and that slide was, for any baseball fan, a thing of beauty.
One thing's for certain, these Padres can pitch, and they are not going away any time soon. I was impressed with their starting pitcher, Mat Latos, who throws 95 gas, then follows up with a killer, 83 change. No wonder his WHIP entering last night's game was an amazing 0.98. Indeed, the Padres can pitch, and that will take them well into the post-season. If they can start hitting the ball with some degree of consistency, they'll be the team to beat. Yes, Phillies fans, the Padres may well be the team to beat in 2010.
As frustrating as it must be to watch Brad Lidge close out games in person or on TV, for fans like me who live well outside the TV market (Chicago area), and who aren't ponying up the dosh for MLBTV, hearing about Lidge's ninth-inning antics is even more maddening. A balk? With the bases loaded? In the bottom of the ninth inning? With two outs?
Can Brad get more creative in blowing another save (his sixth in 22 chances already)? Are you fans getting as tired of his highwire act the past two seasons as I am? Geez, I love Charlie Manuel as a manager, but how far do you take loyalty when you're two games back of the faltering Braves and you've been munching Rolaids like they were salted peanuts for the past season and two-thirds?
How sad has the closer's situation become when fans and the media get as giddy as a school girl when he pitches a 1-2-3 inning? Shouldn't that be a ho-hum occurrence? It is in most cities. One thing I am glad of, living so far from home: I don't have to listen to sports talk radio on the morning after another Lidge-a-pa-looza. I have a feeling, based on my own frustrations, that callers are often just about stark raving mad.
Anyway, a nice win last night. A needed win last night. And we made up some ground on Atlanta and put a half-game cushion between us and "the pack" in the Wild Card race.
As an aside, I've been looking for a "sign off" for each post here. I thought about borrowing Gene Hart's classic, "Good night, and good hockey", modifying it for baseball. I thought about cute. Thought about philosphical. Thought about corny. Instead, in keeping with the "cheesesteak counter" theme, I'll be signing off each post now with one, simple tagline:
"ORDER UP!"
Wasn't that one of the most beautiful slides into home plate that you've ever seen?
True, it's probably made all the more better because a) it was done by one of our guys and b) it won a ballgame we desperately needed to win. However, stepping back this morning and watching the highlights again on MLB Network, and that slide was, for any baseball fan, a thing of beauty.
One thing's for certain, these Padres can pitch, and they are not going away any time soon. I was impressed with their starting pitcher, Mat Latos, who throws 95 gas, then follows up with a killer, 83 change. No wonder his WHIP entering last night's game was an amazing 0.98. Indeed, the Padres can pitch, and that will take them well into the post-season. If they can start hitting the ball with some degree of consistency, they'll be the team to beat. Yes, Phillies fans, the Padres may well be the team to beat in 2010.
As frustrating as it must be to watch Brad Lidge close out games in person or on TV, for fans like me who live well outside the TV market (Chicago area), and who aren't ponying up the dosh for MLBTV, hearing about Lidge's ninth-inning antics is even more maddening. A balk? With the bases loaded? In the bottom of the ninth inning? With two outs?
Can Brad get more creative in blowing another save (his sixth in 22 chances already)? Are you fans getting as tired of his highwire act the past two seasons as I am? Geez, I love Charlie Manuel as a manager, but how far do you take loyalty when you're two games back of the faltering Braves and you've been munching Rolaids like they were salted peanuts for the past season and two-thirds?
How sad has the closer's situation become when fans and the media get as giddy as a school girl when he pitches a 1-2-3 inning? Shouldn't that be a ho-hum occurrence? It is in most cities. One thing I am glad of, living so far from home: I don't have to listen to sports talk radio on the morning after another Lidge-a-pa-looza. I have a feeling, based on my own frustrations, that callers are often just about stark raving mad.
Anyway, a nice win last night. A needed win last night. And we made up some ground on Atlanta and put a half-game cushion between us and "the pack" in the Wild Card race.
As an aside, I've been looking for a "sign off" for each post here. I thought about borrowing Gene Hart's classic, "Good night, and good hockey", modifying it for baseball. I thought about cute. Thought about philosphical. Thought about corny. Instead, in keeping with the "cheesesteak counter" theme, I'll be signing off each post now with one, simple tagline:
"ORDER UP!"
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Swept Away
August 24: Houston 4, PHILLIES 2 (16 innings)
August 25: Houston 3, PHILLIES 2
August 26: Houston 5, PHILLIES 1
The following Hallmark card was left at the Phillies' clubhouse door by the Astros as they left The Bank this afternoon following the first four-game sweep against the Phils since 1999:
"What can we say, when we've ruined your day?
And made you all angry and surly.
How could we make, such a thoughtless mistake,
And cripple your playoff hopes early!"
It is unexpected sweeps like this, against a team as far below .500 as you were above .500, that can start a tailspin from which a team cannot recover. With the Giants, Cardinals, and Braves sputtering along the last four days, the Phils had a golden opportunity to make up ground in the NL East race, and put some distance between them and everyone else in the Wild Card race.
Alas, the Phillies were bitten by their usual bugaboo ... playing down to the level of their competition. And so, no ground was made up, no distance gained, as the Phils now face the Trail Of Tears known as a trip out West to face the Dodgers and the NL West-leading Padres (with a stopover on the return trip in Denver to face a Rockies team once again believing in miracle finishes).
What went wrong? Lots of things. Bad baserunning. Lack of timely hitting. A second-game-of-the-series mismanagement of the bullpen. Ryan Howard losing his temper so that it would be Roy Oswalt, and not he, who came to bat in the 16th with the chance to be the hero.
Let's go back to Tuesday night ... [editor's note: I now understand why the "big boy" blogs have a team of contributors and writers ... between lots of stuff to do in real life, a day down with a serious toothache, and work, I've been away for three days. Bear with me when I "go back" to discuss stuff that's been discussed elsewhere already ad infinitum -- Brien]
It seemed obvious to me, watching via some bonus coverage on MLB Network, that the third-base umpire, Scott Barry, was just daring Howard to lose his cool. After ringing up Howard on strike two (on a close, but questionable check-swing call), Barry put his hands on his hips in a definite imitation of Howard, then stared, wide-eyed, during the next couple of pitches, at Ryan. It was player-baiting at its worst.
Everyone knows that umpires are supposed to simply make their call and move on. Barry did not, and his mimicry of Howard, followed by his intimidating, "don't you dare show me up" look was unprofessional and should be punished by MLB.
That having been said, Barry was also rather quick to pull the trigger in a game that was already in its 14th inning, and showing no signs of ending anytime soon. Although he is not responsible for maintaining and tracking the lineups, he had to have known that the Phils had burned up a bunch of pitchers and a just about every position player to get to the 14th inning. Surely, it could not have been lost on him that there may not have been anyone in the dugout to replace Howard in the event of an ejection. That he tossed Ryan very quickly leads me to believe he had it in for Ryan after the first check-swing, and then used the second (a call he flat-out blew in his anger and need for revenge) to run Ryan and kill the Phillies' hopes in the inning.
Wednesday, you just knew that J.A. Happ was going to prove to the Phils that they'd made a mistake in trading him. And when the opposing pitcher is Roy Halladay, well, that's even more incentive to pick up your game and match Doc practically pitch for pitch. If only Mr. Kendrick could learn a lesson from Mr. Happ on bringing your A-Game.
The bats went silent again. The baserunning stunk (Ben Francisco, please stop chatting about baserunning with Mr. Werth). Seven hits and two walks led to two runs, five left on, a man picked off, and a GIDP. Hoo boy. At least Mr. Barry was umpiring at second, and unable to be a factor in the game in terms of check swings.
And today. Seven more left on as the Phils made Wandy Rodriguez look like Dazzy Vance (and, yes, I love old-time baseball references, folks!).
The Phils head into San Diego with a 70-57 record to face the 76-49 Padres, who are holding opponents to a .235 batting average overall. I'd like to say that the Padres are due for a bad stretch of pitching, but Bud Black has his team focused on the task at hand, and I must say that the Padres are looking like a team that should reach the NLCS at the very least.
The upcoming series could be a playoff preview ... let's hope these previews, unlike the last three days, are worth watching.
August 25: Houston 3, PHILLIES 2
August 26: Houston 5, PHILLIES 1
The following Hallmark card was left at the Phillies' clubhouse door by the Astros as they left The Bank this afternoon following the first four-game sweep against the Phils since 1999:
"What can we say, when we've ruined your day?
And made you all angry and surly.
How could we make, such a thoughtless mistake,
And cripple your playoff hopes early!"
It is unexpected sweeps like this, against a team as far below .500 as you were above .500, that can start a tailspin from which a team cannot recover. With the Giants, Cardinals, and Braves sputtering along the last four days, the Phils had a golden opportunity to make up ground in the NL East race, and put some distance between them and everyone else in the Wild Card race.
Alas, the Phillies were bitten by their usual bugaboo ... playing down to the level of their competition. And so, no ground was made up, no distance gained, as the Phils now face the Trail Of Tears known as a trip out West to face the Dodgers and the NL West-leading Padres (with a stopover on the return trip in Denver to face a Rockies team once again believing in miracle finishes).
What went wrong? Lots of things. Bad baserunning. Lack of timely hitting. A second-game-of-the-series mismanagement of the bullpen. Ryan Howard losing his temper so that it would be Roy Oswalt, and not he, who came to bat in the 16th with the chance to be the hero.
Let's go back to Tuesday night ... [editor's note: I now understand why the "big boy" blogs have a team of contributors and writers ... between lots of stuff to do in real life, a day down with a serious toothache, and work, I've been away for three days. Bear with me when I "go back" to discuss stuff that's been discussed elsewhere already ad infinitum -- Brien]
It seemed obvious to me, watching via some bonus coverage on MLB Network, that the third-base umpire, Scott Barry, was just daring Howard to lose his cool. After ringing up Howard on strike two (on a close, but questionable check-swing call), Barry put his hands on his hips in a definite imitation of Howard, then stared, wide-eyed, during the next couple of pitches, at Ryan. It was player-baiting at its worst.
Everyone knows that umpires are supposed to simply make their call and move on. Barry did not, and his mimicry of Howard, followed by his intimidating, "don't you dare show me up" look was unprofessional and should be punished by MLB.
That having been said, Barry was also rather quick to pull the trigger in a game that was already in its 14th inning, and showing no signs of ending anytime soon. Although he is not responsible for maintaining and tracking the lineups, he had to have known that the Phils had burned up a bunch of pitchers and a just about every position player to get to the 14th inning. Surely, it could not have been lost on him that there may not have been anyone in the dugout to replace Howard in the event of an ejection. That he tossed Ryan very quickly leads me to believe he had it in for Ryan after the first check-swing, and then used the second (a call he flat-out blew in his anger and need for revenge) to run Ryan and kill the Phillies' hopes in the inning.
Wednesday, you just knew that J.A. Happ was going to prove to the Phils that they'd made a mistake in trading him. And when the opposing pitcher is Roy Halladay, well, that's even more incentive to pick up your game and match Doc practically pitch for pitch. If only Mr. Kendrick could learn a lesson from Mr. Happ on bringing your A-Game.
The bats went silent again. The baserunning stunk (Ben Francisco, please stop chatting about baserunning with Mr. Werth). Seven hits and two walks led to two runs, five left on, a man picked off, and a GIDP. Hoo boy. At least Mr. Barry was umpiring at second, and unable to be a factor in the game in terms of check swings.
And today. Seven more left on as the Phils made Wandy Rodriguez look like Dazzy Vance (and, yes, I love old-time baseball references, folks!).
The Phils head into San Diego with a 70-57 record to face the 76-49 Padres, who are holding opponents to a .235 batting average overall. I'd like to say that the Padres are due for a bad stretch of pitching, but Bud Black has his team focused on the task at hand, and I must say that the Padres are looking like a team that should reach the NLCS at the very least.
The upcoming series could be a playoff preview ... let's hope these previews, unlike the last three days, are worth watching.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Houston, We Have A Problem
August 23: Houston 3, PHILLIES 2
So, as yet another pennant race is shaping up, who rolls into town for a crucial, four-game set? Yep, you guessed it: the Astros. And, just like 2006, when key September losses to Houston cost the Phils a wild card berth, we once again drop one to a team that's not even in a post-season race.
Brett Myers, to his credit, pitched very well (as I suspected he would in my post from last evening), keeping his team in the game long enough so that Carlos Lee could nick the bullpen for the game-winning hit. What I didn't know, but discovered after the game, is that Myers has gone six innings or more in 26 consecutive starts, something that hasn't been done since Arizona's Curt Schilling went 32 in a row in 2002. Kudos to Brett for posting such an impressive string of starts.
Joe Blanton pitched extremely well, given his troubles this year. Seven innings and one run. But the 'pen let him down, and that's been a huge bugaboo with the Phillies the last two years. Bullpen meltdowns happen over the course of 162 games ... but we've experienced way too many the last two years. And in 2010, given the injuries and inconsistent play from the offense, the 'pen simply has to be holding up its end of the bargain. While they've done a good job, it hasn't been playoff-caliber at times, and at others, it's been eliminated-on-opening-day caliber.
One of my favorite blogs, The Good Phight, mentioned that this is a series that could easily go to the Astros, 3-1. I scoffed at that when I read it this morning over a Butterscotch Krimpet and some Bosco. But I'm not really scoffing, now. I'm concerned that it might actually come to fruition. I don't think anyone wants a long homestand to end in disaster, and possibly with the Phils looking at a four-game deficit or worse heading into that dreaded "West Coast Swing" (programming note: a particular 9-0 "West Coast Swing" will be the subject of a coming WABAC Machine article).
Many Phillies fans see the Astros as Phillie Killers ... but that's plainly a myth. As you can see, since 2005, the only time the Astros "killed" the Phils was the year the 'Stros went to the World Series:
PHILLIES RECORD VERSUS HOUSTON, 2005-2010
2010 (including tonight): 3-1
2009: 2-6
2008: 4-3
2007: 3-3
2006: 4-2
2005: 0-6
Yes, we lost a pair of September games to the Astros in Philadelphia in 2006 that cost us a wild card berth by one game, but those were in early September, and there were other games later in the month we could have won that would have made the losses to the Astros inconsequential. But to label the Astros as "Phillie Killers" would be a misnomer. Interesting how fiction quickly becomes reality.
So, as yet another pennant race is shaping up, who rolls into town for a crucial, four-game set? Yep, you guessed it: the Astros. And, just like 2006, when key September losses to Houston cost the Phils a wild card berth, we once again drop one to a team that's not even in a post-season race.
Brett Myers, to his credit, pitched very well (as I suspected he would in my post from last evening), keeping his team in the game long enough so that Carlos Lee could nick the bullpen for the game-winning hit. What I didn't know, but discovered after the game, is that Myers has gone six innings or more in 26 consecutive starts, something that hasn't been done since Arizona's Curt Schilling went 32 in a row in 2002. Kudos to Brett for posting such an impressive string of starts.
Joe Blanton pitched extremely well, given his troubles this year. Seven innings and one run. But the 'pen let him down, and that's been a huge bugaboo with the Phillies the last two years. Bullpen meltdowns happen over the course of 162 games ... but we've experienced way too many the last two years. And in 2010, given the injuries and inconsistent play from the offense, the 'pen simply has to be holding up its end of the bargain. While they've done a good job, it hasn't been playoff-caliber at times, and at others, it's been eliminated-on-opening-day caliber.
One of my favorite blogs, The Good Phight, mentioned that this is a series that could easily go to the Astros, 3-1. I scoffed at that when I read it this morning over a Butterscotch Krimpet and some Bosco. But I'm not really scoffing, now. I'm concerned that it might actually come to fruition. I don't think anyone wants a long homestand to end in disaster, and possibly with the Phils looking at a four-game deficit or worse heading into that dreaded "West Coast Swing" (programming note: a particular 9-0 "West Coast Swing" will be the subject of a coming WABAC Machine article).
Many Phillies fans see the Astros as Phillie Killers ... but that's plainly a myth. As you can see, since 2005, the only time the Astros "killed" the Phils was the year the 'Stros went to the World Series:
PHILLIES RECORD VERSUS HOUSTON, 2005-2010
2010 (including tonight): 3-1
2009: 2-6
2008: 4-3
2007: 3-3
2006: 4-2
2005: 0-6
Yes, we lost a pair of September games to the Astros in Philadelphia in 2006 that cost us a wild card berth by one game, but those were in early September, and there were other games later in the month we could have won that would have made the losses to the Astros inconsequential. But to label the Astros as "Phillie Killers" would be a misnomer. Interesting how fiction quickly becomes reality.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
0000000swalt Does It Again ...
August 22: PHILLIES 6, Washington 0
While it should have been obvious why the Phillies went out and got Roy 0swalt, those who may still have wondered should wonder no more. Roy pitched seven scoreless innings this afternoon and shot down any notion the Nationals may have had at taking the weekend series from the Phightins.
The only thing Phillies fans won't see is 0swalt, facing his old team, the Astros, when a four-game series begins tomorrow night at Citizens Bank Park. The Phils will, however, be seeing a pair of old friends when Brett Myers starts Monday night's game against Joe Blanton, and J.A. Happ starts Wednesday night's game against Roy Halladay.
Getting back to 0swalt, he was extremely efficient this afternoon, scattering five hits over his seven innings of work, striking out eight and walking just one. He threw 106 pitches on the day, 75 of them for strikes. When you're getting roughly three of every four pitches over the plate, or making them unhittable, you're going to put up some nice numbers and quite a few zeroes (which is why I've chosen to use the zero ["oh'] in Roy's surname today).
The Nats tried the running game to rattle 0swalt, but to no avail. When they got Desmond to second on a stolen base in the first, Roy simply struck out Dunn and Zimmerman. When Chooch's throwing error allowed Bernadina to reach third after stealing second, Roy merely struck out Morse and Kennedy.
Make no mistake -- the 0swalt trade was a "make-up" for the Cliff Lee deal. And for as great as Lee has been (he set the MLB record on Thursday night for the most strikeouts recorded before issuing his 10th walk of the season: 147, breaking the record of 143 held by Curt Schilling), 0swalt is proving to be, in 2010, what Lee was in 2009.
It's fun to see us once again heading toward September with a Big Three that can not only match-up with the best the National League has to offer, but who will also prevent the long losing streak that can cripple a playoff run. Once in the post-season, being able to trot out Halladay, Hamels, and 0swalt will once again put fear into the hearts of the other NL playoff participants.
The rest of the season starts tomorrow night. Four with the Astros before that seven-game Western swing that includes a make-up game on September 2 in Denver. After hosting Milwaukee for three, from Labor Day on, it's all Eastern Division, all the time, including six big games against the Braves.
So, get out the deck chairs and pop up some popcorn ... this is gonna be one fun ride to the finish.
While it should have been obvious why the Phillies went out and got Roy 0swalt, those who may still have wondered should wonder no more. Roy pitched seven scoreless innings this afternoon and shot down any notion the Nationals may have had at taking the weekend series from the Phightins.
The only thing Phillies fans won't see is 0swalt, facing his old team, the Astros, when a four-game series begins tomorrow night at Citizens Bank Park. The Phils will, however, be seeing a pair of old friends when Brett Myers starts Monday night's game against Joe Blanton, and J.A. Happ starts Wednesday night's game against Roy Halladay.
Getting back to 0swalt, he was extremely efficient this afternoon, scattering five hits over his seven innings of work, striking out eight and walking just one. He threw 106 pitches on the day, 75 of them for strikes. When you're getting roughly three of every four pitches over the plate, or making them unhittable, you're going to put up some nice numbers and quite a few zeroes (which is why I've chosen to use the zero ["oh'] in Roy's surname today).
The Nats tried the running game to rattle 0swalt, but to no avail. When they got Desmond to second on a stolen base in the first, Roy simply struck out Dunn and Zimmerman. When Chooch's throwing error allowed Bernadina to reach third after stealing second, Roy merely struck out Morse and Kennedy.
Make no mistake -- the 0swalt trade was a "make-up" for the Cliff Lee deal. And for as great as Lee has been (he set the MLB record on Thursday night for the most strikeouts recorded before issuing his 10th walk of the season: 147, breaking the record of 143 held by Curt Schilling), 0swalt is proving to be, in 2010, what Lee was in 2009.
It's fun to see us once again heading toward September with a Big Three that can not only match-up with the best the National League has to offer, but who will also prevent the long losing streak that can cripple a playoff run. Once in the post-season, being able to trot out Halladay, Hamels, and 0swalt will once again put fear into the hearts of the other NL playoff participants.
The rest of the season starts tomorrow night. Four with the Astros before that seven-game Western swing that includes a make-up game on September 2 in Denver. After hosting Milwaukee for three, from Labor Day on, it's all Eastern Division, all the time, including six big games against the Braves.
So, get out the deck chairs and pop up some popcorn ... this is gonna be one fun ride to the finish.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Kendrick Can't Keep Consistency
August 21: Washington 8, PHILLIES 1
Naturally, after bragging up Kyle Kendrick's recent success on the mound, he reverts back to the Kyle Kendrick who couldn't get the Nationals out back in April. And he still can't get them out in August.
Personally, I'm trying to figure this one out: You're a major league pitcher who's been having success in getting guys out your last five starts. You enter your start against the last-place team in your division knowing that the team ahead of you in the standings has already lost. You go out to the mound knowing that you can gain ground on the division leader with a win. This is your big chance to show the coaching staff that you've turned that corner, and are ready to be a reliable fifth starter for the stretch run.
And then, you go out and get lit up for the third time this season against one of the worst teams in the league? Seriously, are you even paying attention to the game plan and the scouting reports? And if the hitters are "onto you", aren't you making adjustments in your game plan to offset whatever the hitters are doing against you? Are you even listening to Carlos Ruiz?
Kyle, it's time for you to grow up and start pitching like you mean it. It's not enough anymore to blame your youth and relative inexperience. You've been in a pennant race before. You're pitching for the two-time defending National League champions. You have an All-Star lineup to give you whatever run support you may need, but too often you put them in a hole they have a hard time climbing out of. You should be pitching better than this, and more consistently than this.
Every time you give Phillies fans a reason to believe that you've finally figured it out and are becoming a guy we all can trust to go out there and give the club a quality start, you implode like that flight attendant who jumped out of the plane a couple weeks ago. Every time Charlie thinks you might be a guy he can count on to win those extra games every team needs down the stretch to win a division or make the playoffs, you give him a very ugly reason to ship your sorry butt back to Lehigh Valley.
I understand that pitching in the majors isn't as easy as we mere mortals think it is. However, we mortals also know that you're just one of 150 guys (give or take) in the world who can say "I'm a starting pitcher for a major league baseball club" ... so you do have the talent and ability to be where you are, and to make it look so easy to the rest of us. It seems as though you're just not focused enough some nights. It's not just the command issues, it's the pitches you leave up in the zone, the patterns you get into that hitters figure out much too easily and quickly, it's the inconsistency.
You're one of 25 guys, agreed. But every five days, you have some serious control over the potential the team has for a win. And while that is a great responsibility, it is also a great power.
So, please, stop pitching as though you are afraid of both.
Naturally, after bragging up Kyle Kendrick's recent success on the mound, he reverts back to the Kyle Kendrick who couldn't get the Nationals out back in April. And he still can't get them out in August.
Personally, I'm trying to figure this one out: You're a major league pitcher who's been having success in getting guys out your last five starts. You enter your start against the last-place team in your division knowing that the team ahead of you in the standings has already lost. You go out to the mound knowing that you can gain ground on the division leader with a win. This is your big chance to show the coaching staff that you've turned that corner, and are ready to be a reliable fifth starter for the stretch run.
And then, you go out and get lit up for the third time this season against one of the worst teams in the league? Seriously, are you even paying attention to the game plan and the scouting reports? And if the hitters are "onto you", aren't you making adjustments in your game plan to offset whatever the hitters are doing against you? Are you even listening to Carlos Ruiz?
Kyle, it's time for you to grow up and start pitching like you mean it. It's not enough anymore to blame your youth and relative inexperience. You've been in a pennant race before. You're pitching for the two-time defending National League champions. You have an All-Star lineup to give you whatever run support you may need, but too often you put them in a hole they have a hard time climbing out of. You should be pitching better than this, and more consistently than this.
Every time you give Phillies fans a reason to believe that you've finally figured it out and are becoming a guy we all can trust to go out there and give the club a quality start, you implode like that flight attendant who jumped out of the plane a couple weeks ago. Every time Charlie thinks you might be a guy he can count on to win those extra games every team needs down the stretch to win a division or make the playoffs, you give him a very ugly reason to ship your sorry butt back to Lehigh Valley.
I understand that pitching in the majors isn't as easy as we mere mortals think it is. However, we mortals also know that you're just one of 150 guys (give or take) in the world who can say "I'm a starting pitcher for a major league baseball club" ... so you do have the talent and ability to be where you are, and to make it look so easy to the rest of us. It seems as though you're just not focused enough some nights. It's not just the command issues, it's the pitches you leave up in the zone, the patterns you get into that hitters figure out much too easily and quickly, it's the inconsistency.
You're one of 25 guys, agreed. But every five days, you have some serious control over the potential the team has for a win. And while that is a great responsibility, it is also a great power.
So, please, stop pitching as though you are afraid of both.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Another Halliday For Phils 'Pen
August 20: PHILLIES 1, Washington 0
Phillies fans, you know how much it pains any of us to watch our guys struggle with a team like the Nationals. It seems like we play down to the level of the competition sometimes, and tonight was one of those nights as the Phils made Jason Marquis look like Rube Marquard.
Roy Halladay went seven again, lowering his ERA to 2.16 while raising his record to 16-8 (and we all know he probably should already have 20 wins if the Phils had his for him at all from mid-May through June). His three walks issued tonight raise his season total to 25. Twenty-five walks allowed and we're almost 5/6ths of the way through the season. That's control, my friends!!!
Raul Ibanez continues his hot hitting, driving in the game's only run. He also contributed on defense, something many said was his glaring weakness when he signed with the Phils last year, throwing in behind Ian Desmond after Ryan Zimmerman lined to Raul in the seventh. A nice play, made even nicer by the persistence of Chase Utley, who "played to the whistle" and tagged out Desmond when he over-slid second in returning to the bag.
Speaking of Ibanez' defense ... at the time that Raul was signed, the consensus among "baseball people" was that while Ibanez was an upgrade from Burrell, defensively, that was tantamount to saying that Dave Kingman was an upgrade from Greg Luzinski. In other words, Ibanez was better than Burrell, but a blind, one-armed monkey was better than either.
I had told anyone who would listen (and, living here in the Chicago area, that meant no one) that Ibanez has always had one asset that would compel him to improve his defense while adding some needed pop to the lineup: Ibanez has been told his whole career that he wasn't "good enough". And that has driven Raul to compile numbers (last year at age 37, and this year at age 38) that don't make him seem as old as his driver's license shows him to be.
And, personally, I love that about Ibanez. He's not as gritty and gutty as an Aaron Rowand (whom most Phillies fans simply loved in his short stay with the club), but he will do all the things necessary to help you win. Did you see his triple the other night against the Jints? How many 38-year-olds do *you* know who could have legged that out?
Anyway, I disgress ... Ibanez has provided a nice spark for the club, and they are definitely feeding off him for the moment.
Madson and Lidge got some work in under post-season situations tonight (that is, protecting a 1-run lead against a gritty and determined opponent) that was nice to see. Brad seems to be settling in now, and if Ryan, J.C., and Brad can get it together, Charlie's got himself his 2008 bullpen back for the stretch run.
The Phils now stand 17 games above .500 at 69-52, and have won 13 of their last 17. They continue their series with the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday. Rookie phenom, Steven Strasburg (5-3, 2.97) will face Kyle Kendrick (8-5, 4.45). On Sunday, it'll be Scott Olsen (3-5, 5.14) against Roy Oswalt (8-13, 3.36).
Phillies fans, you know how much it pains any of us to watch our guys struggle with a team like the Nationals. It seems like we play down to the level of the competition sometimes, and tonight was one of those nights as the Phils made Jason Marquis look like Rube Marquard.
Roy Halladay went seven again, lowering his ERA to 2.16 while raising his record to 16-8 (and we all know he probably should already have 20 wins if the Phils had his for him at all from mid-May through June). His three walks issued tonight raise his season total to 25. Twenty-five walks allowed and we're almost 5/6ths of the way through the season. That's control, my friends!!!
Raul Ibanez continues his hot hitting, driving in the game's only run. He also contributed on defense, something many said was his glaring weakness when he signed with the Phils last year, throwing in behind Ian Desmond after Ryan Zimmerman lined to Raul in the seventh. A nice play, made even nicer by the persistence of Chase Utley, who "played to the whistle" and tagged out Desmond when he over-slid second in returning to the bag.
Speaking of Ibanez' defense ... at the time that Raul was signed, the consensus among "baseball people" was that while Ibanez was an upgrade from Burrell, defensively, that was tantamount to saying that Dave Kingman was an upgrade from Greg Luzinski. In other words, Ibanez was better than Burrell, but a blind, one-armed monkey was better than either.
I had told anyone who would listen (and, living here in the Chicago area, that meant no one) that Ibanez has always had one asset that would compel him to improve his defense while adding some needed pop to the lineup: Ibanez has been told his whole career that he wasn't "good enough". And that has driven Raul to compile numbers (last year at age 37, and this year at age 38) that don't make him seem as old as his driver's license shows him to be.
And, personally, I love that about Ibanez. He's not as gritty and gutty as an Aaron Rowand (whom most Phillies fans simply loved in his short stay with the club), but he will do all the things necessary to help you win. Did you see his triple the other night against the Jints? How many 38-year-olds do *you* know who could have legged that out?
Anyway, I disgress ... Ibanez has provided a nice spark for the club, and they are definitely feeding off him for the moment.
Madson and Lidge got some work in under post-season situations tonight (that is, protecting a 1-run lead against a gritty and determined opponent) that was nice to see. Brad seems to be settling in now, and if Ryan, J.C., and Brad can get it together, Charlie's got himself his 2008 bullpen back for the stretch run.
The Phils now stand 17 games above .500 at 69-52, and have won 13 of their last 17. They continue their series with the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday. Rookie phenom, Steven Strasburg (5-3, 2.97) will face Kyle Kendrick (8-5, 4.45). On Sunday, it'll be Scott Olsen (3-5, 5.14) against Roy Oswalt (8-13, 3.36).
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