Phillies Use Ancient Methods to Defeat Braves

Long ago, the sport of baseball was a very different game. Players left their gloves on the field, when they returned to the dugout. If players spent more than two weeks on a roster, without playing, it was probably either because they were very bad at the game of baseball, or because they were actually spies. There was a batting maneuver, used to advance runners, known as the "bunt." The Philadelphia Phillies had an innings-eater, by the name of Grover Cleveland Alexander, who pitched more than three-hundred innings, seven seasons in a row. A "loogy" was just a synonym for expectorant. Way back then, creating a "Cliff Lee", using DNA obtained from Steve Carlton, would have been as inconceivable as the Phillies being labeled a "perennial contender."

In the much more recent past, the Phillies have pondered several questions. "If Brad Lidge blows every save opportunity, has he achieved perfection?" "Will Matt Stairs ever get a hit again?" "Is Eric Bruntlett really only the fourth-worst-hitting non-pitcher on this team?" They also considered a more philosophical question. They asked themselves, "If Scott Eyre is in the bullpen, and he never pitches, does he make a sound?" Noted philosopher/ineffective reliever Chad Durbin, who was not created using DNA obtained from Ron Reed, would likely answer that question, "Does he (Eyre) ever NOT make a sound?" Manager Charlie Manuel, however, hasn't appeared to be aware of Eyre's continued bullpen existence. At least until the eighth inning of the Phillies' 3-2 victory over the Braves, on Sunday night.

Scott Eyre entered his first game in two weeks, with runners on first and second, and no outs. Though he had warmed up numerous times during those two weeks, and his usefulness as a LOOGY had been oft-demonstrated, he had been reduced to merely cheering on his teammates. Suddenly, he was called on to pitch, during the highest leverage at bat of the game. Four pitches later, he induced an unconventional 4-6-5 double play. He retired the next batter on another grounder, exiting the inning with a 3-2 lead. Now, we are left to ponder why we had to wait two weeks between Eyre appearances. A Grover Cleveland Alexander-esque ERA of 1.65 should surely qualify Eyre for more regular use.

The Phillies' offense generated a lot of sound on Sunday night, with Chase Utley hitting yet another home run (his 29th), and Carlos Ruiz knocking three hits, including a pair of doubles. The loudest noise, however, may have been made by the softest contact. In bottom of the seventh inning, with the score tied at one, Raul Ibanez lead off the inning with a walk. Pedro Feliz followed, and performed the archaic maneuver known as "squaring around to bunt." This antiquated technique doesn't seem to have a lot of value in today's chock-full-of-extra-base-hit-game, except as a possible (occasional) deterrent to deep-playing infielders, or as a practice utilized solely by exceedingly weak-hitting batters. In Sunday night's context, however, it led to a two-base error. Carlos Ruiz followed Feliz' bunt with a two-run double, and the Phillies had all the scoring that they would require.

When you have (the post-April 2009 version of) Joe Blanton on the mound, not a lot of offense is needed. Blanton once pursued the quality start, and the seventh inning, as Moe Berg had once pursued Axis secrets (with a lumbering tenacity). Now that Blanton has made ten consecutive quality starts, venturing into the seventh inning in nine of them, the lanky northpaw has earned the "innings-eater" label that had once been, prematurely, bestowed upon him. Blanton ate seven more innings, surrendering only a solo home run, among three hits and four walks (and seven strikeouts!).

Brad Lidge, often effective when not used more than two days in a row, retired all three batters he faced in the ninth, for his twenty-seventh save. The Phillies had combined methods, both ancient and modern, in winning the rubber game of the three-game series. Philadelphia increased their divisional lead to eight games, with only thirty-four games remaining to be played. Joe Blanton may get the opportunity to reprise Alexander's 1915 role, as an innings-eater on a team that went on to play the Red Sox, in the World Series. (That is, if 2009's Red Sox can get past Detroit, in the ALCS...)

Phillies (Almost) Make History

Tyler Walker's pitch was as wild as it was unhittable, bouncing away from Phillies' catcher Carlos Ruiz. San Francisco's Eugenio Velez offered at the pitch, for a third strike, but the speedy Giant easily reached first base, before Ruiz could retrieve the wayward ball. With that display of shoddy command, history was now within the grasp of the journeyman northpaw. Walker had retired three San Francisco Giants on strikes in the frame, and would have the opportunity to record four strikeouts in a single inning. Walker could become the first Phillie in the History of Philliedom to achieve such a feat. Unfortunately, shortstop Jimmy Rollins cost Walker his chance at immortality, by catching Pablo Sandoval's liner for the final out. With the Phillies trailing 7-2, and only a single inning to recover from a Win Expectancy of .5%, Rollins should have let the ball fall for a single. Walker could have had another chance at fame, a story to tell his Lehigh Valley teammates next week, and the Phillies would have been able to salvage something from a disappointing loss. Alas, it was not to be.

Rodrigo Lopez struggled, in what was likely his last start for the Phillies. (The acquistion of Cliff Lee will probably bump Lopez to the bullpen, and probably send Walker to Lehigh Valley, via the waiver wire.) Lopez survived only four innings, permitting all seven San Francisco runs, on eight hits and two walks. As a result of unusually sloppy Phillies' fielding, only three of those runs was earned. Kyle Kendrick and Walker, both likely destined for AAA before this time next week, each contributed a pair of scoreless frames. But the Phillies were held to a two-run homer by Chase Utley, who drove a blast over the wall in right, only pitches after Giants' starter Jonathan Sanchez had buzzed Utley's tower. Utley's at bat, Walker's retaliatory beaning of Ryan Garko, and Walker's failed attempt at immortality, were pretty much the only useful moments in another weak Phillies' performance.

Cliff Lee makes his long-awaited Phillies debut on Friday night, opposed by Giants' rookie Ryan Sadowski. Fellow new acquisition Ben Francisco (Treat) will be in the lineup as well, subbing for injured All-Star Shane Victorino (day-to-day, with knee contusion). It will be exciting to see how Lee performs. (I'm predicting seven innings, one run.) If Lee pitches to his ability tonight, it might be prudent to get to Modell's very early on Saturday morning. Lee's #34 jersey will be selling as quickly as his 90 MPH heater hurtles towards the strike zone.

Manuel and Phillies Win Marathon Battle of Tactics

There was plenty of time for heroics in Friday night's marathon with the Florida Marlins. Four hours and five minutes of playing time, to be exact. Phillies' starter Cole Hamels pitched well, allowing only a single run, in his five inning outing. Unfortunately, a seventy-eight minute rain delay ended Hamels' night. Chase Utley (two-run homer), Jayson Werth (RBI single), and Pedro Feliz (RBI double) had given Hamels a 4-1 lead.

Philadelphia relievers Chan Ho Park, Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero, and Chad Durbin were knocked around by the Marlins, who tied the score at four, in the bottom of the eighth. The umpires also contributed, as all four of them missed a balk call, which would have given the Phillies a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth. The score remained tied, as play entered the top of the twelfth. That's when Phillies' Manager Charlie Manuel outmaneuvered the Marlins, ensuring the Phils' victory.

Jimmy Rollins lead off the twelfth with a single. Manuel decided to play for a single run, and .305-hitting Shane Victorino sacrificed Rollins to second. With Brad Lidge (7.09 ERA) the last Phillies reliever remaining, the Phils would only need one run to win. (The probability that Lidge would allow at least one run in the bottom of the inning was only about 91%.)

The Mighty Paul Bako (.214 average) was lurking just two batters away, so the Marlins opted to pitch to the .312-hitting Chase Utley, with first base open. (Bako had been, ingeniously, inserted into the fifth spot in the order, as part of Manuel's second double switch of the game.) Five hours after Utley had homered, the All-Star second sacker gave the Phils the lead again, by stroking an RBI single. After Ryan Howard grounded out, Silver Slugger-candidate Paul Bako came to the plate, with an important insurance run on second base. With All-Star Jayson Werth on deck (20 HR), there was no way the Marlins were going to take their chances with Bako's bat, and the backstop was intentionally walked. Werth followed with an RBI single, but the damage would likely had been much worse, if the Marlins hadn't taken the bat out of The Mighty Bako's hands. The two-run lead was plenty for Phils' closer Brad Lidge, who permitted only a single run (two walks). Lidge's crisp, twenty-eight pitch frame ended with the tying run on third base.

The Phillies increased their division lead to six games, a season-high advantage. The Phillies' Joe Blanton will be opposed by Marlins' ace Josh Johnson, in the third game of the series, on Saturday. Johnson has a 2.94 FIP, and has recorded quality starts in nine, of his last ten, outings. He does have a low .288 BABIP, and a high 77.1 LOB %. Johnson is due for some adversity, and the Phillies' bats are a good candidate to get Johnson's inevitable regression rolling.

Season Review/Preview- Position Players (Now with Arbitrary Grades!)

Welcome to the 2009 Phillies Season in Review/Preview, Position Players Edition!


Catchers

Carlos Ruiz
Some numbers: .235 AVG, .703 OPS, .310 wOBA, .257 BABIP (.262 career)
Some commentary: Ruiz has been (mostly) a serviceable catcher, which is all the Phils need. He has struggled mightily in June/July (.482 OPS/.488 OPS). Ruiz has been putting up Bakoey offensive numbers, after a strong offensive May.
Arbitrary Grade: C

Paul Bako
Some numbers: .214 AVG, .517 OPS, .238 wOBA, .286 BABIP (.305 career)
Some commentary: Bako is not a major league-quality player, but he has hit as well as Ruiz, since June. "Gabor" is one of my favorite baseball names, but that is not enough to merit a roster spot.
Arbitrary Grade: F

Chris Coste (no longer with organization)
Some numbers: .240 AVG, .711 OPS, .317 wOBA, .307 BABIP (.316 career)
Some commentary: Coste is weak defensively, but far superior with the bat to Bako. Does Bako make up the offensive difference, with his defensive prowess? Probably not. Coste should still be on the roster, Bako should not be in the organization.
Arbitrary Grade: C-

Lou Marson
Some numbers: (AAA) .298 AVG, .748 OPS, .343 wOBA, .363 BABIP
Some commentary: Marson has done well at AAA, and is a far superior hitter to Bako (as are most players). Hopefully, Marson will replace Bako as the backup catcher, for the postseason (if not sooner).
Arbitrary Grade: INC

1B

Ryan Howard
Some numbers: .257 AVG, 22 HR, .870 OPS, .373 wOBA, .306 BABIP (.330 career), 4.9 UZR/150
Some commentary: Howard has improved, substantially, as a fielder (2nd among NL 1B in UZR/150). His low batting average could improve a bit, if his luck improves a bit. Ugly .574 OPS against lefties (139 AB) brings down his numbers, and his overall grade.
Arbitrary Grade: A-

2B

Chase Utley
Some numbers: .313 AVG, 20 HR, 1.004 OPS, .436 wOBA, .330 BABIP (.326 career), 2.6 UZR/150
Some commentary: Utley was expected to miss the first month of the season, but hasn't missed any time at all. In a non-Pujols World, he would be under MVP consideration. Ranks 5th among NL 2B in UZR/150.
Arbitrary Grade: A+

SS

Jimmy Rollins
Some numbers: .229 AVG, 7 HR, .642 OPS, .287 wOBA, .242 BABIP (.297 career), 3.7 UZR/150
Some commentary: Rollins has had a brutal season. His BABIP, and his July numbers (1.078 OPS, 45 AB), indicate that things could be getting better. Ranks 5th among NL SS in UZR/150.
Arbitrary Grade: D

3B

Pedro Feliz
Some numbers: .293 AVG, 6 HR, .756 OPS, .329 wOBA, .317 BABIP (.274 career), 9.3 UZR/150
Some commentary: The slick-fielding Feliz is second among NL 3B in UZR. Feliz' high BABIP indicates that his AVG may regress a bit. Feliz has a .338 OBP in 2009, after struggling to exceed .300 in previous seasons.
Arbitrary Grade: B

LF

Raul Ibanez
Some numbers: .309 AVG. 22 HR, 1.015 OPS, .426 wOBA, .314 BABIP (.311 career), HR/FB: 24.2% (12.9% career), -1.2 UZR/150
Some commentary: The Ibanez signing might be questionable a year from now, but it has been a great move at this point. His counting stats could be higher, if he hadn't missed time with a groin injury. His fielding has been surprisingly adequate. His HR rate should regress, as his HR/FB rate of 24.2% is rather aberrant. Ibanez has fattened up his stats against the woeful Nationals (57 AB, 6 HR, .440 AVG, 1.389 OPS). He won't (likely) put up the same numbers in the second half, but he has been one of the Phils' first half MVPs.
Arbitrary Grade: A+

CF

Shane Victorino
Some numbers: .309 AVG, 6 HR, .839 OPS, .368 wOBA, .338 BABIP (.312 career), -12.6 UZR/150
Some commentary: Victorino's NL-worst UZR/150 is disconcerting. Ibanez had UZR/150s of -23.3 and -10.4 in the past two seasons. It seems possible that, somehow, UZR/150 is understating Victorino's defensive skill, while overstating Ibanez'? Victorino's AVG may regress a bit in the second half, but he was a deserving All-Star.
Arbitrary Grade: A-

RF

Jayson Werth
Some numbers: .263 AVG, 20 HR, .884 OPS, .384 wOBA, .290 BABIP (.330 career), 7.1 UZR/150
Some commentary: Werth has 40 HR potential. His AVG could improve, if his luck improves. Werth ranks 3rd in NL UZR/150. Another deserving All-Star.
Arbitrary Grade: A

Reserves

Matt Stairs (OF)
Some numbers: (76 PA), .283 AVG, 4 HR, .951 OPS, .415 wOBA, .333 BABIP (.291 career)
Some commentary: Stairs has done a superb job as a pinch-hitter. He is almost useless in the field.
Arbitrary Grade: B

Greg Dobbs (OF/IF)
Some numbers: (119 PA), .269 AVG, 5 HR, .774 OPS, .330 wOBA, .293 BABIP (.316 career)
Some commentary: Dobbs performs much better when he plays more regularly. Manuel needs to do a better job getting Dobbs PAs.
Arbitrary Grade: B

John Mayberry (OF)
Some numbers: (AAA) .257 AVG, 8 HR, .808 OPS, .362 wOBA, .328 BABIP
Some commentary: Mayberry has struggled at the MLB level this season (.297 in 52 PAs). He needs to play regularly at AAA, but the Phillies' lack of a satisfactory right-handed pinch-hitter/outfielder may keep him with the parent club.
Arbitrary Grade: INC

Eric Bruntlett (IF/OF)
Some numbers: (84 PAs) .139 AVG, .416 OPS, .192 wOBA, .185 BABIP (.273 career)
Some commentary: It is disturbing that Bruntlett has more PAs than Stairs. Bruntlett has not been lucky at the plate, but he also hasn't been good. His offensive stats are historically bad. If he was a "25th Man", who rarely played (and didn't have a 800K salary, 500K perhaps?), and helped clean up around the clubhouse, he might not hurt the Phils as much. But Manuel giving him 150 PAs is a disaster.
Arbitrary Grade: F

With the exception of Jimmy Rollins, and the catchers, the Phillies' position players have performed very well. Their bench has been a glaring weakness, with only two useful players (Greg Dobbs, Matt Stairs), only one of whom (Dobbs) is adequate defensively. The Phils desperately need a right-handed hitting outfielder/pinch-hitter, and would be in bad shape if any of their starting position players were injured. However, there may not be another MLB team that can match the ability of the Phillies' starting lineup.

Phils Continue Home Dominance, Beat Reds

The streaking Phillies won at home on Thursday night, as per usual, 9-6, over the Reds. It was yet another another victory of the comeback variety, as the Phillies trailed 3-0, and 4-2, early in the game. The Phillies' power bats, and power bullpen arms, are uniquely-suited for their home ballpark, as evidenced by the Phils' string of wins against the Mets and Reds. (It could be argued that winning six of seven at home, against the reeling Mets and Reds, is less meaningful than the 13-22 home record the Phillies once sported. That argument, however, would be wrong.)

Jamie Moyer picked up a good-luck win, after surrendering six runs (on eight hits and a walk), in five mediocre innings. Manager Charlie Manuel continued his streak (now at two games) of riding the hot-hand in the bullpen, rather than portioning off the late innings among his relief corps, by allowing Chan Ho Park to throw three innings. Park was outstanding in his scoreless effort, allowing only a single walk, while striking out four. (Park was awarded his sixth hold for his performance, but was deserving of much more than just an "H" in the boxscore. Such as, a cheesesteak.) Brad Lidge extended his scoreless inning streak to one, picking up his seventeenth save (and two strikeouts) in the ninth inning.

The Phillies bats mashed the Reds' arms for twelve hits, and eight walks. Non-All-Star Jayson Werth and All-Star Chase Utley each hit his 20th homer, with Utley's being his second MLB inside-the-park home run (both against the Reds, who believe fly balls are delegated to a single outfielder, rather than handled as a team effort). Utley, Werth, Jimmy Rollins, and Pedro Feliz each knocked a pair of hits. Charlie Manuel contributed to the nine-run outburst, by holding Eric Bruntlett out of the game, likely waiting for an opportunity to bat against a position player.

The big offensive hero of the night, however, was Paul Bako. Bako came on as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning, and grounded into a double play. Except Bako used HIS CHEETAH-LIKE SPEED TO PREVENT THE DOUBLE PLAY! It was Bako's first RBI as a Phillie, and former Phils' backstop Darren Daulton teleported in, as the game was stopped for a presentation. Bako's quest for an RBI had been made difficult by repeated at-bats with poor, or no, contact, as well as good-to-mediocre MLB pitchers. But he proved that, if you get enough at-bats, with enough baserunners, you might actually cause one of those baserunners to score. Bako would, later, utilize his speed again, scoring from third on a wild pitch. Someone with Rollins' Speed likely would not have dared attempting to advance on that wild pitch, but for Bako, remaining at third was not even a consideration. If the rules didn't forbid running the bases backwards, Bako would have run back to second, and scored from there. Just so it would be more of a challenge.

Phillies play the Pirates this weekend. If Bako plays all three games, expect three more wins, and two more award presentations. At least.

Phillies 22, Victorino 9, Reds 1

As a youthful phanatic, I kept a meticulously-removed copy of a Phillies box score in my wallet, just in case it was needed. On June 11, 1985, the Phillies scored nine runs in the first inning, and seven in the second, en route to a 26-7 thrashing of the New York Mets. Von Hayes hit a pair of home runs, in the first inning, and Juan Samuel had five hits. Charles Hudson got the victory, despite allowing seven runs (six earned) and thirteen hits, over five innings. Somewhere, a currently-youthful phanatic likely has this page saved.

Despite not coming against the rival Mets, the Phils' 22-1 drubbing of the Reds on Monday night, might have been even better. The Phillies sent thirteen men to the plate in the first inning, scoring ten times. Shane Victorino, batting second in the order, scored four times before the Reds' fifth-place hitter batted twice. Jimmy Rollins went 3 for 4, Victorino was 4 for 5, and the two combined for nine runs scored. Greg Dobbs, now batting .271 (average on June 1st was .154), was 4 for 6. Jayson Werth had five RBIs, Chase Utley had four RBIs, as did Victorino. Starting pitcher Cole Hamels surrendered only one run (one three hits) in seven innings, while chipping in a pair of hits and RBIs. The Phillies went 21 for 43 in the game, had 11 two-out RBIs, were 10 for 15 with runners in scoring position, and had a 98.7% Win Expectancy after the first inning. By the second inning, the result really wasn't in doubt; all that remained was to sit back, relax, pump in All-Star votes for Shane Victorino, and root for the Phils to score twenty-seven.

In that 1985 game, the Phils had an unsung hero, reliever Dave Rucker. Rucker entered the game in the sixth inning, called on to protect a slim 21-7 lead. Rucker threw three scoreless innings, and even contributed a pair of hits (forty percent of his career hit total). On Monday night, Tyler Walker was brought in to start the eighth inning, with the Phillies clinging to a 16-1 lead. The Phils' WE was 100%, but any kind of lapse by Walker could have reduced that number to only 99.9%. If an ace like the Reds' Johnny Cueto could surrender nine runs in less than an inning, how much damage could a hurler with Walker's level of ability permit? Operating under extreme pressure, and with no margin for error, Walker got the job done. He retired the Reds in order, keeping the WE at 100%. The Phils tacked on six runs in the bottom of the eighth, against the Reds' Eric Bruntlett-equivalent (Paul Janish), and Scott Eyre preserved the twenty-one run lead in the ninth.

The Phillies will try to increase their winning streak to five games on Tuesday, with J.A. Happ (5-0, 2.96 ERA) ready to shut down the Reds. Jimmy Rollins (10 for his last 19) and Shane Victorino (determined to post All-Star caliber stats this week) will lead the offense. The Phils might not score another twenty-two runs, but double digits shouldn't be a problem. No questions asked.

Phils Complete Sweep of Mets with Shutout

The Phillies finished off their three-game sweep of the Mets on Sunday, with a 2-0 victory. Perhaps it was poor play by the Mets, winners of two of their last ten, that keyed the Phils' sweep. Maybe the Phillies are back to their World Championship form. The truth is, probably, that the WFCs are going to play .800 ball the rest of the way, and win the NL East by thirty games. With continued starting pitching like they received this weekend, from their #3 through #5 starters, their NL East cohabitants will be competing for second place.

Joe Blanton put up a 3.62 ERA in six June starts, but was only able to secure a single win. He matched that win total on Sunday, pitching seven and one-third scoreless innings. Blanton permitted only four hits and three walks (five strikeouts). His season record is now 5-4, with a 4.69 ERA, quite the improvement over the 8.41 ERA he had in April. Chan Ho Park induced a crucial twin killing in the eighth, and Brad Lidge converted his second save in two days, striking out the side in the ninth.

The Phillies' bats did their part in the win, with an invigorated Jimmy Rollins leading off the first inning with a home run off Mets' ace Johan Santana. Rollins finished two-for-three, improving his average to .217. All-Star Chase Utley took Santana deep in the sixth, for his eighteenth homer, and...well, that was it. The Phillies didn't actually get any additional hits in the game. So, it would appear that the Phils' bats didn't really do their part. However, with their dominant pitching, combined with three timely double plays in the field, they didn't need much offense on Sunday.

As if the Phils' pitching wasn't enough, there was no way they could lose on July 5th, the shared birthday of broadcasting stalwarts Gary Matthews, Sr. and Tom McCarthy. Matthews was treated to some pregame ribs, which he almost managed to drop on Chris Wheeler, his fellow color analyst. Later, the Phillie Phanatic staged a sneak attack on the broadcasting booth, in which he buried Matthews and McCarthy with popcorn. When Wheeler complained about the state of the popcorn-ridden booth later, the Phanatic struck again, covering the inimitable Wheeler with silly string. These shenanigans were a lot funnier during a sweep-finalizing victory, than they would have been during a loss.

The Phillies finish the first half with four home games against the .500 Reds, followed by three more at CBP against the .451 Pirates (15-28 on the road). The Phils lead the division by only a single game (over Florida), but have a great opportunity to increase that lead, as well as to improve their woeful 16-22 home record. Cole Hamels will face the Reds' Johnny Cueto on Monday night, in a duel of aces. As long as Paul Bako and Eric Bruntlett remain on the Phillies bench, they should have a good shot at improving their winning streak to four games.

Bunts and Balks (7/6)

Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez were voted as All-Star starters, and Ryan Howard was selected as a reserve. Utley, Ibanez, and Howard were all very deserving, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Howard in the Home Run Derby. Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels, Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge would have been worthy based on their successes in 2008, but not so much for their numbers in 2009. It is probably for the best that they will get the extra days off, particularly the pitchers.

Shane Victorino was chosen to be part of the Final Vote, for the last NL roster spot. Statistically, Victorino might be the fourth best, out of the five candidates. Considering the market sizes of the five players' home cities, Victorino and LA's Matt Kemp could be the top two in the voting. If some NL outfielders (Ibanez? Carlos Beltran?) cannot play, a spot might open for Victorino, regardless of the results of the voting. (I'll abstain, rather than voting against Victorino, but my vote would go to SF's Pablo Sandoval, over ARI's Mark Reynolds.)

Raul Ibanez is scheduled to rehab in Reading (AA), starting on Monday. Hopefully, he'll actually play in games this time. If he can get a few games in, he could get some MLB action prior to the All-Star game.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) held on in the ninth, for a 2-0 victory over the Syracuse SkyChiefs. Kyle Kendrick pitched brilliantly, with eight scoreless (six hits, one walk/three strikeouts) innings. He was removed after throwing ninety-three pitches.
Cedrick Bowers, with ten and two-thirds consecutive scoreless relief innings entering the game, made things very interesting in the ninth. He permitted a double and a pair of walks, to load the bases with two outs. Fortunately, Syracuse ran out of viable batters, and had to bat .125-hitting catcher Jhonatan Solano (with pitcher Logan Kensing on deck), with the game on the line. Solano drove the ball 380 ft. ... where it was tracked down by FeHogs CF Jason Ellison. A bit too close for comfort...
In related news, the name "SkyChiefs" always reminds me of this song, for some reason.

The Reading Phillies (AA) were tied with the Connecticut Defenders, 3-3 after six innings, but went on to lose, 12-5. Clearwater Threshers (A) ace Yohan Flande continued to struggle with the R-Phils. Flande surrendered ten hits and six runs (five earned), in six innings. Connecticut stole six bases against Flande, including two steals of home (as parts of double steals). Flande might need to work on holding runners a bit. Jeremy Slayden had a homer, and Neil Sellers went three-for-three, in the losing effort.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) took a 8-0 lead after three innings, and held on to beat the Lakeland Flying Tigers , 10-6. Starter Michael Galen Cisco held Lakeland to a solo homer, pitching five strong innings (five hits, one walk/four strikeouts) for his fifth win (in six decisions). Steve Susdorf went three-for-five, with his first homer. Susdorf is now batting .434, OBPing .483, and slugging .547, for an OPS of 1.030.
The motto of the Lakeland Flying Tigers is "Every Game is a Mission." Lakeland has succeeded in only three of their ten second-half missions.

Bunts and Balks (6/29)

Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez have sizeable leads at their respective positions in All-Star voting. It looks like Utley and Ibanez will start, and that they will be the only Phils' starters.

Raul Ibanez is eligible to return from the DL on Friday, but is not expected to be ready at that point. Hopefully, he'll be ready by next week?

Antonio Bastardo was placed on the DL, with Sergio Escalona optioned (again) back to the P-Phils to take his roster spot. This move probably could have been made in time for Escalona to be available for the Jays' series.

No one has been officially announced to take Bastardo's rotation spot. Most of the speculation seems to lean towards Carlos Carrasco.

Scott Eyre starts his rehab on Wednesday, and hopes to return this weekend. Jack Taschner, Tyler Walker, Paul Bako, and Sergio Escalona (again) may be in danger of receiving a trip to scenic Lehigh Valley. Bako gets my vote, a move which would return the bullpen to a "Plus Eight."

Tyler Walker has been outstanding out of the pen, with seven scoreless innings. Walker has also permitted six of nine inherited runners to score, violently scarring the ERAs of others. Don't get too excited.

Former Phillies P Paul Fletcher was shown hitting Craig Biggio with a pitch in a clip on MLB Tonight. I have no recollection of Paul Fletcher. Not acceptable. Edward Paul Fletcher pitched 13.1 innings in relief, during the 1995 season, with a 5.40 ERA/1.8 WHIP. His baseball reference page is available for only $5!

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) lost 6-1, to the Norfolk Tides, on Monday night.
At least the FeHogs have now spent one day of their history at .500. Gustavo Chacin permitted six runs in five innings, but only one run was earned.

The Reading Phillies (AA) blasted the Trenton Thunder, 10-1. The victory was not a surprise, as ace Joe Savery was on the mound. Savery improved his record to 10-1, with six shutout innings (two hits, four walks/two strikeouts). Michael Taylor went 4 for 5, improving his average to .351. Kevin Mahar went 4 for 4, improving to .308.

Yohan Flande was promoted to Reading from the Clearwater Threshers (A). Flande was outstanding with the Threshers, with a 7-1 record, 2.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 2.79 K/BB ratio (82 IP). The R-Phils website does not list the transaction (the Threshers' does), and lists the Tuesday starting pitcher as "TBA." Flande was scheduled to start Tuesday night, so he is the likely "TBA."
Tyson Brummett's spot in the rotation appears to have been skipped, as his fifth day would have been Monday. (Brummett pitched an inning in relief, facing five batters, on Monday night.) Barring a promotion to AAA (Savery?), Brummett seems likely to spend some time in the bullpen with Flande, Kyle Drabek, Vance Worley, Mike Stutes, and Joe Savery comprising the five-man rotation. (Unless Reading goes to a six-man rotation, which would be a good way to keep innings counts down? In that case Brummett might rejoin the rotation this weekend, perhaps on Saturday, giving Savery an extra day?)

The Clearwater Threshers remained undefeated in their second half, winning their fifth consecutive game, 9-8. After four consecutive extra-inning wins over the Jupiter Hammerheads, the Threshers did not require extra time to beat the Palm Beach Cardinals. Clearwater was outhit 15-9, but used two four-run innings to win a see-saw battle. Newly-promoted 22 year-old righty Travis Cloyd, who took Flande's roster spot, struggled in his debut. Cloyd surrendered four runs in five and two-thirds innings, on nine hits and one walk/two strikeouts.

Bunts and Balks (6/15)

The Phillies made no personnel moves on Monday.
Jack Taschner and Antonio Bastardo remain on the roster. It wouldn't be surprising, if one of them was optioned to AAA, prior to Tuesday's game against Toronto.
The Phillies will need a starting pitcher on Friday (or Saturday) against Baltimore. (J.A. Happ would be on his regular day on Friday.) They haven't announced that Bastardo will remain in the rotation, and his one-inning start against Boston highlighted the need for more minor league seasoning.
Carlos Carrasco started Monday night for Lehigh Valley (AAA), and would be on his regular day on Saturday.
Andrew Carpenter is scheduled to start Tuesday night for Lehigh Valley, but could be scratched, and start for the Phils on Friday or Saturday.
If they decide that Carrasco or Carpenter will start this weekend, the Phils could option Bastardo prior to Tuesday's game, and recall another bullpen arm. (Preferably, a bullpen arm on the 40-Man roster, with options remaining. For example, Reading (AA) lefty Mike Zagurski.)
On Friday or Saturday, either Taschner or (Zagurski?) could be optioned, opening a spot for Carrasco or Carpenter. (The Taschner for Carrasco option gets my vote.)

Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Jimmy Rollins lead at their positions in All-Star voting. Ryan Howard is in a distant second, behind Albert Pujols. Carlos Ruiz and Pedro Feliz are in fourth at their respective positions. Among outfielders, Shane Victorino is fifth, and Jayson Werth is eighth, with the top three vote-getters going to St. Louis.
Ruiz and Feliz may deserve spots, based on their performances this season. Rollins doesn't deserve a spot, based on his performance this season. Ryan Howard should go, but may lose out because there is a glut of good first-sackers to back-up Pujols on the team. With each team guaranteed at least one representative, we may only see Phillies who are voted in, on the squad.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs beat the Durham Bulls, 8-5, on Monday night.
Carlos Carrasco got the win, surrending four runs in six and a third innings. (Two of those runs scored, when Gary Majewski relieved Carrasco in the seventh.) Steven Register pitched two scoreless innings for the save. Roster-fillers Jason Ellison and David Newhan each contributed three hits, to the thirteen-hit IronPigs attack. Lehigh Valley scored in six consecutive innings, the second through the seventh.

The Reading Phillies (AA) defeated the Harrisburg Senators, 5-2, on Monday morning. Yep, Monday morning.
The game started at 9:35 AM! Joe Savery is unbeatable before noon. Savery pitched six innings, and allowed just one hit. Savery is now 8-1, with a 3.47 ERA. Through my HP speakers, Savery sounded like he is almost ready for AAA. Neil Sellers, Gus Milner, and Kevin Mahar had homers for the R-Phils.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) lost to the Sarasota Reds, 7-3.
The Threshers made three errors, and went 1 for 8 with men in scoring position. Julian Sampson got blasted, permitting six runs (on eight hits, with three walks/three strikeouts), in five innings. Sampson is now 1-7, with an 8.06 ERA. Sampson is also 20 years old, with a .358 BABIP, and a 55.6 LOB%.
Things could get better for the young right-hander, though Ruben Amaro probably shouldn't hesitate to include Sampson in the Halladay trade.

Cole Hamels starts for the P-Phils on Tuesday night, opposed by the Toronto Blue Jays' Ricky Romero.
Hamels shouldn't have much trouble picking up his fifth win. Lock it up!

Phils Beat Mets in Battle of Bullpens

Phillies' ace Cole Hamels had some serious BABIP issues on Wednesday night, in New York. In five innings, Hamels surrendered ELEVEN hits, but only one (a double) was for extra bases. The Phillies trailed 4-1, after six innings, and it didn't appear to be their night. But they capitalized on several Mets' mistakes in a three-run seventh, and the Phils' bullpen contributed six scoreless innings. Jayson Werth made a game-saving catch in the tenth, Chase Utley hit his second home run of the game in the eleventh, and closer Ryan Madson saved a 5-4 victory. The Mets had sixteen hits in the game, fifteen of which were singles, but left sixteen on base. Not even BABIP could defeat the Phillies on Wednesday night.

With the Phillies trailing 4-1, in the bottom of the sixth, they needed to call upon a reliever who could keep them in this crucial game. Charlie Manuel summoned...Jack Taschner! The lefty had not pitched in a game since May 27th. But Taschner made quick work of the Mets, in a scoreless, hitless inning. (This move reminded me of a memorable move in hockey history, by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1974. Bernie Parent was the Flyers' star goalie, and played the large majority of the games. His backup, Bobby Taylor, spent most games opening the door to the bench, and trying not to get hit by stray pucks. One Sunday afternoon, the Flyers had a nationally-televised game against their rivals, the Boston Bruins. The Flyers' coach, Fred Shero, decided to start Taylor in goal, even though he hadn't played in eight weeks. When asked about the decision, Shero said, "It was his turn.") I guess Wednesday night, it was Taschner's turn.

Charlie Manuel made another interesting decision, in the top of the seventh inning. The Phillies trailed 4-3, but had the bases loaded, with no outs. They had the opportunity to break the game open. With the pitcher's spot due, pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs already out of the game, and Mets' right-hander Sean Green on the mound, Manuel had to choose a pinch-hitter. If he used his best remaining pinch-hitter, lefty Matt Stairs, the Mets would likely counter with southpaw Pedro Feliciano. Manuel would either have to let Stairs face Feliciano, an unfavorable matchup, or pinch-hit for Stairs with righty Chris Coste. Not wanting to waste Stairs, Manuel went directly to Coste. Right? Well, no. Manuel went directly to lefty Paul Bako, the weak-hitting third-string catcher. I envisioned a 5-2-3 DP. Fortunately, Bako merely struck out. Two groundouts later, the Phillies had tied the game, but had also wasted a huge opportunity.

After relievers Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, and J.C. Romero had taken the tied game into the bottom of the ninth, Manuel had to choose which pitcher to send out for the bottom of the ninth. With Clay Condrey seemingly unavailable (Condrey had thrown nineteen pitches Tuesday night, but had only faced three batters in the previous week. Could Condrey be having injury concerns/a dead arm period, from overwork earlier in the season?), Manuel had two options. He could use his ace closer, Ryan Madson, or long reliever, Chan Ho Park. On one hand, a run would give the Mets an immediate win, and Park was much more likely to surrender a run. On the other hand, Park was a better choice to pitch multiple innings, and Madson was a better choice to convert a save opportunity. Manuel risked the possibility that the Phils could lose, as their best reliever watched from the bullpen. He put Park on the mound, and Park put the tying run on second. I prepared for a Mets walk-off win. But Park escaped the inning, and also pitched a scoreless tenth inning. Park got the win, with Madson retiring the side, in order, in the bottom of the eleventh. The Phillies' bullpen, and Manuel's adept bullpen usage, had helped the Phils secure a huge victory.

The Phillies will try to win the rubber game on Thursday, with Jamie Moyer, coming off consecutive effective starts, on the mound. The Mets will use Phillie-killer Tim Redding. Redding pitched twenty-nine innings against the Phils in 2008, and held them to a .594 OPS. Hopefully, the Phils will have more success with Redding, this season.

Petco Friendly to Phils' Bats in Win

Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres, is well-known for its anti-hitting properties. The Phillies, with two home runs and twelve hits, proved somewhat immune on Monday night. In the fifth inning, Chase Utley curled a Kevin Correia pitch around the foul pole in right. Ryan Howard followed by drilling a bomb over the fence in center, giving the Phils a 4-1 lead. Phils' starter Joe Blanton chowed seven innings, and allowed only three runs, in a (non-quotation mark) quality start. Brad Lidge picked up the save in the ninth, securing a 5-3 victory. It was definitely worth staying up until 1am for this one.

Game Notes:
-Joe Blanton turned in his second consecutive strong start, giving him three good outings in his last six attempts. Given that two of those outings were against Florida, at the ninth-worst park to hit in (Citizens Bank Park!), and against San Diego, at the worst park to hit in, the Blantonian Excitement should be tempered a bit. He still projects to be sixth in the (likely, four-man) postseason rotation of Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, Doug Davis, Carlos Carrasco, and J.A. Happ.
-Brad Lidge saved his fourth consecutive game. That success rate is promising, but Manager Charlie Manuel probably should be mixing Ryan Madson in for an occasional save, if it is necessary to prevent Lidge for being overworked. Hopefully, J.C. Romero's return will give the Phils a quality eight-inning option, and reduce the usage of Madson/Blanton.
-Ryan Howard had a home run and four strikeouts in the game. The homer isn't worth the four whiffs, right? Well, actually, I'll take a homer/game and zero GIDP/game, with little complaint.
-Usual LOOGY Scott Eyre did well setting up in the eighth, and covering for a Madson day off, but his chin is getting a bit mangy.
-The defensively-adept Phillies are ascending to even higher levels of proficiency. Chase Utley caught a ball, while running away from the infield, by utilizing his armpit. Jimmy Rollins acquired a big out in the ninth inning, by nudging a Padres baserunner off second base, in order to tag him out. New defensive metrics may need to be constructed, in order to measure the Phils' brilliance afield.
-It might have been a dream, but I vaguely remembering Phillies announcer Sarge Matthews offering fans free hats from his Collection, if they brought signs celebrating his broadcast partner Chris Wheeler (a.k.a. "Muffin"). It must have been a dream, right?

The Phillies face the Padres again Tuesday night, in another 10:05 Eastern start. Antonio Bastardo makes his long-awaited major league debut, opposed by Padres ace/trade bait Jake Peavy.

Phillies Batter Reds, 12-5

Nine hits in twelve plate appearances. Five runs scored, eight runs batted in. Those were the numbers put up by the top three hitters (Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Raul Ibanez) in the Phillies' lefty-heavy lineup, sparking their 12-5 victory over the Reds on Thursday afternoon. (Remember last week, when Rollins was batting .199? Well, he's at .234 now, with eleven hits in his last twenty-six at bats. Nothing to worry about...) Those kind of numbers will win a lot of games, sometimes, even games started by Kentucky Joe Blanton.

The Phillies jumped to a 5-0 lead, after four innings. Greg Dobbs and Chase Utley hit solo homers, and Kentucky Joe contributed a key walk, took a throw off his left (non-throwing shoulder) for the team, and scored a run. Blanton was also dealing on the mound, holding the Reds to three hits (and zero walks!) in the first four innings. It looked like a quality start, without those pesky quotation marks, could be in the offing.

Then Blanton faced eight Reds batters in the fifth inning, with five of them scoring. The Reds increased their WE from 4.7% to 34.3% in the painful inning. With ninety-seven pitches thrown through five, that was it for Blanton. Was he unlucky? Did the Reds figure him out the third time through the lineup? Did the stocky right-hander just run out of steam? Probably, all of the above. But the Phils scored six runs in the next three innings, keyed by Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez, while the Phillies' bullpen kept Cincinnati off the scoreboard. Chan Ho Park appeared out of the bullpen, throwing twenty-five pitches in his consistently wild, two-walk frame. Clay Condrey and Scott Eyre each allowed two baserunners also, but the Phillies managed to get the win, without requiring the services of Chad Durbin, Ryan Madson, or Brad Lidge. Blanton improved to 2-3 on the season, but his ERA rose to 7.11.

With the demotion of Chan Ho Park to the bullpen this week, there has been a lot of talk about how much of a mistake the Park signing had been. Opting for Park over the likes of Derek Lowe, Juan Cruz, Joe Nelson, you know, people good at baseball, was certainly a mistake. But another error by GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. this week, has gone almost unnoticed. In Thursday's lineup against Reds' starter Micah Owings, seven of the eight Phillies' position players had left-handed hitting powers. The sole exception: catcher Carlos Ruiz. If Amaro had been more aggressive in his negotiations with left-handed hitting catcher Gabor Paul Bako II, the Mighty Bako could have been ready for this game. Another lost opportunity...

The Phillies travel to New York this weekend, for a huge three-game series against the Yankees. With the Phils' bats hot, and the Yanks' new stadium permitting homers at a blistering pace, expect at least thirty runs for the Phils this weekend. Also, expect a roster move before Saturday afternoon's game which will, hopefully, bring up leftfielder John Mayberry, Jr., freeing Raul Ibanez to serve as the designated hitter in the final two games. Watching Eric Bruntlett DH is not something any Phillies fan wants to see. Mayberry, Jr. hitting bombs in the new Stadium, just as Mayberry, Sr. did in the old Stadium, now that's something worth watching.

Brett Myers starts for the Phils on Friday, opposed by A.J. Burnett. The Yankees' bullpen threw eight and two-thirds innings Thursday night, in their win over Baltimore. Hopefully, that excessive workload will work in the Phillies' favor.

Phils Bomb Nats, Hamels Injured

Remember the offseason, when we were concerned that Utley's balky hip would force him to miss an extended portion of the 2009 season? When journeymen Marcus Giles, Pablo Ozuna, and Miguel Cairo were the top candidates to cover for Utley's absence? Even when Utley was, miraculously, able to start the regular season, there was concern that his performance would still be affected. Well, we can probably stop worrying about the All-Star second sacker, as Utley hit a pair of homers Tuesday, tying him for the NL lead, and keying the Phils' 7-1 win over Washington. Utley's 1.142 OPS, after nineteen games, is a pretty good indication that he is healthy.

Phillies' ace Cole Hamels had a fair bit of adversity of his own in the offseason. A busy banquet and television appearance schedule in January stalled his preparations for the season. Hamels was chosen, over Joe Blanton, to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated, which put the indispensable ace in the crosshairs of the SI cover jinx. Shoulder inflammation in Spring Training put Hamels further behind, and he wasn't at his best for his first two regular season starts. (Actually, he wasn't even at Adam Eaton's best for those two starts.) In his third start, he was his dominant self again, but was knocked from the game in the fourth inning, his shoulder bruised by a line drive. Hamels returned tonight, and held the Nats scoreless through four. He looked great, at least until he was writhing on the field in pain, after spraining his ankle fielding a bunt. A failed practice pitch later, and Hamels was walking off the field in disgust, leaving the game in Chad Durbin's hands.

Durbin did a superb job, as he held the Nats to a single run in three and two-thirds innings, in picking up the victory. The only hit Durbin surrendered was a solo homer, and he did not walk a batter. He only threw forty-two pitches, which allowed the pimptastic reliever to make it through eight innings, saving the tired bullpen. The Phillies' offense did the rest, with Pedro Feliz and Raul Ibanez contributing home runs. Feliz' three-run blast in the third inning gave the Phils a 5-0 lead, and a 92.1% Win Expectancy. The WE didn't go any lower than 91.7% for the rest of the game.

The big win improved the Phillies' record to 11-8, but there is much concern about the increasing number of injuries. On the plus side, it is better to be injury-stricken now, than during the postseason. Catcher Carlos Ruiz is still hurting, but Lou Marson should be able to hold the fort for awhile, which should give us a chance to see if the young catcher is ready for the bigs. Closer Brad Lidge should be available this weekend, after resting his knee for the Washington series. Cole Hamels expects to be able to make his next start, on five days of rest, thanks to Thursday's day off.

The Phillies are better-positioned to handle these injuries than they have been in the past. No need to call up a Brian Sanches from the minors in 2009. J.A. Happ could slide from the bullpen into a starting role, if needed. In AAA, the Phillies have Andrew Carpenter and Kyle Kendrick, both on the 40-Man Roster, available for recall. They also have veteran relievers Gary Majewski, Mike Koplove, and Tyler Walker with Lehigh Valley, each only a DFA away from joining the big club. If it were up to me, I would DFA Miguel Cairo RIGHT NOW, and recall Walker (8 IP, 1 hit/0 walks, 0 runs) to bolster the bullpen. Given the Phillies starters' inability to go deep into games, and Cairo's inability to contribute in games, why not swap the utility player out for another arm? The Phillies need to avoid overworking their bullpen prior to the postseason. They are not doing well with that, at this point.

Brett Myers will try to lead the Phillies to a series sweep Wednesday night. Myers has been the Phillies' most effective starter in 2009, which is saying absolutely nothing. The Phils need to extend their undefeated streak to six games, and then enjoy a well-deserved day off on Thursday. The Mets come to CBP for a three-game series, starting Friday.

Phils Defeated by Brewers, BABIP

BABIP is a fickle deity. A day after plating eleven runs, the Phillies were held to a single marker, in Wednesday night's 3-1 loss to Milwaukee. Philadelphia had a lot of hard-hit balls, but they just didn't seem to find holes. Some credit is also due Milwaukee starting pitcher Braden Looper (six scoreless), and the Brewers' bullpen (one run in three innings). It's a long season, and the Phillies won't be the better, or luckier, team every night. They need to put this loss behind them, and win the three-game series Thursday.

The Phillies' offense didn't have too many positives tonight. Jayson Werth hit a solo homer in the ninth, accounting for the only run. The Phils managed to get the tying run on base in the ninth, before Brewers reliever Todd Coffey whiffed pinch-hitter Chris Coste to end the game. Werth had a pair of hits, and Chase Utley had a single, and has now reached base in thirty-three consecutive games. That was pretty much it, as the Phillies' bats combined for a woeful -.509 WPA. As a result of the difficulties on offense, the Phils' WE was never higher than 16.7%, after the Brewers' two-run sixth inning.

Joe Blanton turned in a "quality" start for the Phils, allowing three runs in six innings. But he allowed eight hits and a walk, and only met the minimum requirements for a quality start. He threw one hundred and seven pitches, with only sixty-four for strikes. Blanton needs to do a better job conserving pitches, so he can go deeper into ballgames. The Brewers' bats have been struggling, for the most part, and Blanton should have trusted his stuff a bit more, and gone after the "weak links" in the opposing lineup. The Phils surrendered some good prospects to acquire Blanton, and, postseason success aside, it's reasonable to expect more from the alleged "innings-eater."

The Phillies will try to take the rubber game Thursday, as Cole Hamels makes his third start in an afternoon match-up. Hamels has, typically, performed much better in night games, but Monday's rain out pushed Hamels back a day to the matinee game. It might have been prudent to have had Hamels pitch Wednesday night, which would have been his fifth day. However, Hamels has indicated that he's "ready" now, having overcome his myriad offseason distractions. Considering that BABIP prays to Cole Hamels, the Brewers shouldn't pose much of a problem.

Phils Swept out of Postseason

(originally posted 10/9/07)
The Phillies had a great season, overcoming a horrific start to win a Division Championship. They saved countless lives with their tarp skills. They killed the playoff hopes of the New York Mets by beating them, approximately, forty-three games in a row. They had the best stolen base percentage in the history of stolen bases. They sent player-after-player to the disabled list, yet they still managed to win 89 games.

Their individual perfomances were impressive. Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins had MVP-type seasons. Ryan Howard missed a month, but still hit 47 homers. Pat Burrell had an incredible second half, Aaron Rowand had two incredible halves. A late-season surge propelled Abe Nunez' OPS to the .600 mark. On the pitching side, Brett Myers went from Opening Day starter to closer, converting 21 of 24 save opportunities. Cole Hamels was 15-5, with a 3.39 ERA. He would have approached 20 wins, and Cy Young consideration, if he had made a few more starts. Kyle Kendrick came from nowhere (i.e. Reading) to win 10 games. Jon Lieber, despite appearing in only 14 games, consumed more donuts than any other NL starting pitcher. Antonio Alfonseca led the league in fingers, and Adam Eaton did a splendid job covering the pitcher's mound with the tarp during that storm in Colorado.

The season-ending postseason sweep at the hands of the Colorado Rockies was frustrating, if only because things could have been so different. Should have been so different. If Cole Hamels had dressed appropriately for Game 1, or if Kyle Kendrick had stayed in Game 2, or if Jayson Werth had caught that ball in Game 3, the Phillies likely would have won at least one of those three games. With the Rockies' Mark Redman and his 7.57 ERA ready for the Game 4 start, and the Phillies' Cole Hamels slated for the Game 5 start, the Phillies could have been preparing for the NLCS right now.

After so many years in which the "if's" kept the Phillies out of the playoffs, I guess it's an improvement that the if's relate to postseason failure this time. But, after the fourteen year wait, it would have been nice to win at least one of the games. The Phillies have a strong nucleus returning for 2008, so a return to the postseason is very possible. While the defeat at the hands of the Rockies stings right now, there is cause for optimism. It won't be a fourteen year wait until the next playoff game. Not with Jimmy, Chase, Cole, Pat, and Ryan in the lineup.

Division Champs!

(originally posted 9/30/07)
Not long after today's regular season finale at Citizens Bank Park, Shane Victorino and Antonio Alfonseca were watering the seats with a fire hose. If you had told me four weeks ago that this would be the scene after Game 162, my reaction would have been pessimistic. I likely would have saluted the two Phillies for parlaying their experience with the grounds crew in Colorado into an exciting postseason employment opportunity. I never would have considered the possibility that they would be celebrating with a sellout crowd of ecstatic Phillies fans. Celebrating a Division Championship.

Trailing the New York Mets by seven games with only seventeen games remaining, the Phillies appeared to be out of the division race. The Wild Card was still possible, but likely out of reach for such a flawed team. The bullpen was inconsistent at best, the starting rotation a mess, and injuries had taken their toll. Philadelphia's attention began to turn to the football Eagles, and their new Australian punter.

As the Phillies prepare for the postseason, after today's 6-1 domination of the Washington Nationals, everything has changed. The bullpen has become a strength, with Tom Gordon, J.C. Romero, and Brett Myers evolving into capable workhorses. Kyle Kendrick, recalled from AA for a spot start only because it was his day to pitch (for Reading), has ten wins, and has become the #2 starter. Cole Hamels and Chase Utley are back from the disabled list, and back to their All-Star form. Pat Burrell has morphed from a midseason salary dump candidate into a powerful leader with a powerful bat. Jimmy Rollins has been the MVP of the National League. Last season's NL MVP, Ryan Howard, had 47 home runs and 136 RBI's, despite spending a month on the Disabled List. Adam Eaton has been worth every penny of his $8.5 million contract. (OK, Eaton's best chance at postseason involvement is with the Phillies' grounds crew, or as a server at McFadden's, but the other stuff is true.)

It seems like a lifetime since the Phillies have been in the playoffs. Fourteen years ago, the 1993 Phillies rode the arm of Curt Schilling to the World Series. In Game Six, the Phillies roared back from a 5-1 deficit after six innings, to a 6-5 lead. Within two outs of forcing a seventh game, Joe Carter hit a series-ending walk-off home run into the Toronto night. The Blue Jays had their second World Championship, in only their sixteenth year of existence. The Phillies, with only one World Championship since they began play in 1883, faded into oblivion for the next decade.

After three consecutive second place finishes, the Phillies have finally returned from postseason irrelevance. With no standout National League team this year, the resilient, streaking Phillies could very well return to the World Series. Possibly, against Curt Schilling and the Boston Red Sox. The season has already been an incredible one for Phillies fans, but the ride has just begun. Fourteen years and one day after the last Phillies Fall Classic appearance ended in infamy, Game One of the 2007 World Series will be played. In the words of Jimmy Rollins, "World Series. Let's do it!"

Phillies Complete Sweep of Mets (Again)!

(originally posted 9/17/07)
"The Phillies bullpen has struggled against every team. Except the Mets." The Mets announcers must have made a variation of that complaint during just about every inning of the Phillies' three game sweep in New York. (THREE! GAME! SWEEP!) I loved hearing it every time. There's no team that I'd prefer to be dominated by the Phillies more than the Mets. Well, eight straight wins against the Mets is fairly dominating. Every time the Phillies seem to be falling out of the divisional race, they seem to find a way to get back in it. Hopefully, the Phillies will gains some momentum from the weekend, and the Mets' downward spiral will continue.

The Phillies are definitely in the Mets' heads after the latest sweep. Friday night, the Mets and 303-game winner Tom Glavine had a 2-0 lead after five innings. No problem. MVP candidate Chase Utley hit a 2-run homer in the sixth to tie the game. Starter Jamie Moyer permitted only two runs in his seven innings, and J. C. Romero, Tom Gordon (3rd win), and Brett Myers (16th save) kept New York scoreless the rest of the way. A pinch-hit sacrifice fly by Greg Dobbs in the 10th inning was the difference.

On Saturday afternoon, the pitching matchup of the Phillies' Kyle Lohse (4.49 ERA) against Mets ace Pedro Martinez (1.69 ERA, 208-92 career record) seemed to favor the Mets. Martinez allowed only one run in his six innings, but was removed after throwing 98 pitches. Kyle Lohse allowed three runs in the five inning he survived, and the Phillies trailed 3-1, after six innings. The Phils scored once in the seventh, and then put up a three -spot in the eighth. A solo HR by Aaron Rowand (24) and a two-run triple by Jimmy Rollins were the big blows. The Phillies' bullpen combined for four scoreless innings, allowing only one measly single, and the Phils had another come-from behind win.

Adam Eaton (6.36 ERA) got the Sunday start, but not even his mediocrity could halt the Phillies' streak. Eaton allowed five runs (four earned) in his 4.2 innings, blowing a 5-2 Phillies lead in the process. The Phillies' bullpen was strong again, surrendering only a single run in 4.1 innings. Greg Dobbs hit a pinch-hit grand slam, and Mets imploded, making six (SIX!) errors. The final score was 10-6 Phils, and the Mets looked horrendous in going down to defeat. Just the way we like them to look. I can't wait to watch these games again with the rest of the 2007 World Series Champion Phillies DVD set. No lead is safe against the Fightin' Phils.

The Phillies travel to St. Louis to meet the struggling Cardinals, losers of approximately 51 of their last 59 games. Kyle Kendrick and Cole Hamels start the first two games, so the Phillies are well-positioned to continue their run to the playoffs. A playoff run that has been marked by a total domination of the Mets. I almost look forward to the Phillies meeting the Mets again in the playoffs. If they make it that far. The Mets, that is.

The Real Deal Beats Mets in Chase's Return

(originally posted 8/28/07)
Monday night's 9-2 win over the Mets could not have gone much better for the Phillies. MVP 2B Chase Utley, the NL's leading hitter (.339 BA), returned to action with a 3 for 5 night (including his 18th home run). OF Jayson Werth went 5 for 5, and has now reached base in 10 consecutive plate appearances. LF Pat Burrell, still batting third, was 2 for 4 with his 21 st home run, and Tad Iguchi, displaced by the return of Utley, had a two-run pinch-hit blast. J. D. (The Real Deal) Durbin, the Phillies' #2 starting pitcher, was perfect through four innings, and collected his sixth victory (in nine decisions). Durbin left with a 6-2 lead, the Phils tacked on another three runs in the 7th, and the bullpen shut out the Mets the rest of the way.

The turning point of the game, however, occurred in the bottom of the 1st inning. Jimmy Rollins was called out as he lead off the inning with an infield hit. As he returned from running through the bag, he stood on first base, mentally calculating how the single had impacted his stat line. As he calculated his new OBA, having already determined his BA and SLG, umpire Joe West suddenly called him out on the play. It was disconcerting that Joe West and C.B. Bucknor were assigned to such an important series, and it didn't take long for their ineptitude to hurt the Phillies. But not for long. Phils Manager Charles Fuqua Manuel sprinted gracefully out of the dugout to patiently discuss the unfortunate call. Moments later, Manuel was invited to leave the premises. That, right there, is another (of many) example of why Manuel should be Manager of the Year. He knows his weakness (managing the game as it occurs), and did what was necessary to give his team their best shot at winning. If Manuel can get himself ejected in the first inning on a regular basis, the fine metropolis of Philadelphia could have their first Championship Team, since the 2007 Philadelphia Barrage. The Phils showed what they could do, without Manuel involved, in their dominant performance Monday night.

In game two of the series, Adam Eaton and his 6.36 ERA return from the (possibly fake) DL. If Eaton can pitch decently, the Phils offense could get him his 10th victory of the season. If he pitches as badly as he has in ten of his last eleven starts, he'll be removed from CBP in the same manner in which Mr. Met was removed from the scene on Monday night. Quickly, and with no regard for his well-being. Either way, with Chase Utley and Pat Burrell in the lineup, there's not much of a chance that the Phillies will lose.

Utley Breaks Hand, Nunez Starting 2B

(originally posted 7/25/07)

Chase Utley broke his right hand today when he was hit by a pitch. He has been placed on the DL, and preliminary reports indicate he could miss six weeks. Abraham O. Nunez is now the Phillies starting 2B. In related news, I'm not crying. My eyes are just a little sweaty today.