The title is simple because that’s what this post will be.
I’m going to be doing these series’ posts less, because I think it is mostly stuff that you guys and gals already know (or can get anywhere), and it limits my time in doing more interesting posts – which I have gotten away from this year. I will try to always have somewhere to talk about the games – since that is what these are for anyway…
I do suggest that you all follow me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/reclinergm) as I do post some interesting tidbits that don’t make it all the way back to the blog. Like these gems from today:
“Baez in outings of 2 IP or more this year: 13.2 IP, 1.31 ERA, 0.66 WHIP – In out. of 1 IP or less: 17 IP, 6.35 ERA, 2.00 WHIP”
“Phils are 21-6 when Hamels or Halladay start. 19-20 when they don’t.”
I also tend to do some commentary during the games.
On to this series.
The Phils and Marlins will play four games in a span of just 45 hours, with the double-header tomorrow and the day game Thursday. Right now, this benefits the Phils, as the Marlins’ bullpen got well-used in the last series.
Here are my questions for the series…
- Is Utley’s recent hot streak a sign of him really coming around a bit? Wouldn’t that be something.
- How will Hanley Ramirez’ return affect the Marlins?
- Will Charlie continue to use Mike Stutes in the 8th inning role?
- Will their be an altercation between Twitter superstar Logan Morrison (@LoMoMarlins) and a fan?
Expectations: The Phillies should win 3 of 4, though this IS the first series all season (I think) where the Big-4 will only be starting in 50% of the games. So who knows.
My gut says 2 of 4. Fish flailing but the are scoring runs, which is all they need to win a few against this still anemic offense.
That is one brutal schedule to have to play in Seattle Friday night after a day/night doubleheader Thursday. I don’t understand why the team didn’t schedule the doubleheader for Wed.
Any update on Jamie Moyer? Last I heard he still wanted to return to the team.
I changed the schedule after reading your post. I made Wednesday a day night doubleheader, and changed Thuirsday to a day game. Good points, and I wanted to be fair to the players. Thanks for catching that.
Well timed point on Baez since he’s stretching with the starters today. And guess who needs a starter Saturday night.
Now of course this may mean nothing that he is with the starters, but that’d be real interesting if they bypass Worley. And not to take anything away from Baez’s long stretch performances, but they would probably go from outstanding to impressive if we took the 5 inning Reds effort out. Not that it was a lucky night, he just had an edge by coming in late, and facing more end of the bench types by not appearing until the 13th.
I think LoMo is the first player in MLB history to cause expansion of the 3 questions for the series.
Chase’s swing looks like it did when he was last really healthy. I’m going to venture to say that he’s back.
That was awesome. A truly vintage Chase swing right there.
Nice to see brown get his too.
So they walk Howard to load the based for Polanco with one out. This is drama, ladies & gents.
I think I have a man-crush on Cole. He makes 7 innings pitch with 3 hits and 1 walk look effortless. This guy us the real deal. Leading Cy Young candidate to this point.
I was thinking about Coles development last night. When he won the WS MVP, he basically had a decent fastball, a great changeup, and a below average curve that tended to hang up & get him in trouble. Now he has a B+ fastball (A when he has his downward plane working), still a great change, a solid cutter, & a decent curve. Plus he’s mentally much tougher now, and physically stronger. Its kinda scary…
(I almost didn’t post this for fear on jynxing him)
well, this is interesting. Letting Kendrick throw across the 80 pitch count mark and stretching him out. And saving Baez. For what. This may be making something out of nothing, but this is really looking strange for using Worley Saturday night, for whatever reason. Stretching Kendrick makes some sense since Blanton appears shelved for 5 more weeks. Perhaps Charlie will discuss this between games.
maybe they just let him go on because he was doing well.
Yeah, but I’m not used to that scenario, so the lack of experience led me to sidestep that possibility.
Dillon Gee for the Mets tonight against the Braves, so maybe we lead by 5 going into tomorrow. That’d be pretty cool.
It’s great to see the offense out of its funk so far, but let’s see how the Phils will fare against the Cardinals, Brewers, Giants, and the Red Sox. Excited, but cautious Phils fan here!
only cut the 2-0 by 1 so far, but that’s a noticable difference in this series so far. With the partial lineup, Phils’d fall behind, and it’d get worse. Get the regulars back, and enough at bats to get timing down, and all of a sudden, this club is a lot moie adept at coming back. Won’t have the benefit of an easy pitcher like G1, but its a good start back.
So we have 2 possibles here as we go B3. Sanchez settles down, or we parlay the through the order, relatively high pitch count to more jabs to the chest. Let’s see if we can get at least 2 runs through the next time running through the order. Keep this offensive consistency going by doing that.
On this date in history, Ty Cobb, at age 41, stole home plate. My goal is that on this date in history, 40 year old Raul Ibanez catches a fly ball before the game is over. Hard to believe Chase makes a great play in the same inning as Raul could have made 2 plays he didn’t.
Hallway a disappointment recently.
Comment fail on many levels
care to name the first 7 as examples?
13-23, record when they score 3 runs or less. This team sure has shown no ability to come back when down a couple runs after the 6th inning. Big diff from previous years.
I was starting to pull up stats to show how unfounded and wrong your deduction was, but the Phillies demonstrated that tonight for me already. I really liked the mashing Phils from not so long, but your constant nostalgia for that period is annoying. Enjoy what this team is doing now. Who knows how long this run will last.
It’s not just annoying, it’s flat out stupid. So much of that was with a dysfunctional lineup until Chase got back, Vic out, Chooch. The glories of the past still may not be reached, we had some great, great comebacks, but comparisons to a partial lineup is totally ignorant.
Additionally, and I’ll sound equally ignorant with this since its baseball god attributed, but comebacks are not some scientific tangible skill. It’s hard pulling that stuff multiple years in a row. last year, the Braves and Reds had the stars alligned to perfection in that regard. It ain’t working this year. Why? Tell me the baseball gods don’t exsist.
Well, Leo can be pretty tough, but I assume he’s not 100 per cent back yet, and both Chooch and Gload are 2-6 off him. Course Gload prolly did that with 2 hips, but we’ll see. And assuming we hold these guys here.
well, for sure you wanna stay out of a DP here, and at least get 2 Abs.
JRoll’s pissed, and who can blame him, but at least the runners moved into scoring position, and Shane has a good shot here.
ya gotta have heart, all you really need is heart.
this is worse than Wener against Ali. Or the Canucks against the Bruins. Or Miami against the Mavs. Talk about back on the heels.
I’m surprised Leo’s still in. This could well take him out pof tomorrow, like that’s a concern for them.
Defense gets so overlooked. Stanton plays the fly to him smart, protecting the 2 run lead. Raul, for his part, holy Wes Covington. he has a clue what he’s doing in the field, we’re probably not here. It just gets so overlooked.
Ryan Madson can, and Ryan madson will miss bats.
Okay, here’s the deal if we go far enough.
Herndon went 2 last night, forget the pitch count which matters more, but he’s relatively useless.
Kendrick isn’t that big a hero.
Bastardo’s gone.
Baez, JC, Contrereas, so it’s too early to think Valdez, who I wonder if Charlie will save anyway, with Sardinha his only bench player.
And maybe we win it here.
well, he’s not straight over the top, so this matchup against DB favors the Fish. But, you never know.
Excellent at bat. Real solid. Freaking Dunn is awesome. I’d kill to have him here if we could get him.
Now ain’t that sumpthin
nice to get a walk-off
For all the realization by the public that pitcher’s won loss records are a weak primary statistic, if I were to play psycholgist, I’d wager that even the most sabermetric of personalities can’t necessarily totally ignore it. The good Doctor, with the help of his teammates, sports an impressive record of 9-3. Not that it’s CY time yet, but with guys like Verlander trying to imitate Nolan Ryan every 5th day, the ongoing subject frequents the baseball discussion as to who’s the best pitcher in baseball. The Doc, like Cole, has his share of glittering peripheral stats, not to mention a long assed resume of greatness. He continues to come up in all these discussions, and rightfully so, even if a perspective might possibly turn elsewhere. Depending on the trend is your friend, the names Hernandez, Lee, Verlander or Jimenez earn shallow, temporary claims, but the Doc is always in the discussion.
The Doc’s mark of 9-3 doesn’t tell you about 2 other games. Where he gave up leads, but pitched his heart out to keep his team within distance. Tonight was one. No excuses, the great ones pitch around tight strike zones, Raul Ibanez in left field, and he did that. Tim Lincecum, 2 time CY winner, and possessor of a great 5 year run no matter what the future brings had a bad beginning in St. Louis last week. Great as he is, he let it get out of hand. Verlander has had at least 2 games this year where he was roughed up, around 6 earned runs. Not that the Doc doesn’t give up 6 once in a blue moon, but what you saw tonight was typicsl of the Doctor’s prescription. He kept fighting, and like the 19 inning classic against the Reds, got off the hook, or he’d be 9-5 if neither of those games resulted in the Fightins comin on strong. 9-5, no matter what language you speak, traditional, English, Japanes, or sabermetric ain’t as pretty as 9-3. And for all the times the Doc has pitched and fell short of an introduction to run support, it’s nice that the boys fought for him. Again. And successfully. 6 straight, and the beat goes on. Let em enjoy that on the rain drenched scoreboard down in Dixie.
yeah real tough breaks for him but Sanchez pitched with the same strike zone and was Houdini when he got in a jam. Ball got hit hard off Doc tonight so I’d put most of the blame on his stuff which was kinda off tonight but then to see him striking out the side in the 7th…
yep we still got the best pitcher in baseball IMO
Sanchez pitched a masterful game. No question. It did take him a lot of pitches to bottom line as he did, so masterful might be the wrong word in that regard, but he certainly left it all on the field, and there’s an element of masterful for that level of accomplishment. And it may well be fair to say that Doc had internal issues in addition to whatever other factors exsisted. But he did keep plugging away. maybe a fair amount of guys do that. But the Doc is one of the much more adept ones at damage control.
I’d say that a more spry leftfielder would have had a bigger impact on the game than a better strike zone or doc’s stuff. I love Ibanez personally, and its great that is offense is coming around, but his range in the outfield leave a lot to be desired.
One final thought on last night’s sweeteness, and the lasting images thereof. Brownie drawing the walk off the tough lefty, Jimmy, showing the competitive fire after getting robbed of a could have been game tying single, the gol,d glove and lead glove inning where Dom and Chase made top level plays, and Raul would have stopped by the Social Security office to pick up his check if they had a subway on the field, Chooooch, last 2 at bats classic get the job done, but the certifiable moment was The Second baseman racing around after still another hard hit ball, and head firsting his way into third to safe and secure with a triple. Not to overdo one play, but any writer voting against the Chase man on their HOF ballot oughta at least feel embarrassed. Harry’s words live on. Chase Utley, You are da Man.
Candidly speaking, there’s something a little embarrassing about John Kruk going on the Wall of Fame. Krukker, popular personality that he is, and effective player that he was, at the very least shouldn’t be going in alone. It’s obvious it’s an image thing when a tremendous anchor like Curt Schilling gets bypassed in his staed. I love Alumni Weekend, and fell it’s very important. The club does a nice job of foundating a real appreciative pride that if it reaches me from many miles away, I’m sure it permeates those of great importance to Phillies baseball.
long those lines, there’s nothing like Old Timers Day at yankee Stadium. While I’ve never had the privelege to attend, and may be subject to overrating it based on the 1980 version in which Bob Shepard historically announced Billy as the new Yankee manager for 1981, that is really special stuff. It doesn’t make up for whatever on field weakness a current Yankee club might have, but what a unifying experience. And this year, Joe Torre, Lou Pinella, and Bernie Williams oughta add fuel to the madness.
To my recollection, the last time the Phils won a fantastic high drama comeback, the 19 inning game versus the Reds, the club came back the next day, and whacked the Reds with a 10 run effort. Spirit seems to be running similarly today, and Cliff gets the draw. Broom mentality sure seems in order. The large throng of unabashed Cliff backers, of which I am one that have lengthy and generous passes extended to him, Many of my fellow Cliff backers are probably confidenjt in a different way than myself. They look at the last 2 starts as the turn, and perhaps think all is right with the world. I take the view that the Dodgers offered an undertalented look, particularly since Ethier was on the bench, and the Cubs are just yuck. I view today as another less than great test offense as Cliff builds toward better tests of the Cards and Red Sox coming soon. Even that’s not the Big Stage of October, of which I feel pete is largely, but not entirely right to focus on, but good performances against those 2 mashing clubs would at least make us feel pretty darned good about a lengthy wuality streak from Cliff as the first half closes out. Either way, it’s almost always fun to watch the man pitch.
It is now safe to conclude that the Ed Wade Administration in the state of Houston is flagging, if not moribund … 10 Ls in last 12, present upside-down champs at 25-44. Maybe “the pipeline” is loaded and organization is patiently waiting for “the gush.” On a clear or cloudy day, Brett, J.A., Michael and
Jason can probably see Philadelphia - but new allegiances form, perspectives find new slants of light, direct deposits continue.
Meanwhile, Twinkies are cookin’, 10 Ws in last 12, only 9 out, reduced from 16.5 “crest.”
For whatever “expert” opinion is worth, a wide concensus of opinion after the Oswalt/Berkman deals was that Houston was at least away until 2011, so the bad year isn’t totally surprising. I had a slightly diffferent perspective, impressed enough with their strong 2nd half to at least contemplate if they should be a buyer and possibly compete in a seemingly weak division. While I’m still not overwhelmed with the Redbirds (they are doing a real pitching fade of late, we’ll see if they have bounceback), I do think that division is more competitive than weak, but that’s just my opinion.
But what really bugs me about the Houston club, is I have to assume that anyone plucked from the Red Sox is quality stuff. So I expected Brad Mills to do a fine job. Yet, he’s wound up firing both his pitching coach, and hitting coach sooner than you’d like to see. Had Jeff bagwell stayed on with Mills, this might not have occurred, but it least produces curiousity about Mills.
Personally, I’d prefer seeing Ed flourish, but I suspect he’s got a difficult road. He looked like a genius on the Myers signing, but Brett’s not had a good year, and as a side note, Pete’s comps to Myers for Kyle Drabek gained endorsement this past week when Kyle was optioned back to Triple A. Kyle’s young yet, so he may still be a real good pitcher, but he’s not that young anymore, and off a raised by a quality pitcher in Doug, you’d think he’d be pretty good at this age (24?).
Chalk his move up to ambition-and-challenge’s pull, but Brad’s former seat next to relaxed good buddy Tito in 1st place Beantown must look like a comfy ol’ recliner to him now. Given team swoon, Mills might not last the season. Firing both pitching and hitting coach sniffs of desperation … at minimum, disgruntlement. In the name of originals Turk Farrell and Bobby Shantz, I hope ‘Stros improve.
FYI: Bobby Shantz - 1952 AL MVP; 3-time AS, 11 Gold Gloves - and Curt Simmons – Phils pitcher in ’47 at 18, 193 G-winner, ’64 World Champion (ouch!), 3-time AS - are scheduled to be at The Philadelphia A’s Society store on Saturday from 10-12; 6 N. York Rd,, Hatboro, PA http://www.philadelphiaathletics.org
b.ski, last off season had provided a link and prompted discussion about the A’s society. Good stuff, and it’s a shame you have to go so far back to first hand recall the A’s in Philly. That should be a celebrated weekend. I will be, but it’d be better with an abundance of first hand recollections.
Todd Zolecki reporting Phils have signed Tim Redding to minor-league deal…now he can’t stymie us anymore!
It’s one thing to add to the LOB category in average circumstances. But even more so against Javy. We HAVE TO score here.
I’m sorry, 27 pitch extension or not, that just sucks. I doubt it matters later, but I sure hope that doesn’t come back to bite us.
Today’s Hoen and Hardart (AMEX-DEFUNCT) trivia question is a real boys from men separator. Getits over the imposters.
Yesterday was the anniversary of what pitcher’s completion of the 2nd of back to back MLB no hitters. I’d make it a multiple choicer, but I’d rather keep the field open.
Um, John E. Begood?
Dutch master painter, Johnny Vander Meer.
For all the criticisms they get, T Mac and Wheels fitting in expertly with the in progress Krukker interview. Right questions, great answers.
and even better than that interview was is the way Cliff is pitching today.
You are watching vintage Cliff Lee today. And remin9iscent of his 1st ever start with the Phils, when he took a no-no into the 6th inning against the Giants. Smacked a double that night, too. The countdown is on.
What a great time for Cliff to go deep here. Fingers crossed.
we gonna rock onto Electric Avenue, and then we’ll take it higher. Dude is well rounded.
People laughed when Cliff was asked who would win the club’s pitchers hitting competition, and he looked around, and straightfaced, “oh, me.” With game set, match nearly in place already, the next question is in the sprint to second, does Mr. Lifetime Pass of all lifetime passes have the stamina after the sprint to second before working a regroup inning, then pressing on in his battle against the baseball gods to take the no Bottom Marlins club to new depths.
that’s probably a good thing, the Fish’s first hit. Beswt to just keep focussed on location, mixing speeds, win the game, and be ready for the next start against the Cards. Great to see Cliff in complete command.
RyHo again, helping his turn of event 2011 in which his day splits are much better than night splits. Finally cookin here with Raul nailing a 2B.
Respecting the game underlies what can still happen, but Cliff’s rhythm today, and being he’s the sprt that gets stronger as she goes more often than not encourages speculative talk. The ERA has now dropped to 3.21. The personally cretaed just for fun goal of touching 2.54 at some point is somewhat on visibility. A string of the again personally stated expectation of 6-10 games in a row of typical Cliff would make the goal well within reach. The potential problem is the awaiting Card and Red Sox bats. But through 6 today, you gotta like the condition going in. Can’t ask a lot more than that.
I’m surprised the Marlins haven’t thrown it in yet. They must feel that even with Nolan Ryan, Willie Mays and Mariano Rivera, they couldn’t beat the Phils this series.
When it’s bad sometimes, it’s bad.
There problems are so compounded, and I can’t name them all, but 3-17 since the Posey play, real horrible starting pitching prior to Sanchez, at least recently, no Josh, i,Hanley, off year so far, DL of late, LoMo going off on hitting coach change,it adds up to maybe being in a mental funk of sorts. Maybe more going through the motions than we might see.
I can almost guarantee that observors will prview the Seattle series with cautious optimism. It’s not totally unfair. Unfamiliar park, Felix and Pineda, possible throw away game with vance, possible being the operative word. But you gotta show respect to the Phils. Home stand momo, signs of offensive life et al. Expecting, and predicting the proven Phils to win 2 of 3 against the Seattle club shouldn’t see much play, but it’s still pretty reasonable. This assumes a solid wrap to today’s game, but I’m not sure it’d be that different even if that doesn’t come to fruition. Felix is cool to respect, and Pineda’s been terrific, but the guy’s pitching at an IP pace that’s higher than his previous workload, so granting him too much respect might be giving more credit than should be anticipation wise.
I’d expect some bellowing about Ciff getng the 9th, but among other factors, madson pitched a fairly laborsome 9th last night, and there’s no off day, and as Wheels said, he has been pretty effortless to this point. And you gotta cut a pitcher some slack on the chance for a CG shutout. But a quick 9th would be nice.
Cliff maybe spoke the truth when he talked of pitch selection in assessing his prior to this homestand only good for the most part start. Said use of the curve was big today, so we’ll have to see the breakdown. Whatever it was that got him going, that, warmer weather, lesser competition, it’s nice to see. The ERA’s down to 3.12, and we just might hear his name dropped into all star possibities if we can get another 2-3 outings of the same. Be great to have as many as 4 pitchers at the game as we try to get home field for the would be World Series.
Cliff Lee’s last 3 starts: 3-0, 24 IP, 1 ER (0.37 ERA), 13 H, 5 BB (0.75 WHIP), 20 K, and 3 for 7 (.428) at the plate.
I was just going to post that, which is a summary of the homestand. Good work. Now the objective is to get the home road splits in line, and we’re there. matter of time. Oh, and the 3-7 at the plate extends to 8-19, after an 0-13 start of the season. Think we should sign him?
JC Romero released. Worley back up. Nice.
about time