So what do you think Cliff Lee is thinking right now? My guess is something along the lines of,
I thought I just traded FROM one of the worst teams in baseball, not TO one.
Since the Lee trade, the Phillies are 3-8, or 1-8 when Lee hasn’t pitched.
I’m not one to play the blame game, but if you want to, there is plenty to go around. Ryan Howard has been dreadful in clutch situations, Chase Utley has 3 RBI in his last 13 games, Raul Ibanez has 1 RBI since the Lee trade, Jayson Werth is hitting .185 in August, Hamels has given up 10 runs in his last 2 starts, the bullpen has blown leads and so on and so forth.
These Phillies are one of the streakiest teams you will ever see. That is what happens when you have a HR / strikeout type offense. We know this, we have always known this, and down turns like this shouldn’t surprise us. Our team strikeouts actually put us middle of the pack (12th worst in MLB), but we aren’t manufacturing runs and we aren’t getting 2 out hits (21st in the MLB in BA with RISP and 2 out).
What’s the bottom line? It doesn’t look like the Phillies are going to make this easy on the fans, but the trend with this team over the past 5-6 years has been to go up and down all year, but usually end on a hot streak. This kind of series (the Florida series) happens every year. Last year, it was the 4-game sweep by the Dodgers that left us at 64-57. In 2007, it was the Dodgers and Padres getting us for 4 in a row and putting us at 66-62. Things worked out fine both those years, and we didn’t exactly have a 4 (about to be 3 1/2) game lead to work with.
2009: 61-48
2008: 59-50
2007: 57-52
Player of the Series: N/A
Goat of the Series: Chase Utley (1-10, 5 K)
Instead of Good News/Bad News, I’m just going to touch on a couple stories affecting the team so people have a place to talk about them…
On Moyer and Martinez
This was a tough move, but the right one. You couldn’t take Happ out of the rotation, and Martinez pitched well enough in the minors to deserve a look over the perhaps finally over-the-hill Jamie Moyer. Kudos to Moyer for taking the move well. If we’ve seen his last start in Philly, he’ll certainly always be remembered fondly by me for winning 2 of the biggest games in my lifetime – Game 3 of the 2008 World Series, which I attended, and the final regular season game of 2007, in which we clinched our first division title since 1993. I think we are all excited to see what Pedro can do, but I’m keeping my expectations tempered. As for Moyer in the bullpen, I would have to think he will only pitch in garbage time. It will be interesting to see what happens if Pedro bombs his first couple starts.
On Injuries in the Bullpen
Looks like Romero might be done for the year, I’ve never known an MRI on a pitching arm to end in a positive result. Durbin is back with the big club and Rodrigo Lopez is back in AAA. Hopefully Durbin’s time off regained his arm strength and he can be some help out of the pen again. Clay Condrey is still out for a bit, could certainly use him as well. None of these injuries should come as a surprise, as we talked at length about how overused the bullpen was in the first half of the year while the starters were struggling. Brett Myers has thrown 2 simulated games in the past 5 days and felt fine after both. He might start a rehab assignment as soon as the weekend and if that is true, he could be in the bullpen a week or so after. He could end up being a huge key to our success if he can come in a take up some innings from our tired bullpen.
On the Minors
Dominic Brown had his best game as a pro yesterday, hitting 2 HR at Reading. He is sporting a 1.145 OPS during his 8 games there. Kyle Drabek has had a rough go his last two outings (11 IP, 10 ER) and some are wondering if it is time to shut him down for the year after 140 IP, by far the most of his career. Matthew Way has given up 1 run and 9 hits, while collecting 20 strikeouts in his first 2 starts in Lakewood (14 innings). Anthony Gose (who turned 19 today) now has 64 steals in Lakewood. That would put him on pace for 97 during a 162 game season.
Series Preview: Phillies at Chicago Cubs
Cubs fans would probably laugh at us complain about how streaky our team is, as they’ve been watching their for 101 years now. The Cubs were 41-42 on July 10th, but now sit just 2 games behind the Cardinals at 58 and 51. Their offense has come alive since the all-star break with Kosuke Fukudome, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano and Milton Bradley all sporting OPS’ over .950 since the break.
Tuesday: Happ vs. RHP Rich Harden
Wednesday: Martinez vs. RHP Jeff Samardzija
Thursday: Lee vs. RHP Ryan Dempster
Three Questions for the Series…
- What will we get from Pedro?
- Can the middle of the order please wake up?
- Did Charlie’s fiery talk after Sunday work?
Prediction
I feel like the Phillies are in “do the opposite of what makes sense” mode, so I’m picking them to win the series. The first game is key, as Harden has typically had his way with us, as many strikeout pitchers do. My Notre Dame boy Samardzija has been terrible out of the pen, and I can’t see him being any better as a starter. I think Lee will get hit a bit Thursday, but hopefully we can hit to support him.
These Phillies tend to play well when the chips are down and the momentum is going the other way. Hopefully they start tomorrow.
On an unrelated note…
I’m currently reading Satchel by Larry Tye, a thus far entertaining book about the life of Satchel Paige. In it, I just found this very interesting (to me, at least) Phillies note…
Another baseball mogul — Bill Veeck — almost beat him (Branch Rickey) to it, and if he had it might have been Satchel instead of Jackie whose number is raised in tribute in every baseball stadium in America. Veeck said that he tried to buy the Philadelphia Phillies and stock the team with blacks two years before Rickey signed Robinson. “With Satchel Paige, Roy Campanella, Luke Easter, Monte Irvin and countless others in action and available, I had not the slightest doubt that…the Phils would have leaped from seventh place to the pennant,” Veeck wrote in his autobiography. He was undone when baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis and National League President Ford Frick, alarmed by his scheme, arranged for another bidder to buy the team at half the price. Baseball scholars still argue whether Veeck, a self-described hustler, invented the story to inflate his role in history. He may have, yet given his chutzpah and how he later assembled the most integrated team ever, he might just have done what he boasted.
Wouldn’t that have re-written history…
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m glad Mrs. Hamels doesn’t pitch until Saturday.
Partly agree w/you Pete – “scorned” Phillies will TRY get their asses in gear again; won’t be easy w/upcoming schedule though.
Only guaranteed win on horizon – Wednesday with ol’ maestro Pedro conducting.
The Phils first three pitchers in this series could perhaps be our best pitchers for their postseason rotation. (Happ, Martinez, Lee).
Is it just me or does Hamels need a lot of rest? He looks exhausted!
I still think the Phils will win the division, but they need to establish a consistent starting rotation and execute better with RISP (San Francisco will show NO mercy!)
If Rollins (30 bb in 454 official ab) & Victorino (43 in 426) insist on hacking, at least they could learn to lay down bunts on occasion, take advantage of 90 ft. speed, improve OBPs. Does Milt Thompson matter, wield influence on these guys?
Howard: opposing leftys with any kind of breaking stuff must salivate on seeing him walk to the box. The launcher looks clueless lately. Sunday’s peeving “strike” was borderline; his reflex tantrum, telling. Protect the plate or sit down – there’s no gifts in baseball.
Utley: looking pale. Annual August enervation cycle. Should pick up with transfusion of Sept. weather and playoff light at end of schedule tunnel.
Werth: better quit the big-timin’ and get back to playing with the seriousness that got him his Philly chance on the field in the first place.
All-around lousy since gift all-star berth.
“Does Milt Thompson matter, wield influence on these guys?” Funny you mention that, jjg.
Prior to Sunday’s game, several Phillies alumni (Dickie Noles, Mitch Williams, Jim Eisenreich, Ricky Jordan) took celebrity BP and Milt Thompson was among them. He didn’t show much either. I was joking with my kids, facetiously saying I was sure that none of the Phils players would give him a hard time for his feeble showing. I’m not saying it has any relevance to his effectiveness as a hitting coach——after all, as the saying goes, those who can’t do, teach——just found it funny is all.
Did Charlie’s fiery talk work? I think definitely maybe. ‘Course ya gotta wait ‘n see. I don’t have to answer that! Ask me no questions, I’ll tell ya no lies. Huh? I thawt he pitched good ‘cept for that one inning. Any more? A’right den.
career hits, teacher & students:
Rollins 1572
Ibanez 1472
Stairs 1330
Coach T. 1029
Feliz 933
Utley 932
Howard 688
Victorino 563
Werth 469
Ruiz 236
At least 6 should be listening – until next season anyway.
We’ve had discussions here and there about how the game has changed over the years——mostly for the worse. Well, something happened on Sunday that really stood out to me. The Marlins pinch-hit for Josh Johnson in the top of the 7th.
I realize that it was only a 3-1 game and that there were runners on first and second with two outs. A part of me understands the reasoning and the desire to tack on what could be a valuable insurance run. The bigger part of me, however, couldn’t believe that Fredi Gonzalez took Johnson out of the game.
Johnson was dealing. He had only thrown 85 pitches to that point, only given up 4 hits and 1 walk, had most of those runners erased on 3 double-plays, and recorded 6 strikeouts. The only “damage” we did to him was right out of the gate with the first few hitters in the top of the first. After that, he cruised. Even in this pitch-count era, there was no reason to think that Johnson couldn’t have continued to mow us down for 2 more innings.
In hindsight, it looks like a brilliant move because the Marlins went on to blow our doors off, but I attribute that more to Lopez (walking the pinch-hitter, Gload, and getting knocked around), Werth, and the rest, more than I do to Gonzalez’ strategy.
It just stood out for me as another example of how the game has changed, as you wouldn’t see something like that happen years ago. Can you imagine the Phils taking Carlton out of a game like that 30 years ago? Heck, can you imagine them doing it with Schilling 10 years ago?
It certainly affirms that, as much as everyone talks about the need for pitching, it’s an offensive game, and the desire to score runs wins out. It is also self-defeating with regard to pitching. Guys are not asked to or not allowed to go deeper in games, or complete them, or pitch out of trouble, etc… The pitcher does not learn how to successfully work through those situations or build up arm strength to go longer. Then, when a need arises, perhaps due to a worn out bullpen or an injury, the pitcher struggles and/or fails. This confirms the manager’s reasoning for not asking him to do it in the first place and he lacks the trust to put him in those situations again. It’s a negative feedback cycle all the way around. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. All to the detriment of pitching quality.
At least that’s how I see it. Could be just me though.
bski, Agree with much of your analysis of downturned pitching. Disagree w/Johnson decision incorrectness in that circumstance. Was watching closely from tv tube vantage point. He was great up until that inning, but was starting to tire, lose some command. Sauna of a day. Fresh arms/new looks perfect for spots like that.
Just a quick bit: Gio Gonzalez, the other pitcher we traded to the White Sox for Freddy Garcia, has looked really good in his past two starts with Oakland – 12-plus scoreless innings over two games.
BREAKING NEWS … Cliff Lee’s latest thoughts:
- This bunch was ’08 World Champs? Why have they shriveled since my arrival?
- I wonder if Victorino is often like that … maybe I shouldn’t invite him to our cookout.
- Howard is better on ESPN Sportscenter.
- Do they really expect me to keep up my pace?
- Here comes Pedro to steal some of my thunder; get out the mustard.
- Citizens Bank Park is beautiful, especially when it’s empty.
- I wish Cole would talk to me.
- What’s with the Moyer worship around here? Takes all day to throw a pitch … often, results aren’t pretty … turns into a pontiff in front of a
microphone. Don’t get it.
- Chicago Cubs, ho-hum: the Texas Rangers of the NL.
- I miss my ‘happy indian’ hat.
jjg: Don’t let the sarcasm get to you there, especially with the Phils!
I thought maybe the Phils might have been able to weather moving Moyer to the pen with minimal disruption, but I guess not.
Moyer speaks (from Todd Zolecki):
“I’m really not happy with this decision that the Phillies have made,” he said, sitting in the stands behind the first-base dugout. “I will take what they’ve asked me to do, but I’m not really excited about the decision that has been made. Ultimately, I’m a little dishearted because this past winter when I was negotiating with the Phillies this was a sore thumb, if you will, about this potentially happening.
“You can’t promise anything in this game, but I really felt that Ruben (Amaro Jr.) parlayed to me that this type of situation would not happen. Actually, even had some discussion with David (Montgomery) with them reassuring me that this type of situation wouldn’t happen. Again, I’m a little disheartend by the way it’s happened, how it’s happened. We’re still in first place. I probably feel like I haven’t contributed as well as I could have, but I think if you go around to the other 24 players on our club they would probably say the same type of thing.
“Whether I like it or not, this is the situation I’m in. I will deal with it. I will deal with it in a respectful way. I’ll be respectful to my teammates. Like I said at the beginning, I do not want to be a distraction and I refuse to be a distraction. It’s about the 25 players that are here. We all have to pick each other up. We all have to support each other. We all have to be professional about what we do. This is job that sometimes you’re in situations that you like or dislike and you have to deal with it. That’s why for me dealing with this like a man and taking whatever they choose to do. I’m an employee here, but I don’t always have to like the situation that I’m in. And that’s OK. Life goes on. But like I said, I feel a little disheartened. I feel a little bit like I’ve been misled. I feel like I’ve played this game long enough that the respect factor should be there.”
Two things:
1) I’m sure that every player feels that he could do more for the team. However, there is a difference between not doing what you think you are capable of and just flat-out not getting the job done.
2) If Moyer truly did not want to be a distraction he could have simply said that he understands why the Phils made the move, that he’ll do whatever is best for the team, and leave it at that.
I hope this is the end of it.
The Real Rob, Sounds like it’s getting to you. Don’t worry, your
optimism squarely counterbalances sardonic slants. All in a spirit of sharing.
Moyer’s extended, unnecessary response/bellyache doesn’t surprise me. Predictable, that he pulls this when chips don’t fall his way (due to his OWN performance). If you thought he was going gentle into that bullpen, you probably, too, have swallowed his carefully cultivated Dudley Do-Right Of The Mounties image. With his public statements, he’s undermined Amaro’s and Montgomery’s credibility and suggested disrespectful action has been taken towards him while he’s being paid his handsome, no-hometown-discount, extra-year-added salary by the organization. Zolecki asked a question; many response options existed; Moyer answered strictly for Moyer’s ego, not for the Phillies’ advantage. A sharp head like his knows that a ”give him the ball” tolerance of a hurler with the 3rd highest ERA among NL starters into mid-August is a fair – even strong - measure of respect demonstrated.
Essentially, this was an articulate tantrum by another babied athlete.
Correction: Apparently Zolecki asked no question. Embarrassed King Jamie XLVI stewed on demotion alone in Wrigley stands, decided to summon reporters in order to hold court on why his batting practice servings were still in the best interest of the team. Always the team. What an ace, that guy, his majesty of Souderton and underperformance and millions of fans’ dollars. Hail to the chump!
Moyer’s comments disappointed me. I always saw him as more of a stand-up guy who would understand his pitching this year wasn’t cutting it. Hopefully Pedro pitches well enough to justify moving him into the rotation because I don’t want to see Moyer again unless it is in garbage time.
Anyone else think that we may have gotten a steal with Ben Francisco? I know he’ll never be a regular everyday OF, but the guy is fantastic off the bench of as insurance in case someone gets injured.
Just for the record, Dom Brown spells his name “Domonic”:
“The 6-foot-5, 204-pound Brown said he was humbled by the whole process. Despite the attention, he remains a shy prospect, worried about things like getting too close to a big shot like Martinez. Only recently did he tell the Phillies that they had misspelled his first name since he was drafted. (It’s Domonic, not Dominic. And he has no idea why. Just the way his mother, Rosemary, spelled it.)
“Everybody spells my name wrong,” he said. “But it’s not a problem at all. It’s OK.”"
stu -